text:
An open, XML-based standard for displaying and storing data files (text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations) offers a new and promising approach to data storage and document exchange among office applications. A comparison of the two XML-based formats–OpenDocument Format ("ODF") and Office Open XML ("OOXML")–across widely accepted "openness" criteria has revealed substantial differences, including the following:
Overall, a comparison of both formats reveals significant differences in their levels of openness. While ODF is revealed as sufficiently open across all four key criteria, OOXML shows relative weakness in each criteria and offers fundamental flaws that undermine its candidacy as a global standard.
In today's knowledge economy, information and communication technology (ICT) architectures need to be flexible. They must be modular, pluggable, and easy to set up, fast to integrate, and fast to take down and repurpose for governments and businesses alike to meet the demands of their citizens and customers. The architectures need to be built around agreed standard protocols and data needs to flow seamlessly across different applications and platforms.
Open standards are at the core of these new interoperable systems. Based largely on the framework of TCP/IP and HTML, both open standards, the Internet's open architecture has enabled new and unimagined ways of communicating, working, and innovating. The Internet is the best example of what can be achieved when systems interoperate around open standards.
With that in mind, this article analyzes the "openness" of two emerging XML-based document formats. The analysis is timely. ODF was approved as an international standard in May 2006 (ISO 26300).i OOXML was recently submitted to JTC1 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC), triggering a 9 to 12-month process during which OOXML will be reviewed and voted on by national standards bodies.ii Much of the information in this paper has appeared before, but not in a synthesis on the openness theme.
With the emergence of flexible ICT architectures that depend upon interoperability, a document format's degree of openness will affect the free flow of information across the world's computer systems. ODF and OOXML each promise different results for data access as well as cost, choice, and innovation in software.
Given the document-intensive nature of their day-to-day business, governments have a special interest in open document formats. An open standard for documents that is widely available in many software products would allow agencies and departments to exchange and collaborate on office documents, store them for long periods of time, ensure public access to them, and enable electronic communication with citizens without forcing on themselves or their citizens any particular brand of software. This is why interest in open document standards is growing and why the number of governments around the world requiring their use is increasing.iii
Various definitions of an "open standard" have been proposed.iv With document formats particularly in mind, a consensus emerges among the definitions; they gravitate to agreement in four basic areas:
Following is an analysis of both formats across each of these four consensus criteria and a measurement of the degree to which ODF and OOXML satisfy each one. In satisfying these criteria thoroughly, a document format can be deemed sufficiently open to bring us fully into the Internet era of low-cost, collaborative computing based on modular services and architectures.
A format development process having an open life-cycle means the format is evolved in a fashion that is open to public participation, where meetings are held in the open, where meeting artifacts (notes, minutes, e-mail correspondences, and documentation) are published, and where all participants–individuals as well as companies–have a voice in consensus decision-making on the standard's technical make-up. An open standard should be platform- and vendor-neutral, so multiple implementors working on multiple platforms is essential.
ODF was developed and is continuously evolving in an open, appealable, and published process. ODF was developed at the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) Technical Committee, which operates in view of the public while inviting the participation of any interested party. E-mail of technical committee communications, including meeting notes and documentation, is archived on the OASIS web site. Technical committee meeting participation is not limited: individual members of OASIS as well as corporate representatives participate equally, with voting eligibility established by the level of individual participation.
ODF's Technical Committee and Sub-Committees include multiple active participants representing both proprietary and open source implementers. Other participants include accessibility advocates, academic and government representatives, and consumer groups.
Originally the default format in the OpenOffice.org application, ODF went through a rigorous, open evolution process starting in 2003 when it was submitted to OASIS. OASIS members improved it over the course of two years before a year-long review process at ISO, where it received more comments and correction, before it was officially published as an ISO standard in November 2006. During these four years of collaborative technical refinement, many software application vendors implemented it to varying degrees of completeness in both proprietary and open source solutions.
Ecma International ("Ecma") Technical Committee 45 ("TC45"), which maintains OOXML, works in an opaque manner with its voting, balloting, and appeals policies not published. It is unclear if voting, balloting, or appeals processes are used in the development of OOXML, since the formats were pre-developed within Microsoft's Office software development group and Microsoft retains veto power over any ongoing changes that are proposed in TC45. Moreover, while there is an after-the-fact reporting by press release, the meeting activities of TC45, the committee's work-in-progress, documents, and e-mail are not public.v
Barriers to participation in the development of OOXML are many. Ecma membership requirements are limiting: individuals are not welcome to participate except by special invitation or through their corporate membership at Ecma. Only senior corporate members have the right to vote on a TC. The OOXML specification's over 6,000 pages were reviewed in less than a year by Ecma and were submitted to ISO in December 2006 without a reference implementation in software.
OOXML is a single-vendor specification that does not have an open life-cycle. Ecma TC45 behaves only as a consultative body. A single vendor, Microsoft, retains control over development of OOXML. Performance on such key criteria as interoperability (see Section IV, below) therefore remains in the hands of one private entity. This contrasts significantly with ODF's open life-cycle as maintained at the OASIS ODF Technical Committee.
An open format is published in its entirety in a specification document, which is freely available and easy to comprehend. Open Availability also means that a format is freely available for implementation in software.
ODF is published in its complete form in the .odt and .pdf formats, which are downloadable from the OASIS website free of cost.vi
ODF has been implemented in many different vendors' products, under both proprietary and open source software licenses and on numerous operating system platforms. This is possible because the ODF specification is technically explicit and contains references to other open standards, and because its length is reasonable and manageable.
The OOXML specification is free and may be downloaded from the Ecma website. It is, however, difficult to manage, coming in such length and in parts so numerous, in a text so complex and inconsistent in its technical terminology and with so many deliberate omissions, that questions arise about its availability on a practical level.vii In the following areas, OOXML presents significant questions and challenges regarding full, open availability:
OOXML contains numerous undocumented elements. For example, OOXML preserves certain file data in binary form based upon legacy formats that are not, and have never been, disclosed to outside developers. This means it is impossible for any entity besides Microsoft to create effective alternative implementations of the formats.
A second example is the implementation of OOXML for spreadsheets in Office 2007 (Excel 2007), which also makes use of data in binary form. As these binary formats have not yet been shared openly, it is presently impossible for other vendors or developers to create working alternative implementations of the OOXML binary spreadsheet format.
Numerous elements designed into but undefined by the OOXML specification require actions and behaviors upon document files that are particular only to legacy Microsoft Office and WordPerfect applications.viii Examples from the OOXML specification include:
Function Name
Emulate Word 6.0 Line Wrapping for East Asian Text
Emulate Word 5.x for Macintosh Small Caps Formatting
Emulate Word 97 Text Wrapping Around Floating Objects
Emulate WordPerfect 6.x Font Height Calculation
Emulate Word 2002 Table Style Rules
Emulate Word 97 East Asian Line Breaking
Emulate WordPerfect 6.x Paragraph Justification
Emulate Word 97 Text Wrapping Around Floating Objects
The practical effect is that the data associated with these features, once it is contained in OOXML files, will not be readable, editable or renderable by software applications that cannot perfectly emulate Microsoft Office or WordPerfect. While the stated purpose of OOXML is to ensure backward compatibility with old files, such deprecated legacy data creates a dependency upon Microsoft's Windows operating system and office suite applications.ix
Such dependencies fail to meet the criteria of Open Availability. The Microsoft OOXML format includes interactions with its earlier unspecified formats. The result is that other vendors, developers, or users cannot access data in Microsoft formats to the same degree as Microsoft software, nor to the degree expected of standard XML.
These unspecified format characteristics and application behaviors are not explicit in the OOXML technical specification, nor are they legally allowed to be duplicated by developers. Microsoft's license for OOXML, the Open Specification Promise, prohibits such application behavior emulation and, therefore, blocks access by non-Microsoft entities to the data in OOXML form–in effect, this makes the specification unavailable while it also defeats the purpose of having an XML document format.x
As evidenced by its implementation in multiple products that are offered through multiple vendors, ODF achieves open availability. However, the OOXML specification's complexity, its length, omissions, and single-vendor dependencies prohibit efficient, cost-effective, or fully working implementations of the format in other software. OOXML is therefore unlikely to ever be fully implemented by any application other than Microsoft's Office, for which it was created.
An open document format can and will be designed into many different software applications without practical, technical, legal, or other impediments.
From a different perspective it is fair to say that an open format has the characteristics that attract multiple implementations. If one had no other way to tell, the format specification with the greater number of complete implementations likely follows open principles more rigorously and will better deliver information free-flow between applications and platforms.
Additionally, software patent restrictions provide a drag on a format's re-implementation in software. They stifle software choice and increase the structural cost in the economy of working with documents.
Although ODF originated as the native format of OpenOffice.org, it has been adapted to an open process and is designed for open re-implementation in any software:
ODF was conceived for implementation in many software applications without limitation as to which party or how many can implement it. One of the principal objectives as specified in the OASIS ODF Technical Committee charter is to have as many implementations as possible and, indeed, multiple implementations of ODF exist today. Currently OpenOffice.org, StarOffice, KOffice, Lotus Notes, AbiWord, Google Docs & Spreadsheets, Zoho Writer, AjaxWriter and other applications work with ODF documents. As pointed out previously, multiple implementations of ODF existed prior to its submission to ISO.
ODF makes use of as many existing open software standards as possible, which both improves the specification's quality, shortens re-implementation production schedules, and permits conformity with the wide range of W3C XML tool sets. This respect for existing standards makes re-implementation of the ODF format attractive, efficient, and feasible, and it provides for an efficient standard specification process and a more compact specification document.
ODF is developed and maintained by a technical committee whose members are obligated to a royalty-free policy. The originator of ODF, Sun Microsystems, provides a simple covenant-not-to-sue, which covers any of potential Sun patents used in the development of ODF implementations (although none have been asserted yet).xi The ODF specification is allowed to be fully implemented in both commercial and open source software without legal impediment. Additionally, ODF has been certified by the Software Freedom Law Center as free of legal encumbrances that would prevent its use in any free or open source software.xii
OOXML is a single-vendor format that presents obstacles to implementation in software other than products offered by Microsoft for which the format was designed:
The Ecma TC 45 charter states the goal in its Programme of Work, "To Produce a formal Standard for office productivity documents which is fully compatible with the Office Open XML Formats." Microsoft Office 2007 is currently the only application that provides a partial implementation of OOXML, while no application exists that is a reference implementation for the formats Ecma TC45 has submitted to ISO.xiii
OOXML ignores a number of open standards that are available and should be used, including SVG for drawings and MathML for equations.xiv Failure to reuse existing standards increases the cost and difficulty of third-party implementation and the frequency of the document formats' code-level interactions with proprietary features in Microsoft operating systems and applications.
The patent-protection pledge in Microsoft's Open Specification Promise only protects what is explicitly specified in the standard. The Promise states that the company will not sue anyone for implementing the explicit parts of the OOXML specification; however, there are numerous implied, referenced, and undocumented facets and behaviors of the OOXML formats which, if implemented by another entity, would risk "intellectual property" (patent) violations against Microsoft software. Additionally, there are serious gaps in the promise not to sue:
ODF has already achieved multiple implementations and has therefore achieved success with this criteria. In contrast, the patent "promise" of OOXML is insufficient. The embedded uncertainty and gaps in coverage hold back the formats' practical and legal implementability. That's why OOXML does not have multiple implementations today, and it should not be expected to have them under Microsoft's present approach to protecting developers against patent violations.
Perfect interoperability across different systems means a format can be fully implemented in any application, regardless of the platform or system on which that application operates. Every respective system would be able to access a document's content and layout parameters to provide perfect document fidelity to the original. While neither ODF or OOXML offers perfect interoperability, we can judge each one's performance based on its proximity to perfection as well as its potential to reach a high practical level of interoperability for business processes.
It is sufficient that an open document format should be easily read, authored, and edited from within different system environments and across different applications. Content should be transmitted without loss, and presentation layout should be rendered with fidelity by alternative applications operating on different platforms.
ODF-supporting applications are available on all major computing platforms such as Windows, Linux, Solaris, AIX, Mac OS, and a variety of web-based online document-editing applications, like Google Docs and Spreadsheets. Users can create documents with the wide variety of ODF-supporting applications on any of these platforms and exchange them with users working on different platforms.
Simple documents are being exchanged with high levels of fidelity today. For example, OpenOffice.org can open, read, and edit simple text documents originated in Koffice or AbiWord. While certain formatting problems can occur (typically with more complex documents), loss of content is infrequent in single-trip file transfers.xv Content and layout fidelity in roundtrip document exchange in collaborative work group situations (passing a document back and forth repeatedly) is imperfect but can be improved; there are no technical impediments to achieving better if not perfect roundtrip performance between all ODF-ready applications of the same vintage.xvi
OOXML presents problems for document interoperability across multiple platforms.xvii Shortcomings exist in four areas: 1) platform dependencies; 2) application dependencies; 3) inadequate specification; and 4) poorly-designed XML. While not meant to be an exhaustive list, the problems highlighted below reflect the dependencies upon the Microsoft Windows operating system(s) and Microsoft Office application(s) that pose the most obvious and significant threat to OOXML's interoperability:
Certain platform dependencies of OOXML are features that can only be implemented or optimized for Windows. Document files containing such features will break or not function the same way in non-Microsoft environments. Examples include:
System dependencies like these make it unappealing, difficult, and in most cases impossible to conduct work productively without Microsoft software.xxii These examples are not exhaustive.
OOXML documents' collaborative functionality and integration with e-mail and other applications depend upon further purchases of additional software from Microsoft.xxiii The following capabilities are not available to OOXML files when they are accessed by software other than Microsoft software:
To the extent that a format feature is only partially specified or not specified at all, other vendors' products will not be interoperable with it. Examples include:
Engineers in the field agree there are certain practices with respect to the use of XML from which it appropriate not to depart. Otherwise, the notion of a standard format for accessing data across disparate systems is defeated once unique techniques are put to use in particular environments which do not translate to others. OOXML disregards sensible XML practices in the following ways:
ODF is independent of any particular platform or application, whereas OOXML is either dependent upon, or optimized for, a catalog of Microsoft software applications and platforms and does not function fully with non-Microsoft software. The practical effect of such dependencies is that the use of OOXML by individuals or within work groups will require the purchase of licenses of Microsoft operating systems on both the desktop and the server as well as Microsoft Office 2007.
Pressure from customers, including many governments, has pushed technology companies toward openness and ODF. Microsoft has responded with its new format, OOXML. However, a close examination of the origins, technical specifications and follow-up implementations of both formats reveals significant differences. Where ODF meets the four objective criteria of open standards handsomely, OOXML does not satisfy any of the four as extensively.
ODF showcases how an inclusive, consensus-driven, transparent development process can produce a standard that is available to everyone. OOXML's weaknesses begin at the fundamental level: its goals conflict. While the format proposes itself as a solution to backward compatibility, its approach, design, and execution block full implementation by entities other than Microsoft. The great promise of XML, interoperability, cannot be achieved with OOXML. Ultimately, the format's conflicting objectives make it a poor candidate for a global standard.
In light of such fundamental limitations, basic questions need to be resolved before OOXML is considered for use on any basis and certainly as a potential standard. The questions resonate: How can OOXML with its lack of an open life-cycle, lack of complete documentation in the specification, lack of multiple software implementations, and lack of interoperability across diverse platforms meet the legal as well as practical needs in the organization for long-term document archiving and for accommodating the flow of information correctly through business processes across different types of systems?
ICT executives and policy-makers will be looking carefully at their own objectives in deciding which document format is appropriate for their users and for the long-term viability of their systems and information culture. It is no longer necessary to accept the one solution offered. And it is important to get this particular decision right, given the practical and strategic importance of the document format today.
ii "ISO to Fast Track...", Scott Fulton, Beta News, Mar. 17, 2007
iv There are numerous overlapping definitions of open software standards. Proposals exist from the Open Source Initiative (http://perens.com/OpenStandards/Definition.html), the European Union's Interoperability Framework (http://europa.eu.int/idabc/en/document/3761), the Danish government's definition of open standards (http://www.oio.dk/files/040622_Definition_of_open_standards.pdf), the "Krechmer Requirements" (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.csrstds.com%2Fopenstds.pdf&ei=itBcRtjJNoP4wQKDvpyvBQ&usg=AFrqEzfBPDJ6VDzjbviLByt9zwcUkReMVw&sig2=BoL6-Cxk20VCdg56OQDiXQ) among others.
vi ODF specification version 1.1 (http://docs.oasis-open.org/office/v1.1/OS/OpenDocument-v1.1.pdf)
vii "...pushing through an overcomplex proposal in a very short time frame." (http://press.ffii.org/Press_releases/FFII_opposes_Fasttrack_adoption_of_Microsoft_OOXML_format_as_ISO_standar)
viii "How to hire Guillaume Portes" by Rob Weir (http://www.robweir.com/blog/2006/01/how-to-hire-guillaume-portes.html)
ix The OOXML specification includes the following note relating to each of the named legacy deprecated feature tags: "Guidance: To faithfully replicate this behavior, applications must imitate the behavior of that application, which involves many possible behaviors and cannot be faithfully placed into narrative for this Office Open XML Standard. If applications wish to match this behavior, they must utilize and duplicate the output of those applications. It is recommended that applications not intentionally replicate this behavior as it was deprecated due to issues with its output, and is maintained only for compatibility with existing documents from that application. end guidance" This is an apologia for the lack of documentation in the OOXML for the named items.
x The author's "Analyzing the OOXML License" (http://fussnotes.typepad.com/plexnex/2007/01/analyzing_the_m.html)
xi Sun Microsystems' covenant-not-to-sue (http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/office/ipr.php)
xiii Marbux, General Counsel to the OpenDocument Foundation, Inc., 501(c)3, comments on Jeremy Allison's article, "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry" (http://talkback.zdnet.com/5208-11048-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=33784&messageID=621428&start=-1)
xiv For a detailed accounting, reference the number of entries on OOXML at http://www.groklaw.net/staticpages/index.php?page=20051216153153504
xv Despite lingering technical and approach problems with the Microsoft / Clever Age ODF Add-in project for Word on Sourceforge, the list there of MS Word application features not supported by the ODF specification is accurate (http://odf-converter.sourceforge.net/features.html#unsupportedODT). The list indicates ways a document's formatting can be predicted to break when translating from Microsoft (.doc, for example) to ODF (.odt) formats. In addition to non-alignment of the different formats, honest differences of application design create interoperability dysfunction which manifests as file content or layout breakages that disturb productivity in work groups where mixed desktops exist.
xvi Poor document roundtrip performance also plagues collaboration between users of different vintages of Microsoft Office.
xvii Groklaw's "EOOXML Objections," Jan. 2007 (http://www.grokdoc.net/index.php/EOOXML_objections)
xviii Microsoft Developer Network's explanation of the DevMode data structure (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms535771.aspx).
xix http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globally_Unique_Identifier
xx This page reference to the OOXML specification may be obsolete, since ECMA has posted revisions numerous times since the specification first went "final."
xxi This page reference to the OOXML specification may be obsolete, since ECMA has posted revisions numerous times since the specification first went "final."
xxii Engineering such dependencies with intent is an integral part of software vendors' traditional business models and a source of vendors' ability to influence software purchase decisions. Open source software and open standards–such as ODF–are making it easier for customers to determine what software they need, when they need it, how much they pay and whether license management takes up their time or not.
xxiii The information on system requirements for using Microsoft Office (its commercial implementation of the OOXML standard) clearly indicates that "Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 is required for certain advanced functionality" (see http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/HA101668651033.aspx#5). The OOXML specification lacks the required documentation on what specific elements of OOXML are not independently implementable.
xxiv Clip-art should not be defined in the file format since clip-art licensing is not uniform or standard on every platform and this creates another operating system and application dependency (http://www.grokdoc.net/index.php/EOOXML_Objections_Clearinghouse#Inappropriate_user-interface_specifications:_Clip_Art) and (http://lnxwalt.wordpress.com/2007/04/06/to-the-members-of-the-california-state-assembly/).
xxv This page reference to the OOXML specification may be obsolete, since ECMA has posted revisions numerous times since the specification first went "final."
xxvi This page reference to the OOXML specification may be obsolete, since ECMA has posted revisions numerous times since the specification first went "final."
xxvii This page reference to the OOXML specification may be obsolete, since ECMA has posted revisions numerous times since the specification first went "final."
xxviii OOXML relies on undisclosed information (http://www.grokdoc.net/index.php/EOOXML_Objections_Clearinghouse#Ecma_376_relies_on_undisclosed_information).
xxix 'Bitmasks cause significant XML validation, among several other, problems.' (http://www.grokdoc.net/index.php/EOOXML_Objections_Clearinghouse#Ecma_376_uses_bitmasks.2C_inhibiting_extensibility_and_use_of_standard_XML_tools)
xxx This page reference to the OOXML specification may be obsolete, since ECMA has posted revisions numerous times since the specification first went "final."
xxxi Legacy application bug carry-forwards would not occur in a format that is developed by open consensus of multiple parties (http://www.grokdoc.net/index.php/EOOXML_Objections_Clearinghouse#The_Gregorian_Calendar).
xxxii This page reference to the OOXML specification may be obsolete, since ECMA has posted revisions numerous times since the specification first went "final."
xxxiii As part of the expressed goals of W3C XML, it is important to respect standard naming conventions for readability and honor the principle of consistency in a specification. OOXML does not (http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml/#sec-origin-goals) and (http://www.grokdoc.net/index.php/EOOXML_Objections_Clearinghouse#Poor_names_and_inconsistent_naming_conventions_for_elements_and_attributes) and (http://www.openmalaysiablog.com/2007/01/ooxml_has_poor_.html).
Sam Hiser is Vice President & Director Business Affairs at the OpenDocument Foundation, Inc. He was advisor to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division on its pilot of OpenDocument-ready software this year. Hiser also blogs at www.PlexNex.com.
Return to ONLamp.com.
Copyright © 2009 O'Reilly Media, Inc.


