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Marlins assistant Conine scaling new heights
MIAMI -- Jeff Conine has never shied away from testing his limits.
The former All-Star outfielder, who currently is a special assistant with the Marlins, has embarked on a new adventure -- climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
The 48-year-old has remained physically active since retiring in 2007. In 2008, for instance, he completed the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Mount Kilimanjaro is his latest excursion.
"It doesn't surprise me that he would do something like that," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "He's a great athlete and an adventurous guy. He's done triathlons."
Conine isn't the first player with Marlins ties to take on Mount Kilimanjaro. Former Miami right-hander Kevin Slowey, who was released by the team in June, climbed the famous moutain along with R.A. Dickey in 2012.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter


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Your registration information is for the use of WMFQ-FM only. We collect information in order to keep you informed of contests and events sponsored or promoted by WMFQ-FM. WMFQ-FM will not sell, rent or in any way distribute personal information supplied to us by you. The information you provide us stays with WMFQ-FM only.
Posted Friday, September 22nd, 2017 6:00pm
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subset: commoncrawl


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From the ones we missed file, above is touching video footage of North Texas' own LeAnn Rimes performing with the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles — led by guest conductor Tim Seelig — at a holiday concert last month. Rimes, who grew up in Garland, is overcome with tears as she talks about the gay youth suicide crisis before teaming with the chorus for a beautiful performance of "The Rose."
Fast forward to tonight, when Rimes is performing again – this time at a fundraiser for (gasp!) House GOP freshmen. As Queerty notes, the fundraiser is being hosted by California Rep. Jeff Denham, who, while a state senator, repeatedly voted against recognition of marriages from other states. And the $2,500-a-plate fundraiser is designed to re-elect lawmakers who undoubtedly will help block consideration of any pro-LGBT legislation — including a federal law to protect gay kids from bullying in public schools — for the next two years.
So, to rephrase the question from the headline, should the LGBT community have learned something about Rimes from her extramarital affair with Eddie Cibrian?


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15 U.S. Code § 1691a - Definitions; rules of construction
§ 1691a.
Definitions; rules of construction
The definitions and rules of construction set forth in this section are applicable for the purposes of this subchapter.
The term "applicant" means any person who applies to a creditor directly for an extension, renewal, or continuation of credit, or applies to a creditor indirectly by use of an existing credit plan for an amount exceeding a previously established credit limit.
The term "credit" means the right granted by a creditor to a debtor to defer payment of debt or to incur debts and defer its payment or to purchase property or services and defer payment therefor.
The term "creditor" means any person who regularly extends, renews, or continues credit; any person who regularly arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of credit; or any assignee of an original creditor who participates in the decision to extend, renew, or continue credit.
The term "person" means a natural person, a corporation, government or governmental subdivision or agency, trust, estate, partnership, cooperative, or association.
Any reference to any requirement imposed under this subchapter or any provision thereof includes reference to the regulations of the Bureau under this subchapter or the provision thereof in question.
(Pub. L. 90–321, title VII, § 702, as added Pub. L. 93–495, title V, § 503, Oct. 28, 1974, 88 Stat. 1522; amended Pub. L. 111–203, title X, § 1085(1), (2), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2083.)
2010—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1085(2), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which read as follows: "The term 'Board' refers to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System."
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1085(1), substituted "Bureau" for "Board".
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective on the designated transfer date, see section 1100H of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
LII has no control over and does not endorse any external Internet site that contains links to or references LII.


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A Thanksgiving to Fill the Spirit
On the evening before Thanksgiving, my synagogue, Congregation Eilat in Mission Viejo, always gets together with a neighboring church, Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist, for an interfaith service. What is remarkable about this joint venture, and other pre-Thanksgiving services like it throughout the United States, is the fact that Jews and Christians can pray together under one roof.
My parents entered a church only for a neighbor's wedding, funeral or other life-cycle event. On those rare occasions, they were invited guests, not participants.
My grandparents probably never entered a church. When they needed to pass by one, they would usually spit on the ground, and make sure to walk on the opposite side of the street.
My grandparents believed that entering a Christian house of worship contaminated them with bad luck. In addition to their superstition, they feared for their physical well-being. My grandparents knew that they could easily be harmed by church members, who erroneously learned in weekly sermons and in Sunday school lessons that "the Jews killed Christ."
Now, every year, on the evening before the national harvest festival, I take part in an event that my ancestors could never imagine happening: an interfaith service where prayers of friendship and thanksgiving are offered by both Jews and Christians, together as equal participants.
The event joyfully begins when Jewish congregants welcome their Christian neighbors, and sing, in Hebrew, Psalm 133: Hinay mah tov u'mah nayim, shevet achim gam yachad ("How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in harmony"). Church members respond, singing words from their hymn, "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing…."
The service then proceeds with worshippers reading in unison a number of passages taken from the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and the Talmud (the sacred literature of each faith's tradition).
A clergy member brings the service to a close with a sermon. This year, when the service takes place at the church, the rabbi will deliver a message. Next year, when the service returns to the synagogue, the pastor will speak.
Many synagogue and church members feel this annual experience is esthetically the most beautiful worship service of the year. On no other occasion, including all of the other national holidays, are the values of democracy, freedom and pluralism more clearly expressed and represented. The service brings spiritual meaning to these values and the holiday, in general, that parades, football games, turkey dinners and even family gatherings do not capture.
The transcendence of history, though, particularly after Sept. 11, is the most impressive feature of the evening. What was a utopian or Messianic idea for my ancestors to contemplate has now become a yearly common occurrence. That transcendence, and the consequent hope it instills for the future, is perhaps the true blessing of Thanksgiving that we should appreciate.


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So three cheers for you and your library. And for books and reading, too. I don't know about you, but I love books that can make me laugh and cry. I love books that make me think and feel. I love the simple act of reading a book. It's so private and solitary. But if it's a good book, it makes me feel less alone in the world. And golly, that's an awfully nice way to feel, isn't it All my best regards to you in LaSalle..
Enlightening and Inspiring Generations with Generations of Ideas


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A former accountant for RMC Water and Environment has sued the firm, alleging she was fired after refusing to alter billing records involving Steve Collins, who is facing criminal conflict of interest charges for being employed by RMC while he was on the county water board.
Karen Aquila sued her former employer in late September in San Diego County Superior Court, alleging she was dismissed as part of a "larger criminal conspiracy and cover-up." Aquila alleges wrongful termination, retaliation and breach of contract.
In the suit, Aquila alleges her dismissal in late June last year was in retaliation for her and her superior's refusal to alter or destroy company invoices detailing Collins' work. Those invoices involved Collins' work during a certain period in 2010, after the nature of his dual role on the desalination project had become clear.
Aquila alleges the request from RMC principal Lyndel Melton, and the subsequent dismissal of former company controller Maria Gomes and herself, was part of a cover-up designed to avoid being accused of participating in Collins' allegedly illegal activities and possibly bribery of a public official.
Collins was paid $160,000 by RMC for work on the regional project during most of 2010 while he was also serving as a public official on the water board, and being paid for his service. He billed the firm, which was working for the Marina Coast Water District at the time, for attending key meetings of county supervisors and the water board, including closed sessions, when the project agreements were being discussed and votes were conducted.
Contract increased
RMC, which later won a $28 million contract to manage the project, increased the value of Collins' consulting contract from $25,000 to $160,000 in several increments during 2010. RMC terminated the contract only after the state Public Utilities Commission approved the project in December that year.
The suit points out that Collins' contract was increased by $50,000 in April 2010 after county supervisors approved the desal project agreements during a closed session Collins attended as a water board member. It was increased another $35,000 after the PUC approved the project.
Collins is facing criminal conflict of interest charges for allegedly having a financial interest in the desal project agreements, among nearly three dozen felony charges for accepting payment as a public official for work he never did or wasn't entitled to be paid for.
No other public or private official has been charged, though the state Fair Political Practices Commission is also conducting an investigation of Collins and other current and former local public officials.
Aquila's suit says it was after local media began reporting on the Collins-RMC relationship in early 2011, prompting a series of investigations, that Melton asked Gomes and Aquila to alter the invoices, apparently for fear of jeopardizing RMC's project management contract and being accused of wrongdoing.
Aquila alleges Melton later asked her to move Collins' records out of the firm's system, but she refused and told him the records had already been entered, the payments made and a Form 1099 filed with the IRS. She says Melton asked her to change the IRS filing, but she again refused.
Records allegedly altered
Despite refusals by her and Gomes to alter the Collins records, Aquila alleges someone with access to RMC's system must have altered them because the invoices from September to December include none of the details about what meetings Collins attended or what work he did that were included in the earlier records.
That fact, Aquila's suit points out, was outlined in a county-financed report. The suit alleges those records were changed because RMC had already sent Marina Coast Water District the earlier invoices involving Collins' work from January to August, which included detailed accounts of the work he billed the firm for, but the subsequent invoices hadn't yet been sent.
Water district stops paying
The suit says the later invoices occurred after Marina Coast General Manager Jim Heitzman told RMC the district would no longer pay Collins' bills because of alleged double billing and because the firm was fully aware of Collins' dual role on the project. Altering the later records, the suit alleges, would allow the firm to claim it didn't know if Collins was billing RMC for work he was doing as a public official.
Even after Collins stopped working for RMC, the suit alleges he continued to participate in meetings where the project management contract and selection of a firm to conduct the work was discussed. Though he didn't vote on the contract or its award, Collins also failed to disclose the extent of his business relationship with RMC, the suit says.
Aquila alleges she was fired in late June, shortly after the release of the county-financed report on the conflict allegations and after she had been promised a job in San Diego, where she had already moved. She says RMC officials told her it was because the company had to cut back its workforce because it had lost the "Monterey contract."
But Aquila's suit says an RMC official a week earlier sent a memo telling employees that RMC and the desal project "had made it in the news, specifically the Monterey Herald," but warning them not to believe everything in the newspaper and that there were project opponents dedicated to stopping the project. The memo assured employees that the firm had violated no "ethical or legal" standards and still had "full support from our main client," Marina Coast, the suit says.
Recent raise
Aquila says she always received positive reviews and had recently been given a raise.
In a response to the lawsuit, RMC accused Aquila of "wilful misconduct" and argued that she was an at-will employee who could be dismissed without cause and that the firm acted within its rights.
A case management conference was held earlier this month, and a trial is set for September.
RMC halted its work on the desal project last summer after the county refused to pay the firm's invoices, and the project partners entered unsuccessful mediation. The supervisors in February rejected a claim filed by the company for nearly $700,000 in unpaid bills.
Founded in 1998, RMC has done a considerable amount of consulting work for the county in the past, including environmental review for the Granite Ridge water pipeline project. That report is pending as county officials try to decide how to proceed on the project.
RMC officials did not respond to The Herald's request for comment.
Jim Johnson can be reached at 753-6753 or email@example.com.


