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RULES AND REGULATIONS:Part 645
(Statutory authority: Environmental Conservation Law Sections 8-0113, 43-0107, 43-0125, 71-3303, 71-3305 and 71-3307; State Administrative Procedure Act Section 305)
645-4.1 Applicability
645-4.2 Notice and Complaint
645-4.3 Answer
645-4.4 Amendment of Pleadings
645-4.5 Service of Papers
645-4.6 Discovery
645-4.7 Motions and Requests
645-4.8 Stipulations and Consent Orders
645-4.9 The Hearing
645-4.10 Report
645-4.11 Final Determination and Order
645-4.12 Uniform Appearance Tickets
645-4.13 Summary Abatement
645-4.14 Penalties and Sanctions
645-4.15 Waiver of Rules
645-4.16 Consistency with other Laws
Section 645-4.1 Applicability. This Part shall apply to all civil administrative enforcement proceedings brought by the Commission. Whenever the Commission determines, after investigation, that any person has violated ECL Articles 43 and 71, Title 33, or rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or any permits, certificates or orders issued by the Commission, the Commission may proceed as provided herein.
Section 645-4.2 Notice and Complaint.
(a) All civil enforcement proceedings shall be initiated by service upon the respondent of a notice of hearing and a complaint or a uniform administrative complaint (UAC). The complaint or UAC shall contain a statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under which the proceeding is to be held, a reference to the particular sections of the statutes and rules involved, and a short and plain statement of the matters asserted.
(b) The notice of hearing shall specify the time and place of the hearing, and shall set a date for a hearing not earlier than 20 days after service of the notice and complaint. In lieu of a hearing date, a notice of hearing may set a return date not less than seven days after service, at which time a hearing date will be set if the matter is not disposed of at that time.
(c) Service of the notice of hearing and a complaint or a UAC shall be by any method authorized by the CPLR, or by certified mail. Where service is by certified mail, service shall be complete when the notice of hearing and complaint or UAC is received by the respondent.
Section 645-4.3 Answer.
(a) Within 20 days of receipt of the complaint or UAC, but no later than 5 days before the date of the hearing, whichever is shorter, the respondent shall serve upon the Commission an answer, signed by the respondent or the respondent's attorney.
(b) The respondent shall specify in the answer which allegations are admitted, which allegations are denied and which allegations the respondent lacks sufficient information upon which to form an opinion as to the allegation.
(c) The respondent's answer may contain affirmative defenses; in which event the answer shall contain a statement of any facts which constitute the grounds of the affirmative defense.
(d) If the complaint or UAC is so vague or ambiguous that respondent cannot reasonably be required to frame an answer, the respondent may move for a more definite statement within 10 days of receipt of service. If the motion is denied, the respondent shall answer within 10 days or receipt of notice that the motion is denied. If the motion is granted, the Commission shall serve an amended complaint or UAC within 10 days of receipt of notice that the motion is granted, and the respondent shall answer pursuant to subdivisions (a) through (c) of this Section.
(e) The failure to file an answer or the failure by the respondent to appear on the return date or at the hearing shall constitute a default and a waiver of hearing upon proof of service of a notice of hearing and a complaint or a UAC.
Section 645-4.4 Amendment of Pleadings. Any party may amend a pleading at any time prior to the submission of the hearing officer's report to the Commission, by leave of the hearing officer or the Commission on good cause shown.
Section 645-4.5 Service of Papers. All notices, papers and intermediate process connected with a hearing, other than the notice of hearing and complaint or UAC, subpoenas served upon persons who are not a part to the proceeding, and the order containing the final determination of the Commission, may be served by ordinary mail. Except where otherwise specifically provided, service by ordinary mail shall be complete when mailed.
Section 645-4.6 Discovery.
(a) Scope. The scope of discovery shall be governed by the CPLR.
(b) Notice to produce. A party to a hearing under this Part, upon receipt of notice to produce documents and things from any other party, shall furnish all such requested items relevant to the proceeding within 10 days of receipt of such notice.
(c) Protective order. A party who is served with a notice to produce documents and things may move for a protective order within 10 days of receipt of such notice and shall specify his objections thereto. Such order may also be made by the hearing officer on his own initiative. A protective order shall be designed to avoid unnecessary delay of the hearing or to prevent unreasonable annoyance, expense, embarrassment, or prejudice to any party.
(d) Subpoenas. Consistent with the CPLR, any attorney of record in a proceeding under this Part, the Commission, or any person designated by the Commission for this purpose shall have the power to issue subpoenas. A party who is not represented by an attorney may request the hearing officer to issue a subpoena by submitting a petition stating the items or witnesses needed by the party to present its case.
(e) Limits on discovery. Bills of particulars shall be allowed. Depositions and written interrogatories shall only be allowed with leave of the hearing officer where the hearing officer finds their use to be in the interest of justice and where such process is likely to expedite the proceeding.
Section 645-4.7 Motions and Requests.
(a) All motions and requests prior to the hearing shall be submitted in writing to the hearing officer or, where no hearing officer has been designated, to the Commission. Copies of motion papers shall be served upon all parties. Motions made during the course of a hearing may be stated orally and shall be made a part of the record.
(b) The hearing officer shall rule upon all motions and requests prior to the submission of his report to the Commission. The Commission shall rule upon all motions and requests submitted prior to designation of a hearing officer or after receipt of the hearing officer's report.
Section 645-4.8 Stipulations and Consent Orders.
(a) At any time prior to the final determination by the Commission, the Executive Director, with the advice and consent of the counsel to the Commission, may enter into a stipulation to resolve an issue of fact or law pending in a proceeding initiated by the Commission.
(b) At any time, the Commission may enter into a consent order with a respondent, whereby the latter agrees to discontinue the acts or practices which violate ECL, Articles 43 and 71, Title 33, or rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or any permit, certificate or order issued by the Commission, and provide such other and further relief to which the respondent may agree. Such consent order shall be admissible as evidence to provide the basis for a finding or fact in any subsequent proceeding brought by the Commission against such respondent involving the same or similar violation(s).
Section 645-4.9 The Hearing.
