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Watch Little Dragon Perform "Klapp Klapp" on "Letterman"
By Evan Minsker on February 20, 2014 at 8:50 a.m. EST
Last night's "Late Show With David Letterman" welcomed musical guests Little Dragon. The band performed their new single "Klapp Klapp" off their upcoming album Nabuma Rubberband (out May 13 in the U.S. via Loma Vista, May 12 in the UK via Because). Watch below.
Video: Little Dragon: "Klapp Klapp"
By Jenn Pelly on February 14, 2014 at 7:45 a.m. EST
Little Dragon's new song "Klapp Klapp" is getting not one but two music videos. Both videos are creative directed by Nabil (Kanye West, Frank Ocean, Bon Iver), who also directed the second video. The first one, a supernatural clip directed by Taylor Cohen, can be watched below.
Little Dragon Announce New Album Nabuma Rubberband, Share Single "Klapp Klapp"
By Jenn Pelly on February 13, 2014 at 3:03 p.m. EST
Swedish band Little Dragon have announced a new LP, Nabuma Rubberband, the follow up to 2011's Ritual Union. It's out May 13 in the U.S. via Loma Vista Recordings and May 12 in the UK via Because Music. Check out the single "Klapp Klapp" above.
Watch the Live-Performance Video for Big Boi's "Thom Pettie"
By Carrie Battan on September 4, 2013 at 4:13 p.m. EDT
Big Boi has shared the video for "Thom Pettie", the collaboration with Killer Mike and Little Dragon off his recent solo album, last year's Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. It's a compilation of live footage from his recent (partially delayed) tour with Killer Mike. Which is just the beginning of his work with Killer Mike. According to today's Reddit AMA ("Ask Me Anything"), Big Boi and Mike have a collaborative album in the works, very tentatively. "We are just trying to look at songs right now," he said. "It's on the table so stay tuned."
Watch Big Boi and Little Dragon on "Fallon"
By Evan Minsker on December 8, 2012 at 11:12 a.m. EST
Big Boi: "Mama Told Me" [ft. Little Dragon] (via SoundCloud)
Last night, Big Boi stopped by "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" with his Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors track "Mama Told Me". He performed with the song's original collaborators, Little Dragon. (Not Kelly Rowland.) Watch it below.
Above, check out the version of the track with Little Dragon, which just leaked. It was produced by the Flush.
Little Dragon Speak About Failed Big Boi Collaboration on "Mama Told Me"
By Carrie Battan on October 3, 2012 at 9:55 a.m. EDT
Big Boi: "Mama Told Me" [ft. Kelly Rowland] (via SoundCloud)
If you've been paying attention to Big Boi news as he gears up to release his new album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, you might have noticed the 11th-hour switchup on the single "Mama Told Me". The track now features Kelly Rowland, not Little Dragon, as was previously planned. (Big Boi and Little Dragon spent time in the studio last year and recently performed the song live together).
Photos: Little Dragon at Celebrate Brooklyn!
By Pitchfork on August 13, 2012 at 10:45 a.m. EDT
Little Dragon played Celebrate Brooklyn! in the Prospect Park Bandshell this weekend, and our photographer Brook Bobbins was on the scene.
View a selection of shots after the jump, then head over to our slideshow or Facebook page for even more photos.
Watch Big Boi and Little Dragon Perform Their New Song Together
By Carrie Battan on August 9, 2012 at 10:52 a.m. EDT
If you recall, Big Boi said last fall that he was in the studio with Swedish indie-pop act Little Dragon, recording some new tracks for his upcoming solo album. Well, he hopped on stage with Little Dragon at a gig in Austin to perform one of the tracks, a disco-funk cut called "Mama Told Me".
Sleigh Bells, Santigold, and Little Dragon Serve as Supporting Acts on Red Hot Chili Peppers Tour
By Carrie Battan on February 20, 2012 at 2:09 p.m. EST
Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to head out on a massive tour, and they're taking a loaded opening lineup with them: Sleigh Bells, Santigold, Little Dragon and more will play various dates across North America (none of them overlap shows, however).
Big Boi Recording With Little Dragon
By Carrie Battan on October 27, 2011 at 11:04 a.m. EDT
As previously reported, Outkast's Big Boi is working on the follow-up to his excellent 2010 LP Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. Last night, Big Boi Tweeted about a collaboration with Swedish indie-pop act Little Dragon: "just cut 2 MONSTER Jams with @LittleDragon for the New Daddy Fat Saxxx LP #weoutchea".
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Posts Tagged '20/20 Ratings'
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Friday's final broadcast primetime ratings.[Read-More]
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'The Celebrity Apprentice' & 'Doctor Who' Top Social TV Rankings for the Weeks of December 22-January 4
The Celebrity Apprentice was the top broadcast show on General Sentiment's social TV chart, while Doctor Who was the top cable show[Read-More]
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TV Ratings Saturday: NFL Playoffs Dominate Night + '20/20' Dips & '48 Hours' Rises
NBC was number one with adults 18-49 and with total viewers.[Read-More]
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CBS was number one with adults 18-49 and with total viewers.[Read-More]
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Broadcast top 25 rankings for the week.[Read-More]
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Friday's final broadcast primetime ratings.[Read-More]
December 28th, 2014 at 9:14 am
TV Ratings Saturday: '20/20' Rises, '48 Hours' & 'WWE Tribute to the Troops Down
ABC was number one with adults 18-49 while CBS won with total viewers.[Read-More]

subset: commoncrawl


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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Jon Gruden says he hasn't received an offer to coach the Tennessee Volunteers in a deal that would include becoming part owner of the Cleveland Browns.
Memphis television station WREG reported Gruden was weighing a Tennessee offer that would give him a piece of the Browns, who are owned by Jimmy Haslam — brother of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. Their father, Jim Haslam, played on Tennessee's 1951 national championship team and has donated millions of dollars to the university.
Athens, GA • Athens Banner-Herald ©2015. All Rights Reserved.


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National Strategy for Combating TerrorismPaperback
List price $12.95
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When will my order arrive?
- Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
- Format: Paperback | 48 pages
- Dimensions: 173mm x 246mm x 5mm | 136g
- Publication date: 1 April 2009
- Illustrations note: black & white illustrations
Product description
Since the September 11 attacks, America is safer, but we are not yet safe. We have done much to degrade al-Qaida and its affiliates and to undercut the perceived legitimacy of terrorism. Our Muslim partners are speaking out against those who seek to use their religion to justify violence and a totalitarian vision of the world. We have significantly expanded our counter terrorism coalition, transforming old adversaries into new and vital partners in the War on Terror. We have liberated more than 50 million Afghans and Iraqis from despotism, terrorism, and oppression, permitting the first free elections in recorded history for either nation. In addition, we have transformed our governmental institutions and framework to wage a generational struggle. There will continue to be challenges ahead, but along with our partners, we will attack terrorism and its ideology, and bring hope and freedom to the people of the world. This is how we will win the War on Terror.
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American Experience | Triangle Fire Preview | PBS
Duration: 00:30
Program: Triangle Fire: American Experience #2307
Broadcast Date: Feb. 28, 2011
On March 25, 1911, a fire broke out in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York's Greenwich Village. By the time the fire had burned itself out, 146 people were dead. The landmark legislation that followed gave New Yorkers the most comprehensive workplace safety laws in the country.Tags:
American Experience |... (#2307)
An interview with author Kristin Downey on labor rights activist Frances Perkins. 15:13
NOVA | Making Stuff | Taking... (#3802)
David Pogue visits DuPont to get a closer look at fireproof clothing. 03:27
Great Performances | A Ballet in... (#3508)
Watch the documentary that contextualizes the importance of Opus Jazz and Robbins' career 09:48
Fire and Water Safety
This sessions assists registered Child Development Home providers with understanding fire prevention and water safety... 01:45:07
Bill Moyers Journal | Chemicals... (#1207)
Full Program: Potentially dangerous chemical BPA, Jeffrey Toobin on the Supreme Court 53:01
Loess Hills Prescribed Fire (#304)
A group of firefighters from across the nation venture to the hilly topography of western Iowa for intensive... 04:44
How Fair Ribbons are Made | Iowa... (#4402)
Where do all of those ribbons come from? Learn the special process to how that coveted blue ribbon is made. 04:53
Jobs Dominate Obama's State of... (#3825)
President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union speech this week, calling for action on jobs, deficits and...
