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March 12, 2014
NEW ORLEANS, LA -- Three Texas A&M track and field athletes were honored by being named to the All-Academic team through the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association.
Elizabeth Adeoti and Jessica Wingfield were selected to the women's team while Tyler Custis represented A&M on the men's team.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic track and field team, an athlete must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 and obtain an NCAA automatic or provisional qualifying mark for the most recent indoor championships or an outdoor regional qualifying mark in their respective event.
Adeoti (Houston/Alief Taylor) is a biomedical science major who ran the lead-off leg on the Aggies national championship 4 x 100 relay in June when the squad established its sixth school record of the season with a clocking of 43.05 seconds. Adeoti's freshman season at Texas A&M included season best marks of 11.51 in the 100 meters and a career best of 23.55 in the 200 meters.
Wingfield (Richardson, Tx) earned a second All-America honor in the javelin when she placed 10th at the NCAA Championships, matching her finish from the 2005 season. The junior political science major recorded a season best mark of 161-6 (49.24) as she neared her career best of 164-0. Wingfield was also the Big 12 runner-up, improving on her fourth-place finish from 2006 and a third-place effort in 2005.
Custis (Custer, South Dakota) placed fourth in the shot during the Big 12 Indoor Championships this season. The junior economics major also set a pair school records in the weight throw reaching a distance of 60-9.5 (18.53).


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Friday, July 25, 2008
Cupcake Box Tutorial~
Cardstock or patterned paper in the following sizes:
10 1/2" square
6 1/8" square
4 7/8" square
Tools: Scor Pal, Coluzzle, Nestabilities Scallop Circle Dies, 1" hole punch
Adhesive: Scor-Tape, Tombow Mono Multi, Glue Dots
Other: Ribbon, Gold Cord, White Eyelet, Clear Card Sheet
Stamps: JustRite Monogram Set
Main Box Step 1:
Line up 10 1/2" paper to 1/4" mark and score at 3 1/2" and 7 1/2", rotate and repeat.
Main Box Step 2:
Cut on 4 score lines to where scores intersect - 2 on each side. Trim and notch corner panels, as shown, to create flaps.
Main Box Step 3: Adhere flaps to inside of the box with Scor-Tape.
Lid Step 1: Score 6 1/8th"square 1" on all sides. Cut on 4 score lines to just where the scores intersect - 2 on each side. Trim and notch corner panels, as shown. Cut circle shape with Coluzzle in center of lid. I tried using a Nestabilities Circle Die but since I use the Cuttlebug, the paper was too wide.
Lid Step 2: Apply Scor-Tape to each corner. Cut and attach a Nestabilities Scallop Circle frame to circle cutout with adhesive. Adhere a 4" x 4" Clear Card Sheet to inside of lid using Glue Dots.
Lid Step 3: Adhere flaps to create lid.
Insert Step 1: Score 4 7/8" square 1/2" on all sides. Notch corners, as shown. Cut main circle shape with a Coluzzle and partial side circles using a 1" circle punch. Insert into main box, flaps down, to nestle cupcake.
To finish embellish with a satin ribbon and a monogram tag. Don't forget the cupcake!
21 comments:
- Dannie Graves said...
This is so cute. Thanks for sharing the idea and especially for making the tutorial. ~Dannie
- July 25, 2008 at 11:53 PM
- Mimi Hornberger said...
OMGoodness, thank you so much! I have been needing a cupcake box for my cupcake pincushions! This is perfect!TFS! XO, Mimi
- July 26, 2008 at 6:57 AM
- Jenn said...
AWESOME. Can't wait to give it a try :) Thanks for sharing.
- July 26, 2008 at 8:32 AM
- happiness blooms said...
Val, you ROCK for doing this toot! It's fabulous and I'm making one of these today!
- July 26, 2008 at 9:08 AM
- Bevie Pearl said...
Hey there cupcake......awesome tutorial......
- July 26, 2008 at 9:48 AM
- Elaine said...
Just adorable and something that I KNOW I will be making. We have some really yummy cupcake places in town!
- July 26, 2008 at 1:23 PM
- Jennifer Ofiana said...
I am so gonna have to try this! Thanks for the tutorial!!
- July 26, 2008 at 6:13 PM
- Jessica said...
Awesome tutorial, Val!!
Thanks for taking the time to redo it for us!! - July 26, 2008 at 8:32 PM
- Kathleen said...
Valerie---thanks so much for this tutorial! What a great treat for me! I LOVE cupcakes and I will love to give them as gifts to my friends now with this amazing presentation! THanks again~
- July 27, 2008 at 1:21 PM
- Joy said...
Val, what an awesome toot. I've gotta try this baby out!
- July 27, 2008 at 7:27 PM
- Stefanie Staniak said...
This is the best tutorial I have seen. Wish it was the first one !! :) Love your cupcake box.
- July 28, 2008 at 11:56 AM
- Michelle said...
What a great idea - thanks for your clear tutorials - can't wait try it!!
- August 1, 2008 at 5:54 AM
- Jenn said...
Alright...I finally made one :) Thanks for the directions!!! (It will post on my blog Monday morning)
- October 26, 2008 at 10:32 PM
- Tina, Not Lisa! said...
Val this project rocks! I made a bunch for thanksgiving, and am using them to put a pumpkin pie cupcake in and place-cards! Dual action! Oh and not to mention decor. So triple play!
I would like to make a side note if that's okay... If you're making a lot and really don't want to waste paper (in an effort to go green) I made the lid a little smaller. I cut it at the 5 7/8" square, and then scor-palled at the 5" on all four sides. Lid still fits, but you can get 4 lids out of a 12x12 sheet! Have fun!!! - November 24, 2008 at 11:03 PM
- Michelle said...
These are awesome. Thanks so much for sharing!
- December 7, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Val: just great! Awsome.
- December 28, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Val: just great! Awsome. It's sure is a beautiful elegant cupcake box.
- December 28, 2008 at 12:00 PM
- Mel M. M. McCarthy said...
This is just SO wonderful! What a perfect box for a cuppie or anything. I love how you added the window! Thanks for sharing your talent! :O)
- February 12, 2009 at 7:39 PM
- MichelleY said...
Thanks for the awesome tutorial. I can't wait to make these darling cupcake boxes.
- May 2, 2009 at 8:48 AM
- Julies Crafty Creations said...
Thanks for the awesome tutorial. I can't wait to make these darling cupcake boxes. Hugs Julie x
- July 2, 2009 at 10:32 AM
- Paola said...
Thanks for your metric version to this which I discovered on the Scor-Pal site. I have used this template for a lot of gifting this year, mostly upside down (LOL)- I make the whole base out of acetate.
- December 16, 2009 at 3:37 PM

