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Download the Earthquake-prone building policy review regulatory impact statement [PDF 170 KB, 22 pages]
Published 7 December 2012
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This consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) has been prepared by the Construction Market Policy Team of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment as part of a review of earthquake-prone building policy settings to support the public consultation process.
It is intended that the information and analysis in this consultation RIS will be further informed and tested by submissions on the public consultation document on earthquake-prone building (EPB) policy settings and the wider public consultation process for the EPB policy review (the review). This process will include seeking views on potential implementation detail (and associated costs/risks).
A final RIS, incorporating the outcome of the public consultation, will be developed before any policy decisions are made.
Terms of reference for the review were published in March 2012 (www.dbh.govt.nz). The review seeks to ensure EPB policy settings and standards:
The problem definition and analysis in this consultation RIS has been informed by a range of information. This includes submissions to Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission, and Volume 4 of the Royal Commission's Final Report covering earthquake-prone buildings. A clear view is emerging that the current policy settings and standards are not achieving an adequate level of risk management nationwide.
A major limitation identified as part of the review is that there is very poor information about the seismic performance of New Zealand's existing building stock.
This consultation RIS includes information about the recommendations of the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission that differ from the proposals considered in this consultation RIS (but does not include a detailed analysis of the recommendations).
It is expected that the proposals considered in this consultation RIS will make current policy settings and standards more effective at addressing EPBs, and will meet the review objectives better than the status quo. However, if implemented, the proposals will impose additional costs on central and local government, businesses and building owners.
Michael Mills,
General Manager Construction and Housing Markets (Acting).
27 November 2012
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The Canterbury earthquake sequence and the resulting Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission have resulted in public scrutiny of the adequacy of current policy settings and regulations for addressing earthquake-prone buildings, and the effectiveness of their implementation and administration.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with support from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and the Ministry for the Environment (and other relevant agencies), has been reviewing the current policy settings and regulations for managing the seismic performance of existing buildings in New Zealand. Terms of reference for the review were published in March 2012.
Addressing the issue of seismic performance of existing buildings requires careful consideration of:
Two factors are important when considering the potential risk of harm to people from buildings with low seismic performance:
A typical new building (for example a typical hotel, office building or apartment building) is designed for a one-in-500 year earthquake2. Note that the actual strength of a one-in-500 year earthquake varies around the country – such an event in Wellington would be significantly larger than in Auckland.
New Zealand Society of Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) guidelines suggest that buildings at the current EPB threshold present about 10 times the risk to occupants compared to a new building (buildings below the current EPB threshold present greater risk)3.
Further advice on these issues was sought from GNS Science and international risk experts as part of the review. A key finding of this work is that individual risk from earthquakes is small when it is averaged over the whole population – other day-to-day activities pose more immediate risks to life safety, for example, fatality risk from road accidents (see Figure 1 below). However, it can be significant relative to other hazards at higher risk locations. People of working age are particularly exposed to earthquake risk from commercial buildings, which is not the case for most other hazards.
Figure 1: Average Annual Individual Fatality Risk, Selected Causes
While rare, in New Zealand major earthquakes stand out from other hazards in terms of the very large impact they have had as single events (both in terms of fatalities and injuries, as well as economic losses4).
For example, the worst ever road traffic accident in New Zealand was the Northland bus accident killing 15 people in 1963; the vast majority of road fatalities involve one, two or three fatalities per event. However, the 1931 Napier Earthquake killed 256 people, and 185 people were killed in the 22 February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake. Building risk from shaking has been the largest contributor to damage and lives lost in earthquakes in New
Zealand to date. These issues are discussed in more detail in the risk framework report available at www.dbh.govt.nz.
The Canterbury Earthquake Sequence demonstrates that there are significant health and safety risks to society arising from buildings.
The Canterbury Earthquakes have shown that Unreinforced Masonry (URM) buildings are particularly hazardous, not only for those in the buildings, but also for those in the path of falling masonry outside the buildings. In Volume 4 of its Final Report, the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission notes that of the 42 fatalities from the 22 February 2011 earthquake associated with individual buildings (other than the Canterbury Television building or the Pyne Gould Corporation building):
The Canterbury Earthquakes have also highlighted that parts of buildings can be particularly vulnerable in an earthquake (for example parapets or staircases) and the overall seismic performance of the whole building is not the only consideration when assessing risk.
One of the main purposes of the Building Act 2004 (the Act) is to ensure that people can use buildings safely and without endangering their health. This purpose is primarily achieved by requiring all new building work to comply with the Building Code (a regulation under the Act).
The Act is not retrospective and does not require the performance of existing buildings to be upgraded as standards increase, except in certain specific circumstances. One of these circumstances is if an existing building is classified as 'earthquake-prone' (sections 121-132 of the Act). Two other circumstances are where buildings are altered (requiring a building consent), or where the use of the building is changed – these issues are discussed in more detail later in this RIS.
Where a building has been classified as 'earthquake-prone', the Act empowers territorial authorities to require the building owner to 'reduce or remove' the danger. It is a criminal offence, with a maximum fine of $200,000, if the building owner fails to comply with such a requirement. Territorial authorities also have powers to undertake work themselves (where the owner fails to do so) and recover costs from owners. The work required to 'reduce or remove' the danger is not prescribed, it is performance-based so the requirement is that the building owner strengthen the building to a point where it is no longer earthquake-prone. Work taken can include demolition. Box 1 on the following page discusses the definition of an earthquake-prone building in more detail.
The Act requires territorial authorities to have a policy on EPBs. The policy must state: (a) the approach that the territorial authority will take in performing its functions under the Part of the Act relating to earthquake-prone buildings;(b) the territorial authority's priorities in performing those functions; and (c) how the policy will apply to heritage buildings. Territorial authorities were required to finalise their initial policies by 30 May 2006 following public consultation, and to review them at least every five years5. As well as being held at the local level, a copy of all council policies are held by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
The Building Act 2004 defines an 'earthquake-prone' building as one which would have its ultimate capacity exceeded in a 'moderate earthquake' and which would be likely to collapse causing: injury or death to persons in the building or to persons on any other property; or damage to any other property6. A Determination, issued by the former Department of Building and Housing in 2012, concluded that where the provisions in the Act relating to earthquake-prone buildings referred to a building, they can also be applied to part of a building (such as parapets).
While the definition in the Act does not cover residential buildings unless they are at least two storeys high and contain at least three household units, it goes substantially further than the preceding Building Act 1991, which limited the definition of earthquake-prone buildings to those built wholly or substantially of unreinforced concrete or masonry7.
Regulations made under the Act in 20058 define a 'moderate earthquake' for the purposes of the Act as one that would generate shaking at the site of the building that is of the same duration, but a third as strong, as the earthquake shaking used to design a new building at the same site (earthquake shaking determined by normal measures of acceleration, velocity and displacement)9. Because the definition relates to the site of the building, it takes into account the different levels of seismcity around New Zealand.
Buildings with less than one third of the strength of a new building have at least 10 times the risk of serious damage or collapse in an earthquake when compared to a new building. By way of comparison, buildings that were at the earthquake-prone building threshold under the Building Act 1991 represented at least 25 times the risk of collapse compared to a new building (being approximately 16% (or one sixth) of the strength of a new building under today's Building Code). Therefore, a threshold of one-third resulted in a significantly larger number of buildings being considered earthquake-prone than previously.
The regulation defining 'moderate earthquake' was developed in close consultation with the engineering profession (public consultation was also undertaken). At the time, three alternative thresholds for determining a 'moderate earthquake' were considered: 16% (the level of the threshold under the Building Act 1991), 33% (the threshold of one third that was eventually used), and 50%.
In practice, the definition of EPB has become condensed over time to the shorthand of one-third or less of the new building standard (NBS).
As noted earlier, the Act is not retrospective and does not require the performance of existing buildings to be upgraded to current standards, except in certain specific circumstances. Two instances where buildings can be required to be upgraded are when buildings are altered (requiring a building consent), or where the use of the building is changed.
Where earthquake strengthening work requires a building consent, the alteration provisions of the Act are triggered. Under section 112 of the Act, a Building Consent Authority can only grant a building consent for an alteration to an existing building where it is satisfied that the building will:
These provisions mean that building owners can face additional costs when undertaking earthquake strengthening work10. The provisions require upgrading to 'as nearly as is reasonably practicable' in respect of fire and access and facilities for people with disabilities, which should provide flexibility where a high standard of upgrade would not be practicable in the context of the whole alteration. Territorial authorities currently have discretion to waive these additional requirements in certain circumstances (but not in the case of earthquake strengthening work required under section 124).
Change of use provisions of the Act (s115) are not triggered by earthquake strengthening work . The effect of these provisions is that where the use of a building is changed (for example from a office building to residential apartments), a building could potentially need to be strengthened and any strengthening would be to levels higher than required under the earthquake-prone building provisions, with other aspects of the building also upgraded (for example fire) – the level of upgrading required under these provisions is 'as nearly as is reasonably practicable'.
It is important to note that the Act does not set out all of the legal obligations of an owner of an earthquake-prone building. Building owners have other legal obligations, for example, a building owner may have legal obligations under other legislation in particular the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, at common law or under contract, for example conditions in their lease agreement. Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) requirements may also apply, particularly in regard to heritage buildings – anecdotal evidence collected as part of the review indicates that in some cases resource consent requirements can act as a barrier to strengthening being undertaken.
Central government, through the New Zealand Historic Places Trust's Heritage Incentive Fund for example, does make available some limited funding to heritage building owners that can be used to assist with the costs of earthquake strengthening. Some territorial authorities also provide some limited assistance.
In September 2012, central government agreed to establish the legislative framework for a National Historic Landmarks List (the List) comprising heritage places of greatest significance to New Zealand that will be a priority for central government involvement in conservation and promotion. The list is limited to 50 places (one place on the list could cover a number of buildings). The Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage has recently introduced a Supplementary Order Paper amending the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Bill that introduces the framework to create the List.
Prior to the Canterbury Earthquakes, the market had largely underestimated the risk that buildings with low seismic performance present. However following the Canterbury Earthquakes there is some evidence of an overcorrection, particularly as actual risk outside Canterbury has not changed. In summary, anecdotally the market response in the aftermath of the Canterbury Earthquakes has involved:
Under the current regulatory system much of the decision making is devolved to local authorities and central government has a limited role in oversight and monitoring. However the Ministry can issue guidance under section 175 to assist territorial authorities to carry out their functions.
In 2005, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (then the Department of Building and Housing) issued a guidance document to assist territorial authorities to develop their initial policies. This guidance material included a template policy that councils could modify/adapt for their area.
The guidance noted that in determining strengthening levels to 'reduce or remove' danger for EPBs, councils may wish to consider the views of the NZSEE which recommended strengthening affected buildings to 67% NBS. This guidance also introduced the concept of 'active' and 'passive' implementation approaches (combined 'active/passive' approaches are also possible). The active approach includes identification and detailed assessment of the potential EPBs, followed by either retrofitting or demolishing the identified EPBs within a relatively short time period. In contrast, under the passive approach seismic strengthening is triggered by the application for a building alteration, change of use and the extension of the building's functional life.
In addition to guidance issued by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, guidance has also been issued by professional organisations. In 2006, the NZSEE issued a document titled 'Assessment and Improvement of the Structural Performance of Building in Earthquakes'. This guidance has been adopted and used by many territorial authorities and sets a framework for evaluation that is well known in the sector. Broadly, this guidance provides for an Initial Evaluation Process (IEP) to ascertain the basic strength of an existing building, to be followed by a Detailed Assessment, also referred to as a ' detailed engineering evaluation' (DEE). The Ministry has recently provided guidance setting out what should be included in a DEE.
An analysis undertaken by the former Department of Building and Housing of initial EPB policies adopted by territorial authorities (73 total)11 following the commencement of the Act found that:
Second generation EPB policies being adopted by councils have moved on (following the experience of the Canterbury Earthquakes), with passive policies now in the minority.
Varying approaches have also been taken by territorial authorities with regard to how they deal with earthquake prone heritage buildings under the RMA. For example, as of May 2011, demolishing heritage buildings was a permitted activity in one district plan; discretionary in 32, non-complying in 32, and prohibited in nine. This means that owners who wished to demolish a heritage building could do so relatively easily in one area, while finding it very difficult to do so in others. An owner with experience with heritage buildings in one city may move to another, only to be faced with the uncertainty of completely different rules.
There is very limited information about the quality of New Zealand's building stock, in particular the seismic performance of buildings.
Table 1: Seismic Performance of buildings (non-residential and multi-storey/unit residential buildings) – assumed
* Working Assumptions
Table 2: Indicative costs of strengthening buildings per m2 of floor area12
