text:
Stiletto Hardware Foot Cushions (and giveaway!)5:00 AM
I get asked so much about how I can wear heels all day long and although I think just the experience of wearing heels all the time for a long time has helped me out, my little trick is also foot pads and insoles to help cushion my feet and prevent my foot from slipping forward which I find often is the cause of the pain. When Kelly, the founder and creator of Stiletto Hardware reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to try out the Stiletto Hardware foot cushions, I just had to test them out as I've been using foot pads for years and wanted to see what made these different. Plus I loved that she was a small business owner who had an idea and went out and made it happen. Something totally admirable and I love supporting small businesses. She sent me a few of their foot cushions to try out and I have to say, I honestly loved them all.
They are different than the other foot pads that I've used as they have a memory foam top layer which made them super comfortable. The Ultra Slender Ball of Foot Cushions are great for those shoes where you don't want to slip out of them but aren't too big. These ones are a bit slimmer so they don't add that extra little bit that can sometimes make shoes too tight. And these are not just for high heels. I often find that flats can become uncomfortable and so that's where the Heel Cushion comes into play as they were made specifically for flats! All of them were super easy to apply, just peel the sticker off and apply. I was able to adjust them to my shoe for a just right fit so don't be afraid if you stick them down they will be stuck like that forever. I highly recommend getting these for any pair of shoes that you know you'll be wearing for a long period of time!
Kelly was kind enough to offer my readers 15% off your order, just use code "STYLE-ISH" when you shop and they also offer free shipping for any orders over $10 which is fantastic! At $7.95 each, they really are worth it to make your shoes feel a lot more comfortable.
And to sweeten the deal, we are also partnering for a giveaway!! The winner will win a prize package of 2 of each of the cushions so 6 foot cushions total!
All you need to do to enter is to leave a comment with how you follow my blog. It doesn't matter how you do it, through RSS reader, Facebook, twitter, Google Friend Connect, email subscription, or just visiting my blog daily, whatever it is, just let me know! And for an extra entry, just "like" Stiletto Hardware on Facebook! If you do that, please leave an additional comment letting me know.
Entries will be closed at 12:00AM PST on Thursday June 2nd and winner will be chosen through random draw.
Disclosure: Products were sent to me for free for review. This review post was not paid for or promised. All opinions are of my own.
158 comments
I would love to win this! I read your blog everyday and love it! Thanks for the chance to win this!ReplyDelete
these look awesome! I follow you on google friends connect so that i never miss an entryReplyDelete
Hi! I follow you on Twitter, am a fan of your Facebook page and visit your blog daily :)ReplyDelete
I've never tried feet cushions, and never thought of it. How silly of me. Hehe, but thanks for this give-away! :) I love it.ReplyDelete
xo nancy
(Oh, I've been following through facebook & google/blog :) )
Wow, great giveaway! I follow you through google reader, and on Facebook also. :)ReplyDelete
I so need these, I'm always slipping out of my shoes!ReplyDelete
I follow you with GFC and twitter :)
Perfect! Heels are killing me and my flats are worn out so I basically walk without a sole :DReplyDelete
I follow you via Bloglovin'
Pick me.. pick me.. please.. :-) I'm so in need of these. Thanks for the chance.ReplyDelete
I'm your follower of both your blog (Google) and Facebook. I also read them daily (before my newspaper reading). I don't have a Twitter account (yet), that's the only reason I don't follow you there.
Ohhh, I'm a long time follower on blogger!!ReplyDelete
Oh definitely need these! I'm a follower through Google Friend Connect :)ReplyDelete
I follow via GFC, thanks!ReplyDelete
My feet were complaining the other day from an unexpected walk in the wrong shoes. (I hate those!) I follow via Blogger :)ReplyDelete
- KarinneMay 25, 2011 at 6:13 AM
I follow you everyday via Google reader.ReplyDelete
These foot pads look awesome!
- Blogreader123May 25, 2011 at 6:29 AM
I follow you through ExtraPetite's Blogroll. Every time you post a new entry, your blog moves up to the top of the list on her Blogroll.ReplyDelete
Blogreader123 at hotmail dot com
- Blogreader123May 25, 2011 at 6:31 AM
I just "liked" Stiletto Hardware on Facebook. Thanks!ReplyDelete
Blogreader123 at hotmail dot com
These look like they are much more comfortable then those made out of that rubbery plastics material. Thanks for sharing all of your little fashion secrets. I love your blog and I love that I always come away with something new every time I read it! Keep it up!!ReplyDelete
I follow thru GFCReplyDelete
Those are so useful :) I love reading your blog through Google ReaderReplyDelete
mingchiu.chu at gmail dot com
That's a great idea, I never used something like this before, thank you so much for the opportunity !ReplyDelete
I follow you through GFC - heavenrain
such a good giveaway! crossing my fingers.ReplyDelete
i follow your blog through my trusty google reader. :)
I follow using Google Reader :) I love your blog and thanks for the giveaway!ReplyDelete
I follow you by visiting the blog each morning :)ReplyDelete
awesome! i love these things...makes my high heels experience much better :) I follow you on GFC/Reader and Twitter!ReplyDelete
Thank you for the giveaway, a girl can never have enough foot cushions.ReplyDelete
I check your blog almost daily and also follow via twitter and gfc.
me me me! :) i wear high heels every day so would love to have a reason to make them more comfy! i visit your blog every day! :)ReplyDelete
- ChristyneMay 25, 2011 at 7:40 AM
These cushions look amazing!!! I can't wait to try them!! I visit your blog through Google Reader!!!ReplyDelete
- ChristyneMay 25, 2011 at 7:41 AM
I also liked Stiletto Hardware on Facebook!!!ReplyDelete
- Tiffany Y.May 25, 2011 at 7:43 AM
I follow you through Google Reader :)ReplyDelete
I follow you through reader and FB. Thanks!ReplyDelete
I follow you through Google. I need to check out those cushions. I always have problems with high heels as much as I love them.ReplyDelete
Those are life saviors! Ever since I got ones I can stand all day long in pumps, good luck ladies there are real treasures!ReplyDelete
Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries
I'm following you through GFC! these would be such wonderful things to have!ReplyDelete
I follow you through google reader! This is such a great giveaway!ReplyDelete
I follow you through Google Reader, although I'm beginning to find that some bloggers may not like that. If that is the case, could you let us Google Reader followers know?ReplyDelete
I follow you through Google Friend Connect, but I have your site bookmarked so I make sure to read it daily! I am loving these foot cushions, as I've tried others, and they simply don't measure up! Thanks!ReplyDelete
i follow you on FB, twitter and Google Friend Connect (well that just makes me sound stalkerish). but i love your blog and i love that you're from seattle (i grew up in puyallup :)).ReplyDelete
awkwardly chic
I'm a follower through GFC! Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway (and thank you to Kelly)!ReplyDelete
i also "liked" stiletto hardware on fb!ReplyDelete
awkwardly chic
I follow all your posts via Google Reader! :)ReplyDelete
I follow you on Facebook, twitter, AND I visit your blog daily, LOVE YOUR BLOG Tiffany!ReplyDelete
imnotarunner at gmail dot com
I get your posts via email.ReplyDelete
I would love to try these cushions. Your shoes look so lovely, and I want to wear heels, but my feet hurt too much!
I liked Stiletto Hardware on Facebook.ReplyDelete
I love foot cushion and really want to try these out!ReplyDelete
I follow your blog via extrapetite's blogroll.
I read your blog everyday and follow you on google reader. I am always trying new foot cushions like this because I always get pain under the ball of my foot when wearing heels! I wish I didnt because then I would wear heels more.ReplyDelete
i follow via google reader!ReplyDelete
I follow you through my google readerReplyDelete
lensimpressions AT gmail DOT com
I liked on facebook too!ReplyDelete
lensimpressions AT gmail DOT com
Foot pads can be such a lifesaver! Great giveaway and you know I'm a follower dear!ReplyDelete
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com
I follow you through google friend connectReplyDelete
I "liked" Stiletto Hardware on facebook.ReplyDelete
I follow on rss - ooo I hope I win!ReplyDelete
I follow your blog through Google Connect :) Great giveaway!ReplyDelete
Ooh! I've been looking for something like this! I follow you on Google friend connect. :DReplyDelete
i feel this is what's missing in my life!ReplyDelete
google friend connect & twitter
These look great! I'm an avid heel wearer as well and am always looking for thinner ball of foot inserts for my shoes.ReplyDelete
I follow with Google Friend Connect! :)
Cool giveaway! I follow you via RSS (Google Reader) :)ReplyDelete
- Monique MMay 25, 2011 at 11:40 AM
These are a definite NEED for me. Need them for my Spring/Summer shoes.ReplyDelete
I follow you through Google Reader :)
I need these! Now that I am a stay at home mom, not wearing heels everyday has made my nights out so painful! I follow your blog through goodle reader.ReplyDelete
I love your blog and read it everyday through Google Reader! These shoe cushions sound like they actually work, and I could definitely use some to keep my feet comfy!ReplyDelete
I have your blog in a google reader. :)ReplyDelete
- LaurenMay 25, 2011 at 12:35 PM
I would love to try these! I wear heels everyday and have tried some of the inserts you can get in the store but they always seem to slip out. I visit your blog daily and follow you on Facebook, absolutely LOVE your blog!ReplyDelete
- Liberty PikeMay 25, 2011 at 12:45 PM
I follow your blog by visiting daily and Facebook!ReplyDelete
libertypike at live.com
- Liberty P.May 25, 2011 at 12:45 PM
I also liked them on Facebook.ReplyDelete
libertypike at live.com
I've been looking for something like this! I follow through RSS.ReplyDelete
i liked Stiletto Hardware on FB.ReplyDelete
I follow through Google Reader!ReplyDelete
Love this giveaway! I follow you by visiting your blog daily!ReplyDelete
Ooo! I'd love to try these!ReplyDelete
I follow your blog with Google Friend Connect. =)
I follow you on Google Reader.ReplyDelete
I totally need something like this!
Hmmmm lets see. I follow you on google friend, twitter, fb, and I think thats it :)ReplyDelete
They look comfy. Especially since you said they have a memory foam :O
I read your blog every day through google reader :)ReplyDelete
I follow you through google reader. And I've been meaning to buy some of those ball of foot cushions! (firstname.lastname@example.com)ReplyDelete
I follow through Google Reader!ReplyDelete
I follow through Google Reader!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 4:36 PM
I read your blog everyday~ I love your DIY tips - KathReplyDelete
I would love to try these. I am your follower of course :) Thank you for hosting the giveaway.ReplyDelete
follower on gfc : Tink lReplyDelete
I follow you on Facebook and Bloglovin'!!ReplyDelete
I follow you on FB as well as Google Reader - this giveaway looks great! Definitely could use some stiletto hardware.. :)ReplyDelete
I also 'liked' Stiletto Hardware on Facebook for an extra entry!ReplyDelete
I follow your blog through RSSReplyDelete
I simply stop by your blog every now and againReplyDelete
I just come by and check everyday XD but also twitter!ReplyDelete
I also liked them on facebook, thanks :)ReplyDelete
- JaruchaMay 25, 2011 at 6:33 PM
I check daily and follow via GFC. For some reason, can't log in to my google account without being transferred to sign up for a blog...so I just entered my name here.ReplyDelete
I check your blog daily. :) Also liked on FB! Stilettos rock!ReplyDelete
I follow your blog daily and I love it! I wear heels every day (following in your footsteps) and would LOVE to win this prize!!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 25, 2011 at 6:59 PM
I'd love to be enter in the giveaway. I follow you with google friend connect and facebook. I also visit/read you blog daily. Thank you for having a great giveaway :)-claudReplyDelete
(note: not sure why I can't enter comment with google connect so I did as anonymous follow ID is:claud)
I'm just getting back into wearing heels, so these look like just what I need! I'm following you through Google Reader.ReplyDelete
I'd like to enter! I follow you through GFC :)ReplyDelete
xo, alison*elle
I would like to try these cushions. I too visit and read your blog everyday for fashion tips and where to buy vintage Chanels:DReplyDelete
Follow on my google reader!ReplyDelete
i follow you on rss ;)ReplyDelete
i like Stiletto Hardware on facebook ;)ReplyDelete
I follow your blog by visiting it daily. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!ReplyDelete
I liked Stiletto Hardware on FB. Extra entry please!ReplyDelete
- ClarissaMay 25, 2011 at 11:32 PM
I subscribe on Google Reader!ReplyDelete
I follow you on twit.ReplyDelete
Hi, Tiffany! Love reading your blog and seeing your lookbooks. I follow through Google reader, Twitter, and am a fan on Facebook. I also visit your blog several times a week.ReplyDelete
I also liked Stiletto Hardware on FB. Even if I don't win your giveaway, I'm going to place an order with them.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 26, 2011 at 2:03 AM
Hi! I follow your blog on FB and Twitter. I also, read your blog daily!ReplyDelete
I also liked Stiletto Hardware.
Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Hi i follow you on GFC (:ReplyDelete
Hi follow you via google reader.ReplyDelete
Hope I win! =)
I also follow you via google reader.ReplyDelete
I follow you on Twitter, on Facebook page and I visit your blog daily :)ReplyDelete
I follow you through google reader !ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMay 26, 2011 at 11:29 AM
follow you on facebook and visit your blog daily.ReplyDelete
I follow you on google reader... I'm a fan!ReplyDelete
I am a google follower and I read your blog daily :)ReplyDelete
- MichelleMay 26, 2011 at 12:22 PM
I'm a google reader follower and I read your blog all the time!ReplyDelete
I follow you on my google reader! Love the look book styles :)ReplyDelete
- Joyce LMay 26, 2011 at 4:06 PM
i read ur blog 5x a week:DReplyDelete
- Joyce LMay 26, 2011 at 4:06 PM
and i liked "Stiletto Hardware" on facebook:)ReplyDelete
- Marissa FMay 26, 2011 at 4:32 PM
I read the blog almost every day! I have tiny feet and have trouble finding shoes the fit and are comfortable, so these would be great!ReplyDelete
- Marissa FMay 26, 2011 at 4:33 PM
I also liked on facebook :o)ReplyDelete
wow, what a great giveaway!! i follow via GFC!ReplyDelete
facebook and google readerReplyDelete
- Michelle MMay 26, 2011 at 5:04 PM
I also liked Stiletto Hardware on Facebook!ReplyDelete
- Michelle MMay 26, 2011 at 5:06 PM
I Follow you both through email and facebook! :)ReplyDelete
I follow you through GFC & look forward to your post everyday!ReplyDelete
I use Google Reader and follow you on Twitter. Thanks for the tips!!ReplyDelete
Twitter and blog follower : tinymumReplyDelete
Hi Tiffany! I follow you through RSS on Google Reader!ReplyDelete
I also Liked Stiletto Hardware on FB!ReplyDelete
I am old school and just check the website everyday from my bookmarks!ReplyDelete
(I always have to stuff my heels with foot petals and things for my arches too!)
i read through google reader!ReplyDelete
Subscribe through email and gfc.ReplyDelete
vbgems at gmail dot com
I follow you through google reader!ReplyDelete
i follow you through google reader! :)ReplyDelete
I follow you through daily blog check ups!! u give me great ideas..ReplyDelete
I follow you via email subscription. Thank you for this giveaway!ReplyDelete
I follow via Google Friend Connect! :)ReplyDelete
- Katy KoMay 28, 2011 at 5:57 PM
I just check your blog everyday through my bookmarks and have my fingers crossed that there's a new post ^_^ReplyDelete
I'm a Twitter gal, but I've got you bookmarked too. Your product reviews are usually spot on (hello, Elchim hair dryer!)... and sneaking a peak in that shoe closet is like heaven.ReplyDelete
Keep it up!
I visit your blog daily using the google friend connect!ReplyDelete
Those look great! I'm always looking to make my shoes more comfortable.ReplyDelete
I follow you via blogloving :)
I follow you through RSS feed :)ReplyDelete
I follow you with GFC. Great giveaway!ReplyDelete
- Erica KMay 30, 2011 at 8:28 AM
I follow your blog via email.ReplyDelete
- Erica KMay 30, 2011 at 8:28 AM
I follow your blog via Facebook.ReplyDelete
- Erica KMay 30, 2011 at 8:29 AM
I liked Stiletto Hardware on Facebook.ReplyDelete
I follow your blog weekly for refreshing new outfits and the lookbook. I especially love the photography and different settings.ReplyDelete
- Stephanie L.May 30, 2011 at 7:17 PM
Hi! I visit your blog on a regular and follow your youtube channel :) I absolutely love your style!ReplyDelete
Hi! I visit your blog regularly and I follow you on Twitter :-) And I liked Stiletto Hardware on Facebook!ReplyDelete
love your blog and i follow you thru RSS readerReplyDelete
I love your blog, I religiously check your website everyday to check for updates.ReplyDelete
I follow you by visiting your blog regularlyReplyDelete
I ALWAYS use feet cushions! Everytime I buy a pair of heels, I'll buy the little cusions to go with.ReplyDelete
I follow you on GFC! :)
I, too, always use foot cushions with my heels....they are life savers!! I read your blog daily and I "liked" Stiletto Hardware on Facebook.
Janet :)
I follow via emailReplyDelete
liis177 at hotmail dot com
I check your blog everyday~!ReplyDelete
follow through bloggerReplyDelete
liked on fb!ReplyDelete
Through Google Reader !ReplyDelete
I have your blog on Google Reader - yay RSS!ReplyDelete
and I have also liked Stiletto Hardware on facebook :)ReplyDelete
I would love to win myself some of these heel cushions as I am still starting out with heels and have a very hard time adjusting walking in them.ReplyDelete
I follow your blog daily =]
I follow your blog by using my noggin! I remember my favorite blogs and check multiple times a week for new posts. Google Chrome remembers the full URL for me. :)ReplyDelete