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Information Technology:
Critical Factors Underlying Successful Major Acquisitions
GAO-12-7: Published: Oct 21, 2011. Publicly Released: Nov 21, 2011.
Additional Materials:
- Highlights Page:
- Accessible Text:
(202) 512-9286
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
Planned federal information technology (IT) spending has now risen to at least $81 billion for fiscal year 2012. As GAO has previously reported, although a variety of best practices exists to guide their successful acquisition, federal IT projects too frequently incur cost overruns and schedule slippages while contributing little to mission-related outcomes. Recognizing these problems, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has launched several initiatives to improve the oversight and management of IT investments. GAO was asked to identify (1) federal IT investments that were or are being successfully acquired and (2) the critical factors that led to the successful acquisition of these investments. To do this, GAO interviewed agency officials from selected federal departments responsible for each investment. In commenting on a draft of GAO's report, three departments generally agreed with the report. OMB and the other departments either provided minor technical comments, or stated that they had no comments at all.
According to federal department officials, the following seven investments were successfully acquired in that they best achieved their respective cost, schedule, scope, and performance goals: (1) Department of Commerce's Decennial Response Integration System; (2) Department of Defense's Global Combat Support System-Joint, Increment 7; (3) Department of Energy's Manufacturing Operations Management (MOMentum) Project; (4) Department of Homeland Security's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative; (5) Department of Transportation's Integrated Terminal Weather System; (6) Department of the Treasury's Customer Account Data Engine 2 (CADE 2); and (7) Department of Veterans Affairs' Occupational Health Record-keeping System. Department officials identified nine common factors that were critical to the success of three or more of the seven investments: (1) Program officials were actively engaged with stakeholders; (2) Program staff had the necessary knowledge and skills; (3) Senior department and agency executives supported the programs; (4) End users and stakeholders were involved in the development of requirements; (5) End users participated in testing of system functionality prior to formal end user acceptance testing; (6) Government and contractor staff were stable and consistent; (7) Program staff prioritized requirements; (8) Program officials maintained regular communication with the prime contractor; and (9) Programs received sufficient funding. Officials from all seven investments cited active engagement with program stakeholders as a critical factor to the success of those investments. Agency officials stated that stakeholders regularly attended program management office sponsored meetings; were working members of integrated project teams; and were notified of problems and concerns as soon as possible. Implementation of these critical factors will not necessarily ensure that federal agencies will successfully acquire IT systems because many different factors contribute to successful acquisitions. Nonetheless, these critical factors support OMB's objective of improving the management of large-scale IT acquisitions across the federal government, and wide dissemination of these factors could complement OMB's efforts.
Mar 11, 2014
Federal Rulemaking:
Regulatory Review Processes Could Be EnhancedGAO-14-423T: Published: Mar 11, 2014. Publicly Released: Mar 11, 2014.
Feb 24, 2014
Federal Real Property:
Improved Transparency Could Help Efforts to Manage Agencies' Maintenance and Repair BacklogsGAO-14-188: Published: Jan 23, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 2014. -
Strategic Sourcing:
Selected Agencies Should Develop Performance Measures on Inclusion of Small Businesses and OMB Should Improve MonitoringGAO-14-126: Published: Jan 23, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 24, 2014.
Feb 14, 2014
Managing for Results:
Implementation Approaches Used to Enhance Collaboration in Interagency GroupsGAO-14-220: Published: Feb 14, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 14, 2014.
Feb 11, 2014
Personnel Security Clearances:
Actions Needed to Ensure Quality of Background Investigations and Resulting DecisionsGAO-14-138T: Published: Feb 11, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 11, 2014.
Feb 6, 2014
U.S. Postal Service:
Actions Needed to Strengthen the Capital Investment ProcessGAO-14-155: Published: Jan 7, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 6, 2014.
Feb 5, 2014
Federal Real Property:
Actions Needed to Improve How Agencies Manage StructuresGAO-14-87: Published: Jan 6, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 5, 2014.
Feb 4, 2014
Federal Contracting:
Commercial Item Test Program Beneficial, but Actions Needed to Mitigate Potential RisksGAO-14-178: Published: Feb 4, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 4, 2014.
Dec 19, 2013
2020 Census:
Bureau Needs to Improve Scheduling Practices to Enhance Ability to Meet Address List Development DeadlinesGAO-14-59: Published: Nov 21, 2013. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2013.
Dec 16, 2013
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program:
Oversight of Carriers' Fraud and Abuse ProgramsGAO-14-39: Published: Nov 14, 2013. Publicly Released: Dec 16, 2013.
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It's Hatched! 149 Bought
Make like DealChicken and golf with the birdies at GreyStone Golf Club, where you'll save 50% off a round of 18 holes plus a cart for two golfers with today's deal. This Scottish links-style course is designed to provide challenge to all golfers regardless of ability - choose from four tee areas on each hole to customize your game. The course is impeccably maintained and offers stunning views of Sauk Lake. Bring your A game and maybe you'll score an eagle.
GreyStone Golf Club is a Tom Lehman signature course and was rated one of the best places to play two years in a row by Golf Digest. This public course, located on St. Andrews Drive in Sauk Centre, is an excellent venue for weddings and large functions.
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Food & Drinks
Posts categorized "Party Food"
Sandwiches for the heart
by PJ LaceyThat's what The Post's reporter Stephanie Smith's boyfriend told her after a tasty turkey and swiss sandwich. She blogged about he...
Read More » -
Crispy and Creamy Doughnuts
by Joe CassadyPhoto: Allrecipes.com Hop on down to your favorite grocery store and purchase the following ingredients because today we're making...
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Brine your Thanksgiving turkey to perfection!!
by Cindy RippeFor the last 3 years I have brined my Thanksgiving turkey, and I don't think I'll ever prepare a turkey any other way! Brining is so...
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Crispy Fried Chicken
by Joe CassadyPhoto: Allrecipes.com For tonight's supper, we are going to whip up some delicious Crispy Fried Chicken! Add the following ingredi...
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Pumpkin Bars!
by Susan KennedyRecipe found on allrecipes.com Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon...
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World's Best Potato Salad
by Joe CassadyPhoto: Allrecipes.com Whenever I go to family gatherings, potlucks, etc. there are usually three different Potato Salads on the se...
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Luck o' the Irish Brownies
by Joe CassadyPhoto: Allrecipes.com I am of German and Irish descent, so I like to bake, probably as much as I like to cook. Brownies are one of...
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Candy Wars? Always up for something new!
by Ken LanphearAs we draw closer to the Greatest Candy Holiday, Halloween (OK, a quick nod to Christmas which is no slouch in the candy department)...
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Low-impact development
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Low impact development)
Low-impact development may refer to:
- Low-impact development (Canada/US), the term is used in Canada and the United States to describe a land planning and engineering design approach to managing stormwater runoff
- Low-impact development (UK), the term is used in the UK for a type of development which through its low negative environmental impact either enhances or does not significantly diminish environmental quality
This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. |


