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KITV4 would like to introduce you to our in-house expert on "The Bachelorette," Lauren Wang. During the day, she works in our sales department, but on the nights when "The Bachelorette" is airing, she is glued to the television set. She will keep you up-to-date with the show and give you some inside scoops on what is happening with the Bachelorette herself, Emily Maynard.
The Inside Scoop on Emily Maynard - 5/17/2012
Surprisingly, Emily was extremely nervous throughout the conference call (I'm sure anyone would be though, having over a dozen reporters asking questions in such a short amount of time). She did seem genuine to me and I liked that she answered each question as honest as possible.
Emily said that she gave the first impression rose to Doug because she appreciated that he would leave his son and take a chance on her. She wasn't impressed with Kalon's helicopter arrival (Wait, really? I was! Ha ha!) and she said she'd rather someone come in a pickup truck or a skateboard (hmmm, interesting….hello obviously she likes Jef)!
She also clarified that when she meant she was going to be more "reserved" than most of the other Bachelorettes, she simply meant that she wouldn't go in a hot tub with a guy on a first date so why would she do it on national television? She really opened up to us by saying that she would be willing to move anywhere for her significant other if she knew that he was the right one for her and that it was for forever (lets hope she finds it)!
Emily stated that the producers were so understanding of all her wishes and this is the first season ever where the Bachelorette and her bachelors weren't filmed in the mansion in Los Angeles. This season was shot in Emily's hometown, Charlotte, NC, and her favorite room in the mansion -- the rose ceremony room and pool (P.S. both are uber gorg)! Emily also talked about Ricky a lot more than I thought she would. She said she didn't want Ricky to know anything that was going on. She simply told Ricky that the cameras were there because mommy had to "work" and that in a long, long time from now she would be able to see the "home" video that was being made.
Emily said that this was the perfect time in her life to do "The Bachelorette" and it was the best experience of her life. She said she was able to travel to so many amazing places and she learned so much about herself! Good for her! She did confirm they have finished overnight dates and filming, but she did not confirm whether or not she was engaged (darn)!
Let's hope Emily finds true love this season!
Episode One Recap - 5/15/2012
Wow, what an amazing season premiere of The Bachelorette! We got to meet ALL 25 hotties last night and they totally didn't disappoint! These guys are fun, smart, good looking and totally put together (not like past seasons). Um... hello... why don't they live in Hawaii?
These men put on their "A" game and were very clever and sweet. I know I am going to get a lot of comments about this, but I did like Kalon. "Helicopter guy" is his nickname. He was good looking and came on a little strong but I think you need to be aggressive in situations like this. Ryan broke my heart when he held up a handwritten note that said, "You're beautiful," and on the other side it said, "I'm nervous." I really enjoyed watching her interaction with Chris as well. And OK, the bobble head thing was a little odd, but I can tell that he is a down to earth, nice guy. I like him and I think she does too.
Of course, I was a little jealous watching her interaction with Arie (I mean he is mine), but I liked that he was open and honest with her about being a race car driver and I think she appreciated that. They seemed to have a good connection!
Some of my other favorites, included Nate (he's a little on the slim side, he needs to eat a burger or two), Charlie (sort of meathead-ish though), Sean (he's totally all American, but holy body), and Jef (seriously spelled with one "f" and he needs to do something with his hair, but a charmer).
I am still a little in shock that she gave Doug the first impression rose. He seems like a great father so I'm sure that is what really attracted her to him but I think she had better connections with some of the other guys. These guys are super competitive and they all have a lot to offer, so they are definitely going to keep us on the edge of our seats.
At the famous rose ceremony, Emily sent six guys packing and, honestly, she sent all the right ones home. None of them impressed me and at the end when the credits were rolling and Jackson started stripping, all I was doing was screaming, "Don't do it, don't do it," the whole time but he did… hahaha, holy embarrassing!
Alright guys, I'm on a conference call with Emily tomorrow at the crack of dawn, yikes!
Any questions you are dying to ask her? Tweet me @laurenjwang and I'll be back to give you the inside scoop on her first impressions of all the guys! Make sure to keep following me on twitter, #BacheloretteHI! I can't wait for next week's episode!
Week 1 Preview - 5/14/2012
It's finally here -- the new season of "The Bachelorette!"
I am really hoping that Emily isn't too boring. It scares me a little that she might be a little bleh. But, I'm hoping that she's not as dull as we all think and that the guys will bring on the drama.
If you haven't had a chance to go check out the guys, go to the Bachelorette website. There aren't any uber hot ones, but there are a few (on a side note, Arie is all mine, so ladies, back off)!
Tune in tonight at 8:30 p.m. sharp on KITV4 and follow me on Twitter with the hashtag #BacheloretteHI and we can talk all about Emily and her bachelors!
I look forward to talking with you guys and I think this is going to be the best season yet!


text: I am a mother of four beautiful sons and have successfully nursed and weaned them without incident until now. I just finished weaning my youngest son and am now suffering with incredibly painful breast tenderness. As I have never experienced such a problem with this in the past, I am at a loss for the cause and how to relieve this. I am not engorged and do not have an infection as far as I can tell. I have tried wearing a more snug bra and cool compresses. I have just started taking a progestin only bcp, and have considered that as a potential cause. Friends and co-workers all immediately jump to the pregnancy conclusion, but I had my period only 14 days ago, so I don't feel that is a potential cause. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

subset: commoncrawl


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When you go to the doctor, you usually just assume the person probing your colon or manhandling your boobs is a perfectly sane, highly educated individual. Otherwise you wouldn't let him get so intimate with your inside parts.
But throughout history, there have been risk-taking, don't-give-a-shit doctors who were part Rambo, part MacGyver and part House (specifically, the crazy part of House).
Like ...
5Robert Liston: Speed Surgeon
In the world prior to the 20th century, every wound was a potential case of gangrene. The only cure was to amputate the gangrenous limb, which sucked even more than you'd think, as this was also a world without anesthesia. Pain management was nothing more than a swig of whiskey and a knock on the head with a hammer, Tweety Bird style.
While the patient was just told to quit whining by the now inebriated doctor.
So in those days, a merciful surgery was a fast surgery. When the gangrene fairy hit your house and the leg had to come off, the best you could hope for was a surgeon with sharp instruments, a lightning-quick hand and careful precision.
Robert Liston had the first two.
The Badassery:
Liston could amputate your whole leg in less than three minutes -- skin, bone, muscle, tendon, right through. When every second is filled with excruciating pain and blood loss, that speed had to have made Liston seem like an angel of mercy. Though speed comes at a price.
"I came here to perform surgery and I don't much care upon who."
The Insanity:
Let's imagine it's 1820 and your leg has turned so green people think you're a quarter Hulk. You've taken your whiskey and hear your doctor walk in the door. Then you hear your audience walk in the room, followed by the booming, confident voice of the doctor demanding, "Gentlemen -- time me!" Suddenly, your lifesaving procedure is now performance art for Robert "The Flash" Liston. Which was probably pretty nerve wracking for everyone involved, considering he was known to swing his scalpel a bit this way and that in the heat of the moment. Sure, he was able to amputate a leg in 150 seconds, but he occasionally took the patient's testicles as well. Just cut them right off.
"You wouldn't have boned anyone anyway, Captain Lean-to."
And it wasn't just the patients who sometimes got accidental pro bono operations. While extremely skilled, Liston's knife hand was kind of like a giant twister made of hacksaws. So even standing too close while he operated could be a literally life-threatening endeavor.
Liston's most famous case perfectly demonstrated both his amazing surgical speed and his total disregard of what was going around him: an operation in which he actually managed an impossible 300% mortality rate. In a frantic two and a half minutes, he amputated the patient's leg and the fingers of his assistant, and he slashed the coattails of a bystander. The patient and the assistant died of gangrene in the hospital later, and the bystander died of fright, because apparently people had the constitutions of fainting goats back then.
But that's OK, because Liston also created this handy Silent Hill-style restraint.
Liston's reign as surgeon supreme was finally ended by the arrival of working anesthetics, which rendered his lightning surgery unnecessary. So he gave up the slasher film method of operation and pioneered the use of anesthetics instead.
Begrudgingly, we assume.
This is him just straight up murdering the inventor.
4Dominique Jean Larrey Was a One-Man Medical A-Team
So let's say you're not only a surgeon, but also a surgeon in Napoleon's army. No anesthesia, no warm bed to go home to at night -- you're pretty much left on the battlefield alone with nothing but a scalpel and a cravat. If you're Dominique Jean Larrey, it doesn't matter that it's the 1800s and that none of the tools you really need have been invented yet. You'll invent them.
"Nice MRI. I made mine out of a light bulb and some string."
The Badassery:
With the exception of Playboy magazine and the helicopter, Larrey single-handedly created everything a wartime medic could need. Roughly one hundred percent of basic equipment and procedures of modern military medicine trace back to shit that was MacGyvered together by Larrey. When he thought they'd need a more efficient way for transporting the medics and the wounded, he commandeered a bunch of French artillery carriages and converted them, thus inventing the ambulance. When he decided he'd like some organization around him, he commandeered a bunch of men and invented medical troops. First efficient battlefield amputation and open-wound surgery techniques? Larrey. Equal treatment of all wounded soldiers? Larrey. Field hospitals? Oh yes, Larrey.
You can remove someone's limbs and go on a jolly little holiday in one vehicle.
The Insanity:
He wasn't just some surgeon general shouting orders from the outskirts of the battlefield. Although he ranked fairly high in the chain of command, he was right there in the fray whenever he could be, personally performing emergency operations as cannons exploded around him.
He was no slouch, either: his personal best was an unimaginable 200 amputations in 24 hours. Unsurprisingly, soldiers loved the shit out of Larrey. He was treated as a hero wherever he went, to the point where weary and defeated French troops actually lifted him above their heads and crowd-surfed him during Napoleon's retreat from Russia -- just so that he'd be the first one to safety.
"If you'd stop posing for one moment, I may be able to save your goddamned life."
The notoriously self-obsessed Napoleon did not mind Larrey's vast popularity one bit -- in fact, he was the president of the Larrey Fan Club, with several remarks that the doctor was pretty much the worthiest guy he'd ever met. Larrey was, in fact, so revered that the Duke of Wellington -- one of Napoleon's bitterest enemies and a commander in the battle of Waterloo -- gave specific orders to his men not to fire at that one French guy and his troops, because DAMN.
As a final Hollywood plot twist, someone disobeyed the order and Larrey sustained a gunshot wound. Ironically, he was left wounded on the battlefield until the opposing Prussians found and captured him. Bearing an enemy officer's uniform, he was promptly sentenced to death -- until the Prussian commander happened to pass by and immediately released him ... because one of the enemy soldiers Larrey had treated just happened to be the commander's son.
"I appreciate the effort, guys, but I think a bonnet's more of a lady thing."


