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DOE State Energy Program, Advanced Energy Fund, and ARRA Funds
The Energy Loan Fund provides low-cost financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to Ohio-based businesses with less than 500 employees, manufacturers enrolled in the Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers, nonprofits, and public entities. For further information regarding eligibility, please view the Program Guidelines and Application Process.
The typical loan limit is $1 million, but the Ohio Development Services Agency reserves the right to increase these limits on a case-by-case basis.
The applications must demonstrate a minimum 15 percent reduction in energy use 15as a result of the project. Other evaluation criteria include the application's completeness, whether application meets the requirements of applicable state and/or federal funding sources, type of eligible technologies utilized and the extent of energy savings achieved as a result of the project, extent of job creation and improvement in environmental quality as a result of the project, extent of match investment in the project, the project readiness and timeline to complete project by deadline of certain funding sources, applicant's need for financial assistance to complete project, and the advancement of the mission of the Office of Energy.
The pre-application review process takes from 7 to 10 days and a final resopnse should occur within 45 days.
The Energy Loan Fund is managed by the Ohio Development Services Agency. Funding is provided through the Ohio Advanced Energy Fund and the Federal State Energy Program.
For more information visit the program website or read the frequently asked questions.


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17 November 2012 16:04:08
New Site: Fallen Enchantress Nexus Launchedposted by Dark0ne Game NewsI am happy to announce the release of a new Nexus site in to our modding network. Fallen Enchantress Nexus is now open with a number of community made modifications already available.
For those of you who don't know (and I shamefully didn't know until quite recently!), Fallen Enchantress is developed by Stardock of Galactic Civilizations and Sins of a Solar Empire fame. It's a turn-based fantasy strategy RPG. Imagine Civilization strategy meets Heroes of Might and Magic levelling and combat and you'll have a good idea of what this game is like. Frankly, Civilization and Heroes of Might and Magic are two of my favourite games and it's likely I've sunk more time in to them than any of the Elder Scrolls or Fallout games, so when a Nexus member emailed me at the start of the week wondering if a Nexus site might be possible for Fallen Enchantress I was quite disappointed I'd never heard of it before. Having now played it for coming on 10 hours over the past few days I can safely say I really enjoy it, so I jumped on the official forums and got in contact with Stardock honcho "Frogboy" about the possibility of creating a Nexus site for the game. The idea was received well, so now we're here.
Stardock are one of those developers who have always supported their modding communities well. Fallen Enchantress is no different and it has multiple different tools packaged in to the game itself for you to use and share with others. On top of that they have an established and experienced community of modders for their games which makes Fallen Enchantress and the Nexus a perfect fit. If you're like me and have never heard of Fallen Enchantress then you can find out more information from the official site. The game retails for $39.99 (£24.99), so it's not a bank buster either, and it retails on multiple sites including Steam.
I want to thank all the mod authors who have already uploaded their mods to Fallen Enchantress Nexus and I'm hoping we can work together to make the modding scene for Fallen Enchantress as big as possible.

subset: commoncrawl


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Tony @ TEAM Chevy tent at MIS 6/16/2012
So, he comes up on stage and may I just say, the man is doing something right because he looks wonderful. He's certainly slimming down and those blue jeans, um, ya...(see pic below) he was looking good. So he comes up on stage and a certain very intoxicated lady in the front row yells out something to the effect of " Tony, will you go out with me". I think you could hear a collective breath as everyone wondered if we would hear the sarcastic Tony or the collected one. He kinda half laughed - and said something like, "I'm going to be nice and say No ma'am I won't". I'm just laughing because you could tell that was NOT what he wanted to say.
Well, he didn't disappoint. No sooner did the calm Tony surface, the sarcastic, true-to-form Tony quickly took center stage. He proceeded to tell everyone (can't quote exactly because I was sitting there with my mouth open in shock and awe) but he said "I've lived 41 years without a woman in my life. I don't want 50% of everything I've worked my @$$ off for to go to some woman in a divorce. I've got my German Shepherd and all he wants from me is food and that's good enough."
Again, not an exact quote but pretty dang close. I was quoting it on Saturday verbatum but now I'm getting a little foggy with it. It was funny, but than I thought about how much he wants kids and I found it kind of sad too. To have such negative experiences with women and no prospects in sight, I found it really sad for him.
At the same time, on a personal note, he has a much bigger ocean to "fish" in and if he can't find someone what the heck kind of hope do I have in my little tiny backyard pond? That really made his comment humbling to me. I can only hope that with everything that man has accomplished, he gets the one thing he has struggled the most with, and that's having a family of his own. But in the meantime, he sure is a treasure to watch live. You just never know what is going to come out of his mouth.


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Good afternoon,
With most schools about to go into full operations for the fall semester, I would like to extend an official welcome back to everyone. I hope your summer was restful and/or productive.
I would also like to invite each of you to visit the ISBE website as a couple of new features have been added. I notified you last week of the Online Teacher Information Service (OTIS) that administrators and educators may access for certification status. In the first few days of operation, OTIS has already logged more than 800 account visits.
You will also be able to guide parents and teachers to a site with information about Choice. From the ISBE homepage, visitors can follow the NCLB link to a page of information on Choice. This will be evolving within the next week as staff adds more information on this hot topic.
I am also very pleased with the recent results of the SAT and AP tests. Our students' aggregate scores surpassed those of their peers across the country. Only five other states scored higher in aggregate scores. Additionally, the initiatives that the State Board put in place for the AP exam helped increase the number of test takers to more than 69,500. For scores and more on the SAT see our news release.
Today's message contains the following information:
Deadline Approaches For Making Corrections To State Test Data
Please remember that
the firm deadline for accepting corrections to state test data is
The following is an excerpt from instructions you received with your test reports:
"You may correct errors by marking needed changes to the reports. Most mistakes occur because students have been misclassified (e.g., your reports have no students coded as having IEPs). Changes for individual students should be marked on the School Roster. Make copies for your records and return the originals to:
Pearson Educational Measurement
Attention: ISAT (or PSAE or IMAGE) Reporting M/S 160
Writing Assessment Update for All Districts:
Based on recommendations from the Assessment and Accountability Taskforce, the Illinois State Board of Education adopted the following change to be implemented in the Grade 3 Writing Assessment: Starting in the spring of 2004, students will write one expository essay on the Grade 3 ISAT.
Further changes adopted by the Board that are scheduled for implementation in the spring of 2006 include the following: Starting in 2006, Grade 4 students will write one essay in either the expository or persuasive mode. Students in Grades 6 and 8 will write two essays in the expository, persuasive or narrative modes. In the Grade 10 voluntary writing assessment, students will write two essays in the expository, persuasive or narrative modes. Grade 11 students will continue to write one essay in the PSAE from either the persuasive or expository mode. Please share this information with all staff.
FY 2004 Expenditure Reports/Claims Due Spreadsheet
Many state and federal grant programs require financial expenditure reports periodically throughout the school year. In addition, school districts and other local education agencies must file claims for certain state programs such as General State Aid, Special Education Personnel, Pupil Transportation and Driver Education. The Division of Funding and Disbursement Services has updated the list of programs, claims and expenditure report filing dates for FY 2004. A schedule is available by program at http://www.isbe.net/funding/webexpdue.htm or you may check what is due monthly at http://www.isbe.net/funding/duemonthly.htm. If you have fiscal related questions related to these programs, claims or reports please contact the Division of Funding and Disbursement Services at 217/782-5256.
This document is now available online at www.isbe.net/research It is a PDF document and can be found under "What's New and Announcements." Hard copies are not available.
Applications Available for Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program
Primary and secondary educators are eligible to apply
for the Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher program. The grant enables educators to spend
three-weeks in
Certification through Entitlement
Help Your Students Be Real
Prevention First's Be Real campaign has a new website and new prevention planning guide. Designed to supplement and support other drug prevention efforts, Be Real involves parents, youth and faith-based organization leaders, educators and community members in efforts to reach children aged 10-14.
The updated website offers prepared lesson plans that meet Illinois Learning Standards, resources for parents, and plenty of ideas. To learn more visit www.berealteens.com
Madigan: Cut crime with after-school programs
By Daniel Duggan, Staff Writer, Beacon News
A single
mom, the
"Keeping them out of trouble after school is my No. 1 worry," Ceron said.
State and
local officials went out of their way Monday — the first day of school for many
may be learning about social studies and math in the early part of the day, but
in the hours between and they might
be learning how to do drugs or shoplift CDs," Illinois Attorney General Lisa
Madigan said Monday. Madigan was attending an event at an
Elgin Police Chief William Miller said more juvenile offenses take place in the hours after school than any other time of day.
According to a study by the Elgin Police Department of local juvenile offenses in 2001 and 2002, 29 percent took place during the 3 to 6 p.m. period — an average of 52 offenses, compared to 29 offenses in the 6 to 9 p.m. time bracket and 11 in the 9 p.m. to midnight bracket.
"It might be a shock for parents and others who think we see more (juvenile) crime after dark, because that's just not true," he said. "On school days, keeping an eye on youth is critical."
East Dundee Police Chief Joe Pena said children in after-school programs are less likely to start smoking, have sex and try marijuana.
"When we short-change after-school programs, we're cheating ourselves out of one of our most valuable assets," he said.
Madigan was
joined by
The group is working with a national lobbying organization, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, to seek more funding for after-school programs and to get back funding that was taken out of the current budget by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Specifically, the advocates are trying to get funding reinstated for Teen REACH (Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope), a state-funded after-school program.
In July,
Blagojevich issued an amendatory veto to remove $550,000 from the program's $19
million budget, according to Tim Carpenter, director of Fight Crime: Invest in
The cuts
mean some of the 200 Teen REACH programs in the state will lose operating funds,
She said the loss in money might mean fewer staff to work with the 350 kids in the program.
"And that just means we can't be as helpful," she said.
For Ceron, whose two sons are in the Teen REACH program, it's been a way to help make sure they're getting help with their homework and — most importantly — not joining gangs or doing drugs.
"Both of them have grown up so much since being in the program," she said. "They'd be short-changed if the program didn't exist."
From Ed Review
Phi Delta Kappa International and Gallup, Inc., has released its 2003 "Public Attitudes Toward the Public Schools" poll, which documents significant trends in public opinion and explores the latest approaches at school improvement (http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k0309pol.htm). The poll found less than a quarter of the public considers itself well informed about the No Child Left Behind Act, although those that do have a favorable impression (58 percent are very or somewhat favorable). In response to specific provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act, 83 percent believe decisions regarding what is taught should be made at the state level (22 percent) or by the local school board (61 percent), one of the law's four pillars; 45 percent would like tutoring for their struggling child to be provided by an "outside agency," as provided for under the law; and 58 percent believe it is possible to narrow the achievement gap without spending more money than is already being spent to help low-performing students. On the other hand, the public is concerned about using a single test to evaluate whether a school needs improvement (or a student is proficient); emphasizing English and math, exclusively; and expecting special needs students to meet the same standards as other students.
Other findings: (1) local schools continue to be regarded favorably, with 68 percent of public school parents giving the school their oldest child attends either a grade of A or B; (2) nearly six in ten respondents say teacher salaries are too low, and 65 percent believe higher salaries should be paid as an incentive for teaching in schools determined to be in need of improvement; (3) while 61 percent of those surveyed oppose vouchers, respondents are split on the extent to which providing vouchers would improve achievement in community schools. And, given a full-tuition voucher, 62 percent of respondents would choose a private school for their child.
From Ed Review
According to a new report by the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Education Policy, high school exit exams have led to improvements in curriculum and instruction but also to ballooning implementation costs and disproportionately low pass rates for minority, poor, disabled, and limited English proficient students. Among its useful data, "Put to the Test" includes charts showing the characteristics of various exit test regimens and state profiles that detail what the test covers, when it is given, when its "stakes" take effect (and in what form), and what alternatives are available for students. Exit exams are now required in 19 states that educate more than half of all public school students and 55 percent of minority public school students. Five additional states are scheduled to phase-in exit exams over the next five years. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.cep-dc.org/highschoolexit/.
Robert Schiller
State Superintendent
of Education


