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Good governance means more than regular elections. It also means active citizens; a free press; an independent judiciary and legislature; and transparent and responsive institutions that are accountable to all citizens and protect their rights equally and fairly. The Open Government Partnership (OGP) hews closely to these principles. It is, at its core, about the relationship between a government and its citizens -- a relationship that is defined by mutual responsibility and facilitated by dialogue.
Undeniably, technology and access are changing the relationship between a government and its people. Communication networks are enabling citizens to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, participate in the democratic process, and organize social movements that alter the face of entire regions. As citizens call for change, governments are responding by opening their doors and their data. In this context, governments at the national and local levels have the opportunity to harness citizen input, more easily identify and address inefficiencies and obstacles in service delivery, and create greater impact through public policy and services.
But this trend towards openness goes further than opportunity -- to imperative. At OGP's first outreach meeting in July 2011, Secretary Clinton elaborated on the dangers of closed societies. She stressed that the failure of government "to earn and hold the trust of its people...in a world of instantaneous communication, means that the very fabric of society begins to fray and the foundation of governmental legitimacy begins to crumble." The reality before us is that open government is not just good government; it is smart and sustainable government. That's why President Obama and Secretary Clinton have made open government a top priority for the United States, both domestically and internationally.
OGP is helping governments respond to the opportunity and the imperative before us. And, significantly, it is enabling us to go beyond the walls of government -- to partners in civil society and the private sector -- to find and implement the world's best ideas when it comes to open, efficient, and effective government.
Through OGP, governments and citizens of the world are reviving the linkages that bind them to one another. In September, we witnessed the beginning of a historic chapter in the story of good governance when OGP's eight founding governments launched their action plans. In April, what was eight will graduate to over 50. And what was once the beginning of a chapter will graduate to what is really the beginning of a new era of good governance -- the era of open.
Editor's Note: This entry also appears on the Open Government Partnership website.
John in Canada writes:
Is any society ready, prepared or able to accommodate an "Open Society"?
"Good governance means more than regular elections. It also means active citizens; a free press; an independent judiciary and legislature; and transparent and responsive institutions that are accountable to all citizens and protect their rights equally and fairly."
I couldn't agree more but the greatest threat to the aforementioned is our monetary structures. Our monetary systems make it impossible for this goal to be achieved.
Everything is impacted negatively because of money.
Look at the dissension in governments around the world - ideology nonsense aside - it comes down to money. Would Obamacare be challenged if the issue of money was not there? (I would like to see someone justify letting sick people die of curable disease, if money was removed from the equation)
Rather sad that money can make people do what they otherwise wouldn't do absent of cost. (I wonder how many of these same people then go to mosque, church or temple to pray believing they are good people - laugh)
Our Education, judicial, media - just about everything has been impacted by our monetary system negatively and it or this is the single biggest road block to any "open society" concept.(not to mention ending poverty, innovation and oh yeh our very survival - I say this because if our survival depended on building a road but we did not have the money to build it - as things are now, those - in power would let us all die - including them - that's stupid)
Any perceived loss of money and open anything becomes closed very quick. So how would this issue get addressed without a redo of the money systems? I cant see it working otherwise.
If we change our monetary system then everything changes - open societies would be a natural progression necessary for success. It shouldn't be that hard to do.
Something to think about - If people are responsible for climate change (assuming we forget that the climate has always been changing for a very long time) - Some people believe we can actually control the planets heating, cooling, tornadoes, rain, drought etc - in short, prevent climate/weather catastrophe - if only we all live a certain way(this is the sane thing to think these days) but somehow making a new monetary system (A completely man made apparatus and in total human control) that works for everyone seems crazy or impossible. Who in their right mind can accept such nonsense.
We can control the planets weather somehow but we are helpless against money and debt?
(I must say that I don't advocate polluting - We should stop pollution for the simple fact its dirty and gross - not because of some armageddon - then again if the cost of doing business cleanly was removed - would we have pollution? NO. You see, our money systems at the moment causes us more trouble then they are worth - as seen by the debt to asset ratio in the world - arguably the greatest threat to the environment - as well as open society is our money systems)
With the current monetary structures in place the noble goals outlined in this article will remain goals with limited achievement or worse unintended consequences IMHO.
Good Luck
W.W. writes:
Karl Popper hegel marx just another utopic delirium of a crazy vision called open society : a big Goebbels Lie
well your '' open '' Aristotelism will bring a mighter and greater Alexander this time
J. Cameron in Canada writes:
Just today received a post on my FB wall from someone who i worked with in the past in critical infrastructure and who is usually very level headed. Having worked a propaganda case involving a disturbed marine previously i was familiar with the link he sent me. We do need more people willing to give specific kudos where they are warranted. Most real combat vets don't usually want to talk to anyone and the result is his/her 90% other supporter vets do all the talking and their vet status gives them some credibility to the untrained eye. The 100% make the team and i love them all...but, enough is enough.
Also, domestically, these so called patriots just tear into the fabric of good hard .gov work and other partners. i realize that you are now getting a good handle on the attacks via cloud technology and other...but it is good solid field work and empowering some of our smart blue collar workers that will help turn the tide. The new 700MHz D block technology for 1st responders should include vetted and trained private utility workers as force multipliers (they are at ground level)...that's one step.
DAVPRM & working combat vets should be encouraged to debate the pessimists on social media and many of the .gov sites would be #2 for me, we used to sit and just avoid people and keep our history to ourselves...with your techno tracking in place i now feel encouraged to take on any of these attacks with words, knowing that it is drawing the bad out of the woodwork or creating buzz amongst the losers.
The relativity of good people doing good work is confusing to evil and disturbing through media to the disturbed. It is what it is though and God works in strange ways. The coincidences of life set some of these players off, they just can't handle it...they view it as sinister. People who do bad things will fall, that's just divine nature...the problem is they want to take everyone with them and we have to work to thwart "that". Just saying this as an autodidact of 61 yrs.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ J.Cameron,
Welcome to the blog, and I very much enjoyed reading your post...(chuckle).
You know, there's a reason I chose to (after many thousansds of posts and at the suggestion of a certain fellow from Greece who thought I should compile them into a book), I decided to title the work, "The Cure for Political Stupidity and/or How Not to Go to War with America (the idiot's guide)"
The upshot is that Dipnote is the perfect place to have it published raw and unedited, for the reasons you cite in your post in part, and you'll find many a conspiracy myth busting sessions I've been involved in via archives of this blog.
This book (longer than Tolstoy's "War and Peace at this point), simply evolved due to the fact that the US dept of State bears the brunt of anti-American sentiment and outrageous claims foisted upon this government. And I've taken my fair share of abuse for the writing of it, I can assure you.
Now Maria Otero (if she was willing and had the time to do so), could very well respond to the critics posting comment on this thread (and others @ State could do likewise), and I think she probably should consider whether on State's home turf (Dipnote being the official blog of the US dept of State), if the untruth posted should be well met by the truth of the matter or not?
To do so would in fact be a direct form of open government in tangible public/private dialogue.
In fact every one posting a thread on this blog should engage with the public comment, questions, and ideas, as part of their responsibility as public servants.
Anyway, the detractors don't seem to appreciate the fact that their words are published in the comments section here precicely because someone decided to create a more open government in the first place.
The challenge being, whether the public may inspire this government to think, by making too much sense to ignore.
I need all the help I can get...(chuckle).
Portia S. in the U.S.A. writes:
You say that President Obama has made open government a top priority for the United States. Yet over 20 noted whistleblowers have just released a petition calling for rescinding a "Transparency Award" President Obama recently received. The signatories include Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the Pentagon Papers, former CIA analyst Raymond McGovern, former Pentagon analyst Lt. Colonel Karen Kwiatkowski and former National Security Agency analyst Russ Tice. Here are excerpts from their statement:
"President Obama has not decreased but has dramatically increased governmental secrecy! According to a new report to the president by the Information Security Oversight Office -- the federal agency that provides oversight of the government's security classification system -- the cost of classification for 2010 has reached over $10.17 billion. That's a 15 percent jump from the previous year, and the first time ever that secrecy costs have surpassed $10 billion. Last month, ISOO reported that the number of original classification decisions generated by the Obama administration in 2010 was 224,734 -- a 22.6 percent jump from the previous year. See 'The Price of Secrecy, Obama Edition.'
