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Ruud Hemmer works for the 'Voorziening tot Samenwerking' (vts) of Politie Nederland (the Dutch Police Force). One of his activities is to professionalize business information management in regional police forces. There, he uses the BiSL® framework: the process model for business information management. At the moment, together with his fellow change managers, he is focusing on improvements in the specification process because Hemmer believes that a lot can still be achieved in that area.'Dare to ask'Self-cleaning capacity of business information managementIf a business information administrator does not talk enough with the staff from the operating process, he will not have a clear picture of the need for change and the issue or problem underlying it. Users tend to come up with their own IT solutions to their problems. According to Hemmer, it is precisely the business information administrator who could calm this tendency. "By better analyzing what the underlying problem is, he can deal with a lot of these requests in a different way. For example, by a work-around or adapting the operating process. If you look at the problem more closely, rather than adopting the proposed IT solution, you will find that in maybe forty percent of the change requests, the required support is missing. The pipeline for change management will then be blocked a little less often. That's what I call the self-cleaning capacity. Very important during times when IT budgets are under pressure.By testing feasibility at an early stage and immersing yourself in the problem of the users, you get fewer change requests, which means you have to do fewer analyses, implement fewer changes, will have fewer releases, and therefore have to do less review and testing. This all starts with specifying attention for the process."Change requests in line with operating processIf the BiSL specification process goes smoothly, the workload of the change management and functionality management processes will decrease. In the police, we talk about a two-stage rocket. In the regional police forces, business information administrators operate, who draft the change requests from their environment and forward them to the national business information administrator. At national level, the change requests are further specified and presented to process owners for prioritization and the establishment of releases. Hemmer: "A critical business information administrator will not immediately relay the question put to him to the national business information administrator. When the need for change is made known to him, he will first want to gather the arguments from the operating process and assess the consequences for IT: how is the operating process being served, do alternate solutions exist, what will it cost? If this analysis is omitted, then business information management in the regional forces becomes simply a mouthpiece. While that very business information administrator is close to the work floor! Before the national business information administrator has gotten settled, he has a list of a thousand change requests."So does better specification mean fewer change requests? Hemmer: "The number of change requests that flows through to the national process will decline, but so will the number of change requests that lead to a program change. Because of better analysis and more creative thinking about work-arounds or other work arrangements.""If good specification does not take place and the operating process is not heard in the need for change, then a new release is simply a sum of the separate change requests. The business wants the operating process to be improved as a whole and for it to fit in with the prevailing strategic objectives. The business information administrator does not have to do all this himself; it can also be done by a process or information analyst or an information management adviser. He does have to organize for it to happen! In order to learn how to adopt a critical position, we are currently developing a specification workshop. Here, the participant learns to hold dialog with the business and to draft the change request via information analysis. We teach him to dare to ask, and to continue to ask. Something that is absolutely necessary in order to replace the change request based on previously devised IT solutions with change requests that are based on business and IT considerations."
Walter Zondervan, information management adviser at Ventus, exercises a healthy caution when a user organization complains about the IT supplier. According to Zondervan, users themselves are often the sticking point. In order to tackle that problem he uses a step-by-step plan: 'Directing in three steps'.'Don't complain, ask'Better guidance of IT in three stepsDirecting in three steps means that Zondervan performs an analysis and determines where the problems are. Which BiSL® processes are and are not correctly configured? He then fills out an RACI matrix so that it is clear who is responsible for what and who should be involved in which process. Finally, on-the-job coaching takes place in order to help those who have to do the work actually to organize the work. In all steps, he makes use of the BiSL model and various best practices."IT does not deliver what is asked of it"In 2007 Zondervan came into contact with BiSL. His customer was the Dutch National Road Traffic Authority (RDW) and he investigated their complaints. Zondervan: 'the IT service provider did not deliver what was expected. And the blame was placed in advance on the supplier. I was not convinced that the problem lay exclusively there, so I set about putting a sketch together. The conversations soon revealed that the strategic BiSL processes were not organized, which led to bottlenecks in the operational processes. There was also little connection between the IT strategy and the strategy of the user organization. Service times, for example: the IT department was available from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm. One of the processes of the RDW is to certify auto manufacturers for European roads. These manufacturers are based in China, Korea, and Japan. The working hours therefore differ from those in Western Europe. When determining service times, this does of course have to be taken into account! What are the specific characteristics of the business and what are their consequences for the IT supplier? These questions had been neglected.'Zondervan had previous experience with complaints from the user organization, but they themselves did not actually know how to formulate what they needed. If that was also the case here, he wanted to make it clear in a structural way. He already had a lot of experience with ASL and ITIL but, because the problem this time revolved around the bottlenecks in the information management organization, he set to work using BiSL. Zondervan: 'I looked at all the BiSL processes and examined how they were organized at the RDW. Some processes, such as portfolio management and strategic user relationship management, did not seem to be configured. And in several other processes, people had been designated as the contact between business and IT but they had no mandate. They were passed by both users and the IT department. The business managers went to talk to the IT department themselves, with no coordination.' Some processes were given a high priority in the improvement phase: the processes that could be the most profitable. These were improved by coaching. This was the only way to achieve a professional information management organization.Directing in three stepsBased on experiences with the RDW, among others, he developed the method of 'directing in three steps'. Zondervan: 'The nice thing about this method is that these are three individual steps that make full use of the BiSL model and can be implemented in a modular way. For example, a customer can choose to carry out step three himself, or with the help of another consultancy. If you use the BiSL model, you do not have to reinvent the wheel. For BiSL, there are a great many best practices you can use.'1. BiSL as a basis'In step 1 I conduct an analysis. Using interviews, I try to build up a picture of the current situation. I look at the processes, results, and actors and I show the potential areas for improvement. Together with the customer, we determine the follow-up phase.2. Determine where you standIn step 2, all parties have to be named. First, I work with the BiSL Self-assessment to determine the current levels of maturity. For the customer organization, I use the INK model and, for the IT department, ITIL and ASL.Together with the organization, we map out who should be responsible for what, who should be involved in what, and what should be the results or products of a process. We draft a RACI matrix and we determine the ambition level, both for the customer organization and for the IT department. Of course, there is no point if the desired maturity levels are too far apart. That makes you more Catholic than the Pope. The RACI matrix is mainly intended to make divisions clear. Often, tasks are implicitly done, but there is no explicit description that a task is in a certain place. In the business, the information provision organization, or IT department. Now everyone is more aware of his own role but, more importantly: they know what others' roles are. This is the only way not to step on each other's toes and you know whom you should approach for what and from whom you can expect input to be able to fulfill your own tasks. This is important, particularly in tactical processes such as Planning and Control. An annual plan for the provision of information has to be delivered. Of course this is only possible if there is another process that tells you, based on business need, what the developments and expectations in the business are. If that input is not there, this kind of annual plan has no basis.'3. On-the-job coachingIn step 3 Zondervan coaches the people who are responsible for certain processes in properly configuring these processes. If a line manager has to configure a process but he has never given it any thought, he needs people with practical experience to help him do this. Zondervan: 'It is a good idea to read the BiSL book, but it doesn't automatically give you all the answers to how everything should be configured. For example, at the RDW, they had no clear picture for user consultation and the subjects that should be discussed there. The decisions that should be taken and how often people should meet. I work with people to see how the areas for improvement should be translated into their situation, based on the theory. Ultimately, the configuration has to suit those who have to implement it. Only then can you be in a position to achieve the ambition level formulated in step 2.'
