text:
Dan Grimmer
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
A recommendation over which company should be picked to build the hugely controversial Norfolk incinerator at King's Lynn was changed just hours before county councillors were due to make up their minds, it has emerged.
Over the course of this week, the EDP is looking at four key county council issues – the incinerator, children's services, the former RAF Coltishall and the Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
We will look at the past, the present and the future and show how:
An 11th hour change of mind altered the course of the King's Lynn incinerator saga, while unelected council officers were allowed to vote on issues which led to decisions made by councillors.
Social workers have been struggling to cope with "unmanageable" caseloads in children's services.
Almost £14m has been spent on the Norwich Northern Distributor Road before planning permission has been secured.
Almost 30 businesses have expressed an interest in setting up at the former RAF Coltishall base, bought for £4m by the county council.
It can also be revealed council officers were given votes on which company should be recommended for selection to run the proposed incinerator - a state of affairs described as "surprising" by the current council leader and "staggering" by another councillor.
Questions have been asked over whether officers did enough to mitigate the risk of the Saddlebow proposal not getting planning permission and if the controlling cabinet, rather than full council, had the authority to award the contract.
But a QC, in a report commissioned by Norfolk County Council's cabinet and published yesterday, said proper process was followed.
Jonathan Acton Davis, QC, selected by anti-incinerator campaigners to carry out the independent review, said: "I can find nothing to lead me to conclude that any undue risk was taken. I can identify no areas in which I can see potential scope for the holding to account of officers. I have found nothing which would enable me to conclude that the cabinet exceeded its authority in authorising the contract."
Mr Acton Davis, who said some of the emails he had been copied into during his probe consisted of "little more than abuse" stressed he was only asked to consider the process, not the political conduct of members.
He acknowledged he had "some difficulty" over whether officers had identified how to pay compensation should the plant not get planning permission.
He said he would have expected officers to have "at least considered" whether the council could pay that and identify the funds, but had found no evidence they had.
But, he said the officer explanation was it had not been forseen there might be a change of mind, that the risk of planning failure was low and that, before May this year, the council had sufficient reserves to pay compensation.
Council leader George Nobbs said: "We accept Mr Acton Davis's conclusions and we expect everybody else to do the same."
The EDP today investigates the start of the saga.
While it was the controlling Conservative cabinet which agreed, in November 2010, to appoint Cory Wheelabrator as the preferred bidder, the recommendation came from the Norfolk Waste Project Board.
On that board, unelected council officers were among those who voted, in October 2010, to put Cory Wheelabrator forward to other councillors for a decision.
Council officers Mark Allen, assistant director of environment and waste; Paul Borrett, strategic waste manager; Harvey Bullen, head of budgeting and financial management and Joel Hull, project director (residual waste services), were all members of the Norfolk Waste Project Board.
And, along with three councillors - James Joyce, Liberal Democrat county councillor (and now the county council's deputy leader); Conservative Brian Long, deputy leader and environment portfolio holder at West Norfolk Council (and also a county councillor) and Ann Steward, then a Conservative county councillor and cabinet member for sustainable development - all voted to recommend to cabinet that they go for Cory Wheelabrator as preferred bidder.
And, in another twist, just hours before the waste project board meeting, the recommendation changed.
Until then, AmeyCespa, which proposed an incinerator at the same Saddlebow site, was to be appointed the preferred bidder.
Minutes of the meeting reveal a "major concern" about AmeyCespa's bid. The exact concern was redacted, but it is understood it related to whether AmeyCespa could guarantee a certain amount of waste for the incinerator being transferred from Cambridgeshire.
The council acknowledges AmeyCespa's bid was "slightly cheaper" than Cory Wheelabrator. The council will not give a figure, but MP Henry Bellingham, during a parliamentary debate in January said it was £47m cheaper, while other sources suggest it was closer to £70m less.
The council says: "Cost is only one criteria for assessing value for money. When all of the criteria, including quality of service, performance levels and guarantees were evaluated, Cory Wheelabrator's bid achieved the highest score."
Mr Long, one of those who voted for Cory Wheelabrator to be recommended to cabinet as preferred bidder, but who is now a critic of the scheme, said just two hours before the meeting, an email was sent saying the recommendation had switched.
Mr Long said: "My thoughts are that, at the time, it was all presented in a way that we would not have been able to make any other decision."
QC Mr Acton Davis points out that the change was made so late that documents presented to the board still contained a recommendation that AmeyCespa should be picked, which he said was "perhaps an indication of the pressure that officers were under".
But he said there were "no contemporaneous record of members being confused by that which was presented to them".
In January 2011, there was another vote by the project board, recommending cabinet award the contract to Cory Wheelabrator.
Councillors Mrs Steward and Mr Long, along with Conservative William Nunn voted in favour, while Green councillor Andrew Boswell voted against.
The minute taker at the meeting recorded that they could not be sure if councillor Mr Joyce had voted in favour or if he had abstained, although it has subsequently been confirmed he abstained.
Council officers Mr Hull, Mr Allen and Mr Bullen, voted in favour and there was also a vote in favour from Mike Jackson, the department director, who was not present for the vote at the October meeting.
The final vote in favour of recommending cabinet to approve Cory Wheelabrator was from Richard McKenzie-Browne, a government officer from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. who was helping the council with the PFI project.
Tim East, Liberal Democrat spokesman on planning, environment and transport, said he found it "staggering" unelected officials had been given votes, albeit only in a recommending capacity.
He said: "This whole saga has been very unsavoury. The whole situation around the incinerator has been manipulated and we have been misinformed."
And, given Labour's manifesto at May's elections contained a pledge that: "We will use all legal means to suspend any plans for building any incinerators in Norfolk so that a detailed study of current, suitable methods of waste disposal can be undertaken", how does that square with the incinerator remaining in the pipeline, despite losing £169m of government PFI credits?
Mr Nobbs, leader of County Hall's UKIP-supported Labour/Liberal Democrat administration, said: "It squares perfectly with it.
"The first thing we did when we took minority control was to seek legal advice on whether we could withdraw from the contract.
"Was there an easy way out? No, there wasn't. There was no legal means to renege on that contract. We have, at all times, relied on the advice from senior officers and I hardly need reiterate the disastrous consequences of cancelling prior to any decision by Eric Pickles.
"There was a free vote at full council and the council had never voted on that matter before. I think what we have done has complied with the letter and the spirit of the undertaking in our manifesto."
Mr Nobbs said it was "surprising" unelected council officers had been able to vote on what recommendations to put to cabinet, but that it was under the previous administration.
The decision on whether to ratify planning permission now rests with secretary of state Mr Pickles.
The leader of the county council has said a decision by his predecessors not to take part in the West Norfolk Council poll, where 65,000 people voted against the incinerator, was "disastrous".
While the King's Lynn Without Incineration campaign group presented its argument against the burner, the county council, on legal advice, did not.
And Cory Wheelabrator steered clear as well, with a leaked communications strategy from their consultants revealing spin doctors believed they could use their lack of participation to undermine the moral value of the poll.
For the county council's part, they said their legal advice was that there was a risk in actively participating in the poll as the waste planning authority, knowing it would have to consider the planning application.
There was concern that taking an active part could lead to a challenge, especially as the procurement process had not been concluded.
The council said it advised West Norfolk Council it was happy for information which was already publicly available to be printed on the ballot sheet.
They said the borough council chose not to include it in printed form, but to provide a website link.
The ballot sheet also explained why the county council was not taking part.
County council leader George Nobbs said: "On reflection, I think that decision was disastrous in terms of the county council's reputation, the project itself and relations within the county. However, I understand why the county council felt it right to follow the legal advice it was given."
One of the many issues opponents of the incinerator have is why Cory Wheelabrator stands to get so much compensation, should the plant not get built.
The Anglo-US consortium stands to receive about £24.7m if planning permission is not obtained while, if the council pulls the plug on the scheme, there would be an estimated compensation payable of £28m, according to an independent report by PriceWaterhouseCooper.
To anti-incineration campaigners, those sorts of breakage costs have aroused suspicion the contract Norfolk County Council has signed is not standard.
An article published in a trade publication in June 2012 quoted Mike Harlow, a partner in KPMG, who worked on the Cory Wheelabrator contract, as saying: "significant discussion was had negotiating changes to the standard contract", including to accommodate, among other things, compensation on termination.
A Freedom of Information Act request by anti-incinerator campaigners revealed that article prompted an email to DEFRA (who had agreed to award PFI credits to the council for the project) from Joel Hull, the county council's residual waste services project director.
In it, he wrote that the report went into "intense detail about the financial elements and structure of CW's bid; way more than we have ever released or would feel comfortable in releasing."
The county council, when asked why Mr Hull felt that way, said it was "because it revealed financial information about Cory Wheelabrator's bid which the officer considered was potentially commercially sensitive".
They said he wrote to Defra to "clarify" that the authority had not released that information.
The county council line is that: "The contract complies with the principles and approach set by the government for all of the procurements that were run by local authorities under Defra's Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme.
"However, in some parts of the standard contract whilst the principles have to be adhered to the draft contract terms are not fully prescriptive.
"This is to accommodate the wide range of different proposals from different bidders that the government expected to attract through its programme, to make the process as competitive as possible and maximise value for money.
"One example of this is the ability to accommodate different funding approaches by different bidders. For example, some bidders fund their bids through corporate finance (where they fund the project from their own balance sheets and/or corporate debt – for example Veolia's project for Leeds City Council) or project finance (where they fund the project predominantly through ring fenced bank debt, with some equity injection).
"In the case of Cory Wheelabrator's bid it was a hybrid of these, they intended to borrow money from banks to fund the project and were prepared to stand behind some of that money themselves."
While the proposal for an incinerator in Norfolk has generated considerable controversy and opposition, it's a very different story over the border. Suffolk's incinerator is due to start burning waste next year, which the council says will save £8m in landfill taxes. Paul Geater, political writer for our sister papers The Ipswich Evening Star and the East Anglian Times, gives his views on why the Great Blakenham burner has had an easier ride than the Saddlebow proposal.
"Suffolk County Council first announced it would sponsor the building of an incinerator (or "energy from waste plant" as it insists on calling it) in 2007 and said it had several sites under consideration – however, it was clear that Great Blakenham would be the one they went for.
"It was announced in January 2008 that the highways department at Blakenham was the preferred option.
Andrew Cann, county councillor for Ipswich, hit out at the proposal and tried to get a campaign going, but it was soon clear this would never take off for a number of reasons:
"The site was very close to that of a closed cement works. With modern emissions control there was a feeling that anything that put into the atmosphere would be less toxic than what had gone over the area for decades.
"The cement works had recently closed – the incinerator offered the prospect of new jobs for future generations.
Local residents were much more occupied with fighting plans for the "SnOasis" project which has never got off the ground and saw the incinerator as the lesser of two evils.
"The incinerator is well-sited, just off the A14 with a comparatively easy access and with a rail line beside it which could be used if waste is brought in.
"It's opposite a massive landfill site which stinks anyway. People don't believe the filtered emissions will be any worse than that. It's also in an area surrounded by scrapyards.
"Over the last few years Suffolk County Council has won awards from national bodies for its consultation process.
"Although no one has ever said as much on the record, it is clear there is a fair degree of satisfaction that Suffolk has managed to get the plant built while Norfolk has found the whole subject so toxic."
TOMORROW: Union leaders reveal how "unmanageable" caseloads and funding cuts has hit children's services.
36 comments
Why do you think the surprise winner was tens of millions of pounds more expensive than the original?
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Sugarbeet. Whoever he or she is has known and predicted every step of this episode accurately for a few years on here so for those who have been following closely it has all been said already. Has been giving campaigners info every week and warned them over and over again about Cllr Brian Long and others. Spot on almost every time. Just a bit of trumpet blowing now it seems. Has also said in the past that consent will be approved in January and even given the reasons why so we will have to wait and see. I have no idea what the remark about the QC means but no doubt time will tell as usual. Not so much condescending or cryptic but you do have to read carefully. Possibly trying to avoid being rumbled. Not sure. Interesting though. See what the New Year brings I guess.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Thanks Fenscape, that is exactly what I thought would be the case. It proves beyond doubt, if there has ever been any doubt, public sector workers are incapable of negotiating a commercial contract.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Christophe, my view is that we could be paying people will have exactly as much bias on such matters as those who are paying the bill, no?
Monday, December 23, 2013
Honest John.. The multi-username person regularly has a dig at KL Borough & County councillors and promotes the incinerator. This leads me to believe we are dealing with an ex-councillor with an axe to grind. I am sure if the incinerator gets built will definitely be the end of the conservative party in west Norfolk and I bet the multi-username person will be on cloud nine and no stopping insults.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Arent we now great friends with Suffolk.?Please take our waste We will give you 20 seats at home games and Delia will bake you a cake
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Christopher, the incinerator is a bad decision for all those who still can rememeber what mandate we gave NCC in 2000, you obviously can't and are forgiven for that. To accuse those, who apply the only scrutiny to these self serving puppets, of wasting millions, when you yourself are prepared to suffer the most expensive, 624 million option, the malodorous pollution heaped on to three schools and the resulting health implications, is a tad OTT and pathetic.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Very well said, Daisy. The antis get to pick the QC and because the don't like the independent opinion they are now coming up with conspiracy theory about the scope of the report. Ridiculous.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
I wonder how long it will take for the anti mob to work out the Jonathan Acton Davis link ? Not from my lips. He is a fine upstanding fellow and a professional in every respect. As said 2 years ago; "Avoid the law. It will prove a very frustrating and costly exercise. You will be shafted from this point on "
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
JAD2, as the report already seems to be known, really makes not a jot of difference to the situation in which we find ourselves, save for rendering the officers bomb-proof. Looking at where we are after six years, the waste infrastructure credits worth £169m have been lost, planning permission has yet to be obtained, NCC may shortly have to find £26m in compensation, it has probably already spent around £8m and we have no long-term solution to the waste problem. If Mr Pickles refuses planning permission, then this all falls in and we shall need to ask once more who is to blame. Well, if it isn't the officers, it must be the previous administration. JAD2 leaves it perfectly open for that conclusion to be drawn.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
NIMBYS - the incinerator is not a bad decision, You just don't like it. WE are paying professional people (who have no bias on such matters FACT (QC?!). So get lost with your idiotic conspiracy theories. YOU are the ones wasting millions of OUR tax money.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
A rather interesting point is that the report says that if the contract is cancelled it will cost £28m whereas the officers were scaremongering that it might cost up to £100m!!! We can have no confidence in them so what have they got to say for themselves? Daisy, who I am sure has some connection with the Murphys, ignores the fact that Amsterdam have offered to process our waste for far less than the Cory plant. Please also note that DEFRA says that we (the UK) do not need the capacity that KL would provide. We need some reassurance that there is not some penalty within the Cory contract that we must provide a minimum quantity of waste or a penalty clause is invoked. Answer please???
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
The decision of the full council of NCC on 28 October 2013 is incapable of being a material consideration for the purposes of section 70(2)(c) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Accordingly, no regard should be had to it by the Communities Secretary in the determination of the planning application.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Sugarbeet, you've highlighted the reasons why Dic.kens was ignored by the campaigners and Fenscape uses only one name. Lyn from Lynn should have paid a little closer attention to what Dic.kens has said, other than ranting about Daubney and Long at every possible moment it has been a combination of dubious guesswork and post events I told you so. Brilliant article by Dan Grimmer today on the QC's report.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Yes Kadmos-public participation in decision making-only this decision affects all of Norfolk from Cromer to Diss and Walpole to Yarmouth, it uses our council tax to dispose of our waste and to avoid us paying EU landfill tax. Now why then should only the residents of West Norfolk get a direct say? We elect our councillors to make those decisions and the officers were right in expecting there not to be a problem Maybe they should have foreseen the hysteria of misinformation whipped up by certain borough councillors and campaigners aided by the EDP but if you want everyone to be involved in decision making directly we would have to run local government by referendum
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
'look into my eyes, into my eyes' only, do not look at my dirty shoes and ragged cloth, or my malnourished body, just 'look into my eyes'..... Good point about the Aarhus convention, Kadmos, sadly democracy is dead now and we have to take every decision of our councils as they come, whether its from hand raisers or from the unelected human resources that usurp and assume positions they are not suited or fit for.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Perhaps Dan Grimmer would find out the exact remit the QC was asked to work to as this investigation appears to be little more than determining whether NCC put a staple at the correct angle on paperwork and taking their word for it being correct. NCC may be crowing over the outcome of this report now, but we may find later when a proper investigation is conducted that by limiting it in such a way there has been an actual conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. There is a silver lining, at least we know NCC do have a Plan B, the hole this lot are digging for themselves will soon be big enough to accommodate a few years worth of landfill.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Sugarbeet please ignore fenscape because it is a pot calling a kettle who uses around 60 different names.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Have I just read this right? The council acknowledges AmeyCespa's bid was "slightly cheaper" than Cory Wheelabrator and that this "slightly cheaper" is of the order of £70 million pounds? This is not "Slightly". This is a huge figure cheaper - of the order of three times the amount of money for cancellation that has recently been the subject of so much press coverage in that it would bankrupt Norfolk. Why is the County Council apparently so cavalier with the cost (to Norfolk) that it awards a contract that will cost us more than was necessary - to the tune of three times the amount to which, in the same decision, it has put the county at risk of going bankrupt if the Sec of State does not grant planning consent? As for there being a "major concern" about AmeyCespa's bid related to whether AmeyCespa could guarantee a certain amount of waste for the incinerator being transferred from Cambridgeshire. Why should this be a concern? AmeyCespa run the whole waste business for Cambridgeshire and so are in complete control over what they do with the waste from Cambridgeshire. Currently they do not burn it in an incinerator but I bet they have plans to build one, fuelled by all the waste that is still a by-product of thei MBT plant at Waterbeach - currently, all that goes to landfill (STILL!). Cory mainly operate in the London waste market, so I suppose they would be able to ship any shortfall of waste up to Norfolk from the capital, should Norfolk not be able to produce enough waste to keep the incinerator burning. This would beg another question though - why should the health of the good people of West Norfolk expected to be put at risk to enable disposal of some of London's waste? or even Cambridgeshire's waste come to that. (Although I'm sure dirty London waste would be much worse than Cambridgeshire waste which would probably be cleaner overall, on account of it having a higher paper content from all the academic university papers produced there whereas London waste would be really awful, being full of toxic industrial residues).
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Funny that - a bunch of un-elected officers can sit around a table and have a casting vote in this, but when over sixty five thousand people have a similar vote, they get brushed aside. NCC isn't fit for purpose and hasn't been for a long time.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Far from ignoring 'D' everyone seems to have been livened up by himher. More info from that source than any other. You lot are just jealous I say. That's how it comes over anyways.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Dickens, if you've got something to say, then just say it. For those of us who aren't politicians, campaigners or council officers your condescending cryptic comments are just tedious and meaningless.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
This whole saga smells worse than any incinerator can chuck out.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Which way is the wind blowing Cllr Long!? You voted for it, my friend. No good blaming others if you can't be bothered to make your own informed decision.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
If no "undue risk" was taken, then when the contract was signed by an officer on 7th February 2012, the result of the planning meeting, eventually held on the 29th June 2012, must have already been determined. There is, at least one, small legal problem here... The UK has signed up to the Aarhus Convention which guarantees public participation in decision-making. I wonder what the Aarhus compliance committee would make of all of this?
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
"Officers had not foreseen..."- why not for crying out loud. This is nothing more than negligent pre and post contract due diligence and the mealy mouthed excusing of it will not wash.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
It is unusual for the Sec of State to request further information from those involved at a late stage and engaging a process to add weight to an Inspectors report is an interesting development although which way it is weighted may prove to be controversial in content. The recent vote in favour of the project was not included in the original evidence and it is that single piece of information that was required to tip the balance. A democratic vote in open Council is a powerful piece of play. It seems that once again the anti campaigns desires have ended up thwarting them. The question one needs to ask is does this mean that closer scrutiny is needed to adjust the fine balance of a decision or does an approved decision awaiting final release require firming up? The people of Norfolk are likely to be made poor indeed for the want of SOS ratification. No pressure there then.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
He wasn't right about the PFI'S though. Kept telling us they were safe despite me keep telling him they were not.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
How can we read the minutes of the Norfolk Waste Project Board? Is there a special link on the County Council's website that we don't have access to, or have they been redacted since your report?
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Where do I apply to attend closed-door meetings to vote. I have not been elected anywhere which makes me as suitable as the employees of the County Council. Or do I just turn up and sit at the table? This total disregard for democracy should make everyone involved hang their head in shame but if this is the way they intend to run the County Council then there are many I know would like to vote despite not being elected.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
In matters of planning when all else fails there is always the 'exceptional departure from policy'. A rather tidy method of ensuring that what needs to be included can be and that which needs to be overlooked can be placed into the margins. This one looks to be a classic example.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Selective censorship again EDP ???
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
A Lawyer with only answer the questions heshe is asked. In this case the brief was somewhat limited. If the questions had been specific to the conduct of certain councillors, the outcome would probably have been somewhat different. The truth is never likely to come out! Keep up the good work Dan.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Brian Long - Councillor or comedian ? Does he take the voters for their worth or for fools ? The anti campaign were advised over 2 years ago to keep their distance from Long but once again they refused to listen. Who do they think fed back information on the anti campaign early on ? Do they need an anvil to drop on their heads? You cannot help some people.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Well well well So it turns out the democratically elected council for Norfolk, spending Norfolk council tax ( to comply with the instructions of the former Labour government to reduce landfill on pain of penalties) actually acted properly. And all the fuss and row we have endured is because the NIMBY vote catchers at KL council were not content to see the structured local council democracy in action and preferred policy by lobby group, campaign and hysteria. Perhaps now QC Mr Acton Davis might look at the poll ( and the returns-results) as conducted on behalf of West Norfolk and King's Lynn council.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
"Officers had not foreseen..."- why not for crying out loud. This is nothing more than negligent pre and post contract due diligence and the mealy mouthed excusing of it will not wash.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
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02/06/2009 | The K7RA Solar Update
We still have had no hint of sunspots or sunspots to come, though there was some geomagnetic activity on February 4 from a possible coronal mass ejection, raising the planetary A index to 16 that day. Sunspot numbers for January 29-February 4 were 0, 0, 0
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01/26/2009 | Deadline to Order 75th Sweepstakes Mugs and Pins Is Fast Approaching
Time is running out to order your 2008 ARRL November Sweepstakes mugs and pins. If you submitted a log with more than 100 QSOs, you qualify for a Sweepstakes Participation pin. If you submitted a log with a Clean Sweep -- working all 80 ARRL/RAC sections
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12/17/2008 | 75th Sweepstakes Mug, Pin Orders Accepted Through January 31, 2009
The dust has settled from the 2008 ARRL November Sweepstakes and the log submission deadline has passed. How did you do? If you submitted a log with more than 100 QSOs, you qualify for a Sweepstakes Participation pin! If you submitted a log with a Clean S
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10/29/2008 | Spanish Hams Receive New Frequency Privileges
The Union de Radioaficionados Espanoles (URE), Spain's IARU Member-Society, reported that as of October 24,2008, that country's Secretarí
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09/25/2008 | FCC Assigns Contested Vanity Call Sign to Wisconsin Amateur Radio Club
In an Order on Reconsideration and Order Proposing Modification released on Wednesday, September 24, the FCC decided that Falls Amateur Radio Club (FARC) was the rightful recipient of call sign W9CQ. FARC and the QRQ CW and Contest Group (QRQ) ha
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09/09/2008 | Surfin': Skimming the CodeThis week, Surfin' skims the Internet for information about CW Skimmer, an impressive Morse code decoder application.
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06/21/2008 | German Ham Claims First DXCC on 432 MHz
The world of Amateur Radio DXing has passed a new milestone: On Friday, June 6, Jan Bruinier, DL9KR, of Niedernhausen, Germany, worked his 100th country on 432 MHz (70 cm). via moonbounce (EME) and CW.
Learn More