Figure 2: Territorial authority survey results and QV information on building stock
In theory, the current system:
However, in practice, both the Royal Commission and the review have found problems with current policy and its administration by central and local government agencies. As a result, many earthquake-prone buildings are not being dealt with in a timely and cost effective manner. Some of the issues include:
A clear view is emerging that the current policy settings and standards are not achieving an adequate level of risk management nationwide.
There must be public confidence that the risk posed by buildings in earthquakes is being managed down to an acceptable level. This recognises that the risk of building collapse, death and injury in earthquakes can be reduced but never eliminated – therefore, the benefits of any reduced risk need to be kept in proportion to the cost of strengthening and removing buildings.
As part of the work on this issue, an analysis has been undertaken into the policy approaches taken in other jurisdictions that also have high levels of seismicity, how they identify and manage seismic risk in existing buildings, including the way other jurisdictions deal with the differences between new and existing construction. The jurisdictions considered were parts of North America (California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska), Japan, Chile, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy, Canada, and Australia.
The jurisdictions analysed have differing characteristics of their building stock, with some countries having a significantly higher proportion of older building stock and heritage buildings. All jurisdictions that have suffered major seismic events, particularly with loss of life, have had high levels of community awareness and interest in the aftermath of major events. Many countries/states have used this awareness to drive policy changes. This has impacted the priority given to seismic hazard mitigation and the way the market values buildings with higher and lower levels of seismic strength.
Some key learnings from analysis of overseas jurisdictions are as follows.
Key features of a better system for managing the seismic performance of buildings would include: achieving an acceptable level of risk; having better, more accessible information; reasonable response times; limited exemptions, and; important heritage buildings would be preserved.
This is consistent with the objectives of the review which are to ensure that:
In addition to the matters outlined earlier, the following issues have also been considered in the development of viable options for analysis:
Moving from the status quo to a highly prescriptive centralised rules based approach that specifies particular strengthening solutions for all affected buildings based on specific features is not considered to be a viable option, and therefore has not been considered in any further detail than that below.
While the main advantage of a highly descriptive approach is that it would help to provide absolute certainty to affected owners about what is required to meet minimum seismic performance requirements, it has several disadvantages including:
Moving from the status quo to an approach that relies entirely on market forces (largely demand and/or insurer driven) to drive improvements in the seismic performance of buildings (either through strengthening, demolition, or replacement) is not considered to be a viable option, and therefore has not been considered in any further detail than that below.
Non-regulatory approaches rely on all parties (including building owners, users and insurers) having access to the information they need in order to make appropriate risk management and/or investment decisions. They also rely on all parties being able to understand the relevant information and having the capacity/capability to act on it.
While there is some evidence of a market adjustment under the current system (discussed earlier), the experience in New Zealand has been that the seismic performance of buildings and the relative life safety and other risks a building presents has not been consistently priced into risk management and/or investment decisions by the market. Even if all of the risks were understood by all parties (for example, assisted by education initiatives and/or voluntary rating and disclosure of building performance), and all parties had capacity/capability to act, there are questions about whether in the absence of government intervention, improvements in seismic performance of buildings would be sustained over time.
The key features of the review proposals are as follows:
Potential impacts
The review proposals are expected to make current policy settings and standards more effective at addressing EPBs. In the event of a major earthquake, this in turn is expected to result in a number of immediate and longer term benefits (both direct and indirect). Some of these benefits are difficult to quantify (for example reduced social costs/impacts and improved post earthquake functioning of towns and cities) but can be very significant, as is evident following the Canterbury earthquakes.
The benefits associated with the proposals are summarised (qualitatively) as follows:
These benefits accrue directly to building owners and occupiers, as well as to insurers and wider society (including the public and local and central government).
Qualitatively, the costs associated with this proposal include:
Initial identification and notification costs will largely fall on local and central government, however there are also likely to be some costs for affected owners. Planning and strengthening costs will fall directly on building owners (including local and central government as building owners). Enforcement, information, education and monitoring costs will fall on local and central government. Costs associated with a national register will fall on local and central government.
There may also be some associated costs for some territorial authorities in relation to reviewing planning and heritage listing processes under the RMA.
It is difficult to quantify all of the cost impacts of the proposal at this time. In part, this is because many of the costs impacts will depend on detailed design which is yet to be undertaken. It is proposed, for example, that the initial assessment of buildings be undertaken by local government based on a simplified process that has yet to be determined by central government. Similarly the costs of a national register will depend on detailed design, which is yet to be undertaken. Feedback on these matters will be sought as part of the public consultation process to assist in the development of these proposals.
In addition, some of the costs identified have already been met (or would have been met) under the status quo. For example, owners of buildings already identified as being earthquake-prone may have already undertaken a more detailed assessment and developed a proposed set of actions to address these issues. Similarly, territorial authorities that have adopted an active approach to the use of their powers under the current system will have already incurred some costs around identification of buildings that may be earthquake-prone16.
However, there will be additional costs when compared to the status quo. For example, there will be some additional costs to territorial authorities, central government and owners in the initial identification and notification process for buildings. In addition, under the proposal:
The public consultation process is expected to better inform all of the issues outlined above.
Table 3 on the following page compares quantifiable direct benefits of reduced fatalities and injury (and estimates of reduced property damage) with direct costs of strengthening under a range of scenarios including the status quo. Note that the table is only a partial analysis – it does not compare all of the costs and benefits discussed earlier in a quantitative manner.
The table indicates that setting a higher EPB threshold, requiring strengthening above 34%, or requiring strengthening to be done faster than proposed above would result in some additional benefits, however it would also result in substantially increased costs. At higher thresholds other non-life safety benefits associated with earthquake strengthening are likely to be more prominent, for example reduced social and economic impacts – in terms of scale, these benefits can be very significant as demonstrated by the Canterbury Earthquakes.
Comparing quantifiable direct benefits of reduced fatalities and injury (and estimates of reduced property damage) with direct costs of strengthening, the indicative direct benefit/cost ratio of the review proposals is estimated to be strongly negative ($37 million/$1,717 million), as it is for the status quo ($25m/$958m). As context to the cost figures above, New Zealand currently spends around $4,452 million annually on non-residential building work, and around $5,507 million annually on residential building work.
Table 3: Summary of indicative direct cost/benefits of alternative strengthening and timing options*
* This table considers direct cost of strengthening with the direct benefits of reduced fatalities and injury, and estimates of reduced property damage. These figures are midpoint estimates based on extrapolated local authority data and are indicative only. Benefits are affected by the probability of a major seismic event occurring (MM8 to MM11 earthquakes have been modelled taking into account their respective probabilities in each local authority), and are discounted over 75 years.
On 10 October 2012, the Government received Volume 4 of the Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission's Final Report covering EPBs.
The Royal Commission has made a number of policy and practice recommendations relating to the system for managing EPBs. The Royal Commission's recommendations broadly align with the review proposals, however in some areas the Royal Commission goes further.
Key areas of alignment include:
The key areas where the Royal Commission has recommended going further than the review proposals relate to:
Detailed costings of the Royal Commission's recommendations that go beyond the review proposals have not yet been undertaken. It is likely that there would be additional benefits. However, there are also likely to be major additional costs and implementation risks, in particular on URM and residential buildings.
The review consultation document includes information about the Royal Commission's recommendations and seeks views on matters recommended by the Royal Commission that differ from the review proposals outlined earlier.
In addition to recommendations relating to EPBs, the Royal Commission has also made recommendations in Volume 4 of its Final Report that are more closely linked to the dangerous building provisions of the Building Act, and dealing with buildings after an earthquake. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is undertaking further work as part of other work programmes on these issues.
To date, the review process has been informed by:
The Sector Reference Group comprises the following people.
The Officials Reference Group comprises the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, CERA, the Department of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development (Government Property Management Centre of Expertise), Treasury, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and Ministry for the Environment.
An overall theme to emerge from both reference groups is that policy in this area should contribute to better overall risk management and better informed decision making on how to address the risks arising from exposure to earthquakes.
Targeted meetings were also held during the review process with the following parties:
In addition, members of the review team either attended and/or spoke at various conferences such as the NZSEE Conference, the Safe Buildings Conference, and the LGNZ Annual Conference (15 and 30 April 2012, and 15-17 July 2012 respectively).
Some of the key issues raised in targeted stakeholder meetings were that:
Table 4 below summarises the main features of the review proposals compared to the status quo.
Table 4: Main features of the review proposals compared to the status quo
Certain buildings may be permitted to remain below EPB threshold in certain circumstances.
Strategically important buildings prioritised for strengthening.
It is expected that the review proposals will make current policy settings and standards more effective at addressing EPBs, and will meet the review objectives better than the status quo, however:
The indicative direct benefit/cost ratio of the review proposals is estimated to be strongly negative ($37 million/$1,717 million), as it is for the status quo ($25 million/$958 million). However, a clear view is emerging that the current policy settings and standards are not achieving an adequate level of risk management nationwide.
The Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commission's recommendations that go beyond the review proposals will result in additional benefits, however, there are also likely to be major additional costs and implementation risks, in particular on URM and residential buildings.
The public consultation process is expected to provide better information on these issues.
The proposal would be given effect by:
Compliance costs will be minimised by maintaining some aspects of the current regulatory system.
To minimise compliance costs and implementation risks, initial assessment of all buildings will be undertaken progressively within a five year period using a low cost tool/methodology developed by the Ministry (working with the building and construction sector and territorial authorities). Detailed design of the publicly searchable register of building seismic performance is yet to be undertaken.
The practicality of undertaking initial assessments of buildings within a five year period has been tested with the review's sector reference group, and a process already exists under the status quo should owners refuse to strengthen affected buildings within the proposed timeframes (outlined earlier in this consultation RIS). Views on these issues are sought in the consultation document – the public consultation process is expected to provide better information on these issues.
A monitoring and evaluation strategy would be put in place by the Ministry to assess the implementation and impacts of the selected policy approach. This strategy would cover a 5 – 7 year period.
Years 1 – 2: establishment of baseline data for identifying changes in the number and type of earthquake-prone buildings, and for identifying initial market responses to new requirements on owners. During this period, local councils will be consulted on data that will be provided on a regular basis in future. Also during this period, councils will be asked to provide information on their levels of activities with building owners, with regard to information provision or enforcement actions.
Years 3 – 4: assess how well building owners have implemented new requirements. During this period, for example, the proportion of buildings that are being assessed for earthquake strength should be tracked.
Years 5 – 7: assess effectiveness of building strength testing, information disclosure, and other requirements. Identify gaps in compliance and options for further strengthening of requirements.
1 See Box 1 for the definition of an 'earthquake-prone building' under current legislative settings.
2 Note: Some buildings, for example schools, hospitals and power stations, are designed for larger earthquakes.
3 NZSEE, 'Assessment and Improvement of the Structural Performance of Building in Earthquakes', 2006.
4 Insurance losses for the February 2011 earthquake have been estimated at US$13.50 billion. Insurance losses for the September 2010 earthquake have been estimated at US$4.00 billion (New Zealand Insurance Council: Annual Insurance Industry Review 2011 – 2012).
5. Sections 131 and 132 of the Building Act 2004.
6 Section 122 of the Building Act 2004.
7 Before the Building Act 1991, the Local Government Act 1974 (and the Municipal Corporations Amendment Act 1968 before that) included provisions to enable local authorities to require the strengthening or removal of
earthquake-prone buildings.
8 Section 7 of the Building (Specified Systems, Change the Use, and Earthquake-prone Buildings) Regulations 2005 (SR 2005/32)
9 NZS 1170:5 2004 is referenced in Compliance Documents issued by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for designing new buildings for earthquake loadings.
10 Although, change of use may trigger earthquake strengthening requirements
11 The number of territorial authorities has reduced following the Auckland amalgamation.
12 These cost estimates were derived from advice from engineers.
13 All buildings currently covered by section 122 of the Building Act 2004 (all non-residential buildings and residential buildings comprising two or more storeys and containing three or more household units).
14 Setting the EPB threshold at a higher level, for example 67%, while resulting in some additional life safety benefits, would result in substantially greater costs and risks. At higher thresholds other non-life safety benefits associated with earthquake strengthening are likely to be more prominent, for example reduced social and economic impacts. The review proposals take into account the risks, costs and benefits of earthquake strengthening.
15 For example, buildings that if they collapse will block a critical emergency route, or will significantly slow social and economic recovery.
16 Many local authorities are already in the process of a more detailed examination of their pre-1976 building stock. In Canterbury, over the next three years the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) will be progressively asking owners of non-residential (commercial) and multi-storey/unit residential buildings in greater Christchurch (comprising Christchurch City, Selwyn District and Waimakariri District) to have a Detailed Engineering Evaluation (DEE) prepared for their buildings. Building owners will be required to provide a copy of their DEE to CERA.
17 Heritage values can have significant social and economic worth, for example, tourism related benefits.