Practical example'I am often called in when something goes wrong in the customer-supplier relationship. Often, the use of a package is involved and then it always seems to be that the sticking point is the customer, not so much the supplier. One of my assignments was for a temporary employment organization in the agricultural sector. I was asked to make a package selection. The package they had was only one year old, but the customer still wanted rid of it. I could not believe that the problem lay solely with the supplier. Eventually, it emerged that the customer was not sufficiently able to determine his own information needs. The supplier was not controlled and had to weigh up all kinds of things himself. I found this out by talking to the supplier. In another assignment, I found that the supplier was suspicious during an initial visit. When I asked to what extent the customer organization determined its own needs and preferences, that supplier completely came apart. Of course, a supplier can also let things slip. , But, using ASL and ITIL he can organize until he is blue in the face: if a customer organization provides no guidance, that relationship will never be successful. It is just as if I wanted to become the salsa dancing world champion. I can look for the best partner in the world, but if I never take any lessons myself, we won't get very far.'
Suzie Grinwis has introduced the concept of 'business information management' for the Association of Insurers. An uncontrolled transition to version 2.0 of a business critial application led to so many incidents there that business information management was placed high on the agenda.'Management was the supplier's job'In 2008, one hundred and thirty-two incidents led Suzie Grinwis to offer to help the Association of Insurers. She was asked to organize business information management some time after a new supplier had come along: 'There are three business-critical applications: a document management system, a CRM system and an extranet. All management activities took place within the external supplier. The supplier went bankrupt and the person who took over management said, "you have to go to 2.0 because we no longer support 1.4." That happened without testing and the result was a dreadfully unstable system. The secretaries, the key users, worked according to 1.4 in a 2.0 environment. As a result of the instability, the Association could no longer satisfy its core business, serving its members. Even the supplier was surprised by some of the error messages we received.'Understanding the incidentsSince the Association did not have content-related knowledge of the applications, the system owner had always given responsibility to the supplier. In the past, this had been agreed with the previous supplier. Grinwis had to make sure that this was changed: 'the new supplier did want to help, but needed a good contact within the Association. Then I was asked to help. The biggest problem was the incidents. First, I made a good incident list, after which we could get down to making agreements with the supplier. Eventually, we gained some insight and the problems could be resolved. Then the organization realized that business information management was available. People submitted changes but did not think properly about their goal or what the alternatives were. And everything had to happen immediately. So it became a new job.'And then the other processesGrinwis got to work configuring the process of change management: procedures, forms, work agreements: 'I used the Change Request Form. I was able to make sure that the users gained more insight into what they were actually asking. They had to think about the original problem, alternatives, work-arounds, and costs. "Do you have the money?" was an inevitable question. Eventually, I configured all the processes of functionality management and the connecting processes. When I left after nine months, a permanent business information administrator took over my work. The change process is still running smoothly and in any case less money is being wasted than before.'
Henk van Twillert works with the raw material operations (GSB) of Corus. His task is to reduce the 'patchwork' in applications and to establish professional management in order to prevent patchwork, so he uses ASL® and BiSL®.
In order to gain greater insight into the available and required capacity, Ruud van Ravenswaaij used the BiSL® best practice"Planning & Control Process Description."
Harmonization between various business unit Ruud van Ravenswaaij works as a team leader in the central business information management department at Fortis. This department manages corporate-wide applications such as office automation, and manages the service level agreements of the decentralized management departments (such as Claims, or Healthcare and Income) with the internal supplier (IST). Ruud: "We make the agreement with the IST, and the individual business units subsequently prepare their own "Agreements and Procedures File" within that framework. We also ensure harmonization between the different business units when they have similar requirements with respect to output, for instance. Using the best practice "Planning & Control Process Description" has enabled us to harmonize these changes more effectively. In the past we would start running if an assignment landed on our desk. We are now better equipped to make choices and identify the relationships between assignments in advance."
Greater insight into scheduled activities I now look into the future more actively and have a better grip on the work I am assigned with the capacity required for it. This enables me to deploy the resources available to me more effectively and efficiently. Planning enables me to make choices. Take the calculation of healthcare costs, for example. This always involves tight schedules. In November, the new premium structure must be determined for the following year, and offers must be made. If the organization misses this deadline, it will already have lost the insured to another party. On the other hand, being too early poses the risk of the premiums being too high or low. We therefore take this into account when planning the capacity. During this period of the year, there must always be room for change with respect to the new premium structure. We also take these seasonal events into account in the budget, as there must of course still be sufficient financial scope."
Relationships to other BiSL processes Before the start of a new calendar year, we make agreements with the IST regarding the amount of capacity and the timing. The requirements of the business form the basis of these agreements. Financial management determines whether our available budget is sufficient to do what we have to do. If this is the case, the plans can be achieved. This then becomes input for contract management, i.e. definition of our expectations of the IST for the year in question. This enables both us and the IST to gear the capacity plan to the needs of the business, to the greatest extent possible."
National and regional activities A portion of the business information management activities of each individual force is performed by the regional business information manager. The rest is my responsibility. It is important that we make clear agreements as to who does what. The business information management of tracking systems is often performed by operational staff in addition to their normal duties. They have little BiSL knowledge, which means it is all the more essential to provide a good description of the activities required to support users as well as possible. I therefore used the best practice "Operational activities manual" as a guideline when creating an national handbook, as it provides a good, complete summary of all the business information management activities. To this I added background information from the BiSL book in order to explain the processes, and I also divided the activities according to the level of detail. I then specified which subactivities are performed by whom: the regional or national business information manager. For example, the regional business information manager prepares test specifications, I help him do that and I create the national test plan. I regard this best practice as a guideline that should be fleshed out to the necessary level of detail for each information system.
Benefits of structure The pilot will be used to examine whether the national handbook is detailed enough, and whether Hans' proposed delegation of duties works in practice. What has this product achieved to date? Hans: "It made writing my handbook much easier. It provided me with a structure that facilitated the writing process and kept me from leaving anything out. In addition, I hope that if all national business information managers use this guideline, the regional business information managers will be able to identify with it more. If a business information manager has experience with one type of information system, they will be able to more readily understand the business information management of another information system, if they both use the same structure.
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Credits: Niagra Region
WELLAND, ON -- "It's just Dean being a loser."
The voice of Hells Angels member Brian Sauvé could clearly be heard uttering that in one of two phone calls played during the retrial of Const. Frank Dean Rudge, who is accused of leaking information to the Hells Angels biker gang.
The phone calls were intercepted by Niagara Regional Police during the investigation of Hells Angels club members in 2006.
NRP officer Jason Bassi testified Tuesday that the calls referenced Rudge's alleged participation with the criminal group.
In one of the calls, between Sauvé and Hells Angels member Timothy Muise, Sauvé said he was alarmed to see a police cruiser in the parking lot of the Cedar Bay Inn. When he apparently realized it was Rudge in the cruiser, he expressed his relief, describing Rudge as "a loser."
This piece of evidence describes a familiarity between Rudge and Hells Angels members, Crown attorney Robin Flumerfelt said.
Rudge's defence attorney, Ron Brady, argued the intercepted phone calls didn't provide solid evidence Rudge was involved with the biker gang, nor was he a party to the wire-tapped phone calls. Brady also said the evidence brought forward in the phone calls only mentioned the name Dean and didn't specifically refer to Rudge.
NRP officer Daniel Marr testified Tuesday that a reliable confidential informant reported seeing Rudge visiting the residences of two known members of the Hells Angels on different occasions.

