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Background Note: Madagascar
Background Note: Madagascar
Republic of Madagascar
Area: 592,800 sq. km. (228,880 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Antananarivo (pop. about 1,300,000). Other cities--Antsirabe (about 500,000), Mahajanga (about 400,000), Toamasina (about 450,000).
Terrain: Mountainous central plateau, coastal plain
Climate: Moderate interior, tropical coasts.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Malagasy.
Population (2008 estimate): 20,042,551.
Annual population growth rate (2005, World Bank): 27%.
Ethnic groups: 18 Malagasy tribes; small groups of Comorans, French, Indians, and Chinese.
Religions: Traditional beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%.
Languages: Malagasy (official), French (official), English (official).
Education: Years compulsory--5. Attendance--65%. Literacy--70.7%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--76/1,000. Life expectancy--55.6 yrs.
Work force (2000): 8 million. Agriculture--80%; industry--7%.
Type: Republic.
Independence: June 26, 1960.
Constitution: Entered into force in March 1998.
Branches: Executive--president, prime minister, cabinet. Legislative--National Assembly and Senate. Judicial--Supreme Court, High Court of Justice, Constitutional High Court.
Subdivisions: Six autonomous provinces (faritany).
Political parties: There are several political parties. In the September 2007 National Assembly elections, the I Love Madagascar (TIM) Party won a majority of seats.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
National holiday: June 26.
GDP (U.S.$, 2007 est., official exchange rate): $7.322 billion.
GDP per capita (2007 est., purchasing power parity): $1,100.
Unemployment: no reliable data available.
Natural resources: Graphite, chrome, coal, bauxite, ilmenite, nickel, gold, tar sands, semiprecious stones, and hardwoods.
Agriculture (26.8% of GDP, 2007 est.): Products--rice, livestock, seafood, coffee, vanilla, sugar, cloves, cotton, sisal, peanuts, and tobacco.
Industry (15.8% of GDP, 2007 est.): Types--processed food, clothing, textiles, mining, paper, refined petroleum products, glassware, construction, soap, cement, tanning.
Trade: Exports (2007, f.o.b.) $989 million: apparel, shrimp, vanilla, coffee, cloves, graphite, essential oils, industrial minerals and gemstones. Major export markets--France, U.S., Germany, Italy, U.K. Imports (2007, f.o.b.) $1.933 billion: foodstuffs, fuel and energy, capital goods, vehicles, consumer goods and electronics. Major suppliers--France, China, Iran, Mauritius, Hong Kong.
Madagascar's population is predominantly of mixed Asian and African origin. Research suggests that the island was uninhabited until Indonesian seafarers arrived in roughly the first century A.D., probably by way of southern India and East Africa, where they acquired African wives and slaves. Subsequent migrations from both the Pacific and Africa further consolidated this original mixture, and 18 separate tribal groups emerged. Asian features are most predominant in the central highlands people, the Merina (3 million) and the Betsileo (2 million); the coastal people are of more clearly African origin. The largest coastal groups are the Betsimisaraka (1.5 million) and the Tsimihety and Sakalava (700,000 each).
The Malagasy language is of Malayo-Polynesian origin and is generally spoken throughout the island. French is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony. English is becoming more widely spoken, and in 2003 the government began a pilot project of introducing the teaching of English into the primary grades of 44 schools, with hopes of taking the project nationwide.
Most people practice traditional religions, which tend to emphasize links between the living and the dead. They believe that the dead join their ancestors in the ranks of divinity and that ancestors are intensely concerned with the fate of their living descendants. The Merina and Betsileo reburial practice of famadihana, or "turning over the dead" celebrate this spiritual communion. In this ritual, relatives' remains are removed from the family tomb, rewrapped in new silk shrouds, and returned to the tomb following festive ceremonies in their honor.
About 41% of the Malagasy are Christian, divided almost evenly between Roman Catholic and Protestant. Many incorporate the cult of the dead with their religious beliefs and bless their dead at church before proceeding with the traditional burial rites. They also may invite a pastor to attend a famadihana. While many Christians continue these practices, others consider them to be superstitions that should be abandoned. Many of the Christian churches are influential in politics. In the coastal regions of the provinces of Mahajanga and Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Muslims constitute a significant minority. Muslims are divided between those of Malagasy ethnicity, Indo-Pakistanis, and Comorans.
The written history of Madagascar began in the seventh century A.D., when Arabs established trading posts along the northwest coast European contact began in the 1500s, when Portuguese sea captain Diego Dias sighted the island after his ship became separated from a fleet bound for India. In the late 17th century, the French established trading posts along the east coast. From about 1774 to 1824, it was a favorite haunt for pirates, including Americans, one of whom brought Malagasy rice to South Carolina.
Beginning in the 1790s, Merina rulers succeeded in establishing hegemony over the major part of the island, including the coast. In 1817, the Merina ruler and the British governor of Mauritius concluded a treaty abolishing the slave trade, which had been important in Madagascar's economy. In return, the island received British military and financial assistance. British influence remained strong for several decades, during which the Merina court was converted to Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, and Anglicanism.
The British accepted the imposition of a French protectorate over Madagascar in 1885 in return for eventual control over Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) and as part of an overall definition of spheres of influence in the area. Absolute French control over Madagascar was established by military force in 1895-96, and the Merina monarchy was abolished.
Malagasy troops fought in France, Morocco, and Syria during World War I. After France fell to the Germans, the Vichy government administered Madagascar. British troops occupied the strategic island in 1942 to preclude its seizure by the Japanese. The Free French received the island from the United Kingdom in 1943.
In 1947, with French prestige at low ebb, a nationalist uprising was suppressed after several months of bitter fighting. The French subsequently established reformed institutions in 1956 under the Loi Cadre (Overseas Reform Act), and Madagascar moved peacefully toward independence The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed on October 14, 1958, as an autonomous state within the French Community. A period of provisional government ended with the adoption of a constitution in 1959 and full independence on June 26, 1960.
In March 1998, Malagasy voters approved a revised constitution. The principal institutions of the Republic of Madagascar are a presidency, a parliament, a prime ministry and cabinet, and an independent judiciary. The president is elected by direct universal suffrage for a 5-year term, renewable twice. The last presidential election was held on December 3, 2006.
In Madagascar, the parliament has two chambers; the National Assembly and the Senate. The last National Assembly election was held on September 23, 2007, and marked a significant reform to the parliament. The National Assembly previously had 160 members, elected for a four-year term in single-member and two-member constituencies. However, in July 2007, just before the National Assembly elections, a council of ministers agreed to reduce the number of parliamentarians from 160 to 127. Consequently, few of the 116 districts elected more than one member. Antananarivos' six districts, however, each elected two deputies. The Senate has 90 members, with 60 members elected for a six-year term, 10 for each province by provincial electors, and 30 members appointed.
The prime minister and members of parliament initiate legislation, and the government executes it. The president can dissolve the National Assembly. For its part, the National Assembly can pass a motion of censure and require the prime minister and council of ministers to step down. The Constitutional Court approves the constitutionality of new laws.
In an effort to decentralize administration, the 1998 constitution called for the six provinces (faritany) to become autonomous. The six provinces are Antananarivo, Mahajanga, Antsiranana, Toamasina, Fianarantsoa, and Toliary. The provinces will be dissolved as a result of the new regional subdivision and the constitutional referendum of 2007. There is a timeframe of 30 months (until October 2009) for the transition.
Principal Government Officials
President--Marc Ravalomanana
Prime Minister--General Charles Rabemananjara
Minister of National Defense--Cecile Marie Ange Manorohanta
Minister of Finance and Budget--Haja Nirina Razafinjatovo
Minister of Financial Reform--Marius Ratolojanahary
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Marcel Ranjeva
Minister of Public Works and Meteorology--Roland Randimampionona
Minister of Transportation--Pierrot Botozaza
Minister of Energy and Mining--Elise Razaka
Minister within the Presidency, in charge of Decentralization and Country Planning--Yvan Andrianasandratriniony
Minister of Justice--Bakolalao Ramanandraibe Ranaivoharivony
Minister of Civil Service, Labor and Social Law--Abdou Salame
Minister of Environment, Water and Forest--Harison Edmond Randriarimanana
Minister of Health and Family Planning-- Paul Richard Ralainirina
Minister of National Education and Scientific Researches--Stangeline Ralambomanana Randrianarisandy
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries--Armand Panja Ramanoelina
Minister of Sports, Culture and Hobbies--Robinson Jean Louis
Minister of Telecommunications, Posts and Communication--Bruno Andrianatavison Ramaroson
Minister of Economy, Planning, Private Sector and Commerce--Ivohasina Razafimahefa
Vice Minister of Social Affairs and Health of Mothers--Marie Perline Rahatanirina
State Secretary for Public Security--Desire Rasolofomanana
Ambassador to the
U.S.--Jocelyn B. Radifera
Ambassador to the UN--Zina Andrianarivelo-Razafy
Madagascar maintains an embassy in the United States at 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-265-5525).
Madagascar's first President, Philibert Tsiranana, was elected when his Social Democratic Party gained power at independence in 1960 and was reelected without opposition in March 1972. However, he resigned only 2 months later in response to massive antigovernment demonstrations. The unrest continued, and Tsiranana's successor, Gen. Gabriel Ramanantsoa, resigned on February 5, 1975, handing over executive power to Lt. Col. Richard Ratsimandrava, who was assassinated 6 days later. A provisional military directorate then ruled until a new government was formed in June 1975, under Didier Ratsiraka.
During the 16 subsequent years of President Ratsiraka's rule, Madagascar continued under a government committed to revolutionary socialism based on the 1975 constitution establishing a highly centralized state. National elections in 1982 and 1989 returned Ratsiraka for a second and third 7-year presidential term. For much of this period, only limited and restrained political opposition was tolerated, with no direct criticism of the president permitted in the press.
With an easing of restrictions on political expression, beginning in the late 1980s, the Ratsiraka regime came under increasing pressure to make fundamental changes. In response to a deteriorating economy, Ratsiraka relaxed socialist economic policies and instituted some liberal, private-sector reforms. These, along with political reforms like the elimination of press censorship in 1989 and the formation of more political parties in 1990, were insufficient to placate a growing opposition movement known as Hery Velona or "Active Forces." A number of already existing political parties and their leaders, among them Albert Zafy and Rakotoniaina Manandafy, anchored this movement which was especially strong in Antananarivo and the surrounding high plateau.
In response to largely peaceful mass demonstrations and crippling general strikes, Ratsiraka replaced his prime minister in August 1991 but suffered an irreparable setback soon thereafter when his troops fired on peaceful demonstrators marching on his suburban palace, killing more than 30.
In an increasingly weakened position, Ratsiraka acceded to negotiations on the formation of a transitional government. The resulting "Panorama Convention" of October 31, 1991, stripped Ratsiraka of nearly all of his powers, created interim institutions, and set an 18-month timetable for completing a transition to a new form of constitutional government. The High Constitutional Court was retained as the ultimate judicial arbiter of the process.
