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Much of New England is digging out from a third major winter storm in two weeks, and more snow is likely on the way.
Study: Maple Syrup Production Declines After A Big Seed Year
This coming season should be a good one for maple syrup producers in New England. That's the word from Joshua Rapp, who co-authored a Tufts […]
Wet, Windy Weather Greets Holiday Travelers
Those hitting the road Wednesday night and Thursday morning will likely have to contend with wet, windy conditions. A flood watch is in effect for much of western New England through noon Thursday. And the heavy rain could make travel tricky.
New England Dairy Farms On The Decline, Despite Positive Signs For Regional Agriculture
The number of dairy farms in Massachusetts dropped significantly between 2007 and 2012, according to US Census data out this month.
White Nose Syndrome Death Rate Drops, Giving Scientists Hope
A deadly disease for bats is killing fewer of the winged creatures in New England. Scientists are pleased but are not sure why this is happening.
Don't Get Too Used To The Warm Weather
More snow is on the way to New England.
Wood Pellet Demand Remains High As Winter Continues Into March
As wintry weather continues into March, wood pellets seem to be in short supply across New England.
Winter Storm Paralyzes Roads In North Carolina, Despite Warnings
In scenes like those in Atlanta two weeks ago, some drivers are leaving their cars in the road, creating new challenges for other drivers and work and rescue crews.
Economic Forecast Indicates Modest Growth for New England
An economic forecast released this week by the New England Economic Partnership shows the 6-state region slowly recovering from the recession.
Climate Scientist Michael Rawlins on How Arctic Melt Could Affect Weather in New England
Within the last few weeks the level of Arctic sea ice fell to its lowest-ever recorded level, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.


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Washington Transportation Plan Update Phase 2 Workshop Demand – Capacity Imbalance System Efficiencies and Bottlenecks and Chokepoints Douglas B. MacDonald Paula Hammond Secretary Chief of Staff Elizabeth Robbins Manager Policy Development & Regional Coordination and WSDOT Program Managers April 19, 2005 1 Topics to cover today: Recap WTP update process to date Where we've been in Phase 1 Timeline to complete the WTP Commission's new revenue proposal and how it relates to today's workshop Guiding Principles Policy & Strategy ―To Do's‖ Preview of Areas of Targeted Investment For April's two workshops we talk about four issues that are closely linked to the Demand-Capacity Imbalance: System Efficiencies On Tuesday Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight On Wednesday Building Future Visions Action requested today: Concurrence on the statutory and policy guidance Concurrence on the ―To Do‖ policy and strategy proposals Concurrence on investment proposals to continue into later prioritization stages 2 Aspiration for the 2005 Plan Update Data driven, analytically grounded and organized by major issue areas. Program and investment proposals advanced for the state for each major issue area. - Areas of Targeted Investment identified at the program level to implement existing and proposed policies and strategies for each issue. Investment and programs proposals prioritized into high, medium, and low priority categories. Scale of proposed investment constrained by financial realities. - Financial scenarios will provide a range of options for constraining the plan to available and projected revenues. 3 Washington Transportation Plan Update Attachment A1 WTP Phase 2 Work Plan WTP Phase 1 WTP Phase 2 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Base Level Investment Uses of funds: Incremental Investment WTP Phase 2 What is the program? What is the 10-year plan for the program? What are the costs and benefits of the program? Milestone Event Ongoing RTPO Coordination and Public Outreach Public Comment Period Prioritization : Sorting investment programs by Hi- Draft WTP with a Final WTP with Med-Low priorities and matching to constrained 10-year a 10-year Reality Check funding scenarios Investment Plan Investment Plan Sources of funds: Revenue Scenario Development WTP Areas of Targeted Investment Data/ Issues Emerging Analysis Identification Directions No New Early Actions Funding Early Actions New Revenue Proposal 2005 New Funding Transportation Funding Package Legislative Session 2004 2005 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 4 Washington Transportation Plan Update WTP Phase 2 Work Plan Attachment A2 WTP Phase 1 WTP Phase 2 Legislative Session Public Comment Period 2004 2005 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Conceptual Workshops on Proposed Programs Workshops on Prioritization Present Endorsement of Adopt Draft Plan Feedback to Adopt Final Preservation Safety Part 2 System Economy Legislative Phase 2 WTP Commission Plan Efficiencies Recap 1. Summary of Commission Activities and Proposed Safety Part 1 Transportation Health & the Proposed from RTPOs Area of Access Bottlenecks & Environment and Public Chokepoints Targeted Targeted Comment Investment and Investment Moving Freight Revenue Scenarios Future Visions 2. Consideration of Legislative Action 3. Endorse Prioritization Approach Legend Commission Action 5 How is the Process Taking Shape? Phase 1: Data and Approach Development – Build statewide transportation ―data library‖ (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/planning/wtp/datalibrary) – Analyze statewide trends and system conditions – Identify key issues and choices – Share the learning and analysis with others October 19, 2004 Milestone Event and folios Phase 2: Developing the Plan Update – Commission guides tentative judgments on scale and direction of investment programs – WSDOT works with RTPOs and others to develop proposals for investment plans and funding scenarios – Commission matches priorities to funding scenarios – Commission adopts the plan 6 Strategic Issues for this Update System Preservation Safety Transportation Access System Efficiencies Bottlenecks and Chokepoints Moving Freight Building Future Visions Strong Economy and Good Jobs Health and the Environment On Tuesday, April 19 we will cover System Efficiencies and Bottlenecks & Chokepoints. On Wednesday, we will cover Moving Freight and Building Future Visions. 7 Sample key for upcoming Type of Proposal proposal slides – A quick reference tool. Policy Strategy Capital Operating Expected Benefits Preservation Safety Transportation Access System Efficiencies Future Visions Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight Economy Health & Environment All or Part Included in '05 – '07 Commission Funding Recommendation? All Part None Funded in Current Law Budget 8 All Part None Guiding Principles that we'll discuss in the workshop System Efficiencies Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Support US, state, and metro area economic vitality global "The legislature intends that funding for transportation mobility competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency improvements be allocated to the worst traffic chokepoints in the state. (23 CFR 135) Furthermore, the legislature intends to fund projects that provide systemic relief throughout a transportation corridor, rather than spot improvements Enhance transportation system integration and connectivity across and that fail to improve overall mobility within a corridor." (RCW 47.05) between modes statewide for people (23 CFR 135) Reduce state urban highway congestion and average delay to be no worse Relieve Congestion. Provide mobility for people and goods. (RCW than national mean. Per capita vehicle miles traveled shall be maintained 47.05.010) at 2000 level. Non-auto share of commuter trips shall be increased in urban areas. (RCW 47.01.012) It is the intent of the legislature that investment of state transportation funds to address deficiencies on the state highway system be based on a policy Continuity and systematic development of the highway transportation of priority programming having as its basis the rational selection of projects network. (RCW 47.05.051) and services according to factual need and an evaluation of life cycle costs and benefits that are systematically scheduled to carry out defined Improve and integrate all modes to create a seamless transportation objectives within available revenue. (RCW 47.05.010) system. (RCW 47.06) Encourage innovation in reducing SOV commute trips by competitively Improvement program to address congestion and increase mobility. (RCW distributing performance grants. (RCW 70.94.996) 47.05.030) Commission: Priority programming for the improvement program must be based primarily Corridors to operate with minimal delay and continual reduction in societal, upon or consider congestion, delay, accidents, the cost effective movement environmental and economic costs. of people and goods. (RCW 47.05.051) The transportation system operates effectively, efficiently, and predictably. Commission: Consider, and implement where appropriate, operational changes that Promote land use management, telecommunications and other innovative improve efficiency before expanding the existing transportation system. technologies as viable mobility options to reduce the impact of congestion on all system users. Incorporate long-term operations needs in capital investment decisions. Aggressively pursue access management to protect operations of existing Support limited strategic expansion to accommodate growth and reduce and future systems. congestion when possible. Promote modal connections to provide seamless travel to the customer. Use cost-benefit methodologies as key determinants in selecting mobility projects. Develop good connections across interstate and international borders. 9 The April Commission WTP workshops discuss issues that address the Demand-Capacity Imbalance 10 The Demand-Capacity Imbalance* Four Interconnected Issues System Preservation Safety Nine WTP Issues Achieving Better Balance Transportation Access System Efficiencies Maintaining flow Bottlenecks and Chokepoints Maximizing throughput Moving Freight Improving productivity Building Future Visions Strong Economy & Good Jobs Health & the Environment *A condition when peak period demand exceeds capacity 11 What are we finding about the demand/capacity imbalance? Tri- Cities Demand is growing, and the Spokane Puget demand/capacity imbalance will Sound Vancouver continue to grow in the future, leading to more congestion. Congestion occurs mostly in the urban areas, especially Puget Sound, Vancouver and Spokane. (92% of all delay on highways occurs in these areas.) 