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Northeastern took a commanding lead in the CAA last night, handling George Mason somewhat easily. The slate of games tonight is rather weak, so the SCGD is going to be returning to the bottom of the SWAC and the bottom of Division I hoops as we revisit our friends at Grambling State.
While Grambling lost in its last appearance in the SCGD, and suffered yet another defeat this weekend, they once again have a chance to pick up that elusive first victory tonight when they host Mississippi Valley State at 8:30PM Eastern. While Grambling is dead last in RPI and KenPom ratings, MVSU is not that far away. The Delta Devils rank 341/347 in RPI and 340/347 in Pomeroy. While they do have 2 wins, they were victories over another pair of 325+ RPI teams from the SWAC, Prairie View and Alabama A&M. By the numbers, MVSU is currently the second worst team in the SWAC after Grambling, meaning this is their best shot at a victory tonight — though given how weak the entire conference is after front-runner Southern, there will be a few more chances if they don't win this one.
As a side note, also of interest to the SCGD today is the announcement of the matchups for the 2013 BrackBusters. Some key home teams in this year's pool are Long Beach State, Valparaiso, Akron, Indiana State, Wichita State, Belmont, Davidson, and St. Mary's. The top road teams are Montana, Detroit, Iona, Ohio U, Creighton, Stephen F Austin and South Dakota State. It would be great to wee at least half a dozen matchups among these teams, such as Creighton at Belmont, Stephen F Austin at Akron (or at St. Mary's), and South Dakota State at Wichita State. (UPDATE: Announcements will be next Monday, Feb. 4 now.)


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Google and Levi pair up for Project Jacquard
Project Jacquard sounds like some obscure, underground art collective that has emerged out of its chic European scene and started making a noise on the global stage.
Alas, it isn't that at all, but worry not, the reality of what it represents is just as edgy and exciting as the description provided above.
It is a partnership between Levi and Google – yes, you read that right – which is looking at how wearable tech can become better integrated into so-called "normal clothing".
And it seems they are beginning to make inroads, meaning that one day you will be able to pat your t-shirt where your stomach is and voila, your smartphone will start playing music.
"This is possible thanks to new conductive yarns, created in collaboration with our industrial partners," the official website explains.
"Jacquard yarn structures combine thin, metallic alloys with natural and synthetic yarns like cotton, polyester, or silk, making the yarn strong enough to be woven on any industrial loom.
"Jacquard yarns are indistinguishable from the traditional yarns that are used to produce fabrics today."
What is particularly nice about the project is the interplay between old and new, be it textiles and technology, clothes and smartphones. It's a nice mix.
It is still very much in its infancy as a concept but very real nonetheless – as the team behind it state confidently, these so-called "connected clothes" will deliver untold possibilities in terms of how people interact with other devices and environments.
Speaking to Wired, Ivan Poupyrev, technical programme lead at Google, said: "If you can weave the sensor into the textile, as a material, you're moving away from the electronics. You're making the basic materials of the world around us interactive."
This seems to be a positive development in terms of wearable tech, as Google's Glass – interactive, computerised spectacles – may be very useful but it still doesn't "look the part".
Project Jacquard looks like changing that.

subset: commoncrawl


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It is a twice yearly, 2 day blogging extravaganza! There are 175 blogs participating and the minimum giveaway on each of those blogs is $100, most are doing much, much more. I know of a few that are close to $500 already! Needless to say there is going to be ALOT of merchandise given away during those 2 days!
Done having babies? I am too and it's no problem, you can still enter to win...Think how nice it would be to never have to shop for baby shower gift again for awhile!
Here are a few sneak peeks of what will be up for grabs September 15th-16th here on
See it! Love it! Win it!


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Solidification please
QPR. At home.
Is there really anything more to say than to find a happy medium between the dominant Reading performance and the cohesive one against Lazio and win in bullish, aggressive fashion? Anything more, aside from:
One holding midfielder, not two.
Score an early goal.
Then get another before half-time. At a push a third.
If not a third before half-time, score it within ten minutes of the second half starting.
Kill the game, kill it dead. If they park the bus, slap 'em with a parking ticket then hot wire the sonofabitch and clamp it on the touchlines. It's our back yard, don't allow them to dictate and force us to react in a way not becoming to our preparation. Control equates to tempo which results with initiative. They need to be adapting to us. Our home, our rules. Their struggle.
Take the sting out of the game if necessary in the latter stages. No need to witness the last 20 minutes consisting of nervous dispositional football. Solidification please.
Belief. On the pitch, in the stands.
Home win.
Positivity in blog comment sections and pubs the world over.
Get on it. COYS.


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CAT 2014 Admit Cards Download | CAT 2014 Admit Cards | CAT 2014 Results
Hyderabad, 27 October 2014: CAT – a Common Admissions Test for admissions in Indian Institutes of Management for MBA course to be held for 2014 on 16th and 22nd November of this year. CAT 2014 Admit Cards Download facility is open now. Candidates who have applied for CAT 2014 can now download them.
CAT is an admissions test to get seat in prestigious Indian Institute of Manangment (IIM)s. As per the date 13 IIMs are there in India and Central Government has decided to open 6 new IIMs in various cities. For the year 2014 CAT 2014 notification has released in July. CAT 2014 will be held on 16th and 22nd November in various cites in India. Now, the time is to download the admit card. Candidates can download CAT 2014 admit card by giving their registration numbers.
Mock Test Facility: CAT 2014 organizing committee made a facility for candidates to take a computer based online mock test. This will be useful for fresh candidates. This mock test's purpose is only for getting an experience of the computer based exam. This online mock test facility is available from 28th October to till the exam date.
CAT 2014 Exam Dates: 16th and 22nd November 2014
CAT 2014 Admit Cards Download is available here: https://iimcat.ac.in/EForms/Mock/Web_App_Template/756/1/index.html?1@@1@@1


