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Quarterly Report: 2010, October - December (Q2), Klawock
Lawrence Blood
DCRA Regional Office:
Gov't Type:
First Class City
Agreement Date:
City of Klawock
Assessment Status:
Assessment Date:
Exp Date:
Last Updated:
Community Sanitation Overview:
Over 90% of homes are fully plumbed. Water is derived from a dam on Half Mile Creek, then is treated, stored in a tank, and piped throughout Klawock. Most homes have piped sewage collection, which receives secondary treatment. The City provides refuse collection, which is hauled to a permitted landfill shared with Craig and other island residents. The Tlingit-Haida Regional Electric Authority purchases electricity from Alaska Power and Telephone over the Craig/Klawock intertie. THREA also owns four standby diesel generators in Klawock.
RUBA Status & Activities This Qtr:
Juneau RUBA staff traveled to Klawock, December 10, 2009 to provide training and follow-up assistance on addressing deficient RUBA management assessment essential indicators and delinquent grant progress reporting. RUBA staff worked with the city administrator to bring delinquent grant progress reporting up to date. The city does not currently meet the criteria for all the essential indicators. The administrator is still struggling with problems with the accounting system that resulted when the city switched accounting programs. RUBA staff will continue providing technical assistance and support the community in implementing necessary changes to meet all essential indicators.
RUBA Activities for the Coming Qtr:
City and RUBA staff will work together to develop a work plan to prioritize and set timelines for corrective actions on essential indicators.
Essential Indicators:
21 of 27
Sustainable Indicators:
16 of 27
Total Score:
37 of 54
Essential Indicators
All revenues and expenses for the utility are listed in the utility budget.
The utility has adopted a balanced realistic budget.
Monthly financial reports are prepared and submitted to the policy making board.
The utility is current in paying all water/wastewater electric bills.
The utility has on hand a year's adequate fuel supply or it has a financial plan to purchase an adequate supply.
The utility is receiving revenues (user fees or other sources) sufficient to cover operating expenses.
Sustainable Indicators
The utility is receiving revenues (user fees or other sources sufficient to cover operating expenses and Repair & Replacement (R) costs.
YTD revenues are at a level equal to or above those budgeted.
YTD expenditures are at a level equal to or below those budgeted.
A monthly manager's report is prepared.
Budget amendments are completed and adopted as necessary.
Finances Comments
The fiscal year for the City of Klawock is July 1 through June 30. The fiscal year 2010 budget was adopted by a non-code ordinance on June 16, 2009. The budget is separated into two main parts, the general fund and other fund budgets. The other fund budget section includes grant programs, business-type activities and utility enterprise funds. The utility enterprise funds including water, wastewater, and solid waste are accounted for independently and adequately illustrate revenues and expenses for each utility service. All three utility budgets have revenue projections equal to expenditures after a general fund transfer is applied. The budget ordinance fails to include a comparative statement of actual expenditures and revenues for the preceding fiscal year which is recommended by RUBA and required by Klawock Municipal Code. After comparing prior year revenue and expense reports to current year projections, the budget appears to be justified and realistic. The Administrator gives a verbal financial report at regular Council meetings. Revenue and expense reports and balance sheets can be prepared upon request, however written financial reports are not routinely provided. The administrator chooses not to present these documents on a monthly basis due to the time necessary to prepare the reports. The problem stems from the way the chart of accounts is integrated into the accounting system. The budget and financial reports do not follow the same format. The budget lists revenue and expenses that are unique to specific enterprise funds under the appropriate fund where as the financial report clusters similar revenues and expenses from all utilities into one major Utilities and Services Fund. Even though revenues and expenses are identified as to which enterprise fund they belong, it makes a budget verses actual comparison difficult to create. The administrator must export the financial information in to Microsoft Excel and then manipulate the data to create a budget verses actual financial report. The Community offsets the cost of providing water, sewer, and garbage services by charging user fees. The unmetered single family water rate is $42.81 per month. The utility has several classes of commercial businesses and charges commercial water rates ranging from $39.50 to $528.96 per month depending upon the type of business and the estimated water usage. The utility charges a decreasing per gallon rate for metered customers. The metered rate is $30.22 for the first 8,000 gallons, .0038 per gallon up to 100,000 gallons, and .0025 per gallon for amounts over 100,000 gallons. Wastewater rates are $46.00 for a single family residence, and range from $43.69 to $450.95 for commercial business. Metered water customers are charged wastewater rates that are based on the amount of water used. Utility rates were last adjusted in 2006. Utility user fee revenues accounts for approximately 92% of the water budget and 88% of the wastewater budget. Utility related expenses exceeded revenues, however; the governing body elects to subsidize the water, sewer, and solid waste services. The primary source for the utility subsidy comes from the community liquor store. The subsidy is budgeted and completed though a funds transfer in the accounting system. The subsidy is stable and sufficient enough to cover operating expenses and repair and replacement costs. Based upon available financial documents, RUBA was unable to determine how year to date revenues and expenses compared with budgeted amounts. Once the budget has been adopted and subject to Council approval, the Mayor may establish new line item expenditures within an authorized appropriation or transfer money not exceeding 10% or $10.000. from one appropriation to another. Larger amendments must be approved by ordinance. RUBA found no evidence of any budget amendments being made within the last three years.
Accounting Systems
Essential Indicators
The utility has adopted a collection policy and actively follows it.
The utility bills customers on a regular basis.
An accounts receivable system is in place which tracks customers and reports past due accounts and amounts.
An accounts payable system is in place.
The payroll system correctly calculates payroll and keeps records.
A cash receipt system is in place that records incoming money and how it was spent.
The utility has a cash disbursement system that records how money was spent.
Sustainable Indicators
A chart of accounts is used that identifies categories in a reasonable, usable manner.
Monthly bank reconciliations have been completed for all utility accounts.
The utility has a purchasing system that requires approval prior to purchase, and the approval process compares proposed purchases to budgeted amounts.
Accounting Systems Comments
The City has an adopted collection policy which is contained in Title 10 of the Klawock Municipal Code. The City follows the collection policy and actively pursues delinquent utility accounts. The collection policy is somewhat flexible and contains two discretionary methods for collection of past due accounts. Any customer more than 60 days past due, at the discretion of the city, may either be turned over for collection or the water service will be disconnected. Of the two methods, the community does not favor water service disconnections and will do so only as a last resort. The City uses Ketchikan Credit Bureau Inc. when turning customer accounts over for collections. In addition to the consequences found in the collections policy, the City encourages payment plans and Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) assignments to avoid collection actions. The utility bills customers each month. Bills normally go out on or around the 5th of the month. The Administrator acknowledged that bills are periodically delayed due to staff availability to read the water meters prior to the mailing deadline. The City is currently using accounting software by Cougar Mountain. Cougar Mountain is designed for nonprofit and government entities needing basic general ledger fund accounting. General ledger functionality includes an unlimited number of funds, departments, or grants, as well as inter-fund transfers, fund balancing, and allows multiple grants with varied year ends. A bank reconciliation function is included for reconciling bank statements with actual checks and deposits. The program consists of five integrated modules: General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Inventory, and Order Entry. The City also purchased the Payroll and Purchase Orders modules separately. Each module has standard reports such as income statements, balance sheets, cash requirement and cash flow statements that adequately provide financial information, but are not easily customized without an additional report generating add-on. The General Ledger contains internal controls such as permission settings and audit trails. Accounts Payable Section issues checks, manages vendor information and interfaces with Purchase Orders and General Ledger modules to enable full encumbrance accounting. Accounts receivable module maintains customer account and payment information, documents customer payments and reports past due accounts. Accounts Payable Section issues checks, manages vendor information and prints 1099 and 1096 tax forms. The payroll module automatically posts payroll expenses to the General Ledger and allows direct output printing for 941, W-2, and W-3 forms, and meets payroll reporting requirements for Alaska. The program maintains payroll history for five quarters to allow processing of the current year's payroll before finishing W-2s for the prior year. The company continues to support the software with updates and provides annual IRS Circular E updates for current tax requirements at an extra cost. The City uses a purchase order system for all purchases and maintains a cash disbursement system to track expenditures. Department heads complete purchase orders which are then submitted for approval. Purchase orders are not always compared with remaining budgeted funds. This has caused a few occasions where purchases have exceeded budgeted amounts. The Administrator completes monthly bank reconciliations and reports reconciling all bank accounts through February 2009.
Tax Problems
Essential Indicators
The utility has a system to accurately calculate, track, and report payroll tax liabilities.
The utility is current on filing tax reports.
The utility is current on making tax deposits.
If there are any past due tax liabilities or recorded tax liens, a lien release has been issued or a repayment agreement has been signed and repayments are current.
Tax Problems Comments
The Administrator authorized RUBA staff to obtain federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and employment security tax information from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (ADOLWD). Based upon information received from the IRS and ADOLWD, there is no record of a federal tax lien being file against the taxpayer and a tax clearance letter for Alaska employment security tax was issued. The Taxpayer Advocate Office did report that the City of Klawock is deemed non-compliant with employment tax filing and deposit requirements. Taxpayer advocate records show that the city owes federal taxes for 1st and 2nd quarters 2008, and failed to file information returns for 1st quarter 2009. The city disputes the IRS findings and has provided proof of payment. RUBA staff visually inspected the community's last four 941's Employer quarterly federal tax returns and verified electronic debits. It appeared that the last four quarters of 941's were filed timely. The city is working directly with the Taxpayer Advocate Office to either correct the information being reported or if it is found to be accurate, resolve the tax deposit and payment deficiencies. The City of Klawock was released from an Alaska Employment Security Tax lien on 2/17/09. The City has not received any derogatory correspondence from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (ADOLWD) within the last year.
Personnel System
Essential Indicators
The utility has a posted workers compensation insurance policy in effect.
Sustainable Indicators
The utility has adopted and uses a Personnel Policy, which has been reviewed by an attorney, AML or Commerce for topics and language.
The utility has adequate written job descriptions for all positions.
The utility has adopted and follows a written personnel evaluation process that ties the job description to the evaluation.
The utility has an adequate written hiring process.
The utility has personnel folders on every employee that contain at least: I-9, Job Application and Letter of Acceptance.
The utility has a probationary period for new hires that includes orientation, job training/oversight, and evaluations.
The utility provides training opportunities to staff as needed and available.
Personnel System Comments
