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Anyone who has recently checked out the front gate entrance to the Auburn University campus has been able to see new growth leaves on the trees, which were poisoned last year.
A University of Alabama football supporter, Harvey Updyke of Dadeville, Ala., is scheduled to be tried in June on a felony criminal mischief charge and other charges after being arrested and charged with the poisoning.
A herbicide made specifically to remove trees was used in an attempt to kill the two large live oaks at Toomer's Corner, a location where Auburn fans gather to celebrate important school sports victories.
Dr. Art Chappelka, an Auburn University professor of foresty and a member of the Toomer's Oaks Task Force, says he is very encouraged by the resiliency of the old oaks that were not expected to survive the attack. However, a variety of treatments, including twice replacing the poisoned soil they were in, is giving them a chance to make it.
"To me, these tries to save the trees represent the Auburn fighting spirit," Dr. Chappelka says. "This particular herbicide is extremely lethal -- it is a very good herbicide. That is why it is used for line-clearing and fence row clearing.
"We know the concentrations that were applied to these trees were very, very, very high -- much higher than the recommended dosage to kill plants," he points out. "But as you can see, as of today these trees are alive."
Using a football metaphor, Dr. Chappelka says the trees were in trouble, like an Auburn team down 24-0, but are now trying to make a comeback of epic proportions.
"These trees may come back, we don't know, but if you look at them right now and compare them to what they looked like a month ago they sure look better," the professor says. "We are guarded in our optimism."
Celebrations like this one for the women's swimming team winning the 2006 NCAA Championship have been held for many years under the Toomer's Corner oaks.
During the treatment process, the trees have been surrounded by fences and are off limits to fans tossing toilet paper into the limbs, which is part of the celebration tradition. If the trees continue their comeback, there is a possibility university officials will give the green light to allow the rolling ceremonies to resume as soon as this fall, Dr. Chappelka points out.
Just how old they are is not exactly known but if they recover, they could be able to survive for a long time because the oaks can live for hundreds of years.
"There is a debate about how old they are," Dr. Chappelka says. "Some people say that they are over a 100 years old, some people say that they're under a 100 years old. The latest I've heard is they're probably around 80 years old."
Dr. Art Chappelka checks out one of the poisoned oak trees.
When the dirt around the trees was first replaced, activated carbon was put in the new soil to absorb the poison. When the ground was checked two weeks later there were still dangerous amounts of herbicide in the soil, which was again dug up and replaced.
"We removed the soil very, very carefully," Dr. Chappelka notes. "They were actually here with brushes, brushing the dirt from off of the roots, an extremely meticulous process. We started irrigating the trees regularly in the summer trying to see how they would respond to the herbicide. This herbicide is one that affects photosynthesis, the amount of food that plants store in leaves.
"What will happen is that the poison will be brought up through the roots, it will be taken up through the foliage and when it's in the foliage what it will do is essentially kill the leaves," he says. "The leaves will fall down and then it will repeat the process until the tree has no more carbohydrate reserves."
Former Auburn football assistant coach Al Borges is shown preparing to throw toilet paper during a 2006 celebration at Toomer's Corner.
When leaves from the tree fall they are picked up with a vacuum cleaner and treated as hazardous waste.
"The problem with this particular herbicide is that it is active for about five to seven years," says Dr. Chappelka, noting it is very effective at what it was manufactured to do.
To help the trees cope with the poison, in March the university hired a consultant to try another type of treatment.
"We had a person from Knoxville, Tenn., come in and essentially gave the trees an IV, which provided soluble sugar and is replacing the carbohydrates," Dr. Chappelka said. "It's a process that hasn't been done a lot. Some folks out of Texas have done it. They actually tried this on the Treaty Oak, which was herbicided in the 1980s, so that was kind of an experimental process."
That tree located in Austin survived, but suffered major damage due to the poisoning.
The Toomer's oaks have suffered damage, too, Dr. Chappelka points out.
"There is a lot of dead foliage on these trees and there is a lot of branch die-back and other maladies caused by the herbicide, but the trees are alive and we do have hope," he says.
In the next couple of weeks, dead branches are going to removed and treatments will continue. A lot of time and effort has been devoted to the project, but Dr. Chappelka adds he has no doubts that is what Auburn people want.
"We realize that these trees have had a lot of damage to them, but due to the efforts of a lot of people at the university they now at least having fighting chance," he says.
Get inside coverage of your favorite team. Click here now to get started.


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Judgment of the Court (First Chamber) of 18 April 2013.
European Commission v French Republic.
Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations - Transport - Development of the Community's railways - Directive 91/440/EEC - Article 6(3) and Annex II - Directive 2001/14/EC - Article 14(2) - Lack of legal independence of the railway infrastructure manager - Article 11 - Absence of a performance scheme - Incomplete transposition.
Case C-625/10.
published in the electronic Reports of Cases (Court Reports - general)

subset: commoncrawl


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Report: Aqib Talib signs a one-year deal with Patriots
|03.16.13 at 11:59 am ET
The Patriots have re-signed cornerback Aqib Talib to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. (According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, the deal is worth $5 million.) The 27-year-old Talib, who was acquired by the Patriots in a midseason trade with Tampa Bay, finished his six-game stretch with New England this year with 19 tackles (13 solo), two passes defensed and one interception.
While he wasn't a Pro Bowler — he struggled with injury on occasion, and went down in the first half of the AFC title game against the Ravens — when he was healthy, he allowed the Patriots to make some moves defensively that they couldn't do before his acquisition, including the move of Devin McCourty to safety and the decision to shuffle Kyle Arrington back to the role of slot corner. With him in the lineup, the Patriots were able to play a little more man coverage than they had been doing in the previous couple of years, and he was frequently matched up against the opponents' No. 1 receiver.
While the future of cornerback Alfonzo Dennard is still murky because of legal issues, the return of Talib — as well as the re-signing of Arrington and the addition of veteran safety Adrian Wilson — does bring an added sense of stability to the New England secondary for 2013.
For more Patriots news, check out weei.com/patriots.
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We're always surprised to see brands adding "new" options each year to their selection of scrubs. We add quotes to "new" because there is only so much you can do with a scrub that can make it different from the dozens of others on the market. In fact, they are all fairly standard formulas, with little distinction between them.
In terms of scrubs providing exfoliation, they are a poor substitute for an AHA or BHA exfoliant. There is extensive, research-based evidence demonstrating that AHA and BHA exfoliants are far superior in every way to physical scrubs, especially for treating concerns like sun damage, breakouts, or acne. However, some people enjoy scrubs from time to time for an extra cleansing step, so let's see how KORA Organics' offering measures up.
The good news is that Exfoliating Cream Purify and Renew for Face and Body isn't "filled" with essential oils as claimed. In terms of fragrance, this is one of the lesser offending formulas in the KORA Organics lineup, although it still includes its share of fragrant citrus extracts, but again, not as much as some other KORA products. Other than that, this scrub contains bamboo as the abrasive agent—ordinarily that wouldn't be an ideal choice due to its potential to irritate skin, but the amount is relatively low and it's buffered by rich plant oils and fatty acids, so your skin is more protected.
In terms of cost, this is absurdly overpriced—regarding both the amount that you get and the fact that it can easily be replaced by a soft washcloth; there are better alternatives at a fraction of the price.
Ultimately, this is merely an average option (and best for combination to slightly dry skin). If your goal is to treat specific skin-care concerns (like discolorations, clogged pores, and the like), a scrub isn't the way to go—we strongly recommend checking out the AHA and BHA options on our list of Best Exfoliants. If you are looking for a bit of extra cleansing, better alternatives are available in our Best Scrubs list.
KORA Organics Exfoliating Cream contains a unique blend of organically grown Oat Flour and Bamboo to gently buff away dead skin cells helping to reveal a smoother, softer complexion. KORA Organics gentle and effective exfoliant is filled with Essential Oils to nourish and cleanse the skin and is gentle enough to be used on all skin types including sensitive skin.
Matricaria Chamomilla (Chamomile) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Olivoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Macadamia Integrifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, Bambusa Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Extract, Stearic Acid, Avena Sativa (Oat Flour), Morinda Citrifolia (Noni Fruit) Extract, Dicaprylyl Ether, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Rosa Eglantaria (Rose Hip) Oil, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Soybean Derived Natural Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Santalum Spicatum (Sandalwood) Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Mandarin) Oil, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Ssp Bergamia (Bergamot) Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Lecithin, Potassium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Sodium Chloride (Macrobiotic Sea Salt), Beta Carotene, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Aqua (Water) & Limonene.
Strengths: No jar containers, which helps preserve the beneficial antioxidants and other light- and air-sensitive natural ingredients.
Weaknesses: Products contain an overwhelming amount of fragrance; nearly all have multiple irritating ingredients; makes unsubstantiated claims about ingredients; no reliable sunscreens; average, dated formulas that are overpriced for what you get.
Our introduction to KORA Organics began with this quote from its founder, Australian Victoria's Secret lingerie model Miranda Kerr: "All of the water used in our mists has been infused through rose quartz crystals … so that the vibration of love associated with rose quartz flows through each product."
That's one way Kerr describes the science behind how her products have been developed. It also succinctly summarizes why, from our perspective, celebrity status of any kind does not make anyone a skin-care expert. We can't think of a bigger mistake than trusting your skin to a love-infused vat of problematic formulas, at least not when it comes to dealing with concerns like acne and wrinkles.
Kerr created the KORA Organics brand with the belief that only organic ingredients are suitable for skin. The KORA line makes the unsurprising (and unsubstantiated) claims common to many natural brands, which is that "natural = good" for your skin and everything else is terrible for your skin.
Let's begin by addressing the "organic" claim. First of all, the term initially was used primarily in reference to food products, where "organic" referred only to the raw materials (i.e., the vegetable you pull out of the ground) and/or described food produced without the use of pesticides or artificially created or administered hormones—it didn't have any bearing on skin-care products. Nowadays, as we're sure you're aware, it's commonly used in marketing for cosmetics and their ingredients. BUT—and this is a big BUT—there is no legitimate, published research that demonstrates organic ingredients have any special benefit for skin. There's literally zero research—it's all about the emotional pull of the term "organic."
It's important to note that any natural ingredient must be processed to make it safe and usable as a cosmetic ingredient, and that processing modifies the ingredient significantly, leaving it about as natural as polyester!
Many natural ingredients have benefits for skin, but many natural ingredients also are irritating and skin damaging as well. The natural pleasant-scented lavender oil is a notable example, as are most citrus extracts, some of which can cause phototoxic reactions when skin is exposed to sunlight. On the other hand, some of the best ingredients in skin-care products are synthetically derived, such as retinol, salicylic acid, peptides, and others. When it comes to evaluating skin-care ingredients, the critical factor is what the published and peer-reviewed research has demonstrated to be true, especially if your goal is to take great care of your skin.
Among the key natural ingredients present in KORA Organics products, those called out most often are rosehip oil and noni juice. Kerr claims she has been applying noni juice topically for years to treat all her skin-care woes. Unfortunately, noni juice has little research demonstrating any special benefit for skin beyond an antioxidant benefit, which is found in hundreds of other plant extracts as well. Kerr claims that the noni plant contains "more than 170 vitamins and minerals alone," but that's inaccurate—the noni plant is a fairly simple mix of about 40 chemical compounds, none of which are unique.
Rosehip oil does contain high amounts of vitamin C, but only when freshly extracted—when rosehip oil is processed and added to the formula of a skin-care product, the majority of its vitamin C content is destroyed. Fortunately, even after the processing, rosehip oil remains a good emollient for dry skin, but it isn't as magical as Kerr makes it out to be. Pure, stabilized vitamin C is a far better ingredient for skin, but that's not what these products contain.
What you're left with in this line is a collection of products that are potently fragranced—the toners could actually double as perfume in a pinch. Almost every product in the line has a formula that's a blend of ordinary plant-based emollients, such as olive and jojoba oils, aloe, shea butter, and fatty acids (which is nice for dry skin but that's about it), and a mix of irritating essential oils and fragrant flower extracts. Unfortunately, all of the products are quite expensive considering what you're getting in return, which is a mostly just a headache for your skin.
If you're interested in natural products, there are far better options than the disappointing ones from KORA Organics. Check out our reviews of Alba Botanica or Yes To for comparable or superior alternatives for far less money.
For more information about KORA Organics, visit www.koraorganics.com or call +61 2 9979 5672.
The Beautypedia and Paula's Choice Research teams have one mission: To help you find the best products for your skin, whether they're from Paula's Choice or another brand. By combining efforts, we're able to share scientific research and remain committed to the highest standards based on our decades of experience objectively reviewing thousands upon thousands of skincare and makeup formularies in all price ranges.
Beautypedia cuts through the hype to bring you product insights and recommendations you won't find anywhere else!