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Sohrabi N et al. – The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effect of omega–3 fatty acids on the treatment of PMS. It appears that omega–3 fatty acids may reduce the psychiatric symptoms of PMS including depression, nervousness, anxiety, and lack of concentration and may also reduce the somatic symptoms of PMS including bloating, headache and breast tenderness. These effects increased by longer duration of treatment.
- A randomized double blind controlled trial was performed on 184 eligible women.
- The eligible women were randomly assigned into two groups.
- The number of women who have finalized the study with us was 124.
- In the case group (omega–3 group=group A, n=70), omega–3 in an amount of 2g was prescribed for a one per day basis on a single dosage (two 1g pearls), and in the control group (placebo group=group B, n=69) 2 placebo soft gel, which were completely similar to omega–3 soft gels, were prescribed.
- The severity and duration of each of the symptoms were compared in both groups 1.5 and 3months after the beginning of treatment.
- There were no significant differences between the two groups according to age, BMI, level of education, and the severity and duration of primary symptoms.
- After 45days from starting omega–3, the mean severity of depression (P=0.03), anxiety (P=0.02), lack of concentration (P=0.03) and bloating (P=0.02) in the case group, were all significantly lower than in the control group.
- The duration of depression (P=0.04) and bloating (P=0.031) in the case group were less than in the control group.
- After 90days from starting the treatment, the mean severity of depression (P=0.007), anxiety (P=0.004), lack of concentration (P=0.009), bloating (P=0.004), nervousness (P=0.01) and the duration of depression (P=0.01), nervousness (P=0.02), anxiety (P=0.03), lack of concentration (P=0.02), bloating (P=0.004), headache (P=0.04) and breast tenderness (P=0.02) were all lower in the case group.