2002 Daily Vehicle Hours of Delay Per Lane Mile Congestion causes lost productivity: Maximum freeway throughput of about 2000 vehicles per hour occurs at speeds of 45-50 mph. Throughput drops dramatically when traffic volumes force speeds to drop below 50 mph. The capacity of the roadway actually decreases (as much as half) with congestion-induced reduction in speed. System Efficiency Example I-405 NB @ 24th NE, Weekdays in May, 2001 Efficiency Loss: Vehicle Throughput Reduction 12 Major Seattle Area Freeways Current Statewide Conditions - 2030 Legend: 13 Future Statewide Conditions Legend: 14 Current Urban Conditions Spokane Puget Sound Legend: Vancouver 15 Future Urban Conditions - 2030 Spokane Puget Sound Legend: Vancouver 16 Flow, Throughput and Productivity Emerging Directions System Efficiencies: Improvements such as ramp metering, incident response, HOV lanes, and others have been successful at improving flow on the system. Strategies such as commute trip reduction programs and transit oriented development provide options. Bottlenecks and Chokepoints: There are locations on the system where system geometry and traffic patterns contribute to congestion and reduce throughput capacity. Targeted capital investments at these locations would be less expensive than full corridor build-outs, but could deliver significant delay savings and restored productivity. Corridor completion in certain locations (SR395, SR509, SR167, SR18, SR704, and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Core routes) are higher cost ways to address the demand- capacity imbalance. Building Future Visions: New or major corridor expansion will need to be considered in 17 the future. The entire system is interconnected in improving the demand-capacity imbalance Basic maintenance and operations are the cornerstones of keeping the system moving. Improving public transit operations: System operating configuration As congestion grows, more sophisticated Communications to manage the fleet and technologies are needed to maintain flow: inform customers Intelligent transportation system (ITS) HOV lane strategies technologies Park and ride lots Incident response Travel Conservation: Reducing or Redirecting Signal optimization Demand Truck operations Transit-supportive Managed lanes Land use strategies Tolling Passenger Rail Issues: … As well as capital investments small to large, for Scheduling example: Channelization Aviation Issues: Striping Local & regional airports need better ground HOV Lanes access Major truck corridors The local system is part of the network. Issues facing Washington State Ferries operations: Congestion and peaking in the system Trip reliability 18 Intermodal connections System Efficiencies How do we derive further benefits of our current transportation system facilities and those we are able to create in the future? 19 System Efficiencies Guiding Principles (Statutory and Commission Policy) for System Efficiencies What might this mean? Support US, state, and metro area economic vitality global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency (23 CFR 135) • Investments that make the system more efficient are among the very best choices for Enhance transportation system integration and connectivity across and gaining value from existing transportation assets. Usually, choices that make the existing between modes statewide for people (23 CFR 135) system more efficient should be undertaken before choices to add new systems. Reduce state urban highway congestion and average delay to be no • New technologies will be an important source of efficiency gains. Goals and visions for worse than national mean. Per capita vehicle miles traveled shall be efficiency must anticipate tomorrow's technologies as well as take advantage of today's. maintained at 2000 level. Non-auto share of commuter trips shall be For highway systems, the expanding uses of in-vehicle technologies must be in the increased in urban areas (RCW 47.01.012) forefront of transportation system planning. Ongoing and systematic development of the highway transportation • Placing a price on the uses of all transportation systems – existing as well as new – will network. (RCW 47.05.051) harness market mechanisms for achieving and consolidating efficiency gains. Because new system assets are so expensive, pricing mechanisms must be developed to help Improve and integrate all modes to create a seamless transportation manage (as well as pay for) transportation systems as rapidly as new technology and system. (RCW 47.06) public acceptance will permit. Transportation investment needs are frustrated, not Encourage innovation in reducing SOV commute trips by competitively advanced, by continuing the widely-held societal perception that transportation distributing performance grants. (RCW 70.94.996) infrastructure is a ―free good.‖ Commission: • New transportation assets must be planned on a life-cycle cost basis and take account of Corridors to operate with minimal delay and continual reduction in up-front investments to promote efficiency wherever possible. Fuel efficiency, for societal, environmental, and economic costs. example, must be a clear concern for new ferry boats, and upfront installation of ―smart car/smart highway‖ technologies must be incorporated into new highway investment. The transportation system operates effectively, efficiently, and predictably. • Opportunities for modes of transportation to gain efficiency by linkage and connections to one another should be sought and taken where available. Consider, and implement where appropriate, operational changes that • Non-dominant transportation modes (for example, walking or cycling to work or school, or improve efficiency before expanding the existing transportation system. intercity passenger rail or bus) may make important efficiency contributions to the system Incorporate long-term operations needs to capital investment decisions. and otherwise contribute to the well-being of communities (e.g., reductions in demand for land for streets and automobile parking). Long-term cost-effective investments in these Aggressively pursue access management to protect operations of areas may be attractive for the sake of efficiency. existing and future systems. • Demand management strategies that improve system efficiencies (for example, Promote modal connections to provide seamless travel to the customer. incentives to reduce single occupancy vehicle needs, or support for land use patterns that take advantage of and support citizen's abilities to rely on efficient systems such as transit systems) are an important contributor to system efficiency. • Gains in system efficiency are closely linked to other policy goals. Improved safety, for example, is both an outcome or efficiency and a way to measure its progress. Efficiency in movement of goods in commerce serves economic productivity. More efficient systems support environmental and health goals for transportation planning. 20 System Efficiencies System Tolling ―To Do‖ Policy Develop a policy for Imposing Tolls (Longer Term) Corridor Efficiency Develop a policy for Park & Ride Facilities (Longer Term) System Tolling Develop a strategy for imposing tolls on segments of the highway system to achieve ―To Do‖ Strategy improved efficiency and/or generate funding for specific projects. (Longer Term) Corridor Efficiency Develop a strategy for closer integration between roadway and transit operations (Longer Term, Legislation Pending) Aviation Complete aviation system plan with classification of airports and performance standards (Underway) Highway Proposed Areas of Targeted Investment Commitment to Basic Maintenance Traffic Operations Efficiency Intelligent Transportation Systems Ferries Continue Demand Management & Operational Strategies Priority Loading Smart Card Development Public Transportation Transit expansion within corridors for peak period efficiency gains (Rush hour transit in congested corridors) Expanded travel conservation approaches Transportation Demand Management Commute Trip Reduction High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes Park and Ride Facilities Passenger Rail 21 Amtrak Cascades passenger service Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Develop a Tolling System Policy, Strategy, and Program Strategy Capital What is the Problem? Operating Growth in population, employment, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) has outpaced Expected Benefits our ability to finance new major capacity improvements. Resulting congestion has Preservation eroded the efficiency of our roadway system. Imposing tolls can increase the Safety efficiency of our existing transportation system and potentially generate revenue for Transportation Access System Efficiencies transportation investments. Future Visions Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Description of Proposal Moving Freight Economy Create a statewide tolling system program to coordinate development and technology Health & Environment integration for all tolling projects. This will include: All or Part Included in '05 – '07 Commission "One state, one toll system, one tolling authority" Funding Recommendation? All Part None Tolling system policy – ―Manage capacity to optimize the transportation system and where needed or possible raise revenue‖ Funded in Current Law Budget All Part None Develop a program structure and coordination with Commission as Tolling Authority Statewide Tolling Feasibility Study. This study will be the basis for a plan to implement tolling at one or more locations in the state. Study elements include project or corridor specific: - Traffic and engineering analysis - Technology analysis - Impact assessment – divergence of traffic to other facilities - Performance - Financial assessment – ―willingness to pay‖ 22 - Legal and policy issues System Efficiencies Develop a Tolling System Policy, Strategy, and Program, cont'd Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal Coordinate tolling projects: - Potential for joint toll processing center and equipment procurement - Marketing and customer service - Tolling technology that makes it easy for drivers to use toll roadways and the ferry system. Increase the efficiency of existing transportation system (i.e. SR 167 HOT lanes and potentially toll express lane systems) to increase throughput in corridors. Advance critically needed projects by paying a portion of the capital cost with user tolls. Current Projects: 2005 Legislative Activity: • Tacoma Narrows Bridge: operational in 2007 • SR 167 High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes pilot SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project project: pending legislative authorization and Bills requiring tolling studies: funding • Columbia River Crossing (Vancouver): - Regional Transportation Improvement tolling analysis Authority (RTIA), including the Puget • I-5, SR-167, I-405: Tolling and high-occupancy Sound value pricing study toll lanes analysis - Public Innovative Partnerships • SR-520: Tolling analysis, as a primary funding strategy – Tolling RCW ―Clean-Up‖ • Congestion Relief Analysis: Improve Puget Sound traffic model • PSRC Value Pricing Project 23 Tolling Strategies System-Wide Tolling Network Tolling • Charges accrue over all roads, from driveway to highway. Fee Limited access facilities. Dynamically based on actual use of the road. priced based on traffic volumes and delay. • ―Dynamic Pricing‖ (variable Until late 1980's federal policies pricing based on demand) may discouraged tolls roads or imposing tolls on Transponder be applied in this form of existing highways. congestion pricing. Diminished road funding, advances in tolling technology, • Minnesota and Oregon are and more liberal federal policies have led to a resurgent studying and testing systems. Germany's truck toll interest in pricing roads. • PSRC will study a GPS incentive system has had based system testing pricing as numerous delays due Advances in electronic toll collection now provide for ―at a driving behavior modifier. to technical difficulties. speed‖ (no tollbooth) collection of tolls. Cordon Tolling High-Occupancy-Toll (HOT) Lanes All drivers are charged a toll when entering an area, such SOVs can buy into Operational or Under Const. as a downtown district. HOV lanes (1 or 2 - I-10 & US 290 (Houston, TX) lanes) when there is - I-15 (San Diego, CA) Singapore (1975 – available capacity. electronic since 1998) - SR 91 (Orange County, CA) Almost 20 different - Central Business District projects using or - I-394 (Minneapolis, MN) and ring roads studying HOT lane - I-25 / US 36 (Denver, CO) - Reduced number of solo drivers. applications in US. System-Wide Studies London (2003) Proposed - Minneapolis, MN - Central Business District (8 sq. miles) - SR 167 (King County, WA) - Atlanta, GA - Photo tolling (688 cameras / 203 sites) - I-95 (Miami, FL) - Washington, DC Beltway - Congestion reduced 17% (VA) 24 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Strategy Capital Corridor Efficiency–Park and Ride Facilities Operating Expected Benefits What is the Problem? Preservation Safety In Washington state there are close to 300 park and ride facilities and nearly one- Transportation Access System Efficiencies third are owned or leased by the department. The department does not have a Future Visions policy to guide the role of WSDOT in park and ride lots. In addition, there is an Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight unknown need for the expansion and development of park and ride lot capacity and Economy what the state role should be in that effort. Transit service and park and ride lots must Health & Environment develop in conjunction with each other in order to fully realize the effectiveness of All or Part Included in those services. '05 – '07 Commission Funding Recommendation? All Part None Description of Proposal Funded in Current Law Budget All Part None In coordination with transit agencies, WSDOT will develop a set of policies to help guide the development of a comprehensive park and ride program. Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal Development and implementation of a park and ride policy will help define the role of WSDOT and improve the efficiency of our roadway system. This policy will serve as a guide for the department's long-term park and ride lot program. 25 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Strategy Capital Corridor Efficiency–Develop a strategy for closer Operating integration between roadway and transit operations Expected Benefits Preservation Safety What is the Problem? Transportation Access System Efficiencies We do not have good integration of transit operations planning in our Future Visions roadways planning process. Route development plan standards do not Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight consistently include transit considerations in department construction Economy Health & Environment projects and do not typically provide funding for transit-supportive planning and implementation. All or Part Included in '05 – '07 Commission Funding Recommendation? Description of Proposal All Part None Improve the integration of transit operations in the department's route Funded in Current Law Budget development plan process. Include such measures such as prioritizing All Part None transit operations at intersections, integrating the siting of bus stop locations for greater transit efficiency, and effective pedestrian access for transit locations. WSDOT, in collaboration with transit agencies, will develop a program to fund transit services that create efficiencies in congested corridors. Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal Increases person throughput on existing corridors and improves the efficiency of the roadway system through greater use of transit, particularly in densely populated areas. 26 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Aviation Strategy Capital Complete Aviation System Plan With Classification of Airports Operating and Performance Standards Expected Benefits What is the Problem? Preservation Safety Each airport in Washington contributes to the aviation system by supporting different Transportation Access System Efficiencies types and levels of aviation activity. However, many airports do not meet current facility Future Visions and service level demand objectives and therefore their maximum potential within the Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight overall system is not being realized. Economy Health & Environment Description of Proposal All or Part Included in The Aviation Division is in the process of developing an airport classification system '05 – '07 Commission based on the role and airport service level. Performance measures will be identified to Funding Recommendation? evaluate airport deficiencies based on their functional role and to increase performance All Part None target levels. Airport deficiencies will also be evaluated to identify airport facility and Funded in Current Law Budget service development costs needs. The Aviation Task Force met in 2004 and identified five All Part None airport classes, which included commercial, regional, local/community, recreation or remote, and seaplane base categories. Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal To optimize the potential of the aviation system to meet future aviation demand and to facilitate economic opportunity Regional Airport Local/community Airport within the state. Snohomish Co./Paine Field Moses Lake Municipal Airport 27 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Strategy Highway—Commitment to Basic Maintenance Capital Operating What is the Problem? Expected Benefits Each biennium there are changes to the transportation system that influence the Preservation maintenance, and consequently, the efficiency of the roadway. Our aging population Safety Transportation Access influences the types of materials we use and increases our need to explore and System Efficiencies Future Visions implement new technologies. Roadway striping, snow and ice control, and performance Bottlenecks & Chokepoints measurement are just a few of the areas that face significant changes in the future. Moving Freight Economy Health & Environment Description of Proposal All or Part Included in The proposal is to improve our processes to assess how we program maintenance '05 – '07 Commission activities to continue to provide the current service level as the size and complexity of the Funding Recommendation? highway system increases and the aging population expects safer, and more efficient All Part None roadways. Increased funding would support additional workforce, equipment, and Funded in Current Law Budget materials to maintain system additions. Increased costs for implementing new All Part None technologies, utilizing different work methods, and improved information management would help to meet the expectations and needs of These are the changes in Maintenance. our changing society. Changes Examples System Additions Nickel Projects Description of Benefits/Impacts of Inflation . Rising Fuel Prices . Implementing the Proposal Changing Requirements Water Quality Permits System Wear and Tear Vehicle Miles Traveled Additional funds to keep pace with the increasing Changing Societal Needs Aging Population requirements of maintenance and operations will Changing Mgt. Needs Accountability provide for the continued levels of safety, mobility, Risk Management Snow and Ice Plan and reliability that are currently provided on the highway system. 28 Examples of Basic Maintenance Maintenance on highway signs includes repairing or replacing damaged signs or posts and washing signs that are not readable. Pavement Striping Wear and tear requires that stripes must be repainted Snow and Ice control 29 each year This is one of the most important and rapidly changing activities in maintenance The Maintenance Accountability Process (MAP) MAP targets, measures, and communicates the outcomes of 34 distinct highway maintenance activities. Maintenance results are measured using field condition surveys, and are reported as service level ratings. 30 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Highway—Traffic Operations Efficiency Strategy Capital Operating What is the Problem? Traffic Operations management strategies should be implemented on all urban congested Expected Benefits roadways and many rural freeways. Preservation Safety Description of Proposal Transportation Access System Efficiencies Operational strategies should be installed and operated wherever they can produce benefits as Future Visions part of the obligation to manage roads safely and efficiently as possible. Examples of some Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight operational activities include managing incident response teams, ramp meters, electronic Economy message signs, communications stations, roadway/traffic web sites, and roadway weather Health & Environment information stations. All these and many other efficiencies require fully equipped Transportation All or Part Included in Management Centers to detect incidents, manage traffic flow and directly link to communication '05 – '07 Commission systems and the media. Funding Recommendation? All Part None Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal Funded in Current Law Budget Operational strategies can be effective in delaying the need for capacity improvements, managing traffic All Part None during construction of capacity improvements, and getting the most out of the capacity improvements. Increasing resources to perform traffic operational strategies such as ramp metering or signal synchronization has been shown to increase traffic flow, decrease delay, and decrease crashes. Northbound I-405 at NE 24th Street 100% During the peak period on I-405 in 80% Renton, congestion reduces the 60% throughput of the two general purpose Lost Capacity lanes to the capacity of one free flowing 40% lane. 20% 0% 12 AM Noon 3 PM 6 PM 9 PM 3 AM 6 AM 9 AM 31 System Efficiencies Highway—Traffic Operations Efficiency In 2004, WSDOT responded to a total of 53,197 incidents - an average of 4,433 per month, or 1,108 per week. Before and After Travel Times (Min:Sec) 7:00 Before After SR 527 Signal Optimization Project 6:00 5:17 6:22 6:11 Before and After Study Time (in min.) 5:00 3:55 3:50 Average vehicle travel times were reduced ranging 4:00 3:12 2:56 3:07 3:00 from 16 seconds (Northbound morning peak period) 2:00 to 2 minutes and 27 seconds (Northbound evening 1:00 peak period). 0:00 NB-am SB-am NB-pm SB-pm Peak Hour Stated otherwise, travel time improved 41% for the Southbound morning commute, and 38% for the Study conducted by the City of Bothell on retiming traffic Northbound evening commute. signals on SR 527 between 228th Street SE and SR 524. 32 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Strategy Highways - Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Capital Operating What is the Problem? Expected Benefits ITS projects can help solve our demand/capacity imbalance but ITS Preservation solution don't always fit our traditional modeling of transportation systems Safety Transportation Access and often are not factored into the transportation planning and System Efficiencies Future Visions programming process. Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight Description of Proposal Economy Health & Environment ITS capital solutions should be integrated into the transportation planning All or Part Included in and programming process in order for ITS to effectively perform as part of a '05 – '07 Commission collaborative solution. Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) are the hub of Funding Recommendation? All Part None ITS and are an effective way to coordinated many systems. There are six Funded in Current Law Budget TMCs in Washington State located in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Union All Part None Gap, Spokane, and in Bellingham. A new TMC is planned for Wenatchee, which will focus on winter maintenance operations and travel information. The TMCs should adapt to the various technologies as the demand/capacity imbalances changes. Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal ITS can reduce motorist delay and frustration, save fuel, reduce emissions, and reduce collisions. It can defer or, in some cases, eliminate the need for large capital improvement projects. When installed with roadway capacity improvements, ITS can be an extremely cost effective way to maximize roadway efficiency. 