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What follows is PART 2 of a 15-PART series. The remaining installments will appear on Deep Capture over several weeks, after which point the story will be published in its entirety. It is a story about the travails of just one small company, but it describes market machinations that have affected hundreds of other companies, and it contains a larger message for anyone concerned about the "deep capture" of our nation's media and regulatory bodies.
Where we left off, CNBC's Jim Cramer had trashed Dendreon while declaring it to be a "battleground stock." This seemed to foretell a series of brutal attacks that involved illegal naked short selling and other familiar weapons of the "battleground." As we will see, these attacks have helped prevent Dendreon's prostate cancer treatment from reaching patients. As we will also see, most of Dendreon's known detractors–including hedge funds betting against the company's stock and Cramer himself–have ties to the famous criminal Michael Milken or his close associates. Meanwhile, there are serious questions to be asked about the precise nature of Milken's "philanthropy" — specifically his Prostate Cancer Foundation…
* * * * * * * *
In January 2007, some 15 months after CNBC's Jim Cramer announced that the FDA had rejected Provenge (even though the agency had not yet reviewed Provenge), the FDA assigned "priority review status" to Dendreon's application to have the drug approved. Such status is typically granted to drugs whose trials suggest that they can significantly improve the safety or effectiveness of treating a serious or life-threatening disease. Some weeks after receiving "priority review status," Dendreon announced that an FDA advisory panel would meet on March 29 to vote on whether its treatment for prostate cancer should be approved.
FDA advisory panels are made up of doctors and scientists who are employed on a one-time basis to review a new drug. Their decisions are not binding, but in 97 percent of all cases, the FDA follows the advisory panel's recommendations. Given that Dendreon's data results had been strong enough to cause the FDA to fast-track things by granting "priority review status," it was widely expected that the advisory panel would vote in favor of Provenge, and that the drug would get FDA approval soon after. This was very good news.
Normally, this would be a time for short sellers to close out their trades. Companies receiving priority status (moving them down the road to FDA approval) generally see their stocks soar in value, and typically the prices stay at peak levels, at least until the companies present plans for how they are going to bring their drugs to market.
But in the middle of that March, there was a strange occurrence: short selling in Dendreon began to increase at an unprecedented rate. Illegal naked short selling increased as well.
SEC data shows that on March 16, 2007, over 1 million Dendreon shares "failed to deliver" – because they were sold short by people who did not possess any shares. That is, these naked short sellers took investors' money but delivered…nothing.
The numbers rose steadily, so by March 28, the day before the advisory panel vote, more than 9 million phantom shares were circulating in the market. And consider that the SEC data might understate "failures to deliver" by factors of ten or more. So by that point the market may actually have been flooded with about 90 million phantom shares – in a company that had only 100 million shares outstanding.
On the night of March 28, 2007, Cramer commented on Dendreon again. He did not mention the phantom stock (in May, 2008, he began a "crusade" against naked short selling, but he started this "crusade" just one day after he was exposed by Deep Capture as a central player in a media cover-up of the naked short selling scandal). Instead, Cramer offered the long-shot prediction that the FDA advisory panel would not approve Provenge. He advised Dendreon's shareholders to "SELL, SELL, SELL!!!"
This was the "battleground." And Dendreon was under attack.
* * * * * * * *
The next day—March 29, 2007–the FDA's advisory panel decided overwhelmingly in Dendreon's favor. Every one of the 17 scientists and doctors on the panel voted that Provenge was safe, and 13 of the 17 panelists voted that there was substantial evidence that the treatment effectively lengthened the lives of prostate cancer patients.
As you will recall, the FDA had followed the recommendations of advisory panels in 97 percent of all cases. So at this point it seemed extremely likely that Provenge was on the fast track to approval. Most experts expected that Dendreon could begin delivering its treatment to prostate cancer patients within six months. The company's stock price, which the short sellers had depressed to $4 before the panel vote, now soared.
By April 13, Dendreon was worth around $20 a share.
But the short sellers did not relent. The more the stock rose in value, the more they piled on, flooding the market with still more phantom stock. On the day after the advisory panel meeting, at least 9 million phantom shares were sold, according to the SEC's unforgivably incomplete data. During the following two weeks, between 9 and 10 million shares were "failing to deliver" on any given day. And on one day, April 13, overall short interest in Dendreon rose to 32 million shares – from just 8 million shares a few hours before.
By any reckoning, this was sheer insanity. Given Dendreon's prospects for FDA approval, it seemed like the short sellers were flushing money down the toilet. Some observers racked it up to psychology – the short sellers had grown emotionally tied to their positions, and simply could not give them up.
But I offer several other possible hypotheses, which are all mutually compatible. The first is that the short sellers believed that they could generate enough phantom shares to drive the stock price back down, despite Dendreon's fantastic news. The second is that the short sellers were aware that there was about to be released a wave of lopsided negative financial research and media reports (including more from Cramer) that they expected would crack the stock.
And the third explanation is that the short sellers who made this long-shot bet perhaps knew something that the rest of the world did not. They perhaps knew that some strange occurrences were imminent, and that these strange occurrences would diminish Dendreon's prospects. And given the especially sharp increase in short selling on the morning of April 13, they might have expected that the strange occurrences would begin on that particular day.
Alas, something strange would indeed occur later on April 13, 2007. And after that, there was another strange occurrence – then still more strange occurrences, one after the other until it seemed that Dendreon and its treatment for prostate cancer would no longer exist.
I will describe these strange occurrences, but first we must understand a bit more about a network of smooth market operators and a "prominent philanthropist" named Michael Milken.
* * * * * * * *
As mentioned, we do not know who was responsible for the illegal naked short selling of Dendreon. The SEC keeps that a secret.
But while the SEC is of no help, most any Wall Street broker can describe several "proprietary" strategies that are popular with unscrupulous hedge funds.
One such strategy is known as a "married put." Normally, a hedge fund buys from a market maker a certain number of put options—the right to sell a stock at a specified price at a specified date. If on that date the stock has lost value to the point it is below that specified price, the buyer of the put option (the hedge fund) makes money, and the seller (the market maker) loses money. To hedge the risk that he might lose money, the market maker, at the same moment that he sells the put option, also short sells the stock. This is perfectly legal.
But some market markers conspire with hedge funds to drive the stock price down. Instead of merely shorting the shares into the market, the market maker naked short sells the shares, and, importantly, sells those phantom shares to the same hedge fund that bought the puts. As a result, the hedge fund manager winds up with the puts and a matching number of shares (actually phantom shares that are never delivered to him, but about which he never complains, or forces delivery, as that would create upward pressure on the stock, the precise opposite of what he wants). Because the puts and the phantom shares are equal in number and arrive together at the hedge fund, they are known as "married puts".
Once in possession of the phantom shares, the hedge fund manager proceeds to fire them into the marketplace. But he is able to say that he never naked shorted because all he has done is sold the shares that he bought (wink wink) from the market maker.
Either way, the effect is to flood the marketplace with phantom stock. The hedge fund makes money. And the market maker is rewarded with more business selling married puts.
Incidentally, the fee charged for such puts do not follow any normal option model pricing (in fact, the exchanges search for married puts by looking for options that are mispriced in relation to Black-Scholes, the standard formula that prices options). That is because their pricing is not really a function of any math or statistics, but is a function of the willingness of the hedge fund to pay the option market maker to help him break the rules against naked short selling. And that willingness is a function of how difficult it is for the hedge fund to use other loopholes to break those rules.
In the slang of Wall Street, these married puts are known as "bullets." Through their maneuverings, the option market maker and hedge fund manager synthesize a naked short position that puts "bullets" into the hands of the hedge fund. The hedge fund fires those "bullets" at the stock to make it collapse, timing the last "bullet" to fire as the hedge fund's put option expires profitably. If the option position nears expiration and looks like it will expire at a loss ("out of the money"), the hedge fund manager goes back to the option market maker, and together they reload by synthesizing more "bullets."
Until recently, this behavior flourished owing to a rule called the "options market maker exemption" which is said to have been enacted thanks partly to the pleadings of a "prominent" market maker and investor named Bernard Madoff, who had considerable influence at the SEC. Madoff also obtained an exemption allowing market makers to sell short on a down-tick. The SEC was so grateful for his help in this regard that the commission named the new rule the "Madoff Exemption." This was before Mr. Madoff became famous for orchestrating a $50 billion Ponzi scheme with help from the Mafia (CNBC's Charles Gasparino has reported that Madoff might be tied to the Russian Mafia; whistleblower Harry Markopolis stated in Congressional hearings that Madoff appeared to have ties to the Russian Mafia and Latin American drug gangs; and Deep Capture's own investigations suggest that Madoff did business with multiple people with ties to both Russian and Italian organized crime).
The options market maker exemption permitted market makers (e.g. Madoff) to sell stock that they did not possess, so long as they were doing so temporarily to "maintain liquidity." Abusing that exemption in order to facilitate naked short selling in cahoots with hedge funds looking to drive down stock prices was blatantly illegal, but the SEC looked the other way, even as market makers failed to deliver shares for weeks, months, and even years at a time. If anyone raised a fuss, the hedge funds would say that the phantom shares didn't originate with them, the SEC would say that stock manipulation is hard to prove, and the market makers would say that they weren't breaking any rules.
* * * * * * * *
At any rate, in March 2007, with Dendreon seemingly on the fast track to FDA approval, most traders were rushing to buy the company's shares. A specific set of hedge funds, however, purchased large numbers of put options in Dendreon. Without a subpoena, we cannot say for sure whether the put options they bought were married to naked short sales, but simply from their put activity it is clear that these hedge funds were placing quite large bets against Dendreon, and they maintained these positions even after the FDA advisory panel voted in favor of Provenge on March 29.
One of those ten hedge funds is Apollo Medical Fund Management, which is managed by a man named Brandon Fradd. Fradd was once accused of burning documents relevant to a civil court case. Fradd was also once the limited partner of a criminal named Reed Slatkin, who was indicted for orchestrating the third largest Ponzi scheme in history. But Slatkin seems to have had minimal involvement in Apollo's trading, and I have yet to uncover any evidence proving that Apollo is tied to naked short sellers or others in the network that this story intends to document. So let us give Fradd the benefit of the doubt.
Let us focus instead on the remaining seven of the ten hedge funds that held large numbers of put options immediately after the FDA's advisory panel handed Dendreon its fantastic news, which was right at the time that Dendreon was bombarded by illegal naked short selling (phantom stock), and just before Dendreon was to experience some strange occurrences.
The managers of these seven hedge funds all know each other well. They have all worked with Michael Milken or Milken's close associates. They include the following:
- a fraudster and naked short seller who is believed to have stolen billions of dollars with help from Russian and Italian organized crime;
- a trader working for a man who once managed, along with his father-in-law, the dirtiest, Mafia-linked brokerage on Wall Street.
- a trader who co-founded his fund with a man who was jailed for plotting to murder Michael Milken's famous co-conspirator, Ivan Boesky;
- a man who became the "most powerful trader on the Street" after working for one of the most notorious, Mafia-linked brokerages on the Street;
- an accused naked short seller who was at the center of the greatest scandal in SEC history, and is now under criminal investigation;
- a fellow who once owned a fund that was charged in a massive naked short selling fraud and was later mixed up in a Mafia-connected, criminal naked short seller's scheme to bribe agents of the FBI; and
- a Russian "whiz kid" who was the top trader for a man who once worked at a notorious Mafia-linked brokerage—the same brokerage that once employed the criminal naked short seller who bribed those agents of the FBI.
Again, judging from SEC disclosures of put option holdings, these seven colorful traders (plus Fradd, whom I have yet to tie to this network) were the only hedge fund managers on the planet who were placing serious bets against Dendreon after the FDA's advisory panel voted in support of Provenge.
So let's get to know more about these seven colorful traders–and then let's try to surmise whether they knew about the strange events that were about to occur in the Spring of 2007, and whether those strange occurrences had anything to do with a "prominent philanthropist" named Michael Milken.
* * * * * * * *
To be continued….Click here for Chapter 3
If this article concerns you, and you wish to help, then:
1) email it to a dozen friends;
2) go here for additional suggestions: "So You Say You Want a Revolution?"


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" ... the deejays might well be doing a service to the gay community by making constant references to its members. After all these frequent references to what might be deemed deviant behaviour tend to increase societal acceptance of what is being proscribed."
- Clyde McKenzie
in "More Questions Than Answers," Jamaica Observer, 2009 January 11
Brief Reportback From My Healthy Masculinity / Bystander Intervention training with Men Can Stop Rape (aka "Why Should Men Stop Rape?"). - (Feb. 17th, 2015, NYC) view from my early morning two-block walk from the midtown Holiday Inn to the MCSR training. It was very cold. But I felt...
4 years ago


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The eCampus Center is the innovative leader in creating, delivering, and supporting an outstanding online higher education experience.
The eCampus Center is dedicated to expanding the programs and offerings of Boise State University beyond traditional borders to meet the academic needs of students anytime, anywhere. With an emphasis on access and success, our innovative model focuses on high-quality online programs and services to create a personalized educational experience.


