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The Best TV of 2012
'Tis the season for end-of-year lists, right before the blog goes on holiday for a couple of weeks. I gave you my selection of terrible shows yesterday, meaning today is the day for my list of favourites, my Best Of 2012.
Like yesterday, there is one key wrinkle: rather than just list 10 fantastic shows, I've made this more of a "when I think back, what shows will I remember as being the best in 2012" list. Are there other great shows on television? Sure. But these are the 10 shows that I'll think of first when I look back at this year.
Before we get to it, a few Honourable Mentions:the hardest omissions included Boardwalk Empire (SoHo), which is enjoying a strong season; Downton Abbey (Prime) was back to its best; the fifth season of Mad Men (SoHo) was a welcome return for the show; Lena Dunham's Girls (SoHo) was the biggest surprise of all the shows I watched this year; and Fringe (TV2) confirmed its status as the premier sci-fi show on TV.
Okay, let's do this - my Top Ten Best Television Shows of 2012, in reverse order ...
10: Dexter, Season 7 (SoHo)
It cracked this list because: The best stretch of Season 6 aired in January (you know, the bit when Deb walked in and saw her brother kill a guy), and Season 7 has been a comeback year for the ages - even if I do agree with some that the show should have reached this point in the story much sooner than Season 7.
The best part is: My girlfriend is enjoying Dexter so much that she picked up some of Deb's swearwords. My personal favourite: "jesusf**k". Is there a more imaginative cusser on television than Deb Morgan? I say no.
Reason to look forward to next year: We've still got a handful of Season 7 episodes left, and Season 8 is the final season, meaning the writers have nothing to lose. Look for all hell to break loose around this time next year.
9: Jono and Ben at 10, Season 1 (TV3)
It cracked this list because: Don't worry, I'm as surprised as you are. Jono Pryor and Ben Boyce rose, like a pair of phoenix from the ashes of their former shows, to prove it takes two, baby. Rod Stewart and Tina Turner would be proud. Jono and Ben At 10 was a little derivative but, dammit, it didn't matter - it was funny, it had two stars who were really up for anything, and it was consistently entertaining. You can't ask for much more on a Friday night.
The best part is: They dragged Guy Williams along for the ride. The year's breakout star? Maybe.
Reason to look forward to next year: More of the same! Seriously, with a season under their belt and the support of the network assured, the writers and stars of #JABAT can focus on getting even better.
8: Parks and Recreation, Seasons 3 & 4 (Four)
It cracked this list because: I've often referred to Parks & Rec as the most cleverly written comedy on television - it combines all-out slapstick comedy with witty dialogue, and can turn into an uplifting, sickly-sweet, feel-good drama in a matter of seconds. Parks also has an absolutely loaded cast, led by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman.
The best part is: The wisdom and quotability of Ron Swanson: "I don't want to paint with a broad brush here, but every single contractor in the world is a miserable, incompetent thief," for example.
Reason to look forward to next year: New episodes! Season 5 will be airing on Four as part of their new season of shows, and we can expect a notable difference given Leslie's newfound status as city councillor.
7: Hounds, Season 1 (TV3)
It cracked this list because: The Down Low Concept took their show to an unfamiliar setting, loaded the cast with unfamiliar (but talented) faces, and stocked the script with some of the cleverest dialogue you'll find in any comedy, let alone a locally produced one. Naturally, it got cancelled after one season because of low ratings. Damn it all.
The best part is:We don't have to keep talking about Melody Rules as the pinnacle of local scripted comedy.
Reason to look forward to next year: None. It won't be back. Hounds got cancelled after six episodes, despite generally being considered one of the greatest scripted comedies this country has ever produced.
6: The Almighty Johnsons, Season 3 (TV3)
It cracked this list because: Aotearoa's best drama skews into fantasy - and that's exactly what makes it so great: it's like nothing else this country is making right now. Heck, it's like nothing else this country has ever made. James Griffin and his team of writers and production staff consistently deliver a unique, locally made television experience.
The best part is: It's airing on the SyFy channel in both the UK and Canada, where it has picked up a loyal fan base, and it has been picked up by SyFy USA for an American remake.
Reason to look forward to next year: The show was nearly cancelled this year, and the word is that Season 3 will look (and feel) different from the first two. I'm holding off judgment until I see it, but I'm not feeling too optimistic.
5: The Walking Dead, Seasons 2 & 3 (TV2)
It cracked this list because: Okay, sure, Season 2 of The Walking Dead (which aired in February) dragged for long periods in the middle, but there were some great episodes. Despite that, the show deserves this spot purely for the fantastic Season 3, the first half of which is now airing on TV2. The Walking Dead is at its creative peak right now, as good as it has ever been, thanks to strong stories and a fantastic performance from Andrew Lincoln.
The best part is: The three characters we complained about most in Season 2 - Dale, Shane and Lori - are all dead now.
Reason to look forward to next year: The Governor has been pretty civil so far. Surely that can't continue, right? The second half of Season 3 should be packed with horrifying moments. Bring it on!
4: Homeland, Seasons 1 & 2 (TV3)
It cracked this list because: The spy thriller is must-see TV, purely for the performances of Claire Danes and Damian Lewis - but the second half of Season 2 cost it a higher place on this list, despite the fact that Season 1, and the first half of Season 2, thrust it into the upper echelon of television drama.
The best part is: Mandy Patinkin, who steals nearly every scene he appears in, with the bonus that he provides ample opportunity for Princess Bride quotes. "Carrie, you keep using this word 'love'. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Reason to look forward to next year: Though the second season went off the rails a bit, the finale has effectively hit reset on the current storylines. The show could improve, people! THE SHOW COULD IMPROVE!
3: Louie, Season 2 (Comedy Central)
It cracked this list because: Louis CK is the best stand-up comedian in the world, and he is the unrestrained mind behind the best comedy on television. But more than just a show, this is a look at the world through the eyes of CK. It doesn't always work (or make sense), but when it does ... wow. Fortunately, Season 2 worked 99.9 percent of the time.
The best part is: He took a duck on a trip to Afghanistan! If you missed the double-episode where Louie does a USO tour, you should find it and watch it right now. Simply sublime television.
Reason to look forward to next year: For downloaders: none. Louie is on hiatus, returning in 2014. For the rest of us, we can expect plenty more shenanigans in the more sombre third season, if Comedy Central gives it a run.
2: Game of Thrones, Season 2 (SoHo)
It cracked this list because: George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire has translated better to the small screen than anyone could have envisioned, and even as the cast keeps going, and it became apparent that Season 2 was setting things up for the third, Thrones proved that television is the new home of quality cinematic drama.
The best part is: I'm still using the theme song as my ringtone - and I still get excited every time I hear it.
Reason to look forward to next year: Show-runner David Benioff claimed that the third season is "the season [co-show-runner DB Weiss] and I have been anticipating from the beginning," before explaining that there is a major scene coming which inspired them to pursue making the show in the first place. I can't wait.
1: Breaking Bad, Season 3 & 4 (Four)
It cracked this list because: Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are the premier leading duo on television and, thanks to the writing of Vince Gilligan and Co, they're working with some of the best storytelling in recent years. Seasons 3 and 4 aired on Four this year, meaning we got 26 episodes of pure genius and a faceoff for the ages in that finale.
The best part is: The cast is loaded behind Cranston and Paul: Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Bob Odenkirk ... there are no weak links.
Reason to look forward to next year: Unless you're in the habit of downloading, none - in all likelihood, the show will not be back on Four (or on TV3, for that matter). If you are a downloader, there is lots of reason to be excited. And with only eight episodes to go in Season 5, plenty of reason to think that they could be the best eight episodes of the show to date.
What were your favourite shows in 2012? And do you agree with my list?
Make sure you like On the Box on Facebook and add Chris on Twitter.
Or, feel free to email Chris with any questions or ideas.
This is a spoiler-free blog - please comment responsibly.


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Monday is National Hamburger Day, which coincides quite nicely with the kick-off of barbeque season. But San Francisco has so many burger spots—with so many snagging top awards—it's often hard to pick where to eat. To help, here are some of the favorite burgers of the Yum crew.
One of the most highly-regarded burgers in the city is the Spruce burger, served at Spruce in Pacific Heights, and it's Brad's favorite San Francisco burger. "Top notch ingredients set this beloved burger apart, from the house-baked semolina bun, to the freshly-prepared pickled zucchini and red onions dolloped atop a half-pound Niman Ranch patty. Don't forget the fresh cut Kennebec potato fries on the side." $16
3640 Sacramento Street
Keith's favorite is the Marlowe burger, available at Marlowe in Jackson Square and Park Tavern in North Beach. It's a solid mix of premium patty, bun and cheese "with a nice kick from the horseradish aioli." $13 for lunch at Marlowe, $14 for dinner at Marlowe and Park Tavern
330 Townsend Street, #101
Park Tavern
1652 Stockton Street
For the vegetarians, Anhoni suggests the sunshine veggie burger at Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers in Noe Valley and the Marina. With cheddar cheese, sprouts, avocado and tomato, it goes far beyond the average Boca burger. $9.25
Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers
3344 Steiner Street & 4138 24th Street
Looking for a healthier option? Luis opts for the buffalo burger with sautéed mushrooms and grilled onions at BullsHead Restaurant in West Portal. He first found this old school steakhouse in high school and was drawn to their perfectly charbroiled burgers. The freshly ground patties at BullsHead come in beef, turkey or buffalo and all burgers come with a side of fries, coleslaw, potato salad, soup or onion rings. $10 for 1/3lb, $11.25 for 1/2lb
BullsHead Restaurant
840 Ulloa Street
As for me, I love "the burger" at Greenburger's in Lower Haight. Five Dot Ranch is some of the most flavorful beef I have ever tried. I top the burger off with pepper jack cheese and sautéed mushrooms, then load up on pickles and condiments at their do-it-yourself cart. $10, plus extras
518 Haight Street
Let us know where you celebrate National Hamburger Day, and what your favorite burgers in San Francisco are, in the comments below.
Image courtesy of Luis Chong

subset: commoncrawl


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At ADCO, we make sustained efforts to create an ecosystem where employee development is paramount. We use a multi-pronged approach through our various Talent Management and capability development options.
People & their Development: Is part of our Core Values and we have adopted a comprehensive approach to achieve sustainable business needs through the strategic development of our employees.
Our engagement with the development of our human capital is demonstrated in the holistic Talent Management approach we have in place. From strategic development of leadership creating Technical Leadership verticals, to establishing structured development paths for sustained skill pool development, ADCO has demonstrated the value it places on the honing of skills across its employee base. This is done primarily through the following initiatives :
In addition to this, on-the-job development activities, job shadowing & customized training essentials are also available to build the technical competencies of individuals in a wide range of disciplines.
Retention of our employees is our key objective; the culture of Lifelong learning at the workplace is encouraged by development of Skill Clusters whereby employees have the opportunity to pursue a path of technical excellence


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Fri 18th May 2012 7:00amMango Surf Lodge, Bukit, Bali's Balangan Surf Report
6 to 8ft faces. Light but freshening offshore. Overcast with rain squals but some nice lines coming in. Swell is definately still here. More on site/blog
View the Balangan Surf Report and Forecast. Mango Surf Lodge, Bukit, Bali's Reports have received a total of 88354 views.
This report has received 286 views since 18/5/12.