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Reading UAB-Email via the Web - Outlook Web Access (OWA)
Email for Faculty/Staff
Direct Link to UAB Email Web Login
NOTE: Email for students is changing to Office 365 beginning May 2014. For more information on student email click here.
UAB Campus Email Service Description
For faculty and staff, UAB has deployed Microsoft Exchange, a messaging and collaboration software product, as its campus email system. This service has been designed for high availability, performance, security, and growth. Extensive database redundancy, and off-site disaster recovery, minimizes downtime during failures or scheduled maintenance.
The system features email, calendaring, contact, and task management functions. Additionally, UAB campus directory information can be accessed from within the system's Global Address List (GAL) to facilitate contact with other users across the institution. Spam filtering, anti-virus protection, and data encryption are included to mitigate risks.
Email Service Support and Access
The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all students, faculty, and staff. End user support assistance is available by contacting AskIT at 996-5555 or firstname.lastname@example.com within their normal working hours. Limited after-hours support is available for emergency situations impacting multiple users.
To setup a new email account, please visit www.uab.edu/blazerid, select "Get a UAB E-mail Account" from the links on the left side of the page, log in, and follow the appropriate instructions.
The email service can be accessed from a web browser by visiting https://mail.ad.uab.edu. In addition to the web interface, users may access the service using an email client such as Outlook or by using an appropriately configured mobile device. Supported mobile devices include most iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and Android devices.
Staff and Faculty may request email archive support for email storage beyond 5 GB. All attachments are limited to 30 MB in size. Larger files should be transferred using the UAB Drop Box: http://dropbox.dpo.uab.edu
To review UAB's latest best practice guidance pertaining to email, please visit http://www.uab.edu/it/home/component/k2/item/176-email-best-practices.
Email FAQs can be found here: http://www.uab.edu/it/home/email-faq
For any questions or concerns about accessing the system or for assistance in configuring a supported email client, please contact AskIT at 996-5555 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Technical Details for Email Access
The email service may be accessed using any properly configured client that relies on POP or IMAP. The latest version of most web browsers may also be used as well as ActiveSync mobile devices. Please note that any device or email client using one these methods to connect with the system must support the use of SSL encryption.
Supported MAPI-based clients include Outlook 2007 and later for Windows PCs. Mac clients supported via Exchange Web Services include Entourage 2008 Web Services Edition and Outlook 2011.
Public or Private Computer Selection on Login Page
Why does the login page want to know if I'm on a public or private computer?
The network wants to know if someone could access your email account (and any personal information located there) and the security measures it needs to take to protect it. In OWA 2010, your information will be stored in a cookie, not in the browser. This means that your login information will be cleared when you log out of OWA - there is no "Remember my password" option.
Secondly, your session will expire (and you will have to login again) if the account is inactive for a period of time. If you are on a public or shared computer, timeout occurs after fifteen minutes of inactivity. You will have more time on your private computer. When timeout does occur, the page will remain the same until you try to perform another action. At this point, you will be prompted to log on again.
These measures help to protect your privacy, but they are not a replacement for the personal security measures you should already be taking:
- Never walk away from a public computer without logging off completely.
- Always log off of OWA and close the browser before you move on to a website that might not be secure. In OWA 2010, the Log Off button is located in Navigation pane, on the right-hand side. You will be prompted to close the browser window.
- Never disclose your password to anyone. With your BlazerID and password, they will have access more than just your email.
- The Internet Privacy setting ( Tools>Internet Options>Privacy ) should be at Medium or higher.
Even if you are on your personal computer, think of everyone who could have access to it (colleagues and roommates included).


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THE chairman of a long-established Royal British Legion club is urging supporters to rally round to ensure that the club continues to run.
John Mason is urging well-wishers to support the club in the run-up to this year's Remembrance commemorations, in the year which marks a century since the start of the First World War.
John Mason said the meeting this month of Powick and Callow End Royal British Legion had to be abandoned because members failed to attend, and that June's meeting was poorly attended.
He said: "We do not have a meeting in August, but it is vital that we have a good attendance at our next scheduled meeting in September as this is the build-up to Remembrance 2014."
He said that age and ill-health were taking their tolls of the club's membership, with not enough younger people joining to take their places.
"When you've got a small number of people who area actually running things, it only takes one or two of them falling ill to make it very difficult to continue.
"It's not just us; this is happening to legions up and down the country. There's talk that the legion club in Worcester is in danger of closing, so it can happen to anyone.
"It is obvious that if we continue with the current lack of support, the future of the branch and the presence of the legion in Powick and Callow End is bleak, to say the least."
He said members were hoping to take part, along with the branch's standard, in an event commemorating the centenary of the First World War hosted by Claines RBL tomorrow (Saturday, July 26) at Claines church.
Mr Mason urged anyone interested in the future of the legion to attend the meeting on Tuesday, September 9, at the Madresfield Club, Madresfield, at 8.15pm. He said: "This very important meeting may well determine the future of the branch. Please attend if you can."


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Teledyne DALSA's fabrication strengths include integration of sense and actuation circuitry alongside MEMS structures, flexible wafer-scale packaging, and a range of materials, equipment, and process flows that enable the most advanced MEMS and image sensor performance. We own dozens of patents in fabrication technology. Many of our process technologies are usually considered unconventional or even contradictory in mainstream integrated circuit production, but Teledyne DALSA Semiconductor's foundry services together provide designers and customers with a rare ability to optimize architecture, performance, and reliability to meet the needs of high-volume, mission-critical microsystems in photonics, telecom, biomedical, automotive, and industrial applications.
Got a question? Need a quote? Want a demo?