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August 31st, 2013
Week of Welcome! Six Flags New England Trip!
Start Date: August 31, 2013
End Date: August 31, 2013
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA
Listed in Event Categories: All, Home Page, and Student Activities. Read More
Accelerated Accuplacer Exams
Start Date: August 1, 2013
End Date: August 31, 2013
61 Sever St Worcester, MA 01609
Listed in Event Categories: Accelerated and All. Read More


text:
Her career has produced over 56 million in worldwide album sales, 63 Top 10 hits, a #1 TV sitcom and a stint on Broadway that garnered a Drama Critics Award. McEntire is also the recipient of 15 American Music Awards, nine PeopleŌĆÖs Choice Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards, two Grammys and is one of only four entertainers in history to be honored with a National Artistic Achievement Award by the U.S. Congress. Her hits include ŌĆ£Fancy,ŌĆØ ŌĆ£You Lied,ŌĆØ ŌĆ£For My Broken Heart,ŌĆØ ŌĆ£Keep on Loving YouŌĆØ and ŌĆ£Consider Me Gone.ŌĆØ
www.ticketmaster.com or 800.745.3000.


text:
to page content
to site navigation
Explore the Entrepreneurship.org Resource Center to find resources. Designed with entrepreneurs in mind, our resource center allows you to find materials to grow great ideas.
WiFi is becoming commonplace. But there is danger in not securing your network. Five steps to help: use your corporate network; keep a clean preferred list; enable security on your router; pick a good password; and enable Web-mail security.
Web conferencing and other collaboration technologies -- tools that help people work with one another through their computers -- have become more available and affordable. This is a boon for smaller companies whose only previous collaboration option was to gather workers in a room with coffee, donuts and a whiteboard.
Savvy entrepreneurs realize the key to surviving any crisis is a carefully-crafted disaster-recovery plan. One important item: business-interruption insurance.
This Fortune magazine special section provides a comprehensive view of business software for entrepreneurs interested in using technology to bolster their operations.
This Web site offers a primer on the litigation process, and includes easy-to-understand definitions of standard litigation-related terms.
This article covers how some entrepreneurial growth companies, including Dell and Google, make decisions on building new company facilities in the United States. One challenge is considering the array of regional economic development incentives and local politics when choosing location to expand.
Here are ten ways to boost your customer service ratings and streamline your interaction times. Customer service--you can count on--is they key, according to this former Lands End expert.
Running a growth enterprise may require expanding operations through the acquisition of additional space, new employees, and more equipment. Suggestions and links provided in this article focus on: commercial leases, "nearly new" furniture, payroll services, and much more.
Local, state and federal governmental entities regulate the way in which all enterprises operate. This guide outlines many of the requirements of business startup and expansion, including licensure, taxation, business permits, and legal status.
Inertia acts against the best interests of your business when the market shifts. According to Geoffrey Moore, most business writing about innovation is baloney -- here is his refreshing perspective.
Want to get connected? Sign up to receive regular news, polls and updates from The Kauffman Foundation.
A robust online curriculum for entrepreneurs.
Explore Founders School >
A network of U.S. cities facilitating a weekly entrepreneur education program. Go to 1 Million Cups >
Whether you are starting or growing a company, FastTrac will help you live your dream at each stage.
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text:
Chelford Chicks
Saturday 4th May 2013 at 10.00am This is what time the ride will set off. It's best to get to the starting point at least 15 minutes beforehand to avoid missing the start.
|Cycling time
|Ride distance
|Suitable for
|Distance from me
|Ride level
|300 Mins The actual length of time you'll be riding.
|50 Miles The total mileage of the ride.
|Women only Not all rides are suitable for everyone. This will tell you if the ride is suitable for you and/or your friends and family.
|? Miles
Challenging You don't have to be the next Bradley Wiggins, but you'll need to be fairly fit to take part in Challenging ride. As well as covering a good distance, there may well be a few hills along the way! If you fancy a fresh challenge, these rides are perfect for you.
- Starting Point & Postcode
- Chelford Roundabout, Chelford, SK11 9AH
- Overall Duration On a long ride, it's sometimes good to have a little break in the middle, or maybe a catch up at the beginning or end to keep it sociable. This means that the overall ride duration may be longer than the actual cycling time.
- 6 hours 0 mins (5 hours 0 mins cycling)
Guided Rides Great routes and support from trained leaders
Cheshire East


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Rebuilding Together is joining forces with AARP on a new pilot program to help more homeowners age-in-place.
This pilot program is based off of Rebuilding Together's Safe at Home program, which focuses on providing low-income homeowners with free home modifications and aging-in-place services. Under this new pilot, with support of the AARP, 12 Rebuilding Together affiliates across the country can now serve moderate-income homeowners who live above 60 percent of their area median income. These homeowners, who would usually not meet the financial criteria for Rebuilding Together's free home modification services, can now quality for home repairs based on a sliding payment scale.
The American Occupational Therapy Association also is working with Rebuilding Together on this pilot. Through its national partnership with Rebuilding Together, AOTA will provide insights into prioritizing repairs so that affiliates can ensure their repairs allow recipients to age-in-place in a safe and healthy home.
The proceeds from this fee for service program will go towards providing more low-income families with free home repairs, allowing Rebuilding Together to help a greater number of homeowners.
"AARP is a terrific partner for Rebuilding Together because both organizations are committed to keeping our seniors in safe and healthy housing," said John L. Fiegel, interim president and CEO of Rebuilding Together, in a press release.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the majority of falls happen in or around the home. This makes providing fall prevention home improvements, like grab bars, all the more important. Falls are the most common cause of injury related deaths, nonfatal injuries, and trauma related hospital visits for older adults. These injuries cost the U.S. more than $19 billion a year, a number that will rise as the baby boomer generation ages.
The Rebuilding Together affiliates participating in the pilot are include Chicago. Its nearly 200 local affiliates complete approximately 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of nearly 200,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens.
For more information, visit.www.RebuildingTogether.org.


text:
Growth is good. We'll help you find the right size and type of bike for the developmental stage of your young rider. As your child grows, you'l receive great discounts on future bikes. Rest assured: your child's bike(s) will be properly assembled by a professional Spin Doctor™ mechanic, and covered by The Performance Bicycle® Lifetime Guarantee and Low Price Promise with Free Lifetime Adjustments.
1stKID'S BIKE PURCHASEBe Ready to Ride10% OFF ANY KID'S HELMET
2ndKID'S BIKE PURCHASEBike Price as MarkedLESS 15%
3rdKID'S BIKE PURCHASEBike Price as MarkedLESS 15%
4thKID'S BIKE PURCHASEOR 1ST ADULT BIKE PURCHASEBike Price as MarkedLESS 20%
Staple your original kid's bike receipt to this flyer. When you are ready for your next kid's bike purchase, just bring it to the Performance® store nearest you. Find a Performance Store near you!
View our Kid's Bike Age and Sizing Chart to help you decide which bike is best for your child.
Riding with your kids is a fun adventure. Encourage fun, fitness and safety with our printable Performance Bicycle Kid's Coloring Book [PDF]
Discounts stated above cannot be combined with other coupons or storewide additional percent off sale events. Discount does not apply to sales tax. Valid on in-store kid's bike purchases only. Must present this sheet with previous kid's bike receipts at time of purchase to receive applicable discount.


