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Thousands line up to cast votes early
By Steve Herring
Published in News on October 26, 2008 2:00 AM
News-Argus/GREG SOUSA
With nearly 15,000 ballots already cast, voters have turned out in record numbers to make their choices early. The wait at the Wayne County Public Library was more than an hour at some points on Saturday.
Please log in to see full story.
Other Local News
- Care in the sky: Members of the aeromedical evacuation crew fight to get injured troops back to their families

subset: commoncrawl


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1 Automatic investments are recurring or one-time purchases on Tuesdays. All sales are made with market or limit orders and are subject to applicable commissions.
2 Low-Priced Securities: In addition to the base commission, Capital One ShareBuilder, Inc., will add a $0.007 surcharge per share on market and limit order trades when the average execution price per share is less than $1.00. The total commission (base commission + surcharge) is subject to a maximum of 15% of the principal amount of the trade, but no less than the base commission.
Options Disclaimer: Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Before investing in options, please read the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options.
Banking products and services are provided by Capital One, N.A., member FDIC.
Securities products are offered by Capital One Investing, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are provided by Capital One Advisors, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor. Insurance products are offered through Capital One Agency LLC. All are subsidiaries of Capital One Financial Corporation.
© 2015 Capital One. Capital One and ShareBuilder are federally registered service marks. All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Securities and services are: Not FDIC insured · Not bank guaranteed · May lose value · Not a deposit · Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency


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Cinco de Mayo Dessert: Margarita CupcakesMari Hernandez-Tuten
I must confess, after 30 plus years of being Mexican, I only recently tasted my first margarita. I wasn't avoiding them, but it just never stood out to me when I could have a piña colada or something fruity of that sort.
The verdict? I like margaritas! I like this Cinco de Mayo dessert: Strawberry Margarita Cupcake from The Baker Chick even more! Cinco de Mayo is the perfect excuse to enjoy all-you-can-eat Mexican food, from tacos, guacamole (I shared some great recipes over here), tres leches cake, cheese dip, churros and . . . I can go on and on.
These babies have a strawberry tequila filling, so you will want to keep this as an "after the kids have gone to bed" dessert. I'm not much of an alcohol drinker, and tequila would be the last thing on my list to order, but this filling sounds amazing. So I may just have to venture out to the liquor store and buy some tequila for the first time in my life.
image via The Baker Chick
Join me each week on "We Are That Familia." I am ecstatic to be sharing with you here on Babble.com on all things "Family" from parenting, recipes, crafts, inspirational (and not so inspirational) stories, and life as we know it. Checkout my merrymaking over at: Inspired by Familia , on Facebook, and on Pinterest.


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- e-Sword Resources
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Evolution of words
Does anyone know of a good study that traces how word meanings evolve with time? For example, the word symbol has drastically changed in meaning.
Thu, 04/07/2011 - 15:32#1
Re: Evolution of words
James Barr's "Semantics of Biblical Language" is a classic book on the subject of how the meaning of words is determined—particularly across the two testaments—and the dangers of placing too much value on etymology. A more recent work is Moises Silva's (I forget the title at the moment).
Tue, 03/01/2011 - 15:48#2
Re: Evolution of words
The closest thing I could find Is a etymology dictionary you can find several different ones on google books for different lnguages
and here is one online
God Bless and Keep You


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NILES - With the holiday season and cold weather closing in, striking steelworkers at Phillips Manufacturing might be feeling the pinch, but passers-by hearing their chants and cheers Wednesday afternoon probably wouldn't know it.
''From the time the company came here, they wanted a five-year wage freeze, which we gave them,'' striking United Steelworker and 31-year plant employee Jim Nichols said.
Phillips took over operations at the Walnut Street plant about a dozen years ago. Nichols recalled the plan was to help the new owners get off to a good start with promises that workers would be rewarded in the long run.
Article Video
''Every contract since then has been 'gimme, gimme, gimme,''' Nichols said. ''It's time that we start the 'gimme, gimme' for a change and stop the greed.''
Nichols was among 40 or so workers who walked out in mid-September after attempts to reach a new labor contract failed. Wednesday, union members from other United Steelworker locals, United Auto Workers, IUE-CWA and others marched to the plant and then rallied in a show of solidarity for the pickets and against replacement workers being used inside the plant.
Criminal charges brought against plant management for the company's use of replacement workers are pending in Niles Municipal Court. A Niles ordinance bans the use of replacement workers during work stoppages within city limits. The company's attorney has entered a "not guilty" plea, and a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.
Trumbull County Commissioner Frank Fuda, who served many years as a Niles Ward Councilman, joined Wednesday's rally and expressed frustration that the case is moving slowly.
''If you let it drag on until the strike is over, what's the use of having the law?" Fuda said.
United Steelworkers negotiator Dennis Brubaker said talks remain at a standstill. He has been in contact with a federal mediator, but so far that has not produced any progress. He said the union's next plan of action is to contact the company's customers to inform them about the strike and replacement workers.
Brad J. Garlock, Phillips human resources director, declined to comment on negotiations.
"We continue to work with the conciliator in this regard, and remain positive and hopeful that agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement is possible," he said.
Phil Frazier, a 25-year employee of the plant, acknowledged that times are tough. Paying high fuel prices to drive often from his home in Hubbard Township to the picket line is taking its toll. Still he was among workers vowing to outlast the company by one day in order to get a desirable contract.


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Miiverse received a small update to allow nickname searches
Oct 17th - A small change to Miiverse now allows users to search via nickname.
Nintendo eShop deals & downloads – Oct. 17
Oct 17th - New Nintendo eShop deals and downloads for the week of October 17th.
Ubisoft stock plunges 22% after delays and poor sales announcement
Oct 17th - A string of delays and announcement of poor sales has impacted Ubisoft's stock heavily.
Aonuma explains why The Legend of Zelda isn't an annual series
Oct 17th - Series producer Eiji Aonuma explains that Zelda was once supposed to be annualized, similar to many Western franchises today.
Toki Tori and Mighty Switch Force 2 headed to Wii U
Oct 16th - Both WayForward and Two Tribes are bringing previously released games to the Wii U eShop.
Ubisoft says Splinter Cell and Rayman Legends sold poorly
Oct 16th - A conference call has revealed Splinter Cell and Rayman Legends did not meet sales expectations.
Sonic Lost World producer says the team struggled with previous 3D Sonic games
Oct 16th - Sonic Lost World producer Takashi Iizuka admits his team struggled with previous 3D Sonic titles.
Wedbush says Wii U sold 55k units since Wind Waker HD bundle launch
Oct 16th - Investment firm Wedbush says the Wind Waker HD bundle contributed to the rise of 55k Wii U sales through September.
Analyst says Wii U hurt by retailer confusion
Oct 15th - Analyst Christine Arrington weighs in on Wii and Wii U confusion and why retailers are making it worse.
Ubisoft reveals the origins of Edward Kenway in AC4 trailer
Oct 15th - A new trailer for Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag gives us a look at Edward Kenway's story.
Ubisoft delays Watch Dogs until Spring 2014
Oct 15th - Ubisoft has announced that Watch Dogs will be delayed to Spring 2014.
Aonuma says more information about Zelda Wii U will be revealed at E3 2014
Oct 15th - Aonuma has said he will reveal more about Zelda Wii U at E3 2014.
Europe getting special edition A Link Between Worlds 3DS XL
Oct 15th - A brand new A Link Between Worlds 3DS XL has been revealed for Europe.
Rayman creator Michel Ancel says innovation is Nintendo's greatest strength & weakness
Oct 15th - Ubisoft's Michel Ancel discusses Nintendo and their dedication to innovation.
SteamWorld Dig is 20% off for a limited time
Oct 14th - Image & Form have announced a 20% discount on SteamWorld Dig.
Wind Waker HD physical sales reach 152k, boost Wii U sales 31% in NA
Oct 14th - Wind Waker HD reportedly sold 152k copies in its first week, boosting Wii U sales 31%.
Scribblenauts Unmasked Review
Oct 14th - Maxwell is back in an all new adventure in the DC Comics universe, but is he up to the same tricks as always?