subset: commoncrawl


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That is very difficult today to be not skeptical regarding our economy.
I mean, for idiots.
Several days ago they listen wonderful speeches regarding last achievements. And the Financials, Dow Jones, NASDAQ and others economic indicators like trusty office workers approved the words.
Something happened, and they jumped to follow smart money. We do not know what happened, this is not the case that easing monetary policy ended. Something more serious coming here.
Exclusive this remarkable Monday not to burst into Homeric laugh from the Financial events that day. This morning, Monday, February 3, 2014 Janet Yellen was sworn in as chair of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
Today, former Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will be joining The Brookings Institution, focusing on fiscal and monetary policy in the newly formed Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy.
Mr. Bernanke explained: "Brookings scholars have a well established reputation for contributing innovative ideas and trenchant analysis to economic and other public policy debates. I welcome the opportunity to engage in that vibrant community through research and writing."
Dow Jones lost 326 (2.08%) points, NASDAQ 106.92 (2.61%), S&P 500 40.7 (2.28%).
Semion Feldman


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Be careful English footballers; what you do today could prevent you from following the dream of every European footballer—to come and play in Major League Soccer located in association football's true spiritual home: America.
And so we have the sad, cautionary tale of one Luke Rodgers, a footballer originally from the West Midlands and who played with the likes of Shrewsbury Town, Crewe Alexandria, Port Vale, Yeovil Town and Notts County before finally landing in New York after a protracted negotiation process in January of 2011.
Rodgers and the Red Bulls were a good fit, explains Yahoo!'s Zac Wassink:
Rodgers replaced youngster Juan Agudelo in New York's starting lineup last spring, and the impact he made while in the team was immediate. The pairing of Rodgers and captain Thierry Henry dominated opponents throughout the spring, but Rodgers was then slowed down by plantar fasciitis, an injury that plagued him throughout the summer months. Regardless of missing numerous games, Rodgers finished second on the Red Bulls with nine goals (Henry had 14 goals in 2011). He created one final memory in New York's last game of the 2011 campaign, scoring the team's only goal in the 2-1 playoff loss at LA Galaxy.
Unfortunately however, Rodgers was unable to return to play for the Red Bulls this season because the US government today finally denied him the coveted P-1 athlete visa. Apparently because he did this, this, this and this.
Although some are blaming the player for being "an idiot," the US government policy here seems a little…politicized. In any case, the Red Bulls will have to look for creativity somewhere else, and Rodgers will have pick up the pieces after he was denied another shot at the club where he felt "happiest."


text: Fox Hollow Landscaping and Design is the leader in outdoor planning and construction in Northern New Jersey. It is the goal of every associate to provide a simple and enjoyable experience by offering the highest level of design, construction, and ongoing care for all of your outdoor dreams. We will custom tailor your project to your specific needs and budget.


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Media Darwinism: Which Sites Will Survive?
Illustration by Julian Sancton
Species: The Velocireporter
Examples: Politico, Talking Points Memo
Behavior: Tenacious and intelligent (they can open doors!), the velocireporter employs a small staff of hard-nosed reporters who neither eat nor sleep. They try to get as many scoops as possible and, as the Politico brass like to say, win the news cycle—a term borrowed from political campaigns—in the morning and the afternoon.
Survival prospects: Good. Politico founder Robert Allbritton told the New Republic that he expects the company to turn a profit in 2009, only its third year of operation. They can make money not only from advertising but also by syndicating their content to other news outlets. And expenses are minimal, with nearly all reporting done over the phone or around their D.C.-area home base.
Species: The Linkodactyl
Examples: Digg, Drudge Report, Newser, Google News
Behavior: Flies over the Internet landscape, employing either editors (Newser, Drudge), users (Digg), a computer algorithm (Google News), or some combination thereof in order to snatch the most interesting stories and present them to readers (e.g., "Raccoon Bites Off Man's Penis").
Survival prospects: Mixed. Very low overhead, since all they do is link to content that others have created. But what happens when those content creators disappear or refuse to give away their material for free?
Species: The Snark-toothed tiger
Examples: Gawker, PerezHilton
Behavior: Viciously cuts big-shots and pretenders in the media/celebrity world down to size.
Survival prospects: Good. Production costs are low (although Perez goes through those white pens at an alarming rate), and people never tire of take-downs of the successful/beautiful/overexposed. Gawker Media owner Nick Denton has made merciless cuts at his sites in the hope of emerging in better shape than his competitors when online ad spending picks up again.
Species: Buzzceratops
Examples: The Huffington Post, The Daily Beast
Behavior: As Rudyard Kipling observed (although he wasn't talking about Web sites), the female of the species is more deadly. It mixes original blog posts, often from semi-famous names, with headlines from around the Web. Thrives on media attention and engagement of commenters.
Survival prospects: Fair. HuffPo had 8.9 million unique visitors in February (according to Nielsen), and the site was valued at $100 million last December, when it got $25 million in funding from a venture-capital firm. The Daily Beast has yet to reveal its revenue model, but company executives have hinted at a radically new approach that will avoid the "standard squares and rectangles" of advertising.
Species: The Inky Mammoth
Examples: NYTimes.com, WashingtonPost.com, WSJ.com
Behavior: Constantly torn between giving its content away for free and putting it behind a pay wall, the inky mammoth devotes more resources to reporting than anyone else, but nearly all of its revenue still comes from the printed product.
Survival prospects: Poor. Unless the going rate for online ads increases dramatically (10 online readers are worth only as much to advertisers as a single print reader), there won't be enough revenue to fund such big news-gathering operations.
Species: The Mediamphibian
Examples: CNN.com, MSNBC.com, Economist.com, TheAtlantic.com, VanityFair.com
Behavior: After thriving for many years in the old-media sea, the mediamphibian tries to adapt to the dry land of the Internet by supplementing its primary content with blogs, videos, and other extras. We hear that VF.com is the standout in this group.
Survival prospects: Mixed. These sites are a nice little sideline, but at this point most could not survive independently of the mother ship.
Species: Webmagasaurus Rex
Examples: Salon, Slate
Behavior: Like an old-fashioned magazine but without the paper, and heavily tilted toward opinion and lifestyle coverage.
Survival prospects: Fair. Hey, if they've managed to stick around for this long


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Diego Ardon
+2Posted on Feb 10th, 2012 | re: Music's 10 Most Scandalous Live-TV Moments (29 comments)
There's also that French tv show where Serge Gainsbourg said some innaproppiate things to Whitney Houston.
+1Posted on Dec 6th, 2011 | re: Stereogum's Top 50 Albums Of 2011 (415 comments)
I'm glad to have a good music site support my choice of Father, Son & Holy Ghost as the best album this year has produced :)
+4Posted on Nov 23rd, 2011 | re: Unboxing The $120 Lulu (30 comments)
Your mom this Christmas: Honey!! We bought you a present!! Since we knew how much you like Metallica, we bought you their latest box set!!
+1Posted on Nov 23rd, 2011 | re: NME Cool List 2011 (64 comments)
Jarvis Cocker??! Really??!! This is not 1994!! Christopher Owens should be top for this year.
0Posted on Oct 23rd, 2010 | re: NME Cool List 2010 (47 comments)
I believe Paul Weller is even older than Rivers Cuomo if you wanted to make emphasis on age-coolness.