Current coverage for workers compensation insurance was verified through Alaska Public Entity Insurance Company (APEI). The policy is effective from 7/1/09 through 6/30/10. The policy covers work-related accidents and occupational diseases up to the Alaska statutory limits for each occurrence. Copies of the workers compensation policy is posted in accordance with state statute in all public buildings. In addition to workers compensation insurance, the APEI municipality insurance program includes general liability, automobile and property insurance and coverage for public officials and law enforcement officers. The city has an adopted personnel policy handbook. Every employee is expected to follow the personal policies but are not required to submit a signed statement that they have read and understand the handbook. The administrator admits to it being outdated and in need of review and some revising. The city has recently contracted with a consultant to review the employee handbook and bring the existing material in line with applicable State and federal laws. The city has job descriptions to aid in the staffing, wage and salary administration, and training for all positions. The job descriptions are up to date and clearly outline each employee's required duties. Personnel files are well organized and in most cases, contain all the necessary employment documents. The city does not use acceptance letters when offering employment. All files connected with an employee are considered strictly confidential, and are kept in the city clerks office in a locked filing cabinet. To limit access, the key to the filing cabinet is kept in the office safe. The city clerk reports that access to the personnel records are limited to only the employee, to those who have a job-related need to know, and to those who have been authorized by the employee to see the file. A probationary period for new employees last up to 90 days from the date of hire. During the probationary period, an employee may be terminated without advance notice and without cause. Upon satisfactory completion of the probationary period the employee becomes a permanent employee. The probationary period also includes work place orientation, job training, oversight, and performance evaluations.
Organizational Management
Essential Indicators
The entity that owns the utility is known; the entity that will operate the utility is set.
The policy making body is active in policy making of the utility.
The policy making body enforces utility policy.
The utility has an adequately trained manager.
The utility has an adequately trained bookkeeper.
The utility has an adequately trained operator or operators.
The utility has adopted the necessary ordinances (or rules and regulations) necessary to give it the authority to operate.
Sustainable Indicators
The utility has adopted an organizational chart that reflects the current structure.
The policy making body meets as required.
The utility complies with the open meeting act for all meetings.
Organizational Management Comments
The City of Klawock owns and operates the water, wastewater and solid waste utilities. The council is the formal governing body and meeting minutes verify that it is actively engaged in making decisions on behalf of the utilities. They meet the first Tuesday of each month and hold additional work sessions if necessary. Overall, the council supports and enforces established utility policies. However, once the policies are set, there is no annual review to ensure that the policies are still up to date and are meeting the needs of the community. RUBA staff received information that it has been several years since the council has reviewed utility policies such as ordinances, personnel policy, and water rates. By city ordinance, the mayor is the chief administrative officer of the city, however he has delegated the majority of the administrative officer functions and authority to the city administrator. The city administrator, under the direction of the mayor and council performs administrative duties, supervises administrative staff, and is responsible for managing daily operations. The administrator is in a multiple responsibility position. In addition to his administrator duties, he serves as the city accountant, responsible for the maintenance of the books and as the utility manager. The administrator shares some of his utility management duties with the public works director. His duties include supervision of operational utility staff and the daily operations and maintenance of the sanitary facilities including water, sewage, garbage collection and maintenance of the sanitary landfill. The council has adopted all the ordinances necessary to own and operate utility services. Title 10, Chapter 1 of the Klawock Municipal code establishes the policies and procedures for the operation, regulation and maintenance of the water and sewer facilities The city has an organizational chart; however the chart is very basic and does not effectively show the direct relationship between supervisor and subordinate. It does not accurately reflect the organizational structure of the Ccty and fails to define either lines of authority or lines of communication.
Operation of Utility
Essential Indicators
The utility operator(s) are actively working towards necessary certification.
The utility has a preventative maintenance plan developed for the existing sanitation facilities.
Sustainable Indicators
The manager receives a monthly O&M report from the utility operator and routinely "spot checks" the facilities to see that the maintenance items are being completed.
The utility has a safety manual and holds safety meetings.
Utility facilities have not suffered any major problems/outages due to management issues that are unresolved.
The utility is operating at the level of service that was proposed.
The operator provides status reports to the manager on a routine basis.
The utility has completed and distributed its "Consumer Confidence Report".
The utility is not on the "Significant Non-Complier" (SNC) list.
The utility maintains an inventory control list.
The utility maintains a critical spare parts list.
Operation of Utility Comments
The city operates the following sanitation systems: Level 2 Water Treatment Level 1 Water Distribution Level 1 Wastewater Treatment Level 1 Wastewater Collection The city encourages professional development training and the utility operators are adequately trained given the classification of the sanitation facilities. There are three operators responsible for operating and maintaining the sanitary systems with the following certifications: Bennet Charles, Water/Wastewater Operator Water Treatment 2 Exp. 12/31/2011 Wastewater Collection 1 Exp. 12/31/2009 Sam Nickerson, Water/Wastewater Operator Water Distribution OIT Exp. 12/31/2009 Wastewater Collection 1 Exp. 12/31/2010 Water Treatment 1 Exp. 12/31/2011 Wastewater Treatment 2 Exp. 12/31/2009 Harry Jackson, Water/Wastewater Operator Water Distribution P Exp. 12/31/2010 Wastewater Collection OIT Exp. 12/31/2010 Water Treatment 1 Exp. 12/31/2010 Wastewater Treatment 1 Exp. 12/31/2009 Utility staff was unable to produce a preventative maintenance plan, however, the administrator reports that daily preventative maintenance is completed and the sanitary facilities have not suffered any major problems or outages. The Klawock public water system is not listed on the most recent (11/09/09) Significant Non-Compliance List, however, the last Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) providing drinking water quality information as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act was completed and distributed in 2006. The utility does not maintain an inventory control or critical spare parts list. The utility maintains a sufficient level of supplies and tools but due to the community's island location and dependence on air and ferry service, the level of critical spare parts may be inadequate to prevent a service outage. The FY10 utility budget has allocated zero dollars towards repairs and maintenance.
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text:
"This is a good time right now," Jackson said. "We just signed with Bellator, and I want to help put Bellator on the map. Why not do it with a legend with someone like Tito?"
Rather than discussing their pasts with the UFC, and instead of dwelling on Bellator's uphill climb to make a dent in the PPV market, the "SportsCenter" segment focused on the fight itself. Bellator 106 plays host to the bout at Long Beach Arena in California, where light heavyweights Muhammed Lawal (11-2 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) and Emanuel Newton (21-7-1 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) also fight for an interim belt.
A talking point for today's ESPN interview was Jackson and Ortiz's past friendship.
"I think it's business," Ortiz said. "It's strictly business. … For the first eight years of our competition, we sparred against each other almost everyday. We wrestled against each other. We did jiu-jitsu. We did the things to make each other better.
"Over the last five years after, we bettered ourselves by fighting other fighters. … That's what makes this match so intriguing for the fighters to watch. You want to see two of the best fighters compete against each other? I'm healthier. My mind's set on a great positive right now, he's in a great place, and I think fans want to see a great fight, which they'll see on Nov. 2."
Rampage Jackson and Tito Ortiz hit SportsCenter: talk Bellator, UFC and Dana White
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/8/26...white-mma-newsOn leaving UFC for Bellator:
Rampage: Well you know, I've been fighting for a long time and I felt like I've done a lot for this sport and I just wanted to be treated with a little respect. I've had some bad injuries lately and I've been forced to fight. And even though I've been forced to fight and I still show up, a lot of fighters pull out when they get injuries, I still go in and I show up and I fight. If I don't get the outcome that's positive or if I lose, I get ridiculed and stuff like that. You shouldn't treat a professional athlete that way. When you do this sport, somebody's gotta win and somebody's gotta lose. We're the ones who have to sleep with that. It haunts you when you lose, especially to a guy you thought you should have beat easily or something like that.
Tito: You know, I'm just in a transition. It's turn of the times. And it's time for another company to be an up and comer and to have great fighters. They have many young champions there. They're on SPIKE TV every week and now they're having their first Pay Per View, headlined by me and Rampage. We had a great friendship and we acknowledge that, but it is business. Nov. 2, we're going to put on a show for people to buy Pay Per View. I've had some of the biggest PPV buys in UFC history. Rampage has some of the biggest PPV buys in UFC history. So why not even better and have two guys who were friends, who know how to fight each other, who know how to put on a good show, give the fans what they want to see? That's a great fight.
On Dana:
Rampage: If you're cool with him, you're cool with him. If you're not, you're not. I don't even think about Dana. He's the last thing that comes to my mind. There's been a lot of crazy stuff being said since I made the announcement I was moving to Bellator. If I see him I'll just keep walking. Try to stay positive.
Tito: Business is business and he holds grudges. He gets too personal on things. That's his business. They are billionaires because that's a business. The brand of Tito Ortiz, I'm a business. What I do is fight and support my family as every other American in the United States. They support their families by going to work hard. When we get cut out of the pie completely it makes not bad decisions. Billionaires don't make billionaires by getting taken advantage of. I will no longer be taken advantage of. Bellator has my back and they treat us right. They treat us with respect, the way we're supposed to be treated as fighters and the fans need to see that. There's no propaganda in them. They don't badmouth the way Dana and the UFC used it against me. Lorenzo Fretita always treated me really good, but Dana just holds grudges. It is what it is. I washed my hands. I walked away from it. Now it's time to do something new, something bigger and better.
On being friends and fighting each other now:
Rampage: It's a good time right now. We just signed with Bellator and I want to help put them on the map. Why not do it against a legend like Tito? He's a legend.
On putting the friendship aside:
Tito: I think it's strictly business. I've watched a lot of his fights and I critique him as an athlete. I see what are his weaknesses and strengths? How would I play against him if I were to ever compete against him. For the first eight years of our competition we sparred against each other almost every day. We wrestled against each other. We did jiu jitsu. We did the things to make each other better. Five years after that we've bettered ourselves by fighting other fighters. I beat guys he lost to. I lost against guys he knocked out. That's what makes this match so intriguing for the fans to watch. You want to see two of the best fighters compete against each other? I'm healthier, my mind's set on a great positive note right now. He's in a great place. I think the fans want to see a great fight and they'll see it on Nov. 2.
Rampage: I think a lot of people misunderstand. It's MMA, it's fighting. You don't have to hate the guy that you're fighting. It's like playing basketball against your friend or somebody, to us, because we're fighters. When we train with each other, even though we pull punches back a little bit, we still punch each other and hit each other. Me and Tito, we've hit each other for real a couple times. We've went at it before in sparring but it's sparring. There's no referee in there. This time it's going to be in front of millions of people and it's real. To us, it's like basketball players playing one on one. Just going on and doing your job. Put on a great show. You don't have to hate the guy you're fighting, but sometimes it works if you do.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I'm so thankful to Cindy who pieced this quilt and tested the pattern for me. Then she so kindly sent me back the top….my husband basted it (oh yes he did!) and I quilted and bound it while my kids visited their Grandparents.
I quilted it with all over loopty-loops (surprise,surprise).
I'm really happy how it turned out…these aren't my normal colors but that purple and orange is such a fun combo.
Thank you again Cindy for making the top at the last second!