text:
Team Building Activities for Group Meetings in Charleston, South Carolina
Opportunities for motivation and team building for off-site group meetings abound in the coastal environment at Wild Dunes Resort. Whatever the reason for meeting - be it a business meeting, family reunion, spiritual retreat, or special group gathering - we invite you to get your group moving and grooving together in one of our unique team building activities...
"While there's no one-size-fits-all pattern, we've found that giving meeting attendees opportunities to bond—whether by celebrating a big win or learning how to be a more synergistic team—are just as important to some meeting planners as finding the right meeting space," says Eric Pease, National Sales Manager at Wild Dunes Resort. "And Wild Dunes offers a truly unique setting and a variety of relationship-building activities to do just that."
Situated on a barrier island minutes from charming Charleston, SC, Wild Dunes is a setting that inspires, no matter what your objective. From quick meeting breaks, golf and tennis scrambles, scavenger hunts, oyster roasts, or all-day excursions like our commitment-to-community projects or coastal fishing and water sport activities, our staff is able to customize and organize activities that meet both your tastes and budget.
At the end of the day, whether it's a group of 12 people or 400 people, our goal is to make sure meeting planners walk away feeling like their teams not only had a great time, but achieved their goals, inside the meeting room and out.
See below for some of our most popular offerings and team building video, or view our team building guide for a complete list of activities.
• Commitment-to-Community Offerings
The natural resources of the South Carolina Lowcountry can be enjoyed, but also need to be conserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Here is a unique opportunity for your group to get out on the water, work together for a common goal, and do some good for the environment.
SCORE - Build an Oyster Reef
Participants will assist in restoring and rebuilding an oyster reef. A presentation including the overview about the eco system and results of the participant's efforts will be presented to the group by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of the South Carolina Oyster Restoration & Enhancement (SCORE) program is to restore and enhance oyster habitat by planting recycled oyster shells in the intertidal environment to form new, self-sustaining oyster reefs. This community-based habitat restoration project is an important endeavor because oysters play a significant ecologic and economic role in South Carolina; however, oyster populations are declining. It is important for the community, to understand how oysters improve water quality, control erosion, and provide habitat for other commercially-important shellfish and fish species by learning about their biology and the human activities that can influence their well being. By partnering with the community, the SCORE program can restore valuable habitat while also educating people on the ecological importance of oyster reefs and the habitat that oysters create.
-Max Group Size: 40
-Offered Mid March through Mid July
-Lead Time: 3 Weeks
-Event Duration: 1.5 to 3 Hours
-Cost: $50/person
• Lost in the Dunes
How well do you know your way around Wild Dunes? Join us as we test your sense of direction and knowledge of the Dunes! Your group will be split into teams, and then each team will vote one player of the opposite team to be marooned. This participant will then be relocated by one of the Wild Dunes staff members to a location somewhere within the resort's gates. He/She will only be equipped with a two-way radio, and is not permitted to move from the designated location. The rest of his/her team will also be equipped with a two-way radio and will be tasked with finding their lost comrade. The only form of communication will be through the radios. The first team to return to the meeting place with their teammate is the victor!
-Max Group Size: 40
-Offered: Year Round
-Lead Time: 2 Weeks
-Event Duration: 1 to 3 Hours
-Cost: $35/person
• Crabbing Gets Competitive
Learning the sport of crabbing is a fun group activity! Cruise to Capers Island, unload on the beach, and catch blue crabs using the age old technology of hand lines and dip nets. The crew will clean the catch, and prepare a seasoned campfire boil. Never experienced the taste of fresh crabs? Well, get ready for a taste sensation! The crew always provides a supplemental catch to ensure everyone gets their fill. This trip lends a friendly, competitive air when teams are formed for an old fashioned crab-off. Prizes can be awarded for the largest male and female blue crab.
-Length: 3 hours
-Group Size: Up to 49 Passengers
-Cost: 6 passengers/ $172.50 per hour; 16 passengers/ $287.50 per hour; 19 passengers/ $345 per hour; 35 passengers/ $402.40 per hour; 49 passengers/ $517.50 per hour
-Gratuity: A 15% gratuity is included in the charter rates published above.
-Availability: May-December, trip times are contingent on the tides, and company availability.
-Location: Barrier Island Eco Tours is located in Isle of Palms Marina
Transportation: Complimentary transportation is provided by Wild Dunes Resort for all Blue Crabbing excursions.
-Add-Ons: A beachside cookout can be added to your trip if looking to incorporate a full meal into your excursion.
-Notes: Please note that if a beachside cookout that is added onto this excursion it is not included in the Wild Dunes Resort dinning credit.
For questions or to book an activity, please contact your sales manager at 843.886.2090. *Pricing and offerings included are valid for meetings and events held before December 31, 2013.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Verona, Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in northern Italy.
Though it's hard to imagine any criminal element in such a pastoral setting, as in any global city of interest and importance, Verona depends on national and regional law enforcement to keep crime at a minimum and provide a safe, secure environment for its citizens and visitors.
Last year, Questura di Verona – the police department of Verona – recognized they needed to find a way to synchronize and collaborate with other law enforcement agencies during criminal investigations and in day-to-day interactions. They needed to create a single virtual communications center where the different regional police forces could exchange important information and be in continual visual and audio contact. After thoroughly investigating all of the evidence, they chose Vidyo.
According to Dr. Vincenzo Stingone, the Head of Questura di Verona, "We had a limited budget but high expectations of what we wanted in a videoconferencing system. It was important that the quality of the video and audio was extremely good and that anyone, no matter where they were located, could connect to the communications system. We looked at other solutions, but they were not only too expensive, but also did not deliver the quality and the ease-of-use and access over the Internet that is possible with Vidyo.
Our 'virtual operations room' has been a huge success throughout the law enforcement groups in our region. We have been using Vidyo 24/7 every day since it was first deployed. It has dramatically improved communications and reduced costs associated with our criminal investigations and beyond. The amount of time we had to travel to meet at the various locations has been hugely decreased since a much lower number of physical meetings are required to manage daily operations."
Case closed.


