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Do you belive in UFO's?
Viewed 1980 times
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:36:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 403 of 1118
Joined 6/6/2009
as jw's we were meant to say no, but as free thinking people, i wonder what your opionion is?
|wha happened?
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:43:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 3976 of 10423
Joined 10/2/2004
My question is, Do UFO's believe in us?
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:02:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 8 of 48
Joined 7/9/2009
Do you mean aliens?
I frequently see UFO's, they could just be satellites but since I cant confirm they are UFOs to me.
To believe a universe as big as ours is for 6 billion people seems a bit of a waste.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:23:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 6623 of 11576
Joined 9/9/2003
It all depends on what you mean by believe?
Yes I believe there are object that people see in the sky that are unidentified or Unidentified Flying Objects, but as for do I believe in alien abductions and people being taken up in spaceships no.
Is it a jet, is it plane, no it's Santa Claus:
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:26:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 309 of 384
Joined 10/24/2007
I COMPLETELY agree with xcellxior! It's always seemed a bit closed minded, even arrogant, to me to think that in all the vastness of the universe it's all about one god and one devil, over a few measly humans and this third rock from the sun. Really?..........really?? C'mon now people.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:26:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 1876 of 1758
Joined 4/6/2001
I believe anything is possible... IMO, if you believe in the Bible, you already believe in other life forms.
To believe a universe as big as ours is for 6 billion people seems a bit of a waste.
I agree, I think it would be very self-centered of us to think we're the only ones.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:23:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 271 of 327
Joined 3/20/2007
I don't believe that there is not any aliens. There are alot of weird unexplained events in this world. I have
been interested in this type of thing ever since I was kid. I have seen strange things myself , having been
brought in the 4 corners of the U.S., so I have read tons of information on the subject, but to this
date I have not been convinced of such a thing. I still feel there are logical explainations , if we
had the correct information.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:05:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 69 of 223
Joined 8/24/2009
I've always been inclined to think that there are beings other than ourselves on the same physical level as we are. Even as a Witness I believed in extraterrestrials, though I was very very careful about mentioning this to anyone.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:14:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 5681 of 8631
Joined 10/29/2001
Even as a Witness I believed in extraterrestrials,
So did I .. I knew them as Angels
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:14:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 2235 of 4165
Joined 3/20/2005
I believe there are things out there that are unidentified. Manmade objects, misidentification or natural phenomena is the cause in most cases, imo.
I believe there may be alien life out there but doubt they have the means or want to visit us. Watching tadpoles gets boring after awhile.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:17:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 17871 of 17877
Joined 2/8/2002
If there were intelligent extraterrestrials visiting earth, I seriously boubt we would even have the capacity to recognize them as living organisms.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:33:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 4803 of 6820
Joined 7/30/2008
Yes. UFO's are made in Germany by another Secret Society.
The new RFZ (Rundflugzeug) or "Round Aircraft" series began in 1937, after Vril bought the fallow land surrounding the Arado-Brandenburg aircraft facility. RFZ discs 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 were tested there under Vril supervision while Thule was helped by special SS technical branch unit E-IV, which was tasked with developing alternative energies. Thule worked on a separate disc at a secret location in NW Germany referred to as Hauneburg from 1935 on. As such their product was known as the H-Gerät (Hauneburg Device) but this was shortened to Haunebu in 1939 once the disc's Triebwerk (German for Engine) was perfected. Haunebu I was briefly designated as RFZ-5 when Thule moved from Hauneburg to Arado-Brandenburg.
A special unit named Sonderbüro (Special Bureau) 13 was created by the Luftwaffe to "officially" investigate strange aerial phenomena over the Reich but "unofficially" was created to cover-up these reports of flight discs and flying cigars. In September 1944 a ME-262 jet pilot caught sight of one of the Andromeda craft and reported it. Sonderbüro 13 immediately tried to feign ignorance of such a device.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:19:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 123 of 121
Joined 7/25/2009
I also believe there is, was or will be other sentient beings in the universe. If each galaxy were to produce only 1 solar system capable of producing sentient life there would be hundreds of millions of such solar systems thru out the universe...having said that.
IF more than on did exist say not far from us and they were of advanced technology for interstellar travel a number of things would happen even before we ever saw them. Their technology would have to evolve like any civilization and in the course of the evolution from simple radio transmissions to space flight would flood their part of the galaxy with electromagnatic radiation sending out a beacon of radio waves long before they evolved to space flight. So we would hear them long before they got here...
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:41:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 17877 of 17877
Joined 2/8/2002
The sad thing about radio waves and the idea that aliens might be listening in is that many physicists doubt that the radio waves from earth travel much further than the outer edge of our solar system.
This is due to the Inverse Square Law (P = 1/r^2). If you double the distance, the strength of the radio signal drops to 1/4th its original power. By the time our radio waves reach Pluto they almost don't exist anymore.
The only reason we are able to communicate with probes like Voyager I and II is because they use directional antennas that send the radio waves out more like a flashlight. All other radio waves from earth spread out like from a light bulb and get dim very quickly as the distance increases.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:00:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 9595 of 18574
Joined 9/8/2006
There are more things in heaven and earth horatio than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:12:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 1504 of 1660
Joined 3/12/2001
I've seen a UFO with my daughter, orange lights suspended in the sky at night. I was driving and when i saw it i couldn't believe an aeroplane was flying so low, banking and turning showing it's underside....but couldn't understand why the lights were orange and i couldn't understand why it appeared to be moving slowly. I couldn't see any shape to it, just the lights. As i continued driving and subsequently turned away from it round a bend in the road and down a hill i didn't give it much after thought apart from me and my daughter saying it looked strange.
The next day in the local paper there were many reported sightings of the same event, but for those who stopped to watch it, it was suspended there for 15 minutes before it went.
|posted Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:15:00 GMT(12/1/2009)
Post 277 of 1902
Joined 6/30/2009
I keep telling myself that there are no such things as UFOs, yet something down within me says it is a possibility.
|posted Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:42:00 GMT(12/2/2009)
Post 19 of 77
Joined 10/5/2009
I doubted their existence while a dub, but I saw 4 of them in daylight above my back yard. They were there for about a half hour not moving then they took off at fantastic speed. They were flying saucers with a bubble in the middle. Three others with me also saw them. No camera so no pictures but we waved at them
|posted Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:11:00 GMT(12/2/2009)
Post 3323 of 3440
Joined 5/11/2006
I believe that there are flying objects that I can't identify. I once saw tracer fire at night over a military base. Having never seen tracer fire before, I couldn't identify it. A war veteran identified it for me when I described it.
To say that aliens must exist because we can't identify everything that flies around is a logical fallacy. It's the same as saying God must exist if we can't provide evidence that he doesn't.
|posted Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:13:00 GMT(12/2/2009)
Post 6309 of 6895
Joined 8/15/2006
Confirm ...


