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Seattle Mariners postsThursday June 05, 2014
Prince Hisashi
I like this line from David Schoenfield's post, "Hisashi Iwakuma is one of baseball's best":
Iwakuma needed to shut down the Braves [yesterday] because [Mariners manager Lloyd] McClendon threw out one of the sorriest lineups you'll see with Bloomquist, Chavez and Stefen Romero, who entered the game batting .204/.256/.345, in the cleanup spot.
Yep, that was three of our top four. Willie Bloomquist (.559 OPS going into the game) led off, followed by Endy Chavez (.501 OPS) in the No. 2 spot, followed by the $240 million dollar man, then Romero hitting clean-up (.601 OPS). Well, no wonder he hit clean-up! That .601 OPS is stellar next to everyone else's!
I mentioned this yesterday on Facebook but might as well repeat it here: If there's anything dumber than the Mariners leading off with Bloomquist it's the Braves intentionally walking him in the 3rd with a man on second. But of course that got them Chavez. And that ended the inning.
My friend Jim is quite down on McClendon, and in this regard I tend to agree. His lineups are abysmal. But we still won the game, 2-0, thanks to Prince Hisashi, heir to King Felix. The M's are now three games over .500, and if the season ended today they'd be in the playoffs. When as the last time we could say that on June 5?
Schoenfield concludes this way:
Iwakuma joined the Seattle rotation on July 2, 2012. Here are the AL ERA leaders among starters since then:
Iwakuma — 2.66
Max Scherzer -- 2.88
Felix Hernandez -- 2.94
Yu Darvish -- 3.04
Alex Cobb -- 3.05
Chris Sale -- 3.08
David Price -- 3.22
James Shields -- 3.23
Tags: Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners
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Mariners Winning World Series Less Likely than Aliens Landing: Seattle Times Readers
Yesterday the Seattle Times ran two sets of "Headlines We'd Like to See in 2014": one from the editorial staff and one from readers. It's a close race as to which list is sillier.
The editorial board includes such gems as "Google teams up with Ray-Ban; Glass now more stylish," and "Steve Ballmer's new job: Bring NBA back, find a new arena site," while readers' headlines include more immediate types of wish-fulfillment fantasy: Crime falls to record lows, gas prices sink to $1 a gallon, single-payer health care implemented, Sunni and Shiite leaders establish accord, Macklemore puts on free show following Seahawks Super Bowl win.
These two are my favorites:
Think about that. We can imagine a world in which aliens land and Alzheimer's is cured but can't imagine the Seattle Mariners winning the pennant or World Series. The AL West is as far as our imaginations will go. Beyond that? Oh, that's just crazy territory. Crazier even than aliens landing in Seattle.
Tags: Seattle Mariners, Seattle
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Start Spreading the News: My Reaction to the Reaction to the Cano Signing
Let's start with David Schoenfield at ESPN.com:
You can argue the Mariners would have been wiser to spend that money on three players rather than one. But there was also no guarantee the Mariners would be able to convince Shin-Soo Choo or Ubaldo Jimenez or whomever to come to Seattle, anyway. At some point, you have to strike, and the Mariners did it in the biggest way possible.
Sure, at some point you have to strike. But why is this that point? The Mariners did it in the biggest possible way. Was it the smartest way? No. Did it smack of desperation? Yes. And speaking of desperation ...
Here's a good nyah-nyah from Tyler Kepner, New York Times:
The most desperate teams usually make the costliest decisions in free agency. The surprise here is that another team was more desperate than the Yankees.
Yep. And, beyond the last abyssmal 10 years, you wonder why. Were people's jobs suddenly on the line?
Art Thiel, formerly of the PI, has thoughts:
Of course it is ridiculous to commit to paying 10 years from now a 41-year-old second baseman $24 million. But this isn't about 2024, this is about 2014. Which means that Lincoln cannot stop with Cano. If the Mariners fail to continue to invest in payroll to support Cano in the lineup and on the mound, they truly will be squandering $240 million.
Does this move smack of desperation? Panic? Insanity? Yes. But what else could they have done? The great fear among Mariners fans was that Lincoln was so disconnected from reality, he wouldn't recognize that recklessness was the absolute minimum requirement.
As Otter said to his frat-house faithful in "Animal House": "I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part!"
Bluto: "We're just the guys to do it!"
They used to play bits of this for those pathetic ninth-inning-rally videos, didn't they? "Let's do itttttttt!" etc. To jumpstart enthusiasm when it didn't already exist, and when there was probably no reason for it to exist. I guess the Cano signing is the same thing. Except worse.
From a 2011 piece by Mike Edelman, Bleacher Report:
That's the issue with Cano. He does all the flashy things that grab attention. He plays for the New York Yankees, he puts up gaudy offensive numbers and he makes strong throws. But he doesn't do the basic things that are truly valuable, like hitting well when it matters or having good range defensively.
Or leading the league in anything, as I mentioned yesterday. Cano has never done that. He puts up good numbers but never better than anyone else. Let me repeat that: never better than anyone else. Yet there he is with Albert Pujols money. By the time Pujols signed with the Angels he'd led the league in runs scored five times, hits once, doubles once, homers twice, RBIs once, batting once, on-base once, slugging three times, OPS three times, and total bases four times. He was a three-time MVP. Four other times he finished second in the MVP voting. He had one of the highest liftetime OPSes in baseball history and was generally acknowledged as one of the greatest hitters in the history of the game. And he got 10 years, $240 million at age 32. Cano is 31. He's done none of those things, won none of those things, and is generally regarded as a good player. Even the Yankees with their deep pockets weren't treating him like Albert Pujols. But the M's? Apparently, they were desperate ...
So what does the best baseball writer out there, Joe Posnanski, have to say? This was Joey Poz before the signing, referencing the Yankees signing Jacoby Ellsbury:
My gut instinct is that it will work out for the Yankees. But I say this in part because things always seem to work out for the Yankees.
I can say this with more confidence: If the Mariners sign Robinson Cano … that won't work out.
And here he is after the signing. He wondered if the twilights years (31-40) of the greatest second baseman of all time, Joe Morgan, would be worth $240 million. He calculated it this way: 1 WAR = $5 million. And the answer was: nearly. Morgan came about $6 million short. He also had two of the greatest seasons ever for a second baseman at ages 31 and 32, when he won the 1975 and '76 NL MVP awards. Posnanski concludes:
If Cano has a Joe Morgan like second half — two of the greatest seasons in baseball history, two or three other very good seasons and offers some value even in his off years by doing something extra — I think it will be a good deal. Does Cano have that in him? That's an entirely different question.
Here's the thing. I don't even know if I like Robinson Cano. And this move? Dragging your entourage, including effin' Jay-Z, across the country because your original team won't give you Pujols money, which you totally don't deserve? What kind of person does this? I hate the Yankees with a poker-hot hatred but Cano was in the Mecca of baseball. Did he find it a drag? All that history weighing down on him? Did he dislike playing into October all the time? Did he dislike the clean-shaven look? How about this question: What do the Mariners, and Seattle, have to offer besides money? Anything? I know my thought is a kind of Mariners fan's take on Woody Allen's take on Groucho Marx's joke: Who joins a club that has us for members? What's worthwhile at Safeco that you would want to come here? Besides the money, I can think of one thing. The chance to make history. One more title in the Bronx? Ho hum. But a title in Seattle? You will never be forgotten. You will be the David Ortiz of Seattle. (Even as Seattle originally signed David Ortiz.) Except I don't get that vibe from Cano. I hope I'm wrong. But I don't think this is personal, I think it's business; and I think it's lousy business for Seattle.
And finally, back to David Schoenfield, the former Seattlite, and Pollyanna of ESPN.com:
For the first time since the club made the big Cliff Lee trade, it feels good to be a Mariners fan.
No. No, it doesn't.
Tags: Seattle Mariners, Robinson Cano, Yankees Suck, Joe Posnanski, Art Thiel, David Schoenfield, Tyler Kepner
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Just Say No to Cano: An Imaginary Conversation with a Seattle Mariners Fan
Apologies in advance for this exercise in dialogue.
- Hey, I read the Mariners are interested in this Cano Robinson character.
- Robinson Cano.
- Right. He must be great. What with the money they're offering him?
- I heard $225 million over nine seasons.
- A quarter of a billion dollars! Wow. He must be great.
- He is.
- He must be the most valuable player in baseball. He probably wins those awards all the time, right? The MVPs?
- Actually he's never won one. He's come close the last couple years. Third in the voting in 2010, sixth in 2011, fourth in 2012 and fifth in 2013. But no, nothing on the mantle.
- But he's always good, right? Perennial All-Star.
- Five All-Stars in nine years. So half-perennial.
- But a league leader.
- He's never led the league in anything.
- Really?
- Games played once. In 2009. But that's, you know, the attendance award. Although attendance does matter. But he's often in the top five in many categories, both offensive and defensive.
- So is he young then? With the chance to improve?
- He turned 31 in October.
- Is that young?
- That's when players begin to decline, generally.
- And we're offering how many years?
- Nine.
- Until he's 40?
- Yes.
- Why are we doing that?
- I don't know.
- Do we think we have a chance to win in the next few years? When he'll still be in his prime?
- Doubtful. The Mariners won 71 games last year. There's a stat, WAR, or wins above replacement, that measures how many wins a particular player is worth over an average replacement. Cano had one of the highest in the league last year: 7.6. But the Mariners primary second baseman, rookie Nick Franklin, had a 2.3 WAR, so the swap wouldn't even be worth seven victories. It wouldn't even make the M's a .500 team.
- Are long-term deals like this common in baseball?
- Unfortunately.
- Do they work out?
- Rarely.
- So ... why?
- [Shrugs] To be honest, I was hoping the Yankees, Cano's team, would offer him this kind of deal.
- I thought you didn't like the Yankees.
- I don't.
- So you thought such a deal would ...
- ... hurt them in the long run.
- And now your team is offering such a deal.
- The irony.
Opinions may vary.
Cano watching his 2011 season end early. If he comes to Seattle, he should get used to this feeling.
Tags: Seattle Mariners, Robinson Cano
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Chuck Armstrong Retires, Lauded for Never Winning Pennant
Here's AP's story on the retirement of Mariners president Chuck Armstrong. Annotations are mine.
SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners president Chuck Armstrong announced Monday he will retire at the end of January after spending 28 of the past 30 seasons in that position with the ballclub, helping stabilize the team in the Pacific Northwest. 30 seasons, zero penannts. Can't get much more stable.
Armstrong built the Mariners into a contender then faced criticism for the past dozen seasons without a playoff appearance. Oh c'mon. He received criticism way before then. He will retire effective Jan. 31 and the club said it is beginning the process of finding a successor and starting that transition. Ten years late, but what the hell.
"Since day one, he has given his heart and soul to Mariners baseball. And yet ... He sincerely cares about the game of baseball, this organization, this city and this region," Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln said. And yet ... "On behalf of ownership and everyone who has worked here for the past 30 years, I thank Chuck for his tremendous contributions." Which were ... ?
The 71-year-old Armstrong joined the franchise as team president in 1983 and, outside of a two-year stint in the early 1990s, has been with the club in that role since. Yes, he has. Boy, has he ever.
"This was a very difficult, very personal decision, but I know in my heart that it's time to turn the page and move to the next chapter of my life," he said. You're a slow reader, Chuck.
Armstrong first joined the club following the 1983 season under then-owner George Argyros. Homonym: arduous. His most famous move during his first stint was making the decision to draft Ken Griffey Jr. with the first pick of the 1987 amateur draft. Well, thanks to Roger Jongewaard and Dick Balderson, but sure. Armstrong left the club in 1990-91 when Jeff Smulyan owned the team and its future in Seattle was tenuous, but he returned to the job in 1992 after he helped in the Baseball Club of Seattle purchasing the franchise, the first step in keeping the club in Seattle. Or in threatening to take the club out of Seattle.
Armstrong was instrumental in getting Safeco Field built (see: threat, above), a move that solidified the franchise and came during the best run of success in franchise history. Nice coincidence, that. Starting with Seattle's stirring comeback to win the AL West in 1995 and run to the AL championship series, the Mariners went to the playoffs in four of seven seasons and three times reached the ALCS. And yet ... Seattle won a record-tying 116 games in 2001, but fell to the New York Yankees in the postseason. In five games ...
"Through all the good times and the not-so-good times on the field since 1984, the goal always has been to win the World Series," Armstrong said. And yet ... "My only regret is that the entire region wasn't able to enjoy a parade through the city to celebrate a world championship together." The entire region's regret, too.
The 2001 season was the last time the Mariners reached the postseason and the 12-year drought has brought criticism to Seattle's front office. Again, we were critical much earlier. Fans have soured on a product that has eight losing seasons in the past 12 years. And the worst offense since the advent of the DH: Don't forget that. A club that once sold-out Safeco Field with regularity last year had just one in 81 home games. That lone sellout came on the night the club honored Griffey. Our glory is in the past, and it's not that glorious.
"Thanks to our outstanding ownership, the franchise is stable and will remain the Northwest's team, playing in Safeco Field, a great ballpark and great example of a successful public-private partnership," Armstrong said. Until they threaten to move again. See: Turner Field, Cobb County. "The team is in good hands and positioned for future success. I am thankful for this important part in my life." And we are thankful for this speech. Now where's Howard Lincoln's?
Griffey Night.
Tags: Seattle Mariners, Chuck Armstrong, Howard Lincoln, The Annotated
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Twitter: @ErikLundegaardTweets by @ErikLundegaard
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Did Jeffrey Toobin Let Ted Cruz Lie About Prop 8?
Why Breitbart's Big Hollywood Is Wrong About Almost Everything
Rank the Academy Award's Best Pictures: 1927-2013