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A green flash is a tropical phenomenon.
But, I just wanted to compile songs that I thought kids would like, and that I would like too.
But, the big push came in 1964 when the Beatles invaded America and I found myself needing a guitar.
But, the music that works and expresses inner thought the best is created from true feelings.
But, this album was well put together and the tones all sound good, the kids who helped were great, the arrangemen... (more David Janssen quotes)
David Janssen was married twice. His first marriage was to Ellie Graham and lasted from 1958 until 1970. His second marriage was to Dani Crayne and lasted from 1975 until his death from a heart attack in 1980.
David Janssen has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mr. Janssen's star is for television and is located at 7011 Hollywood Blvd.... (more David Janssen trivia)
|David Janssen: My Fugitive
by Ellie Janssen and J. D. Michael Phelps
|Harry O David Janssen - The High Cost of Living By Lee Hays (Harry O - David Janssen)
by Lee Hays
|Fear in a Desert Town : The Fugitive (starring David Janssen).
by Roger. Fuller
|[Double Feature DVD] David Janssen in Moon of the Wolf & Prisoner in the Middle (a.k.a. War Head) from Movie Classics


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Sunday, 26 February 2012
observer ONLINE
by Shanika SRIYANANDA
The rehabilitation authorities hope to implement a comprehensive post
monitoring system to help former ex-LTTE cadres who were reintegrated
into the mainstream society, newly appointed Commissioner General of
Rehabilitation Brig. Dharshana Hettiarachchi said.
He told the Sunday Observer that there were only 931 ex-LTTE cadres
still undergoing rehabilitation and they would be reunited with their
families before the end of this year. "Under the new system the
authorities will not only look into their activities but also into their
problems. We have reports in some areas that their own people are still
reluctant to welcome them into society", he said.
According to Brig Hettiarachchi, the authority plans to conduct
several awareness programs to educate the public to have a good rapport
with them.
"We are confident that they are fully rehabilitated and we want their
own people to recognise them as normal civilians as most of them became
terrorists unwillingly, he said.
He said the rehabilitated cadres who were released were given
vocational training and the Rehabilitation Authority would explore the
possibility of providing them financial assistance to launch
self-employment projects.
"We would ensure that they are safe in society. As they are now on
the correct path we want to give them support to stand on their own", he
Brig. Hettiarachchi was the GOC of the 22 Division in Trincomalee.
According to the Rehabilitation Ministry, of the 11,700 ex-LTTE
cadres who had surrendered, 10,375 have been reunited with their
families after the completion of the rehabilitation process. Over Rs.750
million has been allocated for rehabilitation this year.
They have been given training in masonary skills, handicrafts and
paintings as well as vocational, language and communication training to
improve their skills and educational knowledge.This year 78
rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres were reintegrated into society.
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Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2012 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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Less than a fortnight after the ratification of the peace of Munich by the Parliaments of France andBritain every nation in the world is building armaments or planning to build armaments on an unprecedented scale.
October 18, 1938
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Lately, I've noticed a little tension between folks born in the 80s and kids born in the 90s. Yes, kids. 90s babies don't get NO respect. It's not quite hostility or jealousy, but it's more like an older brother teasing his younger sister. I've also noticed the bewilderment of 90s babies who can't seem to understand where it comes from. They look around like, "Well what did I do to y'all?" Simmer simmer pots & pans. I'm here for y'all. Since no one else is gonna tell you, I will.
6. TV Shows. The 90s gave us the best tv shows. You might have glanced at 'em, but you were just a young tadpole so you weren't enjoying them like we were. While kids born in the 90s were hooked on Barney, we were watching In Living Color, Martin, Hey Arnold, All That!, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, The Magic School Bus, Clarissa Explains it all, Boy Meets World and the list goes on. You didn't get to experience ABC's "1 Saturday Mornings" lineup of the best cartoons and tv shows. All these kids have to watch today is reality shows and scripted shows with terrible writers. We feel sorry for you.
5. How You "Play." 80s babies are the last generation to play outside. Don't debate me on that. I couldn't wait to come home from school, change my clothes and play outside with my friends. I rarely see that now. 90s babies don't know what it's like to play outside and ride bicycles for fun because they're inside playing videogames and texting while sitting right next to each other. They don't nothin about Hop Scotch, Red light, green light, Double Dutch, hide and seek or a Gameboy. They didn't have a Tamagotchi or beanie babies. That's just tough.
4. Fashion. 90s babies don't know nothin about LA Gears, Keds, clear jelly sandals and Bill Cosby sweaters. You don't know nothin about rockin FUBU, throwback jerzees, Gumby haircuts and Tommy Hilfiger overalls. I lived for Lisa Frank! They're all too busy rockin colored skinny jeans and denim jackets.
3. Sports. They missed watching Michael Jordan play with the Chicago Bulls. That right there is a travesty in an of itself. Mattafack, after you finish reading this just go watch Youtube videos of his championship games.
2. Movies. 80s babies got to enjoy Forrest Gump. The Lion King. Toy Story. Jurassic Park. Home Alone. White Men Can't Jump. Candyman. Say what you want about Candyman, but it had me spooked and til this day I won't look in a mirror and say his name. Have you seen any of those movies? Go to your nearest Redbox and rent 'em. Why do you think a lot of the movies released today are remakes? Hollywood still wants to cater to us.
1. Taste in Music. 90s babies don't appreciate music the way other generations do. 80s babies are old enough to appreciate the sounds of Frankie Beverly and Maze while 90s babies think Candy Rain is an old school song. They missed out on the N'Sync & Backstreet Boys era, The Spice Girls, MC Hammer, Will Smith (yes, we let him be great) and The Fugees. 90s babies got Chief Keef and Lil Mouse as the voices of their generation. Yesterday was the 16th anniversary of Tupac's murder. Some of 'em weren't even born when he was killed! Yea, go ahead and feel old.
This is by no means bashing 90s babies. I have siblings born in the 90s and they're alright with me. I love y'all. Doesn't mean 80s babies don't look at you and feel sorry for you. It's not that we don't think you had a great up-bringing it's that we can tell you missed out on a few things. Just like we had to endure, so shall you. We just want you to pay homage to your elders. 80s babies are your elders. Fret not as 2000s babies get older, your time for saying "kids these days" is coming. Just be patient grasshoppers.
So now it's your turn. What do you think 90s babies missed out on? What do you think they have that older generation were lacking?


