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Department of Economics, College of Social and Management Sciences, Crescent University
- Date submitted: 9 Sep 2011
- Stakeholder type: Major Group
- Name: Department of Economics, College of Social and Management Sciences, Crescent University
- Submission Document: Download
Full SubmissionAN ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX AND POVERTY PARAMETERS IN THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS: EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, COLLEGE OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES, CRESCENT UNIVERSITY P.M.B. 2082, SAPON, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE NIGERIA Email Address: email@example.com
This paper employed tools of empirical econometric analysis to examine the relationship between human development and poverty parameters of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria within the context of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report. Regression models were specified from perceived functional relationship between Human Development Index (HDI) and vector of poverty indices and parameters MGDs. HDI was first regressed on each of the poverty parameters in MDGs in simple regression models. Subsequently, HDI was regressed on a vector of selected poverty-related Indicators of MDGs. Estimation of model coefficients was facilitated by E-Views statistical package via ordinary least squares (OLS) techniques. The results showed unexpected reverse relationship with statistically significant effect at 10% and 5% levels of significance. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root tests were carried out to confirm stationarity in data time series. The test showed that all time series variables were stationary at levels for both intercept and deterministic trend. Consequently, appropriate policies were recommended to achieve poverty reduction and MDGs.
Key Words: Human Development, Poverty Reduction, Millennium Development Goals
Human development plays a fundamental role and remains the most important factor in economic growth and development in countries of the world. The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic used to rank countries by level of ?human development? and to separate countries into developed (high development), developing (middle development), and underdevelopment (low development) categories. The statistic is computed using data on life expectancy, education and per capita GDP, each as an indicator of standard of living. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are the world?s time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions. They embody the deep aspirations and commitment of the global community for significant improvements in the quality of human life (UNDP, 2009). The only way to reduce poverty in the Less Developed Countries (LDCs) without resort to international welfarism or international migration is through the development of productive capacities of the LDCs and concomitant expansion of productive employment opportunities within them (UNCTAD, 2006).
Past researchers in this area have argued that global economic integration should help the poor since the poor countries have a comparative advantage in producing goods that use unskilled labour. In the last two decades, the percentage of the world?s population living on less than $1 a day has been halved, falling from 40 to 20 percentage points over the last twenty years (World Bank Official website)
During this period, countries increased their trade share and slashed tariffs. Yet one billion people still live in extreme poverty, and half of the world?s populations live on less than $2 a day (World Bank, 2005). There are two tendencies in analyzing the causes of poverty; one spectrum is microeconomic analyses of the causes of poverty focus on characteristics of the poor (such as illiteracy, living in remote areas, working in subsistence agriculture, etc.) and directing policies to address these in a way that is divorced from the broader macroeconomic context. The macro-context leads to simplistic and misleading assertions that ?economic growth is good for the poor.? The eradication of widespread absolute poverty and reduction on income inequality is in the content of redistribution of Economic opportunities, which emphasizes the need to provide and guarantee a decent livelihood to majority of the populace; which include the provision of adequate food, shelter and clothing, access to health facilities and education and greater employment opportunities. Lack of these things is both a symptom and causal of absolute poverty and income inequality. (Todaro, 1989)
In Nigeria, the claim of the World Bank was that poverty in the period of 1982 ? 1992 was a devastating phenomenon that resulted from a mismanaged economy that suffers a series of incorrect macroeconomic policies. The consequences, as expected, were visibly evident on the people and made life a groaning experience. The problem was serious enough that in Nigeria the middle class was virtually wiped off as an age old social classification. Development analysis could no more talk of social stratification in hitherto familiar rubrics expect to talk about the rich and the poor. As some said, the middle class was not wiped off in Nigeria but their classification was, as the situation in the economy could no more effectively guarantee them those good and services they used to enjoy. For example, middle class homes were denied the possession of a car, decent accommodation, decent school for their children, quality meals for their children, health in the hospital, etc. they all disappear during austerity year after year.
However, failure in the achievement of MDGs and basis causes of poverty are that there are simply not enough productive employment opportunities in the formal sector for a growing labour force which as the way to eradicate poverty and hunger. These the basis for the recognition of MDGs. Distinctive type of political system in which rivalries and struggles of powerful and willful persons, rather than impersonal institutions, ideologies, public offices or class interest, are fundamental issues.
The objectives of this paper include to examine the relationship between human development and poverty, and to assess its effect on MDGs targets and poverty parameters. In pursuance of these objectives, the paper attempts to address the following questions: What are the major human development indices? What are the MDGs? Is there any relationship between HDI and poverty parameters in the MDGs? What is the effect of human development on MDGs and poverty parameters?
For the purpose of sufficient evaluation and up-to-date assessment, the remaining part of this paper is divided into four sections. Section two clarifies relevant concepts and reviews related literature. Section three discusses sources of data used for analysis, states the hypothesis, specifies the relevant model and outlines estimation and evaluation techniques. Section four is the analysis of data and discussion of results, while section five dwells on summary, recommendation and conclusion.
Concept of human development of more significance
Human Development is a development paradigm that is of more significance than the rise or fall of national incomes. It is about creating an environment in which people can develop their full potential and lead productive and creative lives in accord with their needs and interests. People are the real wealth of nations. Development is thus about expanding the choices people have to lead lives that they value. Therefore, much more than economic growth which is only means of enlarging people?s choices (Mahbub ul Haq, 1998). Human development is related to economics and standards of living.
Human capital refers to the stock of competences, knowledge and personality attributes embodied in the ability to perform labour so as to produce economic value. It is the attributes gained by a worker through education and experience. Many early economic theories refer to it simply as workforce, one of three factors of production, and consider it to be a fungible resource ? homogeneous and easily interchangeable. Other conceptions of labour dispense with these assumptions. Human capital theory predicts that more educated individuals are more productive. According to the theory, productivity of labour is high with educated individuals and consequently they contribute far more to the level of national income and also earn higher income than their uneducated counterparts. Furthermore, education is a good measure of human development and the relationship between human development and poverty level has a significant effect on economic growth and development in some selected countries of the world.
Human development index
Human Development (HD) and Human Development Index (HDI) are powerful concepts. The former refers to the process of empowerment in the possession of the capacity to build up oneself so as to be able to live a long life, be able to read and write and so participate in the societal affairs effectively and above all be gainfully employed to earn a living. The latter merely establishes how far a country has been able to achieve this for its citizens in numerical qualitative evidence represented by a real number. The fact is that earlier indices of development such as per capita income and its various derivatives have not been able to establish this effectively, especially for comparative purposes. HDI is an index fashioned out of education, life expectancy and income in purchasing power parity.
Concept of poverty
Poverty is multi-dimensional in nature. Therefore, it defies a unique definition. There is always difficulty in deciding where to draw the line between the poor and the rich.
Aluko (1975) refers to poverty as a lack of command over basic consumption needs, which means that there is inadequate level of consumption giving rise to insufficient foods, clothing and/or shelter, and moreover the lack of certain capacities such as being able to participate with dignity in society. Poverty is also defined as the inability to attain a minimum standard of living (World Bank Report, 1990).
It is viewed in terms of insufficient income for securing the basic necessities of life such as food, potable water, clothing and shelter. Poverty is more easily recognized than defined. Hence, a universally acceptable definition of the term has remained elusive but from a social perspective, poverty means the denial of choice and opportunities for a tolerable life (UNDP, 1997).
Poverty is a global phenomenon which affects continents, nation and people differently. It affects people in various depths and levels at different times and stages of existence; the main difference is the intensity and prevalence of this malaise. Poverty relates to a state whereby individual lacks the ability to cater adequately for his or her basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, unable to meet social and economic obligations, lack gainful employment, skills assets and self esteem and also has limited access to social and economic infrastructures such as health, education, potable water and environment protection (CBN- Economic and Financial Review, 1991).
