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* Prices may differ from that shown
When it comes to my home being fresh and clean its something that I take pride in and that's why I buy Zoflora, because it is so versatile and I use this for my floors, worktops and my toilet and bath and so on and for general cleaning around my home.
The Packaging:
This product comes in an oblong box and on the front of the box there is a picture shown of some lavender and we are told that it is 3 in action Zoflora Concentrated Disinfectant 'Lavender' and that it kills 99.9% Bacteria & viruses and that odours are eliminated and that it gives 'All Day Freshness' then other information on the sides and the back of the box tells us a bit about the product and where to use it and what using this can achieve by using it, directions for use are given, the size is stated which is 56ml and contact details for the manufacturer are clearly listed. The bottle that the disinfectant comes in is see through and made of glass and it has a white plastic screw on/off cap to the top of it and then on the front if it once again we are told what it is and who it is by and how to dilute it (should you want to) and the size is stated once again. Nice enough packaging this is and its all informative enough.
The Disinfectant Itself:
Well this is a see through golden coloured liquid and smells really pungent and distinctly of very fresh lavender which is really lovely and true to what you think of lavender should smell like and not one bit fake or too much at all!
You can use this in many ways, diluted, neat or even turn it into a spray should you want to. To dilute this all you need is one part of this to 40 parts water and I use it this way for mopping floors so I really don't need very much of this at all to cover large areas and to know not only am I killing germs but freshening up too and I also use it this way for my tiles in my bathroom and kitchen and for a quick and regular spruce up then I use it neat on work tops, around my toilet, sink and bath and so on from time to time. I dilute this to use in my cat litter tray and to occasionally wipe around my lovely cat, Myrtle's carry case and so on, which is safe to do so according to the information given on the box.
This really does clean very well indeed and leaves a lingering fragrance around my home after using it for a good couple of hours. I feel that it kills germs and bacteria and all in all I really do appreciate this disinfectant and will buy this, and this particular fragrance time and time again in the future!
Available in all good supermarkets and so on and I pay 99p a bottle of this in my local corner shop.
This review is also posted on Ciao under this same username.
I'm reviewing Zoflora Lavender Antibacterial disinfectant.
It comes in 120ml plastic bottles which are also packaged in a box with all the necessary information on the back re content etc.
It costs around £1.20 in supermarkets but can be picked up from most Pound Stores.
It is a registered trademark item & therefore is not made for anyone else in cheap variations like some products.
Zoflora has been in use in our homes for what seems like an eternity. I remember my mum buying it & using it sparingly so that the bottle lasted for ages.Back then the bottles were glass & somewhat smaller I think . But the updating of the product is far better,a plastic bottle, slightly more content and a variety of fragrances.
This one is one of my favourites....Lavender.
Frankly there isn't a lot one can say about disinfectants really without boring people to death.
It is antibacterial and only a small capful added to the water leaves floors and bathroom surfaces smelling fresh & clean for a fair amount of time, while ensuring that nasty bacteria is eliminated.
Unlike some other disinfectants it makes the water go cloudy when used which for some (illogical ?)reason reassures me that it is indeed concentrated.
The only place I won't use this is in the kitchen ,because it is far too 'disinfectant' smelling for my liking in a food storage & prep area. But for everywhere else it is excellent . I even use it on our pet beds ,much to the disgust of our cat & dog. But needs must, and when vastly diluted according to the recommendations on the box it causes them no harm whatsoever & reassures me that nothing more horrible than the two pets is lurking there .
Would I recommend it ? Yes,most definitely. It is a tried & tested old school disinfectant that has managed to move with the times .
Im going to echo what has been said from previous posts in regards to why I use this product. When my dad cleaned the house, mostly when mopping this floor, he always used Zoflora. Back then it was the Bouquet fragrance, probably because that was the only fragrance they made, but its one of those products you remember the smell running through the house.So how could I not use it myself?
What is Zoflora?
Zoflora is a concentrated disinfectant. The most noteable thing about this product is its scent.Unlike alot of disfectants its pleasant, long lasting and really does frgrance the area cleaned. Its antibacterial, it kills 99.9% viruses and bacterias. It comes in a 120ml glass bottle with a screw top lid, and comes in other fragrances such as:
Citrus Fresh
Warm Cinnamon Limited Edition
Some of these fragrances are more hard to come by than others.Some also come in bigger sizes, so if you love this product you will need to shop around. At a cost of around £1.20 from a supermarket, its not expensive, but I would suggest checking stores such as Quality Save, B & M who stock this for below £1.00. Also, some fragrances do come in bigger sizes, so more cost effective.
How do I use this?
You can use this product in many areas of the home, such as:
Use product by following the ratio of 1 in 40 with water.10ml of Zoflora ( one capful ) makes 400ml of diluted solution. This formular can be used to wipe over areas mentioned above ( and more ). you can also use the same ratio and use the product as a spray to freshen rooms like a air freshener.
What do I think of product?
It is very concentrated so you need very little and the fragrance lasts along time. I love all the fragrances, not just lavender. Its fresh, clean and not overpowering ( at least not for me! ) It cleans well and makes my home smelll lovely!
Zoflora is one of those products I have grown to use after watching my mum use it in her house cleaning regime. I have the Lavender scent as it is the most frequent one I seem to come across and smells truly like lavender!
The reason I love it is because it is a unique type of disinfectant as the Triple Action Zoflora is a concentrated antibacterial disinfectant liquid that not only kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, but also contains a powerful odour elimination ingredient and beautiful long lasting fragrance leaving your home hygienically clean and smelling lovely!
*** Product Description ***
On the shelf it is a simple rectangular cardboard box as shown in the picture above with the Lavender and the Zoflora brand evident from the logo across. It comes in a clear, 56ml bottle which to be honest looks quite small but as so little disinfectant is needed, it really does go a long way! One thing which is disappointing is it has a simple white screw top lid, which is not child safety which is a pain. I am a parent of a 2 year old who is extremely curious and likes to play with liquids at the moment so it would be handy as it has a strong concentration of disinfectant for it to be more secure to open and close.
*** Triple Action Formula ***
It effectively neutralises odours, and has powerful antibacterial action kills odour causing bacteria, preventing unpleasant smells from returning and leaves surfaces hygenically clean. The Zoflora Triple Action is effetive against household smells commonly found in the kitchen, bathroom, bins and in areas where pets are kept.
Zoflora disinfectants kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses found in the home including Salmonella, Listeria, E coli, MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, Influenza virus, H1N1 and Human Herpes virus 1 (yuk! not sure where this product is applied why it can kill a Sexually Transmitted Disease!)
*** My Usage ***
The instructions state to dilute 1 part of the Zoflora with 40 with water. I usually use this product to clean my kitchen floor as it makes my kitchen smell lovely and refreshing! I add about one lid full of the zoflora disinfectant to my bucket of boiling hot water and allow it to diffuse. It doesn't create a vast amount of bubbles or anything in my water, so as to make it soapy or anything but the hot water and mop is sufficient for scrubbing any grubby marks off the floor and the Zoflora is an active ingredient to kill any germs. The smell of Lavender really evaporates around the room and disperses around our entire flat leaving it smelling absolutely lovely!
I also use this for cleaning out my bin. I have a cheap old bin, that doesn't contain smells very well, and as soon as something like yoghurt is thrown away, it goes off quite bad and can be smelt from the bin, needing me to throw it out and clean the bin straight away. I usually add about 2 cups of hot water and a drop of the Zoflora when cleaning the bin as adding too much feels like a waste as a lot really isn't needed! This is more than enough to leave my bin smelling lovely and kill any bacteria trying to lurk and hide!
This product is also suitable for use on surfaces around the kitchen, toilets, bath etc but I prefer to use products like Cream cleaner in the bathroom and antibacterial sprays for cleaning kitchen surfaces. For anyone considering using Zoflora for any of these purposes I would definitely advise wearing some good, strong cleaning gloves as the active ingredient is likely to irritate skin if come into contact.
*** Customer Care ***
1. Take Care to avoid spillage - If splashed in eyes or skin wash well and consult a doctor.
2. Do not allow contact with polished wood, and do NOT mix with other chemicals.
3. Store direct out of sunlight
4. Active ingredient; Benzalkonium Chloride.
5. Zoflora is a powerful concentrated disinfectant. It is more effective when used without soaps or detergents and where heavy soiling has already been removed.
*** Available Scents ***
It is available in Lavender, Cherry Blossom, Bouquet, Citrus Fresh, Flower Shop, Hyacinth, Lilac, Rose, Spring time, Sweet Pea, Linen fresh and currently have Bluebell Woods Limited Edition.
*** Price ***
I bought this 56ml bottle absolutely ages ago as it has lasted so long in the 99p store. This can be quite a bargain, but I have seen it around in Wilkinsons and the like for the bigger version for around the same price so I would definitely advise to shop around!
*** Overall ***
This is a lovely little cleaning product for around the home. For a bargain price you get a long lasting disinfectant to give a lovely scent around the house! I am now going to shop around for other scents once this bottle runs out and experiment some more!
My first introduction to Zoflora disinfectant came many years ago when I used to stay in my Grandparents caravan for holidays. There always used to be a little bottle of something mystical called 'Zoflora' in the cleaning cupboard under the sink but I never really took much notice of it apart from every time we stayed there was a different fragranced bottle of it. Having popped round to a friends house just before Christmas I was instantly met with a lovely fresh lavender aroma and presumed at first she had a candle or wax tart burning, so when I commented on the pretty fragrance wafting around her home I was quite surprised when she answered it was just some Zoflora disinfectant that she had used in her water when mopping her floor.
Having been so impressed with how nice and 'clean' my friend's home seemed I decided to purchase a bottle on my next visit to the shops.
I live in very close proximity to an Iceland store and often find it very convenient for popping into for top up shopping so when I nipped in one day for some milk I happened to notice the cleaning products which were displayed nearby. There was a small range of Zoflora Disinfectants and I wasn't sure which one to pick at first but decided to opt for the Lavender having been impressed with the scent when at my friend's house.
What is it?~
Zoflora comes in a small compact sized plastic bottle bottle which contains 120 ml of fluid. There are several varieties of this available and which up to press I can say I have tried at least 5 of the 'flavours' and currently this Lavender is still my favourite. Zoflora is basically a concentrated disinfectant that can be used in an array of ways and on many different surfaces including:
*Work tops
*Hard surface pet areas.
How to use it~
Zoflora can only be used neat in ceramic and metal sinks, toilet bowls and drains. It must always be diluted for any other purpose by using 1 cap full to 40 parts water which is approximately 10 ml per cap full and will give you 400 ml when made up.
Like most disinfectants of a similar nature this is highly flammable and harmful and it doesn't take a genius to work out it should be used with caution and the 'usual' applies such as don't swallow or come into contact with skin etc. It is worth pointing out though that once diluted it becomes non flammable.
My own experience of using Zoflora~
As mentioned I first became aware of this brand a long time ago but it is only the past few months that I have started to use this product for myself. As this is my 3rd bottle of the lavender Zoflora I think it's a safe bet to say that this is going to be a mainly positive review.
I have laminate flooring in 2 of my rooms as well as bathroom tiles and a lino type flooring in my kitchen - all that usually get mopped in the normal way. I tend to add a slight drop of bleach to my mop bucket along with whichever floor cleaner I've purchased that's been on offer but what I love about Zoflora is a cap full of this is enough to suffice all my mopping needs. I have found that this leaves my floors clean without any residue once dry and the beautiful lavender aroma lingers for at least 2 hours after the surfaces have dried so I'm already impressed with this one task alone.
I have found I use this the most in my drains - I pop a capful down my plug hole in my kitchen on a nightly basis after the washing up is completed (normally by me) and also in my bathroom sink and find the pretty fragrance takes away any offending smells as well as giving me peace of mind that it's disinfecting capabilities are at work killing off harmful bacteria.
I do use this now and again in my toilet bowl but prefer to just add a drop neat to the cistern about twice a week and find that the fragrance lingers for quite a while in this way and isn't too overpowering either. I dilute a capful of Zoflora and add with water to a small spray bottle I bought from Superdrug (as part of their travel products) which I finds holds the correct quantity perfectly. It can be then used as a room spray and I tend to spritz onto my rugs as if spraying directly into the air it is too heavy and just falls to the floor anyway. When spritzed lightly on to my rugs the fabric holds the fragrance for a long time, though isn't as strong as when used neat on surfaces, it still smells very fresh and clean for at least one hour which is pretty impressive in my view.
Would I recommend this then?~
Yes, yes and yes! I really wish I had started using this around my home a lot longer ago than just before Christmas as I feel I've been missing out on such a fantastic versatile product for so long. I have seen this since in several shops/ supermarkets since buying in Iceland and it seems to be around the £1 mark in most places which personally I deem to be a complete bargain. I do tend to use this for a multitude of cleaning tasks and really have nothing negative to say about it at all as it leaves a smell fresh in it's wake and surfaces looking clean so I can't complain.
The disinfectant has a yellow hue to it and is very watery in consistency so it could be easy to spill, especially as there is just a screw top lid to access the product via so do take care when using.
For £1 this is a fantastic product that smells very fresh and clean and acts like an air freshener as well so is well worth every penny. I have used various different fragrances but find that the lavender is less overpowering than some of the others and seems to last longer fragrance wise so it is why I keep opting for this each time, though that isn't to say that the other fragrances are any less appealing this is just my own personal favourite.
A top cleaning product at a very affordable price with multiple uses.