text:
Column: Why our kids hate math
When summer school opened Monday at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., where I teach, remedial courses in math had more students than any other subject.
In addition to its own editorials, USA TODAY publishes a variety of opinions from outside writers. On political and policy matters, we publish opinions from across the political spectrum.
Roughly half of our columns come from our Board of Contributors, a group whose interests range from education to religion to sports to the economy. Their charge is to chronicle American culture by telling the stories, large and small, that collectively make us what we are.
We also publish weekly columns by Al Neuharth, USA TODAY's founder, and DeWayne Wickham, who writes primarily on matters of race but on other subjects as well. That leaves plenty of room for other views from across the nation by well-known and lesser-known names alike.
That is because of the high failure rate not only in math courses, but also on the state's standard of learning exams in math. The summer school pattern is similar in most high schools around the country where kids will be trying to learn the math they never figured out during the year.
I worry that we're pushing many kids to grasp math at higher levels before they are ready. When they struggle, they begin to dread math, and eventually we lose thousands of students who could be the scientists and engineers of tomorrow. If we held back and took more time to ground them in the basics, we could turn them on to math.
The experience of T.C. Williams teacher Gary Thomas, a West Point graduate who retired from the Army Corps of Engineers as a colonel, is emblematic of the problem. This year, Thomas had many students placed in his Algebra II class who slid by with D's in Algebra I, failed the state's Algebra I exam and were clueless when it came to the most basic pre-requisites for his course. "They get overwhelmed. Eventually they give up," Thomas says.
English and social studies teachers face the same problem when school officials, more interested in boasting about the numbers of kids in higher-level courses than in what they really learn, place students without the requisite skills in advanced placement classes.
Push to younger students
Pushing students to the next level of math before they are ready is endemic in schools across the country, and is most pronounced in the move to have younger and younger children take algebra.
The National Center for Education Statistics reports that from 1990 to 2007, the percentage of eighth-graders taking algebra went from 16% to 31%. California has been in the forefront of pushing kids into algebra: By 2009, 54% of its eighth-graders were taking algebra, the result of an initiative by California's State Board of Education. Why the early push? It's driven by the fact that some younger students wanted, and were capable of, more challenging math. But that's not true for all students.
My colleague Sally Miller has taught almost every high school math offering. She lives and breathes her subject, but she is the first to warn that too much math too soon is counterproductive. When Miller asked one of her geometry classes what 8 x 4 was, no one could come up with the answer without going to a calculator. "In the lower grades, more time has to be devoted to practicing basic computational skills so that they are internalized and eventually come naturally."
Miller, like every math teacher I talked to, says schools are pushing too many middle-school kids into algebra. "Many of the concepts in algebra are abstract," Miller says, "and if children are not developmentally ready to deal with abstraction, you can turn them off to math forever. Even the best students who can pull off A's in eighth-grade algebra by just memorizing eventually end up realizing they did not really learn it."
Confidence undermined
A Duke University study of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district's attempt to have algebra taught in eighth grade echoes what Miller says. Duke professor Charles Clotfelter, who led the study, concluded that the district's policy "had a negative effect on most students, especially those students who weren't stellar in math background. … For whatever reason, their preparation or their confidence wasn't sufficient to let them do well … and it knocked them back on their heels."
It's not just policymakers and school administrators who are responsible for pushing too much math too soon. Once parents who are anxious about their child's academic success see an advanced course offered, they want their child to be part of it lest he or she be held back, the victim of "low expectations."
And when those same students aren't able to keep up in their classes, parents increasingly are turning to private math tutors — who get hourly fees that rival those of doctors — to get students to understand what they couldn't grasp in class.
What is needed when it comes to math, indeed to all schooling, is a little more common sense and honesty. I wonder how many of those members of the California State Board of Education who pushed for all of the state's eighth-graders to take algebra could come close to passing an end-of-the- year Algebra I test?
I suspect very few, unless they were mathematicians, and yet they subscribe to the misplaced belief that algebra is essential to the future success of 13- or 14-year-olds, a canard closely linked to the other great myth: that every high school student must go on to college to be successful. In fact, for the majority of jobs, math is not included in the top five qualities that employers seek in their workers.
It is time to ensure that all kids absorb the fundamentals of math — computation, fractions, percentages and decimals — first before moving on to the next level. Otherwise, as with remedial summer courses, we're teaching them twice what they should have learned the first time around.
Patrick Welsh is a member of USA TODAY's Board of Contributors.
Posted | Updated

