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(Santiago, Puerto Bories, San Pedro de Atacama)
A trip to South America is incomplete until you have travelled to Chile and experienced two of the most pristine places on earth....Patagonia & the Atacama Desert. Travel south by plane to the Punta Arenas, Chile's gateway to Patagonia, from there travel overland to Puerto Bories, home to the luxurious Singular hotel. Patagonia's landscape is breathtaing, morning, noon and night! Activities in Patagonia include hiking and trekking, horsebacking riding, bird watching, cycling, cave exploration, kayaking and more! Expeditions are led by experienced guides and offered on an easy, medium and difficult level to enhace the travel experience of all travelers! Return to Santiago and experience life "living as a local" see the highlights of the city, and visit a local winery before departing for Atacama! Atacama is a lunar landscape in places, lush river canyons in others. In some parts, rain has not touched this parched land for the past three hundred years while summer can bring brilliant rainstorms in the mountains. Each day guests choose from a variety of explorations; touring by car, trekking, biking and even mountain climbing. All explorations are accompanied by experienced guides and are available at all levels of abilities to explore the nature or the history of Atacama. Discover the heights of the Andes, enjoy the volcanoes and plateaus or visit the small villages with their traditions and folklore. Return to Santiago for a night before departing Chile.
Please note that the cost of regional and international air has not yet been included in your quotation. Air experts are standing by to help. Enjoy a personalized vacation that best suits your needs, developed by one of our experienced destination experts. Relax during your trip with our 24/7 support and expert local guidance.
Upon your arrival you will be met by a local representative who will help you locate your vehicle.
Welcome to Chile!
Private airport transfer in Santiago with a guide and driver.
Flight is required, currently not included in the quote.
Upon your arrival into Punta Arenas airport, you be met by a driver from The Singular Patagonia for your shared transfer to the hotel. This shared transer is offered as a complimentary service for guests of The Singular only.
Choose from a wide range of options during your stay at The Singular Patagonia.
Basic, Medium and Expert level activities are available, from trekking to horseback riding and kayaking. The following is a list of some of the expeditions available, for more details please ask you Sales Consultant:
Basic Level Full Day: Trekking Sierra Baguales, Trekking and sailing – Isla Focus, Discovering Torres del Paine National ParkHalf Day: Sailing to Punta Jamón, Visit to Shotel Aike Wetland – Cerro Castillo, Visit to Puerto Bories Industrial Museum, Puerto Natales, Land of Pioneers, Cycling around Puerto Natales
Medium Level:Full Day: Sailing around the Patagonia Fjords: Serrano and Balmaceda Glaciers and Lago Azul, Horse riding to Puerto BoriesHalf Day: Cycling around Laguna Sofía, Trekking Seno Ultima Esperanza or Last Hope Sound overlooking point, Trekking to the Mylodon Caves, Trekking and Watching Andean Condors, Horse Riding around Laguna Sofía – Las Cuevas, Horseback Riding to Mylodon Cave, Horse riding to Puerto Bories
Expert Level:Full Day: Trekking to the base of Torres del Paine and The Wonders of Torres del Paine National Park.
A variety of expeditions await for you to explore Patagonia today!
Another day to enjoy a variety of expeditions included in your package at The Singular Patagonia.
Upon checking out, you'll be met by a driver for your shared transfer to the airport in Punta Arenas. The transfer takes approximately 4 hours.
Today is a day when you will experience life as a true local, otherwise known as a "Santiaguino". Your guide will pick you up at your hotel and together you will walk towards the nearest Metro station to board one of the most efficient and clean subways in the world, Santiago's Metro (Metro ticket is included). In it, you will reach the classic and most important subway station in the city, Universidad de Chile where gigantic murals of local artists are displayed showing a piece of Chile's rich urban culture. Upon exiting the station you will be in the middle of Santiago's busy downtown. You will walk about the Stock Exchange and the classic streets, having a Santiago traditional coffee experience, in one of the many cafés called "Café con piernas" translated as coffee with legs…you will see firsthand where the name originates from. After enjoying coffee (not included) we will walk through the Paseo Ahumada, viewing the different shops and shoe shine stands and all sorts of local characters. We will arrive to the main square or Plaza de Armas which is a meeting point for several immigrants from neighboring countries. We will visit the Cathedral. We will continue walking through Puente Street which is characterized by the large amount of shoe stores where locals shop. We will reach the Mercado Central (local fish Market) where we will see the different types of fish and shellfish that the Pacific Ocean has to offer. In this market we will have lunch at one of the many restaurants enjoyed by locals and generally unknown to tourists. Your guide will be with you at all times explaining local culture and helping you to translate and interact with shop vendors, waiters and anyone you want to meet.
After lunch at Restaurant El Galeon, walk across the Mapocho river to visit the Vega Central (local food market) here you will see the different fruits and vegetables that the fertile lands of Chile offer. After the visit walk through the Bellavista district, also known as the bohemian district where you will enter a local bar to try out a refreshing local drink called "The Terremoto" which translates to the Earthquake (drink is not included). After this stop we continue to San Cristobal Hill. On the way we try out some of Chile's classic and refreshing snacks such as Mote de Huesillos or any snack that you feel like.
At San Cristobal Hill we will reach the top in the traditional funicular. From the top enjoy a panoramic view of Santiago from which, with your guide, you can track the places visited during the day. Here, your vehicle will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel after a day of exploring Santiago and being a true "Santiaguino".
Casablanca is a transversal valley approximately 24 kilometres long that extends from the Zapata Tunnel to the Shrine of Lo Vásquez and covers a total of 22.000 hectares. Flanked by mountains, Route 68 runs through the middle of the valley like a backbone and connects Santiago with the port of Valparaiso. The Casablanca Valley forms part of the Coastel Range, a mountainous chain formed 180 million years ago. Today the valley hosts more than 5.000 hectares (11.120 acres) of plantations, which count with the highest technology used today including Frost control towers, Certified drop watering and keen managing of the vineyard that guaranty first quality grapes. This way, the valley of Casablanca has positioned itself as the best valley in Chile as well as abroad , for white wines, in particular Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, and within the red wines with the Pinot Noir. On this day you will visit 2 premium vineyards with wine tasting included at Vina Emiliana and Casa Del Bosque.
You will be met at the airport and transferred by private vehicle and guide to the Awasi Lodge.
Included in your stay are the following: lodging, breakfast, lunch, appetizer and dinner (lunch on the date of check-in is not included), alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, private outings, 2 half day or 1 full day excursion per day is included (on check-in/check-out day there is only 1 half day outing included), transfers from/to Calama Airport.
At Awasi, excursions are private, exclusive, and are programmed according to your preferences and pace. Tailor-made outings are designed with your private guide who will help you plan your trips and will accompany you during your stay. You can choose full- or half-day trips. We offer easy strolls or intense treks for the more adventurous, horse-back riding, bicycle rides, visits to archaeological sites, visits to the salt flats, Altiplano lagoons or villages hidden among the deep valleys. You can get up at dawn to go and see the geysers and relax in the thermal pools. Bird watching or an evening astronomic tour with local guides are some of the experiences you can organize during your stay at Awasi.
Choose from a plethera of half or full day private guided excursions at Awasi Lodge.
Today you will transfer by private vehicle with guide to the airpot in Calama.
After being met by your guide and private vehicle at your accommodation, you'll be brought towards Vitacura neighborhood to visit Alonso de Cordova Avenue boutiques, an elegant neighborhood where you will be able to visit the best shops in town and where you'll find " Lapiz Lazuli "(semi-precious stone found only in Chile and some places in Afghanistan) jewellery shop. Continue on to Parque Arauco Shopping Centre, the largest shopping mall in the country. After getting your fill of shopping, relax on the drive to "Handicraft Los Dominicos town " where you'll find a plethora of traditional Chilean handicraft.
Experience The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago – an unforgettable five-star hotel well situated in an upscale neighbourhood of Santiago . With all the frills and dazzling decor that make hotels a treat to visit, the acclaimed Ritz Carlton is all this and more. Stay in one of its 205 rooms, which are noted for marble fixtures, and high quality bedding and linen. All rooms feature classic decor and panoramic views of the city. Feast on gourmet culinary accomplishments, from Mediterranean preparations to buffet-style pastries and a chocolate temptation buffet. Later, spend time lounging by the indoor pool with a book. Absorb views of the Andes and the city. Otherwise, sit down at the bar and try one of the 100 martini varieties.