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natural resources conservation, biodiversity legislation, China
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Member since Dec 11, 2008
- Profile: /members/507-dsterling.htm
- URL: http://www.digitalconnex.com
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Recent Blog Comments By DSterling
First Attempt At Excel Document Formatting Hooks Using ColdFusion And POI
Posted on May 31, 2007 at 2:23 PM
Ben, Great work. Thanks for everything so far. Whee can we get a copy of the POISheet.cfc and POIHelper.cfc?? Maybe I am not seeing another post where you posted these files.. David Sterling... read more »


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LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and Coach Les Miles were asked in the postgame press conference to talk about the phenom that has become "the Honey Badger." The Tigers defeated No. 12 Georgia 42-10 for the SEC championship Saturday at the Georgia Dome. Here's what they had to say:
"So I just go with it. My teammates do a great job of having my back. Anything I can do for those guys to lift their spirit. I think the Honey Badger do that sometimes."
Miles: "I think there's a part of Tyrann Mathieu that is definitely the Honey Badger. I think on the football field he takes what he wants or what he can get his hands on.
"But I know Tyrann Mathieu to be much more than just a Honey Badger, very quality young man, does a lot for his team. He's a leader. I like the Tyrann Mathieu tag myself."


text:
On Tue, 2007-09-25 at 00:58 -0400, firstname.lastname@example.com wrote:
> Even the "kp_" prefix is actually pretty unnecessary. It's "info"
> and a human-readable string that make it recognizable as a log message.
While I agree a prefix isn't necessary, info, warn, err
are already frequently #define'd and used.
isn't currently in use.
$ egrep -r -l --include=*.[ch] "^[[:space:]]*#[[:space:]]*define[[:space:]]+(info|err|warn)\b" * | wc -l
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
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11 Teacher-Approved Crafts for School
Bonus: Get our newsletter & special offers for free. We will not share or sell your email address. View our Privacy Policy
Motivational School Magnets
By: Ann Butler from KellyCraft
We are adding the craft to your Craft Projects.
The project was added to your Craft Projects.
Click here to view your Craft Projects.
Your kids will love these Motivational School Magnets. Make some and use them to hang up tests and quizzes from school. Students will be motivated to do well and have their hard work displayed.
- Kelly Craft "Get-It-Straight" Laser Square
- Duetica Lettering System: Floot
- Zip Dry by Beacon Adhesives
- Magnets
- Card Stock: White
- Card Stock: Print
- Scissor
Create words or sayings with the Duetica Lettering System and print out onto white card stock.
Trim words/sayings, cut print card stock 1/2" larger then words/sayings.
- Use the "Get-It-Straight" Laser Square to align the words/sayings onto the print card stock; glue in place; then glue onto the magnet and trim as needed.
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Happy Holidays!
Season's Greetings to You, Our Most Wonderful Backers!
I hope you all are enjoying a most festive season! Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a Joyous Winter Solstice to you all!... Read more
Your Rewards!!!
Hello again wonderful Backers!
What a whirlwind adventure the last several months have been!!!
The rebuilding of the Gypsy, the Kickoff party, the PhotoBooths, the Maiden Voyage... and most recently... Read more
A tiny tiny update!
Hello Kickstarter Friends!
The Tin Gypsy and I have arrived safe and sound back in Portland, Oregon after a beautiful, challenging and ultimately successful maiden voyage. Many thanks to my... Read more
On the ROAD!!!
Hello wonderful kickstarter friends!
We are ON THE ROAD! Can you believe it?! We've come so far in such a short time- thanks to your generosity and lots of helping hands.... Read more
Hello most wonderful Backers!
Boy oh boy, with only a few small panic attacks along the way, we have really gotten a TON of work done to transform the Gypsy... Read more
Hard work, elbow grease and progress...
Hello Friends!
Well, we are about three weeks away from the Kickoff Party, the PhotoBooth BBQ and the departure of the Tin Gypsy on our Maiden Voyage. So exciting!! We've... Read more
We Did It!!!
To my wonderful Backers,
Wow. WOW! We did it. We met our first goal. And then we even exceededour second goal! Over 150% FUNDED!!! We couldn't have done it... Read more
Dearest and Most Wonderful Backers,
We did it! The Tin Gypsy project reached it's minimum funding goal of $3,300! Hip-Hip-Hooraaaaay!!!!!!!!! SO, Let the hard work and detailed planning begin...
Hard... Read more
Getting SO CLOSE!
Hello MOST WONDERFUL Backers!
32 days down, 28 days to go! We are SOOOO very close to meeting our goal! First off- a HUGE thank you to all of you for being... Read more
Tin Gypsy Update #1
Hi everybody! First of all I just want to say THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH for your support of the project! We are cruising towards our goal of $3300... Read more


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Romeo and Juliet
Julius Caesar
don't seem to have. Please try a different browser.
Scroll through the page to review your answers. The correct answer is
highlighted in
Your incorrect answers (if any) are highlighted in
If you'd like to take the test over again, click the reset button at the end of the test.
Where do General Sternwood and Marlowe conduct their first meeting?
In what kind of business was General Sternwood formerly involved?
Who kills Owen Taylor?
What kind of business does Geiger run?
What seemingly unrelated piece of information does General Sternwood ring up that arouses Marlowe's curiosity?
Why does Carmen Sternwood initially have so little to say about Geiger's murder?
Why does Owen Taylor murder Geiger?
Who does Marlowe tell he is being followed by a gray Plymouth?
What does Marlowe call Mona?
With what does Marlowe load Carmen's gun?
Why does Eddie Mars claim he has the keys to Geiger's house when he discovers Carmen and Marlowe inside?
Why does the name Joe Brody ring a bell to Marlowe when it comes up in his investigation?
Who is Agnes Lozelle?
What is wrong with Carmen Sternwood?
Where is Rusty Regan?
What is Vivian doing at Eddie Mars's Cypress Club on the day Marlowe pays Mars a visit?
Who is in the gray Plymouth Sedan that is following Marlowe?
How does Harry Jones die?
How much does Norris know of what goes on in the Sternwood mansion?
Whom does Marlowe find in his bed one evening?
What is Carmen Sternwood's most visible bad habit?
What is the name of Eddie Mars's gunman?
Why does Carmen scream in Geiger's house?
What piece of art does Marlowe notice in the Sternwood's mansion?
Who is the last person Marlowe thinks of before the book ends?
Readers' Notes allow users to add their own analysis and insights to our SparkNotes—and to discuss those ideas with one another. Have a novel take or think we left something out? Add a Readers' Note!


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Is it just me or is anyone getting horrible server lag for like half of the servers they join? Game runs fine now since I updated the graphics drivers but about half the servers I go in I get almost unbearable lag. Plus everyone in the server bitches about the lag, lol.
It's not just you, I was rubberbanding all over the map earlier. I tried to pick a low ping server too, but it was still laggy.


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Home > News and Agenda > News archive > Open Access agreement with SAGE Publishers
Open Access agreement with SAGE Publishers
158 SAGE journals offer 90% discount on Open Access fee
SAGE offers authors employed by Dutch universities a 90% discount on the Open Access Publishing Fee for 158 biomedical journals. Open Access Publishing Fees are thus reduced to $ 300. This is the result of the Open Access agreement between the Dutch universities and SAGE Publishers.
More information
De procedure voor auteurs (in Dutch) incl. SAGE choice invoice template example (PDF).
Open access VU on Twitter
Mail Ivonne Ruijter


text:
Left discussions of politics and history owe much to German-Jewish theories of temporality that emerged in response to the political crises of twentieth-century Europe; yet, other than in the attention paid to issues of technological memory in Benjamin, there has been relatively little discussion of the archival ramifications of, for example, Adorno, Bloch, Celan, Rosenzweig, and Simmel, as well as other canonical Marxist thinkers. While Benjamin's thought has often been mobilised to think the revolutionary potential of the archive, less has been done to think through the archival attitudes and implications of the work of such other thinkers, or the extent to which such attitudes are specifically predicated upon German and Jewish philosophical and political tradition.
Walter Benjamin's 'dialectics at a standstill' invokes a temporary pause that diverts progress from its tracks, and functions instead as caesura of the movement of thought, a rupture in the present. This notion of temporality and Benjamin's critique of history, owes much to a deep interest theology; and they are also informed by Benjamin's conception of the material traces of history preserved by archival forms and the politics of their institutions.
Paul Celan's poetics of time and his politics of language are heavily embedded in the development of such ideas. 'The Trumpet Place', which alluded to a 'hole' or cessation in time that may allow time to begin anew, and which responded to the catastrophic events of the 1940's, relies on temporal theories from the 1920s-1930s, and the idea of dismantling the "master's" discourse, through a poetic reconfiguration of language as the vehicle and repository of politics, memory, and tradition.
Although these two concepts are ultimately dissimilar, they invoke a comparable category of rupture or negativity within time that operates between two notions of archived history: as normative, conservative, and static, and as revolutionary and transformative.
Such notions of archive and temporality pertain to current discussions of security and data-gathering. Since Foucault's work in the late 1970s, archives and other centres of information are seen as places that assist governmentality, but also recognise the destructive potential, the immanent absence of the 'hole in time', or of the rupture of the present, wherever power and information are collected. Seeking a theoretical framework to explain such moments, biopolitical critics refer not only to Foucault, but return from him back to Celan, Benjamin, and Kafka.
The conference 'Temporality and the Archive' aims to bring together interested parties to engage, broadly speaking, with the archival dimensions of German-Jewish conceptions of temporality, history, catastrophe and crisis, and is open to discussion of German-French dialogue in critical philosophy (Derrida, Deleuze, Foucault, Battaille, and Blanchot, for example), in this context.


