text:
Town Square
City employees aren't guaranteed work for life!
Original post made by Diana Diamond, Palo Alto Online blogger, on Mar 22, 2007
Yes, there seems to be a mind-set of late that somehow the role of our council is to guarantee full lifetime employment for anyone working for the city.
Last week at the council's study session on the budget, several council members said they simply did not want to explore contracting out more of the city's park maintenance.
Contracting out would save the city $400,000 -- money that could be used to defray a $3 billion deficit or spent on needed road repairs. But Councilwoman LaDoris Cordell said she was absolutely opposed to the idea; Councilman Jack Morton said he was too because he wants the fields to look good. They were joined by council members Judy Kleinberg, Larry Klein and John Barton, who all expressed opposition to outsourcing park maintenance.
Seated in the council chambers were purple T-shirted SEIU (Service Employees International Union) members who objected to the outsourcing, saying they could do a better job than outside gardeners. Their presence apparently caused the council to backpedal, even though the reason for the meeting was to come up with budget cuts.
Ironically, half the park maintenance work is already contracted out, so the city knows it works. An inspection by City Auditor Sharon Erickson showed there was "no discernable difference. The quality was the same."
But the union is powerful in town, and it is flexing its muscle and even seeking resident support. Last weekend some residents found a flier in their mailbox from the union saying, "Palo Alto's clean and safe parks could be endangered by budget cuts. ... This proposal will create more problems for residents than it will solve, including serious safety issues and a decline in the quality of park maintenance."
Really? What kind of problems when we already know outsourcing works?
While no actual layoffs were on the table, the $400,000 translates into four full-time employees out of a work force of more than 1,100.
This no-outsourcing argument came up a couple of weeks ago when the council was discussing turning over the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo to a nonprofit organization. Some council members said they feared that such a turnover might result in a loss of 18 or so city jobs. Cordell, in fact, urged that any public-private partnership contain language that would "highlight the importance of keeping city employees rather than outsourcing or hiring new, cheaper staff."
I think we are developing a city policy that once someone starts working for the city, his or her job must be protected. In other words, city employees must never be laid off.
Is this what we want? Is this reality?
The number of city employees has been at the 1,100 level for a couple of years, despite budget deficits.
And we have more employees than most other cities, even those with double the number residents. Overall, there has been about a 1 percent drop the past year in Palo Alto in the total number of employees.
A recent research report published in The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal (for whom I work in my day job) listed the employees per city.
City Population # of city employees State ranking
Palo Alto 58,598 1,079 13
Santa Clara 102,361 889 15
Fremont 210,445 884 16
Sunnyvale 131,760 881 17
Santa Cruz 54,593 731 20
San Mateo 92,482 583 22
Mountain View 70,708 578 23
Salinas 153,386 577 24
Redwood City 75,402 558 25
The numbers speak for themselves. Palo Alto has twice the number of employees as Redwood City, and two-thirds of the population. In fairness, Palo Alto does have its own Utilities Department, which counts for about 220 employees, although not all do exclusively utilities work.
Subtracting utilities workers would bring Palo Alto's total to 859, but our population is still much lower than other cities with approximately the same number of employees.
As a responsible employer, it's nice for the council to take care of employees -- but what if we don't need their services anymore? Or what if we find that we can deliver the same quality of service for less money? That's the issue here in terms of contracting out park maintenance.
What's more, with the skyrocketing cost of health and retirement benefits for city employees, Palo Alto has to become more efficient and streamlined in providing services, the same as any other employer. Our city simply cannot afford to pay out increasing wages and benefits to city workers and retain full employment.
We already know the city doesn't have enough money for street repairs, libraries and a new police station.
To maintain an attitude that all city employees are automatically entitled to keep their jobs is inappropriate. Such comments from council members also interfere with the city's ability to negotiate union contracts.
It is not our council's responsibility to make sure the city staff has lifetime employment and benefits. It is the council's responsibility to be sure our city is run in a fiscally responsible way and that our tax dollars are being spent properly.
Comments (34)
a resident of Crescent Park
on Mar 22, 2007 at 12:33 pm
There already is a pretty good discussion going on about Diana's column here: Web Link.
Perhaps the moderators could combine these threads or something so the discussion is easier to follow.
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 22, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Where are the guarantees for lifetime employment? Is that written down somewhere, or is this just another straw man innuendo that Diana created in order to raise ire and doubt regarding the way our city operates?
There are differences of opinion among residents and policy makers regarding the way our revenues are budgeted, and so on. That said, Diana Diamond inevitably manages to merely scratch the surface of municipal constraint problem by creating another straw men - this time it's "City employees aren't guaranteed work for life!". Again, who said they were? Seems like Diana is the only one - Diana and a few rabid "cut the budget" handwavers who march to Diana's drumbeat. It's a gathering of about 100 Palo Altans, with Diana leading the parade.
It has to be said: (Diana's "solutions" for improved governance - cut, outsource, shrink, lean out, etc. etc. are mostly defeatest - as are the residents who who agree with her in the extreme. The latter are in the VAST minority. Diana's and their arguments are *tired*. Who needs to hear the same siren song over and over and over again?
Sadly, in a time when our city needs most to consider ways to repair aging infrastructure, and at the same time keep an excellent service array on an even keel, we have Diana and her tiny phalanx crying like Chicken Little - - "the sky is falling!", they exclaim, as they run around with their spreadsheets trying to preach to the 10 Palo Altans who will listen, that we need to "cut the budget".
Mind you, what we *never* hear from Diana and her group is "what can we do to help Palo Alto grow?", or "what can we do to make our current array of services even *better*?", or I'm proud of the level of oservice delivery we have, and the people who deliver those services". Nope, not a word or phrase, just a droning whine that - if one listens long enough - is a relief to tune out, because it's a "downer" message, full of blame, accusation, finger-pointing, and other negative innuendo that most Palo Atans look askance at.
If we do have long-term employees that are doing the job, why not keep them around? What is the *tangible* advantage of employing people who are dedicated, loyal, and proud of their work? Or, would Diana prefer that we simply fire good people and replace them, en masse, with mercenary outsourcing firms?
It's true that we have outsourced some parks maintenance, and it seems to be working. Has Diana asked what other reasons - other than her latest invented concpiracy (this time between the unions and City Council) - might exist to maintain those employees? Nope. INstead, she attacks the City Council and the people who make our city run.
In all - and who knows, maybe it's because Diana is writing this column for free - the keen insights that Diana once brought (even those I disagreed with) seem to be missing from her latest missives. I see a kind of "cheap shot" journalism eveolving from her pen - a journalism that more and more resembles the minority fringe extreme in our city, many of whom have the time to stand up in front of Council during oral arguments, week after week, railing about this and that - as our city continues to run, and our citizens lead their lives - the latter mostly happy with the way things are.
The latter are looking for a better community, a community that's led by people with positive ideas, who offer messages of hope, who understand more than simplistic solutions (like "cut" and "outsource"), who want better schools, police protection, parks and libraries.
a resident of another community
on Mar 22, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I think Mike of College Terrace is hopelessly outdated. I think Diana is so totally right-on. Outsourcing works! Disposable people are the future, and the future is now!
Why do these parasites on the public dole think they have a right to have families to feed, clothe and shelter?
Let the outsourcing begin! Truth is lies! War is Peace! Palo Alto Uber Alles!
a resident of Professorville
on Mar 22, 2007 at 3:38 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 22, 2007 at 4:30 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online.]
a resident of Crescent Park
on Mar 22, 2007 at 5:38 pm
To Tee Off,
You are a real Class Act to call city employees "Parasites". You can disagree, but do it in a mature way.
a resident of Midtown
on Mar 22, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Regarding council members and the union, some excerpts from news articles:
(1) February 17 or 18, the PA Daily reported that some council members said, "Retaining city staff must be a top priority when forging public-private partnerships." Councilwoman Cordell is credited with leading the effort "to insert language into the new public-private partnership guidelines under development that would highlight the importance of keeping city employees rather than outsourcing or hiring new, cheaper staff."
(2) Web Link
City backs parks, service workers
In response, several council members -- including John Barton, LaDoris Cordell, Peter Drekmeier, Judy Kleinberg and Jack Morton -- expressed their outright opposition or concerns about park maintenance outsourcing.
(3) Web Link
Four council members knew about Friends board turnover Monday
Cordell said she hoped the policy would include a statement emphasizing the city's commitment to protect its employees.
(4) Web Link
City backs parks, service workers
Cordell said she was "absolutely opposed" to outsourcing park maintenance.
(5) Web Link
City approves labor contract that raises salaries, pensions
Vice Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto and Councilwoman Dena Mossar, said the agreement was just too generous in tough budgetary times. They voted no, but the contract passed with a 5-2 vote with Mayor Judy Kleinberg and Councilman Bern Beecham absent.
"We're granting the kind of benefits to our employees that very few, if any, people can expect in the marketplace," Mossar said, noting that the ample benefits made sense in the lush dot-com boom days.
Overall, the contract will swell city spending by $5.9 million over the 38-month deal, raising the annual costs of benefits and salaries to the SEIU employees -- which exclude managers and public safety officers -- from $50.2 million in 2006 to $56.1 million in 2009.
To former Mayor Dick Rosenbaum, the agreement is suicidal for the city.
Kishimoto cautioned, "We need to creatively rethink the way we deliver services or we're just not going to have the money to invest in infrastructure."
a resident of another community
on Mar 22, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Diana is correct. Palo Alto's population includes many business managers in the technology sector who outsource labor to India and insource day labor for their own households from Mexico day in and day out. These cost-conscious business executives prove by example in their own business and personal lives that many of City of Palo Alto jobs can be done remotely from Bangalore or performed by folks who have just arrived from south of the border. If all City jobs involving use of a computer were outsourced and all laboring jobs were insourced, Palo Alto would save millions of dollars each year!
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 22, 2007 at 11:36 pm
What is the social and fiscal cost of outsourcing? What does it cost our society - in direct and indirect costs - when we outsource? What kind of disorientation, on a personal level, is caused when soneone loses a job to outsourced labor?
What happens when outsourcing contracts result in shoddy work? How does a municipality recover from that?
In this case, especially, there is a kind of mean-spiritedness that rears it's ugly head. Look at the attacks on municipal employees - from the blog title, to some of the other comments.
There's mostly disrespect, insult, and innuendo. Are these the people we want to set the demeanor for the way we manage our city?
Why do some focus only on cost, instead of opportunity? Where are the ideas that will expand revenue? Where is there a sense that we can manage healthy growth in Palo Alto, develop powerful new revenue streams, and thrive?
We need to look beyond the grudging stinginess of a few, and become the community we're capable of being.
a resident of another community
on Mar 23, 2007 at 7:12 am
Your points about outsourcing are well stated, Mike. The consequences of this short-sighted policy for community and society need to be spelled out as you have done: clearly and directly.
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 23, 2007 at 11:05 am
Veritas, it's time people woke up to the anti-employee agenda of some in town. Sure our hardworking employees are a covenient scapegoat for the hidden agenda of the naysayers, but some things are beyond the pale of debate.
There is a lot to so-called outsourcing that is not stated by those who think we can balance the city budget on the backs of our long serrving loyal employees, and use them as foiles in their negative agenda.
We hear a lot about our so-called *unsustainable* pensions for example. But they don't tell us so much about the fact that the city actually put aside money to fund these pensions in the past year, and yet they STILL are at risk (not funded) for $25 million. This leaves our employees without the security of retirement they were *PROMISED*. And yet we don't hear much talk about a bond to fund the retirement, do we?
Also we don't hear about the fact that the employees actually *GAVE BACK* benefits in the contract that Diana and her followers revile as something "bad" for the city when it really is enlightened. There were only 3% raises in the contract, when the employees deserved on any realistic scale, *MUCH* more, but they sacrificed because of the budget and because they *CARE* about the city enough to sacrifice. Could we say the same about outsourced labor? I think the answer is obvious.