The Singular Patagonia is a five-star luxury hotel located in Puerto Bories, Chile. The hotel is located in the converted "Frigorifico Puerto Bories", a post-Victorian cold-storage plant built in 1915. Overlooking the Fjord of Last Hope Sound and the Andes Mountains off in the distance, The Singular's oversized guestrooms provide plenty of room to unwind after a day of adventure. Best of all, your appreciation of Patagonia's beauty can continue once inside your personal haven as each room features floor to ceiling, picture windows. A reminder that Mother Nature still makes the best artwork. This is an environment of simple luxury. It will be your home at The Singular Patagonia—the perfect setting to connect with authentic Patagonia.
The Awasi Lodge is situated inside an ancient site surrounded by a historic wall, on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama, a little oasis town huddled around the riverbed of San Pedro River. The privileged location just a stone's throw from the center of town makes it possible to enjoy "town life". The Lodge comprises of only 8 cabins, which ensures an intimate and private atmosphere to make each guest feel at home. The circular, thatch-roofed cabins are constructed in the local style with traditional materials, tastefully furnished for comfort and style, each with its own spacious bathroom and private patio where you can relax in privacy.
South America
Christina Adams ,
April 21, 2014
"I know it's silly to give all 10's, obviously every trip has it's ups and downs, but if it hadn't been for our Kensington Tours planning, guides and drivers we would have been lost! It was wonderful to be out in a strange new environment yet know we had a safety net and a friendly face. The places we visited were awesome but I think we'll remember most the people that we met. Thank you and I'll send photos soon! Sincerely, Christina Adams"
South America
Frank Manna ,
April 21, 2014
"Our guided transfers were exceptionally accommodating even though our flights were considerably delayed. The Annavillanas Jungle Lodge was spectacular for location, accommodations and food. The Rio Carnival experience was unique and unforgettable and our seats were wonderful. Loved the location of our hotel in Rio.......right on the street of Copacabana Beach.......fantastic. "
South America
Vivian Jennings ,
April 21, 2014
"Very pleased with organization. Not having to worry about connections or arrangements is wonderful. Great selection with hotels, Coral 1 and Napo Wildlife. Kensington puts all the details together to ensure a wonderful trip. Highly recommend the Galapagos and Amazon. "
South America
Daniel More ,
April 21, 2014
"All was great. Guides were knowledgeable, personable, friendly... that's what really made the trip."
South America
Marlin Barad ,
April 21, 2014
"Sofia, thank you for putting together a great trip. We certainly enjoyed ourselves very much. The planning and care was excellent. We hope we can do another trip with you all soon. Marlin Barad"
South America
Laura Iyer ,
January 10, 2014
"We just returned last night from our Patagonia adventure and we had the time of our lives! Everything turned out perfectly. Guides were fun, on time and informative. The excursions were great for an active family and, of course, amazing. I thought after the glacier trek it can't get any better - but it kept surprising me and amazing me. My personal favorite was the horseback riding. I thought afterwards after everything we have seen the bike tour would have to be a let down - NOPE - it also was so exciting and our guide was a hoot! Meals were amazing and after so many active excursions no guilt in pigging out. I am so happy we took a little risk and went out of the way with our vacation this year. We will have this with us for a life time.
South America
Catherine Dudley ,
January 10, 2014
"GREAT trip! We were very pleased with every aspect that Brandi set up for us including the tour of Quito and environs. Our guide spoke excellent English, the driver was courteous and we felt safe and well-informed throughout the day. We're still going through the 500+ photos that I took and the 1700+ photos that my son took. Galapagos was a fabulous trip and the Eclipse was a terrific way to navigate the islands.
South America
Mark Dornfeld ,
November 11, 2013
"My wife and I had a wonderful trip, we really enjoyed ourselves. All the accommodations that you booked for us were exceptional and our drivers and guides were lovely. We had great weather the whole trip and only lost one activity due to high winds. As you know this is a beautiful part of the world so my camera was snapping all the time. We would definitely use your services in the future for this type of travel. Thanks for all you help and expertise........be well.....m.d."
South America
Jack Gregory ,
November 11, 2013
"Dear Sofia
I wanted to give you a little feedback on our recent trip to Peru.
In a word – EXCELLENT – especially the high quality people you work with in Peru. We have taken tours all over the world, S. Africa, France, England, Vietnam, China to name just a few, and the service we received in Peru was far beyond and of the other experiences we have had. The attention to detail was very much appreciated, picking us up at the airport, taking us back to the airport and complete, hassle free, handling of all our details truly made this a stress free experience.
Special thanks to:
-The entire reservation system and the people I came in contact with that process...every detail accounted for
-The people that looked after us in Lima
-Andre, the young man in Cusco who faithfully phoned every night just to make sure the day went well, my wife was well and that we knew what we had to do the next day.
-The Sumaq hotel in Aquas Calientes...you can tell the level of service by the details...I watched a waitress hold a high stool for a lady to prevent her from tipping backwards as she got on the stool, the lady didn't even know the waitress did it....that's client care.
-Especially Mariela, the tour guide in Cusco...highly knowledgeable, passionate, personable and shows great care for the people she guides.
South America
Hainsworth Sherry ,
November 05, 2013
Clients were very impressed. Guides were amazing and accommodation was beyond expectations. They will definitely travel with you again and they have highly recommended Kensington Tours.
Hope I can work with you again the in the near future.
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Issued by the Labour Party Press and Publicity Department, Transport House, Smith Square, London, S.W.1. 8. 2. 1950
WEDNESDAY, 8th February, 1950, at 9.15 p.m.
Since the last election many millions of people have come home from the war but this time it has been different.
I can recall another homecoming, after 1918. Tens of thousands of men came home to find that they were not wanted. The ex-serviceman with his sandwich board and the accusing words on it - 1915 Suvla Bay, 1916 the Somme, 1917 Ypres, 1921 the road - that summed it all up.
But this time it has been different. This time the young men whose careers were broken by war service have been helped to complete their training. This time the men came home to a job and a reasonable wage and security. They came back to full employment.
Millions of our fellow countrymen up and down these islands know what that means. And they know too what it means not to have full employment.
Last week I was in the Rhondda. I remembered what it used to be like, I remembered a village in the top end of the Valley which I visited in the thirties. I was then President of the Welsh miners. I had gone there to meet the people - old miners, shopkeepers, clergymen, to see if anything could be done to re-open their one coal mine. It has been closed since 1926. The youth had gone away - only the old and the disabled remained.
I called at the home of an old comrade. He was nearing 60. He had worked at the same pit from boyhood until it closed and he was now too old to move. All he and his wife had to live on was his unemployment allowance, 18s. a week after paying rent - all that the Tory Government of the thirties allowed them. Remember that when the Tories say they fought for the Social Services.
The same evening I called to see Dai Jones - another old mate. He had been a fine strapping man and a skilled worker - what we in the pits called a Hard Groundman. He was still in his early forties but he looked old and haggard, a victim of silicosis, struggling for breath all the time. All he had was his compo - workmen's compensation - 29s. a week to keep his wife and five children.
I saw the children come home from school. A survey showed that 27% of the children in the schools of the Rhondda - 27%, more than one in four were under-nourished. There were no ration books then and no points and no queues. There was no money to queue with.
That evening they crowded the Village Hall and they sang. They sang the lovely tune named after the Valley - Cwm Rhondda - "Bread of Heaven, Feed me till I want no more".
That is what it was like before the war.
Last week I was there again. And this time I saw what full employment means. What a change! The old pit is being reopened and modernised. This is happening everywhere. The miners are now getting a square deal. Without public ownership of coal we should have faced industrial disaster.
New factories are being built. Men are in full employment. And the women now know the blessing of a full pay packet on Friday. The children get milk and meals at school. There is no under-nourishment.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Mindblowing work from the early years of Schema Records – a set that really helped set a whole new tone for a generation – and which still sounds wonderful all these many hears later! Balanco work up a perfect blend of bossa rhythms and soulful jazz – all wrapped up with the kind of slinky, sexy vibe the Italian scene first perfected back in the 60s – when they were borrowing lots of Brazilian elements for their best soundtracks! Balanco's sound here really recalls those glory days – mixing together sweet female vocals, lively bossa rhythms, and great work on Fender Rhodes – all under the guidance of Nicola Conte, who manages to make everything sound beautiful together. Highlights include versions of Morricone's "Metti Una Sera A Cena" and the classic "Cinnamon & Clove" – and the vinyl version features 4 more tracks, "Balanco", "Fantasia", "Aguadream", and "Blue Skat Samba". © 1996-2014, Dusty Groove, Inc.


