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Posted: February 15, 2013
The winner and six runners-up for our Team Titleist personalised new 2013 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls sweepstakes have been drawn from the fantastic number of entries we received!
The lucky winner was Leon Wagstaff from Delabole in Cornwall - Leon wins six dozen personalised 2013 Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf balls.
And in addition to our grand prize winner, six Team Titliest members win a runners-up prize of a dozen personalised new 2013 Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf balls. Those runners-up are:
Congratulations to our winner and runners-up! Don't forget, you will soon be able to get the new 2013 Pro V1 and Pro V1x from your Titleist retailer, delivering performance for every player!
To see what goes into delivering that performance, just click on the video below to find out how the new 2013 Pro V1 and Pro V1x are made:
Posted: February 13, 2013
Here at Titleist, we believe performance is for every player, every round, every shot.
More than 45,000 golfers around the world participated in the R&D testing process for the new 2013 Pro V1 and Pro V1x, each golfer receiving prototype golf balls and having the opportunity to report their feedback through Team Titleist.
So our Team Titleist colleagues in the US hit the road and met up with some Team Titleist members to capture some of their initial reactions as they got to take the new golf balls out for a test drive.
A few TT members even made the final cut for the television vignette which you can watch here.
PGA Professional Barry Evans (Berry Hills Country Club, Charleston, WV) found the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x to be another step forward for the #1 ball in golf.
"It's hard to improve on something that is the best on the market. Knowing Titleist, they've tweaked it to make it that much better."
Duncan found the improved performance of his new Pro V1 into greens to be a confidence builder: "It allows me to be a little bit more aggressive and trust my golf swing a little bit more."
Dan B. was impressed by the feel and control of his new Pro V1 on his scoring shots: "It will just allow me to be a better all around player. Because it's something I can trust."
Brian particularly enjoyed the improved durability of his new Pro V1x: "The cover is extremely durable. I hit wedge shots, and hit spinners, and had the golf ball hold up 18 holes. That's fantastic."
To hear more and see some of your fellow Team Titleist members and a few PGA Professionals, check out the video above.
Posted: February 11, 2013
Titleist is the #1 ball for more players and more champions across the worldwide professional tours. In fact, thus far in 2013, Titleist golf ball players have already recorded 9 victories around the world, compared to 4 for the nearest competitor. Since its introduction in 2000, the Pro V1 golf ball franchise has been the golf ball of choice for more than 1,900 champions worldwide.
Below is a listing of tournaments won by Titleist golf ball players on the major worldwide professional tours in 2013.
Titleist brand ambassadors and ball loyalists around the world endorsed the performance of the Titleist 2013 Pro V1 and Pro V1x at the weekend, as more and more put their trust in the new golf balls in tournament play.
European Tour: Titleist Brand Ambassadors George Coetzee (New 2013 Pro V1x, 913D3 driver, 909F2 fairway metal, 712U prototype 3-iron, CB/MB irons, Vokey Design SM4 wedges) and Ricardo Santos (New 2013 Pro V1x, 913D2 driver, 913Fd fairway metal, 910H hybrid, 712U prototype 3-4 irons, MB irons, Vokey Design SM4 wedges) tied for third place, along with Titleist golf ball loyalist Felipe Aguilar (New 2013 Pro V1x), at the Joburg Open trusting in the unmatched performance of the 2013 Pro V1x for their success.
Titleist ambassador Ricardo Santos continued his recent good form in SA
It marked the fourth consecutive top 10 finish for Coetzee and the second straight third place finish for Aguilar, while Santos closed with a 64, tying the best final round of the day.
2013 Pro V1x loyalist Felipe Aguilar waits to line up his putt at the Joburg Open
Titleist was the overwhelming ball of choice at the Joburg Open with 145 players (69%) from the field of 210 trusting in a Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf ball, more than six times the nearest competitor with 24. And of those 145 Titleist golf ball players, 66 put the new 2013 Pro V1 or Pro V1x ball into play.
PGA Tour: Three of the top five finishers at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am relied on Titleist golf balls for their success, including the runner up, and Titleist was the top choice in golf balls at the event with 102 players (65%), compared to the nearest competitor with 23.
Titleist golf ball loyalist James Hahn (Pro V1x) and Titleist Brand Ambassador Jimmy Walker (New 2013 Pro V1, 913D2 driver, 913 Fd fairway metals, MB irons, Vokey Design Spin Milled pitching, sand and lob wedges, Scotty Cameron Tour Rat prototype putter) were among three players who tied for third place.
Titleist ambassador Jimmy Walker splashes his 2013 Pro V1 golf ball out of a bunker at Pebble Beach
A total of 60 players chose to put their trust in the new 2013 Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf ball.
Champions Tour:
The winner of the Allianz Championship, playing in his first-ever event on the Champions Tour, was also playing the New 2013 Pro V1x golf ball for the first time in competition. He also became the first Champions Tour player to win with the new golf ball.
The winner shot an 11-under par round of 61 on Saturday to propel him into the lead, which he never surrendered en route to a 17-under 199 victory total. Tied for second place, two shots back, was Titleist Brand Ambassador Tom Pernice, Jr. (Pro V1x, 913D3 driver, 910F fairway metal, 910H hybrids, AP2 irons, Vokey Design wedges, Scotty Cameron Kombi putter) and Bernhard Langer (Pro V1), as Titleist golf ball loyalists occupied the first five positions on the leaderboard.
Titleist was the top choice in golf balls (59/73%) in the field of 81, more than seven times the nearest competitor with 8.
Posted: February 8, 2013
Last year we recorded a series of instruction tips and drills with Titleist ambassador and PGA professional Anders Mankert of Cosby Golf Club in Leicestershire. The videos proved very popular with Team Titleist members, so we took the opportunity to catch up with Anders to discuss how he combined his role as a teacher and a Titleist Advanced SureFit account.
What's your ethos in terms of instruction?
The main thing is simplicity – not over-complicating things. I get a lot of golfers through the door who have been filled with technique or mumbo-jumbo, so it's become very difficult to reproduce. My approach is to offer maybe one or two points per lesson, but frame those as part of a long term plan so there is structure – if we achieve step 1, we move onto step 2 and so on.
But you have to take into consideration the ability of the individual. There are certain principles of the golf swing, for example, that are common to all – but there are many ways to get there. For example, a 60 year old man won't hold the club, the same way as I hold the club, but there's a way for him to hold it that makes him play better and if he sees an improvement, he's happy.
I'm also fortunate enough to work with English Blind Golf and a lot of international blind tournament players. The teaching process is very different for those golfers – it's more about physically helping them to get into the right position and doing the moves with them, certainly more so than with a sighted golfer.
That just illustrates that there are different ways of teaching different players and ultimately you have to be able to identify which one of those ways will work best for that individual. The important thing is to be able to show a result, as that provides the encouragement for the golfer to continue working at their game.
And in respect of custom fitting?
To put my commitment to custom fitting into perspective, I could number the clubs that I sell off the shelf in one year on one hand. When you're looking to buy a set of clubs or an individual club, the act of buying it is almost as important as the product – the customer has to enjoy the process. Just like when you buy a car or a holiday, the process of buying is actually part of the experience.
I therefore put a lot of emphasis on ensuring that the fitting process is enjoyable and enlightening – the golfer must feel like they have had a positive experience. Part of that positive experience is actually getting on with the guy that is fitting you – if the golfer enjoys the experience, they will talk to their friends and golfing partners about how rewarding the fitting was.
But ultimately, the golfer has to walk away with the right equipment and feel like they have had value from the fitting. I am looking to build long-term relationships with my customers, so the experience and a commitment to customer service is the number one priority.
How does the Titleist SureFit system help you to deliver that experience?
What I like about it is that it gives us endless scope for different people and different abilities – but additionally, it makes a fantastic visual contribution to the custom fitting experience. It shows any golfer that there are hundreds of options for them, but that in conjunction with my ability to fit golfers it will enable me to get to the optimum fit for them.
I can show a golfer what different shafts will do in terms of flex, torque and weight and they can try them. We can absolutely demonstrate performance – the proof is there in the flight.
We can show that the product works and that means that the golfer walks away confident in what they have been fitted for and they are itching to tell their friends about the experience.
There's a lot of choice available today in terms of the components in a SureFit system, how do you as a custom fitter stay up to date with all of the performance differences?
It's just my responsibility to stay up to date with what's on the market and learn the performance difference – these are the tools of my trade. There are materials that Titleist provides and information is available online that enable me to fulfil my obligation to know the different characteristics of the components.
Having watched an individual swing their existing clubs, I can probably identify four shaft options fairly quickly, one of which will give the best results for that golfer. And the next customer that walks through the door may be choosing from four completely different options, but I have to be able to identify those and prove the performance advantage.
Other than the SureFit system, what are the tools of your custom fitting trade?
There are lots of great tools – launch monitors, video cameras and so on – but really there is no substitute for being able to watch and analyse the flight of the golf ball yourself. I like to work with the flight of the ball mainly, as it tells you what the club does – some people naturally hit the ball high, some low, some neutral and whilst a launch monitor can provide you with data on those launches, it shouldn't be used as a prescriptive device.
We do use a 3D Flightscope launch monitor and find that really enhances the overall golfer experience. It comes into its own particularly in gap fitting for wedges and shaft analysis for irons and metals. Keeping up to date with cutting edge technology is now expected by our customers at the fitting centre.
But ultimately, the fitting is a consultative process and if you, as a fitter, understand what the objectives of the golfer are, you can decide if any given flight is right for that individual. The key to a great fit for any standard of golfer is combining an understanding of the golf swing, which I have developed through my background in teaching, and a controlled use of the technology – making sure that the numbers are used to illustrate your recommendation, rather than making it for you.
And how important is golf ball fitting as part of the process of properly equipping the golfer to play the best that they can?
It's extremely important! I ask people every day "What type of golf ball do you play with?" and the results can be very different. It's up to people like me to educate my students and customers as to what a difference their golf ball selection can have on their game. Titleist's approach of fitting on performance, but taking into account preference, means that there is a Titleist golf ball for every golfer.
Golf ball fitting is the first step in giving golfers the total experience – from when they walk into the shop, to a lesson, to a custom club fitting – if you get the only piece of equipment you use for every single shot correct, the ball, then the rest of the interaction with the customer follows on in a logical manner.
What are the plans for the future for Anders Mankert?
We have established ourselves as a hub for coaching – with students travelling fairly extensively – and we are establishing ourselves as a centre for Titleist custom fitting. It's that combination of instruction and fitting that we see as creating opportunities going forward. We are very focused, as I've said, on making this an experience for golfers, one that they enjoy and want to tell their friends and golfing partners about.
You went to university in the USA and spent time there afterwards – what did you learn from that time?
Well, lots of things, but from a business perspective, I think that the concentration on customer service is really what has stayed with me and is what I have tried to instil in my business.
That starts with the call to the shop or the moment someone walks through the door, but it has to be seen right through the lesson, the fitting experience and especially to after sales. We always make sure that we contact the customer within three weeks of them receiving their clubs to see how they are getting on – people don't expect it and are delighted by the interest we are taking.
I genuinely believe that by helping golfers to become better – through instruction and custom fitting – I can help them enjoy the game more, which will only have a positive effect on bringing new golfers into the game!