(a) Referral to the Department. All proceedings where the administrative penalty sought by the Commission exceeds $5,000 shall be referred to the Department for processing in accordance with the procedure specified in ECL, Section 71-1709; provided, however, that following the processing of such proceedings, the Commission shall make appropriate determinations and issue an order in lieu of action by the Department.
(b) Hearing officer.
(1) All proceedings where the administrative penalties sought are less than or equal to $5,000 may either be referred to the Department, as provided above, or the Commission may appoint a hearing officer who must be an attorney admitted to practice law in the State of New York, who shall preside over such a hearing and report to the Commission regarding the hearing.
(2) A person may not serve as a hearing officer if such person:
(i) has any financial interest, direct or indirect, in any matter involved in the proceedings;
(ii) is related by blood or marriage to any party;
(iii) has participated in any investigation with respect to the subject matter of the hearing or in the development of evidence introduced at the hearing; or
(iv) has any personal interest in the matter involved in the proceeding.
(3) The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing in a fair and impartial manner.
(4) Subject to review by the Commission upon receipt of the hearing officer's report, the hearing officer shall have power to:
(i) rule upon motions and requests;
(ii) set the time and place of hearing;
(iii) administer oaths and affirmations;
(iv) issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, records, contracts, papers and other evidence;
(v) summon and examine witnesses;
(vi) admit or exclude evidence;
(vii) hear argument on facts or law;
(vii) do all acts and take all measures necessary for the maintenance of order and efficient conduct of the hearing.
(5) Upon being notified that a hearing officer declines or fails to serve, or in the case of death, resignation or removal of the hearing officer, or on its own initiative, the Commission may designate a successor hearing officer who may continue with the proceeding. Any party may file with the Commission a motion, together with a supporting affidavit, no later than five days prior to the date set for hearing in the notice of hearing, that the hearing officer be removed on the basis of personal bias.
(6) The designation of a hearing officer shall be in writing and filed with the Commission.
(c) Appearances.
(1) A party may appear in person and/or by counsel. If an attorney represents a party, all service of papers not required by law to be served personally upon such party shall be made upon the party's attorney.
(2) Any person appearing on behalf of a party in a representative capacity may be required to show his authority to act in such capacity.
(3) If a party who answers the complaint or UAC fails to appear at the hearing, issues on which that party has the burden of proof shall be resolved against the non-appearing party. The party who is present may elect, subject to the discretion of the hearing officer, to present all or part of his evidence by affidavit rather than oral testimony.
(4) The hearing officer may open a default or relieve any party of the consequences of a default upon good cause shown.
(5) Failure to appear at a hearing shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the right to be served with a copy of the final determination and order, and to proceed otherwise in any manner prescribed by law.
(d) Consolidation, Nonjoinder, Misjoinder and Severance.
(1) In a proceeding which involves common questions of fact, the hearing officer, upon his own initiative or upon motion of any party, to avoid unnecessary delay and cost, may order a consolidation of actions or a joint hearing of any or all issues.
(2) Nonjoinder of a necessary party, as necessary party is defined by the CPLR, is a ground for dismissal of the hearing without prejudice, unless the hearing officer, in the interest of justice, allows the hearing to proceed without such party or such party is joined.
(3) Misjoinder of parties is not a ground for dismissal of the hearing. Parties may be added or dropped by the hearing officer, on motion of any party or on his own initiative, at any stage of the hearing and upon such terms as may be just.
(4) The hearing officer, to avoid prejudice or for convenience, may order a severance of the hearing and hear separately any issue or any party to the proceeding.
(e) Evidence.
(1) Each witness shall, before testifying, be sworn or make affirmation.
(2) Prefiled, written testimony may be presented by any party with permission of and subject to the discretion of the hearing officer or may be required upon motion of any party by written directive of the hearing officer. Such permission shall be freely granted in the interest of expediting the proceeding. Prefiled testimony shall be sworn to by the witness and subject to cross- examination.
(3) When necessary, in order to prevent undue prolongation of the hearing, the hearing officer may limit the number of times any witness may testify, the repetitious examination or cross-examination of witnesses, or the amount of corroborative or cumulative testimony.
(4) The rules of evidence shall not be strictly applied; provided, however, the hearing officer shall exclude irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence and shall give effect to the rules of privilege recognized by law.
(5) Every party shall have the right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.
(6) The hearing officer may take official notice of all facts of which judicial notice could be taken and of other facts within the specialized knowledge of the Commission.
(7) Samples may be displayed at the hearing and may be described for purposes of the record, but need not be admitted in evidence as exhibits.
(8) Oral argument may be permitted by the hearing officer within his discretion and shall be recorded.
(9) All written statements, charts, tabulations and similar data offered in evidence at the hearing shall, upon a showing satisfactory to the hearing officer of their authenticity, relevancy and materiality, be received in evidence and shall constitute a part of the record.
(10) Where the testimony of a witness refers to a statute, report or document, the hearing officer shall, after satisfying himself of the identify of such statute, report or document, determine whether the same shall be produced at the hearing and physically made a part of the record or shall be incorporated in the record by reference.
(11) A hearing shall be conducted as nearly as practicable in the manner of a trial in a court of law.
(f) Adjournment. A request for an adjournment of the hearing shall be in writing and submitted to the hearing officer prior to the hearing.
(g) Record.
(1) Testimony given and other proceedings had at a hearing shall be recorded verbatim. For this purpose, and consistent with respondent's rights, the Commission may use whatever means it deems appropriate, including but not limited to the use of stenographic transcriptions or recording devices.
(2) The record of the hearing shall include: the notice of hearing, the complaint or UAC and any other pleadings; motions and requests submitted, and rulings thereon; the transcript or recording of the testimony taken at the hearing; exhibits submitted and filed therein; stipulations, if any; a statement of matters officially noticed, except matters so obvious that a statement of them would serve no useful purpose; the hearing officer's report; and any brief submitted in connection with the hearing.
(3) A copy of the stenographic transcript of the hearing or, if the hearing is recorded, a copy of the tape or a transcript of the recording, shall be available to any party upon request to the stenographer or the Commission, as appropriate, and upon payment of the fees allowed by law.