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Steve Singer: Working in a poor school district like mine, you hear a lot about accountability. If administrators don't enact this reform, or teachers don't do that paperwork or students don't score this high – they'll close us down.
The Body Politic
My 15 Favorite Fitness Hacks for 2015
Immigration Reform
To Apply or Not to Apply? That Is the Question
Ecomomic Justice
Capitalism and Hillary
Progressive Issues
Satire, Tolerance, Humility, Terrorism, Islam — and Charlie Hebdo
Law and Justice
US Supreme Court Vindicates Whistleblower
Cheryl Dorsey: Almost a decade after his struggles began, the US Supreme Court in a 7-2 opinion ruled in favor of the fired TSA air marshal, Robert McLean, who challenged his termination for having disclosed what he saw as lapses in aviation security.
Leak Trial Shows CIA Zeal to Hide Incompetence
Norman Solomon: Many of the two-dozen witnesses from the Central Intelligence Agency conveyed smoldering resentment that a whistleblower or journalist might depict the institution as a bungling outfit unworthy of its middle name.
Race, Leaks and Prosecution at the CIA
Los Angeles
Did Michelle Get the Wrong LAPD Guests?
Cheryl Dorsey: While crime may be down in the Jordan Downs Project and community relations maybe improved, we need to understand another important role Captain Tingirides and his wife played in the LAPD.
The "Cleaning Up" of Venice
Deb LaShever: LA City is wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars to criminalize and harass unhoused people. This does not solve anything!
LA City Council Candidates Must Stand Behind Minimum Wage Increases
Science and Religion
What Is Man?
Robert Fuller: Twentieth-century science has shown that humans, like other animals, function according to the same principles as the cosmos and everything in it.
Deadly Religious Intolerance at Home and Abroad
Gay Rights
LGBT Folk Look to 2015
Carl Mathes: I predict that Pope Francis will continue to challenge all in the Catholic Church to accept his view "that homosexuals have gifts to offer the Church," repeating Catholic teaching that "every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."
That Day after Christmas
Rev. Irene Monroe: As Americans we cannot become unconscious and numb to the use and abuse of the power and currency the "n-word" racial epithet still has in our society.


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The Windows version now matches the look and layout of TweetDeck's Web-based app.
A very peculiar, very James Franco ad for Motorola's new phone, featuring the man himself, appears online. Has Franco switched?
LG's French arm offers Twittered amusement at Apple's "Bendgate," because its own GFlex phone is ready-bent. But TweetDeck says the tweet was sent from an iPhone.
The refresh includes a revamped interface that boasts a new sidebar on the left for easier navigation across columns.
Announced a few months ago, the new app programming interface cuts off support for TweetDeck, as well as a handful of third-party Twitter clients.
The newly revamped Web site offers up a cleaner design and moves virtually all of the commands a user needs to a left sidebar.
In March, Twitter announced it would focus efforts on TweetDeck's Web version. Facebook support, as well as versions for iPhone and Android, have disappeared.
The social network is tweaking its service after a rash of harassing and gruesome images and in an effort to bring more relevant information to people.
The application for power-users will cease to exist in three weeks, though the web app will continue as it is.
Twitter is laying to rest several versions of the power-user-friendly tool.


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Voice Compare » Ghost in the Shell » The Laughing Man
Comparision of the voice over actors who have been the voice of The Laughing Man with sound clips and images.
Last time on the VC section for Ghost in the Shell we did a one-shot character, a sexy pyscho lesbian one shot but a one shot nevertheless. (Though to be fair when it comes to feminine sexual orientation there are not that many named humanoid women on that show that are flat out heterosexual IIRC.) But still all of that aside we shall now be doing this prominent antagonist namely "The Laughing Man".First of all we have VA Steve Blum voicing him in the dub for the TV series. Granted while its not hard to tell that Steve Blum is the only voicing TLM in the TV series but his performance was very fitting for the role. While the idea of a Steve Blum voiced role costarring with a sexy anime action heroine is nothing new its interesting to see him voice a calm intellectual antagonist here in this case. This is another pretty good example of Steve Blum's voice acting handiwork and a good example of how even if the general voice is familiar doesn't mean you can't show some range.
In the English dub of the Laughing Man special that used Ocean Studios for the voice work he was voiced by Ocean Group VA Michael Adamthwaite. And I must say that Michael's handiwork for Laughing Man was also a bit of a pleasant surprise as I was kind of surprised that he was cast for this role but it does work rather well. Granted some might notice on how Michael's Laughing Man voice has a slight (and I mean slight) British accent but it didn't put me off.
Overall I found it to be a worthy alternative to Steve Blum's Laughing Man voice that is good in its own right so I am not sure who to go for here.
Latest Comments
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stoiclion (Guest)
said at 9:32 PM on Tue May 4 2010
said at 9:32 PM on Tue May 4 2010
I admit, Adamthwaite does a good voice as TLM. He sounds more emotional in this clip than Blum. Good twist on the character.


