text:
This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.
November 05, 2008
California Regulators Reject Finavera Wave Power Contract
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has rejected a power purchase agreement between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Finavera Renewables Inc., which had planned to develop a 2-megawatt wave power project off the coast of Humboldt County, near Eureka, California. In its decision, issued on October 16, the CPUC noted that wave power technology is still pre-commercial and that Finavera's prototype buoy sank after it was deployed off the Oregon coast last year. The CPUC also found that the price of power under the contract was too high. Although PG&E argued that the price was tolerable for such a small demonstration project, the CPUC rejected that argument, and suggested instead that Finavera could be supported through a proposed Emerging Renewable Resource Program. PG&E has proposed such a program and the CPUC has proposed to approve the program, but has not yet voted on it. Left without a way to sell the power from its demonstration wave energy project, Finavera plans to focus its effort on wind power opportunities in Canada and Ireland. The company is also investigating the formation of a private consortium to carry out wave energy research and development. Both Finavera and PG&E have argued that the CPUC decision will negatively affect wave power development in California. See the CPUC decision and the Finavera press release (PDF 40 KB). Download Adobe Reader.
The Finavera project also spurred a jurisdictional argument between two federal agencies: the Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department of Interior and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In late July, the MMS announced that it was moving forward with limited alternative energy leases on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), allowing for data collection only. Because two companies—PG&E and Marine Sciences—were interested in the wave energy resource offshore of Humboldt County, the MMS proposed to encourage the two companies to collaborate. However, FERC had already issued a preliminary permit to PG&E, which gave PG&E priority in filing for a license to operate a wave energy project at the site. The MMS then requested a rehearing on the preliminary permit, asserting that FERC only has jurisdiction to issue licenses and preliminary permits for projects within state waters, which is usually defined as being within three miles from the shore. But FERC replied that the Federal Power Act grants it authority to license power projects in navigable waters without limitation, and also grants it authority to issue permits within U.S. "reservations," which include the OCS. As a result, FERC rejected the MMS request for a rehearing, and PG&E still holds the preliminary permit. See the MMS press release and the FERC press release and decision (PDF 161 KB).
And despite the CPUC's assertion that wave power is pre-commercial, a commercial wave power project recently started producing power. As noted in the EERE Network News, project developers inaugurated a 2.25-megawatt wave power facility, located off the coast of Portugal, in late September. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT) also deployed one of its "PowerBuoy" wave energy converters off the coast of Spain in late September, as the first step in developing a 10-buoy, 1.39-megawatt power facility. OPT also launched a PowerBuoy device off the coast of New Jersey in mid-October, under a contract for the U.S. Navy. The device will provide power for an ocean monitoring system. Meanwhile, Oregon State University and Columbia Power Technologies successfully tested a wave power device off the coast of Newport, Oregon, in mid-October. The buoyed device includes a moving element that connects to a linear generator, converting the wave's movement directly into electricity. In mild waves, the buoy generated up to 15 kilowatts of power. See the OPT press releases on the projects in Spain and New Jersey, the Oregon State University press release, and the Columbia Power Technologies Web site.


text:
San Joaquin County supervisors made a poor decision when they voted 3-2 last week to deny Viaggio Estate and Winery's request to open an agricultural market and deli.
The matter came to the board on appeal after the county planning commission agreed to allow the winery to enhance operations at its 23-acre Mediterranean-style winery on the Mokelumne River in Acampo.
Opponents, mostly in farming since the appeal was filed by the county's Farm Bureau, viewed the expansion as creating an attractive nuisance. Among other things, they worried about traffic and bringing commercial uses onto land zoned for agriculture.
Those arguments are not without merit, but clearly there are ways to mitigate possible problems while allowing one of this area's premier industries, winegrapes, to develop into a destination point for wine lovers from around the state.
Many wineries in this state include tours, shops, tasting rooms and full restaurants. People flock to them. People hold weddings and parties at them.
Even in this county, wineries routinely hold regular tastings, fundraisers for nonprofits and similar events that draw large, appreciative crowds onto agriculturally zoned land.
Not every winery is set up for such operations. Not every winery operator is interested in such services.
But Viaggio is and its owners, Larry and Terri Lawrence, are.
What they planned would have enhanced county agriculture. It's too bad a majority of the supervisors failed to recognize that.
Location, ST | website.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Standard Features
Same Razor Sharp Performance Features as the Base Model Plus:
- Electronic Power Steering (EPS)
- Maxxis tires on 12 in. Black Crusher rims
- Boardwalk Blue painted dash and rear panels with White Lightning hood
- Color-matched painted front and rear suspension springs
- Custom cut & sew black, blue and white seats with RZR emblem
- Custom "Rally" graphics package
Model Year
Ranger RZR® 800 EPS Boardwalk Blue LE
Starting at MSRP
103 in. (261.6 cm)
69 in. (175.2 cm)
50 in. (127 cm)
978 lbs. (444 kg)
Ground Clearance
10 in. (25 cm)
77 in. (196 cm)
4-stroke, 2-cylinder
760 cc High Output
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Fuel Tank Capacity
7.25 gal. (27.4 l)
Automatic PVT P/R/N/L/H
Drive System
On-demand true AWD/2WD
Final: Shaft
Final: Shaft
Front & Rear: 4-wheel hydraulic disc with dual-bore front calipers
Parking: Park in-transmission
Parking: Park in-transmission
Stamped steel
Front: 25 x 8-12; Maxxis
Rear: 25 x 10-12; Maxxis
Rear: 25 x 10-12; Maxxis
Halogen, 55W low/60W high
Front: Dual A-arm with anti-sway bar; 9 in. (22.9 cm) travel
Rear: Dual A-arm, rolled with anti-sway bar; 9.5 in. (24 cm) travel
Rear: Dual A-arm, rolled with anti-sway bar; 9.5 in. (24 cm) travel
Load Capacity
740 lbs. (335.6 kg)
Cargo Box Length
22 in. (56 cm)
Cargo Box Height
10 in. (25 cm)
Cargo Box Width
42 in. (107 cm)
Cargo Box Capacity
300 lbs. (136.1 kg)
Towing Capacity
1,500 lbs. (680.4 kg)
Boardwalk Blue
Standard Features
|Horsepower to Weight for Trail Performance
|With class-leading lowest vehicle weight, and high-output engine, the RZR has an impressive HP-to-weight ratio giving it unbeatable power and acceleration on the trail.
|The Best Acceleration on the Trail
|0 to 35 mph in 3.8 seconds made possible with its light vehicle weight, and 800 EFI high-output engine. That's lightning quick acceleration taking you from corner to corner on the trail.
|Superior Travel and Suspension for the Trail
|With 9 inches of suspension travel in the front and 9.5 inches in the rear, and pre-load adjustable ZF Sachs Shocks, this machine is delivered ready to hit the trails. Combine the front and rear Dual A-Arms with independent rear suspension, and you've got a performance based machine ready to tackle the trail.
|Long Wheelbase and Rolled IRS for a Smooth Ride
|RANGER RZR® features a 77 in. long wheelbase paired with front and rear Dual A-Arm suspension for the ultimate in trail performance. The ride is enhanced even more with rolled independent rear suspension (IRS), taking the bite out of those bumps and rocks in your path.
|Precise, Flat Cornering
|Exclusive front and rear anti-sway bars keep the chassis flat while cornering, letting the suspension do its job to keep the ride smooth through rocks, ruts and stumps.
|Only Trail Capable Side x Side
|With a 50 inch width, just 2 inches wider than many ATVs, the RANGER RZR goes where other Side x Sides can't. It's the only trail-capable Side x Side on the market.
|Lowest Center of Gravity
|Patented engine behind-the-seat design provides the lowest center of gravity at 20.4 inches, easily beating the competition, and delivering agile, razor sharp handling on the trail.
|On-Demand True All Wheel Drive
|True AWD gives you the ultimate grip to put that 50 inch width to work into and out-of corners. It's the easiest to use and fastest responding on-demand system, automatically engaging all four wheels when you need more forward traction and reverting back to 2WD when you don't. This means less wear and tear, easier steering, and maximizes power when you need it most.
|More Features
|Large cargo volume and extended sides with 23 tie-down points help carry more gear and supplies to easily bring what you need on the trail.
|Comfortable operation is enhanced by tilt steering with a wide range of motion (10 inches), adjustable and interchangeable bucket seats, and an adjustable passenger handrail
|New! Rubber jounce bumper in shock assembly improves durability
|New! Passenger grab bar tube with anti-rattle bushing for reduced noise
|New! 33% thicker skid plate than previous year's models for improved durability
|New! Improved fit and finish in cockpit for reduced heat and dust in cab
|Passenger-side glove box has 3 gallons of space for convenient, water-resistant storage
|Powerful headlight beams with high / low switch operation (60/55 W)
|Rear cargo box with 300 lbs. capacity with Lock & Ride® accessory system
|Front drive cage made from zinc, for added durability
|Durable dual clutch inlet draws air in for low and high speed cooling
|Side nets designed for easy in-and-out access
|Certified Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS)
Honda Products
*Suggested Retail Price (SRP) excludes destination charge. Visit powersports.honda.com to view applicable destination charge amount.
Honda Products
*Suggested Retail Price (SRP) excludes destination charge. Visit powersports.honda.com to view applicable destination charge amount.