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Forget message in a bottle — try a message on a bottle!
While trolling the stores for Valentine's Day vino, we came across an abundance of hilariously pithy wine labels to help express your true desires for this holiday.
Face it, some things are too awkward to say. Are you looking for a third in the sack? Do you want some time alone? Or is it finally time to kick your lover to the curb? Just present the bottle, and take a deep breath.
These wines may not knock your socks off, but at least they'll get the point. Here are our faves:
Let's shake it up in the sack
Ménage a Trois: Here's hoping your threesome comes together! This 2011 zinfandel merlot cabernet-sauvignon (blend of three grapes) is surprisingly delicious. We'd even drink it if we weren't begging for a friend to join in. Price: $10.
Twisted: We don't know what's happening in this 2012 California pinot grigio's orgy of mismatched flavors. It's definitely an experience you've never had — and may never want again. Price: $12.99.
Wild Horse: Giddy up! This 2011 Central Coast, Calif. chardonnay will give you a really good gallup — but unfortunately it bucks you at the finish. Price: $13.
Como Loco: You'd be, like, crazy to actually drink this 2012 Spanish jumilla. Price: $7.99.
Gnarly Head: You won't mind putting this in your mouth on Valentine's Day. This 2012 Old Vine Zin from California is surprising easy to swallow with its "juicy flavors of ripe blueberry and plum with a hint of spice." The vineyard even recommends pairing it with a great meat. (rimshot) Price: $6.99.
It doesn't have to be kinky. I just want some action
Simply Naked: This 2011 California chardonnay gives you just what you need — a little alcohol, a little body and just the right amount of stimulation. Price: $8.50.
Undone: To put this 2008 wine in bedroom terms, you've dimmed the lights and set the music, but the whole experience unravels when the clothes come off and it's scarier than you were expecting. This unoaked German pinot noir should stay un-corked. Price: $10.95.
Goose Bump: The 2011 'velvety" Sicilian red provides such a rush of artificial sweetener that your hair will stand on end. Maybe you'll want to get your thrills some other way. Price: $9
I hate you — but I can't get the words out
Bitch: Much like your lady, this devious 2008 Australian grenache is alluring sweet at first but then you're left wondering what the hell you've gotten yourself into. It's mouthy and combative and the bitterness lasts for hours. Price: $10
Fat Bastard: Funny, the initial nose on this 2012 French shiraz reminds us of gym socks, just like your mouth-breathing mate. A lot of sweat went into this wine — and clearly some of it dripped into the bottle. Price: $10.
I'm having an affair – or I'm thinking about having one. I just wanted to get that off my chest!
The Other: You can get one for your wife — and one for your mistress! But this 2011 cabernet sauvignon merlot syrah is as offensively bitter as your better half will be when she finds out your cheating. Price: $16.99
Temptation: This 2010 california zinfandel is trouble from the start with its sensuous aroma and mouth feel but it shouldn't be enough to lure you away. You should look for something deeper. Price: $12.
Hey, hon, the kids are driving me bananas. I can't take it anymore
Dad's Day Off: If you ever do get the cork out of this 2009 Italian pinot noir, the nose will remind you of dad after a couple of days off:. It's like a pit stain on the tongue. Price: $10
Mommy's Time Out: Mommy's gonna need a really long time out to survive the hangover from this 2011 Italian pinot grigio. Your senses will have to be so dulled from changing diapers not to notice the cleaning-product smell. Price: $7.
I'm thinking we should get hitched. I hope you don't throw up
Picket Fence: Much like your soulmate, this 2010 cabernet savignon from Alexander Valley, Calif., is a keeper (but maybe just because it's cheap and dirty.) Price: $15.


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If gardening is your passion, but you're finding it harder to do, this information is for you. Many companies design and sell tools that make it easier to perform everyday gardening tasks. From tools with ergonomic handles to cushioned garden kneelers, gardening has never been easier on those stiff joints and tired muscles. Here are some special-needs situations and the garden tools that have been adapted to help, plus mail-order sources for all of them. Now you can keep gardening as long as possible.
Grip not what it used to be because of arthritis or painful swollen joints? Or perhaps you have problems with weak wrists due to carpal tunnel syndrome?
Ergonomic trowels, cultivator and weeder hand tools (Natural Radius Grip) —Garden tools by Lee Valley 1-800-871-8158
These durable, yet lightweight, aluminum-magnesium alloy tools have large curving handles to prevent hand and wrist strain. Plus, if you constantly lose tools in the garden like I do, the fluorescent green handles make these easy to find.
Fiskars® pruners — Life with Ease 1-800-966-5119
If your hands are weak, or you have stiff painful joints, the unique gear system in these pruners reduces the effort needed to cut.
GT Ergonomic garden trowel — Life with Ease 1-800-966-5119
You can minimize wrist strain with this unique trowel because it relies on your arm muscles. The cushioned supports and grips prevent your wrist from twisting and straining as you work.
Fist Grip® trowel, fork and cultivator hand tools — Life with Ease 1-800-966-5119
The pistol grips keep your wrists straight as you work so you don't strain them. And the bright yellow color makes these tools easy to find if you forget where you laid them as you were working.
Oxo® GoodGrips trowel — Life with Ease 1-800-966-5119
Gel-e, a special material used to cushion the handle, provides a comfortable, soft grip to make digging less jarring on painful hand joints.
Bionic gloves — Hand Helpers 1-888-632-7091
No, they won't do your work for you, but I find these durable gloves improve hand comfort without interfering with motion.
Woman's Pallina Vegan gloves — Garden Gate Store
Liquicell® padding on the palm and thumb is easy on joints and prevents blisters.
Knee joints make it difficult to get up and down? Or perhaps it's painful when you kneel?
Padded garden kneeler — Gardener's Supply 1-888-833-1412
Nothing's worse than kneeling on hard ground. This kneeler cushions your stiff, sore knees as you work. Plus, I like the handles on the sides so I can use my upper body strength to hoist myself up when I'm finished working. After I stand, the handles make it easy to move the kneeler without bending over. That means it's easy on your back, weak legs and painful joints. And with a simple adjustment, the kneeler can even be used as a garden seat when you need a rest.
Garden scoot — Gardener's Supply 1-888-833-1412
Kind of like a tricycle, you sit on the comfortable seat, use your legs to pull yourself along and simply roll through your garden. There's no more getting up and down, stressing your back and knees.
Knee pads — Garden tools by Lee Valley 1-800-871-8158
Strap one of these cushioned pads onto each leg and you won't have to worry about injuring tender knees as you plant or weed your garden. There are several different styles so you can find the one that works best for you.
Unable to lift and move heavy pots?
Pot caddy — Garden tools by Lee Valley 1-800-871-8158
Use your head, not your back. This moving dolly was designed specifically to move heavy containers, up to 165 pounds. Plus it's handy for moving other heavy items around your home or garage, too. I like the compact, lightweight design because it's easy to store.
Confined to a scooter or chair? Maybe your balance doesn't allow you to walk into a shrub or flower border?
Expanding rake with telescoping handle — Life with Ease 1-800-966-5119
I can use this rake in tight places, like between shrubs, and on my lawn — the head expands from 7 to 21 inches wide. Its lightweight, extendable handle helps prevent back fatigue from either a sitting or standing position.
Long-handled hoe or cultivator — Garden tools by Lee Valley 1-800-871-8158
With durable, 60-in.-long wooden handles, these tools help you extend your reach into deep borders and beds.
Corona® extendable-handled cultivator, hoe, rake, loppers and hedge shears— Corona 1-800-234-2547
Before you extend the handles, these tools are easy to carry on a scooter or in a basket. When you're ready to work, the lightweight metal handles can be lengthened to extend your reach, even on the hedge shears or loppers.


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Duplicate profiles can sometimes be created on import or when a person uses a different email address or phone number to register for an event, join, a group, or give. Both Organization Administrators and Managers can merge those profiles manually or using the Duplicate Detector, keeping all information.
Merging profiles cannot be undone.
Merge Manually on a Profile
If you know you have two people that are the same, manually merge them from their profile.
Select the settings gear then Merge this profile to choose a person to merge this information into.
Enter the name of the person you're merging the profile to then confirm the merge.
- By default, the profile you're viewing becomes the Person To Remove; however, you can search for a different person if you want to keep this person. All contact information and activity in any application will be moved from the Person To Remove to the Person To Keep. After the merge, this profile will be completely removed from your account.
- Choose the Person To Keep, who will retain all contact information and activity in any application.
- After you enter the text, the Merge these people button will be enabled.
The highest permission level for each app will be kept, and donation information, such as recurring donations and payment methods, will be merged to the Person To Keep.
After the merge is complete, you will be taken to the Person To Keep's profile page.
Merge with the Duplicate Detector
The Duplicate Detector will suggest a potential duplicate based on:
- Exact name matches
- Double metaphones (names that sound similar, like John and Jon)
- Common nicknames
From those matches, it removes any potential duplicates that have:
- Genders that are set differently; however, if the gender is set for one and not for another, it will leave them in the potential duplicates list
- Profiles that are in a household together
- Names that are the same but have different suffixes (Jr., Sr., etc.)
View Multiple Duplicates
From the Dashboard, select View Duplicates to see a list of all the duplicates in your database.
View the list of people who have duplicate profiles then select X potential duplicate to merge the profiles.
If you choose View ignored duplicates, you'll be taken to the duplicates you've ignored in the past.
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hi all
I'm putting this gig on in my hometown of Saltburn By The Sea..
I don't know if anyone's familiar with RM Hubbert or the Wilsons, they are both equally amazing but quite far removed in style. It will be a great night. If anyone off here lives in the area or fancies a trip up, here's the ticket link: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/197628
RM Hubbert / Wilson Family
Who? What? When? Where? Gigs and more.
1 post • Page 1 of 1
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 14 Jan 2013, 13:20
1 post • Page 1 of 1


