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Originally published December 3, 2011 at 10:01 PM | Page modified December 4, 2011 at 9:31 PM
Seattle City Light told to get leaner as rates rise
City Light projects a rate increase over the next seven years of 33 percent — on the heels of 18 percent rate increases in the past two years. Some of the utility's biggest customers are upset, saying City Light should cut its spending before raising rates.
Seattle Times staff reporter
City Light facts
City Light supplies electricity to 399,000 customers in an area that includes Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and parts of Burien, Tukwila, Normandy Park, Renton and unincorporated King County.Population served: 780,800
Area served: 131 square miles
Employees: 1,670
Hydroelectric dams: 7
Meters: 408,000
Miles of power lines: 2,956
Source: City of Seattle,
City Light
Seattle City Light's power plants have too many employees. Distribution costs run high. Work crews are about twice the size of industry norms. Overtime costs are double the industry average. Work rules hamper productivity. Some spending is based on "political drivers."
That's according to a $140,000 study by a City Light consultant that says the publicly owned electric company is quite inefficient.
In all, the UMS Group reported City Light could save $35 million a year if it ran more like comparable power companies. Instead, customers have seen City Light raise rates 18 percent in the past two years — and it projects an increase over the next seven years of 33 percent.
It's not a pretty picture to imagine every time you flip a switch, power up a computer or charge a phone, or even a car. Consider how it hits City Light's biggest customers, such as Boeing and the University of Washington, which spend upward of $10 million a year for electricity in Seattle.
Boeing, and some other customers, say City Light needs to get leaner before jacking up rates. If the city utility with a $1 billion budget doesn't fix problems now, according to a Boeing energy analyst, its rate increases would "institutionalize the existing inefficiencies."
City Light's response: Trust us.
Superintendent Jorge Carrasco says he welcomes the independent expert's view City Light could be more efficient.
Give him a few years, and the backing to change union contracts, Carrasco says, and he can deliver $18 million in annual savings.
But that's not good enough for some customers, says Eugene Wasserman, head of the North Seattle Industrial Association and co-chair of a citizen-review panel shaping the utility's six-year strategic plan.
While City Light's projected increases would amount to about $3 per month for the average household, they could cost the biggest customers more than $500,000 a year. So they've hired energy experts, lobbyists and consultants to press their case.
"Nobody trusts City Light to change, based on past experience," says Wasserman, who has served on several City Light advisory groups dating back to the 1990s.
And it's not all City Light's fault.
A "change agent"
The highest-salaried city employee at $224,000, Carrasco oversees 1,670 employees working as far away as Boundary Dam near the Idaho-Canada border. He sells electricity in energy markets competing with natural-gas magnates. And he reports to a revolving cast of elected officials, who have given up on past proposals to squeeze more efficiency out of employees.
Hired as a "change agent" in 2004, Carrasco came to Seattle after the Enron-led energy crisis of 2001 rocked City Light, driving up rates 58 percent and debt by $500 million, leading the City Council to sack his predecessor, Gary Zarker.
Carrasco says he tried right away to economize, starting with contract talks with electrical workers' Local 77, the utility's largest union. But managers don't dictate the city's bargaining positions; those orders come from the mayor and City Council.
Negotiations with the tenacious union stretched over two years, according to city labor-relations chief David Bracilano. The city eventually dropped key demands, such as reducing crew sizes.
"We got very little of what we hoped to accomplish," Carrasco said in an interview.
There was still plenty to do, though.
He replaced Zarker's top managers, paid down City Light's debts, bolstered its bond rating, cut millions from projected spending, eliminated 71 positions, and shortened the time it takes to replace streetlights.
He admits he could've done more. "We all share responsibility here," he said.
The council-ordered UMS study, he says, might make City Light employees more receptive to change. The report focused on operations where 70 percent of City Light employees work — power generation, transmission and distribution. "Policymakers and employees will now have third-party independent information that should be the basis for action," Carrasco says.
One example of a work-rule inefficiency cited in the report: it now takes three City Light crews to replace a power pole — one to deliver a pole, one to plant it and one to wire it. It's a significant issue because half of City Light's 89,000 wood poles are more than 35 years old, exceeding their life expectancy.
Some problems rest with managers, according to UMS. But others require labor changes beyond Carrasco's power. Local 77's contract runs until early 2013 and negotiations will start next year.
It's difficult, Bracilano cautions, to get sweeping changes in a single negotiation. "We tell electeds 'you don't get all of what you ask for, so it will take longer than you like to hear.' "
When Mayor Mike McGinn asked city employees last year to give back some of their expected cost-of-living increases, most agreed. But City Light's Local 77 did not, refusing to open its contract. Its members will get a 3.7 percent pay raise next year, according to Bracilano.
Union officials did not return calls seeking comment.
Carrasco says he doesn't disagree with calls for City Light to operate more like a business. But he is firm, even defiant, about not giving rebates to ratepayers this year or next because City Light is enjoying a $21 million windfall.
If City Light takes a short-term view and gives rate relief to "squeaky wheel" customers, he says, "then we're going to have to deal with outages and more costs because we're not trimming trees and doing things that are cost-effective and that well-run utilities are doing." That includes decreasing debt, investing in equipment and building up reserve funds.
Those clamoring for lower rates, he adds, "are the same people who are going to shout the loudest when that crew doesn't show up at their business establishment immediately when they need a service connection or some other service. You can't have it both ways."
Price-point advantage
"There's talk, and there's action," says Don Stark, a lobbyist for Boeing, Swedish Hospital and others leading a campaign against rate increases.
City Light often falls back on its rates — among the lowest in the country — as a line of defense, saying customers still have an edge over competitors in other parts of the region and country. But, according to UMS, rates could be lower. And if they continue to climb, Boeing government-relations manager Rich White wrote McGinn, "how long will that price-point advantage last?"
Stark's clients would like rebates next year instead of a scheduled 3.2 percent rate increase. Or, they'd like City Light to defer future rate increases until the utility can demonstrate it must have the money.
Big customers remain unimpressed by Carrasco's sense of austerity. In a letter to city officials, White called Carrasco's recent cuts "cosmetic."
Some business leaders believe Carrasco is being too conservative. They would rather short City Light's budget and force the utility to become more lean. "Ratepayers always feel City Light shouldn't get money until they actually need it," Wasserman said.
Carrasco's long-term argument sounds like a scare tactic, Stark says. "It's somebody's job to understand ratepayers need an advocate."
That gets to an underlying issue. Some business people tend not to trust politicians to run City Light.
Mayors and council members lack expertise to oversee City Light's complex and far-flung operations. Their attention is also spread thin, divided among police, parks, libraries, human services and more, from banning plastic bags to creating codes of conduct for sidewalk solicitors.
City officials also may lack incentive to impose more discipline on City Light because it's funded by electricity rates and doesn't compete for general-fund money, the pot of tax dollars that pays for most services including police, parks and libraries.
The Manufacturing Industrial Council of Seattle argues city officials have a conflict of interest because 6 percent of rate revenue goes into the city's general fund; every increase means more money for the council to dole out. The industrial group points to comments by Councilmember Bruce Harrell after a 2009 vote to increase rates 13.8 percent. The group says that when Harrell spoke to Seattle Chamber of Commerce members about that hike, he said it was driven, in part, by the council's urge to help general-fund programs. The hike steered about $3 million to the General Fund.
Harrell, in an interview, said his comments were misconstrued. "What I said was that, when rates are increased, the general fund receives a positive impact, and I'm sure many council members are aware of that. But it does not govern their decisions."
Facing political winds
All of this has rekindled a debate about how best to govern City Light.
A mayor's blue-ribbon committee called for changes in 2002. Another expert panel agreed, concluding its work in 2006 with strong words: "The board unanimously agreed City Light governance must be changed if public power is to thrive in Seattle ... City Light is subject to political winds, with sound business judgment sometimes falling victim to struggles for political advantage."
The panel recommended the city appoint an independent board to advise elected officials. Politicians still would have final say on rates, but they'd have a group of experts to keep watch on City Light.
But don't count on it. The council and former Mayor Greg Nickels didn't pick up the banner for change. The expert panel disbanded. A new advisory group was reconstituted with scaled-back powers.
Harrell, who has led council oversight of City Light the past four years, isn't a fan of creating a new board. He points to lax corporate boards that contributed to the recession. "If we learned one thing from corporate America," he says, "it's that having a separate board is not a guarantee of success."
McGinn doesn't sound ready to make major changes. He's open to different governance models, he says, but notes that having elected officials run City Light has led to benefits such as energy conservation.
McGinn wouldn't commit on rate increases, saying he's waiting to see what the citizen-review panel recommends, by early next year. But investing in equipment for long-term rate stability and reliable clean power, the mayor said, are competitive advantages that outweigh short-term financial relief for customers.
Bob Young: 206-464-2174 or email@example.com
Top 5 customers | ||
Amounts paid by City Light's biggest customers last year and their share of total retail revenues. | ||
Company | Amount paid | Share |
University of Washington | $20 million | 3.2% |
Nucor Steel | $19.1 million | 3.1% |
Boeing | $14.4 million | 2.3% |
City of Seattle | $14.2 million | 2.3% |
Intergate/Sabey | $11.5 million | 1.8% |
Source: City Light |