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Editors' Top PicksSee All
Just as Sprint has been long overdue for the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330, so has Verizon Wireless. However, the time has come for the carrier, and we're happy to say it was worth the wait. With its full QWERTY keyboard and well-rounded feature set, the BlackBerry Curve 8330 is a nice compromise between the RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130 and the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition. The smartphone also has integrated GPS, Bluetooth, and a 2-megapixel camera. We are slightly miffed that Verizon has once again stripped out any support for its V Cast multimedia services, especially since Sprint's Curve offers such capabilities. However, in the grand scheme of things, this is a minor issue. The Curve delivers where it counts--voice and messaging--and all with a great design to boot, so we give it a big thumbs up. The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 for Verizon Wireless is available now for as low as $149.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates and discounts.
In terms of design, the Verizon Wireless RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 doesn't differ from the rest of the Curve series. It more closely resembles the Sprint Curve with its slightly bigger build (compared with the AT&T and T-Mobile versions) since it also has a built-in 3G chip. It does, however, come in a silver casing and features Verizon's interface by default. For more information about the Curve's design, please check our review of the Sprint RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330.
Verizon Wireless packages its RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 with an AC adapter, a USB cable, a wired headset, a protective case, a software CD, and reference material. For more add-ons, please check our cell phone accessories, ringtones, and help page.
The RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 offers Verizon customers a nice compromise between the RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130 and the RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition, providing a full QWERTY keyboard for easier messaging over the Pearl and a more affordable alternative for users who don't need the world-roaming capabilities of the BlackBerry 8830.
Starting with the messaging features, the Curve 8330 offers synchronization with your company's BlackBerry Enterprise server with support for Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino, or Novell GroupWise for real-time corporate e-mail delivery. You can also use the BlackBerry Internet Service to access as many as 10 personal/business POP3 or IMAP4 e-mail accounts. There's a built-in spell-check function for e-mails (but not text or multimedia messages) and you also get an attachment viewer that opens popular file formats, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Corel WordPerfect, PDF, JPEG, GIF, and more. Unlike, the Sprint version, Verizon only offers the proprietary BlackBerry Messenger. Finally, another differentiating factor between the Sprint Curve and the Verizon Curve is that this model offers AIM, Yahoo, and Google Talk instant-messaging clients in addition to BlackBerry Messenger.
Phone features include a speakerphone, voice dialing and commands, conference calling, text and multimedia messaging, and call audio enhancement, which lets you boost the bass or treble of sound. The address book is limited only by the available memory, and each entry can hold up to eight numbers, work and home addresses, e-mail and Web addresses, company information, and notes. For caller ID purposes, you can assign a photo to a contact as well as a group category--business or personal--or one of 45 polyphonic ringtones.


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A variety of low and no-cost health care services are available in Clark County. Dental services Low-cost dental care providers and tips on preventing tooth decay.
Immunizations Recommended immunization schedules for all age groups, and school and daycare requirements.
Low and no-cost medical services in Clark County. (PDF files) - English - Spanish - Russian
(360) 397-8000 ext. 7205
(360) 397-8000 ext. 7214


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I love this product!! I'm a huge glitter/shimmer/sparkle person, and I really like the sparkle factor of this shadow. I love the way it looks when I use it wet. I have it in Lavender Unleashed, Peach My Interest, Grab Me Gold, Bedroom Bronze, White Hot, Platinum Plaything, and Pillow Talk Pink. I got them at a bogo sale at Longs and I also had a coupon so I got them pretty cheap, however I got Peach My Interest and White Hot at Walmart due to the fact that was only place I saw those colors. Overall, its a great light shadow with lots of sparkle. I recomend it to anyone who likes sparkle.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
I bought this in Champagne Buzz. My lids are naturally dark so I usually lighten them up with concealer and pale shadows. I find that darker eyeshadows make me look jaded and old or tired and minimize my eyes. I wear champagne/Ivory/pale gold eyeshadow 95% of the time, sometimes with glitter, sometimes not, so I picked this up yesterday. It is advertised as a sheer shadow and I do agree that the performance of this product warrants such description. It leaves only a wash of pearly color but the glitter is fine and not overbearingly dense, a nice gleam with a twinkle here and there. Helps me look more awake. It performs well and is versatile. The little mound of shadow seems as though it will last a while, so I don't think I will have the chance to buy this again because it is LE. If it wasn't, I would repurchase.
OK. not much color, more of just a fine glitter. Also, packaging is not great....mine fell apart the second day. Not bad, not great.
i have this in pillow talk, and it's the best thing ever. it's really cheap. the glitter is sheer and stays on all day. i use this as a highliter for my eyebrows and sometmes on my cheeks, it works both ways. It is easy to apply with a finger or brush, and does not come off. it gives a slight HInt of color and lots of shimmer. i love this product.
More reviews by erinfashionista
I got this in Lavender Unleashed, and it's fantastic. I remember going in to Wal-Mart a few years ago, and all they ever had was matte eyeshadow--nothing like this! This is exciting! The cosmetics at Wal-Mart are even getting cooler now, thank goodness. This is exactly what I was looking for: a nice, sheer, shimmery eyeshadow. This isn't as purple as lavender, it's more like a silver with a lavender in it, which is great for me because I already have purple eyeshadow. This stuff is so pretty--it reflects light and goes on easy. I would recommend an eyeshadow base before application though. The container isn't the best, because it's this big protruding ball of shadow, which looks cool but isn't entirely practical. It seems like a lot of the power gets flaked off to the side. This eyeshadow is also a little pricy for a ds brand. But besides that, this stuff is great.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
I GOT THE BEDROOM BRONZE!! and it looks super teriffic on me. I am an Indian, and I used to be pale as a sheet before I went to this beach water park. Soon after, I darkened up to a dark tan - and the bedroom bronze was the perfect color. It is super shiny and glittery!!!! It works best when it is wet. After I put it on for a party, everybody loved my eyes!! they just popped!! This is a must have in your purse!!
More reviews by youdroppedabalmonme
I have Lavender Unleashed and I like it a lot, though I agree with other reviewers that it is more silver than lavender. It works best applied wet over an e/s base; it gives an all-day reflective aluminum look with lots of sparkle. Applied dry, or with an un-prepped eyelid, this is rather sheer and fades quickly. I would not repurchase this again simply because of the packaging. Not only is it a huge waste of thick plastic, but the delicate molded dome shape just needs to be jostled slightly and it will shatter into dust. Doesn't help that I have a 1-year-old sharing Mommy's paint box!
I bought the Grab me Gold and the Lavendar Unleashed..
Yea I was going for the look on the model! I actually love them both. It does take a little overapplying to get a good color but they are much better than any other eyeshadow I have. I will buy again. And I will probably buy the other shades.
More reviews by newyorkglitter
I bought this in WHITE HOT. When I saw the magazine photo discription of it they didn't say it was an Eye Shadow rather just a sparkly shadow for wherever. Infact I didn't even know until after reading some of the reviews..lol. I did just put some on my eyes to see and it is very pretty and light (applied with a finger) with light glitter/sparkle and kind of frosty. When I bought it I got it at K-Mart while Revlon was like 40% off so the price wasn't so bad. I think really the only thing I would change is the compact should have a mirror in the lid (love the rest of it though) and maybe instead of more frosty I would add a little more glitter. Would I buy it again? only on sale. I think it would probably look nice with a tan on arms,legs, and chest.
These shadows are excellent and a nice surprise to find in the drugstore! They are extremely shimmery, something like you would find from Urban Decay (think Midnight Cowboy) and are easy to apply either wet or dry. I love them wet! I have several shades and I have to give them all thumbs up. Give these a try if you like Urban Decay/Too Faced/Hard Candy! Highly recommended.