text:
Friday, December 21, 2012
Why Malaysians are inevitably late for anything and everything?
.................... (fill in your favourite grouses) ......
also applies to why people get married in the first place?
Ever wondered why Malaysian drivers drive like assholes??!! Surely we are not like that in real life, only when we get into a car that we become monsters. When we socialise we are totally different, very few of us actually have chips on our shoulders, get to know us or come to our house and we become the most gracious hosts on earth. If we go back to our small towns and kampungs, we are generally much much nicer. So how did we get to be so un-civic minded in many areas?
We speed up when we see pedestrians trying to cross the road, we speed up when cars want to cut into our lane .... Its not that we are inherently bad, I believe its conditioning. This can be explained with a most remarkable but true experimental project.
A group of researchers put 4 monkeys in a cage with a ladder in the middle with a bunch of bananas at the top of the ladder. Naturally the monkeys will try to climb the ladder, but every time one of the monkeys starts to climb the ladder there will be a couple of zookeepers with big hoses who will spray all 4 monkeys until the monkey that was doing the climbing stops climbing to come down. After a few minutes another brave monkey will try to climb the ladder again, and all of them get sprayed again.
Now this happened over and over again, and following the umpteenth time, every time a monkey tries to climb the ladder, the other 3 will claw and drag that climbing monkey from the ladder. Till none of the 4 monkeys will dare to climb that ladder.
Then they take one monkey out of the cage and introduce a new monkey. The new monkey will naturally climb up the ladder to try to get at the bananas, and it will be clawed and dragged back down before the hoses start. The more the new monkey tried, the more ferocious and nasty the other 3 will be to whack it down. Till the new monkey dare not climb anymore.
They then take out another of the original monkey and introduce another new one ... the same chain of events occur even though just 2 of the original monkeys know why they did not want to climb the ladder. They keep adding new monkeys and taking out the original ones till all 4 monkeys are new monkeys and yet they would be conditioned not to climb the ladder - but they don't know why really.
That is conditioning, how many things in life that we do are due to conditioning, and we ourselves don't really know the real reasons why we are doing it. In much the same way, plenty of expats after driving for a couple of years in Malaysia will end up driving like a Malaysian.
Civic sense can be ingrained, it can be taught, or we can be conditioned to do things a certain way ... only when we take a step back and reassess the reasons why we shouldn't be doing so, will we be able to rise from the pack.
Inherently most people do not behave badly but due to conditioning. If you lack self-awareness and do less self introspection which leads to more self actualisation ... we will just be among the running pack. It is precisely that that parents behaviour and instruction are so important to our kids.
We end up doing a lot of things because thats the way things were done ... we do not question enough why are doing it, should we continue to do it that way or should we change our attitude because they are inherently flawed.
I absolutely abhor the way some adults treat their maids. Can you imagine what the kids are learning from all that? Hopefully they have the character strength to re-learn only the good stuff and throw away the bad stuff, but that does not happen all the time.
In the same way that our government instill fear and divide us along religious and racial lines, thats conditioning. To break out of that mould, we have to keep drilling down on proper reasoning and on what is right and wrong. Life is so complicated and a bitch.
6 comments:
- bingo said...
and I have been conditioned to look at the pictures you posted, and not read what you posted... I don't know why ...
- PureBULL said...
Dear Dali, your lady pictures truly motivates me to work extra hard n well in KLSE...
"Merry Christmas n
Happy New Year 2013"
- PureBULL said...
Dear Dali,
Everybody is born a millionaire.
Some have millions n billions $ in their bank a/c.
Most have millions on their faces n many have
multi-millions hitting the traffic, both in real life roads n more so on virtual highway...
- Andrew said...
bingo, BINGO!
- Andrew said...
The reason many Malaysians drive like assholes is because they don't plan ahead. And Malaysians being Malaysians, they like to do things at the last minute. And here, I can confidently say, nobody give a F about the law, because every thing and every one can be 'paid-off.'
- my.macbuilders said...
Have you been to Labuan. You will be suprise how people drive there. Its the total opposite as how we West Malaysian drive over here. Labuanites will slow down or stop if they see that you are about crossing the road. Or letting you cut in. The trafffic police there are a real civic lot. They let you off with a warning. And not "duit kopi".
You can hardly hear anyone honking their car. Even though you have double park behind them. They will take the effort to look for you. You can see double parkers running out and full of apologies.
I became a Labuanite for awike till I came back to KL hell land.
Totally agreed. Its attitude, character and CONDITIONING..!