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An evening designed to show how to destress by using holistic treatments will raise money for a charity set up in memory of a little Finlay Connor, pictured.
Profits from the event, at Woodborough Garden Centre on Thursday, February 28, will go to the Finlay Foundation which raises cash to make the lives of children happier or safer.
The foundation was set up after the death of Finlay, six, in a road accident outside Woodborough Primary School nearly two years ago.
The event, which starts at 7pm, will include demonstrations of acupuncture and Reiki, the Bowen Technique and reflexology. There will also be a taster session of Tai Chi Qigong.
Tickets cost £5 and include coffee and cake. Call (01672) 851249.


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Thanks for having integrated akismet spam filtering. For those interested in activating it please have a look at http://doc.silverstripe.com/doku.php?id=ssakismet
Nevertheless akismet is not enough to me to prevent all spam... could you please add by default a honeypot that would fool robots? Here's how this works... and generally quite well:
In your (contact and user-generated) forms include a field called "email" (or website, or whatever relevant) and hide it with css (display:none) and in the processing script don't continue if there is something in there and if its empty continue processing.
I have no clue how to get that validation in silverstripe, but it would be great to have in default "contact" forms and user-made forms.
(PS: copied from archive section as no one can answer there anylonger: http://www.silverstripe.org/archive/show/534?start=8#post241494)


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The LAUSD Says No Thanks to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution
Oliver's Food Revolution petition: maybe he should make one for the LAUSD
Jamie Oliver
British cookbook author and food personality Jamie Oliver, who has turned his quest to bring better food to American schoolchildren into the television show Food Revolution, has marched into a roadblock in the form of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Oliver, who is moving both his show and his family to Los Angeles for Food Revolution's second season, has been turned down by LAUSD.
The first season of Food Revolution was filmed in Huntington, West Virginia, the city with the highest obesity rate in the US. Season two is set in L.A., perhaps not the fattest city in the country, but not exactly a shining example of healthy lifestyle choices for kids. Now the LAUSD has declined to participate. Last week Melissa Infusino, the director of partnerships in the superintendent's office, said in a letter to Oliver's producers that budgetary and time constraints meant participation in the serious would "prevent us from committing 100 per cent of our efforts to our students." Infusino elaborated, writing that "we believe our direct work with nutrition experts, health advocates, the community, schools and students is the most effective strategy for our continued success and improvement."
According to the Telegraph, Oliver thinks he can overcome the LAUSD's reluctance, apparently hoping that Governor-elect Jerry Brown can persuade the district to change its mind. We wish Oliver the best of luck on that count. In the meantime, maybe Meg Whitman can buy all of us who have school-age kids some Happy Meals on eBay.
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Kristy Puchko
Kristy Puchko is a film critic/movie blogger who has written for Cinema Blend, Next Movie, Jezebel, The Film Stage, and Critical Mob. You can read her movie reviews here, or follow her on Twitter @KristyPuchko
After New Line's live-action 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' movie grossed more than $200 million worldwide, the heroes in a half-shell were guaranteed a sequel. That came just a year later in 1991 in the form of 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze.' This turtle-powered action movie didn't fare as well at the box office, but was nonetheless beloved by kids that couldn't get enough of these pizza-loving crime fighters.
With 'Don Jon' hitting theaters, Joseph Gordon-Levitt can officially add "writer/director" to his many-feathered cap. You probably know that he started out as a child actor, but do you know what his first commercial gig was or what film took his family to Africa...
We can't wait for Carrie Underwood to star in 'The Sound of Music' on Dec. 5, and idle time created a few overactive minds. What if the country songbird were to star in even more musicals?
You know "the look." The famous Taylor Swift face she made for many years while winning award after award at major music award shows. That's just one of the many varied looks the singer and actress has provided fans since she debuted in 2006.
Whether you were high born or low, you know the rules of the 'Game of Thrones' meant you win or die. This gave most of life's lessons a pretty Valyrian steel sharp learning curve. Still, as a child of the long summer, it wasn't all bad. Here's how you know you belonged in Westeros.
A few months back I was shocked to discover a good friend of mine had never seen 'Game of Thrones.' While there are plenty of powerful selling points for the widely acclaimed series, I went with, "Dude! It's like 'Lord of the Rings' with boobs!" And it worked. But as I shrieked over the horrible, soul-shattering events of the Red Wedding, I began to worry I hadn't properly prepared my pal for the show's high death toll drawbacks.
Another day, another regrettable Justin Bieber tattoo. Most recently, Bieber got his mom's eye tattooed on the inside of his elbow. You know, so that she'll always be watching. ALWAYS. Gross.
We get it -- Johnny Depp can put on a bunch of makeup and tease up his hair and suddenly he's an "offbeat" character. For a time, it was part of Depp's eccentric charm. But the way 'The Lone Ranger' performed at the box office, we're starting to think this approach is getting a little stale. After all, he has done it A LOT. (And he'll be doing it again in 'Alice in Wonderland 2.') Let's take a gander at just a few of the looks Johnny Depp has adopted over the years. Is it time for Johnny to retire the wigs and garish makeup?
After dislocating her shoulder while filming the music video for her new single, '#Beautiful,' Mariah Carey was left with her arm in a sling. But a diva like Mimi isn't going to walk around with her arm dangling in a canvas sack. Oh, no.
'Pacific Rim' really hit on something. Who doesn't want to see a movie that is essentially monsters vs. robots? Who?? Show us that person, they are lying. The concept is so brilliant we want to see more robots fighting monsters. If movie execs can't come up with any new ideas (which wouldn't be too surprising), here are a few suggestions.
We couldn't help noticing the similarity between Miley Cyrus' hairdo in the 'We Can't Stop' video and Willow "Melodic Chaotic" Smith's new 'do in her clip for 'Summer Fling.'
With Independence Day approaching, it's time for us to reflect on what makes our nation great, remember the heroes who have made her what she is, and get rip-roaring wild while fireworks light up the sky above us.
Of course it's hard to imagine anyone other than Jack Nicholson chasing little Danny Torrance through a frozen topiary maze in the 'The Shining,' but that doesn't mean it wasn't almost Robin Williams doing it. Some of your favorite classic horror films came very close to being completely different than the final version.
Ever wonder whether you're more like Buzz or Woody? Merida or Wall-E? Well, we've come up with a flowchart to answer just those questions.
Summer is supposed to be a carefree time of sun and fun. But thanks to the insanely high pollen and all kinds of nature wackiness, we've been brought to our knees by out-of-control allergies.
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Obama official: Direct U.S.-Taliban talks ongoing
- By Josh Rogin
Josh Rogin covers national security and foreign policy and writes the daily Web column The Cable. His column appears bi-weekly in the print edition of The Washington Post. He can be reached for comments or tips at email@example.com.
Previously, Josh covered defense and foreign policy as a staff writer for Congressional Quarterly, writing extensively on Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantánamo Bay, U.S.-Asia relations, defense budgeting and appropriations, and the defense lobbying and contracting industries. Prior to that, he covered military modernization, cyber warfare, space, and missile defense for Federal Computer Week Magazine. He has also served as Pentagon Staff Reporter for the Asahi Shimbun, Japan's leading daily newspaper, in its Washington, D.C., bureau, where he reported on U.S.-Japan relations, Chinese military modernization, the North Korean nuclear crisis, and more.
A graduate of George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, Josh lived in Yokohama, Japan, and studied at Tokyo's Sophia University. He speaks conversational Japanese and has reported from the region. He has also worked at the House International Relations Committee, the Embassy of Japan, and the Brookings Institution.
Josh's reporting has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, C-Span, CBS, ABC, NPR, WTOP, and several other outlets. He was a 2008-2009 National Press Foundation's Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellow, 2009 military reporting fellow with the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism and the 2011 recipient of the InterAction Award for Excellence in International Reporting. He hails from Philadelphia and lives in Washington, D.C.
The Obama administration said Tuesday it is involved in ongoing consultations with various Taliban officials, but said that a long-negotiated deal to transfer five senior Taliban commanders out of the U.S. prison in Guantanamo Bay is "on hold" indefinitely.
The U.S. plan for Afghanistan took shape today when President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement to extend the U.S. security commitment in Afghanistan until 2024. The agreement was signed during Obama's surprise one-day visit to Afghanistan, which just happened to fall on the anniversary of the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Two senior administration officials briefed reporters today on a conference call from Kabul. Asked by The Cable whether the Obama administration is still negotiating with the Taliban directly and whether the administration sees Taliban participation in the future of Afghanistan, the officials said yes on both counts.
"We continue to remain in contact with various Taliban leaders and we have several indications of intense interest in the reconciliation process," a senior administration official said. "It's quite clear to us that there is a range of interest among Taliban in reconciliation and there's quite a bit of internal political turbulence within the Taliban on that score."
But the official explained that a deal under consideration to transfer five senior Taliban commanders out of Gitmo to "house arrest" in Qatar, in exchange for the release of a Westerner in Taliban custody, was stalled due to internal divisions within the Taliban's ranks.
"For reasons that appear to have to do with internal political turbulence among the Taliban, those efforts have been basically put on hold for the time being," the official said. "The Taliban understand very well what needs to happen in that channel for those talks to restart and we'll see what they do with that knowledge."
Senior U.S. lawmakers in both parties have come out against the proposed transfer of Taliban commanders out of Gitmo, arguing that they were too dangerous to be released and that the Qatari arrangement would not be enough to ensure they did not return to violence. The deal would also have set up a Taliban representative office in Qatar from which the Taliban could operate.
Last month, Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak told a Washington audience that he also opposes releasing Taliban officials from Gitmo until the Taliban have shown some evidence that they are negotiating in good faith.
The government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has expressed some hope that the deal would be a precursor to more positive interactions, although Afghan officials were initially upset that the United States had begun discussions with the Taliban outside their purview.
The Karzai government also has good reason to be suspicious of Taliban peace offers, considering that its most recent peace engagement with the Taliban literally blew up when a supposed Taliban negotiator detonated a suicide bomb that killed the leader of Karzai's peace council, former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani.
Former Deputy NATO Senior Civilian Representative at ISAF Mark Jacobson, now with the Truman National Security Project, told The Cable today that the administration's comments represented new openness about its talks with the Taliban.
"I think the White House is increasingly open about U.S. discussions with the Taliban — an indication to me that we are in a good position to move these talks along," he said. "In the end its going to have to be about Karzai and the Taliban, but both sides feel much more comfortable in direct discussions with us because both sides see us as more reliable than the others. And in the end, any agreement between the Taliban and the Afghan government will require the backing and support of the United States."
On the conference call from Kabul, the administration officials rejected assertions that the Obama administration is opening itself up to charges of politicizing bin Laden's killing by signing the agreement on the one-year anniversary of the mission. They said the timing was based on the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago.
"The negotiations were completed in recent weeks… The two presidents set a clear goal for the agreement to be signed before the summit in Chicago," one official said. "It was always the president's intention to spend this anniversary with our troops. What better place to spend that time with our troops here in Afghanistan who are in harm's way."