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A ROSE goes out to San Jacinto, CA, resident Maureen Williamson. Williamson wrote to the Riverside Press-Enterprise following a town meeting in San Jacinto regarding big rig drivers who park within the city limits. The city was considering a ban on truck parking within its limits, but Williamson defended truckers and the trucking industry, asking the city what accommodations it was prepared to make to give the truckers a place to park. More than that, Williamson pointed out just how valuable truckers are to the everyday life of all of us, calling them "the lifeblood of American enterprise." "Yes, their idling engines have wakened me from sleep on occasion," she wrote. "But when that happens, I say a prayer for those dedicated souls who rise long before the rest of us." Amen to that.
We had to create a new category for this one. A ROSEBERRY goes out to the executives at Delphi, the bankrupt auto parts and electronics manufacturer. A week after the announcement that the company planned to give bonuses to entice executives to stay - while at the same time laying off and cutting back pay for hourly workers - there came another announcement that the executives would actually be taking pay cuts to keep expenses down instead. This might have been an outright ROSE if the big boys hadn't waited until after they were sharply criticized by the United Auto Workers for planning the bonuses/layoffs in the first place. Considering company president Rodney O'Neal already pulls down $1.15 million a year, was talk of a retention bonus even necessary? Sorry Rodney, you'll get no respect from us.
A RAZZBERRY to John Long, the chief executive officer of First Advantage Corp. of St. Petersburg, FL. Long's company does background checks for various companies and at its recent annual meeting, Long couldn't resist poking some fun at the industries the company does business with. The St. Petersburg Times reported that Long especially had some interesting things to say about turnover in the trucking business, which means more business for his company. "These guys get drunk or go someplace else for a nickel more," he said. "I love these guys." Rest assured, John, the feeling is nowhere near mutual.
OOIDA member Jim Beetem of Bono, AR, offers a parking lot full of ROSES to the city of Pocahontas, AR, and its former mayor, John Patrick. While many cities these days take to banning trucks from parking on their streets without giving much thought to where they might go, Pocahontas built a rock lot that will accommodate about 40 tractor-trailers and has a concrete pad for about 20 trailers, for those who can still park their tractors at home but not the trailers. Beetem said that Patrick did not run for re-election this term and has moved into the private sector. Too bad. He would have gotten our support for sure.
A RAZZBERRY to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. The Southern California newspaper recently published an editorial that criticized the trucking industry for the revised hours-of-service regulations. The editorial said the regulations allow drivers too many consecutive hours behind the wheel without sleep, then went on to say that "the trucking industry has to do something more to reduce accidents. Certainly increasing drive time without sleep isn't the way to go. Truckers need more time to deliver their loads, not less." Could someone on the editorial board kindly tell us which of those areas are controlled by truckers? The trucking industry didn't create the HOS regs - a little outfit called the federal government did that. And if truckers were able to simply allow themselves more time to deliver their loads, don't you think they'd do it? Next we suppose you'll be telling truckers that they should lower diesel prices, too.
And speaking of bad press, a RAZZBERRY to Kansas City, MO, television station KCTV-5. The station recently had a headline on its Web site reading "Semi crashes with SUV." However, reading the story, it seems that the woman driving the SUV was yakking on her cell phone and didn't see the semi, which was blocking the road in front of her. Of course she crashed into it. But that's not what the headline would have you believe. The station's slogan is "Live. Late-Breaking. Investigative." We'd like to add one more word: Inaccurate.
By Senior Writer Terry Scruton. He may be reached at email@example.com.


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The concept of The Captain's Pick (CP) has been thrown around a lot recently in the media, and this blog is going to be a quick look at what that actually means, and whether it's a good idea as a leader to make one or not.
For the uninitiated, the Captain's Pick (yet another sporting term stolen by politicians in a sports mad country: Shirtfronting, Down to the wire, Heavy hitter etc.) refers to a decision made, or to the selection of a candidate by a Party Leader without consultation with colleagues, the electorate or due political process (as appropriate). The most recent example of its use in politics has been Tony Abbot's award of an Australian Knighthood to Prince Phillip – a man who is neither short of a few titles, or an Australian – without even mentioning it in passing to his cabinet, leading to 'some' dissenting voices.
With the exception of Dominic Knight literally everybody is giving the PM a hard time over it, and not just the ones you'd expect (Andrew Bolt and Rupert Murdoch both got involved). Of course, this isn't the first time the CP has been thrown about by a sitting Prime Minister – Julia Gillard famously preferred Nova Peris over Trish Crossin in 2013 and got about as positive reaction as Tony has this time. When Kevin Rudd took over for the home stretch of the election campaign, he wasted no time in invoking the CP when choosing Peter Beattie for Forde.
Leaving aside the individual merits of either of the CP above because there are plenty of people debating them for us, is the concept of the CP such a bad one? Is it "an inherently weak Prime Minister's way of trying to assert an authority that he no longer has" (Tim Dunlop), or indicative of a leader who "is prepared to kick arse all the way to the next election" (Gabrielle Chan)? Does it make a difference whether you are a Prime Minister, CEO or an actual sporting captain?
On the one hand, you could argue that it's leadership by position, rather than deed – by making the CP, you're essentially saying "no-one is going to reject my decision because I'm the boss" – it's about perceived strength. Or is it about weakness? Maybe it's more a case of "I really want to do this, but I'm afraid that I'll get shot down so I'm just going to do it without telling anyone".
On the other hand, don't we choose our leaders partly because we want them to make decisions? By electing someone as PM, playing under a captain or working for the boss aren't we saying "I trust you do make the right choices"? Imagine if Michael Clarke had to consult with all his teammates before he changed the field positions?
I think that's the point – Michael Clarke does have the authority to make and enforce decisions based solely on his own judgement because the decisions he makes have to be made quickly and in the midst of a match. He is genuinely a captain, and no matter how much you love cricket, his choices are unlikely to affect that many people in a significant way. Whereas not only do Tony Abbot's choices have a rather wider impact, but presumably the PM wasn't under any pressure to Knight Prince Phillip. It's unlikely he walked into his office on Australia Day and suddenly realised he had to Knight someone, Phillip being the first person that came to mind (although it might seem like that's exactly what happened). Abbot had the time to think, consult with colleagues, judge public opinion. He could still have made the same decision, but at least then he would have had some back up. As it is, his party and strongest supporters have openly criticised him – it could end up being the single most damaging decision of his term in office, but it wasn't the decision itself that was so bad (stranger people than Prince Phillip have been given honours) it was the fact that Abbot immediately owned it, totally – he turned himself into a figure of ridicule.
The problem with unilateral decisions is that you're the one who has to wear it if they go wrong, so you've either got to be pretty confident it won't or desperate. Gillard's selection of Nova Peris had some pretty clear potential upsides electorally and so it can be argued that the pick was a risk worth taking. The main issue I have with Tony Abbot's pick is that I can't imagine what he thought was the best case scenario – there was never likely to be celebrations in the street at further recognition of an old man who has spent his life doing good things because his wife's vast wealth means he can, so at best Abbot could have expected a national disinterested shrug.
A business leader who makes a CP in giving a high-ranking job to a friend or family member instead of going through a recruitment process generally does it in the reasonable expectation that they have the skills necessary to do the job well. If it turns out they don't, the leader is probably going to lose their job. The football coach who consistently selects his son or daughter in the team has to be pretty confident that they are better than other players they could have chosen. If not, they're going to lose the respect of the team and probably, ultimately, their job as a result when they turn against him. Both types of CP are justifiable on the assumption that they will bring about a positive result, and if not, the 'Captain' takes the hit (one more sporting idiom for you).
By making a Captain's Pick that is so clearly full of downside Abbot has to be prepared to take the consequences. This is not the biggest or worst decision he has ever made, in fact it wasn't a decision he particularly needed to make at all but it could prove the most costly – when even your most rabid supporters start to doubt (in private and in public) your judgement it's difficult to get it back. A leader cannot lead if no-one is following, so what do you do if your Captain's Pick turns out to be the wrong one?
What do you think about Captain's Picks?
As a leader, have you ever made a decision you later regretted? What were the consequences, and how did you resolve the situation?
– Luke


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Middle School Ministry
Director: Valerie Della Penna
Phone: 630-469-0404 x4113
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Purpose, Goals and Values
Middle School Ministry exists to excite and empower all young adolescents of St. Petronille Parish in grades 6-8, to fully participate in the life of the Catholic Church. The goals of this ministry are best summarized in the USCCB pastoral document, Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry. Specifically, these goals are:
To empower young adolescents to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community.
To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
In order to accomplish these goals, the church uses a comprehensive approach with its ministry to and with young adolescents and their families. This approach is designed to be developmentally appropriate, family friendly, intergenerational, flexible and adaptable, and multicultural. The ministry strives to provide advocacy for youth as well as leadership opportunities for young adolescents.
The following core values are at the heart of all programming for young adolescents at St. Petronille Parish:
Respect and acceptance of all youth for who they are and where they are on their spiritual journey
Faith centered programming that supports the mission of the parish and the teaching of the Catholic Church
Welcoming, safe and inclusive atmosphere
Youth are viewed as assets to the community with gifts to share
General Permission and Medical Release Form
Any youth participating in a MSM sponsored event must submit a completed General Permission/Medical Release Form. This form can be downloaded from this site, or hard copies are available outside the MSM Office in the Education Center Lobby.
Help Wanted: Adult Volunteer Opportunities
Middle School Ministry cannot serve the young people of St. Petronille without the help of the adults of the parish. Many opportunities exist in Middle School Ministry for parishioners to be of service to their parish, as well as role models to the young people in our community. Please contact the Middle School Ministry office if you are interested in any of the following volunteer opportunities:
Prime Time Planning Team and Facilitators (2-3 adults)
Description: Passionate about your faith? Want to share your faith with young teens but only on a limited basis? Two-three adults are needed to assist in the planning of PRIME TIME--faith enrichment power hours one day per month from Sept-April. You will work with a team of other adults to plan the event and then assist with the implementation of the plan(s) you choose. General planning is done over the summer. Time: 7:30-8:30pm 2nd Sunday following Teen Mass (Sept-April)
P.A.D.S. Lunch Coordinator (1-2 adults)
Description: Responsible adults needed for general organizing--recruiting youth volunteers, securing lunch supply donations and overseeing production of as well as the delivery of the lunches to the local P.A.D.S. site. Time: 11:00-11:45am 2nd Sunday of each month Oct-Apr, plus organizational activities which are done from home
P.A.D.S. Lunches (Supplies)
St. Petronille has committed to the local P.A.D.S. site to provide lunches for their homeless guests on the second Sunday of the month (Oct-Apr). Parshioners are needed to supply lunch ingredients (bread, fruit, lunchmeat, etc.) for these lunches. The Lunch Coordinator will contact you with month(s) and an ingredient.
P.A.D.S. Lunches (Volunteers)
Parishioners are also needed throughout the year to assemble the lunches on the second Sunday of the month (Oct-Apr) 11-12noon. Great family service opportunity!
Friday Nite Live Coordinators (2-3 adults)
Description: Friday Nite Live! events are most important community building events available to middle school youth of our parish. Two – three adults are needed to assist with the planning and coordination of these events. In the past we have hosted scavenger hunts, Minute to Win It and more. Responsibilities include brainstorming with director to develop event, coordinating parent volunteers ahead of time, organize registration/permission forms, assisting with the event's set-up and participant check-in, and assisting with clean-up at the conclusion of the evening. Time: Friday Nite Live! events are held 4x/year from 7:30-9:30pm. Usually held in late Oct/early Nov, early Jan, late Feb and mid-April.