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The Coffees of the NWRBC Finalistas
Posted on January 30, 2011 by bfortch
Barista competition season has started up in the USA, beginning with the NWRBC in Tacoma, WA. Six finalists, representing mostly Portland and Seattle, are rocking some beautiful in-season coffees. Three single-origin Guatemalas, two single-origin Colombians, and one kick-ass in-season blend.
Tyler Stevens of BaristaPDX is rocking a Guatemala roasted by Barefoot Coffee Roasters. The Michicoy lot from Finca Vista Hermosa in the Huehuetenango region. Producer is Edwin Martinez. The coffee was roasted on Jan 20.
Laila Ghambari is using Guatemala El Injerto Bourbon, roasted by Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Seattle. The coffee is a blend of two roast dates – Jan 17 and Jan 24 (12 days and 7 days post-roast). Producer is Arturo Aguirre and Arturo Jr. "Exceptional coffee is due to exceptional people."
Sarah Dooley is rocking a blend, coffees from Peru, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia which is an in-season version of the Big Truck Espresso. Roaster is Olympia Coffee Roasters. The Costa Rica is honey processed.
Seasoned WRBC and USBC competitor Ryan Wilbur, now repping Stumptown, is using the Colombia La Piramide – comprised of four small lots, roasted on Jan 20 & 21. Red fruit in a cup! Ryan has some of the best jams in the NWRBC.
Sam Purvis, of Coava Coffee Roasters, is rocking a Guatemala Xeucalvitz. Coava has been holding onto the final few pounds of this coffee just for Sam's competition set. Beautiful citrus and cocoa notes in this coffee.
Robbie Britt, of Espresso Parts, is throwing down a washed Colombia Finca La Florida, roasted by Olympia Coffee Roasters. Producer: Manuel Antonio Ovies. Roast date: Jan 25.
All six of these bad-ass-istas deserve to be here. Beautiful coffees, great presentations, and poise. Can't wait to see what they bring to the 2011USBC in Houston.