Human Development Report
The first Human Development Report in 1990 opened with the simply stated premise that has guided all subsequent Reports: ?People are the real wealth of a nation.? By backing up this assertion with an abundance of empirical data and a new way of thinking about and measuring development, the Human Development Report has had a profound impact on development policies around the world. The 2010 Report continues the tradition of pushing the frontiers of development thinking. For the first time since 1990, the Report looks back rigorously at the past several decades and identifies often surprising trends and patterns with important lessons for the future. These varied pathways to human development show that there is no single formula for sustainable progress. In other words, no single index could ever completely capture such a complex concept?and that impressive long-term gains can and have been achieved even without consistent economic growth. Looking beyond 2010, this Report surveys critical aspects of human development, from political freedom and empowerment to sustainability and human security, and outlines a broader agenda for research and policies to respond to these challenges.
The HDI is a composite measure of human development covering health and education as well as income. It was devised by the late Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq for the first Human Development Report in 1990. The new 20th Anniversary Edition of the Report revisits that original analytical exercise, using new methodologies and international data sources, also looking back to 1970. The HDI 2010 report combines three dimensions: Longevity (a long and healthy life): measured by Life expectancy at birth; Knowledge (access to knowledge): measured by Mean years of schooling and Expected years of schooling; and Standard of living (decent standard of living): measured by purchasing power based on GNI per capita (PPP US$).
Human Development Index (HDI) 2010 ranks Nigeria 142nd position out of 169th listed low human development. Human Development (HD) concept takes into account all the products of development including education, health etc. Hence, Policy makers and government must be reoriented and tutor to know the enormity of the combination of HDI concept as a guide to development effort to achieve the concept itself.
The components of UNDP MDGs and associated targets are as follows:
1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger: The proportion of people earning less than US$2 and number of people who suffer from hunger. There is an increase the amount of food for those who suffer from hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education: Number of pupils completing primary schooling and for the sake of fullness we can include the few Indicators (net enrolment in primary school, number of drop outs and literacy rate in the country.
3. Promote gender equity and empower women. Targets include: Elimination of gender disparity in levels of education for the sake of fullness include the Indicators; success ratio of boys to girls in primary, secondary and tertiary education, share of women in wage employment in non-agriculture sectors, and proportion of seats held by women in parliament.
4. Reduce child mortality. The targets: reduce under-five mortality rate, infant mortality and proportion of under five immunized against measles.
5. Improve material health. The targets include: reduce maternal mortality rate and achieve universal access to reproductive health given the Indicators.
Maternal mortality rate, proportion of birth attendants by skilled health personnel contraception prevalence rate, adolescent birth rate, antenatal care coverage and unmet need for family planning.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS malaria and other diseases: reverse the spread of HIV/AIDs, universal access to the treatment of HIV/AIDs, reverse the incidence of malaria and other diseases.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability. Targets integration of principle of sustainable development into country policies and programmes, reverse loss of environmental resources, reduce biodiversity loss, reduce proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, improvement in the life of slum dwellers.
8. Develop global partnership for development. Targets development of an open, rule-based and non-discriminatory trading and financial system, address the special needs of developing countries, including land-locked countries.
An appraisal of these targets and Indicators shows that most if not all are based on poverty issues and issues. Although the list is not exhaustive, they give an indication of what to expect if they were to be adequately addressed. They also help to redress at a glance the frequently misconceived idea that poverty is mainly an income agenda.
Prior to the introduction of MDGs, the Nigeria government, especially at the national level introduced a number of programmes and policies to alleviate poverty.
The table below summaries a number of such programmes between 1986 and 2007
Table 2.1 POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMMES IN NIGERIA (1986-Till date)
Please refer to the full submission to view this table
Source: Authors Compilation
The Nigeria government?s poverty reduction framework is named the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), the state level framework is the State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS), the local government is the Local Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (LEEDS), the community level is the Community Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (CEEDS), while at the household level is the Personal Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (PEEDS). NEEDS has four pillars; empowering people and improving social service delivery; improving the private sector and focusing on non-oil growth; changing the way government works and improving governance; and value reorientation at all level (World Bank, 2007).
Nigeria has a growing country, moving towards reducing poverty and achieving of the MDGs would translate into significant giant in social and economic development for the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. (World Bank and DFID, 2005:1)
However, Nigeria is blessed with enormous oil wealth, a large and diverse population, sea and river access, forests and land. Nonetheless it has not been able to translate these advantages into sustainable peaceful development. This is largely the result of poor governance and weak state institutions, deeply embedded in the socio-political nature of society. Whether the national, state, local, community and personal development strategies could contribute to achievement of the MDGs will depend on proper implementation of these goals as well as tackling head in the underlying causes of poverty-discrimination, corruption, patronage politics and the likes.
This study is an empirical and exploratory analysis. The study employed regression models estimated via the ordinary least squares (OLS) techniques in assessing the relationship and effect of human development through MDGs selected parameters on poverty reduction in Nigeria between 1990 and 2010. Data for analysis were sourced from the UNDP?s Human Development Report (HDR) 2010 and some other issues, publications of National Planning Commission (NPC), United States Information Service (USIS) 2010, Human Development Report Official (HDRO), and United Nations Children?s Fund ? UNICEF JMP official MDG Report, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Research Hypothesis
Hypothesis One
H0: There is no relationship between human development and poverty reduction in Nigeria.
H1: There is relationship between human development and poverty reduction in Nigeria.
Hypothesis Two
H0: Human development has no significant effect on poverty parameters of the millennium
development goals in Nigeria.
H0: Human development has significant effect on poverty parameters of the millennium
development goals in Nigeria.
Models Specification
For the purpose of this study, simple and linear regression models are specified within the context of MDGs HDI parameters and poverty Indicators. This is to enhance the estimation and evaluation of the relationship between HDI (endogenous variable) and poverty parameters (exogenous variables) within the context of MDGs in Nigeria. Thus, Models 1 and 2 are specified.
Model 1
HDI is regressed on each of these human development indices and poverty parameters as a simple regression model.
Y = HDI ? Human Development Index
X1 = POV ? Proportion of population living below $1 per day
X2 = NEP ? Net enrolment in primary education
X3 = GBERP ? Ratio of boys to girls in primary, secondary and tertiary
X4 = UFMR ? Under five mortality rate
X5 = MMR ? Maternal mortality ratio
X6 = HIV ? HIV prevalence among population aged 15 ? 24 years
X7 = LACF ? Land area covered by forest
X8 = WNP ? Women in parliament
X9 = SANIT ? Sanitation
X10 = DEF ? Deforestation
X11 = IFMR ? Infant mortality rate
X12 = GDPPPP ? GDP purchasing power parity
X13 = INCI ? Income index
X14 = LITR ? Literacy
X15 = GNIPC ? GNI per capita
X16 = GGDP ? Growth rate of GDP
X17 = ODA ? Official development Assistance
Model 2
This is a multiple regression model in which HDI is regressed on a vector of selected HDI indices and poverty parameters X1 ? X7.
Y = HDI ? Human Development Index
X1 = POV ? Proportion of population living below $1 per day
X2 = NEP ? Net enrolment in primary education
X3 = GBERP ? Ratio of boys to girls in primary, secondary and tertiary
X4 = UFMR ? Under five mortality rate
X5 = MMR ? Maternal mortality ratio
X6 = HIV ? HIV prevalence among population aged 15 ? 24 years
X7 = LACF ? Land area covered by forest
A Priori Expectation
From economic theories and conventions, it is expected that a relationship exists between HDI and MDGs parameters. Also, HDI is expected to have a negative relationship with each of the MDGs parameters.
Estimation and Evaluation Techniques
Techniques employed in estimating coefficients of the model are the OLS method. Evaluation, which leads to the choice of relevant hypothesis to adopt, is based on a series of diagonistic tests using relevant statistics like like standard error tests or t-statistic of estimated coefficients, F-statistic and their probabilities, as well as coefficient of determination and Durbin-Watson statistics. However, to ensure the stability and robustness of the regression models, the Augmented Dickey-Fuller unit root tests are carried out to confirm stationarity in data time series values.
Please refer to the full submission to view this table
4.2 ESTIMATION OF SELECTED MDGs Indicators AND POVERTY ON HDI
Please refer to the full submission to view this table