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Scissor action jack suitable for automotive, industrial and agricultural applications. Ideal for vehicles with low ground clearance. 4tonne Front scissor nose capacity with minimum height of 65mm allows use under forklifts. 5tonne Cylinder cap capacity with minimum height of 415mm suits agricultural and other vehicles with high set jacking points.
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Sealey are big on service and their parts service is second to none. Currently with over 130,000 different parts in stock, Sealey can supply parts for all their products from a circlip to a compressor tank, generally from stock check Sealeys website for their on-line instructions and parts lists.
All the tools you need.

subset: commoncrawl


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The UK's fastest-growing regional news network
See the full forecast for your area.
Sponsored by Britelite.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a pensioner was involved in a serious collision in Otford.
A 74 year-old man remains in Tunbridge Wells Hospital following the incident, which happened at around 9pm yesterday.
He was driving a Peugeot 308 which hit a number of parked cars at the junction of the High Street and Sevenoaks Road.
It is believed the driver may have become ill prior to the collision and he currently remains in hospital.
Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit is now appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, or who saw the car in the moments leading to the collision, to contact them.
Anyone with information should call the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538, quoting 27-1534.
Click here for more news from Maidstone.
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We do not actively moderate, monitor or edit contributions to the reader comments but we may intervene and take such action as we think necessary, please click here for our house rules.. If you have any concerns over the contents on our site, please either register those concerns using the report abuse button, contact us here, email email@example.com or call 01634 227989.


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Not Into Pink? Give Back With These Not-So-Pink Products
You can still support Breast Cancer Awareness month even if the color pink isn't your style. These not-so-pink products give back to breast cancer research, too. Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist fragrance is a perennial classic ($98, Bloomingdales.com), and this month, 20 percent of each sale will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Philosophy is giving 100 percent of the net proceeds from this shampoo and shower gel set ($25, Philosophy.com) to the charity Look Good Feel Better, which serves cancer patients.
E! News anchor Giuliana Rancic (herself a breast cancer survivor) designed this rhinestone chain necklace for Loft ($70, Loft.com). Twenty-five percent of the purchase price will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
This month, five dollars from every sale of Ojon's bestselling hair treatment will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation ($19.50, ojon.com).
A star-studded roster — including Liv Tyler, January Jones, Vanessa Hudgens, Elizabeth Hurley, and more — has partnered with accessories designer Patricia Nash to auction off 18 autographed handbags filled with each celebrity's must-haves. One hundred percent of the bids will benefit BCRF. Visit patricianashdesigns.com to bid.
Through October, Tocca will donate 50 percent of sales of the Eau de Parfum Viaggio set ($45, tocca.com) to Bright Pink, an organization that focuses on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women.
Photographer Bob Carey began taking self-portraits in a pink tutu as a lark, but when his wife Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer, the project took on a new significance. Bloomingdale's has partnered with the Careys' Tutu Project to donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the Ballerina coffee-table book ($50, Bloomingdales.com) to breast cancer organizations.
This soft blonde brow marker ($19.95, touchbackbrow.com was created for chemotherapy patients who have lost their eyebrows. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this shade will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
This month, Georgetown Cupcake is baking the chocolate and vanilla Susan G. Komen cupcake ($29 per dozen, or $55 with shipping, at georgetowncupcake.com), with the full purchase price of every treat sold benefitting the organization. The company has pledged to raise at least $50,000 for the cause. ($70, Loft.com)
- 9 of 9
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Clairvoyant TechnoSolutions
Clairvoyant TechnoSolutions Jobs & Careers in Atlanta, GA
No jobs found – change your filters above for more results
Clairvoyant TechnoSolutions Reviews
"Worst company ever "
- Comp & Benefits
- Work/Life Balance
- Senior Management
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
I worked at Clairvoyant TechnoSolutions as a contractor
ProsThe trainer was pretty knowledgeable. And the training is pretty basic. If you are a starter, the training will be somewhat helpful. But this can turn into a cons just because it's never good enough to jump into a project and do some serious stuff.
ConsTraining is mostly basic stuff you can find on any websites.
You have to sign a contract basically saying that the training cost money and there will be penalty if you wanna find some other opportunities.
After 6 weeks or "god knows when its done" of training, nobody gets jobs for very long time.
I was told I would be in a project after 2 weeks of training when I signed the contract but then... it took longer than 6 weeks and had no jobs for 5 month afterwards.
I saw some guys with no job for more than a year and got trapped with this company because they couldn't pay the penalty to leave. Some left anyways and then they were forced to pay the penalty.
No direct clients meaning that it takes forever for them to put you in a project.
All the opportunities they provide are from job portal webs. Might as well just find it on your own.
No paid time off.
Minimal benefits.
Low salary.Advice to ManagementAdviceIf a trainee thinks the training was useless and wants to leave, just let them go.
None of other consulting companies do that.Doesn't RecommendNo opinion of CEO -


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Learn all about Prevention's new 400 Calorie Fix weight loss plan!
The best formula for weight loss: Control your calories. You know it, we know it—and study after study proves it. So why is it that even though most of us aren't bingeing on high-fat fare and continually snacking on sweets, we're still gaining weight?
One reason is 85% of adults have no idea how many calories they should consume to maintain a healthy weight. The other: Most of us don't know how many calories are in the foods we eat—and we don't have time to count them.
How many calories do you need to lose weight?
That's why Prevention created the new 400 Calorie Fix—a weight loss plan that teaches you to control calories by limiting your meals to about 400 calories each. "That's the right amount to allow for healthy variety in your diet and to keep you satisfied," explains nutritionist Mindy Hermann, RD, who helped create the plan.
How do you cap your meals without crunching numbers? By learning what 400 calories looks like. To help, we put together dozens of 400-calorie options, plus tips to control portions and spot hidden calories. You'll learn to see food through a 400-calorie lens whether you create meals at home or eat out.
What's more, we know it works: Sixteen women and men followed the plan and lost up to 11 pounds and 3 belly inches in just 2 weeks—and continued to lose in the months that followed. (See their before-and-after photos!)
It's tough to visualize proper portions and calories. When researchers asked study participants to estimate calories in restaurant entrees, they were off by as much as 100%. Here are three tips to help you see food through the 400-calorie lens:
Order your copy of the 400 Calorie Fix today!