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My kids and Hubby at El Morro Bay this past summer on a life size chess board by the beach..we found it by accident!
Your paper choice is perfect! Love the layout design!
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Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis and Screening (PGD/PGS)
The Fertility Center at NYU Langone is an internationally renowned leader in the application of preimplantation genetic diagnosis and preimplantation genetic screening, commonly referred to as PGD and PGS. These techniques were initiated by NYULMC FC Program Director, Jamie Grifo, MD, PhD who in 1992 conducted PGS that resulted in the first American baby born using these procedures.
PGD and PGS are terms used to describe testing an embryo for a specific genetic disease it is at risk of inheriting from the parents. PGD is generally the diagnosis of a single gene defect in the embryo for couples that have a single gene mutation and want to ensure that their offspring won't carry the disease. Generally this group of patients has a 25 to 50% risk of transmitting a significant medical illness to their child.
PGS generally refers to the screening of chromosomes for aneuploidy (an abnormal number of chromosomes). PGS is the term used more often by reproductive endocrinologists when discussing infertility with couples struggling with issues involving age, repeated in vitro fertilization (IVF) failures, recurring miscarriages, or having had pregnancies that were genetically abnormal.
At NYUFC we use PGD to refer to single gene disorders and PGS to refer to the detection of chromosomally abnormal embryos. In patients carrying disease-causing single gene mutations, we recommend also testing for both the single gene defects as well as aneuploidy because we can do both at the same time. Some of the single gene disorders indentified using PGD include:
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Hemophilia
- Huntington's Disease
- Marfan's Disease
- Muscular Distrophy
- Thalassemia
- Tay Sachs
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Sickle Cell Anemia
On the other hand, PGS identifies embryos containing chromosomal abnormalities that result in IVF failure, miscarriage or babies born with Down's syndrome (Trisomy 21) or Edward's Syndrome (Trisomy 18).
Both PGS and PGD involve testing cells from embryos. It is possible to detect genetic irregularities in embryos prior to embryo transfer and affords an opportunity to test the embryos that we select for transfer. Several cells are removed from the trophectoderm (cells destined to be the placenta) of a blastocyst (5-6 day old embryo) and tested for abnormalities. At this early stage in development all embryonic cells generally have the same genetic make-up and potential for development. After biopsy and testing of the embryo's genetic material, embryos may be selected based on their absence of irregularities.
The advantages of genetic testing include increased chances of pregnancy, decreased chances of multiple pregnancies, decreased chances of pregnancy loss, and the ability to avoid undesired genetic traits.
At NYULMC FC, we discuss all above considerations on an individual basis, giving the utmost attention to all factors involved in any fertility issue. Prior to making any decision about genetic testing, we thoroughly review each patient/couple's history and offer the most incisive and least invasive course of action.
- Patient Handout: Frequently Asked PGS/PGD Questions
- Understanding PGS & PGD: www.chromosome-screening.org
PGD/PGS News at the Fertility Center at NYU Langone
- Dr. Jamie Grifo Featured in ABC News Segment on NGS IVF
- NYU Fertility Center Collaborates on New Cost Effective Screening Technique with Potential to Reduce Miscarriages
- NYUFC Study Finds STEET Technology Results in High Pregnancy Rate; Low Multiple Gestation and Miscarriage Rates
- Dr. Jamie Grifo Appears on Fox News' Health Talk to Discuss New IVF Technique that Gives Women Better Outcomes
- Dr. Jamie Grifo Discusses Single Thawed Euploid Embryo Transfer as a New Standard for IVF


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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 Ricky!
Facts about Ricky
- Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix
- Color: Tan/Yellow/Fawn
- Age: Puppy
- Size: Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
- Sex: Male
Ricky's Info...
I am up to date with shots.
Ricky is 10 weeks old
Other Pets at WV Pet, Inc.
Why Adoption is a Great Option
Ricky, a Morgantown Labrador Retriever puppy was adopted! Here's how you can benefit by looking at adoption as an option to buying a Labrador Retriever for sale in Morgantown, or seeking a Labrador Retriever puppy from a breeder in Morgantown.
- Rescues and shelter volunteers in Morgantown 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 Morgantown 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 Labrador Retriever breeders who help with Labrador Retriever rescue. One puppy or kitten adopted in Morgantown paves the way for another one to be saved.


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Beyond Grey Pinstripes
Course Information
International Management (2011)
Topic Areas
ManagementThe International Management course encourages and challenges students to look at international markets as a domain for business growth and opportunity. The course is divided into two parts, each related to one of the following two general themes: (1) contexts supporting international management and (2) various dimensions of strategy that international firms must consider. The first topic covered in the course is focused on the business responsibility of international firms, which addresses social, environmental, and ethical challenges very directly and highlights the importance of such issues for classroom discussions throughout the semester. These matters are then woven into the course at several points (often through informal discussion), but they are touched on with great emphasis when the following topics are introduced in class (one full day per topic): legal systems, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, differences in culture, the political economy of international trade, and global human resource management. Issues such as AIDS, corruption, environmental degradation, human trafficking, and poverty are also discussed at considerable length through student-led presentations on "International Topics" impacting six major regions of the world, which are scheduled over three full days of class during the semester.