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One end unlocks, while the other end is captive, preventing keys from being dumped while being serviced. Cable terminals are recessed within the body to minimize break points.
The bodies are machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum bar, and are covered by colored polyurethane boots. This offers a way to code groups of keys to specific functions and offers protection for the body of the unit. Available with a choice of locks and in several lengths. Custom lengths are available.


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No. 1: Create your own drive-in
Regrettably, not every park department is going to offer movies in the park, and drive-ins may not be an option. In that case, why not combine all these ideas -- drive-in, movie in the park and theme party -- into one and make your own?
If you own a video projector (or know someone who owns one), you can have your own hybrid party right on the side of your house. There are even companies that will rent you a projector.
Set up the projector, throw out blankets, fire up the grill, and have some sweet summer fun.
For instance, one film enthusiast with a freeway noise barrier wall behind his house broke out his video projector and showed Pink Floyd's "The Wall" on said wall.
You may have noise laws that you have to work within, but it can be a great way to get in some summer movie fun in a creative way.
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What's spinning, December 23 editionSunday, December 23rd, 2007
Apparently all the stuff I've been listening to lately, with just a few exceptions, is by bands whose names begin with the letters A-E exclusively. Wonder what that means? Anyway, here are some quick impressions.
- Anti-Pop Consortium - Shopping Carts Crashing — My favorite avant-hip-hop group aside from Dälek, this is their 2001 album that for some absolutely inexplicable reason was only released in Japan. I've been hunting for it for years and finally scored a copy for a reasonable price (around $20) on eBay. It's great; I'd say a notch below their two U.S. released albums, Tragic Epilogue and Arrhythmia, but only a small notch.
- Aranis - II — I'll be reviewing this soon, but it's one of my favorite albums of 2007 so far. Wonderfully composed chamber-rock, full of rich counterpoint, tricky time signatures and beautiful melodies. One of the best records I've heard in this little niche.
- Meg Baird - Dear Companion — The female half of Espers' solo album is a very straightforward recording of mostly traditional songs; not the most exciting listen, but some of the songs are pretty memorable. Baird's wispy voice isn't particularly well-suited to some of the songs that have her singing more aggressively, but when she's more laid back, the effect is often beautiful.
- Baroness - Red Album — Nice but maybe overhyped metal album that's like a slightly more metal Isis. Still digesting, I think this could grow on me in a big way.
- Between the Buried and Me - Colors — I just bought this at a Borders in my hometown in North Carolina, and the cashier looked at it and said, "oh cool, bee-tee-bam!" Apparently they are pretty popular among the younger set here in their home state; she had seen them live a couple times. This is off-the-wall extreme metal, kind of reminds me of Unexpect except a little less crazy and a lot less schizoid.
- Burial - Untrue — I never quite understood the hype around last year's self-titled debut, not being a follower of the UK electronica scene, but this sophomore effort makes a lot more sense to me. Someone said this is what Massive Attack would sound like in the year 2020, but I think Burial's sound is perfect for modern-day post-industrial cities. More accessible than last year's effort, I'm really digging this one.
- Demilich - Nespithe — This is strange death metal with vocals so low they sound like the singer is belching. No, seriously. When I was on my Gorguts kick a few weeks ago, I went looking for similarly bizarre metal, and this name came up a lot; turns out the album is free to download. I'm getting a kick of out this but I can't say I've really processed it yet.
- Dillinger Escape Plan - Ire Works — This one's getting rave reviews at all the metal websites, and I can see why; it combines some of the brutality and complexity of classic DEP material with more of the melodicism seen on Miss Machine. There's one track that's a dead ringer for "Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part II" if it had been written in 2007.
- Einstürzende Neubauten - Alles Wieder Offen — I'm beginning to think that these guys will never top Silence is Sexy; I was a bit disappointed by Perpetuum Mobile and this one is another small step down. It's very melodic and accessible, and I was expecting something much harder-hitting.
- Carla Kihlstedt & Satoko Fujii - Minamo — Two of my favorite improv musicians teaming up: a dream duo for me, and this recording doesn't disappoint. Naturally, its charms are revealed only after repeated listens, and I'm justing getting started with it, but I can already tell I'm really going to like this one.
- Scorch Trio - Live in Finland — A limited edition CD-R (400 copies) with no distribution whatsoever, I picked this up from Paal Nilssen-Love at the Frode Gjerstad Trio show I wrote about below. For much of its duration it's surprisingly spacious, but when the musicians kick it into high gear, wow! Exhilirating, and the recording quality is beyond reproach, surprising for a limited release like this.
- David Sylvian & Holger Czukay - Flux + Mutability — This is an old one that I stumbled across at Paul's CDs in Pittsburgh; it was $10 new so I picked it up on a whim. It's not what I expected; Sylvian doesn't sing, and the music is two very long tracks of relaxing, unintrusive ambient music. Nothing particularly innovative or even memorable, but certainly pleasant enough for this kind of thing.