text:
Log In | Create Account
About Verify Return Authorization
1) What is The Retail Equation?
The Retail Equation (TRE), headquartered in Irvine, Calif., is the industry leader in retail transaction optimization solutions at the point-of-sale and point-of-return. The company has been in business since 1999 to help retailers prevent retail fraud/abuse while at the same time providing consumers with a streamlined return process. The company has a variety of technology solutions used by retailers nationwide. The most common in use today is Verify Return Authorization, which uses statistical modeling and analytics to detect fraudulent and abusive behavior when returns are processed at retailers' return counter.
2) What is Verify Return Authorization?
TRE's Verify Return Authorization System (the current version is called Verify-2™) is designed to identify the 1 percent of consumers whose behaviors mimic return fraud or abuse —a $14.3 billion to 18.4 billion per year problem in the United States.
As part of the Verify-2 service, TRE is contracted by retailers to gather their transaction information, store it securely, and analyze the data to develop and follow return policies for those retailers. TRE works as both application service provider and call center for each retailer.
3) How Does the System Work?
When a consumer wants to make a return, a retailer will scan the original sales transaction receipt and/or swipe the individual's driver's license or government-issued ID card to make an identification of the person and his/her unique return behavior. As customers return merchandise, the system compares variables such as return frequency, dollar amounts and/or time against a set of prescribed rules that form that particular retailer's return policy.
Verify-2 enables retailers to rely on objective, verifiable data to determine whether a return is valid rather than relying on subjective observations and guesswork by sales clerks. This objectivity ensures that only those with highly suspect return-and-exchange behavior are affected. The vast majority — approximately 99 percent — of returns are accepted.
4) What are the Reasons Why a Consumer Would be Denied a Return?
While rules vary from retailer to retailer, Verify-2 is designed to identify fraudulent or abusive behavior. Those behaviors are not typical of 99 percent of consumers.
The 1 percent of consumers who get denied exhibit return behaviors that mimic fraud or abuse or exhibit habits that are inconsistent with the retailer's return policy.
Refused returns generally fall into two categories. First, returns that break the retailer's basic return policy, such as a return without a receipt, a return after the allowed return period, or multiple returns beyond the quantity of returns allowed by the retailer within a given period. Second, returns that make your overall return behavior indicate return fraud or abuse.
The refusal of a return does not mean a consumer's return is fraudulent or abusive, only that the return history is often associated with such behavior.
5) What Information Does Verify Return Authorization Retrieve From Consumers' ID?
Verify-2 captures several pieces of information from IDs to ensure accurate consumer identification, and the information captured varies from state to state. Typically, this includes identification number, name, address, date of birth and expiration date.
6) Where is Consumer Information Kept?
Data collected by Verify-2 is stored within a state-of-the art, secure data center located within the continental USA. To safeguard consumers' personal information, TRE takes security measures including maintaining physical, electronic and procedural safeguards. Verify-2 provides far greater security than practices that are common in some retail stores, such as collecting consumer information on hardcopy return slips or saving consumer information on paper logs. Verify-2 complies with all local, state and federal laws regarding the security of the information; and TRE also conducts regular audits to validate that Verify-2 exceeds industry standards, including the Payment Card Industry (PCI).
7) What Factors Does Verify Return Authorization Use to Determine if a Retailer Should Accept a Consumer's Return?
This varies from retailer to retailer. The factors that Verify-2 may use for a given retailer include:
Verify-2 does NOT use any of the following factors in authorizing returns:
8) How Can Consumers Find Out if the Verify Return Authorization System has Information on Them?
Consumers can contact TRE by sending an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com or a letter to The Retail Equation, P.O. Box 51373, Irvine, CA 92619-1373. Requests should include the consumer's name and a phone number where he/she can be contacted. When TRE calls, the company will ask for the consumer's driver's license number and state, to enable a database search. TRE representatives prefer to call consumers to avoid sending personal information via e-mail or mail.
9) What is a Return Activity Report?
A Return Activity Report is a history of consumer return transactions posted in stores using Verify-2. The report lists return activity information including the stores the consumer has returned to and, for each return, the date and time, whether it was receipted or non-receipted, and the dollar amount.
Note that while a Return Activity Report shows all of a consumer's return transactions at participating retailers, Verify-2 uses only the transactions for the retailer where a consumer is making a return to authorize the return.
10) How does TRE Ensure Data Quality and Address Disputes?
TRE periodically evaluates its data collection efforts to ensure that the information we collect is accurate. We update our policies and procedures as needed to ensure data quality.
TRE offers consumers the ability to dispute their Return Activity Report and facilitate a dialogue between the consumer and retailer to reach a proper resolution. With this process, TRE acts as an advocate, on behalf of the consumer, to ensure the consumer's request to the retailer is met and resolved within a timely manner, typically within 30 days.
If a consumer identifies any inaccuracy in his or her information, or if a consumer needs to change information in TRE's files, the consumer should notify TRE in writing at The Retail Equation, P.O. Box 51373, Irvine, CA 92619-1373 so that we may investigate and update our records as needed. Please reference the transaction numbers for any returns that you wish to dispute.
Background on Return Fraud and Abuse
1) How is Return Fraud and Abuse Hurting the Economy?
Return fraud and abuse harms not only retailers, but consumers and workers as well. The retail industry lost $14.3 billion to 18.4 billion to return fraud in 2011 alone. Retailers must offset the costs of this fraud and abuse by increasing prices to consumers and by reducing costs—which too often means a loss of jobs. At an average retail salary of $27,000 per year, return fraud and abuse is costing retailers and workers between 524,000 and 673,000 jobs.
Additionally, because of the significant losses caused by return fraud and abuse, states are losing a total of $870 million to $1.1 billion in state sales tax revenues (and even more at the local level), at a time when state budgets need it the most. See the state map of lost sales tax revenues on pages 6-7 of the 2011 Consumer Returns in the Retail Industry report.
2) What are Some Examples of the Return Fraud and Abuse Problems?
3) What Constitutes Return Fraud? What Constitutes Return Abuse?
In general, return fraud involves stealing or forgery. For example, a person might return stolen merchandise to make money; steal or falsify receipts to enable excessive returns; or use merchandise returns to convert bad checks to cash.
Return abuse, sometimes called "friendly fraud," occurs when a person purchases merchandise without intending to keep it. An example of abuse is "renting" (also known as "wardrobing" when it involves clothing). Renting occurs when someone purchases merchandise without intending to keep it, uses the item, and then returns it.
4) What is a "returnaholic"?
A returnaholic is someone who buys and returns goods excessively either with fraudulent intent, dishonest intent, or simply due to an inability to control his/her shopping behavior. There are three basic types of returnaholics: 1) those whose objective is to commit fraud through deceiving a retailer into giving a cash refund or credit which is illegal; 2) those who may not be breaking the law, but who abuse retailers' return policies and/or buy merchandise knowing they will return it later; and 3) those who are sometimes referred to as "bulimic shoppers" who feel compelled to buy things to get a high or fill a void of sorts and then feel sick afterwards and have to "purge" their purchases through returning them.
5) Is Receipted Fraud a Big Problem?
Yes, approximately 80 percent of all returns are receipted. It is estimated that more than half of the return fraud transactions involve some sort of fraudulent receipt – either counterfeit receipts generated by computers or "found" or re-used receipts. As a practical matter, it is often very difficult for a retailer to tell at the time of the return whether a receipt is valid or fraudulent.
Fraudulent receipts are a clear example of how fraudsters and organized rings of criminals will go to great lengths to take unfair advantage of retailers' liberal return policies to gain criminal advantage.
Benefits of Verify Return Authorization
1) Why is the Verify Return Authorization Technology Important?
The retail industry is currently experiencing a significant fraud and abuse problem that is growing in both size and sophistication. Retailers are losing more than $14.3 billion to 18.4 billion per year due to return fraud and abuse.
Verify-2 is designed to identify the 1 percent of consumers whose behaviors mimic return fraud or abuse. Without this system, retailers are forced to create stricter policies such as "no receipt, no return," or raise prices for consumers to offset the losses incurred from fraudulent returns. With TRE's technology, retailers can extend more liberal return policies while still taking a proactive approach to curbing the problem.
2) Why is the System Important for Consumers?
Verify-2 offers tremendous value to customers. Only 1 percent of all consumers are responsible for fraudulent or abusive return habits. Rather than forcing retailers to impose stricter return policies such as "no receipt, no return" or 14-day limits on returns, the system actually allows retailers to offer the other 99 percent of consumers more lenient and flexible return policies.
The system also benefits consumers because electronically capturing information speeds returns, ensures accurate data capture, provides for more secure data storage, enables consistent and objective enforcement of return policies, and lowers costs for consumers.
This means that wait times are shorter for consumers because store associates manually enter less information. The data is more accurate because it exactly matches the information on the consumer's ID, and it is more secure than information recorded on paper, a process used by many retailers today who do not have Verify-2. Return policies are more consistent because an automated system applies the same policies to all consumers in a fair and balanced process.
Additionally, the Verify-2 services include a call center that is available for all consumers to address any concerns following a transaction, such as the return experience or any questions about a denial or warning. Furthermore, similar to a credit bureau, call center employees can provide consumers with a copy of their Return Activity Report, which contains the information that was used to make the authorization decision.
Finally, by preventing return fraud and abuse, an automated system helps lower costs for retailers and therefore, helps keep prices down for all consumers.
3) Why is the System Important for Retailers?
Verify-2 optimizes net sales, and reduces the return rate and shrink.
A certain percentage of returned merchandise must be discounted or discarded in order to sell it. For example, out-of-season clothing may go directly to the sale rack after being returned, while returned lingerie apparel may be discarded for health reasons. The retailer also must spend time restocking, which is time an associate could be spending with a consumer on a new sale.
By reducing fraud and abuse, retailers will also be able to reduce internal employee theft and shoplifting.
4) How Does Verify Return Authorization Help Prevent ID Theft?
Verify-2 provides an electronic alternative to manually recording a consumer's drivers' license number, thus providing stronger protection against identity theft than paper-based systems used by many retailers. In a paper-based system, consumer's sensitive information is recorded by the clerk and left at the counter or in the control of store-level associates. With Verify-2, no information is ever stored in the store or on the terminal and the store level associates have no access to the data. Once the information is scanned, it is encrypted and sent to TRE's state-of-the-art data center.
5) How Does Verify Return Authorization Help Prevent Discrimination?
Verify-2's decision engine is objective and based solely on the consumer's transactions and no other factors and/or human-based decisions. Through the use complex mathematical algorithms, Verify-2 is able to specifically identify and warn or deny only those consumers―approximately 1 percent of all returners―that are exhibiting patterns of fraudulent or abusive behavior.
Relationship Between Verify Return Authorization and Retailers
1) How does a Consumer Know if a Store has Contracted to Utilize Verify Return Authorization?
Retailers that use the Verify-2 service post signs to inform consumers of their use of the Verify-2 technology.
2) Does the Verify Return Authorization System Share Consumer Data Among Retailers?
No. Although sharing consumer data among retailers is well-established for practices such as check and charge authorization, the Verify-2 system does not share consumer data among retailers when authorizing return transactions.
3) Does TRE Set Retailer Return Policies?
TRE does not set the return policies for retailers. The company gathers and supplies the data that retailers use to make return authorization decisions, and to help them determine their optimal return policies.
4) How Can a Consumer Learn More About a Retailer's Return Policy?
Retailers post their return policies in their stores. Some retailers also post their return policies on their websites or receipts.
5) Are Retailers Required to Disclose What They Consider Return Fraud and Abuse?
TRE works with each of our retail customers to ensure they have disclosure practices that comply with all state and other laws. This includes emphasizing return policy disclosure signage in a conspicuous place, visible to the public in the premises where the goods are sold, and by printing the return policy on the sales receipt.
Verify-2's technology uses a complex set of mathematical algorithms to analyze return patterns and flag for retailers those returns considered suspicious. While signage varies from retailer to retailer, someone who is denied usually returns in a manner which exceeds 99 percent of typical shoppers. In addition, retailers can use Verify-2 to issue warnings to consumers before issuing a return denial; therefore, warnings can be a visible indicator of the rules in action well before a denial might occur.
To reduce the likelihood of being warned or denied on a return, consumers should consider the factors listed in the question above and reduce their frequency of returns, reduce their return dollar amounts, return within the store's return time limits, and retain their original sales transaction receipts.
Other Consumer Questions
1) Isn't Making a Return or Exchange a Right to Which Consumers are Entitled?
No, returning merchandise is a privilege granted by each retailer to its customers, and it differs according to each retailer's approach to the market. Depending on state law, retailers are required to post their return policies, but they are not required to accept merchandise returns.
2) Will Return Activity Affect a Consumer's Credit Report?
No, TRE does not share data with any credit reporting agencies or similar organizations like potential creditors, employers, insurers, landlords and government agencies.
3) If a Consumer's Return is Denied, Does That Mean He or She is Committing Fraud?
The vast majority of consumers are neither fraudulent nor abusive. Being denied a return does not imply that the consumer has committed fraud or is habitually abusive; it merely means that the consumer has requested what that specific retailer considers excessive returns.
4) If a Consumer's Return is Denied, Does that Mean He/She is Listed as Always Denied From Making Future Returns?
Verify-2 does not "blacklist" consumers in the sense that they are prohibited from ever making returns at all retailers. The system may prevent a consumer from returning for a period of time at a particular retailer, but if that consumer reduces his or her return activity the system then allows the consumer to make returns at that retailer.
Some retailers have lists of consumers who have abused the retailer's return policies or committed fraud. If a retailer does not wish to do business with a consumer that the retailer has identified as abusive or fraudulent, TRE will help the retailer, at its request, to implement its policy by denying returns by that consumer at that retailer.
FAQ: What is Verify Return Authorization?
TRE's Verify Return Authorization System is designed to identify the 1 percent of consumers whose behaviors mimic return fraud or abuse —a $14.3 billion to 18.4 billion per year problem in the United States.
View All Consumer FAQs
Holiday Returns 101
Holiday Return Fraud