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Full Symposium Schedule
Panel 1- 1:00 p.m. in Jack C. Taylor Library Board Room
Brooke Angel-Fontbonne Student; Social Work Major
Janine Duncan-Fontbonne Faculty; Family and Consumer Sciences
Monica Kleekamp-Fontbonne Student; Speech-Language Pathology Major
Heather Norton-Fontbonne Interim Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs
Joanne Smith-Fontbonne Faculty; Education and Special Education
Panel 2- 3:00 p.m. in Jack C. Taylor Library Board Room
Dan Finucane-Saint Louis University Faculty; Theological Studies
Zach Goers-Fontbonne Student; Accounting Major
Corey James-Saint Louis University Student; Theology and Philosophy Major
Angie Liljequist-Fontbonne Faculty; Fashion Merchandising
Panel 3- 4:30 p.m. in Jack C. Taylor Library Board Room
John Fletcher-Fontbonne Student; Speech-Language Pathology Major
Jack Luzkow-Fontbonne Faculty; History, Philosophy, and Religion
Lottie Page-Fontbonne Student; Education Major
Elizabeth Rayhel-Fontbonne Faculty; Biological and Physical Sciences
Gabriel Vitale-Saint Louis University Student
Reception-6:00 p.m. in President's Reception Room of East Building
Keynote Speaker- 7:00 p.m. in Lewis Room of the Jack C. Taylor Library
Meghan J. Clark, Ph. D., St. John's University
"Obligations of Justice and Love: Becoming a Samaritan Church in the Modern World"
Thank you to Fontbonne Community Connections for generously funding this event!