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Brook Lopez at max money is an absolute Joke. He pretty decent offensively, but most things you want from a CENTER, he is either average or subpar. Defensive, rebounding, shot blocking, etc.
In any case Lopez hasn't proven himself to be this good yet...if the Nets give him that sort of money, they're going to suck in about 5 years. I don't think Lopez is actually that good (numbers look good cause there aren't many good centers in the NBA to guard him anymore, fortunately we have two of them), and Joe Johnson is going to SUCK in another 2 years or so.
Have fun Deron!
Brook Lopez at max money is an absolute Joke. He pretty decent offensively, but most things you want from a CENTER, he is either average or subpar. Defensive, rebounding, shot blocking, etc.
Agree totally with the above posts, he should earn about 10mill/year. Pretty happy we 'overpaid' for Chandler last offseason, can you imagine the offers he would get now?
hahah, Chandler probably what Lopez is going to get lol. Tyson does have downsides to his game. Can't shoot, didn't even take one shot outside the paint last season, sometimes mishandles easy passes
but it doesn't really matter because most things you want from a center, he excels at.. Defense, rebounding, Shotblocking. Holding down the paint. THat is what teams want from a center, which Lopez doesn't really offer. Chandler is like the antilopez, and vice versa
The Lakers and Rockets have been in talks with the Magic involving a deal for Dwight Howard.
Houston is discussing multiple trade scenarios, both as a direct trading partner for Howard and as a facilitator that would bring Andrew Bynum to the Rockets.
The Rockets would acquire Bynum while sending a package of future draft picks and cap-friendly contracts to Orlando.
The key elements, according to sources, call for the Lakers to end up with Howard and Houston to finally get a top-20 player in Bynum.
Houston can likely absorb the contract of Jason Richardson.
The trade components were originally reported by Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld.
Sources say Magic GM Rob Hennigan may prefer acquiring young players and picks than taking on Bynum and attempting to convince him to sign long-term.
The Nets continue to work on a deal of their own to acquire Howard, but the complexities of involving so many players being moved via sign-and-trade have led to a standstill.
Read more: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Rockets want Bynum and or Howard to add to Asik. Twin towers rebirth!
If the Magic can pull in several picks and dump J Rich, I think they'll get a collectively itchy trigger finger.
Knicks could quickly finish their offseason makeover by adding Dahntay Jones today. Solid pickup (if it happens).
1) He plays defense.
2) Fills a role while SHUMP recvovers
3) Provides depth after SHUMP returns
4) Can knock down the open 3
5) Is atheltic, strong & can get to the rim
He also plays with a tenaciousness that should be welcomes.
Melo, Camby, Smith & Jones reunited?
Updating a previous report, the Grizzlies and Jerryd Bayless have agreed on a two-year contract worth approximately $3 million in the first year.
The second year of the deal is a player option, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, which adds that the Grizzlies are "done with summer transactions." Bayless projects as a combo guard off the bench in Memphis, filling the void left by O.J. Mayo's imminent departure.
Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal
poster formally know as JeffVanGundyPLEASE!
The Raptors have withdrawn their qualifying offer for Sonny Weems, making him an unrestricted free agent.
The QO was worth $1.1 million, but it seems the Raptors decided they wouldn't even want him on a one-year deal. A handful of teams have expressed interest in Weems, including the Cavaliers, Celtics, Clippers and Pistons.
poster formally know as JeffVanGundyPLEASE!
The Bulls are reportedly looking into sign-and-trade possibilities that would send Kyle Korver to the Hawks or Timberwolves.
It's also possible the Bulls will retain Korver, whose $5 million team option doesn't require a decision until Sunday. Korver could have a slightly bigger role if he does remain in Chicago, since the team is expected to head into 2012-13 without C.J. Watson or Ronnie Brewer.
poster formally know as JeffVanGundyPLEASE!
The Nets and Jerry Stackhouse have agreed on a one-year contract worth $1.3 million.
This will be Stack's 14th NBA season, and possibly his last, and we're not expecting anything from him off the Nets' bench. He appeared in 30 games for the Hawks last season, playing nine minutes per game, but shot just 37.0 percent from the field.
Source: Chad Ford on Twitter
poster formally know as JeffVanGundyPLEASE!


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Items such as hand sanitizers, wipes, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tissues, socks, powders, toothpaste, toothbrushes, candy, packaged cookies, gum, books and a variety of other items are packaged and sent. Both organizations are accepting donations of all these items to be sent. Personal size (small) items are needed, along with a variety of other snacks, playing cards as well as writing materials, batteries and drink mixes are always welcome. Large containers are not feasible to be carried in backpacks. No glass items please.
Donations can be dropped off at 1801 S. Washington or 300 W. Hutchinson St. Call Teresa Holland at 358-1550 for more information. If you have someone that you wish to send a care package, let her know. All packages are sent to individuals that will be shared with others. There are still many service personnel still overseas that are in need of these items. The next boxes will be mailed in late June.
"Help make life a little brighter of our service men and women overseas," organizers say.


text: Prometheus Movie MasterOfOrion posted:8/29/2013 10:29:51 AM I have seen this movie many times, without actually paying attention to the details. One day, I decided I should do some deeper research about the movie, as the idea of ancient aliens has always fascinated me. The following ideas are not my own, I just happened to read them, so I thought I should share them with you: http://cavalorn.livejournal.com/584135.html You should really take your time to read the article above and maybe watch the documentary afterwards. I'm not saying all this is true, but it sounds really plausible and the article is great. I want to know your opinions regarding this. Cheers Please log in or become a member to add a post.


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Update Regarding American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Chair Landrieu, Ranking Member Snowe, and Members of the Committee, I am honored to testify before you. Today, the SBA's top priority is to implement the Recovery Act and put our programs into the hands of America's entrepreneurs and small businesses so they can lead our economic recovery, as they have done so many times over the course of our nation's history.
When I last testified before this committee, I described the credit crunch facing small business as a set of interrelated problems. Many borrowers are less creditworthy. Many banks have tightened lending criteria. Many banks are also concerned about adding additional loans to already stressed balance sheets. And, the lack of liquidity in secondary market prevents banks from selling off existing loans and to make room for new ones.
The Recovery Act's SBA funding was designed to address these issues and to get capital flowing. While these problems still exist, I am pleased to report that we are getting this funding into the market and it is beginning to work.
First, of the SBA's $730 million in Recovery Act funding, over half -- $375 million -- was targeted to temporarily increase the guarantees and to reduce or eliminate fees on certain 7(a) and 504 lending programs – our two most popular lending programs. On March 16, we announced the availability of these funds, offering up to a 90 percent guarantee on 7(a) loans as well as the elimination of upfront fees on 504 loans and borrower fees on 7(a) loans. The results are good. As you can see in Chart 1, average weekly loan volume is up more than 25 percent compared to the weeks prior to the Recovery Act's passage – 28 percent in the 7(a) program and 22 percent in the 504 program.
This increased lending is partially due to the fact that lenders are returning to these SBA loan programs, or, in some cases, participating for the first time. More than 1,200 lenders have approved 7(a) loans as part of the Recovery Act. Of these, more than 360 lenders had not made a loan since October 2008, and almost half of those lenders had not made a loan since at least 2007.
In total, more than 10,000 Recovery Act loans have been approved representing $3 billion in credit supporting small businesses. We project that these loans will save or create tens of thousands of jobs throughout the country.
We are also pleased with the wide diversity of Americans who are benefiting from these loans. According to a recent Urban Institute study, SBA-backed loans are three-to-five times more often made to minority- and women-owned businesses. As shown in Chart 2, 22 percent of Recovery Act loans have gone to minority-owned businesses, 19 percent to women-owned businesses, 9 percent to veteran-owned businesses and 25 percent to rural businesses. The Recovery Act also provides funding for two other loan programs – one existing and one new – that I'd like to discuss at this time.
The Recovery Act supports an additional $50 million in loans to microloan intermediaries and $24 million in technical assistance to accompany these loans. This is on top of regularly budgeted funding for this program, which is currently available. In order to effectively deploy the funds, we are working to attract new microlending partners and automate processes in order to broaden the reach of this program.
Additionally, the Recovery Act provides funds for the new America's Recovery Capital or ARC program for loans of up to $35,000 designed to help viable small businesses facing immediate economic hardship. ARC loans will pay interest and principal on existing non-SBA debt for up to six months. The Recovery Act allocates $255 million for these loans and we expect them to be in high demand. We expect to have more information on these loans next week during National Small Business Week.
Beyond these four Recovery Act programs, on May 1, we introduced an alternate size standard for SBA's 7(a) program that temporarily expands eligibility by using the same standard that we use in the 504 program. We estimate that this step will mean approximately 70,000 additional small businesses could now be eligible for SBA financing.
In addition, our 68 district offices and more than 14,000 SBA-affiliated counseling partners are reaching out to borrowers and lenders to help them understand all of their options for refinancing through both the 504 and 7(a) programs during this difficult time.
Another area I would like to discuss with you is SBA's work to ensure that America's small businesses have a fair share of Recovery Act contracts and subcontracts.
To accomplish this, we are making sure that the states and other agencies issuing contracts are aware of the benefits of working with small businesses. Just last week I sent a letter to all governors, urging them to reach out to small businesses about contracting opportunities. We are also working to provide an online listing for small businesses of prime and subcontracting opportunities possible through the Recovery Act.
Also, on March 27, the SBA implemented the Recovery Act provisions that raised – from $2 million to $5 million – the maximum contract amount that can qualify for an SBA Surety Bond guarantee. This change allows small businesses – that might not otherwise qualify – the opportunity to compete for larger value Recovery Act and other projects.
The SBA is focused on implementing Recovery Act programs responsibly and transparently, to help foster entrepreneurship and job creation, re-start lending, and invest in small businesses. As part of that, I am committed to optimizing the SBA's programs by investing in our people and technology. Our nation's economic recovery will be driven in large part by America's small businesses and entrepreneurs, and SBA will be the critical partner they need in the midst of this crisis.
Before I close, I would like to invite all of you and your staff to National Small Business Week next week. We will recognize small business winners from every state, as well as award honors in categories including lenders, government contracting and advocates for small business. And, we will also recognize the accomplishments of small businesses who have overcome the challenges of natural disasters. We hope you will join us for these events.
I'm pleased to take your questions and comments.