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World Mosaics 3 - Fairy Tales
After restoring Atlantis, you discover a magical book that sends you on a journey through literature in World Mosaics 3 – Fairy Tales! Solve pictographic puzzles on your way through the stories of the Frog Prince, Babe the Blue Ox, Sleeping Beauty, and other classics as you restore the magical book and return home in this fun and exciting Puzzle game! Dive into your favorite Fairy Tales and return home!
- Gripping gameplay
- Classic stories to explore
- Go on a literary journey!
Game System Requirements:
- OS: Windows XP/Vista/7/8
- CPU: 1.0 GHz
- DirectX: 9.0
- Hard Drive: 101 MB
Game Manager System Requirements:
- Browser: Internet Explorer 7 or later
The Big Fish Guarantee:
- Quality tested and virus free.
- No ads, no adware, no spyware.


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Cleveland High's Ethan West, Jr. earned the award for the most pins, while Packy Mullin, who lives in Cleveland but wrestles for Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga, had the most takedowns.
After winning a state wrestling championship in Georgia the previous year, West transferred to Cleveland High last summer and was able to put his opponent's shoulders to the mat 29 times as the Blue Raiders won both the TSSAA State Duals and Traditional championships this year. In what was voted the Best Match of the TSSAA Traditional State Tournament, West captured the 182-pound runner-up trophy.
Last year, Zach Watson of Baylor received the recognition for most pins. The 119-pounder recorded 38 pins and won his fifth straight championship. The number tied Ky Hart's 2010 season, when the 160-pounder from LaFayette, Ga., set a record with 38 pins.
A 126-pounder, Mullin recorded 137 takedowns for the Fighting Irish this past season and finished second to Cleveland High state champion Austin Oliver at the TSSAA Traditionals.
Last year, Chris DeBien of Cleveland High was honored for most takedowns. On his way to the first of two straight state titles, DeBien, then a 106-pound wrestler, recorded 134 takedowns. He broke the previous record of 125 pins established by Bailey Jones, a 160-pound Blue Raider state champion in 2010.
"We have selected these statistics for this honor not just because it is an impressive accolade for the recipients but also a benchmark of excellence for future student-athletes who compete in Tennessee," said Glen Coronis, chief operating officer at U.S. Money Shops.
"This is the fourth year U.S. Money Shops has honored high school wrestlers of all weight classes in the greater Chattanooga region for most takedowns and most pins. The region covers Northeast Georgia and Southeast Tennessee and includes all public and private schools," a company press release said.


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found a new home!
Plenty of my friends are looking
for one too. Find a pet to adopt.
Find a pet to adopt |
My name is General!
Facts about General
- Breed: Shar Pei/Shepherd (Unknown Type) Mix
- Color: Tan/Yellow/Fawn - With Black
- Age: Young
- Size: Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
- Sex: Male
General's Info...
I am already neutered, up to date with shots, and good with dogs.
Foster to adopt pending
General loves to play ball and tug of war. He also loves belly-rubs and can wag his tail so it looks like a helicopter! His ideal human will be active and ready to share outdoor activities with him. He has a fun outgoing personality. Please read his article in the
Examiner http://www.examiner.com/article/general-is-ready-to-rescue-a-human
Other Pets at Chinese Shar Pei Network, Inc.
Why Adoption is a Great Option
General, a Mira Loma Shar Pei/Shepherd (Unknown Type) dog was adopted! Here's how you can benefit by looking at adoption as an option to buying a Shar Pei/Shepherd (Unknown Type) for sale in Mira Loma, or seeking a Shar Pei/Shepherd (Unknown Type) dog from a breeder in Mira Loma.
- Rescues and shelter volunteers in Mira Loma already know the personality and tendencies of their pets. This means they can match you with the right pet. That will makes it much easier transition to owning a pet for yourself and your new pet.
- On average adoption fees are much less than you'd pay a Mira Loma breeder, or pet store. Plus most often rescue pets have already been to the veterinarian for a check-up, had a round of vaccinations, and are spayed or neutered. That is a lot of savings!
- You will become a hero, and give a needy dog or cat a loving home. In fact, there are even Shar Pei/Shepherd (Unknown Type) breeders who help with Shar Pei/Shepherd (Unknown Type) rescue. One puppy or kitten adopted in Mira Loma paves the way for another one to be saved.


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When searching in databases we tend to use the keywords or subject terms that are known to us, or those that form part of an assignment question. These are not necessarily the terms used in the database.
Specific terms or descriptors are assigned to each item indexed in a database. These terms reflect the topic/s covered in the article.
Searching by descriptor terms will retrieve items substantially about that topic, whereas searching by keyword may retrieve both relevant and irrelevant items.
How will you know which terms or descriptors the database uses?


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The ultimate chocolate brownie cookie |
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The ultimate chocolate brownie cookie Chocolate Biscuits Brownies Cookies Last updated 6/12/2012 1:26:40 AM. Recipe ID 61191. Report a problem with this recipe. [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Didn't find the recipe you were looking for? Search for more here! How're we doing? Have you spotted a recipe on this site that is
erroneous, incomplete, dangerous, in an inappropriate category, or that may infringe a copyright? If so,
please make a note of the "Recipe ID" number at the bottom of the
recipe's page and e-mail us with your