text:
Westside fire ruled accidentalJuly 16,2013WEST RUTLAND Investigators said the cause of a fire that destroyed a home on Mead Road was accidental and mostly likely due to a failure with a power strip device.
Police said firefighters arrived at the address Sunday afternoon and found heavy smoke and fire coming out from a front window. Damage to the residence was extensive and will most likely result in a total loss.
Police said the owners were not home, though they did lose one cat during the fire.
The state Department of Public Safety said people should remember to use electrical devices including power strips in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.MORE IN This Just InNEWBURY Police said somebody stole booze and change from a Welch Road residence. Full StoryBRATTLEBORO Six people were displaced by an apartment fire on South Main Street Saturday morning. Full StoryPolice: Chase
men also stole
CHELSEA Police say two men involved in a... Full Story
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Water, sewer issues surfacing at Barnesville
BARNESVILLE-Barnesville residents again approached village council with water and sewer issues at Monday night's meeting.
Grace Avenue resident Lisa Burkhart told members that she recently received a water bill for 29,000 gallons in usage when her normal use is less than 4,000. The village determined that there was a problem with the line and addressed it. Her complaint was that her sewer bill matched the usage even though it was obvious that the water didn't go through the system.
Village Administrator Roger Deal and council members explained that the meter system gauges and charges for both at the same time and doesn't allow for an issue such as hers. Department and council policy has been to support that system, but they will be reviewing it to see if adjustments can be made.
Another resident is having a problem with waste water in her yard. One area was repaired a few years ago, but there is a new issue with washing machine water pooling from an unknown source. Council members and Deal have looked into it, but will revisit the area to try to pinpoint the problem.
Deal noted that the Bethesda Street sewer issue discussed at the last meeting has now been referred to the EPA by the health department after he wrote a letter reiterating council's position of not forcing residents outside the limits to hook into city sewers.
Residents near the intersection of Watt Avenue and High Street can expect three stop signs to calm traffic and increase safety for children playing and people walking. Council discussed the issue, and Police Chief Dave Norris agreed that the area could be dangerous. Members passed Ordinance 3616, approving three stop signs at that location.
Councilman Dale Bunting brought up another traffic issue created by large vehicles trying to make turns. The heavy trucks are disintegrating the curbs and coming closer to sidewalks and residents' lawns, especially at the intersection of State Routes 800 and 149. Deal will contact ODOT to see if something can be done before their paving project slated for next year.
Council voted to continue with the Health Plan for employee insurance next year. Though the rates have increased 20 percent, they were comparable to rates from other plans. They did not vote on adding vision insurance to the benefits package. Councilman Brad Hudson suggested that if the town were to spend more money on insurance, it would be to pay more of the health insurance costs. They will make a decision at a later meeting.
Members also tabled the decision on investments, particularly the gas and oil lease funds. "There is no one out there who can offer us something that will make a lot of money," Village Solicitor Marlin Harper explained. "We're not going to hire an investment counselor at this time. We should just go with the banks that offer the best rates."
Council discussed bank security for the sizable amount of money and decided to continue consideration the matter at a later meeting.
Bunting presented a check to council in the amount of $1,250 from Dale Landfield, organizer of the recent annual 5K race on the trail. He donates proceeds from the race each year and asked that half of this year's money be spent on the trail and half be spent for a children's event. Council expressed their thanks for the donation.
A committee reviewing the Request for Qualifications for a sewer line feasibility study and design scored ADR Engineering of Newark the highest. They will be conducting the study for the Eastern Ohio Regional Industrial Park north of Barnesville. Deal added that a funding application for a Slope Creek water line and a water line extension to Interstate 70 along SR 800 received draft approval for a 2 percent EPA loan, but not a grant.
Chief Norris thanked Artworks of Barnesville for their donation of lettering and wraps to the new police vehicle.
A public hearing on Barnesville's 2014 budget will be held Monday, July 8, 2013 at 11 a.m. in Council Chambers. Copies of the draft budget will be available for review, and the public can ask questions and comment at that time.
Barnesville Village Council meetings are held every other Monday at 7 p.m.
Valenti can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Hi guys. I am a long time Knick fan and this is my FIRST post.
I think now, that we got rid of the worst coach in the entire NBA, the whole attitude has changed. And i mean teams, fans and even medias.
It was a no brainer to make that change, and i wish it was done sooner.
Here is what i think about our chances.
I think we are going to make playoffs for sure. Ideally , 5th spot would be great, to avoid teams like Miami, Chicago and Orlando, but honestly, if we continue to play with defensive intensity like knicks demonstrated in last 3 games, we can beat everyone in the east but Heat.
This team is deepest in the league, great frontcourt, decent backcourt, great bench, with a lethal shooter in Novak.
We might even beat Miami, because our frontcourt is a lot better, our bench is longer and a much better. We will see, but i am very optimistic right now.


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Authorities say a 12-year-old boy has been rescued from the swollen Wapsipinicon River in eastern Iowa.
The Linn County Sheriff's Office says deputies were sent to a rural spot northwest of Central City about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The boy had waded into the river, but the high way and swift current prevented his return to dry land.
The deputies determined that a boat was needed to help the boy, so a county conservation resource officer responded with one. The boy soon was plucked from the river and taken to safety.
The sheriff's office says he wasn't injured.


text:
October 13, 2005
Classified Staff Council of Bluefield State College Minutes
Classified Staff Council of Bluefield State College Minutes
October 13, 2005
Members Present: Rick Akers, Carol Baldwin, James Crenshaw, Kim Daniels, Daniel "Frosty" Frost, Tracie Goss, Fred Hardee, Lisa Neel, Jeff Noe, Michele Noe, and Joanna Thompson.
Visitors Present: David Lord.
Chair, Carol Baldwin called the meeting to order at 1:00 in the Private Dining Room in the Student Center.
I. Minutes - A motion to accept the meeting minutes from the September 8, 2005 regular meeting with changes was made and seconded by Noe/Hardee, all were in favor. A motion to accept the meeting minutes from the September 27, 2005 special meeting with changes was also made and seconded by Neel/Hardee, all were in favor.
II. Old Business
A. Picnic and shirts-Carol stated that the picnic went very well and thanked everyone for participating and supporting the efforts. She said we will try to plan another event in the spring. She still has a lot of shirts left. If you know of anyone who has not picked theirs up, ask them to please do so.
B. Pay Raises-Carol reminded everyone of the results of the special meeting called in September.
C. Sexual Harrassment Guidelines and Hiring Procedures and Guidelines-These issues were tabled at a previous meeting because most members believed that they had been discussed and approved at a previous meeting. Carol stated that she had talked to Peggy Turnbull (previous Staff Council Chair) who confirmed that this was the case. No further discussion was necessary.
D. Change to Job Advertisement for position requirements-Because David Lord (the new BSC Human Resources Director) was present, he addressed this issue. He stated that he wants to form a committee to revamp policy and this would be a good discussion point to be addressed by that committee. He has asked Classified Staff Council to name 2 members for this committee.
III. New Business
A. David Lord-Mr. Lord began by explaining that he understood that many of the current policies need reviewing. He is currently working to put together a committee to review and make recommendations on some policies. He is also planning many training and development opportunities. David said he would be planning workshops that would not only be available in group settings, but also hoped to offer materials in alternate formats for continued use. Some of the topics he is looking at include Microsoft certification, I-9 training, fire extinguisher use, negaholics, customer service (different format than Connections), telephone etiquette, burnout, performance management, CPR, and the roll of staff in student retention. He asked if anyone had any other suggestions, they let him know.
B. 4-Day week-After much discussion about the topic, motion to make a recommendation that administration consider a year round flexible work schedule for all employees of BSC was made and seconded by Akers/Hardee, all were in favor. David Lord said
that since he was a member of the Presidents cabinet, he would be glad to present this recommendation to the cabinet.
IV. Reports
A. Board of Governors-Frosty reported that there has been a legislative committee formed to address the shortcomings in state funding to BSC. The committee met with Dr. Beasley of Concord and everyone agreed to contact the local legislators to present the data that has been collected demonstrating these shortcomings. He also stated that no new members have been appointed to replace the BOG members whose terms ran out in July.
B. Personnel Development-Lisa stated that they have approved requests via email but there has not been a meeting to report on.
C. ACCE-Fred said that because he had jury duty, he was not able to attend the recent ACCE meeting. He was told that the scheduled HEPC meeting had been postponed. ACCE is working to compile information on classified staff raises that will be given at all colleges and hopes to have that information within a week.
D. Flower Fund-Anita was not able to attend the meeting but sent report to Carol that the current balance in the flower fund is $528.77 with one outstanding invoice.
E. Holiday Lights Committee-Michele stated that she had recently contacted Blain Braithwait with the South Bluefield Neighborhood Association to see if he might be interested in collaborating on this project. Mr. Braithwait explained that the Merchants Association had a Community Christmas Tree last year on Bland Street and thought they might be planning another one this year. He said he would be talking to the President of that association that day and would ask if they might be interested in collaborating. Michele said that because the idea behind the initiative was to try to promote campus/community relations, and because the tree that the merchants assoc. has is on Bland Street, that she did not feel this was the route that should be taken. She will wait to hear back from Mr. Braithwait on the matter.
F. Social/Activities Committee-Carol reported in Joan's absence that once the new semester begins, they will be trying to plan some sort of spring activity.
G. Wellness Committee-Lisa reported that at this time there were only 12 people signed up for the health screening. Roy said that the lady from Pathways would be emailing information about the walking program to him and he would be distributing it in November. Lisa also wanted to make everyone aware that PEIA will pay for up to 20 sessions of message therapy when prescribed by a physician.
Other-The question was raised why we are seeing so many ads on television for other colleges and none for BSC. Motion to recommend that Media Relations produce more television ads to run on local stations to recruit students for BSC was made and seconded by Daniels/Goss, all were in favor.
V. Next meeting/Adjournment
The next meeting will be Thursday, November 10, 2005 on the second floor of the Library.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by Carol.
Minutes submitted by Michele Noe