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Jennifer Lopez on the cover of Glamour's Women of the Year December issue 0
J.Lo Rules the World…or worlds, really: TV, music, movies, beauty, fashion—you know, kind of everything, and Glamour has honored her as a 2011 Woman of the Year. In the issue, Jane Fonda talks to her friend Jennifer Lopez about life, love and learning from her hugest year yet. Glamour's December issue is available on newsstands(…)


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Something For Nothing: Digital and Mobile Promotions, Sweepstakes and Contests
Executives at NBC Universal decided to market reality TV show The Apprentice by launching a national watch-and-win sweepstakes. Viewers were given the opportunity to win a prize of $10,000 by voting for certain Apprentice contestants to be exiled from the group and forced to live in a tent. Those who voted online could participate for free. However, those who voted by text message were charged an entry fee of 99 cents.
In 2007, a Georgia woman sued Donald Trump and NBC Universal for operating an illegal lottery in violation of state racketeering statutes. Similar class action lawsuits have also been filed against popular shows such as America's Got Talent, Deal or No Deal and 1 vs. 100. The class action suits have called into question whether these SMS promotions constitute gambling, even though viewers were provided with a method of entering the contest for free online. Participants paid only the opportunity to participate, rather than anything of economic value.
Free Giveaways, Many Rules
With the advent of email blasts, web promotions and real-time Twitter giveaways, companies can now instantaneously engage large audiences with the promise of something for nothing. Mail order sweepstakes and promotions have traditionally been used to build brand awareness and win customer goodwill, most notably national sweepstakes like Publisher's Clearing House and Reader's Digest. Such marketing vehicles have become more accessible in recent years since even small companies can set up and administer large-scale promotions online with relative ease.
However, as the producers of Donald Trump reality show discovered, promotions and sweepstakes can pose complex legal issues because of the uneven landscape of state law. Federal agencies have some authority to regulate certain aspects of prize promotions under federal law, but at the state level, a raft of varied local laws may apply. Despite the fact that it was most likely vetted by in-house counsel, the Donald Trump sweepstakes still resulted in litigation because it ran afoul of a Georgia anti-racketeering law that prohibits "illegal gambling contract."
Games of Skill vs. Games of Chance
Marketing promotions generally fall into one of several categories. The law applicable to a particular promotion or sweepstakes will depend on the rules of the game and how the game is structured.
- Sweepstakes. A sweepstakes is a random drawing governed by official rules. The success of a participant in a sweepstakes depends on chance, rather than skill. If a sweepstakes requires entrants to give up something of value to participate, it will most likely be considered a lottery and subject to state anti-lottery statutes, such as the Georgia statute that provided the basis for The Apprentice show lawsuit. These state statutes are discussed at greater length below.
- Contests. In contrast, a contest is a promotion where the result depends on the individual participant's unique skills, rather than pure chance. In most but not all states, contests are not subject to anti-lottery statutes and pay to play may be acceptable. For example, the increasingly popular marketing trend of user-generated content promotions could fall into this category.
- Raffles. A raffle is a contest of chance where entrants who give up something of value for the opportunity to win a prize. The prize doesn't necessarily have to be cash, and entrants don't necessarily have to pay cash to participate. For example, several jurisdictions have held that the purchase of a product satisfies the requirement. Raffles are the equivalent of lotteries and are subject to state anti-lottery laws.
Federal Regulations: The Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act
When launching a promotion, especially an online promotion, it is worth considering whether participants may hail from the United States or from abroad. A promotion or sweepstakes that launches internationally may also need to comply with foreign law. In the United States, agencies at the federal level can regulate how and when certain promotional games and contests are operated. Such agencies include the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. Postal Service, Federal Communications Commission, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
One key federal statute in this area is the Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act (DMPE), which is enforced by the FTC. Enacted in 1999, the law regulates some aspects of sweepstakes and creates strong consumer protections to prevent deceptive mailings. Under the law, the sponsor of a promotion must clearly and conspicuously disclose the terms and conditions of sweepstakes, as well as language stating that no purchase is necessary to enter. If the promotion is a contest, the sponsor must also disclose terms and conditions, as well as the cost of participation and the standards by which the contest will be judged. Sponsors must provide consumers with a method of opting out from notifications of future promotions and maintain an opt-out list.
In 2007, the FTC brought an action against direct-to-consumer adjustable bed marketer Craftmatic under the DMPE. The company operated a sweepstakes that gave consumers who filled out a form that chance to win a Craftmatic bed. The form did not inform consumers that they would be targeted with sales calls. However, the company nevertheless allegedly called numerous consumers who entered the sweepstakes, even when consumers requested to be placed on a do-not-call list. The company was subject to a $4.4 million civil penalty.
An Uneven Landscape: State Laws and Regulations
The real challenge for marketers is ensuring that promotions and sweepstakes comply with the state law regulations. The DMPE does not preempt state laws, so if a promotion is open to participants in all states, it will be necessary to ensure that the promotion does not violate the relevant laws of any of the 50 states. A state like Nevada will have different public policy goals from a state like Nebraska, so a promotion that is legitimate under the laws of one state may be illegal under the laws of another.
Given stringent anti-lottery regulations in certain states, it is not unusual for sponsors to exclude a promotion from certain states. The following are some examples of promotions and sweepstakes rules that apply in some states.
- Anti-Lottery Statutes. The difference between lotteries, sweepstakes and contests is important because it determines whether state anti-lottery rules apply. If the promotion is based on chance and entrants are required to give up something of value – even "a rose, a hawk, or a peppercorn," as noted by the court in the Lucky Calendar case – the promotion may be an illegal lottery. Currently, states with anti-lottery statutes include California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts and Michigan.
- Bonding and Registration Rules. Some states require sponsors to notify state agencies of their promotions and to register with state agencies if the total retail value of the prize exceeds $5000. These rules usually require sponsors to clearly disclose the rules of the promotion to the agency and to the public, and sometimes also require sponsors to post a bond. States with bonding and registration requirements include Florida, New York and Rhode Island.
- Alcohol Sponsors. Some states including California, Tennessee and Utah have particular rules restricting or barring alcohol companies from sponsoring promotions and sweepstakes. For example, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission would prohibit a state resident from entering an online sweepstakes sponsored by an alcohol brand.
Vetting The Campaign
The degree of work involved in giving away something for nothing often surprises companies seeking to build goodwill through promotions. The Internet has reduced the barriers to entry for brand marketers, but it is important to ensure that sweepstakes drawings, interactive media contests, user-generated content competitions, rewards programs, and mobile marketing programs do not run afoul of the relevant state, federal and where applicable, international rules. Given the complexity of regulation in this area, it is advisable to have an attorney vet a campaign in advance of launch.
- By Dava Casoni, Annie Lin


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GuiltyBystander it's going to start in about 40 minutes on facebook.
Megaton Fights have been pretty decent. Some exciting finishes, some boring decisions. Mixed bag.
Megaton What's with your hate toward Pride fans? Every time you pick the obvious, an old washed-up Pride fighter losing, you take a jab at Pride fans. All the Pride fans I know have accepted the fact that people like Wandy and Cro-Cop will never win again in the UFC. We're the people pushing for their retirement. Lotta hate for no reason.
Megaton Doesn't bother me. It just seems silly.