PBS NewsHour | Offering... (#10519)
Offering Protection and Comfort for Kids in the Wake of Latest Shooting Tragedy 09:56
Estate Tax Rollback Could Stiffle... (#3814)
Farmland sales are happening all over The Heartland for a variety of reasons. In some cases, farmers are looking to... 04:32
PBS NewsHour | Sandy Aftermath... (#10486)
Sandy Aftermath Affects Millions in New York and Along New Jersey's Coast 23:56
PBS NewsHour | Economy Booms in... (#10485)
As the Economy Booms in Northeast Ohio, Which Candidate Will Reap the Benefit? 10:10
President Obama Makes... (#3739)
President Barack Obama returned to a familiar rural location this week to press for a key renewable energy tax... 02:43
Iowa's Firefighting Family
Full Program: Tom Butler of Harlan, Iowa, has been fighting fires for more than 20 years and has since inspired his three sons, a... 28:44
Eighth Generation Vermont Farm... (#3737)
The Holton Family has been farming in New England for over 200 years. To keep the agriculture legacy going, the next... 07:04
Feed the World (Fred... (#101)
Fred Kirschenmann is an organic farmer who chooses not to plant genetically engineered seed. He shares his concerns... 01:01
Labeling (Fred Kirschenmann,... (#101)
Fred Kirschenmann is an organic farmer who chooses not to plant genetically engineered seed. He shares his concerns... 00:53
Traditional Breeding (Fred... (#101)
Fred Kirschenmann is an organic farmer who chooses not to plant genetically engineered seed. He shares his concerns... 00:57
Family Farm (Cliff Mulder, Farmer) (#101)
Cliff Mulder is a farmer who plants genetically engineered seed. Listen to the factors he weighed in that decision. 00:39
- Watch more video from this program
Post Date: January 18, 2011


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Remember Me
on Wednesday, 22 August 2012. Hits 551
Digital Journal
A Florida swingers' orgy went horribly wrong when a jealous couple lost their cool during the carnal proceedings and proceeded to assault each other.
Published in: Media Updates Front Page Headline
Leave Comment
on Wednesday, 22 August 2012. Hits 1098
Daily Beast
More proof that the Fifty Shades trilogy is dominating the books industry: Barnes & Noble got a much-needed rise from sales of the BDSM trilogy, which helped the bookseller narrow losses for its latest quarter. Quarterly revenue for the nation's largest bookstore chain climbed 2 percent to $1.1 billion, partially due to last year's closing of competitor Borders. But the CEO of the company's retail unit told analysts that "clearly Shades of Grey had the biggest impact in the numbers." All in all, Barnes & Noble's net loss in the quarter revealed a 28 percent improvement from its net loss at the same time last year.
on Wednesday, 22 August 2012. Hits 1175
Courthouse News
VANCOUVER, B.C. (CN) - A man claims in court that a sex educator defamed him on a social networking site for "kinksters" and BDSM practitioners. John Langdon sued Jennifer Skrukwa aka Jennifer Zurba, in British Columbia Supreme Court. Langdon claims that Skrukwa, a sex educator, defamed him in status updates posted on her profile at fetlife.com. On its home page, the website, visited this morning, describes itself as "a free social network for the BDSM & fetish community. Similar to Facebook and MySpace but run by kinksters like you and me. We think it is more fun that way. Don't you?" Langdon claims that he and Skrukwa have dozens of mutual friends on the site, and that Skrukwa defamed him in posts of Aug. 8 and Aug. 12, falsely accusing him of having sexually and physically assaulted two women. Langdon says the posts were removed after his attorney sent letters to the site's owner, but the damage was already done. Before the Aug. 12 posting was removed, Langdon claims, "a number of people reposted the offending post onto another group called Vancouver BDSM, which has over 2,000 members. Many of these 2,000 individuals would have seen this libelous post on their own Fetlife home page, or through a scheduled email update." Landon seeks damages for defamation and wants Skrukwa enjoined from any "further publication of the defamatory expression." He is represented by Derrill Thompson of Main Street Law Group in Vancouver.
on Tuesday, 21 August 2012. Hits 4742
It only takes 5 minutes to complete. We need everyone to respond.
For those of you who started to take the survey but didn't finish or answer all of the questions, please go back and complete the survey (comments are optional). Just click the link above and it will take you back to where you left off.
Over 1,500 kinky people have taken the survey so far. Here's where we stand right now on several of the questions:
37% say they've been in the community from 1-5 years
73% say they can't speak comfortably to their co-workers or family about their BDSM practices
15% say they've had a safeword or safesign ignored by a partner during play
63% say they've participated in a group discussion on consent
86% say the BDSM community needs more education about consent
The results of the Consent Counts Survey and a draft statement on consent will be presented to the Coalition Partners at the NCSF Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ, February 8-10, 2013. It will then go to mass distribution on YouTube.
To participate in discussions of consent online with kinky people both in the US and around the world, join our Consent Counts group at https://fetlife.com/groups/46202 NCSF is committed to supporting and encouraging people to discuss ethical consent so we can move to a more thorough understanding of what consent is, and to provide better education for people who are interested in exploring their sexuality.
Please share this with your friends!
Published in: NCSF News Front Page Headline
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on Tuesday, 21 August 2012. Hits 2644
Lisa Ling of "Our America" and community members discuss the "swinging" lifestyle and the challenges of being in that style of relationship. She chats with very proud swinger couple Scott and Nicoletta Purcell. He and his wife Nicoletta are swingers and feel that we are too repressed as a nation. He started a social networking site for swingers. "It's a Meetup.com and Facebook for swingers," he explains.
on Thursday, 16 August 2012. Hits 1367
After the sensational story of a hot-blooded break-up between a young Manhattan sex slave and her high-powered CEO master -- coupled with the popularity of "Fifty Shades of Grey" -- a curiosity is emerging for New York City's underground fetish world. And it's prompting those who live it to speak out. The city plays host to dozens of sex clubs, both public and private, visited by thousands of people looking to quench their sexual desires. Though the mainstream perception of BDSM (bondage, dominance, sadism, masochism) and S&M (sadomasochism) is a sexual free-for-all, those who practice it say a relationship formed within these communities is just like any other. "People fail to realize that BDSM is just a microcosm of the population as a whole," Guy Sanders, spokesperson for The Eulenspiegel Society, a BDSM education and support group, told Metro. "It's kind of like how being gay was years ago. Because people have formulated their own opinions about you and what you are, it's not prudent to allow your sexual history to come out." And many more Americans have engaged in some type of BDSM sex play than one may realize: According to the 1993 Janus Report on Sexual Behavior, 14 percent of men and 11 percent of women in the U.S. have experienced a sado-masochist sexual experience. But don't expect those involved in such relationships to be very forthcoming about it. The stigma that surrounds alternative sexuality makes many of those who practice it keep it under wraps. "One in three people who are kinky are persecuted. That could be losing a job or losing child custody to having troubles with your family," Susan Wright from the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom said. And she applauds books like the "Fifty Shades" for making bondage sex more accepted -- or at least, easier to experiment with. "[Fifty Shades] has been wonderful publicity for the BDSM community," Wright said. "I'm hoping ... that it will become tolerated that people have kinky elements to their sexual relationships." BDSM and S&M relationships can be monogamous or polyamorous, meaning couples either swing together or both partners share other lovers. And insiders said plenty of solid relationships and marriages exist among community members. "It's not all whips and chains and sleeping around," Sanders said, "There is a love and commitment in these relationships." ...
on Wednesday, 15 August 2012. Hits 1131
NY Post
he enjoyed the daily morning whippings — but she did not like being kicked to the curb by her beloved master.
Frankie Santiago embraced a role as live-in fetish slave to dominating Manhattan investment-banker beau Edward Sonderling, playing out a bondage fantasy similar to college student Anastasia Steele and older Christian Grey in the erotic novel "Fifty Shades of Grey."
But it all took a twisted turn when Santiago, 27, found out Sonderling, 53, had been training his whips on her replacement.
The submissive Santiago exploded in a fit of rage, law-enforcement sources said, allegedy shattering Sonderling's car windshield and bombarding him with dozens of text threats.
"If I ever see you with her I will not hold back. I have nothing to lose," Santiago railed in one text. "I hope she has a disease you catch."
Santiago — who is known in the bondage-domination S&M community as Althea Lyn — was arrested Monday after what sources said was a knock-down, drag-out fight with Sonderling at the East 57th Street apartment where she once did his daily bidding.
She was arraigned yesterday on charges of stalking, criminal mischief and aggravated harassment.
Santiago and Sonderling — who has the body of a much younger man and is known as King Eddo — were regulars on Manhattan's BDSM circuit, where Sonderling boasted of being a "whipping aficionado," said a source who knows the pair.
She was his live-in slave for about three years, the source said. "Basically, she was there to serve his sexual needs. She's his toy, his fetish slave."
At one downtown fetish event, a source recalled Sonderling openly whipping Santiago and boasting, "She has had a lot of practice. I whip her every morning before breakfast."
Scads of photos posted on social media sites show the two — clad in leather, latex rubber and bondage gear — hamming it up and grinning for the cameras.
Sonderling chronicles his escapades, which have taken him around the world, in dozens of pictures on his MySpace page....
on Tuesday, 14 August 2012. Hits 1133
Rockford Register Star
Alderman tightened zoning rules for sexually oriented groups and businesses tonight. The zoning regulations that apply for adult bookstores, video stores, escort agencies and strip clubs will now also apply to swingers clubs.
That means swingers clubs will only be allowed in areas zoned heavy industrial, and not within 1,000 feet of a church, school, park, day care facility or residential area.
The changes are nearly identical to the zoning rules Machesney Park adopted in the fall after discovering a swingers club in a machine shop on Product Drive. The club didn't have a special-use permit and was in a light industrial zone.
The club opted to shut down when the members were asked to apply for a permit, according to Machesney Park officials.
While no such club has been found in violation of any city rules in Loves Park, the City Council wanted to be prepared, Mayor Darryl Lindberg said.
"When we heard of the one in Machesney park we said we needed to look at our ordinance," Lindberg said. "We thought, 'you know what, we need to tighten that language up so if (a swingers club) does happen to open up at least we've got some force in the ordinance.'"