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I making a restuarant site and need order online but order need to send by fax to the restuarant. Please help!
I use php program build this restuarant site.
by jimmybigicq » Fri Nov 12, 2010 10:32 am
by mcloren » Thu Jan 10, 2013 3:01 pm
Address: 388-A , Road no 22, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad AP, INDIA-500033
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I only nursed my DD for 6 weeks (now a healthy 5 yr old) and always felt a little guilty. So, I was really excited when nursing started out well with my 14 week old son. However, he is now losing weight and the Dr. wants to see him this week and possibly have us supplement or switch to formula if he continues to lose or does not gain.
His weight has always been kind of sporadic. He was:
Birth - 9 lbs 15 oz
Discharge (5 days) - 9 lbs 10 oz
7 days - 10 lbs
4 weeks - 14 lbs (Dr weighs with clothes on)
8 weeks - 15 lbs 2 oz
9 weeks - 15 lbs 2 oz (sick for 8 week so return at 9 for shots)
12 weeks - 15 lbs 14 oz
13 weeks - 14 lbs 12 oz
I nursed exclusively for the first 6 weeks, then added 1 or 2 bottles of BM a day to get him ready for me to return to work. At 9 weeks, I returned to work PT (3 days a week) and return FT in 3 weeks. When I am at work (8.5 hours away from baby) he takes about 16 ounces of BM in a bottle (4 - 6 ounces at a time), but I am only able to pump about 8 ounces total (3 sessions). I also get up an hour before him and pump about 7 ouncees, and pump between feedings on my days off, but never get more than an ounce or 2 at those times. He had been doing well, seemed content after feedings, and was sleeping well. In the last few weeks, he hasn't seemed as content, and a few times, I have had to give him 3 or so ounces of BM in a bottle after nursing for 30 - 40 mins because he is still very hungry. He has at least 6 wet diapers a day and stools every 1 - 2 days. On my days off, I nurse exclusively, and he eats every 2 - 3 hours (at least 7 - 8 times a day).
Before I was pregnant, I had hypothyroidism, which was controlled with medication. About 2 weeks ago, blood work showed it had changed to slightly hyper. My dose has been adjusted to try to regulate again (same thing happened with first child - took about 6 months to get it within range again).
Not sure what is going on, but I really wanted to make sure DS got BM exclusively for longer than 3 months! He has had formula occassionally (when my husband has him out and forgets to bring a bottle of BM - less than 1x/week), and I don't really want to increase that right now. I would love to stay home with him so I can nurse exclusively and (hopefully) increase my supply with rest and frequent feedings, but that is not possible. Any suggestions would be great - I am exhausted from nursing, pumping, and working!


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Product Description
Simple math says it is good to be a fisherman. The earth's surface is more than 70% water and, lo and behold, fish live in water. So do not shy away from any opportunities, oh courageous explorer – urban, suburban, rural and otherwise. No doubt an Imperial® fly rod is ready for whatever you intrepid explorers can uncover. Dressed out in an uncompromisingly gorgeous gloss burgundy blank, its dynamic blend of high-modulus / high-strain SCIV graphite and premium-quality SCII graphite for light weight and fast action just cries out to fish everything you can find. And at this price, it's no wonder these rods are so popular with all types of adventurous anglers.
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- Premium-grade cork handle.
- Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.
- Rugged rod case with handle and divided polypropylene liner.
- Lifetime limited warranty backed by
St. Croix Superstar Service.


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Noir Cropped Skinny Jean
Style: 570076989
Out of Stock
Faux front pockets keep this super slim fit clean and lean. 83% Cotton, 16% Polyester, 1% Spandex. Machine wash, cold; tumble dry low. Imported.
- Noir. Our straight fit. Straight through the hip and thigh, features a low rise, and sits lower on the waist.
- Slim cropped leg.
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- Front zip with logo shank button. Rhinestone rivet on coin pocket. Real pockets in back and logo plaque. Soft goldtone hardware.
- "Feel beautiful" message inside the waistband.
- Inseam: 24".
Read more… Read less…


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4 Reviews
Taking something great and making it greater-er.
- Simple mechanical bubble design on the front of the lamp lets you convert the unit from headlamp to lantern in nanoseconds
- Integrated hook lets you hang the headlamp from the canopy of virtually any backpacking tent to create ambient light
- High-power, 80-lumen bulb delivers plenty of directional brightness when used in headlamp mode
- Variable dim mode lets you adjust the lighting output to as little as two lumens to save battery power and for use as a night light
- Item #SNO0109
Tech Specs
Tech Specs
- Reviews
What do you think about this product?
Have questions about this product?
This this is great!! I've never seen something like this before, I didn't read the summery before I bought it, because it was a gift for my brother and, when i first pulled it out of the package i couldn't figure out why the cover case was soft and squishy!! When i put in the battery and turned it on i was amazed when i saw this thing could be a directional light and a lantern!! This is the coolest thing I've seen, and i am going to be buying one for myself!!
Love the dual purpose headlamp
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
Being able to switch it lantern mode is awesome. I don't carry a lantern backpacking due to it not being worth the weight, but it's great to have the headlamp take on the role. I love my petzl zipka, but this is really nice too and worth the $ imo. I would buy more of these as gifts for hiking buddies or for anyone who could use a good headlamp. Snow peak has some really innovative designs and this is one of them.
lantern style.
big winner.
press on.
Weekend on the Appalachian Trail
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
I was pleased with this lamp. The configuration is a little large, so wearing it felt awkward at times, and I had to wear it high on my forehead, but the headband is very comfortable. The housing has a hinge on it and I had to angle the light to work in my field of vision while walking. When hanging a bear bag, mine was the only headlamp that provided enough illumination to see up to the higher tree branches (of course if we hadn't walked so far, we wouldn't have had to use it in the dark). In the 'Lantern' mode, it provided plenty of illumination in the tent for reading and other miscellaneous tasks in the dark.
Bottom line: I would buy it again.
Boy did I really want to like this headlamp. Just about everything Snow Peak does is extremely well thought out. Well, this is- almost. I used this for a weekend backpacking trip and was pretty underwhelmed.
A fundamental problem is that the light is very diffuse, especially on the high setting. You get a halo ring right from the light since the silicone throws the light which, for me at least, caused a light blindness almost. I sure couldn't tell it was 80 lumens since the halo comes into your visual periphery. This is caused by the lack of an effective underside light-deflector combined that the light housing extends further than most headlamps. This makes trail walking at night more tenuous than it needs to be.
As others have mentioned elsewhere, the silicone cover is dust magnet, although it cleans off easy enough. The hook isn't noticeable wearing. The option to power down the lumens is a nice touch. Popping out the 'lantern' is nice and does work great for tent reading, etc.
I will say however for car camping, this might be fine. Even then though, why wouldn't you bring a lantern if you weren't concerned about weight? Perhaps to have a two-in-one gadget- but this just isn't worth it for me. The Petzl Tikka XP 2 seems a better option at the same price point- you get longer battery, plus the ever helpful (for your tent-mates) red light.
Hopefully Snow Peak will go back to the drawing board and improve this. You can see they are on the right track- still a good ways off still though. First thing I've ever had to return to BC- hoping it's easy!
Just my two cents.
I'm with ya. I wanted to like it but I agree the halo comes into your visual periphery. I went back to me Petzl.
How wide a range of light is thrown by...
How wide a range of light is thrown by this bulb? If you were reading a newspaper with it, how wide a display of light would be available on the page.
It is a pretty wide range. You should be able to read the full page width and about 3/4's of a full page down. Even with that spread, it is an incredibly bright light when on the focused setting. When the lens is away from the bulb, it lit up my whole, 3-man, tent with no problem.


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I am using the Drag and Drop functionality of script.aculo.us scripts.
It all works fine, but I need a minor change, when I drop an image in the drop box, the image gets aligned to exactly top/left corner of drop box. How can I change this?
for example I want the dropped image be positions at x=10px, y=10px of drop box, how can I do that?