"There were 544,360 requests for information last year under the Freedom of Information Act to the 35 biggest federal agencies -- 41,000 requests more than the year before. Yet the bureaucracy responded to 12,400 fewer requests than the prior year, according to an analysis by the Associated Press.
"Obama has invoked baseless and unconstitutional executive secrecy to quash legal inquiries into secret illegalities more often than any predecessor. The list of this President's invocations of the 'state secrets privilege' has already resulted in shutting down lawsuits involving the National Security Agency's illegal wiretapping -- Jewel vs. NSA and Shubert vs. Obama; extraordinary rendition and assassination -- Anwar al-Aulaqi; and illegal torture -- Binyam Mohamed.
"Ignoring his campaign promise to protect government whistleblowers, Obama's presidency has amassed the worst record in U.S. history for persecuting, prosecuting and jailing government whistleblowers and truth-tellers. President Obama's behavior has been in stark contrast to his campaign promises which included live streaming meetings online and so forth, and rewarding whistleblowers. Obama's Department of Justice is twisting the 1917 Espionage Act to press criminal charges in five alleged instances of national-security leaks -- more such prosecutions than have occurred in all previous Administrations combined.
"The Obama DOJ's prosecution of former NSA official Thomas Drake who, up till June 9, faced 35 years in prison for having blown the whistle on the NSA's costly and unlawful warrantless monitoring of American citizens typifies the abusive practices made possible through expansive secrecy agreements and threats of prosecution.
President Obama has set a powerful and chilling example for potential whistleblowers through the abuse and torture of Bradley Manning, whose guilt he has also publicly stated prior to any trial by his, Obama's, military subordinates.
"Obama is the only president who has reenacted Fahrenheit 451 by actually having his agency collect and burn a book due to a never-justified classification excuse: Lt. Col Tony Shaffer's -Operation Dark Heart. ...
W.W. writes:
When A government or state will show courage to its future it will work for an Ataraxian order - Current ''Open'' american lobbyist lie it is not the case...
Razaie Rafin S. in Bangladesh writes:
Children, the present World you are seeing was One Earth in the beginning of human civilization, later the One Earth was divided into many countries to create it a World. And they mess it to the last Hell. *It is a natural law, every thing grows until its beginning. Thus this World will grow One Earth again. The present acceleration of World's growing predicts - as before the second half of 21st Century almost whole of the World would have opened their countries to their people unto the last, excepting for Bangladesh ! just not joke, that created virtually free human to roam on One Earth. Thus the World will be One Earth again.
Never forget to bless information communication technology that has given human the 3rd generation communication what upgrades human omnipresent, one of two stem powers of the belief of God.
I wish I would be teaching in an elementary class room of 2051 with a school of children from 71 countries - those were fighting, battling one another for centuries thinking one is another's foe, very recently they knew one human is by default help to another. That changed their entire mind set. However my son would be teaching, but from somewhere else, because all those are going to happen excepting for Bangladesh. Let it be written!
Eric in New Mexico writes:
Open Government does not equate with naked transparency in regards to national security, as governments have reason to protect information, inteligence, methods, and sources.
This admin. like all the one's in the past still have to answer to the citizens, and our "need to know" what our government is doing around the world and within our borders, on any number of levels.
In essence, "open government" in a democracy, is a method of justifying its reason for existance, for as Churchill once put it, "democracy is the worst form of government ever invented by man, except all other forms."
The people of the world are themselves creating "open government" as a cell phone with video capability is a lot like a can opener, exposing dictatorships for what they are.
And anybody who watched Jon Stewart rip the GAO a new orifice the other night on Comedy Central can appreciate the efforts of those who demand honesty and accountability from our government.
One has to wonder what that man's life expectancy would be if he was airing his show in any other country besides America, or another democracy with a well established tradition of embracing political satire.
If men were angels, the President wouldn't need to sign into law a act of congress banning insider trading among it's members of the house and senate, because those members would have considered themselves equal under the law to begin with to anyone else making investmernts on Wall st. But governments are comprised of people,with all the human failings along with their better selves, that inherantly encompasses the attitudes, mindsets, and actions among the cadre of civil servants and people's representitives within its makeup.
The "cure for political stupidity" is quite simply "regime replacement therapy" and that starts with an evolution of mindset and attitude that embraces the notion that any government calling itself a democracy serves its people well, answeres to its citizens, and works for them-litterally, as our taxes become their paychecks.
The improvements in engagement with the public on this blog I spoke of in my prior post are just an extention of a proper attitude put into actions, and as Maria Otero well knows, there's a lot of room for improvement in this regard.
It's a small thing, a microcosm of the whole of government, this blog...and if not here, where and when will this government and its public servants accept the challenge to engage in constructive discussion put forth by this citizen?
We citizens will be the ultimate judge of just how "open" this government prides itself on being, that much DoS can count on.
And if folks are unwilling to engage the public one on one on this blog, good luck trying that effectively with the rest of the world. As I said, this blog is a microcosm of the reality the State dept is attempting to create? Well then, proceed accordingly!
Portia S. in the U.S.A. writes:
The problem, as usual, is one of double standards. The US denounces other countries for refusing to adopt practices that the US would never dream of adopting itself. One man's "lack of transparency" is another man's "attention to national security" (very much like the freedom fighter/terrorist double standard.)
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Portia,
So, you are suggesting that we tell al-quaida how we are able to find them and hunt them down up in the hills between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and that doing so would meet your definition of "Open Government" in practice?
Oh please....I don't want to devote an entire new chapter to the book I've been writing just on your account...(chuckle).
Been trying to finish it for awhile now and Assad and others are keeping me quite busy with their own political stupidity...at this rate I may never finish it!
Portia S. in the U.S.A. writes:
@ Eric, a more interesting question would be why we are hunting for Al-qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while at the same time arming them in Syria and Libya. Or why we are actually providing training to the Iranian MEK, while they remain on our official list of terrorist organizations.
Eric in New Mexico writes:
@ Portia,
Given the fact that the USA is not arming Syrian opposition or training the MEK, a way more interesting question than the one you pose is , "Who exactly does Portia think "we" to be?"
Other than Assad you may be the last person on Earth that thinks he's fighting al-quaida in the streets of Syrian cities, wheras it is quite apparent to everyone else that a lot of innocent people are being kil;led by that dictator and those who are trying to defend themselves, their homes and families after peaceful protests were met by bullets, tanks, and artillery arn't members of al-quaida or any other terrorist group.
Look, you want to decieve yourself on these things? Fine, but you arn't convincing anyone else you know what's up. So why waste your time and mine on this blog with such bogus claims against the US gov.?
My prev. question to you required just a simple yes or no to answer, and if my premis were untrue in the asking, the way I asked it should have given you cause to correct me if I was wrong in the basis of asumption inherant in the question, so at this point I'll just have to assume based on the evidence you placed in print here, that you are pretty well stuck on a pinnacle of political stupidity of your own making, and lookin' for someone to knock you off of it...
So that you can start making sense having found the truth of the matter isn't what you percieved it to be.
If you just came to Dipnote to slander the US gov. by making knowingly false accusation against it, then you might want to read the blog comment policy, because it includes this;
"Comments that make unsupported accusations will also not be posted."
The moderators don't generally enforce their own policies, choosing rather to let common sense prevail among the readership, and resolve our own issues in constructive, OPEN debate, from what I've seen over a number of years here...but I thought I'd point this out to you so you have a chance to think about it.
There's a difference between stating something as one's honest opinion, and stating it as if it were fact, and know it is false on the face of your accusations...that's called propoganda.
"When I consider the difference (by definition) between a terrorist and a freedom fighter, The targeting of civilians, and the methods employed may serve. The philosophy behind our revolution, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, was born from resistance to oppression with "live free, or die." being at the core of it." -EJ 2002
I offered this opinion to my government a long time ago, and it is reflected in US foreign policy, not because I stated it, but because it makes too much sense to ignore.
If you are still confused by any of this, I'll be happy to help you get off your pedestal of political stupidity.
Portia S. in the U.S.A. writes:
For the benefit of Eric in New Mexico, the source for the claim that the US trained the MEK is Seymour Hersh writing in the New Yorker:
As far as arming Al-qaeda elements in Syria is concerned, there is a public faction fight over this issue, with Secretary Clinton publicly opposing:
However, there are credible reports that arms are already reaching those elements, courtesy of the US-backed regime in Libya:
Eric in New Mexico writes:
Seymour Hearsh a "reliable source"? Yeah right, go ahead and try to sell me another fairy tail Portia..., I ain't buying it.
I see you're doing a lot of backtracking on your previous statements of baseless accusations toward the US gov. and trying to avoid responsibility for making them.
But I guess I got you to think about regurgitating conspiracy theory on this blog to some extent.
Now go do some real research and start thinking for yourself for once please.
Have a nice weekend,