Section 645-4.10 Report. Following the close of the record, including receipt of the transcript, if any, the hearing officer shall prepare and submit to the Commission a hearing report, which shall become part of the record.
Section 645-4.11 Final Determination and Order.
(a) After receipt of the hearing officer's report, the Commission shall make a final determination based upon the record.
(b) The final determination shall be embodied in a final order which shall contain findings of fact and conclusions of law or reasons for the final determination, and which may provide for:
(1) the dismissal of charges;
(2) an assessment of penalties consistent with applicable provisions of the ECL Articles 43 and 71, Title 33;
(3) a direction for abatement;
(4) a combination of any or all of the foregoing; or
(5) any determination deemed appropriate under the circumstances, consistent with applicable provisions of the ECL, Articles 43 and 71, Title 33, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any permits, certificates or orders issued by the Commission.
(c) A copy of the final determination and order shall be served on the parties in the same manner as is provided in Section 645-4.2 (c) of this Subpart for the service of a notice of hearing and complaint or UAC.
Section 645-4.12 Uniform Appearance Tickets.
(a) In lieu of proceeding by administrative process, the Commission patrolmen or any law enforcement officer may proceed by uniform appearance ticket regarding any violation of ECL, Article 43 or 71, Title 33, or rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, against any person having the culpable mental states defined in Section 15.05 of the Penal Law.
(b) In such case, the procedures and forms specified in Part 640 of this Title shall apply.
Section 645-4.13 Summary Abatement.
(a) Whenever the Commission finds, after investigation, that any person is causing, engaging in or maintaining a condition or activity which, in the judgement of the Commission:
(1) presents an imminent danger to the health or welfare of the people of the State, or results in or is likely to result in irreversible or irreparable damage to the resources of the Park; and
(2) relates to the prevention and abatement powers of the Commission in that the condition or activity pertains to or affects any of the objectives or goals of ECL, Articles 43 and 71, Title 33, rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or any permits, certificates or orders issued by the Commission, so that it appears to be prejudicial to the interest of the people of the State to delay action until an opportunity for hearing can be provided, the Commission may, without prior hearing or notice, order such person to discontinue, abate or alleviate such condition or activity.
(b) Such order shall be in writing and shall state the grounds upon which the order is based.
(c) Upon receipt of the Commission's summary abatement order, it shall thereafter be the duty of the respondent to immediately discontinue, abate or alleviate such condition or activity pursuant to the terms of said order. Failure to do so shall constitute a violation of the order and of these regulations.
(d) The Commission shall schedule a hearing promptly, at a time and place determined by the Commission not to exceed 10 days from the date when the summary abatement order is given. Notice of such hearing shall be given with the written summary abatement order.
(e) The respondent may waive, in writing, the hearing provided by law and these regulations. The failure of the respondent to appear at the time, date and place set forth in the summary abatement order for a hearing, shall constitute a waiver of the requirement that a hearing be held.
(f) The hearing shall be processed in accordance with the hearing procedures specified in this Subpart.
(g) The hearing officer shall, to the extent practicable, and without prejudice to the respondent's right to have a public hearing concerning the issuance of a summary abatement order within 10 days from the date the order is given, consolidate the hearing on the issuance of the summary abatement order with any hearing to be held on account of respondent's violation of ECL, Article 43 or 71, Title 33, or the rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or any permits, certificates or orders issued by the Commission.
Section 645-4.14 Penalties and Sanctions. Any final order issued by the Commission pursuant to the procedures specified in this Subpart may include civil penalties and administrative sanctions to the full extent provided by ECL, Section 71-3303.
Section 645-4.15 Waiver of Rules. Any of the foregoing rules may be waived by stipulation of the parties with consent of the Commission or, if a hearing officer has been appointed, with consent of the hearing officer.
Section 645-4.16 Consistency with other Laws. Nothing herein is intended to limit the rights of any party in an enforcement proceeding pursuant to the ECL. The statutory provisions of the ECL and the State Administrative Procedure Act shall control over an inconsistent provision in this Subpart.


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November 2014
The Enhanced Due Diligence Index (DDI) Minimizing the risk of doing business with a Russian 'shell' company
In Russia, the likelihood of coming across a 'shell' or untrustworthy company is very high. These shell companies are a threat to legitimate businesses through fraud and default. More seriously, doing business with these companies can result in sanctions from Russian tax authorities.
D&B and its Worldwide Network partner Interfax Group first introduced the Due Diligence Index in 2011 to provide greater transparency on Russian businesses. The DDI is specifically tailored to the Russian commercial and regulatory context. The enhanced DDI, now available on 3.9 million businesses, provides greater precision in assessing the likelihood that a business was not created for legal purposes or exists as a 'transactional entity' with no significant assets or operations. The insight the DDI provides will allow D&B's customers to minimize their risk when dealing with Russian entities.
Up to 20 factors combined into a single index to assess risk
The predictive characteristics of the enhanced DDI have been enhanced and the statistical error level has been reduced by 3% to 5%. The model now incorporates anywhere from four to 20 factors, depending on whether company financials are available. Among the factors considered: whether a director or address is associated with multiple businesses, material facts disclosure, industry segment, trade activities, and region (e.g. Dagestan). Region in particular is a strong predictor.
The DDI is offered through the D&B Business Information Report and Comprehensive Report. It can also be delivered in batch upon request. It is available on 3,938,085 businesses in Russia (82% of the active universe). The exceptions are banks and credit bureaus to which oversight bodies use license rules, not-for-profit organizations, and state institutions.
At the Glance - the Due Diligence Index
The Due Diligence Index is calculated using statistical methods to assign each business entity a score representing the likelihood that the entity was created (or exists) to carry out just one transaction and has no real assets or operations. The score takes on values 0 - 99 which represent the probability of being a 'shell' company. The higher the Index value, the more likely the entity is a 'shell' company.

subset: commoncrawl


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TX Barbara Jordan 2012 Wilfred Stewart
Design and build a prototype International Space Station camera that can be flown around inside the space station from the ground.
To provide the capability for International Space Station Flight Controllers the ability to look around the International Space Station to validate configurations.