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You are here: Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2012 / 07/28/12 'Write-A-Thon' Builds New Citizen-Centric City Website | ||||
'WRITE-A-THON' BUILDS NEW CITIZEN-CENTRIC CITY WEBSITE(July 28, 2012)—Mayor Peter Carlisle today joined City information technology professionals and citizen participants for a unique "Write-a-thon" to create content for the new Honolulu Answers website that provides easy-to-find information about the City and The new site is at http://answers.honolulu.gov . "Our new Honolulu Answers site is designed to be simple, resident-focused and easy to use," Today's event, sponsored by the City and nonprofit Code for America, brought participants together at The Greenhouse Innovation Hub in Kakaako to examine topics that people frequently seek information about when they call the City or search the City's main website, such as driver license renewals, camping permits, and garbage collection. The result is a comprehensive citizen-focused website that provides straightforward, non-technical answers like those a person would expect to receive from a friend or neighbor. Users can browse a variety of topics and type in questions or key words to receive answers. "My Code for The new site will be continually expanded and updated, and will be linked to additional sources of information. The sites will also soon be accessible on smart phones. "We have a wonderful community here in -30- Media contacts: Dept. of Information Technology Deputy Director Forest Frizzell, 768-7806; Lauren Reid, Code for |

subset: commoncrawl


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WATCH: Zach Sobiech's Touching Story
If you found out you only had a few months to live, what would you want to do with your last days?
When he was 14, Zach Sobiech found out he had a rare form of terminal cancer. His last wish was to make music and share it with the world. He wanted people to know that you don't have to find out you're dying, in order to start living. And he did just that.
Watch his amazing story:
Zach passed away on Monday. He was 17 years old.
Earlier this month, a celebrity video was put together to Zach's song "Clouds". It's clear that Zach touched so many lives:
To support the Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund and help find a cure for childhood cancer visit: www.childrenscancer.org/zach/