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From the Manufacturer:
Prince of Peace Pu-Erh Tea is freshly harvested from a tea plantation that uses one of the finest teas from China. This Pu-Erh Tea undergoes a full oxidation (fermentation) process which causes the leaves to turn black and gives them their characteristic flavor and aroma. Pu-Erh Tea is a popular, delicious tea you can enjoy any time of day!

subset: commoncrawl


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Hagi Special Offer #6 San-Sai Wan
I saw San-Sai Guinomi (sake cups) several times and they really turned my head, but I had never seen it in a "Wan" before and thought this would be quite unique. The size is approx 3.6 inches wide X 2.4 – 2.6 inches high. A very functional, multipurpose size!
This is the first of at least several different San Sai pieces I expect we will have as Hagi Special Offers for members of TeaChat.
These were designed and created for us by Hagi master artisan, Yamane Seigan. They are unique and this combination of size, style, and glaze have not been offered previously. They are also a very limited run, NOT mass produced.
The price is $52.50, discounted more than 20% off the suggested resale price of $65-70 if it was even available. Many thanks to Magokorodo for teaming with us to make this unique offering possible. .
San-Sai or Sansai refers to the beautiful tricolor effect of the runny glaze and is sometimes interpreted as rainbow. The white background glazing gives the piece a nice old friend feel. The white interior is naturally perfect for viewing tea.
The clay is a moderately rough sand clay. Oni Hagi San-Sai Wan.
If you are interested, please PM me immediately! Ordering info is at the bottom of this PM.
Regarding the Special Wood Box which has the typical Yamane Seigan hand written signature and description on the outside of the lid.
On the inside of the lid, a special designation for this batch. It states to the right in kanji "Kinsei" which I understand means carefully made especially for and under supervision of and reflects a gratitude in which Japanese culture is reflected. To the left, TeaChat in English, and in the romantic Japanese translation in Kanji "Discussion about Tea" And Magokoro in Kanji and English.
The vendor requires all Special Offer ordering be handled by your friendly Moderator . I expect a lot of interest in these beauties, and they will be gone before you know it! Good news, they are all quite beautiful in Hagi fashion. Any questions, please PM me.
Please select your fave and at least 2 alternates, OR ALLOW ME TO SELECT for you from the remaining pieces. TBH, I am having a very difficult time choosing 1 anyway and will choose 2 if there are 2 available, choosing 2 that differ from each other, there are many that I personally would be very happy with owning. If you want 2, pick at least 3-4 alternates.
If funds are a bit tight this week, payment may be delayed. Please let me know. Mago is closed til at least Wednesday due to a business trip.
Below are 2 "SMALL" pictures of each group. You can find more and "LARGER" photos in my photobucket by clicking:
http://s285.photobucket.com/albums/ll60 ... Sai%20Wan/


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Rank: 796
active 2 months, 2 weeks ago
When i was a little girl, i knew someone who would take me with them to drop my pets off out on back roads. I'm here(at peta2) because i will never do something so awful to my pets, and i will NEVER teach my children something so cruel and just plain wrong. #weareallanimals <3


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About the Author: Suzanne Lawrence, a Foreign Service Officer, is the Director of the Office of Policy Coordination and Public Affairs in the Bureau of Consular Affairs and Board member of Executive Women at State (EW@S).
The 2012 Project, a national, non-partisan campaign to increase the number of women in legislative office, is counting the days until November 6, 2012. Election Day 2012 presents an opportunity for women to increase their numbers in office: following the 2010 census, every congressional and state legislative district in the country will be redrawn, and new and open seats will be created.
Former OECD Ambassador and Congresswoman Connie Morella, a member of the 2012 Project, spoke to an audience on September 8th at the Department of State and urged women to consider running for public office. The theme of her presentation meshed perfectly with the event sponsored by Executive Women at State (EW@S) and the Office of Civil Rights (S/OCR) celebrating Women's Equality Day and commemorating the passage of the 19th Amendment granting Women the Right to Vote. Morella drew parallels between running for office and working at the Department of State, noting that to be successful in both fields it was essential to "listen, learn, respect and then lead."
Morella's co-presenter, Deborah Walsh, the Director of the Center for American Women and Politics, emphasized the need for continued education across the political spectrum to draw attention to the importance of women serving in public office. John M. Robinson, the State Department's Director of the Office of Civil Rights, summed up the successful event and thanked the Executive Women at State for organizing this forum as well as many other events, making them one of the "most prolific affinity groups" at the Department of State.
You can read the Presidential Proclamation for Women's Equality Day 2010 here.


