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Published: February 10, 2009 at 8:42 PMSnarky Robert is snarky (two fans. LOL)
This is potentially great news. If the new owners paid attention to all the mistakes the previous owners made, they shouldn't have too much difficulty recouping their investment and then some.
If they want to reopen as soon as Memorial Day, does that mean they want to retain the Hard Rock Park branding? It seems to me like there's a lot they'd have to change if they were planning on dropping the brand...
Best of luck to the new owners (assuming the deal goes through). If they need any help figuring out how the last folks screwed up, feel free to register here on TPI and start a thread...
Published: February 10, 2009 at 8:47 PMGreat news! I just hope things work out. I would love to hit Hard Rock and will make every effort to do so this year if at all possible.
And Steve, your suggestion about starting a thread on TPI for advice...hilarious...but in a way, so true! I DO think we could help! ;)
Published: February 10, 2009 at 9:00 PMWell, James, last year we had the "investor" in the park telling us we were all a bunch of idiots who didn't understand the business. See how well that worked out for them...
But I say that with tongue firmly planted in cheek. What the creators of the park accomplished is really something. But they didn't seem to have an ability to change their game plan when it seemed like things were going south. They were slow to make changes that would have brought more money into the park, and that pigheadedness was the key to their undoing.
Published: February 10, 2009 at 10:02 PMThis year is all about market share. If you try to make your money back on full-price admissions this year, you're done.
My suggestions for key promotions for HRP in 2009:
- Buy one day at full adult price, get the rest of the 2009 season for free [holidays blacked out].
- Offer an annual pass [next 12 months from purchase] at twice the full daily adult price, which includes free parking, 15 percent dining and merchandise discounts and no black-out dates.
- One-day tickets sold wholesale, 70 percent off face, to local hotels for the hotels to resell to their guests at half-off face. Hotel pockets the difference. [Guests can upgrade to 'rest of the season free' at the park for the extra 50 percent.]
- Kids (under 10) tickets at $10 each for one-day. $20 for the year. [No AP benefits, though.]
- TV and radio ad campaign in all markets bounded by Washington to Atlanta to Jacksonville.
- Online ad campaign for rest of the country.
- Adjust one-day adult price online as attendance dictates. [Keep it the same at the booth all summer, though.] Advertise online price cuts with instant online ad campaigns.
- Online vacation give-aways, in cooperation with Myrtle Beach tourism groups. Use the contest to build an online database of potential visitors for e-mail marketing.
Published: February 11, 2009 at 5:15 AMOne thing the new park owners will need to resist is the urge to plop down a bunch of off-the-shelf midway rides to beef up their offerings. I know money is tight, but I for one will not make the trip if the ride quotient is upped by simply adding a bunch of spinners and flat rides that can be found at any amusement park (or county fair) in the nation. Narrative and theming must be considered - even though it is often more expensive. If HRP wants to become a true vacation destination, then creating story-driven, rock and roll experiences is a must (provided they keep their current overall theme). Maybe the new mgmt team can hire consultants from Disney and Universal for advice?
Or, post a thread on TPI...as Steve has said, we're here to help!
Published: February 11, 2009 at 10:15 AMIf a parks that desperate for attendance, theres no harm in offering free entry if, say, the guest was forced to buy a $50, in park, gift card, to be used on food, drinks or souvenirs, per person.
People spend money in the park anyway, and thats the main profit maker (Jacked up soda prices, etc).
Gets the numbers in, people spread the word, option to buy an annual pass at the cost oof one day of entry, etc.
This is why Seaworld, busch, etc, offer the fun pass. f you didn't pay to get in on that day, you have more money to spend in the parks on stuff you wouldn't normally buy.
Get promotion too, free local (And National) press coverage of free days, word of mouth advertising.
Yes, it may seem stupid to let people in for free, but if you are offering people a deal they just can't refuse, they are moore than likely going to go.
Look at Universal Superbowl deal.
How many people will make the trip there just because its free to get in? And when they do, they spend like crazy inside.
Published: February 11, 2009 at 2:06 PMI would be one of the 2 people Robert was talking about, so this is great news for me. I'm really excited to see what this company can do with the park, provided the deal does go through.
The two main things the park needs to do is lower ticket prices and work with local companies. Quite a few discounts have been mentioned, but I don't think they should (or will) go for 'buy 1 full price adult ticket and get the rest of the 2009 season free with holidays blacked out.' I think it would be better if they had a deal where if you buy 1 full price ticket you get as many more visits during your vacation free (including parking). I also don't think they should offer annual passes at twice the daily rate, it should not be somewhere between $90-120 and include parking and discounts on food and merchandise within the park.
All good ideas though, and hopefully this company can work things out and be successful. They just have to remember to work with local companies and have a creative (and effective) marketing strategy; unlike, the previous owners with the 'Winston for President' deal.
Published: February 11, 2009 at 2:59 PMJames, I completely understand your aversion to "midway-style" rides, but I honestly think that may be a really solid short-term solution. One of the chief complaints about the park is that there wasn't enough attractions. If they want to reopen the park in three months, they're going to have to do something to correct that problem. It's logistically impossible to get anything major in that time, so I think the only fix is to bring in three or four flat rides to temporarily fill the gap.
Note that I said "temporarily." They need to be added to provide a little more to do, but once the park gets back on its feet they need to start making plans to get those temporary rides out (or get them themed up and make them permanent).
Published: February 11, 2009 at 4:11 PMSteve, I understand what you're saying, but I am not traveling halfway across the nation to ride a roundup or a scrambler. I want to support the park, but they need to remain on the high ground as much as possible...the promise of future greatness (in 2010 - 11) would be enough to keep me interested. They should do like Disney is doing with DCA and begin construction, but include a preview center with the expansion plans to keep people excited. No sense wasting any money on temporary fixes...
And if the new investors can't afford to take a financial hit for the next two or three years while they beef up the attraction quantity (and maintain the quality), then they shouldn't even be offering to make the purchase.
Published: February 11, 2009 at 4:00 PMI'd rather see new live musical shows than midway rides, as a supplement to the current line-up. It's hard to remove a ride once it's installed. And it's harder to recast a park's reputation for a specific type of attraction once that's cast. If HRP ever wants to be a premium theme park destination, it must avoid the cheap midway ride "solution."
Published: February 11, 2009 at 5:32 PMWell, Robert, the park has already had its identity made as the park that couldn't survive six months. Let's get them out of that hole first.
Of course, all this talk of what thematically works may be entirely academic. We don't know what the new owners' intentions are yet. They may choose to abandon the Hard Rock branding altogether. If that's the case, then anything goes...
(by the way, I certainly wasn't advocating for a roundup or a scrambler. I'd love to something like an ARM drop tower in the spot currently wasted on the Phonehenge stage (or a double shot, I'm not picky). All they were doing with it last season was a magic show that no one cared about.)
If they get the entrance price under control, I'm not going to be as concerned about the number of attractions. But again, that was the number one complaint about the park - there just wasn't enough there to do. The second complaint was that it was too expensive for the number of attractions. Maybe taking care of the second problem will reduce the first, but until the new folks step out of the closet, this is all conjecture.
Published: February 11, 2009 at 5:55 PMI'm the other HRP fan that Robert mentioned :)
The update to the reports of FPI MB being the new owner had an interesting twist mentioning that a world-renowned theme park management company has been retained. I think we can rule out most U.S. based operators who are either having their own difficulties or wouldn't be interested in just operating a park instead of owning it outright. The exception would be PARC management who would be back in the picture after kicking the tires during the initial bankruptcy auction last December.