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Articles tagged pokemon, pokemon black and white, gamefreak, nintendo, nintendo ds
28 Jul 2016 // 8:31 AM
I've never felt more out of touch.READ more
20 Oct 2015 // 8:10 AM
Whatever Nintendo will gain from the NX's new graphical competitiveness and by pursuing traditional gamers, we, the players, will lose.READ more
10 Jul 2015 // 2:05 AM
Thirty years after the release of his most famous work, there are likely still many who don't know the name Koji Kondo -- yet they know they've heard his music, somewhere.READ more
11 Jun 2015 // 8:00 AM
Splatoon is a game that treats you like a grownup without taking itself too seriously.READ more
28 May 2015 // 8:00 AM
With a year having passed since the start of Mario Kart 8, it's time to look back on 12 months of roaring engines, hairpin turns, blue shells, and a whole lot of swearing.READ more
12 May 2015 // 10:55 AM
That the home console has survived so deep into this blossoming age of cheap, ubiquitous tech can only be blamed on a sort of blind spot created by nostalgia.READ more
8 Aug 2013 // 9:00 AM
Here are your pop culture options for end-of-summer fun.READ more
10 Jun 2013 // 7:30 AM
Highlighting the month's top releases in movies, music, television, and video games.READ more
7 Feb 2012 // 10:00 PM
Granted, Link does "hiyah," "eyah," and "ahh" his way through all of his post-64-bit adventures, but no amount of elfish interjections can change his status as a silent protagonist. Is a failure to communicate much, a failure to communicate?READ more
20 Oct 2011 // 10:00 PM
Kirby: Mass Attack is both a celebration of nearly 20 years of great games and a fresh take on Nintendo's platforming history.READ more
13 Sep 2011 // 5:30 AM
Sometimes, rarely, a work is so good (so well-conceived, so well-executed) that it simply breaks our traditional expectations of comics literature. And this breaking allows us to glimpse the true, rare promise of what the industry can achieve. Davids Lapham and Aja's Wolverine: Debt of Death is this work.READ more
12 Jul 2011 // 10:00 PM
Anyone with an affection for cute pets will find something to like about Nintendogs + Cats, but its longevity as a title is questionable.READ more
14 Jun 2011 // 11:30 PM
Fighting games seem to be making the most noise in the 3DS's rather lackluster launch line-up and it stems from the perfect marriage between fighter and level as a definition of depth.READ more
4 Apr 2011 // 10:00 AM
The Nintendo DS in its various versions has sold so many units (more than 130 million worldwide) that it can be hard to remember that whenREAD more
30 Mar 2011 // 11:45 AM
Being a fan of technology and gee-whiz gadgets can take its toll on your bank account and your faith in innovation at times. Often theREAD more
30 Mar 2011 // 5:04 AM
The release of a new-generation game machine from one of the top video game companies happens so rarely these days that it's a momentousREAD more
28 Mar 2011 // 8:30 AM
SAN FRANCISCO — Having watched its once-mighty handheld business come under attack by touch-screen smartphones sporting $1 game apps, Nintendo Co. is betting big that it canREAD more
12 Jan 2011 // 6:41 AM
Here's a look at gifts from the previous decade.READ more
4 Jan 2011 // 5:30 AM
Here's a look at gifts from more than a decade ago.READ more
28 Nov 2010 // 10:00 PM
The unapologetic sugary sweetness of Kirby is both attractive and resistant, depending on your age and possibly your gender.READ more
Rising Appalachia 'Alive' (album stream) (premiere) // Music
Lost Bayou Ramblers "Allons a Lafayette" (video) (premiere) // Music
Jean Caffeine "Winter of Hate" (video) (premiere) // Music
"No Dollars in Duende": On Making Uncompromising, Spirited Music
// Sound Affects
"On the elusive yet clearly existential sadness that adds layers and textures to music.READ the article


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Moleskine Monday: New Softcover Notebooks
- 03.03.14
- Moleskine, new products, Moleskine, quality control, soft cover, softcover
- 5 Comments
Moleskine has introduced some new colors for softcover notebooks. The examples in the photo below look like they are warped and curling, perhaps from a too-tight elastic on the beige one… not a good sign.
See more at Don't be a [ ] – Be flexible with a soft cover notebook! – Moleskine ®.
5 Responses to "Moleskine Monday: New Softcover Notebooks"
I wish they would come out with a gray hard cover pocket size. Or pastel pocket size hard covers in general…. pastel pink would be nice!
Those soft covers do look warped to me too.
I hadn't spotted the warping, but you are right, it looks poor.
I just got the ocean colored one and I really like it so far; it comes with the much coveted dotted pages! I've yet to see how it holds up over time. It's replacing my full-to-bursting ecosystem notebook, which turned out to be far more durable than I expected!
I just received my beige colored one and it's really nice. I've noticed that the elastic band does feel a little weaker compared to the previous models though. I guess I will see how well it stands up, after I finish my other two notebooks.
First look ,i think it's very beauty but i just bought a Black journal. Then i have to stop my Brain, to bought it.


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Duluth, Two Harbors, Hermantown, Proctor schools closed Tuesday
All Duluth public, private, parochial and charter schools are closed Tuesday, Dec. 3, because of the heavy snow falling in the Northland.
The Lake Superior school district, which includes Two Harbors and Silver Bay, also is closed today, along with Proctor schools, Hermantown schools and the Cook County school district.
Cloquet, Esko and Wrenshall schools are operating on a two-hour delay Tuesday. The College of St. Scholastica will open at 10 a.m.
Click on the link with this story for additional Northland school and event closings and delays.


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Do you find yourself stuck for ideas in providing the perfect promotional giveaway to employees and clientele? With our limitless array of items, ePromos helps make the search loads easier. Every product on our site can be custom imprinted or personalized! Connect with us through phone, email, or chat to get started on your unique design for your department store. Whether you're in need of swag to sponsor your company's loyalty program, fun promotional giveaways to market your brand, or gifts to congratulate a job well done, our branded items serve any occasion.
This promotional stainless steel promo BBQ set with spatula, tongs and fork in a elegant wood carrying case make a great gift for the summer.
Stainless steel promotional combination custom insulated bottle and two mugs.
Stainless steel promotional multi-tool with 15 different functions.
Promo tumbler set includes our stainless steel Java mug filled with a flashlight, tire gauge, and silver twist pen an EVA foam insert.
This 16 oz. Leather-Wrapped Custom Tumbler with a 7 oz. bag of plain chocolate M&M's makes a perfect gift for any occasion.
Custom steak knives by Laguiole will be sure to be the center of attention at any table with the variety of beautfiul finished wood handles on each of the knives.
Promo tumbler set featuring matching full PVC sleeves with white stitching in several bright colors.
A 16 oz. custom tumbler gift featuring hot chocolate mix and marshmallows is the perfect year-end gift to show your appreciation or to simply say "Thank You."
This 16 oz. Leather-Wrapped Custom Tumbler with a 7 oz. bag Hampton Special Edition Cookies & Cream popcorn makes a perfect gift for any occasion.
The Cutter & Buck Bainbridge Custom Tumbler has a retail look that makes it the ideal choice for gift-giving on the holidays or showing recognition at upcoming meetings or events.
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Stainless steel barbecue promo gift set with spatula, tongs, fork, knife and brush.
Sharpen your promotional efforts with this high end promotional knife block set in a sturdy wood block.
Promotional knife gift set packed in elegant box.