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Automobiles with three cylinder engines have long been the butt of jokes among auto enthusiasts. Anyone who's ever driven a Geo Metro, for example, knows that acceleration wasn't one of Full Article »
After a more than expected successful first year on the full-size sport utility market, the 2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost AWD Limited returns with more power, performance and high-technology features. I Full Article »


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100000Monday, April 30th, 2007
Hey, it's been a while. I just got bored writing "the results of ____ are now available". And while I could have written about current events, such as who's the latest to leave the IFBB for the PDI, or who is the latest to be arrested, plenty of others are doing that elsewhere on the web.
But today I have something to write about. The MuscleMemory database now contains over 100,000 entries. And yes, I personally type in almost all of them. Here are the current statistics:
12501 different women with 28883 entries. 27639 men with 71141 entries, for a total of 40140 individuals with 100024 entries.
MuscleMemory currently receives 1.5 to 2 million hits a month from 65000 unique visitors.
Now if each of you would just send me 10 cents…
(My service provider is in the UK, and while it seemed like a good rate at the time, today's exchange rate is not so good.)
There are many things I would like to do with the website, but just haven't had the time to so.
- I would love to create a WebServices/SOAP interface to the database. This would allow others to incorporate the contest results into their websites.
- I want to include more non-US bodybuilding magazines in my list of magazine covers. I also want to find more European contest results. A month long trip to Europe would help greatly.
- I want to complete the bodybuilding magazines Table of Contents database. So far I've typed in the table of contents of all US bodybuilding magazines from 1930 into the 1970s into a searchable database. Many people have written me to say they find it very useful for doing research on the history of bodybuilding, weightlifting and fitness. But as we go into the 1980s and 1990s, the magazines got thicker and thicker, and it takes longer to type in the table of contents.
- I added a wiki to the site for things that don't fit in elsewhere on the website. A wiki is meant to be a place where everyone can contribute encyclopedia type articles.
All this takes is time and money. Both are in short supply at the moment. Much of my time has been spent working on other projects, one's that may actually make money. But I do my best to try to put in a few hours each week on MuscleMemory.
If you would like to help, I could certainly use help finding more contest results, especially from outside the US. I could also use help finding people with collections of non-US bodybuilding mags. You're welcome to write articles for the wiki. I'd even be willing to allow others to write about current events on the blog. And of course, there is a donation button on the front page.


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Semih Erden among three Celtics inactive for opening night
Semih Erden, Avery Bradley and Kendrick Perkins will all be on the inactive list when Boston opens the regular season against Miami tonight. (AHH!! TONIGHHTTT!!!!)
Perkins's presence on the list was automatic (that's kind of what happens when you tear an ACL), and Bradley's is expected (he sure did get one hell of a so-called sprained ankle). But Erden's inclusion on the inactive list came as a bit of a surprise, and is likely due to a shoulder injury that Erden suffered before he joined the Celtics and later reaggravated this preseason.
Despite nagging pain in his shoulder, Erden surprised the Celtics fan base this preseason. Forgive me for not initially being too excited about a goofy-looking Turk who averaged 6.2 points and 5.4 rebounds last season in Turkey, but Erden surprised me too. Both in FIBA play this summer and preseason play the last few weeks, he has shown a maturity to his game that belies his age.


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Planning and Organizing Skills
Organizing and planning skills enable people to establish a course of action for themselves and others to accomplish specific results. The purpose of this workshop is to develop or expand organization and planning skills that support the continual growth and success of the department and the institution. Participants assess their organization, planning, and time management skills; prepare long-range and short-term goals that support the mission of the institution and department; develop measurable objectives to support goal attainment; differentiate between urgent, important, and not urgent action items; and engage in proactive planning.
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Gallery Folders
Ruirin Fae Story
Mascots' Corner
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AHHHHH!!! This is all so beautiful!!! <33333
your colour pallete is amazing
Nice gallery
I love your gallery! Even through I don't know most characters, it was fun to sift through and find the ones I did know (Yami Yugi, One Punch Man, and Rin from Blue Exorcist). Keep it up
Your art is amazing *w* I love it!
I'm in love with your art O.O *+watch*
What an awesome gallery *-* one of the best I have seen :3 !!
awesome pictures


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Mar 05 2010
A Fantastic Gallery of Star Wars in the Real World
This is by no means the firs time I've seen a "Star Wars in real life" gallery, but it's most definitely the best one I've seen to date. Previous versions have been pretty excellent photoshop projects, but this one? It looks so real, it seems like a straight up photoshoot half the time.
I believe some of these are real photos (like the ones of Vader, the Stormtrooper and the Jawa which could easily employ costumes), but clearly all the spaceship ones are fake, though I'd love to believe someone actually went the trouble of building a life-size AT-AT and started stomping down the freeway in it. But I feel that would have made the local news.
All these images are from Cedric Delsaux and if you can read French, go here to learn the backstory of the project.
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Utica Weather
Current Temp 26.0 °F
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Humidity : 84 %
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Schumer: Greek Peak Resort needs loan to stay open
CORTLAND, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Greek Peak Ski Resort is in jeopardy of closing, according to Senator Charles Schumer, due to financial straights caused by last winter's lack of snow.
Schumer says that more than 1,000 jobs are at risk and he is calling on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to expedite a loan to the resort that would get them to next winter.
Greek Peak has applied for a $1.6 million loan from the FDIC that it desperately needs in order to stay operational until the upcoming ski season. This will ensure Greek Peak's over 1,000 employees can stay on the job.
Greek Peak's current troubles mounted last winter, when the lack of snowfall led to a slow ski season. Then, earlier this year, Greek Peak's primary lender failed, and was taken into conservatorship by the FDIC.
Greek Peak is now seeking additional financing that would allow it to keep its doors open. As conservator, FDIC must approve any new loans, and is currently reviewing the company's financial condition. Schumer requested that the FDIC expedite its review and explore every viable option to keep the well-known Central New York ski lodge destination and resort open and allow it to prepare for the next ski season.
"Due to the snowball effect of a poor ski season and the failure of its primary lender, Greek Peak Resort needs help bridging the gap between now and next ski season, which would avoid putting over 1,000 jobs at risk," said Schumer. "Greek Peak, a year-round tourist attraction for Central New York residents and beyond, hit hard times when last year's lack of snowfall led to a slow ski season, typically the most profitable part of Greek Peak's business. What's more, this slow business was coupled with the failure of Greek Peak's primary lender, which has caused a serious financial crunch at this Cortland County operation. That is why I'm urging the FDIC to expedite its review of this $1.6 million loan, so that once we are sure that Greek Peak's financial house is in order, the resort will get the immediate lift it needs to make it to the upcoming ski season."
Schumer was joined by Cortland County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Bob Haight, the owners of Greek Peak and employees as he made his case for the swift FDIC loan review. Greek Peak is seeking approval for a $1.6 million loan from the FDIC that Greek Peak states is necessary to operate the resort until next winter. The FDIC recently advanced the company $200,000 so the company can operate for a few weeks while the FDIC does due diligence to confirm the financial condition of the company.
Schumer applauded this FDIC stop gap measure, which demonstrates their mission to keep businesses running whenever possible. However, additional financing is likely critical for Greek Peak's ultimate survival.
Schumer highlighted the important role Greek Peak has played in Central New York and Cortland County economy, in his push for the FDIC to complete its loan review as swiftly as possible.
In his letter to acting FDIC Chairman Gruenberg, Schumer acknowledged that the FDIC's primary obligation as conservator is to protect the Deposit Insurance Fund, and ultimately the taxpayer, so its evaluation of Greek Peak's financial condition is important. But Schumer, noting that time is of the essence, urged the FDIC to expedite its review, so that the resort can make it to the upcoming ski season, assuming it receives a satisfactory bill of health.
The regional ski and lodging resort employs over 1,000 people in the winter months and during the summer employs nearly 300 people. Schumer discussed the thousands of people that flock to Greek Peak year-round from Cortland County, Central New York and the Binghamton region, and the important role it plays specifically for the Cortland County economy year-round. In the last half century, Greek Peak has grown to attract more than 250,000 skiers and snowboarders every year. The resort is also one of the top employers in Cortland County.
A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to the FDIC appears below:
Dear Chairman Gruenberg,
I am writing on behalf of Greek Peak, a New York company that owns
and operates a ski resort, water park, amusement park and other hospitality businesses. Greek Peak's lender, Tennessee Valley Bank, failed and was put into conservatorship by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In its role as conservator, the FDIC must either provide or approve any new financing.
The urgency of the situation arises from the fact that the company is an important source of jobs in the Central region of New York, employing up to 1,100 people in the Winter ski season, and nearly 300 currently.
I understand your staff has undertaken a thorough review of the company to determine the financial condition of the company and what realistic options there are for maintaining the business. I also understand the FDIC's primary obligation as conservator is to protect the Deposit Insurance Fund and, ultimately, the taxpayers.
I am writing to urge you and your staff to complete a thorough but expedient review, and, consistent with your obligations, to leave no stone unturned in your efforts to keep Greek Peak a viable going concern and to preserve these important jobs in upstate New York. If the business can survive, and get back to normal, the FDIC, the company and the Cortland County region will all emerge winners.
Thank you for considering this request. Please don't hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have further questions
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Although the skating part of that game was better than the surfing, pretty limited as to what you could do in the surfing part. But when your character options for the surf portion are a gorilla wearing a baseball hat or a cat in a tuxedo, you know it's a win.
youriding.com best surf game out there. hundreds of spots and changing conditions and its pretty good while at work. makes you want to surf for real
DP you r definately on to something there!