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The woman accused of stalking Alec Baldwin last year in New York City, as well as showing up at his Amagansett house, may never be able to visit the area again, The New York Post reports.
A very specific plea deal the prosecution is offering Genevieve Sabourin stipulates she'll have to stay out of the entire hamlet of Amagansett and far away from Baldwin and his pregnant wife.
According to The Post, the order would also require she "stay 10 blocks away from the [Baldwins'] New York City address, stay 10 blocks away from Hilaria Baldwin's yoga studios, and stay 10 blocks away from NBC studios," Assistant District Attorney Zach Stendig told the judge.
In exchange, she would receive no jail time.
In April 2012, East Hampton Town Police Chief Ed Ecker said his department was called to Baldwin's house in late March — the same weekend Baldwin proposed to his wife. The woman reportedly pulled up in a silver sedan, exited the car, and Baldwin called the police. The woman had already driven off when an officer arrived, and she was not found.
About a week later,town police received a call from a New York City Police Department detective informing them that a suspect, Genevieve Sabourin, had been identified. According to The New York Post, Sabourin, a 40-year-old Canadian actress sent emails and text messages to Baldwin confessing her love for him, that she wanted to have his baby and that she needed money.
No charges were ever filed locally.
To read the entire article in The New York Post, click here.
Did the DA get the stipulation just right or is it overkill? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

subset: commoncrawl


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Whirlpool 30" Smoothtop Electric Range With 4 Elements: White
Model: WFE540H0AW
- Fuel Type: Electric
Oven Features
- Total Capacity: 6.2 Cu. Ft.
- Convection Bake: Yes
- Sabbath Mode: Star-K Certified Sabbath Mode
- Delayed Cooking: Yes
- Warm Hold: Yes -Keep Warm
- Drawer Type: Storage Drawer
- Oven Controls: Electronic
- Delayed Cooking: Yes
- Oven Lights: 1
- Oven Racks: Standard rack
- 883049241937
Product Dimensions
- Product Height 46-7/8 Inches
- Product Depth 27-3/4 Inches
- Product Width 29-7/8 Inches
Product Documentation
Click here to download Product Specifications for this item.
Click here to download Care and Use Guide for this item.
Click here to download Installation Instructions for this item.
Product Reviews
Current Rebates
There are currently no rebates available for this model
| Internet Customer Service
|Order Information


text:
Beautiful House by Lake in Miramar Florida in Miramar
- bedrooms 5
- baths 4
- sleeps 9
- pool yes
- hot tub yes
- pets allowed no
- type House
- community gated Community
rates (USD)
/ week
$ 5,900 - $ 6,900 / month
Miramar House deals
stays between: 8/12/14 & 11/23/14
deal expires in: 6 days
10% Discount
Book any dates from today to November 23rd and get a 10% discount.
- $1,600 $1,440/week (10% off)
deal# DW2VNJ
vacation rental description
Beautiful brand new house very nicely decorated, located in West Miramar by a huge lake in gated community. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 car garage & parking spaces. Fully equipped Kitchen with top of the line stainless steel appliances; On 2nd floor very spacious Master bedroom with French door opening to a large balcony with view on the lake, double bathroom (his & hers) with Shower and Jacuzzi + his & hers walking closets, and sitting room; 3 other bedrooms on same 2nd floor, each with Queen size bed, 1 room on 1st floor that can be used as bedroom (has 1 Queen size bed) or office or other purpose. WFI Internet access & phone. Each room has a TV, Plasma TV's in Living Room and in master bedroom, all with CA TV & DVD's, Stereo equipement, Radio & interphone in whole house. In the backyard, private heated pool with hot tub, BBQ, Patio table with chairs & pool long chairs. Also 2 bikes are available.
Easy access to everywhere. Located near I75.
vacation rental location
property availability
- dates with deals
- unavailable dates
Last modified on 05-30-2014 at 2:29 PM.
email owner view full calendar
Richard Zadorozny 754-244-0347
house rental amenities
Club house near to the property with full equipement fitness center, Tennis courts, olympic pool, basket ball, etc...
activities and attractions in Miramar Atlantic Coast South
Located near shopping centers, restaurants, etc...
vacation rental rates
Next availability on May 1st and thereafter
From May 1st to November 24th 2014: Weekly rate $1,600
Monthly rate:$ 5,900
Price adjusted for 5 persons or more
For more than 1 month, Special discount.
From November 24th 2014 to April 30th 2015, Rate weekly: $ 1,850
Monthly: $ 6,900
For Yearly Rent, furnished, call for quote.
Richard Zadorozny 754-244-0347
accepted payment methods
Prior to paying a reservation deposit, always verify payment instructions by calling the phone number displayed on this listing page. By contacting the owner directly and paying by an approved method - credit card, paypal, check or bank transfer - your reservation payment will be protected up to $1,000.Learn more in our Security Center