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This place is under a reboot. I wil hopefully get more active here :)
Meanwhile, be:
In this blog, I document my life and my opinions. Though I am frustratingly irregular about it. Yet I strive. Unless mentioned otherwise, all views expressed in this blog are personal and belong to me only. They are not supported or endorsed by any organisations, institutions, individualsor entities, I may be associated with.
This place is under a reboot. I wil hopefully get more active here :)
Meanwhile, be:
I have spent the last month catching up to a lot of pending stuff.
I am reading again. Currently reading is Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves by PG Wodehouse.
I have started listening to my music again. Currently playing the Californication Seasons 1-6 soundtrack.
I also caught up with a lot of pending viewing that had to be done: Californication, Suits, Newsroom, Castle, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and The Apprentice.
On the professional front, Circulets is shaping up well. Happy days, hopefully, are coming soon. And active work on the next title has begun. Let's see where that takes us.
And I am having trouble keeping my promise of regularly updating my blog, but I am still committed to it. :)
Thats the amount of time spent since my last post on this blog. Why you ask? Not that I have been excruciatingly busy, but that I have been lazy. And a little dazed. And unfocussed. And going through tons of crises.
Since that last post, I went ahead and published a mobile game and a music album. Which is wickedly cool, considering that I suck at doing both :)
I am going to be regularly writing stuff here, hopefully. I need to express myself a bit more. Just that.
Meanwhile I am changing things here.
God bless.
Hello. I am Kinshuk Sunil, a Mozilla Representative from India, and a game designer by profession. I was also involved with setting up the Indian Mozilla community initiative: Mozilla India. This January, I was nominated to advise the Mozilla Student Reps as a Regional Student Coordinator (RSC). One of the first things that I volunteered to do was to write this first post for the Student Reps Planet blog, in which I will introduce the Student Reps program and become an active contributor with us.
The Student Reps program is a Mozilla Contributor Engagement program designed to involve and integrate students in promoting Firefox and Mozilla's mission. Student Reps are passionate, creative, and resourceful people, who are studying in college or university and want to contribute to promoting the open web in their institutions and local communities. For full details on the Student Reps program, you should check out this site: http://studentreps.mozilla.org.
The Student Reps program is an extremely rewarding program that helps students make an impact, advance their skills and become leaders in the Mozilla community and beyond. An active Student Rep takes advantage of the tools and resources provided to get the most out of his or her experience in the program. For example, all Student Reps should particiapte in the Student Reps 101 training or watch the video. Please visit this link and sign-up for the next training.
Amongst many awesome rewards and recognition items, active Student Reps can get invited to regional and international Mozilla events, receive special Firefox gear, and may even have the opportunity to join the Mozilla Interns program. The key to demonstrating your activity as a Student is Project Reporting. While Student Reps are required to regularly submit Project Reports on their progress and learnings within the program and get feedback from the RSC and the Community Manager on initiatives, the crown belongs to the project Case Studies.
Student Reps are encouraged to analyse their projects and to present them as a Case Study (in the form of a blog post or a forum post). Case Studies become an insightful showcase of what it takes to organize a project or event, and it encourages other Student Reps to stay active.
Here's a list of things that Student Reps should mention in their Case Studies:
For an example, check out Rishab Arora's exciting work at gCon 2012.
Many Student Reps are doing a lot of activities in their region and this Planet blog will soon become a hub of all that activity.
Wishing them all best!
January 2012 was pretty uneventful. The only highlight being a small workshop on animation that Arjun and Ravish gave at Rukmini Devi Institute of Advanced Studies (Rohini) from Hashstash. And I got accepted into the Mozilla Students Rep program (that calls for a seperate post). And the WebFWD program as a Scout too!
Followed February, with a lot of hyper activity. First there was a random trip to Bangalore (Hashstash South XD). Just after returning from it was the GTUG Delhi's DevFestX. I participated at the event as a Mozilla Rep and a WebFWD Scout, spent some time introducing the WebFWD program to the assembly and continuing over to a general primer to FOSS and its relevance for students.
February ended on a good note, as I started writing regularly for Hindustan Times' online Technology section. Its tiresome, but engaging and very fun. I am totally loving it.
I promise, I need to get more active with updating my blog. And I am already working on it.
2011 ended for me in a rush. So much so that, I have nto been able to regularly update this blog. A lot happened in the end of 2011 and I will only summarily mention them here.
Novemeber was pretty eventful. First, there was the NASSCOM Game Developer Conference in Pune from Nov 10-11. I was there as an organiser of the Build Your Own Game sprint. At the conference, I met many people from the industry and it was a very useful thing to happen as I was personally able to make sense of things happening around me and Hashstash and the road ahead. Click the image below to see the whole album.
Just after returning from Pune, I had to rush to Kuala lumpur for the MozCamp Asia. The MozCamp Asia was an event for Mozilla contributors from all of Asia and the objective of the event was to bring everyone at the same page and leverage the total strength of the Asian community. Click the image below to see the whole album.
Returning back from MozCamp Asia, I got infected with Pharyngitis and spent the last two weeks of November on the sick bed. Resumed work and life from December.
December was a very chaotic month for us at Hashstash, primarily because we spent a considerable amount of time finding a new workspace and moving to it. But we ended up getting a pretty awesome uberspace. Click image for the full album.
2012 began with many good things, which I will share in the next post.
I am writing this just after returning home from a show of the "science-fiction", "super-hero" movie by India's "greatest" actor, Shahrukh Khan. If the quotes bother you, here's why they exist:
"science-fiction": is a composite word made out of two words - science and fiction. While the fiction part is a critical part of any sci-fi, the science is equally so. If we look at what makes good science fiction, we will see that fiction gives you the base premise of the idea (eg: a man bitten by a super spider starts showing spider-like capabilities) and then the science takes over (the psychology of the characters involved, how they grow and act, how their strengths and weaknesses play out, etc). So science-fiction is not random, its extremely logical and completely makes sense. For more details read Isaac Asimov.
"super-hero": is a hero beyond the obvious. A superhero is a person of extreme grit and honor, who stands up for what they believe in. No Arnie in T2 was not a superhero because he was awesome, but because he'd do anything to stand up for little John. Batman is a superhero because of his courage, his commitment and his self sacrifice. The unlimited cash pool only helps along the way.
"greatest": I dont understand how you can be a better actor than someone. You can be a better character, specifically. But 'greatest' actor ever? SRK remember Baazigar, Yes Boss, Raju ban gaya Gentleman? Those were your fine days. Not the lovey dovey crap ever since.
Mark my words, RA.one is a pathetic movie. It has no masala nor makes any sense. The blind support of the sold out media is a plus. But thats not why I despair. I am hurt, because as I exited the theatre, I overheard a father poking fun on his son for games. Ouch, that stings. Is that what you wanted, SRK? You burned INR 175,00,00,000 for that?
Next time Shahrukh take out some money from your VFX budget and invest in story and sound. Seriously, you need to get yourself a superhero theme, not the garbage you are playing right now (remember the sound of heavy breathing every time Shahanshah made an appearance? that was iconic). Also, stealing sequences from international hits does not make a movie hit. You have to execute them right as well. This is where you have failed. And since this is a movie about games, why not play some games as well? Do the homework? Learn what makes good games, good.
The movie was full of Final Fantasy, Robot, Matrix, Superman, Iron Man, Devil May Cry, Spiderman references and there were quite a lot more. That is not a bad thing nor is it really good. I am divided over it, for now.
And about the VFX: you surprised me. I expected them to be crappier but the team has done a decent job. Kudos! No I mean it. Seriously. Though I cant help but leave a word. Good VFX is of two categories: One that deliberately reminds you that it is a VFX (maybe to remind you that the producers spent helluva money to put it there), the other is so subtle and integrated that you feel the thunder but never notice it. That was the difference in Matrix 3's punching-in-the-rain sequence versus your punching-in-the-random-droplets-of-water sequence, and everywhere else.
Why do I hate you? I am a game developer and love the art of making games. It is my passion, my ambition and my pursuit to make games people will enjoy playing and level up my art. While, I initially thought that Ra.One will help make video games mainstream amongst Indian parents, you just ended up mocking it.
Game development is a hard job, quite like making movies. You may think that making movies is a joke but making games is not. So back off. You may think that the Indian audience has the intellectual limitation of only understanding crotch-grabbing and male-centric abuses and illogical technologies and unexplained behaviors. But thats not true. Someday it will be proved, just wait and watch. You created a whole new technology to support the premise of your ingame characters coming out in real world but never really used it.
Do I have to compromise with such a half hearted attempt at something so obtuse that it insults my intelligence, simply because I live in the world of Bollywood?
Now that the rant is done. Here's why RA.one is not that bad for gaming as well (only to be fair to the efforts): Brand SRK giving a thumbs up to brand Game Industry will help make it more mainstream. It is upto developers like me, to take that and satiate the general curiosity with what games really are.
But next time you want to make a movie about games, I'll lodge a PIL and get a cease-and-desist issued. 'Nuff said.
Update: For reasons why the movie sucks read The Vigil Idiots awesome analysis of the movie.
Hoping you had a wonderful and safe Diwali with your near and dear ones.
Here's wishing you a prosperous new year and blessed initiatives.
Have fun.
In life, there are those rare occassions when you willfully lose something. You let it fly right out of your hands, knowing pretty well you will repent it. Knowing that one day you will ask yourself how could you ever let it happen. How did things turn this way?
Knowing that there will be no return.
And then there are things you do. Things you deliberately create. Deliberately say. Scheme! Everything with the hope that it will turn out alright. With that hope. A flimsy thread of faith. Just a breathful.
I have been here before.
Freeze the clock now. Stop the time. You would want to preserve this moment. You would want to stand in front of it and look through. Your reflection. And smile. Perhaps. Maybe you would want to look back. Maybe turn around.
No. Listening to The Social Network soundtrack on loop was definitely not a good idea.
If you have been following my blog for some time, you must have already heard about all my yapping about Hashstash - the game development company I finally started.
Hashstash is now getting into a series of awesome initiatives and we need a marketing intern to help execute them. The intern will spearhead the initiatives and work with gaming communities in India. It has the scope for immense exposure to the industry, and calls for insane amounts of hardwork.
Read details on the Hashstash website: Hashstash Needs You: Marketing Intern!
Help me spread the word and if you know someone who might fit the bill, please do refer/suggest/recommend.


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The Board of Supervisors recently approved a rezoning request that would allow up to 65 apartments to be added to Chester Village Green.
Emerson-Roper Companies LLC asked that 5 acres on the north line of Chester Village Drive be rezoned with conditional use to permit apartments and conditional use planned development to permit exceptions to ordinance requirements. The development would be an extension of the Chester Village Green Apartments.
The Planning Commission has thrice – most recently at its June 15 meeting – recommended denial of the request, and the Board of Supervisors has twice remanded the case to commission. According to its report on the issue, the planning staff continues to recommend denial of the request because the "proffered conditions do not mitigate project impacts on capital facilities," such as schools, roads and parks.
At the supervisors' meeting, Carrie Coyner, an attorney representing the applicant, said the case had been around for quite some time.
"This is a case that I believe is a perfect example of why the cash proffer policy is broken," she said.
When the application was submitted, the applicants offered the maximum cash proffer – nearly $15,000 – on each of the proposed apartments with more than one bedroom. For each one bedroom unit, theapplicant deleted the school portion of the proffer, bringing the proffered amount to about $10,000.
According to the staff report, 33 school children would be "generated" by the 65 apartments. At one point, there were fewer than 20 children in the entire Village Green development, Coyner said, and it's "impossible" for these 65 units to generate the number of children expected in the staff report.
Also, no credits have been given for any of the road development completed as part of the Village Green project, she said, or for the other ways the development benefits the community.
George Emerson, the applicant, said that from the time the developers acquired the Chester Village Green property, they'd tried to demonstrate they were going to "build quality" units. There's no way one can provide housing for a large segment of the population with proffers this high, he said. For the 65 proposed apartments, the developers will pay more than $1 million in fees, he said.
"That's a lot to pay for the privilege of paying you real estate taxes," he said. "There's no question that the policy we have today doesn't work in every instance."
During a public hearing, Andrea Epps said this case was the perfect example of why a differential proffer should be considered to encourage infill development. Paul Grasewicz said the county has a cash proffer policy that it has followed for decades, and, to be fair, all developers should be held to that standard.
Coyner said she disagreed, and that "historically, it [the cash proffer policy] has not been treated as the letter of the law."
Bermuda Supervisor Dorothy Jaeckle said the county does have a policy, but a project like this is where younger people are likely to live. It allows them to experience living in the village, she said.
"I think it really helps reach our goal of trying to reach younger people," she said.
Clover Hill Supervisor Art Warren said he didn't want to spend too much time on the proffer policy, but instead wanted to consider the case on its own merits. Based on its merits, he supported the case, he said.
"We look at each case uniquely," Dale Supervisor Jim Holland said. "It's no secret our Planning Commission has indicated to us we need to take a look at that policy. … One size doesn't always fit."
This case involves 65 units, which is not a lot, Matoaca Supervisor Marleen Durfee said. This case has no impact on schools, as local schools aren't overcrowded, she said, and it also won't impact the county's library system.
The supervisors unanimously approved the request.