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Findlay Media is proud to be the exclusive media partner for World Skills UK in
the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Through this website and Engineering
Careers, Findlay Media is working to inspire and encourage the next generation of
manufacturing and design engineers. And with the support of its industry partners,
Findlay works to raise awareness of the many exciting career opportunities available
in manufacturing through apprenticeships and graduate entry schemes.
Employers can play their part, too. To demonstrate and promote the skills of the
UK's young people, employers are encouraged to put forward their best candidates
to compete in this year's World Skills UK competitions. Winners of the national
competitions ultimately go through to compete on the world stage. World Skills UK
national competitions are open for registrations from 11 February to 22 March 2013.
Use the World Skills pre-competition Activity Toolkit to help you put forward your
best candidates.
Elsewhere, this website provides direct access to a world of exciting opportunities,
inspiring case studies and news of engineering skill events. We hope you find the
website useful.
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fairs, but we also has an active interest in helping smaller specialist shows develop, providing advice,
support and essential services to organisers."
Visit the official NEC
The NEC is situated 8 miles East of Birmingham city centre; its central location ensures it is at the hub of the UK motorway network.
Visitors from any direction can travel to The NEC site directly using the following motorways - M1, M5, M6, M6 Toll, M40 and M42.
The NEC is signposted on motorways and major roads and is marked on most good maps. If you are travelling by car, we recommend that you allow plenty of time for your journey.
As a free flowing alternative to the M6, the M6 Toll offers reliably shorter journey times through the West Midlands. It runs between
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The entrance to The NEC is situated on the right hand side as you exit the station and is clearly signposted. Continue to walk along the covered walkway called the
bridgelink where you can then follow signs to reach your exact destination.
14-16 November 2013 at the NEC Birmingham.
The UK's biggest skills and careers event, The Skills Show is a unique annual celebration
that will inspire the fashion designers, web developers and engineers of tomorrow
with exciting opportunities in further education, skills and Apprenticeships.
Visit www.theskillsshow.com
to find out more!
Findlay Media supports the following WorldSkills UK 2013 categories:
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Acosta Flamingos Apartment Estepona
Official Contact Details - Acosta FlamingosPhone: 0034 952 762 478 Fax: 0034 952 762 549
A brand new and newly furnished apartment in this prestigious setting
Set just nicely back from the beaches and coast road in this gated estate, west of Puerto Banus in the direction of Estepona.
- Price from 57 EUR / Day
- Capacity up to 4 people
- 2 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms
(click on a photo to view it)
Last updated: 06/21/2008
This is your property ?
Constructed on a hillside, this recently completed complex commands good views across the presitigious Los Flamingos golf course and Ritz Carlton Hotel "Villa Padierna" to the lake and the sea beyond.
The accommodation comprises:
Entrance lobby with lift and stairs
Entrance Hall
Living/dining room with 2 leather sofas, TV, DVD player, Dining suite with 6 chairs, electric roller blind and patio doors to:
The terrace with comfortable furniture including table and chairs for alfresco dining, or just relaxing with a cool drink or glass of Rioja.
Inner Hall
Master bedroom with double bed, ample wardrobes and en suite bathroom with jacussi bath and separate shower
Bedroom 2 with twin beds and ample wardrobes
Second bathroom
Fully equipped kitchen plus utility terrace
Basement garage space
The development sits on the side of the hill and is modern in design and finished to a very good standard.
The complex includes infinity swimming pool and paddle tennis courts.
Prices & deals
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- Lowest Weekly Price:
- Highest Weekly Price:
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- Payment Types:
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Location & area
Overlooking Los Flamingos golf course and the Ritz Carlton Hotel to the sea and North Africa on clear days. located back from the good beaches and main coast road between San Pedro and Estepona. Nearby are a choice of supermarkets, shops and restaurants.
In addition to the beaches and all forms of water sport, the Costa del Sol is also known as the Costa del Golf, but other sporting and recreational facilities abound including tennis, padel tennis, lawn bowls, horse riding and so much more.
The picturesque village of Benahavís lies a short way inland, the village is built on different levels, carved out of the hillside. Benahavís is known for its' great choice of restaurants where you can try typical dishes. There are also a number of small shops and galleries with original artworks.
Estepona, 10 minutes west is a popular seaside town which has retained much of its' Spanish character, with wide beaches, a splendid promenade, fishing harbour and marina. 20 muntes further west takes you to Gibraltar and Algerciras at the entrance to the Mediterranean and beyond lie the maganificent Atlantic beaches.
San Pedro, an unspoilt charming Spanish town is just a 5 minute drive away, here you will find traditional shops, sidewalk cafes and excellent tapas bars.A short walk down is the main promenade, beach and several chiringuitos (beach bars).
A 10/15 minute drive will take you to the millionaire playground that is Puerto Banus, this is the place to be pampered and see the fabulous luxury yachts while sipping a drink at one of the many open air restaurants and bars. Try the nightlife at a choice of alfesco bars, piano clubs and nightclubs whilst during the day this is a shoppers paradise with several of the worlds renowned fashion houses.
Fashionable Marbella is another 5 minutes beyond with its great shopping and restaurants in the narrow streets of the historical Old Town. The beaches are excellent and the promenade stretches for miles where there are many good places to eat and drink
- Address:
- 2-C, 29680, Estepona, Spain
- Accommodation located in:
- mountainside, near golf course, near the beach, resort, rural, village!
Amenities & services
Swimming pool
Paddle Tennis
# of Units: 1... and each unit includes:
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 2
- Single beds: 2
- Double beds: 1
- Baby cots: 0
- Single sofa beds: 0
- Double sofa beds: 0
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Review - Acosta Flamingos
Acosta Flamingos - Contact the owner
Important Notice : Avoiding Fraud
It's rare, but some helpful hints to watch out for with regards to fraud:
- It is important to NEVER wire funds or use/employ other fund transfer mechanisms such as western union: Always use a credit card to protect yourself against fraud. If owners pressure you into providing a deposit or refuse to accept credit cards, there is a high probability that this is a scam.
- If at all suspicious of fraud, ask to see their website, or any other literature they can provide or send to you. Ask them for contact details for guests who have previously stayed on their property insisting on telephone numbers. Be suspicious of emails that originate from free email services (yahoo, hotmail, gmail, etc)
- Research the property thoroughly on the internet to see if there is any history or mention of scams associated with the property.