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Bringing food to the people
STANHOPE – Stanhope will be the first community to see a new mobile food pantry program from the Food Bank of Iowa.
On Saturday, the Food Bank of Iowa will send a truck filled with food items from Des Moines to the Stanhope Community Center. The pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Carey Miller, executive director at the Food Bank of Iowa, said the organization hopes to serve 100 families in the community.
"What makes me so excited for this program is that we know there is very limited access to pantries or other food outlets in rural areas of Iowa," Miller said. "Grocery stores may be quite a distance away, and there may not be another group to provide assistance."
The mobile food pantry program began after the Food Bank of Iowa received a $30,000 grant from Archer Daniels Midland. The program looks to identify needs in rural communities in Iowa, and the Food Bank of Iowa is working with community partners to help make that happen.
The Rev. Suzie Moore, of Stanhope Parish, is one member of a leadership group that is composed of Stanhope community members to help organize the pantry. She said that several community leaders, including herself, had discussed the need for a food pantry in December 2012. In January, the Food Bank of Iowa contacted them about taking part in the mobile food pantry program.
"This was kind of a God moment that we had," Moore said. "It was a sign that we were supposed to do it."
Moore and the leadership group won't be the only community members helping out at the pantry. She said local 4-H groups, and other youths and adults in Stanhope have volunteered to help with the pantry on Saturday. The next food pantry will be held on June 15. Ultimately, Moore said their goal is to have a permanent food pantry set up in Stanhope by the end of this year.
In the meantime, the Food Bank of Iowa will continue to roll out its mobile food pantry to rural areas in need this year. Miller said the Food Bank of Iowa serves 42 counties in Iowa. The mobile food pantries will help them cover areas in need that they have not been able to serve in the past. Stanhope in one of four pilot locations for the program, and other rural communities will see the program expanded to their areas in the future.


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Ready or Not - Page 3
At the nondescript summit (3581 feet) of Wintergreen, and the race's first aid station, supporters and race volunteers gathered in a flat parking lot with residences nearby, whooping as the compact, muscular Scott Gall, 37, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, first-place finisher at Colorado's 2011 Barr Trail Mountain Race, a 2000 Olympic Trials marathon qualifier (2:20) and fifth-place finisher in the 1999 World Mountain Running Championships, appeared from the trees to break the King of the Mountain tape. A few seconds later Wardian followed, as did the rest of the elite men gliding through at a fast clip. It was Gall's first ultra attempt, so bystanders wondered: could the confident mountain runner sustain his pace for another 55-plus miles? Yet everyone seemed to be pushing the pace a little too hard.
"The leaders started fast, but probably a sustainable pace for a few of the guys on a good day," an elite runner from Bend, Oregon, Ian Sharman, would say later. "I wanted to see how I felt so was happy to let them all go and hoped to catch up when I got into a good rhythm."
First through for the women was the one-time collegiate basketball star and recent ultrarunning sensation Devon Crosby-Helms, 29, of San Francisco, a 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials marathon qualifier and winner of Wisconsin's 2011 Mad City 100K and the 2009 JFK 50-miler (course record) in Maryland, amid many others. Wearing a striking red-and-white compression outfit, the gangly 6' 1" Helms would be easy to spot throughout the day. She was followed by the veteran Anne Riddle-Lundblad, 45, of Asheville, North Carolina (a nine-time USATF National Champion in multiple distances); Andi Felton, 35, of Scottsdale, Arizona (winner of the 2011 Zane Grey 50-miler in Arizona); and Ragan Petrie, 45, of Arlington, Virginia (winner of 2011 The North Face 50-Mile Endurance Challenge in Washington, D.C.).
In contrast to the deep men's field, the women's was relatively thin, with a few strong racers, including perennial top threat Anita Ortiz of Colorado (see "Blood Sport," August 2011, Issue 74), bowing out of the event at the last moment.
After the pack disappeared into a short, densely wooded singletrack section, crews and followers packed up to intercept the runners, who would descend a steep mixture of singletrack and road before a one-mile road climb at a brutal 15-percent grade to the second aid station, Reeds Gap (mile 9.6). It was located on the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile two-lane road connecting North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains and Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. The UROC runners would log 21 tough, undulating miles on the Parkway.
Emerging first on that steep road section was Mackey, wearing his trademark visor. With wins at Oregon's Waldo 100K (course record), California's Miwok 100K, American River 50 Mile and Bandera 100K USATF Trail Championships (course record), Mackey was the favorite, at least on paper.
Yet he wasn't necessarily himself on this day. "I've been nursing bronchitis for the past two weeks," he had said the evening before the race. "I'm not even sure I'll be starting tomorrow." However, he was now running strong in his relaxed style up the unrelenting hill.
Commented a bystander, "It doesn't even look like he's going fast."
Mackey was pursued by Gall, Wardian, Roes and Jonathan Basham, 34, of Greenwater, Washington, who, in 2010, became the ninth-ever finisher of Tennessee's insane Barkley Marathons, which features an unmarked course and nearly 60,000 feet of climbing. While Basham has strong ultra finishes to his credit, he had mostly been training for a speed-record attempt on California's John Muir Trail, not necessarily ideal for the fast turnover the UROC roads demanded.


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December 31, 2013
In order to keep up with a rapidly changing market, it's crucial for brands to constantly seek new ways to innovate and evolve, not only in messaging, but as a company. In this Insight Brief, top marketers discussed the challenges, opportunities, trends and best practices involved in creating a truly innovative marketing campaign.
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Did you use a ring to keep the cheese and sauce away from the edges?Thanks,Grilled
http://www.littlecaesarsclub.com/pepperoni-cheese-pizza.jpgLooks like a frozen tombstone in them pics!
I don't have a kitchen scale nor do I think I will be getting one for a while. But can someone tell me if my estimation on the dough ingredients seem about right for us simple folk?Flour 1.4 cups Water .81 cups2.2 tbsp sugar2 tbsp oil1 tbsp salt1.25 tps yeast / 1/2 pack what does ADY stand for, ___ ___ yeast?
My first job was making the dough at little caesars. At the moment I am still making pizza dough Anyway, the oil was added halfway through the mixing process.
Anyway, the oil was added halfway through the mixing process.


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Haibane Renmei
Cocoon - Dream of Falling From the Sky - Old Home
Episode 1 | TV-14
Summer break is coming to an end, and the Neighbors want to ring in the school year with fireworks and yukata at the summer festival! They soon learn a valuable lesson about long hair and open flames.
Official Site: www.funimation.com/shows/haibane-renmeiHide Details


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This hairstyle is long and curly. The hair is brought up at the front and sides which gives volume to the top of her head. This look is romantic and sexy.This model has a long haircut.The hair colour is a strawberry blonde.
TOOLBOX Collection Hair: Patrick Kalle, Art Director Farouk Systems Europe & The Artistic Team Photographer: Ivo Rikkert Stylist: Marco Marcus Make up: Lydia Thann