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text:
Baseball Pitching Training
By Steven Ellis, former Chicago Cubs pitching pro
There are really only two kinds of baseball pitching training: strengthening and flexibility training.
Strengthening makes muscles stronger and tighter. Flexibility training makes them longer and more flexible.
Since every pitcher needs to train both strength and flexibility, he should perform baseball pitching training exercises that will do both things.
For pitcher's, weight training is the perfect method for strengthening muscles. Calisthenics and conditioning are the perfect baseball pitching training for flexibility.
Ideally, a pitcher should perform weight training for a particular muscle and then offset that by following up immediately with some calisthenics. He should work out no more than twice a week, and never on successive days. The best place to train pitchers is always in a gym, with the proper pitching and workout equipment.
A baseball pitcher can never be too flexible. But he can become too muscular, so he must keep in mind that his weight training should be modest. His goal is not to become an Arnold Schwarzenegger, but simply to strengthen his muscles with more pitching-specific training methods.
A pitcher can become too tightly muscled, and this is why, before the sixties, weight training was frowned upon by most baseball people.
Today, however, our pitcher training programs are more enlightened, and we realize that a modest training routine of lifting will not turn anyone into a muscle bound hulk.
Again, remember that when following a baseball pitcher training program not to work your muscles more than twice a week, and never on successive days. When you lift weights, what you are really doing is putting your muscles under stress. Your muscles then need at least 48 hours to restore themselves before the next bout of lifting.
Here are some basic terms and rules for baseball training for pitchers:
- A "repetition" is one complete movement of an exercise.
- A "set" is a series of repetitions done in succession before resting (e.g., ten reps and rest equal one set).
- The amount of weight to use for each exercise varies with each person. The best rule of thumb to follow is this: The weight should be light enough for you to perform at least six successive repetitions without cheating, and it should be heavy enough so that you can't perform more than fifteen repetitions too easily.
- Begin your pitching strength training with light weights and then, after a month or so, increase the weights while maintaining the same number of repetitions.
- Expect a slight soreness the day after each training workout. It is normal. Without it you aren't working hard enough.
Related Pitching Materials
Want to learn more about baseball pitching workout programs? Arm yourself with the most innovative and up-to-date baseball pitching training available. These related pitching materials from former Chicago Cubs pitching pro Steven Ellis are guaranteed to help you or the players you coach pitch better and reach the next level faster!
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Why Google Calendar is not updated with a change in task of my to-do list?
Asked on Mar 21, 2014 - 13:15 UTC
The task remain on the top of each day in the original dates, there're not updated.
All responses
Replied on Mar 21, 2014 - 13:20 UTC
The update is hapen ones a day.
Replied on Mar 21, 2014 - 13:32 UTC
Hello Sebastian,
As Václav said - it updates once a day, but this applies to Google's Calendar directly. Our feed is updated almost instantly, but Google refresh added iCal feeds only once a day :-(
Best regards,
Replied on Mar 21, 2014 - 14:08 UTC
Thank you!
2014-03-21 10:32 GMT-03:00 Todoist Support <