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"Bracksy, have we got a test for you... hehehehe. We haven't toured one of these yet, the Kawasaki ER-5, so you can ride one to the Island to see if it can handle the pace."
Gee thanks Woose! Testing that which the rest reject seems to be my lot in life (Ed: err, don't you mean having the reject test the rest!!!) - so ever-ready for a challenge the ER-5 was prepped to carry me and my kit on the pilgrimage from Sydney southwards to Phillip Island for the final MotoGP of the year.
AMCN last tested the ER-5 in March 1999 (Vol 48 No 17), when Guy Allen put the model through its paces in an urban environment soon after it was launced on the Aussie market.
As he pointed out at the time, the ER-5's powerplant has been around since 1987 when the 498cc liquid-cooled twin appeared in the GPz500, before also doing service in the KLE500 dual-purpose model of 1992.
Balls out?Now the ER-5 will never win any drag races, but its performance is pleasantly surprising. The engine has a handy mid-range pull, making the ER-5 a zippy steed to traverse an often grid-locked city like Sydney. With a handy 50ps at 9000rpm and 4.5kg-m at 7200rpm the usable power is noticeable right from a closed throttle to the limiter.
While it is marvellous for carving through lines of traffic, the real test would come over the 2000km of highway blacktop that lay ahead.
Many would baulk at riding the ER-5 over such a distance, citing a number of factors no doubt headed by a supposed lack of performance for a long haul plus a lack of luggage space. But at the end of the day you can only motor so fast before the eye of Constable Plod looks at you through the sights of a radar gun. In that regard the ER-5 should ensure you keep your licence just that little bit longer.
Don't get me wrong, this Kwaka can comfortably sit on speeds all day that will see you donate your plastic-coated photo to the Police Library for a few months, no problem, but ballistic speeds were never part of its design brief.
Up to it?The ER-5 has an easy upright seating position, but lacking even a bikini cowl you soon get turned into a windsock at anything over 120kmh. And while it may return fuel figures over 23km/lt in the city, once it's feeding time for the twin 34mm CV Keihin carbs the fuel economy can take a battering - dropping to around 14km/lt on open roads.
Obviously it's up to the rider to find a happy medium on the long haul, but with a 16-litre fuel tank, even pinned, 230km is still possible.
On the highway the ER-5 has no trouble overtaking cars without having to tap-dance through the lower gears.
There are no real mod-cons, save for a fuel gauge, although this is still combined with the usual fuel cock.
Simple, but effectiveReflecting the simple dash, the ER-5 has basic features like conventional 37mm non-adjustable front forks and twin rear shocks - with five-way adjustable spring preload via the toolkit-supplied C-spanner.
A capable single disc with a twin-piston caliper work the front stoppers, while the rear has a 160mm drum brake, the latter offering good feel and reasonable stopping power. Another nice touch, not often seen on bikes in the ER-5's $7090 price zone is the adjustable clutch and brake lever.
The ER-5 is quite comfortable on the open road, but it comes into its own through the tighter stuff. With a wheelbase of 1430mm a 27-degree rake and 102mm trail, the steering is relatively quick, but at the same time stable enough not to be to daunting for the inexperienced.
The ER-5 remains rock solid and confidence inspiring, even when running over potholes, and with 125mm travel up front and 105mm at the rear I noticed no bottoming out in normal riding conditions - although I am somewhat of a flyweight at 65kg wringing wet.
Good vibesThe standard-fitment Dunlop Arrowmax GT401s (110/70 front, 130/70 rear) offer excellent grip in all weather conditions - and boy did I go through every condition imaginable on the trip southwards!
The only real downside on the long haul was the old-style stem-mounted mirrors, which tend to vibrate when travelling over 110kmh - it makes it hard to determine what's following. But on the flip side, when pottering around town and in built-up areas, they offer good vision with nothing obscured.
After spending two weeks with the ER-5 I was pleasantly surprised. It has a comfy seat, even when loaded with gear, and offers adequate anchor points. However, another at the rear, besides the grabrail, would be a bonus.
A seat height of 780mm is right for most body shapes and with a dry weight of 179kg (claimed) it's not too daunting, even for those smaller in stature.
At a competitive $7090, the Kawasaki ER-5 strikes me as a bike that a newcomer to larger-capacity motorcycling would be more than happy to gain further experience on.
Mark Bracks
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The Subaru BRZ might be most appreciated for reintroducing the adjectives "small," "light" and "fun" to those who prefer not to have a convertible top with their Japanese sports car. Yet, as has been covered before, it's a neat example of packaging, with Subaru engineers having put big ideas into the BRZ's small spaces. The Japanese automaker has knocked together 22 minutes of behind-the-scenes chats with the engineers who made the BRZ to show you how they did it, and how they managed to pack all of the handling and safety bits around the fun bits.
This should come as no surprise, but the video is in Japanese with English subtitles, but it's worth the extra effort. It's in two parts and you'll find both by scrolling below.


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A great starter kit, this 3-piece set includes a Round Brush, Gulper Nozzle, and Crevice Tool.
Connects to a 1-1/4" hose (about the size of a golf ball) and is great for all-purpose pick-up jobs.
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All of the Department of Social Protection's Offices will be closed on Monday 4 June 2012. Offices will reopen on Tuesday 5 June 2012.
Note: All Post Offices will also be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, 4 June 2012.
Signing Arrangements
People getting jobseeker's payments who are due to sign at their Local Social Welfare Office on Monday 4 June 2012 will not have to do so. Normal signing arrangements apply for the rest of the week.
Payment Arrangements
EIT – Payment via the Post Office
Payments due on Monday, 4 June 2012 may be collected from Saturday 2 June 2012 (please note that your Post Office may close at lunch-time on Saturday 2 June and not reopen until Tuesday 5 June 2012).
EFT – Payment directly to an account in a financial institution
Payments due on Monday 4 June 2012 will be paid on Friday 1 June 2012.