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(Hyouton: Yuki Kisuu) Ice Release: Snowy Drift
Type: Supplementary
Rank: B
Range: Short-Long
Chakra: 20
Damage: N/A
Description: The user channels Hyouton chakra throughout their body and turns themselves into snow. The users body is intangible in this state so cannot perform jutsu in this state. Also the user cannot be dealt physical blows in this state as they are intangible, however they are susceptible to lightning jutsu.
-Can be used 4x in a battle
-Can only be taught by Kato.
~Declined~ Restrict it. 4x per battle is too much, and explain the stipulations of the technique overall and how long it lasts.
(Hanshinfuzui Otakebi) Petrifying Roar
Type: Supplementary
Rank: B
Range: Short-Mid
Chakra: 20
Damage: 40
Description: The user will channel chakra into their throat and let out a roar, like that of a lion that petrifies the opponent, freezing them where they stand
-Usable 3x a battle
-Can only be taught by Kato.
~Declined~ Similar Technique Exists
(Hyouton: Eda Hari) Ice Release: Frozen Limb Extention
Type: Supplimentary/Offence/Defence
Rank: A
Range: Short-Mid
Chakra: 30
Damage: 60
Description: The releases Hyouton chakra from one of their limbs, Ice then forms from that limb as an extended verion of it, for example the user will use their right arm and ice will come from the users right fist and travel out in the shape of the users arm to whatever distance the user requires (maximum is mid range)
-Can only be taught by Kato.
~Declined~ Why is this A-rank? It's just a basic projectile in the shape of an arm. It would do minor damage at best.


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Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Beautiful Bars...
Chocolat Foucher, above, have cleverly stayed with their 20's Déco wrapper designs. Jean-Paul Hévin goes for the "naked" tablette with just his brand accross the top like a Louis Vuiton purse.
Look at these crazy-shaped orange chocolate bars from maitre chocolatiere, Arnaud Larher. The flavors too are adventurous - apricot with coconut!? These bars are from La Mère de Famille. Again all is revealed + interesting flavors...
These French black wrappers work here, because of the brilliant colors (irradiating color theory - black makes other colors look brighter and lighter). And the colors connote the exotic origins of the cacao bean within.
Hershey's jumped into the race at the NY Chocolate show introducing these new bars and blasting the percentages. They're smaller in size... What do you think of them?
Guittard is the oldest producer of fine chocolate in the US and of French origin too. They take great care in every step of production to supply the best chocolate to US pastry chefs. But I'd love to see a bit more umph to their new, but rather traditional choco bar wrappers... I think I'll become a chocolate package designer when I grow up :)
24 comments:
First, in reference to your other post...you cannot blog too much about chocolate!! In fact, everything you posted is fascinating.ReplyDelete
Second, I think it would be extraordinary to have your watercolors decorate the packaging of fine chocolates!
I used to work in the graphic design/packaging industry and it's certainly a feasible thing.
I wonder why Americans seem to be the only nation that struggles with weight when clearly there are major chocolate temptations in other countries that are far more beautifully packaged (and I have been known to buy something purely because it is so perfectly packaged). Maybe they only eat a single square while we eat the bar!ReplyDelete
What a fortune!ReplyDelete
Good chocolate and good design!
It has alot to do with the packaging...
I saw a blog that had a story about wrappers you could buy to re wrap your chocolate bars prettier...If I find it I'll send it too you.
- Anonymous12:29 PM
Carol, everyone seems to have the same idea why are we hear so behind in our country.When it comes to food choc ect the french surly know how to do this with beauty. The candie covers are wonderful. You truly have a wonderful life and a wonderful painter to boot.ReplyDelete
Thank you for sharing with usI love coming heare and going on the lifes adventure your having.
Happy turkey day,
Hi Carol,ReplyDelete
Congratulations on having your blog included in the Blogs of Note in Blogger Buzz. That's how I got to your site. BTW are you the same Paris Breakfast that used to post on my blog Blogger Tips and Tricks
Ah, for once I can read your lovely blog and not go crazy. I have a bar of organic chocolate by Intelligent Nutrients I picked from Aveda. It's supposed to have "Happy" and "Calming" ingredients in it.ReplyDelete
I don't care what drugs they put in it. Chocolate always makes me happy and calm (as does your blog!)
Of course! A chocolate package designer - what could be better?!? (Except perhaps, a chocolate quality-control taster?)ReplyDelete
My favorites are the packaging in your first photo up top. I would save all the wrappers...
I must give cool-packaging marks to Chocolate Love bars. The chocolate itself is OK - but the packaging is very fun (there is even a love poem included in each bar).
wow a blog about chocolate and some of the finest chocolates around - this is a dream come true.ReplyDelete
A chocolate package designer that sounds good - do you get to taste the chocolates before designing that way the pack will emphasise the feelings.
x x x
I like the post and good chocolate and good design.......! But i don't like the packaging. I like your blog and i am looking for some more good stuff.ReplyDelete


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California Community Colleges launch new statewide center to increase student success
March 10, 2014 The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and the Foundation for California Community Colleges are proud to announce the launch of the California Student Success Center, which will act as a hub of support for projects around the state that improve college completion rates and promote student success in the California Community College system.
Read more>
Foundation Partners with ThinkEDU to Increase Access to Technology for Community Colleges
January 30, 2014 The Foundation has partnered with ThinkEDU to improve the ways students, faculty, and staff access affordable software and technology tools.ThinkEDU, an e-commerce company dedicated to working with college students and educators, will manage the newly launched online stores at www.CollegeBuys.org.
Third Annual Veterans Summit Highlights Strategies and Best Practices for Serving Veteran Students
December 4, 2013 The third California Community Colleges Veterans Summit takes place this week, December 5-6, in Newport Beach, California. This annual event provides professionals from Community Colleges and four-year universities the necessary tools to help their staff and administrators to better support student veterans on their campuses.
American Leadership Forum Honors Chancellor Harris for Being a Leader in Higher Education
October 31, 2013 California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice W. Harris is one of two community leaders who will be honored by the Mountain Valley Chapter of the American Leadership Forum at the upcoming Exemplary Leader Award Dinner on Nov. 6, for his commitment to higher education leadership and his support of the arts.
Foundation and Linked Learning Alliance Partner with JPMorgan Chase in Statewide Initiative to Improve Workforce Readiness
October 29, 2013 The Foundation and the Linked Learning Alliance received a $1.2 million grant from JPMorgan that will fund a program to engage employers and assist high school and Community College students in securing paid internships. This new initiative will improve the workforce readiness of students and help them secure jobs in top fields such as engineering, health care, and law.
Foundation Included in Third Round of California Education Policy Fund Grants to Support Student Success September 18, 2013 Last week, the Foundation was one of 10 organizations to receive a grant from the California Education Policy Fund (CEPF), a project sponsored by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA). This two-year, $100,000 grant will supplement the $300,000 grant awarded to the Foundation from CEPF in September of 2012, and will help the Foundation continue advancing the California Community Colleges Student Success Initiative.
Read more >
13th Annual John W. Rice Award Ceremony Honors Efforts to Promote Diversity July 9, 2013 Los Angeles Community College District's Project MATCH and Napa Valley College's Greg Miraglia are this year's recipients of the 13th annual Dr. John W. Rice Diversity and Equity Award. Read more > Foundation's Greg Thomas Joins the California Internship and Work Experience Association
May 13, 2013 Greg Thomas, who leads the Foundation for California Community Colleges' Workforce Development Initiatives, was elected to serve a two-year term on the CIWEA's Board of Directors, joining a prestigious group of educators and employers devoted to higher education. Founded in 1974, the CIWEA is California's leading professional association dedicated to integrating classroom learning with real-world work experience and developing college-level internship and work experience programs for students.
Read more > Winners of 2013 Regina Stanback-Stroud Diversity Award Announced
April 19, 2013 Liesel Reinhart from Mt. San Antonio College was presented with the 2013 Regina Stanback-Stroud Diversity Award at today's Spring Academic Senate Plenary Session. The Foundation is a proud long-time sponsor of this award, providing each year's winner with a $5,000 cash award in recognition of their work on campus diversity issues.