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A Collation of RA3 Modders with the express Purpose of of Improving Red Alert in Various Directions.
what do you think of the change?
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An Edited version of some official art.


text: Courtesy: Franco Origlia, Getty Images [ Amanda Knox Freed By Shauna Bales October 3, 2011 An Italian jury has overturned the murder conviction of Amanda Knox. The young American is now free after nearly four years in prison for the death of her British roommate. Read More|Comment Category: Breaking News, Crime, World News Tags: Amanda Knox Send to a friend! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr!


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The Lodge is members-only web design and development videos and live help. Log In or Sign Up.
I need to implement IE 10 hack on Password field textbox.
you're welcome!
I wasn't aware that IE10 needed hacking.
Openings post doesn't give much info why either :P
I think it might relate to the 'eye' thing…at least that's what I can gather from StackOverflow
If that's the case there are better solutions posted in those links than using a hack.
If you want to remove the reveal pseudo element, use CSS:
::-ms-reveal {
display: none;
I covered this, and other pseudo elements, in [Designing with Pseudo Elements in IE10](http://sampsonblog.com/615/ie10s-pseudo-elements).
On topic, is there any way to sniff this `::-ms-reveal` pseudo-element with JavaScript to detect Internet Explorer 10+?
Still searching for hacks for Browserhacks.com. :)
whatever::-ms-reveal, body {
// ie10 specific properties for body
or am I thinking too simple now @HugoGiraudel?
Well, I guess that's clever. I have to try this out. I'll let you know asap.
Doesn't work on BrowserStack.com; setup Windows 8, IE 10, 1024*768.
You have a typo in `::-ms-reveal` (missing first dash)
Thanks buddy. Hack successful. Pushing it to Browserhacks anytime soon.
Cool ^_^ You're welcome!
But… it's not really a hack, is it? :)
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- Musician's Friend Best Selection, Price & Service. Guaranteed.
Call our Gear Heads
at: 800-449-9128
Call our Gear Heads
at: 800-449-9128
An instructional DVD providing guidance on techniques used by notable guitarists to craft unusual and memorable melodies.
In the DVD Guitar World In Deep: How to Play Guitar Weirdness!, Guitar World magazine editor and instructor Andy Aledort shows how to play outside the box using chromaticism, pentatonic superimpositions, symmetrical diminished scales, and more! These techniques are used by many guitar legends, including Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Dimebag Darrell, John Scofield, John McLaughlin, Jeff Beck and Eddie Van Halen.
This DVD contains lessons on moving minor pentatonic lines up and/or down the neck chromatically, using symmetrical-diminished scales to create unusual melodic shapes, exploring chromatic movement via the harmonic minor scale and much more!
Order today!
Our product catalog varies by country due to manufacturer restrictions. If you change the Ship-To country, some or all of the items in your cart may not ship to the new destination.


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Does anyone have one of these that they would be willing to part with? I would prefer one in size regular. Please PM me or email: email@example.com!
Edited by dstenberg1 on 01/21/2007 10:45:28 MST.
The Vapr bivy with side zip is supposed to be available at the end of February.BMW Vapr Bivy
Edited by dealtoyo on 01/23/2007 02:32:33 MST.
Duane, I did not notice that they had updated the status. Thank you for informing me. Oware has a couple of pertex/silnylon and pertex/cuben bivies for sale, but I they are size long. I am looking for a regular. Now I can wait and get the Vapr w/ the side zip. Hopefully they will arrive in February.
David, I noticed that the BMW Vapr Bivy without side zip is in stock in size regular as of 1-23-07 at 2:30 AM mountain time. Not sure if your intrested but I thought I would give you a heads-up.
Thanks for the heads up. I am going to get one.
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Item No. » YB-ELJOSA
Sorry, this item is Out of Stock. You can still order it and we will ship it to you as soon as it comes in.
Stay hydrated without all the fuss. This water bottle has an easy-open cap with a leak-proof design, so you can focus on your ride, not your leaky bottle.


text: AlJazeera [ Live From Cairo – Mubarak Resigns [LIVE VIDEO] By Tom McCarthy February 11, 2011 Wild cheers erupted from tens of thousands of demonstrators in Cairo's Tahrir Square after word spread that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has resigned. Demonstrators chanted "Egypt is free!" upon hearing the news. Watch the LIVE feed here: Read More|Comment Category: World News Tags: AlJazeera, Egypt, Hosni Mubarak Send to a friend! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr!


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Comments about Tattered Angels Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, 2 Oz: Pineapple, Limited Edition:
This spray shimmer is perfect for that elegant final touch. Shake the bottle well and often - the metallic 'glitter' settles to the bottom quickly. I practiced on scrap paper, a good idea since at first I sprayed too much.
The spray collected around the top the first time; once I wiped off the excess, it hasn't done so again.
I've used my Pineapple Glimmer Mist on several layouts - and I want more colors! So simple, so subtle and oh so elegant!


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Philipp Lahm
Germany Today, U.S. Tomorrow
July 07, 2010
I'll take Howard's bait. I think it is OK to both admire and root for Germany, and I've found myself doing both. Yes, my father was the first mate on U.S. Merchant Marine ships running supplies to Normandy, and the Nazis did occupy his native Greece. But that was quite some time ago. In my well-postwar lifetime, personal bias against Germany has involved disdain for the country's efficient, machine-like, insert-backhandedly-complimentary-adjective-here character (and caricature), and with their soccer.


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ACC, Notre Dame announce games for 2014-16
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]otre Dame and the ACC announced last year that the school had entered into a scheduling agreement that essentially made the Irish partial conference members. Today, the ACC announced the opponents that Notre Dame will face in the first three years of the partnership, which begins in 2014.
The Fighting Irish will play five ACC teams each year, alternating between three home games and two away and two home games and three away each year. Notre Dame will face every ACC team at least once in the first three-year rotation of games.
That means eight of the first 15 games will be played in South Bend. Two of the games — Louisville in 2014 and Virginia Tech in 2016 — mark the first meeting between the two teams.
"The football partnership between the ACC and Notre Dame will not only enhance our league's already ambitious football schedules but also will provide terrific fan excitement," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "One of the benefits, moving forward, is that almost all of our student-athletes will have an opportunity to play against Notre Dame during their ACC careers which is extremely special."
Below is a look at the games, the teams' last meeting and the series record:
at Florida State (2011, FSU Leads 5-2-0)
Louisville (First meeting)
North Carolina (2007, ND Leads 16-2-0)
at Syracuse (2008, Series tied 3-3-0)
Wake Forest (2012, ND Leads 2-0-0)
Boston College (2012, ND Leads 13-9-0)
at Clemson (1979, Series Tied 1-1-0)
Georgia Tech (2007, ND Leads 27-6-1)
at Pittsburgh (2012, ND Leads 47-20-1)
at Virginia (1989, ND Leads 1-0-0)
Duke (2007, ND leads 3-1-0)
Miami (2012, ND leads 17-7-1)
at North Carolina State (2002, State Leads 1-0-0)
Virginia Tech (First meeting)
Photo credit: Gerry Broome / AP


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At the same time, the committee suggested slowing down the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, a global effort led by the U.S. to reprocess spent fuel for use by partner nations.
The National Academy of Sciences study was commissioned by DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy, to focus on five elements of its program, which has altogether experienced a 70-percent spurt of growth since 2003.
The scientists and engineers of the academies backed a joint DOE-industry initiative, Nuclear Power 2010, as its highest priority. The program is supposed to identify appropriate sites in the U.S., help accelerate designs and safety approvals for advanced light water reactor plants, and speed up regulatory approvals with one-step construction and operating licenses.
The authors said good progress has been made in some areas on NP 2010, but noted that no funding has been requested and the pace is "far slower" than was proposed.
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Motif Now Allows Users To Build Their Own Idea-Focused Investment Vehicles
Motif Investing, a vehicle that allows you to invest in ideas, is now allowing individuals, organizations and brands to create and share their own collections of stocks or exchange-traded funds online—and, soon, make money when other investors buy them. Read More
Investment Vehicle For Ideas, Motif Expands To Fixed-Income Products
Motif Investing, a vehicle that allows you to invest in ideas, is expanding its offerings today to include the ability to invest in 10 new fixed income "motifs," which are specialized portfolios of bond ETFs tied to certain macro-economic trends. As we've written in the past, Motif was founded last year to give individuals a new way to invest based on themes. Instead of… Read More
Former Microsoft Exec Raises $20 Million For Motif, An Investment Vehicle For Ideas
Motif Investing, a new vehicle that allows you to invest in ideas, has raised $20 million in Series B financing led by Ignition Partners with participation from Norwest Venture Partners and Foundation Capital. This brings the company's total funding to $26 million. Motif, which is in private beta, was founded by former Microsoft executive Hardeep Walia and hedge fund analyst Tariq Hilaly… Read More


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Twitter Tee Shirts
@MeTee Twitter Handle Tee Shirts: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?
Like us on Facebook
These custom shirts and sweatshirts are printed with your Twitter handle or a hashtag of your choice, in hopes to get people pointing their browsers in your direction. Another way to ditch the business card for Twitter? Maybe. What do you think?