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Maxim healthcare services charged with fraud, agrees to pay approximately $150 million, enact reforms after false billings revealed as common practice
September 12, 2011 |
Nine, Including Senior Managers, Have Pleaded Guilty to Felony Charges for Related Conduct
NEWARK, N.J. – Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc. ("Maxim") – one of the nation's leading providers of home healthcare services – has entered into a settlement to resolve criminal and civil charges relating to a nationwide scheme to defraud Medicaid programs and the Veterans Affairs program of more than $61 million. J. Gilmore Childers, Acting New Jersey U.S. Attorney; Tony West, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice; Tom ODonnell, Special Agent in Charge of the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) region covering New Jersey; Michael B. Ward, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Newark Field Office; and Jeffrey Hughes, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General (VA OIG), Northeast Field Office, announced the developments today.
Maxim was charged today in a criminal Complaint with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and has entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement ("DPA") with the Department of Justice. The agreement will allow Maxim to avoid a health care fraud conviction on the charges if it complies with the DPA's requirements. As required by the DPA, which will expire in 24 months if the company meets all of its reform and compliance requirements, Maxim has agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $20 million and to pay approximately $130 million in civil settlements in the matter, including to settle federal False Claims Act claims.
To date, nine individuals – eight former Maxim employees, including three senior managers, and the parent of a former Maxim patient – have pleaded guilty to felony charges arising out of the submission of fraudulent billings to government health care programs, the creation of fraudulent documentation associated with government program billings, or false statements to government health care program officials regarding Maxim's activities.
The criminal Complaint accuses Maxim – a privately-held company based in Columbia, Md., with hundreds of offices throughout the United States – of submitting more than $61 million in fraudulent billings to government health care programs for services not rendered or otherwise not reimbursable. The investigation revealed that the submission of false bills to government health care programs was a common practice at Maxim from 2003 through 2009. During that time period, Maxim received more than $2 billion in reimbursements from government health care programs in 43 states based on billings submitted by Maxim.
"Maxim, including senior executives, defrauded a system providing needed services to turn money meant for patient care into corporate profits," said Acting U.S. Attorney Childers. "We will continue to prove our commitment to investigating and prosecuting both companies and individuals whose misconduct robs our nation's health care programs and those who count on them. It is our hope that Maxim, in cleaning up its own house, will be a lighthouse influencing best practices across the industry."
"Fraudulent billing for services not rendered uses patients as pawns in a game of corporate greed that puts cash over care and wastes precious taxpayer dollars," said Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. "At a time when we're all looking for ways to reduce public expenditures, settlements like this one recapture taxpayer dollars lost to fraud and abuse, and help ensure that funds are available for the vital health care programs and services that people depend on day in and day out."
"Companies scheming to profit by deceiving patients and defrauding taxpayer-funded government health care programs can expect close scrutiny and aggressive investigation," said HHS OIG Special Agent in Charge ODonnell. "We will continue to carefully guard the nation's vital health programs against those who put greed over patient care."
"Health care fraud is a considerable problem in New Jersey with residents being victimized by an estimated $7.5 billion in care-related frauds in 2010," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Ward. "The criminal conduct by Maxim in this instance was significant and systemic, which resulted in both the company and individuals being liable for their actions. The Newark Division of the FBI is committed to its stance of being among the most aggressive offices in pursuit and ultimate prosecution of Health Care Fraud offenders."
"Today's announcement demonstrates the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General's commitment to focus investigative resources on companies that choose to pursue profit over the public's health," said VA OIG Special Agent in Charge Hughes. "VA OIG applauds the hard work of the Department of Justice and our law enforcement counterparts in bringing about this successful conclusion by aggressively pursuing and prosecuting those who committed fraud against our nation's federal healthcare programs, including VA's."
As part of the DPA, Maxim has stipulated to a Statement of Facts which mirrors the language of the criminal Complaint. In the event that Maxim fails to comply with the provisions of the DPA, Maxim has agreed that the U.S. Attorney's Office may proceed with its prosecution of Maxim and use the agreed-upon Statement of Facts against it in the prosecution.
As detailed in the criminal Complaint, Maxim, through its former officers and employees, falsely and fraudulently submitted billings to government health care programs for services not rendered or otherwise not reimbursable by government health care programs from 2003 through 2009. In order to conceal the fraud, Maxim's former officers and employees engaged in various conduct during that time period, including creating or modifying time sheets to support billings to government health care programs for services not rendered. They also submitted billings through licensed offices for care actually supervised by offices which operated without licenses and whose existence was concealed from government health care program auditors and investigators. Additionally, they created or modified documentation relating to required administrative functions associated with billings submitted to government health care programs, including documentation reflecting required training and qualifications of caregivers.
The DPA obliges Maxim to continue cooperating in the government's ongoing federal and state criminal investigation of former Maxim executives and employees responsible for the alleged conduct at issue, and to develop and operate an effective corporate compliance and governance program that includes adequate internal controls to prevent the recurrence of any improper or illegal activities.
The DPA requires Maxim's acceptance and acknowledgment of full responsibility for the conduct that led to the government's investigation.
The settlement requires payment of approximately $130 million to Medicaid programs and the Veterans Affairs program to resolve False Claims Act liability for false home healthcare billings to Medicaid programs and the Veterans Administration under civil agreements relating to this matter. The settlement resolves allegations that Maxim billed for services that were not rendered, services that were not properly documented, and services performed by 13 unlicensed offices. Maxim has agreed to pay approximately $70 million to the federal government and approximately $60 million to 42 states – including more than $2.7 million to be paid to the state of New Jersey.
Also included in the settlement is Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS OIG, which requires additional reforms and monitoring under HHS OIG supervision.
In addition, the company must also retain and pay an independent monitor, who will review Maxim's business operations and regularly report concerning the company's compliance with all federal and state health care laws, regulations, and programs. The monitor was selected by the U.S. Attorney's Office, consistent with U.S. Department of Justice guidelines, after a review of monitor candidates and in consultation with the company. Maxim will be monitored by Peter Keith of the law firm Gallagher, Evelius & Jones, which is headquartered in Baltimore, Md.
Prosecution of Individuals
According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in Trenton federal court:
Gregory Munzel, 35, of Charleston, S.C., was employed as a regional account manager, reporting directly to a vice president, responsible for Maxim offices throughout the southeastern United States. He pleaded guilty on December 4, 2009, to one count of making false statements relating to health care fraud matters. During his plea hearing, Munzel admitted that he was aware individuals he supervised were submitting time cards for work that had not actually been done – a practice Munzel said was in response to pressure from Maxim superiors to increase revenue. Munzel also acknowledged forging caregiver credentials such as CPR cards throughout his time at Maxim, in order to make it appear that the caregivers were properly credentialed, when they were not. Munzel indicated he learned the practice from his supervisors when he first joined Maxim, and that those under him engaged in the practice when he took on a leadership role with the company. Munzel is currently scheduled to be sentenced September 29, 2011.
Bryan Lee Shipman, 38, of Athens, Ga., worked for Maxim for 13 years – the last eight as a regional account manager, reporting directly to a vice president. He pleaded guilty on June 17, 2010, to one count of health care fraud. During his plea hearing, Shipman acknowledged that Maxim's Gainesville, Ga., office operated without a license from 2008 through 2009, and that he and others directed billings from that office to be submitted as if they were from another, licensed office to be approved for reimbursement by the Medicaid program. At one point, when Maxim employees believed a state regulator would be visiting the office, lower-level employees were directed to provide false information to the state regulator in an effort to prevent the Medicaid program from learning about the unlicensed operation of the office. Shipman said his superiors demanded levels of growth based "not on any market analysis, but simply on a belief that dramatic growth was necessary regardless of market conditions." Shipman is currently scheduled to be sentenced November 16, 2011.
Matthew Skaggs, 39, was employed as a regional account manager, reporting directly to a vice president, responsible for Maxim's offices in Texas. He pleaded guilty on September 23, 2010, to making false statements relating to health care fraud matters. During his plea hearing, Skaggs acknowledged having knowingly made false statements to a surveyor from Texas' Medicaid Program, who was investigating the operation of an unlicensed Maxim office in Houston. Skaggs was sentenced on June 10, 2011, to a three-year term of probation and ordered to pay a $4,000 fine.
Andrew Sabbaghzadeh, 29, of Clay, N.Y., was employed as an account manager; and Jason Bouche, 27, of Paradise Valley, Ariz., was employed as a recruiter at Maxim's Tempe, Ariz. office. They pleaded guilty to health care fraud on November 4, 2009, and April 23, 2010, respectively. During their plea hearings, Sabbaghzadeh and Bouche acknowledged creating fraudulent time cards in order to bill government programs. They acknowledged that in some instances, Maxim employees cut signatures from legitimate time cards and pasted them onto forged time cards in order to submit them for reimbursement. Sabbaghzadeh is currently scheduled to be sentenced on September 26, 2011; Bouche is currently scheduled to be sentenced on November 17, 2011.
Donna Ocansey, 49, of Medford, N.J., was employed as a director of clinical services (supervising nurse) in Maxim's Cherry Hill, N.J., office. She pleaded guilty on May 28, 2010, to making false statements relating to health care fraud matters. Ocansey, a Registered Nurse, had responsibility for, among other things, ensuring that Medicaid-required supervisory visits of patients were conducted periodically – meaning that a Registered Nurse periodically visited each patient to check each patient's condition and the care the patient was receiving from Maxim Home Health Aides, who lack the skills and training of Registered Nurses. During her plea hearing, Ocansey acknowledged that she fabricated documentation in order to make it appear that other nurses had conducted Medicaid-mandated supervisory visits, when in fact they had not. Ocansey stated that she fabricated documentation in response to pressure from her superiors at Maxim, who expected her to make sure that all supervisory visits were completed without providing adequate resources for her to do so. Ocansey is currently scheduled to be sentenced September 20, 2011.
Mary Shelly Janvier-Pierre, 42, of Lake Worth, Fla., and Sandy Cave, 39, of West Palm Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty to health care fraud on February 1, 2010, and June 21, 2010, respectively. During their plea hearings, Janvier-Pierre, who had been employed by Maxim's West Palm Beach office as a Licensed Practical Nurse; and Cave, the mother of a former pediatric patient of Maxim, admitted to their roles in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicaid, through Maxim, for services that were not rendered. Janvier-Pierre and Cave acknowledged that they agreed to submit billings as if Janvier-Pierre was taking care of Cave's child, when in reality she was not. Janvier-Pierre and Cave then split the money Janvier-Pierre received for purportedly providing the care. As a result of the scheme, Maxim was paid more than $70,000 by Florida's Medicaid program. Janvier-Pierre and Cave are scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2011, and October 24, 2011, respectively.
Marion Morton, 45, of North Charleston, S.C., was employed as a home health aide and personal care assistant by Maxim's Charleston, S.C., office. He pleaded guilty on May 3, 2010, to one count of making false statements relating to health care fraud matters. During his plea hearing, Morton acknowledged that, at the instruction of Maxim employees, he fabricated timecards reflecting work he had not done. On multiple occasions, Maxim submitted bills to Medicaid based on timecards which showed he worked more than 24 hours on certain days. Morton was sentenced on May 24, 2011, to a three-year term of probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
All of the defendants pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court.
The health care fraud charge to which Shipman, Sabbaghzadeh, Bouche, Janvier-Pierre, and Cave pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the amount of loss caused by their offenses. The false statements relating to health care fraud matters charge to which defendants Munzel, Skaggs, Ocansey, and Morton pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the amount of loss caused by their offenses.
Maxim's Remedial Actions
The government's willingness to enter into a DPA with Maxim is due, in significant part, to the company's cooperation and the reforms and remedial actions the Company has taken – beginning particularly in May 2009 – including significant personnel changes: terminating senior executives and other employees the Company identified as responsible for the misconduct; establishing and filling of positions of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Operations Officer/Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Quality Officer/Chief Medical Officer, Chief Culture Officer, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer, and Vice President of Human Resources; and hiring a new General Counsel.
The company has identified and disclosed to law enforcement the misconduct of former Maxim employees, including providing information which has been critical in obtaining the convictions of some of the individuals who have pleaded guilty to date. The company has also significantly increased the resources allocated to its compliance program.
* * *
The settlement arises from a lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act. Under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the Act, private citizens may file actions on behalf of the United States and share in any recovery. The whistleblower will receive approximately $15.4 million as his share of the recoveries from the federal government and the states.
Acting U.S. Attorney Childers noted that the criminal Complaint, DPA, civil settlement agreement, and guilty pleas are the culmination of a multi-year investigation conducted jointly by special agents and investigators from HHS/OIG, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge ODonnell; FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ward; and VA OIG, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Hughes. He also thanked the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (NAMFCU), with assistance from the Medicaid Fraud Control Units of the New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts Attorney General's Offices, for their help in coordinating the settlements with the various states.
The government is represented in the prosecution of the criminal case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob T. Elberg of the U.S. Attorney's Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark; and in the civil agreement by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Kriegsman of the Office's Civil Division and Sara McLean of the Department of Justice's Commercial Litigation Branch, Frauds Section.
Defense counsel:
Maxim: Laura Laemmle-Weidenfeld Esq.; Robert Luskin, Esq., Washington
Gregory Munzel: John Lacey Esq., Roseland, N.J.
Bryan Lee Shipman: Peter Bennett Esq., Middletown, N.J.
Matthew Skaggs: David Sellinger Esq., Florham Park, N.J.
Andrew Sabbaghzadeh: James Hopkins Esq., Syracuse, N.Y.
Jason Bouche: Chester Keller Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
Donna Ocansey: Jeffrey Carney Esq., Hackensack, N.J.
Mary Shelly Janvier Pierre: Michael Salnick Esq., West Palm Beach, Fla.
Sandy Cave: Chester Keller Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark
Marion Morton: John Renner Esq., Marlton, N.J.
Maxim Criminal Complaint
Maxim Deferred Prosecution Agreement
Maxim Corporate Integrity Agreement
Maxim Civil Settlement Agreement