Santa Rosa Junior College student awarded two prestigious scholarships
April 12, 2013 Santa Rosa Junior College student Zachary Zatkin-Gold received two scholarships from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at the Rochester Institute of Technology this month. Zachary attributes his success largely due to his participation with the California Connects and MESA Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) programs. Read more >
Foundation joins statewide leaders to honor 2013 Hayward Award recipients
March 4, 2013 - Foundation for California Community Colleges President and CEO Keetha Mills joined the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and other statewide leaders today in honoring the recipients of the 2013 Gerald C. Hayward Awards for Excellence in Education. Read more >
VRRRM program removes thousands of high-polluting vehicles from California roadways
February 21, 2013 - A statewide program offering monetary incentives for motorists to repair, retire or replace their high-emitting vehicles has led to the repair or removal of over 14,000 automobiles that were otherwise contributing to poor air quality, resulting in 883 tons of pollutants being eliminated from California's airways—the equivalent of removing over 100,000 passenger cars for a year from the roadways—over the past two years. Read more >
Winners of 2012 College Seen photo competition announced
January 15, 2013 - Nine California Community College students have been awarded first place in the 2012 College Seen photography competition, with City College of San Francisco student Mike Nero taking the grand prize for his photo of a City College softball player. Read more >
View 2012 Foundation News Archive > View 2011 Foundation News Archive > View 2010 Foundation News Archive > View 2009 Foundation News Archive >


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Boardsmanship! Nine Principles
I think I've worked about every side of this now. I have worked for a Board in three capacities: as the Chief Executive Officer (a library director hired by, reporting to, and accountable solely to the Board), as the staff member working for the CEO (but presenting information to the Board), and as an independent contractor or consultant. And, I have worked on a Board as a member (sometimes with few responsibilities, sometimes as a committee member or chair), as an executive officer (Secretary, for instance), and as Board President. In that time, I've worked out some expectations of Board members. I sure wish someone had given all this to me at the beginning.
So in the hopes that this might do some good, I hereby offer "Nine Principles of Boardsmanship."
- Governance Understand the difference between governance and management. The purpose of the Board is oversight—in other words, dealing with the big issues. Keep your eye on mission, on planning, on broad institutional strategy. Don't mess with day-to-day operational decisions.
- Focus Respect your fellow Board members' time. Stay focused on the tasks before you. All of us have lives that matter to us. Unless you have good reasons not to (meaning "reasons that are vital to the organization and actually involve you"), stick to the agenda.
- Inform Bring all relevant information to the Board. The purpose of the Board is to make informed decisions, to provide intelligent organizational leadership. If you have data that matters, bring it forth. Don't sit on it in the hopes you'll get your way. That's intellectually sloppy and morally dishonest.
- Be Considerate Thoughtfully consider the opinions of others. Board deliberations do not consist of just waiting for the other person to finish so you can speak. They consist of open-minded evaluations of the ideas of your colleagues, and staff. This obligation extends to each issue and each person, not just to the issues or people you usually agree with.
- Voice Opinions Have your say. Argue passionately for your beliefs. Articulate your opinions as clearly, concisely, and forcefully as possible.
- Vote your Conscience Vote the way you believe, not what you think others might believe. Don't assume consensus simply because no one else voices an opinion. Perhaps others on the Board are waiting to see how the discussion comes out, or waiting for someone else to voice their dissatisfied but inchoate opinion. Take a stand!
- Represent the Board Represent the "Board decision" honestly. It could be that you voted your conscience—and were roundly defeated. So be it. Be clear about when you're speaking as yourself, and when your discussion represents the Board. You're entitled to your opinions, your doubts, and your free speech. But do your colleagues and your audience the courtesy of clearly identifying "who" is speaking: you as an individual or you as the Board representative. If your comments are spoken as a member of the Board, begin with a careful representation, without slander, of the decision of that body.
- Avoid Rehashes Move forward until new evidence urges a reconsideration. Don't keep revisiting things you've already decided. On the other hand, sometimes new evidence arises that compels you to think again. It could be that new evidence supports your dissenting opinion. Or it could be that it contradicts the majority opinion with which you agreed. Either way, new data should be examined without bias.
- Practice High Standards
Build the organization by example. This
is a big one. It speaks to a fundamental
attitude. There are lots of pieces to this, but
here are the main ones:
- Presume innocence and the good intention of all parties.
- Make each other look good: speak well of fellow Board members.
- Build on each other's work.
- Hold to the vision—spend your time working FOR the big organization goals (not against this or that).
And, just in case you don't hear this enough, thank you for caring enough about an organization to give it your time.


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In recent years, B-Town has graciously welcomed young stars in kinship with one or the other veteran of the film fraternity. Be it director-producer Mahesh Bhatt's daughter Alia or director David Dhawan's son Varun or even Shraddha, the daughter of Shakti Kapoor, the Bad-Man of the Indian cinema.
Pran's 90th Birthday Bash
dilip kumar News
Dilip Kumar is one of the most respected figures in the Bollywood industry and enjoys the status of a living legend among his fans. But it seems that even such a revered position is not enough to protect a man these days. Dilip Kumar and his wife former actress Saira Banu has lodged a complaint o
Last Monday evening saw the official launch of Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar's autobiography, 'The Substance And The Shadow'. The event, held at the Grand Hyatt, Santa Cruz, Mumbai, was attended by a who's who of Bollywood. The actor himself was present along with icons and stars like Amitabh Bach


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AT&T sends your traffic to the NSA
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Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:47 pm
Post subject: AT&T sends your traffic to the NSA
big surprise. I always figured that's what something like akamai was doing.
EFF Files Evidence in Motion to Stop AT&T's Dragnet Surveillance
Internal AT&T Documents Had Been Temporarily Held Back Due To Government's Concerns
San Francisco - The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) on Wednesday filed the legal briefs and evidence supporting its motion for a preliminary injunction in its class-action lawsuit against AT&T. After asking EFF to hold back the documents so that it could review them, the Department of Justice consented to EFF's filing them under seal -- a well-established procedure that prohibits public access and permits only the judge and the litigants to see the evidence. While not a party to the case, the government was concerned that even this procedure would not provide sufficient security and has represented to the Court that it is "presently considering whether and, if so, how it will participate in this case."
"The evidence that we are filing supports our claim that AT&T is diverting Internet traffic into the hands of the NSA wholesale, in violation of federal wiretapping laws and the Fourth Amendment," said EFF Staff Attorney Kevin Bankston. "More than just threatening individuals' privacy, AT&T's apparent choice to give the government secret, direct access to millions of ordinary Americans' Internet communications is a threat to the Constitution itself. We are asking the Court to put a stop to it now."
EFF's evidence regarding AT&T's dragnet surveillance of its networks includes a declaration by Mark Klein, a retired AT&T telecommunications technician, and several internal AT&T documents. This evidence was bolstered and explained by the expert opinion of J. Scott Marcus, who served as Senior Technical Advisor for Internet Technology to the Federal Communications Commission from July 2001 until July 2005.
The internal AT&T documents and portions of the supporting declarations have been submitted to the Court under a tentative seal, a procedure that allows AT&T five court days to explain to the Court why the information should be kept from the public.
"The public deserves to know about AT&T's illegal program," said EFF Legal Director Cindy Cohn. "In an abundance of caution, we are providing AT&T with an opportunity to explain itself before this material goes on the public docket, but we believe that justice will ultimately require full disclosure."
The NSA program came to light in December, when the New York Times reported that the President had authorized the agency to intercept telephone and Internet communications inside the United States without the authorization of any court. Over the ensuing weeks, it became clear that the NSA program has been intercepting and analyzing millions of Americans' communications, with the help of the country's largest phone and Internet companies, including AT&T.
"Mark Klein is a true American hero," said EFF Staff Attorney Kurt Opsahl. "He has bravely come forward with information critical for proving AT&T's involvement with the government's invasive surveillance program."
In the lawsuit, EFF is representing the class of all AT&T residential customers nationwide. Working with EFF in the lawsuit are the law firms Traber & Voorhees, Lerach Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP and the Law Office of Richard R. Wiebe.
For the notice of motion for preliminary injunction:
For the motion to lodge under temporary seal:
For more on EFF's suit:
Derek Slater
Acting Media Coordinator
Electronic Frontier Foundation
For Mark Klein:
Miles Ehrlich, Esq.
Ramsey & Ehrlich
Posted at 12:01 AM
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 11:54 pm
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:28 pm
Post subject:
Info about Naurus (the program/hardware that monitors your packets):
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 8:18 pm
Post subject:
--Mark Klein, April 6, 2006
My Background:
For 22 and 1/2 years I worked as an AT&T technician, first in New York and then in California.