text:
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The Story of Cory Maye
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Joined: 11 Jul 2002
Posts: 1715
Location: Newark, DE
The Story of Cory Maye
For those of you who don't know this story, here are the cliff notes:
It's about a law-abiding, African-American father of a young girl, who had the misfortune to be from Mississippi. One night, the cops bust into his home on the basis of utterly wrong information. Believing it to be a home invasion, he shot one of the cops and killed him. A jury saw fit to give him the death penalty and he's been in prison the last ten years, but he was freed recently. Pretty sad, but at least he did finally get out.
MONTICELLO, Miss. -- After 10 years of incarceration, and seven years after a jury sentenced him to die, 30-year-old Cory Maye will soon be going home. Mississippi Circuit Court Judge Prentiss Harrell signed a plea agreement Friday morning in which Maye pled guilty to manslaughter for the 2001 death of Prentiss, Mississippi, police officer Ron Jones, Jr.
Per the agreement, Harrell then sentenced Maye to 10 years in prison, time he has now already served. Maye will be taken to Rankin County, Mississippi, for processing and some procedural work. He is expected to be released within days.
Maye's story, a haunting tale about race, the rural south, the excesses of the drug war, the inequities of the criminal justice system and a father's instincts to protect his daughter, caught fire across the Internet and the then-emerging blogging world when I first posted the details on my own blog in late 2005.
Shortly after midnight on December 26, 2001, Maye, then 21, was drifting off to sleep in his Prentiss duplex as the television blared in the background. Hours earlier, he had put his 18-month-old-daughter to sleep. He was soon awoken by the sounds of armed men attempting to break into his home. In the confusion, he fired three bullets from the handgun he kept in his nightstand.
As he'd later testify in court, Maye realized within seconds that he'd just shot a cop. A team of police officers from the area had received a tip from an informant -- later revealed to be a racist drug addict -- that there was a drug dealer living in the small yellow duplex on Mary Street. It now seems clear that the police were after Jamie Smith, who lived on the other side of the duplex, not Maye or his live-in girlfriend Chenteal Longino. Neither Maye nor Longino had a criminal record. Their names weren't on the search warrants.
Maye would later testify that as soon as he realized the armed men in his home were police, he surrendered and put up his hands. There were three bullets still left in his gun. But Maye had just shot a cop. And not just any cop. He shot Officer Ron Jones, Jr., the son of Prentiss Police Chief Ron Jones, Sr. Maye is black; Jones was white. And this was Jefferson Davis County, a part of Mississippi still divided by tense relations between races. Maye was arrested and charged with capital murder, the intentional killing of a police officer.
After a long series of delays, Maye was finally tried in 2004 in Marion County, Mississippi. Maye's family shied away from retaining Bob Evans, the Prentiss public defender, a decision they'd later come to regret. Instead, they pooled their money and hired Ronda Cooper, an attorney in Jackson who made a number of critical mistakes during Maye's trial. There were other problems with Maye's trial as well, including testimony from Mississippi medical examiner Steven Hayne, who performed the autopsy on Jones. I'd later report on a number of questions about Hayne's workload and credibility as an expert witness. He eventually resigned from the National Association of Medical Examiners and was barred from doing any more autopsies for Mississippi prosecutors.
In early 2006, after reading about Hayne's case on a number of blogs, attorneys from the D.C. law firm Covington & Burling agreed to represent Maye pro bono. Maye's family also went back to public defender and defense attorney Bob Evans. (Evans would later be fired as Prentiss public defender for his decision to represent Maye.) In the fall of 2006, at a hearing in Poplarville, Mississippi, Judge Michael Eubanks threw out Maye's death sentence, finding that he had received inadequate defense counsel during the sentencing portion of his trial. Maye was to be taken off Parchman Penitentiary's Death Row. Eubanks resentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In November 2009, the Mississippi State Court of Appeals granted Maye a new trial, finding that he should have been permitted to move his trial back to Jefferson Davis County after his attorney mistakenly asked for a change of venue. In 2010, the Mississippi State Supreme Court upheld the order for the new trial, but on the grounds that Maye should have been permitted to offer the defense that he was defending his daughter on the night of the raid.
Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:21 pm
guy who cried about wrestling being real
Joined: 03 Feb 2006
Posts: 6313
Location: airstrip one
Posting in a criminally slept-on thread.
Thu Jul 07, 2011 11:27 am
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 8547
Location: Third Coast
The fact that there is a Jefferson Davis County is fucked up. This whole story is ridiculous and sad.
Thu Jul 07, 2011 12:37 pm
Joined: 11 Jul 2002
Posts: 1715
Location: Newark, DE
I don't know what the standard is in these sorts of cases for getting financial retribution, but i hope he sues for millions. Not that he can replace those ten years, but at least that would help ease the pain.
You should read the story of Cameron Todd-Willingham, a guy in Texas who was executed recently on the testimony of totally bullshit forensic arson evidence. They said he burned down his house and killed his daughters on purpose. That story is even worse than Cory Maye because they actually went through with executing him.
Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:45 pm
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text:
LEGO Shop Home Themes Hero Factory SCAROX
- Item: 44003
- Ages:6-12
- VIP Points: 0
- Pieces:46
- Retired product
Attach the evil brain to create SCAROX, a vicious battle bug with striking blades, spiked spider legs and armor-piercing poison fangs!
Launch a spider attack on the LEGO® Hero Factory with SCAROX!
Prepare the LEGO® Hero Factory Team for emergency action! The evil brains have latched onto a dune crawler and transformed it into a venomous spider beast with red eyes! Stay away from its deadly striking blades and spiked spider legs! Not even armor can protect you from its armor-piercing poison fangs. Send that brain-infected bug back into the sand dune it came from!
- Features removable dark-green evil brain, deadly striking blades, spiked spider legs and armor-piercing poison fangs
- Includes highly durable and poseable design with gold armor elements
- Launch an attack with the striking blade function!
- Attach the dark-green evil brain to make the transformation complete!
- Attack with the venomous fangs!
- Battle with 44002 ROCKA!
- Combine with 44002 ROCKA using building instructions available at LEGO.com/herofactory
- Also includes unique code worth 400 game points for LEGO® Hero Factory Brain Attack mobile app and online game at www.LEGO.com/herofactory
- Stands over 6" (17cm) tall!
You May Also Like
- locale
- numRecs
- 5
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- sale_price_en-CA
- BV_rating_en-CA