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Share This Post
With 28 days left until Virginia Tech takes the field against Appalachian State, we turn our attention to number 28 on roster, Mr. Alonzo Tweedy. So far in his career, Tweedy has been mostly a special teams player on our punt teams. He's developed into our best gunner and has become a solid open field tackler during his time here in Blacksburg. However, this is a season where Tweedy could really make some noise on defense, especially with the one person ahead of him on the depth chart having a not-so-great year in 2010. The WHIP Linebacker competition will continue into camp and this is Tweedy's last chance at earning that job.
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 186 lbs
Position: WHIP Linebacker
Year: R-Junior
High School: Hermitage High School
How Did He Get Here
Despite being just a two-star recruit on Rivals.com, the Hokies offered Tweedy during the summer of 2006. With no other scholarship offers in hand, the Hermitage star committed to Virginia Tech on July 31st, 2006. Tweedy's offer was a greyshirt offer so he didn't enroll until January of 2008 but so far, the coaches have proven that offering Tweedy was a good move in that class. He has developed into a fantastic special teams player and this fall could be a breakout season for the Virginia native.
2010 Season
Tweedy started as a gunner on the punt team last season and excelled in his role there. He finished the season with 18 tackles and one forced fumble. However, the surprising part is that Tweedy never really saw that many reps at WHIP linebacker even with GW's known struggles. That will likely change this fall, even if Jeron does play better.
2011 Prospectus
Spring practice is a major event for those who are looking to make a move on the depth chart and this past April was certainly a big month for Tweedy. Honestly, Tweedy looked more comfortable at WHIP this spring and developed into more of a playmaker at the position. Now, would I feel comfortable with him starting this fall? That remains to be seen but I was impressed with how much he improved over the offseason.
I do believe Gouveia-Winslow will have a much better season this fall so that may limit the amount of reps Tweedy gets but with his speed, he to be on the field somewhere. He'll still start at gunner on special teams and hopefully, he can impress the coaches enough here in August to sure up that backup job at WHIP. If Tech has two reliable players at that position this fall, it will benefit this defense immensely.
Career Highlight
Forcing a fumble against UNC during a critical juncture in that game.
Career Lowlight
Injuring his groin before fall camp started. That erased any chance of him beating out JGW at WHIP.
Hokie Fans! Do You Use a Smoker or BBQ for Pork or Beef? Or Do Any Type of Grilling?
Check out this Must Have tool for Handling and Shredding Smoked Pork or Beef.
Alsing Meat Claws - These meat handler forks make shredding smoked pork or shoulder a breeze.
The folks at Alsing are offering Virginia Tech Fans the chance to get them on Amazon at a 30% discount with Promo Code 'MEATCLAW'
Their only ask in returns is that you leave an honest review on Amazon once you purchase and use them!
Look A-Like
Completely made up fact
Much like his look-a-like, most of Alonzo Tweedy's morning start off like this as well
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Company Overview of Therapix Biosciences Ltd.
Executive Profile
Jan Turek
Chief Executive Officer, Therapix Biosciences Ltd.
|Total Calculated Compensation
|This person is connected to 0 Board Members in 0 different organizations across 1 different industries.
As of Fiscal Year 2014
Mr. Jan Turek has been the Chief Executive Officer of Therapix Biosciences Ltd. since September 22, 2014. As a Partner at TCG, LLC, Mr. Turek has been a senior strategy and transaction advisor to a number of large and small biopharmaceutical companies. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer at Biolex Therapeutics, Inc. since June 2001. He has over 30 years' experience in biotech and pharmaceutical executive leadership, product development, marketing and business ...
Corporate Headquarters
18 Einstein StreetPhone: 972 8 939 6577
Ness Ziona, -- --
Fax: 972 8 939 6574
Board Members MembershipsThere is no Board Members Memberships data available.
McGill University
Other Affiliations
Annual CompensationThere is no Annual Compensation data available.
Stocks Options
Total Compensation
|There is no Competitor Compensation data available.
Sponsored Financial Commentaries
Sponsored Links
Report Data Issue
To contact Therapix Biosciences Ltd., please visit . Company data is provided by Capital IQ. Please use this form to report any data issues.
Please enter your information in the following field(s):
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Our data partners will research the update request and update the information on this page if necessary. Research and follow-up could take several weeks. If you have questions, you can contact them at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Computing Resources > Doc & File Services
Printing and Copying
General use printers around the department are listed below, along with the identifier string that will appear when printer drivers are set up on the departmental computers. Chrissy can be contacted for setting up printer drivers on personal machines.
Building 1020:
HP LJM600 B&W LaserJet (1020_NE_HP_LJ_4200)
Canon ImageRunner 6255 (1020_122_Canon_iR6255)
Ricoh C411DN Color Laser Printer (1020_122_Ricoh_Aficio_SP_C411)
Ricoh C430DN Color Laser Printer (1020_NE_Ricoh_Aficio_SP_C430DN)
Building 1022:
HP 4200 B&W LaserJet (1022_114_ HP_LJ_4100)
Building 1029:
HP 4200 B&W LaserJet (1029_107_HP_LJ_4200)
Poster Printer:
EPSON SureColor T7270 Large Format Color Printer
If you are printing your finalized version, contact Chrissy or Jamie for assistance in loading the glossy paper. Otherwise, the draft paper should always be in place.
For first time users, contact Chrissy to set up access to the printer.
When using the DMS printing services, please follow these printing etiquette guidelines to ensure that access to these resources is maintained for all members of the department.
Document Scanning
DMS Copier
Our Canon ImageRunner 6255 (1020_122_Canon_iR6255) copier can also be used as a document scanner that provides colored scans of your documents. The scanned documents can either be sent to the file server or to your email as PDF files.
To send to file server:
On the copier display, hit Scan and Send. Then Address Book. Press down till you find the contact in the address book called Scan Folder. Hit Okay. Then press the Green Start button.
Once scan is complete, go back to your computer. The file will be in your Z: drive located under Departmental/Scan folder.
NOTE: Documents on the file server are open to all users. If this information is sensitive in some way, you should move the file on to your personal machine or use the eMail option.
To send to an Email.
On the copier display,
hit Scan and Send. Then Address Book. Press down till you find your Email Address. Hit Okay. Then press the Green Start button.
If your Email address isn't displayed then instead of Address book, choose New Destination, then hit Email. Follow the display instructions provided to you.
EPSON Flatbed Scanner
The flatbed scanner is connected to the community computer in the NE corner of BLDG 1020. The scanner can provide colored scans of your documents and pdf output.
DMS File Server
Marine Science also provides a file server for group projects. When you are a Microsoft Windows member on the Active Directory, this server will automatically be mapped to your computer via the Z:\ drive.
If you do not see this mapping, you can manually map it by going to Computer, Map Network Drive and using the following path under folder: \\usm.golden.eagles\pub\col\cost\dms
Those mapping from linux or older versions of Mac OSX will need to map to the full path: //sscfilesvr01.usm.golden.eagles/pub/col/cost/dms
Those mapping from Mac OS X "Mountain Lion or Mavericks (OSX 10.8 or 10.9)" will need to use the DFS link:
Login credentials will be your SOAR User ID and password


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Wine dinner: The chefs at River Rocks, 6485 S. U.S. 1, Rockledge, will create a bountiful six-course dinner with six Spanish wines at 6 p.m. Thursday. For menu specifics, call 321-757-7200 or visit www.riverrocksrestaurant.com.
- Filed Under
Here are your entertainment best bets for Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013:
Rock and roll author tour: Florida Discount Music, 454 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne. The book tour will feature local author Christopher Long and his book "C'Mon! A Shot of Poison" and Canadian author Brent Jensen and hit book "No Sleep 'Til Sudbury" at 7 p.m. Thursday at Open Mike's at Florida Discount Music, 454 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne. Call 321-254-5645.
'Bullies Aren't Bad Guys': David R. Schechter Community Center, 1089 South Patrick Drive, Satellite Beach. Belinda Lorch will lead a two-part anti-bullying ...