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Press Release
April 26, 2013
Station Renovations Completed at Peekskill and Croton-Harmon
Newly Commissioned Artwork Enlivens Station Environments
Customers can celebrate now that MTA Metro-North Railroad has completed major station renovations at Peekskill and Croton-Harmon that include the installation of new, site-specific art work at each location.
Both Hudson Line stations received much-needed upgrades to platforms, canopies, staircases, and overpasses.
"The customer environment at our stations is just as important as it is on board our trains," said Metro-North President Howard Permut at a ceremony today to mark the project's completion. "These two stations are like new and provide a welcoming, comfortable and pleasant way to wait for a train. The artwork is spectacular and adds immeasurably to the travel experience."
"MTA-North is a lifeline for so many who call Westchester County home," said Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland). "I am thrilled that commuters using the Peekskill and Croton-Harmon stations will now be able to reap the benefits of these wise investments in our transportation infrastructure."
"Railroad stations in many ways are the welcoming doors to our communities," said Assemblywoman Sandy Galef. "I am so pleased that these upgrades in Peekskill and Croton have greatly improved the utility and the aesthetics of these important hubs of activity and commerce. The stations are gateways to each of these wonderful communities. I applaud Metro-North for working closely with our local and state officials, as well as local artists to achieve these improvements, and improve experiences for commuters and visitors alike."
"We are pleased with the public safety improvements to the commuter platform, and the aesthetic improvements to the entrance ways and train station building," said Peekskill Mayor Mary Foster. "This is in the city's waterfront zone, an area ripe for economic development, and we are glad that the MTA has been a partner in improving this important property."
"Our village has a great partner in Metro-North at the Croton-Harmon Station, said Croton-on-Hudson Mayor Leo A. W. Wiegman. "The recent improvements will keep our station safe and attractive for our commuters, especially the lighting upgrades and new platform canopies."
The Peekskill Station, which serves 1,400 customers each weekday, is adorned with "Jan Peeck's Vine," by artist Joy Taylor. This work translates natural forms into dramatic steel sculptures that echo structural elements of the existing station, but frees them to run riot in a flowing, whimsical vine overhead. Elements of this sculpture recur in the two Peekskill monograms atop the elevator entrances and in railing inserts on the northbound platform.
At Croton-Harmon, the busiest station on the Hudson Line serving 3,700 customers each weekday, artist Corinne Ulmann's laminated glass panels present a series of landscapes depicting views of Croton trees passing through the seasons. In the eponymously named piece, "Croton-Harmon Station," the imagery pays tribute to the Hudson River School painters and their establishment of the romantic landscape.
The improvements at Peekskill include a complete renovation of the overpass and staircases including a new floor, window replacements, new lights, heaters, elevator upgrades and installation of fall protection, bird deterrent netting and a coat of paint. Platform improvements included renovation of all canopies, new platform edge boards, installation of tactile warning strips, new guardrails, some of which are decorated with Joy Taylor's vines, staircase restoration, and new lighting, public address system and signs.
The improvements at Croton-Harmon include complete replacement of the roof above the north overpass and its staircases, including new drainage, and installation of fall protection. Platform improvements included complete tear down and replacement of two-car-lengths of platform with a new canopy, a new canopy south of the southern overpass, as well as bird deterrent netting, a coat of paint on all canopies, new lighting, public address system and video monitors throughout.
The $15 million project included design by Jacobs Civil Consultants, Inc., and construction by Ecco III Enterprises Inc.
Since 1985, MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design has commissioned public art that touches the lives of millions of city-dwellers as well as national and international visitors. As the MTA rehabilitates the subway and commuter rail stations in New York City and its suburbs through its Capital Programs, it uses a portion of the funds for the installation of permanent works of art. To date, Arts for Transit has commissioned more than 300 artworks that create unique visual links to neighborhoods that echo the architectural history and design context of the individual stations. Both well-established and emerging artists contribute to a growing collection of works that utilize the materials of the system—mosaic, ceramic, tile, bronze, steel, and glass.
For more on MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design, visit mta.info/art
Taylor's and Ulmann's artwork has been added to the MTA Arts for Transit app by Meridian so that travelers can have the art collection in the palm of their hand. The app includes links to the permanent art projects installed throughout the MTA system.


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Initiative to estimate the Global Burden of Foodborne Diseases
Country Studies
One key element needed to establish the global burden of foodborne diseases is to look at national estimates. the FERG will strive for this by strengthening the capacity of countries to undertake national burden of foodborne disease assessments and provide them with the tools needed to conduct these studies.
The FERG Country Studies Task Force is composed of two 'pillars' - the Burden of Disease Group and the Knowledge Translation and Policy Group. It is mandated to produce protocols that will enable countries to undertake their own burden of foodborne disease assessments while, at the same time, conducting policy context mapping. The results of the policy context mapping will feed back into the research cycle, thus ensuring that the burden information gathered is meaningful and useful to end-users.
Pilot country studies are being planned to test the protocols developed and improve them before commencing full country studies in all six WHO regions. The pilots are set to commence in early 2011.
More information
Country Studies Brochure
pdf, 263kb
Bridging the gap between research and policy in foodborne disease burden estimation
pdf, 1.53Mb
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I did my calculation as well, but I think canon also used other techniques (something difficuilt for consumers to find out) to achieve this. I don't think canon is that stupid to let us discover this just by any simple calculation.According to Canon USA the image format of 6D is 35.8mm x 23.9mm, 5D2 is 36mm x 24mm.
I guess Canon just trim down the 5D2's sensor a bit. Maybe the AF is also modified from the 9 point AF in the 5D2. In this way, Canon is able to use these 4 years old parts to create a new body, reduce the overstocked 5D2 sensors and AF module and cut the cost a lot. Three birds with one stone.
Nope. I did some quick calculations and the number of total pixels on this sensor is less than the number of effective pixels on a trimmed-down 5d2 sensor, so the pixel pitch is definitely different.
Besides, modifying a stock of existing components is, even if it's possible (and I really doubt that it is in this case), hardly cost-efficient. It's just plain easier to produce a new piece from scratch.
All of these are just my speculation though.


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Frank Ragnow, the 6-6, 290-pound offensive lineman from Chanhassen announced today that he will attend Arkansas. Ragnow chose the Razorbacks over the University of Minnesota Friday afternoon at an announcement at Chanhassen High School. Ragnow was considered a four-star recruit in Minnesota and play for former Wisconsin Badger coach Bret Bielema at Arkansas.
Signing day is Wednesday and although the Gophers expect to produce a decent recruiting class, the state's top running back, Jeff Jones from Washburn has yet to make his college destination official. Jones made a verbal commitment to the Gophers last February.
KMSP-TV11358 Viking DriveEden Prairie, MN 55344
Phone: (952) 944-9999Fax: (952) 942-0455


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Just to recap, Vince Carter sucked in January. He has been good in February.
No, he has been G-O-O-D in February.
A night after leading Orlando with 20 points and helping the team erase a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit for a critical win at Boston, Carter had "one of those nights."
By one of those nights, I mean he helped the Magic erase a 17-point deficit in the third quarter and a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter by scoring a season-high 48 points (three of his career high), 34 in the second half, on 19-of-27 shooting, 6-of-10 3-point shooting and seven rebounds.
Those numbers pretty much speak for themselves as Carter took over in the fourth quarter to lead the Magic back. Orlando outscored New Orleans 36-23 in the fourth quarter, finally clamping down with some defense to secure the win.
But I think it is safe to say this is the effort everyone expected from Carter from time to time. Stan Van Gundy said after the second game of the season in New Jersey, that it looked like Carter was getting ready to have one of the nights he dreaded as an opposing coach. Carter, remember, scored 16 points on six-of-eight shooting in 14:43 before leaving with a sprained ankle in the second quarter.
February has been like a new day for Carter. His abysmal January seems to be far behind him as Carter has looked refreshed and rejuvenated offensively through four games in February. He has scored more than 20 points in three of the four games in February. Carter did not score 48 points in the last four games of January (and he only got to 50 points in the last five games). That is the kind of sudden transformation that has happened.
Something has clicked with Carter.
And if anything, this is a message that Orlando now has this kind of scoring capability from a single player — something the team has lacked since Tracy McGrady left. Don't forget, Dwight Howard added 25 points and 12 rebounds and the Magic scored 123 points. Just food for thought for the rest of the NBA.
Defense Wins?
Yesterday, I wrote how Orlando impressed with its defense against a good Boston team. Hard to see this kind of defensive effort coming against a New Orleans team without Chris Paul.
The Magic gave up a season-high 70 points in the first half, 117 total points, 51.7 percent shooting and 9-of-18 shooting from beyond the arc.
Darren Collison did a good job initiating the offense. The rookie had a career high 27 points to go with his nine assists. Peja Stojakovic had a season high with 29 points and David West also had 27.
Obviously the defense did a much better job in the second half, holding the Hornets to "only" 47 points.
The defense was pretty bad though as New Orleans built its lead. Lots of getting out of the way and lazy fouls as the Hornets attacked the paint and made the Magic's defense really rotate and get out of position. Orlando struggled to match up with West in the first half — just take a look at Brandon Bass' -13 +/- rating, a lot of it coming during the second quarter.
And again, the point guard position was a struggle for Jameer Nelson and Jason Williams to contain.
To Orlando's credit, the team did a very good job responding offensively. The Magic shot 54.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Hornets 41-33.
A word of caution though. Howard, Carter and Rashard Lewis combined for 91 of Orlando's 123 points. New Orleans got 83 points from its top three guys.
The Fickle Bench
If you read through the links from this afternoon, you may have come across a little item concerning Orlando's bench. Yes, the Magic have an absolutely stacked team where either Ryan Anderson (who got his first DNP since Jan. 8 against Washington… this might just become a monthly thing) or Brandon Bass does not play. But one thing they lack is a reliable post option or scorer off the bench.
In essence the feast or famine sentiment coming from Orlando's bench is because they have too many jump shooters and really no one to initiate the offense or get inside the paint.
Bass got his opportunity tonight as Anderson sat out. He scored four points in about 10 minutes of action, but still struggled defensively, the main thing keeping him off the court.
Jason Williams, who always does a good job picking up the tempo and often has his most effective play while with the starters, scored nine points on 3-of-7 shooting.
Overall the bench had 23 points on 42.9 percent shooting. Good numbers, but not great.
The bench has had games like these and then they have had fantastic games too. Tonight though, it was clear Orlando was relying on its starters. Stan Van Gundy has always been someone who does not mind playing his starters big minutes. But it is also clear, the Magic need a little more consistent production from the bench to make sure they are not digging themselves out of a halftime hole.