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Kris Humphries says he's "100 percent sure" he did not transmit herpes to a woman he allegedly nailed back in 2010 ... claiming she's a liar who's making a shameless and baseless money grab.
TMZ broke the story ... Humphries has been sued by Kayla Goldberg ... who claims Kris knew he had the herp when they hooked up in 2010 and didn't tell her.
Now, Kris' rep tells GossipCop.com the allegations are "completely bogus."
The rep also says Kris is "100 percent sure [Kayla] did not contract [herpes] from him."
The rep also says Kayla threatened him with the lawsuit last year and warned him she would go public unless he paid her at least $1,000,000.
Attempts to reach Kayla were unsuccessful.
Kris Humphries
I Did NOT Give
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Colorful baby bell peppers serve as the base to this south-of-the-border inspired appetizer of Chorizo-and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peppers.
Coastal Living MAY 2013
1. Preheat oven to 425°. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Cut about 1/4 inch from top of peppers to form a "boat." Seed peppers, if desired, and finely chop pepper tops.
3. Combine chopped peppers and chorizo in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes or until chorizo is browned. Drain well, if necessary. Add cheeses, stirring until well blended.
4. Spoon or pipe sausage mixture into pepper boats. Place on prepared baking sheet, and bake 15 minutes or until cheese melts and peppers are tender. Garnish, if desired.
Go to Full Version of
Chorizo-and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peppers Recipe


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What Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen sees when she looks at the U.S. jobs market is arguably the most important economic viewpoint in the world.
Here's her outlook: The labor market has "strengthened considerably" from the recession's pit, but
"the recovery still feels like a recession to many Americans," Yellen said Monday at a community-reinvestment conference in Chicago.
When Yellen inspects jobs data in the U.S., she sees dropping unemployment, but also slow hiring and shaky worker confidence. She sees an economy that has added millions of jobs in recent years, but one in which the long-term unemployed face an incredible struggle to find a new spot.
"In some ways, the job market is tougher now than in any recession," Yellen said. "While there has been steady progress, there is also no doubt that the economy and the job market are not back to normal health."
The charts in this slideshow highlight data that the Fed chief considers when gauging the labor market's health.
—Ruth Mantell
Next: Unemployment rate still elevated
Although the unemployment rate has been trending down since late 2009, it remains elevated.
"At 6.7%, the national unemployment rate is still higher than it ever got during the 2001 recession," Yellen said Monday.
On Friday the Labor Department reported that the unemployment rate remained at 6.7% in March. But that rate's usefulness as a tool to measure labor-market health is limited, Yellen noted, because it camouflages problems, such as underemployment and low wages.
"There are real people behind the statistics, struggling to get by and eager for the opportunity to build better lives," Yellen said.
Certain groups face a particularly tough jobs environment. The unemployment rate for young workers was about 21% in March. For African-Americans the jobless rate was 12.4%, more than twice a rate of 5.8% for whites. That gap between races is nothing new. As one economist told MarketWatch in early 2009, when the recession was a few months past its first birthday: "African-Americans and Latinos start a recession already in a recession, and then things get worse."
Next: Millions of jobs added since jobless rate peaked
Through March, the economy has added about eight million jobs since a jobless-rate peak in 2009.
Yet, including March's increase of 192,000 jobs, the economy has about 400,000 fewer jobs than when the recession started at the end of 2007. Struggling workers need courage and determination. But that's not all, Yellen said.
"It might seem obvious, but the second thing that is needed to help people find jobs...is jobs. No amount of training will be enough if there are not enough jobs to fill," she said.
Heightening the need for faster jobs growth are the growing ranks of those who want to work. The civilian labor force — the group of people at least 16 who are either working or would like to work — is roughly 156 million individuals, up more than two million from the start of the recession.
Next: Long-term jobless as a share of unemployed
Yellen devoted much of her Monday speech to the plight of long-term jobless workers. These are individuals who have been looking for a job for at least half of a year. According to Friday's data, 35.8% of all jobless workers have been unemployed for at least 27 weeks.
Finding a job becomes tougher the longer one is unemployed.
"Research shows employers are less willing to hire the long-term unemployed and often prefer other job candidates with less or even no relevant experience," Yellen said. "These workers find it exceptionally hard to find steady, regular work, and they appear to be at a severe competitive disadvantage when trying to find a job."
Next: Few workers quitting
Other jobs data that Yellen pays attention to are found in the Labor Department's monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report, which paints a picture of the country's churn in employment. The monthly findings detail how many jobs are open, as well as how many workers quit, and those that are fired, laid off or hired.
Here's one disturbing fact: The pace of workers quitting this year is still below pre-recession levels.
"That is an indicator that people are reluctant to risk leaving their jobs," Yellen said. "It is also a sign that firms may not be recruiting very aggressively to hire workers away from their competitors."
Higher quits levels also signal that workers are willing to trade some stability and job security to advance their careers, a show of confidence in their future and the economy as a whole, economists say.
The Labor Department's most recent data show that there were 2.38 million quits in January, down 14% from average monthly quits of 2.75 million over the five years leading up to the start of the recession.
Next: Hiring remains weak
Yellen also noted Monday that even though layoffs have slowed down, companies are wary of expanding payrolls.
"They have been reluctant to increase the pace of hiring," she said.
According to the JOLTS report, the number of hires during January as a percent of total employment was 3.3%. That hires rate has climbed fairly steadily since early 2009, but remains below a monthly average of about 3.8% over the five years leading up to the start of the recession.
Next: Earnings haven't sprung back
Also of note, even though unemployment has declined, employers haven't raised workers' wages in this recovery.
"Wage growth for most workers was modest for a couple of decades before the recession due to globalization and other factors beyond the level of economic activity, and those forces are undoubtedly still relevant," Yellen said. "But labor market slack has also surely been a factor in holding down compensation. The low rate of wage growth is, to me, another sign that the Fed's job is not yet done."
According to the Labor Department, the latest annual data has the median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, adjusted for inflation, declining about 3.5% from the 2009 peak.
Next: Convicts face high employment barriers
Yellen inadvertently spawned headlines this week when a Bloomberg report noted that two out of the three struggling workers she mentioned in her Monday speech have criminal records.
While the Fed chief has taken flak for her choice of anecdotal evidence, her words are an opportunity to explore the costs to society from the high employment barriers facing those with a criminal record. Research published in 2003 by the American Journal of Sociology found that a criminal record cuts the likelihood that applicants for an entry-level position would receive an employer callback by at least 50%, constituting "a major barrier to employment," wrote author Devah Pager.
Those with little sympathy for workers with a criminal record may still find reason to be concerned by their employment struggles. According to a 2010 study from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, male employment in 2008 was cut by up to 1.7 percentage points due to a prison record or felony conviction, costing the economy up to $65 billion in lost output.
"In the absence of some reform of the criminal justice system, the share of ex-offenders in the working-age population will rise substantially in coming decades, increasing the employment and output losses we estimate here," CEPR reported.
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Book your room at Historic Streetcar Inn
Deluxe Single RoomMax Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child, 1 infant)
Deluxe Room, 1 King BedMax Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child, 1 infant)
Deluxe Double Room, 2 Double or 2 Queen BedsMax Occupancy: 4 guests (up to 3 children, 2 infants)
Victorian hotel with a complimentary breakfast, in New Orleans (Garden District)
This hotel is located in New Orleans (Garden District), close to Coliseum Square, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and Jackson Square. Also nearby are French Market and New Orleans Jazz Park.
Hotel Features
A complimentary continental breakfast is available. Historic Streetcar Inn also features complimentary wireless Internet access, a computer station, and tour/ticket assistance.
Room Amenities
Televisions come with cable channels. Guestrooms also feature complimentary wireless Internet access, air conditioning, and climate control.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!
Historic Streetcar Inn
Hotel Amenities
A complimentary breakfast is offered each morning. A computer station is located on site and high-speed wireless Internet access is complimentary.
Historic Streetcar Inn has designated areas for smoking.
- Total number of rooms - 26
- Number of floors - 2
- Year Built 1897
- Free breakfast
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Computer station
- Designated smoking areas (fines apply)
- Designated smoking areas
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Free Wi-Fi
- Number of buildings/towers - 2
Family Friendly Amenities
- Free Wi-Fi
Available in all rooms: Free Wi-Fi
Available in some public areas: Free Wi-Fi
Room Amenities
- Iron/ironing board
- Air conditioning
- Climate control
- Phone
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Complimentary toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Bathtub or shower
- Cable TV service
- Television
- Free Wi-Fi
Where to Eat
A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning between 7 AM and 10 AM.
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Minimum check-in age is 21
Check-in time ends at 11 PM
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Pets allowed, Only dogs and cats are allowed, Maximum number of pets per room 1, Pet maximum weight in lb is 25
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- No onsite parking is available.
- Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 21 years old.
Service animals exempt from fees/restrictions
No cribs (infant beds) available
Noise-free rooms not guaranteed
- Pet fee: USD 10.00 per pet, per night
We should mention
Up to 2 children 17 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. Guests can arrange to bring pets by contacting the property directly, using the contact information on the booking confirmation (surcharges apply and can be found in the Fees section). Alcohol is not served at this property.