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Bumble and bumble Creme De Coco Conditioner
Bumble and bumble Creme De Coco Conditioner is a soothing conditioner that takes advantage of all the moisture-rich goodness coconuts have to offer.
Marissa H.
May 11, 2011
Very Moisturizing...but Not Too Much!
I have extremely fine hair...made even finer by the birth of my second baby (thank you hormones!!!). There's nothing like the great combo of greasy roots and dry ends! So I've found that I need a moisturizing shampoo/conditioner. Unfortunately, most tend to weigh my hair down terribly...but NOT this one! I only need to wash once and my hair is incredibly smooth and manageable. I live in a very dry climate and above 8000 ft high so this is absolutely incredible! SO don't be worried if you have fine hair!
2 out of 3 shoppers thought this review was helpful.
Jan 28, 2011
Vacation In A Bottle
I am not sure if it is the conditioner it self I like so much or the smell, but either way it is wonderful. I use this when my hair just needs a little extra moisture with either a clarifying shampoo or B&B seaweed shampoo and it works wonders. A little bit seems to go a long way especially since I do not use it daily. It seems to add just the right amount of moisture so that my hair does not feel weighted down, but is still soft an manageable.
2 out of 3 shoppers thought this review was helpful.
Jun 19, 2010
Top Notch!
I love this product. I have a strange combination of wavy/straight hair and I've never been able to find a conditioner that doesn't weigh it down or make it greasy. So, obviously, since I'm writing this review, the Creme de Coco conditioner does not do either. Instead, it leaves my hair healthy, smooth, shiny, and easy to work with. I think if you're experiencing build up you're probably using too much (you really only need about a dime sized amount) or conditioning your roots, a major hair no no.
2 out of 2 shoppers thought this review was helpful.
Apr 11, 2010
Its Fake.
I keep hearing that maybe creme de cocoa conditioner works on straight hair only on reviews. Well, I have very straight hair. I used this stuff and spent 21$ on it and the first time I used it in the shower, I thought I loved it. My hair was kind of shinier when it dried. THEN...I kept using it and I realized there was a thick build up on my scalp from the shampoo and conditioner. Its like you cant rinse it out, it just stays on your hair and it makes it tangled. I tried everything from combing it out and rinsing it with cold and hot water, I was determined to make the product work with my hair. I was thinking it must be good if it was so expensive! but, after a while I just stopped. I gave up. My hair became dry and dirty. I dont know why...maybe because of the build up? because it doesnt wash out well no matter what? well i dont know..it really does dry out your hair. I was watching a show about hair, and this professional stylist guy said that a lot of shampoos/conditioners are made so that you practically "wear" the shininess of the products for a day, then you wash it out in the shower, then re-apply it when you use it. Its not actually penetrating the hair and fixing any moisture or breakage problems, just concealing them for a few hours or until the next day. SO my advice for everyone and myself, try products that ACTUALLY HELP YOUR HAIR!!! thats where the true beauty will come out; with healthy hair.
5 out of 7 shoppers thought this review wasn't helpful.
Mar 3, 2010
Wonderful Products
I use the Creme de Coco Conditioner and Shampoo. I occasionally use the Super Rich conditioner in combination with the Creme De Coco. I have straight, blonde, processed and dyed hair. After using these products, my hair is left incredibly soft and voluminous and feels healthy even after all the bad treatment my hair receives. I have been loyal to this product for years, and now even my husband uses the stuff. He has curly, dark brown hair, and it makes his loose curls look amazing. My husband also used it the last time he bathed our rottweiler, and she was incredibly shiny and soft afterwards. I love Bumble and Bumble. The use the Tonic after I get out of the shower. The only other hair product I use is Moroccan Oil. The combination of these products leaves my hair looking amazing!
4 out of 4 shoppers thought this review was helpful.
Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
Dec 19, 2009
Love This Stuff
Works like a charm on my very thick, curly, (now) coarse (due to color treating) hair and the smell is heavenly! :) 5 Star product!
3 out of 5 shoppers thought this review was helpful.
Lake Oswego, Oregon, USA
Dec 19, 2009
Love This Stuff
Works like a charm on my very thick, curly, (now) coarse (due to color treating) hair and the smell is heavenly! :) 5 Star product!
2 out of 3 shoppers thought this review was helpful.
Sep 22, 2009
"responsible" Conditioning, Less Chemicals
I turned to B&B Creme De Coco when I quit using products that contained chemical toxins. I love B&B products but wanted a shampoo and conditioner without silicones (Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone). Both of these chemicals act to detangler and defrizzer; however, they are also skin irritants and can cause acne and breakouts. Also, silicones are like a plastic film that will hold moisture in, but also prevents moisture from entering; so if you don't use them right, they can cause drying of hair and skin. 'Coco moisturizes my hair and leaves it shiney and delicious smelling.
4 out of 5 shoppers thought this review was helpful.
Jul 17, 2009
Waste Of Money! Not Worth It!
I have frizzy, curly hair. I never used to have frizz problems until after I use this. I was recommended this the Bumble and Bumble Shampoo & conditioner by my hair stylist. I was told it hols my natural curls, but I expected to hold the curls with a smooth finish, but it gave me a frizzy look. It made my hair a mess. My hair is all tangled, super-frizzy and it is hard for me to comb my hair. I used Pantene for a few years before trying this product and that one gave better results than an expensive brand like this B&B. Don;t buy it if you have frizzy, curly hair. It makes your hair worse.
1 out of 1 shoppers thought this review wasn't helpful.
Oct 25, 2008
Not Worth It
I have thick slightly course hair. It left my hair very a tangled mess. Not soft or shiny. Maybe its not for thick hair. Absolutely not worth the money
1 out of 1 shoppers thought this review was helpful.


text:
Product Information
Nike 36017 Nike Lunar Ascend Golf Shoes - White-Black-Red-Granite - 13 Medium
The Lunar Ascend Golf Shoes feature 3 major Nike technologies. At first glance, you notice the unibody design of the shoe. Its innovative construction is called Hyperfuse construction and is basically made of 3 performance layers: base stability with synthetic layer, breathability with mesh layer, and durability with thin TPU "skin" lining. Next, the integrated traction creates for a lighter feel and zero pressure when walking. The geometrical design enhances traction and ground feel while reducing weight and eliminating spike pressure. Last but not least, the patented cushioning bed inside the heel called Lunarlon. Nike's new Lunarlon construction is made of a soft, resilient foam core in lightweight Pylon chassis which provides responsive cushioning and foot support. Its ultra-lightweight, durable and highly responsive. You'll feel the reactive cushioning with each foot step for a smooth ride all day long.Hyperfuse technology combines synthetics, mesh and TPULunarlon cushioning in heelFull-length contoured socklinerFull-length TPU Integrated TractionNike Power Platform
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text:
Date is not in correct format.
Book until 30th September and travel from 01st September to 30th September 2016 and get 10% OFF on reservations.
Bruges is one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. The city hasn't changed much since medieval times and so it is a great example of what a medieval city looked like.
Deserving the title of The little Venice of the North, Bruges is a good place to shop for handmade lace and chocolates.
Beautiful churches, Gothic buildings and the incredibly pretty canals that criss-cross the city give it a unique charm. A thousand photo opportunities and a million memories are just a few things that you're likely to take away from this tour to one of Belgium's most beautiful cities - Bruges.
When does it run?
01 Apr - 31 Oct: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
01 Nov - 31 Mar: Wednesday & Sunday
14 hours
Start time
Meeting point
The start point for the tour is 2 rue des Pyramides, 75001, Paris.
The closest metro station is Tuileries (line n°01), Pyramides (line n°14) or Palais Royal (line n°7).
Please report at the meeting point 30 minutes before the start time for check-in. This is mandatory to allow time for pre-departure briefing.
See on map
Ending point
The tour concludes at the original point of departure
Go to Bruges in Belgium from Paris and enjoy a day in The small Venice of the north. Start your tour in a luxury, air conditioned coach. Your English-speaking guide will tell you all about the history of Bruges on your way to the Belgian frontier.
Bruges, the capital of the province of West Flanders in present-day Flanders, the Flemish Region of Belgium, is one of Europe's more popular attractions. That's primarily because the city hasn't changed much since the middle ages so it is a good example of a really old city.
Start the day with a guided walking tour through the heart of the old city and visit the Béguinage, the Place du Bourg, and the Gothic style Town Hall. Also see the magnificent Grand Palace, the quaint houses and the Halles which is an indoor market with a belfry.
Depending on the time of year you will also take a cruise along the beautiful canals of Bruges.
The remainder of the day is at leisure, visit the Museums of Flemish art or just roam around the city shopping for handmade lace and world-famous Belgian chocolates.
At the end of the day you will be returned original point of departure, arriving at around 2115h (9:15pm).
Comfortable coach, knowledgeable and articulate guide, beautiful city, what more could you ask for?
Tour que vale la pena. Excelente servicios y atención. La guía muy atenta e instruida. La recomendamos altamente.
Brugges is worth visiting when in France, everything was well planned !!
I've been to Bruges before and was so happy I could return for a day when I recently traveled to Paris. Bruges is a magnificently preserved site, with gorgeous cobble stones, canals, facades & squares. The tour was well organized, with different languages available. Bruges is a must see if you plan to go to Europe. You can escape some of the hustle and bustle of the major cities and explore this piece of paradise!
The tour guide was wonderful. Very knowledgeable. We enjoyed the whole tour a lot!
We recommend good walking shoes and warm clothing in winter
See the cancellation policy for this product
Save your valuable time to admire the best French art with skip the line entry to museum
Cruise down the Seine river and see top Paris attractions along its UNESCO-listed riverbanks
See the Eiffel Tower from all sides and enjoy access to the 2nd level with this guided tour


text: Determine the values of the lumped parasitic capacitor and inductor in a 5 ft long two-wire transmission line with air dielectric (See Chapter 7 in the Stanley and Harrington textbook). Each wire has a diameter of 1 mm and the separation between the wires is 1 inch. Show your calculations and the equations used.


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Tie Ring
The Tie Ring is a handy little essential for any stable. Easy to mount with screws (not included) to hang cross ties. Read more...
The Tie Ring is ideal for setting up cross ties or a spot where your horse can be tied. Screws for mounting not included.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed - Your Money Back Any Time, for Any Reason.
Smith Brothers is proud to offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our products. We stand behind the quality of our products, and should you not be satisfied with your purchase, simply return it and we will refund, replace or exchange it for you.