text:
- 2 cups Bisquick® mix
- 1-1/2 cups water
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced jalapeno peppers, drained
- Ranch salad dressing or salsa
In a large bowl, combine pancake mix and water. Stir in cheese and peppers. Pour batter by heaping tablespoonfuls onto a greased hot griddle; turn when bubbles form on top. Cook until the second side is golden brown. Serve warm with dressing or salsa. Yield: about 2-1/2 dozen.
Nutritional Facts
1 serving (3 each) equals 144 calories, 5 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 17 mg cholesterol, 405 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 7 g protein.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Jacie Etbauer has always known her dad, Billy, wasn't like the other kids' dads.
Billy Etbauer, who now lives in Edmond with his family, won the saddle bronc riding world championship five times. He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 21 consecutive years, a span longer than 15-year-old Jacie's entire life.
Though her father is now retired, Jacie said fans and past acquaintances still approach her father "all the time."
"I know, like, none of them," she said.
Naturally, some of the attention her father receives trickles down to Jacie from those interested to see how the champ's daughter performs.
Jacie said she realizes there are more eyeballs on her when she competes, but tries not to think, or talk, about it.
"I don't like to be braggy," she said.
This year marks Jacie's first appearance in the International Finals Youth Rodeo, where she is competing in barrels and poles. Though she admits she sometimes gets nervous before a competition, she never lets it stop her from trying her best.
"After you go in you just start thinking about the run," she said.
Jacie has not been able to barrel race at the IFYR on her preferred horse, Whistle Spirit. The horse injured a tendon while barrel racing during her last go at an earlier rodeo, but still managed to finish and win.
Another horse, Whistle Bugs, whom Jacie has nicknamed "Panther," has had to fill in. Though Jacie said she has been pleased with his performance, Panther did trip on the first barrel during a run Thursday morning.
Whistle Bugs is expected to make a full recovery.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
Book your room at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Get an overview of this hotelIsland resort between ocean and PGA golf course
Coastal getaway
Set on a barrier island off the northeast coast of Florida, this hotel is between Atlantic beach and the Golf Club of Amelia Island, 30 miles from Jacksonville airport.
Leisure options
In addition to over a mile of beach, the hotel offers a 26,000-square-foot spa, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, children's activities, beauty treatments, boutiques, and 6 restaurants.
View balconies
All 446 guestrooms in this 8-story hotel include balconies with coastal views, high-speed Internet access, Italian Frette linens, CD players, and premium channels.Would you like to give us feedback? Share it! Opens in a new window
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island4750 Amelia Island Pkwy Fernandina Beach FL 32034
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Built in 1991, this 446-room resort is located on a barrier island off the northeast coast of Florida, nestled between the ocean and an 18-hole championship golf course. 4 tennis courts are located oceanside. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island has 2 outdoor pools, including an adults only pool, and a spa tub and deck with lounge chairs overlooking the beach. An additional lap pool and spa tub are located indoors.
Business-friendly amenities include 42,000 square feet (3902 square meters) of meeting facilities, 15 conference rooms, a staffed conference center, and an Internet point.
Child-friendly amenities include a children's pool, a playground, and Ritz Kids Club, supervised activities for ages 5-12, and Our Space, a family game room, offers a great place for children of all ages to enjoy air hockey, foosball, video games, and a private movie room. A 26,000-square-foot spa offers a variety of services in the 27 treatment rooms. The Spa offers an adult only swimming pool, aromatherapy and hydrotherapy treatments, massages, a spa boutique, a hair and nail salon, sauna and steam room. Fitness equipment includes Cybex machines and treadmills.
The hotel has 6 restaurants, a beach bar, a poolside bar, and room service is available around the clock. Stores include a gourmet shop, women's luxury boutique, Ritz-Carlton Signature Shop, and Salt Restaurant boutique
Secure covered parking is available on site (surcharge).
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- Children's club (surcharge)
- Supervised childcare/activities (surcharge)
- Arcade/game room
- Total number of rooms - 446
- Express check-out
- 24-hour front desk
- ATM/banking
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Tennis on site
- Number of bars/lounges - 2
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Business center
- Coffee shop or café
- Conference space
- Elevator/lift
- Fireplace in lobby
- 24-hour fitness facilities
- Full-service spa
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Hair salon
- Pool umbrellas
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Number of spa tubs - 3
- Computer station
- Library
- Limo or Town Car service available
- Spa treatment room(s)
- Meeting rooms
- Multilingual staff
- Number of floors - 8
- Picnic area
- Poolside bar
- Beach bar
- Porter/bellhop
- Luggage storage
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Conference center
- Year Built 1991
- Number of restaurants - 3
- Conference space size (feet) - 42,000
- Conference space size (meters) - 3902
- Number of meeting rooms - 15
- Golf course on site
- Beach umbrellas
- Beach cabanas (surcharge)
- Beach sun loungers
- Pool sun loungers
- Beach towels
- Outdoor tennis courts - 4
- Snack bar/deli
- Sauna
- Shopping on site
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Spa services on site
- Spa tub
- Steam room
- Children's pool
- Indoor pool
- Outdoor seasonal pool
- Television in common areas
- Wedding services
- WiFi (surcharge)
- Valet parking (surcharge)
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Indoor pool
- Children's pool
- Outdoor tennis courts
- Snack bar/deli
- Babysitting or childcare (surcharge)
- In-room childcare (surcharge)
- Arcade/game room
- Playground on site
- Miniature golf on site
- DVD player
Available in all rooms: Wireless internet access ( USD 9.95 per day )
Available in some public areas: Wireless internet access ( USD 9.95 per day )
Valet parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
- Premium TV channels
- DVD player
- Video-game console
- Pay movies
- Premium bedding
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Balcony
- Free newspaper
- Air conditioning
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Phone
- Minibar
- Turndown service
- Designer toiletries
- Bathrobes
- Hair dryer
- In-room massage available
- Slippers
- In-room childcare (surcharge)
- Cable TV service
- Iron/ironing board
- In-room safe
- Desk
- Daily housekeeping
- Cribs/infant beds available
- Room service (24 hours)
- WiFi (surcharge)
Where to Eat
Salt at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island - Elegant dining with great ocean views. Each evening, guests are invited to sample the "Chef's Adventure Menu" and enjoy a customized multi-course dinner. Dinner only. Dress is contemporary casual: jackets and ties are not required. Reservations are required.
Café 4750 - Casual indoor dining with panoramic views of the pool and the ocean. Breakfast buffet. Lunch includes sandwiches, salads, and soups. Beef, seafood, and pasta are the choices for dinner. Open daily.
The Ocean Bar & Grill - This outdoor poolside bar and grill overlooks the beach and serves specialty drinks in addition to light fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, pizzas, and salads. Open 11 AM-6 PM (seasonal).
Eight Burger Bar & Sports Lounge - Casual dining venue open for dinner.
Lobby Lounge & Oceanside Veranda - Drinks, light menu fare, and beach views in relaxing lobby bar and lounge. Open daily from late morning until late night.
Room service - available 24 hours a day.
Nearby Things to Do
The hotel is nestled between an 18-hole PGA Golf Course and 1.5 miles of white-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean. Water-sports activities are available beachside, including parasailing, kayaking, and Jet Skiing (seasonal). Sunrise tai chi and yoga are also available on the beach.
The hotel's freeform outdoor splash pool with deck and lounge chairs overlooks the beach. Children enjoy their own pool with waterfall and may participate in the Ritz Kids program of supervised activities for kids age 5-12. The fitness center includes Cybex machines and treadmills, and a personal trainer is available.
The hotel has nine oceanside tennis courts, including five lighted courts. Two tennis pros provide group and individual instruction. The 18-hole Golf Club of Amelia Island is a PGA championship course with driving range and clubhouse.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or near the hotel; fees may apply.
- Sailing nearby
- Scooter/moped rentals nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Skydiving nearby
- Fitness classes on site
- Bicycle rentals on site
- Fishing on site
- Golf driving range on site
- Miniature golf on site
- Golf lessons on site
- Golfing on site
- Kayaking on site
- Playground on site
- Surfing/boogie boarding on site
- Tennis lessons on site
- Volleyball on site
- Beach volleyball on site
- Boat tours nearby
Spa Services
The Ritz-Carlton Spa features 27 treatment rooms, a sauna, and a spa boutique. Treatments include massages, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, body scrubs and wraps, beauty services, manicures and pedicures. Advanced reservations are required for massages and spa treatments.
Guests under 18 are not allowed in the spa.
- Number of treatment rooms 27
- Couples treatment rooms
- Manicures and pedicures
- Body wraps
- Body scrubs
- Aromatherapy treatments
- Hydrotherapy treatments
- Sauna in spa
- Minimum age to access spa is 18
- Body treatments
- Facial treatments
To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the "Special or Accessibility Requests" section of "Trip Preferences" when you book your hotel.
- Accessible bathroom
- Roll-in shower
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 4 PM
Minimum check-in age is 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
Cash Deposit Required
- Resort fee: USD 28.00 per accommodation, per night
- Internet access
- Additional inclusions
Optional extras
- Fee for buffet breakfast: USD 26 per person (approximately)
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: USD 9.95 per day (rates may vary)
- Fee for wireless Internet in public areas: USD 9.95 per day (rates may vary)
- Valet parking fee: USD 17 per day (in/out privileges)
Hotel Name
- Amelia Island Ritz-Carlton
- Amelia Ritz-Carlton
- Ritz-Carlton Amelia
- Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Fernandina Beach
- Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Hotel
- Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island Hotel Fernandina Beach
- Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
- The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Fernandina Beach, FL
- Ritz Carlton Amelia Island
- Ritz Amelia Island
- The Ritz-Carlton - Amelia Island Hotel Amelia Island
We should mention
Reservations are required for golf tee times, massage services, and spa treatments. Reservations can be made by contacting the resort prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
Awards & Affiliations
- The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is listed in the 2013 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List of the world's best places to stay and the 2013 Travel + Leisure 500.


text:
Chuck Barrett steps aside from Razorbacks baseball play-by-play after 23 seasons.
Click here for the original story.
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Changes related to "Law:Title 3. Health Professions. Subtitle J. Pharmacy And Pharmacists from Chapter 554. Board Powers And Duties; Rulemaking Authority (Texas)"
From Law Delta
This is a list of changes made recently to pages linked from a specified page (or to members of a specified category).Pages on your watchlist are bold.
No changes on linked pages during the given period.


text:
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Who needs a two-minute offense when you have a 40-second offense? Campbellsville University and the University of Virginia College at Wise combined for 17 points in the final 1:40 of the game Saturday and nearly made it 20, but UVA-Wise missed a field goal as time expired to give Campbellsville a 45-42 Mid-South Conference East Division win on the road.
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60 years ago today, F.A.Hayek, the Austrian Economist recruited by the LSE, published his manifesto for an open society. "The Road to Serfdom," written at night often while acting as a war-time Cambridge fire warden,
became a publishing sensation.
For a courtly and gentle person Hayek was
remarkable in the ferocity of his warnings about the socialist ideas that had apparently engulfed everyone's perceptions. He, and his publishers, anticipated modest sales. In any case, war-time paper rationing allowed it to be printed only in small runs.
"The Road to Serfdom" was a book written for intellectuals, not a popular manifesto.
But a succession of events soon after publication turned
it into a popular phenomenon. First, it picked up so many favorable reviews that it soon became known as the book nobody could get because as quickly as another imprint rolled off the presses it vanished.
To read the rest of the text please visit
The Wall Street Journal Europe [2]


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By guest blogger Stan Whitcomb
Stan is a freshman at Santa Clara University. He is currently undecided, but is leaning towards a major in computer science. He is new to the blogosphere but is a seasoned writer (thanks English class!). In his free time, he likes to Dougie with his hallamtes and he is an avid Frisbee player.
Class selection, while subtle, is one of the most important things you can do to improve your college experience. Whether you stack all your classes for one day, or take a more balanced approach, one must always be wary of the pitfalls of a bad schedule.
The first major question you should be asking yourself when contemplating schedules is: who are the good professors? There are many resources for doing this. Talking to classmates and even upperclassmen can help you get a sense of what a professor is like. Sometimes the popular website ratemyprofessors.com can be helpful as well. Good teachers make college the experience it is, so make it a point in your scheduling to find the best ones possible for the most gratifying education you can achieve.
Next major question has to be a preference ordeal. Simply, do you like to get up and think early in the morning? If so, man, am I jealous! Either way, if you don't care about which professor you get (you should after that last paragraph), or there are two equally good professors from which to choose, the time of the class is the next big question. A study conducted a few years ago has shown a linkage between brain functionality and the time of day. It concluded that college students tend to think better during the evening hours. These results can impact when you decide to take your classes. Personally, I picked early class times so that I could do my homework later on in the evening when my brain is at its peak performance.
Now, when choosing classes based on timeslots, you may be inclined to stack all your classes on the same day and use the days with no class to get your homework done. I do not suggest doing this. After an informal testing with my fellow students, I have found that stacking all of your classes on one day rapidly leads to overwhelming amounts of work. Overloading your days is like scratching an itch; it feels like a good idea, but once you itch it, the desire to keep on scratching only gets worse and worse until you're stuck with 8 hours of homework on one day, and 5 hours of class on the other.
So, my advice? Do research on professors before you start picking classes, get one that you want, and a couple more that you can settle for. When you're picking a timeslot, make sure you know thy self and are positive you can function well for the entire class. Who wants to pay for a college education just to sleep through it? Finally, remember that classes in the early morning are god awful abominations and the people that get up for them are nigh on superheroes for making it to them coherently, and that when it comes to class scheduling, make all the decisions with care.