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Winnie House
Categories: Apartments > Non-serviced apartments
Address: 777/24 Soi 35, Pracharachbumpen Rd., Sam Sen Nok, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310 Thailand See map
0 reply, 10,927 viewed
An affordable apartment with homey atmosphere located in the heart of the city. Access to other parts of the city can be done through subway, buses, or taxis. Shopping complexes, restaurants, and entertainment centers are only few minutes away. Each room is fully furnished with desks, beds, air-conditioner, closet, TV stand, and more. A perfect place for students, and office workers who love peaceful and quiet environment.
Input price range
4,400 - 5,500 Baht/Month (For rent)or 147 - 183 USD/Month (For rent)
- Address
777/24 Soi 35, Pracharachbumpen Rd., Sam Sen Nok, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310 Thailand
- Mobile number
+66 (0) 81632 8408
- Email
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Important Global Message
The Miami-Dade County Portal will be undergoing maintenance starting at 11 p.m. Saturday, May 3 and for all of Sunday, May 4. Intermittent outages may be experienced. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Thank you for your patience as we improve our online services.
Municipalities, non-profits and other non-County agencies that wish to access Miami-Dade County contracts must complete a Joint Purchase and Entity Revenue Sharing Agreement . Once approved, this agreement allows non-County agencies to access Miami-Dade County contracts, benefiting from contract pricing, terms and conditions.
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Showing 1 review for Compustar CS6102-AS
Customer Review Summary for Compustar CS6102-AS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 29, 2013 | Good alarm |
Review by
BrockPSD from Langley, Canada
Alarm works just as it did the first day it was installed, love the remote start feature works awesome on my f-350 powerstroke. The shock sensor and 2 way remote are simply amazing. You can silence the alarm speaker on the truck and if the alarm goes off it will alert you on your pager so you can suprise the theif..... Would buy again if i had another car/truck.


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- dotTech - http://dottech.org -
Cavern Cascade [Amazing Photo of the Day]
Posted By Vamien McKalin On January 28, 2014 @ 11:17 AM In Miscellaneous | 16 Comments
Sweet mother of milk and honey, this place is wicked looking. SWAN DIVE!!! Just so you know, this place is located in Watkins Glen State Park, New York. I'm going to stowaway on a plane just to get my ass there.
[via Ad Wheeler Photography [2]]
Article printed from dotTech: http://dottech.org
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I learned from reading Superdove that pigeons can actually recognize human faces, so this recognition of colors dots and simple shapes doesn't surprise me. By the way, if you want a good book to read, Superdove is really interesting.
Remi Gaillard is back! Here's a clip from an upcoming movie of his.
Mark Pirro films this brief video portrait of a man who pretty much keeps the pigeon population alive in Silverlake. A true lover of the Superdove.
This is so wild. BBC News is reporting on a new simulation technology that lets people pretend to be pigeons flying over London. It comes complete with a head-tracking technology that replaces your head with that of a pigeon's.
As I mentioned earlier, I've been slowly reading through a book called Superdove about the history of the pigeon in different cultures and societies. One of the things I learned more about was the business of pigeon farming for consumption. In Chinese culture, squab has been a dish around for ages, but only recently has […]


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Expand all Collapse all | Results 1 - 2 of 2 |
1. CJM 2009 (vol 62 pp. 646)
Reducibility in AR(K), CR(K), and A(K) Let $K$ denote a compact real symmetric subset of $\mathbb{C}$ and let
$A_{\mathbb R}(K)$ denote the real Banach algebra of all real
symmetric continuous functions on $K$ that are analytic in the
interior $K^\circ$ of $K$, endowed with the supremum norm. We
characterize all unimodular pairs $(f,g)$ in $A_{\mathbb R}(K)^2$
which are reducible.
In addition, for an arbitrary compact $K$ in $\mathbb C$, we give a
new proof (not relying on Banach algebra theory or elementary stable
rank techniques) of the fact that the Bass stable rank of $A(K)$ is
Finally, we also characterize all compact real symmetric sets $K$ such
that $A_{\mathbb R}(K)$, respectively $C_{\mathbb R}(K)$, has Bass
stable rank $1$.
Keywords:real Banach algebras, Bass stable rank, topological stable rank, reducibility Categories:46J15, 19B10, 30H05, 93D15 |
2. CJM 2001 (vol 53 pp. 592)
Ideal Structure of Multiplier Algebras of Simple $C^*$-algebras With Real Rank Zero We give a description of the monoid of Murray-von Neumann equivalence
classes of projections for multiplier algebras of a wide class of
$\sigma$-unital simple $C^\ast$-algebras $A$ with real rank zero and stable
rank one. The lattice of ideals of this monoid, which is known to be
crucial for understanding the ideal structure of the multiplier
algebra $\mul$, is therefore analyzed. In important cases it is shown
that, if $A$ has finite scale then the quotient of $\mul$ modulo any
closed ideal $I$ that properly contains $A$ has stable rank one. The
intricacy of the ideal structure of $\mul$ is reflected in the fact
that $\mul$ can have uncountably many different quotients, each one
having uncountably many closed ideals forming a chain with respect to
Keywords:$C^\ast$-algebra, multiplier algebra, real rank zero, stable rank, refinement monoid Categories:46L05, 46L80, 06F05 |


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Tid Tarad Hostel welcoming all guests to charming Hua Hin, Thailand. Tid Tarad (meaning near the market) is... Maggiori informazioni »
The Serenity Hua Hin offering 54 rooms are in Deluxe and Premier Deluxe categories, each with a private balcony and... Maggiori informazioni »
The Thai / Swedish Beach Hotel with swimming pool and restaurant. We are located Appr.100m. to the beach and appr.... Maggiori informazioni »
G.House is a modern styled hotel in Hua Hin , providing free high speed internet in room, wireless internet access,... Maggiori informazioni »
Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas and a computer station is located on site. There... Maggiori informazioni »
Rooms 1,2,3 & 4 at M&A Guesthouse are fitted with air-con, fridges, electronic safes, double beds, bathroom ensuite... Maggiori informazioni »
Conveniently located in the charming old center town of Hua Hin, Victor Guesthouse is the greatest value for money in... Maggiori informazioni »
Suchaya House offers an outdoor pool, free parking, and free Wi-Fi in public areas.The air-conditioned rooms come... Maggiori informazioni »
1. Check in Time: after 14:00 2. Check out Time: before 12:00 3. Cash payment only upon check in at the property.... Maggiori informazioni »
We have free wi-fi in all the rooms and outside.The 7 private double rooms have aircon,en-suite.tv,fan and mini... Maggiori informazioni »
We are a full service budget hotel and hostel located down town about 2 minutes walk from The Hua Hin Thai Railway... Maggiori informazioni »
The Nicha hua hin is Classical Thai-style modren hotel.Nicha hua hin hotel and spa is the perfect snug oasis in which... Maggiori informazioni »
Baan Manthana is situated in the heart of Hua Hin. We provide everything you need for a nice stay with a newly... Maggiori informazioni »
Hua Hin's boutique 'user friendly' guesthouse accommodation, relax spa, massage & beauty salon. Jing's is situated... Maggiori informazioni »