Diana talks about what our workers *COST*. Does she talk about *BENEFIT*? Nope not a word about how our workers protect our chlidren, help our seniors and clean our parks. What would outsourced labor do in these cases? Again, the answer is obvious.
pat, who is one of Diana's [portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff] followers follows the similar refrain. pat talks about our benefits and compares them to the private sector as if our employees don't desreve what they earn for the great jobs they do and the dedication many of them have shown over *MANY* years. What would pat do to to reward our employees loyalty? [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Do pat and DIana tell us what outsourced labor would really be like? Do they tell us that any company might hire workers who are paid subsistence wages *WITHOUT PENSIONS AND HEALTHCARE*? Nope.
Do they tell us what kind of effort we can expect from exploited laborers? Nope.
But the residents won't be listening to them once the facts are known. THe blame game has gone on for too long now.
Residents are looking for a *POSITIVE* agenda that expands revenue and opportunity, not one that has a *NEGATIVE* view that does not recoginze Palo ALto's greatness. Residents KNOW why we have a great city, and they will not throw it away on cuts, downsizing and leaning out the workforce.
When the VAST minority needs someone to bully as a straw man in vain attempt to prove their misleading innuendo driven drivel, then they naturally choose the weakest most vulnerable members of our community who they hope will not fight back, our hard-working municipal employees.
They want bear no mind to the human cost to those callously replaced by non=union labor without pensions. They know most city workers cannot vote because they accept wages much less than needed to live in our city so that they can clean our streets, protect our chlidren and make this nice for the coddled residents.
Diana Diamond and her band of [portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.] fanatical followers know they won't get rebuttals from our hard working employees when they promote their unfair attacks in order to further their negative agenda. So they pounce [portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff] on the very people who make this city *WORK*. Is this what our city wants? Nope, it isn't.
The *FACTS* beyond the innuendo are coming out. Let's become all we can be in this city!
a resident of another community
on Mar 23, 2007 at 11:09 am
Another great post, Mike. The truth about outsourcing will win out with viligiant residents like you who actually care about the kind of community we want to have.
a resident of Professorville
on Mar 23, 2007 at 11:40 am
"There were only 3% raises in the contract, when the employees deserved on any realistic scale, *MUCH* more, but they sacrificed because of the budget and because they *CARE* about the city enough to sacrifice."
What are the criteria you use that the city employees deserved MUCH more. I bet a lot of folks in the private sector probably feel the same way, but 3% seems pretty generous to me. A 3% raise is not a sacrifice, especially with lucrative pension benefits. As long as folks are unwilling to make the hard decisions, city will suffer from death from a a thousand little cuts. Despite all of the advanced degrees running around this town or perhaps because of these degrees, I haven't seen strong leadership in this town since I moved 5 years ago. To allow a group of union employees to intimidate the council the way they did is disgraceful (kind of like the playground bully extorting lunch money). Someone show some spine!
a resident of Professorville
on Mar 23, 2007 at 11:54 am
Veritas and Mike,
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.] This is not an anti-employee agenda it is a fiscally responsible agenda. We have a free and open economy and labor market. Wage and labor laws prevent large scale exploitation of workers. If someone can complete a task as effectively at lower cost it should be considered and implemented. To do otherwise is a breach of fiduciary responsibility by city government. Any council member who ran their own business would understand this concept, because in the private sector, competition has a way of forcing companies to grow more efficient. Unfortunately, government doesn't have a similar set of forces so as taxpayers frankly it is our job to watch over the profligate council.
Growing revenue is nice (I didn't see any suggestions) but taking cost off the table is missing half of the equation.
"What would outsourced labor do in these cases? Again, the answer is obvious." Interesting point since city government and utilities management didn't seem to miss dozens of their employees moonlighting during regular hours. The city would actually have leverage over their outsourced labor (unlike city employees) since they could replace them if they didn't meet specifications.
"What would pat do to to reward our employees loyalty? [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff]"
Again, what is the answer? If I was a top performing city employee I would want to know that the city was taking responsible fiscal actions to ensure my long-term employment. Any organization, public, private or non-profit has deadwood (some would argue that government bureaucracies tend to have such wood in greater supply). Top employees can expect steady employment, wage increases and a lucrative pension. This should not be the case for all employees.
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 23, 2007 at 12:38 pm
It's our money, Your sig says it all. It's OUR money - it's the money of ALL the residents, the MAJORITY of residents. You try to make it sound as if you represent the polis. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Palo Altans are mostly HAPPY with the way our city is run, or haven't you noticed? Why doesn't Diana mention this - a *verified* finding in our audit - as she writes her opinion columns (mostly flamebait, that admittedly, I and other should mostly ignore, but need to begin to face squarely head on, because some few are still listening to what is essentially diminished insight. We need to show the innuendo for what it is, and start to develop more hopeful, forward-looking voices and spokepersons in our city).
So, using your own logic (such as it is), if people are mostly happy, then the city employees must be doing their job - right? That's a simple deduction that seems to escape you. [Of course, unless you want to challenege the "data" in the audit, or the way the auditor designed the audit, or some other such "prove it" nonsense that we see coming from the usual suspects.]
Palo Also *does* have problems; that's a fact. It's also highly probable that Palo Alto *will* solve those problems, but we will not solve them on the backs of hard working employees, or by stripping away the heritage of a deep array of public services that Palo Altans have come to expect, AND have been MORE THAN WILLING to pay for. We're going to grow our city and become better,, with even MORE services. How's that?
If anyone is shouting to oneself in an echo chamber, it's the *teeny* minority here that early on in this century caught Palo Altans by surprise with distorted facts and lies just before we went to the polls to help our city pay for what we, the MAJORITY wants. We were caught off guard then, no more.
btw, Joe Simitian and others are working to change the structural flaw in revenue bond voting - to bring it from the currrent 2/3, to 60% of the vote (maybe less). there is a good chance that that will happen one day. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
So,again, if the audit says that Palo Altans are mostly happy with the way Palo Alto is run, why are we even thinking about letting people go? To use your private sector models - good performance is rewarded with a raise, right? Deny that at peril to your argument.
a resident of another community
on Mar 23, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Mike, Brilliant rejoinder! Once again the naysayers are put in their place while our *truth* train moves forward.
a resident of Evergreen Park
on Mar 23, 2007 at 2:09 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Midtown
on Mar 23, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Mike, the "vast majority" you continually refer to exists only in your own mind. Your viewpoint simply this -- since Palo Alto is a wealthier-than-average community, it should act as a charity for city workers. Most Palo Altans would prefer to choose which charities they donate to, and in what amounts, rather than having the city make charitable donations using our tax dollars.
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 23, 2007 at 2:25 pm
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
It must be very difficult to know that soon Palo Alto, will be moving ahead with plans that protect our workers instead of insulting them with degrading innuendo and falsity. When the MAJORITY of residents have their way, and take the other train to the future, then what will you say.
And when Assemblyman Joe Simitian's plan passes, as we know is your secret fear, there will be NO chance for you to repeat your last minute campaign to derail the progressive measures the MAJORITY of residents want. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
We are noticing that there is not one word from the Naysayers about the that people are happy with the way PaloAlto is run. THey don't want to cut, outsource, layoff and lean out the very workers who make it such a perfect place. THey want to compensate our hard city employees APPROPRIATELY. They want to protect the enlightened PENSIONS that the private sector foolishly is throwing away, along with the workers who work there. They want us and our families to have HEALTHCARE so we do not worry about our children's health. They know that these things ADD to the productivty we already enjoy from our workers.
Like Diana, you never talk about the BENEFITS, only the COSTS.
Well, your train is stalled in the station. The Progress Express is on the way to the future with the MAJORITY of Palo Altans on it.
All Aboard.
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 23, 2007 at 2:30 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online.]
a resident of Crescent Park
on Mar 23, 2007 at 2:38 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online.]
a resident of Professorville
on Mar 23, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Here are some facts: PA has a $3MM budget deficit, PA has crumbling infrastructure needs, PA has an anti-growth platform which effectively has driven out large retailers and auto shops.
"So,, again, if the audit says that Palo Altans are mostly happy with the way Palo Alto is run, why are we even thinking about letting people go? To use your private sector models - good performance is rewarded with a raise, right? Deny that at peril to your argument."
Mike, you miss the point. We may be mostly happy (tell me more about the methodology, they must have excluded all the naysayers) but we have a funding gap. People are the primary cost...so some must go. I bet you have never held a job in the private sector otherwise you might understand that you can't always rely on bond issues to fund ongoing operations. Don't let facts get in the way of your rants; stay in your echo chamber with Veritas and Ann; and continue to show up at Council meetings in purple t-shirt. Unions ruined the auto industry, let's see what they can do to Palo Alto.
a resident of Professorville
on Mar 23, 2007 at 2:59 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 23, 2007 at 3:58 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 23, 2007 at 4:30 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of another community
on Mar 23, 2007 at 6:47 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 23, 2007 at 7:16 pm
IT'S OUR MONEY (again, a sig that reveals more than you think), yes we have a $3million hole to fill. But you present this *FACT* like Diana does her screeds in a way that is only innuendo and half-truth. The part you leave out is that you NAYSAYERS are the reason this $3 million problem exists at all. If you had not thwarted the clear desires of the majority on the library bond, we would not have had to spend time and money maintaining our inadequate library infrastructure, and would not have had to spend time and money putting another bond on the ballot. So you complain when you are at fault yourself. Don't you Diana acolytes see you're *WASTING* "OUR MONEY" (not *YOURS* but *OURS*)?
And if you want to join the real duscussion, just answer, "if the audit says that Palo Altans are mostly happy with the way Palo Alto is run, why are we even thinking about letting people go? To use your private sector models - good performance is rewarded with a raise, right? Deny that at peril to your argument." We're not holding our breath in anticipation for you.
"Growing revenue is nice (I don't see any suggestions.)" Ok, you want some ideas? (Something none of the Naysayers have been able to come up with)
There is a lot of revenue available in this town to solve any alleged budget problems. Look at Councilmember Beecham's idea to tax private companies (many of which aren't doing their fair share by providing health care and good pensions for their workers.) Any company in Palo Alto could easily afford the $50 or $100 per employee, or even $500 or $1000 per employee. And the infrastructure bonds (for the public sfety and library) on the table could easily be augmented by another bond to double the revenue. A lot of people in Palo Alto are benefiting unfairly from Prop 13. They could easily pay more. And what about all the projects that would raise money the Naysayers shoot down every time they are brought up?
With the revenue we could solve our infrastructure problem AND pay our hard working employees what they deserve AND restore the positions left vacant by the unwise move to "economize" forced on the council by the Naysayers.
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Midtown
on Mar 23, 2007 at 7:37 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Barron Park
on Mar 23, 2007 at 7:42 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Adobe-Meadow
on Mar 23, 2007 at 11:33 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of another community
on Mar 24, 2007 at 12:57 am
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Adobe-Meadow
on Mar 24, 2007 at 1:34 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of Midtown
on Mar 24, 2007 at 2:48 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
a resident of College Terrace
on Mar 24, 2007 at 3:14 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
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Major Lazer - Lazers Never Die EP Out Now
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mp3: Major Lazer - Jump Up (Thom Yorke Remix)