text:
See the Glossary for more terms.
Some links will work for NIAID staff only.
This SOP has internal roles only.
To allow timely funding of approved initiatives by having NIAID staff agree to a schedule of implementation dates, which ensures staff and investigators have adequate time and information to accomplish their work.
Phasing creates a timeline to move initiatives through each step from concept to award. Based on a schedule agreed to by staff in the program divisions, Office of Initiative Development (OID), and Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) each initiative gets a project plan that has 1) descriptive data about the initiative and staff assigned and 2) dates for the stages through which it progresses.
All NIAID staff use the Research Initiative Management System (RIMS) to create, approve, and track initiatives.
Contact for NIAID Staff
Contact for NIAID Staff—OERPO
Contact for NIAID Staff—OID
Contact for NIAID Staff—DAIDS
Contact for NIAID Staff—DAIT
If you have knowledge to share or want more information on this topic, email firstname.lastname@example.com with the title of this page or its URL and your question or comment. Thanks for helping us clarify and expand our knowledge base.
Acquisition Planning Resources for contracts
Concept Development SOP
Last Updated November 23, 2012
Last Reviewed April 05, 2012


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79806 : RivetTracker torrent_functions.php hash Parameter SQL Injection Printer | http://osvdb.org/79806 | Email This | Edit Vulnerability
RivetTracker contains a flaw that may allow an attacker to carry out an SQL injection attack. The issue is due to the torrent_functions.php script not properly sanitizing user-supplied input to the 'hash' parameter. This may allow an attacker to inject or manipulate SQL queries in the back-end database, allowing for the manipulation or disclosure of arbitrary data.
OSVDB is not aware of a solution for this vulnerability.
CVSSv2 Base Score = 7.5 Source: nvd.nist.gov | Generated: 2012-09-20 | Disagree? | There are 1 more: View All
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Andres Alcantar admitted he was nervous about the traffic Wednesday morning. Read Story »
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Five nurse aide students recently graduated from Victoria College's Calhoun County Center in Port Lavaca. Read Story »
It's like an early Christmas gift to columnists. Read Story »


text: There are times these days, That the beauty escapes me, The rainbow is engulfed in gray, The sadness is all I see. The dark side of it all, Not sny silver lining. Tears begin to fall, Aching heart, sobbing, whining. Time is supposed to heal it all, Yet my wound feels fresh. I cannot ever recall, Feeling such pain to my flesh. There is an emptiness in my heart, One that shall never heal, From lives torn apart, By a pill head at the wheel. My best friend, my sister too, My family, my hope you were. Nickie, I still miss you, Your heart so pure.


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Indoor Environments & Programs
Gregg Worley
Phone: (404) 562-9141
Indoor Environments and Grants Section Chief
Stuart Perry
Phone: (404) 562-8980
EPA Region 4's Indoor Environments Programs are designed to improve the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in homes, schools, and workplaces. These programs include, asthma, green buildings, IAQ Tools for Schools, radon, secondhand smoke, and general IAQ (including mold, moisture, and carbon monoxide). Region 4's Indoor Environments Staff, also promotes sunwise, a sun safety program, to school aged children. Below is more information on these programs. If you have questions or need technical assistance please contact an EPA staff person listed under our contact information.
Region 4's asthma program partners with other federal agencies, state and local asthma coalitions to decrease the number of asthmatics exposed to indoor environmental asthma triggers.
Where can parents find more information about how to protect their children?
Asthma Attack Prevention- call 1-866-NOATTACKS or visit these web sites, http://www.noattacks.org
Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers-http://www.epa.gov/asthma/triggers.html
Ozone levels where you live- visit http://www.airnow.gov
Asthma Publications-http://www.epa.gov/asthma/publications.html
Join today and become a member of the Communities in Action for Asthma-Friendly Environments Online Network to access cutting-edge tools that facilitate collaboration, problem solving, and learning between leaders of asthma programs. The Online Network is a year-round resource for mentoring and collaboration designed to support your asthma management program. Learn more about and join the Online Community Network at http://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org
For questions, please contact Heidi LeSane at (404) 562-9074 or email@example.com or Kevin Woodruff at (404) 562-8828 or email@example.com
Green Building
EPA Region 4 promotes the construction of and conversion to green buildings in the southeast. Our Green Building promotional activities include making presentations to organizations associated with construction, engineering, building management. Please see the below links on green buildings.
For questions, please contact Henry Slack at (404) 562-9143 or email@example.com.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools
Region 4's IAQ Tools for Schools program approach is to provide school districts with practical guidelines consistent with EPA's recommendations for improving the indoor environment along with other respected indoor air quality research. We offer an opportunity to visit districts to present proven, effective actions and steps based upon forward thinking in how school administrators manage institutional behaviors and maintenance protocols that potentially contribute towards unresolved IAQ concerns. EPA realizes the challenges school administrators face to balance shrinking maintenance budgets in tandem with maintaining healthy indoor environment.
EPA offers schools an opportunity to participate on webinars with experienced speakers familiar with school facilities, recent trends in classroom pollutant remediation, and prudent school spending. Please visit EPA's website to locate the Resources for Schools box on the IAQ Tools for School page at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html.
For questions, please contact Lashon Blakely at (404) 562-9136 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Additional links:
Healthy School Environment Resources
Siting of School Facilities
The Framework for Effective School IAQ Management:
Six Key Drivers of Success
Region 4's Radon Program promotes radon awareness, testing, mitigation and prevention via many activities. The foundations of these efforts are the STATE INDOOR RADON GRANTS awarded to the eight southeast states. The states use the grants to promote: radon testing and where necessary mitigation; testing as part of real estate transactions; use of radon-resistant new construction techniques, and development of a proficient industry. The Region program and some state programs also provide technical assistance in project development, design of surveys, testing and mitigation of schools, radon mapping issues, and promotion of a variety of coalitions. Links to southeastern states radon web sites and EPA radon sites are below.
Home Page: http://www.epa.gov/radon
Links to other organizations: http://www.epa.gov/radon/rnlinks.html
State radon contacts: http://www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html
For questions, please contact Henry Slack at (404) 562-9143 (email@example.com) or Artra Cooper at (404) 562-9074 (firstname.lastname@example.com)
Secondhand Smoke
In Region 4, the focus of the secondhand smoke program is to provide quality outreach in support of external programs that create partnerships to work collectively to promote a better understanding of indoor air programs. Particular emphasis is placed on decreasing exposures to secondhand smoke (ShS) and reducing ShS exposure of children 0-6 years of age, and thus reducing the adverse health effects caused by children exposed to ShS. The major place children are affected by ShS is in the home and in the car.
Where can parents find more information about how to protect their children?
Take the Smoke-free Home Pledge 1-866-SMOKE-FREE (1-866-766-5337)
For questions, please contact Heidi LeSane at (404) 562-9074 or email@example.com or Kevin Woodruff at (404) 562-8828 or firstname.lastname@example.com
General IAQ
Region 4 provides assistance to the public by answering questions from individuals concerning all aspects of indoor air quality. Region staff also accommodate request for speakers on indoor air quality, mold and moisture, carbon monoxide, green buildings, secondhand smoke, asthma, radon, and school indoor air issues. In addition, we solicit your participation in our request for applications that fund a small number of grants each year on asthma, secondhand smoke, IAQ Tools for Schools, mold, and general indoor air quality; for more information on grants, visit www.grants.gov and search for "Indoor Environments.
Mold Resources – "Many types of molds exist. All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Molds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mold. Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent moisture problems in buildings." http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html
Carbon Monoxide –
"Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu.
These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue."
For questions, please contact Henry Slack at (404) 562-9143 (firstname.lastname@example.com)
SunWise – EPA Region 4's Sunwise
EPA's SunWise program is intended for grades K-8 to educate care givers of young children, teachers and students about the risk of over exposure to the sun's rays. To this end, EPA has developed the SunWise Kit that combines developmentally appropriate curriculum (i.e., math, reading, and spelling) with fun activities to increase students' knowledge of action steps that leads reduced risk in developing skin cancer later in life. Region 4 staff seeks opportunities to visit schools, daycares, and summer camps to lead students in discussions and activities that lead to practicing sun safe behaviors.
SunWise Partner Schools receive materials that facilitate cross-curricular classroom learning. The program also encourages schools to provide a sun-safe infrastructure, including shade structures (e.g., canopies, trees) and policies (e.g., using hats, sunscreen, sunglasses) that promote sun protection in a school setting." http://www.epa.gov/sunwise
Any of the activities in the SunWise Tool Kit can be completed while playing the Sunscreen Dance music – to liven up the classroom environment! Here are some specific activities that can be enhanced with the Sunscreen Dance, a fun and educational song by the Swingset Mamas." http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/funactivities.html
For questions, please contact Lashon Blakely at (404) 562-9136 or email@example.com.
Energy Efficiency/Energy Star Region 4
In Region 4, our work spans across all of the Energy Star sectors. Our efforts tend to focus more in the residential and utility program areas; however, we also take advantage of market transformation opportunities through public relation activities. Regional staff has experience since the inception of the program in 1991 and can work with stakeholders in any of the areas – residential (new and existing), commercial (new and existing), industrial, products, and the various partnership areas. The Region also hosts or attends meetings and trainings with various partner groups such as Service and Product providers, National Energy Star Homes meetings, Home Builder Association trainings, National Lighting Partner meetings, and utility roundtables.
For questions, please contact Danny Orlando at (404) 562-9087 or firstname.lastname@example.com
ENERGY STAR/Energy Efficiency
www.seealliance.org (SE Energy Alliance)
www.southface.org (Southface Energy Institute)
www.eia.doe.gov (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
www.naseo.org (National Association of State Energy Officials)
www.dsireusa.org (state incentives for renewable energy)
www.bcap-energy.org (building codes)
Hotline: 1-888-STARYes