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Zantac Side Effects
Generic Name: ranitidine
Note: This page contains side effects data for the generic drug ranitidine. It is possible that some of the dosage forms included below may not apply to the brand name Zantac.
For the Consumer
Applies to ranitidine: oral solution, oral tablets and tablets for, oral tablets effervescent for solution, parenteral injection, parenteral injection for iv infusion only
Side effects include:
Oral or parenteral therapy: Headache, sometimes severe.
IM therapy: Transient pain at injection site.
IV therapy: Transient local burning or itching.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to ranitidine: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral granule effervescent, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet effervescent
Ranitidine (the active ingredient contained in Zantac) is generally well tolerated.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal side effects have included constipation, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rare reports of pancreatitis. Rebound acid hypersecretion has been reported after discontinuation of therapy. A case report of coinfection with Giardia lamblia and Clostridium difficile has been attributed to the achlorhydria induced by ranitidine (the active ingredient contained in Zantac) predisposing the patient to the enteric infection.[Ref]
Cardiovascular side effects have rarely included tachycardia, bradycardia, atrioventricular block, and premature ventricular beats. Several cases of bradycardia following intravenous administration of ranitidine (the active ingredient contained in Zantac) have been reported. Ranitidine-induced bradycardia may be due to a rise in the serum histamine concentration or due to a direct effect of ranitidine on cardiac H2 receptors.[Ref]
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects have been reported rarely. These have included headache (sometimes severe), somnolence, dizziness, malaise, and vertigo. Reversible mental confusion, agitation, depression, and hallucinations have been reported, predominantly in severely ill elderly patients. Hostility, mania, mental status changes, dystonia, reversible involuntary motor disturbances have also been reported.[Ref]
The mechanism by which ranitidine induces mental status changes is not well established but appears to involve increased serum concentrations of ranitidine. Renal dysfunction, advanced age, and critical illness appear to be associated with an increased risk of central nervous system toxicity. Onset of symptoms is typically within the first few weeks of therapy, but may be delayed. Following discontinuation of ranitidine, mental status usually normalizes over several days.[Ref]
Two cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported in patients with underlying idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura. A 72-year-old male also experienced a photosensitivity reaction that resolved after ranitidine (the active ingredient contained in Zantac) was discontinued.[Ref]
Dermatologic side effects have included alopecia, rash, pruritus, contact dermatitis, erythema multiforme, cutaneous vasculitis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis.[Ref]
Musculoskeletal side effects have included arthralgias and myalgias.[Ref]
Overall, serious hepatotoxicity due to ranitidine (the active ingredient contained in Zantac) is rare. Hepatocellular, hepatocanalicular, and mixed-type injury have been reported. In most cases, hepatotoxicity has been associated with fever, chills, nausea, and occasionally rash and eosinophilia, with onset of symptoms early in the course of therapy. Such symptomatology is suggestive of a hypersensitivity etiology. The majority of cases resolve following discontinuation of ranitidine therapy although, at least two fatalities have been reported.
In a study with healthy volunteers , SGPT values were increased to at least twice the pretreatment levels in 6 of 12 subjects receiving 100 mg intravenously four times daily for 7 days, and in 4 of 24 subjects receiving 50 mg intravenously four times daily for 5 days.[Ref]
Hepatic side effects have included transient and minor increases in serum transaminases, which may be important in patients with liver disease. There are rare reports of ranitidine-induced hepatitis with or without jaundice, one case of subfulminant hepatitis with a fatal outcome, and very rare cases of acute interstitial nephritis.[Ref]
Other reported side effects have included tiredness and one case of aseptic meningitis.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity side effects have included rash, urticaria, bronchospasm, fever, eosinophilia, angioneurotic edema, acute eosinophilic pneumonia and anaphylaxis. Vasculitis associated with immune complexes has also been reported.[Ref]
Renal side effects have included mild elevations in serum creatinine. Rare cases of interstitial nephritis and Fanconi's syndrome have been reported.[Ref]
Respiratory side effects have included an increased risk of developing pneumonia in patients taking H2 receptor antagonists versus those who had stopped treatment. However, a causal relationship has not been established.[Ref]
Ocular side effects have included blurred vision and increased intraocular pressure in a patient with a history of glaucoma.[Ref]
Hematologic side effects have included leukopenia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia in a few patients. These were usually reversible. Rare cases of agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, sometimes with marrow hypoplasia, aplastic anemia, and acquired immune hemolytic anemia have been reported.[Ref]
Serious hematologic abnormalities are rare. Patients with renal dysfunction or those who are critically ill may be at increased risk. While the mechanism of bone marrow toxicity is unknown, ranitidine concentration-dependent inhibition of hematopoietic progenitor cell activity and hypersensitivity have both been proposed. Hematologic abnormalities typically resolve upon discontinuation of ranitidine therapy.
Cases of ranitidine-induced thrombocytopenia are typically immune-mediated.[Ref]
Endocrine side effects have been reported rarely. These have included gynecomastia, impotence, and loss of libido in male patients, although, the incidence was similar to that in the general population. Hyperprolactinemia, amenorrhea, reductions in circulating levothyroxine and hypergastrinemia have also been reported.[Ref]
Ranitidine does not possess antiandrogenic properties nor has it been associated with significant changes in pituitary hormone concentrations under study conditions. However, increases in prolactin serum concentrations following administration of high doses as well as decreases in levothyroxine serum concentrations during short-term therapy have been reported. Thyroid hormone levels are not affected during long-term therapy.[Ref]
1. "Product Information. Zantac 75 (ranitidine)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals, New York, NY.
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
4. "Product Information. Zantac (ranitidine)." Glaxo Wellcome, Research Triangle Park, NC.
It is possible that some side effects of Zantac may not have been reported. These can be reported to the FDA here. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
More about Zantac (ranitidine)
Consumer resources
- Other brands: Taladine
Professional resources
Other formulations
Related treatment guides
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This material does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of materials provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the substances you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.


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Hounds win twice in tourney
February 2, 2008
MIDLAND, Texas — The Eastern New Mexico University baseball team pounded out 32 hits in beating Schreiner 15-8 and Sul Ross State 17-3 Friday in the season-opening UT-Permian Basin Classic.
The Greyhounds needed a seven-run eighth to beat Kerrville, Texas-based Schreiner in a game played at Citibank Ballpark in Midland. Trailing 8-6, they sent 11 batters to the plate and took the lead on Tyler Hayes' two-run double. Sophomore Ethan Wagner delivered a three-run, pinch-hit double later in the inning.
Catcher Freddy Carmona blasted a solo home run in the sixth inning and was one of five Hounds to collect a pair of hits in the contest.
Freshman right-hander Jonathan Wise picked up the win with four innings of one-hit shutout relief. He walked one and struck out five.
The Hounds had no trouble in their second game, played at Permian Basin's Roden Field in Odessa. They blew out Sul Ross behind an 18-hit attack that included three knocks apiece from left fielder Clayton Young and Carmona.
ENMU jumped on Lobos starter Michael Otero for three runs in the top of the first and scored in every inning of the match, shortened to seven innings by a 10-run rule in effect in the tournament after seven innings.
Junior right-hander Evan Orsak went the distance for ENMU on a seven-hitter, walking one and striking out three.
The Hounds complete the event today with a pair of bames at Citibank Ballpark. They face Howard Payne at 9 a.m. (MST) and host Permian Basin at 4 p.m.


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History of the Grateful Dead
Formed in Palo Alto, California in 1965, the Grateful Dead started off as the house band for Ken Kesey's Acid Tests. Their 1967 self-titled debut found some success in California but it was really their frequent live shows that captured audiences. By showing off their live improv and experimentation skills, the band was able to find chart success with their albums in the 70s. Despite line-up changes, critics and the mainstream alike began to take notice - and finally in 1980s, they had a top ten hit. Meanwhile, their live reputation and the number of Deadheads grew around the world, with the band leaving a musical legacy that is bound to last. In this video, WatchMojo.com takes a look at the history of the Grateful Dead.