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In this screen, we looked for cheap stocks trading near book value with promising profitability. Screening stocks using the price to book value ratio yields interesting results but, of course, has its own blind spots. We wanted to find more mature companies with capacity to grow. To do so, these companies must be efficient in using their assets wisely to generate future revenue.
Criteria in this screen:
- Market cap. over $2B. Smaller or younger companies may have more assets that haven't 1) depreciated and 2) realized returns.
- P/B below 2. The number chosen here isn't entirely arbitrary. It's difficult to find a capital-intensive company trading below book that also has above-average ROA. That's next.
- Enviable ROA. The companies in this screen are generating return on assets in excess of industry competitors. At a glance, these companies are being well-managed from a financial standpoint.
- Growing ROE. The last thing we looked at was a positive ROE trend to confirm that net income has lead the way in equity appreciation.
Feel free to use the list below as a starting point for your own research. One thing that can be looked at closer is ROE compared to competitors. A few companies in this list saw ROE drop around 2009. Was this industry-wide or company specific? Lastly, you can always look to dividends as a factor when thinking about companies close to book value. A mature company operating efficiently and growing slowly is bound to pay out its profits.
Companies in this list:1. Ares Capital Corporation ( ARCC): Ares Capital Corporation is a private equity firm specializing in acquisition, recapitalization, mezzanine debt, restructurings, rescue financing, and leveraged buyout transactions of middle market companies. Market cap at $4.43B P/B is 1.13. ROE is at 12.87%. TTM Return on Assets at 7.81% vs. an industry average at 2.75%. ARCC has a nice, even dividen yield at 8.88%. As a financial company, it might be a concern if a lot of assets need to be written down.


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Comfortable Room near Tube Station 2c
Size12 m²
Floor No.2
- Internet/WiFi
- Kitchen
- Washer/dryer
- Lockable room
- Towels
Accommodation summary
|Widegate Street, E1 7HP London, United Kingdom
|Property type
|Private room
|Property ID
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
|3 weeks ago
The room is ideal for couples, friends, family or professionals visiting the City. Has an amazingly comfortable double bed, a plasma TV, freezer, internet and a shared fitted kitchen with washing machine. Soap and shampoo are also available.
Close to the high-octane world of the City of London and also near to London's trendy east End, with Shoreditch and Brick Lane very nearby. Liverpool Street Tube Station is 1 minute walk away. Liverpool Street is a big transport hub with connections all over the great city of London.
Shoreditch is in the east of central London and is one of the most popular areas in London at the moment. It is full of trendy cafés, bars, restaurants and other meeting points such as galleries and small shops. There are also a lot of exciting markets surrounding the area such as Brick Lane Market, Broadway Market and Colombia Road Market.
A short walk away from Shoreditch is Liverpool Street station where you can access Central Line, which will take you to the Oxford Street in 10 minutes. Oxford Street is the main shopping street in London, and nearby are a lot of the typical attractions of London. There are also plenty of buses and night buses running 24/7 from all directions in London. Whether you want to enjoy a day (or night) out in central London, or chill out with the locals in one of the markets, Shoreditch is the perfect location for you.
House rulesNo smoking.
No pets.
7£ per hour after 10PM for late check-in.
|Price for > 1 guests
|£ 6 per guest/night extra
|Check-in After
|Check-in before
|Check-out Before
|Cancellation Policy
Reviews of this property
PERFECT LOCATION: The apartment was clean o there was the one needed for their stay. The kitchen o bathroom were cleaned thoroughly every day by very nice o accommodating staff. Marcos was a good world. There was great beauty badhandukar. The room was a bit small but you got what you paid for, you should only sleep in the room so it worked great! Good nice sheets o the bed was the bar Comfort in. The only thing to complain about was that the room was on the 3rd floor that was not read on Wimdus website and the staircase was very narrow o steep. Shall I to London I will stay there again.
Lägenheten var ren o det fanns det man behövde för sin vistelse.
Köket o badrummet städades noggrant varje dag av mycket trevlig o tillmötesgående personal. Marcos var en bra värld. Det fanns stora sköna badhandukar. Rummet var i minsta laget men man fick vad man betalade för, ska man bara sova i rummet så fungerade det utmärkt! Bra sköna lakan o sängen var det bar Comfort i. Det enda som var att klaga på var att rummet låg på våning 3 detta fanns inte att läsa på Wimdus hemsida och trappan var väldigt smal o brant. Skall jag till London kommer jag att bo där igen.
Nice place. Room was a little small, but the huge cozy bed made up for that. Shared bathroom and kitchen were always very clean, as was the bedroom we stayed in. Excellent transport connection - 1 Minute to tube. All in all amazing price performance ratio. We will come back.
Host could not qualify because they did not get contact, were you had to call 1 hour before arrival I was trying to contact him and I could not, and at the door I saw a little desperate entering the apartments a couple I was told that the apartments were managed by a hotel that was right next door and I was able to get the keys.
No podría calificar al anfitrión porque no conseguí contactar con el, quedamos que le tenía que llamar 1 hora antes de la llegada estuve intentando contactar con él y me fue imposible, ya en la puerta un poco desesperado vi que entraban en los apartamentos una pareja que me dijerón que los apartamentos estaban gestionados por un hotel que estaba justo al lado y ya pude conseguir las llaves.
We really enjoyed our stay in London at Marcos' place. The room was a little bit small but absolutely adequate for a stay in a city like London - and very centrally located with Liverpool Station just a few metres away. So, all things considered very good value for money.
- No problem with the key delivery, Marcos was there after we called him
- Shared bathroom and shared kitchen (but no problem with the other guests)
- Bathroom and kitchen clean and tidy, a housekeeper came every day
- Marcos was very friendly and reliable.
Location location!
Very near the tube in Liverpool station. The bus from Stansted stops less than 100 meters from the place. Tesco is very close.
Liverpool station is well connected with the circular and central line.
The room is small but big enough for sleeping.
The only thing is there is 1 bathroom with 5 guest rooms. I was awake early so jumped in the shower very early every day. So no problem for me.
I can recommend this place.
kind regards
small room but nice bathroom and shared kitchen, everything is clean and well equipped. Ideal location in East London (Liverpool Street is 2 steps). The building is typically English. We were greeted by the assistant Marcos, smiling and very available. THANK YOU!
toute petite chambre mais agréable, sdb et cuisine en commun ; le tout est propre et correctement équipé. Situation idéale à l'est de Londres (Liverpool Street est à 2 pas). L'immeuble est typiquement anglais. Nous avons été accueilli par l'assistant de Marcos, très souriant et disponible. MERCI !!
A very handy spot to stay as it is close to Liverpool St Station and not a long walk to most of London's sights. Marcos was very friendly and helpful. I would stay here again, the room was clean and tidy and the bathroom was alright.
The room was clean and ideal for a small weekend in London. Very centrally located, with 1-minute walk to Liverpool Station (Tube and others), as well as plenty of places to eat nearby. The bus from Stansted airport runs literally on the doorstep! Towels were clean, and the bathroom is shared with others in the apartment, which does not make as much as this was also kept clean. Marcos was nice and flexible, and with the exception of that we could not get in touch with him ever since we arrived, so was the whole stay really well and there were no problems.
Værelset var rent og helt ideelt til en lille weekendtur i London. Meget centralt beliggende, med 1 minuts gang til Liverpool station (Tube og andet), samt masser af spisesteder i nærheden. Bussen fra Stansted lufthavn kører bogstavelig talt lige til døren! Håndklæder var rene, og toilettet deles med andre i lejligheden, hvilket ikke gør så meget, da dette også blev holdt rent.
Marcos var flink og fleksibel, og med undtagelse af at vi ikke kunne komme i kontakt med ham lige da vi ankom, så var hele opholdet rigtig fint og der var ingen problemer.
Nice place! So close to liverpool street, 30 sec to the tube.
Marcos is realy kind and thw room is perfect.
Next time i'll be there again.
The room is small and the standard basic but fine. Bathroom and kitchen to share with other guests was not a problem, everything is very clean. The location is very central and convenient, a good base for your trip across London.Marcos was very helpful and despite my late arrival, the keys worked very well. Thank you.
Das Zimmer ist klein und der Standard einfach, aber okay. Bad und Küche zur gemeinsamen Nutzung mit anderen Gästen war kein Problem, alles ist sehr sauber. Die Lage ist sehr zentral und verkehrsgünstig, ein guter Standort für Unternehmungen in ganz London.Marcos war sehr hilfsbereit und trotz meiner späten Anreise hat die Schlüsselübergabe sehr gut geklappt. Vielen Dank.
- Quality assured accommodation
- Every host is verified by telephone
- Secure payment via SSL encryption


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Burton Girls' Scout Sock
No doubt about it, they'll be rocking these extra warm socks all season, on and off the mountain.
The girls' Burton Scout Sock offers rider-friendly fabric, fit, and features to keep toes dry and warm while riding, hiking, and sledding. No bunching or sagging thanks to elastic arch and ankle supports, the calf-hugging Stay High Comfort Band, and ergonomic padding. Versatile midweight warmth keeps feet stoked throughout the season, even on hikes and bike rides in spring and fall.
- 54% Acrylic, 33% Nylon, 11% Polypropylene, 2% Spandex
- Quick-Drying and Odor-Resistant Polypropylene Reinforced Footbed
- Medium-Density Cushioning Throughout Sock
Elastic Arch and Ankle Support
Elastic Arch and Ankle Support
Added elasticity and padding underneath the arch and around the ankle increases support and cushioning where it matters most.
Chafe-Free Link Toe Seam
Chafe-Free Link Toe Seam
Flat-stitched toe seam eliminates chafe and bunching for a better fit inside your boots.
- Reinforced Toe and Heel
Stay High Comfort Band
Stay High Comfort Band
It's easy to stay high with a band that keeps the sock locked around your calf thanks to a soft elastic band that reduces sagging and bunching.
- Midweight
Burton's W48 Warranty Program
Burton's W48 Warranty Program
W48 is our Product Service Program: We'll have your claim repaired or replaced and on its way back to you within 2 business days of receiving the item. It's all part of Burton's commitment to get you back out there as quickly as possible.