subset: commoncrawl


text:
How To Make A Class Project Fun
I take part in a program called "Art Appreciation" at my boys' elementary school. And although we get serious with the artists we teach about, yesterday's presentation hit a high note for the kids.
This particular presentation was about abstract art and cubism. The third graders really got into trying their hand at creating drawings and cut-outs of their self-portraits. They've enjoyed learning about artists such as Monet, Calder, Van Gogh, Picasso, and so many more through the years.
But sometimes it's simply the little things that the kids get such a kick out of.
After a long school day and a serious art lesson, I brought in what I called 'snack art'. The boys and girls got to create an abstract cubism design…..out of geometric shapes…..and then eat their art. They got the biggest kick out of it. After all that drawing and coloring and cutting and pasting here was finally something they could create and then snack on.
Try it at home during snack time and see what great edible projects your kids can come up with!


text:
Main Content
Warriewood Wetlands
At 26 ha in size, the Warriewood Wetland is the largest remaining sand plain wetland in the northern Sydney area. It provides a variety of habitats for local fauna and at the same time plays a vital role in flood mitigation, nutrient recycling and filtering sediments. The wetlands contain several Endangered Ecological Communtities.
Bush regeneration and aquatic weed control have been a focus since Council took control of the wetlands and a dedicated volunteer bushcare group also contributes to its management. An elevated boardwalk has given access to previously inaccessable areas of the wetlands and has increased the wetlands' popularity amongst walkers and birdwatchers.
The Warriewood Wetlands are within the Guringai Homelands. Wetlands are important sites due to their resource abundance - both food and materials. Plus they are a permanent source of fresh water. Wetlands often have spiritual significance to Aborigines and are included in stories. Indications of the use of this area by Aboriginal People are present in the area surrounding the wetland and include Scar-trees. The wetland is largest remaining sandplain wetland in Sydney and still contains an incredible amount of natrual heritage.
Agricultural activities were an impact on the wetlands from the mid 1800's, and lead to significant problems including poor water quality, weeds and feral animals.
In the 1960's and 70's, clearing to create windrows, construction of drainage lines and a rising main throught the wetlands all had an impact, prompting the community to become involved in the worldwide push for better wetland conservation.
In the late 1970's, the then Wran Government agreed to let developers build a shopping centre on part of the site on the condition that Warringah Council would purchase the remainder of the site for retention as a natural area. Dispute over what constituted a fair price for the area continued until 1996, when, following an 18 year long battle by conservationists, the matter was resolved in an out of court settlement which resulted in the purchase of the land by Pittwater Council for $4.5 million.
The resolution of the issue means that this environmentally sensitive and regionally significant wetlands area is now secured and conserved for the residents of Pittwater and for the benefit of future generations.
Plants and animals
The vegetation represented in the wetland area is quite diverse and includes areas of Swamp Sclerophyll Forest, Freshwater Wetlands and Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest, all listed as endangered ecological communities in NSW.
These vegetation communities range from large stands of Eucalyptus robusta (Swamp Mahogany), to scrub dominated by Melaleuca ericifolia (Swamp Paperbark), reedlands dominated by Phragmites australis (Native Reed) and several other herbaceous and graminoid associations adjacent to the main water bodies.
The entire wetlands are important habitat for many bird and animal species. Over 80 bird species have been recorded including the endangered Regent Honeyeater, the threatened Goshawk and Powerful Owl, and several migratory birds covered by international treaties between the governments of Australia, Japan and China. The wetlands are well known by Sydney's birdwatching community, particularly in autumn when the Swamp mahogany are in flower.
Several frog and reptile species have been recorded, making the wetland one of the last refuges in the area for this type of fauna.
Prior to the construction of the boardwalk there was no safe access for the public in the wetlands. The walkway network with stretches 2.4km begun in 1999 with the first section of boardwalk being put in place followed by further sections in 2002. Developers contributed to the construction of the final section of boardwalk which was opened in April 2006.
This boardwalk provides an excellent opportunity for the public to enjoy the natural attributes of the wetlands and gives bird watchers greater access to enjoy their passion. It must be remembered that bikes and dog are prohibited from the boardwalk, dogs are prohibited due to the sensitive environment and bikes because of the narrow nature of the walkways.
Environmental Projects in the Area
Updated: 18 Jul 2016
Related Links
Related Documents


text:
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Insights and Opinions: Response to 3 Things to Avoid When Fundraising in LA
For our Insights and Opinions section today, we have a response to yesterday's (very controversial) piece in this section from Ryan Born, expressing his opinion about his experiences raising money in Los Angeles. The response is from Tom Tierney, an angel investor from the Tech Coast Angels San Diego. Tom--who responded originally to this in comments signed "Brontosaurus with Velociraptor tendencies" gives his 3 things to avoid:
It's enticing in the "blogosphere" to be controversial for "controversy sake" to up your page views and re-tweets, but remember internet data is cached... forever. Value your reputation over transient internet analytics.
In this case, the TCA has invested in consumer facing internet companies over the years: "myShape" is doing well, we've had recent investments in "Vokle", "MasherMedia", "Loop'd Network" and "ElephantDrive" which have consumer facing components. There are probably many more investments that I can't think of off the top of my head that also fall in the internet space. In addition, we've invested in software, hardware, bio tech and even more exotic investments in MEMs and nano technology. Not bad for "dinosaurs".
Some of these investments will succeed, some will fail, such is the nature of early stage investing.
If you have a problem with a person or organization, confront them with the criticism directly to hopefully be a change agent. Don't unnecessarily burn bridges.
In this case, (Continued...)
Read all of Tom's response, A Reponse to 3 Things to Avoid When Fundraising in LA.


text:
Crystal Palace have announced the capture of Sevilla starlet Jose Campana, subject to Premier League and FA clearance.
Campana has completed his move to Selhurst Park for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £1.75million, and will team up with Ian Holloway on a four-year contract.
The deal represents something of a coup for the newly-promoted Eagles, who have spent the best part of a month trying to nail down the youngster.
And the 20-year-old has told the club's official site he is hoping to help keep Palace in the Premier League.
"I think it's a good step for me and I'm really excited and looking forward to meet all the boys and start as quickly as possible," Camapana said.
"I got the first interest through my agent, who said that Crystal Palace were interested and straight away I said 'yes' because for me it was a dream to play in England, especially in the Premier League. I hope to help the team stay in the league and then move forward.
"What I like to think are my best qualities are to keep the ball and to have good distribution. I have always been a typical Spanish midfielder and I like to move forward and score goals.
"I scored a lot of goals when I was in the academy at Sevilla. That's what I want, but especially to keep the ball and to organise the team."
The Spanish Under-20 captain has been widely-touted as a future senior international and Holloway believes he will be a "grear star".
The Crystal Palace boss said: "I'm absolutely delighted. Everybody knows the way I want to try and play football and how fantastic Spain have been over the past few years, so I'm delighted to get a lad of this quality.
"I think he's a fantastic player, his maturity is unbelievable, and the way he plays the game is the way I believe it should be played. He's going to be a great star of the future and the present.
"We're going to try and do as well as we can in this division and making signings like this is really going to help us."
- More about:
- Crystal Palace FC
- Sevilla FC


text:
New to the Forum
Hello to everyone, my name's Gage and after a few months of using this site as a reference for plants off and on I've finally made a profile. I also frequent MFK so anyone who's on there may know me in the Datnoids forum. I've worked in two LFS in the recent past, Aquarium Concepts and Connie's Tropical Fish. I've kept several aquariums from 2g to 75g and four planted aquariums before ranging from 5g to 20g though none have lasted much longer than 5-6 months due to my prior habit of changing things up regularly. I've kept "monster fish" for most of my two and a half year fish keeping life but recently I've made a slight shift back to where it all began, community fish. I'll be setting up a 50g cube planted aquarium/aquascape very soon and am looking forward to starting a thread in the Tank Journals forum. Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello to the group of people I believe will be of great help to me and hopefully I can bring some of my knowledge here and help those here as well.:thumbsup:
Welcome. So what monsters have you kept?
Mostly Datnoids and different catfish, I've kept some cichlids but larger ones aren't really my thing. I've got two NGT one NTT two IT and two AT at the moment.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome to the forum! :)
|All times are GMT. The time now is 09:31 AM.
Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
vBulletin Security provided by vBSecurity v2.2.2 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.