Considering the simple linear regression for the first model specified, we expect that the Human Development Index (HDI) will involve a change that is mirrored by the changes in the MDG Indicators on offer. As the proportion of the population with US $2 per day grows, so does HDI as should be expected and the relationship is statistically significant just as the net enrolment (NEP) in primary education, girl/boy enrolment ratio in primary education (GBERP) women in parliament, GDP (at US Purchasing Power Parity), growth of GDP (GGDP). True one can argue that HDI is only a statistical calculation of HDI but it is equally true that there is an underlying relationship of true human development identified that must be encouraged by policy and practice. Some of the poverty related Indicators of MDGs behave in this way but not only as a statistical package and it is important therefore to elicit the attention of government. The current group includes gross national income per capita (GNIPC), and adult HIV prevalence rate. As this decreases HDI increases with the income index (INCI). Should the two income Indicators be in this category for examination? Some argue but this only supports the contingence thesis of Anand and Sen (1994) that unless the public expenditure role of these variables are targeted they end up being an inferior indicator of human development. This is re-examined in this study. Some of the MDGs Indicators - exhibit outright insignificance, and unless allowance is given to a low probability of significance as we did they would not have been included. This also includes official development assistance (ODA) in particular. This is not surprising as ODA has never played a significant role in Nigeria?s overall development.
This takes us to the areas where HDI and poverty related Indicators of MDGs show a reverse and unexpected relationship but statistically significant all the same. We have for instance included under five mortality rate (UFMR) and land area covered by forest (LACF). The former is understandable, but the later does not immediately appeal to common reason when we argue that as land area covered by forest increases access to crop cultivation declines, an argument located outside sustainability. Where the forest constitutes a hindrance to agriculture, particularly in clearing which can be very expensive from all practical experience. This will make crop coverage to reduce, leading to lower HDI. This obviously gives support to any public policy that assists farmers with farm clearing subsidy. We can also look at relationships between HDI and poverty related parameters in MDGs that are positive but statistically insignificant. This includes HIV, a situation that calls for careful interpretation. As estimated adult prevalence rates decrease, the economic activities of the adult population will increase and this automatically lowers hunger and increases opulence, to use the language of Mum (Anand S. and A. K, Sen, 1994 : 4); hence the increasing nature of HDI in this case. This is one of many reasons why HIV is dangerous and must be fought by government policy and more action taken to bring its spread under control with a view to totally eradicating it through the achievement of the relevant MDGs. Sanitation has positive relationship with HDI but it does not received sufficient attention to be effective and is unable to push the HDI upward. Deforestation has negative correlation with HDI, and deforestation in fact opens up the land for farming as many people from such areas will testify and it therefore increases access of farmers to more farm area. More bountiful harvest resulting from this reduces hunger and increases human development, consequently HDI via poverty reduction. This is statistically significant because in the south where the issue is often raised, the extent frankly is yet to be a painful one. We also note that deforestation is not the same thing as desertification.
Government attention will seem to be that of reducing poverty and regulating the other, i.e. enrolment in primary school. Earlier, we found that as separate issues government will want to give significant attention to both but less to net enrolment in primary school. With the two in a contest of attention, government will treat net enrolment with a non-significant attention. Again poverty receives the attention as in contest for attention between poverty and maternal mortality rate. Significantly, looking back at the results for each of maternal mortality rate and under five mortality rate, the former had been significant and the latter not at all, which means that in a policy contest with the poverty indicator attention to maternal mortality rate has been a loser.
Form the second multiple linear regression analysis was equally employed to capture the effect of poverty and some selected MDGs on human development index in Nigeria for the period 1990 to 2010. In this study, selective choice of poverty parameter in relation to MDGs were carefully choosing those for which data are readily available and for which government can be challenged to act. The regression equation shows that there is negative relationship between endogenous variable and exogenous variables except for the intercept. The probability shows that infrastructural facilities provision was not adequate and proper policies measure to achieve MDGs are lacking as government focus politics, combating corruptions, reducing crime rate and militancy in Niger-Delta cum religion and ethnic fight in the northern part of Nigeria as the struggle to gain international recognitions to free from terrorist listed countries. The adjusted co-efficient of determination (R2) shows a fit with 30.9 percent of human development index explained by the variables in the equation. The reason for this is that little influence of the explanatory variables can not have meaningful effect on human development index, reduce poverty and cause development in Nigeria.
The Durbin Watson (D.W) statistics of 1.93 as it is significantly below the bench mark of 2.00, we can conclude that there is no auto correlation or serial correlation in the model specification hence, the linear assumption is not violated.
The result for the of unit root in the time series variable using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test developed by Dickey and Fuller (1979) is presented in the table below:
Please refer to the full submission to view this table
The unit root test result reveals the stationary at level for both intercept and deterministic trend of all time series variable on HDI.
In level, HDI is stationary at 1%, 5%, 10%, for intercept and at 1%, 5% level for trend. And HDI was found to reject the null hypothesis of no-stationary at level but strong and high degree of responsiveness of HDI and the poverty parameters in the MDGs at second difference Therefore, all the series are taken to be stationary at level for unit root models with intercept and trend.
The conclusions of this study are fairly straight forward.
Data availability has not been a problem but it requires hard work to accomplish by locating them in statistical publications, reports produced by international development agencies and the web site of particular agencies. Sufficient time to accomplish this task is of essence.
On the substantive issues of the relationship of HDI and poverty parameters the following MDGs should be noted:
? In the main, government and the people (individuals and agencies) taken the decisions that give rise to what we have, but government policies are critical;
? So the data we have as evidence are a product of , in the main, the decisions and policies of government; and it follows that the results of technically produced relationships come about in a large part as evidence of what has been taking place, and so without doubt
? The results must be interpreted as much; consequently
? The issues within MDGs and the parameters of poverty come alive from government policies and decisions, as we combine variables for estimation, and as if government is taking to us the following parameters of poverty came out as those that have greatest influence on HDI: poverty as measured by those who earn less than US$2.00 per day, land are covered by forest, women in parliament, growth rate of GDP, gross national income (PPP) per capita, income index, net enrolment in primary education, ratio of girls to boys enrolment in primary school, under five mortality rate, HIV as adult prevalence rate, maternal mortality rate, sanitation in that order of importance; the significance of these variable when HDI is regressed on them singly is encouraging some and not for a few orders, the key ones are 7 or 8 in term of explaining the variation of HDI.
? However, we must not see this as explaining a large shunk of the variation of HDI. In most cases 60-70% of the variation has been left unexplained, this means that further studies need to be done to unearth the missing links;
? Significantly, the income variables are middle performance in terms of relationship with HDI, by and large the socio economic variables (poverty, land area covered by forest, women in parliament, girl boy enrolment ratio in primary education are still the issues that more influence HDI; the study will not continue.
? We could not have tackle all variables that are poverty parameters in MDGs; they are many and only some important ones were tackle because time is of the essence as we search out the necessary data; and finally
? The results have shown that government has not achieved most of the MGDs taken into consideration the input of partners and he doesn?t seem to be serious about work out proper way for the reality and achievement of the goals.
HDI is too important to be under-rated in government policies and consensus must be sought to bring the development system to reason together on it;
? Government will need to convince itself that single issue parameters like GDP and its derivatives as a basis for decision making will lead a nation nowhere as evidence continue to show;
? Multiple variable indices provide a better guide to development policies and decisions;
? The constraint is that it forces government to prioritise its actions;
? Unfortunately such decisions often go to support the wrong issues because we must ask the question why maternal mortality falls behind in policies and actions or why net enrolment in primary school or even adult literacy etc lack sufficient concern and support, we ca multiply the list;
? Government cannot just look at HDI yearly and endorse it, it must do so with concern, asking itself and the agencies how it can do better; and lastly
? Because of corruption that is the order of the day in Africa (least developed and developing countries), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Curb Corruption - UNECACC) should form a unit that will partner with governments to monitor its policy of anti-corruption, proper report from these countries on the achievement MDGs in 2015, vision 2020 among other sustainable development programmes.
? However, if other listed least developed countries of the world can learn lessons from Nigeria by focus on human development, the sky will be there limit to achieve Millennium Development Goals but that is not to claim that Nigeria is not having other problem of energy, selfishness of politician to disturb government plans and programmes of sustainable development.
? Conclusively, African economy have tendency to be green economy and structurally transformed if MDGs are given serious consideration in the governments policies and transparent implementation.