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Solaris 11: archive creation and recovery
By Jlbutler-Oracle on Dec 13, 2011
Solaris 11 has recently released after several years of development. Solaris 10 has been updated at regular intervals, and through these updates existing Solaris 10 installations will benefit from many of the enhancements that have come about as part of the Solaris 11 development effort. However, there exists a set of key features that are not offered in Solaris 10 updates, including considerable performance enhancements for newer hardware, enhancements to ZFS to provide deduplication and enhanced crypto support, improvements to the Solaris Zones virtualization technology, a new automated installer and an entirely new packing system. In certain contexts these features are very compelling.
When upgrading Solaris 10 environments, Live Upgrade functionality may be used. This allows an installation of a Solaris 10 update to target an alternate boot device while the system is up and running, which minimizes downtime for the services deployed there. For a move to Solaris 11, no such live update facility exists. This is due in part to the move to ZFS as the default boot file system and the difficulties that may arise in migrating a UFS root file system, but mostly this is related to the change in packaging system, away from SVr4-style packages to the new Image Packaging System (IPS).
When it comes to system installation, there is no support in Solaris 11 for Flash Archive installation, or FLAR. This is also mostly due to the move from SVr4-style packages to IPS, but also due to the reason that FLAR was implemented in the first place should be addressed by IPS. FLAR was initially meant to simplify patch deployment. As we all know, prior to IPS, patching a Solaris system could be a bit of an undertaking. FLAR allows a system administrator to patch up a system and then create an archive of it, which can then be used to install subsequent systems. One side effect of this is that a full archive of the given system is created, which can be utilized to restore the system in case of catastrophic failure. In this way, many admins have utilized FLAR as an element of their disaster recovery plan.
With no support for FLAR in place in Solaris 11, we must work to address this gap. Currently there is no functionality in Solaris to do this, but work is underway. In the meantime, a document has been created which describes a set of steps that can be utilized to create re-deployable archives of installed systems. These archives can be stored on alternate storage or even at alternate sites, and then redeployed when needed as part of disaster recovery operations.
This document can be found here: How to Perform System Archival and Recovery Procedures with Oracle Solaris 11
While a description of a manual procedure is not ideal, it does describe a set of operations which can be scripted if required. Otherwise, the manual steps described therein may be utilized as a stop-gap until some of the functionality finds its way into Solaris 11. As you can see after reviewing the document, the procedure is built upon ZFS file system operations, and as such shouldn't describe too much new territory for experienced system administrators. Likewise, it should be a fairly complete description for anyone who is less then familiar with Solaris administration.
I welcome comments and corrections.


text: According to the US Census Bureau, the average size of a home in the United States has grown by 50% in the last 40 years, even as households are actually 15% smaller. In other words, we're living in more space than we ever have before, and that's changing the face of what a "starter home" looks like for many people. See full article.


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I came across a friendly modern building that turned out to be the main station of the fire brigade. I asked permission to take some pictures and as a result was shown all around the complex, climbing its tower and than taking some pictures of the men, first in their canteen, than outside. I thank them, the pictures have been sent.
Turkey Pictures: Copyright Dick Osseman. For any use: see my Profile.


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Awesome work on this. A convert from TVersity here. Thanks!
The main reason I came over from TVersity is the lack of custom menu's in their media library, particularly the need to have a large library of music accessible via first letter/artist. Scrolling through a huge list is just too cumbersome in the PS3. Your media library has this feature, which is great (although I'm having issues with it in 10.51 and also 620 versions --- issue posted elsewhere).
My feature request is for the ability to select which folders are scanned and/or cached in the media library. For instance, if I have shared folders for photos, music and videos but only want to deal with a large database that needs to be regularly updated for music (videos and photos are already nicely organized by folders), then it would be great to have a select box (or boxes) for each scanned folder indicating where or not it should be cached when used, cached when scanned manually, both or not at all.


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Barbara Baker, CEO and president of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium pauses as she answers questions during a news conference on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, in Pittsburgh. Zoo officials said a young boy was killed after he fell into an African wild dog exhibit and the dogs mauled him on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The mother of a 2-year-old boy who was mauled to death after falling into a zoo exhibit of wild African dogs won't be prosecuted.
Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said Wednesday that Maddox Derkosh's death at the Pittsburgh Zoo was a "tragic accident."
His mother, 34-year-old Elizabeth Derkosh, had put him on top of a railing to view a pack of African painted dogs in early November. The boy fell off, the animals immediately pounced on him and he bled to death.
Zappala says witnesses described the boy lunging forward, as if he thought there was some sort of clear barrier to stop him.
Zappala says he's still investigating whether any charges will be filed against the zoo, and what changes need to be made there.


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BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The newest group of North Dakota legislators is getting used to their jobs.
The Legislature is holding a three-day organizational session at the Capitol this week. It started Monday and will end Wednesday after Gov. Jack Dalrymple unveils his budget recommendations.
Republican Rep. Rick Becker is a Bismarck plastic surgeon. He says the most important job of the organizational session is to meet new colleagues and "rub elbows a little bit."
One of the Democratic newcomers is Fargo banker George B. Sinner. His parents came to his swearing-in Monday. They are former Gov. George A. Sinner and first lady Jane Sinner.
George Sinner is a former state senator himself, and he says watching his son take office is "pure joy."
Location, ST | website.com


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Recovery Act Announcement: DOE Issues Grant Solicitation for Development of a Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility
June 24, 2009
The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled "Recovery Act: Large Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility." Secretary Chu announced that DOE will provide $45 million for the development of a dynamometer and facility to ensure the performance, durability, and reliability of utility-scale wind turbine drivetrain systems in a press release that was issued on April 29. The FOA, DE-FOA-0000112, was posted on June 23, 2009.
This single $45 million financial assistance grant will be awarded on a competitive basis to assist in the design and construction of an accredited dynamometer testing facility capable of performing Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) of 5-MW to15-MW-rated wind turbine drivetrains and generators and the operation and maintenance of these facilities for the benefit of wind stakeholders nationwide. Each application must include organizational participants from a state(s) and university(ies) and a plan for achieving long-term sustainable operation and maintenance and funding without future DOE assistance.
The $45 million in DOE funds will be provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to preserve and create jobs, promote economic recovery, and provide investments needed to increase wind energy R&D.
The announcement includes instructions for a letter of intent requirement and the FOA application. Only those applicants who submit a letter of intent are eligible to submit final applications under this announcement. Applicants who have not submitted a letter of intent will not be considered for an award. Letters of intent are due by July 15, 2009, and FOA applications are due by August 6, 2009.


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"The colors are vibrant, the printing is super clear and the size is just great. I'm very please with these address labels. Traditional address labels crumble or flake off when they become wet, but the quality of these are just perfect for mailing in harsh weather."
"These look awesome. They are very classy looking and look very expensive. Looks like I spent a lot of money on them because of the quality. Love them!"
"LOVE these return labels! They look so adorable, if my fiances name wasn't on them I would make sure every envelope we sent out was hot pink. They are so stylish and modern. Will be ordering several more!"
"The labels turned out exactly as pictured and very cute. They are perfect for the cards I'm sending out. I would absolutely order again."
"Recently moved so order these pretty address labels. Was very pleased with them. The labels I ordered are simple, elegant, modern, traditional but everyday useful. Delivery was very quick, arrived 3 days after I ordered. Will be ordering from Tiny Prints again in the near future."


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This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.
October 12, 2005
DOE and USDA Award $12.6 Million for Biomass Energy Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on October 6th that 11 biomass research, development, and demonstration projects have been selected to receive $12.6 million in funds for the Biomass Research and Development Initiative, a joint effort of DOE and the USDA. The projects will be carried out in Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., and include producing biofuels and bioproducts from woody biomass sources, such as straw, switchgrass, and corn stover; converting biofuel byproducts into useful chemicals; gasifying biomass; combining a biomass digester with a cogeneration system; and examining possible incentives for biomass energy. See the USDA press release.
In late September, the USDA selected 171 projects in 42 states to receive more than $14.6 million under its Value Added Producer Grant program. Of those, 32 projects in 14 states were related to biofuels and renewable energy. Businesses and producers in California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin will receive grants to assess the feasibility of marketing ethanol, biodiesel, wind power, and other types of renewable energy. See the USDA press release and the full list of recipients (PDF 24 KB). Download Adobe Reader.