In March 1992, a widely representative National Forum organized by the Malagasy Christian Council of Churches (FFKM) drafted a new constitution. Troops guarding the proceedings clashed with pro-Ratsiraka "federalists" who tried to disrupt the forum in protest of draft constitutional provisions preventing the incumbent president from running again. The text of the new constitution was put to a nationwide referendum in August 1992 and approved by a wide margin, despite efforts by federalists to disrupt balloting in several coastal areas.
Presidential elections were held on November 25, 1992, after the High Constitutional Court had ruled, over active forces objections, that Ratsiraka could become a candidate. Runoff elections were held in February 1993, and the leader of the Hery Velona movement, Albert Zafy, defeated Ratsiraka. Zafy was sworn in as President on March 27, 1993. After President Zafy's impeachment by the National Assembly in 1996 and the short quasi-presidency of Norbert Ratsirahonana, the 1997 elections once again pitted Zafy and Ratsiraka, with Ratsiraka this time emerging victorious. A National Assembly dominated by members of President Ratsiraka'a political party AREMA subsequently passed the 1998 constitution, which considerably strengthened the presidency.
In December 2001, a presidential election was held in which both major candidates claimed victory. The Ministry of the Interior declared incumbent Ratsiraka of the AREMA party victorious. Marc Ravalomanana contested the results and claimed victory. A political crisis followed in which Ratsiraka supporters cut major transport routes from the primary port city to the capital city, a stronghold of Ravalomanana support. Sporadic violence and considerable economic disruption continued until July 2002 when Ratsiraka and several of his prominent supporters fled to exile in France. In addition to political differences, ethnic differences played a role in the crisis and continue to play a role in politics. Ratsiraka is from the coastal Betsimisarka tribe and Ravalomanana comes from the highland Merina tribe.
After the end of the 2002 political crisis, President Ravalomanana began many reform projects, forcefully advocating "rapid and durable development" and the launching of a battle against corruption. December 2002 legislative elections gave his newly formed TIM (Tiako-i-Madagasikara--I Love Madagascar) Party a commanding majority in the National Assembly. November 2003 municipal elections were conducted freely, returning a majority of supporters of the president, but also significant numbers of independent and regional opposition figures.
Following the crisis of 2002, the President replaced provincial governors with appointed PDSs (Presidents des Delegations Speciales). This effectively put an end to the "autonomous provinces," although they nominally remain in place because they are included in the constitution. Subsequent legislation established a structure of 22 regions to decentralize administration. In September 2004, the government named 22 Regional Chiefs, reporting directly to the President, to implement its decentralization plans. Rumors about the dissolution of the autonomous provinces had been around for some time, and on April 4, 2007 a constitutional referendum was held, in which the majority of the voters backed a revised constitution without any provinces. The new regions will become the highest level of subdivision.
Structural reforms began in the late 1980s, initially under pressure from international financial institutions. An initial privatization program (1988-1993) and the development of an export processing zone (EPZ) regime in the early 1990s were key milestones in this effort. A period of significant stagnation from 1991-96 was followed by 5 years of solid economic growth and accelerating foreign investment, driven by a second wave of privatizations and EPZ development. Although structural reforms advanced, governance remained weak and perceived corruption in Madagascar was extremely high. During the period of solid growth from 1997 through 2001, poverty levels remained stubbornly high, especially in rural areas. A six-month political crisis triggered by a dispute over the outcome of the presidential elections held in December 2001 virtually halted economic activity in much of the country in the first half of 2002. Real GDP dropped 12.7% for the year 2002, inflows of foreign investment dropped sharply, and the crisis tarnished Madagascar's budding reputation as an African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) standout and a promising place to invest. Following resolution of the crisis, the economy rebounded with GDP growth of over 9% in 2003. Currency depreciation and rising inflation hampered economic performance in 2004-2005; by 2006 inflation had abated somewhat (to 11%) but growth remained sluggish (4.7% est.)
Following the 2002 political crisis, the government attempted to set a new course and build confidence in coordination with international financial institutions and the donor community. Madagascar developed a recovery plan in collaboration with the private sector and donors and presented it at a "Friends of Madagascar" conference organized by the World Bank in Paris in July 2002. Donor countries demonstrated their confidence in the new government by pledging $1 billion in assistance over five years. The Malagasy Government identified road infrastructure as its principal priority and underlined its commitment to public-private partnership by establishing a joint public-private sector steering committee.
In 2000, Madagascar embarked on the preparation of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The boards of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank agreed in December 2000 that the country had reached the decision point for debt relief under the HIPC Initiative and defined a set of conditions for Madagascar to reach the completion point. In October 2004, the boards of the IMF and the World Bank determined that Madagascar had reached the completion point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative.
The Madagascar-U.S. Business Council was formed in Madagascar in 2002. The U.S.-Madagascar Business Council was formed in the United States in May 2003, and the two organizations continue to explore ways to work for the benefit of both groups.
The government of President Ravalomanana is aggressively seeking foreign investment and is tackling many of the obstacles to such investment, including combating corruption, reforming land-ownership laws, encouraging study of American and European business techniques, and active pursuit of foreign investors. President Ravalomanana rose to prominence through his agro-foods TIKO company, and is known for attempting to apply many of the lessons learned in the world of business to running the government.
Madagascar, which has historically been perceived as on the margin of mainstream African affairs, eagerly rejoined the African Union in July 2003 after a 14-month hiatus triggered by the 2002 political crisis, and joined the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 2006. From 1978 until 1991, then-President Ratsiraka emphasized independence and nonalignment and followed an "all points" policy stressing ties with socialist and radical regimes, including North Korea, Cuba, Libya, and Iran. Taking office in 1993, President Albert Zafy expressed his desire for diplomatic relations with all countries. Early in his tenure, he established formal ties with South Korea and sent emissaries to Morocco.
Starting in 1997, globalization encouraged the government and President Ratsiraka to adhere to market-oriented policies and to engage world markets. External relations reflect this trend, although Madagascar's physical isolation and strong traditional insular orientation have limited its activity in regional economic organizations and relations with its East African neighbors. It enjoys closer and generally good relations with its Indian Ocean neighbors--Mauritius, Reunion, and the Comoros Islands. Active relationships with Europe, especially France, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as with the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, India, and China have been strong since independence.
President Ravalomanana has stated that he welcomes relations with all countries interested in helping Madagascar to develop. He has consciously sought to strengthen relations with Anglophone countries as a means of balancing traditionally strong French influence.
Relations with the United States date to the middle 1800s. The two countries concluded a commercial convention in 1867 and a treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce in 1881. Traditionally warm relations suffered considerably during the 1970s, when Madagascar expelled the U.S. ambassador, closed a NASA tracking station, and nationalized two U.S. oil companies. In 1980, relations at the ambassadorial level were restored.
Throughout the troubled period, commercial and cultural relations remained active. In 1990, Madagascar was designated as a priority aid recipient, and assistance increased from $15 million in 1989 to $40 million in 1993. Recent U.S. assistance has contributed to a population census and family planning programs; conservation of Madagascar's remarkable biodiversity, private sector development, agriculture, democracy and governance initiatives; and media training. Madagascar became the very first country with a Millennium Challenge Account compact when it signed an agreement worth $110 million in April 2006. The Ravalomanana government is especially positive about ties with the United States.
U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--R. Niels Marquardt
Deputy Chief of Mission--Eric Stromayer
USAID Director--Gerry Cashion
Defense Attache--Cecil Bridges
Public Affairs Officer--Rodney Ford
Consular Officer--Melanie Rubenstein
Economic/Commercial Section Chief--Dovie Holland
Political--Jeff Hulse
Management Officer--Steve Dodson
Peace Corps Director--vacant
The US. Embassy in Madagascar is located at 14, rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo (tel. 261-20-22-212-57, 033-44-22-000; fax 261-20-345-39. The postal address is Ambassader Americaine, B.P. 620, Antananarivo, Madagascar.
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program advises Americans traveling and residing abroad through Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings. Country Specific Information exists for all countries and includes information on entry and exit requirements, currency regulations, health conditions, safety and security, crime, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Travel Alerts are issued to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country because the situation is dangerous or unstable.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found. Consular Affairs Publications, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov. For additional information on international travel, see http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.
The Department of State encourages all U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad to register via the State Department's travel registration website or at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Registration will make your presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an emergency and will enable you to receive up-to-date information on security conditions.
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S and Canada.
The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4-USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778); TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793. Passport information is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. You may speak with a representative Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m, Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) and a web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/defaultaspx give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. The CDC publication "Health Information for International Travel" can be found at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentYellowBook.aspx.
Further Electronic Information
Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://www.stategov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key officers of Foreign Service posts and more. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides security information and regional news that impact U.S. companies working abroad through its website http://www.osac.gov
Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance and market information offered by the federal government and provides trade leads, free export counseling, help with the export process, and more.
STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides authoritative economic, business, and international trade information from the Federal government. The site includes current and historical trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities, and country analysis and provides access to the National Trade Data Bank.