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Rite Aid's Q2 income nearly reverse of year-ago quarterly loss
Cumberland County-based drugstore chain Rite Aid Corp. today reported second-quarter net income of $32.8 million, or 3 cents per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $38.8 million, or 5 cents per diluted share, in the year-ago period.
The company also said it has raised fiscal 2014 guidance for several financial results partly because of stronger-than-anticipated performance in the first half, according to a news release.
Rite Aid also expects a better second half than previously projected, though not as good as the same period last year, the release stated.
The firm now expects fiscal 2014 net income of between $182 million, or 18 cents per diluted share, and $268 million, or 27 cents per diluted share.
This spring, Rite Aid was able to report that it recorded full-year net income for the first time since fiscal 2007.
Shares of East Pennsboro Township-based Rite Aid, one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RAD.


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CPA firm leaders know that in order to build a thriving firm, they need to keep their employees engaged, motivated and energized.
In his session, "Thriving to Succeed," Denny Faurote talked about these characteristics, pointing out that they compose the two critical components that are consistently found in thriving firms. The first trait of successful firms is that they have employees who are passionate and excited, because their firm reminds them on a daily basis that they make a significant difference. The second component is found in firms that have employees who are continuously learning and finding new ways to grow.
When employees are dedicated, skilled and demonstrate high energy, their attitude is contagious. Under these circumstances, excellent client service and a commitment to attract new clients takes root and flourishes.
For Faurote, these are the basic building blocks that support a CPA firm's marketing initiatives - an engaged work force that believes in the firm, its current clients and its future.
More ideas to follow!


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K FA 5 years ago2 Comments
CSN Bay Area expects the 49ers to move on from K David Akers.
Akers' $3 million salary would be steep even if he hadn't been utterly incompetent in 2012. As it is, he missed 13-of-42 field-goal attempts, an unacceptable number. Beat writer Matt Maiocco believes free agents Lawrence Tynes, Shayne Graham, Nick Novak and Mike Nugent are all possible replacements.
Ghost_Lombardi 5 years ago
Only GB's Mason Crosby was worse, I think.
joegibbskins07 5 years ago
the guy played threw and injury and was beast the season before when healthy.


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Meanwhile, Therapie Clinic Athlone is celebrating their second anniversary on the same evening.
On Thursday, February 27, from 4-9pm customers can avail of 20% off everything including products, treatments and even gift vouchers.
There will also be a goody bag with every purchase while stocks last.
On top of all that, guests can enjoy a glass of bubbly and canapés, as well as being treated to a complimentary skin consultation and mini massage in the Malahide Clinic, while in the Athlone Clinic Athlone guests will be treated to a mini facial treatment.
Pop along on Thursday to Therapie Clinic Malahide and Athlone and get 20% off everything! To RSVP Malahide call 01 854 8000 or Athlone call 09064 33606.
For further information on Therapie Clinic visit www.therapieclinic.com
Therapie Clinic Athlone
Therapie Clinic Malahide


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By MARC KOVAC
Dix Communications
COLUMBUS -- Gov. Ted Strickland continues to gain ground on his Republican challenger, John Kasich, among Ohioans likely to vote in next week's general election.
Democrat Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher also made up some ground in the race for U.S. Senate, but Republican Rob Portman is maintaining a seemingly insurmountable lead.
That's according to the latest Quinnipiac poll, the third of the month.
"It is difficult to see how Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher wins the election," Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said in a released statement. "Despite his gains, he remains 17 points behind with a week to go. A successful comeback would make Harry Truman's victory look like small potatoes by comparison."
Brown added, "Gov. Ted Strickland, on the other hand, has made the race for governor competitive. He still trails by six points, and certainly has his work cut out for him. But Strickland has had the momentum in the last month."
Connecticut-based Quinnipiac regularly gauges Ohio voters' opinions of candidates and issues. It polled 686 likely voters over the past week on the gubernatorial and Senate races. The results have a margin of error of about 4 percent.
Among respondents:
n Kasich topped Strickland, 49 percent-43 percent. That compares to 51 percent-41 percent in a poll released a week ago.
n Kasich is viewed favorably by 43 percent of likely voters and unfavorably by 37 percent. Strickland is viewed favorably by 43 percent but unfavorably by 45 percent.
n Portman led Fisher by 17 points, 53 percent-36 percent. That compares to 55 percent-34 percent last week.
n Portman is viewed favorably by 50 percent of likely voters and unfavorably by 21 percent. Fisher is viewed favorably by 32 percent and unfavorably by 42 percent.
n Marc Kovac is the Dix capital bureau chief. E-mail him at
email@example.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.


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Freestyle Sessions Davos
Switzerland: Graubuenden
You can take your riding to the next level at the ultimate Swiss resort where the best snowboarders in the world come to ride in style: Davos.
"World Snowboard Guide gives Davos 10 out of 10"
You can learn from the best coaches in one of the world's leading snowboarding destinations with a Freestyle Session at Davos. The World Snowboard Guide gives Davos 10 out of 10 and it received recognition as the "Best of the Alps" a few years ago with only 4 other resorts in Europe. For its legendary reputation Davos is sure to be the ultimate Swiss resort.
The coaches at Freestyle Session Davos Camps are welcoming yet professional. Camps are perfectly suited for any level. Freestyle beginners will learn how to pop from switch to regular easily and expert riders will ride the super pipe and learn how to put it down faster, bigger, and with more style. Small groups ensure that you'll get a personalized coaching experience.
"New park and half pipe provide plenty of challenge & fun"
At Davos you'll find a variety of terrain from Jakobshorn where the new park and half pipe provide plenty of challenge and fun, to the Super Pipe at Bolgen. Plus you can ride and perfect your skills in plenty of other parks or boardercross circuits, or try out the "Speed Trap," where you can read your top riding speed.
A variety of accommodation packages are available to suit all budgets.
If you want to learn at Davos, home to the world's best boarders and even the former site of the Snowboarding World Championships and World Pro Tour events, sign up for a Freestyle Session at Davos.
4 reasons to choose Freestyle Session Davos:
- World famous Davos Resort.
- Freestyle Instruction for all levels.
- Variety of terrain and park features!
- Flexible accommodation packages.
You don't have to be a pro to experience the joy of heli skiing. Head to Bernese Oberland and fin...
Heliski long glacial runs amidst the striking and famous beauty of the Swiss Alps with Air Gla...
Experience Verbier like a local when you learn from the experts at Powder and Freeride Camp Ve...


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Top Definition
The split second after you've said something that you really shouldn't have said, and realise that you shouldn't have said it.
an example of the oh-shit! moment = "those jeans make your thighs look fat" ... oh shit...
by p00pyhead August 16, 2009
The Urban Dictionary Mug
One side has the word, one side has the definition. Microwave and dishwasher safe. Lotsa space for your liquids.Buy the mug


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Celebration 2014 begins Wednesday in the capital city. Seven thousand people are expected to attend the biennial gathering of Southeast Alaska Natives from all over the state, the Lower 48 and Canada.
While most fly or take the state ferry to Juneau, in recent years small groups have come by traditional canoe, including a group from Haines, who left the North Lynn Canal community last week.
Helmsman Wayne Price, gave the order to leave shortly after 4 a.m. so the group could start their journey with the outgoing tide.
"We're ready? Can I get a Hoohah? Hoohah. Let's go to Juneau."
The group is the North Tide Canoe Kwaan and they are paddling a dugout canoe to the Celebration festivities set to begin this week in Juneau. They are accompanied by two support boats. By Sunday night they had reached Admiralty Island where they will camp an extra day before meeting up with other canoe groups from across Southeast.
But this journey took more than just a few long days of paddling in a dugout canoe. This group has been preparing for months.
Price, a master carver, has had an attachment to the western red cedar canoe for about 10 years, when the log was first shipped to Haines for a project. That project didn't materialize and the log languished. But last year Price took the log back up to use as a project with the Chilkoot Indian Association's tribal youth program.
Since then, Price and his students have worked on the log, carving, adzing and fashioning it into a 28-foot dugout. They steamed the canoe to widen it, fiberglassed and painted it. For the past several weeks the group has practicing paddling around Port Chilkoot in Haines. They took water safety and rescue courses including training with the Coast Guard.
Price also taught paddle carving classes throughout the winter. Price required anyone who wanted to participate in the canoe journey to carve their own paddle to use on the trip. For him, delving into cultural activities is an avenue to make healthy lifestyle choices, and especially a choice away from drugs and alcohol.
"I thinks a worthy cause to support healthy lifestyle living and give young people, an old, something to do. Something that was done and keeping something that's part of history alive."
While the group officially organized through the tribe's youth program, those on the journey to Celebration range age from 4 to 67. The eldest would be Bosch Hotch who got involved with the project from prompting from his grandkids.
"I didn't really get into it until the grandkids said 'Come on, come see what we're doing,' " Hotch says. "I walked in there and Wayne gave me a plank and I started carving and haven't quit since."
With Bosch on the trip there were three generations of his family making the journey.
And for Price, this wasn't his first canoe journey. He's done similar projects with First Nations youth in Canada. And it's not his first dugout canoe either – he's done at least 10. But paddling a dugout from Haines to Juneau has been a longtime dream.
"We're doing an adventure that hasn't been done in a very long time, in a traditional dugout as well. So there's a bi g accomplishment in that. I just want to keep everyone fed and healthy and safe and make sure their journey is a good one as well, too."
Recent headlines
Walker pitches 1.5 percent income tax with a limitAdministration officials have a mouthful of a name for it: the "capped hybrid head tax." It's a flat 1.5 percent of wages and self-employment income, with a maximum of twice the value of that year's Alaska Permanent Fund dividend.
Federal court upholds contentious 'roadless rule' for national forestsA federal district court has sided with conservationists fighting to preserve the U.S. Forest Service's "roadless rule" that limits road building in national forests. Alaska conservationists opposed to expanded logging in Tongass National Forest hailed the ruling as a victory.
McCain announces opposition to Obamacare repeal bill, possibly dooming itArizona Sen. John McCain is the second Republican to oppose the legislation, after Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul came out against it last week. If one more GOP senator is against the bill, it cannot pass.
Gardentalk – Scabby potatoesPeel off the scab and eat the potatoes immediately. They won't keep very well in your root cellar. Master Gardener Ed Buyarski also has tips for mitigating potato scab, how to carefully harvest potatoes, techniques to harden or age potatoes before harvest, and setting aside small seed potatoes for next season's planting.