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Developer admits to illegal campaign contributions
GOP angered by revelation; Stephen Whalen ordered to pay fine
Maryland Republicans are expressing outrage after a Catonsville developer has admitted to illegally funneling money to the campaigns of Democratic Baltimore County councilmen.
Stephen Whalen, 62, has been ordered to pay $53,000 in fines for making straw contributions to the campaign of Councilman Tom Quirk in 2011.
The charges also state that Whalen exceeded the state contribution limit by donating to the campaigns of councilmen David Marks and Kevin Kamenetz.
There's no indication that the candidates were aware of Whalen's activities.
State Republicans said they want the politicians that benefited to return the so-called "dirty contributions."
Copyright 2013 by WBALTV.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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This India Stamped Wine Bottle Label will uncork the fun at your India themed Party.
This India Stamped Wine Bottle Label features a unique India design along with your own custom text. Each Personalized India Print Wine Label measures 3 1/4 inches high x 5 1/4 inches wide and is made of white sticker material. Serve up any type of wine with this personalized wine bottle label.
Labels are water resistant and are recommended for refrigerated use.
Please allow ample time for delivery. Our ship date for this product is noted in your shopping cart. Many items are shipped separately, so please allow extra time for these items to arrive. Shipping charges are based on the value of the merchandise and not the number of shipments. For additional shipping information, please contact our Customer Service Department at (firstname.lastname@example.com or 1-800-314-8794).


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Freedom and Easton, last year's tournament finalists, each won their first round games on Friday in the Stellar Catch A Rising Star Showcase.
Freedom, the defending Stellar champion, beat Stroudsburg 50-44 in overtime.
Easton, the defending Stellar runner-up, beat Manheim Central, 31-28.
The boys games were played in Parkland High School due to rain. The girls games were played at Whitehall.
The games will return to Cedar Beach Park on Saturday at 8am.


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UTSA Police Department
Police Memorial Ceremony
The Police Memorial Ceremony was held on May 17th, 2012 to pay respect, Honor, and remember the fallen law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty protecting our counties, city, and borders in the State of Texas. The theme of this year's ceremony was "In Memory of Many, in Honor of All." The national theme was "It is not how these officers died that made them heroes, it is how they lived."
Veterans National Defense Service Award Ceremony
Director Steve McCraw presented 36 Department of Public Safety personnel the National Defense Service Medal who honorably served in the Armed Services during the time of war. They proudly served their country and state.
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Created in 1953, the National Defense Service Medal was intended to be a "blanket campaign medal" awarded to any member of the United States military who served honorably during a designated time period of which a "national emergency" had been declared. As of 2010, with an assuance span of 60 years, the National Defense Service Medal is the oldest service medal still in circulation by the United States armed forces.
Emergency Preparedness at UTSA
By Lorenzo D. Sanchez, MPA (UTSA Director of Emergency Management)
The UTSA Office of Emergency Management would like to remind you of a few simple ways you can engage yourself in emergency preparedness. This time of year is a great time to get everything in order so you and your family can be ready when seconds count!
First things first – prepare an emergency kit! In order to respond to any type of emergency, you are advised to put together an emergency kit for your home, car, and office/workplace. Why is it important to have 3 kits? You never know where you will be when a local emergency happens, and having the essentials to get you through the moment is important to your safety and well-being. Items to include in your kit include, but are not limited to, water/sports drink, snacks, medications, first-aid kit, important documents, change of clothes, flashlight, batteries, cell phone charger, and personal hygiene products. Although this is not an extensive list, these basic items will ensure you have a level of comfort when normal resources are not available. As part of your checklist, include a test of your smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and other safety equipment – replace old batteries or other materials as needed, and mark the date on your checklist.
Next on the path to preparedness is to develop an emergency plan. Preparing a plan ahead of time will assist you during an emergency and lessen the stress of figuring out what to do and who to contact. Your plan should include emergency contact information, phone numbers of family members and emergency services, important personal information for emergency responders (medical allergies, doctors, etc), and other basic preparedness information. Much like an emergency kit, a plan should be developed and stored at home, at work, and a brief plan/card in your wallet. A good resource to easily develop a plan is to visit the Texas Prepares website www.texasprepares.org.
Lastly, stay informed! Know the hazards that surround you at all times, and learn about how you can respond to different types of emergencies. For certain types of emergencies, such as severe weather, there is time to gather information and act appropriately. But, as is the nature of the beast, emergencies can jump out at you without warning. Therefore, listen to the news, monitor weather conditions, research local threats, and most importantly, share this information with your family, friends, and coworkers. Knowledge is the core of emergency preparedness – don't be scared, empower yourself!
Together, we can build and sustain a safe campus community. The UTSA Office of Emergency Management is committed to providing quality and accurate preparedness information to our campus family, and we hope you take steps to ensure your personal and family preparedness needs.
For more information on emergency preparedness, visit the Campus Alerts website at alerts.utsa.edu or call OEM at (210) 458-6851. Be prepared UTSA!


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Top Definition
A word used to define a 'sneaky' or 'clever' trick or physical attribute some one can do. From the the Xbox 360 controller's right bumper making your character do some amazing trick in a video game.
Man: Dude I just kicked this drunk Chuck Norris style!
Man2: Cool, that IS totally right bumper man!
Man2: Cool, that IS totally right bumper man!
লিখেছেন- Philyo1 28 de জানুয়ারি de 2010
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?


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The penultimate episode of "True Detective" began like so many scenes in the series, with the image of a flat circle -- this time a jukebox 45 -- reminding us that what comes around goes around and that the end (or is it the beginning?) is near.
The sense of impending dread that's been building since we saw that blazing cane field seven weeks ago is reaching its fevered crescendo and neither Marty Hart nor Rust Cohle are behaving like they expect to get out alive.
When an addled witness with Carcosa ties tells the pair "death is not the end," Cohle seems genuinely crestfallen, confiding later, "I hope that's not true."
"Time has its way with us all," Hart says at one point, sounding eerily like his pessimistic ex-partner.
And with time running out on "True Detective," the answers are becoming more plentiful. We learned in "After You've Gone" that the Tuttle family is almost certainly connected to a string or ritualistic murders stretching back decades (and maybe centuries), perhaps rooted in some sort of bastardization of Mardi Gras lore. We learned that the missing Marie Fontenot was likely one of the victims of those murders. We learned (to the surprise of absolutely no one, we might add) that the "green eared spaghetti monster" and "man with the scars" are one in the same and both are Errol Childress, the lawnmower man we met briefly in Episode 3 outside the school in Pelican Bay. Based on the ramblings of the former Tuttle housekeeper, we learned Errol is a grandchild of the Tuttle family (it also seemed like the Ledouxs were part of Sam Tuttle's virgin-scattered bloodline). Cohle contends he did not murder Billy Lee Tuttle in 2010, but speculates other members of the death cult did after they learned an intruder (Cohle, in full ninja attire) made off with evidence of the human sacrifice of Marie Fontenot. There seems to be a lot of speculation today that Errol Childress is also the King in Yellow, and based on the way he was bathed in yellow light in that final scene it's understandable, but we're not sure that's the case. The Carcosa mythology would seem to date back much farther than a single generation.
Yet with all those answers to the show's central mystery, we were reminded again in "After You've Gone" that what drives this haunted show is how that mystery has affected the two haunted main characters. In what might be the finest work yet by Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, we were shown in 10 minutes what's happened to Hart and Cohle over 10 years and given witness to how the evil they've been pursuing (or is it pursuing them?) has destroyed virtually every other part of their lives, leaving just the two bitter old men, the evil and one hour of television remaining.
And to be honest, we don't need many more answers from the "True Detective" finale (while we're sure others might disagree). The mass murder mystery that fueled the series originally has taken a back seat to the looming shadow cast upon the two detectives who've already become victims of the same crime. The only question left to answer is what will become of Hart and Cohle when they face that darkness head on and whether either of them will see the light again.
Quick hits:
+ If there is a big twist in next week's finale, titled "Form and Void" (which is a reference to the second line of the Bible, we'd guess), it likely will be connected to Audrey Hart, her artistic talent and a dark secret she's been carrying for years. Now that we know Audrey has become a painter, the spiral drawing we saw on the wall of the Hart home in 1995 and the duplication of a painting of tulips in the Harts bedroom and the psych ward Cohle visited in 2002 have a lot more context. Now, the question is: Did she inherit that artistic talent from someone else in her family?
+ Everything that comes out of Nic Pizzolatto's mouth when talking about the show leads us to believe that Marty Hart is not involved in the crimes we've witnessed on "True Detective," but every gut instinct we've ever formed watching TV and movies tells us that he is (this week, we're wondering if he might not have some Sam Tuttle blood in him). Maybe that's another case of Pizzolatto turning the usual cop-show pretension on its head. We'll know in a week.
+ We feel like Rust Cohle's death has been foreshadowed in so many ways, from his meditation on "the moment in the garden" to Reggie Ledoux telling him "you're in Carcosa now with me," that it will be more surprising to us if he survives the finale.
+ Something we hope will be addressed in "Form and Void" is why the bodies of Dora Lange and 2012 victim Stephanie Kordish were posed publicly (in Lange's case, a fire was set to ensure the body would be found) while great lengths were taken to conceal other murders.
+ We're also wondering if two other missing women -- Hart's and Cohle's mothers, the first "like Donna Reed" and the second "maybe" alive -- won't have an impact on the finale.
+ Maybe we're giving Pizzolatto and T-Bone Burnett way too much credit, but we don't think it's any accident that there have been several instances recently in "True Detective" where music that had not been recorded yet in series time is playing. The first came in "Who Goes There" when Cohle arrives at the biker bar, in a 1995 scene, and the Melvins "A History of Bad Men," recorded in 2006, is blaring. Then, in "Haunted Houses," when Hart is horizontal with Beth, the phone salesgirl, Father John Misty's "Everyman Needs a Companion," recorded in 2012, seems to be playing from a radio or stereo. The internet has been abuzz about these "continuity errors" but they're only errors is you perceive time linearly.
+ Speaking of music, Burnett nailed it (again) in "After You've Gone" with the elegiac "Lungs" by Townes Van Zandt closing out the episode suitably with this line "Fill the sky with screams and cries / Bathed in fiery answers."
Unfinished business and an unsolved murder has left Cohle and Hart as shadows of their former selves in 2012.
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Show off shapely, long legs in one of our fabulous one pieces or tankinis. You'll look incredibly sexy in a flattering one piece swimwear, designed to accentuate all your best features.
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Last modified Sep 17, 2013 12:36 p.m.
Biola has three wireless networks built on Cisco wireless technology. The table below summarizes the networks, their expected use, and the requirements for using them.
|Biola Secure
|Secure encrypted wireless for all students, staff, faculty & alumni
|NetID & password, WPA2 support
|Biola Guest
|Open wireless for guests of the university
|Any wireless capable device
|Biola Othertech (hidden)
|Devices without WPA2 encryption: game consoles, IP phones, etc.
|A qualifying registered device
Biola Secure
The Biola Secure network encrypts all network traffic using WPA2, providing the same security as a wired ethernet port. Wireless configuration is automated using a network setup wizard from XpressConnect. After the setup is complete, your computer, smart phone or tablet will connect to Biola Secure whenever the device is turned on.
Biola Guest
The Biola Guest wireless network provides limited wireless services to on-campus guests without requiring authentication or extra software, similar to most open wireless networks. However, Biola Guest lacks the high level of security and protection of the Biola Secure network.
Biola Guest has these additional limitations:
- Bandwidth limit of 1.5 Mbps
- Restricted access (internet and public Biola sites only)
- Network traffic is not encrypted
- Not available in the Block Apartments or the Biola Professional Building
Biola Othertech
The Biola Othertech wireless network is a hidden, or non-broadcast, network. It requires that qualifying wireless devices have their MAC address registered, and that you type in the name of the network on your device to connect. Qualifying wireless devices are game consoles, ip phones, etc. If the auto-registration page does not recognize a given device the IT Helpdesk can register it manually.
Wireless Coverage Map
The map below shows Biola's current wireless coverage. In 2012-2013, IT completed the wireless coverage of all campus buildings and common spaces, covering Myers Hall, Crowell Music Conservatory, South Campus, Marshburn Hall, Feinberg Hall/Calvary Chapel, the Health Center, Education/Campus Safety modulars, Music in Worship, concluding with the Chase Gymnasium/Fitness Center complex in Summer 2013.
In 2013-2014, wireless upgrades will continue as IT works to cover outdoor thoroughfares. Additionally, over 200 access points will go into campus buildings, replacing older units and enhancing buildings with weaker signal. These improvements will happen in
- Hope Hall
- Rosecrans Apartments
- Sigma Hall
- Stewart Hall
- SUB, Eagles Nest, Common Grounds and Mail Services
- Production Center
- Professional Building
- Soubirou Hall
- Central Receiving/Warehouse
- McNally 90
- Music in Worship building
- Philosophy House