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Welcome to Alaska Medallions!
Official site of The Alaska Medallion Newsletter
*Limited Edition*
*Serial Numbered*
*State Sanctioned*
*Alaskan Wildlife*
*One Ounce Silver Proof Medallions*
The contest is underway for the 2016 Alaska State Medallion design. The decision should be made soon and we will post the new medallion as soon as possible. The newsletter will be sent out soon after.
Alaska's Official State Medallion for 2015 is…
The Polar Bear Family!
The winning design for 2015 was submitted by Steve Cross of Fairbanks and it features an adult polar bear surrounded by three cubs (scroll down). It is quite different from past designs but continues the tradition of detailed engraving in the Official State Series.
The 2015 Polar Bear Family is currently in production and should final mintage turn out to be anything like the 2013 Ptarmigan (only 1,820 one ounce proofs were made), 2015 will be another low mintage, collectable year for Alaska State Medallion enthusiasts.
Whether you are looking for a rare medallion investment, a keepsake memory of an Alaskan vacation or a gift for someone tough to please; the Official State Medallions of Alaska are sure to bring smiles to faces for many years.
Meticulously handcrafted of .999 Alaska mined silver these one-ounce rounds are individually serial numbered and limited in edition. The designs change yearly and back issue pieces have shown surprising appreciation values (just check out the back issue medallions to the left!).
There is plenty to look at here… the medallion series has been ongoing in State since 1992. They are sanctioned by the Alaska State Legislature and designs are by Alaskan artists depicting Alaska wildlife. We hope you enjoy browsing and we hope you will allow us to help you bring Alaska silver into your home.
2015 Alaska State Medallion - The POLAR BEAR FAMILY!
Designed by Steve Cross of Fairbanks, Alaska this medallion is the latest compliment to the ongoing Alaska State Medallion Series.
Click images to enlarge.
For current information regarding ordering, shipping times, assigned serial numbers, and other 2015 State Medallions please click the main 2015 Polar Bear Family page.
The one-ounce Official Alaska State Medallion Proof should be the first medallion in any Alaska collection. Each medallion is rim stamped with an individual serial number and production is limited to demand through the year of issue. They come encased in an air tight holder with velvet presentation box and information card. Check out the back issue pieces at the links to the left to see how these medallions have increased in value over the years. The mintage of these medallions is authorized under Alaska State Statute: 44.09.017.
Don't forget to view the 2015 Iditarod Medallion.
Iditarod medallions continue to be the second most in-demand medallion produced by the mint.
And if you would like to sign up for our free yearly newsletter just request it on the Contact Us page.
Thank you for visiting. We would like to wish you good luck and good fortune; now, in 2015, and beyond.


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Roots Afrikiko Clothing Company
Update your wardrobe with our collection of CULTURE t shirts from
ROOTS AFRIKIKO. Find the largest selection of hard to find AFROCENTRIC t-shirts on sale. Shop by price, color, locally and more. .
Unique and Stylish T-SHIRTS you cant buy in stores. We've got the largest collection of AfroCentric vintage and contemporary tshirtS on the interwebs. With the highest quality in t-shirt printing and hundreds of designs. Orders ship in 24 hours.


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Mises Daily
Private Life
Clinton wants his private life back. His personal behavior is his business alone, and his family's. It's a moral outrage that a government prosecutor wants to turn a private matter into a public one. Ken Starr's power is wholly illegitimate.
Welcome to the early 19th century, when people actually did have private lives because the government dared not intrude. Family was autonomous and so too were extended families. Homes were sacred spaces. Businesses were private property. Neighborhoods managed their own affairs without outside intervention.
There were no spooks listening in on phone calls, reading our mail, investigating our politics, monitoring our income and stealing up to half of it for "public policy." There was no army of social workers telling people how to raise their kids. There was no war on tobacco or drugs. These were all private matters.
Heads of households, pastors, and community leaders were the social authorities, not politicians. The president had no agencies to regulate business, tell property owners whom to hire and fire, much less pretend to manage the national and world economy.
There was no "sexual-harassment" law. People who didn't like their jobs didn't sue. Instead, they sought out a new job. Discrimination on any basis whatsoever was not a crime but a natural right. There were no laws that punished people for their choices and associations so long as they didn't harm anyone.
It was a system called freedom, and it made possible the most prosperous and humane society in human history. We owe our current prosperity to the remnants of the old system.
But Bill Clinton represents something different, an ideology whose primary tenet is that private life shouldn't exist. All behavior is public behavior. The State has an interest in managing all aspects of it. What choices and freedoms we have are ours because the State grants them. Children don't belong to the family but to society. Businesses are public property. Our thoughts and motivations—even our jokes—are the business of courts and prosecutors.
But now Clinton, in high-flown libertarian rhetoric, attempts to tap into the seething resentment the public has for big government and demands that the Administrative State he heads and loves leave him alone. In his new-found worldview, he alone enjoys the right to conduct his affairs as he sees fit.
He says no one has a right to know what he is doing with his subordinates. His friends cannot be subpoenaed and forced to rat on him to the feds. "Even presidents have private lives," he says. He means only presidents should have private lives.
Can someone please welcome Bill to the late 20th century? The power and intrusions of the government now frying him are the same power and intrusions the rest of American is forced to endure every day.
Every penny we spend is subject to investigation by the tax police. No business owner can take a step on his own property without consulting federal agencies. Even in our own homes, we are not free to decide what kind of paint to put on the walls or the size of our toilet tanks.
Recall that Bill would not be in this fix were it not for the preposterous advent of sexual-harassment law. On the day of his speech, thousands of cases are roiling through the courts that will result in million-dollar fines against bosses accused of far less. Managers' lives will be ruined by a subordinate's lewd remark or provocative picture displayed on a desk.
This is a law that Bill defends and champions. His own wife, now bitter that her personal space is invaded by government power, is the icon of the feminist movement that has long claimed that the personal is the political.
Bill is inviting all of us to reject the authority that Starr is exercising. Bill didn't like the questions Starr was asking and reportedly even refused to answer them. Why should he? Hey, it's a free country.
It might be possible to be more sympathetic to Bill's predicament. Let him repeal the sexual harassment laws in which he is now entangled. Let him strip the CIA, the IRS, the FBI, the ATF, and the NSA of their power to spy on our private lives.
Let Bill light a bonfire on the White House lawn made of the federal code and a hundred years of the Federal Register. Let him grant to every American the broad rights to private life that he demands for himself. Until then, we are entitled to regard his speech as the plea of a tyrant caught in his own web.


text: Mar052015 Remarks at the Investment and Entrepreneurship Conference in TunisiaTrade and InvestmentTunisiaForeign Direct InvestmentEntrepreneurshipU.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today delivered the keynote address at the Investment and Entrepreneurship Conference in Tunis, Tunisia. The conference brought together more than 300 international participants from the business community, civil society and governments to explore the economic potential of North Africa.


text:
Perrin IPA is poured at HopCat Brewery in Grand Rapids on Feb. 26, 2013. HopCat will open a location in East Lansing this week.
HopCat was already poised to make a splash with its upcoming grand opening.
The new restaurant at 300 Grove St., on the first floor of the Residences, has a world-record event on tap for its first day, Thursday: 100 unique Short's Brewing Company beers, one for each of HopCat's 100 taps.
"You'll never have a better chance to do something crazy than at a grand opening, and that's when people are most likely to listen to what you have to say," HopCat owner Mark Sellers said. ...