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Moran won't stray from winning ways
In an election year when even the most entrenched politicians are scrambling to project a message of "change," Rep. James P. Moran is doing something different - he is promising more of the same.
That's what you do when you are an incumbent who typically gets reelected with ease, representing a district that leans heavily toward your party and where, unlike in much of the country, the economy is still humming along at a decent clip.
"The message is that our unemployment rate is half what it is in the rest of the country," Moran (D-Va.) said in an interview Wednesday. "We've been judged the best place to ride out the recession. . . .We have the strongest economy in the country, so we don't want to do a whole lot different than what we've been doing."
In the prosperous 8th Congressional District - which includes Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church and part of Fairfax County - at least one man does want change: Patrick Murray, a retired Army colonel who won a competitive Republican primary contest in June to be the decided underdog against Moran.
First elected in 1990, Moran has won with at least 60 percent of the vote in each of the past six elections. He also has enormous advantages in fundraising and name identification over Murray, who left the military in 2009 after 24 years of service and has never held elected office.
If those long odds worry Murray, he doesn't show it.
Walking in Old Town Alexandria on a recent sunny afternoon, Murray cheerfully asked shop owners for their votes and listened to their problems big and small. Some complained about high taxes and the rising cost of health insurance, others lamented the scarcity and price of parking along King Street.
"We really have a good shot this year, and we have some good poll numbers to prove it," Murray told one owner.
The Murray campaign has been touting a survey - conducted in mid-September by the Alexandria-based GOP firm - that showed Moran with a relatively small 13-point lead among likely voters, 45 percent to 32 percent. "
Jim Moran is personally a weak incumbent and has significant negatives associated with him," pollster John McLaughlin wrote.
But Moran scoffs at the poll's results, and his campaign has a survey of its own - conducted in mid-September by a Springfield-based Democratic firm - that showed the incumbent leading among likely voters, 58 percent to 31 percent, and found that Moran is viewed much more favorably than the GOP poll suggests.
"Bottom line: the strong Democratic leanings of this district and Moran's strong personal connection with voters puts him in a rock-solid position to win reelection in November," wrote Moran's pollster, Andrew Myers.


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Found a deal today? Here's the place to share it!
Have a question that doesn't fit into any of the other threads? Here's the place to ask it!
Please sign in with your WRAL.com account to comment on this story. You also will need a Facebook account to comment.
$5.15 Coupon for Purina Pro Plan dry dog or cat food - just fill out a form:
Thanks losltp
Received my Betty Crocker and Pillsbury calendars today. Lots of neat recipes!
I checked the website ( BettyCrocker.com) but I could not find the calender offer . It was posted here in mid-november so it probably is no longer available .
The newletter is well worth signing up for
You could request the calender at the Betty Crocker website after you sign up . You will get emails every week or two - the emails will have links for recipes,coupons and special offers ( In the last enail ,you could sign up to get a free box of chicken helper sent to you - cheesy bacon ?? I think ) .
Wher do you get the free betty Crocker calender?
got my Free 2014 Betty Crocker calendar today
whwall - The News and Observer did an article earlier this month on restaurants open on Christmas: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/12/10/3450846/where-to-dine-on-christmas-in.html
Tristan - thanks for posting the code - I was writing up the post for the blog and did not see that you had already posted it - sorry to double post. Thanks again!
Awesome score on the 32 SB's for searching! That's a big one!
Heads up! There is a Swag Code available today, 12/23, from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm! The code is worth 4 Swag Bucks!
Code: Enthrall
Amount: 4 SB!


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THE bowlers of the Belle Vue club welcomed Vale rivals Rhoose, with L Fowler the only home skip to taste success as the visitors chalked up a 10-shot win.
Belle Vue skip scores: T Ford 14-16; B Morgan 10-20; L Fowler 17-24; L Aubrey 20-11. Belle Vue 61, Rhoose 71.
On Saturday Belle Vue entertained Abercynon and, again with just one winning rink (D Purser), the home side went down by 26 shots.
Belle Vue skip scores: B Morgan 13-30; D Purser 24-18; L Aubrey 18-23; M Thomas 14-24. Belle Vue 69, Abercynon 95.
Members extend their thanks to Kay Thomas for all her help in the kitchen. Members would, indeed, be lost without her cheery smile.


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Democracy and the Quality of the State
What is the relationship between high-quality state administration and democracy? A look back at modern Greece and Italy, along with Germany and
the United States, provides some insights.
Reflections on "Governance"
"Governance," once merely a synonym for government, has taken on new meanings that tend to downplay the importance of the political. But can "good governance" be achieved today without the protections of liberal democracy?
Tracking the "Arab Spring": Why the Modest Harvest?
Popular uprisings have occurred only in some Arab states and in even fewer have authoritarian rulers been overthrown. What factors allow us to predict whether an authoritarian regime will be vulnerable?
Tracking the "Arab Spring": Egypt's Failed Transition
The July 2013 military takeover has squashed democratic hopes in Egypt, at least for now. How did things go so wrong, and what lessons are to be drawn from this lamentable episode?
Tracking the "Arab Spring": Syria and the Future of Authoritarianism
The Assad regime has been adapting to the new challenges posed by mass uprisings through a process of "authoritarian learning," and at least some of its methods are being applied elsewhere in the region.
Watch an interview with the author.
Tracking the "Arab Spring": Yemen Changes Everything... And Nothing
A long-ruling strongman president has been unseated by popular unrest and a negotiated transition is under way, but to many Yemenis this all appears to be a change more of appearance than of substance.
Tracking the "Arab Spring": Libya Starts from Scratch
Qadhafi is gone after subjecting his country to a brutal dictatorship for more than four decades, but the devastated institutional landscape that he left behind bodes ill for Libya's democratic prospects.
The Third Wave: Inside the Numbers
Is democracy threatened by a "reverse wave"? Examining regional patterns and distinguishing between different types of democracy gives us a new basis for assessing this question.
Listen to the podcast with authors Jørgen Møller and Svend-Erik Skaaning [mp3]
Paraguay and the Politics of Impeachment
The phenomenon of the "interrupted presidency" remains a key source of democratic instability in Latin America, as was demonstrated once again by the 2012 impeachment of Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo.
Research Report: Assessing the Quality of Elections
Determining whether an election has met international standards is a pressing issue for both practitioners and scholars. An important new study aims to systematize the assessment of electoral integrity.
Malaysia's Elections: A Step Backward
Despite losing the popular vote, Malaysia's long-ruling Barisan Nasional triumphed again in the country's 2013 elections, disappointing an emboldened opposition that had high hopes after a strong performance in 2008.
Exchange: Reexamining African Elections
Do even unfree and unfair elections in sub-Saharan Africa, if repeated often enough, really contribute to democratization? A fresh look at the evidence casts doubt on the theory of "democratization by elections."
Exchange: Confusing Categories, Shifting Targets
Staffan Lindberg replies to Matthijs Bogaards's critique, finding the latter's methodology problematic and arguing that the evidence for association between repeated elections and democratization remains strong.
Separated at Birth?
A review of The Promise of Power: The Origins of Democracy in India and Autocracy in Pakistan by Maya Tudor.