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Upcoming City Boating Event: This event will not restrict lake access.
The Youth Paddling Expo is a precursor to our Youth Paddling Program which starts April 2nd. At the expo there will be an opportunity for kids and teens ages 10-16 to come out and try Kayaking, Dragon Boating, Outrigger Canoeing and Stand Up Paddleboarding for only $5, visit our website for more details and to register (www.tempe.gov/boating). Don't miss this fun summer splash on Tempe Town Lake (Still have questions call -480/350-8069).


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FIFA distance themselves from allegations over robbery at Spanish team hotel
Latest Football News - 8 months ago
Tiny Link
Watching: A FIFA spokesperson has said a robbery at the Spanish team hotel during the Confederations Cup was subject to "an ongoing police investigation".
She declined to comment any further and steered media towards a statement released by the Spanish Football Federation.
Share your thoughts
Page 1 of 0


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Music Studio
Located on the second floor of the State Library, The Music Studio is specifically designed for pianists, vocalists, small ensembles and teachers.
The Music Studio is equipped with a Yamaha upright piano and piano seat, guitar footstool, chair, music stand and metronome all available for you to try music from our collection, enjoy your own music, give a lesson or compose something!
The Music Studio is available for 15 minute, half hour and full hour bookings during the following times:
- Monday � Thursday 9.00am � 7.45pm
- Friday 9.00am � 5.15pm
- Saturday & Sunday 10.00am � 5.15pm
Bookings can be made at the second floor service desk in person or by phoning 9427 3242.
The following fees (including GST) apply:
Standard | Concession: |
$3.30 for 15 minutes | $2.50 for 15 minutes |
$5.50 for 30 minutes | $4.10 for 30 minutes |
$9.90 for 60 minutes | $7.40 for 60 minutes |
Payment is made via a card system. You may register one of your own cards, e.g. HBF, bank or credit card, on the card credit machine found on both the ground and third floors of the library. If you have a State Library of WA my library card you can register this in the same way. After registering your card you may add extra money to the card as you require.
Page last updated: Wednesday 26 February 2014


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Say Happy Birthday Bright! It is a colorful birthday party and what is better than wild polka dots to decorate your table. Our neon birthday dots pattern is perfect for milestone birthday parties for all ages. Our Birthday Dots plastic tablecover is 54" wide by 102" long and is sold by the piece. Please order in increments of 1 piece.
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Call Us:1-800-442-9722
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Welcome to Contest Chest!
Here you'll find a daily updated list of contests that you can enter to win great prizes.
To get the most out of this site, we recommend that you register, because then you'll be able to see a personalized list of new contests for your country that match your preferences.
Enter for a chance to win a March Break Family Pack
Snickers & Fandango Prize Pack Giveaway
...Win a $3,300 CLUTCH...CANADA ONLY
Promote this page on your blog/website and stand a chance to win $200 in our monthly draw. Log in to get your unique referral link.


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BioSilk Silk Polish
Join the Conversation
Rhonda Y.Wanted More Bio Silk PolishI got the Bio slik polish from my sister a few years back and I love it!!! I have looked ever where for the product and cannot find it!!! Is it still on the market cause I sure would love to purchase it!!! It helps my hair so very much, need more please!!!Reply to this postDec 4, 2012Link to this post
Have a question or a tip to share?
If you'd like to hear more about how this product worked (or didn't) for people with hair like yours, take advantage of our network of experts and customers by posting a question. Or, if you've used the product and want to post a tip or advice, go for it.
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LVMH Picks Up A Share Of Hermes
Still, there is reason to be concerned, often when a company takes a piece of another company it's often a prelude to takeover. And while the share is relatively modest at this point, footholds have a tendency of growing with time. Even in this uncertain luxury climate Hermes has continued to thrive making it a hot commodity. LVMH got to be LVMH by absorbing a variety of previously family-owned businesses, there's no guarantee that Hermes might not someday be one of them.


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Blue Whale pushes email for free
Blue Whale Systems is providing a push email client for a variety of phone handsets, and plans to pay for it by putting a banner at the top of the screen. Last year Chiswick-based Blue Whale started developing Java and native (Symbian) clients for its service, and these are now available to download. The premise is pushed email …
Power concerns
"as data traffic has become cheaper the desktop method of regularly polling the server makes more sense."
Not if you consider battery life important.
I have a Blackberry and an E65. When the E65 is set to poll regularly, it drains it's battery in less than a day, and suffers much greater lag in message "delivery". The Blackberry will go days without a recharge.
"Free" Hah!
I love this part from their privacy policy: "In order for us to deliver BlueWhaleMail™, the BlueWhaleMail™ software allocates a unique serial number to the specific software installation on the phone. It is not possible for us to provide BlueWhaleMail™ without allocating this unique serial number to your phone."
And, "It will not be possible for us to provide you with BlueWhaleMail™ if you do not respond to our questionnaires."
I'll stick with manually checking for personal email, thanks.
Err...... Emoze?
POP/Exchange/Gmail/GAFYD integrated push email over data link.*
Yawn. Late to the party I'm afraid.
* still not usable though, even with flat rate data. It's battery life which is the problem now, juice goes very quickly with an always open/frequently in use data link.
Desktops shouldn't be polling
> Desktop email clients connect to their servers every few minutes
> and check if there are new messages to download.
No, not if they're using IMAP (unless the software is brain-dead - which of course it might be).
IMAP keeps one (or more) TCP connections open to the server continuously, and the server sends a message to the client over this connection when there are new messages to see.
@ Phil Endecott
Yes, because it's so much more efficient to have every client connected simultaneously than to poll once every ten minutes.
IMAP rules
I use IMAP with the email client build into my Sony Ericsson K810i. It indeed keeps a connection open, but this doesn't cost anything, both in power and data traffic. You will get an immediate notification that you have a new mail and you can choose to download the whole message or just ignore it.
I don't see the point of download a Java client to do this except when you really love banners.
(Paris, because she is not on this page yet)


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These two health-care stocks not only have room to run if the sector continues to rise, but the youth of their rallies means that they may be better able to withstand a near-term correction, writes MoneyShow's Tom Aspray.
Though the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 remains under pressure, so far the selling in the broader S&P 500 has been well absorbed. Once again, the stock index futures are lower in early trading, but are holding above initial support.
The markets are nervously waiting for earnings from financial giants JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Goldman Sachs (GS), which will be released before the opening. The new all-time highs for the Dow Jones Transports and the S&P Health Care Sector are a positive for the overall market. Health care surpassed 12-year resistance in 2012.
The positive intermediate signals for the stock market do not rule out a 2% to 3% pullback at any point, which could take the Spyder Trust (SPY) back toward its quarterly pivot at $142.64. Such a decline would also partially fill the gaps that were formed on the first trading day of 2013.
Despite the gains in many health-care stocks, there are still some that are just turning higher from support and are likely to hold up better if the market does correct. These two health-care stocks fit this criteria and are quite close to their buy levels.
Chart Analysis: The Select Sector SPDR Health Care (XLV) is up well over 4% so far in 2013, after testing the weekly uptrend (line b) in late 2012. The October highs at $41.40 have been overcome.
The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (IBB) dropped to a low of $134.21 at the end of the year and has since surged 8.8%. The next resistance is at $148.54, which was the early October high.
NEXT: The 2 Stocks to Consider


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CRM+ is user-friendly, easy-to-understand customer relationship management (CRM) software for getting your company's data centralized and organized. It supports the invoicing, contact management, project management, business history, business tasks, reminders, knowledge base, and many more customer related functions. It was built using the FileMaker database engine. It is available in a single-user edition and a network-capable multi-user edition.
Genieo is a personalized newspaper styled home page and start page. It studies your preferred individual interests by following and analyzing your browsing routine. It then continuously explores the Internet for specific information items which are related to your interests, and presents them on your personal home page.