33 System Efficiencies TMC Existing Scenario The Transportation Management Center is the Hub of ITS Using Highway Advisory Signs to inform Monitoring Ramp Metering Motorists This Transportation Management Center located in Seattle monitors, manages and directs all these Intelligent Transportation Systems at the same time. Dynamic Message Sign – remotely managed Incident Response Teams 34 Real Time Flow Traffic Cameras map on website System Efficiencies - Transportation Management Centers What do we want in the future? Are our investments ―passive‖ (e.g. message signs) or Should we Statewide ―active‖ (e.g. helicopters to increase remove disabled vehicles)? investments on high-tech The discussion includes: Transportation • Are we buying more in- Management Should we build pavement ―loops?‖ Centers? more regional • Or waiting for in-vehicle and/or local location devices? Yes centers or switch to a statewide concept? What is the relationship of ―local‖ centers to ―one No system?‖ The discussion includes: • What are the advantages to The discussion includes: having some statewide role? Regional / • Where is the emphasis • Tie to transit or not? needed? Local • What is the relationship to • Determine how to integrate border crossings? the regional TMCs as a statewide Network 35 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Ferries - Continue Demand Management and Strategy Capital Operational Strategies Operating Expected Benefits What is the Problem? Preservation Safety At each ferry terminal and for each ferry route there are operational and demand Transportation Access management measures that are used to continue to improve system efficiencies and System Efficiencies Future Visions reliability. Demand for ferry service exceeds the available capacity during peak period Bottlenecks & Chokepoints and peak directional travel times, such as during daily commute to work times, over the Moving Freight Economy weekends, during the summer tourists season and during major holidays. Health & Environment Practices at some terminals and routes are currently employing a spectrum of measures All or Part Included in to maximize efficiency short of purchasing newer bigger vessels and capital site '05 – '07 Commission Funding Recommendation? expansion. In some cases there are physical geographical and or land use constraints All Part None that prevent the expansion of the terminal. In other cases the costs associated with fleet Funded in Current Law Budget replacement or such terminal replacement exceed available revenues. All Part None Description of Proposal Continue demand management strategies, such as: transit, vanpool and car priority loading; preferential pricing for vanpools and coordinating transit operations at terminals Continue Operational strategies such as: optimizing ferry schedules and separating vehicle and passenger loading. Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal Demand management shifts congested vehicle traffic to passenger walk-on traffic where there is sufficient capacity. Separation of vehicle and walk–on traffic increases safety and operational efficiencies in vessel loading and offloading. Optimizing ferry schedules improves service efficiency and reliability while resulting in a reduction in fuel costs and the efficient use of crews. 36 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Strategy Public Transportation–Transit expansion within Capital Operating corridors for peak period efficiency gains (Rush hour Expected Benefits transit in congested corridors) Preservation Safety Transportation Access What is the Problem? System Efficiencies Future Visions Many congested roadways surrounded by dense land uses are key transit Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight corridors. While increased transit service on these corridors during peak Economy Health & Environment periods would improve the efficiency of the roadway, transit agencies may not be able to add the service without decreasing existing service levels in other All or Part Included in '05 – '07 Commission areas and geographic span of service. Funding Recommendation? Description of Proposal All Part None Develop a program to increase highway efficiency in congested corridors by Funded in Current Law Budget All Part None increasing public transportation services in coordination with transit agencies. The program would identify corridors where expanded transit services during peak periods would gain system efficiencies. Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal The program will maintain and improve efficiency of the state and local highway system. High occupancy vehicles can carry more people than single occupant vehicles thus increasing roadway efficiency. For example, a 40-foot bus can carry 20 to 40 times the number of people a single occupant vehicle can. Well used HOV lanes carry on average more people in fewer vehicles than general purpose lanes during peak periods. 37 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Strategy Public Transportation–Expanded Travel Capital Operating Conservation Approaches (Transportation Demand Expected Benefits Management and Commute Trip Reduction) Preservation Safety What is the Problem? Transportation Access System Efficiencies As population continues to grow, the demand on our existing roadways will Future Visions increase and it is essential that system efficiency and mobility be maintained. Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight Transportation demand management tools such as commute trip reduction and Economy high occupancy vehicles (transit, vanpools and carpools) help increase capacity Health & Environment on congested corridors. This can be a more effective solution when funding dollars All or Part Included in '05 – '07 Commission are limited or when highway expansion is not feasible. Funding Recommendation? Description of Proposal All Part None Develop new and expand existing commute strategies to expand access: Funded in Current Law Budget • Increase financial incentives for vanpooling All Part None • Increase vanpool fleet • Tax credits to employers for Commute Trip Reduction investments • Increase the number of employers required to participate in CTR • Develop public awareness and marketing for commute options • Increase CTR Performance Grants to further mobility and efficiency Following completion of the CTR Task Force work plan, consider investments in CTR measures that reduce congestion, for example increasing the number of employers required to participate in CTR. Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal Commute strategies are an effective transportation option to reduce peak period congestion. System 38 efficiency is gained in using higher occupancy vehicles which move more people in fewer vehicles. System Efficiencies Type of Proposal Policy Public Transportation–Expanded Travel Strategy Capital Conservation Approaches (High Occupancy Operating Vehicle Facilities) Expected Benefits Preservation What is the Problem? Safety Transportation Access System Efficiencies The Core Freeway HOV System is not yet complete. Increasing demand requires Future Visions completion and further planning to ensure future performance and maximum use of Bottlenecks & Chokepoints Moving Freight the system. Peak period volumes in the HOV lane on I-5 and I-405 will be at capacity Economy in the near future. Transit and shared ride modes rely upon the travel time savings Health & Environment and reliability provided by HOV lanes throughout the greater metropolitan area. All or Part Included in Transit, vanpools, and carpools commuting in congested corridors are delayed along '05 – '07 Commission Funding Recommendation? with the rest of peak period traffic in HOV lanes. All Part None Description of Proposal Funded in Current Law Budget All Part None Complete the Core Freeway HOV System in the Puget Sound region. Identify the HOV system improvements and policy adjustments that will ensure continued effectiveness of the system. Identify system-wide connectivity, performance, and coordination with congestion relief, pricing, TDM, direct access, bus rapid transit, express delivery strategies, park- and-ride lots, ITS applications, and other system improvements. 39 System Efficiencies Public Transportation–Expanded travel conservation approaches (High Occupancy Vehicle Facilities) Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal HOV lanes are effective at moving people. They provide a more efficient use of the existing system, increase the effective capacity of congested freeways, support efforts to improve air quality, and provide capacity for future growth in travel demand. They provide a measurable improvement in travel times and reliability for those who choose shared ride modes. Proposed SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project (2007) Core Freeway HOV Program Green = Existing Orange = Funded Blue = Unfunded Red Dots = Sound Transit Direct Access Ramps Pink = Proposed SR 167 HOT Lanes Project 40 System Efficiencies Type of Proposal Policy Public Transportation–Expanded Travel Strategy Conservation Approaches (Park and Ride Capital Operating Facilities) Expected Benefits Preservation What is the Problem? Safety Transportation Access Statewide, there is an unknown need for the expansion and development of System Efficiencies Future Visions park and ride lot capacity. Park and ride lots allow for a more efficient use of Bottlenecks & Chokepoints transit and vanpool services. However, transit service and park and ride lots Moving Freight Economy must develop in conjunction with each other in order to fully realize the Health & Environment effectiveness of those services. All or Part Included in '05 – '07 Commission Description of Proposal Funding Recommendation? The park and ride program, under the guidance of a new policy, will address capacity All Part None needs, prioritize projects, identify partnership opportunities, and critical lot needs such Funded in Current Law Budget All Part None as security, improvements, and expansion. This topic was also described previously in the policy section. Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal Development of a park and ride program will allow for better implementation of demand management strategies and increase the transit market share. 41 Type of Proposal System Efficiencies Policy Strategy Passenger Rail–Expanded Travel Conservation Capital Operating Approaches (Existing Amtrak Cascades Passenger Expected Benefits Rail Service) Preservation Safety Transportation Access What is the Problem? System Efficiencies The intercity passenger rail program envisioned in the early 1990s is dependent Future Visions Bottlenecks & Chokepoints upon the availability of substantial federal and state funding. The lack of federal Moving Freight funding to date and the reduced availability of state funds have framed the scope of Economy Health & Environment the existing Amtrak Cascades passenger rail program. However, additional All or Part Included in operational investments are necessary to maintain the existing level of service for the '05 – '07 Commission intercity rail program. Funding Recommendation? All Part None Description of Proposal Funded in Current Law Budget Provide for the support, administration, coordination and planning for passenger rail All Part None including subsidies for the Amtrak Cascades Services and the following capital components: • Management and funding of track system improvements and acquisition of passenger train equipment; Overhaul the three state owned Amtrak Cascades trainsets, including interior and mechanical upgrades and replacements. • Change the track and platform configuration for King Street Station to meet the capacity requirements of projected intercity, commuter and through freight rail traffic. Description of Benefits/Impacts of Implementing the Proposal Improved connections to regional transportation services, expanded range of facilities and increased system efficiency through intercity passenger rail service. 42
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Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree and Welcome to our new location in Pace!