What I Observed First-Hand:
In 2002, when I was working in an AT&T office in San Francisco, the site manager told me to expect a visit from a National Security Agency agent, who was to interview a management-level technician for a special job. The agent came, and by chance I met him and directed him to the appropriate people.
In January 2003, I, along with others, toured the AT&T central office on Folsom Street in San Francisco -- actually three floors of an SBC building. There I saw a new room being built adjacent to the 4ESS switch room where the public's phone calls are routed. I learned that the person whom the NSA interviewed for the secret job was the person working to install equipment in this room. The regular technician work force was not allowed in the room.
In October 2003, the company transferred me to the San Francisco building to oversee the Worldnet Internet room, which included large routers, racks of modems for customers' dial-in services, and other equipment. I was responsible for troubleshooting problems on the fiber optic circuits and installing new circuits.
While doing my job, I learned that fiber optic cables from the secret room were tapping into the Worldnet circuits by splitting off a portion of the light signal. I saw this in a design document available to me, entitled "Study Group 3, LGX/Splitter Wiring, San Francisco" dated Dec. 10, 2002. I also saw design documents dated Jan. 13, 2004 and Jan. 24, 2003, which instructed technicians on connecting some of the already in-service circuits to the "splitter" cabinet, which diverts some of the light signal to the secret room. The circuits listed were the Peering Links, which connect Worldnet with other networks and hence the whole country, as well as the rest of the world.
One of the documents listed the equipment installed in the secret room, and this list included a Narus STA 6400, which is a "Semantic Traffic Analyzer". The Narus STA technology is known to be used particularly by government intelligence agencies because of its ability to sift through large amounts of data looking for preprogrammed targets. The company's advertising boasts that its technology "captures comprehensive customer usage data ... and transforms it into actionable information.... (It) provides complete visibility for all internet applications."
My job required me to connect new circuits to the "splitter" cabinet and get them up and running. While working on a particularly difficult one with a technician back East, I learned that other such "splitter" cabinets were being installed in other cities, including Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego.
What is the Significance and Why Is It Important to Bring These Facts to Light?
Based on my understanding of the connections and equipment at issue, it appears the NSA is capable of conducting what amounts to vacuum-cleaner surveillance of all the data crossing the Internet -- whether that be peoples' e-mail, Web surfing or any other data.
Given the public debate about the constitutionality of the Bush administration's spying on U.S. citizens without obtaining a FISA warrant, I think it is critical that this information be brought out into the open, and that the American people be told the truth about the extent of the administration's warrantless surveillance practices, particularly as it relates to the Internet.
Despite what we are hearing, and considering the public track record of this administration, I simply do not believe their claims that the NSA's spying program is really limited to foreign communications or is otherwise consistent with the NSA's charter or with FISA. And unlike the controversy over targeted wiretaps of individuals' phone calls, this potential spying appears to be applied wholesale to all sorts of Internet communications of countless citizens.
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:16 am
Post subject:
even though I do nothing wrong, I do not like the feeling of being watched. It starts with monitoring, next comes controlling those packets. This is going to have a real negative effect on the internet of the future :(
- grimR
Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 3:46 pm
Post subject: Update
The U.S. government called on Friday for the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the Electronic Frontier Foundation against AT&T, arguing that evidence presented in the case could harm state secrets.
The invocation of the so-called "state secrets privilege" casts doubt on the outcome of the EFF's case, which alleges that AT&T inflicted harm on its American customers by cooperating with a comprehensive surveillance program conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA's surveillance program first came to light in December. In January, the government was sued by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over the allegedly illegal and broad spying of ordinary American citizens, now thought to be broader spying than was originally reported.
The brief filed by the Assistant Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice argues that any evidence filed in the case could harm national security. It also cautions that the brief should not be seen as an admission that the allegations stated by the EFF's court filings are true.
"The fact that the United States will assert the state secrets privilege should not be construed as a confirmation or a denial of any of Plaintiff's allegations, either about AT&T or the alleged surveillance activities," the brief stated. "When allegations are made about purported classified government activities or relationships, regardless of whether those allegations are accurate, the existence or non-existence of the activity or relationship is potentially a state secret."
The U.S. plans to file a formal assertion of state secrets privilege, a motion to intervene in the case, and a motion to dismiss by May 12.
- securityfocus.com
sounds to me like they have something to hide. I don't like where it's heading.
- grimR
Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 3:48 pm
Post subject:
Here's the US govt's filing:
Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 11:17 am
Post subject: Neccessary pain...
I think it's a good thing that the US government are doing this - Sooner or later the US electorate are going to get sick of all this nonsense and either do something about it, or stop lecturing the rest of the world on freedom and democracy, when they seem not to understand the meaning of either word.
In the meantime, I hope the US citizenry are enjoying discovering what the US government looks like to the rest of the world, and how the strange circumstance of the USA being easily the most generous nation on earth yet also the most hated and derided came about.
Sorry, I was forgetting. We foreigners all hate freedom, hence Dubya has to travel around inside a stretch tank in the middle of a giant motorcade, with helicopters circling overhead when he travels abroad, for fear of someone shouting dissent at him. He evidently understands the meaning of the word 'coward' very well...
Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:26 pm
Post subject: Re: Neccessary pain...
rblee wrote:
I think it's a good thing that the US government are doing this - Sooner or later the US electorate...
Assuming their vote counts, of course. My grandmother never had "provisional ballots" in her day. Check out Diebold's actions. They once sent me a cease & desist notice...
Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 7:44 pm
Post subject: Re: Neccessary pain...
rblee wrote:
In the meantime, I hope the US citizenry are enjoying discovering what the US government looks like to the rest of the world, and how the strange circumstance of the USA being easily the most generous nation on earth yet also the most hated and derided came about.
Generous? In what way? The US government is certainly generous with its military aid, but it commits a smaller percentage of its GNP to humanitarian aid than other industrialized countries.
Ed LaBonte
Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 12:48 pm
Post subject: @ewl
True, but it's still a lot more actual dosh than any other nation. Credit where it's due.
Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 11:08 pm
Post subject:
The latest generation is called NarusInsight, capable of monitoring 10 billion bits of data per second.
the technology is mindblowing. pity they can't use it against spam instead...
Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 6:35 pm
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 12:08 am
Post subject:
One company gave the finger to the NSA. Funny how you don't hear about them as much.
Among the big telecommunications companies, only Qwest has refused to help the NSA, the sources said. According to multiple sources, Qwest declined to participate because it was uneasy about the legal implications of handing over customer information to the government without warrants.
I'm proud to say I work for them.
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Earlier today I listened in on a technology webinar, hosted by Ken Kirschenbaum, an industry attorney, that featured several voices both in the industry and in intersecting fields. Many of the speakers are at the forefront of technological innovation as it pertains to the central station space, so naturally the discussion dealt primarily with how to stay competitive by leveraging new technology that can improve retention and carve out new sources of RMR.
A recurring theme of the talk, unsurprisingly, was the emergence of the cableco and telecom giants, and what the competitive implications are with respect to their entry.
In 10-minute intervals, panelists presented commentary on a range of products and services. Some were pretty compelling, not only from a novelty standpoint, but also because many of the products seem like they could have some allure for monitoring companies and their distributors.
One of the more non-traditional services was presented by John Hoffe, president and CEO of Linked24, a product suite with several applications for mobile devices. Designed for dealers, the service features a GPS locator which, depending on the mobile device, can report an updated location of a loved one every three minutes. But that may actually be the company's least buzzworthy product.
Another offering from Linked24 is its "Safe Text" service, which monitors incoming and outgoing messages for anything untoward, such as "inappropriate language and acronyms," according to the website. If it detects any one of more than 750 pre-selected words, the text is uploaded to a customer portal for review. It's a helicopter parent's dream, and, brave new world though it is, it's tough to imagine this product won't find a home somewhere. But we'll have to wait and see if that home will be among the dealer networks of wholesale monitoring companies.
That's not all. There's also an "Emergency Shake" product that allows a customer in dire straits to open a Linked24 application then shake or drop their phone, whereupon a camera is engaged to shoot a 10-second video clip. The administrator of the account is then automatically notified.
Some of these offerings may come across as a bit intense from a personal privacy position, but there's no question some have the potential to thwart an unforeseen problem, particularly the phone shake feature. And, with the mobile surge in full swing, it's not unrealistic to imagine dealers giving strong consideration to products of this ilk to help boost their RMR.