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Few cities capture the imagination like Paris, and after a short time in the French capital you'll discover why it's so famous. Flights to Paris are available from nearly all international locations, and thanks to its romantic image and France's continued prominence on the international stage, this vibrant city is on most people's 'Bucket List' of places to see.
From headline attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe to the smallest boutiques and boulangeries, Paris presents a feast for the senses. Book a flight to Paris with Qatar Airways, and explore continental Europe's 'City of Light'.
Take a trip to Paris and you'll be able to tick off more than a few of the world's top tourist attractions. Besides la Tour Eiffel, the city boasts the magnificent architecture of Notre-Dame Cathedral, the slightly ghoulish catacombs and their millions of human remains, and the tree-lined charm of the Champs Elysees.
A trip to Paris also wouldn't be complete without visiting at least a few of the city's famous museums. View some of the world's foremost art treasures at The Louvre, not least Da Vinci's Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo of ancient Greece. To discover the work of Pablo Picasso, head to the Picasso Museum. Other attractions like the Pantheon and the Moulin Rouge are much more than footnotes from a trip to Paris, meaning that one visit is never enough.
Paris is regarded by many as one of the world's foremost cities of culture, and after enjoying some of the city's leisure activities you may find it difficult to disagree. Whether you're looking for cabaret, theatre, live music or sports, you'll rarely find that there's nothing to do of a day or evening during your trip to Paris.
The city is also a hub for festivals, sporting events and celebrations of all kinds throughout the year. Highlights include the French Tennis Open, Bastille Day, the closing stages of the Tour de France, spring and autumn Fashion Weeks and the Rock en Seine music festival.
French cuisine is admired the world over, and there can be few places better to experience it than in Paris itself. The city has more Michelin stars than most, but there are also plenty of more modest options available. If cost is a concern during your trip to Paris, travel further out of the centre to smaller, less touristy establishments.
There are literally thousands of restaurants in Paris, and as well as French delicacies like boeuf bourguignon and ratatouille, you'll have no trouble finding dishes from elsewhere in Europe, Asia and beyond.
If you're not too full to move from all the fine dining, Paris is also renowned for its shopping opportunities, particularly when it comes to fashion. You'll find the latest trends and designs in the many boutiques of Saint Honore and Avenue Montaigne, but if you're in the market for something a little less mainstream or vintage try the flea market at Saint-Ouen.
Most international flights to Paris will arrive at Charles de Gaulle International Airport.
Visa restrictions for entry into the country will depend on your country of origin, length of stay and whether your trip is for business or pleasure. So before you fly to Paris please check the visa and passport requirements.
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Voltage: 230 V 50 Hz
Plugs: Type E
Language: French
International dialing code: +33
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text:
posted: Oct. 28, 2012 @ 1:16a
I will update this guide from time to time, so check back occasionally. I will try to keep it brief.
This article is mostly aimed at large-ticket buyers. If you are not risking thousands of dollars on your purchases, some of these suggestions may be overkill. Regardless of how much money is at stake, though, it is YOUR money. Fraud cuts both ways and sellers can be robbed, too.
1. Know the product. This is pretty simple in many cases, if the item is well-known and readily available. But, if there is a cheap knock-off of any product, you can bet it will end up here on eBay. Do your research via web, books or other authorities before you bid. Do not assume authenticity.
2. Do not follow e-mail addresses that are included in the text section of postings. If the seller claims that is the only way to contact them, abandon ship and go no further. Send all the questions you have ONLY via the eBay mail link (Ask Seller A Question). When you do send a message, ask about payment methods and shipping and such, not just about the item itself. If you don't like the options the seller gives for payment method, tell him what you would be willing to do. If he is real, he may try to accomodate you because he has the item and he wants to sell it.
3. Short duration sales may be suspicious. There are a few good reasons to sell quickly (such as a high-demand commodity item where there are many sellers and many items), but it may also be setting the stage for a hit-and-run seller. Scammers want to quickly hook their marks and then disappear into the ether; they do not want their postings to languish for for all to see. It is not a deal-breaker, but should be considered along with other potential red flags.
4. American laws do not apply anywhere but in America. The bad guys know that. So use great care, if you must proceed at all. Especially do not deal with anyone who is "temporarily" out of the country.
5. If the sale is supposedly in the United States, make sure the bid amount is in American dollars. Non-American currency values are printed in italics on eBay, so they are easy to spot. It doesn't make much sense for a guy in Texas to convert your bid to Euros, does it?
6. What is the return policy, and how much do they charge for shipping? Don't be impressed by money-back guarentees and dirt-cheap shipping. If it is a scam, they aren't going to give your money back and they aren't going to ship anything.
7. Look at the seller's feedback. Carefully! Don't just look at an impressively large number and call it good. There is a ton of useful information here if you take the time to really investegate. If it is a stolen account, they are somebody else's points anyway. But you can learn a lot:
A. Has he bought or sold anything recently, and what was it? Accounts that have no recent activity are much more likely to be stolen accounts.
B. Is this auction consistent with items bought and sold in the past? If a buyer of $5 trinkets is suddenly selling a $4000 drum set, take note. It may be valid, but it is suspicious.
C. Is the item location the same for this sale as for his last sales? Does the location actually exist, or is it some fictional locale?
D. Are his accepted payment methods the same as his last sales? If he accepted PayPal before, why is he insisting on a wire transfer or cashier's check now?
E. The seller's positive feedback points for purchased items are not very useful to you as a buyer, so don't over-value them.
8. What else is the seller posting for sale at the time? Follow the link for Seller's Other Items. If they have a large number of unrelated big-ticket items currently for sale (musical instruments, computers, cameras, bicycles...) that is very suspicious.
9. Look at the photos. Are they just stock pictures from the company web site or are they apparently authentic photos of the item? Scammers can get pictures of anything from the web, including from other eBay auctions. If you have seen the exact same photo in other auctions, be suspicious. Also, look at the backgrounds in the photos. Does it look like they just took their digital camera into a store and started clicking away?
10. Talk to the seller! How? Place as low a bid as possible on the item. Bidding gives you the right to view the seller's contact information. Go to this link, and paste in the seller's name and the item number. eBay will e-mail his contact information to you.
If the phone number does not work, that is a major red flag. Use a phone number web-site or directory assistance to verify that the person's name, location and phone number make sense. Don't be afraid to ask very specific questions about the product and sale. If you have tried to contact the seller but cannot (and do give him time to respond), that is a valid reason to cancel your bid. While I am not a big fan of bid cancelling, I will not send my money to anyone who won't answer my phone calls or reply to my emails.
11. Is the item in the correct category? Another device scammers with use to hide their skulduggery is to post items in obscure places. Instead of searching the entire eBay universe for your item, specify your category.
12. Payment method is a very big deal. C.O.D. is great if they will go with it. Escrow.com is good (though a little pricy), and the only escrow eBay recommends. Some criminals set up bogus sites that sound and look like Escrow.com, but do not be fooled. DO NOT use any other escrow site. PayPal is good too, up to a point, but the sale does not qualify for their $2000 protection unless it specifies that on the posting. In that case, the best you can hope for is the $200 coverage extended by eBay (minus a $25 service fee).
The whole official PayPal safety spiel is here:
If you use PayPal, use your credit card rather than your own bank account. PayPal may try to persuade you to draw money directly from your bank account. Don't do it. Many credit card issuers will refund money stolen from you. It is not fail-safe, but it is another layer of protection. Never use Western Union for these transactions. Western Union's own web site will tell you that. Wire transfers and any kind of check is a one-way ticket to fraud.
13. Some second-chance offers are scam attempts, so be careful. If there is a hot-link on the page, take a look at the URL it points to when you roll your cursor over it. (The URL is usually displayed at the bottom of your web browser) There are fake eBay and PayPal sites that attempt to steal your login information. If the URL does not start with "https:" it is not a secure site. Do NOT log in there!
14. Finally, do not wait until the last hour of the sale to get interested in it. If it is something you want, there is some homework for you to do. Give yourself the time to evaluate things and give the seller time to respond to your questions. Do not burn bridges, but do not allow yourself to be burned.
Look at the feedback of those who are bidding on your items. Not just the feedback they have received, but the feedback they have given as well. I have (unfortunately) found buyers who try to extort sellers by threatening, and giving bad feedback. It happened to me. The buyer had given a dozen bad feedbacks in his last twenty transactions. He gave me my one negative. He kept the item he bought and complained about, then eBay raided my PayPal account and refunded his money. Ripoff. So, if you don't like the looks of the feedback given by a potential buyer, cancel his/her bid. No explanations needed.
If you think a listing is bogus and want to report it to eBay, this link will get you where you need to go:
Finally, you are doing business with total strangers here, and don't forget it. Most people are decent and honest, but some aren't, and they can really mess up your day.
If you found this helpful, feel free to paste a link to it in your eBay postings!
Please take a moment to vote for it if you find it helpful. And THANKS to those who have made it a Top 25 Guide!
Good luck, my friends. Hope to see you around the 'Bay!