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As if grad school was not enough...
Posted by moyru in EdTech Enthusiast, 10 May 2014 · 2,944 views
I'm going to be planning a wedding!
Definitely AFTER I graduate.
Definitely AFTER I graduate.
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Several board positions are available in the next election of the International Association of Lighting Designers, and thanks to changes in the organizations by-laws that were adopted in April, the election process is different.
This year, instead of an elections committee appointed by the board, elections will be coordinated by a nominations and elections committee, reporting to the director of membership. The committee has seven members, including Philip Gabriel, JoAnne Lindsley, Gary Steffy, John Bos, Pamela Hull Wilson, Randy Burkett, and one additional associate member to be announced.
Thus, the members of the nominations and election committee are inviting any candidate interested in an office to submit his or her name by September 10.
There are two ways to get your name placed on the ballot. You may apply to the nominations and elections committee for consideration by submitting in writing a statement of candidacy indicating your name, membership grade, the position in which you are interested, and a brief statement of qualifications and interest. Or you may secure the written nomination of at least ten voting members of the association. The candidate with the greatest number of nominations from the membership for the specific office will be placed on the ballot. Nominations must be submitted by the individual nominator in writing—email and fax are acceptable—to the office. Again, you must submit in writing a statement of candidacy indicating your name, membership grade, the position in which you are interested, and a brief statement of qualification and interest.
The positions up for election in 2002 include president, director of finance, director of marketing and communications, director and large, and two positions on the membership committee.
You may send nominations and other information to the chair of the nominations and elections committee, in care of the IALD office, either by email at firstname.lastname@example.com, by fax by 312-527-3680, or by mail to IALD, Suite 9-104, The Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL 60654, USA.


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The benign gynecology service at Illinois Masonic provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient evaluation and management for all gynecologic conditions. Residents spend 3 months as an intern and 4 months each additional year on the gynecology rotation.
The inpatient responsibilities of the gynecology team include gynecologic surgeries and postoperative care as well as gynecologic consultative services. In the operating room, residents receive comprehensive training in the full scope of gynecologic surgery. Highly-qualified physicians with diverse educational and cultural backgrounds provide a positive learning environment.
Additionally, Illinois Masonic is fully dedicated to the minimally invasive approach to gynecologic care. The institution possesses the latest surgical operative equipment as well as a comprehensive operative skills laboratory. More importantly, the faculty at Illinois Masonic possesses a vast experience in minimally invasive technique, including one of the most extensive repertoires in robotic gynecologic surgery. The combination of these factors allow great resident experience, including laparoscopic hysterectomies and myomectomies.
Outpatient gynecological services are now exclusively provided in the newly remodeled Wilton Medical Office Center. Within this setting, the residents manage their own panel of patients in the continuity clinic. This ambulatory setting provides the full scope of comprehensive gynecologic care for their patients, including diagnostic procedures, in-office expert gynecologic ultrasound, surgical counseling and scheduling as well as post operative care. There is also a resident specialty clinic devoted exclusively to the management of first trimester pregnancy loss, ectopic gestations and other abnormal pregnancies. Additionally, our federally-sponsored family planning clinic is dedicated to contraceptive education, including IUD placement and tubal ligation counseling.


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Volleyball starts strong but falls short at William Peace
September 30, 2013
Raleigh, NC-The Salem College volleyball team got off to a strong start in non-conference action, but William Peace pulled out a 3-1 win (21-25, 25-8, 25-22, 25-12). Roslyn Nixon (Wilson, NC) led the Spirits with 12 kills and 2 service aces. Salem falls to 3-10 overall.
Salem had the Pacers on their heels in the first set as they jumped out to an early lead. The Spirits also had a great shot at the third set, but Peace was able to pull the set out.
Zy Henderson (Spartanburg, SC) finished with 12 digs, and Taylor Rhodes (Jamestown, NC) had 11 digs. Michelle Morgan (Chattanooga, TN) continued her hot play with 11 kills, and Chelsea Jones (Glade Valley, NC) had 36 set assists.
The Spirits return home this weekend when they host Methodist on the 4th.


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The Arizona Diamondbacks are down two games to none in their division series with the Milwaukee Brewers, faced with having to win three straight to advance to the NLCS.
Can this be done? Absolutely. It has been done, though not very often: just six teams have accomplished this in a five-game postseason series since the divisional play era began in 1969. Two such teams did it in the era when the LCS itself was five games: the 1982 Brewers and 1984 Padres.
In the wild-card era, it has been accomplished only four times, by the 1995 Mariners, 1999 Red Sox, 2001 Yankees and 2003 Red Sox.
In the early days of the league championship series, home field was not assigned by best record, but instead on a divisional rotation, East getting home field one year, West the next. Thus a team hosted two games, then played three on the road, unlike the 2-2-1 system currently in place.
So for the two teams that failed in that era, they both began with a pair of home wins and lost three straight on the road. In 1984, the team that lost three straight had the better regular-season record; giving home field to the team with the better record didn't seem to occur to MLB's moguls until the wild card era. And even now, it still doesn't apply to the World Series. (Gotta get those hotel rooms, right, Bud?) Would the 1984 Cubs have won with home field? The answer is "probably"; they not only had the best overall record, but best home record in the NL.
When the wild card era began, MLB used the same rotating format it had for home field and the series was in the 2-3 format. That meant the team with the home field "disadvantage" actually could have had more home games if it could sweep the series. This was finally changed to the current 2-2-1 format, with the team with the better record getting the first two games at home, in 1998.
1995: Mariners come back to defeat Yankees
This is the only division series comeback made in the 2-3 format. It seems odd now that a wild card would have had the first two games at home, but the Yankees took advantage by winning both of them, Game 2 on a two-run walkoff homer by Jim Leyritz. Seattle won Game 3 behind Randy Johnson, Game 4 in a slugfest, and then Game 5 also went into extras. Just as he would do six years later for the Diamondbacks in the World Series, Johnson pitched in relief, seemingly losing the game by allowing a 12th inning run. But the Mariners got three straight hits in the last of the 12th, winning it on an Edgar Martinez double that scored Ken Griffey Jr. with the winning run.
1999: Red Sox come back to defeat Indians
As in 1995, the home team, Cleveland, won the first two games. And under the new 2-2-1 format, they knew they'd have at least one more home game if needed. The Red Sox crushed the Indians twice at Fenway Park, 9-3 in Game 3 and 23-7 in Game 4. The latter represents the most runs and most lopsided win ever in a Division Series game. The series returned to Cleveland; both teams' bullpens were shot, but Boston held on for a 12-8 win when Pedro Martinez threw six no-hit innings in relief.
2001: Yankees come back to defeat Athletics
For the first time, a team lost the first two games of a five-game series at home and came back to win the series. The A's took a pair of two-run wins in Yankee Stadium, Game 2 on a shutout by Tim Hudson and Jason Isringhausen. The turning point in Game 3 was the famous Derek Jeter twisting, turning relay to nail Jeremy Giambi at the plate; New York hung on to win 1-0 (there are some who claim catcher Jorge Posada never tagged Giambi). The A's never recovered; they were defeated soundly 9-2 in Game 4 and had to go back to Yankee Stadium for Game 5, which the Yankees won 5-3 -- after spotting Oakland a 2-0 lead.
2003: Red Sox come back to defeat AthleticsThe A's again took a 2-0 series lead, this time at home. Game 3 was tied 1-1 going into the seventh; the A's loaded the bases with one out, but could not score. They withstood furious Red Sox rallies in the eighth and ninth, and the game went into extra innings, where Trot Nixon hit a two-run walkoff homer off Rich Harden in the 11th to win it for Boston. That seemed to crush the A's spirits; Boston came from behind to win Game 4 at Fenway and Game 5 in Oakland to advance.
Since 2003, there's been little drama in these series; just two, Braves/Astros in 2004 and Rangers/Rays in 2010, have even made it to a fifth game. The first of those was tied 1-1 after two games; last year the Rangers nearly blew a 2-0 lead they had fashioned on the road, but Cliff Lee shut down the Rays in Game 5 to allow Texas to move to the ALCS.
So can Arizona come back? The D'backs were 51-30 at home in 2011, while Milwaukee was just 39-42 on the road, the only playoff team this year with a losing road record (though they were much better on the road, 24-13, after the All-Star break). The two teams split a four-game series in Phoenix in July. We'll find out on Tuesday.