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Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model All three major indices are trading up today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) trading up 146 points (1.1%) at 13,259 as of Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, 11:49 AM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 2,070 issues advancing vs. 801 declining with 135 unchanged. The Financial sector currently sits up 0.4% versus the S&P 500, which is up 0.9%. On the negative front, top decliners within the sector include Annaly Capital Management ( NLY), down 3.0%, American Capital Agency ( AGNC), down 1.9%, Banco De Chile ( BCH), down 1.3% and General Growth Properties ( GGP), down 0.8%. Top gainers within the sector include AmTrust Financial Services ( AFSI), up 12.7%, Lloyds Banking Group ( LYG), up 4.0%, Discover Financial Services ( DFS), up 3.1%, Credit Suisse Group ( CS), up 3.0% and UBS ( UBS), up 2.8%. TheStreet Ratings group would like to highlight 3 stocks pushing the sector lower today: 3. Banco Santander ( SAN) is one of the companies pushing the Financial sector lower today. As of noon trading, Banco Santander is down $0.04 (-0.6%) to $7.30 on light volume Thus far, 680,739 shares of Banco Santander exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 4.1 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $7.27-$7.32 after having opened the day at $7.29 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $7.35. Banco Santander-Chile provides commercial and retail banking services to corporate and individual customers in Chile. Banco Santander has a market cap of $75.0 billion and is part of the banking industry. The company has a P/E ratio of 0.0, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 2.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday. Currently there are no analysts that rate Banco Santander a buy, 2 analysts rate it a sell, and 3 rate it a hold. TheStreet Ratings rates Banco Santander as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins and notable return on equity. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself, premium valuation and deteriorating net income. Get the full Banco Santander Ratings Report now.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Kansas City Chiefs Sign Former Missouri Tigers Quarterback Chase Daniel
The name Chase Daniel rings very familiar in this area. After all, he did lead the Missouri Tigers to two of the best years in school history, was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the year, holds the record for the most offensive yards in a career at Mizzou, and finished third in the Heisman race. Today (Mar. 12) the Former New Orleans Saints backup quarterback agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs.


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When 23-year-old Barrington Irving needed flight handling and fuel sourcing for his 26,800-mile flight around the world, Universal Weather & Aviation chairman Greg Evans offered to donate his company's services. Irving, who founded nonprofit Experience Aviation to promote aviation careers, flew a modified Columbia 400 with 160 gallons of usable fuel, departing from Miami on March 23 and returning on June 27. He is the youngest person to fly solo around the world.
Universal Weather master trip support specialist Keith Foreman spent almost a year preparing for the flight, then three months and four days during the trip taking care of Irving's flight handling needs.
"There was always something to be concerned with," Foreman related, including storms, lack of avgas, difficulties obtaining permission to land and dealing with countries that don't like small airplanes. Details of Irving's flight are available at www.experienceaviation.org.


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so i entered the 'design my ride' contest and now i have to promote my designs, so where better than the place where it all started... or at least where i found out about the contest...
here are the urls to my designs, i am going to try to post images as well, but i have not had much luck doing so in the past so bear with me... thanks for your help in advance! (by the way you can vote for each design once, and you vote by clicking 'expert' in the scoring legend) oh and the names of my designs are 'grabs' and 'goddam dandelions'..
Promote your design #1: http://www.designyourride.com:80/dyr/faces/vote.jsp?id=557
Promote your design #2: http://www.designyourride.com:80/dyr/faces/vote.jsp?id=558
oh, and yes you have to register to vote... if you are having trouble now, try back later, i think there is a glitch in the system right now, i e-mailed the administrator about it so hopefull they will get it straightened out ASAP, thanks again guys!
On the site alliecat, the images for your two boards are the same. They both look like this:
this is driving me nuts!!! i could see the images this morning on my computer just fine, but now i can't on my work one, lets try again with 'grabs'
I'll vote for ya...but you've gotta post that shot of you wit' da cigar.....
wow, i better win this thing... here ya go mysteryman...
um, do the last 2 posts mean you still can't see my images? where is the image shack, the originals are in an easyshare account right now.
do you have any idea how they are making the leaderboard? I had the 126 votes and 4.46 scores but I'm not on the list?
The exact scoring system was never explained very well. What was your final ranking? Your average score was much higher than mine. I placed 335 (votes: 117 score:2.291).
It seems that the 'democratic' voting system might have been too easy to corrupt. I find it hard to believe that one person would have two entries place in the top ten.
they just sent this email,
"Sorry. We have been messing with the system and working with the scoring equation for the next contest. This is test data that has accidentally posted live to some peoples accounts. I apologize. We are in the process of turning off the site. I will get you your correct score before we do this".
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?