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Showing 1 through 11 of 11
Worldwide Water Education [PROJECT_WET]
Since 1984, Project WET, an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has dedicated itself to the mission of reaching children, parents, teachers and community members of the world with water ...
Dataminer - Tool for Searching and Subsetting PO.DAAC Level 2 Swath Data [NASA_PODAAC_Dataminer]
Dataminer is a web tool for searching and subsetting Level 2 (swath) data. It was developed originally by the French agency Ifremer (an upcoming collaboration is in the works), and modified at PO.DAAC. ...
Earth System Model [GFDL_ESM]
ESM STREAM: GFDL has constructed NOAA?s first Earth System Models (ESMs) to advance our understanding of how the Earth's biogeochemical cycles, including human actions, interact with the climate ...
MIT General Circulation Model (MITgcm) [MITgcm]
The MITgcm (MIT General Circulation Model) is a numerical model designed for study of the atmosphere, ocean, and climate. Its non-hydrostatic formulation enables it to simulate ...
CCSM Climatological Data Atmosphere Model v.6.0 [NCAR_DATM6]
CCSM coupled model is based on a framework which divides the complete climate system into component models connected by a coupler. This design requires four component models -- atmosphere, sea-ice, ...
CCSM Observational Data Atmosphere Model v.6.0 [NCAR_LATM6]
CCSM coupled model is based on a framework which divides the complete climate system into component models connected by a coupler. This design requires four component models -- atmosphere, sea-ice, ...
CCSM/LANL Parallel Ocean Program (POP) [LANL-POP]
POP is an ocean circulation model derived from earlier models of Bryan, Cox, Semtner and Chervin in which depth is used as the vertical coordinate. The model solves the three-dimensional ...
Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) [NCAR_CAM]
The CAM 3.0 is the fifth generation of the NCAR atmospheric GCM. The name of the model series has been changed from Community Climate Model (CCM) to Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) to reflect the ...
Visit to an Ocean Planet Educational CD-ROM [01-Ocean_Planet-00]
The "Visit to an Ocean Planet" CD-ROM reveals the importance of our oceans to global climate and life. It allows users to explore the Gulf of Mexico with satellite data, investigate the 1997-98 El ...
Oceanography from the Space Shuttle [Oceanography-Space_Shuttle-GES]
Oceanography from the Space Shuttle is a pictorial survey of oceanic phenomenon visible to the naked eye from space acquired by NASA astronauts. Some of the things you will observe sets of internal ...
Climatological Data Sea Ocean Model (docn6) [NCAR_DOCN6]
The Climatological Data Ocean Model (docn) functions as the ocean component in a CCSM configuration. The data ocean component interacts with the flux coupler just like any ocean model would, but it ...
Showing 1 through 11 of 11


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Learn the Best Pilates Abs Workout Routines to Sculpt & Tighten Your Abdominal Core
Pilates is currently a hot form of exercise, popular amongst celebrities--Jennifer Anniston and Cameron Diaz swear by their pilates abs workout!
Joseph Pilates of Germany first developed Pilates in the early 1900's. He developed his specialized exercises to rehabilitate bed-ridden victims of the 1918 influenza pandemic. The Pilates Reformer exercise apparatus is even modeled after a hospital bed!
The emphasis of an ab pilates workout is to strengthen the abs, improve posture, and lengthen the spine to improve balance and strength. The balance between strength and flexibility creates a healthy, vigorous and symmetrical workout for all muscle groups. Pilate's classes also involve using specialized pilates machines.
Pilates' six principles are concentration, control, centering, breathing, flow and precision, making it similar to yoga. Therefore, like yoga, pilates also helps you:
- feel mentally and emotionally balanced
- encourage a supple spine
- improve balance and coordination
- decrease pain and stiffness
- instill a positive outlook
For abs exercise pilates routines, perform three sets of each exercise, or as many high-quality reps as you can, unless otherwise noted…
Best Ab Pilates Workout Routines
- The Hundred Pilates Abs Workout
- The Roll Up Ab Pilates Workout
- Rolling Like a Ball Abs Exercise Pilates Workout
- Bridge Core Pilates Exercise
- Frog Pilates for Abs Workout
- Single Leg Stretch Abs Exercise Pilates Workout
- Double Leg Stretch Ab Pilates Workout
- Spine Stretch Forward Abs Exercise Pilates Workout
- Single Leg Circle Core Pilates Exercise
- The Saw Pilates for Abs Workout
Bottom Line on Pilates for Abs?
Pilates is currently a hot form of working out, and from the looks of things. It's not going anywhere!
Hollywood celebrities use it to maintain and sculpt their sexy physiques. While many professional dancers and athletes alike have used pilates for years to improve their flexibility and strength, and prevent injuries.
What separates a pilates abs workout from other forms of ab exercises is an ab pilates workout not only strengthens your ab and core. But, it also improves your flexibility, and lengthens your midsection giving it a leaner, toner look without added bulk.
So, what are you waiting for? Get on board this pilates abs workout craze today, so you too can get a great abdominal core just like your favorite celeb!
Core Pilates Workouts Can be Done on the Mat, Pilates Machines, and Using a Ball!
Click Here to Learn How to do an Ab Pilates Workout with an Exercise Ball!
Related Articles
Muscle Prodigy Products
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Date Published : 2010-04-27 12:29:31
Written By : Lawrence Ban
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Brides and other wedding professionals love the wedding planners listed below. How do we know? We ask—and if we don't hear raves, we don't consider them Certified By The Guide. Before you decide on a wedding coordinator, make sure all your questions are answered—in writing!
Company | Special Offer | Real Weddings | Main Office Location | Category |
Andrea Green Events & Design
Coordinator / Wedding Planner | |||
Voilà! Event Studio
Great Falls | Coordinator / Wedding Planner |


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Includes custom pages for inclusion of a special promotion featuring their sponsor, Tiger Woods.
April 2, 2012 at 12:51 pm
the team at Brightstar always does a phenomenal job and far exceeds our expectations. Their technical and design expertise coupled with their understand of clients' business needs leads to a stellar job time and time again. Highly recommended!


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Debi Pfitzenmaier blogs from the front lines of life with two active kids — chronicling their experiences and her reactions. Her husband of 20 years thinks she's a little crazy but continues to support her anyway.
Monthly Archive for October, 2010
Life with Sheldon
Congratulate me. I am the proud new owner of a bichon-peke-malti-poo with a severe underbite. Now this may sound like no big deal to most of you who may already own pets. But me – I've never had a pet – not even a fish – in my entire life. It's a really. Big. Thing. […]
[Read More]