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437 F3d 1266 Cogburn Health Center Inc v. National Labor Relations Board
437 F.3d 1266
COGBURN HEALTH CENTER, INC., Petitioner
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Respondent.
No. 04-1430.
United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit.
Argued February 6, 2006.
Decided February 24, 2006.
On Petition for Review and Cross-Application for Enforcement of an Order of the National Labor Relations Board.
Annette A. Idalski argued the cause for petitioner. With her on the briefs was Kurt A. Powell. Scot A. Hinshaw and Susan F. Wiltsie entered appearances.
William M. Bernstein, Senior Attorney, National Labor Relations Board, argued the cause for respondent. With him on the briefs were Arthur F. Rosenfeld, General Counsel, John H. Ferguson, Associate General Counsel, Aileen A. Armstrong, Deputy Associate General Counsel, Fred B. Jacob, Supervisory Attorney, and Gregory P. Lauro, Attorney.
Before: SENTELLE and HENDERSON, Circuit Judges, and EDWARDS, Senior Circuit Judge.
Opinion for the Court filed by Senior Circuit Judge EDWARDS.
EDWARDS, Senior Circuit Judge.
Cogburn Health Center, Inc. (also referred to by the Board as Cogburn Healthcare Center, Inc.) ("Cogburn" or "Company"), a nursing home in Mobile, Alabama, petitions this court for review of an order of the National Labor Relations Board ("Board"), and the Board cross-applies for enforcement. On July 19, 1996, the Board held a secret-ballot election to determine whether the employees in a designated bargaining unit at Cogburn desired to be represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1657, AFL-CIO ("Union"). The election results indicated that 52 employees cast votes in favor of the Union, and 72 against. The Union then filed unfair labor practice ("ULP") charges with the Board, and a complaint was issued. The complaint charged that a majority of the employees in an appropriate unit at Cogburn had selected the Union as their bargaining representative by signing authorization cards; that, in April 1996, Cogburn had rejected the Union's request to bargain on behalf of the employees; that Cogburn then engaged in a campaign of ULPs designed to undermine the Union's support; that, because of the serious nature of Cogburn's ULPs, the possibility of conducting a fair rerun election was only slight; and that, in light of this situation, the rights of the employees would be best served by the Board's issuance of a bargaining order. The Board found that Cogburn had indeed engaged in widespread violations of § 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act ("Act"), 29 U.S.C. § 158(a)(1) (2000), including, but not limited to, unlawful surveillance, interrogations, threats, and prohibitions on wearing Union insignias. The Board also found that the Company had discharged five Union supporters during the organizing campaign in violation of §§ 8(a)(1) and (3) of the Act, and terminated a sixth employee because of her Union activities and sympathies, and also because she gave testimony for the Union in a representation proceeding, in violation of §§ 8(a)(1), (3), and (4) of the Act. See Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., Inc., 335 N.L.R.B. 1397, 2001 WL 1176589 (2001).
To remedy these violations, the Board ordered Cogburn, inter alia, to cease and desist from engaging in any further unfair labor practices, post appropriate notices to advise employees of their rights under the Act, and reinstate the unlawfully discharged employees and make them whole for their losses. The Board also issued a Gissel bargaining order, see NLRB v. Gissel Packing Co., 395 U.S. 575, 89 S.Ct. 1918, 23 L.Ed.2d 547 (1969), and held that Cogburn violated §§ 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act by refusing to bargain with the Union on April 18, 1996, when the Union requested bargaining based on a card majority.
Substantial evidence supports the Board's determinations that Cogburn committed the cited ULPs in violation of §§ 8(a)(1), (3), and (4) of the Act. We therefore enforce the Board's order with respect to these charges. We reverse the Board's Gissel bargaining order, however, because the Board failed to credit Cogburn's properly raised evidence of "changed circumstances" that arose during the more than three years when the initial ULP case was pending disposition by the Board. A few more years passed during which Cogburn's motions for reconsideration languished before the Board. Ten years have now elapsed since Cogburn's alleged refusal to bargain in April 1996, and there has been substantial turnover in the employee and management ranks at Cogburn during this period. In the face of this record, the Board has offered no viable justification for an affirmative bargaining order. Under the plain law of this circuit, we reverse the Board's imposition of a Gissel bargaining order. Accordingly, we grant in part and deny in part the Board's cross-petition for enforcement, and we grant in part and deny in part Cogburn's petition for review. The Board's order will be enforced with respect to all disputed issues, save for the Gissel bargaining order.
A. The Union's Organizing Campaign
During the time period relevant to our inquiry, Cogburn was a family-owned and operated nursing home providing medical care in Mobile, Alabama. In October 1995, the Union began a campaign to organize Cogburn's full-time and regular part-time service and maintenance employees. Over the course of the following six-to-nine months, Union organizers distributed leaflets and authorization cards to Cogburn employees who were exiting and entering Company property. On April 18, 1996, after collecting signed authorization cards from a majority of the service and maintenance employees, the Union unsuccessfully sought to bargain with Cogburn on behalf of the employees. The Union also petitioned the Board for a representation election covering the employees. The Board scheduled an election for July 1996.
Throughout the spring and early summer of 1996, the Company engaged in a concerted campaign to undermine the Union's support. Cogburn hired a "private police force" consisting of approximately 35 off-duty Mobile city police officers and installed surveillance equipment directed at the front of the facility where the Union organizers were rallying support. The Company also required its employees to attend mock collective bargaining sessions, at which they were instructed to follow a script in which the Cogburn representative rejected every Union offer. Several Company supervisors and Cogburn co-owner and Vice President, Steve Roberts, conducted a series of "interrogations" — conversations during which they questioned employees about Union activities and their and other employees' feelings about the Union. Finally, during the course of the organizing campaign, six well-known Union supporters were discharged for their Union activities and sympathies.
The Board held a secret-ballot election on July 19, 1996. Of the approximately 135 eligible voters, 52 cast votes in favor of the Union, and 72 against. The Union then filed ULP charges with the Board. After a series of hearings held between March and September 1997, an Administrative Law Judge ("ALJ") found that Cogburn had committed numerous violations of the Act. The ALJ recommended, inter alia, that the Company be required to reinstate and grant backpay to the six discharged employees and to bargain with the Union as the exclusive representative of the employees. Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., 335 N.L.R.B. at 1425-26.
B. The Board's Decisions
The Board finally issued a decision on September 27, 2001, over three years after the ALJ's decision. The Board found, in agreement with the ALJ, that Cogburn committed multiple violations of § 8(a)(1) of the Act in response to the Union's organizing campaign. These violations included: coercively interrogating employees; threatening employees with loss of benefits, closure of the facility in the event of unionization, and refusal to rehire any employee who engaged in protected strike activity; telling employees that the employer would not have to bargain with the Union; threatening in simulated bargaining sessions that unionization would be futile; offering to increase wages and benefits if the Union promised not to file additional unfair labor practice charges or objections to the representation election; engaging in surveillance of employee Union activity with video cameras and a private police force; prohibiting employees from wearing clothing reflecting Union membership without permission; and permitting employees who opposed the Union to leave their work stations and handbill while prohibiting prounion employees from doing so. Id. at 1399-1400. The Board also accepted the ALJ's finding that Cogburn violated §§ 8(a)(1) and (3) of the Act by discharging employees Hill, Husband, Wiggins, Langham, and Kirk, and violated §§ 8(a)(1), (3), and (4) of the Act by discharging employee Collins because of her Union sympathies and her testimony for the Union at a Board representation hearing. See id. at 1397.
The Board ordered Cogburn to cease and desist from the unfair labor practices found and from interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed by § 7 of the Act, 29 U.S.C. § 157 (2000). Affirmatively, the Board ordered Cogburn, inter alia, to offer reinstatement to Hill, Husband, Wiggins, Langham, Kirk, and Collins, and make them whole for any loss of earnings and benefits they suffered as a result of their unlawful discharges. The Board also found that the pervasiveness of Cogburn's unfair labor practices placed this case in Gissel's "category II," and thus rendered a fair rerun election unlikely. Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., 335 N.L.R.B. at 1398-99; see Gissel, 395 U.S. at 614, 89 S.Ct. 1918 (describing category II cases as "less extraordinary cases marked by less pervasive practices which nonetheless still have the tendency to undermine majority strength and impede the election processes"). The Board therefore directed that the July 19 election be set aside, and that Cogburn recognize the Union and bargain upon request. Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., 335 N.L.R.B. at 1403. In support of the Gissel bargaining order, the Board found that Cogburn violated §§ 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act by refusing to bargain with the Union on April 18, 1996, when the Union demanded recognition and bargaining based on authorization cards from a majority of the employees in the designated unit. Id. at 1397.
On November 2, 2001, soon after the Board's order issued, Cogburn moved to reopen the record, citing evidence of "changed circumstances" that rendered the imposition of a bargaining order unnecessary. Specifically, Cogburn alleged that the long delay between the unfair labor practices in 1996 and the Board's decision in 2001, as well as significant employee and management turnover, made it clear that a bargaining order was no longer justified.
On June 21, 2004, two and a half years after Cogburn filed its motion, the Board, with one member dissenting, denied the Company's motion to reopen the record. The Board first noted that Cogburn failed to comply with § 102.48(d)(1) of the Board's rules, which requires parties to state "`why [the evidence] was not presented previously.'" Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., Inc., 342 N.L.R.B. No. 11, 2004 WL 1413262, at *2 (June 21, 2004) (quoting 29 C.F.R. § 102.48(d)(1)) (alteration in Board's order). The Board questioned why Cogburn "failed to show that some or all of [its] evidence . . . was not available during the [three-year] period that the case was pending before the Board on exceptions." Id. Without such an explanation, the Board concluded that Cogburn's motion "was untimely made." Id.
In addition to the alleged procedural flaw in Cogburn's motion, the Board also found that Cogburn failed to demonstrate how its additional evidence "`would require a different result.'" Id. at *3 (quoting 29 C.F.R. § 102.48(d)(1)). The Board reiterated its "established policy" that the propriety of a bargaining order is assessed only "as of the time that the [employer] committed the violations," and not at the time of the Board's order. Id. The Board also pointed out that, even taking into account the post-violation "changed circumstances" alleged by Cogburn, two supervisors found to have committed various unfair labor practices were still employed by the Company at the time of Cogburn's motion, and the Company did not claim "that there has been any significant change in the family ownership group, . . . other than the death of [former co-owner and Vice President,] Steve Roberts." Id. Finally, the Board declared that the "passage of time does not render a bargaining order inappropriate." Id.
On August 5, 2004, Cogburn filed a second motion for reconsideration, claiming that additional employee and management turnover and the passage of time justified vacating the Board's bargaining order. The Board denied Cogburn's motion. The Company then filed a timely petition for review and the Board filed a cross-application for enforcement of its order.
A. Unfair Labor Practices
The Board's findings that Cogburn committed the cited violations of §§ 8(a)(1), (3), and (4) are "`supported by substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole.'" Palace Sports & Entm't, Inc. v. NLRB, 411 F.3d 212, 220 (D.C.Cir.2005) (quoting 29 U.S.C. § 160(e)-(f) (2000)). The ALJ's discussion of the evidence, proposed findings, and recommended remedies, nearly all of which were adopted by the Board, are clearly unassailable under the applicable standard of review. We therefore have no grounds upon which to second-guess the Board's determinations with respect to the §§ 8(a)(1), (3), and (4) ULPs.
B. The Gissel Bargaining Order
1. Timeliness of Cogburn's Motion for Reconsideration
Shortly after the Board issued its decision in September 2001, Cogburn moved to reopen the record. The Company argued that the Board should reconsider its decision to impose a Gissel bargaining order due to "changed circumstances" that arose during the several years when the ULP case was pending disposition. The Board denied the Company's motion largely on the ground that it was untimely. Cogburn contends that the Board erred in refusing to address its motion and credit its evidence of changed circumstances on this procedural ground. We review the Board's decision not to reopen the record for an abuse of discretion. E. Carolinas Broad. Co. v. FCC, 762 F.2d 95, 103 (D.C.Cir.1985).