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In 2016, MRIA introduced a new Partnership Program to support significant growth initiatives planned for events, communications, professional development, awards, and chapter activities across Canada. Working with supportive Partners in pursuit of MRIA's mission is an important strategy which we believe ultimately strengthens the market research community by enabling us to share our experience, insight, and leadership with an even greater audience.
For more information about how your organization can become an MRIA partner...
October 19, 2017
MRIA National Event
BC Student Networking and Speaker Event
October 25, 2017
Quebec Chapter Event
Chapitre du Québec - Raconter une histoire avec vos donées
October 26, 2017
Ottawa Chapter Event
Ottawa Chapter: Roads on Autopilot
November 2 - 3, 2017
MRIA National Event
Qualitative Research Conference 2017
November 30, 2017
MRIA National Event
Net Gain 2017
September 29, 2017
IPD Course
Qualitative Creativity Essentials
October 4 - 6, 2017
IPD Course
Moderator Training: Basic
October 13, 2017
IPD Course
Moderator's Toolbox: Mapping and Projective Techniques
October 17, 2017
IPD Course
The Essentials of Research Storytelling
October 19 - 20, 2017
IPD Course
203 - Marketing Research Statistics and Data Analysis
Voter Contact Registry in effect during federal by-elections in Alberta and Quebec
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that the Voter Contact Registry is now accepting registrations for the federal by-elections in the ridings of Lac-Saint-Jean, QC and Sturgeon River–Parkland, AB. The registry will be open until the federal by-elections on October 23, 2017.
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GRBN - Guidance for National Research Associations: The 12 Benefits of Association Membership
The aim of this guideline is to summarise the significant benefits that arise from membership of a national research association.
National research associations provide representative and collective products and services to businesses and individuals with a common interest in research and research-related activities.
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GRBN- Developing Value for Money Statements: A Guidance Document for National Research Associations
Every national research association is unique, and yet they all share common characteristics in terms of the tangible and intangible products and services they provide, and the challenge of demonstrating the value of such services to their memberships.
This short GRBN guidance document is aimed at providing a consideration of how to demonstrate and assess Value for Money, and includes a checklist of concepts that national associations could consider for inclusion in Value for Money statements.
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Upcoming NAFTA Negotiations Regarding Out-of-Country Storage of Publicly-Held Personal Information
Various media outlets reported last week that the U.S. government has notified its Canadian counterparts that it wants to discuss the issue of data storage by public bodies in Canada as part of next month's NAFTA renegotiations.
The proposal, which is one of many that was made by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, is to end measures that restrict cross-border data flows, or require local (i.e., in Canada) computing facilities for the storage of publicly-held personal information. The U.S. government considers these measures to be trade barriers.
The proposal runs counter to federal policy on cloud computing, which states national security as a reason for requiring suppliers of digital storage to the Canadian government to keep sensitive or protected data in Canada. It's also contrary to provincial privacy laws in BC and Nova Scotia that prevent schools, universities, hospitals, utilities and other public bodies from using suppliers that might store in or access data from the U.S.
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GRBN Q2 French-Language Update
Dans les faits saillants de ce trimestre, notre attention se porte tout particulièrement sur la confiance et l'engagement des participants. Nous avons de formidables éléments de réflexion de la part de contributeurs experts, une mise à jour concernant la norme ISO 20252 ainsi que les premiers avis sur le Learning Center. Bonne visite!
Pour plus d'informations, cliquez ici!
Sklar Wilton & Associates Wins Globe & Mail Employee Recommended Workplace among Small Private Companies
Sklar Wilton & Associates, a leading Canadian marketing and research consultancy, was named the number one Employee Recommended Workplace among small private employers by the Globe and Mail and Morneau Shepell. This award recognizes Sklar Wilton & Associates' ongoing commitment to creating and growing a positive workplace culture.
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GRBN Member Update
This update is for the attention of the staff and board members of GRBN member associations, and provides an update on the current GRBN initiatives. There are many opportunities for members to partner with GRBN, either with a view to give your members additional benefits or to grow your revenues.
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French Edition of the First Section of the MRIA Code of Conduct
A part of the MRIA mandate is to provide services to its members. The MRIA is pleased to announce the release of the French version of the first section of its Code of Conduct. This section covers the scope and application of the MRIA Code, purpose, fundamentals and the sixteen (16) Articles which are the pillars of the Code.
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Illumina's Response to the MRIA's Findings Concerning Mainstreet Research
The MRIA has found that the actions and critical comments by Mainstreet Research regarding the Calgary Police Commission Citizen Satisfaction Survey, conducted in 2016 by Illumina Research Partners, violated the MRIA Code of Conduct for Market and Social Research (Code of Conduct). One of the requirements of membership is to comply with the Code of Conduct. The MRIA has imposed a sanction of censure against Mainstreet Research and its President Quito Maggi.
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Global ISO Team Meets in Tokyo to Revise 26362 Market, Opinion, and Social Research Standard
Over three days in April, research experts and standards experts representing many countries, standards industry bodies, and research associations participated in a Working Group meeting in Tokyo. A Working Group of the ISO Technical Committee 225 (TC 225), which has responsibility for market, opinion, and social ISO research standards, met to discuss and consider ISO 20252: 2012: Market, opinion and social research – vocabulary and service requirements. The aim of the revision is to improve navigability with clearly defined, separate areas to support the various sectors within the market, social, and opinion research industry.
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Quarterly MRIA Government Relations Bulletin
This is an update on MRIA's advocacy work, specific to government relations. Advocacy is one of our top priorities here at MRIA, and we work hard to advocate on behalf of market researchers and their interests. The quarterly government relations bulletin will be available soon.
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Mainstreet Research Sanction
Mr. Quito Maggi and Mainstreet Research have had their membership suspended from the MRIA, as a result of the findings made after a complaint was filed by Illumina Research Partners.
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Passport 2017 partners with AskingCanadians to discover where Canadians would love to travel in Canada for Canada's 150th
Canada is marking its 150th birthday this year and Passport 2017 is partnering with AskingCanadians to discover where Canadians want to go and what they would love to see and do across Canada this year.
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Sklar Wilton & Associates Wins Canada-Wide Award: Best Workplaces in Canada Among Small Companies
Sklar Wilton & Associates, a leading Canadian marketing and research consultancy, took first place at the Great Place to Work awards ceremony held in Toronto on Wednesday, April 26th, winning the pinnacle award for Best Workplaces in Canada for Small Companies. This award follows their recent win for Best Workplace for Celebrating Success, announced on April 3rd, which was also given out by the Great Place to Work Institute. Sklar Wilton & Associates was first certified as a Great Place to Work in 2016. This award builds upon that success by placing them on the final list of fifteen award winners nationally - specifically the top achiever among small business workplaces in Canada.
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Leger appoints Sandie Sparkman as Vice President of Leger Metrics
Leger has appointed Sandie Sparkman to the position of Vice President for Leger Metrics, where she will lead Leger's technological real-time solutions division. Her role will involve overseeing all business development, client relations, and strategic insights in Canada and the U.S. In this role, Ms. Sparkman will utilize her expertise as a customer experience program specialist, having been in the technology field for over 25 years, integrating solutions with a focus on retail. She has been with Leger since 2013, and was responsible for strategic account sales across Canada and the U.S.
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CRTC - Voter Contact Registry in effect during federal by-election
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that the Voter Contact Registry is now accepting registrations for the federal by-election in the riding of Ottawa-Vanier, ON. The registry will be open until the by-election on April 3, 2017. As part of the legal requirements for the Voter Contact Registry, anyone using the services of a calling service provider to call voters during the election will have to register with the CRTC within 48 hours of making the first call. The calling service provider is also obliged to register with the CRTC during federal and by election campaigns.
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MRIA - CAPOR Merger Annoucement
On June 11, 2015, the Canadian Association for Public Opinion Research (CAPOR) was announced with the goal of bringing greater professionalism, transparency and accountability to those who practice public opinion and issue polling in Canada. CAPOR brought together a unique coalition of pollsters, journalists, and academics who all share a desire to ensure that polls released into the public domain are conducted and reported in a transparent and responsible way. Over the past sixteen months, the MRIA has worked diligently to address the concerns of this important stakeholder group.
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MRIA Privacy Handbook - Member Exclusive Resource
The Privacy Handbook was developed as a service to our members and to provide a template on which firms can build or review their own privacy policies. Available in French and English.
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MRIA has released updated Polling Standards!
On April 1, 2016, the MRIA Board of Directors approved an update to the polling section of the MRIA Code of Conduct. The new polling Standards are an adaptation of ESOMAR/WAPOR Guidelines and AAPOR Guidelines, and also include the careful consideration of consultation with Canadian pollsters, papers and news articles on polling, as well as CRTC regulations and the Canada Elections Act. The new polling Standards may be found here, and a quick reference guide can be found here.
MRIA Fellow Michael Adams Awarded the Order of Canada
MRIA would like to offer our congratulations to MRIA member and Fellow, Michael Adams, FMRIA. Michael has been recently awarded the Order of Canada for his long standing commitment to public service and his numerous contributions to the Market Research community
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Exciting News from MRIA Corporate Member CRC!
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Yours truly
Wildebeest Migration herd
In spite of the four zebras in front, the vast majority of this herd are wildebeest. Wildebeest are very efficient grazers and deplete the grass almost completely before moving on. Calves are born during the migration (which is a year-round process) and must learn to walk and run within a few minutes of birth. Bonding of mother to calf must also occur rapidly because females will not tolerate any calf but their own.