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Flipping Houses
If there is one thing most communities can agree on, it's that abandoned, derelict buildings are an eyesore and a black mark on a neighborhood.
The Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development and Chautauqua County Land Bank are in the second year of trying to remedy this. According to Mark Geise, executive director of the Land Bank and deputy director of Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development, the Land Bank is well on its way to becoming a sustainable model in addition to helping clean up neighborhoods.
In 2008, the county legislature created the Chautauqua County Housing and Neighborhood Trust Fund in the amount of $200,000 in order to address the issue of an increase in the number and concentration of vacant and abandoned properties impacting neighborhoods across the county. It also created the Chautauqua County Housing and Neighborhood Trust Fund Task Force, which was tasked with devising a strategy to utilize the allocated funding to address the property abandonment and dilapidation problem in Chautauqua County.
However, in order to implement the recommendations from the task force, County Executive Greg Edwards handed the job off to the Department of Planning & Economic Development. The department then had to determine the best way to use the trust fund.
"Right about that time is when we were just finishing our comprehensive plan," Geise said. "In two or three different places in that comprehensive plan, it looks at creating a land bank, because that's what some of these other, bigger communities are doing that are having a problem abandoned, delinquent, vacant housing. What do you do with it?"
Currently, there are eight land banks located in New York state. Aside from Chautauqua County, they are located in the cities of Buffalo, Lackawanna, Tonawanda and Erie County; city of Syracuse and Onondaga County; city of Schenectady, county of Schenectady and city of Amsterdam; city of Newburgh; Broome County; city of Rochester; and Suffolk County.
According to New York state law, land banks can be established for the purpose of acquiring real property that is tax delinquent, tax foreclosed, vacant or abandoned. Once they establish a land bank, municipalities can then design, develop, construct, demolish, reconstruct, rehabilitate, renovate, relocate and otherwise improve upon banked real property.
In Chautauqua County, homes had gone into foreclosure, gone into auction and been awarded to the highest bidder. However, Geise said after purchasing a home from auction, in some cases, the purchaser realized the home needed more work than they had previously been aware.
"Then they sit on it for a couple years, it languishes, and then it goes back to auction and it's like this downward spiral," Geise said. "With the land bank, what we're really trying to do is change the course of that property."
In 2012, the Land Bank made its first (purchase) of six properties: Three in Jamestown, two in Dunkirk and one in Fredonia. This past July, it acquired 12 additional properties – three in Dunkirk, five in Jamestown, one in the village of Cassadaga and three in the village of Westfield.
According to Geise, the Land Bank pays all taxes for year one when it purchases a property, as does any entity that acquires properties through the County Foreclosure process with no exceptions. The property is then tax exempt from then on as long as it is owned by the land bank. Once it gets sold, it is no longer tax exempt. Each property is sold to the Land Bank for $1, and the Land Bank pays all closing costs and the annual taxes on the properties. Geise explained taxes come due around the same time the Land Bank takes ownership of a property.
In choosing properties, Geise said the Land Bank follows a "three A, two B, one C" model. He explained it looks for three properties with the most potential to fix up and sell at a high profit, two that will break around even between the cost to fix and the selling price, and one that will be demolished using profits from the higher-end homes.
"We're not as concerned with how much we're getting for the properties as we are, 'What is the total package?'" Geise said. "For example, if somebody came to us and said, 'I'll give you $20,000 for this property, and I promise to put $10,000 into it,' so there'd be a $30,000 deal, that's less attractive to our Land Bank than if somebody came to us and said, 'I'll give you $10,000, but I'll put $30,000 into the property.' So, that's a $40,000 situation, the second one. We'd rather have that. It's not about who is the highest bidder for us. It's about, 'What are you going to do to the property to improve it?'"
Geise said the Land Bank has recently entered a deal with a developer for the two properties in Dunkirk and one in Fredonia from 2012 that will result in around $140,000 in investment between the three properties.
"These properties are going to go from being basically an eyesore to being really, really nice homes," Geise said.
As for the other three homes in Jamestown from the first year, Geise said one is intended for demolition. Of the other two, one has received some interest, while the other may end up on the demolition list itself, although Geise said it is still too early to tell whether that will definitely happen.
The homes meant to be sold by the Land Bank are all cleaned, appraised and advertised via signage in front of the home and an online listing on www.planningchautauqua.com. Anyone interested in the home can take a virtual tour, fill out an application online and make an appointment to physically tour the property. At that point, interested parties are able to make a formal proposal on the property. And, Geise said one of the questions on the application asks what the purchaser intends to do with the property. Although the Land Bank cannot control the property once it is out of their hands, Geise said it prefers the property to become owner-occupied.
In addition to purchasing properties with homes, the Land Bank is also working on a Side Lot Disposition Program, where it purchases vacant parcels. Geise said members of the Land Bank noticed homeowners were taking care of vacant parcels near their properties, however were not purchasing the parcels when it came time for auction.
"So, we interviewed a couple of them, and the answer was always the same," Geise said. "Number one is, it's $310 they have to pay the closing costs on, and they have to pay the first year's taxes."
In turn, the Land Bank asked if residents in surrounding parcels would be interested in purchasing the property for $1 and pay the taxes, if the Land Bank would pay the closing costs. Of the seven property owners it approached, six made purchases. In exchange, the land owners had to have the property merged with their current parcel.
"Basically, the Land Bank paid the closing costs, the parcels were merged with their parcels, and now they're back on the tax role," Geise said. "Now, it's something the county doesn't have to deal with anymore."
Houses scheduled for demolition could then become a part of the Side Lot Disposition Program, at which point the property would go back onto the tax role. However, there is also potential for the property to become a small park or community garden, Geise said.
"I think the top preference would be to keep it on the tax role," Geise said.
Two to three months after purchasing a property, Geise said the Land Bank would like it to be marketable. He said he is pleased with the progress it has made in just a year, and anticipates more positive outcomes in the future.
For additional information about the Land Bank and properties, visit www.planningchautauqua.com, click on "Advisory Boards," and then "Land Bank."