text:
Try a fresh face for spring
February 18th, 2011
No, we're not talking about some horror surgery scene á la Face Off (the film with John Travolta who swaps faces with a cop in order to fight crime). We're talking about a fresh new make-up look especially for spring. Often we can get stuck in a bit if a rut when it comes to our make-up routine and this might not be making the most of our changing styles. Generally when transitioning from winter into spring, our clothes become lighter and brighter, so why not freshen up your make-up bag to complement this change in the seasons? There are two main trends this season; the natural look and experimentation with colour. And here's how to do them;
Natural: a barely there natural look can be achieved by using a tinted moisturiser instead of a heavy foundation. We love tinted moisturiser as it's very easy to apply, blends to our natural skin tone and provides just enough coverage for us to feel like we're wearing something on our face without feeling clogged up. Add a swish of blusher and a highlighter cream or powder to the temple for a natural glow. Top tip: to finish off the look define the eyebrows with a pencil that is closest to your natural hair colour and dare to bare by leaving your eye make-up in the bag. This might be scary thought for some, however, not wearing eye make can produce a fresh and more youthful look, plus the definition of the eyebrows will help to add structure to your eyes without overdoing it.
Colourful: contrary to the natural look is the bold and bright colour trend which was popular on the catwalks for the spring season and when done right this look can have stunning results. From vibrant violet to contrasting shades of blue and orange, the key to this look is all about experimentation. The focal point of this trend is the eyes, try blending contrasting colours from the inner lid to the outer lid and add a swish of the brighter tone to the under lid to add drama to the look. To avoid looking like a girl who had raided her mother's make-up case for the first time (or a drag queen) build your eye shadow up in layers. Start with thin subtle layers and build up the drama depending on the occasion i.e. add hints of colour for the daytime and go all out on a glam night out! If bold colours aren't your thing then try a metallic shade and add liquid eye liner for extra oomph.
It's important to consider your make-up palette for different outfits. For example a set of red lips will work perfectly with the Flower Print Shift Dress as the shade will pick out the red pattern in the dress and give a striking effect. When wearing bold colours though it might be advised it keep your make-up simple, our Notch Neck Shift Dress comes in a fabulous red shade, however red lips, unless perfectly matched could look too much. Therefore a softer more natural look would suit this dress, although classic dark eyes would give it more of a glamorous spin. The natural, barely there trend looks great when rocking a bo-ho outfit like the new Blue Print Maxi Dress from the Pepperberry range or to make a change from your everyday make-up routine. Get out of your make-up rut and try a fresh face for spring.


text:
How to Take Control of Your Life
It's all self inflicted. Trust me I know. After forcing startup idea, after startup idea, following every trend on Techcrunch, attending every douchey networking event, and living in a city wher...Read More
9 Things Professionals Under 30 Do Best
When it comes to us 20-somethings, the general consensus is that we suck. That seems to be how the older generation views us in a nutshell. We get called lazy, told we feel over-entitled, and are cons...Read More
I Lost My Way
I LOST MY WAY, and I'm not sure what to do to get back on the right path or even figure out what that path is. Recently I had an article come out about how I was living a fantasy; a life that I was ...Read More
How to Balance Your Life as a 20-Something Professional
There's a price for ambition, and it's been fodder for situation comedies for as long as any of us can remember, the young professional struggling to manage their work, social, and love lives. The...Read More
4 Reasons Why You Need Life Overhaul
Everything in our life has an impact on the way our life is, the friends we keep, the books we read, the posters we hang in our bedrooms, the kind of programs we watch, the people we follow every sing...Read More
Travel the World for Cheap as a Non-Tourist
Whenever I do anything, I usually try to make it epic, especially with traveling. I am very fortunate to be under 30 years young and have been to over 30 countries. The type of business I have had for...Read More
Financial Management: 7 Tips for a Newly Hired Worker
Getting hired for a new job is really exciting and definitely a testament to your continued progress in life. But don't let that success go to your head. There are some things everyone should do...Read More
Why I NEED To Stop Comparing Myself To Others
I compare myself too often. I compare myself almost every day. Already, I'm comparing this article to articles other people have written, and I'm only 3 sentences in. I'm new to this entrepreneu...Read More
Enter Now: Trip of a Lifetime Giveaway to Costa Rica via Under30Experiences
To celebrate our newly launched Under30Experiences travel brand we're excited to announce our Trip of a Lifetime Giveaway on Under30CEO. Join today for a chance to win As busy young professiona...Read More
Born Global: 5 Great Cities for Young Professionals
Get out now. In the US, the taxes are going up, the middle class is dying and the value of college degrees is becoming inflated. You really want to be a cog in a corporate machine? Or just another &...Read More


text:
The City was braced for a huge new mining flotation today as it emerged that BHP Billiton is considering splitting off $19 billion of mines that it no longer considers core to its operations and turning them into a separately quoted company.
Along with the other big miners, BHP massively over-expanded and over-invested in its mining projects when prices of commodities were rising, only to find itself left with a vast range of overvalued mines on its books.
While it has already sold $6.5 billion (£3.9 billion) of mining assets in the past two years, a far bolder plan is reportedly being discussed with the company's adviser, Goldman Sachs.
Codenamed "Project River", the Goldman-led team, who would make millions of dollars from a sale, is considering spinning off BHP's aluminium, nickel and bauxite assets in a demerger to create a new $19 billion company that could be listed separately on the London Stock Exchange, as well as the Australian and South African markets.
BHP pointedly did not deny the reports in an announcement to the stock market today, leading analysts to give credence to them, although the company is also considering a mere continuation of its programme to sell its non-core operations on a mine-by-mine basis.
Mick Davis, who helped create the giant BHP Billiton before starting Xstrata, was being touted as a likely bidder for any assets that BHP chief executive Andrew Mackenzie may want to offload. Davis said yesterday that he had $2.5 billion to invest in buying such projects if the price was low enough.
If BHP opts for the demerger route, it will enable investors to share in any future rise in the value of the mines as the global economy recovers. However, investment bankers said the appetite for mining investments among fund managers is still extremely weak given the billions of dollars that investors have lost in the sector over recent years. That could make outright asset sales more attractive than continued ownership of two giant companies, albeit split "good mine-bad mine".
"We continue to actively study the next phase of simplification, including structural options, but will only pursue options that maximise value for BHP Billiton shareholders," the group said.
Shares in BHP jumped 3% to 1892.6p in London.Reuse content