text:
Carleton College is committed to:
- Fostering an environment free of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other sexually inappropriate conduct. We expect community members to engage in relationships and sexual interactions that are characterized by consent. Individuals who engage in behaviors that violate Carleton's community standards and Policies Against Sexual Misconduct are held responsible for their actions.
- Maintaining a response to sexual misconduct that is comprehensive in its scope, supportive in its approach, and fair in its execution. It should be supportive before, during, and after any adjudication, recognizing that for all parties affected by an instance of sexual misconduct—alleged or proven—the experience is emotionally, socially, and intellectually demanding.
- Taking seriously the fact that the best process to address sexual misconduct should begin before any sexual misconduct has occurred, with prevention through education, and should conclude with intentional measures to work towards healing individuals and community.


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Welcome from the ECDS Department Head
Thank you for being interested in your future as demonstrated by visiting our Educational Counseling & Disabilities Services Web site. This site is designed to improve and enhance your planning and interactions with your professors and academic advisor, your parents and family, and those other interested people in your life. This Web site is not intended to replace your academic advisor! Bear in mind also, this Web page is not intended to be an all-inclusive "how-to" manual for figuring out your educational and career aspirations. Rather, it is meant to serve as a starting point for meaningful inquiry, an inquiry that should canvass many sources for insights and perspectives.
At Ferris State University the Educational Counseling & Disabilities Services processes are designed to teach you how to explore your academic and career options, examine your strengths, and set goals that will carry you throughout your lifetime. Your confidential counseling sessions are a chance to discuss these areas in your life with a licensed professional counselor.
We hope you find this Web site helpful and that we will be seeing you soon!