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Whilst you guys who check out this blog regularly are keeping yourselves updated almost daily with happenings at The Reef and in Cayman, we have thousands more who are not quite that devoted, but instead wait for our more irregular than regular e-newsletters.
Well, today we have some great news. We have expanded our team to include a highly skilled writer and communications expert who will, among other things, produce a regular newsletter for The Reef, which we have tenatively titled "Ripples from The Reef"… but do leave us your comments on that if you think you can improve on that name !
The first issue of "Ripples from The Reef" will be emailed out shortly, but it is already posted on our website so you can get a sneak peek here.
This sneak peek also gives you the inside track on some brand new special offers released right now (you are the first to hear!) for a limited time and limited availability only…. blogophiles, you heard it here first !
WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE, YOUR POCKET WON'T LOSE!Whether you are "booking late" for that last minute break, "booking early" for a winter escape, or want to party into the New Year with us, this fall we have a deal for you ! Summer is over, but the sun still shines in Grand Cayman, so now is the time to plan your next beach vacation at The Reef!
All of the following deals are strictly limited in availability and so must be booked directly with our central reservations office here at The Reef. Availability will disappear fast, but in any event all bookings must be confirmed by no later than October 15th, 2005. Don't delay, book today !!
"Book Late" Offer
Travel must be completed no later than Dec 21st , 2005.
Carpe Diem !… Seize the Day and go for that spur of the moment fall break. $125 for a Beachfront Studio Suite with four post bed and Jacuzzi tub, we must be crazy!Room Nightly Rate
Studio $125 (regular rate $165)
One Bedroom $165 (regular rate $220)
Two Bedroom $225 (regular rate $310)——————————————————————————–
"Book Early" Offer
For travel between January 6th and April 21st, 2006
The Reef always sells out for the Winter season, but we like to be able to count some of our "chickens" in advance, so we are offering these special rates for a limited time. Make that winter break feel that little bit more special, knowing you have snared one of these great rates for your vacation!Room Nightly Rate
Studio $220 (regular rate $245)
One Bedroom $290 (regular rate $325)
Two Bedroom $400 (regular rate $445)——————————————————————————–
New Years Eve Special
A very special offer for New Years Eve arrivals only. Stay a minimum of 5 nights and receive special rates and a very special invitation to our New Years Eve celebration.
Arrive in Grand Cayman in the afternoon on New Years Eve, check in to your beachfront suite at The Reef, take a walk on the beach for guaranteed "pure beach relaxation", perhaps partaking of a Mojito at Castro's Hideaway beach bar. After that, return to your room and get ready to come out and celebrate New Years Eve with us!Room Nightly Rate
Studio $260 (regular rate $290)
One Bedroom $355 (regular rate $395)In addition to these special rates, parties arriving on New Years Eve in conjunction with this offer receive confirmed reservations for the celebration event and one free ticket (value US$125) per suite booked.


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I have had this Diamond video card floating around for a little bit now, but wanted to make sure when we got around to testing it that we did it in a way that stands out and makes it a bit more interesting than just running it at stock through our lineup of benchmarks.
Since we knew that the Catalyst 12.2 drivers weren't far away we figured it was a good chance to look at the driver in a bit more detail than just our typical Catalyst benchmark line up, so that's exactly what we'll be doing today as we see how the Diamond HD 7970 with the series' first WHQL driver goes against the original launch driver we used.
Of course there are a few things we need to do before we get into the performance side of things and we see exactly what's going on with the latest AMD driver. Since we haven't looked at the Diamond HD 7970, the first thing we need to do is take a closer look at the bundle to see exactly what's going on.
Once we've done that we'll move into looking at the video card itself before we check the specifications. Once that's done we'll quickly cover our testbed and some of the other cards we've got here, which will then lead us into our benchmarks. First, though, we need to look at the package, so let's check it out.
Checking out the bundle of the Diamond video card we've got the normal paperwork and driver CD along with a mini catalog. We've got a Mini DP to DVI and HDMI to DVI cable included along with the standard CrossFire bridge.