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The Filibuster
What would it take for you two to switch caps for a day? Would Allen
ever wear a Cards jersey? Would Jeffy ever not insult the Detroit
Tigers? Is it an impossibility?
Impossible is a big word. It's like when people tell you to never say never. However, in this case, it's pretty unlikely. See, the thing is that it's not even so much about the Cards and Tigers' rivalry because, let's be honest, since they play in different leagues and have only met a few times in the Series, it's hard to really call them rivals. It's like Batman fighting Lex Luthor. Yeah, I can understand why they wouldn't like each other but there's just not that same enmity. Batman against the Joker? That feels right.
No, this isn't about the rivalry between fans of two baseball teams, it's a rivalry between two different ideologies. Jeff comes from the old school, where the pitcher hits (or doesn't, as is usually the case) while I have fully embraced the balls out style of play in the American League. Does this mean that I don't appreciate an old-fashioned pitcher's duel or that Jeff doesn't jump up and down when someone crushes the ball out of the park? No. But it does mean that when it comes right down to it, we have a fundamental disagreement about what is good for the game. Jeff would like to see all the players still wearing wool. Me, I'm a fan of synthetics that wick sweat away. Is one of us right and one of us wrong because of this?
But here's a modest proposal for my friend. Next month the Tigers and Cardinals play an interleague series in St. Louis on the 16th, 17th and 18th of June. Despite the fact that I'm giving up homefield advantage, I'm willing to agree to the following bet.
Whoever's team wins that series and thereby illustrates the dominance of their respective league gets to make the other person wear an article of the winning team's paraphanelia for an entire weekday and then write a post about the experience, praising the winning team's superior play and including photos from their day at the office. I have faith in my Tigers.
What do you say, Mr. Lung? You game?
7 Comments
Oh this is fun. I hope Jeff accepts.
And even though my favorite baseball team is an AL team I was still raised an NL fan and therefore consider the DH cheating.
Oh please do it. I love baseball challenges. Makes life so much more fun. 🙂
Don't take the bait, Jeff! The Tigers are in first place. (Surprising but true.)
I think it would be interesting to see both of your true comments about your two teams from another viewpoint. The Tigers are finding their pitching, and the Cards are being the Cards right now.
Hey, it could be worse, they did not ask you to be fans of some off-the-grid team right now.
Rays Renegade
Yet another clever post from one of the RedStateBlueState boys. I think this contest will turn out to be very interesting.
Haha, my filibuster bringing out a challenge.. love it..
Jeff is always game.. I assume he won't be intimidated by Detroit's miraculous position atop the AL Central.. looking forward to the showdown, hehe..
– V [ http://flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com ]
Go for it! I hope that one of you will look as good in a pink hat as Scott does!!


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My frozen milk tastes a lil sour....no bad smell though. it has tiny balls of fat i guess. Can i feed this to my baby who is 3 months.
She does not like it readily but takes with a lil coaxing.
Now i mix the frozen milk with current day's pumped milk and she does not realise the change and takes it easily.
My concern is whether the soured milk due to lipase or so is good for my baby? i do not want to scald it as i can give it to her mixed with new milk and get all the nutrients to her since i get fresh milk too and store some part of fresh milk using the old one.
Also my breast milk being fed through bottle totally is not gaining much weight..was 10% at 2 months. I want her to be chubby.
please advise wherther the sour milk due to breaking of fat is ok to feed if baby takes it or is it detrimental to her health???
Thanks in advance,


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I have what I'm pretty sure is a dumb question - but, when you start solids and you're doing cereals and you're supposed to mix in breast milk or formula, where is the breast milk coming from? Do you pump before the nursing and before the cereal?? After you nurse but before feeding cereal?? Do you pump for a week's worth of cereal? I don't want to mess up my supply by creating an over supply. Is that even possible?
It's been 6 years since I did this with my first, and I honestly can't remember what I did. Maybe I mixed it with water?


text: RSS Events Feeds GDI Hack Night 1/23/2013 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM GDI Hack NightWednesday, January 23, 20137:00 PMWild Goose Creative2491 Summit Street, Columbus, OH (map)Bring your all your projects, ideas and questions for a night hanging out and working with other coders. Any language, niche or skill level (including absolute beginners!) is welcome. We'll have some food and drinks around as well. Learn More: GDI Hack Night


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"I've been listening to Catholic Answers Live for over a decade. I wouldn't be the same man without solid, faithful Catholic media. Long live the Church Militant!"
"First, thou shalt love God, who created thee; secondly, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; whatever thou wishest that it should not be done to thee, do not to others."


text:
Residents: 50 bodies found in Nigeria violenceap photo
South Africans protest in solidarity against the abduction three weeks ago of hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria by the Muslim extremist group Boko Haram and what protesters said was the failure of the Nigerian government and international community to rescue them, during a march to the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa Thursday. The kidnapping has ignited a viral social media campaign that has brought renewed attention to Boko Harams campaign of violence, and protests around the world.
BAUCHI, Nigeria Residents of a Nigerian town attacked by Boko Haram criticized security forces for failing to protect them despite warnings that the Islamic militants were nearby. At least 50 bodies have been recovered, many horribly burned, in the town.
The attack on Gamboru, in remote northeastern Nigeria near the border with Cameroon, is part of the Islamic militants campaign of terror that included the kidnapping of teenaged girls from a school, 276 of whom remain missing and are believed held by Boko Haram in the vast Sambisa Forest in northeastern Nigeria.
The death toll from the Monday afternoon attack in Gamboru was initially reported by a senator to be as many as 300, but a security official said it is more likely to be around 100. Some Gamboru residents said bodies were recovered from the debris of burned shops around the towns main market, which was the focus of the attack.
The bodies were found after the market reopened on Wednesday as health workers, volunteers and traders searched for missing people, said Gamboru resident Abuwar Masta. He said most of the bodies were burned beyond recognition. Some of the victims were traders from Chad and Cameroon, he said.
It seems they hid in the shops in order not (to) be killed while fleeing, Masta said Wednesday. Unfortunately, several explosives were thrown into the market.
Masta and other traders said that some villagers had warned the security forces of an impending attack after insurgents were seen camping in the bush near Gamboru.
The kidnapping of the schoolgirls on April 15 in the town of Chibok has sparked accusations that the Nigerian government is not doing enough to stop the militants. Boko Haram has killed more than 1,500 people so far this year as part of their campaign to impose Islamic law on Africas most populous nation, which has 170 million people equally divided between Christian and Muslim.
Outrage over the missing girls and the governments failure to rescue them brought angry Nigerian protesters into the streets this week, an embarrassment for the government of President Goodluck Jonathan which had hoped to showcase the countrys emergence as Africas largest economy as it hosted the Africa meeting of the World Economic Forum, the continents version of Davos.
That meeting is ongoing in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, which also has been the scene recently of two bomb blasts blamed on Boko Haram.
Nigerias military said in a statement Thursday that the armed forces are focused on the task of rescuing the abducted girls and that the war on Boko Haram will be effectively prosecuted.
On Thursday the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, said acts such as the mass abduction of girls shock the conscience of humanity and could constitute crimes that fall within the jurisdiction of The Hague-based court.
No stone should be left unturned to bring those responsible for such atrocious acts to justice either in Nigeria or at the ICC, she said in a statement.
The homegrown terror group was largely confi ned in the northern part of Nigeria before expanding its reach with the help of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, the terrorist networks affiliate in West Africa, which trained Boko Haram fighters in its camps in southern Somalia, beginning in 2010.
Although Boko Haram has killed thousands of people Christians as well as Muslims over the years in a campaign of bombings and massacres, the groups mass abduction of schoolgirls appears to have galvanized global attention and prompted offers of security assistance from foreign countries to help rescue the girls.MORE IN Wire NewsUNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. Full StoryTroubling as the details of the McLaren Report were, a news item out of Russia earlier this week... Full Story
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Technical Program
Oral Sessions
Oral sessions have 20 minutes per presentation (17 minutes, presentation; 3 minutes, questions and discussion). Presentations must be prepared using PowerPoint or PDF formats. One laptop with Windows 7 (no Macs available) with Power Point 2010 or Power Point 2013, one LCD projector and one screen is provided for all oral sessions. In addition, each room is equipped with a lectern, PowerPoint advancer, and a speaker timer. Speakers may not use their own laptops for presentation.
The Speaker Ready Room (Boca Raton Room)
All oral session presenters must visit the Speaker Ready Room before their scheduled presentation to ensure their PowerPoint or PDF file is properly configured and operating and load it on one of the laptops. Failure to do so may result in presentations being omitted from session sequences. The Speaker Ready Room is open for program checking and speaker assistance as follows:
|Wednesday, 23 April
|3 p.m.–8 p.m.
|Thursday, 24 April
|7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
|Friday, 25 April
|7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Each speaker must bring his or her PowerPoint or PDF presentation on a USB compatible flash drive (a.k.a. thumb drive or memory stick) or a CD-ROM disk to the Speaker Ready Room for checking and uploading to their session's folder according to the deadlines below:
For presentation on:
Upload no later than:
Thursday, 24 April, AM
8 p.m., Wednesday, 23 April
Thursday, 24 April, PM
10 a.m., Thursday, 24 April
Friday, 25 April, AM
5:30 p.m., Thursday, 24 April
Friday, 25 April, PM
10 a.m., Friday, 25 April
Session Chair Orientations
Each Session Chair is requested to attend the 15-minute "Session Chairs Orientation" held in the Boca Raton Room at 7:15–7:30 a.m. on the morning of the day on which your session is to take place. This meeting will include a review of session time management, AV procedures, and other information affecting the conduct of the day's sessions.
Session chairs are asked to strictly adhere to the technical program schedule and to limit speakers to their allotted time (20 minutes total, including questions). If a speaker does not appear for an assigned time slot, session chairs should call for a break or discussion period and begin the following presentation at its scheduled time.
Session chairs are asked to meet with any assigned student volunteer(s) before the start of the session. Volunteers are there to help the sessions run smoothly and to contact designated audiovisual and information technology personnel in the event of technical problems.
Poster Sessions
All Poster Sessions are in the Lancaster Ballroom of the Cornhusker Marriott, on the hotel's lower level. Please check the program for specific times and topics. Poster presenters have one 4' by 8' horizontal (landscape) poster display surface. Numbers on these display surfaces correspond to the poster booth numbers listed in the Program. Poster presenters should bring "T" pins with which to mount their posters on padded, fabric-covered walls and boards.
- Rivers, Past and Present: Sediments, Stratigraphy, and Geomorphology.
Chris Fielding, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Jim Best, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
- Cenozoic Stratigraphy of the Great Plains.
Greg Ludvigson, University of Kansas; Jon Smith, University of Kansas; Robert M. Joeckel, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
- Vertebrate Paleontology from the Appalachians to the Rockies.
Shane Tucker, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; George Corner, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Robert M. Joeckel, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
- Structure, Tectonics, and Geologic Evolution of the North American Interior.
Caroline M. Burberry, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Robert M. Joeckel, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Jesse T. Korus, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
- Carbonatites and Other Alkalic Rocks.
Richard M. Kettler, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Philip Verplanck, USGS; Benjamin Drenth, USGS.
- New Insights into the White River Chronofauna.
Clint Boyd, South Dakota School of Mines.
- Quaternary Time Machine: Methods and Analyses of Soils and Sediments to Reveal Secrets of Past Environments.
Maija Sipola, University of Iowa; M. Kathryn Rocheford, University of Iowa.
- Applications of Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dating in Quaternary Studies.
Joel Q. Spencer, Kansas State University; Paul R. Hanson, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
- The Midcontinent Rift System and Beyond: New Developments in Central North American Precambrian Geology.
Benjamin J. Drenth, USGS; G. Randy Keller, University of Oklahoma; Joshua M. Feinburg, University of Minnesota.
- Applied Geology: Environmental, Engineering, Hydrogeology, Geotechnical, and Exploration Geophysics.
Terry West, Purdue University.
- Cultural Geology: Capitol Buildings, Heritage Stone, Parks, and More.
Joe Hannibal, Cleveland Museum of Natural History; Nelson R. Shaffer, Indiana Geological Survey.
- Undergraduate Research (Posters).
Cosponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research Geoscience Division.
Robert Shuster, University of Nebraska–Omaha.
- Pennsylvanian Cyclothems and Stratigraphy of the Midcontinent and Illinois Basins.
John P. Pope, Northwest Missouri State University.
- Geoscience Education for K–16: Novel Approaches and Current Research.
Katie Lewandowski, Eastern Illinois University; Mindi Searls, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
- Frontiers in Geomicrobiology and Biogeochemistry.
Karrie A. Weber, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- Public Outreach Beyond the Classroom: Geological Surveys, Museums, and Parks. Walter Gray, Indiana Geological Survey.