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DCCC to offer free Financial Aid Night on Jan. 15
Published: Monday, January 7, 2013 at 2:14 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 7, 2013 at 2:14 p.m.
Prospective college students wishing to learn more about financial aid will have the opportunity to do so at Davidson County Community College, which will host a free Financial Aid Night at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Conference and Technology Center.
"We are encouraging local high school students and their parents to attend this informative session, which will allow them to get a better understanding of the student aid process and how best to begin planning to fund their higher education," says Yvette Canty, financial aid counselor at DCCC.
A student aid expert from the College Foundation of North Carolina will be on-hand to provide information and answer questions.
Canty explains both students and parents will learn what they need to do to apply for all types of financial aid, including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is required to qualify for most student aid programs, such as North Carolina State Grants, Federal Pell Grant, institutional awards and low-cost federal student and parent loans.
Those who attend will also be provided information on North Carolina specific aid programs, as well as the importance of searching out free money awards, such as scholarships that help pay for education costs.
For more information about the Financial Aid Night, contact Canty at 249-8186, ext. 6389, or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.

subset: commoncrawl


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Modifications to Titan II for use as the Gemini Launch Vehicle included:
LEO Payload: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb) in 1965 dollars. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 3.158 million.
Gross mass: 150,530 kg (331,860 lb).
Payload: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb).
Height: 32.80 m (107.60 ft).
Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft).
Thrust: 2,090.00 kN (469,850 lbf).
Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).
First Launch: 1964.04.08.
Last Launch: 1966.11.11.
Number: 12 .
The space walk was hurriedly included after the Russian first in Voskhod 2. White seemed to have a lot more fun than Leonov and McDivitt took the pictures that came to symbolize man in space. With this flight the US finally started to match Russian flight durations.
With this flight, the US finally took the manned spaceflight endurance record from Russia, while demonstrating that the crew could survive in zero gravity for the length of time required for a lunar mission. However the mission was incredibly boring, the spacecraft just drifting to conserve fuel most of the time, and was 'just about the hardest thing I've ever done' according to a hyperactive Pete Conrad. An accident with freeze dried shrimp resulted in the cabin being filled with little pink subsatellites.
Far surpassing the Gemini 5 flight, Gemini 7 set a manned spaceflight endurance record that would endure for years. The incredibly boring mission, was made more uncomfortable by the extensive biosensors. This was somewhat offset by the soft spacesuits (used only once) and permission to spend most of the time in long johns. The monotony was broken just near the end by the rendezvous with Gemini 6.
Gemini 6 was to have been the first flight involving docking with an Agena target/propulsion stage. However the Agena blew up on the way to orbit, and the spacecraft was replaced by Gemini 7 in the launch order.
For lack of a target, NASA decided to have Gemini 6 rendezvous with Gemini 7. This would require a quick one week turnaround of the pad after launch, no problem with Russian equipment but a big accomplishment for the Americans. The first launch attempt was aborted; the Titan II ignited for a moment, then shut down and settled back down on its launch attachments. Schirra waited it out, did not pull the abort handles that would send the man catapulting out of the capsule on their notoriously unreliable ejection seats. The booster was safed; Schirra had saved the mission and the launch three days later went perfectly. The flight went on to achieve the first manned space rendezvous controlled entirely by the self-contained, on-board guidance, control, and navigation system. This system provided the crew of Gemini 6 with attitude, thrusting, and time information needed for them to control the spacecraft during the rendezvous. Under Schirra's typically precise command, the operation was so successful that the rendezvous was complete with fuel consumption only 5% above the planned value to reach 16 m separation from Gemini 7.
Primary objectives of the scheduled three-day mission were to rendezvous and dock with the Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV) and to conduct extravehicular activities. Secondary objectives included rendezvous and docking during the fourth revolution, performing docked maneuvers using the GATV primary propulsion system, executing 10 experiments, conducting docking practice, performing a rerendezvous, evaluating the auxiliary tape memory unit, demonstrating controlled reentry, and parking the GATV in a 220-nautical mile circular orbit. The GATV was inserted into a nominal 161-nautical mile circular orbit, the spacecraft into a nominal 86 by 147-nautical mile elliptical orbit. During the six hours following insertion, the spacecraft completed nine maneuvers to rendezvous with the GATV. Rendezvous phase ended at 5 hours 58 minutes ground elapsed time, with the spacecraft 150 feet from the GATV and no relative motion between the two vehicles. Stationkeeping maneuvers preceded docking, which was accomplished at 6 hours 33 minutes ground elapsed time. A major problem developed 27 minutes after docking, when a spacecraft orbit attitude and maneuver system (OAMS) thruster malfunctioned. The crew undocked from the GATV and managed to bring the spacecraft under control by deactivating the OAMS and using the reentry control system (RCS) to reduce the spacecraft's rapid rotation. Premature use of the RCS, however, required the mission to be terminated early. The retrofire sequence was initiated in the seventh revolution, followed by nominal reentry and landing in a secondary recovery area in the western Pacific Ocean. The spacecraft touched down less than 10 km from the planned landing point. The recovery ship, the destroyer Leonard Mason, picked up both crew and spacecraft some three hours later. Early termination of the mission precluded achieving all mission objectives, but one primary objective - rendezvous and docking - was accomplished. Several secondary objectives were also achieved: rendezvous and docking during the fourth revolution, evaluating the auxiliary tape memory unit, demonstrating controlled reentry, and parking the GATV. Two experiments were partially performed.
Seventh manned and third rendezvous mission of the Gemini program. Major objectives of the mission were to rendezvous and dock with the augmented target docking adapter (ATDA) and to conduct extravehicular activities (EVA). These objectives were only partially met. After successfully achieving rendezvous during the third revolution - a secondary objective - the crew discovered that the ATDA shroud had failed to separate, precluding docking - a primary objective - as well as docking practice - another secondary objective. The crew was able, however, to achieve other secondary objectives: an equi-period rendezvous, using onboard optical techniques and completed at 6 hours 36 minutes ground elapsed time; and a rendezvous from above, simulating the rendezvous of an Apollo command module with a lunar module in a lower orbit (completed at 21 hours 42 minutes ground elapsed time). Final separation maneuver was performed at 22 hours 59 minutes after liftoff. EVA was postponed because of crew fatigue, and the second day was given over to experiments. The hatch was opened for EVA at 49 hours 23 minutes ground elapsed time. EVA was successful, but one secondary objective - evaluation of the astronaut maneuvering unit (AMU) - was not achieved because Cernan's visor began fogging. The extravehicular life support system apparently became overloaded with moisture when Cernan had to work harder than anticipated to prepare the AMU for donning. Cernan reentered the spacecraft, and the hatch was closed at 51 hours 28 minutes into the flight. The rest of the third day was spent on experiments.
The Gemini X mission began with the launch of the Gemini Atlas-Agena target vehicle from complex 14. The Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV) attained a near-circular, 162- by 157-nautical-mile orbit. Spacecraft No. 10 was inserted into a 145- by 86-nautical-mile elliptical orbit. Slant range between the two vehicles was very close to the nominal 1000 miles. Major objective of the mission was achieved during the fourth revolution when the spacecraft rendezvoused with the GATV at 5 hours 23 minutes ground elapsed time and docked with it about 30 minutes later. More spacecraft propellant was used to achieve rendezvous than had been predicted, imposing constraints on the remainder of the mission and requiring the development of an alternate flight plan. As a result, several experiments were not completed, and another secondary objective - docking practice - was not attempted. To conserve fuel and permit remaining objectives to be met, the spacecraft remained docked with the GATV for about 39 hours. During this period, a bending mode test was conducted to determine the dynamics of the docked vehicles, standup extravehicular activties (EVA) were conducted, and several experiments were performed. The GATV primary and secondary propulsion systems were used for six maneuvers to put the docked spacecraft into position for rendezvous with the Gemini VIII GATV as a passive target. The spacecraft undocked at 44 hours 40 minutes ground elapsed time, separated from the GATV, and used its own thrusters to complete the second rendezvous some three hours later. At 48 hours and 42 minutes into the flight, a 39-minute period of umbilical EVA began, which included the retrieval of a micrometorite collection package from the Gemini VIII Agena. The hatch was opened a third time about an hour later to jettison extraneous equipment before reentry. After about three hours of stationkeeping, the spacecraft separated from the GATV. At 51 hours 39 minutes ground elapsed time, the crew performed a true anomaly-adjust maneuver to minimize reentry dispersions resulting from the retrofire maneuver.
The primary objective of the Gemini XI mission was to rendezvous with the Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV) during the first revolution and dock. Five maneuvers completed the spacecraft/GATV rendezvous at 1 hour 25 minutes ground elapsed time, and the two vehicles docked nine minutes later. Secondary objectives included docking practice, extravehicular activity (EVA), 11 experiments, docked maneuvers, a tethered vehicle test, demonstrating automatic reentry, and parking the GATV. All objectives were achieved except one experiment - evaluation of the minimum reaction power tool - which was not performed because umbilical EVA was terminated prematurely. Umbilical EVA began at 24 hours 2 minutes ground elapsed time and ended 33 minutes later. Gordon became fatigued while attaching the tether from the GATV to the spacecraft docking bar. An hour later the hatch was opened to jettison equipment no longer required. At 40 hours 30 minutes after liftoff, the GATV primary propulsion system (PPS) was fired to raise the apogee of the docked vehicles to 741 nautical miles for two revolutions. The PPS was fired again, 3 hours 23 minutes later, to reduce apogee to 164 nautical miles. The crew then prepared for standup EVA, which began at 47 hours 7 minutes into the flight and lasted 2 hours 8 minutes. The spacecraft was then undocked to begin the tether evaluation. At 50 hours 13 minutes ground elapsed time, the crew initiated rotation. Initial oscillations damped out and the combination became very stable after about 20 minutes; the rotational rate was then increased. Again, initial oscillations gradually damped out and the combination stabilized. At about 53 hours into the mission, the crew released the tether, separated from the GATV, and maneuvered the spacecraft to an identical orbit with the target vehicle. A fuel cell stack failed at 54 hours 31 minutes, but the remaining five stacks shared the load and operated satisfactorily. A rerendezvous was accomplished at 66 hours 40 minutes ground elapsed time, and the crew then prepared for reentry.
Major objectives of the mission were to rendezvous and dock and to evaluate extravehicular activities (EVA). Among the secondary objectives were tethered vehicle evaluation, experiments, third revolution rendezvous and docking, automatic reentry demonstration, docked maneuvering for a high-apogee excursion, docking practice, systems tests, and Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV) parking. The high-apogee excursion was not attempted because an anomaly was noted in the GATV primary propulsion system during insertion, and parking was not attempted because the GATV's attitude control gas was depleted. All other objectives were achieved. Nine spacecraft maneuvers effected rendezvous with the GATV. The onboard radar malfunctioned before the terminal phase initiate maneuver, but the crew used onboard backup procedures to calculate the maneuvers. Rendezvous was achieved at 3 hours 46 minutes ground elapsed time, docking 28 minutes later. Two phasing maneuvers, using the GATV secondary propulsion system, were accomplished, but the primary propulsion system was not used. The first of two periods of standup EVA began at 19 hours 29 minutes into the flight and lasted for 2 hours 29 minutes. During a more than two-hour umbilical EVA which began at 42 hours 48 minutes, Aldrin attached a 100-foot tether from the GATV to the spacecraft docking bar. He spent part of the period at the spacecraft adapter, evaluating various restraint systems and performing various basic tasks. The second standup EVA lasted 55 minutes, ending at 67 hours 1 minute ground elapsed time. The tether evaluation began at 47 hours 23 minutes after liftoff, with the crew undocking from the GATV. The tether tended to remain slack, although the crew believed that the two vehicles did slowly attain gravity-gradient stabilization. The crew jettisoned the docking bar and released the tether at 51 hours 51 minutes. Several spacecraft systems suffered problems during the flight. Two fuel cell stacks failed and had to be shut down, while two others experienced significant loss of power. At 39 hours 30 minutes ground elapsed time, the crew reported that little or no thrust was available from two orbit attitude and maneuver thrusters.