Regardless I am very interested in how quickly a company could close the deal and begin planning for opening day. I'm an unemployed former theme park manager who would love to take on the challenge of rebranding and reopening that park.
Also the updated story on Myrtle Beach Online (http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/679/story/779547.html) mentions that a second ownership group is coming forward with a bid. From the story: "Mark Lazarus, who owns Wild Water and Wheels in Surfside Beach, said he's working with a group of investors _ some local and some from out-of-town _ that plans to submit an offer for the bankrupt theme park before the week is out.
``We've been putting a plan together, but have not submitted anything to the trustee,'' he said."
I'd be much happier with the former bidder considering how Wild Water and Wheels is a very small attraction more akin to a FEC than a full scale theme park so I'm not sure that Mark Lazarus would have the expertise to operate HRP.
Also, regardless of who buys the park the Hard Rock branding will disappear. HRC International wants to wash their hands of this perceived failure.
Published: February 11, 2009 at 9:59 PMI've wondered how much HRC was working behind the scenes on this. Remember, Hard Rock did not own or operate this park. It simply licensed its name to the operators. Surely, Hard Rock's owners didn't like seeing their brand name dragged into so many stories about the park's bankruptcy, especially since the Hard Rock Corp. didn't have anything to do with that failure.
If I were Hard Rock Corp., I'd want one of my business partners to either A) buy or assume control of this thing and turn it around or B) buy or get control of this thing and get my name off it before it goes to public humiliation of a liquidation auction.
Published: February 12, 2009 at 12:37 AMThe owners paid Hard Rock for the right to use the license. Hard Rock itself really had very little to do with the park, it's design, and operation, and have pretty much been silent through all of this. I'm not sure why HRC didn't step up to the plate on this one.
Didn't I tell you all that this park isn't dead? There's way too much potential for it to simply die. I suspected that somebody would swoop in at the last minute to get the deal of the century, and it appears that I was right. 25 million bucks for a brand new 400 million dollar theme park is a steal. Hopefully the financing goes through.
One question is this. Will they keep the Hard Rock theme? It costs a lot of money for the license, although I (the third fan on the site) thought that they pulled it off very well. The park had "personality", and was entertaining. The one thing that it lacked was rides.
I agree that it's a bad idea to stuff in a bunch of midway rides and trash the great design that was started, but something has to be done to beef up the ride lineup. Perhaps a high capacity flat ride like a drop tower would do the trick. The shows are some of the best I've seen, as is the service and the food. Frankly, there isn't a whole lot that they need to change, except the amount of people coming through the gates.
My thoughts are this. Bring back everyone but the upper management and the marketing department. The park is a great product, but was poorly marketed and horribly managed in the money department. The designers, entertainment department (not sure if they were outsourced), and the workers and managers who made the park run had it right. Bring prices down, promote to the regional market in addition to the tourist market, and be good to passholders. Above all....get people inside the gates, at all costs.
Published: February 12, 2009 at 9:46 AMGlade to see it make a come back...But be careful of BLG...Rmemebr they bought Cypress Gardens Adventure Park..and proceeded to close it...And are reworking it into a water park ...I just dont trust them...And Freestyle is big in the water park end as well...Oh well give it a year and watch ..But I wish them the best ..no matter which way it goes...But I do agree why didnt The Hard Rock Company step in and save it...
Published: February 12, 2009 at 10:43 AMI'm new to this site, but I followed the links from Google trying to get info about the Hard Rock Park's new buyer. The comments above are interesting, but I have my own insight about what caused this park to fail and what might be needed to get it on a glidepath to profit.
I travel frequently to Myrtle Beach to monitor real estate projects I own in that market. I also spend leisure time in that area with my children and extended family. Along with addressing the entry cost, here is something the new owners should consider - Hard Rock is not a family friendly brand.
Most kids today are not that familiar with the hippy era that spawned Hard Rock. For a family with children under 12, the themes at Hard Rock can be difficult to discuss with kids. For instance, how do you explain why they call it a Magic Mushroom? I know this sounds lame for adults who have been imersed in that culture, but my guess is that the predominate demographic that visits Myrtle Beach is probably not interested in the the Hard Rock theme.
Published: February 12, 2009 at 10:57 AMStrong point, there. The Baby Boomer esthetic behind the Hard Rock brand doesn't resonate as well as Gen X'ers, very little with Gen Y and not at all with their kids. Hard Rock needs to grow the brand, and its theme, to extend to more contemporary music and acts if it is to remain viable.
Well worth remembering. Thanks.
Published: February 12, 2009 at 11:25 AMAWESOME NEWS!!! HRP is a fantastic park.
As for suggestions, here's a few:
1) Strike directly at any lingering negative cost perception. Yes, lower admission price. But also take a page from Holiday World and offer free parking, free soda (even if, like Holiday World, you need to add a couple bucks to your already-lowered ticket cost to offset any out of pocket).
2) Understand that people come to the beach to go to the beach. Make your park THE PLACE to visit after dark. offer a 7-day after-6pm pass for the cost of a full day's admission. Advertise this heavily on every road into Myrtle Beach.
3) Continue with that thought: Really make nighttime awesome at HRP. Add a second lagoon show to complement Bohemian Rhapsody. Bring out all kinds of entertainment in the evenings. Introduce some gimmick like PI's New Year's Eve party that keeps folks in your gates longer.
4) Take advantage of those bodies in the park and sell, sell, sell.
5) Add a kick-ass mini golf attraction and a haunted house. Give folks a reason to pass those boardwalk attractions and visit you instead.
6) Build some after 6pm attraction that is performer-based. Think of Adventurer's Club-meets-dead Rock n' Rollers. Celebrity impersonators are everywhere.
7) Create some guerilla marketing initiatives. Back in the day, it seemed so brazen when a little biplane bould buzz WDW pulling a Rosie O'Grady's banner. Okay, so now it's the 21st century. Get crazy.
8) Get the locals in your gates. They will sustain you through the valleys and, if you do your job right, make you feel loved.
9) Build a Bob Dylan attraction.
10) Market yourself as the NEW Hard Rock Park.
Published: February 14, 2009 at 9:02 AMRandy, I second your comment (or third it, I guess, since Robert already concurred) about the current implementation of HRP not being very family friendly. Just take a look at the night time spectacular: Bohemian Rhapsody. Great song, but with lyrics like "mama, just killed a man, put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger now he's dead", not too many families will be staying for the closing ceremonies....
I don't think the park should go "kiddie" by any means, but the new owners definitely need to cater toward the lucrative family market...in the case of the night time show, perhaps cutting a few lyrics wouldn't hurt...or picking a different song, or having an earlier show for families and a later show for just adults. Lots of options, but the family should be considered.
Keep posting Randy, I like the way you are thinking!


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Hands-on Learning with Priceless Artifacts
When Rachel Marcus received the Epson DC-06 Document Camera through DonorsChoose.org, she planned on using it to expand her students' horizons. Even though her classes at Prairie Middle School in Aurora, Colorado contain a heavily diverse population of students from across the globe, including Thailand, Eastern Europe, Libya and Mexico, many of them haven't lived in their home countries for any length of time.
"One of my main goals is to open the kids' minds to all these other cultures, countries, traditions and ways of life out there, and to teach tolerance," she explains. "One of the ways I do this is by teaching a World Religion unit."
Mrs. Marcus uses the World Religion unit in combination with coursework exploring the geography, history and culture of other countries. By bringing a religious leader from five major world religions into the classroom, Mrs. Marcus gives her students a hands-on learning experience that they can't get from a textbook. Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam are all represented throughout the unit, via an imam, a rabbi, a monk, a priest and a guru.