text:
I spent the better part of an hour last week talking to a technologist/ entrepreneur who bought an iconic Washington business from one of the city's leading families.
That would be Ted Leonsis, a former AOL executive and now owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Washington Wizards and Capitals, as well as the Verizon Center.
Leonsis may be — along with his friend and former AOL business partner Steve Case — the closest thing Washington has to Jeff Bezos. Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, is personally buying The Washington Post for $250 million from the family led by Donald E. Graham.
Leonsis, 56, has just come off what appears to be a successful turnaround at Groupon, the Chicago-based daily-deals company at which he served as co-chief executive since February and was named chairman this month. Earlier this year, he launched Monumental Network, which includes an array of sports, cultural and news content built around his sports empire.
He has experience in buying legacy family businesses. He bought the teams and arena from the deceased sports mogul Abe Pollin, and he went about shaking up the organization.
So I called him to ask for his thoughts on The Post's sale, as well as the sale of eight broadcasting stations by Allbritton Communications, another big, family-owned media empire in Washington. Allbritton was sold to Sinclair Broadcast Group for $985 million two weeks ago.
Leonsis talked about the changes occurring in media and the challenges that go with marrying a public trust, whether it's a hockey team or a newspaper, with the necessities of business — and what to expect from Bezos.
Both the Graham and the Allbritton sales, Leonsis said, "are the natural outcome of the change in media."
"You have the Allbritton family capitalizing on the peak of the television business. They got a really, really good price. Robert Allbritton, who really understands new consumers, felt it would be in the best interest of the family to make that sale and then repurpose those dollars into new media enterprises like Politico, which, ironically, The Washington Post should have done," he said.
"The newspaper business, as presently configured, cannot grow."
So it is going to have to change.
"And hopefully, it will change for the better. Today, newspapers are still the most personality-, human-driven of all media enterprises. At Google, Amazon, Groupon — name the company — machines do the heavy lifting. Algorithms get smarter and better every day."
Take Amazon, he said. "Their algorithms are smarter today than they were yesterday, because more people used the service than the day before. And the more usage, the smarter the algorithm and the more tuned the service is to the consumer. And the easier it is to precisely target to make money."
Those clicks, whether we like it or not, increasingly will influence editorial decisions.
"They have to," he said, "because each person is an individual. Through their click streams and where they spend time, they are deciding and voting" on what they want to read.
Bezos and Amazon have mastered that data intelligence.
"One of the reasons Amazon became so successful is that they have the widest choice of information. You, as a consumer, feel comfortable that anything you want to buy, you can get on Amazon. And Amazon says, 'If you like this, then you are going to like that.' "
Leonsis recounted a personal experience he had with Amazon after reading an obituary in the New York Times on author Iris Chang.
"I went to Amazon to buy the book she wrote called 'The Rape of Nanking.' And Amazon said, 'If you like this, you will like these.' " He promptly bought two more books on Nanking, which led him to produce a documentary film on the event. That, in turn, led to his founding of an online movie business, SnagFilms.
The move to digital won't be cheap.
What Amazon does with search "takes time, effort and money," Leonsis said. "And it's risky. And you really can only do that as a private company, because a public company wants consistency and growth, quarter to quarter."
To turn The Post into a 21st-century platform like Amazon, "you might have to take steps back and invest and lose more money short-term in order to find more users and to make the algorithm smarter."
That could mean not charging for content, learning more about which subjects draw the greatest interest (known as cohorts), and figuring out how to grow those areas and build advertising "verticals" to appeal to the people on the other end of those clicks.
"Politico is bringing together a large group involved in politics, and they've opened up a whole new category of advertising. Maybe The Washington Post ends up with 10 big verticals . . . being a Politico competitor and an ESPN competitor and a Comcast SportsNet competitor.
"It's also going to have to move rapidly into video. Video is the killer app on the Web, and you are in print. I'm sure the next generation of Washington Post will be filled with video."
In fact, The Post just opened up a big video operation and invested heavily in employees and equipment.
"You've got to be much more adept in mobile and real-time delivery of news," he said. "That will take investment and infrastructure build-out."
I changed the subject a bit and asked Leonsis about the challenges of buying a family-owned business. Although The Washington Post Co. is publicly traded, the Grahams control the majority of the voting shares.
You have to convince the seller that "I'm going to take our baby and invest in it and accentuate all of the positives that you built — and then add value from my skill set so that it can thrive in the new world," he said.
"That's the outcome that Don Graham and Abe Pollin wanted."
Taking old cultures and fusing them with the digital world isn't easy, however.
"I've owned the teams for 14 years. It took me 12 years to get the organization to realize that we were an e-commerce platform and media company and social media company. Oh, and yes, we also own sports teams.
"A lot of it is generational. The leagues have been around a long, long time. The Washington Post is going to bring in people from new media and younger people who grew up on the Net and don't read newspapers. My son, Zach, has never read the physical paper. He reads articles of interest to him. He tweets. His vocabulary is different."
It is hard to implement change, even when you own the enterprise.
"A lot of things that need to be done seem to be unnatural acts for longtime employees" at legacy companies, Leonsis said.
When the Wizards and Capitals migrated to the efficiency of paperless ticketing last year, "there was dramatic angst internally. We almost had to force the decision. I had to say, 'We are doing it.' The world didn't end."
Although The Post — and yours truly — occasionally vexes Leonsis, the mogul said he and the rest of the local business community have a stake in Bezos's success.
"I personally put my hand up [through an e-mail to Bezos] and said, 'However I can help Jeff and The Washington Post going forward, just call me.' I would invest time, money, effort, whatever is needed, because our community needs it. My sports teams need it. My investments need a healthy, thriving Washington Post."


text: Droog - Unregistered February 22, 2012 6:19 PM Actually, more power to Caterham, they now have a couple of relatively decent pilots behind the wheel and Petrov has impressed occaisionally in the past. I say good luck to them. (i'll take an r500 in bright yellow please) 10 agree 3 disagree


text: Yeah, yeah. I know this topic has been covered plenty of times however each thread i have read fails to adress the removal of the amber colored reflectors. If these are removed, are the lights no longer considered legal? By the way, im in New Jersey. I appreciate any help i can get. Thanks.


text:
York Furnace Leaking.. Please help
Hello I have a York electric furnace that had developed some moisture on the bottom of the pan. After about 2 weeks after I first spotted the problem I noticed that the water now had spread.
I opened up the furnace and noticed about 7 inches of standing water in the pan. I vacuumed the water out I also removed the drain pipe and cleaned it out completely along with the tray.
However when I started the ac again I noticed that the coils develop frost and the water then drips from the condensor. The furnace is about 20 years old I am worred sick at the thought of having to replace this unit since I just replaced the heat pump two years ago.
Anyone have any suggestions on what the problem may be. Also what the approximate cost of a new electric furnace would be? Thanks for your help.
Have you cleaned off the coils?
yes i cleaned them
Now im not a hvac tech...but i think i may be correct in saying the problem you are having with frost building on the coils is due the system needing to be charged? (Low on refridgerant?)
well I had an hvac repair man come out today and he did say that it was low on freon and added two pounds to the system. He also spotted a leak in one of the pipes leading into the heat pump itself. He tightened the bolt and the leak stopped.
We also rechecked the drain pipe and made sure it wasn't clogged, as well as checked the drain pan for any holes and or leaks none was found. However we started the system again and it is still leaking water. I am going to try and clean the condensor again and see what happens but i'm not optimistic at this point.
|All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:50 AM.
vBulletin Security provided by vBSecurity v2.2.2 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.


text:
When the Giants released running back Ahmad Bradshaw last week, attention in the fantasy world immediately turned to running back David Wilson , who showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie in 2012. But Wilson isn't the only productive runner on the roster. Andre Brown , who scored eight touchdowns and averaged more than five yards per carry last season, has his eyes set on Bradshaw's old role.
"I'm going to prepare to be a starter," Brown said to the New York Post. "That's the dream job right there, to go out there and start and play for the New York Giants. I would love to do that. I'm going to be put as much work as I need to put in to prepare for that role."
Brown's season ended when he broke his left leg in Week 12, but he told The Post that he is fully healed.
Fantasy Analysis:
Wilson's speed and versatility along with the Giants' investment in his as a first-round pick make him the favorite to be the starter. That's not to say Brown won't be involved. He's a much better short-yardage player, and it's no secret that Wilson was abysmal in pass protection, meaning Brown might get some third-down looks. He is a pretty good handcuff/late-round flier pick in drafts. But right now, I would still consider Wilson an easy top-20 RB.


text:
Need Xfinity in Stratford, NJ? CableTV.com is the Best Choice
Get Xfinity TV from Comcast in Stratford, NJ, and choose from multiple affordable packages. With Xfinity TV, you get the best TV programming for your home with DVR packages, On Demand options, and digital cable channels.
If you watch more than 35 hours of television each week you're part of the majority of Americans. Why not get the best premium home television programming available in Stratford? Xfinity TV is the choice of customers in Stratford, NJ. If you are a sports fan, you'll get local Stratford cable channels with Xfinity. Xfinity TV specials also include current and classic TV and movie options.


text:
Welcome to E-Books Directory
This is a freely downloadable e-book.
Hypatia: Her Life and Times
Read this book online or download it here for free
Custom Search
Hypatia: Her Life and Times
by Faith L. Justice
Publisher: Smashwords 2012
Number of pages: 58
Hypatia has been the subject of much mythmaking through the centuries. She's the subject of poetry, plays, novels and movies. These articles pull back the curtain and let the reader see the real Hypatia. She needs no embellishments to her story to take her place in history as a remarkable woman.
More Sites Like This
|Science Books Online
|Books Fairy
|Maths e-Books
|Programming Books


text:
I had a bit of leftover lemon curd from last week's Pavlova recipe… I also have jar upon jar of home-made fruit jelly in the store cupboard. As someone who hates to waste anything, I thought I would make some simple lemon curd and jelly tarts.
Whether you're rubbing in by hand or using a food mixer, the shortcrust pastry is a breeze…
…then fill with your preserve(s) of choice and bake. Start to finish in an hour or so. Perfect if you want to rustle up something quickly – or try a bit of baking with the kids.
You can leave them plain & simple – or perhaps pretty them up a bit. I garnished the top of the lemon curd tarts with a single blueberry and the jelly ones with a little sprinkle of dessicated coconut.
They're a good finger food for a party or an afternoon or high tea. They're simple, inexpensive and delicious – a great combination!
Click here or on the image below to save the recipe for later!
- 180g/6oz plain flour
- pinch of salt
- 90g/3oz cold butter, cubed
- 3-4 tbsp cold water
- 8tbsp lemon curd
- 8tbsp fruit jelly or jam
- Put the flour and salt into a food processor and whiz briefly together to mix
- Add the butter cubes and pulse briefly a dozen times or so until you have coarse crumbs
- Trickle in the water continuing to pulse until the mixture resembles rough lumps and looks a bit like overcooked and dry scrambled eggs. Add only as much water as you need
- Tip the clumped crumbs onto a sheet of cling film and gently squeeze together into a ball without pressing too hard
- Wrap & chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas mark 6
- Lightly grease a tartlet tin
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll the pastry out thinly
- Using a pastry cutter slightly larger than the circumference of a tartlet hole, cut out pastry rounds
- Press the pastry rounds evenly into each hole (I use the end of my rolling pin as a tamper)
- Fill each pastry case with about a teaspoon of lemon curd or jelly/jam
- Bake for 15 minutes
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the tin before attempting to remove them
- Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack


text:
Cisco VPN version 5.0.07.0440 - failed connection
Hi Everyone,
For quite some time now, we have been experiencing an issue with the Cisco VPN client that will make the client completely unusable. I have noticed that when a specific feature of Symantec Endpoint Protection is enabled, it will (about 25% of the time) cause the following errors to appear when attempting to connect anywhere with the Cisco VPN client. Once this error happens once, the VPN client then becomes useless.
Error #1
Reason 414: Failed to establish a TCP connection
Error #2
Reason 440: Driver Failure
Error #3
Reason 442: Failed to enable virtual adapter
It seems that fixing one error will cause the other error to come up...
I have tried reinstalling the client with the same version and older versions and the issue still comes up.
All users in the company are using Windows 7 64-bit with SP1 installed.
The oddest thing about this is that all employees in the company have the same antivirus with the same features enabled, however, it only happens to a small percentage of employees.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions and thanks in advance!