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River's Edge Chevre
Up in SmokeEvery time we carefully pull back the edges of the maple leaves that so delicately contain the bright, woodsy cheese bundles from Oregon's Rivers Edge Chevre, we feel like we're unwrapping a gift from the tree nymphs themselves. Read More
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Maple Leaf
Smoked GoudaPerfecting the craft since 1912, Maple Leaf, the Wisconsin farmer cooperative makes a creamy Gouda with real smoky flavor from Hickory. Read More


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Together with Our Customers
It is Clarion's goal to walk together with our customers and thereby to earn their trust and satisfaction.
Maintaining and Enhancing Customer Satisfaction and Trust
Quality Policy
Clarion's Corporate Vision states; "The link between sound and information communication in the mobile environment of the car will evolve into new domains based on our unique ideas and advanced technologies. Through this, we will provide safety, security, comfort and excitement to our customers all over the world. We at Clarion shall remain at the forefront of the industry, to precisely understand market needs and achieve long term growth".
In order to materialize this vision, it is necessary to make everyone within the organization be aware of the importance of meeting customer needs, and then to implement activities that actually meet those needs. Thus, Clarion has declared that its basic policy for quality is to "gain customers' confidence, trust and satisfaction." Through promoting activities based on this policy, we aim to increase the value of our presence in society.
Losing such hard achieved confidence and trust is easy and happens so very quickly. We strive with pride to building up customers' satisfaction in each of our products and their confidence and trust in us so they would say "Clarion, again". For this reason, Clarion has positioned quality assurance as the utmost priority management issue.
Quality Assurance System
Quality Assurance System
Clarion has established and retains a reliable quality assurance system not only for products of its own brand but also for those with OEM brands, which responds to requirements of end users and OEM partners. As part of the effort, all Clarion manufacturing units, including Thai factory which started operation in April 2012, have acquired certification of ISO/TS16949 which is a standard specifically required by automotive industry for quality management system, based on the international standard of ISO9001.
At the same time, we are in the process of building up organizations responding to ISO26262, which is a safety standard for vehicles. We are thus striving to improve our quality assurance system to "ensure customers' satisfaction and trust" for our technologies that can promise them safety, security and comfort.
MAX775W Smart Access Ready
Enhancement of Quality Assurance Processes in the New Category Products (Network Services Business and Intelligent Safety)
"Smart Access" started its operation from summer 2012. We are building up a new dimension of quality assurance processes for these services, which enable interoperation of diverse applications of rapidly expanding smartphones and vehicle mounted devices and provide customers diverse information, different from those centering on hardware required for conventional products.
For Improvement of Customer Satisfaction
Clarion strives to place the highest priority on technology development and improved product quality, to "improve products and services" for better customer satisfaction (CS) through enhancement of "lines of communication between customer and the company" and "feedback system within the company" of the assessed market needs.
Types of Consultations/Inquiries
Communication Lines with Customers
Customer Support is the core communication live with our customers. Customer Service Office deals with customers' inquiries, requests and complaints, on nation-wide free-dial (Number of calls in fiscal 2014 was about 45,000). Outside of free-dial hours, inquiries by email through our website are possible. The frequently asked questions are categorized and uploaded on the "Product-related FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)" on our website. As for product categories of inquiries, majority was for car-navigation systems (over 80%).
In the future, Clarion's Customer Service Office will further enhance its supporting system and organization responding to new requirements from expanded business in "Smart Access", products for CV (Commercial Vehicles) and Camera products.
Input/Feedback System
Assessment of Customer Needs and System for Feedback within the Company
We issue monthly "Customer Reports" summarizing customers' views, and hold monthly "CS (Customer Satisfaction) Conferences in order to improve product function and sales/repair/ servicing systems and to implement such improvements.
Furthermore, each such inquiries and responses are made available for review throughout the company via Intranet as a part of activities of transmission of information.
In fiscal 2013, we renewed the contents to be posted.
Additionally, the inquiries, requests and opinions of the customers are maintained with dedicated records as "Customers' Voice" and are communicated to respective departments. With discussions and consultations with them, we try to reflect such customers' voices on better products and services.
Responsibility Toward Product and Information Security
Automatic Theft Identification System
Responsibility Toward Products
Clarion recognizes the nature of the products we sell and pay utmost attention in this respect of safety, complying with laws and safety standards (Product Liability Act, Consumer Product Safety Act, Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles, etc.). We make efforts to provide products that customers can use with feeling of safety through assessment of safety features of products and maintenance/ enhancement of their quality.
Because of recent drastic increase of thefts of navigation devices, there are increasing numbers of inquiries from police authorities.
In response to such situation, we launched an "Automatic Theft Identification System" in 2006. This system automatically cross-references the information contained in the reports of stolen products seized by police and that of our navigation device user registration, repair and map upgrading history and it contributes in quicker and more accurate identification.
There were more than 50 cases of cooperation with police authorities per year, including tracking/analysis of routes recorded on the navigation devices installed in the cars involved in crimes.
Administration of Personal Information
Customer information of purchasers is used in after-sales service and product development. For this purpose, we have a "Policies of Personal Information Protection", which is accessible by public on our homepage. The Policy is appropriately managed in accordance with the "Administration Standards for Personal Information".
Specifically, each department appoints a responsible staff who reports to Personal Information Protection General Manager, performs secure handling of such information through regular audits and interviews. Regular education and training are provided for employees in order to disseminate and raise their awareness of the need for compliance with the Personal Information Protection Law and other laws and regulations.
Information Security
Clarion has formulated an information security policy to avoid risks associated with information assets and their protection. The risks include, among others, information leakages, loss of corporate credibility through unauthorized use of software, and computer system failures caused by unauthorized access. We have such specific measures as physical control for access to restricted areas of server rooms among others as well as measures of surveillance of introduced software.
With regard to access to information assets, we have technical measures for protection through authorization processes with passwords and encryption of data.


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Rated 4.3 out of 5 by 3 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5 by Meggiecat Great tasting meringue cookies! I love meringue cookies and these are very good. The consistency is crisp with slight chewiness . . . exactly what you would expect from a meringue cookie. Orange cream flavor is good (I have also purchased the root beer and grape flavors in the store and they are enjoyable, too). Bite-size cookies look pretty on the plate and are quick and easy to serve. Meringue cookie are hard to find and I always stock up on these whenever I visit World Market. June 20, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by BillF Great product!! This is the first time I have purchased this product and it won't be the last. It has a very nice orange flavor, very crisp, and melts in your mouth. May 13, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by Karky Good taste, iffy texture. These cookies tasted exactly what you'd expect from 'orange cream' flavor, with both notes coming through clearly without leaving an excessive aftertaste behind. However, the container bulges upwards at the bottom, making it seem as if you're getting more for your money than you actually are. Nonetheless, still a decent quantity in the bucket. The biggest problem with these cookies is that they have the exact texture of styrofoam, right down to that unnerving shrill squeak against your teeth. It makes eating them mildly unpleasant even if you like the flavor (and I did). The feeling of eating packing chips was only exacerbated by the presence of a delicate orange powder in the bin. They were far from bad, but I wouldn't order them again, primarily due to the texture issue. March 29, 2013
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Recorded in Paris, where Tricky has been residing for the past two years, Mixed Race is his most passionate album to date. Musically his production work takes influences from UK, Jamaican, US, North African and French music. He sets out on his music mantra with the album's lead off track, "Every Day," and then proceeds through a lyrical journey with temptation, reflection, mischief and misbehavior. The album was produced by Tricky and features guest appearances from Jamaican singer Terry Lynn, Primal Scream front man Bobby Gillespie, lutist/vocalist Hakim Hamadouche, London-based vocalist Blackman and Tricky's brother Marlon Thaws, who is the thirteenth of his fourteen siblings.
Tricky – "Early Bird" [MP3]