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Activism and Representation
Fred Maynard founded the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association (AAPA) in 1924 in New South Wales. It organised street rallies, regional and metropolitan meetings, letter-writing campaigns and petitions. Its demands still strike a chord today: Aboriginal rights to land, stopping Aboriginal children being taken from their families, and defending a distinct Aboriginal cultural identity.
Strikes and protests
In January 1936, the Torres Strait Islanders working on the company boats fishing in the Strait went on strike, protesting against the constraints they experienced under the Aboriginal Protection Act. It was non-violent and organised secretly, and led to the Torres Strait Islanders Act 1939.
On 26 January 1938, we observed the first 'Day of Mourning'. William Cooper encouraged John Patten and William Ferguson, leaders of the Aborigines Progressive Association (APA), to organise a protest. A later deputation presented the Prime Minister with a proposed national policy for Aboriginal people but this was rejected. We now remember 26 January as 'Invasion Day' or 'Survival Day'.
In 1939, John McEwen, the Commonwealth Minister for the Interior, announced a 'New Deal'. This was the first announcement of assimilation as a Commonwealth government policy. The idea was a shift to social and cultural assimilation from the idea of biological absorption.
In 1951, Paul Hasluck, as Commonwealth Minister for Territories, introduced a new policy of assimilation, which was adopted by the states.
In December 1972, the Whitlam government cast aside assimilation as Commonwealth government policy. Self-determination was introduced. This completed the shift in policy development — from protection to assimilation to self-determination.
After the 1940s various state governments gave citizenship rights to some of us, on condition that we gave up our traditional lives and stayed away from other Aboriginal people. People who received citizenship papers were no longer considered to be Aboriginal.
The 1967 Referendum
A valiant campaign was fought by Federal Council for the Advancement of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI) and others to encourage the Australian people to accept a referendum to change the Constitution. The change allowed Aboriginal people to be included in the census, and to enable the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It was hoped this would allow the federal government to better protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The referendum was passed in all six states in 1967, with a 90.77 per cent 'Yes' vote. It remains one of the most successful national campaigns in our history.
Right to vote
A few of us could vote before Federation in 1901, and retained that right. The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1962 gave us the right to register and vote, but voting was not compulsory. Full voting rights were granted federally when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were required to register on the electoral roll in 1984.
New protests and the move towards land rights
The 'Freedom Ride' in 1965 was a bus tour of outback New South Wales led by Charles Perkins. It was based on the US Freedom Rides and caused enormous controversy as Australians were shown the true nature of segregation and race relations.
In 1963 the Yolngu people of Yirrkala in north-east Arnhem Land presented a bark petition to the Commonwealth Parliament. These were the first traditional documents recognised by the Commonwealth Parliament. They combined traditional bark painting with text typed on paper in English and Gumatj. The painted designs proclaim Yolngu Law, revealing the people's traditional relationship to the land. They didn't achieve the constitutional change, but the Yolngu helped pave the way for the recognition of Indigenous rights in Australian law.
The following court case, the Gove Land Rights Case in 1971, ended with the court rejecting the Rirratjingu clan's claim. The judge was bound by early decisions that said that regardless of the facts, as a matter of British law, Aboriginal people had no recognisable system of law.
The Tent Embassy
Tired of having legitimate claims denied, on Australia Day 1972 a number of Indigenous activists erected a tent on the lawns of Old Parliament House in Canberra. They created a petition: a plan addressing Aboriginal ownership of land, preservation of sacred sites, compensation, and statehood for the Northern Territory.
Despite attempts to dismantle it, the Embassy remains on the lawns of Old Parliament House and is a centre of protest and the starting point for marches to Parliament. It remains as a thorn in the side of the Australian conscience, reminding Australians that the work of forging a treaty has hardly begun.
Deaths in custody
In 1987 a Royal Commission investigated the social, cultural and legal issues involved in the deaths of Indigenous Australians while in police custody and prison. The 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report provides harrowing reading. Aboriginal deaths in custodial environments are still alarmingly high and few of the report's recommendations have been carried out.
Working through organisations
FCAATSI, the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, took a leading role in the success of the 1967 referendum. After the referendum win, FCAATSI became an all-Indigenous body.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, ATSIC, was established in 1987 by the Australian government. It combined some existing government organisations and took on the functions of the federal departments of Aboriginal Affairs, the Aboriginal Development Commission and Aboriginal Hostels. Earlier attempts to involve us included the National Aboriginal Conference and, before that, the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee.
Governments created all three organisations, with little input from our communities. They were constrained by government legislation, and funding was generally inadequate.
ATSIC was disbanded in March 2004 without consultation with Aboriginal leaders. Even if flawed, ATSIC was blamed for failures that were outside its responsibilities and obligations.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd abolished the National Indigenous Council created by the Howard federal government and began consultations to establish a new organisation.
Aboriginal Land Councils are regional organisations made up of people elected from the communities. They assist people getting back on country, consult with landowners, help resolve land disputes and protect Aboriginal culture and sacred sites.
Community councils were established on most islands in the Torres Strait early in 1899. Although they had limited powers, they were made up of local people. Today the Torres Strait Regional Authority has twenty elected board members.
The Mabo case and the Native Title Act
In 1982, Edward Koiki Mabo and fellow Mer Islanders (the Reverend Dave Passi, Celuia Salee and James Rice) launched a case in the High Court. In an historic judgment ten years later, the Court held that Meriam people possess rights to their traditional lands and that these rights should be recognised and protected by Australian law. The Mer Islander action followed the earlier unsuccessful legal action. There are many cases still to be heard and many elders will not see the day their lands are returned.
The subsequent Commonwealth government legislation is called the Native Title Act 1993 and was the result of much negotiation and parliamentary debate. By the end of December 2007, the courts had recognised 74 native title claims, covering a total area of 785 686 square kilometres, with a total of 508 claimant applications still active.
The potential of the native title law to recognise the rights of all Indigenous people has been reduced by judges' decisions. Alternative forms of resolution have been sought. Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) have emerged for developing ongoing relationships with government and industry. By the end of 2007, 310 ILUAs had been registered. They include a range of issues like health, education, governance, and land and sea management.
Native title remains a form of 'justice in transition'. It needs careful review to make it a fairer, faster and more workable system.
Bringing Them Home: Admitting that generations
were stolen
The Bringing Them Home report in 1997 was published by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. It detailed the laws and practices that allowed our children to be taken from their families, and included many case studies. These contest the claims made by some non-Indigenous Australians that the removal of our children was in their own interests.
Almost all of us have had a relative, including close family members, damaged by this policy. While some children benefited from being removed from dysfunctional families, in general, removal was not in the child's best interests. The institutions and church missions they were taken to suppressed the children's knowledge about their own families, language and culture. In some places discipline was often harshly enforced.
Much of the pain continues because of the length of the separation; sometimes up to fifty years. Link-Up is one of several organisations that now provide support to people searching for their families.
Stolen wages
From the late 1800s and through much of the twentieth century, governments controlled most aspects of our lives, including our wages, pensions and endowments. Often we received only a portion of what was due to us. Much of the remaining money was kept in various trust funds. Often it was mismanaged or diverted to other government programs, a fact pointed out to various governments but ignored. Our families were never shown what was owed them. This practice is now called 'stolen wages' and while the Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australian state governments are taking action, for many families it will be a case of 'too little, too late'. In mid-2006, the Commonwealth Parliament set up a Senate inquiry. To date, no action has been taken on the findings.
A Treaty?
There has never been a negotiated settlement to transfer lands and sovereignty from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the British and now Australian colonial state. Various models of regional approaches have been investigated. Constitutional recognition, however, would be insufficient. A treaty, or treaty framework, would be expected to involve a settlement of land and governance issues, and could result in greater involvement of some Indigenous communities in their regions' governance. It would also be likely to involve a more broad-based approach to settling land issues than the current native title process. This would include compensation.
Torres Strait Treaty
The Torres Strait Treaty was signed in 1978 between Australia and Papua New Guinea. It defines the boundaries between the two countries and outlines how the sea area may be used. It also allocates over the 'Protected Zone', which covers about two-thirds of the Torres Strait.
Excerpt fromThe Little Red Yellow Black Book by Bruce Pascoe with AIATSIS.


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By Sharon Ko
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — Kids of all ages are bouncing off the walls again at Urban Monkey an indoor play area. But just a few months ago, the inside of this facility looked much different.
One student who was jumping landed the wrong way and he ended up paralyzed. Partially because of that accident, Urban Monkey then changed its facility.
Urban Monkey took out all of the trampolines. It's now an indoor soft play center. Owner of Urban Monkey says they are not at fault for the accident.
Urban Monkey is planning to expand its center in the next couple of months. But visitors can check out some of the new additions on Saturday at 10 a.m. for the grand re-opening.


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5,318 results found
JBL Cinema Base
The JBL Cinema Base is a likable smaller sound base that offers easy hookup and packs a home-theater punch.
Definitive Technology W Studio
The excellent-sounding, elegant-looking Definitive Technology W Studio helps bring a touch of luxury to those willing to splash out on a high-end sound bar.
Bose SoundLink Color ( blue)
The Bose SoundLink Color delivers solid Bluetooth sound in an attractive, portable package.
Klipsch R-10B
Although it's not as good a value as our favorite sound bars, the higher-end Klipsch R-10B offers excellent performance for both movies and music.
Pioneer SP-SB03 Speaker Base
The hulking Pioneer Sound Base delivers some of the best sound we've heard from an affordable pedestal-style sound stand.
Vizio S2121w-D0
The Vizio S2121w-D0 Sound Stand is cheap but not a good value, with quality that pales against the competition -- including Vizio's own sound bars.
Logitech X100 ( red)
The travel-friendly X100 is one of the better micro wireless speakers, featuring decent sound for its size, an attractive design, and speakerphone capabilities.
Nyne Bass ( white)
While it's not terribly compact, the Nyne Bass lives up to its name and outperforms many portable Bluetooth speakers that cost more.
TDK Life on Record TREK Max A34 Wireless Weatherproof Speaker
The TDK Life on Record Trek Max A34 Wireless Weatherproof Speaker delivers very good sound for its size and affordable price, and it's well suited to both indoor and outdoor use with a sturdy, splashproof design.
Klipsch SB 120
If you favor performance over convenience and good looks, the natural and musical Klipsch SB 120 speaker stand is a decent buy.