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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Baby Fever
"What if ..." she bit her lip, a nervous trait she'd developed, but also an effort to amplify her cuteness, here, "I told you that ... I dunno ... I've kind of got Baby Fever?"
He stared quizzically back at her, glossy, narrowed red eyes numbly scanning her as if searching for the remainder of her statement, and then burst out laughing in the manner only a stoned person can.
In their three years together, on-and-off, he had never hurt her feelings so much as he did now, making her cheeks blossom so hotly she felt that she might melt and sink into the futon cushion.
He caught a breath, finally, sliding his finger across soggy eyes, "I'm sorry, I'm just picturing you being bitten by a baby; it's funny."
She passed on each of the several statements that came to her mind in the ensuing fury of seconds, realizing that none was even worth the effort, except for, "Don't worry, I think it's breaking."
Monday, May 16, 2011
Almost Never
His daughter's first day of school; her standing at the bottom of the stairs, big yellow bow covering her head as fully as her smile does her face. Years later (or the blink of an eye), he opens the envelope and sees the pictures of her daughter's first day. Just like her mother.
He leans against one of the six small trees lining the walkway, his chest drawing into one spot in an agonizing crunch. His scant white hair vanishes as every inch of his pale bust reddens and sprouts beads of sweat. His car isn't far, his office just as close, but distance is relative. Everyone else has been gone for at least an hour. He shouldn't have even been here today. He should've been retired years ago; this is exactly why everyone has been telling him so for better than a decade now. He thinks quickly of the OnStar commercials, that blue button above his windshield is his beacon.
He's been on the football team for four years before his first snap. It's the last play of the last game of his senior year and all he does is run into some other kid from Troy High, but it feels -- so -- good.
Two steps and he stumbles, his breaths now come in skin-crawling gulps only. He pushes up from his knees as well as he can.
Christmas Eve 1964, he's Santa for the first time. He hasn't giggled like this since he was a boy.
His car is maybe ten feet away. He stares at the panel hanging above his dash, thinks of that button. Tries to see it. His vision fails him. Everything is black.
Grits, just cool enough that they start to harden, mixed with sausage gravy.
Lying on his back, he consciously accepts this is the last time he'll do so, and parts his eyelids.
The way the shoreline sand disintegrates between your toes as the waves wash over your feet.
The night isn't here yet but the stars have made an early appearance just for him, and in concert with the waning sunset and swaying treetops, they seem to sing him on his way.
His first wife. She is so sweet, so exciting, so perfect as she stares out the window, sipping a root-beer float on a Saturday morning in their booth at Hannigan's.
It's all there. In him, around him. There was no purpose to seek, the seeking was the purpose; his elusive goal achieved all along. He realizes it now. "Better late than never," he thinks with the same satisfied smirk he has worn in every posed picture since he can remember. In the same way one nods off in front of the television, a sort of trance sneaking over him, the picture fades as the sky sings its last note.
You'd have to see it to believe it.
Monday, May 9, 2011
A stagecoach was parked not far from where he stood, his left hand shadowing squinted eyes against the midday sun and the sharp desert sand riding a constant gale. He looked over at it every few minutes, regarding with somehow removed fascination the two women who sat just inside the shade on the driver's box, talking. The whole time, talking, never looking up.He wondered if he could do it; just stand in attendance as all decent folks did, but not watch the man being led to the noose, to simply not look as his legs went rigid, tossed abruptly, then swung whichever way the wind may will.
"You just have to look at the family of his victims," he'd heard in whispers when the bottle had brought him to admit his uneasiness, and so now he did. He could understand their satisfaction, and hell he could completely accept their delight, but be that as it may, jubilation at death just made his stomach do a strange little dance, each and every time.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Six Things I've Learned
One should be careful not to confuse another's failure with his own victory.
Everyone else is just as scared and confused as you are, and the less they seem to be, the more they are.
A sly smile and good manners will take you anywhere you want to go.
If you can laugh off insults, you win.
All rules are made up, laws are just opinions of how to keep safe, and theories are bandages to help curious people sleep at night; they are just imaginary things and, while we must respect them for the sake of peace, they should be applied with that in mind.
You can't prove a damn thing to someone who doesn't want to be convinced.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Simply Magic
"What have you to report, Sir Liam?" the king's words sounded more patient than was to be expected.
The knight, who had watched the floor since entering the room, faced his king, though not so courageous as to meet eyes, and unable to find the words dropped his head once more, like a man on a noose. Perhaps he was rehearsing his inevitable reward for failing King Marcus.
Slowly, but lacking any patience now, King Marcus persisted, "What have you to report of the blasphemer? Have you found him?"
Sir Liam answered to the stones at his feet, "Yes, my Lord."
Like thunder from a clear sky, "You will look at me when I ask you to address me!" King Marcus demanded.
"Yes, my Lord," he replied. One who did not know of his greatness might have believed those to be tears swelling in the eyes of Sir Liam the Bold. Impossible.
"I believe there was to be a pike with his head when you returned to me. Where is the head of the blasphemer?"
"It is here your majesty." He thought better of whatever he had considered saying after this, and closed up tightly with a resonating gulp.
"I am not a man with time for puzzles, Sir Liam. I believe you to be wise enough to know that. So I will give you one last chance; bring me his head." He stared through Sir Liam's eyes into the softest spot within him, and squeezed it as though wringing its juices. The room had fallen so silent that it seemed to shake the walls as the king whispered, his words sizzling like a cannon fuse, "Now!"
The knight trotted quickly from the chamber like a guilty puppy, and moments later returned, the blasphemer leading the way, his still-attached head held high. He was an old man with a long grey beard, and soft hazel eyes. He looked pious, dignified, and above all, unnervingly calm.
King Marcus swelled to his feet, roaring, "How dare you bring this villain into my chamber! Knights! Seize him!"
The knights, some dozen posted about the room like tapestries, did not move.
"Your majesty, if I may..." spoke the old man.
"You may NOT!" The king's eyes could have lit torches.
"Tell him!" shouted one of the faceless knights, safely behind the visor of his full set of armor.
Sir Liam spoke reluctantly, "Your majesty, he is no blasphemer. What he says is true: he is a sorcerer."
The king forgot every word in his vocabulary in the wake of being contradicted, for what he was convinced was the first time in his life.
"We found him in the tavern, had him surrounded. He didn't even flinch, sire. He looked in my face as calm as I've ever seen a man and he says 'No need for that,' and he pushed away my blade. It was like I couldn't control my own body anymore. And he says to me, 'Have a drink at my courtesy.' Then ..." the knight looked to the ground once more, scanning to see if maybe that's where he had dropped his courage. Not one scrap anywhere to be found, he looked up, his eyes apologizing for what he was about to say, "Your majesty, he ... He reached up and ... he pulled a gold coin out of my ear. As I live and breathe your highness, I've not seen a sight like it in all my days."
The king looked about the room for any sign of sanity, but every person stood still. No outrage at the preposterous statement. No objection from any of these knights, each a member of a swift channel of gossip by which the story no doubt had already traveled in great detail.
"If you are," the king challenged, and then continued as though vomiting the words, "some sort of sorcerer..." He spread his hands, presenting the floor to his unwelcome guest.
The strange man took several casual steps toward the king, as though on a stretch of his evening constitutional. As he reached in his robe, the chink of swords flying from sheaths poured over the room. But none was so brave as to step toward the reputed wizard.
He withdrew his hand slowly, as if he'd not heard the blades calling for his blood, and revealed a thick stack of stiff squares of parchment, bound by a small ribbon. He tugged one end of the string and let it fall to the floor, looked the fearful king in the eyes and spoke with a mystic lightness, "Pick a card. Any card."