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A new study examined ways to interpret data on electronic medical records to best address patient safety concerns.
The federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality previously developed a set of 20 measures, known as patient safety indicators, that use administrative data to screen for potentially adverse events that occur during hospitalization, according to background information in the article.
"Currently most automated methods to identify patient safety occurrences rely on administrative data codes," the authors wrote in the Aug. 24/31 issue of JAMA. "However, free-text searches of electronic medical records could represent an additional surveillance approach.
"The development of automated approaches, such as natural language processing, that extract specific medical concepts from textual medical documents that do not rely on discharge codes offers a powerful alternative to either unreliable administrative data or labor-intensive, expensive manual chart reviews."
Harvey J. Murff, MD, MPH, of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and colleagues conducted a study to evaluate a language processing-based approach to identify postoperative complications within a multi-hospital healthcare network using the same EMR. The study included 2,974 patients undergoing inpatient surgical procedures at six Veterans Health Administration medical centers from 1999 to 2006.
Among the outcomes measured were postoperative occurrences of acute renal failure requiring dialysis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, sepsis, pneumonia or myocardial infarction identified through medical record review as part of the VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program. The researchers determined the sensitivity and specificity of the natural language processing approach to identify these complications and compared its performance with patient safety indicators that use discharge coding information.
The researchers found that in general, using a natural language processing-based approach had higher sensitivities and lower specificities than did the patient safety indicator.
"The increase in sensitivity of the natural language processing-based approach compared with the patient safety indicator was more than 2-fold for acute renal failure and sepsis and over 12-fold for pneumonia," the authors wrote. "Specificities were 4% to 7% higher with the patient safety indicator method than the natural language processing approach.
"Natural language processing correctly identified 82% of acute renal failure cases compared with 38% for patient safety indicators. Similar results were obtained for venous thromboembolism (59% vs. 46%), pneumonia (64% vs. 5%), sepsis (89% vs. 34%) and postoperative myocardial infarction (91% vs. 89%). Both natural language processing and patient safety indicators were highly specific for these diagnoses."
The authors suggested that a natural language processing-based approach offers several potential advantages over administrative code-based strategies to identify healthcare quality concerns:
"First is the flexibility of the approach to meet the individual institutional needs. Once documents have been processed, different approaches and query strategies to identify a specific outcome can be implemented at a relatively low programming effort using standard database query applications.
"Second, as opposed to administrative codes, search strategies using daily progress notes, microbiology reports or imaging reports could be monitored on a prospective basis. Thus, this approach could potentially identify complications while a patient is still in the hospital, which could greatly facilitate real-time quality assurance processes.
"Finally, in systems with highly integrated EMRs, prospective surveillance could be extended to the outpatient setting for individuals remaining with the healthcare system."
To view the study data, visit http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/8/848.short.