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Home | RSS Feeds |
Funny Pictures | Funny Videos |
Funny GIFs | YouTube Videos |
Text/Links | Channels |
User Rankings | |
NSFW Content |
asmodeu ONLINE (02/02/2013) [-]
Comparing a strategic, manipulating, evil, twisted genius with a common pop star ? Sounds about right.
#87 to #86
thatguywhohasbacon (02/02/2013) [-]
I'm not saying he wasn't a dick but he was intelligent and successful, so the argument of we can't hate him because he's successful is bull. (I personally hate him because he's a little bitch, starting fights and then hiding behind his bodyguards)


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Gerard Fondse, Assistant Professor, English
Office: CFAC 272
Educational Background
Professor Fondse received his bachelor of arts from Calvin College in 1969. He went on to earn his MA from Michigan State University in 1978.
Academic Interests/Fields of Specialization
Rhetoric in cross-cultural settings (access to rhetorical discourse by disadvantaged demographics), Christian community development as part of the Sun Valley CARE Development organization in California, the literature (fiction and non-fiction) of Central California
Recent Activities
Professor Fondse serves as a mentor with the Calvin College Mentoring Program. He is also highly involved in academically-based service learning at Calvin. Beyond Calvin, he serves as a member of the board of trustees of the Sun Valley CARE Development, Inc.
Reading, fishing, grandchildren
Favorite Books
Walden by Henry David Thoreau, The Brothers K by David James Duncan, Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott


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compilation of sesper artwork for introduct fanzine from 98 till 00
Sesper Brazilian artist Alexandre "Sesper" Cruz spent his adolescence absorbed in music and skateboarding – building ramps, making fanzines that documented the Sao Paulo art scene, and recording k-7 compilations. These interests influenced the sticker and paste up poster campaigns he launched around the city in 1999. Sesper is best known for his unique mixed media artwork. He uses recycled material such as paper, cardboard and wood as his surface and paints over these with oil pastel and latex, incorporating layer upon layer of texture and color. A member of the renowned Brazilian art collective, the Famiglia Baglione, Sesper has participated in and filmed many of their live painting and gallery installations around Brazil. in music is a full time vocalist for Garage Fuzz band since 1991.
Fecha de publicación 07 de julio de 2010
Dimensiones De bolsillo 46 páginas Impresión en blanco y negro (en papel no estucado crema)
Categoría Arte y fotografía
Etiquetas introduct zine, sesper, fanzines, baglione


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vendor info...
product info: ...
Bunting Flags- Rainbow of Colors eco felt pennants
Really sweet and colorful bunting made of eco felt pennants strung on natural colored cotton packaging string like a kite. Would look great in any kids room!
Each strand has 11 flags, each flag measures 5x5" tall. The overall bunting length is 4 1/2 feet. Great birthday Party Decoration too!!
To see more fabulous decorations for weddings, parties and around the home, take a look around my shop!
etsy products... View all Etsy products →
- www.boobahblue.etsy.com
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- Eureka Ca United States
The term 'Etsy' is a trademark of Etsy, Inc. This application uses the Etsy API but is not endorsed or certified by Etsy, Inc.


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Please Help Me!, 502 Bad Gateway |
Welcome to the Zymic webmaster forums. Our forums are here to provide people the free ability to discuss a range of websites related topics such as design, development coding and marketing.
In order to post you will need to register for a zymic account or if you already have one simply login by using the form on the left.
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He refused to go for the throat AND he was not all that conservative. Reagan RAN as a conservative and absolutely DESTROYED BOTH Carter AND Mondale in electoral landslides.
He literally saved the free world (with help from Maggie and others) AND he took an economy that was in FAR worse shape than Obama inherited and from that created one of the longest and deepest economic expansions in history.


text:
Wały Jagiellońskie 1
80-853 Gdańsk Poland
tel. +48 58 301 09 17
tel. +48 58 301 91 23
fax +48 58 301 76 37
Contact us
Union of the Baltic Cities is a voluntary, proactive network mobilizing the shared potential of its member cities for democratic, economic, social, cultural and environmentally sustainable development of the Baltic Sea Region.
Its aims and goals are stated in the UBC Statute and UBC Strategy.
For more information on the UBC structure and activities contact the UBC Secretariat.
Union of the Baltic Cities has member cities in all ten countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. Here you can see the UBC network on the map. The countries lead you to the homepages of member cities.
A complete list can be seen here.
- Action programme to promote youth employment and well-being
- Resolution on forming a task force to promote youth employment and well-being
- Resolution at the General Conference in Mariehamn on EU Strategy for the BSR
- President Statement on Inclusion in the Baltic Sea Region
- Joint position on the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
- Call for stories to the Baltic Cities Bulletin 'Town twinning in the Baltic Sea Region'
- UBC Talent Attraction Forum in Kristiansand
- Seminar on challenges UBC cities face regarding youth
How to develop and keep an attractive city
UBC Today
News from the Member Cities
Over 700 cultural, business, sport events
Contact details to organisers, websites
Tips for more convenient travel
Chancellery of the President ¤ Multimedia Department


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The Shot.
The Drive.
The Fumble.
In Cleveland, we're plagued by heartbreaking moments, but are these moments literally breaking our hearts?
See what medical professionals think all those tough losses are really doing to our bodies!
"The Orange and Brown Stress Test!"
Copyright 2011 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Four days after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 took off from Kuala Lumpur, crews have found nothing.
635 W. 7th Street Cincinnati, OH 45203 Switchboard: (513) 421-1919 Newsroom: (513) 421-0119 Press releases: email@example.com
FCC Public File email@example.com 513.421.1919 EEO Report Closed Captioning


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Way back in 1989, the Astrodome received a small makeover. To make sure that the Dome was all good with the upcoming Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, four towers were added to the Dome to serve as giant ramps that folks could use to get in to the 8th Wonder of the World. They've been around ... More >>
I have a memory of the Astrodome that I want to share. Of a Friday night in May of 1993, the Friday night before my law school graduation. I was working that night, handling the stats and graphics on the DiamondVision screen, something I did for most Astros games from 1989 through the end of the 199 ... More >>
When the Roman Colosseum was built, it was a sports stadium, the first like it and a spectacle like nothing seen before. It was iconic beyond what took place inside, but the atrocities and spectacular events that did occur inside the building added to its mystique. It became a symbol for Rome, so mu ... More >>
According to Swamplot, Reliant already has crews in place to begin demoing parts of the Astrodome as soon as next week. But, before you go into a panic, the work is only being done to portions of the facade and the outer structure that is apparently beyond repair and would be removed regardless of t ... More >>
There was a full house at the Harris County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday morning. Seriously, people were packed into the room like so many sardines in a can all to see what will be the next step in plans to repurpose the Astrodome. County Judge Ed Emmett noted wryly that anyone expecting ... More >>
Want to get a better look at the New Dome Experience plan? Click here. Going into the meeting of the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation board on Wednesday afternoon, held in the glassy glory that is Reliant Stadium, there was a certain dread hanging in the air. (This is Houston, after ... More >>
The clock is ticking for the Astrodome. On June 10, the deadline for private companies to submit their financially sound ideas for the Dome will hit. On June 25, the HCSCC will present Harris County Commissioners Court with the ideas. At that point, decisions will be made, votes will be cast and we' ... More >>
Let's see if I've got this: The Confederacy of Dunces charged with making decisions on the Astrodome are once again acting like they want to make decisions on the Astrodome. Decisions that will involve them punting the ultimate decision to a higher authority that has, time and again, punted the deci ... More >>
On this day in 1965, what was then called the Harris County Domed Stadium opened to the public. These days the Astrodome sits mournfully overlooking the empty lot that was Six Flags Astroworld, a testament to the fact that no one can think of what to do with an enormous structure that has outlived i ... More >>
For our sixth installment of vintage photos mashed with their present-day locations we entered the doomed Reliant Astrodome with photos from a 1968 Astrodome tour guide. It highlighted numerous events the dome accommodated for. It opened in 1965 as the Harris County Domed Stadium. From being the hom ... More >>
The close of RodeoHouston's season gives us all a respite from having to look at the adjacent Astrodome while we eat our third turkey leg and wait for our turn on the ferris wheel. Truth be told, some of us can just stare at the Dome for hours without a problem, myself included. Rewind: Digging ... More >>
Last August I wrote the following about the County Commissioners, their continued inability to figure out what to do about the Astrodome, and whether a plan for the future of the building should be put on the ballot: And then when a decision needs to be made on whether to put a plan on the ballot, t ... More >>
From April 1988 through January 2000, I spent a lot of time at the Astrodome. About 100-150 nights a year, each year, more or less. My first job was operating the out-of-town games scoreboard for the Astros. I carried camera cables on the turf during Oiler games, dodged Monster Trucks and cattle. I ... More >>
Retrospace got its hands on a 1966 Astrodome guide (subhed: "The Astrodome is more than a stadium -- it is a way of treating people"), and while it's filled with such unimaginable wonders as $3.50 box seats, our favorite is the superbox page. There, the Dome shows off its terrible, wonderful, appal ... More >>
We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it's time we paid some damn attention to them. So we'll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning, from the previous day's work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula involving wit ... More >>
We have some great commenters here on Hair Balls, and it's time we paid some damn attention to them. So we'll be highlighting a Comment of the Day each morning, from the previous day's work. Maybe two comments, even. This will all be determined by a highly rigorous scientific formula involving wit ... More >>
The Reliant Astrodome was -- is -- the Eighth Wonder of the World. Generations of Houston-area kids spent their days dreaming of playing on the field under that massive domed ceiling. It's one of our city's last non-NASA ties to the space program, this UFO-like structure in the middle of a modern co ... More >>
Is the Dome worthy of a click?The National Trust for Historic Preservation is running the 2011 edition of its "This Place Matters" competition, where voters support local sites worthy of saving. Getting a big push this time around is the Astrodome, thanks to the folks at Houston Mod, which c ... More >>
Photos courtesy of Harris County Sports and Convention CorporationComing soon to the Astrodome: a world map made from solar panels!Note: The following information about Harris County officials' redevelopment plan for the Astrodome is not a joke. We're serious. One option, costing $1.36 billion, r ... More >>
A new edition of the Houston Press hits the web today, so at last it can be revealed -- last week's cover story, on the county's plans to turn the Astrodome into a Tilman Fertitta-owned safari hunt club, was tied closely to the publication date of April 1.A lot of people figured it out pretty fas ... More >>
CAMH takes a look at the former 8th Wonder of the World
Logo courtesy Astrodome StudiosThese are tough times for the Astrodome -- it's in such bad shape that the rodeo could not use it for its Hideout bar and performance area this year.These are also tough times for the economy, as you may have heard, and tough times to launch seemingly improbable scheme ... More >>
Guaranteed: No mention of that story everyone's obsessed with
Architects collaborate to give the Astrodome a second chance
February 11 - 17, 1999
January 21 - 27, 1999
The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority is a parody of a public body. But who's got time for the niceties of democracy when you're trying to keep Drayton McLane happy?
Insider deals. Outrageous perks. Exorbitant salaries. No wonder Eddie Webster's taken a permanent vacation from the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau.
That credibility gap may be too wide for Proposition One backers to traverse
In 1966, Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams fought Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight championship. In 1996, he fights just to get by.
1996 Summer Guide
A new panel is suiting up to customize the city's sports future in private
Can Drayton McLane bring Houston a World Series champion on a budget? Can Houston support major-league baseball to Drayton McLane's satisfaction? It's time to find out.