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Gently dab a few dots under each eye with the wand, and use your ring finger to pat into skin. The concealer can also be applied to blemishes as needed.
Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microsristallina, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Kaolin, Synthetic Beeswax, HeIianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Mica (CI 77019), Lauroyl Lysine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl PCA, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
I'm so sad this is being discontinued. This is one of my favorite concealers, I used #1 everyday for my dark circles and blemishes. It dried smoothly and I could easily put other makeup over it. Only negative was how small it was and that it's going away.
When ever I use this product it makes me feel great about myself! I don't feel caked with makeup!! I really enjoy using this!!'
This is the best concealer I've used in a LONG time! It blends well and is slightly reflective so it covers well. Highly recommend.
This product provides great coverage but looks cakey and dry when used on my dark circles, despite using an eye cream and primer. Made me look even more tired. . However it works great covering blemishes and discolorations on the rest of my face.
I had not heard of this brand so I did not know what to expect and I did like this product ok but was not a favorite . Maybe it was me and since I had not tried this before maybe I was expecting too much.


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Light Custard Sauce
Julia Child
Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol.1: The 40th Anniversary Edition
Published by Knopf
This sauce is a blend of egg yolks, sugar, and milk stirred over heat until it thickens into a light cream. If it comes near the simmer, the yolks will scramble. Although it can be omitted, a very small amount of starch in the sauce acts as a safeguard just in case the heat becomes too much for the egg yolks. Some recipes direct that the sauce be cooked in a double boiler; this is slow work and quite unnecessary if you concentrate on what you are doing, and use a heavy-bottomed saucepan. A candy thermometer is a useful guide. Vanilla is the basic flavoring for créme anglaise; others are added to the vanilla if you wish, such as coffee, liqueurs, or chocolate. The sauce is served either warm or chilled, depending on your dessert. Less rich than cream, créme anglaise is used on fruit desserts, molded creams, puddings, ice cream, or accompanies any dessert where it could be substituted for cream. With additional egg yolks and with heavy cream, it becomes the custard used for ice creams. Also with more egg yolks, plus gelatin, whipped cream, and flavoring, it is ready to be a Bavarian cream.
Total Timeunder 30 minutes
Make Ahead RecipeYes
Kid FriendlyYes
Dietary Considerationgluten-free, halal, kosher, peanut free, soy free, tree nut free, vegetarian
Equipmentelectric mixer
Taste and Texturecreamy, rich, sweet
Type of Dishdessert sauce, sauces
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- Optional: 1 tsp cornstarch or potato starch
- 1¾ cup boiling milk
- 1 Tb vanilla extract
- OR, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 Tb rum, kirsch, cognac, orange liqueur, or instant coffee
- OR, 2 or 3 ounces or squares of semisweet baking chocolate melted in the boiling milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract stirred into the finished sauce
- A 3-quart mixing bowl
- A wire whip or electric beater
- A clean, heavy-bottomed enameled or stainless steel saucepan
- A wooden spatula or spoon
- Optional but recommended: a candy thermometer
Gradually beat the sugar into the egg yolks and continue beating for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is pale yellow and forms the ribbon.
Beat in the optional starch.
While beating the yolk mixture, very gradually pour on the boiling milk in a thin stream of droplets so that the yolks are slowly warmed.
Pour the mixture into the saucepan and set over moderate heat, stirring slowly and continuously with a wooden spatula or spoon, and reaching all over the bottom and sides of the pan, until the sauce thickens just enough to coat the spoon with a light, creamy layer. Do not let the custard come anywhere near the simmer. Maximum temperature is 165 degrees on the candy thermometer (170 if you have used starch). Then beat the sauce off heat for a minute or two to cool it. Strain it through a fine sieve, and beat in one of the flavorings.
To serve hot: Keep the sauce over warm but not hot water. If you wish, beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter just before serving.
To serve cold: Set the saucepan in a pan of cold water, and stir frequently until cool. Then cover and chill.
1961, 1983, 2001 Alfred A. Knopf