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Nike's original basketball shoe the Blazer has returned in a simple form with the release of these three black colorways. The spectrum of colors ranges from pure black to slightly more liberal black/white and finally rounding off with black/blue joint, albeit still very much wearable on a day to day basis with anything. Check your local Nike dealer for availability.
Source: Atmos


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'Gone Girl' Movie's 'New' Ending Is Not So New After AllThe "Gone Girl" movie ending isn't so different from the book after all, reports the New York Times.
Inside 'Game Of Thrones': Big Budgets, Big Ratings and Big MoneyTake a look at the business of "Game of Thrones," from the big budgets to the Twitter ratings.
'Outlander' Actress To Be Recast? Author Diana Gabaldon Sounds OffDiana Gabaldon answered fan questions on Facebook about the television adaptation of "Outlander" on Starz.
Directioners Slam Harry Styles Fan Fiction Author Anna ToddOne Direction fans are fighting back against the release of Anna Todd's Harry Styles fan fiction book "After."
Fifty Shades of Grey Launches Fictional Grey Enterprises Internship Program"Fifty Shades" can promote the film through a social media campaign that allows people to become "interns" at the fictional Grey Enterprises
George W. Bush's Biography Of His Father Out In NovemberThe currently untitled biography will reportedly cover the life and career of the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush.
'The Man In The High Castle' Finally Got The Amazon Green LightYour favorite science fiction novel, "The Man in the Hight Castle," is about to be turned into an Amazon-streamed television series.
'Fifty Shades Of Grey' Movie Bedroom Scenes Not 'Watered Down'"Fifty Shades of Grey" author E.L. James discussed the film adaptation of her best-selling novel with the 'Today' show Friday.
JK Rowling's Cormoran Strike Novels: More Books, Less MagicOnly two books into the series, J.K. Rowling has already planned for Cormoran Strike to get more books than Harry Potter.
Amazon's 'Netflix For Books' Will Compete With Scribd, OysterAmazon is planning a "Netflix for books" service. Will it be free for Prime members?
'Archie' Ban In Singapore Revives Larger Anti-LGBT IssueIn one of the world's richest, most modern countries, gay sex is still a criminal offense.
Singapore Removes Gay-Themed Children's Books From Public LibrariesSingapore's National Library Board says all three of the titles go against the country's family values.
'Game Of Thrones' Between Seasons: No Need To HibernateFans can enjoy a treasury of TV shows, movies, games and books as they wait for the return of "Game of Thrones."
Amazon Hits Hachette Where It HurtsIn what critics are seeing as a strategic PR move, Amazon tried to give Hachette authors an offer they couldn't refuse.
Daniel Radcliffe Says 'No' To 'Harry Potter' Movie RebootDaniel Radcliffe shares his reluctance to star in a "Harry Potter" reboot following the release of J.K. Rowling's new epilogue.
Long Lines In Harry Potter World Are 'Riddikulus'Trying to ride 'Escape from Gringotts'? Good luck. The main attraction in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter needs a new spell.
Children's Book Author Walter Dean Myers Dies At 76The prolific and beloved author won many honors.
Clinton's 'Hard Choices' Won't Make Chinese MarketAs sales of her memoir dropped, Clinton's criticism of the Chinese government seems to be shutting her out of a huge market.
Will Lady Stoneheart Appear In 'Game Of Thrones' Season 5?"Game of Thrones" and "24" actress Michelle Fairley reveals the fate of Lady Stoneheart.
Abby Lee Miller To Release Parenting Advice Book"Dance Moms" star Abby Lee Miller's new parental advice book will hit shelves in July.


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CCTV images last clue to Jill Meagher's disappearance
CCTV images show missing ABC employee Jill Meagher talking to a man as she was walking home, minutes before her suspicious disappearance. Melbourne police say the footage shows the 29-year-old woman walking outside a bridal dress shop in Sydney Rd, Brunswick, about 1.40am local time on Saturday. It shows a man in a blue top walking back and forth on Sydney Rd. He then starts talking to Meagher outside the bridal store at 1.42am to 1.43am. He then walks off ahead of her and she waits behind for a moment, then continues walking. The images are the last known sighting of the woman before she vanished. Her disappearance has triggered a homicide investigation amid fears she has met with foul play.


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SailNet Community (http://www.sailnet.com/forums/)
- Pacific Seacraft (http://www.sailnet.com/forums/pacific-seacraft/)
- - Access to behind the engine of a PSC37 (http://www.sailnet.com/forums/pacific-seacraft/57816-access-behind-engine-psc37.html)
Access to behind the engine of a PSC37
I have not gathered up the courage to squeeze in behind the engine of my 37. I am 6'1 and 200lb, and hate enclosed spaces. Is this a good idea?
For an alternative, I am thinking it would be great to (get someone small to) change the fasteners on the removable cockpit sole to be undo-able from the top - maybe with allen key screws going into captive nuts.
Anyone have any ideas or comments?
Liberty, PSC 37
Dear John, I'll be VERY interested to see the replies to your question.
I'm 6'-0" and 180lbs with no particular feelings about enclosed spaces. I am, however, a lot less flexible than I used to be. I had to spend quite a bit of quality time down there this spring and hated every moment of it.
Plus, if you want to check the temperature, for example, of the transmission or the stuffing box, you have to first empty the entire (cavernous) locker, get the access door off, and get down in there. I think better access would be wonderful but with the wheel am not sure how to go about it. What do others do?
PSC 37 # 171, Kenlanu
Well guys, I spent 6+ hours down there on Friday/Saturday morning, removing and replacing the gearbox. I'm 6'0", 215# - fat bugger - I hate enclosed spaces and I'm none too flexible. It's really not that bad though. If you open up the front of the engine, it's quite airy - provided the engine is cold. When it's hot it's an absolute bear.
I've looked at access through the cockpit floor - but it seems far too complex in view of the wheel etc...
I have 2 lights in the engine bay - I don't know if they are standard or added by the previous owner. They are VERY helpful - might even add another. I hardly need a flashlight. Getting in is not too bad with practice.
Mind your head on any of the long bolts used to fix my cockpit floor in place - I have plenty of scars from them!
Good luck!
s/v Toodle-oo!
Access door in quarterberth
I have an removeable door in the quarterberth that allows me access to the stuffing box, rear of the engine and transmission. I'd say it is 12 inches by 12 inches. I can use an infrared thermometer on the stuffing box to test temperatures as well as use wrenches to make adjustments, and have also removed the heat exchanger for cleaning through that door. It is very handy for changing the heat exchanger zinc as well as rusted stainless steel hose clamps. I have been running with the door open in order to supply fresh air to the Universal, rather than leaving everything buttoned up tight.
Dear Kailani, This is very helpful. When you get a chance can you measure how far aft the opening is, its exact size, & etc. Also would a larger or smaller opening be better in terms of getting two wrenches on the suffing box, canging zincs in the heat exchanger, and all the other fun jobs back there?
MANY thanks, Jay
PSC 37 # 171, Kenlanu (which translates as "a nest for us," not "a small stuffy tomb for us!")
Lesson learned: Any tool or loose part can/will fall into the engine room bilge where it will be very difficult to retrieve, but those are not as much problem as an AC utility light getting wet - be careful. Verify your wiring insulation is in good condition (while it is un-energized). Suggest you have all of your necessary tools/parts secured but accessible below - it's a royal hassle to crawl out for them later. Am 6'3.5" 235#, recently folded up to fit inside my 37's engine compartment, but even with long arms could barely maintain zinc much less perform more complicated work on engine; though quadrant, water heater, and other "aft" components were more accessible. Quarterberth hatch idea unclear - fresh water tank located there; or is the hatch more forward beside the drawers next to battery compartment?
It's those extra 3.5"!
Interesting idea on the side hatch (our hot water tank is on the starboard side - so not an issue) I wonder if the boat is noisier as a result - or was insulation used on the hatch? (My problem would be getting to the hatch - I store everything in the quarterberth!)
As to loosing things in the bilge - tricky indeed. It was great when I changed out the gearbox this past weekend - I recovered all sorts of bits and bobs that must have been there for years!
There is a good spot for the tools when under the cockpit - I put them on the shelf in my main cockpit locker - I can't quite see them from the engine, but they are convenient to access and feel out by hand. I basically bring the entire toolkit and lay it there - because getting in and out of the engine room is such a pain.
(My lights in the engine room are DC...)
lights and a wet bilge
The mechanic at my boatyard raved about his DeWalt 4.4 Volt / 12 Volt Fluorescent Area Light. It obviously gets rid of the "wet light" problem but he especially liked the lack of shadows which always seem to fall just where you don't want them....
Unfortunately they cost about $35.00 PLUS $60.00 for the battery! I think I'll stick with the drop lights and try hard not to drop too many into the bilge!
Opening in quarterberth size
I went out to Podjo this afternoon after work and got some measurements. The opening is 15.5 inches wide and 9.5 inches tall. It starts 16 inches from the entrance bulkhead and ends 33 inches from the back of the quarterberth. The top of the opening is 16.75 inches down from the headliner and 1.5 inches up from the plywood bunk. If you can make the opening a few inches wider, that would help.
Although the access hole is convenient for quick looks and fixes, I sill prefer to jump into the cockpit locker for better access and control with tools. I have spend days in there pulling the coupling off of the drive shaft and cutting the shaft by a half an inch to making enough clearance for a max-prop. I think a couple of yoga classes prior to working on the drive train would make it seem easier....lol.
I can take some pictures if you need them. Let me know.
SV Podjo
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Speakers Sought for Women in Solar Forum at SOLAR 2013
The "Women in Solar Forum" at the American Solar Energy Society's (ASES') annual conference, SOLAR 2013, April 16-20 in Baltimore, is looking for dynamic speakers across the spectrum of solar businesses and technologies, especially from the Maryland/D.C. area.
Forum chair Marlene Brown, of Sandia National Laboratory, said, "I created this forum to promote women who are working in all aspects of solar to encourage other women to get involved. The purpose of the forum is to inspire women to become more technically involved in solar, not just peripheral to it. It's easy for us to talk about what we do, but this isn't a forum to just talk about what we do for work but about how we got where we are and the obstacles and barriers that we've come up against and broke through or just moved out of the way to continue on our path. I'm looking for women in different aspects of solar. Examples are electricians, teachers, women in government, business owners and others."
The forum is scheduled for Thursday, April 18, just before the Women in Solar Luncheon. Contact Brown at firstname.lastname@example.com