Pediatric Associates, P.A., Pace, is moving to 4591 Santa Villa Drive, Pace, Florida 32571, on Monday, January 26th! The office is on the same side of Highway 90, 2 miles down the road, next to Fellowship Baptist Church. Walk Ins Welcome!
Pediatric Associates, P.A., added a 2 1/2 year health supervision visit to your toddler's well check up schedule at the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Please call our office and make your appointment today.
We appreciate your choosing us as physicians for your child. Pensacola area parents have been choosing Pediatric Associates, P.A. for the healthcare of their children for more than 50 years. Our long history in this community is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing affordable, quality and accessible healthcare to area children. We provide primary pediatric care to infants, children and adolescents from newborns to age 18. Our board-certified pediatricians are excellent at health care and we have relationships with most insurance carriers. Our mission is to deliver the best, most up to date and most comprehensive medical services to area families. We look forward to assisting you in meeting the medical needs of your children and we are committed to working diligently with you to promote a healthy environment for your child.
We are always accepting new patients. Should you have a friend
seeking a doctor for his or her child, we would appreciate your recommendation.
Your recommendation is our best advertisement.


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The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Harper tells Sri Lanka to reinstate chief justice after 'politicized' dismissal
OTTAWA - Canada appeared to be one step closer to boycotting this year's Commonwealth leaders' summit Monday as Prime Minister Stephen Harper bluntly called on the Sri Lankan government to reinstate the country's fired chief justice.
Harper has threatened to ignore the 54-country summit that Sri Lanka hosts later this year because he has serious concerns about Colombo's commitment to human rights and democracy since the country's long civil war ended in 2009.
The latest flashpoint came Friday after President Mahinda Rajapaksa dismissed the country's chief justice, Shirani Bandaranayake, after a widely condemned impeachment process.
The move sparked protests Monday in the South Asian country and raised fears of a constitutional crisis if the government moves to replace Bandaranayake.
"We call on the government of Sri Lanka to respect the country's constitution and the independence of its judiciary and change course immediately," Harper said in a statement.
Harper said he is deeply concerned by the move, which he said came after "an impeachment process which appeared to be highly politicized and lacking transparency and respect for the guarantees of due process and fair trial."
NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar called on Harper to "state unequivocally" that he will boycott the Commonwealth summit in Colombo.
"We urge Commonwealth members to step up action to condemn this attack on judicial independence," said Dewar.
Harper said Canada will push for the matter to discussed at the next meeting of the Commonwealth's ministerial action group, set for April.
Gordon Campbell, Canada's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, spoke with the secretary general of the Commonwealth last week and requested that Sri Lanka be added to the group's next meeting, said Rick Roth, spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.
Canadian officials also expressed their concerns directly to Sri Lanka's high commissioner to Canada in a meeting on Friday, and will be talking to Sri Lankan government officials in Colombo as well, Roth said.
"Canada continues to have serious concerns about the human rights situation, the need for reconciliation, and the democratic deficit in Sri Lanka," Harper said.
"We will continue to raise these concerns forcefully, without equivocation both directly with the government of Sri Lanka and through resolutions at both the United Nations and the Commonwealth."
Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae called on Harper and Baird to press for an emergency meeting of the Commonwealth's ministerial action group.
"It is simply unacceptable that we wait to address this dire situation until the next scheduled meeting, as Prime Minister Harper and Minister Baird would prefer," said Rae, who was an adviser to the Sri Lankan peace process from 1999 to 2006.
Canada has been leading an international effort to press the Sri Lankan government to seriously examine allegations of summary executions, kidnappings and other atrocities by government forces and the Tamil Tiger rebels.
The violations are alleged to have occurred in May 2009 when government forces routed the Tigers to end the country's two-and-a-half decade civil war.
Canada co-sponsored a resolution at the UN Human Rights Council that pressed Sri Lanka to properly investigate the alleged war crimes.
An internal Sri Lankan commission into the matter has been widely criticized by Canada and others as a whitewash that favours the government.
A UN panel of experts has found that there are credible allegations of war crime and crimes against humanity.
"Canada has strongly supported resolutions at both the United Nations and the Commonwealth condemning the Sri Lankan government's lack of action on reconciliation and the country's disturbing slide in human rights," said Baird, who will represent Canada at the action group.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma is to visit Sri Lanka next month.
"I will also consider further Commonwealth initiatives and responses as are envisaged in situations that could be perceived to constitute violations of core Commonwealth values and principles," he said after Friday's dismissal.
Since winning a second term as president following the end of the civil war in 2009, Rajapaksa has pushed through new laws that are seen as steps toward establishing absolute power.
He has extended term limits on the presidency and abolished independent commissions.
Bandaranayake's impeachment is seen as an attempt to muzzle the judiciary.
Recently, Bandaranayake ruled against Rajapaksa's brother, the head of Sri Lanka's economic development ministry.
The Rajapaksa family occupies many senior government positions, including head of the defence ministry and the speaker's chair in Parliament. One of Rajapaksa's sons sits as an MP.
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I liked the location- it was outside the actual city which gives easy access to restaurants, stores and gas stations, and it was rather quiet at night despite being near a freeway. The kitchenette was also very convenient because I could cook some easy meals instead of eating out every night. - Anonymous
Comfortable/good breakfast/quiet although full facility/nice rooms and lobby. - Anonymous
Large, clean room, quiet, easy access to freeway. This is our 2nd visit to Motel Puyallup. Enjoyed our stay and will be back. - Anonymous
Comfortable bed Attractive furnishings Breakfast - Anonymous
Relaxing, enjoyable 6 night stay when visiting our son and daughter in law at JBLM recently. The suite was very roomy and comfortable for us and the sitting room allowed me to read later in to the evening without disturbing my wife. - Anonymous


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A music video i made with my best mate and partner in crime Tim Warwood back in 2004. It's to the song "I need a girlfriend" by B2k feat R Kelly...they were not involved.
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Orchards Homes: Incredible opportunity to purchase this 4 bedroom 3 bath home in the orchards! This home has the largest covered lanai in the entire community! Some of the other features in this home include granite kitchen counters, hurricane shutters, screened front entryway, new tile roof, new washer / dryer, additional sink on lanai, pavered driveway, new dishwasher, rescreened lanai and a wonderful view overlooking the lake. All this located within biking distance to shopping, drug stores and restaurants. This community is located only 4 1/2 miles to vanderbilt beach featuring its beautiful white sand and emerald green water of the gulf of mexico. For families with children, the orchards is located in an "a" rated school district! I love this community so much, i live in the orchards myself! Make your appointment to see this home today!
Orchards Homes: Prime location in naples that puts you in the heart of everything minutes from mercato with you can enjoy fine dining, shopping and entertainment. Artis and waterside shops just minutes away and 3 miles to florida's gold coast white sandy beaches!!!! Offering 2 bedrooms plus den and extended lanai on premium lot on the lake sets the stage whether you are looking for a permanent residence or seasonal. This home is immaculate with bamboo hardwood floors updated kitchen with granite and stainless steel appliances, custom window treatments, offering informal and formal dining and great room with volume ceilings and designer light fixtures. Don't miss the opportunity to schedule your private showing and be ready for season to get yourself out of the cold north. Amenities include community room, community pool and spa tennis and fitness and a playground for the grandchildren. Your piece of paradise awaits your arrival
Orchards Homes: Location, location, location!! Right in the heart of north naples. This is a lovely neighborhood, the orchards, gated, low hoa fees, a fabulous community. This single family home is impeccable, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, spacious, open floor plan, granite and corian counter tops, desk area in the breakfast room, wood floor in the family room, white tile in kitchen and baths. Storm shutters, work bench area in garage, newer a/c, hot water heater and garbage disposal. Beautiful lake view with a l-shaped screened lanai. The orchards amenities include lighted tennis courts, exercise room, 2 pools, spa, bocce ball, basketball and kids playground.