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I am all about great fashion and checking out celebrity style…but sometimes even the stars fail miserably (as do we all). Here are some celebrity fashion fails that I've found recently:
My friend said that in this pic, Rihanna looks like a muppet. The green feathery top is completely wrong on so many levels. Ugly and unflattering. She looks pregnant, and she's not. Plus the matchy green top and pants are just too much.
Well, Kim Kardashian chose an interesting ensemble to wear to the launch of her new fragrance. Purple and orange? GAH. But that's not the worst of it. Everything seems to fit poorly, the top is unflattering.... I believe that this is what's known as a hot mess.
And here is celebrity Charlotte Ross at the recent premiere of the movie "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy." Good lord, what was she thinking? Crazy pattern? Yep. Fringe? Yep. This dress has all the elements of a major fail.
Seen any good fashion fails lately?


text: Really, what happened? Are the mods just too busy or have they given up on this? And ill admit I haven't been the most active member on here the last few months unroll just a few weeks ago. I was really looking for a nomination since posting my my new pics.


text: There are a lot of members on here who remind us of the battles we must fight when it comes to rust on our vehicles. A local incident happened on Sunday where the mount of a spare tire became so rusted that the tire was dropped from its mounting position on a pickup truck. The tire bounced down the road and landed on someone's windshield then preceded to get lodged into the wheel well of the next car. The amount of damage was surprising considering it was just a tire that came loose, but the owners of the damaged cars seem more concerned with the scenario of "what could have happened". Luckily no one was injured but this is definitely worth consideration for many people whose vehicles are subject to corrosives such as the winter month's road salt here is a 2 1/2 minute video if you're interested http://www.wmur.com/video/30814934/detail.html


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[Article]-Review: Pen Tester Sets Sights on the IronKey
Permanent link: [Article]-Review: Pen Tester Sets Sites on the IronKey
After more than 10 years in the information security industry and a significant amount of time running a lab that tests products, I'm a pretty difficult guy to impress with technology. And I'm NEVER nice to vendors. They hate me. As an example, when running said test lab, we once had a vendor give a client six-figures worth of software when the client told them that we'd be testing it before they purchased. The client was happy, so we did our jobs even though we never tested a thing.
The only product I have ever had a net positive review of was the Safeboot disk encryption product, and even then, it was a case of being damned with faint praise. I believe that the entire positive part of our assessment was: "the product works as advertised."
So, when Don approached me to do a review of the IronKey Personal, I knew I was going to rip it apart. I was going to write a scathing review of how terrible their product is and why these "gimmicky" pieces of hardware don't work. Because they usually don't.
Let us know what you think and if you'd like to see other hardware reviews by Mr. Murray.


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??? They're great for keeping animals out of the garden.
??? They're great for keeping animals out of the garden.
maybe they've gone ice fishing?
journaling the growth of a treatment free apiary started in 2010. 20+/- hives
To the big pond up in the sky you mean.
what happened?
journaling the growth of a treatment free apiary started in 2010. 20+/- hives
good question. down here the old guys refer to those as 'german black bees'. they were notoriously mean like you say, but good honey producers. it is assumed that strain is apis mellifera mellifera, and some of their genes are still found among feral colonies in the eastern u.s., but for the most part they have become mixed with other strains and are now 'hybrid'.
journaling the growth of a treatment free apiary started in 2010. 20+/- hives
Mites did them in!
I have plenty of defensive bees. Once I have raised some queens to requeen with you are welcome to these queens. They lay lots of brood and the bees bring in lots of stores. There are plenty of guard bees to sting you more than you would like. They also are tenacious, they don't give up easily once put in protective mode.
I have a hive of dark ferals that came from a swarm call that are downright nasty, but they built up and are easily my best of 7 hives in about half of the time of their competition. So, if they, or any of my bees make it through this tough winter, they can continue with their brutal ways.
John Sampson-Tucker County, WV
Starting over. >Back up to 9 hives! All cutouts and swarms.
The bees aren't dumb, they moved to Florida for the winter. We call them snow-bees.http://www.beesource.com/forums/imag...lies/smile.gif
Still have some here in my area. So of those buggers will chase you down for hundreds of feet from the hive just for being there let alone trying to work them. I don't like having them around much so I try to requeen them when I get the genetics on an open mated queen. It is interesting to watch the color of the bees change in successive generations though, in either direction.
LOL, I've had a few hives that I would consider " intolerable to work with"....
In a full ultra breeze suit, I had to stop working them because I couldn't see through the veil.... Wish I had a video camera on me, would have loved to see what it looking like from the outside....
Anyway, they got requeened and put back under my oppression... I don't mind them being a little feisty, but if they are bent on killing you... They have to go... Regardless of the amount of honey they put up....
I'm already working on that! We live in the day of synthetic net/mesh fabric which can be layered up 5-6 times and still maintain air flow. I've yet to see a hive of bees that I can't tangle with. Bring it on!
But it still sucks when you crack a lid and they are like static charged velcro that instantly attack and attach to every surface they can find
It's 30 days out of the year...It's not that bad. 2 old net jackets, taped off boots, good gloves, and a full suit. The only place I get nipped is on the shoulders once in awhile. I do kind of miss the fat lazy italian bees. They don't like the winter up here though.
We got plenty round these parts.................
You've certainly got my attention.


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Current News | Archives
Pulaski Technical College will close on Wednesday, Feb. 10, to enable the college's Physical Plant staff to service sidewalks and parking lots, which have ice accumulation. Earlier, the college announced a 10 a.m. opening. However, area school districts announced closures on Wednesday. Many students, faculty and staff will be affected by these closures. Stay tuned to Little Rock television and radio stations for inclement weather updates. Inclement Weather Policy In the event that the weather is so severe that the college administration believes that life and property may be in danger, the president of the college may cancel classes until weather conditions improve. When such a decision is made, the news media will be notified. Students should listen for such announcements on Little Rock radio and television stations. If there is no announcement, students should assume the college is open. Because Pulaski Technical College is a commuter campus, inclement weather has a greater adverse impact than on a residential campus. The effects fall unevenly on individual students as road conditions and circumstances vary. Thus, individual decisions are required when hazardous weather conditions exist but the college is officially open.
Pulaski Technical College
3000 West Scenic Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118
Phone: (501) 812-2200
Copyright 2017 Pulaski Technical College. All Rights Reserved.