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Part 1
Flawed Assumptions
Chapter 1
The "Get-Tough" Policy
Flawed Assumptions
Chapter 1
The "Get-Tough" Policy
"the opportunity presented by A Nation at Risk was squandered. Instead, the nation rushed to action with little thought or analysis." Wolk
"There are undoubtedly teachers who retired long ago and didn't tell anybody." Wolk
Chapter 2
All Standards for All Students
"We will make real progress only when we realize our problem in education is not mainly one of performance but one of design." Wolk
"What policymakers mandate rarely survives the journey to the classroom intact." Wolk
Chapter 3
If It Moves, Test It
If It Moves, Test It
"a more accurate thermometer won't raise the temperature any more than better tests will increase student proficiency." Wolk
"Innovative schools tend to use multiple measures to assess student learning and academic performance." Wolk
"Given how little all this testing has improved education...the dollars would have been much better spent on teaching and learning." Wolk
Chapter 4
Make Them Take Algebra
Make Them Take Algebra
Chapter 5
Wanted: Great Teachers
Wanted: Great Teachers
"committed teachers put much more time into their work than most people realize." Wolk
Chapter 6
The Quest for the Supreme Leader
The Quest for the Supreme Leader
Chapter 7
The Dropout Epidemic
The Dropout Epidemic
Chapter 8
Time for What?
Time for What?
"Correlation between real student learning and better test scores on standardized tests is yet to be proven." Wolk
"A rational school improvement strategy would decide how time should be spent before addressing how much of it is needed." Wolk
Chapter 9
Never Enough Money
Never Enough Money
"Studies find that how we spend available educational resources is at least as important as how much we spend on education." Wolk
Chapter 10
A New Strategy of New Schools
A New Strategy of New Schools
"The theory of operations seems to be 'If it doesn't work, do more of it and do it harder.'" Wolk


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Reem Acra Bridal Spring/Summer 2015 Collection
Luxury has no limits, especially if we deal with a bridal collection. Thus, taking into account that apart from coming with everyday garments collections and other options for more important events, the popular brands also suggest the best of their representations for bridal collections, as well, and the spanking new Reem Acra Bridal spring/summer 2015 line is one of the classiest and one of the most spectacular arrays of gowns you could ever imagine! "I spend so much time studying the bride,' noted Acra, and this is actually what underlies the success of this collection.
In fact, what we see in the Reem Acra Bridal spring/summer 2015 collection can be called a conglomeration of the traditional and the modern, the classic and the innovative. And this is, indeed, awesome! Looking through the pieces we may discover a great array of ultra-feminine and very proficiently accentuated garments, which do make a statement about the thematic concentration and the main overall ideology of the designer. Thus, the first gowns opening the line are presented as strapless pieces, adorned with very subtle and delicate fabrics and finished off with the cute embroidery, beadwork, and noticeable proportions of appliqués.
The varieties having body-con shapes present some really nice ways of implementation, too. V-curves and strikingly cute design patterns are also remarkable here. Strapless looks are probably the most widely spread alternatives here, coming with any of the shade varieties and incredible designs. Draping, folding, and successfully combining materials and cuts are the keys of success. The options having a pure white tone are also noteworthy, especially when they come finished off with beads and sequins. Creamy shades are also worth mentioning.
The Reem Acra Bridal spring/summer 2015 collection is again what you most possibly might need on that special day of yours and what is capable of also making your day brighter and livelier. So don't miss the chance to enjoy these awesome little surprises and go ahead enjoying!
Photos courtesy of WWD


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Screw loose in space
The word is out that the shuttle astronauts came up one bolt short when they were doing assembly work on the international space station. Sounds like me trying to put together something from Ikea.
Next time they should bring this guy along. Or my wife -- at our house, she's the champ of assembling things.


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Contact Information
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Image Copyright
Image copyright of our client or their clients is our highest priority. We will not share, provide or use images of our customers. We have strong monitoring system to identify Copyright theft for our customers.
Resource Hacking
We have protection system against hackers and use secured servers for file transfer. We also block search engine bots from crawling resources from our private servers.


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Congratulations to the Barnegat HIgh School Varsity Dance Team for an outstanding job at UDA summer camp! The team attended the Universal Dance Association's camp at Monmouth University from August 2-5. They ended the week with the most awards out of any team there! Their home jazz routine won FIRST PLACE, and they were awarded an overall camp Superior trophy for performances of camp material while there. They earned the "Drill Down Team" award for the most points awarded during camp drill downs, which are done to focus on listening, discipline and memory, and Monica Douglas, a Sophomore member of our team was awarded the "Drill Down Queen" trophy for winning the competition out of every camp participant! In addition, four team members auditioned and were selected as UDA All-American dancers earning the opportunity to travel to Rome to dance for UDA. They are Karissa Crombie, Katherine Brennan, Monica Douglas, and Kelly Connors. All of these accolades contributed to our team earning a bid to UDA Nationals in Orlando, Florida! We are so proud of our girls for starting off the season in such a positive way and really representing Barnegat at camp! Way to go!!
2015 Varsity Dance team
Head Coach Diana Stanton
Erika Brechka
Brienna Cooney
Brooke LaMantia
Carleigh Lutz
Brianna Sanford
Jenna Sullivan
Gillian Connors
Alyson Dougherty
Kate Fahringer
Jenna Lee
Starr Woods
Jaclyn Acampora
Kayla Agudo
Gianna Connors
Olivia Hare
Madison Narozniak
Kaylee Pereira
Alyssa Scanlon
Ava Stamnes
Jillian Sullivan
Manager: Colleen Connors
The 2010-2011 Barnegat Dance team is ready for another season. After having auditions held in the spring of last year, the team has been working hard throughout the summer to prepare for what lies ahead. Some of the members of this year's team attended the Universal Dance Association's Elite Dance Camp at Monmouth University the first week of August. While there, Junior member Katherine Brennan stunned the crowd with her amazing performance and was named one of only a few to be selected as a UDA All American and invited to dance in Rome! In addition, the team performed a routine that they brought from home and received a Superior rating, qualifying them for a bid to the National High School Dance Team Championships in Orlando Florida! However, one of the best awards of the week that our team won was the 110% award. It's awarded to the one team that worked hardest during the entire camp! That proves the dedication and team work that our team continues to display year after year.
After placing 4th in the state last season in the Varsity Jazz division, and 5th in Hip Hop, the Barnegat Dance team is already working hard to achieve their goals and perform to the best of their abilities.
This year, the team will be competing at local and state competitions, as well as performing at Varsity Football and Varsity Basketball games.


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I have a collective haul kind of post for today. I don't usually do this kind of posts but lately I've been more careful with the products I buy and I really wanted to share with you my new babies! :D All images are clickable.
Remember when I show you some spring nail polish collections? I wanted a muted light green and at least one orange polish so I went eBay shopping and got these Essie polishes
Bottom, full size: Navigate Her (spring 2012 Navigate Her collection)
I totally love each and every one of them! Meet Me At Sunset and Navigate Her don't contain any shimmer, Smooth Sailing has blue and silver shimmer, Braziliant has fuchsia shimmer and Super Bossa Nova has fuchsia-purple shimmer. Click the photo to see the awesomeness! :D
In case you want to know this is the seller I bought from, I'm very satisfied, they arrived fast and secure packed.
I also wanted a couple spring lipsticks.
The top one is a matte pastel orange from Artdeco, no 16. It applies a little patchy at first but after it dries a little, it's lovely! The bottom one is a blue toned light pink from L'Oreal, no 01 Fashionista Pink. This was a gift from sweet PrincesaGr, thanks soooooo much doll!! You see, Greek Beauty Bloggers were invited to a L'Oreal event but I was working and couldn't attend. I met them at the Mall later and PrincesaGr gave me this lipstick because she didn't like the colour so much and I love everything pink. It's very moisturising and you can apply it sheer or opaque. I believe it's similar to Revlon lipbutter but I can't compare them since I don't own any Revlon lipbutter.
My BornPrettyStore wishlist is huge and thanks to free shipping I can buy a couple items every now and then. This time I bought a Retractable Brush and 2 Cuticle Remover Oils
The retractable brush is very pretty and super soft. I washed it yesterday and it didn't lose any hairs or colour. The cuticle remover oils are these things that looks like clear lipglosses. The packaging is amazing, you twist the bottom to use. I carry the one in my purse to apply during the day and I keep the second one in my pencil case to apply while studying. No need to say that they don't leak and I finally have good looking cuticles! Very happy with them, I'll definitely buy more.
Something I got a while ago but never had the chance to show you is this set of LipSmackers!!
Most of you already know and love LipSmackers, but for me, it's the first time I try them and I'm in luuuuv! They smell exactly like the soda drinks and taste sweet. They are balms, they don't leave colour on the lips except from Sprite that is a white stick and gives me a nude lips effect. They last long and moisturise really well. At first I thought they were too small but they have lasted me well. I bought them from Claire's but you can also find them at Hondos Center.
I also bought some pencils, 1 eye pencil and 2 lip pencils.
I was searching for a nude but not white eye pencil for the waterline, you know, to give me this I've-slept-for-12-hours look. A suggestion was Stila kajal in topaz but I had trouble finding it and when I did the price+shipping was too much. So when Oriflame introduced this pencil I was super excited! I'm happy with it, it's lighter than my skin but not white, it brightens up my eyes and stays long. It's also soft and pigmented.
Then, because I don't usually use lip liners I wanted to buy a nude one to use with most lipsticks and a coral-red one. The nude one is the loooong pencil with the sharpener on the cap and it costs 1€. It's not super soft but it does its job. The coral one is from Essence and it looks super pretty with orange, coral and bright red lipsticks.
That's it for now but stay tuned because I have another haul post with a small gift for you ;)
Do you have any of the items I got? Do you like/hate/want to try them?
Thanks for stopping by, lovelies! <3


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While mercury soars across the sub continent, parts of the wettest state, Kerala, suffers from drought. This is unusual for God s own country. It is also unusual for the garden city, Bangalore, to touch 38 degrees centigrade. It is unusual that there are no glaciers in the summer months, even 40 km around Srinagar's east-side mountains. While Rajasthan is known for its desert heat, it is unusual that many of its districts are experiencing about 6 degree centigrade temperature increase.
But this is not about an unbearable summer where everything and everyone seems to wilt away and there is general listlessness. This is really about some myths and reality.
The myth is that climate has always changed so this is normal. The reality is that the climate is changing at a speed like never before.
The myth is that we can wait. The reality is that we have no time.
The myth is that climate change action is costly. The reality is that inaction will cost us more.
The myth is that money grows on trees . The reality is that it actually does.
The myth is that we can change – the reality is that we can t change fast enough.