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The return of vitrified clay pipe
Impurities and imprecise firing methods caused voids and lamination in the terra cotta pipe placed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Photos: National Clay Pipe Institute
Modern manufacturing is precisely controlled to quickly bring the clay from a drying room temperature up to 500º F before slowly raising it to 1,100º F to burn out impurities. Once the pipe body reaches 1,100º F the firing process can proceed quickly to 2,000º F, the point at which the pipe is vitrified — converted to a hard, glass-like state. To maintain dimensional stability, cooling also is controlled in steps.
CLAY VS. THE COMPETITIONSpecifiers tout vitrified clay as all-natural as well as corrosion-resistant. Other materials are available in longer lengths, such as 13.5 feet for plastics and more than 20 feet for fiberglass compared to 10 feet for clay. But as a blend of clay and shale with water added, only one chemical — hydrofluoric acid — attacks clay pipe compared to the 150 solvent-based chemicals that attack plastics. Source: Colleen Harold
Compression joints are factory applied and tested to eliminate leaks.
For some time, Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services had been interested in modern clay pipe. Each material offers advantages and disadvantages for different applications, but the long life cycle of vitrified clay was attractive.
The city, however, faced two major constraints: supply and experience. Without a local supplier, clay pipe hadn't been able to overcome added transportation costs to compete for the bureau's work. As a result, local contractors lacked experience and confidence in bidding the material.
Fortunately, communities in the Seattle area were building projects with vitrified clay pipe (VCP). A new supply hub began operating near Tacoma, which meant that pipe was now passing through Portland from California and other out-of-state suppliers on its way to the Seattle area.
To take advantage of this, the bureau contacted the National Clay Pipe Institute to find out what could be done to improve availability in Portland. Over the course of several months, institute experts spent several days in Portland training bureau employees who reworked the presentation into in-house training programs for specifying, educating contractors, and inspecting installations.
The bureau's design group was asked to create an opportunity in a $1.7 million sewer rehabilitation project that would give suppliers, contractors, and employees experience working with the material. To that end, part of the bureau's training program was visiting suppliers and familiarizing key employees with the material.
"Pallets from two prospective clay pipe suppliers for our area were ordered and delivered to our maintenance yard," says Senior Engineering Associate Colleen Harold. "All design and construction staff, including inspectors and material testers, was invited to participate in becoming familiar with the pipe. They were able to ask questions, and observe cutting of the pipe, installing Inserta-Tees [a product of The Royal Group's Pipe Systems division], and handling and installing couplers.
"We learned how to work with pipe so that we were the experts, not the contractor. We found out, for example, that we couldn't use chains and nylon straps to handle the pipe because it was too slick and that grippers worked best."
In March 2010, 384 feet of no-bell clay pipe was installed for rehabilitation; the rest of the project — a total of 6,208 feet of 12-inch bell-and-spigot clay mainline — was installed as new construction. All 205 laterals were replaced with 6-inch PVC.
"For contractors, clay compares best to concrete, not plastic," Harold says. "The best part is that it comes in short lengths, so pipe can be installed right up to manholes without additional cutting of the pipe. This allows the contractors to lay more pipe in a day."
As the grandfather of modern sewer pipe, vitrified clay is overcoming a number of myths.
Until the 1950s the pipe was placed in hand-dug trenches without joints, or joints were fabricated in the field by the installer. Sometimes joints were made from cement mortar and sometimes from tar, both of which were readily available on jobsites. Thus, the earliest installations "were only as good as the guy in the trench on any given day," says Jeff Boschert, civil engineer with the National Clay Pipe Institute. "Engineers considered infiltration and inflow (I&I) to be a benefit to the system because the lines were flushed and cleaned during rain events. But with the onset of wastewater treatment in the 1950's, I&I became undesirable due to increased treatment costs and environmental impacts."
Manufacturing technology of the late 1800s and early 1900s produced pipe with both laminations and voids that compromised strength. Steam-driven extrusion equipment limited lengths to 3 feet. Today, laminations and voids in the pipe body are nonexistent due to the development of high densification extruding equipment.
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Members of the Panama City Cemeteries Board are seeking volunteers and heirs to historic gravesites at Oakland, Millville and Greenwood cemeteries in Panama City to clean up the sites on Saturday, March 27, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Organizers will provide lunch for volunteers at each location.
Mike Hill chairs the City's cemeteries board and says the cleanup effort is important to preserving the memory of some of the region's most historic figures. "Panama City is the seat of Bay County, and we've been home to some of the most significant and colorful leaders in our state's history," he says. "By maintaining and preserving their gravesites, as well as those around them who may not have such famous names, we are honoring those who lived here while keeping our local history alive," he says, while walking through Millville Cemetery on Monday.
Organizers of the bi-annual cleanup say the Bay County Sheriff's Office will be participating with inmate labor crews. "Their help is invaluable to us and our community" says Hill, "but it is so important that we also involve the help of plot owners and the heirs of those buried at these cemeteries." He says the plots are private property and volunteers are limited to cleaning up driveways, paths and other general areas. Plot owners and family heirs can be helpful with clearing overgrowth and debris from individual gravesites. "Since many families will be visiting loved ones' gravesites throughout the Easter season, we hope many will make plans to do so on March 27 and join us in the cleanup effort."
Organizers say all volunteers are asked to bring their own yard tools, like rakes, non-electric hedge cutters, hoes, shovels and garden gloves on Saturday, March 27 to any of the following historic cemeteries beginning at 8:00 a.m.: Greenwood at 17th & Lisenby, Millville at 3rd & Everett, and Oakland at 11th & Balboa. For further information, volunteers and plot owners may call the Panama City Department of Leisure Services at (850) 872-3199.


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Stand N' Swing
Item #: 398621 | Model #: KWAD104-900 |
- $ 29 87 29.87
Non-members pay 10% surchargeJoin now!
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Delivery estimates, taxes, and fees are based on ZIP Code. Club Pickup orders are based on your club's current price and item availability on the day of payment.
About this itemGreat for balance and coordination, the Stand 'N Swing rides close to the ground and is great fun for kids.
Not recommended for children under age of 4.
- Durable plastic construction
- Fits children or adults
- Available in green
- Attaches easily to any swing beam
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ChestR Mount for GoPro
Regular Price: $49.99
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The ChestR Mount for GoPro HERO3 is a comfortable and rugged neoprene chest mount that allows for hands free recording. This is the perfect mount for mountain biking, skiing, surfing, kayaking and more.Learn More
GoPro Chesty Chest Mount Harness
The GoPro Chesty Chest Mount Harness is a perfect mounting alternative for your quick-release GoPro camera. The harness securely holds your GoPro camera in the center of your chest. Adjustable, elastic straps go over your shoulders and around your chest with buckle clip.
Compatibility: HERO3+, HERO3 HD HERO2, Original HD HERO.
Canadian Customers Shop Here: PointofViewCameras.caLearn More


text: Nov 25, 2012 00:24 Greenwell Springs Road is open Greenwell Springs Road is open Advocate story Nov. 23, 2012; 9:26 a.m. Comments Greenwell Springs Road is now open. A two-alarm fire at Baton Rouge Bus Maintenance, 7106 Greenwell Springs Road early Friday morning closed Greenwell Springs Road from Victoria Drive to Lobdell Avenue, according to a press release from the Baton Rouge Fire Department. People are asked to avoid the area until the clean up is complete and the road is reopened. Firefighters were called out to the fire at about 1:15 a.m. but the building was already engulfed in flames. The roof of the building collapsed shortly after firefighters arrived, according to the press release. The structure was a total loss, however firefighters were able to keep the fire from spread to a nearby second building owned by the same company. Baton Rouge Fire Department Hazardous Materials units also responded when motor oil was found to be flowing from the doused building into the streets, according to the press release. ExxonMobil also brought additional containment equipment to the fire to help HazMat Officer in containing the spill. The state Department of Environmental Quality responded to the scene and the owner of the company hired the private contractor OMI Environmental Solutions to begin clean up. It's estimated that the fire resulted in a $300,000 loss for the building and the contents. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No one was injured. Get The Advocate in your inbox Subscribe


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Gary Dornhoefer Autographed Boston Bruins Hockey Puck
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Rated 4.7 out of 5 by 3 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5 by CrookedCandyCanes Pretty for shabby-chic/French-Country room Pretty detail for any room (our use is entrance switch); wish it was a tad-bit bigger, though love it (and the other cast-iron plates, in the collection:) March 1, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Grammy Great for the stylized room Color matches the walls of our bathroom, the design, my shower curtain to a T. And there are hooks and an outlet cover to match. October 9, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by CindyR Love it! I love this light switch plate, it really ties everything together in a room. The only downside to this product is that the screws aren't sold with it, so I had to go with what I already had and they were gold colored screws that don't really match. But it's still very pretty and goes perfect with my shabby chic decor. February 6, 2013
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All branches of Marin County Free Library will be closed on Monday, July 4 for Independence Day.
Create Connections For Our Community
to Explore, Imagine and Innovate
Sara Jones
Director of County
Library Services
Welcome to the Marin County Free Library! From our beginning in 1927 in the basement of the old Marin County Courthouse in San Rafael, the Marin County Free Library has grown to a network of 10 branches throughout the County and a Bookmobile. We served more than 1,170,000 visitors last year and our visitors checked out more than 1,744,470 books, audio books and DVDs.
We offer many other services in addition to reading materials. We have public access computers, free wireless, story-time for pre-schoolers, adult and teen book clubs, and programs for children, teens and adults as well as study space for students of all ages. Library Beyond Walls brings our materials to homebound patrons and our Literacy program serves both families and individuals. Furthermore, through our website, or ebranch, we continue to provide information and reading material for our patrons at home, work or school even when our physical branches are closed.
Funded primarily from its share of property taxes, the Marin County Free Library serves the unincorporated areas of Marin County as well as the cities of Fairfax, Novato and Corte Madera. The County Board of Supervisors appoints the Director of County Library Services, approves the Library budget and has the ultimate responsibility for County Library services. Library Commission members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors and represent each of the five Supervisorial districts. The Library Commission advises the Board of Supervisors and the Director on matters relating to library service.
The Marin County Free Library works with other libraries and organizations to provide the best possible service to our local communities. MCFL is a founding member of MARINet, a consortium of publicly funded Marin libraries, created in 1991 to enable its members to share resources and use information technology to fulfill their missions of serving the public. With our 10 branch libraries, we are the largest member of the Marinet consortium and we share a library catalog and resources with our MARINet partners. We are also a member of NorthNet, a regional cooperative of Northern California Libraries and Califa, a regional organization of California libraries. By joining with other institutions, our patrons have access to a wider array of materials and allows us to take advantage of our combined purchasing power.