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Philip Seymour Hoffman's character might be digitally recreated for the final scenes of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay."
Before his recent death of a heroin overdose, the 46-year-old actor had one emotional scene left to film as Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee for "Mockingjay -- Part 2," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"They seem to have plans (to complete the film without Hoffman) that don't seem very complicated," a source told The Hollywood Reporter. "You can do digital things, you can have conversations where you're not focusing on him but the people he's talking to."
As long as he doesn't come out looking like Jar-Jar Binks.
A representative for Lionsgate was not immediately available for comment.
Variety reported Hoffman had another seven days of shooting left for the final two movies in the franchise. Both installment were filmed at the same time. Production began in September of 2013 in Atlanta.
According to E! News, the film's cast returned Tuesday to the Atlanta set. Jennifer Lawrence appeared "tired and sad," a source reportedly told E!, and didn't interact much with others.
"Everyone seemed like they had lost a member of their family," the source said.
On Feb. 2, Hoffman was found dead in his New York City apartment, with a needle hanging from his arm -- an apparent heroin overdose. A private funeral was set to take place Friday at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in Manhattan, with a larger memorial service held later this month.
Contact Tony Hicks at Facebook.com/BayAreaNewsGroup.TonyHicks or Twitter.com/insertfoot.


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Ohio's ban on texting while driving has passed its six-month warning period and has now been fully active since March 1. However, the first three months of the new law have reinforced initial concerns that enforcing the texting rule may prove difficult.
"We have to see them doing it, and usually if people are texting something they're not going to hold the phone up where we can see it," said Patrolman Dianna Hively of the Marietta Police Department.
So far the department has issued no warnings or citations for the offense, which carries a $150 penalty, said Marietta Police Capt. Jeff Waite.
Article Photos
Photo illustration by ART SMITH The Marietta Times
In fact, the law has only resulted in one Washington County citation which was issued by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, according to Marietta Municipal Court records.
Even if officers spot a texter, they cannot automatically pull them over, noted Hively.
"As long as it's a secondary offense we're limited," she said.
Fact Box
Ohio texting ban
Ohio's ban on texting and driving became law on March 1.
It makes texting and driving a secondary offense.
The law also provides an exemption for people texting for "emergency purposes."
For novice drivers (under 18) all hand held cell phone usage is illegal and a primary offense.
Only one texting citation, issued by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, has made its way to Marietta Municipal Court.
A second OSHP-issued citation has not yet made its way into Municipal Court records.
In 2011, 3,331 people in the United States died in crashes attributed to distracted driving.
Source: Times research.
A secondary offense means officers cannot stop an offender unless they are also caught violating a primary offense, such as speeding.
All of Ohio's neighboring states have made texting while driving a primary offense.
In fact, 11 states and Washington D.C. have gone so far as to prohibit all hand held phone usage for all drivers. West Virginia is one such state.
Ohio's ban includes a provision that prohibits all hand held cell phone usage, including talking, for novice drivers.
In the case of the novice driver provision, hand held phone usage is a primary offense, but even that law is hard to enforce because an officer needs to be very confident that the person being pulled over for talking on his or her phone is under 18, said Hively.
Juvenile Court Magistrate Mark Kerenyi said he has yet to see any cell phone violations come through juvenile court, but noted that he typically sees citations three weeks after they are issued.
A second local citation, which has not yet been included in Municipal Court records, was issued Wednesday by Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Dustin Payne when he spotted a man who was speeding along Virginia Street with a cell phone near his face.
"I went up to him and told him I saw him texting and he admitted to it," said Payne.
Having someone admit to the violation is not common, said Payne. And though officers are free to cite someone without an admission, the violation can be hard to prove if taken to court, he added.
That is because there are a lot of gray areas in the law that allow people to dial or perform other activities on their phones.
"If a person didn't admit it, and you took him to court on it, it'd be hard to prove. They'll say 'I was just dialing,'" said Payne.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Carlos Smith said there is also a loophole that allows drivers to text in case of emergencies, which could be interpreted differently by different people.
Still, one citation is not enough, said Newport resident Karen Miller.
She said she wished the law made it easier for law enforcement nab more offenders.
"I've been almost hit a couple times by people texting or calling on the phone," said Miller, who added that she does not use a phone while driving.
Visiting Marietta Friday, Natalie Marlatt, said that she has noticed plenty of drivers whom she suspects to be texting in her hometown of New Philadelphia. The careless drivers are upsetting, she said.
"My life is not worth a text message," she said.
Marlatt, 33, agreed that is very difficult to catch texting drivers, but added that she thinks the law is fine.
"It's just that people need to abide by it. And hopefully people will be more apt not to text now that it's law," she said.
Currently the Marietta Police Department simply does not have the manpower to go around hunting down texting offenders, said Waite.
"If we see it, we're going to enforce it. But we're four officers down and we're trying just to maintain calls for service," he said.


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CORPUS CHRISTI – The Texas A&M – Corpus Christi baseball team saw a late lead slip away as the Southeastern Louisiana Lions rallied from six runs down to take a 13-11 game in 12 innings. The two teams are scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch on Saturday at Chapman Field.
The Islanders are now 9-9 overall and 2-2 in Southland Conference play after the loss. SELA improves to 14-5 overall and also move to 2-2 on the year in league play.
Adam Hoelscher got the start for the Islanders, but did not figure in the decision, as he was the first of seven pitchers for the home team, with Phillip Garcia being tagged with the hard-luck loss. Garcia pitched 4.2 innings, giving up four hits and two unearned runs while walking two and striking out four to move to 0-1. Jason Greenleaf, the fourth of five pitchers for SELA, picked up the win to move to 1-0. Stefan Lopez picked up his seventh save of the year for the Lions.
Brad Porras led the Islanders with four hits on the night, as well as tying for the team lead with three RBI. Drew Vest also picked up three runs batted in, while Vest, Jeramie Marek, Eric Weiss and Stafford Brantley had two hits apiece.
In what looked like it would be a pitcher's duel, it was anything but after the first inning and a half.
After going down swinging for all three outs in the first, the Islanders responded in the second with three runs to take the early lead. Kyle Danford and Brantley opened the inning by drawing walks to put two runners on with no outs. Jonathan Gonzales advanced Danford to third on a liner that nearly got over the head of the centerfielder.
With runners on the corners, Brantley stole second to put both in scoring position ahead of a Porras single up the middle to plate both players for a 2-0 lead. Santiago Ruiz and Dan Sciantarelli followed with walks to load the bases, and Marek followed with a sacrifice fly to center to score Porras and make it a 3-0 game.
The Lions picked an unearned run in the top of the third when a batted ball hit first base to get past a diving Porras to bring in the run and then scored another in the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Texas A&M – Corpus Christi exploded for five runs in the fourth inning on four hits and a walk to seemingly take control of the game. Ruiz started things off with a walk, while Sciantarelli and Marek got back-to-back bunt singles to load the bases. Vest came through in a big way, singling through the left side to bring home Ruiz and Sciantarelli to extend the lead.
The Islanders were not done however, as Weiss stepped to the plate and double off the wall in left to bring home Marek and Vest to extend the lead another two runs. Weiss moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Danford sacrifice fly to center to finish the scoring and make it an 8-2 lead.
SELA responded once again, chipping away with a single run in the top of the fifth to make it an 8-3 score.
Porras led off the bottom half of the fifth with a triple down the right field line, while Ruiz drew his third walk of the game to put runners on the corners. After the first stolen base of the year for Ruiz put runners on second and third, Vest singled through the right side to bring home Porras for a 9-3 score, while Ruiz was thrown out trying to score from second to end the inning.
The Lions scored five runs in the sixth inning without the benefit of a hit as five walks, a hit-by-pitch, an error and a fielder's choice brought in five runs as they pulled within one at 9-8.
The Islanders answered back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning that started off with a Weiss triple to right field. Danford followed with a walk, followed by a single from Brantley to plate Weiss and move Danford to second. After a Gonzales fly out to center moved the lead runner to third, Porras came through with another RBI single to make it an 11-8 game.
Once again SELA responded, scoring three runs to even it at 11-11 following the top of the seventh to come all the way back.
The score remained the same for nearly five innings until the Lions picked up a pair of runs in the top of the 12th to gain a 13-11 lead.
Weiss drew a leadoff walk in the bottom half of the 12th, but the Islanders were unable to do any damage, losing 13-11 in extra innings.
The two teams will play the second game of the series at 2 p.m. on Saturday, with the Islanders Tim Keller facing Jordan Hymel of the Lions on the mound.
Live stats and video will be available by visiting www.GoIslanders.com.
For all the latest on Islanders Baseball, like the team on Facebook (Islanders Baseball) and follow them on Twitter (@CorpusBaseball).