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Barre gets ready 'just in case'
BARRE — A recent run of unusually wet weather with more on the horizon has city officials on yellow alert as yet another storm approaches.
Flooding is a concern given Barre's history with weather patterns like the one that has settled in this week and is expected to extend into early next week.
With a forecast calling for long periods of steady soaking or periodic heavy rain later today and into Friday, City Manager Steve Mackenzie said his department heads are on an "elevated state of alert and preparedness" and officials from Vermont Emergency Management have scheduled an afternoon briefing at Alumni Hall.
According to Mackenzie, the 5 p.m. briefing was requested by Mayor Thomas Lauzon. Officials from neighboring communities, including Barre Town, Montpelier and Berlin, have been invited to attend, he said.
It may not amount to anything, but Mackenzie said the rain that has fallen so far, coupled with the rain that is expected to fall, has historically led to flooding in Barre.
"It just feels like times past," he said, noting city crews are monitoring trash racks and "choke points" along the Stevens Branch of the Winooski River and Gunner Brook, and have started reaching out to contractors to arrange for them to mobilize excavators at key locations if the water starts to rise rapidly.
"We're just trying to make sure, as best we can, that nobody gets caught asleep at the wheel," he said.
The fact that the fire department is operating out of the Civic Center complex on Seminary Hill is unrelated to the weather, but could be a helpful coincidence if North Main Street floods as it has in the past and did two years ago.
"Let's hope that's a staging that wasn't needed for this," he said, noting firefighters have been operating from the civic center while the fire station is being cleaned in the wake of suspected asbestos contamination that was linked to a late-December fire.
Meanwhile, emergency services around the state are preparing for any problems that may stem from the extended rain Vermont is expected to see into at least Tuesday.
The Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security says it has been working with municipalities, emergency responders, the National Guard, and other state and federal partners on any issues that may crop up due to saturated soils and rivers from the rain.
No flooding is imminent, but the National Weather Service says flooding could occur in as yet undetermined areas of the state due to heavy rain.
Emergency management advises Vermonters to remain vigilant and use common sense to protect themselves, their families, and their property. Drive at safe speeds during downpours, stay clear of high or fast-running water, and never drive or walk across a flooded road. Emergency management says this is also a good occasion to ensure you have an emergency preparedness kit with items like water, food, flashlights, radio, and batteries.MORE IN This Just InMONTPELIER A new report from a commission that studied the cost, availability and quality of... Full StoryVermont fish hatchery changes focus, looks inland
BETHEL, Vt. Full StoryHONOLULU (AP) A group of Hawaii musicians and a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant provided... Full Story
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RPM wants Kurt Busch in the 43
Richard Petty Motorsports Chief Operating Officer Robbie Loomis confirmed today that discussions have been held regarding Busch, saying, "Best Buy has been a great partner for a long time, and AJ Allmendinger has done a fantastic job for us. He's coming off his best season yet, but I can tell you there is a lot of interest on our part in having Kurt Busch in the fold. It makes sense to have Kurt with our team, if we can make it work.
"Our main focus is to continue building on what we finished the season with last year," said Loomis. "But right now, I feel like I'm running down two different sets of train tracks. From a personal standpoint, nothing has excited me more than when I heard Kurt had become available. I'm excited about the opportunity to add a driver like Kurt Busch to Richard Petty Motorsports. I would mortgage my house to make Kurt a part of this team. We value what he has done on the race track. He has won a (Sprint Cup) championship and worked for a first-class operation like Penske Racing. Guys like that don't come along every day."
Allmendinger finished 15th in 2011 Sprint Cup Series championship points, with one Top-5 and 10 Top-10 finishes. His best finish was a fifth in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in late May. Busch won a pair of races this season at Infineon and Dover en route to 11th in points, tallying eight Top-5 and 16 Top-10 finishes. He parted company with Penske Racing earlier this month, in the aftermath of a much-publicized verbal confrontation with ESPN pit reporter Dr. Jerry Punch during the 2011 season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway (Sirius Speedway).
AND no word what Allmendinger would do IF this happens; and not too sure Jack Roush [who Busch drove for before Penske and had issues with], who team supplies cars and engines to RPM would allow this to happen.(12-13-2011)
Kurt Busch would basically be a Roush driver again as these two teams work very close together. This would be his best chance as I could see him winning a race or two in the 43 and making the chase. Sucks for Aj if this happens but he has failed to produce wins (though he did finish 15th in points which is decent), if this happens what about AJ in the 22? I think that would be better than Ragan. I can see why RPM would do this. They want to go to the next level and Kurt could take them there plus Marcos is a proven winner now and has improved very much on ovals.
Trucks: 9, 88, 3, 7, 17, 31
RIP Dan Wheldon
"Fight for Four"- Annalee
You got to have a big gigantic drum kit.