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Kevin Donoghue slumps deeper in his chair at the 2006 Maine Green Party convention as a debate over one of the most significant structural changes to the party's governance in its 22-year history swallows up more of his Friday evening. About 30 Greens sit in the theater of the Center for Cultural Exchange in Portland, discussing whether to streamline party leadership in a year when many of them think their gubernatorial candidate, Pat LaMarche, could win.
The single Green state legislator, John Eder, is home sick with the flu. Ben Meiklejohn, aka "Zen Ben," a 34-year-old Portland school committee member and a candidate for state legislature, stands in the front row and objects to the proposal to fire the party's current group of leaders (who party founder John Rensenbrink recently said didn't do much of anything this year) in exchange for a smaller group of new leaders. A Green in a yellow tropical shirt interrupts Meiklejohn and berates him so vehemently Meiklejohn walks out of the room. Donoghue watches, amused and dismayed.
Like most young active party members from Portland, Donoghue, 27, is more energized by winning a political seat, like Zen Ben and other Portland Greens have managed to, than he is by debating the state party structure that hasn't done much to help him run for office in the first place. But whether or not Donoghue cares much about the party, the party is starting to care a lot about people like him.
Around 8 pm, after some impassioned condemnations of the current party leadership, a tiny fraction of the 24,000 Greens registered in the state raise their mint-green placards and votes to create a stronger central governing body whose first priority is to hire an executive director who will help more Kevin Donoghues from around the state run for office. The 13-member steering committee of the Green Party, which chose not to recruit a single candidate for this fall's municipal or state elections, is dissolved on the spot and replaced with five new politics-minded Greens including Ben Chipman (the party's most ardent campaign manager), Jonathan Carter (who ran twice for governor), and Carol Schiller (who lost her campaign for city council last year). In about 25 minutes, the party transforms from a chronically decentralized group of activist-skeptics into a maybe, possibly, if-you-squint-your-eyes-could-be a unified party with a palpable lust for political power. And some key Greens think it's about time.
Twisted roots While the 30 or so Greens at the convention debated the merits of a smaller governing board, Jacqui Deveneau mills around the room munching on snacks from the lobby. Deveneau is the party's "Welcome Wagon Lady" — she contacts new Greens and helps them become active in the party — and is one of the busiest Green activists in the state. Deveneau loves the Greens, and wants the party to be strong and happy and functional and all that, but she's not much involved in politics of the Kevin Donoghue or John Eder variety. She, like many who join progressive third parties as refugees from the middle-moving Democrats, prefers direct action in protests and advocacy work over courting the voting public.
Table of Contents
Cover Archive
Masthead | Authors | Contact us
More on this story
Green machine: LaMarche's likeability. By Sara Donnelly
What Republicans can teach the Greens. By Sara Donnelly
Party people
Do third parties make a difference? Depends how you look at it. Here are the number of votes America's five most prominent third parties earned in the 2004 presidential election, compared with showings from the two major parties:
Republican (George W Bush) 62,040,610 (50.73%)
Democrat (John F Kerry) 59,028,444 (48.27%)
Reform/Populist/Independent (Ralph Nader) 465,650 (0.38%)
Libertarian (Michael Badnarik) 397,265 (0.32%)
Constitution (Michael Anthony Peroutka) 143,630 (0.12%)
Green (David Cobb) 119,859 (0.10%)
Socialist Workers (James Harris or Roger Calero) 10,791 (0.01%)
Source: Federal Election Commission
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Discussion in 'Photo & Video Gallery' started by J-Bo, Aug 13, 2010.
How many photographers do we have here? There has to be some! :glasses:
I have taken a few shots.. Some of the My truck for the Ad's it's been in.. One in front of The Falls in Canada for Enkei Wheels. Going to be doing a photo shoot next week in a Rock quary by me..
Let's see some of your work!
What I want to do is start a share thread of random photos from the members.
---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:25 AM ----------
This photo I just took. Used an Opteka IR filter, inverted the colors and tweaked the white balance along with the levels using Corel PaintShop Pro X3. This shot is of a very green park but since infrared cannot be seen it was converted into something we can see.
Macro of a purple iris. This is down inside the flower.
Psuedo Tilt shift of the beach at Virginia Beach:
Flag at half mast at Liberty National Park.
Flight of the bumble bee.
Come on! There has to be more photographers here.
Those are some sweet shots... Com'on up this way and You can take some shots of the trucks.. I gotta get it done for the 2011 catalog...
That would be a hike!
Here is another infrared photo:
A friend and I met up yesterday in Milltown NJ,to take some photographs of his truck. There is an old abandond factory there that used to be part of the Michelin tire company.
Just a little history on the place, the first part of it was built in 1907.
And here it is today in its faded glory: My rendition of it anyways!
There is a hidden "easter egg" or edit to one of these photos that is in reference to a video game. Find it!
Hey there are some very nice pictures. Thanks for sharing.
That would make a good back drop for some truck pics.. Can you get one in there?
Separate names with a comma.


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Town Square
Debunking the Child Care Facility Savings Myth
Original post made by Student, Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park, on Nov 6, 2006
The overstated child care savings, repeated frequently by Winkler, and then again below by Dick Poe (who exaggerates still more) is exposed below.
The actual savings of the "police station remodel" (which includes a portable) is about $1M over the 30-year span of the facility.
Winkler's $3M in savings actually includes two huge errors. She counts $750,000 in "sunk costs" for the design of the new facility as a "savings" even Menlo Park spent this money. And secondly, few people know that the remodeled police station provided less than half as much space as the propose new facility. To add more space required a modular, whose rental cost is $48,000/year. The 30-year rental cost of the modular is "hidden" as a yearly operational cost rather than shown as an up-front capital cost.
If you make a Net Present Value ("NPV") calculuation on a 30-year payment of $48,000/year it comes to $1.2M.
Hence, Winkler's $3M "savings" includes a $750,000 mistake, and hides $1.2 current value of the 30-year rental costs. That's about $2M that won't really be saved.
A capital savings of $1M over a 30-year period is not very much, and if you look at the space, a new facility provided $13,700 square feet versus 9100 square feet provided by the police station + modular.
Finally, the new facility accommodates more students at a higher space per student.
In every way, the decision to remodel the police station was a bad decision that iconifies all that is wrong with Winkler and Duboc's decision-making.
"Police Station + Modular" Costs New Facility
Sunk Wasted $0.75 $0.75 Design Costs Sunk
New Remodel Costs $3.4 $5.5 Build new costs New
Modular Rental (NPV) $1.2 $0.0 Modular Rental (NPV)
Total New Costs $4.6 $5.5 Total New Costs
Total Sunk + New $5.4 $6.2 Total Sunk + New
"Usable Space(square feet)"
Police Station 5900 13700 New Facility
Modular 3200 -
Total 9100 13700
Police Station 103 180 New Facility
Modular 60 0
Total 163 180 Total
"Quality(square feet/student)"
Police Station 57 76 Police Station
Modular 53 0
Average 56 76 Average
Comments (5)
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Nov 6, 2006 at 6:09 pm
Oh well. The text formatting is a huge jumble. Sorry about that.
The bottom line is that Winkler's $3M alleged savings includes a $750,000 mistake, the "sunk" cost was not saved, and it hides the 30-year rental cost of the modular which is equivalent to an up-front cost of $1.2M
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Nov 7, 2006 at 11:47 am
I wish those who would express such strident opinions would have the courage of their convictions and use their real names. Should voters believe anything from "Anonymous Student?" Could it be that this is part of the Big Labor / Stealth Surrogate / attack, misrepresent and smear campaign which has been waged by Bressler, Cline and Robinson, and that these postings are coming from one of their eight campaign organizations rather than from a real "Student?"
Let's take a look at substance. Student is wrong about a purported "modular" rental. It happens to be a permanent installation and part of the Child Care Center. It was merely a modular construction technique (another of countless Bressler-Cline-Robinson misrepresentations using their surrogates as messengers). If the word "modular" bothers you, pay a visit to the luxury Northstar Village sales office near Lake Tahoe. It is entirely "modular."
Then there's the argument about the size of the gorgeous new Child Care Center. Together with a professional child care center operator, I examined the floor plans of the earlier $6M+ "Taj Mahal" design proposed by the discredited City Council prior to 2002. (Those are the guys who led us into a 50% decline in sales tax revenues). Half the space in this overblown monster was allocated to Staff (read union member) offices. As an aside, I note that the Almanac reported today that the Bressler-Cline-Robinson organizations have been showered with over $22,000 in union money in this election. I have no doubt that the final total will be far greater and that "in-kind" services like the outsiders walking our streets to drop literature will be massive.
In any event, the child care center expert told me that his ratios are 80% space for kids, 20% for staff offices. Anonymous Student has failed to disclose that one of the keys to the massive savings achieved by Lee Duboc and Mickie Winkler in connection with the new Child Care Center was to cut down on cushy digs for Staff who should be spending their time with our kids anyway.
Instead of $6M+ and rising (the Taj Mahal for Staff probably would have had final price tag of $over $7M - remember the City Hall redesign which ballooned from $5 to $10M under the pre-2002 Council????), Duboc and Winkler brought in the new Child Care Center on schedule and on budget for about $3.5M.
By the way, anonymous Student, is the new Center too small to accommodate the kids? I haven't heard that one from anybody - although I'm sure that's not a claim that shadowy Bressler-Cline-Robinson surrogates are above making.
a resident of Menlo Park: Belle Haven
on Nov 7, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Dick, why not come clean and admit that the "professional child care center operator" was Chuck Bernstein, who supports the challengers. You sure you want to cite his expertise? You're also confusing capital costs with operating costs, which suggests to me that you might want to take your foot out of your mouth and move on to another topic that you can mangle.
I'm sure you don't want to overlook the fact that your incumbent slate has accepted tens of thousands of dollars from developer interests, most of them from outside Menlo Park, and has hired people to distribute its literature as well as a professional campaign manager. Guess you can't find enough volunteers to man your sinking ship? (For some reason, I'm reminded of the old saying about pointing a finger at someone else and having four fingers point back at you.)
The union has donated very little money to the candidates it supports. The union is free to mail out its own pieces, and it has done so. At least the union identifies itself on its mailings, unlike your mailings which purport to be from the Republican/Democrat/Peace&Freedom/fill-in-the-blank parties.
Note also that the challengers are not a slate but independent candidates. Vince Bressler in particular is not identified with any party and has not been endorsed by the union.
So sorry Dick, but given that there's no dearth of corrupt politicians, I'm sure you'll be able to find a new home with someone who's looking for a lap dog (or do you fancy yourself more as a snarling pit bull?)
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Nov 7, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Mr. Poe:
As a matter of fact, the new childcare center IS too small to accomodate the kids. As reported in The Almanac this summer, the toddler program (which filled one of the three rooms in the old facility) is no more as there is insufficient space to accomodate that program in the "new" building.
Also, under the original design for a true NEW building, many MORE kids could have been accomodated - thereby serving many more working families in MP. Thanks to Winkler and Duboc, that's no longer possible.
So to say, as you have, that Winkler and Duboc are great for kids is patently absurd - and don't throw the Measure J junk back - everyone knows they're just pandering for cheap votes that way! (What was it that they wanted to build there in the first place? Oh, that's right - A GOLF COURSE!)
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Nov 8, 2006 at 7:12 pm
I think Dick Poe tried to change the subject. Winkler's $3M alleged savings was wrong by $2M because
1.) Winkler included the $750k "sunk costs" of the design and architectural work associated with the new facility. That money was never saved. It was spent.
2.) The "modular" or "portable" or "whatever you call it" even though its affixed to the ground, has a yearly operating cost, not a capital cost. It rents for $48k per year, a fact that is not denied by Poe. Converting its 30-year operating cost to a net present capital cost-- 30 years at $48k/year is 1.2M dollars.
Here's a reference on the $48k/year rental cost:
Web Link
"In addition, 5,900 square feet of child-care space can serve only 103 children. To accommodate the remaining 60 children currently enrolled at the Civic Center, the 3,100-square-foot portable building now being used would have to be moved to a parking lot near the former police station. The city rents this building for $48,000 a year, but this cost is not included in the $2.7 million estimate."
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Cherries and Berries
By Laura Stec | 0 comments | 314 views
We need some volunteers.
By Stuart Soffer | 1 comment | 171 views
One more week to vote!
Don't forget to cast your Readers' Choice ballot online. Voting ends May 29th. Stay tuned for the results in the July 19th issue of The Almanac.