Heavy industrial zones tend to be farthest away from neighborhoods and shopping centers. The city defines swingers club as any "establishment, whether public or private, where persons and/or couples engage in any specified sexual activities." ...
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Jimmy Buffett at Coral Sky Amphitheatre 2015
See the Jimmy Buffett concert in West Palm Beach at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre and purchase your tickets here. You can instantly, safely and securely purchase Jimmy Buffett West Palm Beach tickets for the Coral Sky Amphitheatre concert. Our ticket prices for any of Jimmy Buffett's tour dates are competitive and we're committed to getting you into the best seats to enjoy the live show.
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You can choose either standard or express delivery and you can specify special delivery instructions if necessary. Your tickets will be shipped to you using Federal Express.
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ClickitTicket.com offers an excellent selection of tickets to Jimmy Buffett in Burgettstown at the First Niagara Pavilion. You can also catch Jimmy Buffett in Los Angeles on October 22, 2015. Dallas, TX always has a ton of live events to experience like Jimmy Buffett at the Dallas Arboretum. Dallas is a wonderful place for anyone who loves live entertainment.
Jimmy Buffett will be visiting the fun-filled city of Elkhorn and we've got the ticket for you.
About Jimmy Buffett
Two of Buffet's best-known songs have even spun off into restaurants. "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and "Margaritaville" each have chains named after them. Buffet is a co-owner of Margaritaville Cafe, with the Cheeseburger in Paradise string being licensed and operated by the owners of Outback Steakhouse.
Nashville was where Buffet first honed his musical chops. In the late '60s, he tried his hand at country music,... Read more
More Live Shows in West Palm Beach, Florida
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text: Tag: Tanner Pearson Call for scoring on the left side sounded again January 28, 2015 12:21 pm Darryl Sutter spoke about the opportunities presenting themselves for the club's left wings yesterday, saying that in Tanner Pearson's a ... Comment on this Read More January 27 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter January 27, 2015 2:24 pm On the practice emphasis when the team goes nearly a week without a game: Obviously we've been doing some video with the guys and trying ... Comment on this Read More January 27 practice notes January 27, 2015 1:03 pm Forward lines at this morning's practiced, grouped together by color coded jerseys: Yellow: Gaborik - Kopitar - Brown Black: King - Cart ... Comment on this Read More January 13 practice notes: Regehr, Toffoli, Pearson, etc January 13, 2015 1:22 pm Notes from the Kings' Tuesday practice in El Segundo: -It was an optional practice. Those who took the ice and participated in drills inc ... Comment on this Read More Pearson's surgery today; return in question January 13, 2015 12:51 pm Via Darryl Sutter after today's morning practice: "Tanner will have his surgery today, and we'll be able to tell you when and if he'll pl ... Comment on this Read More Surgery for Pearson January 12, 2015 12:49 pm Per hockey operations, Tanner Pearson's fractured left fibula will require surgery later this week. At this point, there is no timetable for ... Comment on this Read More It's official: Shore up, Pearson to IR January 12, 2015 10:24 am As expected, Kings placed Tanner Pearson on injured reserve with a broken left fibula and recalled forward Nick Shore from AHL-Manchester. S ... Comment on this Read More


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Originally written on Pirates Prospects | Last updated 7/29/13
Michael McKenry has been placed on the DL. (Photo by: David Hague) The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed catcher Michael McKenry on the 15-day disabled list, and have recalled Alex Presley. McKenry was placed on the DL with a left knee sprain, retroactive July 28th. It was expected that he would go on the DL yesterday when Tony Sanchez came up, but instead Travis Snider went on the DL. In the grand scheme of things, the Pirates swapped out McKenry and Snider for Sanchez and Presley. That might provide a short-term upgrade to the bench if Sanchez and Presley can carry their Triple-A hitting over to the majors. Sanchez looked good in limited appearances in the majors last month. He's struggled at the plate recently in Triple-A, but his last few games have looked good. Presley has also looked good in just 42 at-bats in the majors this year. In his career in the majors he has a .727 OPS, which would be an upgrade over what Snider was providing this year.
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Effinex Outlasts Tonalist at Wire in Suburban
Tri-Bone Stables' Effinex went eye-to-eye with two-time grade I winner Tonalist in the stretch and won the $500,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. II) by a head bob July 4 at Belmont Park.
Tri-Bone Stables' Effinex went eye-to-eye with two-time grade I winner Tonalist in the stretch and won the $500,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. II) by a head bob July 4 at Belmont Park.
Tonalist will find himself in easier company July 4 than he did last time out, with only five to tackle and not another grade I winner in the bunch in the $500,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
Santa Anita, Prairie Meadows, Churchill Downs, Monmouth Park, Parx, Woodbine and More. View Slideshow
A week after he ran second in an allowance/optional claiming event, Big Chief Racing's Crucero stunned the field in the $150,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 28 at Santa Anita Park.
Multiple graded stakes winner Departing opened some more options for his connections after winning a a grade II stakes on turf Saturday, June 27.
Charles Fipke's homebred Golden Soul, who was second in the 2013 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), will ship west for the first time for the $150,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 28 at Santa Anita Park.
Three who hit the board in the May 30 Opening Verse Stakes will come back to face off again, except the victorious The Pizza Man, in the $200,000 Firecracker Stakes (gr. IIT) June 27 at Churchill Downs.
Chuck Fipke has traveled the world many times over searching for precious metals, and this weekend he will mine Belmont Park looking for something equally as valuable -- a classic win for his homebred Tale of Verve.
Michele and Cliff Love's Xtra Luck took over from pacesetter Majestic Harbor in early stretch and held his command for a comfortable win in the $100,000 Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT) May 23 at Churchill Downs
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra handicap the Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs. watch video
Trainer Paul McGee also has the $400,000 Brooklyn Invitational (gr. II), a 1 1/2-mile dirt race on the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) undercard, under consideration.
With a determined battle-back rail run in the stretch, David Jacobson's Stallwalkin' Dude captured his first stakes in the $100,000 Diablo at Belmont Park May 10, and spoiled the 2015 debut of Palace Malice in the process.
After a minor setback, multiple grade I winner Palace Malice will make his 2015 debut in the $100,000 Diablo Stakes May 10 at Belmont Park.
Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Tonalist shrugged off a sluggish start with a closing drive to win the $150,000 Westchester Stakes (gr. III) in his 4-year-old debut May 2 at Belmont Park.
Paul Rigali Jr.'s homebred Texas Air put away a field almost entirely composed of out-of-state invaders to claim the $200,000 Texas Mile (gr. III) May 1 under the lights at Lone Star Park.
Multiple grade I winner Palace Malice will not run in the May 2 Westchester Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Park after a bruise was discovered in his right front foot, Dogwood Stable president Cot Campbell confirmed.
The winners of the past two Belmont Stakes (gr. I) will both make their 2015 debut in the $150,000 Westchester Stakes (gr. III) May 2 at Belmont Park.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's International Star stayed at trainer Mike Maker's base at the Churchill Downs Training Center for his final Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) workout April 25.
Louisiana Derby (gr. II) third-place finisher War Story put in his final workout for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) April 22 when the 3-year-old gelding breezed five furlongs in 1:02.
Champion 3-year-old filly Untapable, Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Bayern and classic winners Palace Malice and Tonalist are among horses nominated to 10 stakes during Kentucky Derby Week at Churchill Downs.
War Story, who placed in all three of Fair Grounds' top races for 3-year-olds, worked at Churchill Downs April 8 in preparation for a planned start in the 141st Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Tom Amoss comments on how War Story looks since arriving at Churchill Downs and confirms War Story is being pointed to the Kentucky Derby. watch video
Ron Mitchell and Steve Haskin discuss performances from horses at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, prep races for the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks, and more.
Southern California invader faces six opponents in seven-furlong dash at Keeneland.
Ken & Sarah Ramsey's International Star capped a trio of 3-year-old prep wins at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 28 with a game victory in the $750,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II).
|Breeder / Owner
|Brazilian Court
|Bart G. Hone
|Code West
|Boyd Caster
|Albert M. Stall, Jr.
|Golden Soul
|Dallas Stewart
|Ground Transport
|Michael Stidham
|Hip Four Sixtynine
|Mike J. Morrison
|Todd A. Pletcher
|Nina's Dragon
|Kent R. Molinaro
|Palace Malice
|Todd A. Pletcher
|Proud Strike
|Steven M. Asmussen
|Todd A. Pletcher
|Ron Faucheux
|Titletown Five
|D. Wayne Lukas
|Whiskey Bravo
|Corale A. Richards
|Jack Cole S.


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Our client feels AMAZING after her hair and make up transformation…
10 Years Younger Hair & Makeup Part 5
Our client feels AMAZING after her hair and make up transformation…
Best Hairdresser Sydney
Our client feels AMAZING after her hair and make up transformation…
At Lily Jackson Hair + Makeup the experience is tailored to you. From the initial consultation, to our junior team providing you with a lush scalp massage and hair treatment suited to your hair needs, to your Stylist making sure your hair colour, haircut, blowdry and at-home maintenance are all taken care of.
Watch Jules explain how just a few specially selected home care products can take the guess work out of your maintaining your hair colour and hair styling once you're in your bathroom wondering what to do!
After a few hours of relaxation for our client, and some inspiring work from our Director Julie Peacocke, our client is left feeling and looking ten years younger!