text: The TwirlyGirl® Capotto Jacket has a flowing design that is as fanciful as it is enchanting. Raw edges and contrasting prints add special detail. There's an easy tie for "buttoning" up. Thumbholes provide warmth and a little novelty. Perfect for back-to-school and for layering on those cooler autumn days. Made from soft sweater knits and poly/rayon jersey. Machine washable in cold. Lay flat to dry. Made in Los Angeles. Sizes45678Available StylesCeleste Partito


text: I spoke with a VA Rep today and was told that my claim was ready for a decision on March 6 and is currently being reviewed as of April 15. Does this mean that a rating specialist is working on my claim? If so, any ideas of how much longer I can expect before a decision? Thanks.


text:
As you may have noticed in the last few weeks of November, nearly every writer at the Moving Pixels blog has had something to say about Fable III (and if you don't know this, feel free to check out the links below).
From the game's whimsical aesthetic to its politics to its possibly unfulfilled promises (within the game itself and from Lionhead about what the game offers as an experience), we all have some opinion on this newest iteration of the saga of the hero of Albion.
In this episode, we re-explore some of our isolated opinions about the game and try to suss out the effectiveness of the stranger design details, like the game's pretty unique re-envisioning of a menu system.
Oh, and Rick and I get pretty heated about Reaver—nasty little bugger that he is (that is Reaver, not Rick).
This podcast is also available via iTunes.
Additional discussion of Fable III:
Fable III is the Quintessential Mixed Bag by Nick Dinicola
The Neo Conundrum and the Cost of a Perfect Game Ending by Kris Ligman
Ruling Albion in Fable 3 is Terrible Gameplay and Worse Storytelling by Rick Dakan
Fable 3: An Uncompromising Commitment to Whimsy by G. Christopher Williams
Forced Alliances in Fable 3 by Nick Dinicola
Forced Politics in Fable 3 by Nick Dinicola
Fable III, the Presidential Simulator by Kris Ligman
Gaming and the Politics of Control by Kris Ligman
Our podcast contributors:
Rick Dakan is a regular contributor to the Moving Pixels blog as well as to the Gamma Testing podcast.
G. Christopher Williams is the Multimedia Editor at PopMatters.com. You can find his weekly updates featured at the Neuromance blog.
Nick Dinicola is also a regular contributor to the Moving Pixels blog.
Thomas Cross contributes frequently to the Multimedia section at PopMatters.com, and he also pens the Diamond in the Rough column for GameSetWatch.
A Valley Son "Leaving Is Easy" (audio) (premiere) // Music
Foo Fighters "Run" (Singles Going Steady) // Music
Childish Gambino "Centipede" (Singles Going Steady) // Music
Ye Banished Privateers "I Dream of You" (video) (premiere) // Music
The Thoughtful Absurdity of 'Spaceplan'
// Moving Pixels
"Spaceplan is a goofy game that still manages to pack a potent emotional punch.READ the article


text:
NAEP Business Policy Task Force
Mission Statement: The Task Force provides input and feedback to the National Assessment Governing Board in setting policy for NAEP and for increasing the reach of NAEP results to the business community.
The task force is composed of twelve business leaders representing industry sectors across the nation.
Lloyd G. Jackson II – Task Force Chair
Lloyd Jackson is the President of Jackson Gas Company. From 1995-2003, Mr. Jackson served as chair of the West Virginia Senate Education Committee, chair of the Finance Subcommittee on Education Funding and co-chair of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability. He was an active member of the Southern Regional Education Board where he sat on both the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee, and Chaired the Legislative Advisory Council. In 2011, Mr. Jackson was appointed by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to a nine-year term on the West Virginia Board of Education.
Mr. Jackson and his family have been involved in the natural gas industry for over a century. Jackson Gas Company is a natural gas production business started by Mr. Jackson's father in the late 1940's. Today Jackson Gas Company and its affiliates own or operate over 350 wells in southern West Virginia.
James E. Bostic, Jr. – Task Force Vice Chair
James Bostic is a retired Executive Vice President of the Georgia-Pacific Corporation where his work focused on environmental affairs, government affairs, communications, and administrative services. A 20-year veteran of the company, Mr. Bostic's earlier roles included Group Vice President of the Communication Papers Division, General Manager of the Commercial Products & Systems Division, Director of Sales Operations for the Consumer Tissue Group. Mr. Bostic is a member of the Board of Directors for ACT, Inc., and a former member of the Georgia State Board of Education.
Georgia-Pacific is one of the world's leading manufacturers of tissue, pulp, paper, packaging, building products and related chemicals. The company has approximately 300 manufacturing facilities across North America, South America and Europe.
Michael A. Bettersworth
Michael Bettersworth is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Technology Advancement at the Texas State Technical College where he provides leadership on relevant policy issues, emerging workforce trends and external relations. He has published numerous studies on emerging occupations and technical education. In 2007, he authored a Texas State Technical College Legislative Update paper called, "Looming Reduction in Texas Skilled Workforce Capacity." Mr. Bettersworth recently served on a review panel overseeing the rewrite of the Texas inventory of secondary career and technical courses.
The Texas State Technical System includes four colleges and more than 15,000 students. It is the only state-supported technical college system in Texas and is ranked number one in the nation for engineering graduates among two-year colleges. TSTC is helping Texas meet the high-tech challenges of today's global economy, in partnership with business and industry, government agencies, and other educational institutions.
Norma B. Clayton
Norma Clayton is vice president for Learning, Training and Development at The Boeing Company. In this role, she partners with the businesses and functions to design and implement training and development programs that are world class, cost effective and aligned to business goals and objectives.
Prior to this assignment, she led the company's global sourcing initiative, and held a number of leadership roles within Boeing Defense, Space and Security, including vice president of Supplier Management and Procurement. Ms. Clayton joined McDonnell Douglas in 1995 as director of the Machining Center, and later became division director of Fabrication in St. Louis. Before joining McDonnell Douglas, she held leadership roles in manufacturing, supply chain management, program management and plant operations at Lockheed Martin, General Electric, RCA and General Motors.
Norma holds a master's degree in Business Management from Webster University, a master's degree in HR Development from Webster University, a bachelor's degree in industrial administration from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and is pursuing a PhD. She is also a recent graduate of the Focus St. Louis Leadership Development Program. She is currently a board member of the St. Louis Academy of Science, Tuskegee University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and the American Society of Training and Development. She is also a Boeing executive focal for Michigan State University, a member of Leadership America, and a member of the American Society of Industrial Engineers.
Tyler Cramer
Tyler W. Cramer serves as an advisor to the Center for Education Policy and Law at the University of San Diego, San Diegans for Great Schools, Inc. and the San Diego Unified School District. He was the chair and acting chief executive officer of the San Diego Business Roundtable for Education Foundation and an initial appointee to the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System Advisory Board. Mr. Cramer is the president and a principal attorney in CRAMER LAW, A Professional Corporation, and of counsel to HECHT SOLBERG ROBINSON GOLDBERG & BAGLEY LLP. His practice focuses on advising and representing regional and national clients in business, real estate and financing transactions.
Joseph E. Esposito
Joseph Esposito is a senior financial executive with a broad range of experience, especially in growing and developing businesses, strategic planning and managing business transitions. He currently works as a business advisor with Ascentage Group assisting small to mid-sized technology companies. He is also a member of the board of directors of Newforma, Inc., a software company. Formerly, Mr. Esposito served as the CFO and Treasurer for Solidworks Corporation, as the Financial Director of New Business Ventures for Polaroid Corporation, and as the CFO for Polaroid Medical Imaging Systems. Mr. Esposito is a board member on the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, and Chairman of the Advisory Council to the Massachusetts Board of Education for School & District Accountability & Assistance.
SolidWorks Corp. is the leader in 3D CAD technology. Since 1993, SolidWorks has been dedicated to providing engineers, designers and other creative professionals with the tools they need to design the world's greatest products.
Norelie Garcia
Norelie García serves as Associate Vice President of External Affairs for AT&T where she is responsible for executing national strategies for achieving corporate legislative objectives and presenting company positions to external stakeholders in key issues areas such as education, sustainability and consumer policy. Ms. García served previously as Managing Director at the DCI Group and was formerly an Associate to Mickey Ibarra and Associates providing public affairs support to a wide rage of clients such as the Alliance for Excellent Education, National Education Association and the National Council of La Raza. Ms. García is native of Puerto Rico and a Member of the Board of Directors for the National Puerto Rican Coalition.
For more than a century, AT&T has consistently provided innovative, reliable, high-quality products and services and excellent customer care. Today, the company's mission is to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else.
Jon Eric Gustafson
Jon Eric Gustafson leads Workforce Partnerships and Incentives for Lockheed Martin Corporation. In Mr. Gustafson's role, he led the Aerospace Manufacturing Training Program (AMTP) curriculum design team, including a team of industry experts and representatives from secondary, post-secondary, and higher education to define engineering and manufacturing entry-level workforce skills requirements. Mr. Gustafson has also served as an industry representative on the task forces for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Business and Education Coalition.
Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide, and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
Drexel Harris — Dominion Transmission
Drexel Harris is a Human Resources Director at Dominion Virginia Power. He provides support for Dominion's gas transmission, storage, and distribution systems in Ohio and West Virginia. In this capacity, he identifies business needs and provides solutions to meet those needs. In addition, he has served as a member on the Virginia State University's Historically Black Colleges and Universities UP/S.T.E.M. Advisory Committee.
Mr. Harris has enjoyed several careers at Dominion, including nuclear training instructor, operations engineer, licensing engineer, HR recruiter, HR generalist, EEO/diversity consultant, Six Sigma training manager, HR manager, and HR director. Prior to joining Dominion, Drexel served eight years in the US Navy as a nuclear reactor operator on board nuclear powered submarines.
Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 28,200 megawatts of generation, 11,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,300 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system with 947 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 15 states.
Phyllis A. Hudecki
Dr. Hudecki was appointed in November, 2010, by Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin to serve in her cabinet as Secretary of Education. The Secretary advises the Governor on education policy from pre-K through higher education. Prior to her appointment to the Governor's cabinet, Phyllis led the work of the Oklahoma Business and Education Coalition, OBEC, as the executive director. The coalition, founded in 2000 by business leaders from the state's largest companies, promotes policies that would increase academic standards and strengthen public education in Oklahoma. She continues to work with business leaders and the Governor, linking education policy to the needs of the business community.
In addition to a bachelor of science degree, she also holds a doctorate in education from OSU, a master's degree in education from the University of Connecticut, and an education specialist in administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Michele McGlinchey-Morrissey
Michele McGlinchey-Morrissey is the Human Resources Client Manager with Cargill, Inc. where she serves with the Energy, Industrial, and Metals businesses globally as a human resources business partner. In this role, Michele develops Cargill's ability to attract, engage, and retain our employees by managing employee engagement programs, compensation/benefits, employee relations, talent development, and talent recruitment for a global workforce. Prior to Cargill, Michele served as a Sr. Human Resources Specialist with M.A. Mortenson Company, where she specialized in talent recruiting of entry-level college graduates, employee relations, and compliance programs.
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services, employing 139,000 people in 65 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to sharing our global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges.
Wendy Swisher
Wendy Swisher is the Vice President of Human Resources and Leadership Development at Kindred Healthcare where she designs, develops, implements and directs strategic HR initiatives that support the business plans of the company and its divisions; as well as enterprise-wide business-related initiatives involving Organizational Development, Employee Relations, Recruiting and Affirmative Action. Prior to joining Kindred, Ms. Swisher served as an HR Manager at Kimball International, and as CEO at Charter Medical Corporation.
Kindred Healthcare, Inc. is a healthcare services company based in Louisville, KY, with annual revenues of over $4 billion and approximately 54,500 employees in 41 states. Kindred, through its subsidiaries, provides healthcare services in 653 locations, including long-term acute care hospitals, skilled nursing centers, and a contract rehabilitation services business called Peoplefirst. Kindred's mission is to promote healing, provide hope, preserve dignity and produce value for each patient, resident, family member, customer, employee and shareholder we serve.