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Q&A with Joe Truncale : The NAPL's Game Plan
November 2009Joe Truncale, Makin's counterpart at NAPL, declined the invitation.
Should PIA and its membership feel slighted? Not necessarily. According to NAPL's president and CEO, the association is moving in new and exciting directions with its consultative approach, not the least of which has been its M&A Advisory Service. Truncale also didn't rule out the possibility of collaborating with PIA on future projects. For now, however, the NAPL is loathe to stray from its carefully mapped out game plan.
Senior Editor Erik Cagle spoke with Truncale to get a handle on what the NAPL is thinking as it formulates an evolving value proposition for its membership.
PI: How have the needs of membership companies changed in the past 18 months?
JOE TRUNCALE: NAPL members continue to seek advice and guidance on managing their operations, now more than ever. We are seeing an increased need for more customized solutions instead of "one-size-fits-all" programming. We will be announcing the rollout of NAPL's Customized Consulting Program (this fall).
PI: What was the genesis behind the recent consultative tact taken by NAPL?
TRUNCALE: We believe that our content and programming are on target and focused on helping entrepreneurial leaders manage their businesses more effectively.
As a vital part of NAPL's array of services, our consulting practice gives NAPL members access to a collaborative brain trust that is unique in our industry. We believe that our consulting team allows us to engage with our member-clients in a personal, deeper and more substantive way depending on their particular needs, goals and, of course, budgets.
To illustrate the value and demand for NAPL consulting expertise, our team met with more than 100 printing company executives during PRINT 09 alone.
PI: How has the M&A Advisory Service been received so far?
TRUNCALE: While some in our industry are "hunkering down" to try to ride out the economic downturn, others are looking for ways to seize opportunities to grow. NAPL's M&A Advisory team is one of our busiest practices, with engagements ranging from business valuations and financial reviews to identifying strategic opportunities for mergers and acquisitions through our M&A Outreach program. The response has been phenomenal.


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Catholic YM Blog
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We are now in our fourth week in crowd-sourcing a new direction in youth ministry. Start here and play along. Previous Post: Celebrate and Rejoice
Howie Mandel had a few specials on Fox recently. It was called Mobbed, and the specials played on the trend of Flash Mobs. If you don't know what one is, it is a highly coordinated and rehearsed event that engages multitudes of people in singing and dancing to celebrate an event. It could be a reunion, good news, marriage proposals, and the like.
The mob is often a transitional moment commemorating a much more permanent relationship. Engagement into the mob if often easily accessible by individuals; nonetheless, effort and attention are required. Participants gain a sense of a difference having been made and having shared in a communal goal having been accomplished. There is often a sense of appreciation for one's efforts, if not from the "target" of the mob then often from the innocent unsuspecting by-standers who also witness the fun.
As Church, we need to be less about flash mobs for the social media culture, and more about the community and the relationships of a sustainable mob. Young people have seen mobs, they recognize that it should be something larger than their own world, their own experience, and something that takes them beyond their own reflection.
Unfortunately, we do not always allow the young Church to experience what exists beyond what they see in their own reflection. We have not lived completely up to the vision statements of youth ministry that indicate that our Church "should have programs for [young people] that recognize [their] special talents and role in the life of the Church. [They] bring to the parish community youthfulness, energy, vitality, hopefulness, vision, and a future." (Renewing the Vision of Youth Ministry)
For Discussion: Does church provide for young people something larger than their own world, their own experience, and something that takes them beyond their own reflection? Please comment below with your critique clarifications, and responses. <image source>
Next Post: Our Kids Deserve Better
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Can you guys tell me which one this is and the best way to treat it? I've also got a pic of a leaf with some green squiggly lines. I've been trying to figure out what it is as well. Thanks so much for your help.
Lisa |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by stephanieftx 8a (DFW) (My Page) on Mon, Jun 29, 09 at 20:05
The second pic is leaf miner damage. Not too much to be concerned about with that. Sorry, I can't help with the first pic, but it does look like some kind of fungal disease. |
Here is a link that might be useful: The Haphazard Gardener
- Posted by tee_gardener 7 (My Page) on Mon, Jun 29, 09 at 21:06
Hi Lisa, It more than likely is downy mildew, as it is common on cantaloupe and watermelons (along with other melons). As Stephanie said, the second picture is a leaf miner, but not a biggie, unless it becomes an infestation. Neem Oil will help with mildews, but it is also a pesticide so be gentle if using. The website below has more info on powdery mildew and leaf miners, if you need it. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Downy Mildew
Downy mildew makes angular lesions. Your plant looks more like powdery mildew. |
- Posted by lasparks63 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 30, 09 at 15:11
Thanks for the help. I've sprayed everything down with the following recipe: 1 t baking soda 3 drops castile soap 6 drops neem 1 qt water Sprayed tops and bottoms of leaves and will continue every week crossing my fingers this will clear up the problem. I'm going to remove the worst leaves, but don't want to pull off to many at a time so I can give the leaf production a chance to catch up. I've got quite a few big melons I don't want to lose. Boy, am I learning a lot after my first year gardening! |
Why are you combining both baking soda and neem? I don't see a need for neem in the symptoms that you presented. |
- Posted by lasparks63 (My Page) on Sat, Jul 4, 09 at 15:24
That's the recipe I found. I'm actually using the fertilome triple action that's a fungicide and insecticide so I can get rid of any bad critters at the same time. I'm wondering how many leaves I can safely remove at one time so I don't overly stress the plants. I've got about 8 good size cantaloupes close to being ripe and I really don't want to lose them at this stage of the game. Any advice? |
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Nice start to TR. It would be nice if the DDP offered the same entrees only in a child's portion.
Hope you are surviving the frigid FL temps.
Day 1 - Arrival
After a night full of lots of Disney anticipation and very little sleep, off went to the airport, leaving the ice and snow of Toronto for the warmth of Orlando.
Arriving at the Contemporary at around 3pm, we heard the best sounds in the world, "Welcome Home" from our online check in hostess. After a brief stop at Bell Services to get our Owner's Locker and Garden grocer's deliveries sent to our room, off we went to room 8106, 11th floor.
Not sure why people are complaining about the size of Bay Lake Tower's studios. Sure it's not the SSR treehouse we stayed in last trip with my parents, but there's more than ample room for myself and three kids.
But it's the view that sets this hotel apart. One look off the balcony and I'm in love. We booked lake view, but being in a corner room, we can see both the lake AND Magic Kingdom. I soon realize we were upgraded from Lake View to Magic Kingdom view for all 11 nights.
After settling in, it's off to Wilderness lodge for dinner at Whispering Canyon. We went there on the suggestion of my boss, so we knew NOT to order ketchup. The atmosphere was lively, but not as much fun as I had heard. Maybe the tiredness of the day had gotten into all of us.
The food was somewhat unique. My daughters ordered the grilled chicken from the kids menu. Brendan ordered the Western Chicken Pasta, and I ordered the Grilled Rib Eye Steak.
The girls chicken was dry, but we did NOT opt to ask for ketchup. My steak was done to perfection, and Brendan loved the pasta. I soon realized, however, that my girls have outgrown kids meals, meaning that it's probably our last trip doing the dining plan. Tables in Wonderland may be a better option.
Desserts were ice cream and brownies for the girls. I had mango pie and Brendan had Smores. All were very good (pictures to follow). We liked the atmosphere of the Lodge, but won't be returning to Whispering Canyon.
After a dip in the pool, it was time to watch Wishes from our balcony. Simply amazing. A friend of mine who loved Animal Kingdom Lodge says that he would never stay at Bay Lake Tower because it's "just a hotel". After staying at both, and as lovely as AKL is, even with Savannah view, NOTHING beats seeing WISHES from your room.
We next went up to the Top of the World lounge around 10pm. The atmosphere was electric, and the fireworks did not disappoint. Ringing in the new years from the most amazing hotel in the world is absolutely amazing.
Top of the World Lounge New Years 2012 Fireworks - YouTube
Last edited by DVCDad; 01-02-2012 at 08:32 AM.
Nice start to TR. It would be nice if the DDP offered the same entrees only in a child's portion.
Hope you are surviving the frigid FL temps.
Some people are like Slinkies.
They aren't really good for anything,
but they still bring a smile to my face when I push them down a flight of stairs.
Friends are Gods way of apologizing to us for our families.
Day 2 - Animal Kingdom
We usually do Magic Kingdom the first and last day of our trip, but with the day being January 1st, I decided to forgo with tradition and listen to touringplans.com. We first hit Kilimanjaro's safari, which was great for the girls and their Christmas cameras. Next off to Dino land, for Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl (except for me, I can't spin).
Being lunch time, we stopped at Restaurantosaurus for the first time. Ciara had a hot dog and fries, Jessica a hamburger and fries, served up in a beach pail. Brendan chose the 1/3 pound burger, while i went with the taco salad. All fairly standard fare, nothing too exciting or disappointing.
The crowds were getting big, so the kids all decided to go back to BLT and the pool. Fine by me, as the pool bar had NFL games on.
Headed back to Animal Kingdom for dinner at Yak and Yeti. Ordered the dim sum appetizers, which were minuscule by my dim sum standards at least, but pretty tasty. Ciara chose the mini burgers, while jessica had the egg roll. Both were thoroughly enjoyed. Brendan had the Duck with Anandapur Glaze, which was a lot of food, but slightly overcooked. I had the Shaoxing Steak and Shrimp. The steak was nicely done and flavourful, but the shrimp had no taste whatsoever. It was like you were eating fried bread on a stick. Dessert was uneventful. We won't go back.
Another spin at Primeval Whirl, then back to the hotel for some more swimming and Wishes from our balcony. A nice first full day.
Day 3 - Hollywood Studios
Everyone was looking forward to our first day at Hollywood Studios, as we have not been to the new Star Tours yet. After arriving, we went straight to the large AtAT and off we went. Three times in a row with no line whatsoever, and it didn't disappoint. The variety really adds to the re-ridability, plus Brendan was the rebel spy on our first ride.
Next was Jedi academy for the kids. they all had a blast. I was amazed just how hard Jessica swung her light saber. I'm proud to have three padawans in the family.
Next we went to our lunch reservations at Mamma Melrose. WE had the Fantasmic package, which gave us an appetizer as well as the normal main course and dessert.
We started with calamari for two (or in our case shared with four). The girls had cheese pizzas, and Brendan and I had chicken parmigiana. For dessert the waiter brought out a platter with various cakes. Our best meal by far yet. Usual light eater Jessica had her pizza and half of my spaghetti.
Next was Muppetvision 3D, the Great movie ride, and teh girls decided to try Tower of terror with me. Brendan sat this one out and coloured near Rock-n-roller coaster. They survived the ride, but won't be going back for a while.
For dinner the girls shared a turkey leg from catalina Eddies, Brendan had another burger and I had an italian deli sandwich. Again, all standard stuff.
It was freezing at Fantasmic. I bought the girls a blanket and Brendan and I snuggies. We had reserved seats through the dinner package, so no waiting required, and were seated dead center.
After Fantasmic, we did another Star Tour, then back for WISHES from the balcony.
Day 4 - Magic Kingdom
Started the day by heading to Magic Kingdom using the best form of transportation ... our feet! It's amazing being able to walk to our favourite park. It was REALLY COLD!!!
After going through the turnstiles I went to check for where we are going to meet Lou for our tour on the 10th, and THERE WAS LOU!!
Next was Town Hall to get photos with Mickey and Minnie. Only a 10 minute wait was cool.
Off to Fantasyland. First was the teacups (I watched), followed by more characters close by, Alice and the White rabbit. Philharmagic next, followed by getting fast passes for Pooh Bear.
We had an early lunch at Cosmic rays. The girls had turkey sandwiches, and the guys grilled chicken sandwiches. The new mango gelato was a big hit.
After lunch was Pooh Bear ride, then Tomorrowland. Fast passes for Buzz Lightyear, then we rode Carousel of Progress. After Buzz, we went to the Laugh Floor, then off to Epcot for dinner.
Once at Epcot, the girls insisted on Spaceship earth, which was a walk on. We then took the boat over to Morocco and walked to japan. Dropped the girls off at Kidcot for coluring, and Brendan and I looked around Mitsukoshi. Brendan's a huge Pokemon fan, so he got one plush.
Dinner was at Teppan Edo, and strangely enough, we were sat with another Canadian family who had twins. The chef was really funny, as your paying not only for food, but the presentation. The girls had chicken, Brendan had swordfish, and I had steak and shrimp.
While the presentation and food were amazing, I felt that compared to the similar style restaurants I've been to at home we got very little food. Your main meat plus a handful of noodles, zucchini and onions. I left hungry, while at home I'm stuffed.
After dinner we went back to the hotel and got a couple free DVDs for the room. Jessica and I cuddled up on the balcony to watch Wishes.
We have done Fantasmic with and without the meal package. It completely depends on the time of the year you visit the park. Is it a busy time or slow time. Is there multiple shows that day? Or is Fantasmic only performing a couple times a week.
We didn't stand in the 2 hour line during value season, with one show a night and still were able to sit together and have a great view. At Christmas we did the dining package, plus the sit down dining at DHS beats the cruddy counter service at the Studio's.
Some people are like Slinkies.
They aren't really good for anything,
but they still bring a smile to my face when I push them down a flight of stairs.
Friends are Gods way of apologizing to us for our families.
Day 5 - Welcome Home Wednesdays
Today was our rest day, so after a sleep in, we took the bus to Hollywood studios, then a boat to the Epcot resort area.
We arrived just before noon, and since we had never been in that area before, I decided to get off the boat at the Yacht Club and walk around. What a gorgeous area. I can see why people love it.
WE all got huge sandwiches from the bakery for lunch. the only setback for the day was that a seagull almost hit Brendan, attacking him for his bread. We had to stay clear of the birds for the rest of the day.
We checked out the hotels, including the huge water slide near cape may restaurant. Not sure which hotel that is part of, but the kids definitely want to stay there in the future.
The shops were nice, and finally found a long sleeve dress shirt, as I have more than enough short sleeve Disney polo/golf shirts. Jessie got a fantasia costume for her Duffy, and Ciara got a lanyard.
At around 2pm the doors opened for the Welcome Home Wednesday meeting. We had a fantastic time watching Deevy be the hostess of a Jeopardy style game show. Say what you want about her brash style, but she knows how to play a room.
I felt a bit silly talking to the man sitting beside me about running. He was telling me that even a "basket case" like me can learn without risk of injury by following his plan. Ended up being Jeff Galloway, Olympic runner.
After the meeting, we walked over to England in Epcot for some "chips" as a snack and some coloring at the Kidcot coloring spot. I got my picture with Tigger and Pooh while waiting for the kids.
Dinner was at Kouzzina's. I love cat Cora on tv, and her restaurant didn't disappoint. Brendan had a greek salad to start, and the girls had yummy chicken noodle soup. Brendan's main course was a huge leg of lamb, I had the seafood stew (minus the fennel), Ciara had grilled chicken with pasta, and Jessie Mac and cheese with sweet potato fries. Dessert was the lava cake for Brendan, Baklava for me and the girls had fruit cups. probably the second best meal I had in four years at WDW, next to my birthday meal in Le Cellier.