The consultation is an integral part of our service offering at Lily Jackson Hair and Makeup. Taking this step in tune with our clients wants and needs at the very beginning of your hair booking ensures our clients feel their most beautiful walking out of the salon.
In this 5 part series you'll see how we've made our client feel 10 years younger! A session with one of our great stylists really can help you get the most out of your hair everyday.
With a change of season inevitably comes a change of style. In the Autumn/Winter season men are taking classic looks and giving them a fresh twist. Long or short, there are plenty of new trends for you to embrace. Whether that means changing the way you style your hair, or getting the chop, here's how to freshen up your winter look!
With cooler temperatures settling upon us in Sydney, you're better off not trying to control the flyaways and curls with pin straight hair, but embracing hair texture in all of its glory! Even the straightest hair has body and the cooler months are the best time to flaunt it.
A woman is at her most beautiful when she embraces what Mother Nature gifted her! Embrace tousled waves and extreme curls alike whilst the weather has its own plan for your hair. And a haircut with one of our talented Sydney hairdressers can finally show you how beautiful your hair can really be.
Relaxed and easy to do upstyles like messy top knots and textured buns add a touch of style and texture to Autumn hair that's easy to achieve.
Let's take a look at some great winter styles and how to keep your hair nourished and protected so it looks lush in its natural texture through the colder, drying weather…
Colorzoom is an annual international award held by Goldwell/KMS. There are 3 awards in the competition covering:
GLOBAL CREATIVE COLORIST – which is open to all GOLDWELL stylists who have more than five years professional experience. The GLOBAL NEW TALENT COLORIST is open to all GOLDWELL junior stylists who have less than five years professional experience. Finally, the GLOBAL PARTNER COLORIST category, which is open to all stylists who already have worked for the GOLDWELL brand as a freelancer, trainer or guest artist. Our team entered the first two categories. Read on to find out more about their looks and the make up choices by Carissa…
Glossy deep side parts and loose wet look hair are giving us goosebumps! The looks seen on the runways at various Autumn/Winter 2015 shows at the moment are fresh hair-fashion inspiration and we are lapping it up at Lily Jackson Hair & Makeup. Lets take a look at some of the looks we love best in the trend…
Meet Carmela, a 25-year-old case worker at an insurance agency. Her hair has grown out into a bit of a 'nothing' style, and she was keen to make a major change with Julie Peacocke, Director at Lily Jackson Hair & Makeup (who, fun fact, also does Claudia Karvan's hair).
And just watch what happened. Read about the process involved in this chop (or see stills, if you don't have time to watch the video) below.


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Child Care
Monday, June 8
ADULT OR CHILD CAREDo you need help for your loved one? I am available part time for meal prep, light housekeeping, errands, Dr. Appts., and companionship. Occasionally available for overnite care. I currently work in healthcare and am CPR certified. If you can use some help, please call. Thank you. 505-379-5757


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ECA 34/06/3 March 2006 E EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON AGRICULTURE Thirty-fourth Session Riga, Latvia, 7 June 2006 DEVELOPMENT IN THE EUROPEAN AGRIFOOD MARKETS: IMPACT ON PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS AND PERSPECTIVES 1. While the debate on the relationship between food and agricultural policy and the welfare of farmers has a long and well trodden history, the impact of changing supply chains on the well-being of farmers and other players along the supply chain, including consumers, has only recently been acknowledged. Despite its comparatively recent recognition, an essential aspect of understanding the future prospects of European farmers and for crafting food and agricultural policy is an understanding of the various supplier-buyer relationships at various stages of the supply chain. This document seeks to illustrate why the nature of food supply relationships matter for food and agricultural policy-makers, how the linkages between farmers and the buyers of their output are changing in Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and what are the implications of this restructuring for domestic policy-makers and international agencies, such as FAO. Attention is drawn to how much of the infrastructure developed to support the transition in agriculture in the 1990s was geared to commodity spot markets, which are being superseded by supply chain restructuring. The main arguments are illustrated with recent examples from CEE and CIS. I. Why do farm - processor – retailer - consumer relationships matter? 2. The structure of supply chains impacts the welfare of both consumers and producers. For farmers, who deal with them and on what terms changing procurement practices are important determinants of their livelihoods. Significant changes have occurred in the last decade in Western and Eastern Europe as food manufacturing and retailing have become more concentrated and concerns have been raised surrounding farmers' access to markets and the dangers of monopsonies (markets with a single buyer) occurring. The share of consumers' expenditure on food which gets back to farmers has steadily fallen in Western Europe, most notably in the meat sector, and this has prompted a number of investigations by competition authorities on whether For reasons of economy, this document is produced in a limited number of copies. Delegates and observers are kindly requested to bring it to the meetings and to refrain from asking for additional copies, unless strictly indispensable. Most FAO meeting documents are available on Internet at www.fao.org W0000 2 ECA 34/06/3 the present concentrated structure of food retailing acts against the interests of consumers and suppliers. 3. Particular concern surrounds the future for small farmers, who it is often argued are likely to be excluded from restructured supply chains due to a variety of reasons including their inability to: offer competitive prices in the absence of economies of scale produce less erratic flows of the required volumes invest in the production of products that are more standardized (a demand also reinforced by EU-wide food standards) and therefore better suited to bulk management invest in packaging, quality assurance and total quality management systems that are often demanded by buyers The future of small farms in an era of more concentrated supply chains matters greatly for CEE and the CIS because of their number and contribution to welfare. For example, in Moldova, a radical land reform programme created a mass of small farms and 73 percent of the income of rural households comes from agriculture (World Bank, 2005). While the incomes generated from small-scale agriculture are low, approximately €40 per month, in an environment of impoverished social security and a weak Non-Farm Rural Economy (NFRE), such small farms provide a vital lifeline (Gorton et al. 2006). If their market access was severely curtailed, leading to a sharp fall in prices, the welfare implications for those farmers would be momentous. In developing and transitional economies, restructured supply chains may present a serious threat to the traditional outlets of small-scale producers. 4. The question of the international competitiveness of a country's agriculture should also be considered from a supply chain perspective, as the competitiveness of one stage will affect the opportunities available to up or downstream actors. For example, in the mid-1990s the prices received by Ukrainian farmers for wheat and sunflower seeds were significantly below international levels. Despite this exports were modest. This apparent paradox was principally caused by inefficiencies in the downstream sector (excessive costs and poor reliability in the transport, storage and distribution of crops). Opportunities to develop arable export markets were therefore not so much limited by problems at the farm level but by downstream inefficiencies (Striewe, 1999). 5. The structure of supply chains also matters for consumer policy. To give an example, in the early 1990s Bulgaria introduced a policy of fixing a very low price for wheat on the domestic market with the objective of keeping bread prices down to help ensure food security in a time of painful macroeconomic transition. However, low farmgate prices were not passed on to final consumers as any advantages for the latter were eroded by high mark ups at the processing and retail level (Ivanova et al. 1995). The impact of agricultural policy on consumers cannot therefore be separated from an understanding of how food supply chains operate. II. A Brief overview of farm – processor - retailer relationships 6. Having established that the structure of supply chains matters, it is useful to briefly consider how the relationships between farmers and the buyers of their output may be governed. Relationships, broadly, may take three main possible forms, which are summarized, together with their advantages and disadvantages for buyers, in Table 1. Spot markets, such as livestock auctions and commodity exchanges, are characterized by immediate market transactions with no prior and post-purchase commitments by buyers or suppliers. Buyers have no prior involvement in terms of what is produced, when it is available for sale and the means of production. At the other extreme, is the vertical integration where at least two stages of the same supply chain are owned by the same actor, for example a milk processor that also owns a dairy farm. In between these two extremes, are various forms of vertical coordination, of which contracting is the most common, where buyers and suppliers remain as distinct, separate actors but agricultural production is supervised to meet pre-arranged terms. Contracting is therefore an intermediate ECA 34/06/3 3 institutional arrangement which gives buyers the ability to influence and partially control the production process without owning or managing farms directly. Contracts may take a number of forms, with the most widespread being: market specification (an agreement by a buyer to purchase a seller's output), production-management (in addition to agreeing to purchase a seller's output meeting established quality standards, the buyer also participates in production decisions, such as specifying input use) and resource providing. In the latter case, the buyer provides goods and/or services to the farmer, such as credit, physical inputs and technical advice. These goods and services are known as contract support measures and in return for their provision buyers typically specify minimum output quantities required and quality thresholds. Table 1: Evaluation of Possible Relationships between Farmers and their Buyers Vertical ownership Spot Markets Contracting integration Greater control over Lack of prior Reduce uncertainty over product quality and financial guaranteed supply Advantages product availability and commitments on for buyer the part of the quality compared to spot Limit opportunistic markets behaviour by other buyer actors Dependence on other Lack of secure actors and potential for supply Dissipation of hold up problems Difficult to pre- managerial resources Disadvantages Often high start-up and specify and High demand on capital for buyer monitoring costs control quality Rigidity of Difficulty of contracting High transaction organizational structures for every possible costs outcome 7. Contracting seeks to solve the problem of securing reliable supplies at a pre-defined quality without making an organization too rigid. While ownership integration is likely to give the greatest degree of control, it often places too high a demand on the firm's capital, dissipates managerial resources and dulls incentives if one part of the supply chain knows it has a captive, guaranteed buyer. The objective of contracting is therefore to gain some of the advantages of vertical integration without incurring these risks. 