Orchards Homes: Wow! Reduced! On the lake prime location look no more fall in love the minute you walk into this well maintained move in ready 3 bed 2 bath single family home. Conveniently located in north naples gated community of the orchards. Minutes away from vanderbilt beach, mercato - shopping, fine dining & siverspot, artis, waterside shops, ritz/tiburon & library. Highly desirable open floor plan updates done 2013 kitchen, living dining room & hallway entrance, new counter tops - kitchen, beautiful wood grain ceramic tile floors. Water heater 2013. Open kitchen great space for family & entertaining. Vaulted ceilings, lots of natural light. Ac 2 years old. Very large master bedroom w/ extended seating area. Large walk in closet. Plenty of storage. Sliders located off the living room open to screened in lanai w/ view of the lake. Lanai windows w/ very cool moveable shade coverings. A peaceful place to sit & drink your morning coffee or relax & watch a beautiful sunset & bird life. 2 car garage. Great family neighborhood, low hoa fees. Walk across the street to one of the community pools! Clubhouse w/large pool & hot tub, exercise room, tennis courts, basketball & kids playground. Hurry!
Orchards Homes: This well maintained home is conveniently located in north naples in the gated community of the orchards, a great family neighborhood that offers low homeowner fees. Amenities include lighted tennis courts, two pools, spa, exercise room, clubhouse, bocce courts, children's play area and basketball. Just 4 miles to the beach, close to shopping, restaurants, and in one of naples top rated school districts.... Pelican marsh elementary, pine ridge middle, barron collier high. Home features an open floor plan, high ceilings, 17" tile throughout, kept immaculate!
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The data relating to real estate for sale/lease on this web site come in part from a cooperative data exchange program of the multiple listing service (MLS) in which this real estate firm (Broker) participates. The properties displayed may not be all of the properties in the MLS's database, or all of the properties listed with Brokers participating in the cooperative data exchange program. Properties listed by Brokers other than this Broker are marked with either the listing Broker's logo or name or the MLS name or a logo provided by the MLS. Detailed information about such properties includes the name of the listing Brokers. Information provided is thought to be reliable but is not guaranteed to be accurate; you are advised to verify facts that are important to you. No warranties, expressed or implied, are provided for the data herein, or for their use or interpretation by the user. The Florida Association of Realtors and its cooperating MLSs do not create, control or review the property data displayed herein and take no responsibility for the content of such records. Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin in the sale, rental or financing of housing.


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By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
12/22/2013 (1 year ago)
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
Pope Francis has named his favorite Jesuit a saint, bypassing traditional rules for sainthood. On his birthday last Tuesday, Pope Francis recognized 16th century Jesuit Pierre Favre as a saint.
By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
12/22/2013 (1 year ago)
Published in Christian Saints & Heroes
Keywords: Favre, saint, Pope Francis, Jesuit
LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Saint Pierre Favre is a favorite of Pope Francis, who is himself a Jesuit. The recognition is also a tip to the Jesuit order, which has long admired and honored the work of Favre.
Pierre Favre lived from 1506-1546 and met Ignatius of Loyola in college and was his first recruit into the new Jesuit order. Favre spent most of his time preaching to return people who had fallen away from the Church into Protestantism.
Pope Francis praised the simplicity and piety of Favre as key points of inspiration.
Normally, procedures within the Church require that an individual have two verifiable miracles attributed to their name before they can be considered for sainthood. However, Church law also allows for people who enjoy widespread veneration within the Church for an extended period of time to be acknowledged as saints. Pope Francis used this loophole to facilitate his declaration.
It should be noted that despite popular convention, the Catholic Church does not make people "saints" after death, per se. Instead, people earn sainthood through living meritorious lives and being accepted into communion with God. It is God who makes saints, and anyone who arrives in heaven is a saint.
The Church works hard, with great integrity and skepticism, to verify earthly signs of saintly intervention. When enough convincing evidence is presented, the Church publicly recognizes the sainthood of the individual.
Faithful Catholics are then justified in petitioning these saints for their prayers before God and asking for their intercession.
Next year two more popular individuals will be recognized. Popes John XXIII and John Paul II are due to be recognized in a unique ceremony that will be attended by both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
St. Mark
St. Christopher
St. Benedict
St. George
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Gerard
St. Ann
St. Jude
St. Matthew
St. Joseph of Cupertino
St. Joseph
St. Florian
St. Barbara
St. Anthony
St. Clare
St. Isidore the Farmer
St. Brigid of Ireland
St. John the Baptist
By Alex Basile
Every carpenter must practice patience. We can learn important lessons from the wood shop in Nazareth from the humble Saint Joseph. I have always been a "do it yourself" type of guy thanks to my father. My dad is always a steady presence during my home-improvement ... continue reading
By Deacon Keith Fournier
This great defender of the faith insisted on the central claim of Christianity: God can be known and loved-indeed, that is why He came into our midst in the person of His Son; so that through a relationship with Jesus Christ, man could participate in the ... continue reading
By Deacon F.K. Bartels
St. Teresa's whole life is one of simple beauty and fervent purpose; it is a life contained in Christ. She shows us how to live the same way through Prayer.On reading from St. Teresa, a deep feeling of her love for His Majesty envelops us; we begin, in a very real, ... continue reading
By Deacon Keith Fournier
If Christ Jesus dwells in a man as his friend and noble leader, that man can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens us and never abandons us. He is a true friend. And I clearly see that if we expect to please him and receive an abundance of his ... continue reading
By St. Francis of Assisi
We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh. Rather we must be simple, humble and pure. We should never desire to be over others. Instead, we ought to be servants who are submissive to every human being for God's sake. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on all ... continue reading
By St Therese of Lisieux
O Jesus, my love, at last I have found my calling: my call is love. Certainly I have found my place in the Church, and you gave me that very place, my God. In the heart of the Church, my mother, I will be love, and thus I will be all things, as my desire finds its ... continue reading
By Deacon F. K. Bartels
The Catechism of the Catholic Church informs us - The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition (328). Charged by God to ... continue reading
By Deacon Keith A Fournier
God and his angels look down upon us; Christ, who looks on as we do battle in the contest of faith. What great dignity and glory are ours, what happiness to struggle in the presence of God and to be crowned by Christ our judge. Let us be armed with a great ... continue reading
By F. K. Bartels
If there is any message which can be drawn from St. Augustine's life, and there are many, it is the message of repentance and conversion. This is a message the world desperately needs to hear today. It is one of heartfelt dedication to Christ as Master, Teacher and ... continue reading
By Deacon F.K. Bartels
It is true that the creature loves less because she is less. But if she loves with her whole being, nothing is lacking where everything is given. To love so ardently then is to share the marriage bond; she cannot love so much and not be totally loved, and it is in the ... continue reading


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You have to give MS some credit, they're slowly getting better.
The day that Microsoft releases an OS that doesn't NEED a constant stream of zero-day patches and such, for example, then maybe we can START to talk. Until then, no!
Well, by that definition, we can start to talk. Constant stream zero-day patches? Nope. Same stream as all other OSes, yep.
So, since no software manufacturer could produce an OS to run on 90% of computers without zero-day patches...you'll never begin talking? I don't get it.
Microsoft's Windows persistent desktop/laptop presence hasn't really changed much over the last few years. I don't know where you're getting this read of a mass exodus of users from the Windows camp, but actual numbers seem to really disagree with this statement.
Sigh... the old "having worked in IT for 30 years" story. Hey, me too. On OSes from Unix (you know, the real live Unix) to CP/M-80, and just about everything in-between. I have a masters degree in computer science, too. Do I get a cookie?If you insist on holding to this bogus line of reasoning, then indeed I leave you in the capable hands of Apple. Enjoy.
I think IT has passed you by. Your words indicate that you're too old to understand what is going on and why.
I'm sure you have! But not only have I worked with everything from CP/M and DOS to several versions of "real live Unix", but I've also worked with platforms that blew Unix and Windows out of the water, and that were "beyond the state of the art" when they first came out ages ago - and still are in many respects. It's unfortunate that you have never had that privilege yourself.
Please name one of these platforms.
1 recommendation
It's all preference. I find every version of android to be buggy and to feel as if it were a poorly done rip of of iOS. Its customizability is nice but if all the software is glitchy what is the point.
Alright...and so, how many of these embedded computer systems have to worry about an ever-changing internet presence threatening to compromise their security? Even if my in-dash car GPS had an exploit...how exactly would it ever get exploited?Long story short, these systems could very well have similar security loopholes as Windows (or Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, pick your internet-connected flavor) but no accessible means for an attacker to even attempt to compromise them.
What? The old semi-joke is that a parent needs to ask their kid for answers if a computer question comes up. At some point the younger and next generation (especially in fast moving technology) know more than the older generation. Especially if the older generation has constantly been training to keep up with technology.Actually, I think your response is rude and obnoxious. I have over 30 years of experience with computers and got me EE back in '87, so I know exactly what I'm talking about when I say that times may have passed him by. It happens all the time.