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Beastie Boys, 'Make Some Noise' – Song Spotlight
Just two days after the Beastie Boys unveiled a 30-second preview of their new single 'Make Some Noise,' the entire track from 'Hot Sauce Committee Part 2′ has been released.
The freshest-sounding 40-somethings in hip-hop provide funky instrumentation with distorted keyboards, fierce drums and even a cowbell breakdown. Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock take turns delivering creative rhymes before joining forces to shout the hook: "Make some noise if you're with me!"
"The best is yet to come," promises Ad Rock, a bold declaration considering the trio's past success. They not only acknowledge their age, but celebrate it: "My rhymes, they age like wine as I get older."
Elsewhere, the Beasties contemplate opening a restaurant with Ted Danson, brag about "getting paid every year like tax collection," and make reference to their hit 'Fight for Your Right (To Party).'
'Hot Sauce Committee Part 2′ hits retailers on May 3, nearly seven years after the Beasties' last proper rap album, 'To the 5 Boroughs.' Their last release was 2007's instrumental 'The Mix-Up.'
Listen to Beastie Boys, 'Make Some Noise'


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Clinical Services
The University of Chicago Eating Disorders Program offers the following clinical services to adolescents and adults with eating disorders.
Eating Disorders Assessment
Assessments are needed in order to make proper diagnoses and recommendations for treatment. Our program has an extensive assessment process to ensure that the treatments we provide will be a good fit for you or your child/loved one's needs. The initial assessment procedure involves a combination of self-report questionnaires and interviews that ask about eating disorder symptoms, as well as other psychiatric concerns. We also measure the patient's height and weight, and collect bloodwork and other laboratory information. Adult patients can complete assessments on their own. We ask that adolescent patients be accompanied by their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), who also will complete the assessment process. In some cases, we require medical clearance from a primary care provider or pediatrician to make sure it is safe for you or your child/loved one to be treated in an outpatient setting.
Treatment for Eating Disorders
The goals and length of outpatient eating disorders treatment depend on the special needs of each patient. Typically, treatment focuses on eating disorder symptoms (e.g., restrictive eating, binge eating, purging), as well as emotional and interpersonal concerns. However, if a patient experiences significant anxiety, depression, or relationship problems, these conditions also will be assessed and treated at the Eating Disorders Program.
In general, our program uses manualized treatment approaches that have received extensive clinical and research support. Because eating disorders can have serious medical consequences, our program also will facilitate appropriate medical management either through the Pediatric or Primary Care Departments at The University of Chicago Hospitals.
Adolescent Eating Disorders Treatment
Adolescents typically are treated using Family Based Treatment (FBT), in which the initial focus is on putting parents temporarily in charge of helping to reduce control that the eating disorder has over their child's life. The first stage of FBT focuses on weight restoration and reduction of eating disorder symptoms. Once the eating disorder is under control, parents return control over eating back to their child and help him/her with normal developmental tasks. FBT typically addresses eating disorder issues in 20-25 sessions that are scheduled over 10-12 months.
Adult Eating Disorders Treatment
Adults typically are treated using Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), which focuses on normalizing eating behavior, eliminating unhealthy methods of weight-control (e.g., excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse), and decreasing the degree to which concerns about eating, weight, and body shape affect the way patients feel about themselves. CBT involves self-monitoring of eating behavior, as well as thoughts and feelings related to eating, weight, and body shape. CBT also includes re-introduction of avoided foods, techniques designed to challenge negative beliefs about eating, weight, and body shape, and regular weighing. For patients with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, CBT typically is short-term (i.e., 20 sessions). For underweight patients, CBT lasts longer (i.e., 40 sessions).
For some patients, CBT may be supplemented with strategies from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and newer treatments for eating disorders (e.g., Emotion Acceptance Behavior Therapy, Integrative Cognitive Affective Therapy). These approaches can be especially helpful for patients whose eating disorder symptoms are affected by their emotions. Supplemental strategies also can be useful for patients with co-occurring psychiatric problems, such as self-injury, suicidality, and substance use.
Collaboration with the Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity
Our program works with the Center for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity at The University of Chicago Medicine to provide psychosocial assessment and treatment services to patients seeking bariatric surgery. Our services include:
- Pre-surgery assessments
- Post-surgery assessments
- Support groups
- Psychoeducation and recommendations for further intervention, as needed
- Brief psychotherapy


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Consultant could fill elections head post
Phil Banker, firstname.lastname@example.com
The Ellis County Elections Committee met with consultant Bruce Sherbet about filling the open Elections Administrator position less than two months ahead of the March 4 Primary Election.
The post is open after the retirement last month of long-time Elections Administrator Jane Anderson, who worked for the county for 30 years.
Click here to sign up for our E-Edition and read the rest of the story!


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Taped by WGBH Forum Network, doctor and writer Danielle Ofri visited Cambridge Forum to talk about why she chooses to write stories about her experience as a physician.
Ofri says that part of writing is being able to process and truly think about the fast-paced experiences that happen when a person is a doctor. She also mentions that writing has been invaluable for young, upcoming doctors and for connecting with patients.
This talk took place on March 26, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.


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Welcome to the home page of CHOICES Worldwide, founded by Vickie Austin, offering business, executive and career coaching. The mission of my practice is to "Create a world in which everyone loves what they do and does what they love," and we support that mission through coaching business leaders and their teams and providing one-on-one coaching to individuals. I love to preach "the gospel of loving your work" through public speaking, seminars, writing and teaching. I hope you'll use this Web site as a resource for building your own business, refining your skills as an executive, finding your own "right work" if you're in career transition, or supporting your members or constituents if you're looking for a speaker. Thank you for visiting!
Talk to Us!
The wonderful thing about the Internet is its interactivity, so I hope you'll take this opportunity to talk to me and let me know how CHOICES Worldwide can serve you. Whether you're looking for coaching or wanting to learn more about upcoming events, searching for a speaker or eager to participate in a workshop, please let me know. We're only a click away at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Gadsby's Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, a ca. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel. The buildings are named for Englishman John Gadsby who operated them from 1796 to 1808. Mr. Gadsby's establishment was a center of political, business, and social life in early Alexandria. The tavern was the setting for dancing assemblies, theatrical and musical performances, and meetings of local organizations. George Washington enjoyed the hospitality provided by tavernkeepers and twice attended the annual Birthnight Ball held in his honor. Other prominent patrons included John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and the Marquis de Lafayette.
What's New
Discover a series of artistic interventions throughout Gadsby's Tavern Museum this summer! Visit the Centennial of the Everyday exhibit, a project of Time & Place, through Labor Day weekend.
- Volunteer docents needed! Training is flexible and minimum commitment is one tour shift (2-4 hours) per month. Start the process by submitting an application .
- Visit the Historic Alexandria Calendar for a full list of events.
History at your Fingertips
- Receive Tavern-E Times eNews. To receive information about Gadsby's Tavern Museum programs, special events, and more, update your subscription or subscribe to Alexandria eNews.
- Like us on Facebook and be the first to hear about the news of the day!
- Follow Mr. Gadsby on Twitter!
- See the Museum in a new light through Instagram.
- Explore, learn, and share on the Museum's Pinterest boards.
- See what other visitors are saying about Gadsby's Tavern Museum on TripAdvisor.
Other Important Links
Gadsby's Tavern Museum
134 N. Royal Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 703.746.4242
Fax: 703.838.4270
Museum Hours
November to March:
Wednesday to Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday: 1 - 4 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Last entry: 3:45 p.m.
Closed: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
April to October:
Tuesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday and Monday: 1 - 5 p.m.
Last entry: 4:45 p.m.
During Museum hours, guests are welcome to walk through anytime with a self-guided tour. Guided tours are offered at select times throughout the day. For more information, refer to our Plan your Visit page.
Office Hours
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., by appointment only
National Historic Landmark | National Register of Historic Places
American Alliance of Museums
Accredited Museum