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My bicycle is our second car. I love to bicycle in all weather, for all distances, and on all routes. Bicycling has brought so much joy to my life, and I want to share it with anyone who is interested. I will use my soapbox to tell you about the joys, the freedom, the benefits, and, yes, the challenges of bicycling and walking for transportation.
In light (ha ha) of my recent post about my former naiveté when I didn't know enough to use lights, this is a good time to re-post one of my lost blog posts from before the website transition. My bike, Crush, has multitudes of lights now.
The main function of lights on a bicycle is not so that I can see the street in front of me, but so that all the rest of the traffic out there can see me. More than one driver has commented on how well lit I am.
My headlamp is powered by a generator hub built into my front wheel (ordered from Peter White Cycles). No batteries to remember! I keep a spare bulb with me. The headlamp is the one light that does light up the street in front of me, as well as makes me visible to other traffic.
Front white and rear red Reelights run off of magnets attached to the spokes (purchased from Walt's Bike Shop in Columbia, MO). Again, I never have to worry about batteries. They run all the time, so I don't even need to remember to turn a switch on or off. Without ever remembering to change a battery or turn a switch, my reelights keep me in compliance with the bare minimum required by law—a front white light and a red rear light.
The monkey light on my front wheel is a thing of beauty (ordered from monkeylectric). It makes patterns as the wheel turns, a flower, a star, an amoeba crawling around. It does require batteries. I use rechargeable batteries because I worry about all the poison we throw away with batteries. It's cheaper that way too. But rechargeables don't last as long. These are great for side visibility.
I have another red blinkie on my basket. It's a pretty cheap thing and has fallen off so many times it's lost its cover, and I should probably replace it. [Update: I have replaced it.] By law I'm only required to have one red taillight, which is my reelight, but I prefer more. Because the reelight attaches to the axle, it is lower down. A second light higher up helps outline my shape.
I have a downlow glow but I need to order a new battery for it (from Rock the Bike). It is a rechargeable battery which lived out its life. My downlow glow creates an orange pool of light underneath me. This also helps with the side visibility.
I used to have a helmet light. I liked being able to control the direction of that light. But it tended to slip off my helmet and fly off, landing on the road, and after a few of these falls it died. It used up a lot of batteries.
In addition to keeping me safe, my lights serve another purpose, which is that if I ever did get hit at night, it will be more difficult for the driver to get away with "I didn't see her". The way I bike protects me legally as well as physically. Bicyclists are at a disadvantage in the courts because while most judges and jurists are motorists, few are bicyclists. They can more easily sympathize with a fellow motorist who just "didn't see" the bicyclist than they can with the bicyclist. While law enforcement does the best it can with limited resources, "police bias" is a well documented phenomenon that further disadvantages cyclists.
But my main goal is to prevent the wreck in the first place, and lights at night are a big part of that.


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The Texas A&M – Corpus Christi baseball team will play its first home game in two weeks starting Friday with a three-game Southland Conference series at Chapman Field on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Islanders played the past six games on the road, with trips to Austin, Natchitoches, La. and Waco to play Texas, Northwestern State and Baylor.
The Islanders are 15-22 on the season, with an 8-10 mark in Southland Conference games. SFA is 14-23 overall, and 7-11 in league play. The Islanders will start Trevor Foss on Friday, Adam Hoelscher on Saturday, and Daniel Minor on Sunday against the Lumberjacks.
SFA will have a scheduled starting rotation of Chase Greening, Cameron Gann, and Colton Eubanks on the mound.
Offensively, Jordan Lee leads the team with a .304 average on the season, including a .349 mark in Southland games only. Eric Weiss leads the team with 16 RBI, and is second on the team with a .263 average. Jonathan Gonzales has a team-high five home runs, and is second on the team with 14 RBI.
Hunter Dozier has a team-best .359 average and 24 RBI for SFA. Rene Moreda is hitting .297 on the year, while Max Lamantia is at .293 and Freddy Villalobos is at .293 this season. Bobby Loveless is second on the team with 22 RBI, while Dozier is also the team leader with eight homers.
Live stats and video will be available by visiting www.GoIslanders.com.
For all the latest on Islanders Baseball, like the team on Facebook (Islanders Baseball) and follow them on Twitter (@CorpusBaseball).


text: (The last line of this makes more sense if I inform you that the person this is about has no feeling in his right hand.)I shouldn't be pouring myself into you But, it feels so good I think it feels good I think it's not causing more harm than good Shaking you from sleep Because, I feel you trembling You aren't beside me But, I think you realize I'm trembling, too And, if I'm shivering down your throat I can't know that I am I do this Because, I cannot make the problems go But, I think I can make them bleed Although, I don't think I'm adrift in my senses I do this So, that we can see the words With doubled vision With more precision I think the bottle's in your hand But, I am numb For, I can't know which one "And don't call us Maltesers." - Marquis


text:
Buying local wood will be priority for Berlin biomass plant
WHITEFIELD � Two officials of the company hired to handle wood procurement for the Burgess BioPower biomass plant said the company will try and buy from local loggers and foresters first. With the plant estimated to require 750,000 to 800,000 tons of biomass annually, Jimmy Carrier of Richard Carrier Trucking (RCT) said he expects the plant will be receiving wood from a 150 to 200 mile radius of Berlin.
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Welcome to the FIT Bloggers Blog.
If you have found your way here, it must be because you have attended a blog orientation, training session, or maybe you are just curious to get a little more information os starting an FIT blog.
I will be posting periodic information about ways to enhance or jazz up your blog, as well as any crucial info. about WordPress upgrades and issues.
There is also an FIT Bloggers email newsletter that will be sent out and if you would like to sign up for that, please do so in the newsletter sign up box to the right. All of the info from the newsletters will be found here, on the blog, plus more tips and goodies that we find along the way.
I would love for this blog to become a resource library, if you will, for the FIT community to use and I hope that you sill take a few seconds to comment on any posts where a topic has helped you or where you might like to see more information posted.
In the mean time, Happy Blogging!