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Scholastic Committee
212 Behmler Hall
600 East 4th Street
Morris, MN 56267
320-589-6025 (fax)
Scholastic Committee
The Scholastic Committee consists of fifteen members, including:
- six faculty members
- one the UMM representative to the Senate Committee on Educational Policy
- four students
- one USA staff member
- two P&A members (one from the athletic staff)
- and two ex officio, non voting members
- the VCAA/dean or his/her designee
- the registrar
The Scholastic Committee develops, reviews, and recommends policies affecting the quality of education. It is concerned with such matters as admissions, academic progress, academic advising, student academic honesty, scholarship, and graduation. It has the power to grant exceptions to academic regulations when the spirit of such regulations has been satisfied. The committee admits students and evaluates transfer credit in accordance with standards established by the campus assembly.
—from the UMM Constitution and By-Laws
- Roland Guyotte, chair (1st term 2016-19)
- Leslie Meek (1st term 2015-18)
- Ray Schultz (1st term 2015-18)
- Merc Chasman (2nd term 2017-20)
- to be determined
- Dan Magner (1st term 2015-18)
- Michelle Schamp (1st term 2017-20)
- Emma Kloos (1st term 2015-18)
- Colin Wray (1st term 2016-17)
- Abigail Mooney (1st term 2016-17)
- to be determined
- to be determined
Senate Committee on Educational Policy
- Jennifer Goodnough
Ex officio
- Brenda Boever (Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs designee)
- Judy Korn (Registrar)
The Scholastic Committee:
- monitors and grants exceptions to a broad range of academic regulations including those governing admissions, grading, academic progress, transfer, and degree requirements.
- operating within its charge, recommends to the Assembly admission standards, changes in the grading system, regulations and procedures governing registration, academic progress requirements, transfer policy, standards for awarding credit by examination, and changes in the advising system.
- establishes procedures for exemption from degree requirements.
- while the Office of Admissions makes admissions decisions, consults on the annual admission plan, monitors compliance with policies, and reviews results.
- monitors the academic progress requirements
- through the Office of the Registrar, verifies that all degree requirements have been met.
- through the Student Scholastic Standing Committee, enforces academic progress policy and acts on appeals of suspension and on readmission after suspension.
The transfer evaluation coordinator, for the Scholastic Committee, awards transfer credit consistent with college and all-University transfer policy.
—from the UMM Constitution and By-Laws