8. While contracting has several advantages over sourcing supplies via spot markets or ownership integration, its practical implementation can be complex.1 Contracts can rarely specify obligations for each potential eventuality and will usually involve each party making relationship specific investments. However, the cost of these investments and the degree to which the relationship is valued is unlikely to be shared equally. As a result, one actor may be vulnerable to another's opportunistic behaviour. To deter opportunistic behaviour, contracts may incorporate private enforcement capital – whereby the returns resulting from ethical conduct outweigh the expected potential benefits from opportunistic behaviour. For example the availability of physical assets (such as seeds) as part of a contract relationship may induce a farmer to remain loyal to a particular processor, even if he is offered a higher price for his output, because a breach in the contract would lead to him being denied access to such assets, which may be difficult to obtain in poorly developed markets, in the future. For example the provision of working capital as part of contract arrangements has aided contract adherence in an FAO project to stimulate production of tomatoes and peppers in the FYR of Macedonia (FAO, 2005a). However breaches, on both the buyer and producer side, are still common. Calculating how much private enforcement capital is 1 A more detailed guide to different types of farm contracting and the costs and benefits associated with each is provided in Eaton and Shepherd (2001). 4 ECA 34/06/3 required to prevent opportunistic behaviour is often difficult, particularly in volatile markets, and additional, costly measures for monitoring compliance are often required. III. The restructuring of supply chain linkages between farmers - processors - retailers in Western Europe 9. While precise figures are often difficult to obtain, a broad switch from spot markets to contracting is apparent in the relationships between Western European farmers and the buyers of their output. The degree to which contracting has grown varies from sector to sector – in pork and poultry and centres of the European horticultural industry (The Netherlands) and vegetable packing and processing (East Anglia in the UK, Belgium and The Netherlands) it is now standard. These agreements have clearly defined quality standards: for example contracts for peas and beans typically specify tenderness thresholds, the maximum number of defects permitted on delivery, size at the time of harvesting and whether cleaning and chilling is required. In some cases, larger farmers deal directly with multiple retailers2 and in other instances pre-packers and processors act as intermediaries between farmers and supermarkets. As part of their contracts with farmers, there have been some instances of retailers providing contract support measures (as evidenced for Croatia by Reardon et al. 2003) but they are usually provided by processors or as part of a wholesaler's out-grower scheme. Such contract support measures are well established in the sugar industry but less common for other crops. 10. In the case of beef, despite the decline in throughput of live auction marts, contracting has grown more slowly. For example, in the UK only around 15 percent of farmers have a written contract either with a single buyer or a collective agreement as part of a cooperative marketing arrangement. Similarly, in the French wine industry, the majority of grapes are still sold through cooperatives without the aid of contracts. However, in both the beef and wine cases, contracting and greater vertical coordination is occurring. In Bordeaux, for example, instead of relying on the spot market for bulk purchases, a greater proportion of wineries are now backwardly integrated or use contracting (Swann, 2002)3. 11. This shift to greater vertical coordination has been stimulated by a number of factors but the most important has been a desire on the part of processors and retailers to have greater control over the quality and availability of farm level output and improve their competitive position by cutting costs. Greater control requires much closer relationships and within the food industry such practices are commonly known as Efficient Consumer Response (ECR), the main premise of which is that through cooperation, supply chain actors can more effectively respond to changes in demand and identify cost savings. While the outcomes of ECR are controversial, it has become critical to the fresh fruit, vegetables and meat sectors, where large retail chains dominate. 12. To become a supplier of produce in much of continental Western Europe producers and/or processors are required to demonstrate compliance with quality assurance programmes, such as good agricultural practices, good hygienic practices and HACCP based systems at relevant points in the food chain. More precise requirements may need to be met where retailers request compliance with certification schemes. These precise requirements may vary depending on the importing country and/or the food commodity concerned. For example EUREPGAP standards for fresh produce are commonly used as a precondition by retailers in France, Germany, Italy and the 2 A multiple retailer is typically defined as an individual retailing concern which operates more than ten branch premises (Morelli, 2004). 3 These trends are not restricted to Western Europe: the USA and Canada led the switch to contracting particularly in the poultry, pork and cattle industry and Australia led this trend in the wine industry. For example in the 1990s, 90 percent of broilers, measured by volume, in the USA were produced under contract (Hobbs and Young, 2001). In the Californian wine industry between 75 and 85 percent of grapes are grown on contract and wine experts have noted a global shift to the 'Australian' model of either per hectare agreements for mature vineyards or open-ended contracts, where certainty of sale is guaranteed but price is negotiated each year (Swann, 2002). ECA 34/06/3 5 Benelux countries.4 In contrast, most UK and Scandinavian retailers insist that firms have gained British Retail Consortium (BRC) accreditation. BRC is the main trade association for multiple retailers in the UK, and its Food Technical Standards are applied to suppliers.5 The application of such private standards results in retailers having a far greater say in upstream activities and the level of detail should be appreciated: for example, BRC standards for fruit and vegetable packing specify the types of hats, gloves and clothes workers should wear. While industry wide standards should reduce the need for each retailer to conduct their own audits, many have additional company specific requirements and implement their own inspections. 13. Producers operating to standards such as EUREPGAP face, in general, higher production costs and the expense of certification and training. These costs can be prohibitive for small producers particularly when certification may not be accompanied by a price premium. Certification may also lead to disappointing returns as it is unlikely to be the only requirement of buyers and purchasers may already be able to procure sufficient certified supplies from other sources. However to ignore the growing importance of private standards would also be a mistake in that those left uncertified are in danger of only being able to market their products to less demanding destinations sometimes, at significantly lower prices. 14. As the degree of vertical coordination increases, the traceability of produce from a retailer back to individual farmers also becomes a possibility. This not only gives retailers greater ability to monitor the performance of its suppliers but also aids them in meeting their obligations under food safety laws and standards, which often mandate them to demonstrate due diligence in that the produce that they market is fit for human consumption. As the market share of multiple retailers in Western and Eastern Europe has risen and their sourcing strategies become internationalised, so their impact on farmers has grown. IV. The restructuring of food supply chains in the CEECs and CIS 15. A striking characteristic of restructuring in CEE, and to a lesser extent the CIS, is the degree of innovation that has occurred in the last decade. Beginning in the mid-1990s processors began experimenting with new contractual relationships with farmers and the first foreign owned retail chains entered the region. These twin drivers of change - the growth of contracting and foreign owned multiple retailers - are considered below. A. CONTRACTING 16. By the mid-1990s, supply chains in much of CEE and the CIS were in a state of collapse. Problems concerning the quality of output and the reliability of supplies, which were manifest during the socialist era, were exacerbated by the dislocation caused by privatization and macroeconomic instability. Food processing kombinats, which were previously guaranteed supplies from designated state and collective farms, under a system of vertical coordination orchestrated by the state, were forced to implement their own procurement practices in a new environment of poor public enforcement of business relationships. Private enforcement of relationships was hampered by sharp falls in real incomes, rampant inflation and the loss of real government support. Agricultural output plummeted and much of the food processing industry became insolvent. As a result, late payment plagued food supply chains leading to a further deterioration in the quality and quantity of agricultural output. It was in this particular historical context that contracting as a supply chain management tool emerged. 4 EUREPGAP is an initiative of retailers belonging to the Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREP) which establishes production practices to meet food safety and environmental concerns but not quality standards which are separately determined by buyers. 5 The BRC standard has also been adopted by certification bodies in 23 countries spread across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Far East, Australasia and North and South America. 6 ECA 34/06/3 17. From the mid-1990s onwards, processors in CEE sought to rebuild relationships with farmers to improve the quality and quantity of supplies. These initiatives often, but not in all cases, followed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Based on case study evidence drawn from across the CEE region, Gow and Swinnen (2001) note how relationships were reformed with processors incorporating contract support measures, typically the provision of physical inputs and prompt payments, into contracts with farmers. Processor financed agricultural extension and training became relatively common. The impact of these innovations was highly variable. In some cases, such as Juhocukor in Slovakia (Gow et al. 2000), the impact was spectacular: contracting and support programmes led to a doubling of contracted hectares for sugar beet and a sharp rise in farm yields. To protect their supply base other sugar processors in Slovakia had to match the terms offered by Juhocukor so that an industry-wide spillover effect occurred. However in other cases reforms failed as credit or inputs were diverted to alternative uses or farmers reneged on contractual agreements when offered a higher price by competitors. While such failures offer an important cautionary note, nonetheless the use of contracting and contracting support measures has risen throughout CEE. In fact, as it was developed in CEE to overcome some transition specific problems, in some supply chains contracting is more developed and complex than in North America and Western Europe (Swinnen, 2005). 