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EXCLUSIVE: Providence Unfunded Pension Liability Now At Least $831M
Thursday, February 06, 2014
The Jan. 31 report offers the first glimpse of the Providence retirement system in the wake of the city's pension reform settlement with retirees, which was finalized last year. Prior to the settlement, the unfunded pension liability stood at $901 million, in July 2011. Without reform, the city actuary says the unfunded liability would now be $964.7 million, instead of $831.5 million.
But the funding ratio for the system actually edged downwards during the intervening two years, from 31.94 percent in July 2011 to 31.39 percent in July 2013. However, on a market value basis it increased from 31.4 percent to 32.4 percent. (See below slides for a breakdown of the numbers.)
Impact of pension reform disputed
"So even under the most optimistic analysis of the numbers and using the 'market value' of the assets, Providence's pension fund is 32 percent funded? Find an honest expert who would describe this as remotely sound or healthy. The Taveras administration trumpets the $133 million saved by pension reform but is considerably more muted about the far more important fact that the pension system is still only 32 percent funded—to repeat, only 32 percent funded after pension reform," said Monique Chartier, spokeswoman for the Rhode Island Taxpayers.
Providence owes $1.2 billion in pension promises and the system has $380.4 million in actuarial assets. But that actuarial estimate includes $57.2 million in contributions from the city for the following year. If future contributions are not included—as the actuary recommends in its report—the fund has a market value of $335.7 million. When actuarial adjustments are made for market losses, the amount drops further to $323.4 million, making the system 24.1 percent funded.
Blais noted that the unfunded liability estimate does not—as a result of local bargaining—include the liabilities that the city has incurred for retiree health benefits.
"That number skyrockets us into the realm of debt in the billions," Blais said. "While it's appropriate to provide the proverbial tip of the hat to the people at the negotiating table who had a hand in slowing down the COLA payments and changing the way that they were formerly calculated, it is important to remember that the original local agreements were negotiated by some of the same players."
Those involved in the city pension reform effort pointed to the latest report as an encouraging sign.
While the drop in the unfunded liability may not seem "remarkable," Paul Doughty, the city firefighter union president described it as a "first good step" towards a healthy funded pension system. Michael Solomon, the city council president and also a candidate for mayor, touted the achievements of the pension reform settlement. He said the city must now focus on making its annual required contributions. (A spokesman for Mayor Angel Taveras did not respond to a request for comment. All major mayoral candidates responded to requests for comment. Their responses are below.)
Pension critic says unfunded liability could be over $1 billion
But some say the city may actually be understating the extent of its unfunded liability.
Asked to comment, Solomon said, "We received this report yesterday. The city council will openly and directly review the pros and cons of making any recommended reporting changes."
A larger issue is the assumed rate of return for the city's pension investments. Before 2011, the city had an assumed rate of return of 8.5 percent. When the city dropped that by a quarter of a point to 8.25 percent, the unfunded liability jumped up by $72 million.
Riley and others say the assumed rate of return should be even lower. The city rate is still higher than the state's, which, at the behest of state Treasurer Gina Raimondo, lowered its assumed rate of return from 8.25 percent to 7.5 percent in 2011. Some investment experts recommend an even lower rate. Moody's Investors Service recommends 5.5 percent. Investor Warren Buffet has suggested 6 percent.
Using Moody's guidelines, Riley says the total liability would shoot up from $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion. That would make the unfunded liability about $1.3 billion, roughly $500 million more than the official estimate.
"All of this calls into question the accuracy of the term 'pension reform.' The word 'reform' implies that the pension system is now in a reasonably sound condition. Clearly, the opposite is true," Chartier said.
"Unlike his predecessor, Mayor Angel Taveras is a genuinely nice man who means well. However, his touting pension 'reform' as a fiscal achievement for the city begins to stray into the area of dishonesty notoriously frequented by his predecessor. Former Mayor David Cicilline repeatedly misrepresented as 'excellent' the overall financial condition of the city," Chartier added. "Current Mayor Taveras is telling only one small part of the story about the financial condition of the city's pension system—and doing so for the same reason, presumably, as the prior mayor: the desire for a 'promotion' to higher office. Mayor Taveras did not create the city's very serious pension problems but neither, contrary to his implications, has he solved them."
Doughty, however, said those, like Moody's Investors Service, which argue for a lower assumed rate of return are not disinterested parties. Doughty noted that financial institutions make money every time a transaction is made (like an investment). A lower rate would dramatically increase estimates of the unfunded liability, Doughty said: "The calculation at that point is the fund is much more—much more—unfunded."
Higher estimates for an unfunded pension liability becomes an impetus for further pension reform, potentially including the creation of individual retirement accounts, instead of (or addition to) one pension fund with contributions from all workers pooled together, Doughty suggested. When financial institutions are processing transactions for thousands of workers, rather than just city, they stand to make more money, he concluded.
"To me there's a conflict [of interest] there in what they're saying," Doughty said. "I'm not a fan of Wall Street. This is just a money grab."
Doughty acknowledged that elected officials may be acting out of self-interest as well, aiming to keep estimates of unfunded pensions liabilities lower than they actually are. "Very true. I think there's a tension there," Doughty said.
But he said the political risk can go both ways for an elected official. Those who adopt the approach of Moody's and lower their assumed rates of return are increasing costs for their communities and crowding out funding for bread-and-butter city projects, like re-paving sidewalks or building new playgrounds, according to Doughty.
When it comes to Providence, he said he stands by the current assumed rate of return of 8.25 percent that city officials have adopted. "I think somewhere in the 8s is fair," Doughty said.
GoLocalProv requested comment from every major mayoral campaign in Providence. All responded except for the sole GOP contender, Dan Harrop.
Two candidates, Brett Smiley, the former chairman of the Providence Water Supply Board, and Jorge Elorza, a former city housing court judge, emphasized the need to expand the tax base by attracting businesses to Providence.
"Those who have served the city deserve to retire with dignity. The top priority for our city needs to be growing our economy by investing in our strengths and supporting our business community so that we can have enough funds to meet our future pension obligations. That's why we need a Mayor with the practical experience to hit the ground running and begin to strengthen our city's finances from Day One," Smiley said in a statement.
Said Elorza: "We have a commitment to both our retirees and our children that must be honored, and it is equally important that we pay our bills and not lose sight of current responsibilities. The unfunded liability is down $70 million. As Mayor, I will accomplish both and continue to decrease that number by focusing on revitalizing our economy and continuing to look for savings to ensure our city can fulfill its obligation to both its retirees and residents."
Asked if the most recent pension reform was enough to fix the system, Solomon touted its achievements: "Two years ago we reached a landmark settlement with our retirees and employees to reduce the unfunded liability by nearly 20 percent. We suspended COLAs for 10 years and finally eliminated the 5 and 6 percent COLAs that had haunted the city, and tied future COLAs to the consumer price index. These changes were fair, especially considering the city's bargaining position. The most important thing we can do moving forward is to fully fund our annual required contribution."
Solomon also defended the city on the assumed rate of return.
However, one candidate for mayor, businessman Lorne Adrain, disagrees. He says the city should lower its assumption. "This report shows the long-term consequences of short-term thinking. For too many years the City of Providence underfunded its pension system at the expense of retirees and future generations of taxpayers. As Mayor I will develop a transparent and balanced approach to solving the problem. I will make fiscal responsibility a top priority, including a more realistic, achievable return rate of between 5 to 6 percent," Adrain said.
Unfunded liability: Providence on a 30-year payment plan
For now, regardless of whether how one views the $831.5 million unfunded liability the question remains: how will the city pay for it?
"The city's funding policy is to make a payment each year which covers that year's normal cost plus a payment toward the unfunded liability. The payments toward the unfunded liability will reduce the unfunded liability to $0 by June 30, 2040 in payments that increase 3.5 percent per year," said Matt Clarkin, the internal auditor for the city.
The pension report shows that Providence is in the midst of decades-long amortization plan. Because of the unfunded liability, the report shows that the annual payments will increase dramatically in the future. The city's contribution in the current fiscal year is set at $61.6 million.
Although annual increases are meant to be capped at 3.5 percent, the amount for fiscal year 2015 will be 8 percent higher—at $66.5 million—to account for the investment losses in 2009. Presumably, the city should have already paid for some of those, but it didn't because it did not have a 2012 valuation of its pension system. (The last one was 2011. The new one is for 2013.)
Ten years from now, the normal cost of maintain pension benefits would be $9.8 million, but the total cost to the city will be $94.3 million because of the unfunded pension liability. In another decade, the normal cost would have been $13.9 million but the actual cost will be $132.4 million, according to the report.
It won't be until June 30, 2040 that the entire unfunded liability is paid off, according to Clarkin.
"The Segal Consulting analysis shows the necessity for taxpayer contributions to rise inexorably year over year. In light of the fact that Providence already has the highest commercial tax rate and the seventh highest residential tax rate in the country, where in the world can this money come from? Business and residential taxpayers are demonstrably tapped out. Decades of extremely generous pensions have left the city with a staggering and completely unrealistic burden," Chartier said.
Doughty doesn't share that same sense of alarm but he said he considers all the attention that public pensions are getting to be "positive," saying it's a welcome change from the many years when pension reports went ignored. "The more attention you pay, the less shenanigans can go on," Doughty said.
Stephen Beale can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @bealenews
Related Slideshow: Providence Pension Liability
A new report shows that Providence's pension fund—even after the recent reform—is still in trouble. The below slides break out the key numbers for the pension fund, including the unfunded liability, the assumed and actual rates of return, the current level of benefits, and how long it will take the city to pay off the unfunded liability. Figures are current as of July 1, 2013 and are taken from the new Jan. 31 actuarial report from Segal Consulting.
Impact of Lower Rates of Return
$72 million:The city unfunded liability increased by this amount when the city lowered its assumed rate of return by a quarter of a percentage point, from 8.5% to 8.25%
$506.2 million: The estimated increase in the unfunded liability were the city to use the 6% assumed rate of return recommended by Moody's Investors Service.
Current Cost of Pension Fund
For 2013
City Contribution: $58.1 million
Employees Contribution: $10.9 million
Net Investment Return: $18.1 million
Cost of Retiree Benefits: $95.4 million
Note: Net investment return is the return on investments after investment and administrative fees have been paid.
Related Files
Related Articles
- NEW: Taft-Carter rules Providence Pension Changes "Fair"
- Providence Pension Projection Data Raising Questions
- Providence Pension Return Projection Flawed
- Rob Horowitz: Providence Pension Deal Provides Model for All Communities
- EXCLUSIVE: Providence Pensions—Costs to Triple in 20 Years
- NEW: EngageRI Supports Providence Pension Reform
- NEW: Hassett and Igliozzi Call for Changes to Providence Pension Reform
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Once the land is barren, then what do they do? They complain that they are still owed future crops.
Comment #1 by Odd Job on 2014 02 06
Illegal aliens are very expensive to teach, imprison, and treat at emergency rooms. Federal and state mandates are too expensive. Too much government, costing too much money, given the inadequate size and wealth of RI. Taxpayers fleeing; tax consumer flocking to the state. Welfare pays more than work. Why work? Un-policed government programs, which encourages scams that are ignored by authorities. Stifling rules and regulations governing employees that make it impossible to fire bad employees, especially government employees. I could go on and on.
No one can save Rhode Island. No one.
Comment #2 by Christopher Lee on 2014 02 06
Solomon is up to his fuzzy math again, he cant even pay off his loan with the city from 25 years ago, hardly a person we want for mayor! Meanwhile, he loans his campaign 250k and opens another business,but no money for the city!!!
Comment #3 by anthony sionni on 2014 02 06
Comment #4 by David Beagle on 2014 02 06
Comment #5 by michael riley on 2014 02 06
Comment #6 by Jackson Teller on 2014 02 06
Comment #7 by anthony sionni on 2014 02 06
History has shown that a municipalities' unfunded OPEB requirements can often dwarf the pension shortfalls. At the very least they are worthy of being part of the discussion. Anyone??
Comment #8 by James Hackett on 2014 02 06
Comment #9 by David Beagle on 2014 02 06
$ 1.2 to 1.4 billion is a good guess
enormous number
Comment #10 by michael riley on 2014 02 06
Comment #11 by Howard Miller on 2014 02 06
Comment #12 by G Godot on 2014 02 06
There is not a sufficient tax base in Providence to settle these obligations as they become due and when it comes time to write the check, there simply will not be funds to do so. It will be ugly, there will be sob stories posted all over, but I doubt a single liberal will acknowledge the truth behind what is to blame for the impending implosion of these plans.
Comment #13 by Ben Algeo on 2014 02 06
Comment #14 by Ben Algeo on 2014 02 06
Also, let's not forget that the issue of adopting meaningful, and structural, pension reform has been ignored for too long by Providence's Mayor's (that includes you Buddy) and do nothing City Council's.
The unrealistic responses by candidates Smiley and Elorza, exhorting a broader tax base, does nothing to address the structural problem. Quite simply, without significantly more reform (to reduce the unfunded liability) AND a major cash infusion,the Providence pension system is a ticking time bomb that WILL go off.
That the Firefighter Union President continues to hang on to a pie in the sky rate of return on investment (8.25%) just illustrates how many of the affected parties simply do not (or don't want) get it.
If I were a Providence retiree, I wouldn't sleep very well each night.
Comment #15 by Walter Miller on 2014 02 06
"Buck Consultants, the city's former actuary, conducted an experience study in June, 2011 that forecasted 1,000 return scenarios. They determined that an 8.45 percent return over the next 30 years was likely.
The city is in the process of suing its former actuary, Buck Consultants, accusing the firm of an error in calculating savings from pension reform.
Sooooooo...believe our paid consultants when it comes to the return, but ignore the fact we are suing them for incompetence..
Plus, the General Assembly is way ahead of you on OPEB health care by introduce the bill to force municipalities to pay for Medicare costs if the municipality negotiates its retirees off any other health care plan and into Medicare.
Somewhere public service went from perhaps being less compensated relative to private sector in exchange for some security and more generous benefits to being required to have as or better compensation, lifetime benefits with no costs and secured by politicians, and the ability (of some) to manipulate the system or abuse the public trust for personal gain.
Comment #16 by Prof Steve on 2014 02 06
Comment #17 by joe pregiato on 2014 02 06
Comment #18 by Katy Sloop on 2014 02 06
Comment #19 by James Hackett on 2014 02 06
Comment #20 by James Hackett on 2014 02 06
Comment #21 by LENNY BRUCE on 2014 02 07
Comment #22 by Jackson Teller on 2014 02 07
Keep signing on with those unions!!!!!!!!!
Comment #23 by pearl fanch on 2014 02 07
Comment #24 by mark malachi on 2014 02 10
The liability does not "more than double when you add in OPEB".Read the OPEB reports before you put out lies.
Have you been hitting the sauce again?
Oh,that's right, you can just try to intimidate the next Narr.PO who stops you by bellowing:"Don't you know who I am? I ran for Congress".
Get a life Riley and get a real job,instead of your hedge fund theft machine which you are angling to pump up w/pension money by carrying water for Raimondo.
Comment #25 by mark malachi on 2014 02 10
Comment #26 by michael riley on 2014 02 10
The State and localities went on a hiring binge in the late 1980's/early 90's. Most state employees, including employees of Providence are now closer to the age of retirement, than the beginning of their careers (mirroring national demographic trends of baby boomers approaching retirement age).
An unfunded pension liability is much more acute when your employees are likely to retire and need to withdrawal benefits sooner rather than later.
Providence does not have until 2040 to fund it's pension system. Providence needs to have a greater funding percentage by 2020. Exacerbating the pension crisis is the arcane laws that allow people to retire in their 40's.
It's hard to know who to believe. I have to say that Taveras loses credibility for his short stint as Mayor, Raimondo as well. We need fewer career politicians with higher aspirations, and more people who are interested in problem solving and honesty.
The future is very uncertain in this state. I don't have any faith that the General Assembly will make decisions for all Rhode Islanders. Wednesday's pension announcement may determine whether I stay or leave this state.
Comment #27 by George Costanza on 2014 02 11
Riley's solution : invest all the pension monies in hedge funds.
End the retirees COLAs, cut their pensions,increase the employees' contributions,have them work 60 yrs before being eligible for retirement.
Keep the money rolling in to the pension funds,decrease the payout to retirees,and give the employees and retirees' earned benefits to the likes of Riley.
Pt Judith Capital made more in fees than Prov. made in returns on their $1M investment.
I know you think that is reasonable,and you want in on the payday.
Bottom line Riley: Figures lie,and liars figure.
You are just one more of the liars figuring a way to get a piece of the pension dollars.
PS I spend time in Narr.in the summer,do me and everyone else a favor,stay off the roads.
Comment #28 by mark malachi on 2014 02 12
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.