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strange - that phot of Marisha bears an uncanny resemb lence to both you and Patsy when you first glance at it! Take care, hinny x
C'est la vie
Trip Start Jul 19, 2009
160Trip End Oct 25, 2010
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If the French Meteo's forecast was anything to go by, more bleak days were to be expected and I thought we might as well spend them in the car. Travel south, see what happens, maybe as far as my dear brother, who lives a good 4,5 hours from us, at Durban des Corbi�res.
We took off around noon next day, and I suppose I had my heart set on romantic, hidden-away restaurants and chambres d' h�tes, set amongst beautiful scenery.
It didn't quite turn out like that.
To begin with, the country's main meal, le d�jeuner, is served strictly between 12 and 2pm. This did not coincide with our appetites - a late breakfast, and wanting to make some distance first.
Never mind, we would skip lunch, enjoy the ride and take Gait and his wife Marisha, out for dinner, should we arrive there today.
At some point we unexpectedly found ourselves close to the famous Millau bridge. It connects two mountains of the Massif Central, crossing the river Tarn, it's the highest road bridge in the world, 300 meters, 984 feet. An impressive construction, a work of art, designed by the British Lord Foster.
We decided to make the extra miles and not miss the opportunity to cross it.
The view from the bridge, which is spectacular, seemed stroboscopic when speeding past the railing, too high to look over, and you realise you should have paid more attention when approaching
However, just as that thought hit me, the sun decided to break though and for a moment it felt like I was gliding down from the heavens.
Some god of architecture must have been smiling then.
It was late in the afternoon, a culinary no-man's land in France; no self-respecting restaurant will have it's doors open at such a time.
But we were getting hungry and I needed to pee, and for all my visions of delicious food enjoyed in charming restaurants, the familiar sign of Mc Donald's brought water to my mouth.
Talk about paradox.
We moved on, if we wanted to reach Durban in time, we had to start focusing.
Take the highway now and find a nice B&B, not too far from my brother.
Only there is no such thing along the fast roads. Passing the big cities and towns now we saw clusters of F1's, Etaphotels, Novotels - surely we could do better than that.
Montpellier, B�ziers, and finally Narbonne, almost there now. We leave the auto route and drive a little land inwards, having spotted a promising little village.
Passing a large motel, in the middle of an industrial site, enveloped by countless trucks of all shapes and sizes, I gasp at it's ugliness. A wide porch in front, lit up harshly, gravel and dirt - I could sooner imagine it a sleazy American road movie
But just around the corner, I cry: 'Stop the car!' I must be dreaming. This is it. Paradise.
Two lovely, old, stone buildings, one a little taller than the other, leaning into each other, cosy and welcoming.
An inn, a restaurant? I can just make out the curly, girly, pink neon letters:
'Folies Berg�re' and 'Moulin Rouge.'
A truckers paradise, I guess. Ja, it figures.
To cut a long story short, the village was deserted, we made a quick detour and were extremely grateful to receive the key to the last available room of the chauffeurs motel.
The bartender asked would we be staying for supper and I was tempted to say 'Yes,' not for the food, a stale buffet laid out in a dark and dingy hall, but I was totally fascinated by the men there, not a woman in sight, who stood staring insolently.
The broody atmosphere, the unfamiliar going-ons, a world I had never seen before. I wanted to take it all in
We had to go. Almost 8 pm now and my brother and his wife are notorious for their early nights.
Though it would spoil the surprise, I think it best to call and say we are almost there, catch them before dinner.
After what seems a long time, I get the answering machine. Swallowing my disappointment, I joke: 'Howabout a drink or two?' realising they are probably with their son Joost and his girlfriend, who just moved there from Holland.
My mobile rings, which is strange as no-one knows the number, not even myself.
It's my disgruntled brother, sleepy: 'What do you mean, have a drink.....you woke us up.'
So much for love.
After driving down for 8 hours, hungry and thirsty and longing to see him, this is what you get.
Of course, once they got over the surprise, or, rather, the shock, we had a wonderful time; talking, drinking, so good to see him again, and Marisha too.
Tired, but happy, we drove back to that shoddy hotel, looking back on the day, still hungry though Gait had fried some little loempias, now sitting uncomfortably on half a banana, a handful of salted nuts and a Chrunchie
Tomorrow we'll have breakfast with them, and be on our way. We wouldn't go hungry; last night Marisha let us take a peep in her oven where a sanglier, a wild boar, was slowly roasting for the next day.
Their lunch, our breakfast - our times are not that well synchronized.
I must try and remember that next time :)
Come to think of it, nothing was. And nothing turned out the way I had imagined.
Good or bad?
Interesting, to say the least, and, what was it you said Gait?
'C'est la vie.'
(love, Kate xxx)


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Dec 22, 2013 - From staff reportsA Fremont County rivalry was renewed in November, and students from Wind River High School edged students from Shoshoni High School in the first Battle of the Belts seat belt competition.
The seat belt champions were crowned during a school assembly Dec. 11 in Pavillion.
Student and faculty drivers were surveyed for seat belt usage in early November as they entered school parking lots in their vehicles. Of 100 vehicles observed at each school, 55 percent of Shoshoni High School students were wearing their seat belts, while 65 percent of Wind River High School students were buckled up while driving. Seat belt compliance numbers were even lower for school staff members at the two schools.
Following November school assemblies, Shoshoni students increased their seat belt usage to 73 percent and Wind River students increased their seat belt usage to 89 percent.
"Female students were more likely to buckle their seat belts at each school," said Tom Cunningham, safety education coordinator for Injury Prevention Resources in Riverton. "At Shoshoni, 54 percent of staff members wore their seat belts, and at Wind River, staff members buckled up at a rate of 96 percent.
"There's still room for improvement at both schools," Cunningham said. "We are trying to remind young drivers, and all other drivers too, that buckling your seat belt is the single most important thing you can do to save your life while driving."
The Battle of the Belts competition was sponsored by Injury Prevention Resources, Fremont County Sheriff's Office, Wyoming Highway Patrol, and Wyoming Department of Transportation.
Get your copy of The Ranger online, every day! If you are a current print subscriber and want to also access dailyranger.com online (there is nothing more to purchase) including being able to download The Mining and Energy Edition, click here. Looking to start a new online subscription to dailyranger.com (even if it is for just one day)? Access our secure SSL encrypted server and start your subscription now by clicking here.


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Dr Jackie Blue says it is unacceptable that only 33 per cent of our MPs are women.
The outgoing National Party list MP delivered her valedictory speech today, as she prepares to become the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner, and said she would like to see more women in Parliament and more diversity.
Her achievements while in Parliament include the breast cancer drug Herceptin becoming a Pharmac-listed drug.
"Mr Speaker when I completed my medical degree back in the early `80s, neither I nor anyone around me would have predicted I would have ended up in politics and then move on to be the Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission; but life is full of twists and turns, but most of all opportunities.''
She said the opportunity to get involved with the National Party came in 2001, while advocating for breast physicians.
Since becoming New Zealand's first breast physician, Dr Blue was heavily involved with lobbying for full funding for the breast cancer drug Herceptin.
While National was in opposition she accepted several petitions calling for full funding of the life-saving drug.
When the National Government came into power in 2008 it became fully-funded.
Previously women had been required to pay (up to) $120,000 for the treatment.
It was regrettable that the number of breast physicians had not grown in New Zealand, Dr Blue said.
"Twelve months is considered to be the international standard. For Pharmac to continue to support financially a trial that offers a nine-week Herceptin course is in my opinion dubious and possibly unethical.''
Dr Blue said the opportunity to chair three cross-party groups had been life changing for her.
"It has been the work of these committees that has left me utterly convinced that society must back its women and girls.''
"No society can achieve its full potential when part of the population is denied the opportunity to achieve theirs,'' she said.
"If our Parliament perfectly represented our diverse society we would have eight Pacific MPs, we have five; three Indian MPs, we have two; eight Asian MPs, we have three; one Middle Eastern, Latin American or African MP, we have none, 18 Maori MPs - we have 22.
"And of course, Mr Speaker, we would have 50 per cent women MPs - we only have 33 per cent. This is unacceptable in the 21st Century.
"We can, and we must, do better.''
Dr Blue thanked Justice Minister Judith Collins for giving her support in going public with her own story of domestic violence.
In 2011 Dr Blue told her story to New Idea.
In the article, Dr Blue recalled unpredictable violent episodes in a relationship 28 years ago, including times when her then-partner would punch and kick her and try to smother her with a pillow.
She put a stop to the violence after two years, calling the police when she was punched in the face several times because her partner was angry about the attention she was getting from friends at a barbecue.
Now 57, and married with two adult daughters, Dr Blue told her story to raise awareness for the Shine helpline, a confidential service for abuse victims.
MPs from across the House hugged her after her speech.