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Students participate in a sustainability forum, one of the many ways in which the UB community keeps its pulse on topics and issues in sustainability.
There's a lot happening in sustainability at UB. Visit this page for the latest news and updates.
"Opportunity" is the word Joshua Beres uses to describe UB's Sustainability Academy.
Millions of people have seen her animated Web videos. She wrote a best-selling book and she has testified before Congress. She has even appeared on Stephen Colbert's show.
When you think of the Rust Belt, glossy neighborhoods with rocketing rents may not be the first images that jump to mind.
The trouble began before they received the first of many complimentary snack bags.
Alan Rabideau, a UB environmental engineering professor with a track record of interdisciplinary research, will serve as UB's first Research and Economic Development Leadership Fellow.
UB has announced the launch of RENEW (Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water), an interdisciplinary research institute that will focus on difficult and complex environmental issues.
No events scheduled.


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Columbia Legal Services actively seeks and supports a highly qualified, diverse, inclusive, multi-culturally competent workforce. Click a link below for more information about our internship positions:
Application Process
If you are interested in a position at Columbia Legal Services, please apply to:
Millicent Newhouse
Director of Program Administration
Columbia Legal Services
101 Yesler Way, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98104
Please mail/email your application or any other inquiry to the above address. Human Resources will contact you should an opportunity to interview arise.
Columbia keeps resumes on file for three years. If you wish to update your resume, please notify us in writing.


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The no-name red-carpet crasher got a jarring dose of reality when she found herself unable to gain entrance at the recent Coco Chanel store event on Robertson Boulevard. People! Phoebe did not get phive phace-lifts only to be phorced to suffer such …
These Hot Boys Will Make Your Day – The Berry | |
Chris Evan's Heart-to-Heart Moment – Lainey Gossip | |
We Can Hardly Handle The Hotness – The Berry | |
Neville Longbottom Continues To Make Us Drool – Lainey Gossip | |
Cuteness Overload: 32 GIFs That Will Make You Awwwww – The Berry | |
Jared Leto Proves That He's Still Sexy – Lainey Gossip |


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Classic arcade watch puts a game cabinet on your wrist
You love classic arcade games like Pac-Man and Space Invaders, and you want the world to know it. You could wear a hip T-shirt with a Donkey Kong logo on it, or you could scrap all sense of subtly and strap ThinkGeek's classic arcade watch to your wrist.
The watch looks like a mini arcade cabinet complete with a tiny joystick and little red button. What it actually does is tell the time with a pair of moving asteroids and a spaceship. The fictional game on display is called "Galactic Defense." It comes out in March for $59.99.… Read more


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The process of buying a new Scion car or truck can seem overwhelming if you don't know where to begin. Edmunds.com can get you started on the right track with a convenient directory of Scion car dealerships in and around Windsor, Connecticut. Compare online price quotes on the new or used car, truck, SUV, minivan, or wagon of your choice to locate the best deals. Edmunds.com makes it easy to find trusted Scion car dealers in Windsor, saving car buyers time and money on what will be an important purchase.
"I was so pleased with the professional sales staff I purchased two cars. Thanks for making my experience so enjoyable Patrick." Read more Review by: mjalbert
"My wife and I just leased a 2012 Toyota Highlander from Middletown Toyota. From the initial visit to the paper signing, everyone we dealt with was pro"... Read more Review by: Satcustomer
"This is the way that buying a car should be! We had no intention of buying a vehicle when we stopped to look at a Highlander that caught our eye. We w"... Read more Review by: pl869
"This was our 3rd new Toyota in 8 years. The first 2 vehicles were purchased from another dealer, closer to my home. They had the first and forth oppor"... Read more Review by: bobguynn
"The staff at Toyota of Colchester were wonderful and I highly recommend them. Yommie, the new car manager, was very helpful from start to finish, he e"... Read more Review by: Imfraz


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As the economy walloped their finances, students and families saw little relief this fall from rising college costs, which jumped 6.4 percent at state universities, according to new figures out Wednesday.
Report: Cost of state universities goes up 6.4 percent
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 | 2:12 p.m. CDT;
updated 3:12 p.m. CDT, Wednesday, October 29, 2008
To read the full article, please sign up or login.
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* Unlimited access on your iPhone, iPad, Android phone and Android tablet
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* Your news. Your device. Your time.
If you'd like to read more about the value of being a member, read this column from the Missourian's executive editor, Tom Warhover.


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Crazy Automatic Mario Level Set To Music
So I was unaware of this, but people hack Mario games to make them play automatically when the game starts. Like you don't need to push any buttons, Mario just starts with some momentum and he plows through the level thanks to its intricate design of bumper blocks, etc. They're pretty amazing, and I posted a couple more after the jump, but this one is particularly neat because they made the sounds match up with some techno song playing the background. The video is 11:00 long, but the first two minutes are the best. But hell, watch the whole 11:00 if you want, just don't come asking me for a life refund. I'm still trying to get two and a half years back from an ex-girlfriend.
A couple more (shorter) automatic Mario levels, without the techno, after the jump.
Thanks Darren and Rhiannon, we should really get the band back together
ThruYou is a project by Kutiman that involves sampling videos on Youtube to create all new music. The results are pretty impressive. In Kutiman's own words: What you are about to see is a mix of unrelated Youtube videos/clips editing together to create ThruYou. In other w... / Continue →
Remember Super Mario Land for the Gameboy? Yeah, that shit was hard. Well Flickr user revolvingdork went and laser etched the top of his Eee PC with the entire freaking game. Everything from the familiar layouts of 1-1 to the climactic battle with Tatanga in the clouds at th... / Continue →
This is a piece of Japanese black theater in which people dressed in all black do a bunch of crazy shit that looks awesome. In this case, reenact some Super Mario action. I highly recommend checking it out. And for those of you that can't watch at videos at work, well, freak... / Continue →


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With the ATI All-in-Wonder™ HD, your PC and your TV "play nice". It is now easy to create the ultimate digital entertainment center. With the ATI All-in-Wonder™ HD graphics and video card your PC is transformed into the ultimate high-definition PVR and 1080p Blu-ray and DVD movie showcase1,5. Enter the realm of high-def gaming and experience life-like graphics or use your PC to create your own custom video and entertainment library.
ATI Radeon™ HD graphics chips have numerous features integrated into the processor itself (e.g., HDCP, HDMI, etc.). Third parties manufacturing products based on, or incorporating ATI Radeon HD graphics chips, may choose to enable some or all of these features. If a particular feature is important to you, please inquire of the manufacturer if a particular product supports this feature. In addition, some features or technologies may require you to purchase additional components in order to make full use of them (e.g. a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive, HDCP-ready monitor, etc.).