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Browse the latest stories and reports on MSF from various media outlets.
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In the News
February 25, 2014
As troops pack their bags, M.S.F. sees a war that still rages in many parts of the country and a failure to meet people's increasing medical and humanitarian needs.More >


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Hostel Buffalo Niagara
Real Reviews
Real reviews from fellow travellers
These are trusted reviews from guests who have actually stayed here. We hope you find them helpful.
Note: we only give a property a rating once it has received a minimum of 3 reviews.
- " I like this hostel, it's very clean and the staff is very friendly, so is the price! "
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- " The staff and atmosphere of this hostel is what made the trip for my best friend and I truly incredible. It was a first hostel experience for both of us and we have definitely been encouraged to try other ones! "
- 04 Feb 2014 Olivia USA
- " The staff are very helpful and friendly. There is a lot of clean and inviting open space so if you want to hang out with people there are plenty of places to do it. The hostel is located near several theaters and places to eat and it's right downtown so can walk to almost every major bus line or catch the train which stops a block away. "
- 27 Dec 2013 Anonymous USA


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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A bill to help local governments pay for cleanup after natural disasters is on it's way to the Illinois house.
The bill is sponsored by Senator Dave Koehler of Peoria.
The bill would allow IEMA to reimburse local governments for costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures.
Illinois government was denied Federal aid after the November tornadoes.
Koehler said the bill applies to the November storms and other disasters in the future.