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To the FDA, Question of Raw Milk Safety and Availability Is Not a Debatable Issue
The host of a Washington, DC, NPR program, Kojo Nnamdi, had a great idea for a recent show: he'd have a debate between pro and anti raw milk experts. So he invited representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to join with Sally Fallon of the Weston A. Price Foundation, and include a professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin as a kind of interpreter.
When show time came on Monday, everyone was there...except representatives from the FDA. According to Nnamdi, the FDA "declined to designate a representative, saying 'this is not a debatable issue.'" Talk about arrogance. There is one view, and it's the FDA's view. Case closed.
So Nnamdi played the part of critical questioner, and stimulated an interesting discussion with Sally and the professor, Michael Bell, who were joined during the program by Mark McAfee of Organic Pastures Dairy Co. Listeners got to ask questions as well. I recommend listening to it if you get a chance; it's the third item down on the page. Among the points made during the program:
--The growing interest in raw milk is partly a reflection of "a lack of trust in contemporary institutions…a sense of wanting to turn to a local face-to-face society," according to Michael Bell, the sociologist.
--Sally scolded the FDA and state agencies for relying on "science that is forty years old" to justify harsh restrictions on raw milk distribution. She said there is much recent evidence to suggest that dairies are capable of producing highly safe raw milk, via pasture feeding and sanitary processes. She repeated a point she has made previously that "we would not recommend" that consumers use raw milk "from confinement dairies."
--Mark was questioned by Nnamdi about "four children who got sick from E.coli" last September. Mark said the situation was a classic example of the government's tendency with raw milk to "shoot first and ask questions later." He explained that when he heard children were sick, "I immediately recalled all of our products." He said two of the four children "recovered at home without being treated." The children who were hospitalized, he said, became ill from "different bacteria." One (presumably Lauren Herzog) became ill from E.coli 0157:H7, which he suggested might have come from spinach, and the second (presumably Chris Martin) became ill "from chigella." He added, "The state never found any pathogens in our milk."
--Sally said the raw milk movement is "where organic food was twenty years ago." What will it take to change government attitudes? "An outpouring of consumer demand," she said. "It is unstoppable."
I agree on the last point, especially after experiencing yet another example of government arrogance on an issue that should be very much debatable. The sociologist's observations about "trust" come to life.
David, this is a bit off-topic, but you are so busy writing great blog posts, I wonder, how's your cheesemaking going?
I just made fromage blanc with fresh goat milk and is it wonderful! Sort of a cross between chevre, cream cheese, and ricotta. Great with herbes de Provence and garlic or plain with the fresh figs from my tree. Super easy to make once you get the culture (mine is from NE Cheesemaking). Warm to 86 degrees (put container in sink of warm water), add culture and stir. Wait 12 hours. Strain through butter muslin or cheesecloth for 6-12 hours, depending on desired "dryness". Keeps 1-2 weeks according to my book.
Wanted to keep you encouraged to try cheesemaking if you haven't already.
I found out some interesting information today. I called PulseNet, its the division of the CDC that does Molecular Subtyping (the scientific term for blueprinting or fingerprinting) for foodborne bacterial diseases. Im still trying to find out the pattern number of the E-coli 0157:H7 that the other three children who became ill and also drank OP raw milk had in common. I was actually able to speak to a human being. She was curt and seemed bothered that I had called to ask questions, but she did give me some helpful information.
I discovered that it is very difficult to obtain the information Im looking for. I want the actual pattern number that identifies this specific strain of E-coli 0157:H7 and to also know how many children have become ill from this specific strain. First, I need to hire an attorney to get this information because e-coli was never isolated in Chris and the information I want involves other childrens medical records.
Second, my attorney would have to fill out forms from both the state of California and then the CDCFreedom of Information Act forms. From the very brief answers I was given by the woman at PulseNet, the legality of all of this stems from HIPAA laws. Unfortunately, this puts a prompt end to my investigation. I cant afford an attorney to find out this information for me. Im a little disappointed because I did want to find out the truth about the ecoli blueprints of the other sick children.
I enjoyed listening to the radio broadcast on raw milk. It was interesting to listen to Mark McAfee speak about the issue of his dairy being closed down, as well as the facts he presented about Lauren and Chris illnesses. He really shoots from the hip when he speaks.
First, he makes it seem that it was so difficult to find us; that he was unable to get information about the children who became sick after drinking OP raw milk. Stories about Lauren and Chris were in the newspaper as well as on television. Laurens full name was used as well as the hospitals name. He found out our names from Laurens father. It did not take some major investigation to find us.
Second, I think the state of California acted fairly in shutting down his dairy. You had four children who all drank OP milk on the same weekend, all became ill in the same timeframe, three of the four children were reported to have the same blueprint of Ecoli 0157:H7, and two of the four children developed HUS. His dairy wasnt closed down until it was discovered that the 3 childrens ecoli blueprints matched and Chris and Lauren both developed HUS. This took about 2 weeks.
Third, each time he tells the story about Lauren and Chris (as to what they ate that caused them to become ill) the story changes. When he visited LLUMC, he told us that Lauren also ate Sushi. Now hes saying she ate spinach. In another news story, it was hamburger. He cant seem to get his own version of the story correct.
Fourth, when I talked to him at LLUMC, I was very honest with him. At this time, my son was on a ventilator and receiving kidney dialysis. In this same time frame, a public health nurse had picked up our raw milk and spinach to be tested. I told him that I hoped the milk wasnt contaminated and that we would find out what caused Chris to become ill within a few days. I didnt feel it was fair to Mark to sling accusations at him without solid facts. I was rooting for the spinach. Unbeknownst to us, they didnt test the products because the bacteria that caused Chris to become ill were never isolated in the hundreds of bowel movements Chris experienced during the 5 days of pooping his brains out. His case wasnt a high enough priority for testing the products. They were overloaded with the spinach outbreak. Chris did not eat packaged Dole spinach, so spinach was ruled out as the cause of his illness. All the people that became ill, ate packaged spinach. Chris ate spinach from an open bin.
Fifth, Kaiser did initially diagnose Chris with Shigella. Even though they never found the bacteria, the Shiga toxin is emitted from both Shigella and E-coli. My husband is much more cynical than I am. Hes thinks Kaiser gave us the diagnosis of Shigella because they gave Chris an antibiotic when they shouldnt have. He thinks it was a CYA diagnosis. Giving an antibiotic to a child with E-coli can cause HUS. Giving an antibiotic to a child with Shigella is an acceptable mode of treatment. All the doctors at LLUMC strongly disagreed with the diagnosis of Shigella. Shigella that develops into HUS is extremely rare in the U.S. The Kaiser nephrologist even told us she had never treated a case of HUS that had developed from Shigella infection. Somehow it is on public record that Chris was diagnosed with Shigella. I received this information from Mark McAfee.
Sixth, Mark also keeps giving false information about his cows and the testing outcome. The state of California did find1 milking cow that had E-coli 0157:H7, but it was not the same blueprint as the children. And they did not test all of his cows, but most of them. This is the information I was given by the gentleman in charge of the investigation of his farm.
Seventh, Mark McAfee personally told me that all the sick children had the same blueprint of E-coli 0157:H7, as well as one child/person out of state. Patrick at the state department also stated the 3 other children had the same blueprint, but he did not mention the child/person out of state. On a post a few days ago, a woman named Amanda Rose stated that Mark told her the children didnt have the same E-coli blueprint.
If Mark has nothing to hide, why do the facts he presents keep changing?
Would it be possible for the parents of the other children to get the information you are looking for without hiring lawyers? Does one have to file these kinds of requests to get information on your own child's illness? Or perhaps could they sign a release form saying you can see the information?
As far as finding out exactly how many got sick from the same strain........hmmm. Maybe if you could get the information on the strain number and publicize it somehow...Others who were sickened might then try to find out what strain caused their illness.
Just some suggestions to perhaps aid you in your search for information.
Evelyn..Thank you for the suggestions. Melissa, Laurens mom, could find out the pattern number because the ecoli bacteria were identified in Lauren. Shed have to be willing to fill out all the paperwork and jump through all the hoops to receive this information.
Mark McAfee has the names and contact information for the other children in San Diego that also became ill after drinking OP milk. If he doesnt have anything to hide, he could give me this information so that I can speak with the other families.
Ifwe were part of a class action law suit, this information would be available to us. Im having a hard time understanding what is so confidential about a pattern number that caused a foodborne illness and knowing how many other people also became ill. Im not asking for specific information about each child/person. I dont need names, just a count.
Hi Ken.in this situation I do believe it is about all the red tape. The first step is to contact the California Heath Department and download their Freedom of Information Act Form. Pretending the bacteria was isolated in Chris, I would contact someone at the health department that has the information about the pattern # of e-coli. I would then fill out this form with all the pertinent information and then send this form to the CDC (PulseNet division).
PulseNet keeps bacteria data from all over the US in their computer system. I would now have to fill out a CDC form (I think), another Freedom of Information Act Form, and then I could get the information Im looking for.the number of children/adults that have become ill from this same pattern of e-coli 0157:H7. All of this information is in the PulseNet database. Because they do not make this easy, I can see why you need an attorney to help navigate the way through this system.
As for the diagnosis of Shigella, Im leaning towards the cynical side of life.
Plain old HIPAA is not all that complicated. You simply need the person whose medical information is involved, to sign an "authorization" which with reasonable specificity identifies the info or category of info to be released, and to whom it is to be released. In the case of a minor, the parent/guardian would have to sign the authorization. Beyond that, it gets stickier. The "covered entity" that has the info should be able to provide the appropriate form which they require to be signed. It might be more complicated in this case if the health agency (database in this case) has the info (or has developed additional, derivitive information) only because they initially received info from the covered entity (probably the hospital) which first developed the info. The database has it pursuant to one of the public health emergency exceptions which exist under HIPAA. Hence, in this case it would be easier (under HIPAA) to get the info by an authorization sent directly to the hospital. What you want, obviously, is the combination of info that only the database has, and I'm not familiar with how you can get it from such a secondary holder of the info. Since it's public, I would imagine that a combination of a HIPAA authorization and a FOIA request ought to do it. If the public health agency (database) is saying that they have PHI (protected health information) on the kids which they (the agency) developed in the course of their analysis, then they should respond if they get a HIPAA authorization directed to them (as well as the one directed to the hospital). The public health officials are probably just not set up (have not thought through) the mechanics of how to release such info, once they obtain or develop it under the exceptions to HIPAA which they enjoy. In any case, I'd start with authorizations from the people that you do know of, directed to both the hospital and the database, together with a FOIA to the public agency, and see where it gets you. You probably will need a lawyer before it's all over to get them to do what you want them to do, particularly if they have, or have developed, PHI on individuals that you don't know and they won't even identify them.


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A Purple Heart, 68 years later
The Purple Heart.
An estimated 2 million of them have been awarded, roughly half for actions during World War II. More than 43,000 have been given out for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Policies have changed over the years about what kinds of wounds, suffered under what kinds of conditions, merit the medal. That can make it difficult when trying to get one for things that happened decades ago.
The first World War II vet Johnson tried to help was also a Luft III survivor who had suffered frostbite during the forced march in late January 1945. He put in for a Purple Heart and was rejected. Authorities pointed to an Air Force policy adopted in 1951 that says frostbite is no longer an injury that qualifies for the medal.
Dealing with that kind of bureaucratic thinking irritates Johnson. "You can't take a 1951 policy and apply it to a 1945 wound," he said. "You just don't do that." He helped the vet appeal the ruling, and eventually got him a Purple Heart.
Johnson, who is 77, said he is a "whippersnapper" compared with the vets he helps. He lives near Phoenix and is a veteran himself. He served 22 years in the Army and Air Force, mostly in aircraft maintenance, before retiring in 1977.
He said he's lost track of how many vets he's helped or how many hours he's spent on these cases, tracking down the necessary records, figuring out where the application forms need to be sent, following up with appeals.
He locates the vets through media stories on the Internet. Sometimes they contact him. He hasn't always been successful getting them medals. And even when he does, sometimes they die before the application is processed. The medal goes to the next of kin.
"Turning these guys down, denying them the recognition they deserve, it's a sorry situation," Johnson said. "But I'm not caving in any time soon."
No fanfare
When Johnson first called, Kenney let the answering machine pick it up. The retired Air Force colonel thought Johnson was trying to sell him something. Even when he learned what it was all about, he wasn't that interested.
He turns 93 next month. He already has a Purple Heart, for the injuries he suffered when his P-38 was shot down. He already has a Distinguished Flying Cross, for taking out an enemy ship and an enemy plane during the same mission.
A Purple Heart for frostbite? "Nobody gave anybody a Purple Heart for getting frostbite at Valley Forge," he grumbled.
But Johnson convinced him, even though it brought back painful memories about the snowy march — how cold and painful and deadly it was, and how, on the trains, they "had nowhere to sleep, no sanitation, no nothing." Kenney put in the paperwork and his application was approved.
The award came unannounced in the mail a couple of months ago. Because he's a repeat winner, he was given an oak-leaf cluster to attach to the Purple Heart he already has, and a certificate. The certificate hangs in a frame on what he jokingly calls his "Love Me Wall," in a hallway next to plaques and photos from a career that included more than 6,000 hours in the cockpit.
Friends wanted to do a formal award presentation, maybe ask the Padres to let Kenney throw out the first pitch at a game, but he refused. He's not much for medals.
That doesn't mean he's forgotten what brought them. The car in his garage has a license plate that reads "POW 1747." That was his prisoner number in Stalag Luft III.