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|June 13
Editor says, what if Marcus Sarjeant's blank shots had fatally dismounted the Queen? muses Jeff Provine on the This Day in Alternate History web site. Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s).
In 1981, in what some describe as a "misguided teenage prank gone terribly wrong" and others "the greatest tragedy of our time", Queen Elizabeth II of England died in a fall from her horse due to a starting pistol being fired by Marcus Sarjeant.
Queen Elizabeth II Killed in Accident Elizabeth had been queen since the death of her father, George VI, in 1952. Her reign would see a time of major changes as Britain adapted to the new world order after World War II. The Empire had shifted into the Commonwealth of Nations over the course of the past decades, and Elizabeth acted as head of only a portion of the lands once under Britain and queen of seven countries (six in 1972 when Ceylon became republican Sri Lanka). In the Fifties, Britain worked to rebuild after the war, leading to the Swinging Sixties when England underwent a Renaissance exporting fashion and music and Britain overall returned to economic prowess.
The Seventies brought difficulty back to Britain. While foreign policies had been successful in peaceably breaking down the Empire into independent nations in the Commonwealth after the Churchill prime ministership, Britain had distanced itself from its allies in America by the Suez Canal crisis and opting out of the Vietnam War. Britain was becoming more isolationist, and its own problems were more than enough. Stagflation, energy crises, and union strikes began to cripple the British economy. Meanwhile, the Troubles continued to terrorize citizens as the IRA used bombing attacks not only in Northern Ireland, but on the mainland of England as well. The Labour government faltered under these pressures, bringing in a Conservative government with Margaret Thatcher as the first female prime minister.
During this time, Marcus Sarjeant grew up normally in Kent and attended Astor Secondary School in Dover, an accomplished Scout member and local patrol leader before joining the Air Training Corps at twelve. Marcus was an exceptional marksman, and he began training in the Royal Marines as well as the Army but seemed unable to fit into the discipline required of the armed services. Not even the police or fire department took him, and instead Marcus worked at a zoo, arts centre, and with children at a youth centre before ultimately being unemployed. In late 1980, he joined the Anti Royalist Movement and attempted to gain a gun license, but was unable to do more than take up a gun club and hold onto his father's Webley revolver (which had no ammunition).
Looking for more in life, Marcus became inspired by the assassination of John Lennon (December 8, 1980) and the assassination attempts on Ronald Reagan (March 30, 1981) and Pope John Paul II (May 13, 1981). The fame seemed to explode around the attackers, and Marcus wanted it, noting to a friend, "I would like to be the first to take a pot shot at the Queen". He wrote about becoming the most famous teenager in the world, but he did not seem to want to hurt Queen Elizabeth, only gain the fame, so he armed himself with a starting pistol and blanks. Marcus even sent a letter to Buckingham Palace (which arrived three days too late), warning, "Your Majesty. Don't go to the Trooping the Colour ceremony because there is an assassin set up to kill you, waiting just outside the palace". He also sent letters and photos to magazines, which he hoped would expedite the growth of his fame once it began.
During the Trooping of Colour, Marcus became another face in the crowds until the Queen passed, when he fired six shots in her direction. The Queen's horse, Burmese, became startled and reared, throwing the Queen, who would die in the fall. Marcus was seized out of the shocked crowd and apprehended by police while the Sovereign's Escort closed up around the fallen Queen. Sarjeant would be found innocent of regicide as the actual death had been accidental, but he would be found guilty of "firing with intent to alarm the queen" under the Treason Act of 1842. Many called for his execution, but the seventeen-year-old would be given a life sentence, outraging many Royalists and beginning the feeling of harsh conservatism that would come to dominate the United Kingdom under the time of Thatcher. Marcus Sarjeant gained his fame only as hatred, and he would disappear into the prison system.
Any anti-British sentiment quickly invoked the same spirit of vengeance that haunted many in the mourning of the Queen. When IRA members in prison attempted a hunger strike to regain status as political prisoners, they were force-fed, and the IRA became the target of an immense military crackdown. In 1982, Britain came upon an international war when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, and the UK counter-invaded to remove dictator Leopoldo Galtieri. Many commentators believed that Galtieri's government would have fallen apart on its own, but the government of Britain refused to take any chances.
As the occupation of Argentina dragged on and surviving Galtieri and, especially, anti-British cells carried out attacks, unemployment and taxes continued to climb in the recession of the 1980s. When the 1984 Miner's Strike began, the military force turned on Britons themselves, arresting strikers en masse and encouraging scabs. Bombings not just by the desperate IRA increased amid the oppressive government, such as the nearly successful attempt on Thatcher's life at the Grand Hotel in Brighton on October 12, 1984. Blaming the attacks on increasing leftist adversaries, the Conservative Government outlawed several smaller parties and instituted social control schemes not seen since the desperate days of the War. More controversial were the secret actions, such as the disappearance of Michael Heseltine in 1990.
The darker days lightened as the Nineties saw economic recovery and the social control lessened, though the Conservative Government continues in power with opponents disappearing seemingly before they can rise. Meanwhile, the Royal Family disintegrated amid scandal with separations and divorces as well as the death of Queen Diana while in Paris in 1997. Bright hope shines around William, Prince of Wales, who is never seen without his Conservative bodyguard.
Story Tags Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Jeff Provine Blog Era: Cold War Source: Jeff Provine's Blog Labels: Queen Elizabeth I, Marcus Sarjeant, Assassination, Premature Death, Royalty.
Editor says, in reality Queen Elizabeth's horse did not buck, and her able horsemanship brought Burmese under control. Marcus Sarjeant was sentenced to five years imprisonment but was released in 1984, when he changed his identity to live a new life. Editorial comments are entered in [light green] typeface.