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Good news! Since Wondershare Flash Gallery Factory launched in market, it has received much appraise from users. In order to satisfy Mac users, we have developed Web Gallery for Mac. And it will be released on August 6th, 2010. From July 8th Jul. to 6th Aug, we begin to accept 50% discount pre-order for the software.
How to get this software at the expense of least money? What you have to do is just to visit Wondershare Web Gallery for Mac and leave your name and address with not a single penny .In this case, you can get the software at 50% less than the original price $59.95. The discount is exclusively for the pre-order users who order between July 8th and August 6th. If you have expected such software for long but don't know where to buy, you can seize this big opportunity now. We will return to the original price after the date of 6th Aug.
Have you ever met such problem that when you finish holiday with large amount of photos in camera but find no way to deal with it? This software is then exactly designed for you. There are many built-in templates of 3D gallery and photo albums with categories. What's more, when you finish editing, you can upload them into web such as my space, Blogger, Window live space, and any other social websites .As for personal use, you can share your artistic works with your friends or family. While as for business application, you can exhibit your products in the banner to draw your customers' interest to explore.
Free Built-in 3D Wall Flash Templates in Wondershare Web Gallery for Mac
Have you decided to own or still hesitate? The 50% discount will be expired on August 6th. Catch the time if you are indeed very eager to.


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by akuriko
Another amazing Zelda cosplay from the same user.
Itai Ao
by akuriko
Unusual title, but this is probably the best Zelda cosplay I've seen.
Deadpool vs Anime Expo (x)
Wow, a Dr. Kawashima cosplay. Never thought I'd see one of those.
(Source: emilogg)
I've created AMONSTER.
YAY I finished! Sorry for the shitty bathroom pics. I'll have proper pics in a week or so, taking shots at Sandy Hook, NJ with Ambrosia as Asami with Nicole as our photographer awww yus.
I've discovered that the hem of his coat thing likes to travel up, and get shorter and shorter, because it started out way longer than that OH WELL. Also discovered: decent theatrical makeup is waterproof.
I don't intend to cosplay unmasked Amon at a con, but I wanted to take a shot at his scar makeup. I managed to keep the corner of my mouth taut and open with a crapton of rigid collodian and grimacing until it dried. The coloring isn't perfect, probably less red, time to do some disturbing Google Image search for next time!
EDIT: Yes, I know the scar is on the wrong side, I did it on the wrong side since I was going to put on the makeup again for Saturday, and rigid collodian in the same place on your face in a few days is very bad for your skin. But with that said, I also forgot to flip the canvas so lol. Also, yes, very wrinkled, will take 100394 hours to iron for Saturday's shoot.
Amazing Amon cosplay!
TF2 Cosplay - by Greg Peltz and Ryan Rasmussen
(via zombie-mothra)


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3 Stocks Pushing The Retail Industry Lower
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 modelOne out of the three major indices are trading lower today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) trading down 9 points (-0.1%) at 12,786 as of Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, 11:49 AM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 1,471 issues advancing vs. 1,424 declining with 128 unchanged.The Retail industry currently sits down 0.1% versus the S&P 500, which is up 0.0%.TheStreet Ratings group would like to highlight 3 stocks pushing the industry lower today:3. Best Buy (BBY) is one of the companies pushing the Retail industry lower today. As of noon trading, Best Buy is down $1.70 (-12.3%) to $12.06 on heavy volume Thus far, 21.8 million shares of Best Buy exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 7.0 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $11.74-$12.86 after having opened the day at $12.82 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $13.75. Best Buy Co., Inc. operates as a retailer of consumer electronics, computing and mobile phone products, entertainment products, appliances, and related services primarily in the United States, Europe, Canada, and China. Best Buy has a market cap of $4.6 billion and is part of the services sector. The company has a P/E ratio of -4.8, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 41.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday. Currently there is 1 analyst that rates Best Buy a buy, 1 analyst rates it a sell, and 17 rate it a hold.TheStreet Ratings rates Best Buy as a hold. The company's strongest point has been its a solid financial position based on a variety of debt and liquidity measures that we have looked at. At the same time, however, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity and poor profit margins. Get the full Best Buy Ratings Report now.
Best Buy Co Inc Stock Price
Best Buy Co Inc Analyst Ratings
Best Buy Co Inc Key Stats & Profile
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Shepherd - Malek - Large - Senior - Male - Dog
About Malek Malek was born in early/mid 2004. He is 70lbs,and housetrained. He has no health issues as of his last vet check (last month), is on flee control and heartworm meds. Temperatment:is skitish. It takes him a long time to get used to new people especially men. He is low maintenance and has a low activity level. He will happily snooze most of the day and enjoy some play time with the other dogs. As far as other dogs he either likes them or hates ...
Aug 11 -
Baltimore :
Gaithersburg - Dogs & puppies
Toucan 20" wheels dog scooter, with side bar and harness. Only used twice (on pavement). Still clean and like brand new. Black with front and rear brakes. Side bar can be removed or folded for storage. Will be willing to sell just the sidebar for $200. Sells for $250 at Dogpoweredscooter.com.
LOCAL PICKUP ONLY. Near Baltimore, Maryland.
Harness fitted for small 45 lb. Samoyed dog. Can't be altered so please measure dog if you want the sidebar and harness (or bring dog to try on).
I'll be ...
Jun 26 -
Baltimore :
Havre De Grace - Accessories
Samoyed - Gavin - Medium - Adult - Male - Dog
GAVIN -- Samoyed/Husky -- male -- 4.5 yrs - 52 lbs-- white -- Smiley Face Gavin started out his "DAWG life" as a silly happy pup, but after a bout of GI problems, he seemed to change. As a result, he has become wary of some people...at times, even people he knows! If he knows the person, he recovers and then wags a greeting. Yes, we checked his eyes and are working with him to get him over this strange new element of his otherwise charming personality. ...
Aug 3 -
Washington DC :
Bethesda - Dogs & puppies
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Four Valley Football teams -- including three in the Top 10 -- are in the Sports Network Top 25 rankings, announced Friday. North Dakota State is No. 2, behind Eastern Washington.
North Dakota State (1), South Dakota State (10), UNI (15), Youngstown State (21), Southern Illinois (rv), Missouri State (rv) and Illinois State (rv) all received votes in the first poll of 2014.
North Dakota State has been picked to win the Missouri Valley Football Conference crown in 2014. NDSU has won 24-straight games and earned 24 of a possible 39 first-place votes and 370 total points, in a poll conducted by league coaches, media and sports information directors.


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Save $40 on RIKON Slow-Speed Grinder
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Buzz, Buzz! This little bee will alert you to visitors. This Unique Door Knocker from Michael Healy Designs is sure to be a conversation starter. Includes mounting hardware. Polished Brass Finish.
Shipping / Billing Info:
This product ships direct from the manufacturer:
Michael Healy Designs warrants their products free from defects for 1 year. Contact Michael Healy Designs at 401-765-7600 with warranty claims.
Damage claims must be made within 10 days of merchandise receipt and all packaging materials must be kept.
Care & Cleaning: Occasionally washing your Michael Healy Designs brass item using a sponge with water and a mild soap will help to maintain its vibrant shine. Coating your brass item with a paste wax will also greatly extend the life of the finish. Do not use a brass cleaner or an abrasive pad; this will damage the clear coating and the original polished finish.
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About CADILLAC
Cadillac is the luxury car-maker brand owned by General Motors and marketed around the world but the primary market is North America. Originally the company was founded in 1902 as the Cadillac Automobile Company and was purchased in 1909 by General Motors as William Durant sought to build the giant American car-maker. Cadillac was the benchmark for luxury cars in America and the company introduced numerous innovations to increase comfort and performance. The Cadillac name itself comes from the French explorer who established Detroit in 1701 - Motor City itself.
During the late-1970's and early 1980's the company struggled to compete with the influx of luxury car imports; Cadillac had been known for long and elaborate body shapes but 1996 saw the last of the classical -Caddie- bodies epitomized by the DeVille and Fleetwood models. The company's move into the SUV market proved a great success as consumer taste for larger vehicles grew in the 1990's. With the parent company declaring bankruptcy in 2009, General Motors announced it would be retaining the Cadillac brand as one of the four remaining brands under the GM name.
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Police: Footprints in snow lead to arrestStaff Report | February 09,2013Rutland Police say they followed footprints from a convenience store robbery to a man they arrested shoveling snow outside a home on Clover Street early Saturday morning.
At 3:15 a.m., police responded to a burglary alarm at the Midway Mobil on South Main Street where evidence showed that someone had smashed out a window with a crowbar, police said.
Numerous cartons of cigarettes were taken during the break-in, police said.
With new snow blanketing the ground, police said they followed a set of tracks across South Main Street to Clover Street where the tracks ended at a driveway being shoveled by 42-year-old Dean Hugerth.
While Hugerth lives in Rutland, the people residing inside the home told police he didn't live there. Review of surveillance camera footage inside the store showed Hugerth breaking in and taking the cartons, police added.
Hugerth was taken to the Rutland jail where he remains held on bail pending his arraignment Monday on a felony burglary charge, police said.MORE IN This Just InTOWNSHEND — A 26-year-old Townshend man shot his off-again, on-again girlfriend late... Full StoryA Rutland jury has returned a verdict in favor of a retired obstetrician and Rutland Regional... Full Story
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- TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: Former U.S. Senator James Jeffords dies Monday in Washington D.C., a local man is beaten and robbed while walking on West Street, Clarendon sets a tax rate and Brandon convenes an informational public meeting about its budget.
- RICHARD'S POOR ALMANACK: On this day in 1915, the New York World publishes scoop: Thom. Edison diverts chemical from war production to help German pharmaceutical company make aspirin; on this day in 1935, Will Rogers, Wiley Post die in Alaska plane crash.
- TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: State panel briefed on smuggling drugs into prisons; new French-German documentary about Vermont's heroin addiction; solar project at Vets Home falls apart; update dispute between Open Door Mission and treatment center.
- TODAY'S WEATHER MINUTE: Climatologists might not know as much about El Nino as they thought they knew. New studies show 10,000 years ago, El Nino was active, and polar ice sheets were rapidly melting — just like today.
- TOMORROW'S HEADLINES TODAY: State colleges get a budget cut break, vandals spray paint Wallingford basketball court, state's attorney will replace lost deputies, cop lawsuit proceeds, Mendon mini-golf proposal makes headway.