The goal of this project is to use as many commercial off the shelf (COTS) products as possible and make this on orbit camera. Jordan HS is one of two schools working on this project. NASA has reserved a two day flight on the Zero gravity plane to test the prototype. There will be a total of six (6) flyers, three each day. If Jordan HS students have a design to test then they will be given the opportunity to test their design. This is a challenging project. Not only does this camera need to be stable at low velocities it has to be controllable from the ground. The team has received a second presentation from the NASA customer focusing on required controllability of the camera prototype. They are performing some simulated reduced gravity experiments on the AR Drone to determine how it reacts and functions in this type of environment. They have completed some 3D modeling of design concepts as well. Updated 01/11/11
On April the 7th and 8th, 2011 the team successfully flew their flying camera platform on the Zero Gravity plane at Ellington Field, Houston, TX.
The Jordan HS HUNCH team is an advanced drafting class.
The team has received a presentation from the NASA customer and has generated some preliminary designs. They have also worked with a Roomba and AR Drone to see similar type devices.


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This is a photograph of my computer monitor at work.
On top of it is a rubber stamp that MK Reed gave me a few years ago. It reads,
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.
–Douglas Adams
That text document is my to do list.
As you can see, my to do list is really, really long.
I fantasize frequently about getting my hands on a Time-Turner, like Hermione in Prisoner of Azkaban. Because without one, there's basically no way I will ever, ever, ever catch up.
So the decisions I make about what to do with my time every day depend on a sort of murky alchemy of what's going to explode, who's going to kill me, what's the most fun to do, and what I'm the most scared of doing.
Today, one of the things on my to do list is: write a blog post. I try to post something every couple of weeks, and I'm probably overdue. So writing up a quick post is definitely up there on my to-do list. But it's just one of about 100 fairly urgent things on my to do list for today, and part of the reason I'm actually executing this task right now is because I'm procrastinating.
Me writing this blog post = me doing a required task for my job = me procrastinating from other required tasks for my job. This is called "Productive Procrastination" or "Positive Procrastination" or "Structured Procrastination," depending on who's talking about it. In any case, I'm not the first person to have identified procrastination as a neato counter-intuitive way of Getting Shit Done. You can read more in this entertaining little piece at the Times, here.
For me, procrastination boils down to fear. I avoid doing certain tasks because I'm afraid of them.
I'm afraid of doing them wrong.
I'm afraid of being bored.
I'm afraid of feeling dumb.
I'm afraid of making people mad, or sad.
I'm afraid of making them think less of me.
So certain things get pushed back and pushed back and pushed back until the fear of not doing them becomes greater than the fear of doing them. Granted, it's not an ideal way to work, but let me tell you: I get a LOT DONE when I'm avoiding doing things. Fear is a great motivator! Consider the mental math of the reasonably responsible human person: "I will allow myself to spinelessly shirk from task A," says the reasonably responsible human person, bargaining with herself, "because I will make it up, karma-wise, by doing all of task B, right now." Task B gets done. Are you ready to tackle task A now, R.R.H.P.? No? You're so bad. Make it up to the world by kicking task C out of the park. Great job, R.R.H.P! Now, about task A… Oh, you want to take a look at task D? Why not.
Look, task A gets done eventually. I'm not a complete monster. But a couple of days of avoiding task A can work wonders when it comes to tasks B through K.
I didn't always think about my work habits in this light. I've always worked this way, but it used to feel like a failure, like I was a weakling for not tackling the scary things first. But every attempt to reform was a bust. So I guess I've sort of learned to lean into it – to embrace it. And if you're like me – if you get a lot of stuff done by procrastinating – I recommend that you stop beating yourself up about it, and start managing it smartly. It really works!
Now I'm going to go find some other (presumably) useful thing to do while avoiding tasks A, L, R-U inclusive, and Z.
Oh, the dreaded Z.


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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., April 26 (UPI) -- The Society of Singers will present its 14th Annual Ella Award to pop icon Elton John, the Beverly Hills-based organization announced Tuesday.
Jerry Sharell, the non-profit's president and CEO, said John was being recognized for his body of work, as well as for his fund-raising efforts on behalf of AIDS treatment and research.
"A couple of generations have now grown up listening to his songs, and he's truly one of the greats, not just in pop and rock, but also in film and theatrical music," said Sharell. "But just as crucially, he is also a pioneer in the worldwide fight against AIDS and a humanitarian whose efforts exemplify what the Ella Award seeks to honor."
John joins a list of Ella winners, including Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, Julie Andrews, Celine Dion and Ella Fitzgerald -- for whom the award is named. He will receive the award during Oct. 10 ceremonies in Beverly Hills.
The Society of Singers provides emergency financial help for professional singers worldwide, using donations from private and corporate sponsors.


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Anyway, at the time of which I speak, my sister Derde had recently attained her womanhood. This was no secret, try as she might to conceal the monthly crimson stains on her underskirts and the woman's stink that accompanied them. Negotiations had already begun for her wedding to Kazim of Narbat and, unlike herself, she was putting up no resistance. They had always got along passably well, and the arrangement was evidently satisfactory to all concerned, though she had been more than once caught in the company of another: a fellow from, I think, Yishub.
But something was wrong. We all felt it. From a fun-loving, defiant spitfire she turned, it seemed overnight, melancholy, morose. Whenever I tried to talk to her, she would either not answer or burst out with a furious "Shut up!", and if I tried to persist she would start shouting at me till I had no choice but to back off. What was the problem?
The answer was not long coming. That evening when we sat to sup, Grandma was with us. (We kids were always delighted when Grandma came to dine. She had a daemon in her that ate all she ate before her body could absorb it. So to spite It she never swallowed her food, only sucked the essence from it and left the rest on her plate, whence we could filch and down it.) But it wasn't a feast day, so if she was here, something serious was up. But Derde wasn't there. I looked at Ma.
"Where's…?" I started, but she looked at me and I shut up. We ate in silence, Ma every so often looking at the door. We had just finished when it opened, and in came Pirhah the midwitch, followed by our sister. Her evil mood had left her, and she stood in the doorway looking around at us with a mixture of sheepishness and relief. In her hands she held a small object, wrapped in linen.