"From a Koran to a prayer rug to the rabbi's mezuzah, some of these objects are familiar to the students, depending on their background," says Mrs. Marcus. "But to most of them, these things are totally new—they've never seen them before nor pronounce the name." With each artifact comes an assignment. The students are to draw the artifact, write a caption and explain what it is and how it relates to the religion.
"The document camera allowed 30 kids to easily see each artifact that each of the leaders brought with them, without crowding around them." Religious objects can be fragile, antique or sacred, and the document camera provides a way for every child to see it close up—without passing a treasured object around the class.
"I find that having a religious leader talk about their belief systems enables the students to break down some misconceptions they may have about people in other countries and their religions," explains Mrs. Marcus. "The students learn more quickly with the document camera because it keeps them engaged and interested. And that makes my job so much easier."
Photo Credit: By Mr. Thinktank under Creative Commons CC BY 2.0 license.

subset: commoncrawl


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The mother finally snaps and lashes out verbally - but not physically.
"Do you realise that unless you get in this seat, you could die? If we have an accident and you're not strapped in, then you'll fly through the windscreen and be killed. You'll hit your sister on the way and you'll both die."
Parenting adviser Eileen Hayes, of the NSPCC, cringes as she recounts this story. "She didn't smack, but sometimes not smacking can be just as punitive. Think about the tone used as well as what you're saying."
To ban or not to ban
On Tuesday, two parliamentary committees warned that the UK risks falling foul of human rights laws by allowing parents to strike children.
Although the government is against making smacking illegal, an NSPCC survey of MPs found support for a ban of some kind.
While most parents do not want to hit their child, they may find they want to lash out in times of stress, anger or frustration. The trouble with smacking is that while it punishes difficult behaviour, it does not show the child how you would like them to act.
So what are the alternatives when tempers on both sides are fraying? To take supermarket shopping trips - a notoriously fractious time - as an example, Mrs Hayes says the best solution is to go alone.
"Do you have to take your child with you, especially now many supermarkets are open 24 hours? See if you can go alone, leaving them with your partner or childminder instead.
Therein lies one trick of the parenting trade - distraction, a tactic which can be deployed in all manner of situations.
Time out
And accept that there are some battles not worth fighting, so to speak.
"Sometimes actions are louder than words - and I don't mean smacking," says Mrs Hayes. "If you want your toddler to go from A to B and they just won't go, pick them up and move them yourself, then quickly distract them from being cross with a book or toy."
It is important for parents to explain their reasons for the sanctions, such as taking away a toy until the children agree to share, says Mrs Hayes.
But avoid falling into the trap of talking above the child's level of development, like the parent witnessed patiently explaining - in words of three syllables or more - their motivation for asking Junior to go to bed immediately.
"It's not worth having an intellectual discussion with a very young child. You can reason with a four and five-year-old, but stick to simple explanations as to why things have to be the way they are."
Even if that smile and those sensible words hide gritted teeth in the supermarket queue.
Do you have any trusted alternatives to smacking? Send us your comments on this story:
I've introduced a 'naughty step' with my 2-year-old. It's at the foot of the stairs and when she's really bad, I tell her to sit on it until she learns to behave. It works because she now understands she's in disgrace - which toddlers don't like - and it gives you a bit of 'time out' to calm down. She's even been known to offer to put herself on the naughty step after being told off about something. So maybe she's not taking it seriously after all. Kathryn Belchamber,
I tell my 2¾ year old 'Do it before I count to 5!' He forgets to whinge/have a strop while we count, and as soon as we say 5, he (usually) does it without any trouble.Nicola, UK
One of the best methods we have used is a star board. If the child does something good he/she receives a star and if they are silly they have stars removed. Simple but works a treat!Nasir Manzoor,
When my daughter has a tantrum, or refuses to share with a friend etc I tell her that's not a nice/kind thing to do and remove her, or the object. Then I wait for her to calm down (throwing a tantrum when nobody is looking soon gets boring). This also avoids feeling exasperated myself as I'm then talking to a calm, even if still slightly whimpering, child rather than having to reason through a whirlwind. Then I talk to her in a quiet voice about what went wrong and why such behaviour is not acceptable. I find the trick is to make sure she understands (she's 4) by asking her to explain it back to me in her own words.Steve, UK
When my son started walking, removing him from the source of the problem often solved it. When he got a bit older, removing myself from the source of the problem often solved it! I would get more wound up by telling off my son than by the original problem itself. Now he is 9, I can use (amongst other things) the Gameboy as reward and punishment - at the moment he is banned from playing for 3 weeks.Dave, UK
Parents now have the ultimate sanction: "No Harry Potter". Or worse, you could threaten to tell them that [censored] dies on page [censored].Andy, UK
My five year old's behaviour is terrible sometimes. I've tried the talking, asking her to help in things I do, picking out things on the shopping list but it doesn't work. So now I just leave her to it - if she wants to have a tantrum, I let her do it while I have a coffee. She soon calms down and says sorry. Tina, London UK
My father came home one night to find my mother exasperated as I refused to put on my pyjamas. Dad simply smiled and asked me which leg I wanted to put in first, at which point I gladly hopped into them. As a salesman he was used to the 'alternative close'. As a child I was glad also to made to feel I had input into the matter. Andrew, UK
Why don't people start switching off their TV sets, and spend time with their offspring doing other activities, like going to the park and kicking a ball about, or (steady now) playing a board game or even (bit shocking this one) having a conversation, encouraging their children to express views and opinions rather than hiding behind the goggle box (sorry BBC).Sarah, UK
Too often, when children are well behaved, they are ignored while the parent takes the opportunity to, say, do some housework. This leads them to misbehave in order to get attention. So step one is to reward good behaviour with affection and participation as much as possible. Bad behaviour should be combated with social exclusion.HB, England
Once when a friend and I were playing up to our mums, they agreed to swap children for the remainder of the shopping trip. We'd never been better behaved.Andy, UK
Kids learn from their surroundings as they grow up. If they see both their parents watching TV every night and telling them to go to their rooms at 9pm, they will sense the inequality and demand to stay up too. In my opinion being a responsible parent means doing your best to avoid double standards ie: turn off the TV and go to bed at the same time as your kids. If you can't do that, then don't have kids.Yousaf, London UK
I don't agree with Yousaf. Children have to learn that they are a child and therefore not able to do everything an adult can do. Time-outs work so long as they are started young - at 14 months the child I looked after knew sitting on the bottom stair meant he was in trouble. And 2 mins later all is better. Babies and young children are more understanding of 'tones' rather than words and these definitely worked for me.Lisa, UK
Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published.


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The Totally NEW Team Corwin Thread
View Single Post
September 12th, 2013, 19:26
Solo with a cleric is hard at this level. Too many mobs and without blade barriers yet she just does make the grade. I will be out it looks like Friday unless something changes company wise, but will try to log in this afternoon and evening with her for some catch up just in case. If I can make it I should know by the afternoon and will post, but for now, count me out.
I do agree, we should leave Restless as a make-up area for those in need of it. And I do want to run Threnal, I like that one.
Bart and Corwin should just admit that when it gets down to it,
will have the final say.
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|You are in: UK: England
Thursday, 10 October, 2002, 07:48 GMT 08:48 UK
Six held in Albanian murder case
Police investigating the murder of an Albanian asylum seeker have arrested six people.
Denis Ceka's body was found wrapped in bed sheets on a building site near Heathrow Airport in west London on 25 September.
One theory police are working on is that he may have been the victim of a 'blood feud'.