subset: commoncrawl


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According to Category:British Isles, "it is more appropriate to categorize Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Ireland together as the British Isles in terms of referring to them as a nation". While I completely agree that "magical government jurisdiction can and does differ from Muggle government jurisdiction" (take Transylvania for example), this sounds a lot like ungrounded speculation to me.
If (as the article says) the MoM's full title is the "Ministry of Magic of the United Kingdom", and the British and Irish Quidditch League comes under the authority of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, with Fudge accepting the Trophy on behalf of Ireland in 1994, then I'd say there's a better case for supposing that the United Kingdom in the HP universe includes Ireland than for supposing a hypothetical "British Isles" Wizarding nation.
Historically this was the case in the real world, so this could easily be explained if Ireland never seceded from the U.K. in the HP universe. Political divisions in Ireland are something that JKR would definitely have wanted to avoid, especially at the time she was writing, and correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think there are any direct references to Northern or Southern Ireland in the series, just to Ireland itself. From an in-universe perspective, regardless of the extent of the Muggle U.K., I doubt the wizards of an independent Ireland would allow themselves to be governed by the U.K. Ministry.
On a more practical note, with many new readers unfamiliar with the complicated relationship between Great Britain, Ireland, the U.K., Eire, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, it might help to make it clearer if we had a United Kingdom article, and tidied up the existing articles too; the "Known locations" section of Great Britain for example is way too long and is just repeated in each country and county article, with no sense of the locations' notability. --xensyriaT 22:51, November 28, 2012 (UTC)


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Mortensrud Church
Jensen & Skodvin Arkitektkontor
Oslo, Norway
Deep in the pine forest in the outskirts of Oslo, lies the Mortensrud Church. If you do not know it's there, it's possible you would walk by without taking notice. But nevertheless, the small church designed by the Norwegian architects Jensen & Skodvin has become something of an attraction.


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Earlier this week, a law was passed in Santa Clara, California which forbade the inclusion of toys in any meals that did not meet certain health standards for children.
It's a pretty extraordinary step in the land of freedom and all that but apparently Silicon Valley has been at the forefront of the US's healthy eating revolution, having previously forced food chains to display the caloric intake of their meals.
Somehow I imagine McDonald's won't be quaking in their boots. Presumably the packaging and advertising can still be emblazoned with Disney characters and getting the attention of a consumer is probably more significant in the long term than the toy that goes along with it.


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SAINT LEO, Fla. – Chris Malcolm's layup with five seconds left in overtime proved the difference as the visiting Rollins Tars snuck away with a 56-53 win in a Sunshine State Conference thriller on Saturday afternoon from the Marion Bowman Activities Center.
Locked in a defensive battle, Malcolm gained control of the ball with less than 12 seconds to play in the extra session and went coast-to-coast, avoiding Lion defenders and rolling the ball off the backboard to give the Tars the lead for good. The Lions' inbounds play with the clock ticking down was intercepted by Rollins (11-4, 4-1 SSC), ending the Green and Gold's hope of another conference upset.
"I thought we defended outstanding and we got some big stops until the very last possession," Head Coach Lance Randall said about the disappointing result. "With under five seconds to go and you let (Malcolm) go the length of the court, I thought we took the charge and it wasn't called, but we've got to stop the ball."
He continued, "We didn't get the result, and it hurts that we couldn't get another big win. Our guys are resilient and they've got good character and I think we'll rebound and have a chance to fight again on Wednesday."
Saint Leo (8-7, 2-3 SSC) was in prime position for another thrilling conference victory in front of a rowdy Bowman Center crowd as the Lions lined up for a free throw with the score knotted at 46 and with just 43 seconds left. The chance would bounce out and neither team would score again during regulation as a near déjà vu moment, with the Lions' Dominick Robinson squaring up a three pointer as time expired, rattled around the rim and bounced out.
The visitors from Winter Park, Fla. spun the scoreboard first in overtime, but it was the Lions who gained control behind a Robinson trey with 3:35 left and didn't surrender the advantage until Malcolm's shot passed through the iron.
The overtime session capped a 45-minute defensive stalemate that saw both teams shoot under 40 percent and combine for 35 turnovers.
Despite fouling out in the waning moments of regulation, Marcus Ruh led the Lions in scoring with 17 points as he connected on five 3-pointers. He would be the only Saint Leo player in double-digits as he also led in rebounding with seven boards in 38 minutes.
Malcolm finished tied for the game-high in scoring as he and Myk Brown finished with 15 points each.
The Lions will look to put the loss behind them with they travel to St. Petersburg, Fla. and face the Eckerd Tritons on Wednesday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the McArthur Center on the EC campus. For the latest news, information, and updates on Lions Basketball and all other Saint Leo Athletics, visit SaintLeoLions.com.