text:
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)
Nebraska State Veterinarian Encourages EHV-1 Awareness
May 05, 2014
Dr. Dennis Hughes is reminding horse owners to remain vigilant and exercise biosecurity measures. ... Read More
EHV-1 Confirmed at Manitoba, Canada, Racetrack
May 01, 2014
Only one horse has shown signs of the virus and no other horses have been affected, officials say.... Read More
Kansas Horse Euthanized after Contracting EHV-1
April 30, 2014
Officials reported that the horse in northeast Kansas was confirmed positive for non-neurotrophic EHV-1. ... Read More
Animal Disease Tracking Map Launched
April 16, 2014
Researchers have launched an interactive map to track diseases in dogs, cats, and horses around the world.... Read More
EHV-1 Reported in North Dakota
April 14, 2014
Three cases of non-neuropathogenic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) were confirmed in Burleigh County in 2014. ... Read More
Equine Vaccination Cheat Sheet
April 14, 2014
Learn about the AAEP's recommended core and risk-based equine vaccines in this handy special report.... Read More
EHM Confirmed in Virginia Horse
April 14, 2014
Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a neurologic disease caused by equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).... Read More
International Equine Disease Report, Fourth Quarter 2013
April 11, 2014
Reported diseases include strangles, influenza, herpesvirus, piroplasmosis, atypical myopathy, and hendra.... Read More
New EHV-1 Case in Wisconsin
April 09, 2014
A St. Croix County, Wisc., horse tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) yesterday (April 8). ... Read More
New EHV-1 Cases Confirmed in Minnesota
April 03, 2014
A horse exhibiting neurologic signs at a Wright County farm tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).... Read More
EHV-1 Confirmed in Larimer Co., Colo., Horse
April 01, 2014
A Larimer County, Colo., horse has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and is recovering.... Read More
Take Steps to Prevent Equine Herpesvirus Infection
April 01, 2014
From vaccination to disinfection--learn how you can help prevent equine herpesvirus (EHV) infection spread.... Read More
Iowa Animal Health Officials Investigating EHV-1 Case
March 31, 2014
Iowa animal health officials have received test results confirming a single case of EHV-1 in that state. ... Read More
Lecture on Equine Neurologic Diseases Scheduled at Penn Vet
March 30, 2014
The lecture will focus on neurologic diseases, which ranges from a drooping eyelid to an inability to stand.... Read More
Additional EHV-1 Cases Confirmed in Minnesota, Wisconsin
March 28, 2014
At least eight horses have presented with neurologic disease; six of those have tested positive for EHV-1.... Read More
EHV-1 Reported in Barrel Horses near Stillwater, Minn.
March 21, 2014
Five horses on premises tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 after showing signs of neurologic disease.... Read More
Lane County, Ore., Horses Test Positive for Neurologic EHV-1
March 11, 2014
A Lane County stable is quarantined after one horse died and four others tested positive for EHV-1.... Read More
Grayson-Jockey Club to Provide Research Funding in 2014
February 27, 2014
The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation will fund 19 research projects worth $1,003,580 in 2014. ... Read More
New Zealand Neurologic EHV-1: 15 Horses Affected
February 27, 2014
Of the affected horses, seven have been euthanized and eight are recovering.... Read More
Equine Herpesvirus Reviewed
February 22, 2014
As EHV gains worldwide significance, researchers are seeking a better understanding of the disease. ... Read More
Parx Racing Quarantines Two Barns due to EHV-1
February 18, 2014
Two barns at Parx Racing have been quarantined after a horse tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).... Read More
New Zealand Neurologic EHV-1: Seven Horses Euthanized
February 10, 2014
Thirteen horses on the property had been affected by neurologic EHV-1. Of those, seven have been euthanized.... Read More
New Zealand Reports First Neurologic EHV-1 Case
February 04, 2014
Officials confirmed the country's first case of neurologic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) on a single stud farm.... Read More
UK Seminar Series Kicks Off Jan. 30
January 24, 2014
On Jan. 30, two speakers will discuss inflammatory airway disease.... Read More
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January 20, 2014
A barn was quarantined due to a suspected EHV case, but quickly released when the horse tested negative.... Read More
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text:
Catholic blogger Thomas Peters is accusing Andrew Sullivan of being disingenuous. But in truth, it's Peters who's far more clearly bending toward the side of deliberate deception in order to provide cover for crude Catholic condemnations.
Let's begin here: The following is how Peters quotes an exchange had by Sullivan and Maggie Gallagher at Wednesday night's debate on same-sex marriage:
Sullivan: In a 1986 letter the current pope wrote [as Cardinal Ratzinger] he said that we should not be surprised – I'm paraphrasing – we should not be surprised that violence is waged against homosexuals given their desire to change society to conform to what they believe, one of the consequences – unfortunate consequences nonetheless of the push for gay equality will be violence against gay people. Which I felt and I think most normal readers of that sentence would agree was a kind of warning that if we do start standing up for ourselves we deserve violence.
Maggie Gallagher: I'm sure that wasn't what was meant. I don't know the sentence so we'll have to go and get the quote if we want to debate that.
Andrew Sullivan: Well, you can find it but it was definitely at the time very disturbing to hear.
One of Sullivan's lies about the pope [Catholic Vote]
Okay, so Sullivan's paraphrase charges the current Pope of once claiming that an increase of gay rights will lead to an increase in violence. Sullivan also admits that the Pope saw these supposed consequences as unfortunate, but saw them as consequences nonetheless. So that's what Andrew, from his admittedly incomplete memory, put on the table. That's exactly what a paraphrase is: A summation with a built-in caveat that there is more "there" there.
But Peters is all kinds of fed up, saying that Sullivan trafficked in "deliberate misrepresentation of the Church's position," and was bent on "maligning the Church" of which Andrew is a part. And to "prove" Sullivan wrong, Peters hauls out the 1986 letter (titled "On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons") and presents a verbatim transcript of the claims in question:
RATZINGER WROTE: 10. It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church's pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.
But the proper reaction to crimes committed against homosexual persons should not be to claim that the homosexual condition is not disordered. When such a claim is made and when homosexual activity is consequently condoned, or when civil legislation is introduced to protect behavior to which no one has any conceivable right, neither the Church nor society at large should be surprised when other distorted notions and practices gain ground, and irrational and violent reactions increase.
One of Sullivan's lies about the pope [Catholic Vote]
Peters then goes on to further accuse Sullivan of lies and misrepresentations and oversights, even going so far as to say that Andrew "owes Catholics and everyone an apology":
Notice, especially, the fact that Sullivan completely avoids any mention of Cardinal Ratzinger's strong and unequivocal condemnation of all violence against homosexual persons. There cannot be any doubt about the fact that Ratzinger is a model of respect, someone who upholds the dignity and rights of all persons, regardless of their orientation.
Sullivan read what Cardinal Ratzinger wrote and now goes around claiming that the cardinal said, "gays deserve violence." Nothing, nothing, could be farther from the truth.
Sullivan owes Catholics and everyone an apology. Why?
Because he wasn't paraphrasing, he was deliberately misrepresenting the Church.
One of Sullivan's lies about the pope [Catholic Vote]
Peters' outrage is certainly novel. But now go back and read what Andrew claimed versus what the Pope actually said when he was but a Cardinal. Yes, Ratzinger deplored the violence, and Andrew, in his paraphrase, hinted to as much when he alluded to the Pope's belief that the supposed consequences would be unfortunate. But Ratzinger absolutely did say that violence would increase, and the then-Cardinal directly laid that violence at the feet of gay activists rather than those who might actually bring the brutality to bear!
And actually, it's not just motivated gay activists who the Pope blamed, but rather anyone who makes a "claim that the homosexual condition is not disordered," condones their homosexual neighbor, or drafts/passes/supports legislation granting basic civil rights to LGBT people (what with their "distorted notions and practices" and all). Translation: Standing up for gay people's worth as part of human principle will lead to a natural flow of violent behavior. If anything, Ratzinger's actual words went even further than Andrew remembered! Because while he didn't explicitly say that the violence was deserved (and this writer personally wouldn't use the word "deserved" in describing it), it's plain to see that Ratzinger did paint extreme aggression as the earned effect of the inclusive human rights cause!
Then if one goes the next step and pulls out some other pertinent passages from this same Pope John Paul era document, he or she will see even more offense. "Intrinsic moral evil." "Objective disorder." A "condition" that's not a "morally acceptable option." "Contrary to the creative wisdom of God." An "evil" that should be converted or abandoned with the help of "God's liberating grace." Those are just some of the notions that Ratzinger circa 1986 wanted (and presumably still wants) people to support, so as to stave off "irrational and violent reactions":
Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.
Therefore special concern and pastoral attention should be directed toward those who have this condition, lest they be led to believe that the living out of this orientation in homosexual activity is a morally acceptable option. It is not.
As in every moral disorder, homosexual activity prevents one's own fulfillment and happiness by acting contrary to the creative wisdom of God. The Church, in rejecting erroneous opinions regarding homosexuality, does not limit but rather defends personal freedom and dignity realistically and authentically understood.
It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church's pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.
But the proper reaction to crimes committed against homosexual persons should not be to claim that the homosexual condition is not disordered. When such a claim is made and when homosexual activity is consequently condoned, or when civil legislation is introduced to protect behavior to which no one has any conceivable right, neither the Church nor society at large should be surprised when other distorted notions and practices gain ground, and irrational and violent reactions increase.
It has been argued that the homosexual orientation in certain cases is not the result of deliberate choice; and so the homosexual person would then have no choice but to behave in a homosexual fashion. Lacking freedom, such a person, even if engaged in homosexual activity, would not be culpable.
Here, the Church's wise moral tradition is necessary since it warns against generalizations in judging individual cases. In fact, circumstances may exist, or may have existed in the past, which would reduce or remove the culpability of the individual in a given instance; or other circumstances may increase it. What is at all costs to be avoided is the unfounded and demeaning assumption that the sexual behaviour of homosexual persons is always and totally compulsive and therefore inculpable. What is essential is that the fundamental liberty which characterizes the human person and gives him his dignity be recognized as belonging to the homosexual person as well. As in every conversion from evil, the abandonment of homosexual activity will require a profound collaboration of the individual with God's liberating grace.
LETTER TO THE BISHOPS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON THE PASTORAL CARE OF HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS [Vatican]
So yeah, okay: Thomas Peters can support this 1986 document all he wants. The National Organization can support Peters with however many links they want to offer. But it is simply undeniable that this document was hellbent on painting self-accepting gays as completely outside of God's purview, and laying more responsibility for potential violence at the feet of those same gay people who are being shunned by this document, not those who might see the document's crude language as giving them a godly pass to turn hostile words into hostile action.
They can support it — they just need to own it! Just like Andrew has had to own it and look past it in order to reconcile his faith commitment with his church's faithful commitment to driving him away.