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The Graduate School and Yale University offer various privileges and resources to students with family members. The Graduate School welcomes the participation of spouses, partners and children at many of its activities and events, and the McDougal Graduate Center in the Hall of Graduate Studies invites spouses and partners to use its common spaces and facilities.
Spouses and partners of graduate students may subscribe to the Student Life e-Notes and Family Life e-Notes to receive announcements about the many events posted in the Student Life calendar.
Graduate students may enroll spouses, civil union partners and legally dependent children under the age of 26 in the University's high-quality, convenient Yale Health services. Yale Health Basic Coverage is provided at no cost to students enrolled at least half-time in M.A., M.S., and Ph.D. programs. Basic coverage includes primary care, mental health and counseling, and 24/7 acute care. Yale Health provides excellent pre-natal, maternal health and pediatric services, offering health education classes and workshops, including breastfeeding and newborn parenting education.
Eligible Ph.D. students also receive a health award that covers the full cost of single-student Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Coverage, half the cost of the spouse/civil union partner two-person premium fee, and the full cost for family coverage that includes dependent children up to age 26. Yale Health Prescription Plus coverage is not included. Please contact the Graduate School's Office of Financial Aid for questions about health awards. Students who wish to enroll family members in Yale Health should review the student premium rates and complete the required enrollment form by September 15 each year. Questions regarding coverage should be directed to Yale Health Member Services.
Students may also enroll themselves and their spouses/partners and children in optional student dental and vision plans by submitting the online enrollment forms and fees annually by September 15.
Yale offers on-campus graduate apartments, many of which are suitable for students with spouses, partners and children. Graduate dormitories are only for students without partners or children residing with them. Graduate apartment complexes offer common areas, play spaces, and activities to build community. Graduate housing is limited in supply and not guaranteed, so students should apply early in April for their best chance at an assignment. In addition, Yale University Properties connects students with Yale-owned but privately managed apartments and rental homes in New Haven near campus. Finally, Yale maintains a searchable database of available off-campus housing, including apartments, houses, sublets, and roommates.
Yale Dining welcomes graduate and professional students and their spouses, partners, children and other guests to dine together at 20 dining halls and cafes on campus. Students may pay with meal plans, University charge, points, cash or, at some locations, credit card. The Graduate School's HGS Dining Hall serves lunch and dinner on weekdays with all-you-care-to-eat service. Children 3 to 10 years old are charged half-price, and children under 3 eat for free. High chairs, booster seats, sippy cups and crayons are available for family dining at HGS, which hosts monthly theme dinners.
Yale University recognizes marriages (opposite- and same-sex) as well as civil unions or legal partnerships created by states, regardless of name ("spouse").
Legally married spouses or civil union partners of Yale graduate and professional students are eligible for a Yale Student Affiliate ID Card, which confers certain privileges at the Yale athletic facilities and the University Library, free admission to the Peabody Museum, student discounts at the Yale Repertory Theatre. For admission to ticketed Yale Athletics events, students may purchase discount student guest tickets for spouses/partners. Admission to the Yale Art Gallery and Yale Center for British Art is always free to the public.
Students in the Graduate School should bring a valid ID and proof of marriage or civil union (copy of license) to the Office of the Registrar at 246 Church Street. Both persons must appear together. Pending approval of the documentation, the Registrar will issue a card permitting the spouse or civil union partner to obtain an affiliate ID from the University's ID Center.
Yale offers specific resources to non-married partners of graduate and professional students, but does not issue them Yale IDs. Partners are welcome to utilize the free Yale shuttle system, as a Yale ID is not required to ride the shuttle. Graduate and professional students may purchase a membership for their unmarried partners at Payne Whitney Gymnasium and the Yale Golf Course at the same rates as employees and affiliates by providing a Yale ID card and some form of documentation indicating shared residence. For information on borrowing and other library services available to domestic partners, please see the Privileges Office in the Sterling Memorial Library.
Spouses and partners of full-time students may without charge audit courses informally in Yale College and the Graduate School. To audit courses in Yale College, review the details from Undergraduate Admissions. To audit courses offered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, obtain permission from the instructor and the relevant academic department. Please note that spouses or partners wishing to receive a transcript for any courses audited would need to complete an application for non-degree study and, if admitted, pay tuition per course.
Spouses and partners of graduate students are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents in New Haven as tutors, in shelters and soup kitchens, and at local non-profits and service agencies. Grad Student Life at McDougal Center sponsors public service outings, information and days of service, with information available through its calendar and Public Service e-Notes. The United Way of Greater New Haven volunteer opportunities database is an excellent resource for getting involved in the community.
Yale welcomes job applications from spouses and partners of graduate and professional students. Yale Human Resources hosts an information session each fall for spouses seeking information about on campus employment. Please refer to online resources for employment in greater New Haven area. Spouses/partners living within the city of New Haven can apply for help from New Haven Works, a jobs pipeline program for city residents that gives special access to participating local employers.
All graduate and professional students at Yale are eligible to be members of the Graduate Professional Student Center @ Yale (GPSCY), a social club and pub. They and their spouses/partners may become members by paying annual dues, which removes the cover charges for entrance on most nights. GPSCY requires members and guests to show government-issued photo ID indicating their age as being 21 or over.
ISPY is a group formed and run by spouses and partners of Yale students, postdocs, visiting scholars and staff. It welcomes international and domestic members. ISPY has an active email list, organizes regular activities and hosts an annual orientation for spouses and partners each September. ISPY is supported by the Office for International Students & Scholars and Graduate Student Life.
Yale University, the New Haven area and the State of Connecticut offer many resources, services and activities for lesbian and gay couples. As stated above, Yale offers married or civil union partners of graduate students a Yale affiliate ID, Yale Health coverage, equal access to graduate housing, and more. The University's Office of LGBTQ Resources provides campus information, resources, advocacy and services.
Registered students are eligible to modify their academic responsibilities because of the birth or adoption of a child. The Graduate School's Parental Support and Relief policy provides doctoral students with an incremental term of registered status, during which they continue to receive a full stipend and the health award. Parental Relief may be used by students for up to two birth events. A leave of absence, as outlined in the Graduate School Bulletin, for parental responsibilities is also available to registered students.
Yale's WorkLife programs offer a wide range of information and resources concerning family life, including adoption, breastfeeding, childbirth, childcare, marriage and divorce, eldercare, pet care and more.
WorkLife maintains an online Child Care Directory for Greater New Haven, and students may contact that office for childcare resources, consultation and referrals. Yale and the New Haven area offer a wide range of child care options, including several Yale-affiliated centers, local centers, public pre-schools, independent nursery schools, licensed family care providers, and in-home care. While high-quality child care, especially for infants, can be quite expensive, some facilities offer sliding fee scales or scholarships based upon family income. Pre-school programs for children 3 to 5 years old in certain communities may offer highly subsidized "school readiness" slots.
Yale has contracted with Caregivers On Call, an established provider of back-up child care since 1991, to provide eligible members of the Yale community with up to 40 hours of services per household per year at University-subsidized rates. These services are intended to assist parents in arranging care for their children when their usual caregivers are not available, as when there are weather-related center or school closings or due to caregiver illness. Because of its nationwide network, this service can be used in greater New Haven and, in many cases, when a Yale parent travels to a conference with a child elsewhere in the country.
The Yale Babysitting Service helps address the need for additional child care options within the Yale University community. This service establishes a link between Yale faculty, staff and students to access babysitting services provided by Yale students. This service can only be used by current Yale faculty, staff and students.
Yale has compiled information on Greater New Haven area schools, including public, independent and religious. The New Haven Public School System has neighborhood and themed magnet public schools which are free of charge and offer free breakfast and lunch to all students. Having completed a comprehensive school construction program over the past ten years, New Haven is undertaking extensive school reforms and has established a College Promise program for its high school graduates. The school system's website contains information regarding school choice and lottery programs and school ratings and evaluations. Yale University is a strong partner of the New Haven Public School system. SchoolHaven, a website developed by a Yale graduate student, allows parents to share information about local schools.
All graduate school students are automatically enrolled in Yale Health Basic, which includes primary care and mental health and counseling services. Students may enroll their spouses and children in Yale Health to obtain counseling related to personal, relationship, parenting and other family issues.
WELL/A Mother's Place offers childbirth education classes, pregnancy and nursing supplies and resources, including a free breastfeeding mothers' support group. Yale Health members receive a 10% discount on WELL childbirth education classes.


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New Revised Standard (NRS) | New International Version (NIV) |
1 Then the Lord said to me, Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, "Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz," | 1 The LORD said to me, "Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. |
2 and have it attested for me by reliable witnesses, the priest Uriah and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah. | 2 And I will call in Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah as reliable witnesses for me." |
3 And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz; | 3 Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. And the LORD said to me, "Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. |
4 for before the child knows how to call "My father" or "My mother," the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria. | 4 Before the boy knows how to say 'My father' or 'My mother,' the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria." |
5 The Lord spoke to me again: | 5 The LORD spoke to me again: |
6 Because this people has refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and melt in fear before Rezin and the son of Remaliah; | 6 "Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoices over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, |
7 therefore, the Lord is bringing up against it the mighty flood waters of the River, the king of Assyria and all his glory; it will rise above all its channels and overflow all its banks; | 7 therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the River-- the king of Assyria with all his pomp. It will overflow all its channels, run over all its banks |
8 it will sweep on into Judah as a flood, and, pouring over, it will reach up to the neck; and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel. | 8 and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it and reaching up to the neck. Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, O Immanuel !" |
9 Band together, you peoples, and be dismayed; listen, all you far countries; gird yourselves and be dismayed; gird yourselves and be dismayed! | 9 Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered! |
10 Take counsel together, but it shall be brought to naught; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us. | 10 Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us. |
11 For the Lord spoke thus to me while his hand was strong upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: | 11 The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: |
12 Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. | 12 "Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. |
13 But the Lord of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. | 13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, |
14 He will become a sanctuary, a stone one strikes against; for both houses of Israel he will become a rock one stumbles over—a trap and a snare for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. | 14 and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. |
15 And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken. | 15 Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured." |
16 Bind up the testimony, seal the teaching among my disciples. | 16 Bind up the testimony and seal up the law among my disciples. |
17 I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. | 17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. |
18 See, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion. | 18 Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion. |
19 Now if people say to you, "Consult the ghosts and the familiar spirits that chirp and mutter; should not a people consult their gods, the dead on behalf of the living, | 19 When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? |
20 for teaching and for instruction?" surely, those who speak like this will have no dawn! | 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. |
21 They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry; when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will curse their king and their gods. They will turn their faces upward, | 21 Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. |
22 or they will look to the earth, but will see only distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be thrust into thick darkness. | 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness. |
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (New Revised Standard Bible Version Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |