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the normal heart, electrical impulses pace the rhythm at which the heart
contracts and relaxes. The sinoatrial (SA) node triggers the electrical
impulse, causing the upper chambers (atria) to contract. The signal travels
through the atrioventricular (AV) node to the atrioventricular bundle, which
divides into the Purkinje fibers. The fibers carry the signal and cause the lower
chambers (ventricles) to contract.
The electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG) tracing
above reflects this normal electrical activity.
Last Revised:
December 14, 2012
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & John M. Miller, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
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text:
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/7/2013 (1484 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
I wish all those cynics who think Winnipeggers lack community spirit could see the flood of inspiring responses to our Make Up a Day and Win a Swell Prize contest.
This is the contest I launched Friday giving you, the readers, a chance to win a fabulous prize in exchange for suggesting a day on which Winnipeggers could pay homage to something special about their hometown.
I was inspired to hold this contest after becoming aware it is all but impossible to find a single (bad word) day on the calendar that has NOT been set aside to celebrate something completely and utterly inane.
For example, here are a few bizarre days you will think I am making up but that are, in fact, actual official days:
Jan. 20 -- Penguin Awareness Day
Jan. 21 -- Squirrel Appreciation Day
Mar. 9 -- National Napping Day
Aug. 11 -- Play in the Sand Day
Aug. 13 -- World Lizard Day
After pondering some of these lame dates -- today, July 31, happens to be National Mutt's Day -- I decided to challenge readers to come up with a day to pay tribute to something uniquely Winnipeg.
As always, I am proud to say you readers came through big time. After reviewing your entries, it is obvious many of you (a) have way too much time on your hands; and (b) have stopped taking your prescription medications.
Before we get to the big winners -- who get to select tickets for upcoming concerts -- here's a look at a few of the amazing Winnipeg-centric days enthusiastic readers proposed:
- National Bacon Day -- "Not that you need an excuse to eat bacon, but in our household you do. My wife has deemed our house a No-Bacon zone, so we could sure use an excuse to have bacon in the house."
- National Flatulence Day -- "One day a year when you don't have to blame the dog, the kids, or make up any other excuse. The motto could be Let-R-Rip!"
- National Signal Light Day -- "One day when everyone has to use their signal light. We tried to think of a punishment if caught not using them... like having to listen to Justin Bieber music for the rest of the day."
- National Timbit Day -- "Convince Tims to provide free Timbits to all for the day."
- Mayor Appreciation Day -- "It would coincide with the next full moon, which is Aug. 21. Every Winnipegger would go about their business as normal but with flasks of holy water and strings of garlic around their neck."
- The Right to Complain About Everything Day -- "Winnipeg's greatest claim to fame has to be the fact regardless of what event, building, movement or positive moment happening in our city, our population will always look for ways to rip it down and complain about it."
- Flood Flinch Day -- "On this day, all government agencies would issue dire predictions the city will be swallowed by bajillions of gallons of floodwater and raise a tax; any tax will do."
Those were all great ideas, but here's our big winners, starting with third prize, sent in by Roy Ellis (former city entomologist, once affectionately known as the city's Bug Doctor), who proposed:
- Winnipeg Start Daily Fogging Day -- "In answer to our annual plague of mosquitoes. Daily fogging would end after the first heavy snowfall."
In second place is a heart-tugging, misty-eyed entry from Kerri Anderson, who recently moved into a new home with her partner, prompting her to suggest:
- Celebrate Your Neighbour Day -- "It's no secret when we moved into our Elmwood-area home, our much neglected yard created a huge eyesore. We were barely getting started on beautifying our new digs when a neighbour came over and introduced himself and just started helping out!
"My partner had a recent surgery and I am seven months' pregnant so his help was more than welcome... Now, two months later, our home is (bad word) magnificent and we have made a ton of new friends in our neighbours. We have the use of a lawn mower when we need it and fresh-baked cookies when I am peckish. God bless good neighbours!"
Which brings us somehow to our grand prize winner, Bob Beck, who gets first choice of the concert tickets for suggesting Winnipeggers pull out their shovels and make the best of a bad situation on:
- National Pothole Day -- "Everyone could adopt a pothole for the day and either decorate it or fill it in. A contest could be held for best decorated."
Other readers had a similar notion, but Bob's entry arrived first and had the most detail. I realize some of you may not agree with these choices, so here's my suggestion... National Get Your Own (Bad Word) Column Day!


text:
tier 3 all day
tier 3 all day
The belt isn't showing up.
The sword is the Greatsword of Forlorn Visions. It's unique in that it doesn't show an enchant on the blade when xmogged. So I get a very low-key glow compared to Dancing Steel.
I need a new cloak and tabard theme though. Too much Theramore pride but the Theramore tabard doesn't quite blend well.
Trel you've done something I've wanted to be seen for a while. The mixture of tier 12 heroic and judgement is a strange but oddly smooth look for a fiery paladin. Well done. I kinda wish they'd made a chest version that wasn't a robe for that set.
I see. uh. Season 10? o_o
Hah. I can see why he combined the two. Both are very warm sets in terms of color and similar.
1H equivalent. Hells, I think I need to pick up that sword too (I still don't have a decent Ret transmog set).
I have the forlorn visions weapons, they're pretty snappy lookin' but I could never make any of my armor work quite right with them. Good job, that combo works really well. Kind of a shame they don't show enchants too well.
I took it as a breath of relief. Sometimes I don't want to see Dancing Steel engulfing a weapon. It's not bad like Cata's shitstorm on a stick but it can be a little annoying after a while. Only problem is both the Greatsword and its sister suffer from a weird color table. I wish red, gold, and blues versions were made into the game. Maybe even a grey-to-black.
I tried the one-handers on my DK. They're amazing and look like I am using TG for two swords but they're rather...pink.
---------- Post added 2013-05-02 at 07:20 PM ----------
We have a huge lacking of nice green tabards Alliance-side.
I cant post any links or anything yet due to not posting much , But if you look me up on armory under Kiedasan on Frostmoure you'll see what I'm currently mog'd as. There's something really enjoyable about using Gorehowl against hordies haha. And it looks sooooooo good with the dancing steal chant on it.
Last edited by Malthanis; 2013-05-03 at 01:16 PM. Reason: Added your link
since now FINALLY my last T2 piece dropped, I'm looking for a 1h weapon for it. currently I'm wearing lokamir, but since most weapons show the glow of the actual enchant on the weapon, this looks shit. (all red/gold/black and then that light blue glow thingy from colossus).
I'm trying to farm this one now: http://www.wowhead.com/item=27512 since it hasn't dropped yet I can't tell - it has a glow for itself, does that mean, that the enchant-glow does NOT overwrite it? if that'd be the case, I think this will look quite good. But if someone already has it and confirms that enchant glows overwrite that weapon's glow, I could stop farming it right away...
New weapon, changed shoulders/belt/gloves out for a more knight-ish look.
Best shield for T12? Ive been looking and cant really find a good match
For the heroic set you could use:
[Ward of the Red Widow] or [Drillborer Disk] or [Akmin-Kurai, Dominion's Shield]
For the normal set you could use:
[Drillborer Disk] or [Skullflame Shield]
(I haven't looked for better match for the normal set but if you give me time i will try to find a better matching shield


text: IBD Just Gel is perfect for chip-free, high gloss colour. It has the look of a normal polish, but with the 100% pure gel formula it protects natural nails with stronger, long lasting wear. Intense colour that will last up to three weeks without chipping, peeling , cracking or losing the gloss finish. Available in a 14ml bottle.


text:
An MP's telephone line could be out of action for up to two months as a BT seeks permission to dig up a road for repairs.
Shipley MP Philip Davies, who represents Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston, is asking constituents to contact him via his Westminster office if they need to get in touch, while the telephone at his Shipley office is out of action.
The problem, which is also affecting others in Shipley, is expected to last up to two months.
Constituents are advised to contact Philip Davies MP via his parliamentary office for the time being on (0207) 219 8264, e-mail philip.davies.mp @parliament.uk, contact him at philip-davies.org.uk/contact.
They can also write to him at: Philip Davies MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.