text: Someone smarter than us once said, "things fall apart," and while it might be sad, it's certainly true in the case of bike helmets. Over time, pads become degraded with sweat, visors get lost, and Headsets get worn out or scuffed. What to do if this happens to your Specialized helmet? Choose from our broad assortment of helmet parts and get back to riding in total comfort.


text:
Boosting Breastfeeding in Low-Income, Multi-ethnic Women: A Primary Care Based RCT (BINGO)
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
This is a randomized, controlled, single-center, single-blind, 2x2 factorial design trial of routine provider, primary care-based interventions to increase breastfeeding intensity up to 6 months in low-income multiethnic women, with stratification for maternal country of birth. The Best Infant Nutrition for Good Outcomes (BINGO) trial will randomize women into one of four treatment groups: (a) Prenatal Care Provider (PNC); (b) Lactation Consultant (LC); (c) PNC + LC, or; (d) Control. Thus, the separate and synergistic effects of the interventions will be tested, compared to a Control standard of care. The intervention and design build upon our prior trial of an LC intervention alone.
PNCs— certified nurse midwives and ob/gyns-- will use a brief, electronically prompted protocol with women in the PNC, and PNC + LC groups throughout pregnancy. An LC will arrange pre-natal one-on-one meetings, daily hospital, and home visits with women in the LC and PNC+LC groups. Descriptive data on infant health visits, and participant/provider experiences will be collected as secondary outcomes. Interviews at 1,3 and 6 months post-partum will collect infant feeding, and health visit data outside the medical center. Medical center visit data will be obtained from MIS data.
Primary Outcomes (Hypotheses): Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding Intensity at 1,3, and 6 Months
Exclusive Breastfeeding at 1,3, and 6 Months
Secondary Outcomes (Descriptive): Infant Health, and Participant/Provider Experience
- To describe the frequency and timing of infant health visits for "breast-feeding sensitive" illnesses
- To describe participant and provider (LC and PNC) experience of the interventions.
|Breastfeeding Breastfeeding, Exclusive
|Behavioral: Lactation Consultant Behavioral: Provider Prompt Behavioral: LC+ Provider Prompt
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
|Official Title:
|Boosting Breastfeeding in Low-Income, Multi-ethnic Women: A Primary Care Based RCT
- Breastfeeding duration and intensity [ Time Frame: Assessed at 1,3, and 6 months ]
- Infant health visits [ Time Frame: 12 months ]
- Patient and provider experiences of the interventions [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
|Study Start Date:
|February 2008
|Study Completion Date:
|February 2013
|Primary Completion Date:
|February 2013 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Experimental: 1
LC- Primary-care based lactation consultant meeting women pre- and post-natally.
Behavioral: Lactation Consultant
Lactation consultant- primary care based, meets with women pre-natally, in the hospital, and at home up to 6 months post-partum.
Experimental: 2
Provider Prompt
Behavioral: Provider Prompt
Prompt in electronic prenatal record will appear 5 times throughout pregnancy re: up to 10 open-ended discussion points for provider to raise
Experimental: 3
LC+Provider Prompt
Behavioral: LC+ Provider Prompt
Participants in this group receive both the LC and Provider Prompt interventions.
|No Intervention: Control
Detailed Description:
Primary Outcomes (Hypotheses): Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding Intensity at 1,3, and 6 Months- There will be significant differences in breastfeeding intensity among the 4 treatment groups. We expect that intensity will be greatest in the PNC+LC group, followed by the LC, then the PNC, and Control groups, respectively. Intensity will be assessed via 7 day recall of the frequency of breastmilk feedings vs. other liquids and solids.
Exclusive Breastfeeding at 1,3, and 6 Months- There will be significant differences in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among the 4 treatment groups. We expect that rates of exclusive breastfeeding will be greatest in the PNC+LC group, followed by the LC, then the PNC, and Control groups, respectively.
Secondary Outcomes (Descriptive): Infant Health, and Participant/Provider Experience
- To describe the frequency and timing of infant health visits for "breast-feeding sensitive" illnesses (i.e., otitis media, gastrointestinal, and respiratory infections) by treatment group.
- To describe the frequency and timing of infant health visits for "breast-feeding sensitive" illnesses by intensity of breastfeeding regardless of group assignment.
- To describe participant and provider (LC and PNC) experience of the interventions.
BINGO is the first RCT in the US of routine provider, primary-care based interventions to increase breastfeeding (BF). Government task forces in the US3 and Canada specifically call for such trials, as well as trials to assess independent effects of combined interventions. BINGO is the first trial to apply strategies derived from the current National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign (NBAC). BINGO will employ the NBAC message-- that exclusive BF for 6 months reduces infant ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illness, and perhaps childhood obesity. We expect this message will yield greater BF intensity, and thus progress toward pending Healthy People 2010 goals for exclusive BF.
BINGO uses evidence-based strategies in practice, consistent with the NIH roadmap. Its interventions are logistically and economically sustainable in clinical practice. They support women pre- and post-natally, across multiple care settings (clinic, hospital, home). Both Certified Nurse Midwives and Ob/Gyns, deliver the PNC intervention, thus increasing generalizability. BINGO now has the enthusiastic support of perinatal nursing, physician, and lactation specialist groups. This support, at the outset, provides the foundation for effective BINGO interventions to be translated into practice.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Enrolled/plan to remain in care at the site throughout their pregnancy
- 1st or 2nd trimester (randomization will include trimester as a blocking factor)
- Aged 18 or older
- Can provide a reliable phone number and at least 2 alternative contacts
- Are carrying a singleton pregnancy
- Can communicate in English or Spanish
Exclusion Criteria:
- High risk of prematurity/NICU (e.g., ESRD, multiple prior preterms, congenital anomalies)
- Medical/obstetrical complications for which BF is or may be perceived to be contra-indicated (e.g., HIV+, HTLV-1, breast reduction surgery, Hepatitis B and C, pre-gestational diabetes )
- On chronic medications incompatible with BF (e.g., hypoglycemics, lithium, ciprofloxacin)
- Enrolled in site's Group Pre-natal Care (app. 60 women/year)
- Previously enrolled in MILK study
- Craniofacial or neurological conditions that prevent an infant from BF (post-partum exclusion)
- Reported use of street drugs (responds to reviewer comment of how to control for this)
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00619632
|United States, New York
|Comprehensive Family Care Center
|Bronx, New York, United States, 10461
|Principal Investigator:
|Karen A. Bonuck, PhD
|Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Inc.
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
|Responsible Party:
|Karen Bonuck, PI, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00619632 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
Montefiore IRB= 06-08-364
|Study First Received:
|February 4, 2008
|Last Updated:
|January 13, 2015
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