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I sacchetti sono venuti veramente bene!complimenti! ;)


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The Majestic rug is hand-tufted from wool and features art silk accents. Spot clean rug with a mild detergent.
Due to the handmade nature of this Rug Market rug, please expect slight variations in size and color.Material: Wool/viscose
Brand: The Rug Market
Origin: Imported
Rug Market is a Los Angeles-based manufacturer and importer that has created thousands of statement-making rugs since its founding in 1986. Fashion trends and contemporary art inspire its designs, which are rendered in materials ranging from silk shag and micro-tufted wool to natural jute and weather-resistant polypropylene. Each of its pieces is handmade, and the company also produces lines for private clients like Walt Disney Signature. Whether you're looking for a rug for a child's room or for a formal dining room, rest assured: The Rug Market has you covered.


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In 2004, Laura Collinge and a friend wanted to form a fun social group that promotes opera as an art form that is accessible to everyone. So Collinge founded Opera Carolinas BRAVO! affinity group, which targets professionals ages 21-40 with programming, discounts, parties and events.
Even Cupids arrow found a direct hit here in the fall of 2010.
BRAVO! held a backstage tour for its members, and with the group on set for Cosi Fan Tutte, Daunte Bruce, 29, got down on his knee and presented Tonya Simmons, 31, a single rose along with a dramatic marriage proposal. With an appreciative crowd looking on, Simmons took the rose and with only a slight surprised-induced hesitation said yes.
The couple joined BRAVO! when they began dating. I knew I wanted to go big, Bruce said. Our first date was the opera and Tonya is a big lover of the arts. I thought this was a perfect setting and wanted all our opera friends to be part of it.
A variety of arts affinity groups like BRAVO! are thriving in Charlotte. The benefits offered include dinners and receptions with artists, wine tastings, members-only events, special seating, discounts, unique volunteer opportunities and, perhaps best of all, the chance to meet and associate with people with similar interests.
Many memberships are offered free or for minimal cost. Here is a look at some of Charlottes most popular groups:
Opening Night Insiders
North Carolina Dance Theatre is lucky to have such active and invested affinity groups, said Doug Singleton, executive director. The group members are the spirit of the organization, and their contributions both in time, money and overall support make a major impact on the company.
The dance troupe has three groups including Opening Night Insiders, their young professionals group, Corps de Ballet, a volunteer and social organization, and the newest affinity group dedicated to promoting dance, The Black Swan Society.
Opening Night Insiders is the largest group with 60 members. Members receive discounted tickets for select performances and events. The group holds a post-show reception after opening night performances where members mingle with dancers, choreographers and artistic staff.
The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film has more than 90 members in their affinity group, Paparazzi.
Behind-the-scenes events, tours with curators, panel discussions and partnerships with other museum affiliate groups give Paparazzi members a more intimate connection to The Light Factory.
Member Sean Busher is a Charlotte photographer who thinks big when it comes to community-based arts projects. Three years ago he came up with the concept of capturing an urban portrait of Charlotte as seen through the lenses of dozens of photographers, all trained on the same space for a 24 hour period. The City Block project has become a signature event for the Paparazzi, Busher said. It is a great outlet and showcase for the group and connects photography with the community.
Great cities have great symphony orchestras, according to Anna Drake, 26, president of CSO PULSE, Charlotte Symphony Orchestras young affiliate group. We have a wonderful business environment in Charlotte and it is equally important that we have a vibrant cultural scene to match. People want to be in a community that is diverse and dynamic and that is what the symphony and the entire arts scene offer.
The organization is only a year old but already has a membership of 75.
Being part of assembling such an enthusiastic group has been amazing, Drake said. The camaraderie and friendships made amongst people with common interests and goals are really special.
Membership benefits include unique opportunities to network with other music lovers and CSO musicians, such as behind the scenes tours, private receptions and meeting guest performers.
The Young Affiliates of the Mint
With eight groups, The Mint Museum is the grandfather of affinity groups in Charlotte. Their offerings underscore the importance of variety when it comes to reaching patrons. The Young Affiliates of the Mint is a particularly active group, sponsoring social and fundraising events such as the annual Derby Days celebration, a viewing party of the Kentucky Derby on the front lawn of The Mint Museum Randolph, and the Black & White Ball.
Simone McDowell, 33, said she joined when she moved to Charlotte a few years ago in order to plug into the community.
I love the arts scene and the social aspect was an immediate and welcome benefit to joining the YAMs, McDowell said.
The social aspect of these groups helps organizations making a lasting impact with patrons.
Affinity groups are great for every stage of an arts organization, said Ron Evans, arts marketing and consumer psychology researcher and principal consultant at Groupofminds.com arts marketing consultants in Sunnyvale, Calif. The social context augments the memory of a positive arts experience. If people are making friends and attending the arts, the arts are fulfilling several great roles helping people to explore new thoughts and ideas about themselves, connecting them to other people socially, and offering a healthy escapism away from their daily grind.
Club Blume
No fees, no officers, no hassles just a fun evening out. Thats the mantra behind the Blumenthal Performing Arts Centers Club Blume. Started in May 2006, this young professionals group has more than 2,300 active subscribers.
We host pre-show receptions on Club Blume nights with cocktails and hors doeuvres before the show and also hold special informances where we hold a session, independent of a performance that features local teaching artists speaking to techniques or elements to look for in upcoming shows, said Jessica Jarvis, marketing and e-commerce manager for the Blumenthal.
A recent program featured a local costume designer illustrating how some of the visual illusions seen in Beauty and the Beast, were accomplished.
Club Blume attracts 50-80 participants to programs.
Nurturing friendships among those who love the arts is at the heart of the affinity group program. Charlotte is a city with many newcomers who are eager to get connected with those with similar interests, said Tom Gabbard, president of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Beyond the social elements, (our) informances take a deeper look into an upcoming show. The hope is that opinion leaders will learn a bit more, get pumped up about the show and then share that knowledge and enthusiasm with their friends and get them to go.
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