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Planetary Defense: Preventing a World of Trouble (Released November 2005)
Our mission, should we choose to accept it: (1) Make up to six billion people understand the danger that faces this world. (2) Make them care enough. (3) Keep them caring long enough for it to matter. (4) Give them what they need to stop what's coming.
I. Introduction - The Threat
Planetary defense encompasses protecting the Earth from potential destruction due to impact by a large piece of space debris. Astronomical telescopes and deep space radar systems have verified the existence of a large number of near Earth objects (NEOs), such as asteroids, meteoroids, and comets that potentially could destroy most life on Earth. Where NEOs intersect Earth's orbit, there exists a risk of a collision. [1] An asteroid with a diameter of 1-10 km would strike the Earth with a power rivaling the strength of a multiple warhead attack with the most powerful thermonuclear explosives known to man. Computational fluid dynamics studies have indicated that an ocean strike by such an asteroid may create a gigantic tsunami that would flood and obliterate coastal regions. Perhaps even more significantly, a land strike may eject a massive dust cloud, rivaling that from the most powerful volcanic explosion, which could seriously affect climate on the scale of two to three years. It could alter our biosphere to the point that life as we know it would cease to exist. As recently as 1998, the astronomical and astrophysics community thought that most of the known NEOs do not pose a near-term threat, and therefore do not present any danger to the Earth and its biosphere. However, the relatively recent collision of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with the planet Jupiter on July 16, 1994, and continuing discoveries of non-cataloged asteroids passing near Earth without any advanced warning, have increased concerns. It is worthwhile to note that one striking feature of practically every celestial body in our solar system is the abundance of impact craters. [2]
Geological evidence and observations of planetary bodies confirm the existence of a threat, albeit small, that Earth could one day be struck by a comet, meteor, or asteroid on a collision course from space that would be large enough to cause widespread destruction of modern society. In the last 100 years, a massive impact took place in Siberia (Tunguska, 1908) that devastated 2000 square kilometers and carried the destructive force of 12.5 megatons of TNT. This impactor was only 60 meters in diameter. The Earth's surface still shows scars of previous larger-scale impacts. A 100-meter diameter meteor over 20,000 years ago is believed to have caused the Meteor Crater in Arizona. In the more massive Cretaceous-Tertiary impact (K-T impact), a 10-km diameter object struck off the Yucatan Peninsula some 65.5 million years ago. Scientists found the crater around 1995 using seismic monitoring equipment designed to hunt for oil. Probably the size of a small city, the Chicxulub impact is widely believed to have triggered a mass dinosaur die-off, either through a global firestorm caused by earthquakes releasing pockets of methane set afire by lightning, or through massive long-term environmental changes. The impact likely also triggered giant tsunamis across the ocean and earthquakes that reverberated around the world. While such enormous impacts are certainly infrequent, objects with diameters of approximately 1 km can be expected to intercept the Earth every 100,000 years. [3]
Some thought and planning, therefore, is needed to provide a reasonable level of protection against such disastrous events. Identification and cataloging of NEOs and celestial bodies is an important first step. Observation and tracking of small (1 km or less) objects is a difficult task given the low albedos of the target bodies and their small size. However, accurate long-term orbital prediction models must be developed to allow for adequate response time. NASA and the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, maintain an active list of NEOs sorted by a weighted scale indicating their approach distance and destructive potential (the Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale). In 2003, over 10 objects were identified that passed within 1.5 times the distance from the Earth to the Moon (1 lunar distance = 384,000 km). The smallest objects in the JPL database are 20 meters in diameter with typical NEOs in the 500-meter to 1-km diameter range. [14, 3] Currently, the highest active object on the Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale (Palermo scale) is asteroid 2004 VD17, with a cumulative Palermo scale value of -1.06. [4] [Note 1]
NASA has proposed new observatories that will be able to detect even smaller objects. For example, NASA's Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts (RASC) program conducted a study called CAPS (Comet Asteroid Protection System) that promoted a lunar telescope installation for conducting NEO detection research. The question remains what should be done if a planetary impactor on a collision course with Earth is actually confirmed. [3]
II. Categorizing the Threat
The large number of circumstances in which a NEO might threaten the Earth can be characterized by several parameters, such as warning time; NEO size, mass, and orbital parameters; impact location; certainty of impact; NEO orbital class (e.g., those of the Atens, Apollo, and Amor families of asteroids, the trans-Neptunian objects, and the comets); NEO composition; and NEO spin.
The concept of a response decision chart (see Figure 1), constructed by researchers Peter Nicolas, Andrew Barton, Douglas Robinson, and Jean Marc Salotti, could be applied to break down the problem into manageable sub-categories, where each branch of the tree corresponds to a particular class of NEO threat scenarios for which response options would be similar. [7] Thus, for any threat scenario, it can be determined what responses are appropriate. The aim of such a classification tree is to provide a global tool providing more useful information to the policy maker by laying down in a simple but comprehensive way all possible NEO impact scenarios, consequences, and responses. In addition to the above parameters, other parameters might require expert scientific advice, such as detectability and destructibility. [6]
The specific classification breakdown of the parameters of warning time, damage potential, hit location, and responses are discussed below. In addition, another parameter, certainty of impact, is also addressed.
A. Warning time
The classification of 'Short' is intended for threats with less than one year of warning time. Such scenarios exclude the development of new space missions, allowing only ground-based responses. If the warning time is in the scale of decades, there are many opportunities for both space-based and Earth-based mitigation efforts. The category named 'Medium' encompasses the warning time frame from 2 to 30 years, presenting the possibility of new space missions with existing technology. The 'Long' warning time category encompasses all NEO impact scenarios with the impact occurring more than 30 years in the future, so one can only speculate about far future mitigation technologies and approaches. [6]
B. Damage potential
This refers to the effects that an NEO would have if it impacts the Earth. The effects are largely dependent on the size and mass of the NEO. The 'Large' category includes all NEOs larger than 2 km since these objects would cause very large disasters and therefore require global response efforts. The 'Small' category is intended to include any NEO threats that would be of local or regional significance. It is generally thought that such NEOs can be successfully deflected or destroyed with modern technology if there is sufficient warning time. Excluded are the very small NEOs that would burn up in the Earth's atmosphere (less than 30 m), since these require little or no response. [6]
C. Response limitations
The branches at this point of the tree in Figure 1 distinguish between the different types of space-based responses. The category named 'Deflectable' is for NEOs that are small enough or with long enough warning time to enable deflection of the body with sufficient delta-v to prevent its impact with Earth. The object's accessibility should also be taken into account. When possible, this category is the most desirable response since it doesn't affect the Earth. 'Destructible' is a possibility for objects that are not deflectable. In some cases the NEO is held together too weakly to be able to absorb the energy transfer required for deflection. There are also cases where 'Partially Destructible' is a possibility. Reducing the NEO into many smaller fragments by nuclear blasts may reduce the scale of disaster on Earth, although it also risks spreading the effects (including nuclear fallout) over a wider area. Finally, 'Neither' is included for the cases where the NEO is neither destructible nor deflectable. [6]
D. Hit location
The two most important distinctions for a NEO striking the Earth's surface are between 'Ocean' impacts and 'Land' impacts. The most devastating possible effect of an ocean impact would be a tsunami, which would damage coasts in the region or around the world. On the other hand, a similar size land impact would lead to more debris and dust being ejected into the atmosphere, likely causing more severe climatic changes. Accurate prediction of the impact location is not always possible since it depends on accurate orbital parameters for the NEO. In some cases, data will be insufficient to determine whether the NEO will hit the land or the ocean (due to long warning times, incomplete orbital observations, etc.). A dispersed impact zone including both ocean and land regions is also possible. Furthermore, the presence of the Earth's atmosphere may also lead to dispersion of the body over a wide area. [6]
E. Certainty of impact
Another important tool for categorizing the Earth impact hazard associated with newly discovered NEOs is the Torino Scale, which is equivalent to the "Richter Scale" but for NEOs. This scale was created by Professor Richard P. Binzel at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and revised at an international conference on NEOs held in Torino, Italy, in June 1999. The Torino scale utilizes numbers that range from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates an object that has a zero or negligibly small chance of collision with the Earth, or that is too small to penetrate the Earth's atmosphere intact in the event that a collision does occur. A 10 indicates that a collision is certain, and the impacting object is so large that it is capable of precipitating a global disaster. An object is assigned a value based on its collision probability and its kinetic energy (proportional to its mass times the square of its encounter velocity). [6]
III. Some Possible Response Options
For all we know, a large asteroid may be heading this way right now, and you'll never get this [conversation] on the air. The danger of asteroid or comet impact is one of the best reasons for getting into space. I'm very fond of quoting my friend Larry Niven: 'The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program.'And if we become extinct because we don't have a space program, it'll serve us right!
Deflecting or destroying a NEO in space is still in the realm of science fiction. However, if an impact does occur, many steps can be taken on Earth to mitigate its effects. It would be best, of course, to avoid the initial catastrophe. The idea of the deflection strategy is to change the orbit of the NEO in order to prevent an impact with Earth. According to C. Gritzner deflection is the only solution in case of a NEO larger than about 100m, because the destruction strategy might worsen the situation. [15] However, the deflection of a NEO years ahead of its impact requires that detection be achieved soon enough and its orbital elements precisely computed.
Destructionthe second best strategyrefers to breaking the object into many pieces. The destruction of the NEO body is generally proposed when there is very little time left before impact, weeks or months, so that any deflection would be insufficient. The timing of the interception is crucial in the response decision process and depends on the threat's detection time. If there is time for an interception, then a space-based response is possible; if not, then the only solution is to evacuate the impact location. [6]
A. Space-based responses Space-based response strategies to threatening NEOs can be summarized as follows:
The selection of the best option depends on the time available for action and the diameter (size) of the NEO. The effects of a large blast near a NEO depend not only on the NEO's mass but also on its composition and structure. For rubble-pile asteroidsloose aggregations of rock, presumably the result of a collisiondeflection is impractical. In cases where deflection is desired, nuclear blasts should not be triggered too close to the NEO to avoid its fragmentation. When NEOs are too large for nuclear destruction or deflection, the billiards shot option is theoretically possible but remains uncertain in terms of accuracy and technical feasibility. In this option, a small NEO's orbit is changed in order to achieve a collision with the (larger) NEO on a collision course with Earth. This method could deflect even 10-km-class NEOs. [6]
Particular scenarios or specifics concerning the above space-based response strategies are discussed and/or considered below. Focus is placed mainly on threatening near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). Near-Earth asteroids, a subset of the NEOs, are asteroids whose orbit intersects Earth's orbit and which may therefore pose a collision danger, as well as being most easily accessible for spacecraft from Earth. [NEA Information]
1. Non-nuclear and kinetic deflection concepts
A. Mirror Ablation approach One method of deflecting Earth-threatening asteroids uses a solar collector that focuses sunlight on the surface of the asteroid. This strongly heats a small spot, and vaporizes enough material so that the thrust from the expanding jet of gas and dust can, over a period of years, divert the asteroid. The primary difficulty with this scheme is the danger of fouling of the last optical element in the system by evaporated material. Overall, this scheme does not involve a large extension of present technology. It is effective on comets, the orbits of which are perturbed by forces generated in reaction to the jets of gas and dust that emanate from their surfaces during passage through the inner solar system [16, 17, 18].
Asteroids, by definition, do not emit such jets, and their orbits are therefore much more predictable than those of comets.However, if some means were found to create such comet-like jets even on asteroids, the thrust of these jets could be used to steer a threatening asteroid out of a collision course with the Earth. This is the basic idea behind the Mirror Ablation approach, shown in Figure 2. Sunlight, freely available in space, could be concentrated on the surface of the asteroid, just as a burning glass can raise the temperature of wood and leaves on the Earth's surface to the ignition point. If the sunlight is sufficiently concentrated, even the surfaces of rocky asteroids may become hot enough to evaporate and develop a steady thrust that will, over time, impart a velocity increment sufficient to avert a collision with the Earth. [Note 2] [8]
B. Kinetic energy (KE) projectile
This asteroid deflection technique is based on a fictitious threat scenario. The mission objective is to prevent the collision of the virtual 200-meter binary asteroid Athos with Earth on February 29, 2016. The detection date of the asteroid is assumed to be February 22, 2005, which gives a short span from the time of detection to the launch date of the deflection spacecraft. The technique is based on the momentum transfer from an impacting spacecraft on the hazardous object. The impacting process coincides with the ejection of crater material, where the total momentum change of the target object is the momentum of the escaping ejecta plus the momentum carried with the projectile. For nonporous targets the ratio between ejecta momentum and projectile momentum can be as large as 13, whereas for porous targets this could be decreased to 0.2, yielding a momentum enhancement factor of 14 and 1.2, respectively. [23] In this particular scenario a momentum enhancement factor of 3 is assumed, which was deduced from the physical properties of Athos and experimental factors for analogous materials. [Note 3] A state-of-the-art launch system arsenal is thus envisioned that comprises two rockets, which could both be used for KE interaction. These are the American Delta IV Heavy and the European Ariane 5 capable of launching 12.4 and 12 tons (planned for 2006) into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), respectively. A KE mission opportunity is identified, which maximizes the product of spacecraft mass and relative velocity (in Athos' direction of flight) when impacting on Athos in April 2012. The launch from GTO is scheduled for December 27, 2011.