text:
In his speech on Tuesday laying out a national climate action plan, President Obama called on federal agencies to lead by example in taking actions to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases.
In a new report today, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) highlights one area where the federal government is making progress, and can achieve much more. It's called Leading by Example 2.0: How Information and Communication Technologies Help Federal Agencies Meet Sustainability Goals [2].
Faced with declining budgets, federal agencies are looking for innovative ways to cut costs while meeting a growing list of sustainability mandates. Expanding the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) – metering and energy management systems for buildings, GPS-based tools for fleets, teleconferencing, e-training, teleworking, and cloud-based data storage – offer agencies new ways to reduce their energy use, cut greenhouse gas emissions and enhance productivity.
We estimate widespread deployment of ICT could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12 percent, roughly half the amount called for under a 2009 executive order, and could save an estimated $5 billion in energy costs through 2020.
One of the first environmental actions taken by the Obama Administration was directing federal agencies to lead by example in adopting more sustainable practices. Issued in October 2009, Executive Order 13514 set a number of specific energy targets for agencies, including for the first time greenhouse gas targets.
Using 2008 as a baseline, agencies have a goal of reducing direct emissions (Scope1 and 2) 28 percent and indirect emissions (Scope 3) 13 percent by 2020. With reductions of 7 percent through 2011, federal agencies are making good progress. By expanding use of ICT, the federal government could go much further.
Our report builds on a set of eight case studies [3] published last September by C2ES highlighting examples of agencies using ICT to help meet their sustainability goals. For example.
The case studies also identified a number of key barriers that agencies have to overcome if they are to more widely expand use of ICT. Our report recommends ways to address these barriers, including:
Federal agencies are showing that meeting sustainability goals can be accomplished even in times when budget cutbacks are the order of the day. By expanding their use of innovative ICT, agencies can be more efficient while cutting costs and becoming more environmentally sustainable.
[1] http://www.c2es.org/blog/seidels
[2] http://www.c2es.org/publications/leading-by-example-2-how-ict-help-achieve-federal-sustainability
[3] http://www.c2es.org/initiatives/information-technology/case-studies-report
[4] http://www.c2es.org/category/topic/energy-technology
[5] http://www.c2es.org/category/topic/federal