text:
Sunshine State Conference Veteran Comes to Saint Leo
SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo University Director of Athletics, Francis X. Reidy, has announced the selection of Nikki Jessee as the next head women's basketball coach for the Lions. Previously, Jessee served as the assistant women's basketball coach at Sunshine State Conference perennial contender the University of Tampa. Jessee is the 11th coach in program history.
"While we had a great pool of candidates for this position, Coach Jessee has successfully rebuilt two programs in Martin Methodist and Lynn University. She has proven she can do what needs to be accomplished to be successful with our women's program," Reidy stated.
Familiar with Division II and the Sunshine State Conference, Jessee has developed a lengthy and successful resume over her 12 years of coaching. Her latest head coaching stint came with Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. While there, she helped turn a Fighting Knights' squad into an instant competitor in the Sunshine State Conference, guiding them to a program-best start while also earning national recognition in the WBCA Top-25 poll and NCAA South Region rankings, both team firsts.
Prior to her time with the Fighting Knights, Jessee was tabbed as the head coach of Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee. At Martin, she guided the team to the best start in program history at 13-2, collected the team's first conference tournament win, all while compiling the most wins in school history.
"I'm ecstatic to have been given the opportunity by Mr. Reidy to bring a winning tradition to the Saint Leo Women's Basketball program," Jessee said. "We will immediately get to work developing the players we now have, and adding some missing pieces to move this program in the right direction."
Jessee has also manned successful sidelines as an assistant over the course of her career, her latest coming at the University of Tampa where she served as the assistant under head coach and husband, Tom Jessee. In 2009-10, she aided the Spartans to a regular season Sunshine State Conference Championship.
In addition, prior to her arrival at Martin Methodist College, Jessee coached at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn., where she was the recruiting coordinator from 2003-04. She spent two years (2000-02) at Campbell University, where she helped guide the Lady Camels to an Atlantic Sun Regular Season Championship and runner-up finish at the Atlantic Sun Tournament.
A Florida native, she began her coaching career in Lakeland, Fla., where she helped guide George Jenkins High School to the State Finals in the 1999-2000 season. Jessee was then named head coach at Lyman High in Orlando, Fla.
Jessee has amassed 70 wins during her five seasons as a head coach, and has developed an astute knowledge for the game since her days as a student-athlete. A local talent, Jessee competed as a high school All-American at Lakeland High School before taking her talents to the University of Florida in one of the top recruiting classes in the country. After two years in the blue and orange, Jessee dressed for conference opponent Rollins College for the final three years of her career.
Topping-off her playing career, Jessee signed a professional contract with the Thames Valley Tigers of Bracknell, England where she led the club in scoring and rebounding.
Transitioning onto the sidelines, Jessee brings a well-rounded vision to the Lions' program as she looks to secure success in the community, the classroom, and the hardwood. About the current state of the program, Jessee added, "Saint Leo is a hidden gem with wonderful people surrounding it, and one which I hope to put on the map basketball wise."
She graduated from Rollins in 1999 with a Bachelors Degree in English and received her Master's from Campbell University in 2001 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is the youngest of five children, and has a twin sister.
Reidy concluded, "Nikki Jessee has been successful as a player, assistant coach and head coach in the Sunshine State Conference. For these reasons she was the best choice to lead our program going forward. We are excited to have Nicole, Tom (except for two nights a year), and daughter Rudi as the newest members of our Saint Leo family."
The former Nikki Sullivan, her daughter Rudi, and her husband Tom reside in Clearwater, Fla.


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text:
Boskovich Farms is entering its second year of organic production in Holtville, Calif., with increases in its volume and selection of vegetables.
Acreage is up 25% this year in the California desert operation, said Peter Oill, organic sales manager for Oxnard, Calif.-based Boskovich Farms.
"We've added broccoli, celery, different kinds of spinach, some cabbage plus all the bunched greens," Oill said.
Harvesting was expected to start shortly before Thanksgiving on crops including cilantro, parsleys and some chards, which are faster growing than others in the lineup. Kale and collards will follow.
Supplies will increase in December.
"We'll go to about April," Oill said. At that point insect pressure on organic crops is likely to become significant enough to end production.
"The demand for organics keeps growing," he said. "More people are getting into it now. We wanted to have more items."


text:
Archaeological experts are calling for the deferment of an application to build hundreds of homes in Bramhope because of the suspected presence of Romano British remains.
The West Yorkshire Archaeological Service is stressing that it sees the site as having significance, with the potential for late prehistoric or Romano British archaeological remains.
The service, which is basing its theories on crop mark evidence on aerial photographs, has submitted comments to Leeds City Council. It is calling for the application to be deferred pending a detailed archaeological survey of the site.
More than 600 objections have been lodged against the controversial scheme. Leeds City Council's Highways Department has also said it is opposed to the scheme in its current form.
The response from residents has been described as "tremendous" by Bramhope Parish Council, which is warning that the development would radically change the character of the village.
Bramhope and Carlton Parish Council wrote to all residents, warning them of the scheme's effect on the village and urging them to oppose it.
In the letter Council chairman Denis Johnson said: "This has all the hallmarks of an attempt to bypass the Housing Allocations consultation carried out this summer by Leeds City Council.
"LCC will publish revised proposals next year, followed by a public inquiry that will finalise by 2015 the Housing Site Allocations for Leeds until 2028.
"If Miller Homes succeed in this outline planning application, the Site Allocations exercise will be irrelevant, as planning consent on this Bramhope site would be final, over-riding the allocations reached through formal public consultation."
But the developers are stressing that it will bring benefits to the area including parkland, ponds and a convenience store, as well as ease the housing shortage in Leeds.
Miller Homes say 80 per cent of the properties will have three or four bedrooms. The remainder will be either two or five-bedroom properties.
They say the development will include an extensive landscape strategy which will create a linked network of greenspaces, including a new park, a village green, allotments and a new woodland walk.
Bramhope councillor John Howard said although a minority of villagers had not supported the parish council's stance the majority had agreed with what they were doing.
"We have had a lot of very supportive comments and e-mails from residents.
"The overwhelming tenor has been in favour of fighting the development."
He said they were hopeful that the Miller Homes application would be rejected by city planners.


text:
I have a stopover in Lebanon, Indiana in a couple of weeks and am wondering if there are any barbecue places there. I'll have been on the road for 5-1/2 to 6 hours by that point so something local would be ideal...the hotel restaurant might have ribs on the menu but I would be suspicious of the cooking method.
And if there's no barbecue it's not the end of the world...I'll just eat White Castles until they're coming out of my ears!


text:
In the past I've done what I guess is a North Carolina style pulled pork. I wanted to try something a little different this time around and mosey'd my way south. The recipe I'm using comes from an episode of Cooks Country with a modification (I'm not going to use the oven - start to finish cooking will be in the Egg). I'm also for the first time going to inject the butts. It turns out I should have RTFM about how to use my nifty syringe. Oops.
Dry rub waiting to be applied
Injection/brine with a wee addition (I put about 1tbsp of Makers in - I have no idea if alcohol is a good or bad thing for injecting)
The naked butts 16lbs of boneless from CostCo. Perhaps one day I can get bone-in
The butts after injection waiting a last rub in of the rub. I found that the amount of rub the recipe made to be insufficient (top, bottom, sides as well as the interior where the bone was).
These should go on tomorrow before work and be baby-sat by cyberq wifi.