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All around the world, people are getting ready for the Year of the Dragon, one of the most anticipated New Year celebrations throughout Asia.
There are travel arrangements to make, new clothes to buy, menus to plan, red envelopes to stuff with cash, all in time for the first day of the lunar calendar, which falls on Monday.
In San Diego, the Lunar New Year will be honored with festivals, parades and other cultural events throughout the 15-day celebration.
Among the biggest are the 30th annual San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair on Jan. 28 and 29, and the San Diego Tet Festival this weekend.
"It is said that all Chinese people are descendants of the dragon," said San Diego State University professor Lilly Cheng, director of the Chinese Studies Institute. "So this is a very important year."
Cheng, who moved to the United States from Shanghai in 1968, said millions of people in China will migrate home, jamming up the train stations and bringing large gifts like televisions and stereos.
It's also a time to expect a baby boom.
"The are far more births during this time," she said. "Many women plan it that way. There are so many expecting mothers that the hospitals overflow into the hallways."
Alexander Nguyen, a spokesman for the Tet Festival, said the Year of the Dragon is also big in Vietnam.
"The ancient Dragon Lord of Lac is considered to be the Father of the Vietnamese people," he explained.
The two countries share many traditions, like having Lucky Lion dancers and setting off firecrackers and other loud noises to ward off bad spirits.
But unlike the Chinese, who reserve the first week of the New Year for more intimate family gatherings, the Vietnamese begin their parties right away.
Which is why the Tet Festival kicks off the Lunar New Year in San Diego and the Chinese New Year closes it out.
"The Lunar New Year is often called Chinese New Year, but it's not just a Chinese celebration," Nguyen said. "It's celebrated by many East Asian cultures."
Traditions: Other shared customs for this time of year include wearing new clothes, having a clean house, wearing red and sometimes even cutting your hair in hopes of making a fresh start in the new year. People will eat round foods, like meatballs, and decorate with oranges because the word orange translates to good luck.
Some will make a big meal on Sunday and stay up all night to welcome the new year.
"They'll stay up playing mah-jongg or telling stories to keep the year going into the next," Cheng said. "In China there is a major television program, like a variety show, that airs all night."
Year of the Dragon: For the astrological buffs, here's what it says about the upcoming year on chinesenewyear2012.net:
"The Year of the Dragon will be marked by excitement, unpredictability, exhilaration and intensity. … People respond to the spirit of the Dragon with energy, vitality and unbridled enthusiasm, often throwing all caution to the wind — which can be an unwise move: The Dragon is all about drama, but if you take unnecessary risks, you may find yourself starring in your own personal tragedy."
You've been warned.
Here's what's happening around the county:
San Diego Tet Festival
The three-day celebration attracts between 15,000 and 20,000 people and features music, dancing, food and a cultural village that showcases what life in Vietnam is all about. This year, look for a replica of Hanoi's One Pillar Pagoda, as well as beauty and talent contests.
5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Balboa Park. $5 for adults and $4 for children; free for age 5 and younger. sdtet.com
Chinese New Year cooking class
Learn the meanings behind the foods served during this time of year and learn to make your own at this cooking demonstration. Bring an apron, closed-toe shoes, a chef's knife and containers to take your food home.
6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Alchemy of the Hearth, 960 Rancheros Drive, Suite L, San Marcos. $65. (760) 233-CHEF (2433) or alchemyofthehearth.com
Healthy New Year With Chinese Medicine
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine will offer complimentary acupuncture and massage treatments as well as interactive workshops and lectures about using acupuncture and herbs to treat colds.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, 7445 Mission Valley Road, Suite 105, Mission Valley. Free. (800) 729-0941, ext. 127, or pacificcollege.edu
Kearny Mesa Lunar New Year Festival 2012
This Pan-Asian celebration will feature everything from lion dances and firecracker shows to carnival rides and talent competitions.
5 to 11 p.m. Jan. 27; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Jan. 28-29. Sears Essentials parking lot, 7655 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Clairemont. $5 for adults, $4 for children. kearnymesafestival.com
San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair
This popular festival celebrates its 30th anniversary and the Year of the Dragon with more acrobats and dancers than usual. It will bring back all the favorites, including dim sum booths, kung-fu demonstrations, folk dancers, drummers and much more. (Look for Professor Cheng, who will be the event's emcee.)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 28-29. Third Avenue and J Street, downtown. Free. sdcny.weebly.com
Chinese New Year at Barnard Elementary
The Mandarin Chinese Magnet School hosts a community festival featuring lion dancers, face painting, food and more.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 4. Barnard Elementary School, 2930 Barnard St., Point Loma. Free. (619) 224-3306 or barnardelementary.com
18th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
The Asian Business Association of San Diego celebrates with a networking dinner and cultural activities.
5:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 9. Jasmine Seafood Restaurant, 4609 Convoy St., Kearny Mesa. $40 to $50; (858) 277-2822 or abasd.org.


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CENTRAL PARK; Poets and Penguins Add Special Flavor To an Urban Oasis
By KAREN SCHOEMER
Published: April 18, 1993
POET O. has been coming to Central Park for 55 of his 72 years, and at some point on that long lifeline he developed what he calls his shtick. It starts with a cheap, shallow basket lined with old wax paper and a small brass bell with a handle shaped like a unicorn. The beast is perched on its hind legs, pawing the air with its front hooves, and its horn is bent instead of straight; for this eccentricity, Poet O. was able to buy it for the reasonable price of $5 in an East Village junk shop. The bell is just the right size that, when placed upright in the basket, it obscures whatever loose change may be lying around the bottom.
On weekday afternoons, Poet O., as he calls himself, sits on a bench in the Strawberry Fields section of Central Park, his basket and bell in his lap, and waits for the right people to come along. He always knows the right people. It is part of the inscrutable mystery of his shtick. The right people may be a young couple walking hand in hand, or a solitary, roaming hippie type with long hair and an uncombed beard, or a chubby, preppy young girl in a Central Park T-shirt, or a busload of Japanese tourists. When Poet O. spies his prey, he calls out, in his cracked and aged New York accent, "Ring the bell. Make a wish."
People usually try not to hear him at first -- after all, this is New York -- so Poet O. calls out again, more emphatically. This time they stop. Poet O. rises to his feet, dressed in a navy-blue parka, baggy pants and dirty sneakers, his wiry white hair frizzing out from beneath a blue-and-orange Giants ski hat. He shuffles over to his mark, holding out the basket. "Ring the bell and make a wish, in any language," he says. "Don't tell mama your wish. Close your eyes and concentrate."
The happy victim, eyes shut tight, obediently picks up the bell and rings it. "Listen to the echo," Poet O. commands as the stalwart note fades in the spring air. When the quarry opens his eyes, he sees the coins lying in the bottom of the basket. "Help me get something good for dinner tonight," Poet O. says. "Whatever you put in will be returned to you 100 fold!" Poet O. always coaxes a little something out of people's pockets. Like any good con man, he understands the art of making people like him.
Poet O. is just one of the characters populating Central Park's terrain. Most New Yorkers think of the park as a nice place to visit, for a lunch-hour respite, an outing with the children, a Saturday afternoon Frisbee game, a scenic route to a museum. It is something to walk, bike or roller-skate through, an antidote to work and daily city living. But there is an entire hidden class of dwellers community that more or less lives there. Central Park is their office, their living room. Its trees are their walls, its pathways their halls. Most New Yorkers know the park casually, socially; these people know it intimately.
Central Park is just one more thing about New York that is strange, singular and unlike anyplace else in the world. It doesn't feel like the country, but it doesn't feel like the city. It's not urban, suburban or rural; it's the hazy areas separating the three. It can be friendly and welcoming, or ominous and threatening, depending on location, time and day. (Poet O. says the park has three shifts: dawn to midafternoon, midafternoon to dusk, and night.)
And like other any district of the city, Central Park has its distinct neighborhoods, with distinct types of inhabitants. The East Green, extending along Fifth Avenue in the upper 60's, is the quiet zone, the equivalent of a sequestered, aristocratic block: radio playing and Frisbee-throwing are prohibited so people can sunbathe, read or think without distraction. The Ramble, that tangle of paths just north of the Lake, has a vague West Village feeling to it, with narrow, mazelike passages faintly reminiscent of a day when Manhattan had backwoods.
The southern portion of the park, from 59th Street to the mid-60's, is kind of like Old Town, with its gingerbread-style houses and serene pond. The Dairy and the Chess and Checkers House are storybook-picturesque. At the Carousel, an actual literary hero, Holden Caulfield of "A Catcher in the Rye," once watched his little sister, Phoebe, go around and around. The Carousel still plays funny, organ-grinder versions of popular songs, like "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head." Little tykes ride around and smile and wave, and watching them makes you feel as happy as Holden did. Even grown-ups smile when they ride the Carousel. (A ticket is only 90 cents.) The music curls like invisible smoke among the hills and rocks and branches of the trees.
One of the great things about Central Park is that it's not uptight. Even though there seems to be a big, imposing statue or historical monument around every other bend or dip in the road, the place manages not to feel pretentious or too formal. Some of the monuments are downright goofy, like the statue of a giant canine, "dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the Sled Dogs." The inscription, from 1925, says something about a team that dragged antitoxins across 600 miles of rough ice in some exotic-sounding land far far away. What any of this has to do with Central Park is a mystery, but onlookers will learn that the name of the particular sled dog immortalized in bronze is Balto.