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Skinny Minnie: A Scary Take on Disney's Leading Ladies
5 Shows That Make You Super Angry
5 TV Shows For Your 'Game Of Thrones' Withdrawal
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29 of The Biggest BOOBS in Hollywood!
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Australian producer McWilliams is the first winery to sign an endorsement deal with Weight Watchers, the international diet programme, aimed at bringing lower alcohol wines to a new wider audience.
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From winefolly
The wine you buy in America goes through a number of hands before it gets into yours. This system is called the 3-Tier System and it's starting to corrode...
Foreign wine has been pouring into China, growing sevenfold over the last six years and increasing to 19 percent of the total domestic market.
The wealthy in China are increasingly seeking to diversify their investments, with art, wine and jewelry rising in popularity.
The 16 Most Counterfeited Wines. Maureen Downey reassures us that only certain old vintages of a short list of wines are targets for fakers.
From www
Wineries turn science to bring out flavours favoured by Chinese market
Chardonnay Shines Despite the ABC Crowd. Tim Atkin puts his wine-geek cred on the line by confessing his long-term attachment to Chardonnay.
Paso Robles: It's Hot But Cooler Than You Think. Paso Robles is known for value, but now it's aiming for greatness. Read wine news & features.
From www
Discount retailer Lidl is 'ripping up' its UK stores to make space for thousands of cut-price French wines, including Bordeaux Grand Cru, but sourcing some of the more prestigious names has proved tougher than expected.
Five Ways Wineries Fight Counterfeits. Wineries are using increasingly sophisticated methods to foil forgers, discovers Elin Mccoy.
From www
«Bordeaux fête le vin», dont la 9e édition se clôture dimanche sur un nouveau record de fréquentation, fait des émules dans de grandes villes du monde et, après Hong...
Low-alcohol Wines the Way of the Future. The days of alcohol-heavy wine might be numbered as new research and market demand point towards lighter wines.
American Wine Drinkers are the World's Grape Saviors. American's thirst for wine is saving many traditional styles from extinction, says Mike Steinberger
From www
Women may play a central role in the future of wine consumption in China, according to Vinexpo.
In this article, we forecast what China's consumer market will look like in 2020.
Electric and refreshing flavours are cropping up in unlikely pockets of Chile and Argentina, at altitude and near the sea. Patricio Tapia discovers the risks and rewards of viticulture in uncharted territory
Innovative Design Service, Inc. produced Bottlass, a sleek, dual beverage
From www
To understand the wine, look at the native flora. The vineyards of Cornas, which soar above the Rhône near Valence, are punctuated by holm oak, cade juniper and sage-leaved cistus rather than the downy oak, ash, heather and broom more common on the
China was for long seen by wine exporters as El Dorado - a mysterious place that promised golden rewards if one could but crack the code. But that is now definitively unravelling amid signs that it is all very much more complicated and less promising than that, particularly now that President Xi Jinping has so successfully enforced a crackdown on bribery and luxury goods.
French Wine Exports to China Remain Strong but Slip Elsewhere. Once in second position, France today lies only in fourth position for imported wine in America, whereas it leads the pack in China.
The rising demand and short supply have created the perfect storm from a branding and revenue perspective.
Treasury Wine Estates is embroiled in a trademark battle in China over one of Australia's most well-known wine brands, Penfolds.
From www
Puristes prière de s'abstenir. Le distributeur américain de boissons Friends Fun Wine vient de mettre sur le marché des canettes de vins rouge et blanc aromatisés au...
Should More Producers Do Without Wine Consultants?. Tim Atkin MW recognizes the role of wine consultants, but enjoys more wines from producers who don't employ them.
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Our top-of-the-line Nodal Ninja Ultimate M1-L Modular System is the designers dream come true. It is based on Arca Swiss compatible system, the industry standard for high end photographic support system. The upper rotator incorporates 7.5 degree positive stops. Can be used with all DSLR's and most medium format cameras supporting lenses up to 200mm. Precision CNC machined from premium T6061 aluminum and anodized, it has high precision, accuracy, durability and long lifetime all in one. The first model of this modular system is the M1 which has 7.5 degree precise positive stops at the upper rotator, supporting lenses from ultra wide angles to 200mm telephotos. It allows templates to be used to speed up stitching and reduce stitching errors.
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Lower Assembly:
1ea QRC-55, 55mm Arca Stlye Quick Release Clamp, or depending on stock level 1ea QRC-65, 65mm Arca Stlye Quick Release Clamp
1ea M6 Mounting Kit, M6 screw + Hex Key
1 ea MFR-210, 210mm Multifunctional Rail with Bubble Level + Misc parts
Vertical and Upper Assembly:
1ea MFVR-170C, 170mm Multifunctional Vertical Rail w/ Integral Clamp
1ea M1 7.5 Degree Upper Rotator
1ea QRC-55, 55mm Arca Stlye Quick Release Clamp
1ea MFR-170, 170mm Multifunctional Rail with Bubble Level + Misc parts
1ea QRC-40A, 40mm Arca Style Quick Release Clamp


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Izaskun E. Larraneta
Publication: theday.com
New London -- Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio announced today that City Clerk and Registrar of Vital Statistics Nathan Caron will resign effective April 4.
"Caron has been an outstanding public servant," said Finizio in a statement. "I'm grateful for the level of professionalism and courtesy he brought to the City Clerk's office, and I'm sure he will be successful in his next undertaking."
Caron has served as city clerk since Finizio took office.
"Serving the people of New London and the surrounding communities has been a tremendous honor," said Caron. "I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to interact with people at some of the most poignant moments of life: the birth of a child, the union of two souls through marriage, and the closure one attains by way of a death certificate."
Assistant City Clerk Dawn Currier will serve as acting City Clerk and Registrar of Vital Statistics until the position is permanently filled.
The Big Day 2014
Flat Stanley Contest
Win an iPad mini from Tri-Town Foods
What do you think about the partnership between the Girl Scouts and Mattel, which includes a Barbie participation patch?
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For those who've missed out... we still have last year's merch on CLEARANCE over at the Blorch! Shop! Remaining sizes/availability vary. Please check the shop out. And shipping $30 and over is still FREEEE! Just remember, your purchase helps fund future Twinkie Town t-shirt designs (and whatever other merch we decide to come up with)! Thanks for your patience as we're still working on getting the new 2012 tees ready - but they're coming soon!
If you had trouble viewing the Blorch! Shop last week, I think I got everything sorted out. It was presenting itself as a blank website if you viewed it in newer versions of Internet Explorer (a browser I personally avoid like the plague). I made some adjustments to the template code and it's showing up fine now in my seldom-used IE8. If it's STILL giving you errors, please let me know! So now's your chance to finally pre-order that Numbersota Tee! Link right here (the Blorch! Shop link is also always on the left side of your screen, over there). Remember, the pre-sale goes through the holiday weekend and ends November 30th. The standard white mens and midnight blue ladies Numbersota Tees will stick around through the new year, but I'm only printing the aqua/red super special edition tee for those who pre-order, and only a few extra. Again, pre-ordering will guarantee you a shirt! Shirts are still on schedule to start shipping the second week of December. More updates as I get 'em! Thanks again to everyone who has pre-ordered already!
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Discover Adionomy, Your Online Radio Advertising Campaign, Fast, Easy and Custom-Made!
Born in Marseille (France). At 20 he moved to London, where he used to live in an artists' squat in Hammersmith, performing in the tube. He now lives in Paris. Using his guitar skills he composes acoustic songs with a mixed Caribbean/reggae/folk/latin sound.
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The North Carolina Court of Appeals is granting Brad Cooper a new trial for the death of his wife Nancy.
Cooper was found guilty in May 2011 of first-degree murder in the July 2008 death of his wife. Cooper claimed his wife went out for a jog and never returned. Her body was later found in a ditch a few miles from the couple's home.
Coopers attorneys argued for a retrial in April, saying two experts were not allowed to tell the jurors that someone could have planted evidence on Cooper's computer.
The evidence refers to a Google Map search that was done by someone using the laptop while it was at an office at Cisco, where Cooper had worked.
The state's experts said the search was completed by putting in the zip code associated with defendant's house and zooming into a spot on Fielding Drive where Cooper's body was found.
In response, the defense called Jay Ward, who specialized in computer network security, to testify about the incrementing Google Map search. The state objected to Ward's testimony, challenging Ward's lack of training and experience as a forensic computer analyst.
The judges said the trial judge made a mistake in limiting the testimony of Ward.
The court said the Google Map files recovered from Brad Cooper's laptop computer were perhaps the most important pieces of evidence in the trial.
The Google Map evidence led to Cooper's conviction in May 2011.