A velocity change of 787 m/s, applied during perigee passage, is required to get onto an interplanetary orbit. After a low-demanding deep space maneuver (4 m/s) the spacecraft swings by Earth on February 15, 2012. This gravity assist from Earth enables the high energy impact with Athos on April 5, 2012. [Note 4] Since launch systems cannot be started within short intervals, the spacecraft are to be launched into geostationary transfer parking orbits, beginning one year in advance of interplanetary transfer to Athos. Last, but not least, it has to be ensured that the projectile shelling will not cause fragmentation of Athos into large boulders that possibly remain on collision course with Earth. The technology readiness level of KE projectiles has been evaluated as high, and no technological problems are expected. Possible development efforts could deal with the shape and composition of a KE spacecraft. [9]
2. Nuclear Deflection Concept - An asteroid interceptor
In one particular study a conceptual design was developed for an asteroid interceptor vehicle using a nuclear explosive. [10] The proposed target for this mission is the 200-m asteroid threat object Athos (see above). The proposed interceptor's basic functions include locating the NEO, delivering a nuclear device to it, exploding the nuclear device at the appropriate time/location, and verifying the system's performance. In order to reduce interceptor propellant requirements, a direct intercept approach, rather than a rendezvous approach, was chosen in this scenario. Direct intercept permits the use of a relatively large nuclear device, but places severe constraints on the intercept conditions and affects the potential accuracy of weapon delivery. This study limited the interceptor launch to existing vehicles in order to enable a near-term deployment. An overall mission objective is to provide opportunities for multiple shots, if necessary, which implies that it would be useful to verify the performance of each shot to determine if another shot is required. For this reason, it was decided to provide a separate cruise stage on the interceptor for the purpose of sensing the NEO and the kill vehicle that carries the nuclear weapon, and relaying observations back to Earth. Other reasons for including the cruise stage are a desire to lighten the kill vehicle and the possible use of cooperative target tracking between the cruise stage and kill vehicle.
The proposed interceptor consists of a cruise stage and a kill-vehicle stage. The function of the cruise stage is to perform spacecraft housekeeping for the interceptor during transit, relay data to and from the kill vehicle during endgame, and verify system performance during and shortly after intercept. The function of the kill-vehicle stage is to deliver the weapon to the desired target point and detonate. A mass goal for the entire interceptor stack of 6000 kg is based on the launch vehicle capacity for a Delta IV Heavy and the intercept trajectory requirements. Conceptual mass estimates for both interceptor stages were developed using the spreadsheet-based Aerospace Concurrent Engineering Model (CEM). [19] This model utilizes historical spacecraft design relations and basic physical principles to parametrically estimate space vehicle mass.
Payload capacity for the nuclear device was estimated by systematically increasing the weapon mass until a launch mass limit of 6000 kg was reached for the entire launch stack. Based on the analysis, the estimated weapon capacity for the proposed conceptual design is 1500 kg or an approximately 1.9 megaton yield with a warhead optimized for neutron emission. [20] High neutron emission enables maximum momentum transfer to the NEO target. [10]
3. Nuclear Destruction Concept - Nuclear fragmentation
The equations used to model the catastrophic fragmentation of a near-Earth solid body asteroid derive from the work of Thomas J. Ahrens, California Institute of Technology, and Alan W. Harris, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, [21] based on the assumption that an explosive device is placed deep enough below the asteroid's surface to produce near-optimum fragmentation. The location for optimum fragmentation is generally considered to be the target object's geometric center.
This assumes ideal destruction conditions, namely, (1) the asteroid is a perfectly spherical homogeneous structure, (2) the explosive charge is placed at the exact geometric center, and (3) the explosion fractures the target body into pieces no larger than 10 meters in diameter. Although open to debate, it is generally assumed that fragments of this size would be much less likely than the original body to survive entry through Earth's atmosphere. Even if any fragments did reach the ground, the impact of these relatively small objects, spread over a large area, would be less damaging from a global point of view than a single massive asteroid strike.
Asteroids greater than 2 km in diameter would be considered catastrophic to the Earth. Unfortunately, there are currently no existing nuclear devices that could catastrophically fragment an asteroid greater than 2 km in diameter.
One idea considered to place an explosive device at the geometric center of an asteroid that can be destroyed (those about less than 2 km in diameter) of the target body is to use the same technology that is found in the " long-rod bunker buster" ordinance that the U.S. military employs against underground facilities. This idea has the advantage of not requiring a delta-v breaking maneuver to rendezvous with and "soft" land on the target. Instead the outbound kinetic energy is used to bury the device to the optimum depth. It is assumed that the explosive device can be successfully delivered kinetically to the "center" of a 200 m diameter asteroid; anything larger may require the use of some sort of drilling or auger device.
4. Mass Driver Concept - The Modular/Swarm Architecture
A modular architecture of smaller devices can provide the means to build up defensive capability immediately while allowing for system improvements and modifications over time. An approach conceptualized by SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI, Atlanta, Georgia) is to subtly change the orbit of a potential impactor far from the point of impact. Mass drivers landed on the impactor will be used to eject small pieces of the asteroid's own mass to gradually affect its velocity. SEI advocates the use of multiple, "small" lander spacecraft to provide a modular, scalable, and rapid response to planetary defense.
Their solution consists of hundreds or thousands of identical spacecraft that will intercept the target body and conduct mass driver/ejector operations to perturb the target body's trajectory to the point where an impact with Earth can be avoided. In the nominal configuration, each spacecraft will be independently controlled and powered, but will work in loose coordination with other members of the network. The spacecraft will be nuclear powered, possibly pre-deployed outside of low Earth orbit (LEO) (likely an Earth-Moon or Earth-Sun libration point), and be capable of using chemical propulsive boost to rapidly intercept an incoming target. Upon arrival, each spacecraft will begin to eject small amounts of mass from the asteroid that will, over time, slightly change target's heliocentric (Sun-centered) orbit so that impact is avoided. SEI's modular approach offers the unique advantages of overall mission reliability through massive redundancy, economies-of-scale during spacecraft production, flexible and practical launch and transfer to an on-orbit pre-deployment location, a tailorable response depending on the size and nature of the incoming threat, and the production of only small bits of ejecta that will not independently survive Earth atmospheric entry. Trade studies conducted by SEI have assumed that the launch rail that will eject the mined mass from the impactor (asteroid) should be as long as reasonable, but launch packaging and stiffness considerations will limit it to no more than 10 meters. As the launch velocity increases for a given shot mass, the mass driver power increases in a cubic fashion, thus driving up the size and mass of the mass driver capacitor units. The energy (or work) used to accelerate the ejecta increases proportional to the square of the launch velocity, thus requiring a larger spacecraft power supply (or alternately a longer cycle time between shots) to recharge the capacitor units. The compressive force on the lander and rail increases relative to the square of the launch velocity. The downward force will benefit the mining process to some degree, but an excessive compressive load would require a massive lander structure and thus exacerbate the launch and deployment problem for the spacecraft.
Based on these results, SEI has established a working baseline of a 10-meter launch rail, 0.5-kg ejecta mass per shot, and a launch velocity of 1000 m/s (well within the capability of today's rail launchers). For this configuration, the ejecta will undergo an acceleration of almost 5100 Earth g's (gravitational acceleration) for a period of 0.02 seconds, which means a mass driver power of 12.5 megawatts per shot. [11]
5. Billiards Shot Concept - Artemis target
The billiards shot strategy consists in deflecting a smaller asteroid (the striker) so that it impacts and destroys the threatening asteroid before the predicted collision with Earth. The Artemis asteroid is considered here, which is 119.1 km in diameter, and has the potential of striking Earth in 2033. The kinetic energy of a small striker is more powerful than nuclear weapons for the destruction of big NEOs. Ten tons of nuclear energy is roughly equivalent to 10,000 kilotons of TNT. A 100 meters large asteroid weighs approximately 1 megaton. If the relative velocity at impact is 20 km/s, the kinetic energy is about 100,000 kilotons of TNT, which is 10 times more than the energy of a strong nuclear blast. Asteroids as small as 100 meters in diameter, therefore, could be used for a billiards shot. In the case of Artemis, a 100-meter diameter asteroid is sufficient. Considering a plane change maneuver to match Artemis's orbital plane, followed by a modification of the semi-major axis, it has been shown that the 1999 VK12 is the best striker of the billiards shot against Artemis. The closest encounter occurs in April 2027. [Note 5] Theoretically, the billiards shot option is cheap in terms of energy; however the feasibility of the maneuver has yet to be checked. In terms of energy, it could sometimes be easier to deflect a small striker and to put it on a collision course with a big target asteroid than to deflect the latter in order to avoid the collision with our planet. In the case of Artemis, however, the data are not ideal.
In general, in order to deflect the striker, numerous nuclear blasts have to be triggered close to it. The striker asteroid should be able to resist the numerous blasts. It should not be a rubble pile or a friable asteroid. Since the composition of a potential striker is usually unknown, a specific mission should be designed to assess its ability to play the striker role. Complementary studies remain to be performed to assess astronautic capabilities and to examine the billiards shot without exact matching of the planes. However, in the case of a real threat, the billiards shot could be the only option that allows deflection or destruction of a large NEO (greater than 10 km) at relatively short notice. [12]
The selection of the best of the above five options depends on the time available for action and the diameter of the NEO. For space-based responses, the key parameter is the action time, which is as a function of the warning time and orbital parameters. Figure 4 is a graph showing space-based responses. [6]
B. Earth-Based Responses
Of course, if a successful interception, destruction, or mass reduction to a safe level of the threatening near Earth object is impossible due to lack of time or incapability, then Earth based responses are the only recourse. Earth-based responses can be divided into two groups depending on the NEO disaster: (1) relocation of the endangered populations, and (2) sanctuary in appropriate shelters. If the likelihood of a NEO impact with a particular region of the Earth is established, the most obvious step is to plan the evacuation of the population from that zone. Currently there are very few procedures for coping with this problem, and none at an international level. The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is yet to recognize the NEO threat, although it has procedures to deal with large-scale disasters on an international level. [22] Furthermore there is no internationally agreed link in the NEO detection community between who would give the warning of an impact and these disaster response authorities. Thus, the time delay between confirmation of a detection and the official decision makers in government learning of the threat is probably on the order of days or weeks. The construction of shelters to protect the population is a last resort that would have to be attempted in desperate cases. Even in the other cases, in which a space mission is the main response option, a shelter plan would still need to be developed as a contingency. [6]
1. Evacuation and relocation
The term evacuation encompasses all emergency efforts to move people from the area prior to an impact. Depending on the impact's size, the time scale for evacuations would be hours to weeks. The concept of relocation refers to a broader effort to save not only humans but wildlife, cultural heritage, etc., and to establish a temporary or permanent habitat for them. The time scale for relocation is assumed to be enough for planning (weeks to decades). [6]
2. Shelters
The 'Shelter' response category refers to any attempts to provide protection from the effects of a NEO impact on Earth. Depending on the size of the NEO, there may be 'Long-Term' or 'Short-Term' sheltering. Long-term shelters are envisioned to sustain human life on Earth after a large impact has substantially changed the atmosphere and climate. This is in some ways analogous to attempts at supporting human life on other planets. Short-term shelters encompass all attempts to mitigate against the direct effects of the NEO's impact, such as a blast wave, earthquakes, etc. [6]
IV. Conclusion
It is extremely unlikely that Earth will be hit by a very large asteroid (size above 1 km) that would cause global destruction, but chances are much larger for impact with lesser asteroids (100 m or so in size) that would cause a local catastrophe. A sudden unpredicted impact may be the most probable scenario due to a currently incomplete NEOs survey. In terms of risk analysis, the main uncertainty comes from the incomplete knowledge of the number, size distribution and orbital parameters of the NEO population. The natural hazard of NEO impact could be mitigated by adequate advance action. Responding to the varying magnitudes of NEO threats involves a very broad range of disciplines and makes the planning for NEO responses a complex task. However, Earth-based responses to NEO threats can take advantage of existing natural disaster mitigation strategies applied to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, etc. The magnitude of a NEO catastrophe could be much higher, ranging from a regional to a continental to a global scale, whereas traditional natural disaster consequences range from local to regional scales. A major step in assessing any NEO hazard is to identify the threatening object and to characterize it, either by Earth or space-based observing facilities, long enough before the possible impact to design and operate mitigation missions. Most attention to the NEO threat is currently focused on the detection issue, and the NEO response work has been almost exclusively on technology studies of possible space-based strategies. However, the problem of mitigating the effects of a large Earth-impact having large regional or even global consequences, and adapting international laws related to the choice and management of NEO response missions, needs to be tackled. [6] Given the fact that Earth encounters with near-Earth asteroids as early as 2027 or 2033 (see above) are possible, the window of opportunity for planning and organizing for such a possibility grows narrower with each passing year. In reality, we really don't know with absolute certainty when the next large asteroid (on the order of that of the K-T impact) will strike Earth. Therefore, the time to start preparing is always now.
In a paper delivered at the 2004 Planetary Defense Conference, R. Dale Brownfield of the Gaiashield Group stated:
Any Global Strategic Planetary Defense Policy on this issue must be firmly anchored in a clear and unmitigated assessment of the threat, an acute awareness of our current collective inability to reliably deal with it and a full appreciation of the magnitude of the loss when we do not. Any rational policy must appreciate that until we have deployed an effective planetary defense and mitigated this threat, TNLA [The Next Large Asteroid on its way to strike Earth] is a dire Clear and Present Danger for the whole world. That this is not just another partisan campaign issue but a new status quo for mankind requiring administration by an agency as autonomous and immune to the vagaries of economics and politics as is possible - a global human martial authority. In this arena the Mission must dictate the Policy� not the other way around. Statecraft, Economics and to some degree even Science must take a backseat to the demands of Planetary Defense. [13]