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A student must complete a minimum of 131 semester credit hours to include at least 39 advanced hours.
Refer to the "University Core Curriculum" section of the catalog. Students must take MATH 2413 (Calculus I) from mathematics and PHYS 2425, 2426 (Engineering Physics I and II) from natural sciences.
Environmental Engineering Requirements
The West Texas A&M University Environmental Engineerig Program has the following objectives. During the first few years after graduation, engieers from the program will:
Faculty members use the program education outcomes to develop the topics covered and assignments in each course. By the time of graduation, environmental engineering students will be able to demonstrate:
a. ability to apply knowledge of matematics, science and engineering; b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data; c. ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability; d. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams; e. ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems; f. ability to understand professional and ethical responsibility; g. ability to communicate effectively; h. ability to attain broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context; i. ability to recognize the need for and engagement in life-long learning; j. ability to gain knowledge of contemporary issues; k. ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
All environmental engineering students must meet West Texas A&M University's admission standards as outlined in the catalog. Upon admission to the University, all WTAMU students would be eligible to engage in and complete the first two years of the Engineering Program. In the semester during which the student would complete the pre-engineering sequence (cited below), the student may petition for admittance into the Environmental Engineering Program. Every student enrolled in environmental engineering courses must first be admitted into the Environmental Engineering Program or receive special permission from the department head.
Overall GPA of at least 2.25.
Completion of the pre-engineering sequence— MATH 2413, 2414, PHYS 2425, 2426, ENGR 1301, 2301, 2302, CS 1315, with a GPA of at least 2.75.
Successfully complete the entrance interview with adviser.
Students pursuing a mechanical engineering degree who do not meet the aforementioned criteria are to be listed as pre-engineering (Major Code 128) students.
Students may appeal the Engineering Admissions Committee decisions, first to the committee and then to the Engineering Program coordinator. Exceptions, resulting in conditional admission, will be considered on an individual basis by the program coordinator.