It dawned on me just now that I've alluded to one speaker thus far, despite the fact there were several more who offered insight and product commentary that were more than worthy of mention. In my next blog or two, I'll be sure to highlight the most resonant points offered by some of the other knowledgeable panelists. Stay tuned...
A few weeks ago, in response to a Georgia appellate court decision upholding a verdict against Monitronics in a multi-million dollar case, Ken Kirschenbaum, an industry attorney, posed a simple question on his email newsletter to subscribers: "Why should an alarm contract be drafted so that judges find so much confusion?"
It's a fair question. There was little consensus among the appellate court judges, and some of the judges who concurred with the original verdict cited different reasons for doing so. While the case is not yet settled (it may yet move to a higher court), the implication seems to be that the exculpatory and limitation of liability provisions in the contract were not established in a manner that could provide adequate protection.
This is an issue that stands to remain relevant for central station alarm monitoring companies everywhere. The case, too, is a big enough deal that Kirschenbaum himself updated some of his standard form contracts to make the protective provisions more enforceable, and account for some of the worst case scenarios which surfaced in the Veasley v. Monitronics case.
From Kirschenbaum's newsletter:
"Why did I make the changes even though the Monitronics case is likely to be appealed and hopefully reversed? Because the same issues raised in Monitronics have been and will continue to be addressed in courts all over the country. Courts are looking for ways to impose duties on the alarm companies and avoid contract enforcement."
Part of what makes the Monitronics case so legally murky, and even intimidating from a contractual standpoint, is that the end result, as Kirschenbaum points out, was personal injury. What's more, the injury was caused by service rather than equipment negligence, the court determined.
Kirschenbaum's piece is worth a read in its entirety because it discusses the sheer breadth of considerations that have to be made when designing a contract with clear and enforceable protections. You can subscribe to his newsletter here.
Security industry investors Timothy McGinn and David L. Smith are set to be sentenced next week and could spend the rest of their lives in prison after being convicted of fraud, conspiracy and tax evasion earlier this year.
That's the sentence prosecutors want a judge to impose on the pair—formerly partners at the Albany, N.Y.-based brokerage firm of McGinn, Smith & Co., which conducted dealings in the alarm industry—when they appear in court on Aug. 7, according to the Time Union, an Albany-based newspaper. Life in prison is warranted because the pair caused at least 250 victims to lose more than $30 million, prosecutors say.
However, McGinn, 64, and Smith, 68, are seeking leniency and having friends and relatives send letters testifying to their good characters, according to news reports.
Here's more from the recent Times Union article:
In a sentencing memorandum filed Wednesday, assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth C. Coombe said the maximum term of imprisonment is warranted by factors that include more than $30 million in losses to at least 250 victims. She said the defendants' argument that their misdeeds were caused by a collapsing financial market "misses the mark."
"After persuading investors to part with their money, defendants used it as if it were their own. Not only did they secretly skim large percentages of investor funds to line their own pockets, but they did their very best to make sure that the investments would keep coming in by using new investor money to pay old investors," Coombe wrote in a 13-page memorandum addressed to U.S. District Judge David N. Hurd.
The government also filed a motion seeking $30.2 million in forfeiture penalties from McGinn and Smith, whose bank accounts and assets were frozen three years ago under court orders. It's unclear that they have the assets to pay the proposed penalty.
In a sentencing memorandum filed Wednesday, assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth C. Coombe said the maximum term of imprisonment is warranted by factors that include more than $30 million in losses to at least 250 victims. She said the defendants' argument that their misdeeds were caused by a collapsing financial market "misses the mark."
"After persuading investors to part with their money, defendants used it as if it were their own. Not only did they secretly skim large percentages of investor funds to line their own pockets, but they did their very best to make sure that the investments would keep coming in by using new investor money to pay old investors," Coombe wrote in a 13-page memorandum addressed to U.S. District Judge David N. Hurd.
The government also filed a motion seeking $30.2 million in forfeiture penalties from McGinn and Smith, whose bank accounts and assets were frozen three years ago under court orders. It's unclear that they have the assets to pay the proposed penalty.
A federal jury on Feb. 6 convicted the pair of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, securities fraud, and filing false tax returns. The two also were the target of a civil suit by the Securities and Exchange Commission claiming they bilked investors of at least $80 million in a Ponzi scheme.
However, McGinn and Smith, formerly partners at the brokerage firm of McGinn, Smith & Co., filed motions asking a federal judge to overturn their convictions, saying the government's claims were "based on the complete failure of the government to attempt to comprehend concepts of investment banking and the inner-workings of running a broker-dealer."
It will be interesting to see what the judge decides in this case. Stay posted.
PSIM provider VIDSys announced last week that it's raised $15.65 million in one equity financing.
The investment was lead by NewSpring Capital. Previous investors Atlanta Equity, Flybridge Capital Partners, JVax Investment Group and Motorola Solutions Venture Capital also participated in the round.
I have a call into VIDSys and hope to speak to someone tomorrow about what the company plans to do with the new funds.
NewSpring Capital, is based in Radnor, Pa. It invested through its technology and business services growth equity fund, NewSpring Growth Capital. Marc R. Lederman, NewSpring general partner, has now joined the VidSys board of directors.
VIDSys' PR folks said that CEO Michael P. Jackson wasn't available for a call. They provided me with this prepared statement: "VidSys will use these funds to help grow and scale the company on a global basis beyond our existing footprint. ... We will also invest in further development of our core software ... for our public sector and enterprise clients."
Last year, AlarmForce Industries, a Toronto-based super-regional, announced that its board of directors was looking at selling the company. Now the board says the company won't be sold but grown instead, and has "terminated" AlarmForce's longtime President and CEO Joel Matlin.
Alarm Force announced in a news release Tuesday that it had "terminated the employment" of Matlin but said that he will "continue to serve as a director of the company." Matlin holds a stake in the company of about 8 percent, according to news reports.
Company CFO Anthony Pizzonia is now interim president and CEO, the release said. A search is underway to find a permanent successor to Matlin.
Earlier this month, the company announced that its board had completed its strategic review begun last August and will now focus on growing the company.
Here's more of what it had to say in a July 3 news release:
During the past eleven months, a special committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") comprised of the independent directors of AlarmForce (the "Special Committee") explored and considered available opportunities for the Company, including a possible sale of the Company. The Special Committee has concluded that the strategic review process did not result in a transaction adequately reflecting the Company's value. As such, the Board has decided to conclude the formal process and dissolve the Special Committee. The Company will now move forward with a focus on the Company's growth.
AlarmForce provides security alarm monitoring, personal emergency response monitoring, video surveillance and related services to residential and commercial subscribers throughout Canada and in some locations in the United States. The company says it is a leading provider of two-way voice alarm systems in Canada.
This week, iControl Networks, the software platform used by ADT's Pulse, and a number of cable companies, including Comcast's Xfinity Home, Time Warner Cable's IntelligentHome and Rogers Smart Home Monitoring, announced that it's launching an Android App Partner Program, called the "FastTrack App Partner Program."
It's an initiative that will "allows Android apps to be easily and quickly certified compatible with touch screens that support the iControl Converge deployment solution, which powers leading home solutions," iControl said.
In a prepared statement, Jason Domangue, iControl's VP of ecosystem development, said that program opens a new distribution channel for app developers. "FastTrack makes it easy and seamless for app developers to team with leading cable service providers for in-home distribution, and increases comfort and convenience for consumers by providing unique, innovative apps tailored for the smart home."
IControl announced the first five members of the partner program: Life360, which provides location and communication for families; MapQuest, which provides maps and traffic information; News Republic, which provides customizable global news alerts; TuneIn, which provides online radio and music streaming, and the Weather Channel, which provides detailed forecasts and future radar.
An app developers kit is available on the company's website. "Certified applications will live in iControl's marketplace and become accessible to millions of consumers around the globe," the company said.
After the May 20 F5 tornado ripped through Moore, Okla., we ran several stories about how the security industry was affected by the storm. Since, then, I've heard from others in the industry about their experiences.
Securadyne Systems, an independent integrator based in Dallas, which has a branch office in Oklahoma City, has helped out with the recovery efforts in Moore.
Following is an excerpt of a report that Securadyne's Abe Romero sent along to me.
On June 19 Securadyne Systems had 18 volunteers from branches in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Dallas working on the recovery effort in Moore. The photo below shows some of those volunteers.