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Indian IT Investors Take Another Cold Shower
A note of caution from the technology sector's global cheerleader has worried investors in Indian IT stocks.
Although the New Jersey-based IT consultant and outsourcer Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., on Tuesday beat expectations posting a 38% rise in January-March earnings, and raised its outlook for the year, it also warned investors that some of its major merger and acquisition projects in U.K. are coming to an end. This sent the company's stock tumbling, closing 5.7% lower on the Nasdaq.
On Wednesday, Cognizant's words of caution rippled through the Indian market. Shares of Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. closed down 0.1% lower at 1,135.95 rupees ($25.5), Infosys Technologies Ltd. was down 1.5% at 2,867.50 rupees ($64.4) and Wipro Ltd. down 0.2% at 435.75 rupees in a weak Mumbai market. The BSE IT Index was down 1.1%, while the benchmark Sensex closed 0.4% lower.
"Indian technology investors take a lot of cues from Cognizant's results," said an analyst with a Mumbai-based brokerage. Cognizant and Indian IT outsourcers compete to grab a share of the same global technology market.
Cognizant is not the first major IT company to disappoint investors despite posting stronger earnings than expected. Part of the reason is that some investors have inflated growth expectations for technology companies, the analyst said. Another reason is that the growth outlook for some IT companies is starting to look gloomy.
When India's largest outsourcing firm by revenue, Tata Consultancy Service, exceeded the consensus of analysts' estimates with a 23% jump in January-March quarter net profit, the company's stock fell. This was largely caused by profit taking and by a modest 2.9% increase in business volume, which the company explained with reference to seasonal weakness and to clients cutting back spending on technology. The company does not provide a financial outlook.
The country's second-largest outsourcer, Infosys, struggled to meet the conservative growth forecast it set for the January to March period, and forecast muted growth outlook for the year. Infosys says this outlook reflects the investment the company plans to make to address a greater share of the outsourcing market. In contrast, the market had set aggressive growth targets for the company.
Wipro, the third-largest outsourcer, fared no better. The results at the company—which recently underwent a management reshuffle – fell just below expectations. Still, despite high market expectations, it forecast a weak outlook for the quarter ending June 30, as it continued to face delays in closing certain projects. The company also said that the April-June period is a traditionally weak quarter.
While analysts say the business fundamentals of most of these companies are in good shape, it looks like investors need to set their expectations right going forward.
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Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Sidecar Throws In The Towel
Sidecar, which was attempting to compete against Uber and Lyft in the Los Angeles area, and recently switched over to focus on on-demand delivery services, is shutting down, according to the company's CEO. According to Sunil Paul, CEO of Sidecar, it will cease both ride and delivery operations at 2PM Pacific Time on December 31st. Reason for the shutdown was not given by Paul. Sidecar initially launched into Los Angeles in 2013, into a crowded market which includes Uber, Lyft, and a number of other less well funded competitors.


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Posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Westminster College will continue a long-standing tradition with the presentation of "Something's Coming" at Christmas Vespers Sunday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in Orr Auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
The annual worship service includes carols from around the world performed by a variety of vocal and instrumental ensembles; reflections on the carols; Scripture readings; and "Waiting on Lightning," the message from Westminster College Chaplain the Rev. James R. Mohr II and junior theatre major Kayla Castille.
Additional faculty and staff participating are: Anne Bruening, director of handbell choirs; Father Thomas Lewandowski, rector of St. Camillus Church in New Castle; Mr. Kris Harper, director of Women's Chorus; James "Manny" Henderson, director of Gospel Choir; Dr. Robin Lind, director of choral activities; and Kathryn Davison Miller, Westminster College organist.
Members of the spring break work teams, Westminster chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and Chapel Staff will serve as ushers. Richard Maggazine will provide interpretation for the deaf.
Angel Tree gifts that will be displayed in Orr Lobby were purchased by members of the campus community for children in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Lawrence County, Walker House, and Pennsylvania Homeless Children's Initiative. Members of the Chapel Staff Service Team coordinated the effort.
Offerings collected will be used to support the spring break work trips to Nashville, Tenn. (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Flood Recovery Program); Edisto Island, S.C. (Edisto Island Mission); and Hampton, Ga. (Calvin Center Global Village).
The service will be videotaped by Westminster broadcast communications students for broadcast throughout the Advent season on Comcast channel 10 and Armstrong channels 72 and 204.
Westminster's Campus Ministries Staff will provide campus luminaries.
Following the service, the Chapel Staff will host a reception and time of fellowship in Orr Lobby and the Art Gallery.
Contact Mohr at (724) 946-7116 or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com for additional information.


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Ashley McNeil, 29, is a political consultant. Damian Coleman, 31, is an international contracts manager. They live in Baltimore's Federal Hill neighborhood.
Wedding date: March 17
Location: A private home in Turks & Caicos
Guests: 50
How they met: McNeil and Coleman were among a handful of single people at a mutual friend's engagement party and struck up a conversation. Coleman asked McNeil to go with him to a Redskins preseason game and then to dinner in Adams Morgan.
The proposal: On Memorial Day weekend, they grabbed breakfast in Fells Point and went for a walk along the pier featured in "Sleepless in Seattle." Coleman turned to McNeil and said, "This would be a beautiful place to ask you to be my wife," and he pulled the ring from his pocket.
The wedding: At the suggestion of McNeil's parents, the couple decided to get married in a villa on the Caribbean island. McNeil's uncle officiated the ceremony, which was held in a tent on the property. The bride walked down the aisle to the song "Eidelweiss" from a favorite film, "The Sound of Music." In honor of St. Patrick's Day, the five groomsmen wore green ties and guest welcome bags, embroidered with a four-leaf clover, were filled with local rum. A week later, 285 guests gathered at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington for a second reception that featured an eggplant and dark-red color scheme and a six-tier cake by baking diva Sylvia Weinstock.
The honeymoon: They visited Croatia, one of the few places in Europe that the well-traveled newlyweds had not yet seen. Highlights included an overnight train ride from Zagreb to Split and visits to Diocletian's Palace and Plitvice Lakes National Park.


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Transgender woman files human rights complaint against Adams Morgan bar for alleged gay slur
WASHINGTON (WJLA) - A legal firm that specializes in human rights and equality cases has filed a complaint against a D.C. hookah bar for allegedly referring to a transgender customer and her friends by an anti-gay slur on her receipt.
The customer, Amira Gray, alleges that she and a group of friends went to Bistro 18, a bar in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, on Aug. 11, 2013.
In her complaint, Gray says she and her friends were continuously denied table service all night, though all the other tables around her were served by wait staff.
"After waiting more than 15 minutes I went to the bar and paid cash for a round of drinks, which my friends and I carried to the table ourselves," Gray writes.
She said the only time a waitperson approached her table was to deliver hookahs she had ordered at the bar.
Gray said around 12:30 a.m. a waitress dropped off a bill at their table - and she was shocked to see the group referred to by a derogatory, anti-LGBT slur, printed in capital letters across the top of the bill.
"As a transgender woman, I was extremely hurt, embarassed and upset," Gray writes in her complaint. "I felt that the slur was meant as a slap in the face because of my gender identity and expression, my perceived sexual orientation, my personal appearance, and my association with my friends who are or may have been perceived as being lesbian or gay."
Gray then said one of her friends brought the slur to the manager's attention, who claimed the waitress had printed "the wrong bill," and then walked away and brought back a new receipt that did not have the slur printed at the top.
Gray concluded her complaint by stating that she believes she was "denied the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages and accommodations of Bistro 18" based on her appearance, gender identity and association with friends who are or may be perceived as homosexual.
Gray and Lambda Legal say her treatment is in violation of D.C. code. Lambda Legal filed the official complaint on Gray's behalf with D.C.'s Office of Human Rights (OHR).
The Washington Post spoke with Elliott Imse with the OHR, who would not confirm or deny receipt of the complaint, per policy. Bistro 18 did not return the Post's calls for comment.
Imse said in such a situation, though, a similar complaint would be investigated starting with an interview with the complainer, and then a mandatory mediated meeting between the complainer and the business establishment.
Possible outcomes of the mediated meeting may include a resolution that involves sensitivity training for the staff.
If a voluntary resolution is not arrived at, the OHR may investigate the complaint - which could take up to six months - after which a judge may hear the case, and may decide to order the business to pay damages to the complainer.
However, a complaint such as this would not involve a fine paid to the city, Imse told the Post.