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Utility Management
Cold Water Treatment using Poly Aluminum Chloride
This is Tom Cleveland, Plants & Engineering Manager, Decatur Utilities in Decatur Alabama. We own and operate a 68-MGD conventional surface water treatment plant which uses the Tennessee River as a source. Our treatment processes are: coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection with chlorine gas. The chemicals we use are: Sodium Permanganate (20%), pre-chlorine, poly-aluminum chloride (PACl), fluoride, post-lime, post-chlorine, and poly-orthophosphate. On January 2, 2011 following a rain event which dropped ~5 inches of rain in 2 days, we had an elevated raw water turbidity of ~70-80 NTU. We were feeding ~30-40 mg/L of PACl at the beginning and during the first few hours of the increased raw turbidity event. We ended up "loosing" all of our 40 filters due to high filtered turbidities (~0.3 NTU) and high settled water turbidities (~16.0 NTU). We eventually solved our problem by increasing our coagulant (PACl) dosage rate anywhere from 85 to 105 mg/L.
Do you know of any water plant that has had to feed PACl at that high of a dosage rate? Also, do you have as ideas as to what might create such a high coagulant demand with a raw water turbidity of only ~70 NTU? Are there any resources or technical advice available to us as WEF members? If so, please contact me via phone or e-mail."
Thank you.
Tom Cleveland, p.E.
Plants & Engineering Manager
Decatur Utilities
(256) 301-4605Office
(256) 654-1630 Cell
(256) 552-1484 Fax


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Today I went snorkeling off of La Jolla Cove with my cousin and I saw tons of fish whose names I will look up later, some kelp, and some reefy areas. We went into a cave that was absolutely gorgeous, and the limited light made the water this really excellent turquoise. But the highlight was swimming amidst sea lions, even though I balled my hands up into tight fists because I was afraid my fingers might be mistaken for a delicious lunch treat. It was kind of like this but instead viewed from above:
Even in water that was three feet deep, tons of fish were swimming around. These dinner-plateesque white and gray striped fish were in schools of about ten, winding in and out of waders' legs. I was in this part of the Pacific two weeks ago, and had no idea of the animal diversity.
All of this is well and good, but I digress from my reason for posting. Our snorkel tour guide was this kid named Kevin, an ex-Navy diver who now leads snorkeling and scuba tours for San Diego Excellent Adventures. Quite the upgrade if you ask me. I told him what I'm doing in San Diego and after apologizing for changing the topic, he told me one of the coolest things ever that ended up not being a change in topic at all but instead an expansion of the topic.
He was leading a tour with this woman who would swim in the ocean all the time with those underwater headphones Olympians use during their hours of practice. (My cousin told me about this Olympian thing and all I can say is thank goodgollygosh that someone invented these things because can you imagine hours and hours and hours of only hearing own thoughts and the water splashing? I'd go crazy). Anyway, she had pretty eclectic tastes and would listen to a host of genres in the water. When she listened to rock or country or hip-hop or whatever, nothing weird would happen, but when she played jazz with high-pitched trumpets, dolphins would swim with her. DOLPHINS!
Although his phenomenon is not directly related to my research project here in San Diego, Ani and John do work with animals and their relationship to the music they hear and create. I cannot wait to tell them this tomorrow.


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Posted on 02/05/2014 by Phillip Island Nature Parks
Over 1000 delegates from Taiwanese insurance company, Shin Kong Life, planted 22,000 native plants at Phillip Island at the end of April in a first for a visiting business incentive group in Victoria.
The Taiwanese group were visiting Melbourne as part of an employee rewards program and the company's 2014 Agency Summary Conference. It is the first time in 10 years that the company has decided to take such a large group outside of Asia, and the first time an incentive group to Victoria has participated in such a large scale hands-on conservation activity.
Phillip Island Nature Parks worked closely with the Melbourne Convention Bureau to secure a visit from the group. The incentive program is estimated to inject $4.5 million into Victoria's economy.
Spread over three days, the delegates also enjoyed up close viewing of Phillip Island's most famous residents, the little penguins, at the sunset Penguin Parade. Earlier daytime activities included visits to the Koala Conservation Centre and sheep shearing, whip cracking and other farm activities at Churchill Island, located just off Phillip Island. A local helicopter company provided the perfect photo opportunity as it flew a large Shin Kong banner over Churchill Island's shoreline.
The group lunched at the spectacular Nobbies Centre to a backdrop of rugged coastal cliffs, and a special Chinese dinner menu was provided by local restaurants.
The 22,000 native poa tussock grasses planted by the delegates form part of a threatened vegetation group and provide significant conservation gains for the Phillip Island area. Once fully grown the tussock grasses will provide habitat for wallabies, echidnas, reptiles and birds.


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As director of the WCU College of BusinessŌĆÖs Hospitality and Tourism program, Morse presided over the day-long conference held April 11. The event drew more than 130 people from around the region. In addition to representatives from the areaŌĆÖs tourism industry, participants included elected officials and individuals interested in economic development.
ŌĆ£It was great, it was a wonderful first conference,ŌĆØ said Anna Smathers, communications manager for the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority. ŌĆ£It was a lot about building relationships and working together.ŌĆØ
The focus of the conference was tourismŌĆÖs impact on local economies. To that end, students in WCUŌĆÖs Tourism and Hospitality program compiled relevant statistics for each of North CarolinaŌĆÖs western counties.
Attendants were presented with a conference workbook brimming with a collection of data for each county. The stats were striking. In Swain County, annual tourism spending is pegged at about $293 million. Almost $17 million in state and local taxes is generated each year in Macon County by tourists. Jackson County sees about $11 million each year in tourism-related income and paychecks. More than 1,300 jobs in Haywood County are related to the tourism trade.
ŌĆ£Tourism is a huge industry for us, and here are the numbers showing the effect of it,ŌĆØ Smathers said.
Morse encouraged people to share his studentsŌĆÖ data. He implored them to do so.
ŌĆ£You need to tell that story often, you need to tell it as much as possible,ŌĆØ the director said.
Conference attendees were given suggestions about how best to illustrate the impact of tourism on local economies. One suggestion involved drawing up an oversized, photo-op check featuring the dollar amount that each household would need to pony up to equal the amount of money tourism generates in taxes each year.
ŌĆ£ThatŌĆÖs a great way to show it,ŌĆØ Morse said, holding up a large check displaying HaywoodŌĆÖs theoretical household amount: $325.
Conference-goers also heard from Witt Tuttle, N.C. Department of CommerceŌĆÖs assistant secretary, Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. He laid out the stateŌĆÖs tourism strategies and discussed the evolving world of tourism marketing.
ŌĆ£Twenty or 30 years ago, it was pretty easy ŌĆö you did a print ad, you did a radio ad, you were done,ŌĆØ he said, explaining that web-based marketing may play much better these days. ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖve gone 60 percent digital. We want to getŌĆÖem while they plan.ŌĆØ
Tuttle also spoke about the amount of funds dedicated to marketing North Carolina. ItŌĆÖs less than that spent on such efforts in Florida. ItŌĆÖs considerably less than is expended in Tennessee and South Carolina, where more than $20 million is put toward marketing.
ŌĆ£WeŌĆÖre at about $9.5 million, so that scares me,ŌĆØ Tuttle said. ŌĆ£South Carolina has so much money theyŌĆÖre spending a million dollars on a barbecue trail. CŌĆÖmon, barbecue? ThatŌĆÖs us. You canŌĆÖt steal that from us.ŌĆØ
David Primm, of Primm Research out of Pennsylvania, spoke about the economic importance of the designated Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. He noted that of the United StateŌĆÖs 49 national heritage areas, 12 are in the Southeast, but only one is in North Carolina.
PrimmŌĆÖs calculations show that the designation annually generates 30,000 jobs, $176.5 million in state and local taxes and $2.39 billion for the economy.
Toward the end of the conference, WCU Chancellor David Belcher stopped by. He commended the attendees for tackling a ŌĆ£critical issue thatŌĆÖs incredibly important.ŌĆØ
ŌĆ£I know youŌĆÖve got a lot of great minds here,ŌĆØ Belcher said. ŌĆ£IŌĆÖm thrilled to see our hospitality and tourism team taking the lead and hosting this today.ŌĆØ
Another big takeaway from the recent conference was teamwork. Attendees were encouraged to work together. Tourists, they were told repeatedly, do not recognize county or state boundaries. When people visit the Smokies, they donŌĆÖt care if they are in Western North Carolina or Tennessee.
ŌĆ£They want to experience something as a whole,ŌĆØ stressed John Whisenant, director of tourism for the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association.
That was a point that stuck with Smathers and the rest of HaywoodŌĆÖs TDA team that attended the conference.
ŌĆ£Tourists, they donŌĆÖt care where the border is between Haywood County and Buncombe County, or Jackson County,ŌĆØ Smathers said. ŌĆ£TheyŌĆÖre here for the experience. LetŌĆÖs break down these borders and letŌĆÖs work together. ŌĆ£
The tourism trade is traditionally a competitive industry. But the attendees at WCUŌĆÖs conference appear to be warming to a regional approach.
ŌĆ£You could tell there was a lot of love in the room,ŌĆØ Smathers said. ŌĆ£That sounds corny, but there really was.ŌĆØ


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Welcome to the CRG Discussion Forum!Forum registration problems: Make sure you enter your email correctly and you check your spam box first. *Then* email KurtS2@gmail for help.
Quiz tomorrow, not multiple choice.
Thanks Mark, that confirms it then.Quote from: Everett#2390 on February 06, 2014, 11:04:23 PMQuiz tomorrow, not multiple choice.Not sure what you mean by that Everett.