Scotland Yard says five men and a woman, all in their twenties, were arrested at two addresses in Hounslow.
Asylum refused
The 19-year-old, who moved to north London from Northampton in August, had arrived in the UK in September 2000 and claimed asylum.
His asylum application had since been refused but he was appealing the decision at the time of his death.
Mr Ceka was living in Bounds Green and was last seen by a friend near Bounds Green Tube station on 18 September.
A post mortem examination found he had died from multiple stab wounds.
Police believe he was involved in a shooting in Albania in 1999 or 2000 and are liaising with Albanian police and Interpol.
Albanian tradition, which dates from the 15th century, holds that if one man kills another "blood should always be avenged by blood" and a feudal code lays down precise rules for how the revenge should be taken.
See also:
05 May 02 | Europe
26 Oct 01 | Europe
17 Apr 01 | Europe
06 May 00 | From Our Own Correspondent
20 Mar 02 | Country profiles
19 Oct 01 | Americas
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text:
Britain sets 2040 for ban on diesel and petrol cars
Thursday - Britain will ban all new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 amid fears that rising levels of nitrogen oxide pose a major risk to public health.
It's not easy building electric cars
Tuesday - Despite Teslas success, the high risks of mass-producing an electric car from scratch havent changed all that much.
European car makers plead with China to slow down
19 Jul 17 - Faced with Chinas unwavering plan to accelerate the introduction of electric and hybrid cars, European manufacturers have joined forces with other global producers to plead with Beijing for a less ambitious roadmap.
US utilities giving people cash for clean cars
19 Jul 17 - Carmakers, regulators, legislators and utilities are increasingly working together to boost sales of electric vehicles
Officials work to cut shocking vehicle emissions
18 Jul 17 - Officials will put a plan to cut New Zealands appalling transport emissions to the Government before the end of the year.
TOO HOT TO FLY: Increasing heat might ground planes
17 Jul 17 - As temperatures rise it may become too hot to fly, with aircraft likelier to be grounded, and more passengers more likely to lose their seats.
China and EU bolster greener global shipping
12 Jul 17 - The trillion-dollar global shipping industry might soon be forced to curb greenhouse gas emissions under new rules backed by the European Union and China.
E-cars selling, but not enough to make a difference
11 Jul 17 - New Zealanders are buying electric vehicles in record numbers, but they are not making a dent in the countrys greenhouse gas emissions.
The world is on the brink of an electric-car revolution
10 Jul 17 - The internal combustion engine had a good run. It has helped propel cars and thus humanity forward for more than 100 years.
France to ban sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2040
7 Jul 17 - France will end sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 as part of an ambitious plan to meet its targets under the Paris climate accord.
Volvo to make only electric or hybrid cars from 2019
6 Jul 17 - All new cars launched by Volvo from 2019 onward will be partially or completely battery-powered, in what the company called a historic end to building models that only have an internal combustion...
Drivers top consumers of palm oil in Europe
6 Jul 17 - As millions of Europeans hit the road this month for a summer break, most wont know theyre driving on palm oil.
LIFT-OFF: Hydrogen fuel reaches trial stage
3 Jul 17 - Using surplus electricity from renewables to make hydrogen fuel is starting a new era for all forms of heavy transport.
NZ team has high hopes for hybrid-electric aircraft
29 Jun 17 - Wellington researchers hope their technology will help to build the first hybrid-electric jet plane.
Panasonic joins push to put solar on car roofs
26 Jun 17 - Panasonic has started producing a 180-watt array of solar cells that can be put on the roof of a vehicle.
How KiwiRail decision bites into e-car benefits
19 Jun 17 - The climate benefits of half New Zealands electric car fleet will be wiped out by the scrapping of electric train engines in favour of diesels, says an international sustainable energy expert.
How do you price the impact of trucks on society?
19 Jun 17 - An EU trucking lobby group has published a report claiming that trucks are overpaying in taxes and charges compared to the impact of some of their external costs. The report raised a few eyebrows.
OFF THE RAILS: Treasury tells of train troubles
14 Jun 17 - Treasury told its ministers that KiwiRails decision to replace electric locomotives with diesels raised some significant matters, but it wasnt given enough time to assess the situation.
Electric cars accelerate past 2m mark globally
8 Jun 17 - The number of electric cars in the world accelerated past the two million barrier last year, as prices fell and manufacturers launched new models.
More in the Transport Archive
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Youth hostels reach sustainable milestone
24 Nov 16 - YHA New Zealand is the first accommodation network in the world be certified by...
Sharp's green efforts pay dividend
24 Nov 16 - Sharp Corporations efforts to responsibly manage the environmental effects of...
Business network wins sustainability award
10 Oct 16 - The Sustainable Business Network has won the Sustainability Support category in...
Children's sunscreen fails tests
22 Sep 16 - Makers of a childrens sunscreen marketed as organic have been warned by the...
Child labour not for us, says Karen Walker
12 Aug 16 - Kiwi clothing designer Karen Walker has certified that none of its garments are...
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Injured Crosby, Malkin to miss NHL All-Star Game
While the rest of the NHL was resting Thursday, the Penguins managed to squeeze in a few additional injuries.
It was a fitting start to the all-star break given their injury-marred first half.
Franchise centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will miss this weekend's All-Star Game in Columbus, the team announced Thursday.
Both will be out with lower-body injuries.
Malkin's injury is something that had been lingering for weeks, general manager Jim Rutherford said. Only during the second period of Tuesday's game in Philadelphia did it flare up.
He tried to test it during warmups Wednesday but adjourned to the locker room with about six minutes remaining.
Crosby had been playing with his injury for an unspecified period of time and will need "about a week" to heal, according to a team-issued release.
Captain Crosby, by rule, will miss the Penguins' Jan. 27 home game against the Winnipeg Jets. Malkin won't play either. How he long remains out is up in the air.
"With 'Geno,' he won't be ready to play right after the break," Rutherford told Trib Total Media. "It's probably an injury that will take a little time to heal."
Rutherford declined to say whether Malkin's absence could be measured in days or weeks.
"I really won't know until we come back out of the break," Rutherford said. "He's going to be in town here during the break rehabbing. We'll have a better idea once we regroup on Monday."
Also sitting out Wednesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks was defenseman Kris Letang.
Rutherford would not specify whether Letang was being treated for a head or neck issue, only that he was continuing to undergo tests.
"We won't know for sure until after the break," Rutherford said. "I really can't give you a timeline on Kris."
Coach Mike Johnston said Tuesday in Philadelphia that Letang underwent standard concussion-testing protocol when he was driven hard into the boards by Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo late in the first period.
Rinaldo, a repeat offender, was ejected from the game and faces a supplemental discipline hearing Monday, at which point he will receive a suspension of at least six games. He waived his right to an in-person hearing and instead will handle it by phone.
Malkin leads the team with 19 goals and is tied with Crosby for the team lead with 51 points. Letang has nine goals and 32 points.
Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will represent the Penguins this weekend at Nationwide Arena. The skills competition is Saturday followed by the game Sunday.
Nashville rookie forward Filip Forsberg will replace Malkin in the game. A replacement for Crosby has not yet been named.
Jason Mackey is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at firstname.lastname@example.com or via Twitter @Mackey_Trib.


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The Home Buyer's Korner
Newly Manufactured & Modular Home Ownership Tools
FHA One Close
The General Contractor/Retail Dealer Role
Many of our network members offer the FHA One Close and it's an ideal tool for general contractors to share with their customers considering building a manufactured or modular home on site.