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Today's generation of two-way radios provides more than just voice communication. Depending on budget and need, a department can add capability ranging from GPS tracking to remote monitoring and control of plant operations. Read moreyfvdfdzdrbywwacuw
Facing growing pressure to bring projects in on budget, transportation managers?such as those at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)?have found that using off-the-shelf spreadsheet and database applications like Microsoft's Excel and Access are no longer robust enough to estimate the cost and scope of large-scale projects. Read more
After several failed attempts, federal legislation that would allow small cities and counties to provide their own high-speed Internet service is likely to become law. Read more
The constant pummeling of snow and record-low temperatures throughout the Midwest, Northeast, and Canada this winter made for one big quandary: shortages in rock salt, the deicing staple of public works departments far and wide. Read more
When summer heads into fall, Gilliam County activities are fairly typical of Oregon's rural communities: Wheat farmers prepare for harvest, fly fishers ready for spawning season, and the county's road crew works its one-of-a-kind "gravel reclaimer." Read more
A paving material that promises excellent performance, environmental benefits, and reduced cost, warm-mix asphalt (WMA) is generating enthusiasm among transportation managers. Though still largely confined to trial and demonstration projects in the United States, prospects seem favorable for it to take over much, if not all, of the asphalt pavement market within 10 years. Read more
Frequent battery replacements, missed calls, and garbled messages meant just one thing to Albert Brunson, head of public building equipment maintenance for Cumberland County, N.C.: time to update his mobile communications system. Read more
Controlling snow and ice requires balancing three, not quite equal, goals: meet the public's need to travel safely, avoid harmful environmental impacts, and keep costs in line. Read more
Ten years ago, security at most mid-sized water treatment plants was little more than a locked door. Today, water and wastewater utilities are doing their best to protect the vulnerabilities of systems that spread out over literally millions of miles. Read more
To this writer's eyes, the biggest news to come out of this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit was that two major light-duty truck manufacturers introduced new models. Read more
The lack of uniformity in testing procedures from state to state is fueling the need to establish standardized testing procedures for modified asphalt across all 50 states. Read more
In 2007, Cascade, Idaho, began to replace its entire crack-ridden concrete, steel, and cast iron drinking water system with high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. The leaky system was taking its toll on residents, who paid $2.50/1,000 gallons of water in 2007—up from 73 cents in 1993. Read moreyfvdfdzdrbywwacuw
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) now provides funding for up to 12 cities that demonstrate a commitment to building a sustainable solar infrastructure. Read more
Chicago isn't the only "green" city in the Midwest (see "The trickle-down effect," May 2007, page 36). In Warrenville, located 30 miles west of the Windy City, a plan to improve water quality has resulted in a new way of reconstructing the city's streets. Read more
The U.S. DOT is making $287 million available to revitalize a national strategy for reducing deaths on rural roads, which account for 57% of all fatal crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Read more
Wholesale supplier Tampa Bay Water has begun selling water produced by the nation's largest reverse-osmosis seawater desalination facility. So far, the customers are public utilities in Florida's Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. Read more
February marked the 10th anniversary of the nation's largest public-private partnership for municipal wastewater operations. Read more
A full-size locomotive pulling 26 heavy-axle-load coal cars has traversed the world's first composite railroad bridge, opening up the possibility that the corrosion-resistant material is just as viable an option as concrete and steel beams for highway bridges. Read more
By 2030, the U.S. population is expected to grow by 63 million. To recognize environmentally friendly development efforts of new houses, buildings, and roads by using concrete and cement-based products, the Portland Cement Association has launched the Sustainable Leadership Awards. Visit Read more
Remember when getting there was half the fun? Not anymore. Read more
There are four basic personality types when it comes to change. Knowing how each interprets and responds to change is the key to successfully managing change. Read more


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Publisher: SNK Playmore
Developer: SNK
Release date: Summer 2006
WALL, NJ. – March 23, 2006 – SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION, the US publishing arm of the SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION, announced THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2006, an original 3D fighting game designed specifically for home consoles, and produced by noted artist and designer, Falcoon. KOF 2006 will ship for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system in summer 2006. THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2006 is the sequel to SNK's first 3D fighting game, THE KING OF FIGHTERS: MAXIMUM IMPACT.
Currently celebrating its twelfth year as one of the most popular fighting video game franchises in the history of gaming, THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2006 will continue to build on the series' rich history with several new characters, as well as many returning favorites. KOF 2006 will feature characters from THE KING OF FIGHTERS: MAXIMUM IMPACT and a number of hidden characters.
"KOF 2006 will be a perfect mix of speed, beauty and an all-new story line." said Ben Herman, SNK PLAYMORE USA president. "Our fans expect our fighting games to be fast – whether they're 2D or 3D, and KOF 2006 is not going to disappoint them."