Citing its regulations, the Board contends that Cogburn neglected to "`state [why] the additional evidence sought to be adduced . . . was not presented previously.'" Br. for NLRB at 56 (quoting 29 C.F.R. § 102.48(d)(1)). The Board's finding on this score is simply wrong. In its motion to the Board, the Company stated:
Simply put, Cogburn cannot be expected to have presented evidence of substantial employee turnover and management changes which did not exist when this matter initially was presented to the Board, more than three (3) years ago. Indeed, the longer the Board delayed in issuing its decision, the more changes occurred during the day to day operations at Cogburn. As such, Cogburn now should be permitted to introduce evidence of changed circumstances.
Cogburn Healthcare Center Inc.'s Request to Reopen the Record and for Reconsideration, Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., Inc. (Nov. 1, 2001) at 8, Joint Appendix ("J.A.") 30 (hereinafter "Cogburn Motion"). It is plain that Cogburn explained that it did not present evidence of changed circumstances when it filed its 1998 exceptions to the Board because those changes took place over the ensuing three years.
The Board argues that Cogburn could have alerted the Board to the "changed circumstances" during the three-year interval between the ALJ's decision and the Board's order. To support this claim, the Board relies on the decision in NLRB v. U.S.A. Polymer Corp., 272 F.3d 289 (5th Cir.2001). The Fifth Circuit noted in Polymer that "[t]he Board's procedural rules permit an employer to submit a motion to reopen the record after the ALJ's decision but before the Board has ruled." Id. at 295. The decision added that "[t]he Board is entitled to assume, in the face of the parties' silence, that the facts as initially presented continue to adequately describe the employer's workforce." Id. at 296. But Polymer also makes it clear that "there is no clear procedural vehicle for such a motion." Id. at 295. In our view, this last point is the most telling. Nothing in the Board's rules required Cogburn to advise the Board of every changed circumstance in its business operation and workforce between the date of the ALJ's decision and the Board's final disposition of the case. And we will not infer such a requirement.
The changed circumstances here were gradual, incremental, and cumulative. There was no single event at Cogburn which, alone, gave clear evidence of "changed circumstances." Absent a Board rule requiring it, Cogburn had no reason to think that it was obliged to file a motion on every occasion of employee turnover. Cogburn acted reasonably under the circumstances and the Board abused its discretion in rejecting Cogburn's motion as untimely.
2. The Board's Treatment of Cogburn's Evidence of "Changed Circumstances"
Despite deeming Cogburn's motion "untimely," the Board nonetheless went on to consider Cogburn's claim that "changed circumstances" now "require a different result," or, more precisely, a different remedy. In its motion, Cogburn asserted that a Gissel bargaining order was no longer necessary, because, in the five years since the organizing campaign and election, there had been substantial changes at the Company. Examples of these changes included the following information: (1) only 44% of Cogburn's 169 designated bargaining unit employees in 2001 were employed during the Union election campaign; (2) of the 82 employees that signed authorization cards, only 25 were still employed in 2001; (3) there had been significant management turnover, including the death of the Company's co-owner and Vice President, Steve Roberts, who was identified by the Board as a major perpetrator of Cogburn's ULPs, and the replacement of Company co-owner and Administrator, Suzanne Hughes, who was also responsible for various ULPs; and (4) subsequent to the ALJ's decision in 1998, no ULP charges had been filed. See Cogburn Motion at 2, 5-6, J.A. 24, 27-28. Based on these developments and the long passage of time between the alleged ULPs and the issuance of the bargaining order, Cogburn argued that it was now possible for the Board to hold a fair and impartial election. Id. at 8, J.A. 30.
This court has, on numerous occasions, directed the Board to provide a reasoned analysis when considering the imposition of a bargaining order. See, e.g., Douglas Foods Corp. v. NLRB, 251 F.3d 1056, 1065 (D.C.Cir.2001); Vincent Indus. Plastics, Inc. v. NLRB, 209 F.3d 727, 738 (D.C.Cir.2000); Flamingo Hilton-Laughlin v. NLRB, 148 F.3d 1166, 1170 (D.C.Cir. 1998); Avecor, Inc. v. NLRB, 931 F.2d 924, 937-39 (D.C.Cir.1991). The required analysis must contain "an explicit balancing of three considerations: (1) the employees' § 7 rights; (2) whether other purposes of the Act override the rights of employees to choose their bargaining representatives; and (3) whether alternative remedies are adequate to remedy the violations of the Act." Vincent Indus., 209 F.3d at 738. Furthermore — and most relevant here — we have made it clear that the Board must consider the appropriateness of a bargaining order at the time the order is issued. See Charlotte Amphitheater Corp. v. NLRB, 82 F.3d 1074, 1079 (D.C.Cir.1996); Avecor, 931 F.2d at 937.
The Board may have undertaken a thorough Gissel analysis with respect to the information it had at the time of its original order in 2001. See Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., 335 N.L.R.B. at 1398-1401. But its analysis failed when Cogburn proffered evidence of "changed circumstances." In response to Cogburn's motion to reopen the record, the Board stated:
Although [Cogburn] has recited changed circumstances as grounds for rescinding the Gissel order, the Board's established policy is to assess the propriety of a bargaining order as of the time that the respondent committed the violations. We therefore conclude that [Cogburn]'s motion does not comply with the Board's Rules.
Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., 2004 WL 1413262, at *3. The Board's decision on this point was wrong as a matter of law. As we explained in Charlotte Amphitheater:
Circumstances . . . may change during the interval between the occurrence of the employer's unfair labor practices and the Board's disposition of a case. There is, therefore, the obvious danger that a bargaining order that is intended to vindicate the rights of past employees will infringe upon the rights of the current ones to decide whether they wish to be represented by a union. Therefore, we have repeatedly instructed the Board to determine the appropriateness of a Gissel bargaining order in light of the circumstances existing at the time it is entered.
82 F.3d at 1078 (emphasis added). "If the Board continues to disagree with us, it is of course free to seek Supreme Court review." Id. at 1079. But "[s]o long as the Board persists on its current course we have no choice but to remand each offending order." Douglas Foods, 251 F.3d at 1067.
The Board points out that in Charlotte Amphitheater, this court stated that "'the Board has no affirmative duty to inquire whether employee turnover or [the] passage of time has attenuated the effects of earlier unfair labor practices.'" Br. for NLRB at 53 (quoting Charlotte Amphitheater, 82 F.3d at 1080). But our decision in Charlotte Amphitheater also states that "an employer must be allowed the opportunity to introduce evidence of changed circumstances that would mitigate the need for a bargaining order." Charlotte Amphitheater, 82 F.3d at 1080. There is no doubt here that the Board was obligated to consider thoroughly Cogburn's timely motion to reopen the record.
The little bit that the Board offered in a defense of the proposed Gissel bargaining order falls far short of what is necessary. With respect to Cogburn's claims of management turnover — the death of co-owner and Company Vice President, Steve Roberts, and the departure of co-owner and Company Administrator, Suzanne Hughes — the Board responded that Hughes's replacement, Prentiss Smith, played a role in illegally thwarting the Union's organizing drive in 1996, and added that Dietary Manager, Sonya O'Shea, who was found to have interrogated three employees and threatened other employees with facility closure, had been rehired after a two-year absence from the Company. The Board also claimed that Cogburn "d[id] not contend that there has been any significant change in the family ownership group, . . . other than the death of Steve Roberts." Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., 2004 WL 1413262, at *3. The Board said nothing about employee turnover. Rather, in response to Cogburn's evidence of the dwindling percentage of voting employees still employed by the Company (44%) and the small percentage of those employees still with the Company who signed authorization cards (30%), Board counsel argued that 44% is a "substantial percentage" which constitutes a "remaining core of employees" sufficient to support a bargaining order. Br. for NLRB at 58 (quotation marks omitted).
The Board's rote treatment of Cogburn's evidence is entirely unconvincing. For one thing, as noted above, the Board simply ignored the evidence of employee turnover. This error alone dooms the Board's order, for we have made it clear that "the Board is not free to disregard employee turnover when issuing a bargaining order." Douglas Foods, 251 F.3d at 1066; see also Avecor, 931 F.2d at 937.
Moreover, the Board's cursory review of the change in Company management hardly reflects reasoned decisionmaking to which we might otherwise defer. The Board summarily discounted the departure of two of the most prominent executives of the Company, who were significantly responsible for approximately 15 ULPs, five of the 15 instances of unlawful interrogations, and four of the six discharges. The Board undertook no analysis of the effect these changes might have had on the employees and, instead, merely concluded that, because two management officials still remained, a bargaining order was the appropriate remedy. And the Board's suggestion that Cogburn "does not contend that there has been any significant change in the family ownership group," without more, proves nothing. The Board never made the ownership group the main culprit for the ULPs; rather the Board's focus in the ULP case was on the management group, and most of the cited managers are no longer with the Company.
Finally, the Board failed to address Cogburn's perfectly reasonable argument that the five-year span of time between the ULPs and the Board's decision warranted a second look at the need for a bargaining order. The Board stated, without explanation, that the "passage of time does not render a bargaining order inappropriate." Cogburn Healthcare Ctr., 2004 WL 1413262, at *3. This is a specious argument, both as a matter of commonsense and in light of the governing case law. Time is a factor that should be considered by the Board, along with employee and management turnover. See Flamingo Hilton-Laughlin, 148 F.3d at 1171; Charlotte Amphitheater, 82 F.3d at 1078. As we noted in Peoples Gas System, Inc. v. NLRB:
[W]ith the passage of time, any coercive effects of an unfair labor practice may dissipate, employee turnover may result in a work force with no interest in the Union, and a fair election might be held which accurately reflects uncoerced employee wishes as of the present time.
629 F.2d 35, 47 (D.C.Cir.1980). This matter is now 10 years old, largely because of the Board's extraordinary delays in case processing. In this situation, it is the height of chutzpah for the Board to pronounce that the passage of time is irrelevant.
C. The Appropriate Remedies
There is little question that the Board's order to reinstate and make whole the six discharged employees is an appropriate remedy, as is the Board's cease and desist order. The Board's affirmative bargaining order is another matter, however. The law of this circuit, which the Board flouted, compels reversal of the Gissel bargaining order. In some cases involving a disputed bargaining order, we will remand the case to the Board for further consideration. In this instance, however, a remand would be fruitless, because the record in this case cannot support a bargaining order.
Cogburn tells us that, were we to remand the case, the Board would find that, at least as of 2004, only 21 of the 82 members of the proposed bargaining unit who signed authorization cards are still employed by the Company. It would also learn that, as of 2004, Steve Roberts and Suzanne Hughes were no longer running the day-to-day operation of the Company. And it would learn that Prentiss Smith, whose presence the Board found significant in its denial of Cogburn's first motion to reopen the record, has been replaced as the acting administrator. We need not credit these additional "changed circumstances," however, in order to justify a reversal in this case.
As noted above, the Board's decision rejecting Cogburn's motion to reopen the record gave no hint of reasoned decisionmaking and it was wrong as a matter of law. Indeed, the Board made it clear that it had no intention of following the law of this circuit. The telling point here is that more than a decade has passed since a majority of employees in the unit signed authorization cards, making it nearly impossible for the Board to determine whether a majority of today's workforce at Cogburn desires Union representation. At this late stage, only a new election can accomplish that goal.
For the reasons articulated herein, we grant in part and deny in part Cogburn's petition for review, and we grant in part and deny in part the Board's cross-application for enforcement. We affirm the Board's substantive conclusions and enforce the Board's remedial order insofar as it requires the Company to cease and desist all unfair labor practices, post notices, and make whole and offer employment to former Cogburn employees Hill, Husband, Wiggins, Langham, Kirk, and Collins. Finally, we hold that there is simply no basis in this record for an affirmative bargaining order or the Board's finding that Cogburn failed to bargain in violation of §§ 8(a)(1) and (5).