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MA in Finance and Investment (Retail Banking and Money Markets)
- April, July & October
- Minimum: 18 months
- Maximum: 3 years
- £7,500
- For information about our instalment plans or applying for a partial bursary please fill in the enquiry form on the right
This online postgraduate degree develops your expertise in the field of Retail Banking and Money Markets – specifically its functions and importance in local as well as foreign markets. Graduates will be equipped with hands-on experience in assessing the profit margins of banks, value money and foreign exchange markets, as well as effective risk management techniques. Developed In partnership with the London School of Business and Finance, the course allows you to study at your own pace from any location.
You will learn through innovative teaching methodologies which focus on practical knowledge via real-life case studies, comprehensive study materials and a stimulating classroom environment. You will explore core finance and investment concepts and gain expertise in money and foreign exchange markets, evaluate difficulties and risks faced by banking institutions, as well as develop skills to identify critical issues in management of risk in financial organisations.
Among other things, you will develop competencies such as:
- Skills to evaluate different types of banks (considering the commercial and global nature of banking activities)
- Knowledge of different types of risk, as well as means of managing them
- The ability to use analytical tools in the preparation of business and international financial statements
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Take the next major step in your finance career with InterActive and the London School of Business and Finance.
The next intake for this programme is April 2016. You can compete your studies in a minimum of 18 months. The programme will start with core and elective/specialist modules, followed by the Integrative Research and Consultancy Project and the dissertation as a final assignment. Throughout your studies, you will be supported with comprehensive study materials and online tools made available through your InterActive account. After successful completion of the programme you will be awarded with an MA in Finance and Investment degree.
To qualify for the programme, please make sure you satisfy all entry requirements and submit all necessary documentation.
Once enrolled, you will gain access to your personal InterActive account, as well as multiple study materials and online tools. Each module is taught through:
- Various case studies contained in HD-quality video lectures with lecture notes
- Quick tests for reviewing your knowledge on key concepts and theories
- Revision kits on key concepts
- Self-assessed mock assignments providing tips on how to approach specific types of assessment questions
- Live chat sessions with your tutor
- Online libraries containing useful research resources
The programme is divided into two parts – core and elective/specialist modules, as well as the Integrative Research and Consultancy Project. There are 3 core modules and you will begin by studying one at a time. After completion of the core subjects you will progress onto 3 elective/specialist modules. Successful completion of the first part will allow you to start work on the Integrative Research and Consultancy Project. You will have 20 weeks to complete this module, including a dissertation and number of formative assignments. A senior member of the academic staff will supervise and guide you through the project.
After successful completion of the programme you will be presented an MA in Finance and Investment degree validated the International Telematic University Uninettuno.
Please note: unless otherwise specified, certain course materials such as books are not included within the fee. Before registering, please review the description and contact us with any further questions.
Gain the essential skills and practical experience to evaluate and prepare financial statements, maximise company value while reducing risk, and manage businesses. You will also gain in-depth knowledge in specific fields through the specialisation modules, such as Money and Foreign Exchange Markets, International Retail Banking or Financial Risk Management.
The programme consists of 3 core and 3 specialist modules, and you can study up to 2 modules at once. Your studies will conclude with the Integrative Research and Consultancy Project module. Please click below for specific information on each module.
Learning outcomes
You will be able to:
- Identify rules and principles in the international accounting standards and financial regulations
- Understand the core values in business that lead to a competitive advantage
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge in the sphere of business and financial analysis with a view to corporate evaluation
- Critically assess businesses and accounting data and financial information available to make investment decisions
- Discuss the link between current theory and common practice, and be able to organise appropriate evidence and reasoning to produce balanced analysis
- Demonstrate problem solving and analytical approaches to provide effective business and financial decision-making
Topics covered
- Business Analysis I: Internal Analysis ;Value Chain, Audit and Competitive Advantage
- Business Analysis II: External Analysis; PESTLE, SWOT and Five Forces
- Business Analysis III: Competitive Strategy; Generic Strategies and SPACE Model, Stakeholder Analysis and Choices
- The Basic Financial Statements I: The Balance Sheet
- The Basic Financial Statements II: The Income Statement
- The Basic Financial Statements III: The Statement of Cash Flows
- The Basic Financial Statements IV: A Closer Look at Profits.
- The Applications and Limitations of EBITDA.
- The Reliability of Disclosure and Audits
- Forecasts and Security Analysis: Forecasting Financial Statements.
- Financial Statement Analysis for Credit
- Financial Statement Analysis for Equity
Learning outcomes
You will be able to:
- Design and apply quantitative tools in financial markets
- Critically evaluate the changes that might occur if certain assumptions in the models used are changed
- Compute basic valuation analysis for financial markets instruments
- Evaluation of the inputs variables and their outputs in the use of quantitative tools in financial markets
- Combine and evaluate findings and present same in a professional manner to a varied audience
Topics covered
- An Overview of the five main financial markets (Equity, Fixed income, Derivatives, Money Markets, and Alternative Investments)
- The Time Value of Money and its application in the financial markets
- Discounted Cash Flow Applications and their application in the financial markets
- Statistical Concepts and Market Returns and their application in the financial markets
- Probability Concepts and their application in the financial markets
- Common Probability Distributions and their applications in the financial markets
- Sampling and Estimation and its application in the financial markets
- Hypothesis Testing and its application in the financial markets
- Correlation and Regression and its application in the financial markets
- Multiple Regression and Issues in Regression Analysis and their application and management in the context of the financial markets
- Time-Series Analysis and its application to the financial markets
- Portfolio Concepts and their application to the financial markets
Learning outcomes
You will be able to:
- Summarise key principles and tools for financial decision-making
- Compare various investment decision rules and apply the process of capital budgeting
- Analyse the concept of corporate capital structure and compute cost of capital
- Determine and critically evaluate the economic benefit of various types of financing
- Explain the concept of risk management and analyse the role of derivative instruments in mitigating risks
Topics covered
- Corporate Governance and its impact on firm value
- Capital Structure: The MM and other relevant theories
- Measures of Leverage: Internal and External
- Dividends and Share Repurchases Basics
- Dividends and Share Repurchases: Analysis
- Working Capital Management: Different approaches
- Introduction to Portfolio Theory
- Sources and Cost of Capital I:
- Sources and Cost of Capital II:
- Capital Budgeting I: Traditional Methods and Discounted Cash flow I
- Capital Budgeting II: Discounted Cash flow approaches II
- Capital Budgeting III: Advanced Approaches
Learning outcomes
You will be able to:
- Identify and value foreign exchange market instruments
- Design strategies to hedge risk using instruments identified in money and exchange markets
- Identify clients or financing needs and recommend the right money market instruments for the clients or principals
- Critically evaluate strategies designed around money and foreign exchange market instruments
- Write reports on an advisory basis recommending the most appropriate strategy designed around foreign exchange and money market instruments
Topics covered
- Money Markets I: An Overview of the Money Markets
- Money Markets II: Systemic Risks, Moral Hazards, Treasury Bills and Discounting Treasury Bills
- Money Markets III: US Commercial Paper and Credit Risk on USCP, Bankers' Acceptances and The Eurocurrency Markets
- Money Markets IV: Eurocurrency Loans and Deposits, Eurocurrency Interest and Day-Count and Eurocurrency Certificates of Deposit.
- Money Markets V: CD Yield-to-Maturity, Euro-Commercial Paper
- Money Markets VI: Repos and Reverses, Other Features of Repos and Repo: Case Study.
- The Foreign Exchange Market I: Market Overview and Market Structure
- The Foreign Exchange Market II: Sterling and Euro Quotations and Factors Affecting Spot FX Rates
- The Foreign Exchange Market III: FX Dealers and Brokers and Spot Foreign Exchange Deals.
- The Foreign Exchange Market IV: Spot FX Trading, Spot Position Keeping and FX Risk Control
- The Foreign Exchange Market V: Cross-Currency Rates, Outright Forward FX Rates and Outright Forward FX Hedge: Case Study.
- The Foreign Exchange Market VI: Forward FX Formula, FX or Forward Swaps and FX Swap Two-Way Quotations
Learning outcomes
You will be able to:
- Describe and critically analyse the management challenges facing banking institutions
- Evaluate the profitability and performance of banks during the lending cycle
- Critically evaluate the efficiency of asset-liability techniques and hedging against risks
- Assess the main issues and challenges facing banking groups in the management of their liquidity and capital requirements
- Produce logical arguments that clearly explain and analyse key strategic decisions in the context of changing regulation
Topics covered
- The financial system and the function of banks I: Economics of money, banking and financial markets
- The financial system and the function of banks II: Organization and structure of banking and financial services industry
- Regulation of the banking industry I: The impact of government policy and regulation on banking and financial services industry
- Regulation of the banking industry II: The impact of Basel 2 and 3 agreements in terms of capital requirements
- Basic Bank Business Model I: The Different Businesses with the Retail Banking
- Basic Bank Business Model II: Performance Measurement
- Financial analysis of banking institution I: Financial statements of banks and their closest competitors
- Financial analysis of banking institution II:Measuring the performance of banks and managing their liquidity positions
- Corporate and marketing strategies in banking I: Management of deposit and non-deposit liability - Sources of fee income
- Corporate and marketing strategies in banking II: Consumer loans, credit cards and real estate lending - Lending to business firms and pricing business loans
- Managing banks in a global market place I.M&A in financial services management
- Managing banks in a global market place II: International banking and the future of financial services industry
Learning outcomes
You will be able to:
- Describe and analyse the inherent challenges and risks facing banking institutions
- Critically evaluate the pricing, profitability and credit risks taken during the lending cycle
- Evaluate the nature of market and operational risk
- Explain and compare the challenges facing banking groups in the management of assets and liabilities
- Clearly and concisely explain, analyse and evaluate, using logical arguments, the key strategic issues in management of risk in financial institutions
Topics covered
- Interest Rate Risk Exposure I: Interest Risk Measurement
- Interest Rate Risk Exposure II: Funds, Hedge Funds, Financial Institutions and how they manage individual interest rate risk and portfolio approach
- Market Risk I: Typologies of Market Risk
- Market Risk II: Market Risk Measurement and Management
- Credit Risk I: Retail Banking and Credit Risk Management
- Credit Risk II: Corporate and Wholesale market approach to credit risk management
- Operation Risk `Management I: Basel approach to Operational Risk Management
- Operational Risk Management II: Different assessment methodologies
- Liquidity risk and asset-liability management I: Traditional measurement approach
- Liquidity risk and asset-liability management II: New Basel requirements
- Basel: Basel II: A Closer Examination
- Basel: Basel III: the different approach?
Learning outcomes
At the end of the module you should be able to:
- Formulate a research proposal and design this into a workable research plan
- Design and manage a business critical independent applied research in their chosen discipline and present their findings, to a professionally acceptable standards
- Critically evaluate and analyse their findings, reporting on their conclusions in clear and acceptable standard in the form of an engagement report
- Synthesize theory in a practical context to evidence knowledge, understanding and transferrable skills with regards to the taught components of their studies
Topics covered
- The nature of business and management research/consultancy
- Formulating and clarifying the research/consultancy topic
- The practice of management consulting
- Negotiating a scope of work; developing a research proposal
- Consulting as a profession; business research methods and practice;
- Formulating the research design and negotiating access and research ethics
- Understanding research philosophies and approaches
- Critically reviewing the literature
- Applicable models for consulting and research
- Selecting samples and using secondary data
- Collecting primary data through observation
- Collecting primary data using semi-structured, in-depth and group interviews
- Collecting primary data using questionnaires
- Analysing quantitative data and qualitative data
- Writing and presenting your project report
Please note: you can only graduate with one award (the highest level achieved), and it will only be issued once you have formally completed your studies.