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DeRionne P. Pollard 2008
DeRionne P. Pollard
BA English '93
MA English '95
Dublin, Calif.
Growing up, DeRionne Pollard was never certain what life had in store for her. But today, as one of the youngest CEOs in U.S. higher education, she has found her calling in community college administration. After 12 years as a professor, program director, and administrator at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ill., Pollard was named president of Las Positas College in Livermore, Calif., in 2008. An outstanding teacher and student-focused administrator, the 38-year-old has distinguished herself in her professional field as well as in her communities.
Pollard came to the College of Lake County in 1995 and in 1997 developed the college's Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She rose to the position of assistant vice president for educational affairs in 2002 and was named vice president for educational affairs in 2005 upon completing her doctorate degree from Loyola University in Chicago. While in Lake County, she received the 2006 YWCA Woman of Achievement Award and was a 2007 Lake County Woman of Distinction. In 2006, she was named the Most Influential African American in Lake County.
Today Pollard is active in Rotary and the American Association of Community Colleges. She and her partner, Robyn Jones '93 '95, have a son named Myles.


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Entertainment Options
Resident DJ
DJ's are by far the most popular entertainment for weddings, largely becuase they can play a wide range of music as the mood and energy level changes throughout the night.
Hamilton Island Weddings can supply a professional DJ for your wedding reception, including all sound and technical equipment and music. You are also welcome to bring along any specific music which the DJ may not have that you may want played at the reception.
what music does the dj have?
Hamilton Island Weddings use a number of DJ's however all have a similar range of music, click below to see an example song list.
Download a sample DJ song list
The package includes:
For DJ pricing relevant to your wedding date, please refer back to your HIW pricelist and booking form.
how do i book a DJ for my reception?
To book a DJ for your reception, please download and complete HIW's entertainment booking form, once completed please return this form to your wedding consultant via email, fax or post.
Download HIW's Entertainment Booking Form
Please note: Your own entertainment and music can only be utilised if you have booked an entire venue solely for your function.
|Website Design and development by Fuse Digital, Sydney
|© Hamilton Island Weddings 2012 | Privacy & Disclaimer | Print this page | Send to a Friend | Contact Us


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In preparation for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, track star-turned-bobsledder Lolo Jones is eating 9,000 calories a day. And not just protein shakes. Bacon. Double. Cheeseburgers. »
Lolo Jones Joins U.S. Bobsled Team, Will Get Some Kind of Olympic Medal…
Champion hurdler and athlete that you totally love/hate/are neutral about Lolo Jones could be headed back to the Olympic Games sooner than we think. While Jones was planning to return to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics for track, she has recently become one of the 24 athletes given a place on the U.S. bobsled… »
Lolo Jones Accidentally Talks Smack to Paralyzed Rutgers Football Player
Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones who, let's be honest, really can't catch a fucking break, accidentally wandered into a whole bog of Twitter quicksand when she responded to former Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand's jocular challenge to race. After LeGrand tweeted "want to race me?," Jones answered, "Get Checked for a… »
Tearful Lolo Jones Is 'Heartbroken' Over New York Times Hit Job
American runner Lolo Jones came in at a disappointing fourth place during yesterday's 100m Hurdles Final at the Summer Olympic Games in London. While it's a saddening situation for any athlete to miss out on claiming a medal, the loss was an especially bitter pill for Jones, who, in addition to Olympic glory, also… »
The New York Times Won't Be Rooting for Lolo Jones
Lolo Jones has been garnering a lot of attention at the Olympics and, according to the New York Times' Jeré Longman, this is not okay. Jones hasn't even won anything, so why should anyone bother paying any attention to her? Oh, because, thrusting Jones to the forefront of the Olympic stage is a "sad and cynical… »
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Rates liability for empty and partly occupied properties
From 1 April 2011 any empty non-domestic property with a rateable value of £2,600 or more is subject to payment of empty property rates.
Empty properties with a rateable value of £2,600 or more will be charged at 100 per cent of the occupied rates charge after an initial three month exemption period (six months in the case of industrial premises). If your property has already been empty for a period of time, full rates will be payable straight away.
The Government first reformed empty property relief from April 2008 in order to provide a strong incentive to bring empty property back into use.
The intention was to increase the supply of premises to let, reduce business rents and improve the competitiveness of the UK, as well as bringing forward brown field sites for re-development, reducing the need for new development on environmentally valuable greenfield land.
The reforms to empty property relief have consequential impacts for the rates liability of partly occupied properties that have been apportioned.
What does this mean for my rates liability?
From 1 April 2008, most property that had been empty for more than three months (six months in the case of industrial property) no longer received relief from rates.
After the initial three or six month rate-free period expires, empty properties were liable for 100% of the basic occupied business rate, unless:
- the property qualified for the new zero rate provided by the Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007. From 1 April 2008 onwards, the rates liability of empty property held by a charity and appears likely to be next used for charitable purposes, or that is held by a community amateur sports club and
- appears likely to be next used for the purposes of the club, will be reduced from 10% of the basic occupied rate to zero.
- qualifies for an exemption from rates under the NNDR (Unoccupied Property) Regulations (for example listed buildings or property where occupation is prohibited by law.)
Can I get my property taken out of the rating list altogether?
If your property is not capable of beneficial occupation – for instance, if it is in poor condition and cannot be economically repaired - your valuation officer may judge that it should be taken out of the rating list altogether.
However, please be aware that if the state of your property is damaged for the purposes of avoiding rates, under new anti-avoidance legislation introduced by the Government, your valuation officer will be required to disregard the change in the property's state when assessing its rateable value. So for instance, if the roof is removed from an empty property for the purpose of avoiding rates, it may be valued as if the roof had not been removed.
How will my rates liability be affected if my property is only partly occupied?
If a property is only partly occupied, the billing authority has discretion to request that the valuation officer apportions the property's rateable value between its occupied and unoccupied parts.
At present, the empty property rate applies to the empty part of an apportioned building and the full rates are charged on the occupied part.
From 1 April 2008, the empty part will receive an exemption from rates for the first three months (six months if it is an industrial property). Once the initial rate-free period expires, in most cases the apportionment will cease to have effect and the occupied business rate will apply to the whole property.
This will ensure that occupiers can benefit from any occupied business rate reliefs to which they are eligible - such as small business rate relief - on the whole of the property, not just the occupied part. However, if the property would qualify for the new zero rate or for an exemption from rates when empty, the apportionment will continue to have effect and the owner will not be liable for rates on the empty part.
Can I appeal against the change in my rates liability?
The changes in rates liability arising from the reforms to empty property relief are not in themselves grounds for appeal. However, if you disagree with the rateable value that appears in the current rating list entry for your property, under the existing arrangements you may challenge it by making a `proposal' against it to your local valuation office.
Your rights of appeal are not affected by the reforms to empty property relief and you can contact the local valuation office agency (VOA) for further information about the arrangements for making proposals.
The Valuation Office that covers the Torridge District can be found at
Non-Domestic Rates South West, Valuation Office Agency, 2nd Floor, Temple Quay House, The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN
Telephone 03000 501 501
Or you can visit their website using the link to the right of the page.


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