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THE nondescript building housing the South African Public Investment Corporation (PIC) in a business park in Pretoria gives little indication of its power. Yet from his office inside it, Elias Masilela controls nearly $150bn (R1.6-trillion) that he is increasingly channelling into investments across Africa.
When the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, a US-based consultancy, published a list of the world's "most significant and impactful public investor executives" last year, the usual names filled the top rankings. Sandwiched between the heads of sovereign wealth funds from oil-rich Norway and Abu Dhabi were the heads of Chinese and Kuwaiti state-owned funds. But there was one standout: Elias Masilela. The chief executive of the PIC ranked 14 out of 100.
The corporation's ascendancy marked the rapid rise of an entity that for most of its 103-year history was little known outside South Africa. But it has become Africa's largest asset manager and can match the fire-power of the best-known Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds.
Mr Masilela bristles at the state-owned PIC being lumped into the sovereign wealth funds category, saying that it is a pension fund manager for public employees rather than a classic sovereign vehicle funded by state surpluses. Instead, the South African corporation bears a closer resemblance to the big public pension funds in the US, including the giant California Public Employees' Retirement System.
But, unlike its US peers, which are seen as unambiguously private enterprises managing public pension money, the PIC at times struggles to shed the perception that political considerations as much as financial ones guide its investment decisions. Until recently, there was little interest in the PIC outside South Africa, because it invested all its money locally. But it is now flexing its muscles abroad. The change in focus is being closely watched by other asset managers, bankers and companies.
"They are seeing the sub-Saharan African region as a big target," said Amadou Sy, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, a think-tank in Washington DC. "Africa is suitable for patient money; they have a long-term horizon."
The new strategy is making a powerful impact in the region: its acquisition of a 1.5% stake in Dangote Cement for $289m was the single biggest deal registered on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2013.
As the PIC expands its footprint in sub-Saharan Africa, the fund will need to be particularly sensitive to the country's mixed image across the continent, where some South African companies have earned a tag for arrogance. The challenges mean it is taking a gradual approach on its foreign journey, following a 2010 decision to alter its mandate to invest up to 10% of its assets outside South Africa. Half of that $15bn is being spread across global equities and bonds with the help of asset managers such as BlackRock. But it is with the other half that the PIC intends to get its hands dirty.
The size of the investment vehicle, which has nearly doubled over the past five years and in 2013 posted nearly 20% growth, means that any acquisition in Africa is likely to have a ripple effect, as was the case with the stake in Dangote Cement. So far, the push beyond its borders has been modest. Masilela said the fund had invested "about 6.5% to 7%" of its assets offshore — far below the foreign investment levels of other public pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.
But over time the offshore target may grow. "We have a huge appetite for the continent," said Mr Masilela. The PIC is following in sub-Saharan Africa a trail already blazed by South African businesses such as Shoprite, MTN and Standard Bank. South African companies have amassed $18bn in assets in the region with investments in mining, telecommunications, retail and banking.
Two pillars support the push into Africa. First, spreading the risks because the managers are aware that the fund is concentrated at home. Second, benefiting from African peers' strong economic performance during a period some have dubbed "Africa Rising".
But there is another element: the notion that fostering stronger economic growth through investments across the sub-Saharan region ultimately benefits South Africa and its companies. "Our view is that if we invest properly and grow African markets, we will be generating new business for South Africa Inc," said Mr Masilela.
Herein lies one of the vital factors that sets the PIC apart from public pension fund managers in the US and makes it more closely related to state-owned investment vehicles such as sovereign wealth funds: an emphasis on economic development. On one hand it is charged with managing the Government Employees Pension Fund, which accounts for about 90% of its assets. On the other, the PIC has a mandate to contribute to economic development as the South African government seeks to redress the huge economic imbalances created by apartheid.
In fulfilling this latter part of its mandate, the PIC has invested heavily in infrastructure. It is the biggest investor in South Africa's road network and has poured funds into shopping malls, affordable housing, power and health. Mr Masilela promises to pursue a similar strategy as the PIC gradually builds up its exposure north of South Africa's borders with one eye on returns and another on the continents's development.
"For us, going into the rest of the continent is not driven by what your traditional asset manager would be looking for," he said. "We're driven by our ability to help grow African markets."
As their domestic economy stumbles along, hampered by labour issues, policy uncertainty and rising costs, South African companies are leading the charge of foreign groups investing in Africa. Whereas South Africa grew by about 2% in 2013, the continent enjoyed expansion of 5%, according to the IMF, — and the PIC is eager to play an integral part in that development. So far, it has splashed out $250m for a 20% stake in Ecobank, a pan-African group with operations in 34 countries. As well as its investment in Dangote, it paid R2.4bn for a majority stake in Tanga Cement, a Tanzanian company. "We think cement is going to be the next gold in Africa," said Mr Masilela. "You develop airports, you develop pipelines, you develop telecommunications, you develop dams, you develop rail, you develop road. Which of these does not include cement?"
It is a long way from the PIC's humble roots, which it traces back to the 1911 establishment of a "Public Debt Commissioner". Its mandate was to manage trust funds placed in the care of the government. During the decades of apartheid, its role was largely confined to funding government budget deficits by buying sovereign debt.
It first began acquiring equities in the mid-1990s. In 2003, they accounted for 32% of its assets. Last year, the share of equities grew to 45%. By contrast, the proportion of the assets invested in fixed income securities such as government bonds has dropped from 51% in 2003 to 35% last year.
Its shift towards equities has given the PIC a more powerful voice in South African corporate circles. It is difficult for investors to avoid the PIC's presence because the fund manager is a top shareholder in virtually every listed South African company. The PIC has raised eyebrows at home: its activist stance has sparked controversy and, in some instances, its decision-making and motives have been questioned. "They hold themselves out to be independent, but there is scepticism as to whether they are truly independent of government," said a senior South African executive. "I don't think they are a completely neutral, commercially objective institutional fund manager that acts completely independently of policy trends in the country."
Brian Molefe, Mr Masilela's predecessor, won a reputation for using the PIC as a platform to chastise South African companies for the slow pace of racial transformation. Investors can be sure that the PIC will not be afraid to stand up for what it deems is in the best interests of the country.
It is a view with which former Anglo American head Cynthia Carroll would probably concur. Few have felt the PIC's wrath so publicly. When she announced her resignation under investor pressure in 2012, the PIC, the mining company's largest single shareholder, took the opportunity to deliver a public and withering critique of Ms Carroll's performance.
More recently, it courted controversy with opposition to an attempt by CFR Pharmaceuticals, a Chilean group, to buy Adcock Ingram, a struggling South African firm, for R12.8bn — helping to scupper the deal.
In the middle of a bitter battle, CFR placed an advert in the local press in which Alejandro Weinstein, its chief executive, complained that the "criticisms levelled at our offer by the PIC have little to do with the commercial merits and are instead intended to allow a local buyer to succeed over a foreign buyer".
Proponents of the acquisition said the PIC's resistance sent out a dangerous message to other potential foreign investors. The PIC countered that it supported foreign investment as long as it has "predictable long-term benefits for the South African economy", citing as examples Barclays's acquisition of Absa and Walmart's deal to buy a majority stake in Massmart, a South African retailer.
CFR dropped its bid this month after a local rival, Bidvest — in which the PIC has a large holding — secured more than a third of Adcock's shares.
The controversy was not the first time the fund's actions have come under scrutiny. A decade ago, the PIC was forced to defend its role in the acquisition of a stake in Telkom in a deal that benefited Elephant Consortium, a group that included politically connected people. "Their decision-making is not always transparent and it's not obvious," another executive said.
What is clear is that any foreign firm looking to do business in the South African corporate sector — and increasingly in the rest of Africa — would ignore the PIC at its peril.
The PIC may be the largest state-owned investment vehicle on the continent, but it is not alone. More and more African countries are creating their own public pension fund schemes and setting up new sovereign wealth funds.
"This is a huge development of the [African] economy," said Diana Layfield, chief executive for Africa at Standard Chartered.
The biggest trend in Africa remains the launch of new sovereign wealth funds, including vehicles in Nigeria, Ghana and Angola. The largest funds are in North Africa. The Revenue Regulation Fund of Algeria has $77bn in assets and the Libyan Investment Authority has $65bn under management. In sub-Saharan Africa, the largest is the Pula Fund of Botswana with almost $7bn in assets, which the country's central bank handles with the help of eight external managers.
Over the past three years, oil producers Angola, Nigeria and Ghana have established sovereign wealth funds, managing $5bn, $1bn and $100m respectively. Others are likely to follow suit, according to Mthuli Ncube, chief economist at the African Development Bank.
"Recent big oil and gas discoveries in East and West Africa are likely to give new opportunities for more African sovereign wealth funds in the mid term," he said in a recent report.
© The Financial Times
• This article was first published in Sunday Times: Business Times


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Player of the Game
Shin-Soo Choo burst out against the Angels tonight winning the 'Player of the Game' award with two hits including a two run double to take the lead. Choo had been slumping of late, earning negative 'POG' scores in 4 of his last 6 games. Carlos Santana, following Choo in the lineup, earned the second highest score tonight by knocking Choo in after he doubled and scoring a run of his own. Choo won his second 'Player of the Game' award with a score of 4.03.
Feathers Up
All it took to make the best pitcher in baseball look human was one dose of the Cleveland Indians. Coming into this game, Jared Weaver led the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts, but that didn't stop the Tribe, who scored more runs against him than any other team this season. All 4 Indians runs were scored against the starter who was only able to pitch 6 innings. The Indians also got 7 hits against Weaver and didn't strike out a single time, both were the best against Jared this season. Its amazing anytime the Indians can go 6 innings without striking out, let alone against the top strikeout pitcher in the league.
Alex White pitched as well in his second start as he did in his first, earning his first career win, while only allowing 3 earned runs in 6 innings. White did allow a few hits, but got one double play and was able to get out of trouble, including keeping any runs from scoring when the Angels hit a triple with one out. White has pitched so well in his first two starts, that he may be able to keep his spot in the rotation when either Carlos Carrasco or Mitch Talbot come back.
The top of the lineup came through for the Tribe as a group for the first time in a week, with the top four hitters accounting for 3 RBI and 4 runs of the 4 runs scored. Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera each walked and scored and both Shin-Soo Choo and Carlos Santana doubled to knock in 2 and 1 run respectively and each then scored. The 5 through 9 hitters have been a strength to this team all season and it is good to see the players who are supposed to be carrying team, carry the team.
Chris 'Pure Rage' Perez earned his 10th save of the season this year in much more impressive fashion than his last few appearances. Perez was forced to pitch 5 of 6 games before having yesterday off and was beginning to look rough in the last 3 of those games. In two of those games Perez allowed 4 singles, 2 walks and 2 runs (both games were with a two run lead so he still earned saves). Today, the Rage was the perfection we have learned to expect from him, slamming down the Angels, three up and three down.
Feathers Down
If you think that the Indians did anything wrong tonight, you are an eternal pessimist. This team is 22-10 and just beat the best pitcher in the American League on one of the best teams in the American League.
Final Score: Cleveland Indians 4, California Angels 3


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Dearly, Beloved: A Zombie Novelby Lia Habel
Can the living coexist with the living dead? That's the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as "The Laz" hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites. Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety. Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren't the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder's crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target. As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora's scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of "The Laz" and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the illness--and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse. Lia Habel's spellbinding, suspenseful sequel to Dearly, Departed takes her imaginative mash-up of period romance, futuristic thriller, and zombie drama to a whole new level of innovative and irresistible storytelling. Praise for Lia Habel's Dearly, Departed "Heart-pounding . . . Nora and Bram's touching and tender relationship, with its emphasis on equality and living in the moment, feels particularly special."--Publishers Weekly "Absolutely spellbinding . . . full of ingenious inventions and dynamic characters."--RT Book Reviews "A zombie romance? You bet."--Library Journal
Dearly, Departed: A Zombie Novelby Lia Habel
A classic romance, suspense thriller, rip-roaring adventure, and macabre comedy all at once,Dearly, Departedredefines the concept of undying love. CAN A PROPER YOUNG VICTORIAN LADY FIND TRUE LOVE IN THE ARMS OF A DASHING ZOMBIE? The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria--a high-tech nation modeled on the mores of an antique era. Sixteen-year-old Nora Dearly is far more interested in her country's political unrest than in silly debutante balls. But the death of her beloved parents leaves Nora at the mercy of a social-climbing aunt who plans to marry off her niece for money. To Nora, no fate could be more horrible--until she's nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. Now she's suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting a fatal virus that raises the dead. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and thoroughly deceased. But like the rest of his special undead unit, Bram has been enabled by luck and modern science to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there's no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire. "Heart-pounding . . . Nora and Bram's touching and tender relationship, with its emphasis on equality and living in the moment, feels particularly special. "--Publishers Weekly "Absolutely spellbinding . . . full of ingenious inventions and dynamic characters. "--RT Book Reviews "A zombie romance? You bet. "--Library Journal
Select your format based upon: 1) how you want to read your book, and 2) compatibility with your reading tool. To learn more about using Bookshare with your device, visit the Help Center.
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- DAISY Audio - Similar to the Daisy 3.0 option above; however, this option uses MP3 files created with our text-to-speech engine that utilizes Ivonas Kendra voice. This format will work with Daisy Audio compatible players such as Victor Reader Stream and Read2Go.