text:
Labor says the spectre of Tony Abbott becoming prime minister is causing voters to shift back towards the government.
The first Newspoll of the year put the coalition ahead on 51 per cent of the two-party vote - with its election-winning lead dipping from 54 per cent in the final poll of 2012.
Julia Gillard, who has returned from leave but is keeping a low profile, leads the holidaying opposition leader 45-33 as preferred prime minister.
Labor's primary vote is up six points since December at 38 per cent in the latest poll. That is 11 points above its worst result of 2012 and the party's strongest position since the 2010 election.
Newspoll chief Martin O'Shannessy said the figure mirrored the tightening in the two-party vote in the second half of last year.
"(It's) very clear that Labor's on the way back," Mr O'Shannessy told ABC radio on Tuesday.
"It will come down to who wins the campaign over the next eight months."
However, Mr O'Shannessy added that the coalition would have "no trouble" winning a workable majority if an election was held today.
Mr Abbott will make a return to the public spotlight with an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on January 31.
Ms Gillard will speak at the club the day before.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said it was the "start of a political competition".
"You essentially see a range of polls which, while they have the coalition in front, have the government within striking distance," Mr Smith told reporters in Perth.
He said the polls reflected a lack of public confidence in Mr Abbott.
"When push comes to shove, the Australian community will form the view that Mr Abbott does not have the demeanour or the judgment to be prime minister of the country," Mr Smith said.
Fellow minister Craig Emerson warned against over-analysing the poll.
"We'd be having a different conversation in a fortnight as numbers move around," Dr Emerson said.
Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey said he expected the polls to "bounce around".
But he said much of what Ms Gillard had promised in the past six months was about keeping leadership rival Kevin Rudd at bay rather than running the country.
"Their problem is that in order to pay for all the big promises that Julia Gillard has committed to over the last few months, they are going to have to increase taxes and they are going to have to announce that sooner or later," Mr Hockey told Macquarie Radio.
Dr Emerson said the government was "making room in the budget" for all its promises, including extra funding for education and the national disability insurance scheme.


text:
Did you know?
The Amathole Museum was established in 1884 and is one of the oldest museums in South Africa.
In days gone by, the King William's Town Museum (renamed Amathole Museum) had a tradition of adventurous curators in the Hemingway tradition.
Old-time museums were always big on wildlife dioramas, so they needed the ongoing services of expert taxidermists – and a curator with a deadly eye, lots of specimen cases and a yen for open spaces.
In the case of the Amathole Museum, their particular Indiana Jones came in the form of Captain Guy Shortridge, OBE, in 1921. A former soldier, Shortridge had a deep love of discovery and the natural world. His expeditions through southern Africa on behalf of the museum were legendary. On one occasion he returned from the Kaokoveld in the former South West Africa (now Namibia) with more than 1500 specimens, including a giraffe. Crating and railing these down to King William's Town was a Herculean task.
So when Huberta the Hippo was hunted and killed in the area after her long, eventful journey from northern Natal, Shortridge quickly dispatched the museum's 'preparator' to prepare the remains for the taxidermist. After lots of inter-provincial wrangling for the body of the most famous hippo in the world, King William's Town won.
So today there she stands, Huberta, a few metres away from Wolsak, 'the most remarkable buffalo of his time' – but that's another story.
The cultural section of the Amathole Museum has a wealth of information on British settler life in the Eastern Cape, and Xhosa history, day-to-day rituals and cultural icons. One of the most interesting characters profiled here is Enoch Santonga, the Uitenhage choirmaster who penned Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrika, South Africa's national anthem.
Another fascinating display is a presentation of Xhosa cosmology, which invests certain creatures with powers through dreams and visions. The sculpture depicting this includes molesnakes, hedgehogs and, more ominously, zombies.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Amathole Museum
Tel: +27 (0)43 6424506
How to get here
The Amathole Museum is situated at the corner of Alexander and Albert roads, King William's Town.
Best time to visit
Weekdays: 8am to 4pm; Saturdays: 9am to 1pm; Sundays and public holidays: by appointment only.
Tours to do
The Missionary Museum is nearby and is also worth a visit.
What will it cost
R5 for adults; R1 for scholars older than 15; children under 15 free.
Length of stay
A couple of hours
Where to stay
King William's Town has a wide variety of accommodation on offer.


text:
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text:
Hi there i have two questions
I want to support the Gryffindor House but how do i put this on my Usepage?
I would like to lock my usepage so that other people can't edit it and only i can could some one tell me how to do that as well please or could a Admin me help me to do that?
thank you
Yours, In Harry Potter Wiki
--Hogwarts09 19:07, 28 January 2009 (UTC)
Firstly, just put {{user|gryffindor}} on your userpage. Secondly, you cannot lock your userpage. Only admins can lock pages. If I lock your page so that any user cannot edit, then you will not be edit it either. If I partially lock it, then registered users would be able to edit it, while unregistered users could not. However, page locking is only used in case of vandalism or to enforce our user page policy. - Cavalier One(Wizarding Wireless Network) 19:19, 28 January 2009 (UTC) Read by --Hogwarts09 16:37, 29 January 2009 (UTC)
i also have another question
i cant seem to get the Gryffindor house user supporter on my userpage Cavlier one could you place it on for me please.
Yours In Harry Potter Wiki
--Hogwarts09 16:37, 29 January 2009 (UTC)


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Archinect - News 2017-08-22T16:59:20-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/60801947/editor-s-picks-288 Editor's Picks #288 Nam Henderson 2012-11-05T23:50:00-05:00 >2012-11-26T19:05:52-05:00
 In 2012, the DRX (The Design Research Exchange a non-profit residency program for researchers hosted by HENN Architekten) took place in Berlin from July 16th, 2012 through September 7th, 2012. Participants included four invited DRX Experts and eight invited DRX Researchers all of whom focused on the topic Minimal Surface Highrise Structures. As part of the DRX 2012, three prototypic 500m (1,640ft) tall Highrise Structures were developed as so-called ProtoTowers.

 The latest edition of the Working out of the Box series features Skip Schwartz who is currently the CEO of a heath care service/technology company that provides primary healthcare to people mostly on a virtual basis. The two main lessons that he gained from architecture school and the architecture industry were that "Design counts" and "Project management counts".

News
 The world lost three very talented architects last week including, Lebbeus Woods dead at 72, John M. Johansen the last surviving member of the Harvard...