Since the permanent loan is closed before construction begins, there is no "requalifying" of the home owner when it is time for conversion of the construction loan to the permanent loan. The FHA One Close is just one more tool general contractors should become familiar with as manufactured and modular housing becomes an even more attractive alternative for affordable housing.
We'll touch on several interesting features about the FHA One Close and encourage you to find out more by networking with any one of our members in your area.
First and foremost the FHA One Close is going to be insured by FHA, therefore home buyers need to meet the same credit, appraisal and income requirements just like when purchasing an existing residence. If you happen to own the land, you can use the equity for all or part of the 3.5 percent investment or down payment requirements required by FHA. Other benefits of this program are:
- Reduced total cost due to only one closing;
- Reduces interest rate risk;
- No payments due from the home buyer during construction;
- The home buyer's first payment begins once construction is complete;
- No Credit, document or appraisal expiration once the loan closes;
- No re-qualification of for home buyers once construction is complete;
- General contractors/retailers are allowed staged funding draws during construction based on line-item percentage completion.
Once approved the lenders focusing is directed to the general contractors, because the loan is more than a simple FHA home loan. It's your home installation tool and begins to work a lot like an FHA 203K renovation loan, but has some differences.
It has a lot of great bells and whistles both the home buyer and general contractor will enjoy. For example, since this is a true one close, worrying about permanent financing or a second signing is eliminated.
At closing the title company will if necessary pay the land seller off with an initial draw. Additionally if the manufactured/modular home has been built and a factory invoice is available, the general contractors/retailer can request that the factory or their floor plan source be paid at closing as well.
Once approved your lender will formally advise you and the general contractor/retailer with a Letter of Commencement informing everyone that the loan has closed, loan documents have been recorded and construction can begin. Often these letters details instructions and a list of specific items and forms required prior to any release of any draws.
In most cases on manufactured/modular homes the general contractors/retailer is allowed up to 3 interim draws after closing including the final draw. Upon receipt of a request by the general contractors/retailer for a construction draw, your lender most likely will order an inspection of the construction project by an approved agent. The inspector will inspect the property, take photographs, and forward the report to your lender. Upon receipt of the inspection report, the lender will match the report with the manufactured/modular home construction cost breakdown to determine the draw amount. All draws are normally based on a line item percentage of completion and wired to the title agent you have been working with since closing for disbursement.
Prior to closing general contractors/retailers need to provide several items about the home to the lender.
As the general contractor/retailer they need to always have available the following documents for the lender once you have made your home selection.
- Structural Engineer Certified Foundation Plans: Per HUD, the plans must be site specific, stamped by an engineer licensed within the state, and comment that provided the foundation is installed per the plans that it will meet HUD Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing. (FHA Loan and Manufactured Home Only)
- Proposed Plot Plan signed by the general/contractor/retailer: Must show proposed placement of home, well and septic on property with distances between each.
- Permits: Building, Well, and Septic (when available)
- Subcontractor Bids: Foundation, Well, and Septic (if available)
The General Contractor/Retailer will most likely be asked to submit the completed and executed items for review and approval:
- General Contractor/Builder Summary Application
- Contractor's Performance Agreement
- Disbursement Instructions
- Copy of General Contractor's/Dealer's State License
- Evidence of General Liability Insurance (or signed and notarized Indemnity Agreement between the home buyer and general contractor/retailer.
- Evidence of Worker's Compensation Insurance (or written statement from the general contractor/retailer as to why you are not required to carry it)
- Evidence of Dealer's Open Lot Insurance Policy, reflecting the lender's legal name, its Successors and/or Assigns" as a Loss Payee, otherwise, an individual Builder's Risk Policy will normally be required.
A Sales Contract for a new construction always seems to have an undisclosed final sale price and lenders look at several items to determine a sale price they are willing to work with, so it's important to work with an experience FHA One Close lender. The best way to get your relationship started off right is to provide your loan officer with a set of documents, so they can assist you in coming up with a sales price everyone understands and can work with. Be prepared to offer your loan officer a preliminary cost for home improvements and land. You loan officer can then issue a pre-approval letter and disclose cost of the loan transaction, so your general contractor/retailer can write the exact amount for the contract based on the cost of the transaction.
You should be ready to provide your loan officer several documents to get your home loan application in process. Work with your general contractor/retailer while gathering them up and going over them together before submitting them to your lender.
- Manufactured/Modular Home Construction Cost Breakdown – This is the site improvements budget. It is imperative that it be filled out accurately. This form is used to determine draw amounts and also lets the construction underwriter know that the general contractor/retailer has included all improvements necessary to finish the construction of the home. All construction draws are based on a line item percentage of completion matched with this form.
- Land Contract between land seller and home buyer or copy of your deed if you already owns the land.
- Purchase Agreement or Earnest Money Contract between retailer and home buyer for home and improvements.
- Manufactured/Modular Home Floor Plan and Manufacturer's Specifications.
- Builder's Certification with all applicable boxes checked including #2-7 and #8 if a Manufactured Home.
Be Prepared to Provide Your Lender with Draw Document to Fund Your Project Fast.
Site Improvement Draws ~ This draw is for any completed interim improvements. This draw should not be requested until the foundation is complete.
Funds that are normally included in this disbursement are:
- Completed site improvements verified by the interim inspection report.
- General contractor/retailer will be paid for work in place in an amount not to exceed the stated line amount on the Manufactured/Modular Home Construction Cost Breakdown.
The following documents may be required for the Site Improvement Draw:
- Foundation survey (if applicable)
- Building Permit or Letter from the Municipality stating that a building permit is not required (if applicable)
Manufactured/Modular Home Draw
This draw is used to pay off the Retailer's floor plan financing source or Manufacturer's invoice (if not previously paid at closing). If desired it may also include payment of any site improvements that were not addressed in a previous draw provided the requirements of the Site Improvement Draw have been met.
This draw will consist of the following:
- Retailer's cost of the home from manufacturer's invoice or floor plan financing payoff statement (if not previously paid at closing).
- Completed site improvements verified by the interim inspection report that were not addressed in the previous Site Improvement Draw.
The following requirements will mostly likely need to be met before disbursing funds at this stage:
- Manufacturer's Invoice or Floor plan Financing Source's Payoff Statement on new unit(s) with the amount of the floor plan payoff, mailing address, wire instructions (if applicable), and serial numbers of the unit(s).
From this draw's proceeds, your title agent will most likely be instructed to pay off the Retailer's cost of the Home (from manufacturer's invoice or floor plan financing payoff statement) directly to the Manufacturer/Floor plan Finance Source. The balance is normally disbursed to the general contractor. If site improvements are also being paid with this draw the general contractor/retailer will mostly be paid for work in place for an amount not to exceed the stated line amount on the Manufactured/Modular Home Construction Cost Breakdown.
The final draw funds all remaining completed improvements normally represents at least 20% of the construction contract/purchase agreement. The general contractor/retailer should advise the Lender's Construction Servicing Department when the project is complete, so they can order the final inspection. The general contractor/retailer can provide these items the lender will mostly likely request in one form or another.:
1. Affidavit of Commencement (Texas Only)
2. Affidavit of Completion and Indemnity
3. Affidavit of Completion and Acceptance
4. Final Waiver and Release of Lien
5. Borrower's Certification
6. Final Survey showing home location and improvements (if required)
7. Initial Inspection (commonly referred to as an Open Hole or Prepour Inspection) completed by HUD Fee Inspector or Evidence of a 10 Year Warranty
8. HUD-NPCA-99-A: Subterranean Termite Treatment Builders Certification and Guarantee completed by the general contractor/retailer
9. HUD-NPCA-99-B: New Construction Subterranean Termite Soil Treatment Record completed by a pest control company (if Soil Treatment is used)
10. HUD Acceptable Water Well Test Results including Lead, Nitrates, Nitrites, Total Coliforms, and E.Coli/Fecal Coliforms (if Private Well)
11. Local Authority Approval and/or Final Inspection of Individual Septic System
12. HUD 92544: Warranty of Completion
Upon receipt the lender should order the Final Inspection by an approved HUD Free Inspector and confirm the property is complete.