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Ask a Mechanic: Shimano 1x MTB budget build
Art's Cyclery shows us where to save money when building out a Shimano 1x drivetrain.
Art's Cyclery shows us where to save money when building out a Shimano 1x drivetrain.
As air cans on shocks get larger, they create more linear suspension. You can tune this by installing RockShox volume reducer spacers.
When choosing spokes for your next wheel build, there are three things to consider: gauge, how they're butted, and shape.
Art's Cyclery shows us how to bleed a dropper post, ensuring longevity and smooth operation.
Need to swap out your gears? Art's Cyclery explains how to remove and install a cassette on a standard bicycle freehub.
Art's Cyclery gives a primer on using steerer tube expanders with carbon forks
Art's Cyclery demonstrates how to install and adjust this mountain bike axle system.
Art's Cyclery details the proper prep, installation, and torquing of the major pivot axles and their corresponding hardware on Santa Cruz mountain bikes.
Art's Cyclery discusses the benefits of getting a nicer set of rotors for your bike.
Art's Cyclery demonstrates the process for fixing this problem for both caliper and disc brakes.


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dammit google
9 comments:
Hehehe I know, I know. But at least I like Bloglovin better.ReplyDelete
I giggled. :)ReplyDelete
OK if I follow you via Feedly instead? I've been using it since the Google Reader announcement and it's working pretty well for me :-)ReplyDelete
I'll be following you via feedly instead. :)ReplyDelete
hopefully they don't "discontinue" blogger.ReplyDelete
i had to embed their code into a post to 'claim' my blog....ReplyDelete
Too late. I'm following you with an Atom RSS Feed, the same way I have since day one of following bloggers. It's THE BEST!ReplyDelete
I know! I've settled on Feedly as well. So far so good and I liked how they easily brought in previous blogs followed with ReaderReplyDelete
Me too! I started with bloglovin but soon found out that they don't have an App for my phone or Kindle Fire so I'v just switched to feedly. Oh My! I'm lovin it much better than either bloglovin OR Reader.ReplyDelete
thanks so much for taking the time to comment, they feed my blog. i do my best to reply to each and every one! you can bet your comments are ALWAYS read and appreciated.


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Stephen Mehler is the only Westerner to have been given intimate knowledge of the oldest Egyptian secrets passed down for centuries in the small village of Nazlet el Samman, where the Great Pyramid and Sphinx reside. In this amazing two part video, recorded in Egypt, Mehler shares -- for the first time -- the ancient knowledge passed down to him, a Westerner, by the village wise man, Abd'El Hakim Awyan. After years of instructiion, Mehler has been given special permission to release this information to the West.
Was there an advanced prehistoric civilization in ancient Egypt? Were they responsible for the pyramids and Sphinx? What are the true meanings of these monuments and how were they built?
Come with us to explore Al Khemit, the oldest civilization of Egypt, and its timeless wisdom. Stephen Mehler is an Egyptologist, field archaeologist, and former Director of Research at the Kinnaman Foundation, Monuments of Giza Project.
2 DVD SET NTSC 180 min


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Operation on the Supplementary Healthcare Market
The applicant company may start selling its products only after the pre-license for private health insurer operation has been granted.
Operator Contracts with a Network of Healthcare Providers
In 2003 and 2004, the National Regulatory Agency for Private Health Insurance and Plans established the contracting rules for the operators with healthcare service providers. These rules require that the legal instruments must clearly and accurately establish the conditions for their execution specifically in clauses that define the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the Parties.
Designation of Professional Staff
The ANS registers professionals to perform the functions of Intervenor for Financial and Economic Issues or Liquidator in various parts of Brazil. In order to be included in this listing, a professional must present a signed resumé describing his/her technical capabilities and professional experience, while also meeting the requirements defined in advance by the ANS.
Circumstantial Evidence of the Crimes of Money Laundering or Concealment of Rights and Values
Promulgated in 2005, Normative Resolution Nº 117 establishes steps intended to prevent and combat crimes of money laundering or concealment of assets, rights and values that must be complied with by private health insurers. These operators are bound to keep the registration information on their beneficiaries updated, including dependants, representatives, service providers, whether belonging or not to an accredited or referenced network, brokers, partners, shareholders, administrators and other customers, in addition to copies of documents supporting such information, without adversely affecting other requirements addressing specific regulations.
Types of Operation on the Supplementary Healthcare Market
Operators that are segmented in compliance with the provisions set forth in Articles 3 to 9 of this Resolution must be classified under the following types:
- benefits management organization;
- health maintenance organization (HMO);
- private health insurer;
- dental group;
- self health insured;
- medical cooperative;
- dental cooperative;
- nonprofit health insurer.
It is also worthwhile recalling that health insurance companies are also regulated by the ANS.
Supervisory interventions for financial and economic issues or for healthcare issues
The supervisory interventions for financial and economic issues or for healthcare issues can be decreed, depending on the severity of the case, when the ANS detects insufficient guarantees underpinning an even financial balance and severe administrative or economic financial anomalies, or severe administrative irregularities in a private health insurer, jeopardizing the continuity and quality of the services rendered to its beneficiaries.
Transfer of Corporate Control
Any corporate modification is considered as an alteration or transfer in corporate control that assigns to an individual person or corporate entity, or a group of persons or entities linked through a voting agreement or under common control, the status of controller, either directly or through other subsidiary companies, in a manner that ensures its permanent preponderance in corporate decisions and the power to elect the majority of the administrators, as set forth in brazilian law. Mergers, acquisitions and corporate splits or spin-offs of medical or dental self insured systems are subject to the provisions set forth in the specific standard on this topic.


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Isabelle Karimov
Isabelle Karimov is an experienced Childbirth Educator, Breastfeeding Counsellor and Baby Massage Instructor and has supported over 3000 couples in the past 12 years. Her passion is in being able to offer parents holistic information to support them through pregnancy, birth and the early weeks of parenting.
Having been trained by Dr Michel Odent and worked as a doula, Isabelle has been welcomed onto local labour wards and at home to support women during labour, and has been present at over 10 births. She has gone on to complete 2 University Diplomas, one in Antenatal Education (2009) and one in Breastfeeding Counselling (2013). She is has also followed various haptonomic and osteopathic trainings in France (www.nferaido.com) and Belgium (www.naissanceaffective.com). She has recently trained to become a Spinning Babies® parent educator and is keen to offer this new paradigm to local parents.
Isabelle has also worked closely with Midwives and Health Visitors for the past five years, as a member of the Infant Feeding Team (Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust – NHS). She co-delivers trainings to health visiting teams and runs audits of the infant feeding services city-wide.
Her passion and empathy drive her to genuinely care about each of her clients. Her main interests remain with access to maternity and postnatal services for migrants and ethnic minorities. She is also an tutor for the NCT at the University of Worcester.
Isabelle is renowned for her unique style of teaching, and brings her continental sense of humour into all of her sessions.
In her spare time Isabelle is a mother of two, and lives with her long suffering and very supportive husband Aziz in the lovely of village of Bournville.


text: Browsing through my Bloglines this evening I came across this great post Making the Best of a Bad Day on T.Scott's blog. It warmed my heart then challenged me to think about the customer service that we provide in libraries. A little while ago I posted about simple ideas for improving the library experience and I think this kind of personal service is often what makes people really connect with a service – restaurant or library. Going that little bit further for a reader can be such a simple thing and yet when people speak about their personal experience of a local library it is often the little things that they remember. Tomorrow I'm going to aim to go a little bit further than I have to for each customer, a personal customer service challenge thanks to T.Scott.


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Why Bobby Lashley Turned HeelPosted By: Ben Pearce on Oct 11, 2018
According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the feeling among top officials is that Raw is lacking top heels, especially with Kevin Owens recently suffering a knee injury. Therefore the decision was made sometime on Monday to turn Lashiey heel by injuring Owens. Vince Mcmahon was in Lio Rush's ear throughout the match giving him lines.


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We kinda make it happen.
You'll never deal with laundry again! We get your fresh, clean clothes delivered to your door.
Speed and convenience. State of the art equipment making your laundry life easier and faster.
"Went to the laundromat after we had laundry piled up :(. We we greeted by a young man who opened the door and helped us with which machines to use and introduced us to their loyalty card (no more quarters). Super clean, friendly, and helpful."
"Fast and friendly! The owner helped me bring my 8 baskets of laundry inside and assisted me in setting up a pay card, so I didn't have to worry about quarters. My units at home broke and I needed an affordable option! So happy I stopped by, highly recommend!"
"I've been frequenting Hometown since the end of last year. The upgrades have been wonderful and the place is always very clean. The staff members are always welcoming and helpful! Support this local establishment...you won't be disappointed...oh and free Wi-Fi too!"
"The owner is really friendly, in a nice area, its cheap and open late I love this Laundromat!"
"I went to all the Laundromats all around towns I'm happy new owner's took over this one, it needed a update. They are there to help you and if you need any thing come on in when they are in their nice people to talk to if you have any questions he or she is right there to help you. New equipment and more place's to sit and watch TV and they have WiFi and they have color books for small children to keep busy. Very nice place to do your laundry and its clean place to walk in to"
That feeling you get when you are done cleaning the house and sit down to relax.
All of your clothes and garments are folded and ready to be put away.
Yeah, we love it too. We can help you feel it more often.