One of Securadyne Systems' own employees was directly affected by the storm. Tracy Simon, an enterprise account executive in the Oklahoma City branch, spearheaded the effort to work with the Help Moore Rebuild disaster relief organization. Simon's home was damaged during the tornado and her daughter's middle school was completely destroyed.
At the relief organization's headquarters, the team was briefed on the types of jobs available throughout the Moore area. The Securadyne team helped clean-up a huge debris field scattered with the remains of homes destroyed in the nearby neighborhoods.
After the work was done, the group toured the areas of damage. "The most touching and challenging part of the visit was the stop at the Plaza Elementary school makeshift memorial. Plaza Elementary took the brunt of the tornado's fury on that fateful day and a number of children and teachers lost their lives. The day of volunteering reinforced the importance of giving back to our communities, which is a central component of our company's core values," according a company statement. The photo below shows the memorial.
There was additional speculation this week about whether activist hedge-fund manager William Ackman is intending to take a stake in The ADT Corp. An article in The New York Times said that his investing in the home security/home automation giant is more likely than his buying into FedEx, another company he is rumored to be considering.
The article said that's basically because Ackman would have less say in FedEx, a much larger company than ADT, where he could wield greater influence.
There's a possibility we could find out the answer later this week. Bloomberg reported July 9 that Ackman, who runs $12 billion Pershing Square Capital Management, was raising $1 billion over the next 10 days to buy a stake in a "large-capitalization, investment-grade U.S. corporation that principally operates in one business" that he didn't name.
If he's successful, that would mean he'd have the money by this Thursday or Friday and he could reveal his pick then. However, he also could wait until later this year before announcing the choice, Nicholas Heymann, co-group head of global industrial infrastructure for New York-based William Blair & Company, told me.
"The issue is once you raise the money you have to put it to work," he said. However, Heymann said, "chances are, especially if it happens to be including some of his other 12 billion dollars of funds that he manages in addition to the $1 billion single stock fund, you and I are not going to know what his positions are until they're reported 45 days after the close of the quarter, so we could end up hearing about this in mid-November." The news could come earlier if Ackman chooses to voluntarily disclose it, Heymann said.
ADT has told Security Systems News the company does not comment on market rumors.
But some other important industry news is also related to ADT, and that's the recent announcement that Monitronics plans to acquire Security Networks next month.
"We continue to look at the ramifications of the Security Networks acquisition by Monitronics as it relates to the implied value of ADT," Heymann said.
In a July 11 William Blair & Company industry report authored by Heymann, the company explained how that pending deal sheds light on the value of ADT. Here's some more detail from the report:
Our belief that ADT remains the most undervalued company in our multi-industry universe was starkly highlighted with the announcement after the close yesterday that Ascent Capital Group's (ASCMA $84.15) primary operating subsidiary, Monitronics International, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Security Networks for total compensation of $507.5 million, or about 60 times Security Networks' average recurring monthly revenue. Before the announcement of this transaction, Monitronics was the third-largest North American residential security company and Security Networks was the 14th-largest. Following the completion of the proposed acquisition, the combined company will have 1.034 million customers (almost the same number as Protection One, the current second-largest North American residential security provider) and, on a pro forma basis, hold just under a 4% share of the North American residential security market.
… The valuation paid for Network Securities by Monitronics would value ADT between $67 and $74 per share. On an implied market capitalization basis, ADT would be valued in a range of $15.4 billion-$16.8 billion, well above the company's current $9.2 billion market capitalization.
Our belief that ADT remains the most undervalued company in our multi-industry universe was starkly highlighted with the announcement after the close yesterday that Ascent Capital Group's (ASCMA $84.15) primary operating subsidiary, Monitronics International, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Security Networks for total compensation of $507.5 million, or about 60 times Security Networks' average recurring monthly revenue. Before the announcement of this transaction, Monitronics was the third-largest North American residential security company and Security Networks was the 14th-largest. Following the completion of the proposed acquisition, the combined company will have 1.034 million customers (almost the same number as Protection One, the current second-largest North American residential security provider) and, on a pro forma basis, hold just under a 4% share of the North American residential security market.
… The valuation paid for Network Securities by Monitronics would value ADT between $67 and $74 per share. On an implied market capitalization basis, ADT would be valued in a range of $15.4 billion-$16.8 billion, well above the company's current $9.2 billion market capitalization.
ADT stock closed at $42.68 per share today. That's down 28 cents or .65 percent from its $42.96 close yesterday and Heymann speculated later today that talk that Ackmann was NOT interested in buying into ADT may have caused the drop, the opposite of last week when ADT stock climbed based on speculation that Ackman was interested. "We think Ackman may have been at this big hedge fund meeting this afternoon and said something that implied he was NOT looking at ADT ... or an ADT type company," Heymann told me in an email this afternoon.
So which company does Ackman have his sights on? The situation is decidedly very fluid, and very interesting. I'll be reporting more on this. Stay tuned!
The trend of municipalities outsourcing false alarm collection services continues, and as in past instances, the most recent agreement involves Irving, Texas-based PMAM, a global IT firm with four U.S. offices and an office in Mumbai. Their slogan is "Around the World, Around the Clock," so you can see why their false alarm tracking and billing services might appeal to cities hoping to nip the problem in the bud.
According to an article from KSMU (Ozarks Public Radio) in Springfield, Mo., the police department in that city is the latest to do away with its in-house handling of false alarms, opting to transfer those duties to PMAM. Springfield Police Department dispatchers receive as many as 400 false alarm calls a month, the article noted.
Like any outsourcing move, the new arrangement saves resources, authorities say. In addition to being a drag on budgets, false alarms also stretch law enforcement in potentially harmful ways, sometimes preventing or delaying response to critical calls.
The advantage of outsourcing false alarm services to a company like PMAM is that, ideally, the IT giant has the capabilities to identify a false alarm, home in on the cause (an installation flaw or dated system is often the culprit), and then teach people how to avert future false dispatches, and the fines that eventually accompany them.
According to the article, the Springfield Police Department has received roughly 2,100 false alarm calls thus far in 2013. The city's ordinance levies a civil penalty fee, between $15 and $50, for those who have at least four false alarms. The charges escalate with each additional violation, according to the article.
False alarms are both a fiscal and logistical drain on towns and cities. But some of the things that might mitigate false dispatches, including system upgrades and more regular maintenance, are not always at the forefront of many customers' minds.
It seems that until there's more public awareness of the problem, and more measured steps to cripple the problem at its roots, municipal bodies are going to continue seeking out IT behemoths like PMAM for false alarm damage control.
The quest to reduce the dreaded attrition rate remains a high priority for anyone in the monitoring space, and companies continue to explore new ways to predict and prevent cancellations. Companies don't just track attrition rates; they look for clues, like usage patterns, that could yield information about whether certain customers may be more prone to stay or go.
While usage patterns remain a valuable tool for evaluating customers and forming effective business strategies (conventional wisdom says upsell to active users, and reduce prices to the less engaged), it's not the only predictor companies use. There is also a significant correlation between credit scores, or Beacon scores, and attrition rates, according to Michael Barnes, a partner in the consulting and advisory firm Barnes Associates, who in a response on the CSAA's Accent forum, said his firm reviewed data on over 2 million accounts. Here's a bit of what he had to say:
"Generally speaking, the correlation changes over four ranges of scoring. Below 600, the statistical experience is very bad. That is, the accounts have a very high cancellation rate. Between 600 and 650 the results improve dramatically, with a general inflection point around 620+/-, which is why so many dealer programs (and, in some cases credit facilities) have restrictions around this area of scoring."
Barnes added that scores above 700, in terms of attrition and retention, tend to behave the same as scores around 800. Scores in the ballpark of 650 tend to have poor cumulative performance, with the rates of cancellation almost twice as high over the first four years, Barnes notes. Unsurprisingly, rates of "infant mortality'—cancellations within the first year of existence—were exceedingly high among those with sub-650 Beacon scores, according to Barnes' data.
While the data sample is large enough to provide a thorough understanding of the relationship between credit scores and attrition, Barnes points out that some qualifications are needed, since a slew of factors can create exceptions. Some of these key variables include installation fees, services provided, pricing and payment method, and even geographic location.
The above graph, made for SSN in 2009 by the Edmonds Group, also charts the correlation between attrition rates and Beacon credit scores.