text:
GV Now
Online network connects honeybee keepers and researchers
Posted on May 30, 2014
One out of three bites of food, or one-third of our diet, is linked to the direct work of the honeybee. But honeybees are mysteriously disappearing, and faculty members at Grand Valley State University are using technology to understand why.
Professors and students building a Web application that has the potential to connect honeybee keepers with researchers across the country. The keepers register a hive, assign it to a scale and track daily cycles such as weight, humidity and temperature. The data collected can become a research tool for scientists to discover patterns that could shed light on the problem.
Anne Marie Fauvel, professor of liberal studies, said the number of honeybees that survive the winter is low every year. "This is serious because the bees that survive are the ones that continue a colony or establish new ones in the spring," she said. "Last year, 36 percent were lost. Twenty years ago, it was only 8 percent."
Their goal is for the Web application to become a nationwide effort.
Read more about the project in the spring issue of Grand Valley Magazine: http://gvsu.edu/s/E9
For more information, contact Anne Marie Fauvel at email@example.com or (616) 331-8020, or Jonathan Engelsma, professor of computing, at email@example.com or (616) 331-2049.


text:
Forgot Password? | Not a User? Sign up
Your browser does not support iframes.
MADISON, Ind. – Graham Dwight Heath, 83, of Madison died Friday, July 11, 2008, at the Waters of Clifty Falls, Madison, Ind.
Funeral services are 2 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Morgan and Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive, Madison, with the Revs. John Scudder and Randy Jungkurth officiating. Full military honors will be conducted at the graveside by Jefferson Post 9 of the American Legion.
WABASH, Ind. – Billy Dan Patton, 48, of Wabash died Saturday, July 5, 2008, at his home.
Funeral services are 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, July 9, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, with Pastor Rob Barton officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash.
Mr. Patton was born Feb. 21, 1960, in Wabash to the late Billy Scott and Oueda (Meadows) Patton.
CARROLLTON, Ky. – Magnolia G. Perry, 90, of Carrollton died Monday, June 30, 2008, at Norton Audubon Hospital in Louisville, Ky.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 3, at Tandy-Eckler-Riley Funeral Home, 809 Highland Ave., Carrollton, with the Rev. Joe Kindoll officiating. Burial was in English Cemetery.
Mrs. Perry was born June 20, 1918, in Bedford, KY., to the late Walter F. and Gertrude Ball Proctor. She was a homemaker and member of Cove Hill Baptist Church.
Copyright © 2016
The News-Democrat is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Carroll County, KY and the surrounding area.


text:
Home | Sitemap
Click here to share your thoughts & experiences
its not explain by words, his highness control all devotes in his song .
oh its a very nice when hearing bhagavan nama we are went through the foot steps of god and we like to participate in dhivyanamam sankeerthanam during hearing abhangams
"Divine" that is the one word expression of Guruji's Sath Sangh. Eagerly looking forward to the Sath Sangh at Sri Kanchi Mutt on 21st December 2011.
Sri Vittala, Vittala, Vittala Panduranga. Our humble pranams to Sri Sri Anna, really great divine experience we had on that day and we met Sri Sri Anna in the Mandir as well as in the SevaKunj..experience we had is not possible to cater in the words hence request every one to visit Sri Panduranga Temple and have Divine Darshan and Divine blessings for World's Peace for all generations to come. Hare Krishna and Hare Rama, Radhe Krishna.
I have seen the videos of Bhajans sung by Vittaldas Anna and others. I cant close the website till late night. I am very much eager for darshan of Lord Ponduranga and swamiji (Vittaldas Anna) at Govindapuram, which is near to my native place Thanjavur. I am writing this from Baroda. Jai Jai Vittal Jai Hari Vittal.
Giving Peace of mind and a true spritual journey to Lord Pandurangan. Not only Lord but also our sole mate. Inspires me to live in out of money and material life. Gives unknown pleasure to athma...
The temple stands high. When we think of the efforts of Anna in building such a huge temple from the funds out of performing bhajans it tells upon Anna's efforts behind it. It stands as an example that everything in the world is possible if one is having dedication and with Gods kadaikan paravai. During the puja, the way Anna corrected the Mala and put it for Them (Pandurangan and Rukmini) was a clear indication that he wants perfection in anything and everything. In true words the prasadam of Sakaraipongal distributed was so rich both in quality and quantity. I pray God that the circulating areas must also be completed early so that the devotees go around the temple without any problem during the rainy days also. Radhekrisha. Vittal Vittal Jay Jay Vittal.
Radhe Krishna!! Namaskaram, I am L. Parthasarathy reisiding at Chrompet. My native place is Thanjavur. I am one of the member of Radhe Krishna Bajan Mandali, Chengalpat-Thambaram-Beach. Every we are doing Bajans in Train at the time of going to Office. Every day I am enjoying your songs and kept it in my mobile. Mostly I will sing your song in Train. Especially your Panduranga Namam echoing always in my mind as Non-stop. Till now I am unable to come to your temple. My bajan groups already visited the temple.Pls. Mail to me regarding telecast of your programme when and where? Especially I will enjoy the following songs. 1.Ragi Thandira 2.Deva Hoyina 3.Satgurme Maje 4.Sada Maje 5.Halu Halu 6.Dhanya+Vanamali 7.Chapala Charana 8.Seethapathi 9.Andharu Raama 10.Chinna Chinna Muruga 11.Bholo Natha & 12.Changu Chakradhara. -Radhe Krishna
I along with my family members consisting of my wife and my beloved mother are very fortunate in hearing the scentilating Nmasankirthanam Bhajans by Sri Sri Vittaldas Maharaj over the last few years which is very reverabiting and enlightening. Thanks to Sri Vittaldas Maharaji, who by is dedicated mission of spreading the Namasankirthanam throughout India and has kindled many hearts especially youngsters, who got moulded by lilstening to his gifted voice.
Yesterday our family went to the Vittal Rukmini Samasthan after Kumbhabishegam. It was very good experience, no words to say. It was amazing and very peaceful to see the God Pandurangan and Ragumayi. The Gosala was maintained very neat and clean. Everybody must see the Gods atleast once in a while.
Click here to share your thoughts & experiences
Home |
Guru Smaranam |
Mandir |
Goshala |
Nithyopachar |
Activities |
Nama Saagar |
CDs & Publication |
Contribute |
Register |
Contact Us
Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan : Dakshina Pandaripuram, Govindapuram,
Tamil Nadu, India.