18. The growth in contracting has been documented in a study of food processors in five CIS countries (Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine), which found that in 1997 around 40 percent of firms contracted with at least some of the farms that supplied them but by 2003 the respective figure was 77.4 percent (White and Gorton, 2004). The study, which collected data via face-to-face interviews with senior managers with leading food processors, also found the use of contract support measures grew over the same time period and by 2003 over 43 percent of processors in the sample offered credit to at least some of the farms that supplied them. Significant numbers also offer physical inputs and prompt payments (see Table 2). The growth of contracting has been biased to industries with higher levels of FDI and value added production. The worst terms and conditions offered to farmers are where FDI and restructuring have been absent, for example in the provinces of the Russian Federation, where not a single processor reported that they offered prompt payments or guaranteed prices to any of the farms that supplied them. 19. Policy-makers need to understand the impacts of this growth in contracting, particularly the relationships with agricultural productivity, quality and opportunities for small farms. In the White and Gorton (2004) study, processors were asked to estimate for each of the contract support measures they have introduced the impact of the measure on agricultural yields and product quality. The mean impact for each contract support measure was a rise in farm yields by 9.6 percent and an average increase of 10 percent in the amount of farm level output reaching higher (extra class/ premium class) standards. However, the impact of support measures varied considerably (Table 2). The measures with the greatest impact on yields were specialist storage (especially cooling equipment in the dairy sector), veterinary support and physical inputs followed by a set of market measures (prompt payments, guaranteed prices and market access). The impact of credit has been erratic, reflecting how credit can easily be diverted to alternative uses and contract compliance is difficult to monitor. Investment loans face similar problems. ECA 34/06/3 7 Table 2: Distribution and Impact of Contract Support Measures in 5 CIS countries (Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine) Measure % of sample % of firms offering Ave. % change in offering a measures that farm yields due to particular specify a minimum measure support measure farm size for measure Credit 43.4 60.8 9.3 Prompt payments 41.5 0.0 11.1 Transportation 39.6 45.0 6.3 Physical inputs 36.0 61.1 12.5 Quality control 34.0 16.7 8.1 Guaranteed prices 24.5 14.3 11.6 Agronomic Support 20.8 10.0 6.1 Farm loan guarantees 20.8 27.3 6.8 Machinery 16.9 66.6 3.4 Specialist storage 13.2 28.6 24.3 Business / financial management 11.3 50.0 6.2 Market access 11.3 0.0 11.2 Veterinary support 9.4 40.0 17.0 Harvest / handling 9.4 60.0 8.0 Investment loans 5.7 66.7 5.7 Average 34.0 9.6 Source: White and Gorton (2004) 20. These findings are important for policy-makers for two reasons. First, low yields and insufficient product quality have been identified as major barriers to improving the international competitiveness of CIS agriculture. While not successful in all cases, the introduction of contracting and contract support measures, overall, has made a positive contribution to improving yields and quality. Second, credit and loans remain the mainstays of most private and publicly funded development projects in the region. However, credit and loans have not been the most successful measures in improving farm performance and both public and private sector support in the region have suffered from resources being diverted from the intended use. Programmes that improve market access and the dissemination of veterinary and quality control advice are likely to have beneficial effects on yields and quality, and offer an additional advantage in that they should be easier to monitor and thus less likely to suffer from diversion of resources. 21. Concern has often been expressed that the spread of contracting can lead to the marginalization of small farms. This argument can be considered in terms of (a) an exclusion of small farms from formal food supply chains and (b) small farms being offered significantly worse terms and conditions. The evidence on the first of these questions is mixed but on the latter is more conclusive. In a study on South America and Asia, Reardon et al. (2005) found that processors prefer to contract with larger firms, and that smaller firms are often excluded because they cannot fulfil the terms offered. However, for the CIS, White and Gorton (2004) found that food processors were dealing with more small farms in 2003 than 1997.6 In part this was due to 6 Small farms were defined as those of less than 1 hectare in size or five milking cows in the dairy sector. 8 ECA 34/06/3 decollectivization, and small farms are less likely to be excluded in countries where there is an absence of larger farms (Swinnen, 2005) and where demand is expanding, as it has done since 1999 in the CIS. Regarding terms and conditions, the evidence is far more conclusive – processors do discriminate against small farms in the provision of contract support measures such as credit and physical inputs. For example, in the CIS survey, 60 percent of processors that offered credit and physical inputs to farmers did so selectively - they had a minimum farm size below which support was not offered. B. RETAILING 22. Concurrent with, and in some cases precipitating, the growth of contracting between processors and farmers has been the rapid penetration of foreign owned retail chains (Csáki et al. 2004). This process began in the most economically developed parts of CEE, that were receptive to FDI, in the early 1990s (Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland) and rapidly accelerated in the mid and late-1990s (see Figure 1). As these countries became saturated with foreign entrants, attention turned to what Dries et al (2004) term second wave countries such as Croatia and has now reached states in the third wave such as Russia and Ukraine. In some cases the growth of food retail chains has been spectacular: in Croatia between 2000 and 2002 the share of total food sales accounted for by supermarkets increased from 25 to 51 percent (Reardon et al. 2003). 23. Supermarkets and hypermarkets have proved popular with consumers in CEE – in the Czech Republic, 47 percent of shoppers visit a supermarket at least once a week and 15 percent visit a hypermarket (GfK, 2003). Tesco reported that in Hungary over one weekend in November 2004, two million people (one-fifth of the total population) visited its stores. In these first wave countries the total number of retail outlets, particularly of specialist food stores such as greengrocers and butchers, has fallen as independent and cooperative stores have been squeezed out by multiple chains. While independent retailers still account for the vast majority of food purchases in the Balkans and the CIS it is important to anticipate the restructuring that will result from the penetration of multiple retailers. ECA 34/06/3 9 Figure 1: Share of supermarkets and hypermarkets in total food retail sales 60 50 40 Market Share (%) 1998 30 2002 20 10 0 r ia y ne k ia ia d a ch r va an si an at ga ga ze ai us lo ro ol om kr un C ul S R P C U B H R Source: Dries et al. (2004) 24. Foreign owned food retailers have transferred procurement practices from Western Europe to CEE and have significantly different relationships with their suppliers compared to the independent retail sector. Foreign owned retail chains have shifted to centralized procurement practices with store managers having little autonomy over what is stocked. Individual stores are increasingly supplied with goods from distribution centres that are either owned by the retailer or managed on their behalf by specialist logistics companies (Dries et al. 2004). When these distribution centres are in place, retailers bypass the general wholesalers and wholesale markets who serve independent retailers. Many Central European distribution centres service stores in a number of countries and retailers look to procure on an international basis. Cross-national procurement has been aided by enlargement of the EU and retailers as a result have a wider range of suppliers from which to procure and, hence, lower costs. 25. While in most food supply chains, retailers will not have direct relationships with farmers because of intermediate processing, for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables (FFV) relationships may be closer. While evidence to date is limited, it does appear that multiple retailers in CEE have shifted to more direct supply relations for FFV, either dealing directly with larger growers or, more commonly, contracting out the supply of particular products to specialist wholesalers who coordinate farm-level production through out-grower schemes (Dries et al. 2004). These arrangements are designed to minimize transaction costs and ensure more consistent supply that conforms to pre-set standards imposed by the retailer. As a result of these arrangements, less produce is being sourced through wholesale markets and more farms must learn to operate according to the private standards of the retailers. Most of the private standards used in CEE have been transferred from the retailer's home country, either replicating the company's own guidelines or applying the relevant BRC or EUREPGAP standard. 10 ECA 34/06/3 V. FAO Assistance and Challenges for the Future 26. The impact of greater vertical coordination and the penetration of foreign-owned retail chains have already been significant in the New Member States of the EU and similar trends are starting to be felt in the Balkans and the CIS. This restructuring of supply chains has profound implications for how both farmers operate and policy-makers address development issues. It offers both opportunities, for growers to reach new markets but also threats, particularly to small farmers. In this final section the main policy issues and perspectives are outlined beginning with a discussion of how much of the market infrastructure developed in the 1990s is being rendered less relevant or obsolete as a result of the restructuring of food supply chains. Technical assistance may be provided by FAO in crop and livestock production practices required for market-driven protocols for Good Agricultural Practices as well as guidance on assessment and design for country requirements. The section concludes with a number of recommendations which the ECA may wish to submit to the 25th FAO Regional Conference for endorsement. A. PERSPECTIVES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY-MAKERS OF THE RESTRUCTURING OF SUPPLY CHAINS a) Wholesale markets 27. During the 1990s international agencies and bilateral donors concentrated on improving market infrastructure to assist the development of agriculture in CEE. Wholesale markets were taken to be a key element of such infrastructure and EBRD, USAID, PHARE and the World Bank funded their (re)construction in several CEECs such as Hungary, Poland and Romania.7 FAO has also played a part, for example jointly funding (with the Central European Initiative) a programme for developing agricultural wholesale markets in the region. Such support has been based on a belief that efficient wholesale markets can lower transaction costs, improve market transparency and raise farm incomes by providing better trading opportunities as well as the primary benefit of serving urban consumers (World Bank, 1998). However, many of these new wholesale markets have failed to become self-financing. There have been a number of reasons for this including the