text:
ProPublica, the not-for-profit investigative journalism initiative, is up and running. Its editor-in-chief, Paul Steiger, and managing editor, Steve Engelberg, yesterday wrote a welcome to the starting line:
Today we take our first concrete step in building an investigative publishing platform that will produce original stories focusing on betrayal of the public trust and abuse of power. Our goal is to do stories that would otherwise escape notice and to follow up on work done by others that demands change or is being overlooked.
This is the beginning of what we see as an experiment and we invite your comments and suggestions on stories, or on how we can make our organisation more useful to readers.
We have nearly completed our hiring (more than 20 out of perhaps 27 news staff) and reporters are at work on some promising avenues of inquiry. You will see those results in the months ahead.
In the meantime, we offer what we hope will be a thorough, thought-provoking look at investigative stories that are breaking elsewhere.
They go on to explain that they will aggregate all the US-based English-language investigative journalism they can find. "In some cases, we'll analyse, comment and follow up on these stories."
They are also starting a feature called Scandal Watch that will track the top five investigations (other than their own) at any given moment, selected by their editors and ranked by intensity of coverage. They promise that their website will soon feature their own investigations, adding that they see all that they do "as a conversation."
It was in October last year that the project was announced. ProPublica is the brainchild of Herbert and Marion Sandler, who were formerly chief executives of the savings and loans corporation, Golden West Financial, who have committed $10m a year to the project.
One early champion is Craig Newmark, the man whose free advertising website, Craigslist, has helped to wreck the business models of newspapers. He writes: "These guys might represent the future of investigative reporting." He likes the "scandal watch" idea because "frequently, big reports of corruption appear in the news one day, then disappear the next."
I'd like to see a similar initiative in Britain. Anyone willing to spend £5m a year backing it?


text:
I have a different slant on the Palin speech.

It was all about "oil"

You really believe drilling for oil and gas pipelines in Alaska will solve all the US problems...

Reality check....Palin's husband is a British Petroleum guy.

As for the speech...it was scripted before she was chosen and there were changes made to suit her background.

Anyhow...speeches are fine but, pretty meaningless since they are all scripted and rehearsed and vetted. I say this about all Democrat and republican speeches.


text:
BlackBerry Navigator has been updated in the Beta Zone, and now includes support for a few OS6 devices and all OS7 devices. BlackBerry Navigator has been updated to include a few more countries as well including Canada, United States, Puerto Rico, Germany, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
BlackBerry Navigator Beta Updated and Expanded to OS6 Devices and More Countries!
March 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
[Updated With Workaround] BlackBerry Navigator Working on a AT&T Torch 9810
January 4, 2013 by 2 Comments
**Update** – So the work around method we spoke of has been proven to work on multiple devices. All you have to do is go into your Beta Zone profile and change your address to a valid UK address. This method has proven to work on GSM devices from multiple countries around the world. Now […]


text:
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text:
A child challenged to change the world comes up with a plan. He will do three important favors for people who need them. Then, instead of allowing them to pay it back, he will ask each of them to "pay it forward," doing three favors for other people, and asking them to do the same. One character describes it as a "Mother Theresa conga line." The principle is the same as multi-level-marketing, except that instead of soap or vitamins, it's "generosity between strangers" that is being passed on exponentially.
Trevor has every reason to believe that life is harsh and painful. His parents are alcoholics and his father is either absent or abusive. He walks into school every day through a metal detector. Outside his classroom window is an endless expanse of desert. And his mother works two jobs in a city filled with despair, Las Vegas.
But Eugene encourages his students to "backflip" the world into something better. He does not expect much — maybe a clean-up of some graffiti. But he gets Trevor's utopian idea.
If that theme appeals to you and you'd like to see three of the finest actors ever put on film, then you are the audience for this movie. If it sounds syrupy, go see something else. As for me, I'm in the first category, and my heart was happily warmed and my tears happily jerked.
Trevor, the 7th grader who comes up with the idea, is played by Haley Joel Osment, nominated for an Oscar last year for his performance in "The Sixth Sense." Again, he shows us an extraordinary child, wise and sensitive beyond his years because of what he has had to face, but still completely believeable as an 11-year-old. Helen Hunt is heartbreaking as Arlene, a recovering alcoholic with a history of loss and abuse. And Kevin Spacey is breathtaking in a role that is a departure from the tough and wily guys he played in "The Usual Suspects," "Wiseguy," "Swimming with the Sharks," and "L.A. Confidential." He plays middle school teacher Eugene Simonet, scarred inside and out. One of Trevor's favors is to bring Eugene and Arlene together, though it turns out that is is not just to make them happier.
Arlene and Eugene put all of their effort into making sure they do not get hurt again until they learn that it is risking hurt that makes us alive. Trevor's idea does not always work, but when it does, people are transformed, not by the favors others do for them as much as by the favors they do for the next people in the chain. We get a glimpse of its impact as the story is interwoven with scenes four months into the future, as a reporter tries to track down the source of the mysterious acts of generosity.
Parents should know that there is some strong language, and characters abuse alcohol and drugs, including heroin and marijuana. There are references to the most severe domestic abuse. There are some fights, one resulting in mortal injury. A character attempts suicide. Another shoots his gun, though no one is injured. There is some strong language. A character dies tragically. There are sexual references, including references to having to be drunk to have sex and there is a discreet sexual situation. Scenes take place in a tawdry Las Vegas setting with skimpy clothing and strippers. A character's burn scars may be upsetting. Pre-teens and teen-agers may be especially concerned by the violence that occurs at a school, despite the metal-detectors kids walk through as they enter.
Families should talk about the pay it forward idea. Would it work? What favors would family members like to do? Why is "routine" so important to Eugene? Why do we see him ironing his shirt twice in the movie? Why do we see Eugene sitting at a student's desk when he talks to Trevor? Why does Trevor say that "it has to be hard?" Families should also talk about Trevor's comment that the most important thing is watching people, paying attention to things they may not even know they need. Some families will also want to dicuss whether there is a religious allusion in the death of one character.
Families who enjoy this movie will also like "Magnificent Obsession" and "Field of Dreams."