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Hot Shot Manufacturing Introduces Revolutionary Release-Aid Line Up for 2010
Infinity, Index Finger - Tempest, Thumb Button - X-Tacy, Back-tension
Logan UT, Hot Shot Manufacturing is one of the oldest and original innovators of the mechanical release aid. Throughout the 1970's, Hot Shot was known for its introduction, advancements and modernization of the mechanical release aid. Some thirty years later, they're planning to live up to the same reputation and expectations.
In June, 2008 Hot Shot Manufacturing was purchased by Dave White of Corolla Capital Management, owners of Cajun Archery and a new era for Hot Shot began. The first steps were to stop all existing production and begin a ground-up, 18 month evaluation, design, prototype, development and testing program. The process involved thousands of hours of research and development where no detail was overlooked, both in the laboratory and field.
Hot Shot's philosophy is to use "state of the art" manufacturing techniques married to high tech materials with aerospace pedigrees. Their smooth, crisp durable and reliable release aid line is truly revolutionary and will once again innovate and modernize how we look at releases for 2010 and beyond.
Infinity Index Finger Release Aid:
Hot Shot Infinity with Magnetic Strap- Click to Download a High Resolution Version
Leaving as little to chance as possible is what differentiates a good hunter from a great hunter, and great hunters understand that every piece of equipment should perform perfectly under any condition. Hot Shot's new Infinity is the perfect release for just such hunters.
Cutting edge technology was employed in every aspect beginning with a "Lever-Link" trigger that replaces traditional roller bearings and ensures less trigger creep for a crisp shot and precise trigger pull every single time an arrow is fired. This stronger and more reliable actuating mechanism features less friction than roller bearings and provides little opportunity for dirt and other debris to enter the release and affect function meaning that hunters don't need to baby the Infinity and hunt as hard as they want through the nastiest elements Mother Nature can conjure. The Infinity's trigger and internal components are comprised of a proprietary alloy that is essentially "self lubricating", a feature that further promotes ultra-smooth function. The Infinity's trigger tension is easily adjustable by way of an allen-head set screw located just behind the trigger. For those moments that necessitate a speedy hookup with precise string alignment the Infinity is designed with a Cat's Eye hook that ensures you'll never miss a beat when a big buck cruises by unexpectedly or the bull-of-a-lifetime steps into an opening. To further facilitate serious archery hunters and their precise needs the Infinity is available in three different wrist straps configurations, all of which are ultra-adjustable: Cordura with Velcro, traditional buckle and an industry-changing quick and quiet, magnetic closure. Each wrist strap lives up to the Infinity's namesake allowing it's user to custom fit it to their exact liking by way of the adjustable length strap, which provides the fine-tuning necessary to become the best bow shot possible. There are a lot of steps one needs to take to become a great hunter - get ready to take a shortcut with the Infinity.
Tempest Thumb Button Release Aid:
Fashioned with today's hybrid archer in mind, the Tempest is designed for those who understand how important a quality release can be while perched in a tree stand or judging the distance to the 40th 3-D target of the day.
An example of designing for perfect ergonomic fit, the Tempest boasts additional surface area on the handle for unparalleled comfort. By adding surface to the handles face where an archers fingers touch Hot Shot has eliminated annoying finger tingle, numbness and dead hand. The Tempest's exclusive 2-Thirds case design creates a space where each internal part stays in place eliminating sear misalignment and misfires. Using only the highest quality materials, the Tempest's case is precision milled from high-grade aluminum for extreme durability and anodized to red luster.
Equally suited for the wood lot or target range the Tempest's three and four finger models offer single-screw adjustment for trigger travel and trigger tension, while the multiple axis thumb post allows for projection, tilt and distance adjustment equaling an exact-fit to any hand size or shooting style.
The Tempest's silky-smooth and ultra-crisp internal mechanism and hook boast Hot Shot's exclusive Titanium-Diamond Nitride coating and hardening process that equal stronger parts with 60-percent less friction than 440 Stainless Steel. This process pledges a hook and sear system that won't exhibit any brittleness under even the most extreme working temperatures from the Canadian Tundra to the Dunes of the Sahara. This process allows the release's parts to be cut from a softer metal, creating more precise angles and tighter tolerances. However, don't confuse soft metal with decreased quality. Haling from an Aerospace pedigree, this unique process penetrates deep in the componentry creating rock hard parts with a surface hardness of over Rockwell 70!
X-Tacy Back Tension Release Aid:
Winning shots don't come easily, and when it comes to shootability nothing rivals the new Hot Shot X-tacy. The X-tacy series. Ergonomically correct, three and four-finger handles feature critical surface area on the inside of the handle where it matters most. Without adding bulk, this flat surface eliminates pinch points, for comfortable shooting through every end of a weeknight league or while toeing the line in Vegas. Because of its sleek and streamlined design, the X-tacy can be held deep in the hand or further out on your fingers while still remaining comfortable- eliminating numb and tingling fingers, even after hours of shooting. Constructed out of high-grade aluminum and hard anodized the X-tacy's handle is clearly built with both comfort and durability in mind.
Aimed at the target shooter, the X-tacy's unique Patent Pending Bow Tie Moon features three click speeds sure to fit the energy level and style of any shooter. Simple adjustment of the moon is accomplished by a single setscrew making easy work of dialing the X-tacy in for 10-ring repeatability.
Serious archers understand that their influence during release can make or break a round- that's why spotties and 3-D shooters alike will appreciate the X-tacy's super-crisp firing mechanism. Hot Shot's exclusive Titanium-Diamond Nitride coating and hardening process offers stronger parts with 60-percent less friction than 440 Stainless Steel and ensures the hook and seer won't exhibit any brittleness while functioning flawlessly under even the most extreme working temperatures. This process allows the release's parts to be cut from a softer metal, creating more precise angles and tighter tolerances. However, don't confuse soft metal with decreased quality. Haling from an Aerospace pedigree, this unique process penetrates deep in the componentry creating rock hard parts with a surface hardness of over Rockwell 70!
Dedicated and knowledgeable engineers, hunters, target archers and non-archery related individuals have painstakingly reviewed and designed what those associated with Hot Shot believe to be one of the Archery Industry's most comprehensive, practical and well-designed release aid line. For 2010, Hot Shot Manufacturing will be offering seven new release designs in three respective release categories, The Infinity index finger release, Tempest T-handle thumb button and X-tacy back tension. For more information on the new X-tacy or the rest of the Hot Shot line up visit www.hotshotmanufacturing.com or call (800) 551-3076.
Theory 13 Creative, LLC is a full service advertising agency specializing in the outdoor industry. For more information on our clients, to obtain images, additional press information or releases or to view our entire client list- please visit: www.theory13creative.com


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After being out of the local theater scene for a couple of decades, the Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater (TRIST) is back, staging an outdoor production of Henry VIII at the Roger Williams National Memorial Park, on North Main Street in Providence, through June 26.
The late history play isn't performed often, for good reason. It's not among Shakespeare's best-written works, which is partially attributable to it not entirely being the Bard's work. Most scholars contend it was a collaboration with the prolific John Fletcher, who succeeded Shakespeare as principal playwright for the King's Men theater company. Fletcher apparently inserted a lot of characteristic ye's and thee's and other stylistic word choices.
The hot-tempered, bloody career of King Henry VIII, with his six wives and all that, was lusty enough to provide plenty of dramatic entertainment just by a charting of his year-to-year goings-on. Unfortunately for Henry VIII the play, Shakespeare seems to be describing the history in real time for long stretches. The play doesn't so much end as trail off, with a scene designed not for drama but for royal puckering-up, as the king and his court celebrate with unlikely exuberance the birth of a daughter rather than a son to his wife Anne Boleyn. The girl will grow up to be Shakespeare's sovereign, Queen Elizabeth.
Although he first staged Shakespeare at TRIST nearly 40 years ago, founder and director Bob Colonna has never done Henry VIII — because, he says, he never had any good ideas about how to do so. But he finally decided, for this production, to cut characters with the ruthlessness of a battlefield general, slimming the story to 2-1/2 hours, including an intermission, and clarifying the conflicts by sticking to those of the key participants.
The central story is that of the king (a powerfully authoritative T.J. Curran) wanting to get out of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon (Linda Kamajian), who was not producing him a male heir. He wants to marry a sweet young thing in his wife's entourage, Anne Boleyn (Bonnie Griffin). She will be replaced after the curtain falls by Jane Seymour (Erin Sheehan).
The secondary story is the campaign by Cardinal Wolsey (Tom Oakes) to curry and maintain favor with the king. His principal obstacle is the Duke of Buckingham, played with convincing spirit by Kevin Killavey. Wolsey manages to have the loyal courtier tried on trumped-up charges of treason.
Colonna's main idea might have been that this production is an opportunity to have a gaggle of festive actors sing the novelty song "I'm Henry VIII, I Am," which was a Number One hit by Herman's Hermits in 1965. Good idea. Especially since Colonna encourages a jocular tone, such as with Kevin Broccoli's Cardinal Campeggio, a Vatican emissary, maintaining a comical Italian accent, a tactic that wouldn't succeed unless the production as a whole was light enough.
Aiding that are such touches as having inquiring courtiers of the play address Buckingham and others as a reporter with digital recorder and a photographer. (The latter, describing to someone a sequence of "strange pictures" she has seen of Wolsey's activities, can conveniently show images on the back of her digital camera.)
Other performances that pique our interest include Kamajian as a spirited Catherine of Aragon and Carol Schlink dressed in hippie mode as Patience, an aide to her who eagerly pipes up with predictions now and then.
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Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 7:59 PM
it's been a while, but yall don't read these anyways lol. we all came to the sad realization that being TM is a hard knock life ._. all. my. money. goes. to. her. i sound like i'm complaining, but i'm not because i LOVE her. like almost 6 years of my life has been dedicated to supporting her ^_^ that's my baby. kaaaay, so bye :-*
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Former Northern Ireland international footballer, who played his club football at Luton, West Ham, Southampton, Crystal Palace and QPR. Has since moved on to become a successful manager for Crystal Palace. His crowning achievement was leading Palace to playoff glory in 2004, and almost keeping the heroic Eagles in the Premiership the following year. Has led the team to the playoffs again in 2006, aiming to win against, hopefully against the widely despised Leeds United in the final.
by Garridio May 03, 2006
The vengeful act of crapping on a lover's chest while they sleep.Buy the plush