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For this 3rd time of our doubles, @chourique and me decided to make this cool photos with his cold cold Rusian winter and Colombia's eternal summer :) Hope you like it !
This photo was shot on film. Taken by kathepalacio with a Lomography Fisheye One (available in our Online Shop) loaded with Fuji Provia 100F 35mm film in Colombia. These tags describe this photo: ocean, cartagena, guajira, ball, sea, snow, beach, fisheye, colombia, russia, doubles, chourique, kathepalacio, cross, fuji, summer, and winter. Date: 2013-03. This photo can also be found in the album Winter-Summer / Russia-Colombia / Doubles with @chourique!! .Please login to get more out of this site
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Liking photos helps us to present the best ones to you and others. 20 people like this photo. 20 people like this photo: lucaro, mapix, atria007, landei, clownshoes, adash, tere, gatokinetik-o, sobetion, he-mo, le_ors, goonies, ophelia, mafiosa, retrocali, ohlordy, adi_totp, rik041, kibs, and chourique.
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and @chourique wonderful!
@kibs I think so)


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Bal Thackeray: godfather of nativists in India's most cosmopolitan city
In death as in life, Bal Thackeray divided Mumbai. Mumbaikars shuttered shops fearing violence, while hundreds of thousands thronged the funeral today of the Shiv Sena founder.
Rafiq Maqbool/AP
New Delhi
The funeral of Bal Thackeray, a nativist leader who dominated the politics of Mumbai, has brought the city of nearly 20 million to a standstill. Shops widows are shuttered, movie theaters closed, and people across the metropolis are staying in their homes. But not everything is closing down out of respect: Many in Mumbai feel they have been forced into mourning.
In life, Mr. Thackeray deployed volunteers of his right-wing Shiv Sena party as "Hindu warriors," intimidating opponents and at times stirring up communal tensions. In 1992, he called on his volunteers to join a wider right-wing Hindu effort to demolish the historic Babri Mosque, an incident that touched off deadly religious riots. At times, he argued Hindus needed suicide bombers to counter Islamic terrorism. Believed too powerful to be challenged, he was never prosecuted for any of the violent episodes involving the Shiv Sena. Over the years, he railed against non-Indian traditions like Valentine's Day, the revival of cricket matches between India and Pakistan, and the prevalence of non-local actors in Bollywood movies.
Upon his death from a heart attack Saturday, the city immediately began shutting down out of concern that violence would erupt and 48,000 police officers were put on high alert.
"The power Bal Thackeray and the Shiv Sena wield across Mumbai is not about people's support of the party as much as it's about blackmail," says a Mumbai-based Bollywood actor, who is Hindu and asked to remain anonymous for fear of violent repercussions. "If people did not shut their shops or went on the streets they would likely be attacked by Sena members. The party has been able to create a fear psychosis. If people do not give reverence to them and do what they say they have the ability to mobilize people to hurt you."