"Come in, girl," commanded the witch. "We must finish it."
Derde entered hesitantly and knelt at her accustomed place. Pirhah followed suit. She then removed from her pouch and placed on the table a grinding‑bowl and pestle, followed in turn by two clay vials.
That done, she looked at Derde, who began to unwrap the object she carried. We all craned to see, but it was not until she had finished and held out her hand that we got a good look. Cradled in her hand was a tiny creature, pink and dead. From its belly a shining tube connected it to a shapeless mass of dark flesh of almost its own size. At first I thought it might be a newborn rat, but on closer inspection his body was indisputably human, and even more undeniably male, though the features of his face were strangely unformed, as if a sculptor had begun forming a child of clay, but been interrupted before completing his work. I had never seen anything like him, but demurred to ask what he was. There was a Mystery here, one at which to boot I probably should not even be in attendance, so I waited in silence.
Derde sat for a moment, gazing down at the strange being. She then bent her head and kissed him gently, and placed him in the bowl. Pirhah picked up one of the vials and uncapped it.
"We are here," she said, "to say hello and farewell."
She began to pour honey onto the dead thing in the bowl, addressing him thus:
"For the sake of our sister, thy mother, that she might enter her woman's life a virgin bride, and not an object of scorn and reprobation, thou hast given thy life before thou ever knewst what life was. For this we thank thee, O tiny brother of ours, son, grandson, nephew; all of these art thou to us here gathered. We will never know thee, never see thee born, to grow and be a man, but still we thank thee."
The vial empty, she picked up the other and from it sprinkled a mixture of herb and spice into the bowl.
"And to the soul who would have worn thee, I who have slain thee can only humbly beg thy understanding and forgiveness, and offer my prayer that thou mightst, upon thy next attempt at incarnation, find thyself in as loving a house as this. Good luck. The Gods be with thee."
She picked up the pestle and began mashing the contents of the bowl into a fragrant paste.
"And now, that we might not ever forget thee, and the sacrifice thou hast made for thy mother and all of us who love thee, we take thee into us, and make thee a part of us, to be with us always, until we ourselves are as thou art this night."
She gestured to Derde. My sister reached out a finger, scooped up a small portion of the pulpy mass and put it in her mouth. She closed her eyes and swallowed, and a slight shiver shook her, before she looked again and smiled. Ma did the same, then the other girls, then me. He tasted beautiful, my little nephew that never was, better than any sweetmeat; but before I could savour him fully he had melted on my tongue and slid smoothly down my throat, and my body was all suffused with a sudden strange joy.
I opened my eyes, hoping for another taste. But Luni had already taken his turn, and the last morsel that lay invitingly in the bowl was obviously reserved. Pirhah picked it up carefully; instead of consuming it, however, she wrapped it delicately in the cloth in which it had arrived and held it out to Derde. Derde took it in her two hands and sat, head bowed. Ma stood up and beckoned us to leave her alone, and we followed her outside. As I went out, though, I looked back, and saw my sister's lips moving silently, addressing her dead son in private words of grateful grief.
After that, she was her old self again. The betrothal was concluded with Kazim and his family none the wiser, and the wedding… Well, that's another tale entirely. I'll tell you another time.


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Chris Neil won't leave the Senators without a fight.
The rugged winger told Sun Media yesterday that his Toronto-based agent, Todd Reynolds, will travel to Ottawa in the next 24 hours to sit down with Senators GM Bryan Murray in one final attempt to get a new contract in place before Wednesday's NHL trade deadline.
Neil, 29, who is sidelined with a lacerated calf that's expected to keep him out of action for another week, confirmed the sides are far apart in negotiations, but remains hopeful both might be able to budge enough to get a deal in place to keep him in Ottawa.
"I still hold out hope that we can get something done," said Neil, who has played his entire seven-year NHL career with the Senators. "If both sides are willing to move a little bit, hopefully it will get done. It's got to be good for both parties, but hopefully (I haven't played) my last game in an Ottawa uniform."
Neil said he hopes a face-to-face meeting can resolve the issues. Still, there is a huge gap to bridge because Neil has been asking for $2.5 million (all terms US) a season on a long-term deal while the Senators' last offer was $1.6 million per season.
Neither side was optimistic a deal could be reached Saturday, but that could change quickly if they find common ground in new discussions.
"Hopefully, (Reynolds) will be able to sit down with Bryan and they'll be able to get something done. If not, I'm probably going to be moved," admitted Neil. "(Reynolds) knows my heart is in Ottawa and this is where I want to be. You can't sell yourself too short. It's not just me, but you've got to think of your family as well."
Neil said he will continue to skate on his own for the next week and hopes to resume practising next Monday.
The Sharks made a pitch for Neil last week, but weren't prepared to meet Murray's asking price of a high-end prospect and a second-round pick.
Neil may not be the only Ottawa player on the move:
* Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson took in Saturday night's Senators-Leafs game and sources confirm he was here to watch Ottawa forwards Antoine Vermette and Chris Kelly.
The Jackets would like to add a top-six forward for their run to the playoffs, which means Vermette would be a candidate.
* The Senators are also going to find out today where defenceman Filip Kuba stands. He has a no-movement clause and his agent, Rich Evans, has told Murray that Kuba would like to stay in Ottawa.
The sides held contract talks yesterday and more are planned before the deadline. As reported by Sun Media yesterday, Kuba will likely demand a salary in the $4.5- million-per-season range.
Murray won't lose his unrestricted free agents for nothing, so the heat will be turned up on Kuba to reach a deal.
"I'm not nervous," said Kuba, who was brought to Ottawa as part of the deal that sent Andrej Meszaros to the Lightning last fall. "It's something new for me. I've never experienced this. We'll see what happens. There's a possibility that something will get done (with the Senators)."


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click photo to enlarge
FLAGLER'S CURTIS LEWIS will help try to lead the Saints to a vital conference win over Warner Southern today at home.
File Photo Five years ago, John Randolph and Curtis Lewis saw their high school basketball careers end together at St. Augustine High School.
Now, their time at Flagler College is drawing to a close.
Randolph and Lewis are the lone seniors on a Flagler squad that will play its final regular-season home game tonight at 7 against Warner Southern.