reluctance of traders to move from previously unregulated 'primitive markets', which were deemed to be safer for tax avoidance, competition between markets in the same city and the growth of retail chains that increasingly bypass such markets. Many wholesale markets currently operate at far below full capacity and mainly handle produce that fails to meet the private standards set by the multiple chains. For such produce farmgate prices are often depressed. While in much of the CIS, the importance of traditional retail and wholesale markets remains, in metropolitan Russia a movement away from kiosks and wholesale markets is already noticeable. It is vital that previous policy mistakes are not replicated and that donors appreciate that wholesale markets are increasingly becoming a second-tier outlet for produce and plan accordingly. b) Market Information Systems (MIS) 28. Similar problems are apparent for Market Information Systems (MIS), which were funded to improve market transparency. These systems are largely based on monitoring at wholesale and retail markets and therefore aim at improving price discovery on spot markets. However as contracting becomes more widespread and spot markets thinner, data from such systems will become less reliable or appropriate in helping farmers to make decisions. This is related to a wider question of how prices are discovered in markets where long-term contracts are likely to predominate and spot markets are weak. As the percentage of production under contract increases the market clearing (spot) price is likely to become more volatile and less representative as many facets of the contractual relationships will not be captured in spot market prices 7 For example, the World Bank financed projects in 1998 to construct new wholesale markets in Gdansk and Lublin (Poland). For an overview of internationally funded wholesale markets in CEE and CIS see Mittendorf (2001) and Shepherd (2004) for a discussion of future challenges. ECA 34/06/3 11 (Hobbs and Young, 2001). MIS as they are currently configured may do little to help producers in deciding whether to enter or exit contractual relationships. c) Measuring International Competitiveness 29. International assistance to help CEECs to evaluate the international competitiveness of their agriculture has been widespread. While measuring international competitiveness should be an important component of policy support, its composition needs to be rethought. For example most existing studies have analysed the competitiveness of commodity production, typically assessing the ability of domestic producers to compete against imported goods at the wholesale market (for example import parity Domestic Resource Cost [DRC] ratios). These assessments are limited as they are linked to commodity markets and fail to consider how meeting the private standards of multiple retail chains may affect the cost competitiveness of CEE agriculture. This has meant the relationship between DRC ratios and trade has been weak. For example, a recent World Bank (2005) study on Moldova reported that farmers of high valued-added crops receive some 10 to 40 percent less for their output than international parity prices. However despite low costs and output prices, exports have been disappointing because, in the Moldovan case, the primary impediment to access to international supply chains has not been price based but quality. In addition to conventional commodity studies, future DRC calculations should be adjusted to reflect the reconstruction of supply chains with attention paid to contract conditions and understanding what proportion of farmers could meet such obligations and if they did, what would be the impact. d) Improving market access to the supply chains of multiple retailers 30. During the 1990s private standards became an important entry requirement to supplying multiple retailers in international markets. At that time, onfarm and food business conditions were found to be in need of improvement to assure food quality and safety. As described below, meeting the required quality continues to provide challenges in the region, and requires a sustained effort by government agencies and the producer/processor to achieve higher quality and safety standards. As a result of the rapid development of the predominantly foreign owned food retailers in the CEE-CIS region, private standards are becoming an important entry ticket to domestic markets as well. While agrifood production remains the main source of gainful activity in most rural areas in the CEE-CIS region, the region's record on trade has been disappointing. There are a number of reasons why trade performance has been poor but a contributing factor has been an inability to meet private standards. The main barriers to meeting such standards are inadequate quality control and certification systems, a lack of understanding of the requirements of retailers, a paucity of suitable managers for managing out-grower and contract arrangements and a lack of capital to make necessary investments (Reardon et al. 2003; Dries et al. 2004). Outdated and weak national food control infrastructures can also constitute an additional barrier to food producers accessing foreign markets. While much attention has been focused on reform of government trade regimes and implementation of national food standards, assistance to producers in understanding and meeting private standards may be of more practical benefit. The barriers to meeting private standards should have far greater saliency in the policy agenda and methods for addressing them are outlined below. Small farmers and small and medium-sized food businesses are often at risk of being marginalized, due to their inability to comply with the requirements set out in private standards. Therefore, policies should consider strategies to enhance access to information, resources, equipment etc., to enable gradual quality improvement. e) Human Capital 31. Higher and vocational education in agriculture in the region is still production oriented and this ethos still pervades most Ministries of Agriculture and, where they exist, extension agencies. This means that processors and farmers often cannot obtain practical advice on signing contracts, meeting the obligations of out-grower agreements and quality control from local educational and state bodies, as highlighted in the CIS by White and Gorton (2004) in their interviews with food processors. Degree and vocation programmes and agricultural extension 12 ECA 34/06/3 agencies have to be reformed to meet the realities of contemporary agrifood markets and international agencies, such as FAO with its long-standing expertise and experience in marketing and agribusiness support, can play an important role. f) Improving access for small farms 32. While most processors and retailers are not against small farms per se they are not development agencies, the highly competitive nature of the industry forces them to deal with a small number of larger suppliers. Processors and retailers may deal with small farmers directly if there is no alternative or if demand is rising rapidly in a protected market, but as international procurement becomes easier, the "no alternative" defence of small farms is likely to apply in fewer and fewer countries. This implies that critical to avoiding the marginalization of small farms will be intermediary organizations such as specialist wholesalers, appropriate village collecting stations and marketing cooperatives which can coordinate small farm production, provide a single point of contact for buyers and may offer support measures which would not be forthcoming directly from the processor/retailer. These agreements are still in their infancy in CIS and there is a need to learn lessons from the first experiences and from other regions of the world where their history is longer. Establishing such institutions requires overcoming the reservations of small farmers, who, in part for historical reasons, have been suspicious of cooperative arrangements (Csáki et al. 2004). g) Stimulating intermediary organizations and marketing cooperatives 33. In stimulating intermediary organizations and marketing cooperatives it is important to acknowledge that the record of public agencies has at best been mixed. Two factors are important in delineating what role support agencies should take. First, there is a need to avoid unnecessary replication of what the private sector is already doing regarding contract support measures, which is already advanced in some countries and sectors but poorly developed or absent in others. The second argument for downplaying this issue is to stress that the real objective of economic policy is to improve consumer welfare and that as multiple retailers have become enormously popular with consumers the question of access for farmers is of secondary importance (Timmer, 2004). 34. With regard to the first aspect, a better approach is to help enable groups of farmers to meet private standards within existing channels, particularly for higher value-added goods. FAO has also been involved in a number of such farmer-market initiatives (FAO, 2005b), for example in the FYR of Macedonia it has attempted to stimulate contracting farming for higher value added fruits and vegetables. In the Macedonian case, a three pillar model of intermediary organizations has been developed: a consortium of specialized farming associations, a revolving fund (working capital of farmers) and a private (NGO) service provider to manage the consortium. Through the project, it was recognized that without small-scale farmers being strongly linked to a consortium 'contract farming would remain an illusion' and that consortiums of local farmers should be linked to a service provider, headed by a specialist, that ensures that the scheme works to both the advantage of farmers and buyers (FAO, 2005a). 35. In establishing marketing cooperatives there is a temptation to rely solely on loans and credit. However, credit and loans are difficult to monitor, often easily diverted and therefore their impact may be modest. More appropriate measures may be leasing equipment. For example leasing milk cooling tanks to farmers has helped to significantly improve the quality of output on small-scale farms in Poland (Dries and Swinnen, 2002) and Moldova (Gorton et al. 2006). Such initiatives, by improving quality can allow farmers better access to supply chains and meet private standards. In the dairy case, the supply of clean milk to consumers has significantly improved. However, any physical capital projects will require adequate investment in human capital, none more so than in agribusiness management. 36. Before making recommendations, it is worth addressing two counter arguments that have been put forward for downplaying the importance of improving access to international supply chains. The first, which is often heard in the Balkans and the CIS, focuses on how margins for ECA 34/06/3 13 small scale producers are higher on 'green' (peasant) markets than contract production. For example, in Kosovo farmers can currently sell their milk for approximately €0.50 a litre at green markets compared to around €0.30 per litre under contract to a processor. While ignoring contract production may currently make sense for peasant producers, this presupposes that the green market remains the main outlet for consumer purchases in future. However in Kosovo as in other parts of the Balkans, multiple retailers are rapidly increasing their market share. Such retailers in Kosovo are procuring overwhelmingly foreign produced goods and access for local producers is minimal. As multiple retailers advance, green markets will be squeezed as a source of welfare generation for small farmers. The argument that small-scale producers are better served by green markets is therefore short-termist and policy-makers have to consider alternative future supply chain arrangements. 