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20-Minute Tabata-Inspired Workout
Jessica Matthews
on Thursday, November 7, 2013
Want a great workout in just 20 minutes? Break a sweat and burn an average of 15 calories a minute with this total-body, Tabata- inspired workout featured in a new ACE research study.
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TRX Workout Video to Follow at Home
Pete McCall
on Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Short on time but still want to burn tons of calories? Follow our TRX workout video from home and get pointers from CEO and inventor Randy Hetrick. Get a quick metabolic blast with a series of fun and innovative moves.
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Try Our Skinny Jeans Workout
Jessica Matthews
on Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Burn calories, build strength, look and feel great as you sport a hot trend for fall – skinny jeans. ACE expert Jessica Matthews shows you 6 no-equipment lower body sculpting moves you can do at home.
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Build a Better Butt With At-home Barre-inspired Exercises
on Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Build a better backside at-home with barre-inspired moves that will add new challenge and variety to your workout. Fitness expert and core performance guru Linda LaRue, RN, Med, ATC, leads you thorough creative moves you can do in the comfort of your own home by just simply using a chair.
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Jessica Matthews
on Thursday, July 11, 2013
Journey with ACE expert Jessica Matthews through a refreshing, 40-minute yoga flow video that will energize your body and awaken your mind. Discover a new sense of gratitude to carry you through the day.
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Jessica Matthews
on Friday, November 9, 2012
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text: While Dumars getting rid of gordon's terrible contract was defintely a step in the right direction, Hawks GM Ferry is making a huge splash by trading Joe Johnson to the nets and Marvin Williams to the Jazz for Devin Harris. sources: Brooklyn Nets agree to trade with Atlanta Hawks for Joe Johnson, sources say - ESPN New York Atlanta Hawks trade Marvin Williams to Utah Jazz for Devin Harris, according to sources - ESPN What does this mean for us? Well, the 2012 Playoff Picture was: 1. Bulls 2. Heat 3. Pacers 4. Celtics 5. Hawks 6. Magic 7. Knicks 8. 76ers The East has been in recent years much more open than the west. Every single team is going through some major off-season adjustments with the exception of the heat (wade and bosh are going through rest/surgery and missing the olympics, but they should be fine when the RS starts). Bulls - Rose ACL out for year, Deng's wrist, Asik might be lost Pacers - Very likely to lose Hibbert due to Portland giving him max contract Celtics - Most likley losing Allen and with the loss of many rotational players and continued decline of garnett/pierce Hawks - Out of the Playoff picture almost certainly w/o johnson/williams, but setting up with enough caproom for both paul and howard - Holyyyy Magic - Howard basically screwed them 6 ways with being indecisive. They might get some nice potential and a nice pick, but I don't think any team is going to give the magic a ridiculous offer for a 1 year rental of the league's most childish/indecisive/help i'm getting blackmailed player Knicks - Lin uncertain, Melo and Stat clearly declining more rapidly than the knicks expected, JR opting out, etc. 76ers - no signficant changes, might move up a bit might stay the same - coin-toss situation So let's recap the playoff picture for 2013 1. Heat 2-8. WIDE OPEN As long as Drummond isn't Darko, we have an EXCELLENT chance of making the playoffs. This is the list of teams in the East and how I think they will fare in the 2012-2013 season: 1.Hawks - breaking up their core means they're gonna suck this coming season, but the massive cap flexibility they will have at the end of next season is going to be clutch 2. Celtics - they get older, w/no siginifcant upgrades besides rondo improving and jeff green coming back - still a playoff team, but 0 chance of ship 3. Bobcats - nice to have MKG, but still dumpster team for next 3-4 years 4. Bulls - rose is gone for this season, I don't care what they do, they're pretty much irrelevant until next season 5. Cavs - Draft picks really confuse me, even so Irving and co. will have to spend 3-4 years at the minimum to become relevant 6. Pistons - I'm too biased, but hopefully stuckey, monroe, and knight all make strides in their game and drummond steps it up - if joe can make some more moves :D 7. Pacers - I see them losing Hibbert as a very likely scenario, but even then I still see them as a Play-off team 2nd round-exit yet again 8. Heat - Repeat champs unless something suprising happens 9. Bucks - I see them getting marginally better with the jennings-ellis core getting more time playing with each other. But I don't see them as anything better than a 7/8th seed at best possible case. 10. Nets - Deron Williams, Joe johnson, Gerald Wallace, Brook Lopez sounds alright on paper - have them as a possible playoff seed 11. Knicks - too much drama - will still be relevant, but 1st/2nd round exit guaranteed 12. Magic- they're done for 3-4 years unless something magical happens - corny jokes +100 13. 76ers - no dramatic off-season changes means they'll get a little better, but noting amazing happening here 14. Raptors - the prospect of nash signing here and instantly making the raptors a playoff contender with the addition of the lituanian kid plus trading away calderon - I don't know if the raptors have had this much excitement since Vinsanity 15. Wizards - picking up beal is nice and getting okafor ariza to pair up with nene - wizards playoff team real soon Possible playoff teams (besides Heat) Celtics Bulls Pistons Pacers Bucks Nets Knicks 76ers Raptors*(if nash signs) Magic**(If howard stays and plays like he normally does, but there's no incentive...) 8 slots, 11 teams, We have more than a "shot" this season. Honestly it's pretty wide open right now. I feel pretty darn good about being a pistons fan into the future. Feel free to give me feedback guys, also I'm been wanting to start a video blog so If you guys like what I write I might be motivated to get on that :D


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=( sorry to hear about your cancellation xz6m1d. I recieved mine yesterday, meeting the projected shipping date. I hope you have more luck with your future purchases.
I did one last Chat today. If the system is not shipped today, it will get canceled...........
xz6m1d wrote:
I did one last Chat today. If the system is not shipped today, it will get canceled...........
See my thread above. My order is now in Louisville. It has been shipped. It took me hounding customer service. My order showed 4/5 ship date and it is now on its way. Call customer service and give it a try. It is very frustrating but seemed to work for me.
Hummmm.... My W510 was shipped yesterday.
Now lets just hope and pray that the quality is there like the last 3 laptops I have used.
03/03/2011 - order place
03/23/2011 - shipped (after numerous delays and angery email to customer service)
03/28/2011 - delivery date
My only concern is with us calling and pushing then to ship.... there failed to do a good job in the build
03-27-2011 04:51 PM - edited 03-27-2011 04:58 PM
ah I wish quality is good. My 1st order was ship in 4 days without any email to customer service but I had to return it due to fan noise.
I don't think they rush in building machine. In fact customer service said they won't be able to ship untill 03/25 & next day I got email about shipment. I am pretty sure customer service has any access to actual warehouse in china but relay on some infor pass on by higher up.
Hmm, when I got my Lenovo W510, I was initially worried. The outside box was banged up. Then, when I opened it, it was the box that housed my laptop. T.T
I should have went with my gut...... My 510 is now setting held in KY with no shipping date...
Something about held per service contract....
Sad.... I get a new laptop about ever two years.... This will be the last Lenovo if I ever get it..........
04-01-2011 06:43 AM - last edited on 04-01-2011 08:32 AM by bananaman
Ok here is the truth about the terrible way Lenovo is shipping there product.
They have a contract with UPS...how ever they batch ship , So now my laptop is part of a batch.... so it will set in the warehouse until ALL of the packages are cleared customs and are able to ship. So what that says to us is ... our laptop can set in the warehouse for the next day to whenever... there is nothing we can do to get it. Our laptops can set there for 5 to 10 DAYS...... What a terrible way to ship........oh ya nice that I took today off work to be here to sign for it...... UGH
Moderator edit: Tweaked a bit of profanity, keeping the post within the Community Rules.


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basicly almost self explanatory. If you need further explanation, when someone just hangs around the house or thier job or where ever they are and does whatever the fuck they want because they have nothing to do; its not a specific act. its a combination of various activities someone can do when they are bored.
Hey, whats up man? ... nothin, just hangin out, i have nothin to do today so im just gonna play general fuck around all day long
by MYNAMEIST January 23, 2007


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[quote user="Bettinggame"][quote user="Bettinggame"]he looked like he wanted the Giants to win.
he might have betted for the Giants.[/quote]
i ask this because, when you let a ball bounce, you have to get away from the ball,
he let the ball bounce and he got infront of the ball, why did he do that?, everyone knows that you get away from the ball after you let it bounce. but he didnt and positioned himself infront of the ball, he also didnt look like he was bending down to catch the ball.[/quote]
I'm telling you bro, it's rigged, Vegas hired some goons to hurt Ginn and then when they found out who was replacing him they bribed him and told him to lose the game


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By Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations
Approximately 22,000 CU students live off campus. After freshman year, most students rent units managed by local landlords and property management companies. Now is a great time to start thinking about your plans for next August.
Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations can help you find available properties and answer questions regarding off-campus living. Here are some things to consider as you begin your search:
- Roughly 52 percent of the housing market in Boulder is comprised of rentals. Don't panic about not having housing come the start of the school year.
- Attend the CU Off-Campus Housing Fair on Jan. 22, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom.
- View properties and find roommates on Ralphie's List, CU's rental website.
- Pick up a list of property management companies and apartment complexes from Off-Campus Housing in the UMC, room 313.
- Schedule a free lease review with Off-Campus Housing's Legal Advisor, Attorney Bruce Sarbaugh.
- Set a budget and select reliable roommates with similar lifestyles.
- View a map of popular Boulder neighborhoods. Research bus schedules and locations, or find a carpool.


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Since the beginning of this school year, I have been mentoring five students of secondary three and four. This help is meant to improve their conversation skills since most of them are not confident enough in their English proficiency to talk in an English classroom. I have began the process by showing some common everyday vocabulary that one uses often in a classroom. I have done small activities in class such as discussing with peers about their weekend, their Christmas vacations and so on.
I find it hard to come up with new conversation activities every week. I have been running short on subjects lately and I would be glad if someone could point out things I could teach them to become better speakers. They have a small limited English basis but they are able to distinguish the correct forms to use when writing.
Is there anything I can do to help them transfer these writing skills to conversational skills?