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Thank you for visiting our past auction result archives. If you have an item identical (or similar) to this auction lot, please call, write or contact us to discuss. We will be able to help you.
Lot # 858 (of 1525) < Previous Lot | Next Lot >
Circa 1910 Christy Mathewson & Honus Wagner Art Print
Starting Bid - $500.00, Sold For - $1,392.00
Extremely rare circa 1910 advertising art print featuring one of the most well known baseball images of the era by artist Fletcher Ransom. The painting on this print features a game in progress between the N. Y. Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Polo Grounds, circa 1910. Christy Mathewson is on the mound, Chief Meyers is behind the plate, and Honus Wagner is sliding, attempting to steal home. Umpire Bill Klem, with arm extended and thumb raised, calls him out. The painting from which this art print was reproduced is the work of Fletcher C. Ransom, former illustrator for Harper's Weekly. We have read that Mathewson not only posed for the painting, but cooperated with the artist to make this picture authentic in every detail. This image was reproduced for many uses. We have even seen a jigsaw puzzle with this image dating from the 1910 era. The print advertises "Compliments - Southern Coal & Coke Co. - Knoxville, Tenn." in black overprint lettering in the lower left, and was apparently issued as an advertising premium for special customers. "Fletcher C. Ransom" is signed (preprinted) in the lower left. One very small, slight tear in the lower right corner is virtually undetectable, otherwise in Near Mint condition. Dimensions: 23 x 17.5 inches. Beautifully matted and framed to total dimensions of 33.5 x 27.5 inches. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000/$2,000. SOLD FOR $1,392.00
(Click the smaller thumbnails to the left and right (if any) to cycle through each photo in the gallery of images for this lot.)


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Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The Rich East Scholastic Bowl team finished its regular season Wednesday evening in impressive fashion. The junior varsity team achieved its first victory of the season at the Southland Athletic Conference meet against six other teams. The JV team was led by Sarah Abbott, Nidhi Kansara, Rebeca Dorantes, Krys Bauske and Kat Brown faced tough competition all season. Congratulations JV team!
The varsity team scored the most points of the season last night. The team scored more than 100 points in each of its matches. Team captain Matt Wagener led the entire conference with 39 toss ups answered.
"That is quite an accomplishment," said Rocket head varsity coach Sean Coughlin. "Matt also made scholastic bowl history by yelling 'Yeah, baby' when correctly answering a question. Such enthusiasm is rarely exhibited in regulation game play. It was a very exciting match."
Selena Wilson, Jordyn Hayes, Jordan Allen, Zach Abbott, Jake Henderson and Maya Veal contributed to the Rockets' great night, Coughlin said.


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The case is solved: It's 36-year-old British model Paul Sculfor, and the pair already have been dating for several weeks, PEOPLE reveals in its latest cover story, on newsstands Friday.
"He's a lovely guy," says his friend and former flame, London socialite Lady Victoria Hervey. "A gentleman. Simple things, like opening doors, he does all that. He'll think of the woman before himself."
Sculfor and Aniston were first spotted out together over Memorial Day weekend, when they had an intimate dinner at Santa Monica's One Pico restaurant in the Shutters Hotel. The pair slipped into the beachfront eatery with Sculfor gently rubbing Aniston's back as they waited for a table.
Single since she split from Vince Vaughn last year after more than a year together, Aniston, 38, has taken her time getting back on the dating scene. Sculfor, meanwhile, formerly dated Lisa Snowdon (yes, George Clooney's ex) for two years.
When it comes to relationships, Sculfor, who now lives in Los Angeles and is under contract with New York Model Management, once told Britain's the Mirror: "It's hard keeping a girlfriend in this business – you end up conducting your relationship on the phone."
For more on Sculfor, including details on how he first met Jen and why they hit it off, pick up the latest PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.


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Responding to Bruce Eggler's story "New Orleans City Council votes to close streets in hospital footprint," reader chaispas commented in part:
"So the city has given up its ONE REMAINING POINT OF LEVERAGE. Do y'all not get it? We are a speck on the face of LSU. We had one little bit of power to use to negotiate further concessions in the best interests of the CITY, NOT LSU. But our illustrious, fawning, sycophantic council (with the notable exception of Stacy Head) just gave away the farm. ..."
Join the conversation; reply to chaispas.


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HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 18
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Honorable Steven James
Clerk of the House of Representatives
State House, Room 145
Boston, Massachusetts 02133
January 3, 2011
Dear Mr. James:
[Recommendation Header Text]
1.) An Act relative to retirement board continuing education and stipends
[Recommendation Narrative Text]
[Filer Name]
[Filer Title]
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 18
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
In the Year Two Thousand Eleven
An Act relative to retirement board continuing education and stipends.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Section 1: Section 20 of Chapter 32 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following sub-division:-
(7) During each full term of service retirement board members, including members of retirement boards established pursuant to Chapter 34B, shall be required to undertake eighteen hours of training provided, however, that no less than three hours take place each year and no more than nine hours take place in any single year.
Such training shall consist of nine hours sponsored by the commission which shall include, at a minimum, the topics of fiduciary responsibility, ethical conduct, and conflict-of-interest, and nine hours of training on topics prescribed by the commission provided by the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems or other local, state, regional and national organizations recognized by the commission as having expertise in retirement issues of importance to retirement board members or other entities, as the commission may from time to time determine.
The commission shall arrange for at least eighteen sessions during each year for members to complete this requirement. In addition, the commission shall schedule additional sessions or otherwise make accommodations to insure that members are afforded the maximum opportunity to complete this requirement.
The commission shall provide retirement board with a statement of completion of education form on or before December 31 of each year. The board shall provide the forms to their members. The form shall set forth the training as required by this sub-division the member has undertaken during that year. Board members shall submit the completed form to the commission by January 31 of the year following. The commission shall provide the member with a summary of his or her status regarding the completion of this requirement by March 1 of each year.
Failure to successfully complete the requirements of this sub-division shall prohibit a board member from serving beyond the conclusion of the term in which the failure took place. In the event the non-complying member is an ex officio member or a second member of a board the appointing authority for the second member shall appoint a different individual to serve on the board, provided, however, that in the case of the replacement of an ex officio member the individual shall be experienced in the field of finance or auditing and provided, further, that in regional retirement systems non-complying members shall be replaced in the same manner as is set forth for the selection of said members.
Each retirement board shall notify all prospective board members and board members of the requirement to complete education requirements at the time of receiving information about seeking election to a retirement board, or prior to being appointed to a retirement board.
The commission shall annually notify board members of the requirement to complete continuing education.
The requirements established by this sub-division shall become effective for calendar year 2012.
Section 2: Subdivision (6) of section 20 of said chapter 32, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out paragraph (a) and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-
(a) The elected and appointed members of a city, town, county, regional, district or authority retirement board upon acceptance of the appropriate legislative body shall receive a stipend which shall not be less than $3,000 per year nor exceed $7,500 per year, provided, that the stipend shall be paid from funds under the control of the board as shall be determined by the public employee retirement administration commission; provided further, that the ex-officio member of a city, town, county, district or authority retirement board upon the acceptance of the appropriate legislative body shall receive a stipend of not more than $7,500 per year in the aggregate for services rendered in the active administration of the retirement system. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this paragraph, no individual serving on more than one retirement board shall receive more than $7,500 per annum.


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A friend was doing a cleanout for an A/V installer, and was given a Da-Lite screen assembly, which he passed on to me. It's part number 80317, which, according to a document I found online, is a "Fabric and roller assy., Da-Mat 58" x 104" - 119" diag." It's still shrink wrapped, and doesn't appear to have ever been opened. I assume there's a lot of extra hardware needed to make this usable. Can anybody give me some pointers as to what's involved in making it usable? I'm thinking I'll at least need a motor and some sort of controller.
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A Local Celeb Fave has the Two Must-Have Accessories for 2012
Celeb fave RK has this season's two hottest fashion trends
If there are two accessories Miami gals should invest in this year, it's a harness belt and something with spikes. Fortunately, for locals, New Jersey transplant Rachel Appel's Miami Beach line RK has both looks. Her leather and crocodile skin accessories vary from eye-popping punk for the bold fashionista to tamer versions with just the right amount of detailing for the classic style-setter.
Spotted on the catwalk during the Spring shows at New York Fashion Week, the two hot trends are part of the 90s grunge movement that are definite wardrobe essentials this season. Plus, celebs such as Brooke Shields to Jessica Stroup are fans of Appel's crossbody bags, clutches, belts, cuffs, hobos and yes, harnesses.
"I have always believed that the accessories make the outfit. They are the first thing that people notice and more than likely comment on," said Appel.
RK starts at $125 and is available at The Ritz Carlton, South Beach, Funky Sexy Couture, Soho Beach House and Rebel as well as online at www.rknewyork.com
More Information
Find RK at: Soho Beach House, 4385 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 786.507.7900; Rebel, 6669 Biscayne Blvd Miami; 305 758.2369; The Ritz Carlton,"The Signature Shop" One Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach., 786. 276.4000; Funky Sexy Couture, 901 Pennsylvania Avenue Miami Beach., 305.397.8366
Miami Chic
- Miami Designer Releases Fall Collection
- First Annual Women's Business Makeover Workshop
- MadRag Store Expands to Bird Road
- Miami Salon Offers $5 Blowouts
- Pantene Pops Up in Miami
- Wynwood Fashion Gallery Presents New Exhibit
- Wynwood Fashion Gallery Presents New Exhibit
- Miami Purse Designer Releases Fall Collection
- Save 65 Percent Off Swimwear for Labor Day