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I came back to Panama 18 years ago. After departing to the States to study and lived in 5 different countries of LatinAmerica I came back to settle in my birth country. It was not easy at first since you loose the track of your own country, your own community. Began my own business 15 years ago and today I am again part of this community. I travel a lot but with the idea that I will always be back in my Panama. When the plane lands and they say: WELCOME TO PANAMA..THE LOCAL TIME IS...I know that I am back where I belong.
No matter where you decide to live, the noisy Panama City, in the Beach Area, in the Highlands or in the Pacific or Caribbean Islands of this Country many of you will find in Panama that place where you will fill you belong.
This country as any other is not for everybody. The only way to find out is to come and visit us, live with us for sometime and then when you feel that magic sense of belonging...you will know that Panama is for you.
Fecha de publicación: 04 January 2014
Escrito por: Caridad Y. Aguilar
Bien: Somoa salvadoreños, y hace unos días atrás estuvimos visitando la ciudad de Panamá. Les decimos con mucha certeza: hemos regresado a nuestro país pero con el firme entusiasmo de volver a Panamá. Nos ha encantado su ciudad. La tranquilidad que ahí se respira es de un alto valor. Se puede descansar, ir a donde se desee llegar, etc. Les felicitamos por tener excelentes lugares turísticos: algo que nos ha gustado y la próxima vez que lleguemos es completar la visita al Canal de Panamá. Por otro lado, es agradable ir a la parte antigua de Panamá y la combinación que hace juego con la capital panameña.
Gracias una vez más por permitirnos llegar y como les comentamos, esperamos volver el próximo año...! Primero Dios.
Les deseamos de todo corazón una Feliz Navidad, que el Niño Jesús, les bendiga eternamente. Y por supuesto, un feliz y venturoso como próspoero año nuevo 2014.
Desde El Salvador. Les apreciamos mucho...!
Fecha de publicación: 16 December 2013
Escrito por: Manuel Pérez.
If you like warm weather and a slower pace of life then Panama is a perfect place for you.
I get tons of emails asking why I moved to Panama and what it's like here.Pedasi, Azuero Peninsula, Panama – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living
I say why not! Panama is affordable and gives me everything I need. There is so much life here! Amazing fishing, surfing, beautiful birds and flowers and the people are so nice. I am constantly greeted as I walk through my little town of Pedasi with "Buenas" (the local way to say hello).
The local people here are so willing to help out and seem to welcome the growing expat community.
A typical day for me: I wake to the sound of tropical birds and often have a nice breeze blowing. I open all the doors and windows and spend most of my time outside on the covered veranda. After sipping my Panamanian coffee, I take a walk to the ocean about 1/4 mile away. I am greeted by the almost empty shoreline…ahhh.
For lunch I stop in a local restaurant in Pedasi for the "Comida del dia" only $3 a plate! This consists of flavorfully stewed chicken with rice and beans..Delicious! Afternoons are sometimes spent working in the yard planting flowers or planting seeds. Right now I have bananas, papayas and plantains growing in my yard. I pick them each day and often make smoothies.
I love it when the vegetable truck drives by and I can buy fresh fruit and veggies for very little. I also love going in to town on Friday nights to see the local "Expat" band and meet friends. Did I mention the Friday afternoon Spanish class followed by a yoga session? Not to mention the $40 deep tissue massage. WOW I am living in Paradise! For far less that I lived in the US.
Every year there are tons of festivals and events in Pedasi as well as an amazing Carnival celebration. But regardless of where you settle in Panama, you will always find tons of expats and awesome weather that's for sure..Why not live the dream?
I love Living in Pedasi, Panama and look forward to our growing gated condominium community here at Pedasi Palms.
-Story courtesy of Best Places In The World To Retire. To see more stories like this, copy this into your web browser: www.bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com
Fecha de publicación: 01 November 2013
Escrito por: Alan Stone
As you meander through the village of Boquete you would have to be blind not to notice the beautiful Latin faces. Handsome men and boys; beautiful women and girls, precious babies coming and going up and down the streets each day. The Indian women in their brightly colored dresses; children in school uniforms; teenagers wearing the fashionable logos and labels they love. Even the poorest people are very clean, (unless they are working or just running errands while working.) You can buy beautiful native style clothing herein a store in Boquete Panama. – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living
Many businesses require a uniform for the staff; banks and department stores alike. It is common to see women in very tall, elegant high heels even on the uneven side walks of Boquete. It is a joy to see that most families delight in dressing their babies and children up when they come to town.
-Story courtesy of Best Places In The World To Retire. To see more stories like this, copy this into your web browser: www.bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com
Fecha de publicación: 01 November 2013
Escrito por: Linda Jensen
Our first day in Panama City we walked and enjoyed meeting people. From the staff at the Hilton Garden Inn to people in cafes and stores, we were pleasantly treated and had no problems.
We arrived in December 9, 2012 and we rented a car on December 11th to drive to our planned destination, Boquete in Chiriqui Provence.
This picture is the Concierge giving Arne instructions on how to get out of the city.
We drove on a modern highway most of the way and in each place we stopped for refreshments or just to stretch our legs and to take the time to speak to people. They, in turn, were very friendly and nice to us. Our drive was pleasant and we enjoyed the scenery. When we missed the road to Boquete we drove on and turned to go visit Volcan first. Here we stayed in an old lodge. The staff were very nice and although the room was a bit dusty from recent remodeling it was okay.
Once more we drove off, this time looking for Boquete. Everyone that we got directions from did as good a job as possible. We finally found the highway and 45 minutes later we arrived in Boquete. We did not make reservations anywhere. We saw a sign for Dos Pinos Apartments and spent two weeks there. The manager was a very sweet lady. Her sister cleaned and her brother did odd jobs and maintenance. This place had beautiful grounds. We walked into town and took drives around town. We stopped for coffee in some of the places we knew were gringo hangouts. On Tuesdays we walked to the Tuesday Market. They have crafts, food, produce, art , jewelry and more there. People speak, introduce themselves and it is lively place to enjoy for a couple of hours. Amigos is a popular bar and grill where most of the clients are expats. There is a photo of Arne enjoying a coconut-rum drink at Amigos. The customers are friendly there as well.Enjoying a coconut rum at Amigos in Boquete, Panama – Best Places In The World To Retire – International Living
When we moved to the Boquete Valley of Flowers Condos
we had an opportunity to meet our neighbors. We are acquainted with everyone here. Our landlord has
been kind to us and invited us to meet their friends. We are often invited to go places with various people. One local
businessman stopped us one day as we walked to town and
gave us a ride. Then he gave a us a tour of his business, introduced us to his staff, to customers and anyone that came in the door. We have a friendly relationship with the British fellow at the laundry in town. We eat at Sugar and Spice so the wait staff there are very sweet and always full of smiles.
This is a diverse community. Visitors and locals, expats all seem to be more than willing to help you or to share their names and numbers. My advice is if you enjoy people you will meet people. Smiles are door openers, and so often people are looking forward to meeting someone new, too.
-Story courtesy of Best Places In The World To Retire. To see more stories like this, copy this into your web browser: www.bestplacesintheworldtoretire.com
Fecha de publicación: 01 November 2013
Escrito por: Linda Jensen


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Dana White: Renan Barao is the P4P champ, if he beats Faber
UFC president Dana White addressed the issue following UFN 35.
"If Barao goes out and stops Faber, he's probably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world," said White.
Barao has not lost since his very first fight in 2005.