So that's what's involved when including the FHA One Close. Find an experience loan officer to assist you in creating home ownership opportunities in your community.
Your Home Purchasing or Refinancing & Renovation Tool
Mortgage Loan Officers, Real Estate Agents & General Contractors
are ready to assist you with your home purchase
The Conventional Alternative to FHA 203K
Great for Real Estate Investors and Second Home Renovations
Mortgage Loan Officers, Real Estate Agents & General Contractors
are ready to assist you with your home purchase
Up to $10K for Home Improvements, Renovations or a Simple Remodel
Mortgage Loan Officers, Real Estate Agents & General Contractors are ready to assist you
Organizing your home shopping experience affords a wise decision making process.
This simple home inspection tool makes your ultimate buying decision a smart one.
To print this document click on "Open in New Window" located at the lower right corner;
click on "File"; then click on "Print". In the center of the screen you will
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Holtville Imperial Meloland Perrys Corner Rico Sandia
Seeley Watermans Corner Wilsie California


text:
Current Newswire:
Mobile Linux UnificationFeb 16, 2010, 12:03 (0 Talkback[s])
(Other stories by Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols)
[ Thanks to Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols for this link. ]
"While Microsoft is finally buying a clue and incorporating its Zune media playing and Xbox game capability into its new Windows Mobile, mobile Linux is making its own improvements. First, Intel and Nokia are merging their mobile Linux distributions into a single operating system: MeeGo. At the same time, Adobe and Google has partnered up to bring Adobe Flash to Android.
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0 Talkback[s] (click to add your comment)


text:
The Husky 1/2 in. Flex-Head Ratchet features alloy steel construction for excellent durability. The finish provides resistance to corrosion. This ratchet has a 1/2 in. drive and a flex-head with a low profile to allow for excellent access to nuts and bolts in tight locations.
- 7 locking angles at 17° intervals gives you access to hard to reach fasteners
- Low-Profile head design
- Quick Release button allows sockets and drive tools to be easily removed from the ratchet
- Flush mounted reversing lever
- 72-tooth ratchet needs a only 5⁰ arc swing to turn fasteners
- Works with Husky 1/2 in. drive sockets
- Cold formed and heat treated for outstanding strength
- Meets or exceeds ANSI standards
- Husky mechanics hand tools are guaranteed forever; if your Husky hand tool ever fails, bring it back and we will replace it free of charge


text:
Orange County sheriff's officials say a former mixed martial arts star who was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of domestic violence had been fighting with the alleged victim over a text message.
In a release Tuesday, deputies say 32-year-old Jason "Mayhem" Miller's alleged victim was left with bruises on her limbs and cuts on her face after an argument about a text on his phone.
The alleged abuse occurred Aug. 3 and was reported a week later.
The retired mixed martial arts fighter had competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Miller was taken into custody in August 2012 in an unrelated case after a pastor found him naked in a Southern California church, but a vandalism charge was ultimately dismissed.
Miller was released early Monday on $50,000 bail.
Information from: The Orange County Register, http://www.ocregister.com


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The way that clay stamps can activate and transform the clay surface has been a constant source of fascination to me, helping my work evolve and grow over the last 35 years. I've worked with traditional, impressed designs, and more recently with raised designs created via a two-step process. The platters with raised patterns are created using a hump mold and slab construction. First a pattern is stamped into a slab that's been draped over a form, then this slab is dried and bisqued to create the mold. The surface designs on the mold create a convex, or raised pattern rather than the typical concave surface achieved with stamps. I came up with this idea a few years ago after becoming frustrated with the way traditional stamped patterns did not hold up when using drape molds. I wanted to make utilitarian forms that were elegant, had fine detail and could be reproduced. It was also essential to me that making these pieces kept my joy for working with clay alive!
Family Flair: Teapots
We fill our days with rituals that enhance the richness of life, and as a potter, I find it satisfying to know that the vessels I create become part of someone's daily routine. Teapots are certainly objects that become part of our small celebrations and rituals alike. While they can be used as an exuberant expression of art conveying a concept other than the ritual of drinking tea, I prefer to think of my teapots as functional vessels: strong, quiet, balanced, and elegant. Traditionally the most seductive and complex of pottery forms, the parts and pieces that make up a teapot must work in harmony with one another. While it's difficult to master the unity in design and scale of all the parts as a beginning potter, it's worth the effort to make teapots even if you're a novice. Completing a complex form gives a sense of joy and accomplishment; and, with practice, the relationship of all of the parts and the overall form will improve.


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I have been involved with CFRI ever since our grandson was diagnosed with CF three months before turning 3 years old. He is now 21 and a senior in college. CFRI has the most devoted hard-working staff, a respected research advisory board to give grants to do scientific CF research and dedicated volunteers that work tirelessly to spread the word about educating the public as well as to give hands-on advice to caregivers, family members, significant others and those afflicted with CF themselves. I have been a board member, a conference committee member, a co-chairman of their major yearly fund-raiser and my husband is on their audit committee so we appreciate all the efforts that go into fighting the defective genetic gene that causes one to have cystic fibrosis for which there is no cure.
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CFRI is a non-profit agency that helps those with cystic fibrosis, their relatives, friends and caregivers get educational support, support basic research and learn how to cope with the rigors of this genetic disease which has no cure as of now. My 20 year old grandson and our family have benefited greatly from their work. Progress is being made due to the many scientific advances in the understanding and treatment of CF. CFRI educates the larger community about cystic fibrosis hoping to involve them in the search for a cure. It's booklet to be used in the classroom informs teachers about the disease and clarifies the need for certain arrangements to be made for a student with CF. Their annual conference updates the CF community and professionals of the newest advances along with help with psychosocial problems. Their support groups fill a need to help relatives/partners/siblings of the newly diagnosed through to those with CF reaching the later years of adulthood. Their strict cross-infection guidelines allow those with CF to participate if they have an approved sputum culture and medical release form signed by their CF doctor.
I have been with CFRI since my daughter was diagnosed 25 years ago. We lived in Los Angeles for over 21 years, but I always made a point to attend the yearly conferences at the end of July. I've learnt most of what I know of CF during these conferences and the educational seminars available on DVDs. Equally important is the support CFRI provides for caregivers and patients. The money raised through different fundraising opportunities provides very important help to research. Numerous breakthroughs have happened due to the financial grants CFRI made available to scientists. Presently I am volunteering in the office to help out in the day to day administrative tasks, as the organization works on a very low operating budget and prefers to fund new research rather than employ a lot of people. I've volunteered for other non profit organizations before, but none of them were as dedicated as CFRI's staff!
CFRI for many years has helped me as a parent of a CF'er cope with this terrible disease and keep me up to date on the latest research and medical treatments. The organization is a gem, helping hundreds. Their annual conference attracts people from all over the world. It is the only one of its kind and fabulous.
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CFRI is an amazing organization at many levels. It is a wealth of information, reaching out to parents of newly diagnosed children with CF (a devastating time in their lives). It helped me cope with the heartbreak of having a child with CF. I am not sure I would have survived. They fundraise to support leading edge research into CF giving us all hope for a cure. They have a wonderful newsletter full of information, sending it free to anyone. And finally, they have a huge annual conference, hosting people from all over the world, where we can go and learn all the latest in research and care. The staff is very friendly, helpful and caring. This is the most vital organization I have ever been involved with.