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Network partners with Time Warner Cable for exclusive rights to televise High School football and basketball games
CLEVELAND, OH – SportsTime Ohio today announced that the network has partnered with Time Warner Cable to sign a one year television deal with the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
SportsTime Ohio will have exclusive rights to televise eight (8) football playoff games, six (6) football championship games, eight (8) boys' basketball playoff games, four (4) boys' basketball championship games, and four (4) girls' basketball championship games. In addition, STO has exclusive distribution of a minimum of four (4) other OHSAA events to be determined.
SportsTime Ohio will carry these events live and tape delayed throughout Ohio. A partnership with Time Warner Cable has been forged to distribute statewide coverage of these events, including the full Cincinnati and Dayton DMAs. Through this partnership, OHSAA programming will air in all 12 DMAs in Ohio reaching 3.1 million homes. Time Warner Cable's "Local on Demand" service will also exclusively feature the OHSAA programming so that viewers can relive the events at their leisure.
"There are so many positive aspects of this deal it is impossible to summarize them all in a sentence or two," said Jim Liberatore, President of SportsTime Ohio, "We are able to join forces with TWC, a valued partner, we can further the Sportstime Ohio brand with interaction in our regions High Schools and we can establish an intimate connection with local communities through the excitement, rivalry and neighbor to neighbor community feel that is unique and exclusive to Highs School sports".
In addition to these events, STO will continue to air "The High School Sports Insider," a weekly show featuring local high school athletes, and a High School Basketball Game of the Week. STO is also the home of the Cleveland Indians, cable of the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Sate University and select OAC events.
For more programming information visit www.sportstimeohio.com


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When it comes time to repair your BMW 750iL , OEM parts from BMW of South Atlanta are the smart choice. Every original part we stock is engineered and manufactured to the same high standards as your 750iL. For factory-grade fit and function as reliable as your BMW, choose OEM parts and accessories for every job.
The right parts for your BMW 750iL are just a few clicks away. Select a parts category to shop, then browse our detailed parts diagrams to find the exact components your vehicle needs. It is that easy. If you have any questions, contact us to speak with a member of our experienced part specialist team.


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Solve those Mom How Long Until questions
By MomMomOnTheGo
from Vancouver, BC
About Me Education Oriented, Parent Of Two Or More Children, Working Parent
Comments about Learning Resources Magnetic Time Tracker®:
The Magnetic Time Tracker helps to solve those mom how long until questions. Need to set a time routine up in the morning? Maybe need to track how long your Little One has read for? Well, anything can be tracked now with the Magnetic Time Tracker. It lets you customize the time from 1 second to 24 hours so it has you covered.Take the stress out of your day, by helping your kids know what is expected from them time wise.Great size.Love it can stand up or put on the fridge.Love the colors and visual appeal.Great product.Read the full reviewhttp://mommomonthego.com/magnetic-time-tracker/
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Time Tracker
By Nancy @ Arizona Mama
from Glendale, AZ
The Magnetic Time Tracker is a visual timer that sticks to any magnetic surface. It has a clear cover with 3 different color section, red, yellow, and green. It is easy to program with a few pushes of the button. It can be programed from 1 second up to 24 hours. It can be set to be visual with the lights lighting up and the sounds to hear the ticking. It has an easy to use flip out stand when using it on a table. It requires 4 AA batteries and 3 LR button cell batteries. The button cell batteries come with it. I was happily surprised with the size of this. It is chunky and perfect for small hands. Although I originally planned to use this for setting time limits for my son I quickly found a new use. My son has been having a hard time completing his homework lately. So I pulled out the Magnetic Time Tracker one night as he struggled. I told him that we were going to time him and see if he can beat the clock. So we set the timer and he got started. He did great.. he finished before the alarm and completed his work. Then he wanted to set the alarm for every portion of his homework. He was able to beat the clock every time. After that he wanted to use the timer for everything. He even set it for how long he will take a bath. I was so happy to find something that works to help him complete a task that he does not enjoy. The Magnetic Time Tracker met and exceeded my expectations. Coming from a teaching perspective I would have loved this in my classroom. I always gave my children warnings for the next activity and having a timer would have been great. Also, we are required to limit children's use of the computers in the classroom. This is not always easy as children love the computers. This would be a great visual timer for children to know when their time is up.Read more at http://www.arizonamamablog.com/2013/10/learning-resources-magnetic-time.html#Bzx7tp3FiTxFjIXI.99
(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Good Timer with Options
By theteacherswife
from Iowa
This is a great product with a lot of options. You can put it on a desktop, use it on something magnetic, or hang it on the wall. Lights display in the red, yellow, or green area depending on the time and you can set the timer up to as much as 24 hours. You can also choose to set the audible alarm reinforcing the visual factor. It's sturdy, doesn't take up much room, and is a great choice to use in a classroom, homeschool, and especially with special needs kids that need routine.I received this item to review.
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
Amazing for Classrooms
By Kathy T
from Taunton MA
We bought Learning Resources Magnetic Time Tracker to use as a timer for my son who is almost 4 and has Autism . We were all tired of the endless hassles involved in trying to get ready to go out, go to bed, and so on.It has worked remarkably well. Now I can start the timer a half hour before we leave for preschool, and he knows when he has to start hurrying, and also realizes when she doesn't yet have to. When it announces "Time's up!", he knows that we're *going*.Strong points are that the timer is colorful and attractive, and gives feedback in several ways. I can look at the digital display and know exactly how much time is left. My son can see the green, yellow, and red lights, and know roughly where she stands. The flashes before the color changes and the programmable audible feedback are very helpful, too. It just gives a lot of different ways for us to understand how much time is left.The main bonus is that the controls ! There is both a manual and an automatic mode, but they are both pretty similar. One means you set the amount of time for each phase, along with the optional sounds. The other means you set the total time, and the percentage of the total for each phase. Once you have a standard one set, you can reuse it (which is good for our 30-minute morning routine), but if you need to change it (like this morning, I only had 20 minutes) you have to do some button-pushing, and you need to choose the sounds for each phase as well as the time.My guess is that we'll eventually settle on a couple of standard programs and just leave it at those. It's well worth using, regardless, but the awkwardness of the controls keeps me from giving this five stars.This item has definitely reduced the stress level on all sides. There is less nagging, less fussing, and more cooperation.The one thing I wish it would have is a sound that is a bit louder because this is magnetic I put it on my fridge and I then have to take it will me to remind him time is up. If it was louder he could hear it in the next room and know.


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CBS will add the new comedy "¡ROB!" to its Thursday night line-up at midseason, the network announced Monday.
But what's with the strange punctuation, you ask? Rob Schneider stars as a lifelong bachelor who just married into a tight-knit Mexican-American family—and that's how add an excitement to a TV show title in Spanish. (It's not working, CBS. ¡I am not excited by this announcement!)
"¡ROB!" premieres Jan. 12 and also stars Cheech Marin, Claudia Bassols, Diana Maria Riva, Eugenio Derbez and Lupe Ontiveros.
"¡ROB!" fills the spot where the much-moved-but-unkillable "Rules of...


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Freedoms 'trampled' by criminals
In his commentary, "Gun law brings radical thoughts," the writer from Forestville submitted a thought-provoking article about whom he referred to as "zealots."
We all know about the zealots who get together and talk about marching on Washington. They are a small faction of law-abiding gun owners, who make up an element, of our population, that exceeds our armed forces by 100-to-1!
Most law-abiding gun owners only want to protect themselves from the government marching on them in their desire to confiscate what the constitution has given them! Also, their weapons of choice that they chose to protect the lives of their family and their property is inherent to the love they have for those they wish to protect.
In a country where law and order is being trampled by hardened criminals our police forces cannot be everywhere they are needed at any given time.
Citizens should be self sustained, which means doing what is needed in times of disaster and knowing or obtaining the proper training in the use of firearms. There are signs that the criminal element that is desecrating the cities are slowly moving into the suburbs. It has played like a melodrama on our TV sets. This dangerous element has been ignored. All we had to do is to change channels and it went away. These gangs of riffraff were killing each other and we thought as long as they are killing each other who cares?
To exacerbate this debate our liberal president and liberal governor have seized the killing of children as an opportunity to enact more gun laws though there are many laws already on the books for this purpose.
They use this hysteria tactic on those who expect the government to watch over them in all ways where survival skills are needed. Through the liberal media they painted the members of the NRA as uncaring and insensitive to the safety of our children. How wrong they are.
Even though Barack Obama won a second term for some reason he is still campaigning and Andrew Cuomo wants to take his place. How about our vice president counseling his wife on how to scare off an intruder! "Honey, just grab the double barreled shot gun, walk out on the balcony and pull the triggers."
I wonder where he would be hiding while she is frightening off the bad guys?
Jack Benson is a Fredonia resident.