text:
News8000.com is a website designed to provide news and information for the community (the "Service"). News8000.com is brought to you by QueenB Television, LLC ("WKBT"), which is part of Morgan Murphy Media.
These Terms of Use ("Agreement") set out the legally binding terms for your use of the Website. By using the News8000.com Website (the "Website"), you agree to be bound by this "Agreement," whether or not you become a member ("Member").
WKBT may modify this Agreement from time to time, and such modification shall be effective upon posting on the Site. No such modification or amendment of the Agreement shall apply to a dispute of which we had actual notice on the date of amendment. You agree to be bound to any changes to this Agreement when you use the Service after such modifications take effect. This Agreement includes and incorporates by reference WKBT's policy for acceptable use and content posted on the Website, your rights, obligations and restrictions regarding your use of the Website and the Service and WKBT's Privacy Policy. You are responsible for regularly checking the Website to review changes, if any, to this Agreement and/or WKBT's Privacy Policy.
If you have any concerns regarding privacy, contact us at email@example.com for more information.
1) Eligibility
Membership in the Service and use of the Website is void where prohibited. Your use of the Website and the Service constitutes your representation and warranty that all registration information you submit is truthful and accurate and your agreement to maintain the accuracy of such information. You further represent and warrant that you are at least 13 years of age and that your use of the Site shall not violate any applicable law or regulation. Any registration or use of the Website by anyone under 13 is prohibited. Your profile may be deleted without warning if it is found that you have misrepresented your age.
This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect while you use the Website, the Service, and/or are a Member. By using the Service or by becoming a Member, you acknowledge that WKBT reserves the right to charge for the Service and has the right to terminate a Member's Membership should Member breach this Agreement or fail to pay for the Service, as required by this Agreement.
The Website is for the personal noncommercial use of Members and users only, and you shall not authorize others to use your account, including your profile or email address. The Website may only be used in connection with those commercial endeavors that are specifically endorsed or approved by WKBT's management. Illegal and/or unauthorized use of the Website, including collecting usernames and/or email addresses of Members by electronic or other means for the purpose of sending unsolicited email or unauthorized framing of or linking to the Website will be investigated. Commercial advertisements, affiliate links, and other forms of solicitation may be removed from Member profiles without notice and may result in termination of Membership. Appropriate legal action will be taken by WKBT for any illegal or unauthorized use of the Website.
2) Ownership of Website Content
Except as otherwise noted, the information and/or software within the Website and/or the Service (including, but not limited to, articles, photographs, images, illustrations, audio clips and video clips, and all such material collectively, the "Website Content") are the exclusive property of WKBT or its licensors, other than content that you lawfully provide to the Website ("User Content"). All Website Content is copyrighted and protected by worldwide intellectual property laws and treaty provisions. Except as expressly provided herein, Website Content may not be copied, reproduced, modified, published, uploaded, downloaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in any way, without WKBT's prior written permission. Except as expressly provided herein, WKBT grants no express or implied rights to you under any patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, or trade secret information. If you would like to reproduce or distribute any of the Website Content in any manner other than as described in this Agreement, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
You may not use any trademark or service mark appearing on our website without the prior written consent of the owner of the mark. The following marks are the property of WKBT: WKBT-TV, and News8000.com.
Single Copy License
You may download one (1) copy of the Website Content on a single computer for your personal, non-commercial internal use only. This is a limited license, not a transfer of title, and is subject to the following restrictions: you may not (a) modify the Website Content or use any Website Content for any commercial purpose, or any other public display, performance, sale, or rental; (b) decompile, reverse engineer, or disassemble software Website Content; (c) remove any copyright notice or other proprietary notices from any Website Content; (d) transfer the Website Content to another person; (e) upload or republish Website Content on any Internet, Intranet or Extranet site or database or compilation. You agree to prevent any unauthorized copying of the Website Content. This license may be revoked at any time with or without cause or notice. Any use of the Website Content other than as provided in this license is prohibited, and the license shall terminate upon any such prohibited use.
License to WKBT
By posting messages, uploading files, inputting data, or engaging in any other form of communication through the Service, you grant WKBT a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, unrestricted, worldwide license to: (a) use, copy, sublicense, adapt, transmit, publicly perform or display any such communication, whether on the Website or on any other websites under WKBT's control; (b) sublicense to third parties the unrestricted right to exercise any of the foregoing rights granted in subsection (a) with respect to the communication. The rights granted in this paragraph include the right to exploit any proprietary rights in such communication, including but not limited to rights under copyright, trademark, service mark or patent laws under any relevant jurisdiction. This license will terminate at the time you remove such User Content from the Website.
Copyright and Designated Copyright Agent
You may not post, distribute, or reproduce in any way any copyrighted material, trademarks, or other proprietary information without obtaining the owner's prior written consent. Upon prompt notification to WKBT by the copyright owner or the copyright owner's legal agent, WKBT may terminate the membership of any Member who repeatedly infringes copyright.
We respect the copyright and other intellectual property rights of others, and we expect that users of our service will do the same. If you believe that copyright-infringing material is available on our site, please notify us immediately. Pursuant to the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, we have designated an agent for receipt of such notices:
Brian Burns
Vice President of Operations
Morgan Murphy Media
7025 Raymond Road
Madison, WI 53719
Phone: 608-271-4321
Email: email@example.com
Your notice should provide the following information:
- A physical or electronic signature of a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.
- Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed, or, if multiple copyrighted works at a single online site are covered by a single notification, a representative list of such works at that site.
- Identification of the material that is claimed to be infringing or to be the subject of infringing activity and that is to be removed or access to which is to be disabled, and information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate the material.
- Information reasonably sufficient to permit us to contact you, such as an address, telephone number, and, if available, an electronic mail address at which the complaining party may be contacted.
- A statement that you have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
- A statement that the information in your notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that you are authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.
3) Acceptable Use and Content
Visitors to the Website and Members are expected to adhere to the following acceptable use and content policies. Please choose carefully the information you post on the Website and that you provide to other Members. You agree that you are solely responsible for all Content published or displayed through your account, including any email messages and/or private messages and for your interactions with other Members. You agree to maintain the security of your account information and password at all times.
You understand and agree that WKBT (1) does not and cannot review every message or other User Content submitted, posted, distributed or otherwise disseminated; (2) assumes no obligation to do so; and (3) is not responsible for content posted by third parties. WKBT does, however, reserve the right to refuse, delete, move or edit User Content that, in WKBT's sole discretion, is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing or otherwise objectionable or User Content that violates these Terms and Conditions and to disclose any information as necessary to satisfy any applicable law, rule, regulation, legal process or governmental request or to enforce our rights with respect to these Terms of Use of our Privacy Policy. You agree that you waive any and all rights you may have with respect to the alternation, modification, or removal of your User Content. As a condition of your use of the Website, you agree to use the Service in a manner consistent with any and all applicable laws and regulations, and you warrant to WKBT that you will not use this site for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these terms, conditions, and notices. You are solely responsible for the User Content that you publish or display, including photos, images, profiles, messages, text, information, music, video and other content on the Service and or Website, as well as any material or information that you transmit to other Members.


text:
Tied to the Sky / kite making kits for schools
Apr 12, 2013
Great Kite Kits for Classrooms & Boardrooms
Meet the Frustration-less Flyer! These simple, easy to build and fly kite kits are ideal for the classroom, team building, Camp craft or as a creative family activity. These popular kite making kits allow each person to add their own creative touch to the blank sail using common school and household craft supplies like: paint, markers, glitter, ribbon, stickers, pencil crayons and wax crayons - almost anything goes! For this reason the Frustration-less Flyer's are appealing to all ages! We have sold these kite packages to: Schools Scouts, Beavers, Brownies and Guides Summer camps Resorts for their children's programs Corporations for...