text: PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAS THE TICKET TO YOUR FLIGHTS TO SUPER BOWL XLV PITTSBURGH, PA (January 28, 2011) – Four airlines have added fights to meet the demand of Pittsburgh Steelers fans heading to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. American (www.aa.com), Delta (www.Delta.com), Southwest (www.Southwest.com) and US Airways (www.USAirways.com) have added flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to Dallas in days prior to the February 6, 2011 game. AirTran Airways (www.AirTran.com) has added extra segments also increasing available seats to Dallas through its Atlanta hub. Seat availability and bookings can be made at each airline's respective websites. Some flights may already be sold out. Beginning Friday, February 4, there will be 14 flights heading to Dallas/Fort Worth and Dallas Love Field Airports carrying Steelers fans to the big game. That schedule includes regular service by American Airlines from Pittsburgh to Dallas, as well as five additional flights by the other three airlines. American has also added a flight on Feb. 4. Conceivably, fans could catch a game-day flight from Pittsburgh at 12:45 p.m. and arrive in Dallas at 2:35, well ahead of the scheduled 6 p.m. kickoff time. "We are very happy the airlines are responding to the increased demand created by Steelers fans," said Bradley D. Penrod, Allegheny County Airport Authority Executive Director and CEO. "It is good for the airlines, the airport, and the regional economy, but especially our community."


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Gas Connectors and Gas Hoses
Gas Connectors and Hoses Ensure Your Equipment Is Always Connected to Your Gas Line
We offer gas hoses and connectors for all types of gas appliances and equipment, and they come in many different lengths and diameters. Depending on how far your appliance is from your gas line, you can choose a short connector or a long hose that spans several feet. You can also choose from different fitting styles like fixed options for stationary equipment or ones with swivel designs that allow the hose to rotate 360 degrees. Read more
Choose a complete appliance kit that includes gas connectors, hoses, valves, and more to have everything you need to hook up your equipment. We also carry individual parts if you need to replace any component of your connection. These connectors and parts can help you keep safer and more secure gas connections that will prevent accidents and help your equipment perform more efficiently.