Flagler will be the host school for next week's Florida Sun Conference Tournament.
Although tonight will be a special game for the pair of seniors, it's a crucial game for the Saints (22-5), who are trying to close the season with a perfect 8-0 mark in the FSC.
A victory would also prolong Flagler's 13-game winning streak and keep it ranked near the top in the NAIA Division II poll -- key to getting an at-large bid to the national tournament. Flagler is ranked seventh this week.
click photo to enlarge
"This game is really huge," Flagler coach Bo Clark said. "This team really deserves to go to the national tournament."
WSC comes in with a 2-23 record partly because it had to forfeit more than half its season due to a paperwork problem between the school and the NAIA regarding the redshirt status of star guard Ryan Menten.
Flagler beat the Royals 91-77 on Jan. 31.
Menten is eligible now, and the reigning FSC player of the year is fifth in the league in scoring at 16 points per game -- including 34 in Wednesday's loss to Embry-Riddle. Teammate Mats Olsson is third in the FSC at 17 ppg.
Randolph will definitely play a large role is slowing down the two WSC stars, but there's no telling how much Lewis will play. That's just the way it's been with the 6-foot-2 guard in his two seasons with the Saints.
"I don't really have a regular role for him," Clark said. "I kind of feel bad for him. His (playing time) is just hit and miss."
That's not much of an issue for Lewis. He understands that he isn't the guy Clark will put in for the last-second shot to win a game. But he might be the person who gets a key rebound or provides some competent relief work for a starter who finds himself in early foul trouble.
"It doesn't faze me that I'm not going to be a big scorer," Lewis said.
"I don't mind doing the dirty work. I'm not a selfish person."
He's scored only 46 points this season, but that's not why he joined the team last year.
"I'm just here to bring the juice," he said. "I'm the blue-collar worker just trying to bring something positive."
As a freshman four and a half years ago, Lewis went out for the team and was asked to redshirt.
After that, he took off the next two years to concentrate on school, working toward his degree in education.
"I had to get my foot in the door before worrying about basketball," he said. "I had to make sure I got my schooling."
During his time away from the team, Lewis tried to stay close to his former teammates, tried to stay close to the program.
And after watching from the bleachers, Lewis decided he'd spent enough time being a spectator.
"I figured it was about time I go for the whole thing," Lewis said. "I didn't care if I played or not."
One of Lewis' best memories was last season when Flagler played at Embry-Riddle. He couldn't play because of an important night class he had to attend.
Still, Lewis rushed down to Daytona Beach to find the Saints down 14 at halftime. He said that when he joined the team, he could sense a change in emotion.
"You could feel the spirit there," he said.
Flagler went on to lose the game in double overtime, but that was only because of a 40-foot shot by ERAU at the end of the first overtime.
But that's the kind of contribution Lewis makes to Flagler. While Randolph might spark the team with a long 3-pointer, Lewis does the same thing with an impassioned halftime speech or just by setting a good example for an inexperienced teammate.
"It's more than just playing in games," he said. "It's bigger than that. I enjoyed the ride last year no matter how much I played."
Lewis' playing time was limited on a 2002-03 team loaded with veteran players. He's played a little more this season, but Lewis' true value is his experience with a team that returned just four experienced players.
Flagler struggled with its team chemistry early in the season but has learned to play together and hasn't lost since Jan. 1.
"It was scary at the beginning," Lewis said. "At first, the way we were playing was based on one-on-one moves."
Clark said Randolph and Lewis provided leadership that led to the team's second-half turnaround.
"A lot of credit should go to those guys," Clark said.
Junior college transfer Carlton Summers agreed with his coach."Those guys have helped bring this team together," he said.
"There's leadership on the floor but also off the floor. I think John and Curtis have been really good at that. I think good teams need leadership."
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News Our Review Phones Forum
Has anyone used it? got good reviews, but I dont drive so I really dont need it. seems better than iris imo. I have used neither.
Quadrant scores. Whos done them? My DX2 running liberty3 and go launcher, sms, and locker is averaging about 2500.
Ive heard it really dosent make a ish, but it still makes me feel good about my phone.
Ive heard it really dosent make a ish, but it still makes me feel good about my phone.
My old OG droid gets about 1200, incredible gets around 1500, my Inspire gets 2800, my LG thrill gets 2600, my DX gets 1800.
I manage a kiosk that has 3 carriers, I'm good and I sweet talk the reps into phones. One is my personal line that I never use, the X is a concession line for 35, and the only other lines active are the thrill/inspire. My town just got H+ with att and hell yea I want a free dealer line with unlimited everything! Worked out pretty well. I outsell radioshack/best buy/lolmart by a long shot on the h+ alone. I'm waiting for an att store to be brought into town and I'm going to jump on that ish. But the inspire is rooted and running cyanogen with an oc'd and undervolted kernel overclocked. It's pretty impressive and stable.
I have vlingo, and its a great app. I use it more for multi-taking then when I'm driving. I got it for free on the market, so it was well worth it.


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Six Nations
Haskell won't rule out France stay
ESPNscrum Staff
January 23, 2011
James Haskell could extend his stay in France © Getty Images
James Haskell has refused to rule out the possibility of extending his stay in France with Stade Francais.
The England flanker moved to Paris from Wasps in 2009 and found his feet quickly in the Top 14, although his future, and that of fellow France-based internationals Tom Palmer and Jonny Wilkinson, was thrown into doubt by an RFU edict stating that overseas players will not be considered for England duty after this year's Rugby World Cup aside from in 'exceptional circumstances'.
Wilkinson has since signed a new two-year deal with Toulon and Haskell could also fly in the face of convention, and criticism from Wasps legend Lawrence Dallaglio, if he decides that a further spell in France is the best thing for him personally.
"If I'd listened to everyone before I moved to Stade, I would never have left Wasps," he told The Daily Mail. "You can't be bullied into making a decision. You've got to do what you think is best for you.
"No-one respects Lawrence Dallaglio more than me. He's always been one of my heroes. But he never left England to play for anyone else, so I don't know how he can comment on whether it's a good idea or not. I have and I understand that it's an important part of a player's career. I've had more career and indeed life development in the past 18 months at Stade than I have throughout my previous career."