text:
Is Hazama good even though you only know the basics of his play? Ice Climbers are terrible until you've poured loads of time (hundreds of hours) into them, then sharply start becoming good. To make them excellent, you have to stay at that good level until you master the most difficult things and get every single matchup down perfectly. Even then, they aren't as good as Marth, for example.
It pretty much depends on the size you're looking at things. If Vermanubis, a highly knowledged Ganondorf main, came to Europe, he'd be in the top 10 of a continental tournament despite there being like 20-40 players in the tournament who have characters who counter Ganondorf. Vermanubis also does well on the American ground, but will probably never get even near top 100 just because of the Meta Knights and stuff. With the ban of MK things may change, though - two regional-sized tournaments (MK Banned, they were before the Unity Ban) I looked at for some data had 4 low tier characters within top 12 (Ganondorf won the other one, can't remember player though, lol) and had over 25 characters of the roster used by around 40 players. I'd say that mid-tiers are quite viable for tournament play after the ban, although they will never see the top spots of world class play.
Edited by mmKALLL, 05 October 2011 - 11:32 AM.


text:
Jason Brady
Jason Brady is a portfolio manager and managing director with Thornburg Investment Management. He is author of "Income Investing: An Intelligent Approach to Profiting from Bonds, Stocks, and Money Markets" (McGraw Hill, 2012).
Area of Expertise: bonds
Jason Brady is a managing director for Thornburg Investment Management. He is the portfolio manager of the Thornburg Limited Term U.S. Government Fund and co-portfolio manager of the Thornburg Limited Term Income Fund, the Thornburg Investment Income Builder Fund and the Thornburg Strategic Income Fund.
Brady joined Thornburg in 2006 as an associate portfolio manager and was named managing director in 2007. Prior to joining Thornburg, he was a portfolio manager with Fortis Investments in Boston, Massachusetts. He has held various positions at Fidelity Investments and Lehman Brothers. Brady holds a B.A. with honors in environmental biology and English from Dartmouth College and an MBA with concentrations in analytical finance and accounting from Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. He is a CFA charterholder.
Articles by this Author
Portfolio Strategies »
Stocks vs. Bonds: Why and When?
When choosing between bonds and stocks, investors should consider the enormous variation among individual assets within each asset class.
September 2012 | Journal
Bonds »
Corporate Bond Analysis: What to Consider
Corporate bond investors need to look beyond yield and focus on an issuer's character, capacity, collateral and conditions.
May 2011 | Journal


text:
"I guess you could say you're a little nervous going into it," Smyly said Monday before the Rays' 3-2, 10-inning loss to Oakland. "You have those butterflies like your first game of the season almost. You want to make a good impression your first game. So hopefully I do well.
"When I played here earlier with the Tigers, it was probably my worst game of the year. So I also have that chip to try to come back against Oakland because I want to prove that I can beat these guys. It's a big game. It's going to be exciting. I'm looking forward to it."
Smyly gave up a season-high six runs on eight hits over five innings in the Tigers' 10-0 loss at the O.co Coliseum on May 26. He allowed four home runs in the first three innings, one each to Brandon Moss, Josh Donaldson, Kyle Blanks and Yoenis Cespedes.
"They've got a great lineup," Smyly said. "We played them a lot over the last few years with the Tigers, last two years in the playoffs. ... It's going to be a tough job. If you execute your pitches, you're going to be fine. I'm definitely glad that Cespedes is out of the lineup. That's a plus.
"I'm very anxious to get that first game under my belt. Hopefully I can make a good impression for all these guys on the team, the coaches. Just got to go out there and do the best you can."
The A's traded Cespedes to the Boston Red Sox last week as part of a deal for left-hander Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes.
Smyly took Price's place in the Tampa Bay rotation, but he knows he can't truly fill in for the four-time All-Star.
"I don't look at it as I'm replacing David," Smyly said. "You're not going to replace David Price. He's going to be one of the best on any team he goes to. I'm just here to try to do the best I can. The Rays made the trade. They wanted me, so I'm going to do the best I can and try to learn from them and get better every game. I don't look at it as trying to replace David at all."
Rays manager Joe Maddon said he just wants Smyly to be himself.
"That's who we are anyway," Maddon said. "I just want our guys to be themselves and play their game. David's been a Cy Young Award winner. Maybe Drew can do that some day. I don't know. He's been good. He's been really good."


text:
Free with Museum Admission
Purchase tickets here [3]
In observance of Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Memorial Day for victims of war and in celebration of Yom Haatzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, we invite families to join The Clay Studio for a special "hands"-on project at the Museum. Create your own hamsa - a palm-shaped symbol embraced by many cultures, particularly throughout the Middle East and Africa, as a talisman against the evil eye.
The word hamsa comes from the word for "five" (as in, five fingers) in both Hebrew and Arabic. You often see this shape in jewelry and wall-hangings. It is believed to provide defense against evil by many religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
Wet clay and Museums don't mix! All hamsas must be kiln-fired before you can take them home. It's ok: you'll get them back.


text:
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/236617
- Title
- Close galaxy pairs at z = 3: a challenge to UV luminosity abundance matching
- Author(s)
- Berrier, Joel C.; Cooke, Jeff
- Abstract
- We use a sample of z ∼ 3 Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) to examine close pair clustering statistics in comparison to Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM)-based models of structure formation. Samples are selected by matching the LBG number density, ng, and by matching the observed LBG 3D correlation function of LBGs over the two-halo term region. We show that ultraviolet (UV) luminosity abundance matching cannot reproduce the observed data, but if subhaloes are chosen to reproduce the observed clustering of LBGs we are able to reproduce the observed LBG pair fraction (Nc) defined as the average number of companions per galaxy. This model suggests an overabundance of LBGs by a factor of ∼5 over those observed, suggesting that only one in five haloes above a fixed mass hosts a galaxy with LBG-like UV luminosity detectable via LBG selection techniques. This overdensity is in agreement with the results of a Millennium 2 analysis and with the discrepancies noted by previous authors using different types of simulations. We find a total observable close pair fraction of 23 ± 0.6 per cent (17.7 ± 0.5 per cent) using a prototypical cylinder radius in our overdense fiducial model and 8.3 ± 0.5 per cent (5.6 ± 0.2 per cent) in an abundance matched model (impurity corrected). For the matched spectroscopic slit analysis, we find and 5.1 ± 0.2 (1.68 ± 0.02) per cent, the average number of companions observed serendipitously in randomly aligned spectroscopic slits, for fiducial slits (abundance matched), whereas the observed fraction of serendipitous spectroscopic close pairs is 4.7 ± 1.5 per cent using the full LBG sample and 7.1 ± 2.3 per cent for a subsample with higher signal-to-noise ratio. We conduct the same analysis on a sample of dark matter haloes from the Millennium 2 simulation and find similar results. From the results and an analysis of the observed LBG 2D correlation functions, we show that the standard method of halo assignment fails to reproduce the break, or up turn, in the LBG close pair behaviour at small scale (≲20 h−1 kpc physical). To reconcile these discrepancies we suggest that a plausible fraction of LBGs in close pairs with lower mass (higher density) than our sample experience interaction-induced enhanced star formation that boosts their luminosity sufficiently to be detected in observational sample but are not included in the abundance matched simulation sample.
- Publication type
- Journal article
- Research centre
- Swinburne University of Technology
- Source
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 426, no. 2 (Oct 2012), pp. 1647-1662
- Publication year
- 2012
- FOR Code(s)
- 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences
- Keyword(s)
- Galaxy evolution; Galaxy formation; Galaxy interactions; Galaxy statistics; High-redshift; Large-scale structure of Universe
- Publisher
- WIley-Blackwell Publishing
- 0035-8711
- Publisher URL
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2012 The Authors. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society copyright © 2012 RAS.
- Peer reviewed