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There is more to merit badges than simply providing
opportunities to learn skills. There is more to them than
an introduction to lifetime hobbies, or the inspiration to
pursue a career—though these invaluable results occur
regularly. The uncomplicated process—beginning in
a discussion with a Scoutmaster, continuing through
meetings with a counselor, and culminating in advancement
and recognition—provides several learning
experiences. It gives a Scout the confidence achieved
through overcoming obstacles. Social skills improve.
Self-reliance develops. Examples are set and followed.
And fields of study and interest are explored beyond
the limits of the school classroom.
Though a few merit badges may have certain restrictions;
short of them, any registered Scout may work on any of
them at any time, as long as he has the approval of his
unit leader. This is indicated by his or her signature on
the Application for Merit Badge, No. 34124, commonly
called the "blue card." Although it is the Scoutmaster's
responsibility, for example, to see that a counselor is
identified from those approved and made available,
the Scout may have one in mind with whom he would
like to work. He may also want to take advantage of
opportunities at merit badge fairs or midways, or at
rock-climbing gyms or whitewater rafting trips that
provide merit badge instruction. This is acceptable, but
the unit leader should still consider the recommendation
and approve it if it is appropriate. Whatever the source,
all merit badge counselors must be registered and
approved. See "Counselor Approvals and Limitations,"
184.108.40.206, and "Registration and Reregistration," 18.104.22.168.
Scouts may not begin work on discontinued merit
badges (see "Discontinued Merit Badges," 18.104.22.168).
All merit badge requirements must be met while a
registered Boy Scout or Varsity Scout, or a qualified
Venturer or Sea Scout. Accomplishments before
joining, or while a Cub Scout, do not apply.
A unit leader should consider making more of the process
than just providing an OK. The opportunity exists, then
and there, to share in a young man's life. Preliminary
merit badge discussions can lead to conversations about
talents and interests, goal setting, and the concept of
"challenge by choice." The benefits can be much like
those of a well-done Scoutmaster conference. Typically
after the unit leader's approval, the Scout contacts the
merit badge counselor and sets an appointment.
The Application for Merit Badge blue card has three
parts. The approving counselor should retain one of them
for at least a year—in case questions are raised later.
If all the requirements were met, the counselor signs the
other two parts and sends them off with the applicant.
If not, he simply initials what has been finished. This is
called a "partial" (see "Partial Completions," 220.127.116.11.).
Once a registered counselor certifies all requirements are
met, the applicant submits one part to his unit leader and
retains the other for his personal records.
It is important to note the blue card is the nationally
recognized merit badge record. It has been updated
from time to time and carries the information needed
for proper posting and for evidence and reference as
needed later. For very large events—such as the national
Scout jamboree—the National Council may approve an
alternative format and sizing for the blue card. This is
done through the national Advancement Team.
Though it has not been clearly stated in the past,
units, districts, and local councils do not have the
authority to implement a different system for merit
badge approval and documentation. In any case,
through the years, many councils have created new
forms and approaches to the process, some including
IT components. In an effort to gather and consider
these potential best practices, councils are now asked
to submit descriptions and copies of their blue card
alternatives to the national Advancement Team.
People serving must maintain registration with the
Boy Scouts of America as merit badge counselors
and be approved by the local council for each of their
badges. See "Counselor Approvals and Limitations,"
22.214.171.124. There are no exceptions. For example,
Scoutmasters must be approved for any badge they
wish to counsel or sign off in their troop. Before working
with Scouts, counselors must have completed Youth
Protection training within the last two years. They must
be men or women of good character, age 18 or older,
and recognized as having the skills and education in
the subjects they cover. It is important, too, they have
good rapport with Scout-age boys and unit leaders.
Several badges involve activities for which the Boy Scouts
of America has implemented strategies to improve safety,
improve the Scouts' experiences, and manage risk.
These activities often require supervision with specialized
qualifications and certifications. Merit badge counselors who do not meet the specific requirements may use the
services of others who do. Additional details can be
found below, and also in the Guide to Safe Scouting,
No. 34416, and the merit badge pamphlets.
General Supervision Requirements
It is acceptable for a counselor registered in
one council to approve merit badges for Scouts
in another. This is an important consideration,
especially in areas where counselors are scarce,
or when Scouts are away from home and want to
continue advancing.
The following merit badges have special qualifications or
certifications for either the merit badge counselor or the
supervisor of certain activities that may be involved.
Counselors and advancement administrators should consult
the merit badge pamphlets for details and to maintain awareness
of changes and updates as pamphlets are revised.
Canoeing. Canoeing merit badge counselors must have
either BSA Aquatics Instructor or Canoeing Instructor
certification from the American Canoe Association,
American Red Cross, or equivalent; OR local councils
may approve individuals previously certified as such,
or trained by an instructor so qualified.
Climbing. All climbing, belaying, and rappelling exercises
and activities must be supervised by a qualified rock
climbing instructor who is a mature and conscientious
adult at least 21 years old, and who is trained in BSA
Climb On Safely and understands the risks inherent
to these activities. Training as BSA climbing director
or instructor is highly recommended. Someone with
certification in First Aid/CPR/AED from the American
Red Cross (or equivalent) must be present at these activities.
Lifesaving. Demonstrations or activities in or on the
water must be supervised by an adult at least 21 years
old with certification in Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED
or equivalent, and also as BSA Lifeguard or Aquatics
Instructor or equivalent.
Rifle Shooting. The merit badge counselor must take
responsibility to assure that all instruction involving
any handling of firearms or live ammunition must be
supervised by a certified BSA National Camping
School (NCS) shooting sports director, or National Rifle
Association (NRA) Rifle Shooting Instructor or Coach.
That involving muzzleloaders must be supervised by an NCS shooting sports director or NRA/National
Muzzleloader Rifle Association (NMLRA)–certified
muzzleloader firearms instructor. Shooting must be
supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer
(RSO). If instruction and shooting are to occur at the
same time, both the RSO and qualified instructor must
be present. The supervisor and instructor may not be
the same person. Note that commercial shooting ranges
may provide RSOs. See the Guide to Safe Scouting and
the BSA National Shooting Sports Manual, No. 30931,
for further details on shooting sports.
Rowing. Rowing merit badge counselors must have
either BSA Aquatics Instructor certification or equivalent;
OR local councils may approve individuals previously
certified as such, or trained by an instructor so qualified.
Scuba Diving. All phases of scuba instruction—classroom,
pool, and open-water training—are limited to instructors
trained and sanctioned by one of the following agencies:
Professional Association of Diving Instructors, National
Association of Underwater Instructors, Scuba Schools
International, International Diving Educators Association,
Professional Diving Instructors Corporation, or Scuba
Diving International, or be a member of the World
Recreational Scuba Training Council.
Shotgun Shooting. The merit badge counselor must take
responsibility to assure that all instruction involving
any handling of firearms or live ammunition must be
supervised by a certified NCS shooting sports director
or NRA Shotgun Instructor or Coach. That involving
muzzle-loading shotguns must be supervised by an
NCS shooting sports director or NRA/NMLRA certified
muzzle-loading shotgun instructor. Shooting must be
supervised by an NRA-certified Range Safety Officer.
If instruction and shooting are to occur at the same time,
both the RSO and qualified instructor must be present.
They may not be the same person. Note that commercial
shooting ranges may provide RSOs. See the Guide to Safe
Scouting and the BSA National Shooting Sports Manual,
No. 30931, for further details on shooting sports.
Snow Sports. Activities in the field must be supervised
by a mature and conscientious adult 21 years or older
who is committed to compliance with BSA Winter Sports
Safety as defined in the Guide to Safe Scouting.
Swimming. Demonstrations or activities in or on the water
must be conducted according to BSA Safe Swim Defense
and BSA Safety Afloat.
Whitewater. Whitewater merit badge counselors must be
designated by the local council, and certified as whitewater
canoeing or kayaking instructors by the American Canoe
Association or have equivalent certification, training,
or expertise.
All certifications listed above must be current.
The required qualifications above for merit badge
counseling and supervision not only assist in managing
risk, but also give counselors credibility. Scouts will see
them as people of importance they can look up to and
learn from. A well-qualified counselor can extend a
young person's attention span: More will be heard and
understood, discussions will be more productive, and
true interest developed. The conversations can lead to a
relationship of mutual respect where the Scout is confident
to offer his thoughts and opinions and value those of his
merit badge counselor. Thus it is that social skills and
self-reliance grow, and examples are set and followed.
In approving counselors, the local council advancement
committee has the authority to establish a minimum,
reasonable level of skills and education for the
counselors of a given merit badge. For example,
NRA certification could be established as a council
standard for approving counselors for the Rifle Shooting
or Shotgun Shooting merit badges.
District or council advancement committees are charged
with recruiting and training sufficient counselors to meet
unit needs. As with any recruitment effort, it begins with
prospecting: gathering names of people who may be
qualified to serve. This can be done in a group setting
through brainstorming as outlined in Friendstorming
On Tour, No. 510-003, or considered on an individual
basis. Merit badge counselor prospects are most often
found from the following sources:
A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling, No. 34532,
can be useful in recruiting. Visits to district meetings,
roundtables, training sessions, and other events may
also uncover prospects. While there, unit and district
volunteer feedback may be sought on the quality of
those currently active.
To learn more about Friendstorming, have your council call the Program Impact Department at the national office.
Venturing consultants are people whose special skills
or talents are needed for a crew activity or project.
Usually they are adults recruited on a one-time basis.
More information can be found in the Venturing Leader
Manual, No. 34655. Consultants generally would be
considered qualified to counsel merit badges related to
their expertise. To do so, they must be approved and
registered as merit badge counselors, according to the
procedures below.
The council advancement committee is responsible
for approval of all merit badge counselors before they
provide services, although it is acceptable to delegate
authority for this function to districts. The process should
not be rushed to the point where unqualified counselors
are allowed to serve. There is no limit to the number of
merit badges an individual may counsel except to the
extent the person lacks skills and education in the subjects.
The intent is for Scouts to learn from those with a level
of expertise.
There is no limit on the number of merit badges a youth
may earn from one counselor. And approved counselors
may work with and pass any member, including their
own son, ward, or relative. But we often teach young
people the importance of broadening horizons. Scouts
meeting with counselors beyond their families and
beyond even their own units are doing that. They will
benefit from the perspectives of many "teachers" and
will learn more as a result. They should be encouraged
to reach out.
Merit badge counselors register at no fee, using the Boy
Scouts of America's standard adult registration form with
position code 42. Designated members of the council
or district advancement committee should provide the
approval signature. The council advancement committee
annually coordinates counselor reregistration. This may be
done as part of the local council charter renewal process.
A letter or message extending an invitation can be sent to
each counselor who is to be approved for another year.
Those identified as not following Boy Scouts of America
policies and procedures, or not providing services as
promised, should not be invited to return.
Volunteers who are properly registered as merit
badge counselors can renew annually without
completing an adult application; their names will
appear on the district roster for renewal. Anyone
who is currently unregistered, or who is registered in
another position but also desires to serve as a merit
badge counselor, must complete an adult application.
The invitational message or letter could include
the following:
1. Gratitude for service
2. Invitation to reregister
3. Reminder to maintain current Youth Protection training
4. Listing of merit badges each is currently approved to counsel
5. Contact name in the district or council who can provide assistance and information
6. Response card, e-form, or other way for counselors to return updated contact information, preferred method for contact, merit badges they wish to add or drop, updates to their skills and education profile, and anything else that may be helpful
7. News and information regarding merit badge "midways" or "fairs," counselor training opportunities, other activities or meetings of interest,
and additional volunteer opportunities
8. FAQs or suggestions covering "best practices" for counseling
The council or district advancement committee must assure
counselors understand the Boy Scouts of America's aims,
methods, and mission. It is also important they know how
Scouts can learn and grow through the merit badge process.
Volunteers and professionals related to the national Advancement
Team have developed an orientation that can be
used one-on-one or in group settings. It can be found
at http://scouting.org/Training/Adult/Supplemental/MeritBadgeCounselorInstructorsGuide.aspx and is often
delivered as part of a wider experience covering several
levels of Scout leader training. Where a counselor corps is
organized into groups based on the popularity or subject
matter of badges, with "head counselors" for each group
(see below), there is also an opportunity for "on-the-job
coaching." This is helpful where individual counselors
need a better understanding of the merit badge plan.
The Worksheet for Building a Merit Badge Counselor List,
available online at http://www.scouting.org/forms.aspx,
organizes the badges into 14 logical groups, such as
business and industry, natural science, communications,
and public service, and advises a head counselor for
each one. The council or district advancement committee
appoints them and they take responsibility within their
groups. Head counselors are not expected to be experts
in each badge, but they should be capable of recruiting
those who meet the qualifications. Remember that
counselor recruiting is an ongoing responsibility.
As new ones are added and others drop off, it is
vital these changes be communicated to the district
or council advancement committee.
The number of counselors needed for the list depends
on badge popularity. First consider badges required for
Eagle Scout rank, which are obvious "musts." Next think
about those most popular in the local area. Reports on
merit badges earned can be generated at your council
service center. For low-demand subjects, counselors may
appear on more than one district list. Urge troops, teams,
crews, and ships to make as many of their counselors as
possible available districtwide.
The council or district counselor list is reproduced for
distribution to troops, teams, crews, and ships. It is most efficient to set the list up as an electronic document that
includes all counselors in the council. Establishing it as a
spreadsheet or database can allow sorting for counselors
willing to serve at the council, district, or unit level. It is
important to maintain and update this list regularly so that
users can depend upon it.
Online counselor lists present a number of challenges.
They should only be placed on official council websites
that conform to the National Council guidelines at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Marketing/Resources/CouncilWeb.aspx. Give attention to protecting
counselor privacy. Limit access to those who have merit
badge–related responsibilities, such as advancement
committee members and chairs, or unit leaders and
selected assistants. Scouts should not have access. Their
interaction with the Scoutmaster in obtaining approval
to work on a badge, and obtaining a counselor's name,
is an important part of the merit badge plan.
Units may establish their own lists of counselors, who
may or may not opt to work with youth in other units. This
may be necessary in wide geographic areas. It can also
be helpful to have ready counselors for the most popular
badges. Recognize, however, that Scouts learn from the
perspectives of counselors outside their own troop. Note
that all merit badge counselors, including those serving
only one unit, must be registered and be approved by the
council (or district, if authorized) advancement committee.
If subject matter relates to a counselor's vocation, meetings with youth might take place at an office or work site. Hobby-related badges are usually counseled at home. For others like Rowing, Rifle Shooting, or Geocaching, learning could occur in the field where
special facilities or an appropriate venue are available. Once a counselor has reviewed the signed Application for Merit Badge, he or she might begin with discussions about what the Scout already knows. This could be followed with coaching, guidance, and additional
meetings, not only for passing the candidate on the requirements, but also to help him understand the subject. The health and safety of those working on merit badges must be integrated with the process. Besides the Guide to Safe Scouting, the "Sweet 16 of BSA Safety" must be
consulted as an appropriate planning tool. It can be found online at "Scouting Safely," http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/healthandsafety/sweet16.aspx.
Youth members must not meet one-on-one with adults. Sessions with counselors must take place where others can view the interaction, or the Scout must have a buddy: a friend, parent, guardian, brother, sister, or other relative—or better yet, another Scout working on the same badge—along with him attending the session.
When the Scout meets with the counselor, he should bring any required projects. If these cannot be transported, he should present evidence, such as photographs or adult certification. His unit leader, for example, might state that a satisfactory bridge or tower has been built for the Pioneering merit badge, or that meals were prepared for Cooking. If there are questions that requirements were met, a counselor may confirm with adults involved. Once satisfied, the counselor signs the blue card using the date upon which the Scout completed the requirements, or in the case of partials, initials the individual requirements passed.
It is acceptable—and sometimes desirable—for merit badges to be taught in group settings. This often occurs at camp and merit badge midways or similar events. Interactive group discussions can support learning. The method can also be attractive to "guest experts" assisting registered and approved counselors. Slide shows, skits, demonstrations, panels, and various other techniques can
also be employed, but as any teacher can attest, not everyone will learn all the material.
There must be attention to each individual's projects and his fulfillment of all requirements. We must know that every Scout—actually and personally—completed them. If, for example, a requirement uses words like "show," "demonstrate," or "discuss," then every Scout must do that. It is unacceptable to award badges on the basis of sitting in classrooms watching demonstrations, or remaining silent during discussions. Because of the importance of individual attention in the merit badge plan, group instruction should be limited to those scenarios where the benefits are compelling.
Volunteers or guests under the direction of a registered and approved counselor who occasionally lend their expertise are not considered merit badge counselors.
Scouts need not pass all requirements with one counselor. The Application for Merit Badge has a place to record what has been finished—a "partial." In the center section on the reverse of the blue card, the counselor initials for each requirement passed. In the case of a partial completion, he or she does not retain the counselor's portion of the card. A subsequent counselor may choose not to accept partial work, but this should be rare. A Scout, if he believes he is being treated unfairly, may work with his Scoutmaster to find another counselor. An example for the use of a signed partial would be to take it to camp as proof of prerequisites. Partials have no expiration except the 18th birthday.
Suggestions for new merit badges may be sent to the Innovation Team at the National Council, email@example.com. Ideas are researched for relevance to the BSA mission and the needs of today's youth and families. Subject matter must spark interest in Scout-age boys; thus part of the process involves presenting submissions to a youth panel.
Through a process managed by the national Advancement Team, all merit badges are reviewed periodically to improve relevance, consistency, and requirement and content accuracy. Merit badge counselors, unit leadership, parents, and youth are encouraged to send suggestions or comments to email@example.com. All submissions are reviewed and considered as merit badges and pamphlets are revised. Feedback has been invaluable in correcting errors, updating material, and enhancing content.
The current annual edition of Boy Scout Requirements, No. 34765, lists the official requirements. Changes usually appear first in a revised merit badge pamphlet, then become effective the next January 1 and are published in the requirements book. Unless otherwise
stated there, or in the pamphlet, the following options are allowed.
There is no time limit between starting and completing a badge, although a counselor may determine so much time has passed since any effort took place that the new requirements must be used.
Scouts may not begin working on discontinued merit badges. If actual effort has already begun by the time discontinuation becomes effective, and work actively continues, then the badge may be completed and can count toward rank advancement, but presentation of the badge itself will be subject to availability. It is a misconception that discontinued merit badges may be earned as long as the patch and requirements can be found.
Candidates for Star or Life, in the selection of "any four" or "any three," respectively, of the merit badges required for Eagle, may choose from all those listed, including where alternatives are available: Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving; and Cycling OR Hiking OR Swimming. For example, Cycling, Hiking, and Swimming could count for Life rank, but only one of those would serve
toward the 12 required merit badges for the Eagle Scout rank.
Once a registered and approved counselor has passed a Scout on requirements for a merit badge, it cannot be taken away. Nor does unit leadership have the authority to retract approval, or take the badge away. Even if a merit badge counselor were found to be improperly documented, it would be a rare occasion when a Scout would be penalized for the mistake of an adult volunteer.