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Kingsmill 'flipping fish' by M&C Saatchi
AgencyM&C Saatchi
ExposureUnited Kingdom and Europe
M&C Saatchi's £3m new campaign for Kingsmill shows a set of parents trying to sneak fish into their son's diet. The ad tries to impart the message that parents don't need to force their kids to eat oily fish to get Omega 3, as it is in the Kingsmill Headstart Omega 3 loaves, which went on sale last month. In the opening shot we see the boy being dropped off at school. As his mum hugs him, she sneakily plants a mackerel into his pocket. Later he gets an ice cream with a mackerel poking out of it. The TV ad, which airs this week, ends with a new Kingsmill strapline: "Love bread. Love Kingsmill."


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London - Bradley Cooper has revealed he was arrested for underage drinking when he was 15.
The Silver Linings Playbook star - who has been sober for eight years - admits he was very rebellious when he was younger but credits his "intellectually curious" late father Charles for inspiring him to become an actor.
He told the December issue of Esquire magazine: "I grew up in an interesting family. My father was Irish, and my mother was Italian. It's a rich tapestry. It's soaking in volatility. But I was raised well.
"I put them through some hell, of course. I got arrested for underage drinking when I was 15. My mom Gloria always said, 'Just call me. I wanna know where you are,' We always had good lines of communication, me and my parents.
"My father was viciously smart and intellectually curious. We lived across the street from a movie theatre. And he would always talk about all these movies, and when I was at the age of being able to appreciate them, he just started throwing 'em my way.
"He was a huge Tom Courtenay fan. Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner was one of the first ones he showed me. And The Dresser. And Under The Volcano. He loved Albert Finney."
The 37-year-old actor previously revealed that after years of abusing drugs and alcohol he realised he was ruining his life because he wasn't comfortable in his own skin and has now been clean since he was 29.
Earlier this year, he said: "I don't drink or do drugs anymore. Being sober helps a great deal... I remember looking at my life, my apartment, my dogs (when I was still using), and I thought, 'What's happening?'
"I was so concerned what you thought of me, how I was coming across, how I would survive the day. I always felt like an outsider. I just lived in my head. I realised I wasn't going to live up to my potential, and that scared the hell out of me. I thought, 'Wow, I'm actually gonna ruin my life. I'm really gonna ruin it." - Bang Showbiz


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The Lussier Family Heritage Center is a Dane County facility for hosting private and public events.
The center is named after the Lussier Family who contributed a significant amount for its construction
and preservation. It is located within the Lake Farm County Park and surrounded by native prairie
vegetation and forests.
The center consists of a large rustic style lodge with banquet halls and offices. There is also a
barn and gallery on the premises. The lodge boasts a large second-story porch overlooking the lower
level patio and firepit. Nature and bike trails lead to and from the main building.
For more information about the center see:
Information about the center is available in the Lussier Family Heritage Center webpages and also
in our Facility Information Printable Packet (2016,


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JUDY WOODRUFF: And we return to today's official kickoff of the 2012 presidential campaign.
Jeffrey Brown takes a wider historical view.
JEFFREY BROWN: And for that, I'm joined by presidential historians Michael Beschloss and Richard Norton Smith, scholar in residence at George Mason University, and with us from Iowa tonight, Jeff Stein, vice chair of the board of trustees for the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Michael, I want to pick up on something both Judy and Gwen reminded us of. There's a Democratic caucus tonight.
MICHAEL BESCHLOSS, presidential historian: There is. There is.
JEFFREY BROWN: There's an incumbent president, a Democrat.
Now, what is the incumbent normally — what happens with the incumbent? They normally stay out of the action or fight for relevancy?
MICHAEL BESCHLOSS: Well, probably the best example of a president actually gaining relevance was Richard Nixon running for reelection in 1972.
That was the first time there was a serious Iowa caucus, in which George McGovern did very well, and, of course, New Hampshire. But this stuff was almost wiped off the airwaves by Richard Nixon making the first visit of an American president to China.
So, in the evening, you think that people would be noticing Iowa and New Hampshire, McGovern doing very well. Instead, there was an hour special each evening on most of the networks for a week, you know, Richard Nixon at the Great wall, the Great Hall of the People. People were not thinking very much about domestic politics, thought a lot about Nixon.
JEFFREY BROWN: I'm struck, Richard. Michael just said 1972, the first important Iowa caucus. We forget that this wasn't around forever.
MICHAEL BESCHLOSS: It seems that way already.
JEFFREY BROWN: What's your thought on the incumbent now and then?
RICHARD NORTON SMITH, scholar in residence, George Mason University: Well, think of Jimmy Carter, who experienced the highs and the lows of Iowa, who, in many ways, is the man who defined the modern Iowa caucuses, coming out of nowhere with no money, no organization to speak of in 1976 to tap into the mood, post-Watergate mood for change.
But then, four years later as an incumbent facing a very tough challenge in his own party from the left, from Ted Kennedy, had approval ratings in the mid-30s. And then along came the Iranian hostage crisis, which allowed Carter to strike a statesmanlike pose. He actually gained by staying out of the partisan fray. And he came from behind and won convincingly. It really put him on the road to re-nomination in 1980.
JEFFREY BROWN: Now, Jeff Stein, you've watched many of these things from Iowa. And we heard about the Obama administration's — Obama campaign's team out there. What are you seeing now compared to in the past?
JEFF STEIN, State Historical Society of Iowa: Well, not only is there the video evidence in the caucuses tonight for the Obama campaign, but they bought massive advertising space on the Des Moines Register's website, the banner, both sides, left and right, a video ad, knowing that people are going to go to the website of the state's largest newspaper.
So they're definitely trying to inject themselves. But probably the best example in Iowa of an incumbent injecting themselves into a caucus was 1984. The Democrats were all deciding between Walter Mondale and John Glenn and Gary Hart. And Ronald Reagan showed up and did a live rally from Veterans Auditorium in Des Moines during the heart of the 6:00 news, taking all of the air out of the Democrats' effort when the incumbent comes to Iowa.
JEFFREY BROWN: Now, Michael, another thing we just heard about earlier, and some context here, important differences in Iowa then and now — one is in money, right, how it's spent, how much goes to television, how much is face-to-face campaigning.
MICHAEL BESCHLOSS: Well, just to give you an idea, I was talking this afternoon to Jerry Rafshoon, who is now a great filmmaker, but did Jimmy Carter's media in 1976.
He says they spent in Iowa — or they spent last than $100,000, which, you know, in current dollars, would be maybe about a 10th of what Mitt Romney's campaign and super PAC have spent this time. And he also said, in those days, Iowans were much less sophisticated about TV because they hadn't gone through it before.
And polls would find that they were saying great things about Carter, Navy, religion, tells the truth. And they would ask the people, you know, why do you think this? And they'd say, well, we saw these great documentaries on TV.
They didn't realize that these were paid advertisements.
JEFFREY BROWN: Richard, what do you — do you see other changes?
RICHARD NORTON SMITH: Huge changes. This is not your grandmother's Iowa caucus.
The field itself, you know, the voters will decide what they think about them qualitatively, but in terms of what they bring, the arguments that they're making, this is a much less diverse field. You used to have, for example, typically a Main Street conservative.
JEFFREY BROWN: You mean the candidates themselves, less diversity?
RICHARD NORTON SMITH: Exactly, a pragmatist like, say, Bob Dole, who won twice in Iowa. Then you had economic conservatives like Jack Kemp or Steve Forbes who really influenced the debate with ideas like the flat tax. You had moderates, self-professed, like Lamar Alexander, or George H.W. Bush, who famously beat Ronald Reagan in 1980.
They're gone. Basically, every person, with the exception of Ron Paul, in this field is trying to appeal to the social conservatives. It's a much narrower range of debate itself.
JEFFREY BROWN: Jeff Stein, does it feel that way to you there?
JEFF STEIN: Well, one thing to understand is that there are more registered independents in Iowa than either Democrats or Republicans.
And I think what you're seeing in Iowa is a sense that the voters are just tired of either side. And so more and more of them are rushing to the middle. And so that means that, on the Democratic caucus, you're going to have partisans who skew much further to the left of the spectrum, conversely, on the Republican side, those who skew much more toward the right of the spectrum.
JEFFREY BROWN: And, Jeff Stein, what about the money question that Michael Beschloss brought up, how it's spent, how much goes into television advertising, for example?
JEFF STEIN: There has been about $6 million spent in television advertising in the last 50 to 60 days in the state of Iowa by candidates and their super PACs.
But the other thing to note is the use of the Internet. You can put a longer, much nastier ad on the Internet and really stir up your own base. And that has led to a further divisiveness within the candidates and the population of voters themselves.
JEFFREY BROWN: Richard, you were on the program last week when we were talking about this why Iowa question, right, and how important is it? What about the results going forward? I mean, and has that changed and do you think that's changed in terms of its impact?
RICHARD NORTON SMITH: I'm not sure. It is interesting.
We will see. Increasingly, Iowa has been about sending a message, rather than choosing a nominee or let alone a president.
JEFFREY BROWN: A message as in — you mean more than the person?
RICHARD NORTON SMITH: Well, if a Rick Santorum, for example, or a Ron Paul were to win tonight, as opposed to Mitt Romney, whose basic argument, as we have heard ad nauseam, is, I can win in the fall.
If winning in the fall is less important than asserting one's faith, political and otherwise, in the spring, that tells you a lot about the process.
JEFFREY BROWN: But what do we think we can say or not say about Iowa's impact now?
MICHAEL BESCHLOSS: I think the process has actually worked very well. You know, a number of candidates on the Republican side have seemed to flame out over bad debate performances, other weaknesses. But that's what the process is supposed to do.
These people are being road-tested for the first time. Oftentimes, they look very different as candidates in a presidential campaign than they seemed to look before they ran.
JEFFREY BROWN: And, Jeff Stein, I know because you joined us in that conversation last week. I know you think it still has a lot of relevance.
But what do you look for tonight in terms of results that will tell you whether this has an impact going forward?
JEFF STEIN: Well, it's going to have an impact going forward because it's first. The question is, how do people interpret the results?
I do think that, if Ron Paul wins, it shows you a great dissatisfaction by the population, not anger, but dissatisfaction with the status quo. If Mitt Romney wins, then it does show that the modus operandi for the Republicans this time is to win and then worry about how to govern, not so much about ideology, but simply getting rid of an incumbent.
And the Republicans I talk to, that's job one for them. And I think that's why Romney, surprisingly, is doing as well in Iowa as he is.
JEFFREY BROWN: All right.
Jeff Stein, Richard Norton Smith, Michael Beschloss, thanks a lot.
MICHAEL BESCHLOSS: Thank you, Jeff.
RICHARD NORTON SMITH: You bet.