text:
Kipnis shows flashes of regaining form at plate
CLEVELAND -- It's no secret that second baseman Jason Kipnis is still searching for his comfort zone this season, but he's flashed promising signs at the plate in a handful of his recent performances.
Over his last 10 games, Kipnis has hit .310 with six extra-base hits after a 2-for-4 game against the Royals on Saturday. Oddly enough, all of those hits have come in six games, and he's gone 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts in the other four contests.
"It's still inconsistent right now," Kipnis said. "When I feel like I'm coming of out it, it feels like it's a two step forward, one step back thing. [I'm] still striking out more than I'd like."
The strange part about Kipnis' season, however, is that his plate discipline has been fairly consistent with his career averages. He has struck out in 18.7 percent of his at-bats this year and owns a 10.1 percent walk rate, compared to lifetime rates of 19.3 percent and 10.4 percent, respectively, for the left-handed hitter.
Could Kipnis' power drought be due to the lingering effects of a strained oblique that caused him to miss nearly all of May? Not likely, says the 27-year-old.
"It doesn't hurt. At the same time, it might not be letting me rotate all the way through," Kipnis said. "Right now, when I'm slumping, you've got a [5-foot-11] guy whose approach is [hitting] the other way, I don't know how many home runs you're going to get out of that."
Kipnis' knack for opposite-field hitting has been one of the most important facets of his offensive production. Entering the second game of the series against Kansas City, he was hitting only .267 with a .367 slugging percentage in at-bats where he's hit the ball to left field. His career batting average on balls hit that way: .361 with a .515 slugging percentage.
"I think when you see Kip hit the ball to center and to left-center with authority, that's when he's getting locked in," Tribe manager Terry Francona said. "When he's back-spinning that ball off the left-center field wall, hit a ball to center field, that's a really good sign. I think that's when it shows that he's on balance and keeping ahead of the bat through the zone. He did that a couple times on the road trip."
That very approach was made apparent on Saturday, when Kipnis slapped a third-inning double out to left-center field that helped spark a three-run outburst from the Indians' offense.
"That's the swing right there," Francona said. "When he's doing that, he's doing something right, and that's when he has the chance to do some damage."
The time the former All-Star second baseman spent on the sideline with his oblique injury likely contributed to an already difficult season, Francona notes, and that has perhaps caused him to over-think his at-bats. After all, Kipnis is likely far from where he'd like to be midway through the season.
At the very least, however, he's shown glimpses of returning to the multi-dimensional hitter he's been in the past for Cleveland.
"Right now we're just worrying about hard contact," Kipnis said. "I think once we get the bat on the barrel, the home runs will start to come."
Alec Shirkey is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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The Louisiana Tech Presidential Search Committee narrowed its applicant pool to one on Thursday in choosing Leslie Guice as its sole finalist.
Guice is scheduled to interview with the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Baton Rouge.
The committee's decision came down to choosing between Guice, who is Louisiana Tech's vice president for research and development, and Duance Hrncir, president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
UL spokeswoman Jackie Tisdell said the committee made its selection after interviewing both candidates and after getting feedback from faculty, staff, students and community leaders who met with both on the Lousiana Tech campus Wednesday.
In a prepared statement, UL board Chair Wayne Parker said Guice's statewide reputation, track record in higher education and the support he got from the campus made him the best choice.
Guice began his career at Louisiana Tech 34 years ago as an assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Science before working his way up to become dean of the College of Engineering and Science, Tisdell said in a news release.
Guice serves dual roles as vice president for research and development and executive vice president of the university.
He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in architecture and a Master of Science degree both from Louisiana Tech and a doctor of philosophy in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.
Following Guice's interview Tuesday, Tisdell said the UL board could decide to install Guice as Louisiana Tech's next president the same day.
The board did the same earlier this month when they named University of Texas system administrator Sandra Woodley as president of the UL system, just a few hours after interviewing her.
If Guice is the pick at Louisiana Tech, he will replace longtime President Dan Reneuau, who announced his retirement in September after a 50-year association with the school as a student, educator and administrator.
Reneau's retirement is effective June 30, bringing to a close 26 years as the university's chief.
In a statement announcing his retirement, Reneau said he'll continue to support the university through the establishment of a think-tank affiliated with the Louisiana Tech University Foundation.
The think tank will be advisory in nature and will help "support and advance" the university, Reneau said.
"I'm not going away. I have a deep passion for and commitment to Louisiana Tech, and will continue to work on its behalf," Reneau said in the statement.
Louisiana Tech is part of the UL system of 92,000 students and includes the University of New Orleans, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana Tech in Ruston and four other schools around the state.


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Travis Pastrana, the action sports star who has dabbled in NASCAR the last couple of years, will go all-in in 2013 as he will drive a full Nationwide Series schedule for Roush Fenway Racing.
Pastrana will drive the No. 60 car with former Carl Edwards crew chief Chad Norris guiding the program, the team announced Thursday. He will team with Trevor Bayne, who will also run the full Nationwide schedule for Roush.
MORE: Pastrana vs. Danica | Bayne's big chance | Kahne to Nationwide | Buescher's plans
A world-famous athlete noted for his X-Games gold medals and performances in "Nitro Circus," Pastrana's NASCAR career was curtailed in 2011 when his scheduled Nationwide debut was delayed until 2012 after he shattered his ankle in a failed X-Games motorcycle stunt.
He initially was going to race in Nationwide for Michael Waltrip Racing, but conflicts arose for the Red Bull-supported Pastrana after MWR landed the 5-Hour Energy sponsorship for Cup driver Clint Bowyer in 2012. Pastrana also was competing in a Dodge in the Global RallyCross series. MWR is a Toyota team.
Pastrana ended up running eight races for RAB Racing with a best finish of 13th at Indianapolis. He drove for Roush Fenway at Richmond, where he started fifth and finished 17th in a solid performance that led to both sides hoping there would be more races together.
Roush Fenway driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has won back-to-back titles in the series.
"I am very serious about making this move, running competitively and ultimately winning races in NASCAR," Pastrana said in a news release. "No team can claim the success in the Nationwide Series that Roush Fenway has, and I know driving an RFR Ford will provide me with the maximum opportunity to develop my skills behind the wheel of a stock car."
The team did not announce any specific sponsors for Pastrana, whom it said would have a variety of sponsors throughout the season.