I can not say enough about this organization. I was introduced to CFRI about 4 and a half years ago when our daughter was born with Cystic Fibrosis. We knew very little about CF and CFRI embraced us immediately with compassion, support and extensive education which was priceless. Their National Conference held every year is not to be missed along with their Monthly Support Group Sessions, Educational Seminars, and the Mother's Retreat which is amazing. Every individual that works or volunteers for CFRI has a heart of gold. I try to volunteer as much as I can to give back for what they have done for us and what they continue to do in hopes for a cure for my daughter soon.
I cannot say enough good things about Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute. I have been donating money to CFRI for many, many years, and have had the pleasure of meeting its executive director on numerous occasions. Ms. Landgraf has an adult daughter with CFRI, which gives an extra urgency and commitment to her, and CFRI's, efforts.
CFRI funds research as well as awareness. I am primarily interested in its research activities. To give an idea about the importance of CFRI's work, it is currently funding research in Identifying Metagenomic Signals Characteristic of Cystic Fibrosis Exacerbation Onset, Analysis of a functional network of ubiquitin-proteasome dependent degradation of CFTRΔF508, Development and Characterization of Novel 3D Airway Cell Models for CF Research, and Inhibition of Type 4 phosphodiesterases as a therapeutic approach for CF.
CFRI also does an excellent job with its education programs. For example, its October presentation of its CF Discovery Series is "Are They Gone? A Look at the History and Future of Pseudomonas Eradication in Cystic Fibrosis: Where We Have Been and Where We Are Going." CFRI also has an annual conference as well as its newsletter, plus many other programs.
Donations to CFRI are well-spent. Approximately 41% of its budget is for research, 45.80% for its education programs, and only 13.2% is for administrative costs.
CFRI is a very important part of the battle against cystic fibrosis, and there are not enough stars available to rate it.
I am just amazed by the excellent support this organization gives to those who have CF, their families, and the researchers working to find a cure. Much progress has been made in treating this horrible disease, and this is in no small part due to CFRI's research funding. CFRI also provides frequent, high-quality educational updates to the community that keep everyone informed. All around, this is a top-notch operation! I'm incredibly proud to be supporting it.
I am the past Director of Research Development at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute ( CHORI). I have had first hand experience with CFRI's incredible support of our research scientists and the Cystic Fibrosis lab. Throughout several years, CFRI continued awarding grants to our CF scientists, helping them carry on with their research during challenging times when the NIH drastically cut their research budget. Furthermore, CFRI , their Executive Director, CFO and Board of Directors jointly assisted CHORI with its Summer Internship Program. This is an educational program that selects/admits high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in research, healthcare and/or science. Many of of thecstudents are under- resourced and need help with a stipend for transportation and meals. This was another program that NIH used to generously fund in the past but cut back in 2014. Our good friends and supporters at CFRI came to aid the CF lab. CFRI's generosity allowed Chori scientists admit the students who actually have CF or are from families with CF determined to make an impact in curing this life threatening disease. These students are mentored and educated hands on by scientists. They work on real projects and at the end of the course they make presentations to the entire team of investigators at CHORI+ like any PhD, they produce and create an abstract of their work. Throughout my tenure at CHORI,our CF lab received mental and monetary support from CFRI. Additionally, CFRI awarded one of CHORI's CF scientists with their annual recognition award.
I have been a CFRI member for 30+ years and have witnessed the care and support it provides to the CF Community.
Their publication, "CFRI Community," published tri-annually features articles about the latest developments in CD medication, treatment protocols, life-stories about living with CF, updates on sponsored research.
I've attended many of CFRI's annual education conferences featuring experts in all facets of CF, patient panel discussions about coping with CF, focus group sessions addressing specific CF areas in depth, and social events that affirm the power and care of the CF Community.
CFRI's sponsored research has long expanded the basic knowledge about the biology of CF providing the insights that allow the large pharmaceutical companies and research institutions to develop the drugs and protocols that have extended the median CF age from mid-teens when I became involved in 1982 to mid-forties now.
A few years ago, CFRI played a major role in getting the State of California to included CF in the mandated "New Born Screening" program. Early diagnosis is fundamental to living a successful life with CF.
And, because of the large number of CFRI volunteers, all of CFRI's programs are handled by a staff of FIVE people. Efficiency and effectiveness is their benchmark. They never miss!
I have been on the Finance and Audit committees and I currently serve on the board of directors. CFRI is providing education in the community, emotional support for CF families, and funding for research to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. The lives of CF patients and their families are constructively impacted by the CFRI mission. Life expectancy is being constantly extended and quality of life is improved but, there is much more to be done. CFRI intelligently applies funds.
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CFRI is focused on leading edge research aimed at a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. CFRI also provides a network of warm and caring individuals who empathize and nurture CF patients and their families. Conscientious application of funds is the hallmark of this outstanding organization.
I have been involved with CFRI for nearly 25 years . The cutting-edge research that CFRI funds annually has led to significant breakthroughs in the treatment of CF, and as a result benefits the entire CF community by providing hope and bringing us closer to a cure. I served on the Board of Directors for six years and know first hand how dedicated the CFRI staff, volunteers, and researchers are to improving the lives of those living with cystic fibrosis. CFRI is a lifeline to everyone affected by CF!
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I first learned of CFRI in 1989, when my daughter was born and diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. My husband and I attended our first conference the following year and have been "regulars" ever since. The knowledge, as well as the comfort, we have received over the years has allowed us to be informed advocates for our daughter. The cutting edge research that CFRI funds annually has led to significant breakthroughs in the treatment of CF and as a result benefits our family and the entire CF community by providing hope. The outreach and support that the kind and dedicated staff provides is outstanding. I joined the Board of Directors five years ago and know first hand how dedicated the CFRI staff, volunteers and researchers are to making the quality of life better for those living with cystic fibrosis.


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CWDM-SFP-1470 is Cisco 1.25GBASE-CWDM SFP 1470nm 80km transceiver module, Lotuscope.com is a leading manufacturer & supplier of CWDM-SFP-1470 transceivers. We have a large quantity of CWDM-SFP-1470 transceivers in stock and can ship the CWDM-SFP-1470 transceivers to you quickly from stock All of our CWDM-SFP-1470 transceivers are tested in-house prior to shipping to insure that they will arrive in perfect physical and working condition. We guarantee the CWDM-SFP-1470 transceivers to work in your system. Buy the CWDM-SFP-1470 from us the direct manufacturer will save you much and you will receive the transceivers quickly by worldwide express (DHL, UPS, Fedex).
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The History
Of Halloween NEW
Details of the traditions and history of Halloween!
The Scariest Night Ever NEW
Making the scariest night ever with special contact lenses.
Have a Frightful
Night NEW
Have a Frightful Night on Halloween this Year, but Keep
Safety in Mind!
Trend Of Halloween Decorating
NEWEnthusiasm for Halloween
Memorabilia Now Rivals Christmas in Popularity.
At Home and on the Street
NEWCelebrating Halloween with
costumes, decorations, and trick-or-treating can be a lot
of fun for the entire family! There is no doubt that you
will see and maybe do things during Halloween that (fortunately)
you will not see or do any other time of the year. To ensure
it remains fun for everyone, here are some suggestions to
keep the celebration safe and healthy.