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Selected originals (offcuts, selected scenes, out-takes, rushes) for story "The Lord Mayor's Show" 67/92.
Contains some material not used in the newsreel story.
Various shots Lord Mayor's Show carnival parade in London. We see someone writing "Pathe News" on side of inflatable on one of the floats. Various shots crowds waving flags. Various shots of Lord Mayor putting on robes, in carriage. Pike Men and other dignitaries in ceremonial robes also seen. M/S buglers on horseback. Various shots of dome covered in scaffolding - could be Old Bailey law courts. More shots crowds. Sailors and Wrens of Royal Navy marching in parade. Choir boys on steps of St. Paul's cathedral. More general shots parade, Lord Mayor's coach and crowds - mostly same as before. M/S film star Dick Van Dyke driving the car from film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" in the parade.
Colour item.


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Merge Studio and Gallery Birthday Party – Oxford, Michigan Art Studio
Experience a unique and artistic style of birthday party at Merge Studio & Gallery in Oxford, Michigan! Let Merge Studio in Oxford host your child's next birthday celebration. Merge Studio & Gallery will take care of all the creative activities and can accommodate up to 20 kids in the heart of the studio.
Parties at Merge Studio & Gallery include one piece of bisque ware to paint and craft to start off the festivities. The cost is $12 per child with a non-refundable reservation fee of $25.
The birthday party options do not end with ceramics. Merge Studio & Gallery also offers the choice of painting on canvas for an additional charge. With this option, children will be guided step-by-step by an instructor in creating a painting ready to take home with them immediately.
Merge Studio & Gallery also supplies the invitations, plates, cutlery, glasses, and napkins. Balloons are optional with an additional $25 fee along with a decorated plate for the guests to sign, also an additional $25. The plate is hand painted with your choice or party theme and makes a memorable souvenir. Reservations are accepted any day of the week with the time being negotiable and not restricted to business hours. Merge Studio & Gallery does not offer catering but food and cake can be worked into the party schedule.
Set up your party planning appointment by calling Merge Studio & Gallery at 248-572-6211 or email Merge Studio & Gallery at firstname.lastname@example.com
Merge Studio & Gallery
18 N. Washington
Downtown Oxford, Michigan
See related posts below or our OAKLAND COUNTY/BIRTHDAY PARTIES tab for more Oakland County and Metro Detroit birthday party places and packages. Contact us at 248-852-4442 to be listed in our Birthday Party Directory.


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City Tech students: come to the library and learn research strategies to help you complete your college assignments better and faster!
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Maura Smale is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Information Literacy and Library Instruction at City Tech.
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I'd love to see photos of rooms painted with Citron paint. I'd really love to see cashmere sweater, cool sheets, steamy romance, or paprika in particular. |
Follow-Up Postings:
helaina ~ I love full spectrum paint. I use and specify Ellen Kennon and Citron. The Citron clients that I have had have been long distance so I don't have pictures. I did notice that CJ updated her website and her scrapbook has many new photos in it. So here's the link, maybe that will help you out some. FWIW, I have the entire set of the paint pots and have painted out boards of steamy romance and paprika. They are stunning and I encourage you to get the paint pots to see for yourself. Just for fun, I painted out Mr. Darcy and Fedora - love those too. I had to do a project for a class I'm taking and used Jasper and Treehouse for the wall colors. I painted out sample boards for the presentation and EVERYONE had to touch those boards. Jasper is golden and warm and Treehouse is a warm, rich olive. So pretty and so much fun. Good luck, |
Here is a link that might be useful: CJ's updated website
Bumping up all these paint color posts to keep them from getting knocked off by advice posts that don't belong in the gallery. |
- Posted by citronistaaiddecamp (My Page) on Sat, Feb 2, 08 at 10:59
I work at Citron Paint and Interiors. Did you ever see any pics? If not, I can try to find some. |
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Raid Warnings
Moderators: Fridmarr, Worldie, Aergis, _Chloe
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Raid Warnings
Alright, sorry about this but i am at my wits' end. My raid warnings no longer come up large in the center of my screen and I haven't changed any mods in quite some time. I still get them in my chat log, but not the big ones in the middle of the screen. I would really kind of like to have them back, especially for fights like Kael'Thas when Thaladred may be walking towards me to slap me with his []D[][]V[][]D cane and whatnot. For reference, I use X-perl, Deadly BossMods and oRa2 among some other mods, but those seem most likely to be causing the problem. I have neither added nor deleted any mods but when I disable my UI mods, nothing seems to change. Any ideas?
- Suwtoo
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:16 am
- Location: Kargath, being ret :)
Check in your oRa2 if you have disabled the RaidWarnings and if you have enabled the BossBlock.
theckhd wrote:Fuck no, we've seen what you do to guilds. Just imagine what you could do to an entire country. Just visiting the US might be enough to make the southern states try to secede again.
halabar wrote:Noo.. you don't realize the problem. Worldie was to negative guild breaking energy like Bolvar is to the Scourge. If Worldie is removed, than someone must pick up that mantle, otherwise that negative guild breaking energy will run rampant, destroying all the servers.
Worldie - Global Mod
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- Location: Italy
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Meryl Streep, who played Rachel in Heartburn, portrays Child in Julie & Julia. The iconic chef was a Smith graduate who worked for the OSS, and did not find her true calling until her husband's job landed them in Paris in 1949. Ten years went by before her famous cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, found a publisher. Julie Powell (Amy Adams), unable to sell her first novel, decided to tackle Child's 524 recipes in 365 days; her blog about the project led to a book deal. Ephron skillfully shifts from Julia in 1950s Paris to Julie in present-day Queens, the first a middle-aged married woman whose brains and sensuality changed the way America cooked, and the second a resolute young wife whose undertaking inspired thousands of readers to rediscover Julia Child and French cooking.
The film follows the two protagonists through their travails—in Julie's case, cooking while holding down a day job, and in Julia's, the long road to completing the cookbook when Paul Child's (Stanley Tucci) job led them to other European cities. Julia, a stickler for professionalism, also attended Le Cordon Bleu, the ultimate French culinary school. Not surprisingly, she encountered resentment—for being a woman and for not being French. Then, after nearly a decade of writing and testing recipes with her two French co-authors, Houghton Mifflin, who had originally accepted the cookbook, said they couldn't publish it. Julie and her husband separated, briefly, over her cooking project, while Julia's marriage flourished: Paul Child, an artist and poet, worked on Julia's cookbook and later produced her TV show.
A wonderful score by Alexandre Desplat ( The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) adds gravitas to Ephron's perfectly calibrated comedy. Production designer Mark Ricker's excellent use of color highlights the contrast in the two women's circumstances—Child's surroundings were lush and Powell's were modest—and cues the audience to the shifts in time and location. Like all of Ephron's films, Julie & Julia has that unmistakable Hollywood sheen, in part because of cinematographer Stephen Goldblatt's ( Charlie Wilson's War) classic framing and flawless lighting. Richard Marks brings it all together with an ingenious picture edit that includes many clever ellipses in the transitions from Paris to Queens. The talent of Oscar-winning costume designer Ann Roth, who was Ephron's collaborator on Heartburn, is especially evident in the clothes that so imaginatively define Julia and her French co-authors.
Ephron's character-driven narratives rely on good acting, and Streep is luminous. Especially memorable are the scenes set in the kitchens of Le Cordon Bleu, from which Child graduated—although not before twice failing her final exams. Tucci is equally good as Paul Child: It's a role that is perfectly suited to the actor's natural warmth and intelligence. The couple's letters home, heard in voice-over, provide a touching foundation to Ephron's portrayal of Child. Adams, who played opposite Streep in Doubt, where she earned her second Oscar nomination, is very good as Julie, although the real Julie, a sassy Texan, remarked on her blog how odd it was to see such a cleaned-up version of herself. Chris Messina ( Vicky Cristina Barcelona), in a thankless role as Julie's husband, is the only lead to turn in a bland performance.
Ephron's gift for endearing female characters lies in her portrayal of women as uniquely creative individuals: They emerge transformed after the shock of infidelity as Rachel does in Heartburn; they embrace unexpected love affairs like the protagonists of Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail; and when they're on the verge of relinquishing their identity, like Isabel in Bewitched, they instead discover a new way to inhabit it. In Julie & Julia, that talent for reinvention is made apparent in women who are at very different phases of their lives: Julie Powell was in her late 20s when she began the blog that sparked her writing career, and Julia Child was nearly 40 when she finally graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. We're reminded in this film of the ways in which older women inspire young women, and the vitality which young women like Julie Powell offer women Ephron's age. In fact, Julie & Julia is a testament to the continuing circle of feminine renewal.