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Offer hardworking families a chance to take their first step out of poverty. Learn more.
Support World CouncilWith Amazon Smiles!
MADISON, Wis. — In response to the global financial crisis, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision is looking to make several adjustments to its capital adequacy and liquidity requirements for financial institutions worldwide as part of its revisions to the Basel II Accord. The revised documents were released for public comment in December, and World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is making sure the global credit union movement's voice is heard.
The new guidelines, adapted with guidance from the Group of 20 (G-20) nations in response to last year's global economic meltdown, recognize for the first time differences between large for-profit financial corporations and non-joint stock companies, which include mutuals, cooperatives and credit unions. Response by credit unions to these differences and other factors that favorably affect financial cooperatives is critical to ensure that those standards appear in the final guidelines, according to Dave Grace, WOCCU vice president of association services.
"This is the first time the Basel Committee has recognized that financial cooperatives are different," said Grace. "We want to make sure these and other standards that enable credit unions to better serve their members appear in the final version."
WOCCU in the past has submitted its ideas and suggestions for consideration by the Basel Committee. On April 5, 2009, Grace and Pete Crear, WOCCU president and CEO, traveled to Amsterdam to meet with Basel Committee Chairman Nout Wellink, president of The Netherlands Bank, to make the case that credit unions should not be penalized by tougher capital requirements than those faced by larger, riskier institutions that present systemic risk to the global financial system.
"We didn't want credit unions and financial cooperatives to pay an unfair price as part of the solution to a crisis they had no hand in making," Crear said. "Chairman Wellink was very receptive to our comments and assured us that he would bring our concerns forth to his fellow committee members."
As the result partially of that visit and WOCCU's work with the Basel Committee over the past decade, the current amendments to the Basel II Accord reflect a greater understanding of the different structure and nature of financial cooperatives. The reform package covers the following key areas of interest to credit unions:
WOCCU has asked its member organizations worldwide for input on the current revisions to the Basel II Accord as outlined in the two consultative documents, and will aggregate responses to present to the Basel Committee. WOCCU member organizations wishing to comment on proposed revisions should submit responses by April 2 to Grace at firstname.lastname@example.com. WOCCU will be working with the Basel Committee throughout the year as it completes impact assessments and finalizes the standard by year end.
World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.
World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 60,500 credit unions in 109 countries serve 223 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.


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When i play my guitar unplugged it seems softer volume wise now that the Anthem Sl was installed. Plugged in it sounds great. But at home I never plug in.
When i play my guitar unplugged it seems softer volume wise now that the Anthem Sl was installed. Plugged in it sounds great. But at home I never plug in.
Acoustic output and tone is largely influenced by the direct contact between the saddle and the bottom of the slot it rests in. When you install a pickup, you're placing something other than what those two parts are made of between them and altering the path of string vibration into the soundboard. With nearly any undersaddle pickup, you could expect some effect on the acoustic properties. How noticeable it is can depend on the pickup's design, how well it's installed, how long a player has owned the guitar, whether they've had pickups in it, in other guitars, or have ever used a pickup before at all. A player who decides after years to install a pickup into the one guitar they've owned for a long time will likely notice a change immediately while a player with a collection and who is always swapping pickup between and trying new models may not notice, or not care since they're familiar with the change and expect it.
A great question to ask ones self when deciding on a pickup system is "how much of the time do I expect to plug in?" If you only plan to amplify on special occasions or less than half the time, it may be better to choose a pickup system that has a lesser effect on the acoustic properties.
If you're looking for the best amplified sound we can offer, regardless of a small effect on the acoustic output, you've picked the right system.


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The Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership(GRAP) is a state-of –the art indoor aquatics center in Chesterfield County, Virginia whose mission is to the swimming lesson and pool membership needs of children and families in the greater Richmond area. Opening in the spring of 2012, our premier facility houses:
With this facility, the Partnership will elevate aquatics in the Richmond region making water safety and aquatic fitness more accessible to all - including scuba certification, CPR classes and lifeguard training for those who wish to take their love of the water to the next level. The ultimate goal of the Partnership is to use this enhanced regional aquatics focus to ensure that all children completing the second grade know how to swim.
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Internal Controls
An internal control system is the process that management uses to provide reasonable assurance that the University's goals and objectives will be achieved. It is the management of business risks and is a dynamic process that changes as personnel and circumstances change. The system includes organizational design, written policies and procedures, operating practices and physical barriers to protect assets and all personnel. The system should be designed to discourage occurrences of errors or irregularities and to identify, within a reasonable time frame, errors or irregularities that may occur.
The internal control system provides for safeguarding of assets, proper recording of transactions and the efficient and effective accomplishment of the University's goals and objectives including compliance with federal, state and University rules and regulations.
The manager, who is responsible for the accomplishment of goals and objectives, is also responsible for establishment, maintenance and monitoring of the internal control system that helps ensure the accomplishment of those goals and objectives. He or she is responsible for the sound financial condition of the unit, protection of the University's assets, including its human resources, and compliance with federal, state, and University rules, regulations and procedures. He or she must ensure that the funds entrusted to the unit are used appropriately.
The manager may delegate some of the related duties but cannot delegate accountability and responsibility.


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For a Chicago deep dish, I add fresh chopped basil and some fresh minced garlic. That's all. Mix together and spoon on the pizza.
Thanks DKM,You could put Ragu on your deep dish and it would still be great.I'm really looking forward to the 6 in 1's. Although I guess they havent shipped yet because I have not received a e-mail saying it has. How long does it usually take to ship from Escalon?
> Sorry if I was wrong about the escalon top of the line thingI'm not sure which is top of the lineNathan, I read that promo for eschalon before, but the bella rosa I had shipped from CA were sub par. Even the processing was lame. They had a lot of peel and green core etc. Honestly, they were terrible.Let me point out also that most italian brands are plum tomatoes where the american ones seem to be round tomatoes. Plum win hands down in my book.Try the Cento and let me know. If you click onto my site I give sauce and prep instructions I use with the cento, if you are interested.Jeff


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Dnthateonthepronk wrote:Lokais wrote:I'm glad to see this board is so cosmopolitan that every time we talk about an Asian player we have to make a big thing about it and make fun of a bunch of Asian stuff. Classy stuff, guys. Classy.
If you havnt noticed people are also making fun of the whitest person in the world...Jesus.
Either its all okay to make fun of or none of it. Get over it, stop crying, nobody is serious, no racial slurs were thrown, grow up.
Jesus lived in the middle east. The only folks who believe he is that white were the white people painting all of those pictures.


text: Easton Gloves The Easton Stealth Core Glove Thomas Alford / November 6, 2012 Easton made its way into the lacrosse industry with top of the line equipment and research. The same holds true in the new Stealth Core glove. Impact-absorbing EVA foam protection is placed in the most critical Continue Reading Share