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I've been re-reading The Third Wave, by Alvin Toffler. Though first published over twenty years ago, there's still some serious predictive mojo left in that book. The basic concept is this: there have been two previous "waves" of civilization. The first was the agricultural wave, which spread across the world over the course of several thousand years. About three hundred years ago, the second wave of civilization began—the industrial revolution. Now we are in the middle of the next wave, the information revolution. Each wave brings with it change, and upheaval, and uncertainty, and increased power and wealth to those who embrace the change.
I won't further summarize the book here. I'm merely suggesting it as potential reading for those who might be interested, and to provide a bit of background for some thoughts I've been mulling over in response to the book.
I get the feeling we are heading towards computational ubiquity. Already computers are watching some of us on a daily basis. Many of us use computers as our sole source of income, or computers have become the main tool of our job. Programs like the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project aim to spread the reach of computers throughout the world, into the lives of those who may never have had access otherwise.
Bring on the universal literacy
The first and best thing to come of ubiquitous computing will be universal literacy. I don't mean just reading and writing, though I believe that will be a part of it. The ability to control almost all aspects of your life will require the knowledge of using and programming a computer.
Of course, the definition of "programming" will change. It will probably not mean grinding out C, or Perl, or Squeak (the primary language of the OLPC environment). It will mean interacting with your environment, whether in the real world, or in a simulated world such as Croquet. But the fundamentals of logic will still apply. The ability to logically manipulate data constructs is the basis of all programming, whether using punch cards or virtual reality gloves.
There is another option, I suppose. Perhaps we'll all just end up on the couch eating corn chips and being endlessly entertained by our ever-present computers. That is not a future I like to contemplate.
Leave your privacy at the door
"You have zero privacy anyway," Scott McNealy said famously in January of 1999. "Get over it."
At the time, I thought the CEO of Sun was out of his mind, that we shouldn't give up on privacy so easily. Eight years later, I'd have to agree with him.
He's completely correct. Whether it's cameras in London scanning every face, or on-line credit card transactions, or the information we intentionally reveal on MySpace, we willingly give up our privacy for safety and convenience. In retrospect, it's probably inevitable that privacy disappears as computers become more powerful and pervasive. Soon, we can expect to see our outward public lives monitored constantly by cameras and microphones.
The libertarian portion of me doesn't wish to let go of privacy. It isn't so much the privacy itself, which seems impossible to achieve while out in the public, but the concentration of power constant surveillance represents.
Unfortunately, this is an issue for which I have no solution, and seems unsolvable. Some days I am resigned to the seemingly-inevitable lack of privacy. Other days, I am outraged all over again. Whichever way the world goes, though, the word "privacy" is destined to change.
Your house says, "Hello."
Computers will not live up to their potential until the day we no longer notice them. They will be there, constantly monitoring our lives, adjusting our environment for us, providing us information when we need it, perhaps even interacting with us in a naturally-human manner. They will politely ask us questions, wait for the response, and handle our desire. This was once science fiction, but is now close to reality.
Like flying cars, though, this reality constantly seems a decade away. Artificial intelligence research seems to be stalled, at least from the outside. Perhaps there is a seething vitality within the halls of AI research. But considering the dramatic increase in raw power of computers over the last twenty years, it seems we are no closer to a truly smart computer.
We are closer, though. Face recognition software is routinely employed in surveillance settings. There are even systems that use voice patterns to determine if a person is about to become aggressive. Voice recognition is getting better, though it is still too computationally-intensive for everyday personal use.
More importantly, our computers don't really know what to do with our speech once it has been processed. We need AI good enough to respond in a contextual manner. We need software strong enough to synthesize multiple query results into a coherent whole.
It is coming, though. I firmly believe it.
Those who control the computers control society
Society is based on information. The agricultural first wave was founded on the information that grain can be planted, and it will grow. The more we understood about domestication of plants and animals, the better we fed ourselves. The industrial wave was based solidly on the knowledge gained by science, and resulted in even greater crop yields, greater efficiency, and fewer people working shorter hours feeding the planet. This left others available for the creation of watches and roads and things that whir and buzz and roar.
The information wave allows us to achieve even better efficiencies. We can now build things just as they are needed, and we can predict when they will be needed. This saves time, money, and effort in distribution and storage. On a personal level, I can get on Google and look for answers to questions like, "How do I fix the thermostat on my dryer?" or, "What is the difference between Saaz hops and Cascade hops?"
In the industrial age, those who controlled the gears of manufacture controlled society. Good things came of this, like widespread literacy and a strong transportation infrastructure. However, we also ended up with pollution, and highly-concentrated wealth in the hands of a very few, and slums, and sitcoms.
Now we have the chance to turn the tide back again. Projects like OLPC are a good start, educating the next generation about software, and computers, and the joy of tinkering. The laptop itself runs GNU/Linux, and uses Squeak as the primary programming language. All of the source code is not only available, but is modifiable at run-time. The system not only allows modification, but invites it.
This is important. As the ubiquitous computing world is assembled, we need to think about who controls the system. We need to plan on giving everyone a chance to participate, to contribute, to benefit.
Really, that's it. I have been wondering where we are going, trying to sort the desirable from the undesirable, the inevitable from the avoidable.
We are all part of the evolution of our world. Our decisions will help shape the power structure of the future. I don't have any suggestions or guidelines. I don't have any words of wisdom or comfort. I just know that our actions now are very important in the outcome.
Projects like OLPC are a good start. It just seems we could do so much more.
Computers have certainly come a long way
An intriguing thought which relates to how much computers have changed over the last 40 years:
One of the main plot points of the movie Apollo 13 (and of course, one of the main problems of the actual mission), was the need to shut down the computer in order to save power for life-support and recovery operations once back at Earth (there is, for example, a scene in which the crew has to make a seat-of-the-pants burn, because the computer is simply off -- this was actually done, by the way, though I'm not sure how accurately it is depicted in the film).
Today, this is an absolutely insane idea. A computer capable of doing what the on-board computer on Apollo 13 could do would, today, fit in the palm of your hand and consume a negligible amount of power (it could run off of a photovoltaic cell that would need only about enough light to read the LCD display by -- if you can see it, there's enough power to run it!)
We now take this for granted, and we use tiny embedded computers all over the place (count the devices with CPUs in your home: microwave ovens, conventional ovens, some refrigerators, certainly your TV, VCR, DVD player, wrist-watch, and so on). It's a far cry from Apollo era small-scale integration chip transistor-transistor logic computers (SSI TTL) which sucked down huge amounts of power by today's standards, not to mention having to dissipate that power as heat. We're about as far beyond those computers as they were beyond vacuum tubes (or maybe further).
I think about this every time I watch the movie, along with other evidences of the "stone knives and bearskins" we used to get to the moon in the 1960s. Those spacecraft were actually made out of metal, because modern engineering composites hadn't been invented yet (you know, things like the carbon-composite rods you'll find in any ordinary camping tent nowadays?). Yet, most people continue to think that space has to be developed through huge, para-military government projects because it's "high-tech".
But I digress... ;-)
Nice article. I do hope we will begin to see a re-personalization of technology through the commoditization of the hardware and the freeing of the software. The centralization of power is worrying, and the best way to counter it is to get that power back in the hands of the people.
the powerful (try to) stay powerful
I hope we can turn back the power to the people. But those wich are wealthy try to stay powerful in the time coming, with any means they can think of. Look at Microsoft, AOL/Time Warner, etc...
Power shifts
That is very true. And that is the main point I learned from The Third Wave: during the start of dramatic change, it is those who embrace and take advantage of change that gain power. Whether this is true or not, I can't say, but empirically it seems true. I believe we geeks have the power to "ride the wave," as it were.
The book predicted drastic reaction against change from those who are entrenched in the old ways. This has resulted in war in the past, and may bring war in the future. But at a minimum, I believe it explains the over-reaction of the RIAA, and patent trolls, and those who seek to extend copyright for eternity. Notice the pattern: each of these seeks to control the flow and use of information.
Toffler also states that those reactions are doomed, because the changes brought by each wave are inevitable. It's like building a sand wall against the advancing tide-- you might be able to slow it down, but eventually the wall will be overcome.
Again, you'll have to judge the validity of that conclusion on your own. Part of it assumes you buy into the whole "wave" concept of civilization. For me, it empirically seems correct, or at least modestly accurate.
I see Microsoft as a hybrid old-school industrial / new-wave tech company. Notice how slow Microsoft is to adopt new technology or new ideas. They tend to follow the lead, rather than lead themselves. This is an excellent business strategy, as long as the lead-time is long, and development time is short. But, in the end, they stick with an old-school approach, with central control, and a factory-line method of development.
I could be wrong. I hope not, but I could be wrong.
Power to the people
I've been working on a model where a community owns the utilities -- I think Internet access is the easiest to handle, and I'm looking into electricity, mass media (although a community Internet may take care of that as well), waterworks, etc. The idea is that a organization of all the residents of a community owns the infrastructure and, if they don't have in-house expertise, outsource its operations and maintenance. For instance, they'd purchase a computer to serve as their Internet gateway (plus associated other equipment), a wireless router, and Wireless Access Points as last-mile devices. They'd either operate and maintain the equipment themselves, or hire a group to do it for them. If they're not satisfied with that group, they can fire them and hire another one.
The way things work now, if you're not happy with your Internet Service Provider, you either put up with them, or vote with your wallet in the hopes that your next choice is at least marginally better. I know of several people who are serial ISP subscribers -- they sign up with one, cancel after some time, sign up with a second one, cancel again, and again, and again. If, on the other hand, the community owns the infrastructure and controls the management, they'll have the true power. That would include making decisions about computing ubiquity (to put the discussion back on topic :) Seriously, I don't know how much the big commercial interests are willing to invest in that regard.
Oh, and to keep it on the topic of the magazine -- I took my inspiration for the model from Free Software.
Still working on my model :)
Daniel O. Escasa
independent IT consultant and writer
contributor, Free Software Magazine (http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com)
personal blog at http://descasa.i.ph
The Sixth Wave
I had found a quiet interest website / blog that mentioned about "The Sixth Wave", as related to Alvin Toffler and his "Third Wave". The website / blog address is http://fardepre.blogs.friendster.com/farid_primadi/ - and even though the contents on this website / blog communicate in such funny ways but still, I suppose, it had some essential points to consider.
- nikatiwi -
Yes, you are right there is some thing we need to consider from this blog.Even i also found this is very zeal blog with lots of creative fun.
Vinay Shukla


text:
Environmental quality is fundamental to our quality of life. Environmental science seeks to preserve and improve our environment for ourselves and future generations.
Environmental science is an inter-departmental, interdisciplinary degree program based in the College of Science, Technology and Agriculture. It is a diverse, hybrid field of study that is based upon strong training in the natural sciences, mathematics, law, economics, and health.
The curriculum for the B.S. in environmental science consists of a core of approximately 60 credit hours and 20-30 additional credit hours in one of six degree option areas. All students participate in internships and/or research. This education and training provides multiple opportunities for graduates in the growing environmental field.


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The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is a member of the Canidae family in the Carnivora order. These monogamous animals eat small berries, fruits, rodents, rabbits, and insects. Rare in captivity, maned wolves are endangered in their native home—Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
The maned wolf is one of the many species maintained at the National Zoo's Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal that participate in cooperative breeding programs under the auspices of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
In 1975, the first maned wolves were shipped to SCBI Front Royal from the São Paolo Zoo in their native Brazil. These individuals, along with a group of bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) and crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) formed the nucleus of a comparative study of social behavior in South American canids, directed by Dr. Devra Kleiman.
Since the start of the program, a number of graduate and post-graduate students have examined the behavior of maned wolves and other canids at SCBI Front Royal, including
Their studies have added significantly to our knowledge and understanding of canid sociality, behavior, and physiology.
Based on the increasingly threatened status of wild populations and intermittent breeding success in captivity, the maned wolf was added to AZA's emerging Species Survival Plan program (SSP) in 1985. SCBI wildlife biotechnician, Melissa Rodden, has coordinated the Maned Wolf SSP (MWSSP) since its inception.
AZA's SSP encourages and facilitates cooperative captive management programs for selected species maintained in zoological institutions throughout North America. While each SSP determines specific goals for its program, these generally include
Out of necessity, husbandry concerns have been a primary focus for the MWSSP. Reproductive behavior and physiology, parental behavior, infant behavior and development, nutrition, and health issues are examples of some of the research activities supported by the MWSSP in recent years.
All available management and husbandry information was included in the Husbandry Manual for the Maned Wolf, which was produced by the Maned Wolf SSP in 1995 and distributed to all members of the MWSSP.
The MWSSP is now concentrating attention on two areas of interest:
Contributions from a number of member zoos, including SCBI, enabled the MWSSP to partially fund graduate student Stephanie Bestelmeyer's recent field study of the ecology and behavior of maned wolves in Emas National Park, Brazil.
Louisville Zoo Education Curator Marcelle Gianelloni, in collaboration with several members of the MWSSP, prepared a Maned Wolf Education Bulletin to be used in zoo education programs. The Bulletin has been translated into Portuguese by Brazilian veterinarian Fabiano Montiani Ferreira and will soon be made available to zoo educators and other interested parties in Brazil.
Additional information about AZA's conservation programs can be found on AZA's website.