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My Journals
In case it seems like I'm droning on,
use these links to hop to something that seems interesting.
Kitchen Sink
Satellite Navigation Guy
Turning Orange
Junior Birdman
Academic Incentive
Surf's Up Home of Flight Test
NASA at Last
Not Johnson? Yoda Real airplane
Kitchen Sink?
No, I don't really work on kitchen sinks. It's just that I've
had lots of different types of jobs as an engineer. You know the
expression, everything but the kitchen sink. I've worked as a Technical
Writer (Flight Manuals), Flight Test Engineer, Instrumentation Engineer,
Telemetry Engineer, Data Communications Engineer, and now Radio Frequency
Satellite Navigation Guy
I work at the NASA
Marshall Space Flight Center which is NASA's Lead Center for Space
Transportation Development. In other words, we're the rocket scientists
designing what will be seen 20 years from now. Some of the different
projects that we'rel working with are the X-33, Bantam-X, and maglev lifter.
You can read about these at the Space Transportation Program office.
My main job is working with Global Positioning
System (GPS) as a navigation means to help launch vehicles and spacecraft
know where they are located. There's no demand for a 500,000 pound
rocket going 2000 miles per hour that doesn't know where it is.
Apollo 11 launching
I remember watching the Apollo launches
on TV when I was growing up. Like most children enamored with the
program, I wanted to be an astronaut working for NASA. Yes, I did think
drinking lots of Tang would help me chances of being selected.
Some of the things I enjoyed playing
with while I was in grade school were legos and erector sets. I
almost always built some kind of vehicle, rather than buildings.
I've also made model airplanes as far back as I can remember. Usually
I made fighter aircraft, not because of what they could shoot, but because
they are always the most maneuverable of their generation. I never
really did get in to radio control airplanes or rockets, but I plan to
with my kids.
infinity and beyond
(?, You can do that in a book)
I remember starting to read Science Fiction
back in the Second Grade, maybe before. I read The Martian Chronicles,
I Robot, The Chronicles of Narnia, Journey to the Center of the Earth,
the 2001, Rama, and Dune series, and John Carter of Mars to name a few.
Group sports were never my thing, but
I did play Evil Knieval with my bicycle jumping ramps and curbs.
In Junior High I got my first motorcycle, a Honda Trail 70 which I rode
for hours on end in the back yard or in the alley. I made my own
track and would ride it over and over, continuously trying to get through
each section faster, or with more finesse.
During high school I wanted to learn
how to make things out of metal. I took almost all of the metal shop (industrial
arts) classes, which I enjoyed, but was never highly skilled at. There
was a computer class, but there was only one computer, and to get in to
the class you had to be in your fourth year of math and in physics.
Junior Birdman
Going to the local Air Force base for the air show was something I
always enjoyed. I did spend some time in the Hutchinson, Kansas
Aviation Explorer's post. We got to go to Vance AFB in Oklahoma
and see the T-37 and T-38 aircraft used for primary and advanced flight
One of my high school teachers had been
a W.W.II Naval Aviator. He taught what was a basically a private
pilot's ground school as an elective. It was one of the few A's
I got in high school.
The summer between my Junior and Senior
year in High School while on vacation touring the US Air Force Academy,
I realized the requirements for being either a fighter pilot or an astronaut
required a lot more math and science than I had taken in high school.
I graduated from high school with little
planning beyond taking some courses at the local college, working at a
grocery store, (street) racing motorcycles and cars, and being a general
Academic Incentive Program
I told my Hutchinson
Community College advisor I wanted to be an aerospace engineer, then
he showed me the math and chemistry classes I would have to take just
to get where most college freshman engineering majors began their classes.
Again, I did not exert myself and did not do well. I became despondent
enough over my challenges that I laid out of classes a semester. I began
working for a convenience store, since I could get full-time hours. After
several scary incidents at this store in the questionable side of town,
I finally realized going to college would help me get a better job.
That summer I got serious about my studies and took nine hours of classes.
An inspiration for my studies was lots
of visits to the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.
After getting my Associate's degree I went to Wichita
State University majoring in Aeronautical Engineering.
Surf's Up (First Engineering Job,
with an office on the beach
I put out over 100 job applications and finally got an offer from
the Navy to be an Electronics Warfare engineer at Point Mugu Pacific Missile
Test Center in Southern California. The government classified me as
an Electronics Engineer. I was there three weeks when I was offered to
work flight test on cruise missiles and reconnaissance Unmanned (now Uninhabited
or Robotic) Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Some of the things I learned there
were aerodynamic performance, the design of remotely piloted and autonomous
vehicles, and satellite navigation. I also learned procedures for testing
that were safe and methodical.
While working at Point Mugu, I fulfilled
a long time dream of taking flying lessons. Most of my time is in Cessna
150's that I flew out of Point Mugu, Camarillo, Oxnard, and my favorite,
Santa Paula. I enjoy old and experimental airplanes which Santa Paula
has in abundance.
To the Home of Flight Test
Since my wife and I decided that she would stay home with our son,
we needed to move to some place that had more economical housing than
the Southern California coast. I found a job at the Air Force Flight Test Center
at Edwards Air Force base in the California desert. Here I worked
as an Instrumentation Engineer on the F-15 Eagle fighter. Here I learned aircraft instrumentation,
telemetry, and programming bizarre computers. This is how the pressure,
temperature, stress, vibration and on-board computer data gets from the
airplane and into someone's hands (computer) to analyze. Due to
radio frequency bandwidth limitations, only some of the data is transmitted
to the ground during the test (real time). Everything else is recorded
on to some type of on board recorder and transferred to a computer after.
The normal recorders when I worked there were 14- and 28-track reel-to-reel
magnetic tape recorders. I was told they cost around $100,000 each.
This is due to the fact that have to be able to work upside down, while
vibrating at 50,000 feet (about 70 degrees below zero Fahrenheit), then
land and soak in the 120 degree sun for 16 hours.
I also learned about the techniques to
secure equipment and wires on-board a vehicle so they don't come lose
and interfere with the safe operation of the plane.
NASA at last!
Thinking of a friend looking for a job, I brought in a job advertisement
to work for NASA Dryden
at Edwards AFB. He showed no interest, but as I read the position
description, I realized that I may qualify and I would finally get to
work for NASA! I got the job as a telemetry engineer (called a Test Information
Engineer TIE at Dryden) working on F-15's, UAVs (haven't we been there
before?) and after some finagling, Dryden's SR-71 Blackbirds. Here the work was the ground
side of what I did on the F-15, receiving and processing flight test telemetry.
There's a lot of work to get a control room ready for 20 engineers to
make safety of flight calls on a one of a kind aircraft.
Edwards AFB is about 60 miles from Death
Valley and does get very hot outside. When I worked on the planes I was
outdoors in the heat. By working with the ground receiving equipment
I worked with the computers that received the data. The computers
were sometimes finicky about the high heat, so they were in nice cool
rooms. I joked with people that was the reason to switch jobs, so
I could be inside from the heat.
Not Johnson?
Next I worked as a data communications engineer for the CTAS project
field site in North Texas. People automatically associate NASA and
Texas with Johnson
Space Flight Center and the astronauts. I learned to just smile
and patiently tell people I worked for NASA Ames Research Center on a joint program with the FAA
at Dallas/Fort Worth airport. Being the busiest airport in the world
(by number of aircraft landing and taking off), most people have had to
wait there one time or another. I often got a response along the
lines of, "good, they need to do something."
Since the field site has only a few people
at it, we all had to do many jobs. The nickname for my function was ODAA
(rhymes with yoda of Star Wars) which stands for Other Duties As Assigned.
This means the boss isn't sure what all it is you're going to have to
do, but they need to have some flexibility to assign you things that pop
up along the way. Most NASA civil servants have this ODAA description
somewhere on the last page of their annual performance review task listings
with something like telemetry data reduction and analysis as their first
main task, where mine had nothing but the ODAA descriptor.
For more details on the CTAS project
try going to the CTAS project home page.
The basic premise is that it's an automation tool for air traffic management.
Dallas/Fort Worth airport is now the busiest airport in the world based
on the number of planes taking off and landing. For this reason,
NASA Ames has established a field site here for research and development
of Air Traffic Management [ATM, not to be confused with Asynchronous Transfer
Mode or Automated Teller Machines ;-) ] with several sites around the
airport for different research data collection. All of these sites need
to share data back and forth with each other and also with off-site locations.
Part of my job was to get these connections made and maintained. As with
most data connections, it's easy when things work as they should. The
real thinking starts when things start looking "funny".
And now you know. . .the rest of the
story ;-)
This biplane is a Stearman, the primary
Army trainer for WWII.
My friends that are fans of vintage airplanes would say,
'Real airplanes have two wings and a round engine.'
Archived Chats with Ken Schrock