BuyCostumes.com - Top Apparel Retailer For First 2 Weeks
In October - BuyCostumes.com beats Victoria Secret,
Gap.com and others as most visited apparel website according
to HitWise.
National Retail Federation 2006 - "As Halloween Shifts
to Seasonal Celebration, Retailers Not Spooked by Surge
in Spending! Spending Nears $5 Billion Due to Increase in
StoreAppeal.com "Bringing you the Best Stores on the
Web". Halloween ideas that will leave you even more excited
for Halloween!
Extend Your Halloween AdventureAre you and a bunch
of friends planning a Halloween outing for October? Try
one or more of the following ideas to turn your outing into
a Halloween adventure to never forget!
Surprise Your Special Someone This HalloweenAre
you looking to do something extra special for your spouse
or partner this Halloween season? If the love of your life
is a real Halloween enthusiast, or if both of you are, take
that extra step this season to make their favorite time
of year like never before.
The Complete Jack the Ripper: The Perfect Addition to any
Haunter's CollectionAre you looking for a new theme
for your Halloween display or haunt this year?
Volunteering at a Haunt this HalloweenLooking for
a new way to experience Halloween this year? If you've ever
wanted to get involved with a local haunted attraction,
you'll be in for some fun nights of fright...
Connecticut Haunted House Expands Graveside Manor,
a local haunt in Coventry, Connecticut, is expanding for
the 2006 Halloween season to bring a bigger and better haunted
attraction to its small town community.
Bringing Halloween to the OfficeAre you feeling
stuck in the office this Halloween season? Well don't despair.
You can bring all the fun elements of Halloween with you
to work!
Rent a Hearse this Halloween Looking for a cool
ride this Halloween? Here's one trip worth taking more than
Halloween-Themed Plays Sweep the Stage!We're getting
prepared for these upcoming Halloween 06' spooktacular shows!
Are you?? Read up! You must not miss!
Of Roller Coasters and Horror Attractions Find out
why people rush in line to wait for these types of attractions...
A Look at Friday the 13th this October There's one
coming this October 2006... the perfect time for a Friday
the 13th!
Build Your New Halloween VillageWhether you've been
a Halloween collector for years or are just starting out,
Hallmark and Department 56 have a variety of displays...
Planning Your Halloween Vacation in Advance Eexplore
haunted America and beyond!
The Exorcism of Emily Rose The best pick for your
Halloween DVD collection is The Exorcism of Emily Rose,
now available...
Local Cemetery Organizations Cemeteries are landmarks
that we value for many purposes...
Most Plan to Celebrate HalloweenEverybody who's
anybody is celebrating Halloween this year. So the real
question is...are you?!?!
Making a Jack-o-Lantern Light Show Get friends and
family together to have a pumpkin carving party!
How To Create your own Sound EffectsMaking a Halloween
hit list is as easy as toasting bread when you follow these
tips and tricks.
Things that go bump in the night There is a point
in the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness when a sudden
realisation dawns that we are sliding rapidly into winter.
How To Carve a Halloween Pumpkin We're going to
take a look at gourmet pumpkin carving for true Halloween
Making a Haunted Halloween GraveyardTips on what
to do with 'the outside.'
Halloween Music Part
1 Part 1 of "Halloween Music" by Mark Harvey.
Halloween Music Part
2 Part 2 of "Halloween Music" by Mark Harvey.
The Graveyard
A story by David Knoles.
Make Halloween
FunCostumes, Treats and Sound Effects.
A Night At
The Mortuary A story by Jana (aka Eerie Myst).
I Was A Halloween Monster
A true story by David Knoles.
Paranomal Pary Provisions
Ideas and beverages for adult Halloween Parties.
Let's Be Frank ...
Universal 's Classic Monsters by David Knoles.
Autumn Nights
A Halloween poem.
Legend of The Jack-o-Lantern
A poem that reflects the legend of the Jack-o-Lantern.
Fright Night
A scary story.
for CostumesHow to use props to make an excellent
Why bother to save Halloween? A very interesting
view regarding the importance of Halloween in our society.
Witch's Dungeon Celebrates 40 Years!Attention all
science fiction and horror movie buffs out there: there
are some historic events going on this October that you
won't want to miss!
A Wizard's Halloween Party Has your child recently
transfigured into a witch or wizard? If so, now is the perfect
time of year to bring his or her fantasies to life. You
can transform your home into an enchanted castle by throwing
a truly magical celebration: a Wizard's Halloween party.
A Pirate's Halloween Party: The Secret Treasure of Billy
Bones Has your child recently turned into
a real scallywag after watching the latest Pirates of the
Caribbean movies? Well this Halloween, let his or her sea-faring
dreams come alive by taking part on a real pirating adventure.
Fun Cemetery Day Trips for the Halloween Season
If you're looking for a fun and free weekend daytrip in
September or October...
Using Your Box of Old Halloween Decorations We all
have one in the back of our closet, down in the basement
or underneath a pile of dust in the attic. Read up on how
to use them...
Easy Ways to Create Your Own Haunted Attraction
Learn some easy steps to making your very own haunted attraction...
Can Celebrating Halloween Help Business Boom? Just
around the start of October you start to see one or two
of them pop up...
Creating Halloween Invitations on Your Computer
This year, make halloween invitations right on your computer!
Food Good Company Tasty treats for the Halloween
Haunted House a Success! Every Trick was a Treat
for more than 1,000 people who came to see what all the
fuss was about on...
Gargoyle GiftsGargoyle gifts make great accents
for a room décor that is not already "busy" with patterned
materials or wallpapers...
ElviraFind out what is new
with Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark.
Making a Season of Halloween So Halloween is your
favorite holiday but you're bummed because it's only one
day a year and over before you know it?
Halloween just for kids? Anyone who holds the attitude
that Halloween isn't for adults is really just saying one
Pagan Origins of HalloweenThe pagan origins of Halloween
are so palpable that there is little wonder the holiday
has generated considerable controversy ...
Making a Scarecrow Show You'll want a lot of scarecrows
to make a really good scarecrow show.
Tonight is (Halloween)
A poem about Halloween.
Goblins and Ghouls
Short Story.
Children's BooksDescriptions of 10 good children's
Halloween books.
Cheap Prop
IdeasA few ideas to make in-expensive props.
Halloween Night
Halloween Poem
2001 - Post 9/11 Article that addresses how the
September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks affect Halloween.
Fall PartiesGreat games for your Halloween Party.
Trick or TreatA poem submitted by Ron Roberson.
Healthy Skin for Halloween
How to keep your skin healthy during our favorite holiday.
And Who is the
PreyHalloween Poem.
How to take great Halloween picturesGood advice
on techniques of taking good pictures for Halloween.
a Carnevale-Style Mask
How to make a traditional Venetian mask for Halloween.
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This baby Kaylee from Firefly will make your kid the most adorable tyke in the neighborhood come Halloween. This dress is handmade with a brocade bodice and yards of pink and white chiffon for the skirt. Each one takes nine hours to create and has a lead time of up to eight weeks depending on their orders. It's available from infant sizes right up through a size 8 girls with larger sizes available for an additional cost.
Thanks to Beth N. for the tip! Send yours to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Product Page ($165)


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This product has [More Options]
Robeez Cupcake Soft Soles, Brown
How sweet are these?
Best for indoor use and light outdoor activity
How sweet are these?
- Brown leather upper and feature cupcake applique with a 3D pink satin bow
- The cupcake(s icing pattern also trims the back banding
- Features a non-slip suede outsole, which protects your child from slipping
- An elasticized ankle abdn which will keep this shoes securely on your baby(s foot
Best for indoor use and light outdoor activity