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Featured Offer from Living Treasure View All Resources
By chance? No, by God's grace, two worlds converge. Synchronicity. An English Oxford don and a southern Christian writer meet at Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, located on the Cumberland Plateau. Both are wounded. Both are healing. Duncan is a widower. Lucy is a divorcee. From the first moment of their introduction by his daughter, there is a strong, but timid attraction. She has learned that Lucy annually makes a retreat to St Mary's, an Anglican Convent in Freeland, England. This tiny village is located a mile and a half away from their home in Long Hanborough.
It takes two months before their first date, then two months before they marry. "On the second 'Lunaversary' of our first date, we were on our Honeymoon in Paris!" becomes one of Duncan's favorite proclamations. They are called "the love birds". Family and friends rejoice for all sense their effervescent love.
Once again, Lucy and Duncan are summering at Monteagle. The Assembly 's season is coming to an end. After a grand day of activities, they go to bed. In the middle of the night Duncan awakes. He sits up in bed, takes a deep breath and waves his arms as if swimming, then he is still. He dies instantly from a massive heart attack. His last words are "Grateful! Grateful!" Lucy and Duncan are married 623 days.
The book contains 3 parts. The 1st deals with Lucy's and Duncan's courtship and marriage. The last deals with Lucy's mourning. Both parts are written in Haiku poetry to express her thoughts more succinctly. The middle section is a story for children to help them deal with death. It is illustrated by Mary Barwick.
Duncan and Lucy's love story becomes the reader's love story and strongly proclaims the eternal truth that because of the Lord, "Love never ends."


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OAKLAND -- Training camp opens next week, there are talented new Warriors players, big hopes, tickets to sell and renewed signs of life.
Hey, isn't it time for Mark Jackson to promise a playoff berth this season?
"No, I'm not going to say it," the Warriors coach shot back quickly and seriously as he sat in a team conference room Wednesday.
"Not because I don't believe it, but ultimately there comes a point where, enough of the talking, go out and do it."
Maybe this is a signal that things are clarifying for Jackson, who opened his rookie coaching season by loudly and inaccurately claiming that the Warriors were set to make the postseason.
Maybe now that the playoffs are actually realistic for this beefed-up roster, Jackson understands he can eliminate much of the bombast.
And maybe Jackson also realizes that in Year 2, he's being judged by results and reality, not rhetoric.
To that point, he was careful to point out that health issues and the strength of the Western Conference could hinder the Warriors' immediate rise.
But given the additions of Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Jarrett Jack and others, shouldn't the Warriors be playoff-worthy this season?
"I certainly hope so," Jackson said. "Certainly hope so."
And that was the general theme of Jackson's 55-minute pre-camp session with several local reporters: Everything is trending to the good, but not so good that the coach is ready to guarantee anything.
Among the highlights:
"I don't care who I'm coaching, the pressure's always going to be to win and do the job," said Jackson, who is entering the second year of a three-year deal.
"Certainly we have a better basketball team, and I think there's added pressure across the board. I don't run from it, I embrace it."
Jackson repeatedly praised the dedication of the many players who have been working out at the Warriors' practice site for weeks, calling it the biggest indication that the culture has changed.
"They're making all the statements by showing up early, leaving late and being dedicated," Jackson said.
"At the end of the day, it was a long year last year -- it was a tough year for a lot of players," Jackson said. "But I've got everybody in here, other than Andris Biedrins."
There's little doubt that rookie Festus Ezeli starts Tuesday's opening practice with an edge for the backup center spot ... or starter if Bogut isn't ready for the Oct. 31 opener in Phoenix.
"I hope so," Jackson said. "My family certainly hopes so."
Jackson praised the talent and drive of first-round pick Barnes but also said he's considering the mix of the lineup, which could lead to a more versatile starter at that spot.
"I think one of our greatest strengths will be our ability to push the basketball and also to execute in the half-court offense," Jackson said.
"I think at the end of the day you show who you really are in the face of adversity," Jackson said. "And you own it and you move forward. This is something seven years ago. I've been who I am for 47 years.
"One owned mishap won't define me. And anybody who wants to define with that, I'm fine with. But I'm going to keep it moving, and I'm going to keep on being who God called me to be."
"I laugh because the dude is going to be filthy rich," Jackson said. "There's no pressure. Don't let it get in your head? What? That I'm going to be paid?
"To me, it's hilarious. Hopefully, it's going to be us and I expect it to be us. But one way or another, Steph Curry is going to be paid and paid very well for a long time."
No promises, a little less bombast -- that's how Mark Jackson's second Warriors season starts. It won't be words that decide his fate, but maybe the calmer tone is proof of a growing coach.


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- Feb 20:
- Rural/Metro ambulance fires 24 who allegedly skipped CPR training
- Dec 11:
- Santa Clara County supervisors amend contract of troubled ambulance firm
- Dec 10:
- Mercury News editorial: Santa Clara County deserves stable ambulance provider
- Sep 3:
- Santa Clara County ambulance provider's travails may open door for new operator
- Aug 5:
- Rural/Metro, county ambulance provider, files for bankruptcy
- Aug 3:
- Rural/Metro ambulance breaks down on 911 call in Santa Clara County after baby falls from second-story window
- Jul 30:
- Santa Clara County's troubled private ambulance provider pays bills just in time to avoid more contract violations
- Jul 27:
- Internal Affairs: Santa Clara County leaders under the gun over ambulance woes
- Jul 25:
- Santa Clara County scopes out backup plan for financially troubled ambulance company
- May 18:
- Shirakawa's decisive vote in ambulance deal prompts Santa Clara County scrutiny
- Timeline: Shirakawa and Santa Clara County ambulance deal
- May 10:
- Mercury News editorial: Ambulance provider's performance raises serious questions
A year and half after taking over the 911 calls for 14 Santa Clara County cities and its vast unincorporated areas, the Rural Metro ambulance company has violated its contract by repeatedly responding too slowly to emergencies, has paid more than $4.7 million in fines and faces the threat of the first paramedics strike in recent history.
County Executive Jeff Smith said last week that with just one more contract violation of the type that occurred in 2011 and twice in 2012 the county may have to consider terminating the agreement with the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company, which was notified Jan. 18 that it was in breach of contract. Rural Metro's performance is being closely watched in part because of the process under which it took over the county's ambulance contract from a longtime incumbent in 2011.
"We've made it clear to them we have remedies that go beyond fines," Smith said. "We've specifically told them that if you can't perform, we're going to cancel the contract and start all over again."
Although the ambulance company's failures to meet required response times of less than 12 minutes affected only a small fraction of the roughly 6,500 trips Rural Metro makes each month, Smith and other industry watchers called the breach significant.
"It's not significant to the point where any patients were put at risk," Smith said, "but weaknesses in the system could have been exploited by a disaster -- and therefore it's not acceptable."
After initially denying the violations occurred, Rural Metro has since submitted to county officials a "system enhancement plan," and its California spokesman Michael Simonsen notes: "We haven't been out of compliance since, and we don't plan on ever being out of compliance again."
Simonsen emphasized the late response times that led to the contract violation amounted to a few calls in October and December of last year -- and that in other months, Rural Metro responders exceeded the response time expectations. The county requires ambulances to arrive in less than 12 minutes 90 percent of the time.
"The breach occurred several months ago, it's almost old news at this point as far as I'm concerned," Simonsen said. "But we take it very seriously. There's no question that while it's literally a fraction of a percentage, literally a handful of calls, that caused us to fall below the 90 percent, we still take it extremely seriously."
Rural Metro took over the county's main ambulance contract for its 1.8 million residents in July 2011, after beating out the provider of more than 40 years, American Medical Response, with a far cheaper bid. The $375 million contract award followed years of study and a bitter battle between the two national ambulance chains that made the final cut.
The resulting 5-year contract is considered exceptionally tough, with fines for performance failure amounting to more than 10 times what the previous provider faced.
Rural Metro has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a month in these fines, now totaling more than $4.7 million, for such things as failing to have three ambulances ready to deploy and for each minute they have been late to emergency scenes. That revenue goes into a special "trust fund" managed by county emergency medical services staff members. The trust fund has been used in part for public service announcements, training, conferences and staff recognition.
Just two weeks into the contract, Rural Metro failed to meet its response times in a northern section of the county, arriving within the 12-minute required time frame only 83 percent of the time. Similar violations occurred again in October 2012, when they came closer but fell short with an 89.57 percent rate. And then in the San Jose area in December, the response again fell below 90 percent; an 89.66 percent rate. The two violations within six months of each other triggered the January "material breach" of contract.
The 90 percent response time requirement is standard industrywide, and had not been missed by AMR in more than 10 years in the county, according to that company's west coast CEO, Tom Wagner.
Milpitas Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant said his community was excited when Rural Metro took over, because they were going to get an additional two "posts" -- which means ambulance workers stationed in a trailer at firehouses ready to deploy around the clock. Instead, Sturdivant's firefighters describe occasionally waiting longer for ambulances to come after the first responders arrive on crisis scenes. The "response time issues" he described include waiting "an extended amount of time with active CPR in progress on critical calls."
Meanwhile, labor unrest could add even more pressure to an already touchy situation. On April 17, Rural Metro's employees -- who include paramedics, emergency medical technicians, dispatchers and vehicle supply staff members -- voted 97 percent in favor of authorizing their bargaining team to call a strike as a last resort. The last time a similar vote was taken was in 1993 in Alameda County, and one occurred in San Mateo County in 1988.
As talks continue, both sides say they are hopeful an agreement will be reached. But backup plans are in place, company and county officials confirmed. Neither would elaborate on details.
The ambulance company's woes have yet to be discussed publicly by county supervisors.
But Supervisor Joe Simitian, the sole board member who is newly elected and did not vote on the ambulance contract, said he had cause for "serious concern" about Rural Metro's performance to date. "If they haven't got it right, they need to get it right," he said, "and they need to get it right quickly."
Contact Karen de Sá at 408-920-5781.