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Pull up a chair and devour an evening of singing and dancing as Moveable Feast takes to the David Spinks Theatre stage. Playing Nov. 22 – 26 at 8 pm nightly, with matinees Nov. 24 at 11 am, and Nov. 26 at 2 pm, Moveable Feast cooks up a smorgasbord of theatrical fun, fit for the whole family.
"Moveable Feast is a theatre and dance production themed around food and viewed through a child's eyes," says Lisa Doolittle, director. "As the show opens, the child is not aware of anything beyond her bowl of cereal. As she moves along food chains from local to global, farm to fork, and boardroom to banquet in a series of beautiful, funny and scary scenes, she discovers there's a lot more to food and eating than thought at first bite."
With larger than life characters, juggling, singing, and dancing, Moveable Feast is an eye-popping and thought-provoking creation. Using recent food-studies research, interviews with the community and collaborative discussion between U of L professors in various disciplines, Doolittle and the cast created a script that explores food relationships in both local and global contexts.
From the live music, performed by Dr. Deanna Oye and music students, to the outrageous acts, including a jaw-dropping Malaysian Harvest Dance, Moveable Feast is an over-the-top experience for all the senses.
"Local percussionist Cam Girling is composing and performing a soundtrack full of old fashioned sound effects, using a bounty of food items, which recalls the radio Foley artists of the 1930s and '40s," Doolittle says.
"It's important that the audience feel part of our party," she adds. "To better connect audiences to our stories, the staging has been designed to make them feel like guests at a huge banquet table." Doolittle adds the set, designed by drama major, Kathryn Smith, and costumes by Roger Schultz, drama faculty and U of L alumni (BFA '89), contribute to an intimate, interactive and exciting theatrical production audiences will remember.
With food as the focus, Moveable Feast is providing audience members the opportunity to make a personal contribution to local food banks before and after each performance. Audiences are asked to consider making a cash donation or to bring a non-perishable food item to support one of the many food banks in the community (Lethbridge Food Bank, Interfaith Food Bank and ULSU Food Bank).
Tickets to Moveable Feast are $15 regular, $10 for seniors/students, available at the University Box Office, Monday – Friday 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm, or by calling (403) 329-2616.


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Conditioning Before Shampoo vs Post Shampoo - What's Ideal?
Conditioners and shampoos, you need both for an appropriate hair care regimen. Just like most other people, you might have the confusion about conditioner use - whether to use it before you shampoo your hair or when you're done with shampooing.
Read on to find out what you should be doing.
1. Hair Type: A factor that determines your use of a conditioner before you shampoo or after it depends on your hair type. For individuals who have dry or thick hair, using a conditioner after you shampoo is the most apt, especially during the winter months when complaints of flyaway hairs are very common. Conditioning before you apply shampoo to your hair is ideal if you've fine hair as it provides your hair with much needed nourishment. Additionally, it allows the shampoo to distribute evenly all over your hair.
2. Greasy Hair: Applying a conditioner before you shampoo your hair is most apt for individuals whose hair is prone to oiliness. This is because it helps you in thoroughly washing away the grease that gets build up in your hair when it's time to shampoo. The regimen of shampoo and conditioning afterwards doesn't ensure a proper elimination of the problem.
3. The Problem of Residues: If you condition your hair before shampooing, you can rest assure that no residues get left behind on the scalp. This is not the case when you condition your hair afterwards. Many a time, if you don't rinse properly residues of the conditioner used get left behind, thereby weighing down your hair.
Unless your hair is of normal texture, conditioning before shampooing can prove to be beneficial for your hair.
I am losing hair quickly and have tried all shampoos but no effect yet can you please help me with this?
Having white patch on shoulder and arm from last one year .its not be increasing but has become whiter. Please advice.
I am 18 years old. I have female baldness. Having very thin hair and dandruff also there. M taking vasantakusumakar ras ,gandhak rasayan, mahabrigaraj oil .please kindly advice me Dr. how could I regrow my hair and get volume in hair .in 1 month. Please help me and advice.
I took Co2 Laser for acne scars two days ago. But I am having this it was not done well. I have square boxes on cheeks and some lines are left without laser. This was my first time. Is this done like that? And how much time will this square pattern take to remove?
1) I have hard hair on my upper lips and chin area 2) Upper lips and chin area got dark due to frequent tweezing and plucking 3) My facial skin is dull and uneven complexion 4) I have dark circles Blood test is normal. I have multiple small immature follicles. So I am taking medicines for this issue.
Hello I am 33 years female I have dark brown spots like freckles on my cheeks but after applying hydroquinone cream prescribed by dermatologist it started getting more please help.
Which cream should I use to get lighter skin tone than I have now. My skin is nt very dark. I just need a little lighter skin tone. I have heard of acfream name skin bless lite cream ,is it beneficial? I am 20.
Sir/mam, mere face ke dono cheeks par thode se pimple ke gadde pad gaye h jyada nahi normal h lekin acha nahi lagta h sir iske liye kya koi upchaar h jo pahle jaise skin ho sakti ho aisa lage ki waha par kuch hua nahi tha aur kuch baad me bhi problem nahi aye.
I am 19 years old and having hairloss what should I do? What would be my diet? And what is the reason of hair loss?
When I am travel in vehicle my skin will slowly slowly changes to dry and I will back to home then it will changes to lite black color only In the place of near the side of the eyes at both side why it happens.
I am 33 years female I have dark brown spots like freckles on my face but now it's spreading all over my face. please suggest. I don't want to laser. And as dermatologist prescribed hydroquinone cream by which is spreading more So other than laser and hydroquinone anything else you can suggest.
I have under eye dark circles in my face as well as wrinkles in under eye so what can I do for that? Can I go for the plastic surgery .Please suggest me.
Hi, My friend jack has itching problem at private area Its between penis and ball area. Although there is no rashes or any visible infection Please help.
My hairs are very hard from my birth. My father's hair r also like mine so it's genetic. I tried many ways to soften my hairs but nothing works.
Possibly the most common skin problem in the world, acne is the inflammation of the skin pores when excess oil and dead skin cells clog them. Acne can manifest in many forms such as blackheads and whiteheads, and papules among others. More than the acne, the scars they leave behind tend to cause the most grief as they look quite unsightly. There are multiple modern dermatological treatments which can help you resolve this problem. Some of the treatments that are commonly used are mentioned below –
Chemical Peels: This is one of the most common methods used for the treatment of acne scars. Specially mixed chemical formulations are used to dissolve away the top layer of the skin which contains most of the scars. Once the top layer goes away, the new layer of skin which regenerates doesn't have the scars.
Light Therapies and Laser Treatments: There are many types of laser and light therapies which use a focused light to burn away the top layer of the skin to regenerate it and reduce the scar. Certain specialized lasers use high-intensity pulses to treat raised acne scars specifically.
Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion: One of the most popular and commonly found treatments, is dermabrasion. This method uses an electrical machine that removes the top layer of skin which is akin to sanding. However, this is a fairly invasive option and will require some time for recovery. A less invasive procedure is microdermabrasion which uses finer instruments for this purpose and tends to have lesser downtime.
Dermal Filler Injections: These injections are used to plump up certain areas of skin which need to be treated. Most of them work on the principle of boosting collagen which is responsible for healing the skin. Once boosted, collagen works to fill gaps and regenerate new skin. However, most of these are temporary and only last for about a year or so.
Incisions Under the Skin: Sub-cision or subcutaneous incision uses a tuned surgical probe to separate the scar tissues of acne from the normal skin. This will result in the skin to rise and thus flatten the dent of the acne scar.
Autologous Fat Transfer: A form of therapy which is becoming popular very quickly, this method uses fat taken from one area of your body and injected into the scar area. This results in raising the depressed areas of the skin and flattening the scars. However, fat is easily absorbed within the body and thus the effect may diminish within some time. You may be needed to redo the procedure over regular periods.
Cryotherapy: The area around the scar is frozen in a targeted manner which results in the scar tissue falling over and exposing newer skin which is smooth and devoid of scarring.
Topical Creams: These are the most commonly available over the counter solutions for acne scars which help reduce their appearance. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a dermatologist and ask a free question.
A number of factors, both internal as well as external, contribute to skin ailments.
The dermatological problems, if not treated timely, can leave a person physically, mentally and emotionally drained out. In such cases, a person's self confidence is the worst affected.
A lot of conventional and Allopathic options are available to treat skin diseases. Ointments, antihistamine tablets and antibacterial medications, though effective, often provide temporary relief. In many cases, it has been observed that in due course of time, the problems tend to relapse.
Homeopathy adopts a holistic approach in treating a disease. It lays great emphasis towards identifying and treating the underlying cause.
Homeopathic treatment can be a little time consuming, but the time is worth waiting for. Over the past few decades, homeopathy has been the most sought after and reliable medication to deal with dermatological problems.
Some of the homeopathic medications that have effectively dealt with skin diseases include:
- Arsenicum: If psoriasis and chronic urticaria are giving you sleepless nights, Arsenicum is what you need. Arsenicum is equally effective against chronic eczema.
- Sepia: Herpes can make life miserable. Sepia is a powerful medication that gives one a lot to cheer about. People with psoriasis and dry skin can greatly benefit from Sepia.
- Natrum Muriaticum and Rhus Toxicodendron: Both the medications, Rhus Toxicodendron in particular, are very effective against eczema. Natrum Muriaticum has been found to soothe a person suffering from mental depression greatly.
- Thuja Occidentalis: Acne problems, warts, freckles, dry and itchy skin, ulcers (anogenital region) can throw life in jeopardy. Embrace the goodness of Thuja Occidentalis and the mentioned skin problems will be a thing of the past.
- Cantharis: It provides great relief from blisters, skin eruptions and burns (second and third degree). To enjoy the everlasting benefits, one needs to be a little patient with the treatment. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Homeopathic.