Haskell admitted that the RFU's letter is 'food for thought' but also laid out his belief that moving clubs in the immediate aftermath of a World Cup can be damaging to players.
"The letter the RFU sent out to the players concerning non-selection for those foreign-based is food for thought," he said. "My goal is always to play for England but the letter also states that this is designed to prevent English players from moving abroad. It's not aimed at those who have existing contracts.
"Besides, it's very difficult joining a new club straight after a World Cup. It means that when you finally hook up with your new team-mates in November they've had a full preseason under their belts and seven or eight games. Moving for the sake of moving is dangerous."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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By Simon Mortlock*
While there still aren't many vacancies opening up in Australian financial services, going for a sales job via an internal referral is a better bet than most.
An emphasis on cost control means firms are prioritising revenue-generating roles and milking their employees' networks for candidates, according to the 16 senior HR professionals who attended a roundtable organised by eFinancialCareers earlier last week.
The attendees, all of whom asked not to be named in this report, were reluctant to talk in detail about 2013 recruitment as their companies are waiting to assess global market conditions in Q1.
They expect hiring will be "by exception" early next year, with a strong justification needed as to why a candidate cannot be found internally.
There are, however, already small pockets of growth. A delegate from a Big Four Australian bank said her company has recently "released the brakes" on recruiting salespeople in retail and commercial banking.
"There's been a high response rate and we are receiving some good-quality applications. Quite a few people seem to be actively looking now after staying put for a while."
Sales and business-development roles, rather than support ones, make up about 95 per cent of vacancies at a regional Australian bank, its representative told the roundtable. "But we're not advertising many of these – most of the people we get are from referrals. We make sure that staff know that referrals are part of their job," she added.
The rush to referrals
Referrals are becoming a more important recruitment tool at other organisations, too. A Big Four accounting firm now makes 40 per cent of its placements this way in Australia. "And we've had a shift from reward to recognition," said its delegate. "Yes, we still make payments for successful referrals, but we also give people recognition in things like leadership groups."
An HR professional from an international finance company said her team typically does 30 to 40 per cent of its hiring via referrals, but is constantly having to remind people about the programme in meetings and correspondence.
Many firms have gone beyond asking employees to make sudden, reactive referrals only when new vacancies crop up. They instead have an ongoing referrals process for making opportunistic hires of strong candidates and for pipelining people in advance of potential headcount needs.
"We still keep in touch with the referral group that we started to set up two years ago," explained an attendee from an accounting firm. "And we have talent continuity managers who can tap into this group at any time."
Float like a resume
As referrals grow in popularity, so too are HR teams aiming to reduce recruitment-agency costs. Some recruiters are trying to drum up business in a dull job market by "floating" more CVs directly to the line, bypassing HR and potentially meaning the employer pays fees for a candidate who is already on its database. "We insist that all floated CVs must be sent to HR first before the manager replies to the recruiter, so we can check whether we already know the person," said one roundtable delegate.
Non-compliance with recruitment regulations is often most prevalent among executives. "Senior managers don't understand the rules or they choose to ignore them," bemoaned an attendee. "But when they then hear of the high recruitment fees we have to pay, they are surprised."
Two firms are tackling the problem by involving hiring mangers in the choice of agencies for preferred supplier agreements (PSAs). The CVs that arrive from these recruiters are thus no longer unauthorised. "We engage with the business first, instead of just imposing certain recruiters on them that may not meet their needs," said a delegate from a Big Four bank.
Another attendee, however, questioned the whole value of PSAs because her accounting firm now mainly uses niche agencies on an ad hoc basis for specialist roles. "Is it fair to them that we persist with putting them through the trouble of a PSA when we aren't offering them much recruitment work?" An all-contingency approach might be better for both parties, she added.
We have expanded our finance sector jobs listings and you can now find these here » for New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore.
Simon Mortlock is the senior editor of efinancialcareers.com.au
We welcome your help to improve our coverage of this issue. Any examples or experiences to relate? Any links to other news, data or research to shed more light on this? Any insight or views on what might happen next or what should happen next? Any errors to correct?
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Creative Nonfiction
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University of Montana, MFA (2006)
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Misunderstood, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016
On the Road to Find Out, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2014
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The monsoon to most people means tiresome travel and dark gloomy days. It's very few that realise this is a golden opportunity to explore and visit hidden treasures in nearby towns. The monsoon season is in fact one of the best times to travel locally and discover or rather rediscover the beauty around you. Delhi is a thriving metropolitan city, but it's one of the lucky few metros to be in relatively close proximity to some beautiful weekend getaways. Here are our top picks to enjoy the monsoon season around Delhi.
This gorgeous wildlife sanctuary in the Alwar district of Rajasthan is a popular weekend getaway due to its proximity to Delhi. It's about a 3 hour drive from Gurgaon and home to tigers, hyenas, leopard, wild digs and many more. A weekend at the Sariska Palace, a heritage property is an ideal way to enjoy a downpour, lush greenery and the jungle in all its glory.
Photo courtesy - Aditya Singh, nationalgeographic.com
460 kms from Delhi, this small town of Pithoragarh is located in Uttaranchal. Pithoragarh is a mixture of high snow clad Himalayan Mountains, alpine forests, green valleys, lush rivers and some beautiful springs. There is so much natural beauty in this little town but it is still relatively unknown as it hasn't been frequented by many tourists. The main attraction in this town is Soar Valley which looks like a mini Kashmir. Though it's a bit of a journey from Delhi it's highly recommended and definitely worth the travel making it ideal for a long weekend break.
Photo courtesy - Sagarika Chandra, nationalgeographic.com
This small hill station in Uttarakhand is about 270 kms from Delhi and is one of the highest hill stations in the area. The main attraction in this town is the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary where one of the best seasons to enjoy the park is the monsoon. The rains heighten the lush greenery and make this quiet Himalayan destination a perfect weekend getaway from Delhi.