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Drag-Queen Bandits Loot Florida Stores of Sequins, Boas, and Fancy Silk
Categories: WTF Florida
via Orange County Corrections |
The suspects, mostly de-wigged. |
But rest easier, assless-chaps purveyors of the Sunshine State: The transvestite thieves were busted Sunday after Marshall's staff spotted them stuffing feathers, red lace gloves, and "costume glasses" into their handbags. "They were real upset when the police made them take their wigs off," the manager adds.
Three men were charged with masterminding the fancy-dress crime spree: 19-year-old Demitri Marsh, 18-year-old Renford Patterson, and 22-year-old Antonio Webb.
Marsh "swore at a clerk and threatened to cut her" before trying to run out of the store after the trio was spotted shoplifting around 5 p.m. this past Sunday.
The Sentinel did its homework on this particular crime wave, talking to other craft-store owners who confirmed they'd also been hit by the drag-queen bandits.
"We've never caught them red-handed, but that sounds just like them," Mark Sauer, owner of Sewing Studio Fabric Superstore, tells the paper. "In my memory, they had been coming in on Friday nights in a group. They wore makeup, but I don't remember them wearing dresses."
Marshall, the Jo-Ann manager, says they could tear through a particularly fabulous section of a store at record speed.
"They'd come in and order yards of fabric at up to $39.99 a yard, stuff it in their man purses, and leave without paying," Marshall said. "Oh, gosh, they could wipe out a whole section of boas in seconds..."
The three men are charged with felony retail theft above $300. Here are their mugs a bit larger:
via Orange County Corrections |
Marsh, Patterson, and Webb |
Sponsor Content


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The Seniors' Scene Upcoming fashion show just one of Trafton Center's sense of community
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Welcome back to the Seniors' Scene. Over the past several weeks, I have given you an update on all of the wonderful programs and events that we have to offer at the Y Trafton Center on Elm Street. Today, I want to talk about the community that is the very core of the center.
My hope for this column is that those who read it will know that there is a warm and welcoming center waiting for them and that they only need to drop by. I know that sometimes it can be hard to walk into a new place where you don't know anyone and you are not even sure what you are looking for. I have had many conversations with folks who say that now that they have retired, they want to keep busy, they have too much time on their hands, and they are looking for an outlet. The Y Trafton Center is the place to find your niche. In other news, on April 13, we will hold our 4th annual fashion show, "Fashions for the Generations," at the Sanford Town Club on Washington Street. Above and Beyond Catering will provide a fabulous luncheon, and the location is both spacious and elegant. The fashions will be provided by Dress Barn, of Biddeford Crossing, and Marshalls, of Sanford.Our models bridge the generation and gender gaps. Our youngest has not even reached her first birthday, and our grand dame is, well ... The exciting part is that these folks are our members, neighbors and community leaders, not professional models. They want to be part of the fun and help the Trafton Center to continue to offer quality programs and events. The Southern Maine Garden club will be providing our table centerpieces, and this year we even have one of their members as a model. Now, as if the fashions and lunch were not enough, we also will have an incredible silent auction. Once again, our community has gotten behind our efforts and given generously. We have tickets for Jonathan's in Ogunquit, overnight stays at the Sunrise in York, gift cards to local restaurants and hair salons, many baskets and pieces of art. We even have a family four-pack for Disney World, a $500 value.
You can purchase tickets at the Y Trafton Center or the Sanford Springvale YMCA or by calling 457-0080. The tickets are $25 each, or you can reserve a table of 8 and bring friends and family for $175. |


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Doin' it Daily - Pack Man
Doin' It Daily!
It's hard to believe, but the month of spring is upon us. To celebrate we're offering daily specials for the rest of March. Each day we'll post a new product on our home page at a dangerously sexy new price, good for one day only. We've got a little bit of everything, vibes, lube, dildos, porn, anal toys, erotica, and more. You can also click here to sign up and receive a fresh special every day. So sign up and save, and before you know it, spring will have sprung!
Doin' It Daily Deal:
Pack Man
Is that a new packer in your pants, or are you just happy to see us? Maybe it's both, since there's definitely a new packer in town. We were feeling a need for a more affordable but still durable packer, and one that would give us a colour selection, so we turned to our local dildo manufacturer, Happy Valley and asked them to turn our dreams into reality. | more info about Pack Man
Regular price: $40
Doin' it Daily Deal: $30


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Aside 10/10/12 Take Our Survey and You Could Win $1,000! 0 0 0 0 Read More AsideGiveaway Stay sane and savvy with our daily newsletter Enjoy expert advice, time-saving tricks, kid-friendly food and fun in your inbox. Sign up with Link Love This everyday activity may raise your child's blood pressure — Real Simple 10 magical tooth fairy traditions — BabyCenter Blog Molly Sims shares her secret to bouncing back after giving birth — People Moms & Babies What I learned during our week of doing nothing — HuffPost Parents
From FORTUNE: Warren Buffett, 84, Drinks 5 Cokes a Day and Sometimes Has Ice Cream for Breakfast People 76.3K Shares


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Check Out Sale Items
The translucent red AFFG Steelhead Red Bead is a deadly bead color that should be in all steelheader's bead boxes. Try fishing the smaller 8mm in lower water or pressured conditions and throwing the 14mm bowling ball when waters are high and murky. This bead has accounted for a lot of steelhead over the last few years! If you fish the Clearwater in Idaho in the fall make sure to grab some Steelhead Red.


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Want to travel on a private space jet? Pack nerves of steel.
. - As soon as Monday, Burt Rutan could send his split-tailed space guppy past the envelope of blue sky for the second time in a week and at last lay claim to the $10 million Ansari X Prize.
Yet as Mr. Rutan prepares SpaceShipOne for a second launch next week, the traces of Wednesday's wobbling flight still hang over Mojave like a question mark. If SpaceShipOne's successes have planted a symbolic stake in the heavens, claiming them for anyone with the mind and the money to follow, then Wednesday's wild ride suggests that those who do will need strong nerves and stomachs of steel.
On one hand, it's hardly surprising that going to space is a dangerous business. Yet a clear goal of the X Prize is to make spaceflight routine - routine enough for British billionaire Richard Branson to announce the creation of Virgin Galactic this week. For now, however, SpaceShipOne's harrowing space shots are showing not only how far the private space race has come, but also how much farther it still has to go.
"If safety is the No. 1 objective of spaceflight, we're never going to do it," says Lori Garver, a former president of the American Astronautical Society in Springfield, Va.
"You take greater risks for things that could be more meaningful."
To space enthusiasts, few things could be more meaningful. The X Prize has come to represent the gateway to humanity's space-faring future. Since NASA has failed to find a way to get humans into space cheaply, reliably, and frequently, the X Prize donors asked private entrepreneurs to do it - for a $10 million reward.