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|Place a coil end onto the end of your cording. Make sure it goes at least half way through the coil.
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It's a day that Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and the Xaverian High School Band are not likely to forget.
The diocesan leader of Brooklyn and Queens pressed flesh with state and city dignitaries, who extended a warm city welcome to Pope Benedict XVI
©2008 Community News Group
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This order was canceled on June 25, 2010.
|FHWA Personnel Management Manual; Part 1: Personnel Systems & Procedures, Chapter 9 Awards and Employee Recognition, Section 1, Attachment: Chart 1
|Classification Code
|February 10, 2006
Secretary's Honor Awards
Who is Eligible?
Purpose of Award
Type of Recognition
Nomination Procedures
Partnering for Excellence Award
Intermodal teams/groups
To recognize intermodal teams/groups that have used the Partnering for Excellence training to further ONE DOT activities in support of one or more DOT strategic goals.
Crystal Award
The teams' or groups' activities must support one of these Strategic Goals:
Safety: Promote the public health and safety by working toward the elimination of transportation-related deaths, injuries, and property damage.
Mobility: Shape America's future by ensuring a transportation system that is accessible, integrated, and efficient, and offers flexibility of choices.
Economic Growth and Trade: Advance America's economic growth and competitiveness domestically and internationally through efficient and flexible transportation.
Human and Natural Environment: Protect and enhance communities and the natural environment affected by transportation.
National Security: Advance the Nation's vital security interests in support of national strategies such as the National Security Strategy and National Drug Control Strategy by ensuring that the transportation system is secure and available for defense mobility and that our borders are safe from illegal intrusion.
Each spring the Office of Human Resources will issue a call for nominations for Secretary's Honor Awards.
The nomination should be prepared on white bond paper. The narrative supporting the nomination should be limited to one page per strategic goal. Attachments will not be considered.
Secretary's Award for Meritorious Achievement
All employees
The Secretary is especially interested in recognizing employees who have significantly contributed to organizational goals and objectives by identifying and achieving cost savings and visibly supporting the reinvention efforts of DOT.
Crystal Award
Nominations for this award are based on meritorious contributions of unusual value to the DOT in meeting its strategic goals. Examples of such contributions include but are not limited to:
Each spring the Office of Human Resources will issue a call for nominations for the Secretary's Honor Awards.
The nomination should be prepared on DOT Form 3200.2 The narrative supporting the nomination should be limited to the space provided on the form. Attachments will not be considered.
|Award for EEO/Affirmative Action
Any employee whose primary job is not in the EEO and Affirmative Action areas.
To demonstrate the value that top-level management places on efforts to actively and effectively enhance the DOT's efforts in the areas of EEO and Affirmative Action.
This award recognizes the DOT's highest level of honor and recognition to those employees who have excelled in promoting equal opportunity/affirmative action while serving in positions that are not primarily EEO related. Employees whose primary job responsibility is in the area of EEO and affirmative action are not eligible for this award. They should be considered for the Meritorious Achievement Award.
Same as above.
|Award for Excellence
|Career employees in grades General Schedule (GS) -1 thru GS-14 and Wage Grade (WG) -1 thru WG-8
|To honor high achieving employees in clerical, administrative, technical, and general support positions.
|Crystal Award
|Nominations must be based on outstanding achievement of all major duties. All aspects of performance must not only far exceed normal requirements but also deserve special commendation. In addition, an employee can be recognized, wholly or in part, for accomplishments or actions that contribute to a stronger ONE DOT. An employee need not have received an outstanding rating during the last rating period to be nominated providing he/she is performing at the level to earn such a rating at the time of the nomination.
|Same as above.
Award for Valor
All employees
To honor heroism
An employee must have demonstrated outstanding courage and voluntary risk of personal safety in the face of danger in an emergency while on or off duty.
Same as above.
The Award for Volunteer Service and the Community Service Award
All employees
The Volunteer Service Award recognizes employees who have made significant contributions through any of the volunteer programs for which the DOT provides support or sponsorship. The Community Service Award recognizes employees who have made significant contributions to their local community or the community at large.
The nomination should include length of volunteer or community service, number of hours per week, month or year; innovation or initiative in improving conditions of the organization being served; type of service rendered; and benefits to the community.
Same as above.
Team Award
Groups or teams
To recognize groups and teams both within FHWA and those that cross operating administrations (OAs) in recognition of meritorious contributions of high value to the DOT in meeting one or more of the Strategic Goals, and whose exceptional performance results in the improvement, reinvention, or reengineering of practices, operations, and customer services. Groups and teams include cross-functional teams, natural work groups, design project teams, and process/quality action teams that work together as a unit to achieve shared objectives or missions. In cases where the nomination is for an intermodal team, the award will not count against the nominating OA's allocation.
Crystal award obelisk
Nominations must specifically address each element included in the following:
Teamwork - Describe how the members of the team/group work together effectively either within FHWA or across OAs in coordinating and carrying out assignments to achieve common objectives. At least one example of an activity that displays cooperation, coordination, or group process skills is required.
Problem Solving - Describe how the members of the group or team effectively use problem solving methods, techniques, and tools (as appropriate) to achieve desired objectives and/or integrate objectives, procedures, etc., of participating OAs.
Customer Focus - Describe the link between the work of the team and the benefits derived by the customers; how customer input and feedback were obtained; and how they were used to make corrective actions or to improve services to the customers. Where appropriate, describe how using an intermodal approach enhanced customer service.
Creative and Innovative Techniques - Describe any innovative techniques used by the team to develop recommendations for improvements. The work of the team should reflect an awareness of evolving methods, procedures, and technologies. Where appropriate, highlight techniques that promote cooperation and collaboration among the OAs.
Results - Describe results accomplished by the team such as objectives met, solutions found, and process changed or improved.
Descriptions should be limited to one page per criterion/element, for a total of 5 pages, plus Form DOT 3200.2 as the coversheet. Attachments will not be considered in the evaluation process.
PMM, Part 1, Chapter 9, Section 1 | Chart 2 | Chart 3 | Chart 4


text: I was recently thinking of the documentary "naked world" and the particular part in which spencer was taking an individual nude of a woman on antarctica. The interesting thing to me was on the boat back after the shoot an assistant commented on how spencer only spent 3 or 4 minutes finding his composition and in general just didnt seem to be thinking about it much at all. He said he felt that it was basically a snapshot and anyone could have taken it. The suprising thing was that spencer didnt argue this, he agreed! He validated his effort by saying the technical aspects of the shot werent the point, but the fact that nobody had done a project like his is what made his work notable. In another shot (female in front of the eiffel tower) he commented on how literally a handfull of other photographers had taken basically the same shot. So to differentiate his work he had the model give the camera the finger as if to say " i know this is really isnt groundbreaking but im doing it anyway so f*** you" My point to this is that in my opinion I dont think work should be elevated to genious status based just on the fact that no one had done it before, even if the technical mastery of medium or the idea itself are nothing special. Any thoughts ?