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Writing and Library Science Department
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Swenson Hall 3061
Belknap and Catlin
P.O. Box 2000
Superior, WI 54880
ph. 715-394-8195
Writing and Library Science Department
News and Events Details
Fitzgerald in Context, published by Cambridge University Press and edited by Bryant Mangum, includes the work of 40 international scholars of Fitzgerald's life and work.
In her chapter, "St. Paul, Minnesota, St. Paul Academy, and the St. Paul Academy Now and Then," Schlacks, Professor of English in the Department of Writing and Library Science at UW-Superior, examines the hierarchical yet fluid social structure of early 20th-century St. Paul and its effects upon Fitzgerald, who spent his pre-teen and early teen years in the city. Fitzgerald, whose father was related to the aristocratic Francis Scott Key and whose mother was from a family of Irish immigrants, was, Schlacks stresses, in a "liminal space" in St. Paul: "among the rich, but not of them." This situation shows up in his fiction over and over again, beginning even in his earliest stories, published in the St. Paul Academy Now and Then.
Schlacks's earlier scholarly work on Fitzgerald includes a book entitled American Dream Visions: Chaucer's Surprising Influence on F. Scott Fitzgerald.


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P.S. 332 Charles H. Houston
51 CHRISTOPHER AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11212Phone: 718-495-7805
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Contact Us by Phone
To contact the I.A. PRINCIPAL, RONNIE NELSON, call the school at: 718-495-7805
To contact your school's Parent Coordinator, Elovean Loveday, call 347-563-4257 for all parent issues including questions about your child, general inquiries, workshops, parent engagements and parent associations.
To contact the PTA President, Stacey Jackson, call: (Information provided by school)
To contact the Community District Superintendent, DEGOVIA, MAURICIERE, call (718) 240-3677
Contact Us by Email
Click here to provide information updates, feedback about this website or general questions about this school. Contact the school directly for questions or issues related to your child(ren) or if you need an immediate response.


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I am someone who dreams of going to Europe someday. I am sensitive, secretive, emotional, and moody who tends to prioritize things very badly. I can honestly say that I am more attached to books and/or book characters than people.Not so much of a blogger, but I blog about the interesting side of my life. I blog in both Tagalog and English, whichever feels more appropriate for the moment. I often follow back! Please keep in mind that my first page is (most of the time) lame, so please do backread. :)
For today, I decided to read some more books. I these three books this afternoon. I am currently reading another one entitled Susanna Hits Hollywood. I might blog about it when I read more books tomorrow because I'm pretty sure it doesn't deserve a post of it's own, haha! :D
Hershey Herself - This book is really the saddest book I have ever read so far. As much as I'd hate to admit it, there was an occasional teardrop every few chapters. This might sound oh-so-dramatic, but it really did make me appreciate all the things and blessings I have in life. It's sad and beautiful at the same time, just like some other things in the story.
Things that are - After reading a few pages, I realized that this was a book related to another book (entitled Things not seen, which is written by same author of course). I had this surprised look stapled to my face when I found out! Anyway, the book was okay. It was still a good book even though it didn't have much thrill or excitement in the plot.
Room One - I remembered that I started reading this in the past, but I don't recall if I finished it, so I continued reading. It was a good book, though it wasn't exactly exciting. It was a book written by Andrew Clements, and I could say that this isn't his best work. I have other books of his, and those were a lot better.


text: Southern Vermont's Okemo Mountain is a breathtaking year-round vacation destination. For those who want to take advantage of some extra-special rates and vacation packages for Castle Hill Resort and Spa or The Pointe Hotel, please review our current offerings below. This page is updated frequently, so be sure to check back often.


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Exodus Podcasts
Award-winning wildlife photographer, conservationist, author and presenter Paul Goldstein has finally taken a break away from Africa and India, and has put together some podcasts on topical issues. Here's his first, see what you think. We will be adding more in the near future.
Happy listening!
What is a podcast?
A form of audio broadcast available for downloading from a website to a personal computer or other device. The word 'Podcast' derives from a combination of the words 'iPod' and 'broadcast', however you don't actually need an iPod to download/listen to podcasts.
Do I have to pay to listen to podcasts?
No. All Exodus podcasts are free.
Do I need an iPod or similar to listen to podcasts?
No. Anyone with an internet connection can download and listen to podcasts (mp3 files). You will need a media player on your computer (such as Windows Media Player or Real Player for example). You will also need speakers or headphones.
I'm having technical problems, can you help?
Yes. For any technical issues you are having, please contact our Web Master Bob Matthews
Paul Goldstein outs the Kilimanjaro lightweights
According to Wikipedia, only 30% of climbers actually reach Uhuru summit, with the majority turning back at Gilman's Point. Paul Goldstein rants that getting to Gilman's Point is an achievement, but you can't say that you've 'climbed Kili' until you've reached Uhuru Peak...
There's so much stigma attached to solo travellers these days. There's nothing to be ashamed of, it doesn't mean you don't have any mates! Single? Get away with like minded individuals with an experienced leader and enjoy the safety of a group with all the adventure of an Exodus holiday. In a couple? Different tastes and interests? With a precious one or two week holiday, perhaps you don't want to spend it in the same way as your partner, so be an individual and come along on a solo departure.
See the page with our current solo departures.
Last weekend I wandered past throngs of ornithologists lining a nondescript stretch of shingle infixed on a lone wader. If these khaki-clad birder's pawned a couple of their lenses they could come and view the greatest birding spectacles in the world - colourful, endearing and fascinating...the penguin. Picture a volcanic beach accessible only by a small ice rated vessel, on which is a shimmering haze of a quarter of a million King Penguins with their duffle coated chicks.
Paul Goldstein blows the lid on 'canned' wildlife photography
You may have seen the London Metro or The Mirror today (14/05/2010) and been blown away by the out of this world wildlife photographs of 'wild' animals. This is in fact a load of nonsense. Firstly, these animals are not native, a second on google would tell you that, secondly they are not remotely wild, their absurd poses and antics will tell even a complete townie they are tame. If you want to see genuinely wild shots, go on a photographic holiday with award-winning photographers with Exodus. There's nothing manufactured about these pictures.
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For those who gauge their ocean voyages by tiaras, shuffleboard, bingo and shopping, look no further. However for those who want probably the most exciting Polar expedition ever offered to the UK market, Paul Goldstein delivers some purple anecdotes about his new ice-breaking toy - the Kapitan Khlebnikov and its landmark departure into the Weddel Sea and the Emperor Penguin Colony at Snow Hill Island in November 09. And with the BBC's Jonathan Scott on board, a pioneering adventure awaits, one sitting at dinner - you decide.
Cruising - a low point in the travel industry - an Orwellian trawl throughout the maritime world, disgorging regimented pilgrims onto unsuspecting local people with all the money tied up in the ships very deep pockets, avid Cruise antagonist Paul Goldstein discusses...
Yomping in the Jungfrau, peak practice in Peru, ambling in Andalucia, route marching in Romania - scary eh? You'll need boots, gaiters, woolly hats, isotonic power bars, Kendal Mint Cake, a sinister inventory of Gore-Tex and one of those maps to dangle round your neck - will you look like a geek? YES - do you need all this nonsense? NO! Even if your weekly pedograph includes only Waitrose and the Red Lion, do not be put off. You choose the grade in one of 54 countries, we do the rest, but you do the trekking.
There is a different way to enjoy a winter holiday. Get away from the downhill skiing and snow-boarding crowd as you take to your cross country skis, snowshoes or team of huskies. Paul Goldstein tells us more and without a 'croque monsieur' in sight!
Carbon offset your footprint, join a community project, and while you're at it satisfy your ego! Most of these so-called ''eco-friendly projects'' are only concerned with money making - they stamp their green motif in their brochures and put in the small print that only £1 goes to the cause. If they really care, they'd get on with it, jump off the eco-tourism bandwagon and find ways to help the local community. These life coaches who offer 'inner being' and 'wellness' holidays - get a real job please - how does sitting on a yoga mat help anyone but those who want to appear sensitive?
A wise man once said the best way to experience somewhere is on foot or in the saddle. He was right and of the two by foot is the easiest. Even if the furthest you've ever walked is the Crown and Anchor and the Post Office don't be put off. Exodus is staffed by many keen trekkers always desperate to pull on their boots, hoist up their rucksacks and sally forth into the mountains. Outspoken guide Paul Goldstein who has just summited Kilimanjaro again, let's rip on why he loves this style of holiday. Whether it is Nepal, Morocco, the Pyrennes or the Andes, thirty five years of know how puts you in the most capable hands, the walking however you have to do yourself.
'Yes, I'm on the beach, it's very hot, I've just had a swim, I think we're having seared prawns for lunch, what time is it there?'. Just recently on the East Coast of Zanzibar I was forced to listen aghast as a South African broadcast to his buddies that Durban was 'so much better than this dishevelled part of the world'. Not only was it loud and insulting, it was also palpably wrong. The gratuitous use of a phone abroad is not only unedifying and vulgar but also indicative of the unseasoned traveller.
Newquay or Nepal? Canford Cliffs or Cape Town? Fish and chips in Skeggy or Gnocchi in Italy? Don't waste the most precious time you have in overpriced guesthouses in the UK. Britain has some magnificent scenery, but can you really de-stress when trying to light a fire in the rain in a dank campsite in Wales? My playstation will always be abroad.
Tigers are at the tipping point due to the insatiable demands of Chinese traditional medicine. Poaching has left an indelible link on this magnificent predator, but it is not too late to arrest the decline. Exodus' own tiger tracker Paul Goldstein is doing more than normal this year to keep this story alive, hear his views on the current state and what he plans to do at the end of April. Brutal hard truths about a beautiful innocent cat.