Oh, ok, I have ancient systems experiences too. AIX would just be Unix. Heck, HP's MPE on the HP 3000 minicomputer was awesome back when disk drives were the size of washing machines. Without a doubt, any platform that only had to defend against local attack would indeed be far more stable. I grew up on mainfraimes & mini computers in the late 70s/early 80s too, and those things are a far cry from anything intended to be a general purpose computer on the Internet run by a home user. Ditto with embedded - most of which are going linux these days, but of course there are may other embedded OSes, of which I developed on three. The last being VxWorks, which was used on a line of HP cameras that I did some firmware work on.You really can't compare these types of systems (either that predate the modern connected world, or are firmware based and not fungible) to a modern always connected OS running untrusted applications by untrained users who have root/admin privileges. You can harden a system, but the weak link is always at the keyboard
it is Microsoft that comes in and lies
Interesting. I have three kids ranging from 16 to 10 and all three of them have no problems with Windows 7. I draw my own conclusions from this . . .
Case number and/or name?


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Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health
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Data Snapshots are national and state-level profiles featuring whole child overviews or topic-specific reports.
You can view an available snapshot or customize your own data snapshot. Customizable profiles, where you can choose your
own indicators, are marked with an asterisk*.
To view your data snapshot, follow the two easy steps below:
Click on the map (a state, region or nationwide) to view your snapshot.
Select a snapshot from the list of categories below.
1. Click on your state, HRSA Region, or Nationwide to view your snapshot.
2. Select a Snapshot from the Categories below. Customizable profiles, where you
can choose your own indicators, are marked with an asterisk*.
The Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health is a project of the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) supported by theHealth Resources and Services Administration (HRSA),Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Cooperative Agreement
, The National Maternal and Child Health Data Resource Center. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and
should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. Additional
support for DRC-related projects has come from other funding agencies, including theNational Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health and Autism Speaks. The surveys that are the
original sources of the data were conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. CAHMI is responsible for the analyses, interpretations, presentations and
conclusions included on this site.
© 2012 The Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative


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As the resident Destructoid staff North Dakotan, I feel oddly obligated to report whenever there's videogame news that can be tenuously tied to my home state. As such, the University of North Dakota had a recent applicant for...
|Brett Makedonski
Electronic Arts has bought its way out of a potentially nasty class action lawsuit, for use of the names, images, and likenesses of former and current NCAA student athletes. All it cost was an undisclosed amount, vaguely refe...
|Brett Makedonski
After stating that it would move forward to create college football games without the NCAA names and marks, Electronic Arts has confirmed today that there won't be a new game in 2014. "We have been stuck in the middle of a di...
|Jordan Devore
Thursday was NPD day, a day of celebration and / or commiseration throughout the US gaming industry. The big winners in terms of hardware and software were 3DS and NCAA Football 14. This marks the third straight month that 3D...
|Tony Ponce
[Update: Electronic Arts' official response has come from EA Sports executive vice president Andrew Wilson, who writes that the company "will continue to develop and publish college football games, but we will no longer incl...
|Hamza CTZ Aziz
I wonder if active NCAA players prefer playing Madden. Do they want to play as themselves, or their friends? Or do they want to play as the players they grew up watching, the players that made it to the big time? For many, college ball is a necessary stepping stone on a path towards imagined, sought greatness; recognition, immortalization, and conspicuous wealth. Though the latter is impeded by the long overdue rookie salary cap.
NCAA Football 14 is operating in a weird space. The college football series is finally getting a physics engine, a year behind Madden, and it's the current generation's Infinity Engine 2. Meanwhile, EA spent much of E3 touting its next generation physics engine, Ignite: "EA Sports Ignite is designed to harness the potential of next-generation consoles and will power FIFA 14, Madden NFL 25, EA Sports UFC and NBA Live 14 on Xbox One and PlayStation 4."
Notice the odd man out? Yes, NCAA Football 14 is a marked improvement over last year's phoned in effort. It's also very much a Matt Leinart, the college stud ready to be outmoded and forgotten at the next level of play, when people swap out their Xbox 360s and PlayStation 3s for backwards compatibility lacking PS4s and Xbox Ones while EA issues press conferences about how the engine succeeding it is infinitely better.
And hey, Kurt Warner managed to take the Cardinals to the Super Bowl.view full story + comments
When I previewed NCAA Football 14 earlier this year, I noted that the best news about the game is that it uses the Infinity Engine 2, the original iteration of which made Madden 13 the best entry in the series in many years.
Things are more or less the same from what I played of NCAA Football 14 on the show floor. It feels better than the game ever has and is a little better than Madden 13, given it runs on the second iteration of the engine.
view full story + comments
NCAA Football 14 is going to be a much better game than NCAA 13. I can assure you that much because it has implemented a physics engine, the Infinity Engine 2. If the name rings familiar, the first iteration of the Infinity Engine was implemented in last year's Madden 13, prompting me to give it high marks. Football is physical. Physics are good for football.
The six week lead time on NCAA 13 (ahead of Madden) prevented the team from having enough time to employ the physics engine last year, but now the series is getting its new iteration, one designed to remedy some of the growing pains of the first version of the engine. The post play hijinks, like players generally falling over themselves like drunkards or occasionally looking like some monstrous contortion straight out of an Asian horror film, are just one of the issues that have been addressed.
"Another year, another [insert sports title]," am I right? Yes, with the autumnal winds blows in the latest crop of sports games, including the harbinger of Maddens to come, NCAA Football 13. As I am tenuously optimistic about Madden 13 being interesting this year thanks to a new physics system, I was hoping NCAA 13, which I didn't get a chance to catch at E3, was going to be ushering in a similar attempted revolution.
Instead, what we're left with is more of the same, wrapped with a really pretty bow, as its aging base framework fails to captivate despite all the glitz and glam and high marks for presentation. There are some cool things about NCAA 13, but it's hard to credit it when the actual footballing has seemingly fallen so far behind on the priority list. Familiarity breeds contempt.view full story + comments
Last year, EA Sports decided to take a some risks, change up a few things and make a pretty darn good college football game. Well, apparently, we liked the experimental title enough that they decided to do something unprecedented: make a sequel!
... Wait, this is a yearly series? And I reviewed it last year, too? Oh.
In any case, yes, EA is putting that NCAA license to use once again with a new version of the popular sports game series. Maybe I should have written that as "new," though, because ... well ... you guys know what deja vu feels like, right?view full story + comments
Next week is when EA Sports will drop the demo for NCAA Football 12 on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. Ahead of the demo's June 28 launch, the company has plans to interact with fans via live stream. This is going down tom...
|Jordan Devore
The NCAA Football series has long been considered the little brother of EA Sports' Madden franchise, not just because it's often received Madden features the following year. There have always been questions about how much effort Electronic Arts has put into making the NCAA Football separate from Madden, and with this year's edition, NCAA Football 11, it appears that EA is finally trying to answer those concerns.
And just how have they planned to do that? With a focus on recreating as much of the each college team's identity as they can, from traditions to coaching tendencies to offensive styles. Of course, it's one thing to include the elements of the college football experience, and another thing to actually make it feel like the real deal. The latter part is where EA has struggled at times, but could this year be when it all comes together?
Read on to see if EA has pushed the series forward, or just rolled out what amounts to another yearly roster update and "Madden clone." I'll try my best to avoid any dumb football-related puns, too.view full story + comments
EA Sports is really excited about NCAA Football 11 -- so much so that they want you to try it out a month before the game's release. The demo features four different college football matchups: Oklahoma at Texas, Florida at Fl...
|Samit Sarkar
EA Sports' NCAA Football franchise has tended to lag behind its elder brother, Madden NFL, in terms of the implementation of new features and improvements. That is, you usually see the new stuff hit Madden first, and come to NCAA Football the following year (or sometimes later).
This year, EA Tiburon -- the developer of both titles -- seems to be making a concerted effort to equalize the franchises in that sense. But Madden and NCAAF are still distinct games, as they should be. I got my hands on both of them at a press event in New York City on Wednesday; you'll have to wait until Monday for my impressions of Madden NFL 11, but you can hit the jump for my thoughts on NCAA Football 11.
For those looking forward to college football on their PSP this year, you are going to be disappointed. IGN has confirmed that NCAA Football 11 will not be landing on Sony's portable gaming machine. EA doesn't really cite any...
|Matthew Razak
Reports that New England is cooling on Tim Tebow have reduced NFL draft experts to tossing out basic guesses as to where the Heisman-winning QB will end up. But while his eventual team and place in the draft is on shaky groun...
|Brad Nicholson


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Charles J. De Sanno Executive Director of Enterprise Infrastructure Engineering Office of Information and Technology Veterans Affairs Department
The work: Championing the development of a secure, cloud-based infrastructure for sharing medical data and improving care for veterans.
The impact: VA clinicians can now access patient records and information on medications and lab results at patients' bedsides using tablet PCs.