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- Game Details
- News (5)
- Review
- Previews
- Videos (3)
- Images
- Cheats & Walkthroughs
The Sims 2 News
Displaying 1–5 of 5 articles
X-Play Looks At A Decade Of The Sims
Last week marked the 10th anniversary of the release of EA's The Sims. Three games, countless add-ons and millions of players later, The Sims franchise occupies a unique place within gaming culture. Check out X-Play's all access look at the series in the video below: Watch Larger Version | Watch HD Version
What We Learned From The Sims: We Are Bad People
Seeing as today marks the 10th anniversary of The Sims franchise, we thought it'd be appropriate to look back at all the freedom that those games gave us…to be completely wretched human beings. Here are some of the staff's favorite moments of digital depravity carried out against our Sim friends. Rob Manuel, X-Play For The...
Electronic Arts Signs Merchandising Deal With Creative Minx Marketing (Who?)
Electronic Arts has signed an "outbound marketing" deal with Creative Minx Marketing. The deal covers numerous EA properties, including The Sims, MySims, Dead Space, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Dante's Inferno, and Army of Two. The relationship should result in oodles of merchandise for these franchises. In today's press release, Patrick...
'Sims 2: Apartment Life' Screens
This is a public service announcement to anyone thinking of picking up the Sims 2 expansion "Apartment Life." I've lived in many apartments, and it's not as glamorous as the movies and TV shows suggest. Also, check out the picture above. Is that dude on the balcony about to drop a bag of garbage on the Sim-TV? Maybe he's the...
The Sims Breaks 100 Million Sold
EA announced this morning that The Sims series has sold over 100 million copies. That's a crap-ton of Simoleons, eh? Our pet theory is that there a million different expansion packs and additions to the game, and each one sold 100 copies, but no matter how it got there, 100 million is a lot of videogames. "Over the years, we've seen an...
Articles 1–5 of 5
All Access: The Sims 10th Anniversary
9,304 Views | 02:46
The Sims Torture: Worst Swim Ever
5,018 Views | 01:32
All Access: The Sims
1,556 Views | 02:24


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Headlines (Campus Updates)
Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing
MyLearningSpace operational as of 2:30 p.m.
Feb 1/13
As of 2:30 p.m. Friday, February 1, MyLearningSpace appears to be functioning normally. The vendor has indicated that the problems have been resolved and that they will continue testing.
We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the weekend. Should you notice any further difficulties with the system, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
Thank you for your patience.
View all Communications, Public Affairs & Marketing news
View all Laurier news


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Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 388-7228
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Super Magnets
Units: About 2,800
Importer: Man's Trading Company, of Brisbane, Calif.
Hazard: The magnet attached to the bottom of a small toy panda can detach. If swallowed or aspirated by young children, the magnets can attract each other internally and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The ½-inch toys are shaped and painted to resemble panda bears. A small magnet is attached to the bottom of the toy. "Super Magnets" and the MTC logo are printed on the front of the packaging. The magnet toys are sold eight to a package.
Sold at: Dollar and gift stores nationwide from September 2005 through November 2007 for about $1.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toy away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact MTC at (800) 388-7228 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers can also e-mail the firm at email@example.com
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of
thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the
nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or
mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household
chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at
301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing
to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.
Times: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.
Please use the below phone number for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800
View CPSC contacts for specific areas of expertise
We are still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product.
Report a Product on SaferProducts.gov
The link you selected is for a destination outside of the Federal Government. CPSC does not control this external site or its privacy policy and cannot attest to the accuracy of the information it contains. You may wish to review the privacy policy of the external site as its information collection practices may differ from ours. Linking to this external site does not constitute an endorsement of the site or the information it contains by CPSC or any of its employees.
Click Ok if you wish to continue to the website; otherwise, click Cancel to return to our site.


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Laundry Detergents 10/7/11
"Introducing Dropps, pre-measured pacs of liquid laundry detergent that you just toss and go." This TV commercial for Dropps detergent promises to make doing laundry easier. You get 20 pacs in a bag. And Arm & Hammer is touting its new type of detergent … "America's first gel detergent with more power in every drop. Its maximum gelocity hammers out dirt, sauce, grass, and chocolate …"
Consumer Reports tested these two detergents along with dozens of others. Many highlight that they're concentrated. You'll see "2-times Concentrated," "3-times Ultra," and even "6-times" concentrated. Consumer Reports says while you use less of these detergents per load, they aren't necessarily less expensive. But they do use less plastic packaging - a plus for the environment. To find out how well the detergents clean, testers use swatches soaked with tough-to-remove stains like wine and grass and wash them with the detergent and a full load of towels. "We found there were plenty of detergents that did a better cleaning job than the Dropps pacs and the Arm & Hammer Power Gel." For conventional top-loaders, Consumer Reports recommends Wisk Deep Clean New Stain Spectrum Technology. It costs 17 cents a load. And for high-efficiency washers, Consumer Reports named Target's Up & Up Fresh Breeze liquid laundry detergent a Best Buy at 11 cents a load. ."
(Copyright 2011 by WKBT News8000.com)