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A widely panned film reportedly inspired by Australian party boy Corey Worthington was the most pirated film of 2012, according to TorrentFreak.
Project X, based on a quest for popularity by three teenage nerds who throw a party that rapidly escalates out of control, was filmed on a $US12 million budget but generated over $US100 million at the worldwide box office following its release in March (including $4.4m in Australia).
And despite critics giving it an average score of 28 per cent, according to Rotten Tomatoes, it has been downloaded using BitTorrent over 8.72 million times, according to TorrentFreak.
This puts it ahead of blockbusters including Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (8.5m illegal downloads), The Dark Knight Rises (8.23m), The Avengers (8.11m), Sherlock Holmes (7.85m), 21 Jump Street (7.59m), The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (7.42m), The Dictator (7.33m), Ice Age (6.96m) and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (6.74m) - all of which took in far more at the box office.
The film, from Hangover producer Todd Phillips, is widely reported to have been inspired by Worthington, who as a 16-year-old in 2008 shot to fame after his house party advertised on MySpace went out of control. More than with 500 people turned up and there were clashes with police.
Taken under the wing of celebrity spruiker Max Markson, the Melbourne teen was hired as a party promoter for a time before his star faded.
The Rotten Tomatoes summary of critics' impressions of Project X is: "Unoriginal, unfunny, and all-around unattractive, Project X mines the depths of the teen movie and found-footage genres for 87 minutes of predictably mean-spirited debauchery."
Sun-Herald film reviewer Ed Gibbs wrote: "It's the party you've only dreamed about, the tagline says. And if you were 17 years old again, you might be inclined to agree."
But the film, shot on handheld camcorder, became a cult hit among teens, who, it could be argued, are more inclined to download films illegally.
They threw "Project X parties" around the world, seeking to emulate the scenes in the film, many of which had to be broken up by police.
According to news reports, one such party, in Houston, Texas, was attended by up to 1000 people. Arguments broke out and a teen was killed following gunfire.
Markson told Fairfax Media that while Worthington wasn't well respected in Australia, MTV in the US said at the time that he was "the poster boy for American youth and the biggest thing since sliced bread".
"He was a worldwide phenomenon ... they really should've paid him some money and then he could have promoted the movie properly for them, and it wouldn't have had so many illegal downloads; it would've done more at the box office," he said.
Markson said that a cover Worthington recorded of the Beastie Boys hit, Fight for the Right to Party, topped the iTunes charts during the week or two when he was hot property. Worthington was now engaged and working as a labourer, he said.
"Maybe there's still a chance of a movie career for Corey," he said.
TorrentFreak said its data was collected from several sources, including reports from all major BitTorrent trackers.
Earlier this week, the site released its list of most pirated TV shows, with fantasy drama Game of Thrones coming out on top.
Meanwhile, technology blog Gizmodo used a service called ScanEye to discover that pirated movies and porn were being downloaded using BitTorrent from Australian government internet connections.


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The 20 most expensive NHL arenas
How does Edmonton's $450M arena stack up? Check out Amanda Shendruk's graphic to find out
The City of Edmonton announced that the plan for a new Edmonton Oilers stadium is a done deal.
How does its $480 million price tag (with the cost of surrounding infrastructure the project is expected to reach $601 million) compare with recent construction costs of other NHL arenas?
Note to readers: This is a corrected version. The previous version of the graphic was titled "Twenty Years of NHL Arenas" and incorrectly listed the Xcel Energy Center and the Scottrade Center in the top 20. The Bridgestone Arena and Rogers Arena have been added to the graphic.


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Chocolate curls and fresh berries turn a simple-to-make cake into a dessert with "WOW!" power.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two 9-inch round pans with vegetable pan spray.
In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In small microwave-safe bowl, heat milk until hot. Add white chocolate; stir until melted and mixture is smooth. Add vanilla; set aside. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Add flour mixture alternately with melted chocolate mixture, mixing until just combined. Divide batter between the two pans.
Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan; remove and cool completely on cooling grid.
Meanwhile prepare icing. In large bowl, beat butter with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add cocoa, milk and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Continue beating at high speed until light and fluffy.
Place cooled cake layer on serving plate. Spread preserves over cake; top with second cake layer. Spread icing over top and sides of cake. Decorate with chocolate curls and berries.
Makes 12 to 16 servings.
To make chocolate curls, slightly soften a 5 ounce or larger block of milk chocolate by microwaving at 50% Power at 10 second intervals. Lay chocolate flat side up on work surface. Slowly pull vegetable peeler or cheese plane across chocolate to create curls. Keep curls refrigerated until ready to use.
Variation: Bake the cake in 9-inch square pans – use the same amount of batter, bake the same amount of time as above.


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Even as Berkshire Hathaway ( BRK.B) tests new record share-price highs, the Warren Buffett-run company remains poised to benefit from an economic recovery that could lift the value of the conglomerate's investments spread across stocks, energy, transportation and housing, among others. Warren Buffett and his investors have plenty to celebrate heading into the firm's May 4 annual shareholder meeting, given Berkshire Hathaway's share price gains that are solidly beating the S&P 500 Index over year-to-date, one-year and five-year periods. Still, as Buffett welcomes investors to the shareholder meeting, the "Oracle of Omaha" isn't likely to rest on his laurels. In Berkshire's 2012 annual shareholder letter,Buffett lamented an underperformance of the firm's book value growth relative the S&P 500, and even outlined a path towards a dividend. Buffett fears Berkshire's five-year book value growth rate may underperform the S&P 500 for the first time ever. In 2012, Berkshire's book value per share increased 14.4%, behind the S&P 500's gains of more than 15%. Berkshire's shareholder letter also called on an investor to take the bearish view on Berkshire Hathaway shares at the upcoming shareholder meeting. On March 4, Buffett said on CNBC he had picked Doug Kass, head of Seabreeze Partners and a contributor at TheStreet, to make the case for shorting shares of Berkshire Hathaway. While Kass will certainly have room to make an argument, and he could even borrow Buffett's words, shorting Berkshire Hathaway shares has made for a disastrous trade over multiple decades. That may continue to hold true in a post-crisis economic recovery given Berkshire's growing number of businesses and the impressive earnings growth posted by units such as BNSF Railway and MidAmerican Energy, in addition to the firm's long-held insurance business and stock portfolio. "Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, is well positioned to benefit from improving earnings in its non-insurance business as the economy recovers, as well as from robust property-casualty insurance results," Jay Gelb, a Barclays analyst, wrote in a 129-page note Thursday that gives an "overweight" rating to Berkshire's Class A and B shares and respective price targets of $178,500 and $119 a share. Gelb noted that Berkshire had roughly doubled the S&P 500's gains in 2013, with the outperformance reflecting "substantial exposure to an improving economy and housing market, in addition to a strong positioning to rising equity markets." Currently, Berkshire holds about $90 billion in equity market investments, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, with Coca-Cola ( KO), Wells Fargo ( WFC) and International Business Machines ( IBM) standing out as the firm's three largest stock holdings.
"We expect Berkshire shares to benefit from strong growth in both book value per share and earnings, driven by its insurance and non-insurance businesses," wrote Gelb, who noted that as Berkshire's newer railroads, energy, housing, retail and manufacturing businesses have grown, insurance has become a smaller portion of Berkshire's annual earnings. The percentage contribution to operating earnings from Berkshire's non-insurance businesses increased from 43% in 2006 to 70% in 2012, according to Gelb.


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We here at Cooking Channel love our pasta. It's comforting, affordable, comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and is the perfect canvas to mix in just about any ingredients you can imagine. But it seems every silver lining has a cloud. Pasta, along with people who go to Diddy shows, gets a bad rap. "The carbs!" people cry out as they awaken, sweaty from a nightmare of being chased by giant noodles. It's time to relax and put pasta back into your diet.
Tune in to Drop 5 Lbs with Good Housekeeping today at 10:30am ET on Cooking Channel to get tips and healthy recipes (including the crowd-pleasing, vitamin-rich Pasta Primavera pictured above) to help you say "yes" to pasta and even lose weight.