text:
Compare great Dodge Heater Matrix prices in Stepney with Who Can Fix My Car.
Enter your registration, compare quotes, and find a great garage near you. Get your competitive local prices now!
Compare great Dodge Heater Matrix prices in Stepney with Who Can Fix My Car.
Had full servicing for my car, was really good and hassle free.
The true is i have decided to make this garage my permanent one. They are on point. Honest ....
My car had a really bad oil leak coming from the oil filter as previous garage broke the housing part. Went to st anthonys garage and he fixed it the same day. Would highly recomend very experienced
I don't recommend and NEVER gonna do anything with this garage ANYMORE...
Excellent service
Excellent service. Picked up and delivered the car in the given time. Car also cleaned. Thanks Daniel for your honest and excelllent service --Regards Suresh Canning town
Daniel's friendliness and customer service is second to none. Audi A3 cambelt kit, water pump and coolant fitted. Work completed as scheduled at the price estimated. Car cleaned inside and out too. Can't fault the whole experience, I'm so happy I've found a mechanic I can trust.
Superb. Great customer service. Daniel is a person who will tell You what exactly need to be done and he's mechanic who is not inclined to rip his clients off. Also very clean garage. Great communication during the whole process - even if You are not there. I can honestly recommend!
Exelent service I will be back again next time .
Car Technic did a great job. I am very satisfied. Will definitely come back. One of the biggest factor why this job felt so satisfying is the guy who took care of it: Daniel. He delivered everything he promised on time and with the best possible quality. Thank you so much.
Friendly and good service. A little slow with receiving the invoice but all in all a pleasant experience.
Pick up truck never arrived. Poor communication and co-ordination Bit of let down in the first step and didn't bother much to progress any further.
Great job done!
I thought the guy was very nice and helpful ...its just very far from my place and the only reason I didn t agree to come to this garaje .
My experience with garage have not be good. The garage refurbished gearbox for my b class Mercedez benz , initially i was given a quote for £1500 after the job was done I ended up paying £1950 not knowing this is just the beginning of our ordeal almost a month after the job was done the car developed gearbox problem again and the car was recoved back to the garrage and we had to pay additional £100 few weeks we noticed gearbox oil leaking and error message on the car dashboard to consult gearbox specialist and we took the car back to garrage and we are quote £350 to get it done according to garage the error message on dashboard came up because of problem with engine plug bla bla as am writing this review the car is in the garage we cant wait for this ordeal to end
Excellent. Very helpful. Fixed gearbox in 3 days. Lucky he had part in stock.
Very efficient and very accommodating.
Vasim did an amazing job with my car. As I need my car for work my request was to get it fixed on Saturday and Vasim was the only one who was happy to do this! He promised to get my car repaired on Saturday and bring it back to my house on Saturday evening even though I wasn't going to be at home. I asked if he could bring it back on Sunday when I get home and he agreed to do this even though he wasn't working on Sunday. He made a huge effort and brought my car to my housw on Sunday which was his night off! Not only was he extremely quick to fix my car but he also did it very professionally. He replaced the whole rear bumper and light unit in one day and the result was amazing! I have only positive words to describe the service he provided and if I have any problems with my car in the future he is definitely the first person I will call! Thank you again!
Excellent job, for a problem that was definitely not easy to solve (BMW injector and cylinder coil failure). Pleased to have brought it here as they were able to work out the problem and resolve for a competitive price. Thank you!
Great, quick service and easy to contact for updates on the work. Were accommodating from drop off to pick up
Would not recommend ! I'm not one to write reviews, but I was really upset when I went to get a full service and a month later, my oil completely runs out. My car got an oil leak which it never had before the "service". There wasn't a proper top up on my fluids and there was a lot of loose parts under my bonnet which a specialist had told be about. I went to a specialist for my car and they told me the service was done poorly. Not to mention that my horn stopped working after that, and wasn't even told that one of my headlights wasn't working anymore. Very poor service.
Member of good garage scheme makes them a local garage to rely on. Professional and polite, completed the job before schedule time given.
Had a new clutch supplied and fitted. Would highly recommend this garage.Gonna use them from now on if I could give 6stars i would. Thank you.
MOT, Full service, 2 new front tyres and new front brake pads. Good customer service.
Great garage. Friendly and helpful staff. Will be taking my car back there!
replaced all brake disks and pads - executed the job within short span of time - very experienced mechanics - good job - hope to use them soon agin
Very happy, I'd had 4 other garages fail to find the problem but they guys did which was great. I've since been back and had my car serviced, Their customer service is fantastic and I highly recommend them.
Very good quality. I highly recomand.


text:
Our mission is to provide continuous, comprehensive, and coordinated planning efforts, through a proactive public participation process, that will provide for regional growth, and regional mobility, while fostering sustainable development sensitive to community and natural resources.
The Columbus, Georgia Consolidated Government's Planning Department provides research, analysis, and policy recommendations to the City Council and Planning Advisory Commission (PAC) on land use, zoning, transportation planning, historic preservation, subdivision plat reviews, and urban design. The Department also acts as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Columbus-Phenix City area.
Through the use of a trained, professional planning staff, the department promotes advanced planning initiatives, objective studies and reviews, and the involvement of the community in planning needs. The planning department is committed to bringing together the area's urban planning resources to prepare for the future needs of our communities. This website is designed to provide visitors with the information they need concerning planning in our community. The Department hopes visitors of this website will find it informative and will visit it often.
The Planning Department received two awards at the 2009 Georgia Planning Association Fall conference. Read the official press release.
We also received an award at the 2010 Georgia Planning Association Fall conference held in Valdosta, Georgia. The following document was awarded at the conference: Read the official press release.
Do you have a question, comment, suggestion or concern to pass along to the Planning Department? If so, then use one of the methods below to contact the Department.
Office Address:
Government Annex Building, 2nd Floor
420 10th Street
Columbus, GA 31902
Mailing Address:
C/O Planning Department
P.O. Box 1340
Columbus, GA 31902
Phone: (706) 653-4421
Fax: (706) 653-4534
Email: email@example.com
|Contact Information
|Rick Jones - AICP,
Planning Director
(706) 225-3936
|Millicent Burden
(706) 225-3935
|David Cooper
GIS Technician
(706) 225-3976
|Transportation Division
|Felton Grant
Right-of-Way Coordinator
(706) 225-3939
|Lynda Temples
Principal Transportation Planner
(706) 225-3938
|Planning Division
|Will Johnson
Planning Division Chief
(706) 225-3930
|Kevin Herrit AICP, EDFP
Principal Planner
(706) 225-3934
|Kellie Littlefield
(706) 225-3929
|John Renfroe
(706) 225-3937
Map Instructions
Government Annex Building
2nd Floor
420 10th Street
Columbus, Georgia 31902
Phone: (706) 653-4421
Fax: (706) 653-4534
Sign Up for
Our Mailing List


text:
Seared Steaks with Caramelized Onions and Gorgonzola
Makes 4 servings
Getting started Equipment you will need: large skillet, knife/cutting board, small bowl, aluminum foil, plate, metal spatula, spoon Do right away when you get home:
1 Tbsp. canola oil
2 large onions
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 lb. beef tenderloin or sirloin steak
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. canola oil
1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Slice onions. Add onions and brown sugar and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often, until onions are very tender and golden brown. Add broth, vinegar, and salt and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until liquid has almost evaporated. Transfer onions to a small bowl; cover with foil to keep warm. Clean and dry your skillet.
2. Trim fat off beef and cut into 4 steaks. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of each steak. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until brown. Turn steaks over and top with cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Cook until cheese is melted and steaks are cooked to desired doneness. Serve with caramelized onions.
Suggested Side Items: Classic Mashed Potatoes (November 1st recipe) and steamed carrots
Tips: Gorgonzola cheese works best in this recipe. If you cannot find any at your local supermarket, you may substitute with bleu cheese.
Shopping list: Onions (2) 1 lb. beef tenderloin or sirloin steak Reduced-sodium beef broth Gorgonzola cheese
Check for: Canola oil Balsamic vinegar Black pepper Brown sugar Salt


text:
Vt. Health Dept. to study EEE in affected zoneThe Associated Press | April 09,2013BURLINGTON — The Vermont Health Department is asking for volunteers from three Addison County towns near where the mosquito-borne disease Eastern Equine Encephalitis killed two people last year.
The study of volunteers from Brandon, Sudbury and Whiting is to determine how many people are infected with the virus that causes EEE, but have not gotten seriously ill. The blood tests would detect antibodies to the virus.
The first clinic will be April 23 at the Brandon Senior Center. On May 14 a clinic will be held at the Sudbury Town Hall and on May 29 at the Whiting Town Hall.
The two Vermonters who died from EEE lived in areas where mosquitoes had tested positive for the virus.MORE IN This Just InWASHINGTON Long-term U.S. Full StoryMONTPELIER The Vermont attorney generals office says drug companies have complied with a state... Full StoryMOUNT HOLLY At its meeting next week, the Mount Holly Select Board will consider an ordinance... Full Story
- Most Popular
- Most Emailed


text:
You are not currently logged in.
Access your personal account or get JSTOR access through your library or other institution:
Back Matter
The Journal of Education
Vol. 78, No. 23 (1959) (DECEMBER 18, 1913)
Published by: Trustees of Boston University
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/42821441
Page Count: 1
Subjects: Education
Find more content in these subjects: Education
- Item Type
- Article
- Thumbnails
We're having trouble loading this content. Download PDF instead.
Page Thumbnails
The Journal of Education


text: Starting last Thursday a portion of one of my breasts was tender and hard (it was a large section near my armpit and tapered down as it neared my nipple). It was more painful during nursing. I was unable to drain the area during feedings or pumping afterward. I assumed it was a clogged duct so I nursed more often, used hot compresses before nursing, massaged the area, and offered this breast first. Well now it is Sunday with no change except it no longer hurts. I have compared the feel of it to my other breast and my other breast is more soft though it also has a small section that is hard. Any thoughts?!!? FYI my lo is 8weeks and weighs about 13lbs (weighed 7lb7oz at birth).