The nuts and bolts: De Sanno acted aggressively to create a secure foundation for mobile apps at VA. His work also led to development of a pilot program in which severely ill veterans use VA-issued iPads to manage their care and interact with doctors, thereby increasing communication while minimizing the need for patients to travel to medical centers.
Read more about the 2012 Federal 100 award winners.
About the Author
John Zyskowski is a senior editor of Federal Computer Week. Follow him on Twitter: @ZyskowskiWriter.
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Unisys Federal Systems' Venkatapathi Puvvada, this year's Eagle award winner for industry, stresses the importance of community.
Experts tell committee that business models, not technology, are the main obstacle to better sharing across systems.
Protests have delayed SEWP V, but industry experts say the contract vehicle offers agencies service and value that are hard to find.
The power of the individual informs FCW's coverage each and every day, but with the Federal 100, we take time to really spotlight and celebrate it. Get to know each of this year's winners.
The latest version of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act purportedly protects companies from liability and individuals from government intrusion.
Popular CIO is headed for the private sector.
The Census Bureau hasn't established a time frame for its cloud computing plans, including testing for scalability, security, and privacy protection, as well as determining a budget for cloud services.
President Obama's proposal to boost government coordination with the private sector got a warm welcome in the House Homeland Security Committee.
The spy agency wants to better integrate cybersecurity into its traditional human intelligence operations.
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Could we see cross-platform games soon?
Nintendo has been feeling some pressure lately with the announcement of Sony's PSNow system which will allow gamers to buy a game once and play it on their PS3, PS4, or PS Vita.
This pressure is exacerbated by the fact that there are games like Super Mario Bros. 3 for sale on both the 3DS and Wii U eShops, but players must purchase them separately to be able to play them on both.
Miyamoto was questioned about this problem in a recent interview with Kotaku.
What I can say is, certainly, within Nintendo the fact that our development environment for our home console is different from the development environment for our portable system is certainly an area of stress or challenge for the development teams. So as we move forward, we're going to look at what we do to unify the development environments.
Shigeru Miyamoto
He makes it very clear that the biggest roadblock for cross-platform games is the different teams in charge of handheld and home console systems. His answer does not seem to indicate that there is any progress being made on this front, but hopefully Nintendo will begin looking down this road in the near future.
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No posts yet for this game. Less lurking more typing.
Project Ukulele - Possible Hint at Characters
Could it be?
Free to Play Pokemon Shuffle now available on 3DS eShop
Nintendo offers another micro-transaction based title
Gold Mario Amiibo is a Wal-Mart Exclusive
Get ready to shell out your coins
Area Effect Announces Izle for Wii U
Part action, part adventure, all cel-shaded
Nintendo Confirmed As Sponsor For APEX 2015
Another positive step for the Smash competitive scene
Majora's Mask 3D Collector's Edition Contains Skull Kid Figurine
Pre-orders are now open!
Ackk Studios Rings in the New Year with New Y2K footage
Starting the New Year with a bang!
Is Nintendo Making A New Wii U Gamepad?
Recent commercial may have leaked new GamePad model
Zeldathon Relief Announced
Pot smashing for a great cause
Why the Inclusion of The Duck Hunt Dog in Super Smash Bros. Was Brilliant
How the the most hated character in video games rose to the top of the Smash heap
Michael Jordan said:
No they're making it from the movie ... Speed Racer: The Video Game
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Thanks Rob. I had no idea this one was published. I'm very happy about it! Yes, Jonathan, it is hard as all get-out, ... Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight review
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This was a very well-written review. Apparently Super Hexagon was developed by Terry Cavanagh (who made vvvvvv), so ... Cosmophony review
dirk said:
:p p ... TMNT: Smash Up
dirk said:
cool :p ... TMNT: Smash Up
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1 person found this helpful
"Company has changed a lot in the past year. Not in a good way. Is getting to be less great to work here.. "
- Comp & Benefits
- Work/Life Balance
- Senior Management
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
I have been working at SquareTrade full-time (more than 5 years)
Has good product; has really shown warranties can be a smart thing for folks to buy.
Nice new facility. Very open
They feed us alot and pretty often
-Culture and work environment is really changing over the past year or so. Not in a good way
-Growing so fast - concerned that the focus is all about how numbers look versus 18months ago where it was delivering the very best service on electronics.
-The new executives they are bringing in combined with the change to Bain are all focused on going public. This is changing lots of the things that we so great about ST in the past
CEO & COO need to get more involved, like they use to be, in the details of what is behind the slidesware they are being shown. A lot of talk about culture and values and an award every now and then... But are the decisions you guys making really based on these values?
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4 people found this helpful
"Growing fast "
- Comp & Benefits
- Work/Life Balance
- Senior Management
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
I have been working at SquareTrade full-time (more than 3 years)Pros
Lots of opportunity and a good management team. Good benefits and nice offices. Company has really differentiated itself in the warranty business. Lots of really sharp people.Cons
Growing so fast some things falling through the cracks.RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEO
1 person found this helpful
"High Turn Over in Marketing Dept. "
- Comp & Benefits
- Work/Life Balance
- Senior Management
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
I worked at SquareTrade full-time (more than a year)Pros
Fun group, people are collaborative, lots of free food. A lot of fun activities. The warranty service department really cares about customer service that shows and is the best part of the company.Cons
Temperamental leadership who have changing views, can be a moving target, people "disappear" quietly in marketing department like they are trying them out for size. There is not a clear marketing strategy, growing pains from online business to brick and mortar is one issue. There is also a bit of back stabbing and favoritism. You will be cut if you can't hack it quick-like. No time for messing around and very little direction is given.Advice to ManagementAdvice
Clear up issues with communication at the top. Don't be so intimidating. Try to on-board with some clear guidance. Give people a chance.No opinion of CEO


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Originally Posted by MaleficentMel Ooh, would you reccomend that I go? Sure if you've never been there. If you like coasters, they have those. If the history aspect of the park interests you'll be amused all day.
Give it a go, on a weekday if possible.
Thank you much, I will see if I can talk my sister into taking me.


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Alabama-Armed Voters
4:55 pm
Tue July 8, 2014
AG Says County Commissions Can't Ban Guns At Polls
Alabama's attorney general has issued an advisory opinion saying a county commission does not have the authority to prohibit firearms at polling places.
The Chambers County Commission sought the advice of Attorney General Luther Strange after some people showed up to vote in the June 3 primary election in Chambers and Shelby counties carrying guns.
The attorney general's seven-page opinion says state law doesn't give county commissions the authority to ban weapons. But it says state and federal laws that ban weapons in some public buildings, such as courthouses and schools, still apply when they are used at polling places. It also says churches and other private buildings used as polling places may ban guns.
The opinion applies to the runoff election July 15.


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My husband and I stayed at the Sofitel Brussels Europe for a weekend getaway in March 2013. The hotel is quite modern and is located in a business district. I previously read an article suggesting that the hotel is an ideal spot for tourists, and it was my fault that I did not research the distance of the hotel to local tourist attractions a bit deeper instead of relying on the article. It's approximately a 25-minute walk from the hotel to Grand Place. There also was a 10-15 minute wait for taxis at times from the hotel, which is something to keep in mind if you're planning to take taxis instead of walking. For business trips, however, this hotel would be perfect.
Our first impression of our room on the fifth floor was not good - we walked in and we were hit with a horrible sewer smell. We called the front desk, and they came up to the room and said the smell was coming from the toilet (kind of an obvious point). They moved us to another room with a worse view without an apology, which was a bit odd. The room smelled much better (thank goodness), but we were a bit put off by the way we were treated.
The room contains a comfortable king size bed, desk, flat-screen tv, and spacious closet with a safe. The bathroom has a great rain shower, but please check your bath products before you hop in the shower each day. The hotel provides L'Occitane products, but our shampoo was removed from the shower for some reason on our second day. Not fun to realize this when you're already in the shower.
Aside from our initial room issue, we found the staff to be quite friendly, especially the doormen. There is a cute market in the square in front of the hotel on Saturdays and Sundays, which is a great place to pick up delicious cheese and meats. Additionally, Maison Antoine, which is also in the plaza, allegedly has the best frites in Brussels. We skipped it because of the lines, and I am regretting it now! :)
Overall, I would recommend this hotel for business stays. For weekend visitors, I would suggest staying closer to Grand Place or Place du Grand Sablon.
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- Set in the heart of the European quarter, Sofitel Brussels Europe is a truly elegant Brussels Belgium hotel - just a short walk from the European institutions. Enjoy gracious hospitality within our Brussels hotel accommodations, which sit on the colorful Jourdan Place - at the doorstep of the peaceful Leopold Park, near the museums of Cinquantenaire Park and the exceptional Félix Hap garden. The Grand Place is a few minutes from our Brussels city center hotel via metro or taxi. ... more less
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- Also Known As:
- Sofitel Brussels Europe Hotel Etterbeek
- Accor Brussels Europe
- Brussels Sofitel