text:
In the grim cold of February surfaces a thrilling new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen book: Nemo: Heart Of Ice, a full-color 56-page adventure in the classic pulp tradition by the inestimable Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill.
It's 1925, fifteen long years since Janni Dakkar first tried to escape the legacy of her dying science-pirate father, only to accept her destiny as the new Nemo, captain of the legendary Nautilus. Now, tired of her unending spree of plunder and destruction, Janni launches a grand expedition to surpass her father's greatest failure: the exploration of Antarctica. Hot on her frozen trail are a trio of genius inventors, hired by an influential publishing tycoon to retrieve the plundered valuables of an African queen. It's a deadly race to the bottom of the world – an uncharted land of wonder and horror where time is broken and the mountains bring madness. Jules Verne meets H.P. Lovecraft in the unforgettable final showdown, lost in the living, beating and appallingly inhuman Heart Of Ice.
A 56-page full-color hardcover graphic novel from Top Shelf Productions & Knockabout.
Shipping February 2013.
You can preorder here: Nemo: Heart of Ice
- Limbus, Inc. Limited Edition Available For Preorder - February 14, 2013
- HWA 2012 Specialty Press Award Goes to Centipede Press - February 14, 2013
- Deeply Odd (Odd Thomas) - February 14, 2013
- The Vampires of Bloody Island - February 14, 2013
- Deep Cuts Anthology Honors Women In Horror - February 13, 2013
- The Demonologist: A Novel - February 13, 2013
- Dark Regions Press New Sponsor For Bram Stoker Awards® Weekend 2013 - February 13, 2013
- Chasm - February 13, 2013
- The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination - February 13, 2013
- Ghostman - February 12, 2013


text:
Maynooth Campus Conference & Accommodation
Maynooth Campus Conference & Accommodation is a mixture of modern student apartments and traditional rooms on the university campus at Maynooth, west of Dublin city.
The student apartments are self-catering. 555 of the 900 rooms are en-suite. Most are single rooms, though a limited number of twin rooms are available. Traditional rooms all have wash-hand basins, with shared access to toilet and shower facilities. Rooms are a mixture of singles and twins. There are also a small number of deluxe en-suite rooms.
Maynooth is a lively university town of some historical interest. At the gates of the college stands the Geraldine Castle, once the seat of power in Ireland. The tree-lined main street links the entrance to the college with Carton walk and the great Carton demesne. The town also has an excellent range of restaurants, pubs and shops.
On the campus visitors can enjoy fine Georgian and neo-Gothic architecture, as well as the magnificent College Chapel. There are also splendid walks amongst the extensive grounds. And all within easy reach of the attractions of Dublin city, as well as tourist attractions such as Newgrange and Glendalough.
Maynooth is an ideal base from which to explore the historical treasures of Leinster.
With effect from 23 September 2013 a new policy on late night access to the south campus applies. Except in extenuating circumstances guests will no longer be granted access to the south campus after 01:00am
Disponibilità e tariffePer visualizzare la disponibilità e i prezzi, seleziona le date e fai clic su "Aggiorna date"
Ostello Servizi & Politiche
- Sicurezza 24 ore su 24
- Adattatori
- Parcheggio per biciclette
- Prima colazione non inclusa
- Carte di credito accettate
- Coprifuoco
- Ascensore
- Mappe della città gratuite
- Wi-Fi gratuito
- Asciugacapelli
- Asciugacapelli a noleggio
- Docce calde
- Pulizia
- Accesso con chiave elettronica
- Biancheria inclusa
- Deposito bagagli
- Vietato fumare
- Parcheggio
- Servizio postale
- Luce per lettura
- Bagno turco
- Macchine per thé e caffé
- Asciugamani inclusi
- Accessibile ai disabili
Politica di cancellazioneQuesta proprietà ha una politica di cancellazione di 1. La mancata cancellazione entro questo intervallo di tempo si tradurrà in una penale pari alla prima notte di pernottamento.
IndicazioniMostra mappaNascondi mappa
Maynooth is located 24km west of Dublin on the M4.
By rail it takes between 30 and 50 minutes (depending on whether the connection is express or commuter). Rail service is from Connolly station in Dublin, with some commuter connections from Pearse Street station.
By bus, the journey takes a minimum of 45 minutes, but times depend on traffic in the city. The most direct service is the #66 bus from Pearse Street in Dublin, though the #67A also serves Maynooth (but takes a longer route).
If travelling from Dublin airport, there are three options:
1. Taxi
2. Bus - to city centre, connect with #66 or #67A
3. Rail - feeder bus to Howth Junction - DART (commuter rail service) to Connolly - Arrow or Express service to Maynooth.


text:
Get an overview of this hotel4-star hotel with 2 restaurants and indoor pool
Popular property highlights
Situated in Seeb, this hotel is within 6 mi (10 km) of Al Mouj Marina, Markaz Al Bahja Mall, and Muscat City Centre Shopping Mall. Almouj Golf and Sultan Qaboos University are also within 9 mi (15 km).
Hotel Features
This hotel features 2 restaurants, an indoor pool, and a 24-hour health club. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a poolside bar, a 24-hour business center, and conference rooms.
Room Amenities
All 50 rooms offer free WiFi, room service, and cable TV. Other amenities available to guests include coffee makers, hair dryers, and safes.
Guest Highlights
- Beach
- Helpful staff
Eastin Residences Muscat
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Eastin Residences Muscat features an indoor pool and a 24-hour health club. Dining is available at one of the hotel's 2 restaurants. A poolside bar is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. A computer station is located on site and wireless Internet access is complimentary.
A 24-hour business center is on site at this 4-star property. This business-friendly hotel also offers tour/ticket assistance, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. For a surcharge, the property provides a roundtrip airport shuttle (available 24 hours) and a shopping center shuttle. Onsite self parking is complimentary.
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Total number of rooms - 50
- Number of floors - 5
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Conference space
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- 24-hour health club
- Shopping center shuttle (surcharge)
- Computer station
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Free WiFi
- Poolside bar
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Number of restaurants - 2
- 24-hour business center
- Pool sun loungers
- Free self parking
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Indoor pool
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Coffee/tea maker
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Hair dryer
- Shower only
- In-room safe
- Desk
- Cable TV service
- Free WiFi
- Room service (limited hours)
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
Where to Eat
Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM.
Four Corners - This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.
Nearby Things to Do
Recreational amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool and a 24-hour health club.
- Golfing nearby
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Check-in time ends at midnight
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
No cribs (infant beds) available
Optional extras
- Fee for buffet breakfast: OMR 3 per person (approximately)
- Airport shuttle fee: OMR 8.000 per vehicle (one-way)
Hotel Name
- Eastin Muscat
- Eastin Residences
- Eastin Residences Hotel
- Eastin Residences Hotel Muscat
- Eastin Residences Muscat
- Eastin Residences Muscat Hotel
We should mention
This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


text:
Here's what's being talked about in pop culture:
• LeVar Burton's effort to raise $1 million via Kickstarter for a new edition of the educational program "Reading Rainbow" was fulfilled in less than a day. [Vulture]
• Censoring pictures of young women isn't just for high school yearbooks: The MPAA has rejected a poster for the upcoming "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" because it shows too much of Eva Green's breasts. [Entertainment Weekly]
• A reboot of the "Stargate" franchise is in the works, with a proposed trilogy of films to be directed by Roland Emmerich, who made the original film. [The Hollywood Reporter]


text: I have the stock Michelin tires on my 06 sts4 v-6 and think they are terrible. I have never heard a set of tires this loud, no matter what the pavement is like they are terribly loud and give a very rough ride. I am thinking of switching to a set of Dunlop SP sport signature's, stock is 255/55/17, the closest i can come is either 235/55/17 or 255/45/17. I dont know if i want to sacrifice ride for grip and go with the 45 series or sacrifice grip for ride and go for the 55's? will there be a significant differance either way?