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"Internet Purchases Only"
"Not a Retail Store Stock Item"
This item is viewable at our retail store in LEXINGTON, KY. It may be on display and is
available for immediate purchase and pick-up.
*Please Note!! Many of our pictures are stock photos provided to us by the manufacturer and do not necessarily represent the actual item being purchased. Please verify this picture accurately reflects the product described by the title and description on this page before you place your order.
REMINGTON ARMS CO GUNS Model 870 Express Pump Shotguns
Remington 12 Ga 26" Barrel W/Modified Rem Choke & Black Synthetic Stock
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INGREDIENTS:2 cups prepared barbecue sauce 1 cup fresh strawberries 1 cup guava paste 1 tsp. cayenne pepperDIRECTIONS:1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. 2. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Serve on shrimp, pork, chicken wings.NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:Calories 261(11% from fat); Fat 3g (sat. 0.36g); Protein 3g Carbohydrates 56g Sodium 1O19mg; Cholesterol 0mg; Fiber 2g (per 1 cup)SERVINGS:4 cupsFrom:Richard Hall, Executive Chef, Florida Aquarium, Tampa
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Dear Friends,
First of all, I didn't think we would make it this far, and that is thanks to all your help. My son is over nine months and thus far, he has been a champion nurser, nursing every three hours or less.
However, lately, he gets really distracted and doesn't nurse as often. He used to wake up at night one or two times, but now, he sleeps through the night. He nurses maybe every four hours. I leave him about 15 to 18 ounces, with the sitter, but he doesn't always take the three bottles. He has been eating solids three times a day over a month and a half now, but that never got in the way of his frequent nursing or bottle drinking. He is also teething, so that may affect his nursing. And I got my first full blown period recently.
The problem is that I am no longer producing 3-5 ounces when I pump. I get at most 1 or 3 if that. I am trying to pump for longer time periods, but nothing comes out.
Any advice would be useful.
Thank you,


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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/238031
- Title
- The evolution of brightest cluster galaxies in a hierarchical universe
- Author(s)
- Tonini, Chiara; Bernyk, Maksym; Croton, Darren; Maraston, Claudia; Thomas, Daniel
- Abstract
- We investigate the evolution of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) from redshift z ~ 1.6 to z = 0. We upgrade the hierarchical semi-analytic model of Croton et al. with a new spectro-photometric model that produces realistic galaxy spectra, making use of the Maraston stellar populations and a new recipe for the dust extinction. We compare the model predictions of the K-band luminosity evolution and the J – K, V – I, and I – K color evolution with a series of data sets, including those of Collins et al. who argued that semi-analytic models based on the Millennium simulation cannot reproduce the red colors and high luminosity of BCGs at z > 1. We show instead that the model is well in range of the observed luminosity and correctly reproduces the color evolution of BCGs in the whole redshift range up to z ~ 1.6. We argue that the success of the semi-analytic model is in large part due to the implementation of a more sophisticated spectro-photometric model. An analysis of the model BCGs shows an increase in mass by a factor of 2-3 since z ~ 1, and star formation activity down to low redshifts. While the consensus regarding BCGs is that they are passively evolving, we argue that this conclusion is affected by the degeneracy between star formation history and stellar population models used in spectral energy distribution fitting, and by the inefficacy of toy models of passive evolution to capture the complexity of real galaxies, especially those with rich merger histories like BCGs. Following this argument, we also show that in the semi-analytic model the BCGs show a realistic mix of stellar populations, and that these stellar populations are mostly old. In addition, the age-redshift relation of the model BCGs follows that of the universe, meaning that given their merger history and star formation history, the ageing of BCGs is always dominated by the ageing of their stellar populations. In a ΛCDM universe, we define such evolution as 'passive in the hierarchical sense.'
- Publication type
- Journal article
- Research centre
- Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies. Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
- Source
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 759, no. 1 (Nov 2012), article no. 43
- Publication year
- 2012
- FOR Code(s)
- 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences; 0305 Organic Chemistry; 0306 Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural)
- Keyword(s)
- Fundamental parameters; Galaxy clusters; Galaxy evolution; Galaxy photometry; Star formation; Stellar content
- Publisher
- Institute of Physics Publishing
- Publisher URL
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2012 The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. The American Astronomical Society does not allow institutions to archive either the accepted manuscript or the published version of the article. However, you can find an earlier version of the full text here: http://arxiv.org/abs/1209.1204
- Additional information
- The authors acknowledge support from a Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship awarded by the Australian Research Council.
- Peer reviewed


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Sullivan Renaissance Annual Conference & Expo
January 2, 2013 —
Sullivan Renaissance will hold its "Annual Conference, Local Market & Expo" on Saturday, March 9 at the CVI Center in Ferndale.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Peter Tarlow, an international consultant on the positive effects of community beautification, who has been assisting Sullivan Renaissance for the past two years. Dr. Tarlow will also present a workshop focused on youth leadership.
The event features exhibits and workshops on the Renaissance Collection of plants, garden maintenance, social media, recruiting volunteers, enhancing Main Streets and related topics. In a continued effort to support the shop-local movement, a marketplace featuring fresh food and items produced in the area will be part of the day.
Information about the 2013 Sullivan Renaissance grant program will be presented, along with an opportunity to discuss individual projects with staff. Applications will be available.
Recipients of the annual Sullivan First Achievement Awards will also be recognized at the conference.
Vendor applications and workshop registration forms will be available online in January. For information, call Sullivan Renaissance at 845/295-2445.
Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation.


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Address: 14821 W. 123rd Terrace
Park Location: The park is located along W. 123rd Terrace between S. Shannan Court and S. Acuff Lane. Pedestrian path access points are located from 123rd Terrace and cul-de-sacs located on S. Acuff Court and S. Alden Circle.
Park History: The 2 acre park was dedicated in 1990.
Park Amenities:


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Swindler sent to prison
A Marietta man accused of collecting nearly $100,000 for several construction jobs he never completed and swindling an elderly Cutler woman into a dubious logging contract in 2010 was sentenced Thursday in Washington County Common Pleas Court to 18 months in prison.
Douglas G. Snider, Jr., 39, of 1314 Glendale Road, had initially been indicted in April 2010 on 22 felony counts, including 10 theft charges, 10 falsification charges, and two charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Snider had been offering his construction services to area residents, many of them elderly, and receiving cash up front, said Washington County Prosecutor Jim Schneider.
"The whole problem was he was taking the money and spending it, but not on customers' stuff," said Schneider.
In some cases, Snider would make a few minor improvements, but then he would disappear, said Schneider.
After Snider was arrested on the 22 charges in May 2010, part of his bond agreement was that he was not allowed to seek new construction contracts, said Schneider.
"We never ordered him not to finish the jobs. We just ordered him not to obtain new jobs," he said.
Snider breached his bond by failing to show up for his jury trial and was again indicted in October 2010 for breach of recognizance, a fourth-degree felony.
Before he could be re-arrested, Snider approached a 92-year-old Cutler woman and offered to pay her $5,000 to cut down three dead trees on her property and take the timber, said Schneider.
"Instead he drew up a contract to clear cut her entire forest and she signed that agreement unknowingly," he said.
Snider then sold the contract to a logging company for $20,000 and never paid the woman the $5,000 he promised, said Schneider.
"She had already signed an agreement with the state not to cut on the land, and the state in turn had lowered her taxes," he added.
The incident eventually led to an additional indictment for one third-degree felony count of theft from an elderly person, but not until after Snider was eventually arrested in Canton in February 2012, after alluding arrest for nearly one and a half years.
The Washington County Prosecutor's Office had previously rejected a plea deal on the initial indictment which would have allowed Snider to plead guilty to only two of the theft charges because a judge might only order restitution for the charges to which Snider pleaded, said Schneider.
"It would be unfair to the other victims to just pick one or two," he said.
Instead, Snider pleaded to all 11 counts of theft and in return the charges of falsification and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity were dropped, said Schneider.
"This way all of the victims are protected," he said.
In May, Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Susan Boyer sentenced Snider to 15 months in prison on the breach of recognizance charge. However, he has been in the Washington County Jail since his February arrest so the theft charges could be addressed, said Schneider.
Washington County Common Pleas Court Judge Randall Burnworth sentenced Snider to the maximum of 12 months Thursday on the three fifth-degree felony theft charges and 18 months on the eight fourth-degree felony theft charges, all to run concurrently to one another.
If the charges had been ordered to be served consecutively Snider would be facing 15 years in prison. However, said Schneider, it is common for similar charges to run concurrent to one another. In Snider's case, it will sooner enable him to start working toward restitution payments, he added.
Burnworth did order Thursday's sentence to run consecutively with the 15 months Snider is currently serving on the breach of recognizance charge.
Snider will finish that sentence sometime in May and the clock will then begin ticking on the 18 months, said Schneider.
The issue of restitution will not likely be dealt for nearly a year, he said.
However, the 11 victims have so far requested a total of $93,900 in restitution, noted Burnworth.