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Douglas County wildfire photos 5/14/13
Published On: May 15 2013 09:02:17 AM CDT Updated On: May 17 2013 08:16:06 AM CDT
A "massive" wildfire burned more than 8,100 acres in Douglas County, making it biggest wildfire to hit the state since 2005, according to the Wisconsin DNR.
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Health care and safety in Madagascar
|Health care and safety in [[{{#explode:Health care and safety in Madagascar| |5}} {{#explode:Health care and safety in Madagascar| |6}} {{#explode:Health care and safety in Madagascar| |7}}]]
|The Peace Corps' highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer and trainee. Medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative approach to disease.
Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk.
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The Peace Corps' highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. Peace Corps/Madagascar maintains its own health unit with two medical officers, who are responsible for the medical care of trainees and Volunteers in Antananarivo as well as at their sites. The Peace Corps has further medical support from the area medical officer based in Kenya and from the Office of Medical Services in Washington. In case of severe illness, you will be evacuated to a nearby country or the United States for medical care.
- 1 Health Issues in Madagascar
- 2 Helping You Stay Healthy
- 3 Maintaining Your Health
- 4 Women's Health Information
- 5 Your Peace Corps Medical Kit
- 6 Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist
- 7 Safety and Security—Our Partnership
- 8 Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
- 9 Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
- 10 Support from Staff
- 11 Security Issues in Madagascar
- 12 Staying Safe: Don't Be a Target for Crime
Health Issues in Madagascar
Most of the medical problems seen in Madagascar are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Madagascar because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses. The medical problems specific to Madagascar are typical of those in any developing tropical country. Malaria, HIV/AIDS, schistosomiasis, gastrointestinal infections, typhoid fever, and hepatitis are all common illnesses, most of which are entirely preventable with appropriate knowledge and interventions. Because malaria is endemic in Madagascar, taking antimalaria pills is required of all Volunteers. You will also be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, meningitis, tetanus, typhoid, and rabies.
It is important for Volunteers to know that counseling services in Madagascar are extremely limited, with no therapists available for extended monitoring of mental health conditions. Also, there are no Alcoholics Anonymous facilities or support groups for recovering alcoholics. Alcohol is an integral part of many social interactions, and you may experience pressure to drink.
Helping You Stay Healthy
The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary inoculations, medications, and information to stay healthy. Upon your arrival in Madagascar, you will receive a medical handbook. At the end of training, you will receive a medical kit with supplies to take care of mild illnesses and first-aid needs. The contents of the kit are listed later in this chapter.
During pre-service training, you will have access to basic medical supplies through the medical officer. However, you will be responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs and any other specific medical supplies you require, as we will not order these items during training. Please bring a three-month supply of any prescription drugs you use, since they may not be available here and it may take several months for new shipments to arrive.
You will have physicals at midservice and at the end of your service. If you develop a serious medical problem during your service, the medical officer in Madagascar will consult with the Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C. If it is determined that your condition cannot be treated in Madagascar, you may be sent out of the country for further evaluation and care.
Maintaining Your Health
As a Volunteer, you must accept a certain amount of responsibility for your own health. Proper precautions will significantly reduce your risk of serious illness or injury. The old adage "An ounce of prevention ..." becomes extremely important in areas where diagnostic and treatment facilities are not up to the standards of the United States. The most important of your responsibilities in Madagascar is to take preventive measures for the following:
Malaria is present throughout the year in most of the country. It can kill you if left untreated, so prevention and early recognition of infection are extremely important. It is important that you take the malaria prophylaxis, and other preventive measures are strongly encouraged. The Peace Corps will teach you how to do a blood slide and how to treat malaria in the case of infection.
Rabies is also prevalent in the region, and you will receive a series of immunizations against it during training.
Schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a parasitic infection contracted by swimming in infected water. Because most bodies of water in the country harbor the parasite, you should avoid swimming in known contaminated water. Symptoms of infection can take some time to develop, so the Peace Corps routinely screens for it at midservice and end-of-service physical examinations.
It is critical to your health that you promptly report to the medical office for scheduled immunizations, and that you let your medical officer know immediately of significant illness and injuries.
Many illnesses that afflict Volunteers worldwide are entirely preventable if proper food and water precautions are taken. These diseases include food poisoning, parasitic infections, hepatitis A, dysentery, Guinea worm, tapeworms, and typhoid fever. Your medical officer will discuss specific standards for water and food preparation in Madagascar during pre-service training.
Abstinence is the only certain choice for preventing infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. You are taking risks if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen risk, use a condom every time you have sex. Whether your partner is a host country citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do not assume this person is free of HIV/AIDS or other STDs. You will receive more information from your medical officer about this important issue.
Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth control to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Your medical officer can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your individual needs. Contraceptive methods are available without charge from the medical officer. If you are using a contraceptive currently be sure to bring a supply of several months to post with you.
Women's Health Information
Pregnancy is treated in the same manner as other Volunteer health conditions that require medical attention but also have programmatic ramifications. The Peace Corps is responsible for determining the medical risk and the availability of appropriate medical care if the Volunteer remains in-country. Given the circumstances under which Volunteers live and work in Peace Corps countries, it is rare that the Peace Corps' medical and programmatic standards for continued service during pregnancy can be met.
Most feminine hygiene products can be purchased on the local market. If you require a specific product, please bring a large supply with you. The Health Unit cannot guarantee you a specific brand.
Your Peace Corps Medical Kit
The Peace Corps medical officer provides Volunteers with a medical kit that contains basic items necessary to prevent and treat illnesses that may occur during service. Kit items can be periodically restocked at the medical office.
Medical Kit Contents
Ace bandages
Adhesive tape
American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook
Antacid tablets (Tums)
Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymycin B)
Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleaner (Hibiclens)
Butterfly closures
Calamine lotion
Cepacol lozenges
Dental floss
Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl)
Insect repellent stick (Cutter's)
Iodine tablets (for water purification)
Lip balm (Chapstick)
Oral rehydration salts and Gatorade
Oral thermometer (Fahrenheit)
Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed)
Robitussin-DM lozenges (for cough)
Sterile gauze pads
Tetrahydrozaline eyedrops (Visine)
Tinactin (antifungal cream)
Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist
If there has been any change in your health—physical, mental, or dental—since the time you submitted your examination reports to the Peace Corps, you must immediately notify the Office of Medical Services. Failure to disclose new illnesses, injuries, allergies, or pregnancy can endanger your health and may jeopardize your eligibility to serve.
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your physical exam is more than two years old, contact the Office of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your records. If your dentist or Peace Corps dental consultant has recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you must complete that work and make sure your dentist sends requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of Medical Services.
If you wish to avoid having duplicate vaccinations, you should contact your physician's office, obtain a copy of your immunization record, and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any immunizations prior to Peace Corps service, the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide all the immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment, either at your pre-departure orientation or shortly after you arrive in Madagascar. You do not need to begin taking malaria medication prior to departure.
Bring a three-month supply of any prescription medication
you use on a regular basis, including birth control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for this three-month supply, we will order refills during your service. While awaiting shipment—which can take several months—you will be dependent on your own medication supply. The Peace Corps will not pay for herbal or nonprescribed medications, such as St. John's wort, glucosamine, selenium, or antioxidant supplements.
You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions signed by your physician. This is not a requirement, but they might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about carrying a three-month supply of prescription drugs.
If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you—a pair and a spare. If a pair breaks, the Peace Corps will replace it, using the information your doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form during your examination. We discourage you from using contact lenses during your service to reduce your risk of developing a serious infection or other eye disease. Most Peace Corps countries do not have appropriate water and sanitation to support eye care with the use of contact lenses. The Peace Corps will not supply or replace contact lenses or associated solutions unless their use has been recommended by an ophthalmologist for a specific medical condition and the Peace Corps' Office of Medical Services has given approval. Contac solution is not available here.
If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age, or have a health condition that may restrict your future participation in healthcare plans, you may wish to consult an insurance specialist about unique coverage needs before your departure. The Peace Corps will provide all necessary healthcare from the time you leave for your pre-departure orientation until you complete your service. When you finish, you will be entitled to the post-service healthcare benefits described in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook. You may wish to consider keeping an existing health plan in effect during your service if you think age and/or preexisting conditions might prevent you from reenrolling in your current plan when you return home.
Safety and Security—Our Partnership
Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Property thefts and burglaries are not uncommon. Incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although almost all Volunteers complete their two years of service without serious personal safety problems. In addition, more than 84 percent of Volunteers surveyed in the 2004 Peace Corps Volunteer Survey say they would join the Peace Corps again.
The Peace Corps approaches safety and security as a partnership with you. This Welcome Book contains sections on: Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle; Peace Corps Training; and Your Health Care and Safety. All of these sections include important safety and security information.
The Peace Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they need to function in the safest and most secure way possible, because working to maximize the safety and security of Volunteers is our highest priority. Not only do we provide you with training and tools to prepare for the unexpected, but we teach you to identify and manage the risks you may encounter.
Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteer's risk, many of which are within the Volunteer's control. Based on information gathered from incident reports worldwide in 2004, the following factors stand out as risk characteristics for assaults. Assaults consist of personal crimes committed against Volunteers, and do not include property crimes (such as vandalism or theft).
- Location: Most crimes occurred when Volunteers were in public areas (e.g., street, park, beach, public buildings). Specifically, 43 percent of assaults took place when Volunteers were away from their sites.
- Time of day: Assaults usually took place on the weekend during the evening between 5:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.— with most assaults occurring around 1:00 a.m.
- Absence of others: Assaults ususally occurred when the Volunteer was unaccompanied. In 82 percent of the sexual assaults the Volunteer was unaccompannied and in 55 percent of physical assaults the Volunteer was unaccompanied.
- Relationship to assailant: In most assaults, the Volunteer did not know the assailant.
- Consumption of alcohol: Forty percent of all assaults involved alcohol consumption by Volunteers and/or assailants.
Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
Before and during service, your training will address these areas of concern so that you can reduce the risks you face.
For example, here are some strategies Volunteers employ:
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of theft:
- Know the environment and choose safe routes/times for travel
- Avoid high-crime areas per Peace Corps guidance
- Know the vocabulary to get help in an emergency
- Carry valuables in different pockets/places
- Carry a "dummy" wallet as a decoy
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of burglary:
- Live with a local family or on a family compound
- Put strong locks on doors and keep valuables in a lock box or trunk
- Leave irreplaceable objects at home in the U.S.
- Follow Peace Corps guidelines on maintaining home security
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of assault:
- Make local friends
- Make sure your appearance is respectful of local customs; don't draw negative attention to yourself by wearing inappropriate clothing
- Get to know local officials, police, and neighbors
- Travel with someone whenever possible
- Avoid known high crime areas
- Limit alcohol consumption
Support from Staff
In March 2003, the Peace Corps created the Office of Safety and Security with its mission to "foster improved communication, coordination, oversight, and accountability of all Peace Corps' safety and security efforts." The new office is led by an Associate Director for Safety and Security who reports to the Peace Corps Director and includes the following divisions: Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security; Information and Personnel Security; Emergency Preparedness, Plans, Training and Exercise; and Crime Statistics and Analysis.
The major responsibilities of the Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security Division are to coordinate the office's overseas operations and direct the Peace Corps' safety and security officers who are located in various regions around the world that have Peace Corps programs. The safety and security officers conduct security assessments; review safety trainings; train trainers and managers; train Volunteer safety wardens, local guards, and staff; develop security incident response procedures; and provide crisis management support.
If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident, Peace Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All Peace Corps posts have procedures in place to respond to incidents of crime committed against Volunteers. The first priority for all posts in the aftermath of an incident is to ensure that the Volunteer is safe and receiving medical treatment as needed. After assuring the safety of the Volunteer, Peace Corps staff provide support by reassessing the Volunteer's work site and housing arrangements and making any adjustments, as needed. In some cases, the nature of the incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace Corps staff will also assist Volunteers with preserving their rights to pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the crime. It is very important that Volunteers report incidents as they occur, not only to protect their peer Volunteers, but also to preserve the future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers decide later in the process that they want to proceed with the prosecution of their assailant, this option may no longer exist if the evidence of the event has not been preserved at the time of the incident.
The country-specific data chart below shows the incidence rates and the average number of incidents of the major types of safety incidents reported by Peace Corps Volunteers/trainees in Madagascar as compared to all other Africa region programs as a whole, from 2000–2004. It is presented to you in a somewhat technical manner for statistical accuracy. To fully appreciate the collected data below, an explanation of the graph is provided as follows:
The incidence rate for each type of crime is the number of crime events relative to the Volunteer/trainee population. It is expressed on the chart as a ratio of crime to Volunteer and trainee years (or V/T years, which is a measure of 12 full months of V/T service) to allow for a statistically valid way to compare crime data across countries. An "incident" is a specific offense, per Peace Corps' classification of offenses, and may involve one or more Volunteer/trainee victims. For example, if two Volunteers are robbed at the same time and place, this is classified as one robbery incident.
The chart is separated into eight crime categories. These include vandalism (malicious defacement or damage of property); theft (taking without force or illegal entry); burglary (forcible entry of a residence); robbery (taking something by force); minor physical assault (attacking without a weapon with minor injuries); minor sexual assault (fondling, groping, etc.); aggravated assault (attacking with a weapon, and/or without a weapon when serious injury results); and rape (sexual intercourse without consent).
When anticipating Peace Corps Volunteer service, you should review all of the safety and security information provided to you, including the strategies to reduce risk. Throughout your training and Volunteer service, you will be expected to successfully complete all training competencies in a variety of areas including safety and security. Once in-country, use the tools and information shared with you to remain as safe and secure as possible.
Security Issues in Madagascar
When it comes to your safety and security in the Peace Corps, you have to be willing to adapt your behavior and lifestyle to minimize the potential for being a target of crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist in Madagascar. You can reduce your risk of becoming a target for crime by avoiding situations that make you feel uncomfortable and by taking precautions. Crime at the village or town level is less frequent than in the large cities; people know each other and generally will not steal from their neighbors. Tourist attractions, especially in large towns, are the favorite work sites for pickpockets.
The most important safety risk in Madagascar you should be aware of is road travel. Public transport is rudimentary, and vehicles often are in poor condition, are overcrowded, and travel too fast. What is more, the roads are often in a state of disrepair. It is important to use common sense when traveling on any form of public transport and, if you are uncomfortable, to voice your concerns to the driver. Motor vehicle accidents, although infrequent, are the biggest cause of fatalities and serious medical problems among Volunteers worldwide.
In addition, there are certain areas in Antananarivo where robberies and muggings are more frequent. These will be pointed out to you, and you are advised either to avoid walking in these areas altogether or to make sure you are not alone if you must go through these areas.
Staying Safe: Don't Be a Target for Crime
You must be prepared to take on a large responsibility for your own safety. Only you can make yourself less of a target, ensure that your house is secure, and develop relations in your community that will make you an unlikely victim of crime. In coming to Madagascar, do what you would do if you moved to a large city in the United States: Be cautious, check things out, ask questions, learn about your neighborhood, know where the more risky locations are, use common sense, and be aware. You can reduce your vulnerability to crime by integrating into your community, learning the local language, acting responsibly, and abiding by Peace Corps policies and procedures. Serving safely and effectively in Madagascar may require that you accept some restrictions on your current lifestyle.
Volunteers attract a lot of attention in large cities and at their sites, but receive far more negative attention in highly populated centers, where they are anonymous, than in smaller towns, where "family," friends, and colleagues look out for them. While whistles and exclamations are fairly common on the street, this behavior can be reduced if you dress conservatively, avoid eye contact, and do not respond to unwanted attention. Keep your money out of sight by using an undergarment money pouch, the kind that hangs around your neck and stays hidden under your shirt or inside your coat. Do not keep your money in outside pockets of backpacks, in coat pockets, or in fanny packs. You should always walk with a companion at night.
Preparing for the Unexpected: Safety Training and Volunteer Support in Madagascar
The Peace Corps' approach to safety is a five-pronged plan to help you stay safe during your two-year service and includes the following: information sharing, Volunteer training, site selection criteria, a detailed emergency action plan, and protocols for addressing safety and security incidents. Peace Corps/Madagascar's safety program is outlined below.
The Peace Corps/Madagascar office will keep Volunteers informed of any issues that may impact Volunteer safety through information sharing. Regular updates will be provided in Volunteer newsletters and in memorandums from the country director. In the event of a critical situation or emergency, Volunteers will be contacted through the emergency communication network.
Volunteer training will include sessions to prepare you for specific safety and security issues in Madagascar. This training will prepare you to adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that promotes safety and reduces risk in your home, at work, and while traveling. Safety training is offered throughout your two-year service and is integrated into the language, cross-cultural, health, and other components of training.
Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe housing for Volunteers before their arrival. Peace Corps staff works closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help prepare them for the Volunteer's arrival and to establish expectations of their respective roles in supporting the Volunteer. Each site is inspected before the Volunteer's arrival to ensure placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and work sites. Site selection criteria are based in part on any relevant site history; access to medical, banking, postal, and other essential services; availability of communications, transportation, and markets; different housing options and living arrangements; and other support needs.
You will also learn about Peace Corps/Madgascar's detailed emergency action plan in the event of civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at your site, you will complete and submit a site locator form with your address, contact information, and a map to your house. If there is a security threat, Volunteers in Madagascar will gather at predetermined locations until the situation resolves itself or the Peace Corps decides to evacuate.
Finally, in order for the Peace Corps to be fully responsive to the needs of Volunteers, it is imperative that Volunteers immediately report any security incident to the Peace Corps medical officer. The Peace Corps has established protocols for addressing safety and security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner, and it collects and evaluates safety and security data to track trends and develop strategies to minimize risks to future Volunteers.