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CHOICE says widespread clothing size irregularities plus a lack of data on the changing shape of Australians highlights the need for a national sizing survey. There are no uniform sizes for women or men's clothing since the previous standard was dropped two years ago. Despite a heavier population, the most recent data collected for the women's sizing standard was in 1975. CHOICE says the fashion industry currently bases its sizing on previous sales history and marketing hunches about the size and shape of customer they feel best reflects their brand. Sizing irregularity is also affecting the online shopping market with retailers saying Australia lags behind the United States, United Kingdom and Europe in this area. "The fact that online clothes shopping has yet to take off in Australia is of little surprise given women's clothing sizes in general are all over the shop," said CHOICE spokeswoman Elise Davidson. "How can people confidently buy online when even if you're physically standing in a shop you can't be certain what size will fit you?" "Vanity sizing" is also a well-known practice in the $2.8 billion dollar industry, with generous sizes designed to entice the consumer into buying the garment because they feel flattered to fit into a size smaller than their usual one. Some fashion designers admit they are reluctant in some cases to make their labels available in larger sizes. The industry body, Council of the Textile and Fashion Industries Australia (TFIA), says this policy can send negative body image messages to younger consumers. International fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld described his recent H&M range as designed for "slender and slim" people. Melbourne designer Bettina Liano says she makes size 14 clothes but "they just don't sell". Conversely, Sportsgirl has added some size 16 garments to its collection due to market demand and Myer has added several centimetres over the years to sizes 8-14 to represent what is said was a better fit for consumers. TFIA says that there are even inconsistencies within brands and sizes due to offshore mass manufacturing with mistakes over mislabelling, cutting huge quantities at once and mistakes during overlocking. "There is a clear need here for a national sizing survey which will give designers more information about the true shape of Australian women today," said Ms Davidson. "Consumers would clearly benefit from being able to buy clothes that fit better, are more flattering and importantly, are comfortable, too." CHOICE says men generally have it better than women when it comes to clothes shopping because their clothing is generally measured using specific waist and neck measurements in inches. There is a standard for children's clothing sizes currently used in Australia.
See the CHOICE article
25 May 2009 | While there is an Australian standard for children's clothes sizes, there isn't for adults. So designers and clothing manufacturers base their sizes on their sales history, marketing hunches and their ideal customer.
Receive FREE email updates of our latest tests, consumer news and CHOICE marketing promotions.


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Yang's Martial Arts Andover has been offering Kung Fu and Tai Chi classes since 1988. We are proud to be celebrating our 25th year in the Andovers. Our goal is to promote health and fitness through traditional Chinese martial arts. Students range in all ages and experience levels. We offer:
• Kung Fu for Kids & Teens • Kung Fu for Adults • Tai Chi & Qigong
Intro to Tai Chi Classes are Now Forming!
Click here for more info
Intro. Kung Fu Kids & Teens
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Contact Us
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education resources
It is an unfortunate fact that life and health sciences
education has traditionally involved the harmful use of animals. Many millions
animals have lost their lives in attempts to teach practical skills and
demonstrate scientific principles which have, in most cases, been established
for decades. However, many
thousands of humane educational alternatives are now catalogued in databases,
covering every educational level and academic discipline. These include computer
simulations, videos, plasticised specimens, ethically-sourced cadavers
(obtained from animals that have been euthanased for medical reasons, or that
have died naturally or in accidents), models, diagrams, non-invasive self-experimentation, and
supervised clinical experiences.
At least 33 papers sourced
from the biomedical and educational literature, covering all educational levels
and disciplines, have described studies comparing the ability of humane alternatives to impart
knowledge or clinical or surgical skills. 39.4% (13/33) demonstrated that alternative students achieved superior learning outcomes, or
achieved equivalent results more quickly, allowing time for additional learning.
51.5% (17/33) demonstrated equivalent educational efficacy, and only 9.1% (3/33)
demonstrated inferior educational efficacy of humane alternatives. The design of
one of the latter studies has been substantially criticized. Yet the harmful use
of animals in biomedical education persists.
This site provides:
▪ over 400 published papers
describing humane teaching methods, sorted by academic discipline;
▪ detailed submissions describing the alternatives available in certain academic disciplines, that have successfully resulted in their introduction at some universities;
▪ a photo gallery of humane alternatives and harmful animal use in education;
▪ links to free on-line alternatives,
▪ links to alternatives databases,
▪ links to alternatives libraries,
▪ links to humane education email lists;
▪ links to other humane education web sites; and,
▪ resources to guide and assist students who wish to conscientiously object to harmful animal use in their education.
It is my hope that these resources may assist others to
successfully introduce humane alternatives to harmful animal use in their own
universities and schools, as my colleagues and I have done at several
universities worldwide. Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Andrew Knight BSc., BVMS, CertAW, MRCVS
Animal Advocate and Veterinarian


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Apparently, Kobe Bryant would like to see Mickael Pietrus join the Lakers.
I promise you, he's not alone.
Anyone connected with the Phoenix Suns would gladly buy the French Flinger a ticket to L.A. and a limo ride to Staples Center. Just as long as they can stop paying the guy who makes Eddie House look persnickety when it comes to shot selection.
Pietrus, the Suns' $5.3 million headache who has fewer fans in the organization than Vince Carter, criticized the team and coach Alvin Gentry in a French newspaper, adding that he would like to bid adieu and deserves to play for a championship contender like the Celtics or the Lakers. He even went as far as to say that Kobe told him he would like to see Pietrus in a Laker uniform.
Sacre bleu! Attention Kobe, Mitch Kupchak and Danny Ainge: Lance Blanks' phone number is (602)...
Pietrus possibly leaving the Suns to join the Lakers? Talk about killing two birds with one stale croissant.
Pietrus doesn't want to leave Phoenix because he'd turn down his $5.3 million player option which grossly overpays him, even by ridiculous NBA standards. He was a throw-in in a deal that (1) got rid of Hedo Turkoglu and (2) brought Marcin Gortat to Arizona. When you're the third-most important Euro in a trade, you should be happy with any playing time you get.
The Suns have more wing players than the Coyotes. Pietrus played himself out of the rotation thanks to his itchy trigger finger, sulked, then used a minor injury at the end of the season to beg out of games.
Of course, Pietrus begs to differ, saying "Phoenix didn't use me but that's their problem," he told L'quipe, as translated by hoopshype.com. "The only thing I care about is winning a title."
Unless you don't count not being used.
Quick hitters
• I've heard a lot about Ian Kennedy being snubbed for the National League All-Star team, but what about catcher Miguel Montero?
This is the one game where we don't care if his defense is awful and if he runs the bases like a kid lost in the mall. Montero's bat has been a big part of Arizona's great first half and he's on 20-homer, 80-RBI pace. Brian McCann of Atlanta is also deserving of a spot, but Miggy should have gotten more push. If the D-Backs want to stay in this race until the end, Montero will have to play a huge role.
• Nice of Curt Schilling to wait until the 10th anniversary of the Diamondbacks World Series championship - and the week Phoenix hosts the All-Star Game - to tar and feather the franchise's greatest moment and intimate that at least one of his Arizona teammates was juicing back in 2001.
"There isn't a team in the last 20 years that has won clean," Schilling announced on Philadelphia talk radio this week. That should also endear him to the 2004 and 2007 Red Sox as well. Or was he just talking about Manny Ramirez?
• Four majors shy of Jack Nicklaus and six months shy of his 36th birthday, it's getting tougher to see Tiger Woods doing what was a foregone conclusion a few short years ago.
Now at 0-for-13 with only four top-fives since the 2008 U.S. Open, Tiger has a bum knee, a new swing and a PGA Tour desperate for an icon that may no longer exist.
• Maybe, just for this week, we can forget that Derek Jeter is getting paid $50 million over the next three years to be a .260 hitter and keep a hot new prospect on the bench.
This week, with his 3,000th hit beckoning (all of them as a Yankee), the captain deserves a victory lap and a standing ovation for his body of work.
• A quick thanks to Deron Williams for answering the burning question "How far will you go NOT to play for the New Jersey Nets?" Turkey and New Jersey ... pretty much a wash. Williams will be allowed to rejoin the Nets as soon as the lockout ends, and he has a few stiff drinks.
By the way, the same Istanbul team that signed Williams is also hot after Kobe Bryant. And if they land him, Mickael Pietrus can't be far behind, right?
Jerry Brown is a contributing columnist who appears every Sunday in the Tribune. He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Miscellaneous On-Line Research Links
NOTE: To return to the Morgan County website use your Browser's BACK button
— the place to find information from counties in the US to countries around the World
Search the records of the Mormon Church
Library of Virginia Digital Collections
— Bible Records, Military Records, Copies of Land Grants, etc
West Virginia Archives & History
— explore archives and history.
West Virginia Archives Surname Exchange
— contact other folks researching the same surname
USGenWeb Archives West Virginia
— transcriptions of original documents available here
Rootsweb's Guide
to Tracing Family Trees — (and lots of links on finding Military Information)
Library of Congress
— genealogy reading room
West Virginia University Library
— genealogy collection
National Archives
and Records Administration genealogy section
Ellis Island Records
Hackers Creek Pioneers
— lots of information and links from Central West Virginia
Books We Own
— another great resource for look-ups in personally owned books
Chalkley's Abstracts of the Scotch-Irish Settlers
in Augusta County — all three volumes of this book are online here
— some free databases; others require paid subscriptions
Cyndi's List
— full of every on-line resource you could dream of and adding more daily
Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
— Volunteers who will do look-ups at court houses, cemeteries, etc.
Obit Central
— search just about any newspaper in the country for recent obituaries
Cemetery Records On-Line
— Some cemeteries that have been transcribed
American Historical Society of Germans
from Russia
Help with Catholic Records can be found at
this site
Early History of
West Virginia Counties
— A long document in alphabetical order. Scroll down for Morgan County.
Civil War
Home Page
; West Virginia in the
Civil War
Copyright 2008-09 Marilyn Gouge
Last updated 3 February 2009