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Latest update : 2011-08-18
An overview of the stories making the French and international newspaper headlines. From Monday to Friday live at 7.20 am and 9.20 am Paris time.
2016-06-27 Brexit
Leave campaign is suffering from 'Bregret'
IN THE INTERNATIONAL PAPERS - Monday, June 27: Britain and the EU are grappling with a post-Brexit crisis, the world papers report. Also, it appears that members of the Leave...
2016-06-27 Brexit
'A Europe of the people' (minus the UK)
IN THE FRENCH PAPERS - Monday, June 27: It's all about Brexit in the French papers. Three different newspapers are all calling on EU leaders to rebuild Europe and make it about...
2016-06-23 European Union
Britain's 'Day of Reckoning'
As Britain heads to the polls, the "Brexit" referendum is dominating newspapers in and out of the UK. France's La Croix calls June 23rd "D-Day" while Libération wonders "Qui est...
2016-06-22 labour law
Government and trade unions 'arm-wrestle' over labour reform
FRENCH PAPERS - Weds. 22.06.16: Papers are continuing to focus on the arm-wrestling match between the government and trade unions. The government has drawn criticism for...
2016-06-21 Italian politics
From Rome to Paris, women are conquering European cities
INTERNATIONAL PAPERS - Tues. 21.06.16: Papers continue to focus on the big wins for the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and women in local Italian elections. Also, British...


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ZF-2769: form() view helper should allow requesting open tag only
The form() helper currently requires content, which it then wraps in a form tag. In some cases, being able to open the form only would be useful, particularly as the helper escapes all attributes. This would allow easier creation of view scripts for rendering forms created with Zend_Form.
Suggested API is the same; simply allow passing a boolean false value for the content, which would trigger an opening tag only:
<?= $this->form('login', false, $attribs) ?>
Updated in trunk and release-1.5 branch.


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The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English
We are excited to introduce a new way for you to improve your experience as a user. Just sign up for free using your Facebook or Google+ account. Then you will be able to use two new features:
We can personalize your experience if you log in to the website. By using your social account, you don't need to create a separate account with us. And we won't save or use any of your personal information; only the user name for your social account will be displayed with your word lists if you publish them.
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Explore English further with Cambridge Dictionaries Online:
very similar, especially in appearance
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UH Calendar
Search the Calendar
Friday, April 26, 2013
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Witold Rybcynski lecture: "How Architecture Works"
Witold Rybcynski, Emeritus Professor of Urbanism at University of Pennsylvania, will present "How Architecture Works," an examination of prototypical and typological attributes in architecture that cause some buildings to function more successfully than others.
- Location: Gerald D Hines College of Architecture Bldg. Room 15 - Theater
- Price: Free
- Sponsor: College of Architecture Lecture Series


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Women's Wednesday - Training 101: Novice Style
Submitted by Cheri Felix on
Author: Cheri Felix
So if you're like me you don't have someone who follows you on a scooter carrying your nutrition. Nor do you have a coach or anyone who checks your oxygen levels. And I'm bettin' that you don't use words like "recovery days" and repeats and intervals. Most of us just ride our bike and wouldn't call it training. We're just doing what we love.
But I'll be honest I wouldn't mind having a coach and having someone follow me on a scooter with my fav sandwich and a can of Upslope. But truth be told I'd rather have someone come do my dishes, laundry and make my family dinner. That's not to say I don't see the value in stepping up the routine. Especially if you want to get faster or better or if you want to race which pretty much sums me up. Honestly my favorite thing is going downhill super fast (my idea of fast) and smiling all the way. But every once in awhile even I have to get out and do "repeats" and intervals" and hills.
Note: You should ask your doctor, your spouse, your clergy person or your therapist before taking any advice from me.
So, you don't need a coach or a scooter to get stronger but you do need some self discipline. Go out to your favorite open space trail or stretch of lonely canyon (think four mile) or a steep dirt road like Poorman. Try to hit it when it's not rush hour. I've noticed that hikers are not fond of mountain bikers racing back and forth by them. Pick a challenging stretch. Something that you normally don't look forward to. That's a good hint that it's just right. Make a deal with yourself. Ask yourself what would make it worth your time. Doing it 5 times? 10 times? 12? And then when you've done your magic number do two more. Because really most of us can go harder, longer and faster. At least for a few minutes. Right?
I'm no sports scientist and I think we've already established that I am Average Annie but even I want to get stronger. I'm not getting any younger but I saw Rocky. I know dreams can come true.
Okay here's a song to download and listen to when you are doing your thing, 'Good Feeling' by Flo Rida. After you get done if it's morning go directly to your favorite coffee shop and get some coffee. If it's evening, top it off with a local yummy beer.
See you out there!


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No stranger to presenting deliciously engineered works, Kemp Auto Museum was honored to receive one of the most anticipated St. Louis deserts since Ted Drewes. An ornamental "Cakeway to West" cake sculpture, installed at the museum on February 26, 2014.
"It has already been drawing some serious visitor attention," said Museum Director Lisa Roberts. "Interest, we believe, will only climb as more cakes crop up."
The "Cakeway to the West" exhibit, which has been developing secretly since January, is a region wide spectacle of cakes celebrating the city's 250th birthday. STL250 is the organization leading the exhibit. They kicked off the display with a public vote, collectively spreading the birthday cheer with Kemp and 249 other noted St. Louis landmarks.
"Together, we and other chosen locations will give residents a taste of St. Louis never before enjoyed," said Roberts. "Every cake at every location will be an opportunity to learn more about our great city and the many pieces that make it so enriching."
Both a showcase and a scavenger hunt, the cake exhibit will offer fun for residents and visitors year round.
Soon STL250 will launch an interactive social media application allowing cake chasers to track their adventures. One part mobile almanac, two parts digital compass, the app will give users thrilling insights about the locations they're visiting, including hidden facts and head twisters only available on the app. In addition, users can share their progress through "check ins" and receive points toward sweepstakes prizes in June and December.
"The cake won't be hard to miss, "said Mike Dyer, Assistant Curator at Kemp Auto Museum. "Standing at four feet tall and weighing more than a ton it reflects the museum perfectly and we're very proud to have it."
And while most cakes are located in downtown St. Louis, in such places as the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Gateway Arch, residents willing to venture further west might want to read the list below. Starting at the museum, there are at least 10 nearby locations cake chasers can plan to visit and productively rake in the points. Neighboring Kemp Auto Museum from closest to farthest, these locations include:
Nearby Cake Locations
Butterfly House at Faust - 3.3 mi
Old Bonhomme Church – 3.7 mi
Spirit of St. Louis Airport - 3.9 mi
Babler State Park – 7.6 mi
Manchester City Hall – 8.3 mi
AKC Museum of the Dog - 8.6 miles mi
The Lodge at Des Peres – 11.1 mi
Barretts Elementary School - 11.1 mi
Rockwoods Reservation – 13.8 mi
Castlewood Park – 14.4 mi
World Bird Sanctuary - 14.9 mi
These spots are just the beginning in West County with more being announced each day on the Cakeway to the West website. For more information about the museum's cake site contact (636)537-1718 or visit http://www.stl250.org/cake.aspx for additional location and launch dates. Cakes will be on display year round, with candles blowing out December 31, 2014.
Join Our Email List JOIN NOW
There's always something new at the Kemp Auto Museum. News items are posted here as soon as they happen, so stay up to date by checking this page often or by joining our complimentary mailing list. For more information on upcoming special exhibits and events, contact us at 636.537.1718.


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No rivets
Hygiene is very important for us. Rivets and screws are difficult to clean; dirt, fat and bacteria can accumulate in these areas. That is why we do not use screws and rivets on the inside of our products; the handles are welded to the pots, pans and lids. Welded grips are as strong as riveted grips; they are more hygienic and easier to clean.