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Decreased velocity behind Edgin's cut
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- With Josh Edgin among Monday's roster cuts, Scott Rice and John Lannan stand as the left-handers with a chance to pitch out of the bullpen.
Edgin, who made 34 appearances with the Mets each of the past two seasons, was upset by the decision -- "He should be," manager Terry Collins said -- but the Mets aren't comfortable with his diminished velocity: 95 mph two years ago to 92 mph this spring.
The decrease, Collins acknowledged, might be attributable to Edgin's trying to develop a changeup for right-handed hitters, saying it could be a case of "use it or you lose it."
Otherwise, the club seems stumped by the loss of miles per hour.
"He dominated left-handed hitters two years ago," Collins said. "It's best if he goes down and gets his confidence back."
Marty Noble is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: Sandy unlikely to damage U.S. economy, analysts say By The Associated Press October 29, 2012 Story Share WASHINGTON -- Airlines canceled thousands of flights and stranded travelers. Insurers braced for damages of up to $5 billion. Retailers expected shrunken sales.Hurricane Sandy is causing disruptions for companies, travelers and consumers. But for the overall economy, damage from the storm will likely be limited. And any economic growth lost to the storm in the short run will likely be restored once reconstruction begins, analysts say.Preliminary estimates are that damage will range between $10 billion and $20 billion. That could top last year's Hurricane Irene, which cost $15.8 billion.If so, Hurricane Sandy would be among the 10 most costly hurricanes in U.S. history. But it would still be far below the worst -- Hurricane Katrina, which cost $108 billion and caused 1,200 deaths in 2005."Assuming the storm simply disrupts things for a few days and it doesn't do significant damage to infrastructure, then I don't think it will have a significant national impact," Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, said Monday.The economic impact could be more severe if the storm damages a port or a major manufacturing facility such as an oil refinery, Zandi noted.Here's how the storm has begun to affect key areas of the economy:AIR TRAVEL:Flights in the Northeast are all but stopped for at least two days. Airlines canceled more than 10,000 flights for Monday and today from Washington to Boston. The disruptions spread across the nation and overseas, stranding passengers from Hong Kong to Europe.Airline cancellations have already surpassed those from Hurricane Irene last year and are on par with those from the snowstorm that pounded the East Coast early last year. The Airports Council International, a trade group, said that even if the storm damage turns out to be minor, it could be a week before operations are back to normal at major East Coast airports.Eric Danielson was trying to fly Monday from San Francisco to Norfolk, Va., to start a new job."It was supposed to be only a two-hour layover here in Atlanta, Ga., and now it's beginning to be a 28-hour layover until tomorrow, Danielson said. Wall Street analysts expect carriers such as JetBlue, United and Delta to suffer a short-term hit to earnings as they spend money to shuffle crews and planes away from and then back to the East Coast.RETAILERS:The nation's big stores are expected to lose billions, and the losses could extend into the crucial holiday shopping season. Sales at department stores, clothing chains, jewelers and other sellers of non-essential goods are expected to suffer the most. The industry is entering the holiday season, when many retailers collect up to 40 percent of annual revenue. Retailers, excluding restaurants, could lose at least $25 billion in sales this week, estimates Burt Flickinger III of retail consultancy Strategic Resource Group.Even home improvement chains and grocers that will benefit from shoppers stocking up on emergency supplies before the hurricane and cleaning and repair items afterward could lose sales in the long run if overstretched consumers feel they must scale back."If you're spending $400 on a generator, that could hurt discretionary purchases," said Brian Sozzi, chief equities analyst at NBG Productions.Flickinger now estimates that holiday sales in November and December will rise 2.1 percent over last year instead of the 3.2 percent he had originally predicted. A better idea of how Hurricane Sandy is affecting the retail business will come Thursday, when some major retailers such as Target Corp. and Macy's will report sales figures for October.The storm is affecting small retailers as well as large ones. At Angelo's Civita Farnese, a restaurant in Providence, R.I., the lunchtime crowd didn't surface as usual Monday. By 12:30 p.m., barely 10 customers were inside, and owner Bob Antignano had no hope of seeing the 200 to 250 he usually serves for lunch."It's a wasted day and it looks like tomorrow probably will be as well," Antignano said.The loss of two days' revenue will wipe out his profit for the month. He would face losses if the restaurant lost power. He would have to close, and the food in his walk-in refrigerator and freezers could spoil.INSURANCEThe cost to insurers is expected to rival the insured damage from Hurricane Irene last year. Damage from Irene cost insurers roughly $5 billion, according to Sterne, Agee & Leach Research. Because the storm is hitting a highly populous region, with "one of the highest concentrations of wealth in the world," the damages are likely to run into the billions, say analysts at Morgan Stanley.Hurricanes, like other disasters, can cause big losses but also big spikes in economic activity, once homes and buildings are rebuilt or repaired. And Americans may spend more before the storm when they stock up on extra food, water and batteries. Spending can also rise afterward as households restock.The economy expanded at an annual rate of 2 percent in the July-September quarter. Zandi said he isn't changing his forecast for similar growth in the current October-December quarter of 1.9 percent.Economic activity in October and November might slow if factory output declines and some workers are laid off temporarily and seek unemployment benefits. But the economy could strengthen in December as companies rebound.CoreLogic, a private data provider, estimates that about 284,000 homes worth about $88 billion sit in the hurricane's path.AUTOSThe effect on auto sales may be minimal, some analysts say. Many people who planned to buy cars in the last few days of the month, when deals tend to peak, bought cars during the weekend instead, said Jesse Toprak, an analyst with car buying site TrueCar.com.As a result, TrueCar isn't changing its forecast for October U.S. auto sales. Toprak predicts that more than 1.1 million vehicles will be sold in October, up 11.5 percent from the same month last year.Forecasting firm LMC Automotive predicts that 1 percent to 3 percent of new-car sales, about 20,000 vehicles, will be lost because of the storm. But LMC analyst Jeff Schuster predicts that those sales will simply shift to November. So the storm might have little or no overall effect on sales.Toprak also notes that dealers could gain sales once the storm is over if people need to replace damaged vehicles.POWEREnergy outages and disruptions in major East Coast cities "may take a toll on [power] demand unlike anything we have seen before," Phil Flynn, a senior market analyst for Price Futures Group, wrote in a report.Some of the biggest oil refineries in the Northeast were closed, and others were running at reduced capacity. As businesses closed and drivers stayed home, demand for gasoline was expected to fall.AP Business Writers Matthew Craft, Anne D'Innocenzio, Samantha Bomkamp and Joyce M Rosenberg in New York, Joshua Freed in Minneapolis and Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this report. Story Share Story Share Trending Now 1 Deer in 8 WV counties found dead from EHD 2 Judge gives water crisis settlement preliminary approval 3 City of Milton tries to revive Morris Memorial property 4 Plans for all-ages venue rise in old bakery building 5 Body found in Kanawha River, near South Charleston Consumer spending up 0.8 percent in September Previous Story Refineries scale back as storm moves in; oil falls Next Story


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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - It's time to lace up your sneakers and head downtown for the first public outdoor fitness program in Jacksonville. It's an effort to improve everyone's health status while changing the way people think about downtown Jacksonville.
It's called Fitness in the Plaza and it will be held in Hemming Plaza downtown. It's a seven-month campaign that will include exercise and workouts once a week from April to October.
Donteacia Seymore, the programs creator and president of the Seymore Group says, "We have a beautiful and amazing downtown, unfortunately our residents rarely if ever come downtown. And so I was inspired by Michelle Obama's 'Lets Move' campaign and I wanted to figure out a way to incorporate Downtown Jacksonville and getting families out together and getting them excited about fitness . And so Fitness in the Plaza was born."
Fitness in the Plaza launches April 5th and will run until October 26th. The second Friday of each month will be just for children, while the other three will be for adults. The first hour of each workout session will be for Senior Citizens. Organizers want it to be a workout for the entire family.
"Even the kids that can't actually work out they get visual stimulation just for watching their siblings do it," Seymore says.
Spring Miller at My Gym says the kids do a variety of exercises that raise up the heart rate and work up the core.
The program is a partnership between the city of Jacksonville, St. Vincents Health Care and the Seymore Group.
A launch party for the weekly workouts will be this Wednesday, March 6th, inside the Museum of Contemporary Arts during the Art Walk. For more information, you can go to their website at www.fitnessintheplaza.com,
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