37. With respect to the second argument mentioned in para. 33 above, in countries where farming is a minor gainful activity and the NFRE is strong such assertions are merited. However in much of the Balkans and the CIS, agriculture is by far the most important source of rural income and acts as a vital social safety net. In these cases producer welfare cannot be downgraded and Moldova neatly encapsulates the need to take the restructuring of supply chains seriously. The country had a strong reputation for agrifood production during Soviet times and agrifood exports are vital to its prosperity. However, overall, Moldova has not capitalised on its inherited position since independence. It has found it difficult to reorient its commerce to Western markets and trade with its traditional main market, Russia, is declining. For example, Moldovan FFV are not currently sold through the rapidly developing Russian retail chains due to their variable quality and poor packaging (World Bank, 2005). Similarly frozen food products are typically sold unbranded or in bulk. Moldovan goods are increasingly sidelined into low-value added outlets, further depressing rural incomes and stimulating out-migration. While in the long-term the development of a strong NFRE will be essential, improving access to international supply chains is a critical current challenge. B. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 25TH FAO REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR EUROPE 38. Ministries of Agriculture are invited to take due note of the difficulties of meeting private food safety and production standards and changing consumer preferences for small farmers in CEE and CIS countries. It is important that farmers in these countries are not excluded from restructured food supply chains. Governments of the region should consider assisting farmers through a sustainable extension system that includes training in marketing and on how agricultural producers can meet private food safety standards and better meet other customer and consumer preferences. This will involve improving the ability of extension agencies to provide technical expertise to farmers to fulfil international certification schemes such as EUREPGAP. Strengthening the agricultural sector will require the upgrading of national food control infrastructures (management, inspection and laboratory capacities) to provide a sound basis for farmers, and agro-processors to gradually improve levels of quality and safety. Improving access to restructured supply chains for small farms typically requires stimulating intermediary organizations and marketing cooperatives, to coordinate the activities of farmers and provide a link between them and processors and retailers. Support to establish sustainable intermediary organizations with the requisite competencies and infrastructure will be of greater benefit than investments in new wholesale market infrastructure. Agricultural education and training in the region should be restructured so that it better prepares farmers for the new realities of supply chains (including contract farming, quality control and management) and incorporates training in marketing and agribusiness management. 14 ECA 34/06/3 39. FAO is ready to provide support to member governments, upon request, in the above-mentioned fields. ECA 34/06/3 15 REFERENCES Csáki, C., Forgács, C. & Kovács, B. 2004. Regoverning Markets in Food and Agriculture: CEE Regional Report, Budapest. Dries, L. & Swinnen, J.F.M. 2002. Finance, Investments, and Restructuring in Polish Agriculture, Research Group on Food Policy, Transition & Development, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, mimeo. Dries, L., Reardon, T. & Swinnen, J.F.M. 2004. The rapid rise of supermarkets in Central and Eastern Europe: implications for the agrifood sector and rural development, Development Policy Review, Vol.22(5), pp.525-556. Eaton, C. & Shepherd, A.W. 2001. Contract Farming: Partnership for Growth, FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin 145. Rome. FAO. 2005a. Updated Summary of Project Achievements, Project No. GCP/MCD/001/NOR. FAO. 2005b. Linking Farmers to Markets: case studies, http://www.fao.org/ag/ags/subjects/en/agmarket/linkages/index.html GfK. 2003. Shopping Monitor 2002/3, Praha: Gfk. Gorton, M., Dumitrashko, M. & White, J. 2006. Overcoming supply chain failure in the agrifood sector: a case study from Moldova, Food Policy, Vol.31(1), pp.90-103. Gow, H.R., Streeter, D.H. & Swinnen, J.F.M. 2000. How private contract enforcement mechanisms can succeed where public institutions fail: the case of Juhocukor a.s., Agricultural Economics, Vol.23(3), pp.253-265. Gow, H.R. & Swinnen, J.F.M. 2001. Private enforcement capital and contract enforcement in transitional economies, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol.83(3), pp.686-690. Hobbs, J.E. & Young, L.M. 2001. Vertical Linkages in Agrifood Supply Chains in Canada and the United States. Ottawa: Research and Analysis Directorate, Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/A22-226-2001E.pdf Ivanova, N., Lingard, J., Buckwell, A. & Burrell, A. 1995. Impact of changes in agricultural policy on the agro-food chain in Bulgaria, European Review of Agricultural Economics, Vol.22, pp.354-371. Morelli C.J. 2004. Explaining the growth of British multiple retailing during the golden age 1976-1994. Environment and Planning A, Vol. 36, pp.667-684. Mittendorf, H.J. 2001. Planning viable food wholesale markets in Eastern European Cities. World Union of Wholesale Markets, mimeo. Reardon, T., Vrabec, G., Karakas, D. & Fritsch, C. 2003. The Rapid Rise of Supermarkets in Croatia: implications for farm sector development and agribusiness competitiveness programs. Report for USAID, DAI and Michigan State University. Reardon, T., Berdegue, J.A. & Timmer, C.P. 2005. Supermarketization of the Emerging Markets of the Pacific Rim: development and trade implications. Journal of Food Distribution Research, 36(1), pp.3-12. Shepherd, A. 2004. Wholesale markets in the era of supermarkets and hypermarkets: developments in Central and Eastern Europe. FAO, Rome. Striewe, L. 1999. Grain and Oilseed Marketing in Ukraine. Iowa State University Ukraine Agricultural Policy Project (UAPP), Kiev. 16 ECA 34/06/3 Swann, M. 2002. The contractual arrangements between grape growers and wineries in a global context. Report to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust of Australia, mimeo. Swinnen, J.F.M. 2005. When the market comes to you - or not. The Dynamics of Vertical Coordination in Agrifood Chains in Transition. World Bank, mimeo. Timmer, C.P. 2004. Food policy in the era of supermarkets: what's different? Electronic Journal of Agricultural and Development Economics, Vol.1(2), pp.50-67. White J. & Gorton M. 2004. Vertical Coordination in Transition Countries: A comparative study of agrifood chains in Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine. Report prepared for the World Bank, mimeo. World Bank. 1998. Poland: Wholesale Market Project II. Project Appraisal Document, Report No. 18385-PL World Bank. 2005. Moldova: opportunities for accelerated growth. A country economic memorandum for the Republic of Moldova, Washington D.C., Report No. 32876-MD
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Day 4 had come to an end. Everyone was on edge, but not everyone was focused. Madam Mitsie was close to having a mental breakdown.
Elisabeth was practicing her routine. She had one of the hardest acts in the circus. She had to remain flexible and had to train a lot to do so. Tonight she was going to practice fitting into a chest. Barnabo was going to pierce the chest with hot scolding blades for the real show.
She was nearly all the way in the chest as she waved goodbye to an imaginary crowd.
After she closed the lid a dark figure neared the chest and he sat on top of it. After five minutes or so Elisabeth wanted to get out of the chest.She was running out of oxygen. She tried to open the lid but somehow she couldn't. She started to panic and in her desperate attempts to escape she wasn't in control of her breathing. She used up every last bit of oxygen in the chest until she finally suffocated.
Suddenly a dark figure neared the dark figure. 'I should have known there was something fishy about you. Always singing your sweet songs to the victims of last night. No wonder you managed to come up with the lyrics that fast, you knew who died!'The figure with the wrench said.
He raised his wrench and hit the dark figure right in the face.
As the wrench hit her face, Gabrielle fell of the chest landing on her head. She died on instand.
That morning Madam Mitsie informed the rest.
Yesterday we lynced Tora, she turned out to be town.
Last night Elisabeth was murdered, she to was a member of town.
Last but not least, Gabrielle was killed, he was a member of the scum.
Mattilda – Bearded lady – Played by Darkdragon
The amazing Barnabo - Magician – Played by K-nut
Aliandro Fajji - Snake Charmer – Played by Fred Fred Burger
Joshua Igneo – Fire breather – Played by Bricks and parts – In a relationship with Gingeroo
Norbert – Tallest man – Played by Nightschroud99
Houdini Jr - NPC - Killed on day 1 - Town
Gingeroono - Gingerwookie - Convicted on day 1 - Town
Wilhelmina - Wuntin - Killed during night 1 - Town
Zezili - Cecilie - Killed during night 1 - Town
Mr Mime – Shadows – Got sat on by an elephant during day 2 - Town
The Benzini Brothers – UsernameMDm - Convicted on day 2 - Town
Patricia – Volcanicpanik – Killed during night 2 - Town
Rinus – JediAnakin – Killed during night 2 - Scum[/left]
Dorothea - Darthnihilius - Convicted on day 3 - Scum
Stephanie - Swils - Killed during night 3 - Scum
Jimbob - Jedi master brick - Killed during night 3 - Town
Tora - Eiker86 - Convicted on day 4 - Town
Elasti Elisabeth - Etzel - Killed during night 4 - Town
Gabrielle - Griggs - Killed during night 4 - Scum
The Rules:
- Each player will be given a character to play, who will be aligned with either the Town or the Mafia. To win the game, the Town must kill off all the Mafia, while the Mafia needs to outnumber the Town.
- Each day you will be able to vote to lynch a player. Voting should be done in the following format; Vote: Character (Player). Similarly, unvoting is to be done in the format; Unvote: Character (Player). No other format will be accepted. A majority vote is required to lynch a player. Each player gets one unvote a day.
- A game day will last a maximum of 72 hours. You may not vote in the first 24 hours. After the day has concluded, a night stage will commence, which will last a maximum of 48 hours. Night actions must be sent to the host in the first 24 hours of the night stage.
- The alignment of lynched players, as well as those that died during the night, will be revealed at the beginning of the next day.
- You may not quote or pretend to quote anything sent to you by the game host via PM. This includes all the details of your character and role, as well as any night action results. Role claims and reporting of night action results are acceptable, but in your own words only. Do not attempt to use the structure of your role PM to your advantage.
- Do not play the game outside the thread. Similarly, do not post out of character inside the thread. Game tactics and roles may only be discussed in the game thread or via PM with other players. Private discussion is done at your own risk and should be treated as part of the game.
- If you are dead, you may not post in thread or discuss the game with any of the players. Any information you had becomes void, and may not be passed on.
- You may NOT edit your posts.
- You must post in every day thread.
- If you encounter a problem or have a question, please contact the host via PM.
- There are no clues hidden in the photo's, characters names, appearances or profession. So don't vote for Eval Kneval the ugly Hermit who lives on the top of mount Doom unless you have evidence to back it up.
- Violation of the above rules will result in a 5 vote penalty against you on your first offence, and the death of your character on your second offence.