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Patient Insight Webinar: The Importance of Clinical Trials
Join the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network as it kickstarts its Patient Insight Webinar Series.
- http://unclineberger.org/events/webinar-clinicaltrials
- Patient Insight Webinar: The Importance of Clinical Trials
- Join the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network as it kickstarts its Patient Insight Webinar Series.
|Oct 11, 2012 from 08:00 PM to 09:00 PM (US/Eastern / UTC-400)
|Visit external website
|Add event to calendar
Featured Speakers
Matthew I. Milowsky, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Section Chief, Genitourinary Oncology Service, Co-Director, Urologic Oncology Program, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Margo Michaels, MPH, Executive Director, Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials (ENACCT)
- What is the purpose of clinical trials?
- How have clinical trials changed the standard of care?
- Why are clinical trials important for bladder cancer?
- Where can you find resources on clinical trials?
- Why enroll in a clinical trial?
The webinar is relevant to bladder cancer patients, caregivers, family and friends. To register for this webinar please click here.
The webinar should last no more than 30-40 minutes. To participate you will need access to a computer. To listen in you can either use a telephone or the speakers on your computer. Limited spaces are available so please register early.


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Online Shopping Tips To Save Your Money
Discounts are excellent for those who can find them. Coupons are great to use, but just if
Tips To Help You Shop Online
The legions of online shopping mavens grows daily. You can find great deals if you know how
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Online Shopping Bliss: Here's How To Achieve It!
Other people love to shop online to save money and because it's easier to compare different items
Know All You Can About Shoes Now
Shoes are an item that most people
Simple Fashion Tips That Everyone Needs To Know
Many people want to look stylish and


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Editor's Note: This series recognizes people who make a difference in their communities. To nominate someone, call Wendy Victora at 315-4478 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Few women would list childbirth as a particularly fun experience, but patients of Dr. Melinda Graham all seem to say it was just that. Even her gynecology patients often leave saying they had a good time and thank her for the visit.
Graham is not your average doctor.
"I grew up in Oregon in a very relaxed, friendly environment. That seems to have melded perfectly with my practice," Graham said. "Being friendly, talking with my patients, it comes naturally."
Graham says her favorite part of being a doctor is getting to be a part of a family's most important memories on the day they meet their newest family member.
"I love seeing my patients time and time again," said Graham. "I get to see the family go through the whole process from being pregnant to the whole finale."
Graham says her way of treating patients is to care for them as friends. She talks with them about their life and hobbies, and tells them about what is happening in her world.
"From the husband's perspective, Dr. Graham had a great way of putting my wife at ease," said Nathan Fischer, whose wife recently gave birth to their third child. "She was supportive and, this is weird to say, but she made it enjoyable."
She says she loves being both an obstetrician and a gynecologist, but the babies will always be her favorite, especially when it's a couple's first child.
"It's like nothing you can explain until you go through it," she said, smiling. "The look on the parents' face when they see this amazing thing they created — it's amazing."
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.


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Mayor's stepson arrested
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Bruce Jenner's 1984 Olympic Torch going on auction block
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Futuristic hotel has 'zero chance' at HemisFair
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A brief history of super teams, featuring the Spurs
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Worst restaurant inspections this year
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Meghan Trainor's S.A. show in jeopardy
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Ooh la la! French dinner party, with recipes
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Your Turn: July 8
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2015 Volkswagen Golf R — the current (and hot) version of the old VW Rabbit.
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The Daytona 500 kicks off Feb. 21 and with it all the monster fun of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Here is a list of every Daytona 500 winner going back to the first race in 1959.
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Driving a PontiacStarting position: 4
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The Walton County Commission has whittled its list of county administrator candidates from 48 to seven.
It wasn't accomplished without controversy.
New County Commissioner Bill Chapman provided his list of favored candidates before a scheduled meeting was held to do so.
That didn't sit well with fellow Commissioner Cindy Meadows, who has questioned the county's protocol for casting absentee votes.
Meadows was further put off when she attended the called meeting Dec. 18 that Chapman missed.
At the meeting she and each of the other three commissioners were to turn in a list of county administrator candidates they deemed worthy of interviewing.
As the meeting began, newly hired Human Resource Manager Nan MacGinnis told commissioners they were obligated to include Gerry Demers, the interim county administrator, on their lists.
Demers had a "military preference," Meadows said.
"It's just your typical politics. It's not what people want to see," Meadows said. "This whole thing reeks, in my opinion."
Meadows said she wasn't offended that Demers, as a former Army captain and qualified military retiree, is given a preference. What bothered her, she said, was that notice of his qualification wasn't provided until the last minute.
"Was Commissioner Chapman (who had already turned in his list) advised of that or not?" she said. "It all should have been made clear."
Chapman, who was out of town when the meeting was held, said he spent two weeks going through the 48 candidates and selected seven he wanted to interview without being made aware of Demers' status under Florida's Veteran's Preference Law. He said he had selected Demers as a finalist without being informed.
In the end, the list of finalists includes three local men and four men from outside the county.
Along with Demers, county residents Larry Jones and Cory Godwin are finalists.
Jones spent 12 years on the County Commission, but dogged by controversy and two ethics complaints, he chose not to run again in 2012.
He has been cleared of all alleged ethics violations.
For his last three years as a commissioner, Jones worked as a governmental liaison for Waste Management, which provides trash pickup for the county.
He was terminated from his position there last April. In his county administrator resume he cited "ethics complaint" as the reason he was fired.
Godwin has served as Walton County's chief deputy tax collector County since Jan. 4, 2005.
From 1988 until he joined Tax Collector Rhonda Skipper's staff, Godwin worked in corrections. He was the assistant warden at Walton Correctional Institution when he left for the tax collector's office.
The other finalists are:
- George "Parrish" Barwick, county coordinator for Jefferson County in Florida. He has held the post since last July.
- Lyndon Bonner, city manager for North Miami Beach from 2011 until his contract expired last September.
- Ted Lakey, county administrator for Jackson County since 2003.
- Robert Halfhill, public works director for Charlotte County, where he has worked since 2009.
Meadows, who was re-elected to the County Commission in November after a four-year absence, said she always had been told that the commission does not allow absentee votes.
She said she wants to know how Chapman turning in his list of finalists for county administrator early doesn't count as an absentee vote.
"I just want to know what the law is on it," she said.
Walton County spokesman Louis Svehla said the procedure for selecting finalists for the county administrator position was established prior to the Dec. 18 meeting. No vote was taken, he said.
"Each commissioner was to select seven candidates they wished to interview," he said in an email.
"The Clerk of Court was to count the number of times a candidate was requested to be interviewed, and the seven candidates requested the most times would be interviewed," Svehla said.
Interviews are scheduled for the week of Jan 14. Commissioners are expected to vote on a new county administrator Jan. 22.
Meadows said she had heard no talk of the Veterans Preference Law before the Dec. 18 meeting.
MacGinnis notified commissioners at the meeting that Demers must be placed on the list alongside candidates selected on qualifications alone, she said.
"It was not done very well. There was nothing in our packets to that effect," Meadows said. "There was nothing. It was 'here it is, put him down.' "
County Commissioner Sara Comander said she was aware of the Veterans Preference Law, but had forgotten about its application in county hiring until MacGinnis mentioned it.
Paperwork from the meeting indicates she crossed out a candidate's name to add Demers to her list.
Svehla said he does not believe adding Demers to the list of finalists affected the selection procedure.
"Ms. MacGinnis reminded the board of the Veterans Preference Law prior to their submission of candidates … and that since Mr. Demers was the only eligible candidate that met that qualification, that he should be interviewed," he said in the email.
"I cannot speak to whether the board or its individual members were self-aware or reminded or made aware of the Veterans Preference Law at a prior time," Svehla said.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Tom McLaughlin at 850-315-4435 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomMnwfdn.