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My Name is Khan becomes biggest Bollywood opener in the UAE
February 18, 2010 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under News
As per The National, the new Bollywood movie 'My Name is Khan' has become the best Bollywood opener for the UAE selling over 135,000 tickets in the first four days. The movie stars the Superstar Shah Rukh Khan and plays on the background of Muslims that are not terrorists post a 9-11 US. Directed by Karan Johar, the movie also stars Kajol and had its world premiere at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
Muslim Super Heroes Come to Life
December 5, 2009 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under Animation, News
The 99 by Kuwait based teshkeel group has existed in comic books for some time now but get ready to check them out in animation. Currently, there are twenty-six episodes in production but if things go right, and I dont see any reason why they shouldn't, expect more episodes and possibly a ninety-minute Television Special and theatrical release as early as spring 2010. Below is a the preview that was presented recently to the world's television decision makers at the MIPCOM Convention in Cannes, France.
Comic-Con 2009 Starts today
July 23, 2009 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under News
Comic-Con International has become the biggest gathering in the world for fans of comic books, movies, TV and video games. Lot of anticipated releases are showcased and this year will be no different with Iron Man 2, Alice in Wonderland and District 9 leading the pack. Check out their program guide here
Shutter Island Poster Revealed
July 23, 2009 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under News
There is no denying that Martin Scorsese likes working with Leonardo DiCaprio. After the successes of The Departed, The Aviator
and Gangs of New York, the actor/director pair are back again this October in Shutter Island whose poster was released today. Just looking at it gives me the goosebumps!
Richard Kelly's The Box
July 20, 2009 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under News
The film is set in Richmond, Virginia in the year 1976. One night, a financially strapped, married couple (Diaz and Marsden) receive a box containing a button. The next morning a mysterious disfigured stranger (Frank Langella), tells them that pushing the button on the box will have two consequences. First someone in the world, whom they don't know will die. And second they will receive $1,000,000.
Quite an interesting premise I'd say. How many time would YOU press the button
Will Downey do it again with Sherlock?
July 16, 2009 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under News
If you were to ask me about Iron Man early last year, I would've probably said that yeah, its somewhere down on my list of movies to watch. Needless to say, the movie gained the "Must Watch" status last summer and Robert Downey Jr. was brilliant to say the least. Could he re-create the same magic later this year with Sherlock Holmes? The new trailer released at Yahoo certainly seems to suggest that. Check it out
From Paris with Love Poster
June 25, 2009 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under News
Now this looks like a cool poster
Oscars to nominate 10 movies for best picture this year
June 25, 2009 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under News
In a move designed to let more movies share in the limelight that surrounds the contenders for Hollywood's top award, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday announced a rule change that doubles the number of movies that will be welcomed into the best picture category.
Academy president Sid Ganis characterized the move as a "return to the past" when the Academy regularly spread its largesse out among 10 — and sometimes even more — best picture nominees. Read more
Katherine Heigl to star in "Life as we know it"
June 24, 2009 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under News
"Grey's Anatomy" star will headline "Life As We Know It," a drama about two single people who suddenly become caregivers to an orphaned girl after the parents, their mutual best friends, are killed in an accident.
The project, which has been kicking around Hollywood since at least 2001, will be directed for Warner Bros. by "Everwood" creator Greg Berlanti. No start date is set.
2012 Today
June 18, 2009 by Abbas Jaffar Ali
Filed under News
Roland Emmerich's next Sci-Fi is about to hit the trailers today. The director who loves destruction as seen in Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow is basing his new movie on various interesting works such as the Mayan Calendar that ends in 21/12/2012, the intersection of the twelve Zodiac constellations with the Dark Rift as predicted by Astrologers and the fact that NASA is predicting strong solar activity in 2012 with evidence that the magnetic poles are slowly weakening.
I don't know about you but I am definitely interested in checking out his upcoming flick scheduled for later this year. It stars John Cussack, Danny Glover, Thandie Netwon and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Make sure you check back later today for the Trailer.


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A 20-year-old man is free on bond and awaiting trial in two jurisdictions, after being accused of causing two traffic crashes over a five-day period in Naperville and Aurora, both times while under the influence of narcotics.
Plainfield resident Adrian A. Olvera faces trial in Kane County Circuit Court and DuPage County Circuit Court on charges of driving under the influence of drugs, according to court records.
Olvera was arrested June 3 in Aurora and June 7 in Naperville. He allegedly caused two crashes, including one in which his girlfriend and another woman suffered minor injuries.
City of Aurora spokesman Dan Ferrelli confirmed the first incident occurred at 7:43 p.m. June 3 at Bilter Road and Farnsworth Avenue. Olvera at the time was driving a silver, 2011 Dodge Ram and in the company of two passengers, Ferrelli said.
Olvera was northbound on Farnsworth Avenue when he attempted to make a U-turn in the intersection. Ferrelli said he "ended up hitting a curb, lost control of his vehicle and hit the driver-side door" of a 2013 Honda CRV being driven by a 47-year-old woman from St. Charles, who had been traveling behind him.
Ferrelli said Olvera "then allegedly pulled into a parking lot, where he and his two passengers — a 26-year-old female from Oak Brook and a 55-year-old male from Plainfield — fled into an open field."
When police arrived at the scene, the Honda driver "pointed out the trio in the open field, and they were quickly taken into custody without incident," Ferrelli said.
The St. Charles woman and Olvera's girlfriend were slightly injured in the crash, and were treated on the scene by paramedics, Ferrelli said. Olvera and his male passenger refused medical treatment, he said.
Police charged Olvera with DUI, failure to provide information following a traffic accident, leaving the scene of a property damage crash, driving without insurance and improper lane use.
Olvera was driving the same Dodge Ram at 6:57 p.m. June 7, when he allegedly hit a silver, 2000 Honda Accord IL near 75th Street and Route 59 on Naperville's far west side.
Naperville police Sgt. Bill Davis said officers found the two vehicles just north of that intersection, in a private driveway on the 2900 block of Audrey Avenue.
Witnesses told police they saw the Ram "make a quick, right turn from the middle lane of South Route 59, cut across the outside lane and (go) into the entrance access private drive," Davis wrote in an email. Olvera "appeared to take the turn too sharply" and crashed into the Accord, damaging its left front side, Davis wrote. There were no injuries.
Police found a pipe inside the Ram "that had the strong odor of burnt cannabis," Davis said. "Further investigation revealed that Olvera had smoked cannabis earlier, prior to driving, (and) also displayed signs of intoxication."
Davis said Olvera in that case was charged with driving under the influence of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An examination of documents on file in Will County Circuit Court in Joliet revealed Olvera was ticketed in 2008 and last year for shoplifting. He is scheduled to appear Wednesday in court in connection with the Aurora crash and on July 8 in the Naperville case.
Tags: Police Blotter


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Early farmer's market starts June 7
The Good Earth Market, 3024 Second Ave. N., will host an early season Farmers Market June 7, 14, 21 and 28 in the parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon.
Local producers of the Good Earth Market will have tables set up with their products to sell directly to the customer. The early farmers market will feature goat sausage and pork, beef and bison meat, fresh produce and other local foods.
Artwork will also be on display and for sale.


text: Mindfunk was an interesting and innovative American alternative hard rock band that emerged in the late 80's. They released three albums, the last one in 1995, before disbanding. Their albums remain amongst the best kept secrets in hard rock, with sounds ranging from funk to grunge and preceding the whole stoner-rock underground movement. band history - trainspotter info - my other pages


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