text:
News Release
Comments on police performance invited
As part of an assessment by an outside agency of the Bellevue Police Department, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments at a public information session 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13, at City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE. (The specific room number will be posted in the lobby).
A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) will come to Bellevue to examine all aspects of the police department's policy and procedures, management, operations and support services.
Verification by the team that the department meets the Commission's state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to retain accreditation -- a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.
If for some reason an individual is unable to attend the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team, he/she may do so by telephone. The public may call 425-452-2566, on Dec. 12, between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m.
Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency's ability to comply with CALEA's standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Bellevue Police Department. The local contact person is public information officer Carla Iafrate, 425-452-4129.
Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Bellevue Police Department's ability to meet the standards for accreditation should write: Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.
The Bellevue Police Department was initially accredited in 2004. This marks the third cycle of reaccreditation, which occurs every three years.
Return to News Release Index
450 110th Ave. NE
P.O. Box 90012
Bellevue, WA 98009
Contact: Officer Seth Tyler
Phone: 425-452-4129
E-mail: email@example.com


text:
- Northern New York Newspapers
- Watertown
- Ogdensburg
- Massena-Potsdam
- Lowville
- Carthage
- Malone
- NNY Business
- NNY Living
- NNY Ads
Keith T. Booker, 41, of 722 W. Main St., Apt. 3, was arrested Saturday by Watertown police on a charge of falsely reporting an incident.
He was arraigned before part-time City Judge Catherine J. Palermo and sent to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building on $250 bail.
Mr. Booker was accused of, in the early morning hours of Tuesday, reporting to Jefferson County dispatch that Keith J. Brennan had cut his wrists, causing emergency responders to be sent to 111 E. Lynde St. However, Mr. Brennan had not actually done so and did not require medical attention, police said.
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A Letter to George from Barack
What the new commander in chief is aching to tell his predecessor.
January 23, 2009 - 12:00 am
Dear George,
Can I call you George? You can call me Barack. Listen, I just want to thank you for being such a good sport on your last days in office. It must be hard when the guy coming in after you is so much cooler and more popular than you are, but you showed a lot of class, and I appreciate it. Michelle told me she thought you were just being a spineless wimp, but let's just keep that between us, okay? I really don't like it when she gets mad at me.
I also appreciate the fact that your staff didn't trash the White House before we came in. I mean, I suppose they could have taken all of the "O"s off of the computer keyboards, screwed up the phone lines, and left garbage and leftover pizzas in the conference rooms, but they didn't. That was pretty classy. I'm not sure if the same thing will happen when I leave office, seeing as I've rehired a bunch of Clinton's staff, but I can always hope they've matured since 2001. But if it does happen, I have my stock answer all ready: "That's not the (insert name here) I knew." Works every time.
Look, I know a few of my supporters booed you when you showed up at the inauguration. Okay, not just a few. But you understand, right? I am the change they've been waiting for, so the last thing they wanted to see that magical morning was you. I'm sure it was nothing personal. Yeah, I know I said on the campaign trail that "we are the change we've been waiting for," but you and I both know that was just a bunch of hogwash to mollify the mindless masses. Political pap, if you will. Heck, once the excitement of the inauguration dies down, they won't pay any attention to what's going on until the next election — or unless we get attacked, whichever comes first.


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The parking lot was a never-ending processional of drivers searching for that one elusive space. I circled the center a half dozen times before I lucked into a slot.
Parking was only half the problem though. I jumped into the queue only to be jostled, bumped and nearly flattened by students with their caboose-sized backpacks. The line moved quickly, though, and within a few minutes, I was at the counter ordering from the wallboard menu.
It was fascinating to watch the kitchen staff work at breakneck speed filling, folding and saucing each order individually; there were no warming trays of pre-prepared food. Three or four minutes later, I had lunch in hand and proceeded to search for an available space at the tables scattered about the walkways and small patio areas of Town & Country. There are no indoor tables but there is a wide portico to shelter patrons on the, hopefully, rainy days to come.
Lulu's is the brainchild of Nathalie Richardson, herself a Palo Alto High alumna. While attending the University of Arizona, she met her husband to be, Bracken. On their first date, according to Richardson, they "went to a great enchilada place." He grew up in Mexico, the son of a mining engineer. Both loved Mexican food and, apparently, a seed was planted.
Years later, after working part time for her father for 17 years and raising three children, Richardson met Lourdes (Lulu) Lopez. Lopez hails from the Mexican state of Michoacan, northwest of Mexico City, an area renown for its regional cuisine. Lopez's family owned several taquerias in Mexico and she had fashioned herself into a nonstop, fresh ingredients only, cook.
Richardson's long dormant idea blossomed, opening Lulu's on the Alameda, in Menlo Park, in 2005, with Lulu Lopez running the kitchen. The Town & Country location opened this March with the same menu.
What distinguishes Lulu's is a freshness that allows flavors to shine. Every salsa, mole, and soup is made from scratch daily. The crew starts chopping, kneading, mixing and cooking at 5 a.m. every morning.
"There are no cans in the storage room," said Richardson. "We use no lard, all natural meats and all our beans are vegetarian. We use only olive and canola oils in cooking. Tortilla chips are made fresh every two hours. We get delivery seven days per week of meat and produce."
That attention to freshness and detail is evident in all the dishes I tried at Lulu's. The carnitas plate ($13.50) was mounded with crispy, yet tender and juicy, shredded pork. The signature plate came with a choice of beans — pinto, black or refried. I chose refried for this dish, with rice, corn tortillas, a dollop of guacamole and salsa fresca. So fresh, I felt I was eating in Lulu's home kitchen.
Chicken fajita plate ($13.95) with bell peppers and onions was as colorful as it was delicious. Strips of clean white chicken breast had been sauteed with vibrant red, orange and yellow bell peppers. This plate also came with beans, rice and corn tortillas. Hot sauces were available at the counter to ratchet up the volume of any dish.
My favorite was the chile relleno super burrito ($10.95), I love chile rellenos but had never considered one wrapped up in a flour tortilla with cheese, beans and rice. The roasted pasilla pepper was just snappy enough to hold my attention while the melted cheese oozed over the other wrapped ingredients. It was a surprising and mouthwatering combination.
The taquitos ($6.75) were fashioned into a crisp salad. Three crunchy corn tortillas, wrapped around chicken (shredded beef also available), had been deep fried, then topped with shredded lettuce and gooey cheese. A squiggle of sour cream and salsa topped the satisfying dish.
I was smitten with Lulu's soups. Prices were a little steep but the portions were generous. Chicken tortilla soup ($7.50) was chock full of chopped fresh tomatoes, big chucks of tender chicken and crisp tortilla strips. The broth was silky and favor packed.
At present, wine and beer are not available at the Town & Country location but a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages are.
Lulu's food is artistic, authentic, colorful and fresh. What's not to like? Hopefully, the parking situation will continue to improve at the buzzing Town & Country Village, but enter at own risk during lunch hour on school days.
Town & Country Village
855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
(650) 327-8226
10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. daily


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As the curator of The Yale Club's Member Interest Group "Thought Leaders in Business," allow me to be the first to welcome you. Our mission statement is simple: Thought Leaders in Business brings together leaders from the public and private sectors who have a vision about business that impacts a broad spectrum of industries and people.
We meet to listen, learn, and discuss emerging ideas about a range of topics including finance, marketing, government, legal, media, emerging market sectors, technical innovations and best management approaches and practices.
Our members include representatives from small, medium, and large businesses as well as government agencies. Our speakers inspire us to engage with each other and form teams who are passionate about innovative ideas and new paradigms for business growth.
As a 100% member-driven forum, we regard one another as resources for information, networking and strategic alliances for our interests.
We meet monthly at The Yale Club of New York, in a salon setting, an intimate environment where speakers and participants can have personal, unhurried interactions with one another. The format is that of a 30-45 minute presentation, followed by questions and answers.
Please note: This web site is for members only, and it is password controlled. Please contact me for access. This is the place for information on our upcoming events, materials from our speakers, and a place for to continue our conversation.
Thank you for joining us! We all look forward to your participation and feedback.
Chris Moschovitis
Chairman & CEO
tmg-emedia, inc.
274 Madison Avenue
Suite 1202
New York, New York 10016