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I need to know the name of a tannery here in varginia and what I could expect for one. (greenhorn) I also would like to know what I can do/make with alum tanned squirrel skins. Would be grateful of any info.
Return to Tanning Category Menu
A pair of gloves with the hair side turned in for lining might be a neet idea for thr squirrel skins. Good luck.


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NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Google (Stock Quote: GOOG) is already an Internet behemoth, but it now has set its sights on the retail space.
Over the last few months the company has rolled out several new products that have directly (or indirectly) targeted the consumer in an attempt to win back lost ad revenue from Amazon's (Stock Quote: AMZN) marketplace and Prime shipping service.
Ultimately, these moves have raised questions as to whether Google's real goal is to create a full-out marketplace. While there are differing opinions as to Google's potential success in this space, it's clear the company is looking to snag a slice of the retail market.
Here's a look at how Google is laying down the framework to reinvent how consumers shop.
Shipping Service
Google is reportedly in talks with retailers to offer fast, cheap delivery to compete with Amazon Prime.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Google has made pitches to retailers like Macy's (Stock Quote: M), Gap (Stock Quote: GPS) and OfficeMax (Stock Quote: OMX). Google may also be looking to partner with shippers like UPS (Stock Quote: UPS).
Amazon, through its $79 per year Prime service, provides users with two-day shipping for free.
According to the newspaper, Google plans to meld an existing product-search feature that directs shopper to retail Web sites with a new quick-shipping service that it will oversee. When shoppers place an order on those retailers' sites, Google's system could offer them an option for same-day or possibly next-day delivery, the Journal reported.
Google plans to pilot test the service in San Francisco sometime next year, the Journal said.
In-store Maps
Google launched earlier in the week its in-door maps program, a tool that allows users to navigate, among other things, retail stores and shopping malls.
Macy's, Home Depot (Stock Quote: HD) and Ikea are among the major retailers that have already partnered with Google, and it is expected more retailers will sign on following the initial rollout.
On Google's blog, Brian McClendon, vice president of engineering, Google Earth & Map, said: "When you're inside an airport, shopping mall or retail store, a common way to figure out where you are is to look for a freestanding map directory or ask an employee for help. Starting today, with the release of Google Maps 6.0 for Android, that directory is brought to the palm of your hands, helping you determine where you are, what floor you're on, and where to go indoors."
Shoppers can use the tool to search store layouts via their mobile device.


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Planet Earth: from Space to Place
Planet Earth: From Space to Place was the first intersectoral exhibition organized by UNESCO. It was shown during its 34th General Conference in 2007, in anticipation of the International year of Planet Earth (2008).
Using plasma screens, this exhibition highlights the diversity and complexity of our planet, explores current challenges, in particular climate change, and showcases UNESCO's contribution to its sustainable development. The Exhibition emphasizes the interdisciplinary assets of UNESCO by showing that all disciplines –natural, social and human sciences, culture, education, communication and information– must work together towards a common goal: protecting our Earth.
UNESCO's activities are explained through panels, photographs and multimedia with particular emphasis on the role of remote sensing in monitoring from space the changes on Earth, especially those that affect ecosystems, biodiversity, hydrology and heritage.
Planet Earth: from Space to Place was inaugurated during the opening ceremony of the General Conference on 16 October 2007 by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO, in the presence of Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden.
Space partners bringing space science and technology closer to society
A particular aspect was to illustrate the assistance that space partners are providing to UNESCO. Several plasma screens displayed a series of examples on space technologies applied to the documentation, preservation and monitoring of UNESCO labeled sites. The European Space Agency (ESA) provided a major contribution, showing satellite images of earth, the atmosphere, ice and oceans in the Conference Foyer. ESA also presented activities of the ESA/UNESCO Open Initiative that aim to provide assistance to World Heritage sites.
The exhibition was visited by UNESCO member state delegations, including Heads of State, Ministers of Education, Science and Communication, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations.


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But what's this? No ball in the boot, no sunscreen in the glove compartment? People, we have ourselves a 000 play emergency.
Sure the kids can play tip for a while but sooner or later you'll be hearing "I'm boooored", particularly if your tribe is a mix of ages and stages. And if you're at the beach, do you really want soggy, sandy – not to mention sunburnt – kids back in the car? Thought not. Every mum usually has an oversized bag that she lugs around with everything a child could need. Well, a car's like that, just a whole lot bigger. That's where the Emergency Play Kit (EPK) comes in handy.
Here's what it could contain and some ideas for games to play with your EPK supplies:
Cricket bat and tennis ball
Backyard cricket – All you need is a bat, a tennis ball and some kind of stumps (garbage bins or a few sticks) - it's such an easy, fun game that will suit older kids.
French cricket – You only need one batter and everyone else are fielders and bowlers, depending on who catches the ball.
Baseball – Set up four bases in a diamond shape, choose a pitcher, a catcher, a few batters and fielders and you can stage your own mini-World Series session.
Frisbee Keep Away – This game is like piggy in the middle except with a frisbee. If a 'piggy' catches the frisbee, then they become a thrower and the thrower, the piggy.
Frisbee Goal – Grab two frisbees and give one to each team and set up two goals using bins. Then it's a quick, mad game of defence and attack as the two teams battle to be the first to 15 points!
Frisbee throw – Mark a line on the ground and line up the kids behind this. Then simply give them each a turn of throwing the frisbee and see who can throw it the furthest.
Big balls
Rolling – Babies and toddlers will enjoy this rolling game. Sit opposite them and gently roll a medium to large soft ball towards them and get them to roll it back to you.
Racings – If you have a few soft balls, get the kids to put one between their knees and have a funny old running race. On your marks, get set, waddle!
Soccer – Grab a ball, choose teams, set the goals and enjoy a rambling game of soccer together with flexible rules, especially if younger kids are playing.
Hopscotch – Draw a court, grab a small stone and throw it into one square. The kids then have to hop their way through the court, missing the square with the rock in it.
Hunter and watchman – Mark out a three-metre diameter circle to make an animal pen. One child will be the watchman, one the hunter and the rest, the animals. Find how to play it here.
Handball – Use the chalk to mark out a series of courts then bounce the ball across the line making sure it bounces in your own square first. More rules here.
Bucket and spade
Sandcastle building competition – Find some wet sand and and give children 10 minutes to build their perfect sandcastle. Then judge the winning creation.
Golf – Use one or two buckets and lie them on their side. Then use longer handled spades as golf clubs to try and get a small ball into the bucket.
Mud pies – Fill up a bucket with water, dirt and mix until it's a gooey consistency, then let them loose to make their dribbly mud pies.
Clean up
Kids get dirty outside and dirt is good, right? Until it's tramped through the car and beyond so here's a list of must-have items to stash in the car so your kids can be clean, tidy and protected in the great outdoors:
- sunscreen
- hat
- water bottle
- snacks
- wipes
- tissues
- towel
- band-Aids


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eBPM0.7 is available now.
eBPM is the result of the contribution to Eclipse of part of the core of the open source project Spagic, the free/open source platform for the governance of middleware services and the development of SOA applications. The contribution work is still in progress: this means that using eBPM without any auxiliary tools is quite complex now. For this reason, in this tour we'll use some complementary tools provided by the original project Spagic along with the eBPM runtime, provided in its basic version with some additional Spagic bundles.
Spagic has been refactored for the eBPM contribution: most of the core bundles have been renamed, some code has been modified so as to allow the use of the libraries that are compatible with the EPL license. The license of all bundles has been changed as well.
eBPMRoadmap for 2010 includes:


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2013-08-10 52 5
From Geo Hashing
Sat 10 Aug 2013 in 52,5:
On the edge of the parking of a office store in Veenendaal. Might be just in the fenced area next to it, but looks like it should be possible to come in the uncertainty circle of the gps
Be there around 4 pm (since it is a saturday)
I left home at around a quarter past 3, so enough time to get there. Arrived a few minutes before 4. The location was just on the right side of the fence, so I could stand at the point taking some pictures. Stayed for 10 to 15 minutes before I decided to leave again. Cycled back trough a different way, but no tron.


text: Originally introduced as a post-exercise shoe for regenerative use, the Rejuven8 has been seen sparingly in recent times since its debut around the 2008 Olympics. However, still making a strong case is its derivative form based on a blog/slide. A digital camouflage version is seen in two colors and while it's not the most visually appealing shoe, it does make for a convenient and comfortable addition to the summer lineup. Available now at FLAUGE.