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Community Photos: Jan. 14, 2013
Grelock Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of Greylock FCU, Pittsfield, Mass., moved its headquarters to a new location.
American Heritage FCU, Philadelphia, donated $100,000 to the Children's Seashore House of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia through the CU's Kids-N-Hope Foundation. In other news, the CU also adopted nine families in need for the holidays.
Vantage West CU, Tucson, Ariz., made donations to Tucson Medical Center, Tucson Museum of Art, Echoing Hope Ranch, Santa's Helpers, Southern Arizona Against Slavery, Assistance League of Tucscon, Kino Border Initiative, Pima County Animal Care Center, Imago Dei Middle School, Parkinson Wellness Recovery and the Wounded Warriors Project. Separately, the CU was named a top SBA lender by Business Development Finance Corporation.
Alabama Telco CU, Birmingham, Ala., sponsored a "Visit with Santa" at the Burkett Center, which serves children with mental and physical disabilities.
Aggieland CU, College Station, Texas, raised $1,663.59 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Credit Union Association of the Dakotas, Bismarck, N.D., met with U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp to develop a relationship with the new lawmaker.
Pioneer West Virginia FCU, Charleston, W. Va., donated toys to needy children and also surprised members by dressing up for the holidays.
Diamond CU hosted a drive for donations for the Reading Health Rehabilitation Hospital, which collected books, DVDs, magazines and monetary donations.
Hershey FCU, Hummelstown, Penn., collected and donated 36 bags of clothing and toys for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program.
Credit Unions Kids at Heart, a group of New England based credit unions founded by Eastern Corporate FCU, donated $100,000 to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation at the foundation's 5th Annual New England Celebrities Tackle Cancer Gala.
Global CU, Spokane, Wash., collected $169.80 and more than 850 toys for the Toys for Tots program. The CU also presented the winners of this quarter for the Army Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer the Air Force Airman, NCO and Senior NCO awards at Camp Darby in Italy.
Gulf Winds FCU, Pensacola, Fla., pledged $25,000 to MANNA Food Bank.
Jeanne D'Arc CU, Lowell, Mass., served as a drop-off point for the Toys for Tots program.
Sioux Empire FCU, Sioux Falls, S.D. held a "Fill the Cars for the Kids" campaign as part of its participation in the Toys for Tots program.
Altura CU, Riverside, Calif., participated in the 23rd Annual Festival Trees, which raises money for Riverside County Medical Center's Pediatrics Units.
Commonwealth CU, Frankfort, Ky., invited children to attend a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and other holiday festivities at its Louisville Road branch. Separately, the CU raied $16,000 for 18 families in the Daniel's Care Program of Hospiece of the Bluegrass.
Mid Cities CU, Compton, Calif., made a State Treasury California Capital Access Program Air Resources Board loan to Julio Contreras, a small business member of the CU.
Highmark FCU, Rapid City, S.D., helped collect and donate gifts for children housed at the Black Hills Children's Home.
Midwest Family FCU, Portage, Ind., raffled off two giant Christmas stockings stuffed with toys as part of a fundraiser for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.
LBS Financial CU, Lakewood, Calif., donated toys, gifts and basic care items to the children, parents and seniors served by Project Shepherd.
Minnesota Credit Union Network and some of its member credit unions met with State House Commerce Leader Joe Atkins to continue to develop a relationship with the lawmaker. In other news, the league's foundation posthumously recognized former Postal CU Volunteer Walter Noreen with the Credit Union Builder Award.
The Defense Credit Union Council, the California and Nevada CU Leagues, Travis CU, Vacaville, Calif., and Grossmont Schools FCU, El Cajon, Calif., sponsored Operation Best Wishes, which allows military family and friends to record video greeting cards for their loved ones deployed overseas.
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