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Rated 2 out of 5 by 1 reviewer.
Rated 2 out of 5 by JoeGC OK These chairs are ok - they are very lightweight. Look nice. However, they are a tad uncomfortable. I've had two clients come to my office and ask if they could sit in another chair because they were uncomfortable. Meanwhile, when putting the two chairs together we realized they are not the same size. Additionally, one of the chairs came with a very slight pinkish mark on the front/back of it - on a white chair that is not a good thing. June 1, 2013
1-1 of 1


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Available Drives
|Name/Link to Access It
|Home directory
|Your username (e.g., abc123)
|Only you have access to this drive's contents; no other individuals are able to access it.
|Your department's name (e.g., ITR)
|Each faculty or staff departmental drive is accessible by all of that department's full-time faculty and staff. Some departments also allowed limited access for student workers or part-time employees; departments must notify the ITR department when such employees enter or leave their employment.
|The special purpose of the collaboration (e.g., 2013-2016 Strategic Planning)
|Faculty and staff may request interdepartmental folders for collaboration between individuals from multiple departments.
Accessing your Network Storage
- On any Windows computer on-campus, go to the Start Menu, click Computer, and double-click the folder with your username to access your Home Directory drive.
- On any Mac computer on-campus, double-click the icon on the desktop with your username on it to access your Home Directory drive. Save files to your desktop, then drag them into the icon folder to copy them to your Home Directory drive. If you do not see a network folder with your user name on the desktop, open the Applications folder in Finder and run the application called "DriveMounter Personal". Follow the prompts for user name and password, and your folder will appear on the desktop.
- Using Filezilla for Off-Campus Access
- Manually Mapping Shared Drives On-Campus (PC/Windows)
User Storage Limits
To ensure that email systems and file storage resources are available for all users, limits are established on the resources that individual users may consume. These limits ensure that no single user can cause a resource problem that affects all of us.
For students, the home directory drive quota is limited to 1 GB; for faculty and staff, 10 GB.
Anyone who is over quota will receive an email from ITR indicating this. We will allow 2 weeks from when the email is sent for one to bring his/her use within acceptable quota limits. After the 2 week grace period, ITR will run scripts to remove files from the offending shares starting with the largest files first and reducing in size until the drive is back within quota. Please note that this data WILL BE DELETED from the server permanently. If you need help determining your file sizes, current usage, etc., please contact ITR for assistance at 610-902-8366 or email@example.com
For demonstrated needs in support of the mission of Cabrini College, additional space may be granted. Address requests and justifications to Information Technology and Resources at firstname.lastname@example.com


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JATO (Jet-Assisted-Take-Off) Unit, Liquid Fueled, Double Spectre
The Double Spectre is a dual-chambered, variable thrust liquid fuel rocket engine, developed by Britain's De Havilland Engine Company, Ltd. Both chambers used high test hydrogen peroxide (HTP) as the oxidizer and kerosene as the fuel and produced a thrust range of 800-16,000 pounds.
The Double Spectre was developed from late 1957 by De Havilland under contract to Britain's Ministry of Supply. In 1958, the Double Spectre was fitted to the test version of the 200-mile range Blue Steel air-to-surface missile, also known as a "standoff bomb" which was comparable to the U.S.'s Hound Dog missile. By 1961, the Double Spectre was replaced by the higher thrust, longer duration Bristol Siddley Stentor. The missile entered service in 1962 but was gradually withdrawn from service during 1973-1975.
Rolls-Royce Ltd. donated this Double Spectre to the Smithsonian in 1970.
Gift of Rolls-Royce Ltd.
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Date
- ca. 1958-1961
- Type
- PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
- Materials
- Overall, steel and other metals.
- Dimensions
- Overall: 75 in. tall x 58 3/4 in. wide x 84 1/2 in. long, 1962 lb. (190.5 x 149.23 x 214.63cm, 890kg)


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To book more than 9 rooms for one stay or request a quote, please use our Easy Meetings tool, call 1-800-MEETING (in United States, Mexico and Canada) or contact a Global Sales Office.
The Holiday Inn Express® Baltimore BWI Airport West hotel's location not only puts travelers close to the airport, but also provides endless opportunities to explore downtown Baltimore, Washington, DC and Annapolis, MD. Whether you are conducting business in the area or seeing the sights, the hotel's Baltimore location is sure to meet your needs.
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Cathedral Square revamp?
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What I'd really like to see is the fountain put back into use. And then a more permanent structure for restrooms.
The proposed design shows a grove of trees segregated to one end but does have them on the other half. People love and need trees for shade.
The design looks like an "architects" attempt to design an outdoor space for his building. Not a place for people.
I was out painting at Cathedral Square last week during the rain. A friend and I painted under the Jazz tent next to the stage.
I think the area has great potential.
However I agree the porta potties have got to go.
It really makes for a shabby ambiance. I think the addition of a real foundtain that could be used by people to cool their feet and converse would invite more people into the park.
As far as art I think that the city does not need to go elsewhere to find creative people to enhance the ambiance of the park. A creativeness of the common area of the city should be the fruit of Milwaukees many creative people. Art groups such as the League of Miwaukee Artists and Wisconsin Painters and Scuptures should have opportunities to create events for the public engagement. The city should encourge and nuture such events by moral and financial support and assistance in developing networking with community and business groups in the area.
As far as the major current cultural event in the area this summer I have some concerns. Can homegrown artists and craftspeople fairly compete with vendors who are selling goods from foreign trinket makers. Most certainly they cannot afford to sell their handcrafted unique items for nothing. In order to draw more artists to enhance the ambiance of " Parian Culture", artists must be assured that the event organizers will up scale the market. No kits, no trinkets.
Let the artists of the community bring their friends, family and patrons to the event. Let the marketing move toward a more uupscale crowd and let the city proudly showcase Wisconsin regional art, the art from the multitude of traditions and heritage indegenous of the boiling pot of immigrants and natives of Wisconsin.
Cathedral Square should be the park of the people and by the people, our own many creative people.
I think there should be a Starbucks in Catherdal Square.
Another perfect opportunity for the city to host an open design competition. I'm sure it won't happen. The space will become slightly improved, but will not get the most value for the money spent.
I think there should be a Walgreens and a Menard's Next to the Starbucks...Sometimes you have to protect people from themselves...
maybe a bronze statue of a 20 something woman with a bottle of Charles Shaw in one hand and a knock off Coach purse in the other passed out in a Packer lawn chair?
"Quiet metaphor will speak more potently than literalism."- I agree with this sentiment from your article in Sunday's Cue.
The problem with the proposal is that it seems to prioritize the fascinations of the architect of an historical and formal organization of the park far above how human beings interact and love to use the space. The "ye olde" isn't compelling to a vibrant and active park, unless the architect is also proposing reenactment scenarios. Ugh.
How can a design successfully integrate the needs- i.e. restrooms, safety, event space- in a compelling and interesting plan that enhances the experience of being in the space? To me, this is just one of the critical questions to be asked. The proposal is an incredibly boring and dry answer to that question.
The plan feels like an outdoor museum, and not one that is very interesting, certainly much less interesting than what the park is now. Sure, it'd be clean, new, organized, and be topped off with a replica building telling everyone how important it should be. But that's the problem. By the looks of the plan it feels all head and no heart. It feels like a set of vintage rules on how a park should be, rather than a beautiful catalyst for engaged enjoyment.
heee. too funny Brenner..(et al)! I, for one HATE "Jazz in the Park"...Do the people really even LISTEN to the music there? - someone I know recently equated it to "Victors" outside...and all the EATing during performances turns me off (& the elaborate picnic settups!!!)
I like the idea of building a "foundation" setting, with nice "timeless" design FOUNTAIN..with green spaces (of course!)..maybe consult a Feng Shui counselor..SOME twinkle lights (i.e.the ones in the trees at NW Mutual are a bit over-the-top)...I LOVE the metal-works (benches, etc) around North Ave area & the Brady St sidewalk details which hilite MKE artists works...maybe details to hi-light the cultural diversity & richness of the city/area...Get Kohler to Jazz up on the bathrooms there too (not over-the-top tho..use our resources (well). It would be good to have a foundation built with something changeable too.
Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, thank you for this opportunity.
My wife and I are investing nearly 1 ½ million dollars in a new townhouse just two blocks from Cathedral Square. We decided to join the thousands moving back into downtown Milwaukee, where improvements in public spaces have been a major part of the attraction. Think of the redevelopment of the RiverWalk and Pere Marquette Park, the revitalization of the lakefront by the Calatrava, Discovery World, and State Park, the streetscaping and riverfront access in the Third Ward, and public design components along the river north in Brewer's Hill and projected for Park East. In every case the economic and cultural vitality of these areas depends in part on substantial and creative revitalization of historically important areas. This is nowhere more true than at Cathedral Square.
The current debate reminds us that this is one of the city's most historically important public spaces, site of the original courthouse and of the heroic effort that freed Joshua Glover. Looking at the Square today, we ought to be pretty ashamed. It's a run-down patch of grass that looks forgotten and forlorn except during special events. The magnificence of the Cathedral itself is not well integrated into the current layout and sightlines. Visitors do not experience the significance of the Square's history, unless they seek out the one or two isolated plaques.
Don't get me wrong. The Square is not a museum, and must continue to be an exciting venue for the public market, jazz concerts, and other activities. But as Pere Marquette Park proves, you can design a public space that reminds visitors of the city's historic past while inviting residents to enjoy it today.
I believe strongly that the proposed design improvements for Cathedral Square are absolutely essential for the economic and cultural health of this part of downtown. The initial design plans sensibly move the performance space to the north end, and with the plantings create a beautiful streetscape along Kilbourn where today we have a bleak expanse of tired grass and a vista of parked cars. The courthouse building element deserves careful review, no doubt, but as currently conceived delivers both historical memory and current practicality.
I urge the Committee to support this project and to work closely with designers, residents, and county citizens to bring Cathedral Square back to the glory it deserves.
Thank you.
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