text:
Snow, a retired judge who campaigned on his experience and his first-term achievements, said he was pleased with the confidence voters showed in his abilities.
ŌĆ£I am really pleased. It looks like weŌĆÖre going to win about 60 to 40 percent. IŌĆÖm looking forward to going back to Raleigh and working for the folks in the district,ŌĆØ said Snow.
ŌĆ£It was hard fought, and we spent a lot of money. I regret that we had to spend so much money, but I feel like I got my word out to the people. They knew I worked hard and I believe my experience really made the difference. People saw that my experience far outweighed my opponents,ŌĆØ said the victor.
Highlands-based Republican candidate McKim enlisted his extended family to solicit votes at the polls. His brother-in-law ŌĆö in town all the way from Texas ŌĆö stood wrapped in a khaki trench coat under a broken umbrella outside the Macon County Courthouse Tuesday, shaking hands with voters and handing out campaign information.
While both candidates campaigned hard, the race for the 50th Senate seat was not the prime motivating factor for most voters. In interviews throughout the district at the polls, most voters cited the Charles Taylor/Heath Shuler race as the one most important to them.
Dawn Rose, 52, of Bryson City, voted a straight Democratic ticket even though she is Republican. She said she was angry with Republicans and wanted ŌĆ£to send a message.ŌĆØ
But there were many who went to the polls with a very positive view of Snow.
ŌĆ£I thought he was a fair judge,ŌĆØ said Virginia Etchison, 61, of Whittier.
Rebecca Daily, 28, of Bryson City, also said she remembered Snow from his days as a judge.
ŌĆ£I liked him as a judge when I was an intern for REACH,ŌĆØ she said.
Twidge Welch, 64, of Cherokee, said Snow isnŌĆÖt like most politicians.
ŌĆ£I think heŌĆÖs honest,ŌĆØ said Welch, who credited SnowŌĆÖs past with helping him move through the ranks quickly while just a freshman legislator.
ŌĆ£Since he was a judge, IŌĆÖm sure he had some attention before he went down there,ŌĆØ she said.
Another factor that probably worked against McKim was the fact that he has not lived in the mountains very long. In a region that has long had a distrust of outsiders, that was likely difficult to overcome.
ŌĆ£I see him as a newcomer,ŌĆØ said Marvin Cooper, 47, of Whittier, who said he voted for Snow.
Despite losing, McKim did garner 28,903 votes, and he stayed close to Snow in several counties. His campaign themes resonated with many voters. One of those was his criticism of SnowŌĆÖs support for the state lottery.
ŌĆ£The one thing that really turned me off about Snow is that he voted for the lottery, and that was the deciding vote,ŌĆØ said Tim Evans, 42, of Whittier, referring to the fact that the lottery passed by just one vote in the Senate.
This is SnowŌĆÖs second victory in the 50th Senate District. Two years ago he narrowly defeated long-time incumbent Bob Carpenter, R-Franklin, by a 34,446 to 33,479 margin.
ŌĆ£We won in counties we did not win in before, so IŌĆÖm proud of that,ŌĆØ said Snow. ŌĆ£People know I work across the aisle with Republicans to do whatŌĆÖs best for the people in the district,ŌĆØ said Snow.


text:
Gram Conversions
Basic Cooking Calculator
General Metric Calculators
Cups To Milliliters
Los Gatos Restaurants
Pots De Creme
Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide
Best Festivals
Mexican Food And Cooking Terms
Food News
Food Sleuthing Blog
My Gardening Journal
My Nutrisystem Journey and Review
Recipe Box
Popular Features:
Cooking Videos
Join now!
Sign In
View Cart
Gram Conversions
Gram Conversion Calculators
Grams To Cups Conversions
Gram Conversions - Ingredients By Category
Gram Calculator - Simple
Basic Cooking Calculator
General Metric Calculators
Cups To Milliliters
Los Gatos Restaurants
Pots De Creme
Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide
Best Festivals
Mexican Food And Cooking Terms
Food News
Food Sleuthing Blog
My Gardening Journal
My Nutrisystem Journey and Review
Food News
Food News
Food News Updates
Visit our Food News features each day for up-to-date information about everything from recipe contests to food labeling laws, the latest trends, fads and even pet and human food recalls.
Chardonnay Fans Rejoice! 2012 To The Rescue
Jun 26, 2014
Our California agriculture has taken a beating this last year or so due mostly to our West Coast water issues but there is good news on the wine front. Wine Spectator ferrets out a list of the most drinkable chards they tasted for the July 2014 list.
Full story
C4C Gluten Free Flour
Apr 22, 2014
A cup for cup, gluten-free flour to replace all-purpose flour.
Full story
Nopales Recall
Feb 18, 2014
California: Nopales (whole cactus leaves) and nopalitos (cactus leaves cut in strips or squares) have been recalled due to pesticide contamination.
Full story
Costco Recalls Townsend Farms Frozen Berries - Hepatitus Outbreak
Jun 03, 2013
On June 2, 2013 Costco issued a recall for the Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend of frozen berries after 30 people within five states including California have contracted hepatitis
Full story
California Pizza Kitchen Recalls Frozen Pizzas
May 24, 2013
Nestles does a voluntary recall of several California Pizza Kitchen and DiGiorno brand pizzas after small fragments of plastic were discovered. Consumers can contact Nestles and receive a coupon for a replacement pizza.
Full story
Large Organic Factory Farm May Lose Certification
Dec 15, 2011
Watch dogging the organic industry
Full story
Three Chile Chocolate
Nov 10, 2011
A yummy new chocolate sauce
Full story
Attention Walmart Shoppers!
Nov 10, 2011
Walmart releases iPhone and iPad apps
Full story
150 Best Tagine Recipes: Review
Oct 27, 2011
Tagines have become a popularized in the U.S. over the several years. We're pleased to find a new cookbook that shares 150 ways to use your tagine
Full story
Chef Deen vs Michelle Obama
Oct 25, 2011
It's nice to know food fights aren't just limited to the school cafeteria.
Full story
A Healthy Fun Halloween
Oct 24, 2011
Try some fun, healthy Halloween treats.
Full story
October 24 is Food Day
Oct 24, 2011
Join in the festivities and find the Food Day events in your area..
Full story
National Taco Day!
Oct 01, 2011
October 4th is National Taco Day. Celebrate with a couple of fresh, healthy, flavorful taco recipes.
Full story
No Free Lunch
Sep 20, 2011
No free lunch but you can get coffee!
Full story
Get Cook'in With Dr. Mike
Aug 02, 2011
Cardiologist, foodie and writer; Dr. Mike; The Grassroots Gourmet Putting The Pleasure Into Healthy Food
Full story
Chef Tyler Florence to Host 2011 San Francisco Fall Antiques Show
Aug 02, 2011
Join Chef Tyler Florence in San Francisco at the Fall Antiques Show.
Full story
Will Your Fettuccine Alfredo Keep For 15 Years?
Jun 15, 2011
Our earthquakes, fires, floods, record snows and tornadoes have been a boon to the emergency food industry.
Full story
Not Just A Lot Of Bull!
Apr 04, 2011
Bison, a growing industry.
Full story
Nothing Like A Hot Squeeze In The Kitchen
Mar 29, 2011
Hot Squeeze announces new Orange Ginger Zing squeeze a shelf-stable low sodium, Kosher sauce.
Full story
Coke, Pepsi or Water?
Oct 11, 2010
The Feds want to say "Just Say No" to sugary drinks..
Full story
Supporting Local U.S. Food Producers
Jul 12, 2010
Support Michigan's local food products.
Full story
Heads UP For Gourmands: 2010 Sofi Award Contenders
Jun 25, 2010
NASFT SOFI Award finalists for 2010. These products represent the "best of the best" of gourmet food and beverage products.
Full story
Trade Ya!
Jun 08, 2010
Ready to trade in some of that fat off those thighs? Enter.. Galaxy Granola!
Full story
Consumers buying more prepared foods for holidays
Nov 23, 2009
More time with guests, less time cooking.
Full story
$10,000 For Best VitaMix Pitch
Nov 11, 2009
Grab your video cam and start planning on how to spend your $10,000 reward!
Full story
Tortillas In Vegas, Baby!
Sep 02, 2009
A hot time in the old Tortilla Town Tonight..
Full story
California Wild Rice Industry Sponsors Recipe Rumble
Aug 13, 2009
Win $5000.00 for your best California Wild Rice recipe. Ready for the challenge? Read on..
Full story
$25,000 Cash Prize For Recipe Contest - You Vote For Winner
May 26, 2009
Vote For Your Favorite Recipe, Top Prize $25,000
Full story
Ooba Hibiscus Drink
Jan 31, 2009
New hibiscus drink called Ooba.
Full story
NPD 23rd Annual Eating Patterns in America
Oct 13, 2008
They know what you're gonna eat before you eat it! Some of the highlights of the NPD report show that folks in the US grill foods even in the winter time, diets are on the downhill slide, and fewer of us are fretting about trans-fats.
Full story
Mission Foods offers tips to get the most out of snacking customers
Aug 13, 2008
Mission foods has a new way to get you to eat junk food.
Full story


text:
Rock The Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival is back April 12th and 13th on the sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Fort Lauderdale! Tickets are on sale now.
Lineup includes Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Billy Currington, Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell and more!
Copyright © 2016 Renda Broadcasting. All Rights Reserved.