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Dave Gorman Gets Straight To The Point* (*The PowerPoint): Dave Gorman
The wonderfully innovative comedy mind behind Modern Life Is Goodish (Dave TV), Are You Dave Gorman? and Googlewhack Adventure is back with a brand new live show that promises more of his unique blend of stand-up comedy and visual story-telling as Dave Gorman Gets Straight To The Point*... (*The PowerPoint).
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'…has transformed the seemingly mundane into hours of unabashed hysteria.' Metro
Dave Gorman
English author and comedian - most famous for his book and stage show 'Are You Dave Gorman?' in which he travelled around the globe searching for people that shared his name. With numerous awards under his belt for his stand-up shows and writing credits (including Harry Hill and Steve Coogan), Gorman is an act you definitely do not want to miss.
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December 13, 2014 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
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Home » Dino Bravo » Gimmick
Dino Bravo
Real Name
Adolfo Bresciano
Date of Birth
August 6, 1948
Place of Birth
Over the last couple of weeks, fans have noticed that Fandango has been absent from WWE television shows. That naturally lead to some rumors about his release. The dancing star is just fine. Fandango revealed that he has modified his gimmick a bit and will be making his return at the Survivor Series 2014 kickoff show. His character will also be picking up Rosa Mendes as his new valet.
November 18, 2014
Those that watched Monday Night Raw this week, saw an interesting video that showcased a repackaged Xavier Woods. While the new gimmick has drawn some criticism from certain fans, it has also sparked curiosity about the long rumored stable with Woods, Kofi Kingston and Big E Langston. The latter two were not featured in the video. There is still a chance that WWE repackages Kingston and Langston as well.
November 4, 2014
In a rather interesting bit of business news, the Honky Tonk Man has revealed that he owns the trademark to the Patriot gimmick, which was used in WCW and WWE. He stated that he has owned it since 2007, which means that Del Wilkes, who has continued to use the gimmick on the independent wrestling circuit over the years, could be legally forced to find a new character to portray.
November 1, 2014
During a recent interview, Maxine revealed something very interesting that took place backstage in WWE. She stated that while she was working in the developmental program, she pitched an idea to management about her character and story line. About a day later, Maxine noticed that Aksana had been given that very gimmick that she had pitched to company officials.
October 31, 2014
Anyone that has followed WWE for a couple of years already knows that things are pretty hectic from January through April. It looks like management is looking to alleviate some of the clutter by removing the Elimination Chamber pay per view. Vince McMahon still loves the gimmick, however, so the cage match might be moved towards the summer or fall.
October 26, 2014
There were rumors floating around not too long ago that Nikki Bella and Brie Bella were going to work in the gigantic steel structure at Hell in a Cell 2014, but it looks like WWE has opted against that. The story simply is not heated enough for the two of them to work such a gimmick match, and there are a lot of concerns about performance and safety.
October 9, 2014
Back in 2011, WWE needed a marketing gimmick for the Royal Rumble, so the company decided to add another ten competitors and brand the event as being the biggest ever. Management is going back to the well again for Royal Rumble 2015. Vince McMahon and company have decided to go with a 40 man battle royal this time around, and a lot of surprise appearances are expected.
October 8, 2014
During a recent and rare interview, Tito Santana bashed WWE for not pushing his El Matador gimmick. He stated that he was not initially crazy about the idea, but he was still dedicated enough to travel down to Mexico to learn to be an actual bullfighter. Santana felt that the gimmick was very much over with the audience, so he feels that WWE missed an opportunity by not pushing him into the main event scene.
October 6, 2014
Some crazy rumors are floating around right now about Nikki Bella and Brie Bella competing in a Hell in a Cell match at Hell in a Cell 2014. WWE is extremely unlikely to do this because they do want their female performers in gimmick matches that might cause severe injury, but the rumors have some merit because it was revealed by an insider who has accurately broken the news on a couple of things in the past.
September 29, 2014
On Night of Champions 2014, Cody Rhodes and Goldust defeated Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso for the WWE tag team championship. Rumors are floating around that management felt that the twins had grown stale because they ran out of teams to defend the titles again. Plus, Rhodes has really been getting into his Stardust character, so the front office wants to see if the gimmick can pick up further steam with a championship push.
September 22, 2014
It looks like the feud between Chris Jericho and Bray Wyatt will be continuing for another month. As of right now, WWE has the two of them penciled in for some sort of gimmick match at Night of Champions 2014. Each man has a victory on pay per view against the other, but the belief is that Jericho will be putting Wyatt over before taking off to focus on his music again.
August 19, 2014
After 17 years of portraying the character, Kane might be receiving a new gimmick soon. Rumors have been floating around that he might be bringing the Jacob Goodnight character from the See No Evil movie series to WWE television. The belief is that management wanted to make it easier to promote the film. Some feel that the story line started when Kane handed over his mask to Stephanie McMahon on the last episode of Monday Night Raw.
August 7, 2014
While the company would probably never admit it, there are those that believe that WWE is simply setting up Alexander Rusev for a potential feud with Kurt Angle. The Olympic gold medalist has openly talked about leaving TNA and returning to WWE for quite some time now. His patriotic gimmick would be a perfect foil for the evil pro Russian character.
August 3, 2014
Since he has shown a willingness to not only do what is asked of him but to actually put in great effort in doing so, Damien Sandow has been earning a good amount of praise backstage by his peers in WWE. They are impressed by the fact that he has not grown frustrated with the new gimmick. Unfortunately for Sandow, though, management does not feel that he deserves a real push at the moment.
July 28, 2014
While he receives a bad rap from a lot of fans due to WWE giving him a heavyweight championship run a couple of years back, Miz is actually very much a student of the game. He has remained motivated despite not being given a push in a while. Miz has also been studying legendary actor Andy Kaufman, who will forever have a place in wrestling history thanks to his memorable story line with Jerry Lawler during the 1980s, so that he can improve his gimmick and character.
July 19, 2014
Rumors going around right now is that the impersonation gimmick that Damien Sandow has been doing is basically a way for the creative department to appease Vince McMahon, who has been known to find humor in stuff like this. To his credit, Sandow has embraced the role, in hopes that it will convince WWE to finally give him the push that he deserves.
July 7, 2014
By now, it's already clear to many that Triple H wants to put Roman Reigns over and make him a main event performer in WWE. However, that might not necessarily be happening overnight. Rumors are floating around that their big match will take place at Summerslam 2014. That might not be the last one. The belief is that this feud will be stretched out and could possible involve a big gimmick match of some sort before the year ends.
July 7, 2014
In a match that was slightly held in higher regards than a filler match, Goldust and Cody Rhodes, who worked under his Stardust gimmick again, defeated Curtis Axel, who was sporting a ridiculous looking singlet, and Ryback. The match was designed to highlight the Stardust character. Since there was a little bit of action after the match, there is a chance that WWE could be continuing this feud.
June 29, 2014
While it has yet to reach television, the heel turn for the Miz has been going for a couple of weeks now at WWE live events. It also appears that he will be given a new gimmick to work with upon his return to Monday Night Raw and Smackdown. Miz has been testing out a new heel persona, where he plays a cocky movie star. It's a play on real life, as the former WWE champion recently completed a new film.
June 22, 2014
"It actually came from a joke. Cody Rhodes likes to tell a story that when he was a little kid he used to watch me wrestle. I'm slightly older than Cody, we're talking three years or something like that, but in his head I'm a really old man. I once walked into the locker room and he was telling the entire locker room that when he was a kid he was watching me wrestling as this character he made up named 'Bad News Barrett' who goes around giving out bad news to people. So we all laughed about it and forgot about it. Then I was invited on the JBL and Cole show and they said they wanted to use me on the show and asked if I had any ideas of what to do. So I said you know what, let's just do Bad News Barrett. I'll just turn up and give people bad news and then disappear. I got a really good response online and fans were loving the catch phrase 'I'm afraid I've got some bad news' and Vince McMahon saw it and thought it was the funniest thing he had ever seen. Next thing you know I'm on TV doing it." - Wade Barrett explaining how his new gimmick in WWE came ot be
June 16, 2014
Rumors are spreading as to why Dino Bravo was killed while sitting in his own living room last month. Word going around is that the former WWE star was heavily involved in trafficking cigarettes, and he probably did some bad business with the mafia. His house was riddled with bullets before his body was found by the authorities.
April 10, 1993
Dino Bravo was found dead. The former WWE star was shot seven times in the head and ten times in the chest. Authorities believe that he was watching hockey on the television when the attack happened. Speculations are that the mafia was involved in his murder.
March 10, 1993