text:
Ticket Scalping
Published September 1st, 2007
On game day, if you find yourself still looking for a ticket there may be hope. Ticket scalping is now legal in Florida, making things more convenient for gator fans. Ticket scalpers say it's all about price and demand. Since the gators won the national championship last year, gator fans are hitting the streets searching for cheaper tickets. Even though scalping is legal... it's not allowed on UF's campus. Authorities say if you're ripped off by a scalper there's nothing they can do about it.
By Gavin Johnson, WCJB TV20 News
Related Stories
- Troopers Ticketing Aggressive Driving
- Parking Tickets Confusion
- Man Offers Gator Football Ticket in Exchange for Date With Daughter
- Removal Of ASO Traffic Unit Leads To Less Traffic Tickets Being Issued
- City Prepares to Collect Dues on Unpaid Parking Tickets
- How to Avoid a Speeding Ticket
- City of Gainesville Corrects Outdated Information on Parking Tickets
- GPD: Hit and Run Driver Flees To Avoid Traffic Ticket
- UF Student Football Ticket Sales Witness Dry Spell
- Fake UF Football Tickets


text:
It goes without saying that Dr. Zogby lies about the Arab Peace Initiative, and I see no reason to retread old ground as to why it doesn't work. If you need a refresher, these Huffington Posters explain it pretty well, and so does this cartoon. And remember that all that was before the "Arab Spring," which means that if Israel had accepted the API a solid quarter of the governments that they made real, on the ground concessions with which to make peace would be gone forever. Do you think Dr. Zogby acknowledges the problems with the plan? HA!
"Instead, Israel scoffed at the Initiative and dismissed it, while the Bush Administration under-valued its importance."Oh right of course. Those eeeevil Westerners wouldn't accept the plan of the peaceful Arabs because they are so eeeeevil. But what really happened was that "Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon even said he would go the Arab League summit to discuss the plan, but he was not invited. The Saudis have also been invited to Jerusalem to discuss their proposal, but they have rejected this idea as well." The Israelis discussed it but found it to be unworkable. Which if you recall is the same excuse the Palestinians always use for every single one of the dozens of peace plans that have been offered to them. One standard for the Jews, one standard for Dr. Zogby's fellow Arabs. How typical.
Let's move to a very ironic statement:
"Like other victims of settler colonialism, the Arabs remained steadfast in maintaining the illegitimacy of the new state that had displaced the indigenous people of Palestine. And so the conflict continued and only intensified, in 1967, when Israel occupied the whole of Palestine."First of all, the entire Middle East are victims of settler colonialism. Arab settler colonialism. Dr. Zogby is either unaware of his peoples' own history, is intentionally lying, or most likely is thinking "well it doesn't matter because we conquered the Middle East a long time ago." Either way, for an Arab to be calling Arabs the "victims" of colonialism is so ironic and hypocritical it could only appear on a site like this one.
And let's not let this paragraph go by with the obligatory pro-Palestinian pseudohistory. What happened in 1967? The "peaceful" Egyptians did not provoke Israel into another war, all the while licking their collective chops to finish what they started in 1948? No, of course not! The cruel Israelis just occupied some more! That's all.
Of course this means that Dr. Zogby also thinks that Israel exists on "occupied Palestine," which means he doesn't think they have a right to exist. Obviously that's not a very peaceful attitude, but considering that he spends most of his column bashing Israel for not wanting peace, it's downright hypocritical. Which, again, is hardly a new adjective to describe anti-Israel Huffington Post bloggers.
As if that rewrite of history wasn't bad enough, he does it again!
"At that point, the second Intifada erupted. Unlike the first intifada, this was an exceptionally violent uprising and it was met with massive oppression. Given this, it is all the more remarkable that in this context the Arab Heads of State gathered in Beirut to issue their peace initiative."The paragraph before this is more whining about settlements combined with the trademark Arab talking point that "it became clear to us [and us alone apparently] that Israel wouldn't let us have a state so we started blowing up buses." Dr. Zogby comes as close to defend the mass murder of Israelis (and engineered deaths of Palestinians) in the second Intifada as I have ever seen. Conflicts don't just spontaneous "erupt" like volcanoes, Dr. Zogby. They are started. By people. And in this case, Yasser Arafat never denied that he was the one who started it. Why should he, when he has apologists like you to do so for him?
Finally, Dr. Zogby returns to a job he is actually good at, being a pollster:
"Sure enough, when we have polled on the Arab Peace Initiative across the Arab World we now find that almost three-quarters of all Arabs support a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel."So on the one hand this is encouraging because it means that the Arabs are finally facing the obvious. However, it's not all roses and white wine, because some key questions must be asked.
-Would this solution mean that Israel remains a Jewish state?
-Would you be willing to normalize relations with Israel?
-Would you support a peace plan that involves a renunciation of the so-called "right" of return?
-Would you be willing to give up Jerusalem? Or 1.1% of the West Bank?
-If the Palestinian state should go to war with Israel for some reason, would you back them up?
The reason why I am skeptical is because of other polls that Dr. Zogby did not feel like sharing, such as the one that shows an overwhelming majority of Palestinians refuse to renounce the "right of return." Not such a peaceful attitude there, do you think? No wonder Dr. Zogby couldn't be bothered to notice.
He concludes with some calls for peace, which is nice, except that he already made it clear that he considers Israel to be formed on "occupied Palestine," and doesn't appear to be changing that point of view. In the end it's just another disingenuous article but aside from the usual haters, I don't think very many people were fooled.


text:
If you're looking for a used car that's a little bigger than your average hatch, to suit a growing family, and if you look towards the less glamorous end of the used car market, you can find some real bargains as people downsize. Here's our guide to five practical, bigger used car purchases.
Alfa Romeo 156
The Alfa Romeo 156 is one very stylish used car choice. It's a four-door car that, thanks to its hidden rear door handles and curvy styling, actually looks a lot like a two-door coupe, so you can fit the family in without compromising on style. You can still be a cool dad, as it were.
The 156 is a mid-size motor that can carry up to five passengers and while it's not the very biggest in its class, carrying three kids, two adults, and their associated luggage won't be an issue.
Mixed up with the Alfa's Italian styling – it won international awards when it was first launched – is a pretty decent range of engines, with the 1.9-litre diesel probably being the best bet for families that travel lots of miles. Payment-spreading car finance can be a great way of financing your shiny new Alfa 156.
BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series is a popular choice with various types of motorist for a very good reason – it's a very good car. For as long as most of us can remember, the BMW 3 Series has been at the top of the new and used car sales charts, and for a growing family they make a lot of sense.
Sure, these aren't the cheapest used, mid-size cars on the market, and they hold their prices because of their desirability. But, search around and you'll find the right BMW 3 Series out there for you and your family.
Safe, well-built and frugal, the 3 Series has enough space for the average family, and when the kids aren't in tow, dad can still look cool in one of the most understatedly stylish cars around.
Citroen Xsara Picasso
If you look up 'good value family car' the in dictionary, chances are there will be a picture of the Citroen Xsara Picasso alongside that description. Keep an eye out and you'll spot Xsara Picassos all around on your next drive.
Citroen invented the purely practical family car with the Xsara Picasso, and thanks to good value, plenty of space and rugged reliability, the Picasso sold in the thousands in the UK. This means that you'll find plenty on the used car market.
Plenty of room for five, economical engines and lots of boot space make the Xsara Picasso extremely attractive to growing families. Not the coolest car on the block, mind.
Ford Mondeo
The Ford Mondeo is a good used car choice, whichever model year you can afford. The newer the model, the better the fuel economy and interior space will be, but even the early Mondeos did well for space and frugality.
Proven to be a reliable car and with absolutely thousands to choose from on the used car market, spares and servicing for the Ford Mondeo should be one of the cheapest in its market segment.
Again, like the Picasso, perhaps not the most stylish car in town, but for those looking for space and safety for a growing family, the Mondeo is definitely worth a look.
Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai is the family car that every family wants right now, so that does mean it's not the cheapest of our five star family cars. But, it's the newest, makes great use of its interior space, and features some of the most frugal engines.
The Qashqai kicked off the currently popular UK new and used car buying trend a few years ago – the MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle. It's basically a taller, car-style bodyshell on a mid-size car chassis, but thanks to that taller roof line you get more interior space and a higher and therefore better view of the road ahead.
Nissan spotted a gap in the market and filled it very well with the Qashqai, so if you're looking for a good-size used family car that you could keep running – with low servicing and running costs – for several years, the Qashqai should be on your test drive list.


text:
Visa Rolling Out Mobile-Phone Card-Swipe Machines Across Africa
Visa Inc., the world's biggest electronic payments network, plans to introduce card-swiping machines that attach to mobile phones next month in Kenya, seeking to grow by recruiting more small-business owners.
The introduction of the devices in Kenya is part of a plan to expand in sub-Saharan Africa and follows a successful pilot carried out in Rwanda since December, Country Manager for Sub- Saharan Africa Jabu Basopo said.
"We have seen a growth in the number of cards," Basopo told reporters in Nairobi today. "We would like to see the same growth in the payment footprint."
Kenyan card users grew by 20 percent to six million in 2012 from a year earlier while point-of-sale usage rose to 15 percent from 10 percent, with cash-machine visits making up the rest of the $6 billion transacted last year, he said. Visa's client banks in East Africa's biggest economy increased 39 percent to 25, he said.
Safaricom, in which Vodafone Plc owns a 40 percent stake, is the inventor of M-Pesa, the mobile money-transfer system that is used to transact 80 billion shillings ($912.7 million) a month, according to the company. Kenya is the most advanced country for mobile payments, Visa said Feb. 13.
The company plans to have utility bills, government taxes and school fees paid via cards and is targeting small businesses to increase payment points, Basopo said. Users will have to enter personal identification numbers after swiping to prevent fraud, he said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Eric Ombok in Nairobi at email@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Shaji Mathew at firstname.lastname@example.com