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Nejibee Izakaya 647.748.2882 http://www.nejibee.ca/ open daily for dinner
The spare, dark-coloured room, decorated with wood, is made lively buy the charming staff, all of whom seem delighted to serve you. The hardest part is finding the spot (down the alley, behind the Rabba at Yonge and Wellesley). It is extremely hard to find but when you do it's worth it. The menu is outstanding. The kitchen delivers hit after hit all evening long, the only miss, high prices and small portions.
I honestly wanted to order everything off the menu it was that good. Garlicky edamame arrive on a sizzling platter, so successful the $6 price tag is worth it. Cured mackerel($7.50) served with spicy Japanese mustard is fresh and vinegary, smoked tableside with a blow-torch. Outstanding salt fried chicken wing "skewers" are a must($3 each). Peppery fried or charcoal barbequed and blackened to a salted crisp. My favorite out of the two are the grilled salted wings, I would easily say they are my current favorite.
I always order Takowasa ($4.99) it opens the sinuses and I'm never disappointed. An order of Yaki-udon($9.99) is filling and tasty, but only if one loves smoky Bonito Flakes. The Nikumiso poutine ($6.50) is a play on the original using gravy, smoke and miso. Crunchy Karaage ($7.50) look golden nuggets of chicken and taste buttery-sweet – must! Raw Nikumiso cabbage ($5.50) topped with cool seasoned pork texturally terrific and tasty.
Pork belly($2.50) singed with charcoal is divine and oh so juicy. The secret is the charcoal sing in the skewers and it's also what sets Nejibee apart from the other Izakayas. Meaty garlic mushrooms ($8.50 !?) are smoky and earthy. The seaweed salad is small and a little pricy at $5. Negi cha-shu is fatty and dry – I don't even know how that's possible. The showstopper is the Gyu tongue($2.50), slightly firm yet tender and silky and the best I have ever had.


text: Does anyone know stuf from the spanish flamenco/jazz player Carles Benavent? You HAVE to check him out, he's one of those natural basstalents. I bought these three cd's when I was in Barcelona last week: Aguita que corre, Fenix and a Live album called El concierto de sevilla (highly recommented!). If this player doesn't inspire you then I don't know what does. I really don't know why he hasn't been on the cover of bassplayer in all those years (yeah, a small article some years ago)


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Cannabis Oil From Marijuana Is Having Success As COPD Treatment
COPD is the most common used thing for "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease," a rather uncoordinated and vague illustration for most of us. It encompass a few different pulmonary disease, such as emphysema, Bronchiectasis & chronic bronchitis. The scary part is that it's a mystery to our pharmaceutical industry medical system and it gets progressively worse, often leading to death. It's third in disease death rates, behind only Cardiovascular disease and cancer. COPD creates hamper airways in one's lungs or broadcast small lung sacks inflexible and inadequate to fully relieve breathing cycles; thus, there is stumbling block . Cannabis Oil From Marijuana Is Having Success As COPD Treatment Medications.
COPD Symptoms Stages include some or all of the following: losing one's breath with minor activity, chronic coughing, increased sputum, chest tightness or pain with difficulty breathing, increased lung infections and fatigue. It has been observed to have four stages. Many of those lugging oxygen basket around are in the last two stages. The pharmaceuticals determine for treating symptoms often have side effects that cause more problems. Big Pharma is still fishing for cures, while COPD Symptoms Diagnoses rates sustain rising in our toxic environment.


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Prof. Dirk Voorhoof
Prof. dr. Dirk Voorhoof is a professor at Ghent University, Belgium, courses in Media Law, Copyright Law and Journalism & Ethics. He is a member of the Flemish Regulator for the Media (since 2006) and lecturer at Copenhagen University, Denmark.
Prof. Voorhoof is a partner in the project "The Global Challenge of Human Rights Integration: Towards a Users' Perspective", acting as advisor.
Prof. Dirk Voorhoof
Center for Journalism Studies and Human Rights Centre, Universiteit Gent (UGent)
Kortemeer 11
9000 Ghent, Belgium


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Our glossary contains frequently used terms and acronyms together with their explanations.
ATM simulators
For quite some time now, our validation work has been delivering proof whether, for example, a newly developed working procedure or an airspace change brings the desired benefits (e.g. reduced workload, higher airspace capacity). Such work requires flexible, high-performance ATM simulators. The DFS training simulators are also based on this validation tool. They are not only an important element for the training and competence maintenance of air traffic controllers. This advanced simulation infrastructure is also the foundation for developing and validating ATM procedures and air traffic management systems at DFS.
Real-time simulators for en-route and approach
(Control Centre Division)
There is a host of en-route simulators available for research and training applications in the field of real-time simulators. The Advanced Function Simulator is a research simulator which provides DFS with a computer-aided real-time simulator to investigate R&D questions. NEWSIM, the current generation of ATM training simulators at DFS, is used for the training of air traffic controllers. The simulator offers a work environment that air traffic controllers know from their daily work with sophisticated ATM systems.
Real-time simulators for aerodrome control and apron control (Tower Division)
From 2D training consoles to 3D simulators with 360-degree panoramic view, various system variants are available for R&D and training. The DFS tower simulator TOSIM is one of the largest and most advanced simulation systems.
Networking of real-time simulators
Via a connection between NEWSIM and TOSIM, real-time simulations can be conducted gate-to-gate. This means that the whole ATM process is simulated from apron and aerodrome control through take-off at the departure aerodrome, en-route and approach control until the landing, including apron and aerodrome control at the destination aerodrome.
Fast-time simulator AirTOp®
Since 2009, the fast-time simulation software AirTOp (Air Traffic Optimiser), commissioned by DFS and specified by experts from the R&D department, provides DFS with a high-performance agent-based simulation software, which can be used for airspace and aerodrome simulations. Fast-time simulations can be used to optimise existing structures and draw up new alternatives. Assessment and evaluation based on set criteria can be conducted quickly.


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USPSA Releases New Rules Change Application
Remountainton, WA – Professional Wrestler and USPSA President Mick Foley announced today a new Rules Change Application. Joined on his right by DNROI Roy "Kitty" McCattus dressed in a traditional Mardi Gras blouse, the Foley unrolled new ancient Secret Scrolls which described the new process.
Rules Change Application: One Simple Form
The new process involves a single application form with simple fill-ins. The document, leaked to the public through the fictional Facebook account of a hypothetical "good" shooter named Bean Stoogin, proposes that the applicant could make things more fair for him and/or herself. The application fee is rumored to be in the hundreds of dollars, or a commitment to advertise in the "Front Page" magazine.
It is expected that the new rules application will be a boon for custom gun shops and part manufacturers.
Critics Cry Foul
Not everyone was pleased by the new form. Some competitors explained that having consistent and reliable rules should be favored. "Production is dead" said Maddy T Hopperkins. On Facebook, Alic Gatch summarized the recent changes as "External modifications may be made to Production Division guns, as long as the internals aren't changed. Sometimes. But other times, external modifications are prohibited, but internal modifications are OK. Unless they are sights, in which case you can do what you want."
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!


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Most of us can't bear to think about this, but Eamonn Butler insensitively reminds us (Why Bush is right to privatise pensions) of Gordon Brown's demolition job on our pension funds.
The £5 billion pa tax grab blew a hole of £100 billion in the funds' combined balance sheet (£5 billion pa capitalised at 5%), and his compulsive tinkering with regulations and accounting standards has had company sponsors scrambling for the exit. So the jewel in Britain's pension provision- the traditional final salary (defined benefit) company pension scheme- is now a thing of the past. More than three-quarters of employers have closed their schemes to new members, and the next step will be to close to existing members, particularly given the onerous new euro funding regulations (the EU Pensions Directive).
Gordo never intended this consequence of course, never even thought about it. Just like he never thought through the reality of his alternative- the stakeholder pension. All businesses with more than five employees were made to offer this people's pension, to be managed by major City firms, but with charges capped at one percent pa.
Well, yes…except that those dastardly City firms reckoned that at one percent, they'd lose money. So naturally they didn't offer them. And it turned out not many others wanted them either. Zillions of stakeholder schemes have had to be established by employers on the usual box-ticking principle, but when last sighted, 75% of them didn't have one single active member! True, the government has now panicked and increased the charge cap to 1.5%, but don't hold your breath.
Now, most of this is just down to the iron law of unintended consequences, but you can also make out the distant twang of Billy Bragg's Greatest Hits. The workers must be protected from having their faces ground by the oppressive bosses, or ripped off entirely by the undeserving fat cats of the City. The stock market is a fascist casino run entirely for the benefit of global capitalism, so if pension or life insurance funds choose to play the tables, then the bosses must bear all the risk.
The trouble is…the world just ain't like that. If you want good investment returns, then unfortunately you've got to take investment risk. This risk used to be shared between the workers and the bosses- sponsors provided a final salary pension promise on the basis of best endeavours, but reserved the theoretical- and admittedly unstated- right to cut payouts in extreme circumstances. Like if we ever returned to the thirties, and the markets fell so far as to turn the pension fund into a liability that threatened the company's very existence. Risk was shared, generally to everyone's long-term advantage.
The new regime has changed this, by making the risks very explicit and attempting to load them all on to one party- the bosses. Or as we call them these days, our pensions and savings funds. And the inevitable consequence is the one we see. By trying to de-risk their lives, Gordo has in fact robbed the workers of their pensions.
Billy should write a song about it.
It's difficult to imagine how any government could have done a better job of destroying our willingness to save and invest than this one. Besides the pensions fiasco, we've had the replacement of our familiar Peps and Tessas with their mystifying ISA system based on 1970s skirt lengths, their 'name and shame' undermining of confidence in our financial sector, particularly our life companies, and most pervasively, their business-unfriendly approach to tax and regulation which has resulted in the UK stock market substantially underperforming every single major market except bubble-stricken Japan.
No wonder we Brits have been putting all our spare cash into bricks and mortar and simultaneously borrowing up to the hilt. We may well have created a housing bubble that isn't going to generate the long-term return we need to support our old age. But at least we get a roof over our heads- even if we won't be able to afford to have it repaired- and real savings are never safe under socialism anyway.
So what the hell?
God knows it's difficult enough to get most people to save at all. Governments who raid the piggy-bank and constantly chop and change the rules discourage it even more. Gordo leaves us all poorer, and more dependent on the state in the years to come.