text: Logistic regression is a technique that is well suited for examining the relationship between a categorical response variable and one or more categorical or continuous predictor variables. The model is generally presented in the following format, where β refers to the parameters and x represents the independent variables. log(odds)=β0+β1∗x1+...+βn∗xn The log(odds), or log-odds ratio, is defined


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On Common Core standards, without interruption
To the man behind me in line at Freddy's,
When you asked me if I was a teacher and then asked me what I thought about the Common Core standards, I actually believed that you wanted to have a conversation. Instead you interrupted, talked over me, and accused me of being a communist. I stand by my statement that although you seem to have read quite a lot about CCS, it was clear to me that you had only informed yourself about one side of the argument. I'd like to take this opportunity to answer your question without interruption.
There is a great debate going on in our country about the merits of implementing Common Core standards in our schools. While I agree with the critics that in many instances the standards were implemented without a transition period for the kids and adequate training for the teachers, I don't think holding students to a high standard is inherently bad. There were standards when you and I went to school, and there will be standards for students in the future. These days our students are very mobile. A student might have attended eight to 10 different schools before graduating. Having standards aligned from district to district and state to state would end the problem of students entering a new program unprepared simply because the program they left was radically different. As educators we might not have gotten it right the first time, but implementation of these standards can and will help to level the playing field for our students, and we're working on it as hard as we can.
I would urge you, sir, to do some more reading and to talk to other teachers. I guarantee if you speak politely they will be glad to discuss this topic with you.
-- Deb Abshier
Eagle River
Halt pot commercialization
When Ballot Measure 2 (the Act to Tax and Regulate the Production, Sale and Use of Marijuana) got enough signatures and was certified to be on the ballot I think it is safe to say that many Alaskans thought it was a "slam-dunk" to pass. However, now that there has been more discussion and thoughtful dialogue about what this initiative is really all about more Alaskans are taking a second look and reconsidering.
A recent statewide poll conducted by Public Policy Polling shows that for the first time since the initiative was placed on the ballot, 49 percent of Alaskans would vote no on Ballot Measure 2 if the election were today, while 44 percent say they would vote yes. Thankfully, Alaskans are now paying more attention to the details of this initiative. This initiative is not just about legalizing marijuana (as most Alaskans know, it is already legal to have and use small amounts of marijuana for personal use in Alaska). This initiative is about the commercialization of marijuana. It is about legalizing marijuana concentrates and edibles. It is about advertising to increase consumption of marijuana.
Bottom line: this initiative is really about building a massive new industry promoting the increased use of marijuana. We don't need that in Alaska. Join me in voting no on Ballot Measure 2 in November.
-- Jeffrey Jessee
Take back the power
You and I are paying for more of the cost of government as the burden is shifted onto our property taxes.
"They" can't stop. "They" bust our budget year after year.
"They" squandered our rainy day funds, while cutting taxes on business.
"They" strangled our schools and public services, while "budgeting" for dams, bridges, railroads and hundreds of boondoggles.
"They" are our "fiscal conservative" elected state legislators and borough assembly members.
Let's vote to fire these chameleons who are running our government into the ground.
It's our government. We own it. We can elect folks who can balance the budget and can provide forward funding for our schools and the public services needed for our mushrooming population.
Mat-Su Borough elections are Oct. 7. Alaska's general election is Nov. 4. Absentee ballot applications are available now.
Your vote is your power. Let's do this for our kids.
-- Sid McCausland
Palmer (The Butte)
Pondering metaphysical fog while out walking my dogs
The fog was dense today when my dogs and I walked along our familiar morning route. Landmarks we've passed a hundred times looked strangely out of place, off-kilter. This has happened to me before in more distant yet familiar locations. A place I think I know like the back of my hand becomes strange and foreign while swathed in obscuring mists of fog.
There is, I believe, a metaphysical fog that enters people's minds, obscuring truth and common sense. There is the fog of severe depression, which caused Robin Williams to take his life, despite his gifts of humor, intelligence, and a geniality that provoked the love and admiration of millions. There is the fog of intolerance and bigotry, such as affects both sides of the tragedy in Ferguson. There is the fog of zealotry which causes some to brutally murder those who practice a different religion, or practice the same religion differently.
I was taught to believe there are always two sides to every issue but there are times when I just don't understand. I don't know what kind of fog it is that causes society to permit a 9-year-old girl to fire an Uzi submachine gun for fun, with which she accidentally kills her 39-year-old instructor. At least we can take comfort from the old adage "guns don't kill people, people kill people." Now a 9-year-old girl can be "consoled" by that thought the rest of her life.
-- Betsy Blassingham
Hamas cartoon offensive
In your Aug. 29 Opinion page, you show a cartoon depicting a Hamas claim of victory with a sarcastic caption questioning their victory. Had you bothered with honesty you may have noted that Israel's objectives have not been achieved. After dropping 20,000 tons of explosives, demolishing houses, schools, places of worship, hospitals, U.N. schools, and murdering over 2100 people, 550 of which were children, Israel's objectives have not been accomplished -- mainly to demilitarize Gaza and destroy Hamas.
You tell me honestly, who is the winner? Remember, winning is relative.
Hopefully, next time you may want to do a bit more in-depth analysis before you print.
-- Abe Qutub
Alaska Bar has responsibility to police itself, protect public
Attorney Ray Brown's recent fact-free defense of the Alaska Bar Association could only be believed by those naive enough to believe that a lawyers' association that adopts barriers to investigating unethical conduct can be considered fair and responsible.
My accusation against the bar association is that they force Alaskan complainants, who are unschooled in the law and unfamiliar with legal rules and processes, to meet a preposterously high standard of proof before the bar will even investigate.
Mr. Brown argues that the clear and convincing evidence standard is not applied to a complaint filed by a citizen. He's just plain wrong. Here's a quote from William Bankston, an attorney who affirmed bar counsel's decision to dismiss an ethics complaint without investigation: "The evidence in this case is measured by the clear and convincing standard." Further, in a recent appellate case, bar counsel nowhere denied my assertion that this standard was their complaint screening standard.
Mr. Brown also stated that the standard is "not something concocted by bar counsel," but required by the rules. Again, not true. Even the bar association calls the standard "our policy" and the rules contain no standard for declining cases without investigation.
Look it up. Alaska Bar Rule 22.
I checked the standard of proof demanded by other states and, in each case, citizens must merely show probable cause that unethical conduct occurred before the bar will investigate -- exactly the standard I argue should be adopted in Alaska to assure that the Bar Association fulfills its responsibility to protect the public and police the profession.
-- Brant McGee
Police shootings easily skewed
"What's wrong with this picture" that Mr. Minshall paints (Letters, Aug. 31) is called "cherry picking!" For every example of a police officer of Caucasian ancestry who has shot an African-American suspect or perpetrator, and who has not shot a Caucasian suspect or perpetrator, there are 10+ examples of police officers of Caucasian ancestry who have not shot a African-American suspect or perpetrator, and who have shot a Caucasian suspect or perpetrator.
-- Jim Lieb
Voiceless on toxic chemicals
According to APRN, the state of Alaska decided in 2013 it was no longer necessary to seek community input when spraying toxic chemicals along roadways. That is positively amazing! Just who decided this? Was it DOTPF? The Legislature? Our infamous governor? Exactly who decided that folks about to have their environment bombarded with toxins no longer have a say?
Currently a highway on Prince of Wales Island is slated for herbicide spraying -- possibly beginning almost immediately. DOT has stated this was an experiment in cost-effectiveness. No mention was made of the proven toxicity of the chemicals chosen for spraying. Not a word was printed confirming facts that have long been established on the dangers of these chemicals. No mention of costs to our birds, plants, wildlife, fish and humans.
There may not be a great many of us here on Prince of Wales, but are our lives and safety less important than those in Anchorage or Juneau or did DOT figure they could just steamroll us and nobody would even notice? If the state wants to experiment, how about starting in the governor's front yard.
Prince of Wales Island residents (and most rural Alaskans) are hunters/fishers/gatherers. We rely on our wild resources for our sustenance. POW residents resent being treated as second-class citizens. We are human beings too, not a warped chemistry experiment. Alaska DOT needs to steer clear of this irresponsible chemical track immediately.
-- Bob Andrews
New path needs tending
I am also pleased with the new path on Benson by Forest Park. I live off Aero Avenue and we too had an upgrade a few years ago. The problem is it is not being taken care of. There are so many weeds and so much tall grass it is hard so see the bushes. I phoned to complain and someone came out but did a very poor job and completely missed the grass on the east side, next to the sidewalk. I get my weed wacker out and trim by my street. In previous years, it has been trimmed on both sides a few times a year. Seems like a waste of taxpayer money to put all the trees, grass and bushes in and not tend to them.
-- Linda Morrison
Emergency care outstanding
My 911 call Friday had the paramedics responding in a few minutes.
At the local hospital the registered nurse in my care plus the hospital staff were all attentive and concerned.
To both the paramedics and nurses, I applaud your skill and dedication in your chosen field.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Our city is fortunate to have experienced and focused people responding to our needs.
-- Mary Jane Bader
Planned Parenthood misguided
Re: Planned Parenthood's attack on Dan Sullivan in the Saturday (Commentary, Aug. 30) paper: I cannot believe Alaska women would base their vote on just getting free contraceptives and on getting their abortion paid for by the government. Once again the Democratic party is trotting out these old worn-out talking points.
-- Dorothy Wilhelm
The views expressed here are the writers' own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a letter for consideration, email email@example.com, or click here to submit via any web browser. Submitting a letter constitutes granting permission for it to be edited for clarity, accuracy and brevity.