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FIRST Nationals 2010
Twenty years and a million participants later, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is changing America and Kettering is helping!
Dean Kamen '01 had a single-minded goal when he founded For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) in 1989. Kamen has repeated the story over and over – he simply wants to change American culture.
"We have the opportunity to inspire the next generation of innovators and engineers," Kamen said during the 2010 FIRST National games in Atlanta April 15-17. "This is increasingly important as we try to build momentum in the U.S. to fuel a robust talent pipeline of innovative 21st century STEM professionals. For the thousands of young problem-solvers who participated in the FIRST Championship, we caught a glimpse of the great things that are in store when these students tackle greater challenges in years ahead."
FIRST is a maturing organization, Kamen told large crowds during the three-day event. FIRST co-founder Woodie Flowers has now retired from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), "although we keep him plenty busy with FIRST," he said. "And yes, we are working on a succession plan, if something were to happen to one of us," Kamen explained.
Featured speakers at this year's national games included U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and a special video appearance by Bill Gates.
Kettering and FIRST …
Kettering University has been part of FIRST for 12 years. It began when Bob Nichols, director of External Affairs, connected the University to this burgeoning national effort that is designed to show high school youth the fun and career paths available in engineering, technology and the sciences.
Kettering was among the first three universities in the United States to offer FIRST scholarships and has awarded more than $2 million in FIRST scholarships in the past decade. In 2010, Kettering's 14 new FIRST Scholars are all incoming freshmen who each will receive $22,500 for use over 4 ½ years of study, for a total commitment of $315,000 in FIRST scholarships this year.
"Kettering has become a national leader in the FIRST scholarship program and in attracting FIRST graduates to our university," Nichols said. "Our efforts get us increasing public recognition within the worldwide FIRST organization."
This year's FIRST Scholars are:
- Ryan Brancheau, Team 2337, Enginerds, Grand Blanc;
- Joey Carlini, Team 2832; Livonia Warriors, Livonia;
- Joel Carne, Team 68; Truck Town Thunder, Holly;
- Harrison Ford, Team 314, Big Mo, Flint;
- Christopher Greene, Team 245; Adambots, Rochester;
- Christopher Hideg, Team 910, Foley Freeze, Madison Heights;
- Kyle Irk, Team 2145; Hazmat's, Lake Fenton;
- Aaron Jones, Team 1188, Oaktown Crewz, Royal Oak;
- Rick Pease, Team 2337, Enginerds, Grand Blanc;
- Kelly Powell, Team 79, Team Krunch, Palm Harbor, Fla.;
- Hayley Schuller, Team 217, Thunder Chickens, Sterling Heights;
- Akeram Suleiman, Team 904, D 3, Grand Rapids;
- Robyn Thurston, Team 2619, The Charge, Midland;
- Mark Wahnish, Team 79, Team Krunch, Palm Harbor, Fla.
Nichols said today's FIRST participants are exactly what Kettering is looking for. "FIRST students demonstrate outstanding qualities that Kettering looks for in its students and our corporate partners desperately need in today's marketplace. These high school students practice problem solving, team work, leadership and gracious professionalism – all characteristics that develop so beautifully through their FIRST experiences."
Nichols noted that once again Kettering received positive, national exposure during this year's national championship games. FIRST President Paul Gudonis told the large audience at opening ceremonies that enrollment of FIRST participants at American universities is now measured in double digits. Gudonis estimated that FIRST grads now represent 10 percent of MIT's entering classes and 15 percent at Kettering.
Kettering also had positive national exposure during the closing VIP banquet this year, too. Only two FIRST graduates were chosen to speak to the crowd of about 500 corporate, university and FIRST VIPs convened at the Georgia Aquarium for dinner. One was Kettering's Gina Sweet '07, who explained how FIRST gave her the courage to pursue a career in science and engineering, while providing a lot of fun on her Milford, Michigan, FIRST team along the way. A photo of Gina at a Kettering commencement ceremony was featured in a photo collage during her comments to the VIP group.
The 2010 FIRST National Championships …
Twenty thousand FIRST supporters – mentors, students, volunteers, sponsors and fans – gathered at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta and the adjacent Georgia World Congress Center. In all, more than 500 teams from 30 countries competed in the three levels of FIRST:
- FIRST Robotics Championship (FRC®, grades 9 to 12, ages 14-18);
- FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC®, grades 9 to 12, 14 to 18-year-olds)
- FIRST LEGO League (FLL®, grades 4 to 8, 9 to 14-year-olds in the U.S and Canada; 9 to 16-year-olds outside the U.S and Canada);
- 10,470 students from 30 countries;
- 528 robots;
- 5,089 mentors/coaches/adult supporters;
- 700 event volunteers;
- Thousands of family members, teachers, VIP guests, sponsors, fans and local spectators:
- Six playing fields in the Georgia Dome:
- 250,000 square feet in the Georgia World Congress Center for scholarship tables, vendors and "pit" areas for teams;
- Almost $12 million in scholarships from universities including Kettering, MIT, Purdue, Embry-Riddle, Carnegie Mellon, WPI and more.
FIRST Robotics Championship (FRC)
The FRC championship culminated in a frenzied final round of robotic matches. More than 340 teams competed in "Breakaway™," a soccer-like game to climb obstacles and score goals against their opponents. The winning alliance was: Team 294, Beach Cities Robotics of Redondo Beach, Calif.; Team 67, The HOT Team from Milford, Mich.; and Team 177, Bobcat Robotics of South Windsor, Conn. The Milford team – HOT (Heroes of Tomorrow) – began their march to a national title by winning Kettering's FIRST District games, from March 5-6 in Recreation Center.
This year's national games at Atlanta included:
- 344 teams;
- 8,600 high school students;
- teams from six countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Mexico and U.S.;
- Robots built in six weeks by high school students and their coaches/mentors from a common kit of parts provided by FIRST and weighing up to 120 pounds.
- 19th year of competition for students in grades 9-12.
- The 2011 national games will be April 27-30 in the Edward Jones Dome at the America's Center, St. Louis, Missouri.
FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship (FTC)
- 100 teams;
- 1,000 high school students;
- Four countries: Canada, Mexico, Netherlands and U.S.;
- Robots are built using a modular robotics platform.
FIRST Lego League World Festival (FLL)
- 84 teams;
- 840 middle school students;
- 30 countries, including U.S., Australia, Japan, Mexico and more;
- Robots are built using LEGO Mindstorms technologies.
The fun of FIRST … Team names represent the humor and camaraderie existing within the thousands who compete at FIRST events around the world each year. Some name samples this year include the "Thunder Down Under" from Australia; "Robatos Locos" from Texas; and not to forget the Blue Cheese Heads, the Cheesy Poofs and the Mighty Monkey Wrenches from around the U.S. Perhaps in the current economy – where teams are pinching every penny in their budget to participate in national games – a team from Florida gets the name award for the year: "Smoke and Mirrors" from Lakeland.
For more on FIRST: For a complete listing of awards, match results and scholarship winners, visit FIRST online at www.usfirst.org and click on the "FIRST Championship" headline.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery available at: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6253840&lang=en
Written by Patricia Mroczek


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Chocolate-Filled Stars
From Country Living
This recipe has been tested by Country Living
These festive sugar-cookie stars (pictured on plate, bottom right) are sandwiched with creamy chocolate filling.
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Nutritional Information
(per serving)
Calories | 161 |
Total Fat | 7g |
Saturated Fat | -- |
Cholesterol | 31mg |
Sodium | 33mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 24g |
Dietary Fiber | 1g |
Sugars | -- |
Protein | 2g |
Calcium | -- |
Christopher Baker
Yields: 24 cookies
Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Prep Time: 35 min
Oven Temp: 350
U.S. | Metric | Conversion chart |
- Basic Sugar-Cookie Dough
- 2/3 cup(s) semisweet or milk chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup(s) heavy cream
- 2/3 cup(s) confectioners' sugar
- Divide Basic Sugar-Cookie Dough in half. Pat each portion into a disk and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill until firm, about 4 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut out star shapes using a 3-inch cutter. Bake cookies on parchment-paper-lined baking sheets until firm and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
- To make filling: Place chocolate chips in a small heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream to a boil. Pour cream over chocolate and stir until smooth. Let cool to room temperature and stir in confectioners' sugar until combined and mixture reaches a thick frosting consistency. Spread chocolate filling on a cookie, then top with another cookie. Repeat with remaining cookies.
Nutritional information is based on a 1 cookie.
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Wooooah, this is amazing! The perspective is great for this kind of scenic drawing, the details on the foreground are lovely too! How did you draw all blades of grass, if I may ask? Is it a special brush, or...? :"D
Your colors are gorgeous too; so natural, it stands out even without the aid of highlights or added overlays... And the neatness of it deserves some props, too. I really love how you did the sky, and how you made the clouds stretch out... Very atmospheric! And...
...Waduh, gimana ya. Ini terlalu keren buat mouse, deh. Jadi penasaran ama proses gambarna, nih.
Diteruskan ya! Great job!


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Conan The Barbarian, Wesley Snipes in Blade, and even Abraham Lincoln had bad ass weaponry they used to destroy their enemies and now so do you, with the 2013 K2 Slayblade Wide. The Slayblade for 2013 has received some pretty dope technical upgrades to match it''s name sake and reputation. The Flatline Tweakend rocker profile delivers floaty float in the powwow and responsive hardcharging edgehold on the groomers and trails. Assassinate mountains like a ninja, with the Slayblade.
Slayblade Wide


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About Ovalmap pads
What is Oval Mapping for?
Oval Mapping is a technique to help a group of people work out the ideas around an issue. You may choose to follow a formal methodology, or you may just use the ovals in an informal manner, but they are a great way of getting people to participate in discussion and to map out ideas.
- Typical uses include:
- Developing a strategy
- Discovering how ideas fit together
- Negotiating
The key is that by writing ideas on the ovals, placing them on the appropriate place on the wall, and adding links between them, the participants develop a shared understanding of the issue under consideration. Depending on the requirements, further ovals can then be used to work out a possible action plan.