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GREATEST LOSS: Greg Zeurlein's Wide Left
There were a lot of impressive plays yesterday, but perhaps the most impressive one of them all was Rams kicker Greg Zeurlein (one day Mastodon will write a song about him and Steve Beuerlein) attempting a game-winning 66-yard field goal against Miami, which would have been an NFL record, and pushing it wide left. In the hands of an average kicker, that 66-yarder would have fallen hopelessly short. But Zeurlein is no ordinary kicker. He's a freakshow. He's like Sebastian Janikowski without the GHB. He OBLITERATED the kick. Had it been more accurate, it would have sailed over the crossbar with plenty of room to spare. It would have been good from 70. Shit, it would have been good from Disneyworld. There is no doubt that Zeurlein will have another chance to kick that field goal, and that he will not miss. You always hear announcers being like, "We were there in practice, and Kicker X was making them from 70!" And then that NEVER happens in game action. But with Zeurlein, the possibility feels realer than ever.
Yesterday represented Zeurlein's worst day as a pro, but he's already being heralded as one of greatest kicking weapons an NFL has ever had, and he isn't alone. Three rookie kickers are currently in the top 10 among all NFL kickers (Zeurlein, Minnesota's Blair Walsh, and Baltimore's Justin Tucker), and it's possible that we've only begun to see the influx of a new and more powerful breed of NFL kicker. Let me give you a couple of reasons for this, none of which are rooted in any kind of useful factual evidence:more >


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Roger Meiners, Pierre Desrochers, Andrew Morriss 09/16/2012
Widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement when published 50 years ago, Rachel Carson's Silent Spring had a profound impact on our society. As an iconic work, the book has often been shielded from critical inquiry, but this landmark anniversary provides an excellent...
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A new series of books for young people offers objective and balanced discussions of controversial issues.
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Together with Society
Clarion Group aims to be a good corporate citizen. To this end, we engage in activities in support of local communities throughout the world. We have developed a wide range of activities in each country, including support for future generations, activities to contribute to local communities, and support (donations) for areas afflicted by natural disasters. Through activities such as these we are actively contributing to the well-being of local communities.
Social Contribution Activities
The whole of the Clarion Group has developed wide range of social contribution activities in each country with initiatives of each office, prioritizing support for areas suffering from natural disasters as well as establishment of friendly relationship with local communities.
■ Participation in Saitama City Marathon as Volunteers
Saitama City Marathon, sponsored by the City of Saitama was held on March16, 2014. Clarion jointly supported the event as a part of local community contribution and brand value improvement activities. On the day before, employees of Clarion group and their families supported administration of the event as volunteer staffs. In the ceremony, prior to the race, a Clarion employee made the oath of fair play in the name of all participating runners.
■ A free concert was held as a part of community activities
A free concert by the Clarion music circle (Ensemble Clariono) was held at Saitama City Omiya Bonsai Museum. There were about 300 audiences visited the museum from local communities, including many from special nursing facilities, who enjoyed the performance of Ensemble Clariono.
■ Clarion China (CXEE) members participate in the Xiamen International Marathon as volunteers
On January 2nd, 2014, 200 CXEE members took part in the Xiamen International Marathon, which is one of the two leading marathon competitions in China, as runners and supporting volunteer staff members. Company banners as well as T-shirts with the Clarion logo worn by CXEE participants promoted the Clarion brand.
■ Clarion America (CCA) donates toys as Christmas presents
Employees of CCA collected contributions of toys during Christmas time, to be delivered to less fortunate children.
■ Clarion Thailand (CAT) makes donation to local schools
In May 2013, CAT took part in "School Bags to Local Schools Actions," jointly sponsored with Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate Public Office.
■ Local Contribution and Environmental Activities of Clarion Hungary (CHE)Clarion Hungary (CHE) carries out diverse activities not only in the area of contribution to local communities but also for environmental protection. It starts with community volunteer activities of make-green activities at a medical facility for children in Budapest and clean-up actions at Health office in Tápióbicske. Furthermore, CHE makes efforts to be a bridge linking people-town-green environment; for example, taking part in the Sausage festival in Tápiószentmárton. Our efforts extend further to reduction of environmental burdens, through such activities as installation of water-cooled windows, reflective walls and green-covered walls for the office buildings for saving electricity as well as usage of paper. Internal newsletters are published regularly aiming at increasing awareness on environment among employees as well as informing our efforts in this area. The newsletters are full of ideas to attract employees attention with reports, quiz and interesting information. These have been published continuously since 2014 fiscal year.We plan to continue such eco-friendly activities which our employees and the local communities are working together.


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Bickaxe wrote:Will it be compatible with current mods?
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The wind- and water-resistant Boys' Down Sweater is insulated with 100% Traceable Down (600-fill-power duck down that can be traced back to birds that were never force-fed, never live-plucked).
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The IBM Client Centre is part of a European network of 15 centres and provides the ideal environment for clients, Business Partners and IBM to meet, and to access knowledge, expertise and innovation.
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Feature...Join CNU!Be a Part of the Movement»»»
Honoring Lifetime Achievements in New Urbanism and CNU 18 PreviewSubmitted by logannash on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 2:48pm
Description: CNU will honor New Urbanists who have influenced and shaped the new urbanist movement. Stefanos Polyzoides will honor former board member and pioneering New Urbanist Paul Crawford. Crawford's advocacy of pedestrian-oriented communitie... read more »


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If you, at any point in this game, had any confidence in the outcome of the game, you're lying. It started interestingly enough, as Rick Nash got off the schneid with his thirtieth goal of the season, assisted by Derek Dorsett and Sammy Pahlsson. Pahlsson chipped the puck to Dorsett along the boards, who flipped it over to Nash who was steaming into the zone full speed. Confidence level at this point: 6! But, of course, that wouldn't last long as just under two minutes later Minnesota got a goal of their own off the stick of Brad Staubitz, his first of the year. Confidence level: shrinking.
In the second, everybody's favorite name to laugh at, Cal Clutterbuck knocked the go-ahead goal past Mathieu Garon. Suddenly the Jackets were in full-on defenseless mode, battling with the Wild both competitively and physically. It got chippy — Grant Clitsome was injured on an uncalled knee-on-knee hit — and then Dorsett danced with Staubitz (embarrassingly) after a hit on Sami Lepisto. Dorsett got the worst of the fight and a misconduct and instigator to go along with it, but the team absolutely had a subsequent spike in energy. With under a minute left in the second, a whiff by Nash was redirected by Lepisto to the blue line to Kris Russell who fired it past Backstrom to tie it at two.
Going into the third, after a goal by Jan Hejda and another by the Captain to make it 4-2, things were looking good. But no, this is the Columbus Blue Jackets. Things can't be that easy, right? A two-goal lead more than halfway into the third… no, no it can't be that easy. Antti Miettinen and Pierre-Marc Bouchard had something to say about that. Garon gave them too much net to work with and the capitalized.
Off to overtime. Interestingly enough, the NHL.com Event Summary sheet had the score as 5-4 Columbus at the end of regulation, with a phantom goal awarded to Antoine Vermette. Apparently, the NHL has ESP, as Antoine Vermette took a shot right into a flurry of flustered Wild players in the crease and won the game for the Jackets with 0:34 to go in OT.
Some notes, courtesy of CBJ PR guy Ryan Holtmann:
– Their 17th road victory of the season surpasses the franchise record of 16 previously set in 2008-09.
– Sami Lepisto had three assists for the first time in his career, also setting the single-game assists record for CBJ defensemen.
– Jan Hejda now has a career high in goals with 5.
– Rick Nash & Jarome Iginla are the only two players to currently have four consecutive 30-goal seasons.


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Drop In & Chat is a new partnership between the USC Engemann Student Health Center Counseling Servicesand the LGBT Resource Center. It is an opportunity for LGBTQ and Ally students to speak with a professional counselor about anything (e.g., difficulties, challenges and/or struggles). Maybe you had a rough week and need to chat with a professional confidentially. If so, talk with a trained counselor available every Friday from 12 pm to 1 pm. No appointment needed; simply swing by the LGBT Resource Center (STU 202B) and say you are visiting to "drop in and chat" and meet with the counselor.
For more information, click here!


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*Press Sample IT Cosmetics is on QVC right now as Today's Special Value with the It's All About You four-piece collection. This set will be available until tonight… Continue Reading →
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