Photo courtesy - Satyender S Dhull on flickr.com
The sleepy town of Kanatal is a beautiful hill station that tourists seem to have forgotten. The best way to enjoy this scenic and tranquil town is through walks where one can discover orchards, fruit trees, wild flowers and a lot more natural beauty. Kanatal can be enjoyed in the summer and winter seasons but it is during the monsoon season where the rains give this picturesque town a different glow. Kanatal about 300kms from Delhi makes for an ideal monsoon holiday spot.
Photo courtesy - GagsGilotra on flickr.com
By - Roxanne Bamboat
Roxanne is a pint sized girl who enjoys reading, movies, travel and is obsessed with food. She expresses her love for all things edible in her food blog - www.thetinytaster.com A freelancer in her profession, she is able to spend most of her time sampling the city's food offerings and reviews them as well as shares a few of her favourite recipes. More often known as The Tiny Taster, she's decided to take the world by storm - one plate a a time!
Twitter - @roxannebamboat


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Choosing the right font is a crucial part of any project, whether printed or in a website, blog, eBook, game, mobile application,electronic billboard or any other worded display. Fonts bring elegance, power and mood to content, and can make words sweeter, interfaces stronger, and interactive content more powerful. Of course, appealing web design is made much more unique with the right web fonts, and a change in font can make a huge difference in website traffic. That's why we think you'll want to check out Sanchez Slab, an innovative, strong Sans Serif font from Latinotype. It could prove to be a real difference maker in printed or digital text content.
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Risheehat is a medium bodied tea; brisker than most Chinese teas, filling the mouth with sensation, but not offputtingly puckery like many other Darjeelings. It is a lively tea, with suggestions of bright fruit flavors like pineapple and grapefruit. In Japan, First Flush Darjeelings are offered to colleagues as tokens of respect, very cool!
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After an apparent diplomatic overture from Russia Monday, a group of U.S. lawmakers are working on an alternative congressional resolution to deal with Syria and its use of chemical weapons.
The proposal, led in part by Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, could replace the limited authorization of force that a key Senate committee approved last week with a congressional directive to the United Nations, a source familiar with the negotiations said.
The alternative legislation would direct the UN to pass a resolution confirming that chemical weapons were used in Syria. Then UN officials would go in to the civil war-torn country and remove existing chemical weapons caches by a certain time.
If those steps don't take place, the resolution would then authorize the president to use force.
The new proposal comes after Syrian officials appeared open to a proposal by Russia, Syria's biggest backer, to negotiate a transfer of the country's chemical weapons to international control.
A White House official confirms to NBC News that President Barack Obama has agreed to a UN discussion on Russia's proposed diplomatic plan.
Obama has spoken to his British and French counterparts, the aide said, and the leaders agreed "to explore seriously the viability of the Russian proposal to put all Syrian chemical weapons and related materials fully under international control in order to ensure their verifiable and enforceable destruction."
On Monday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid delayed a planned Wednesday test vote on the authorization of force. An aide cited the possible diplomatic opening as a "major factor" in the decision to delay the Senate vote.
After a meeting between Obama and Senate Democrats on Tuesday, Reid indicated that leaders will wait for new diplomatic efforts to unfold before scheduling any votes on the original authorization of the use of force.
"I'm not guaranteeing anything," he said. "I do know this: Our schedule is being driven by developments that are taking place, not by some artificial timeline that we have here."
Other lawmakers involved in the Senate's new negotiations are Republicans Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia as well as Democrats Chris Coons of Delaware, Carl Levin of Michigan and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.
The senators are discussing the plan with the White House and with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez.
While lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have pointed to the Russian proposal as a possible path to avoid military involvement in Syria, many have also urged caution.
House Speaker John Boehner – who said last week that he supported Obama's call for limited military action in Syria – said he remains "skeptical" of the possible diplomatic solution but that a peaceful resolution is "always a better outcome."
"I'm skeptical of it because of the actors involved -- simple as that," he told reporters on Capitol Hill.
Reid, saying that Syria has an "extremely, extremely low level of credibility" on the issue of chemical weapons, said Tuesday that a diplomatic action must be swift and verifiable.
"The Assad regime must act, and act quickly to prove their offer is real, and not merely a ploy to delay military action, or the action of the Senate," he said.
NBC's Stacey Klein and Michael O'Brien contributed to this report.


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Toyota 4Runner Lease Questions
sw1024 Posts: 6Hi Carman,
Sorry--I live in So Cal--Los Angeles. Looking for 36 months, 12k lease on 2007 Sport and Limited models 4x4.
Also, depending on what their special lease rate is--it would probably be more advantageous to take the $2500 cash rebate, wouldn't it? If my math is right, the money factor would have to be below .0006/1.5% in order to be a better choice than the rebate? Or am I wrong?
Thanks very much. I really appreciate it.
diana12 Posts: 1I want to get out of this lease and into a new Toyota lease for a 2007 4-Runner Sport.
I have a 63 mo. lease with Fair Lease in Dallas Texas for my 2005 4 runner sport now with 49,600 miles. Payoff today is 27,586.13. My 35th payment due 11/1/07 at 550.15 mo. The payoff includes a penalty charge of $500 for early termination & a percentage of the adjusted cap cost which amounts to $1,366.55 fee. The adj. cap cost on the contract is 37,166.05. (The price was high because I had to add $6,337 negative equity from the traded in car for the 05 4 runner)
A Houston dealership offered me a 2007 Sport. 1,000 down, 59 payments, 12,000 miles/yr, at $599.00 mo. My 4-runner is valued at around 20K they said. I this a Good or Bad Deal? Thanks, Diana (I don't know what to do with the Fair Lease contract. )
Hi Diana. I am sorry to say that it is usually fairly expensive to get out of leases well before their scheduled end dates. In order to do so, you need to purchase the vehicle that you are currently leasing from the bank that you are leasing it through. It often turns out that it costs more to do so than your vehicle is worth on the open market. Furthermore, many banks expect consumers who end their leases early to still make all, or at least the depreciation portion of their remaining lease payments. As you can see, this can get very expensive.
You can determine approximately how much it will cost you to get out of your current lease by comparing its purchase price to its value on the open market at this time. You should place a call to the bank that you are leasing your vehicle through to find out its exact price. Once you know exactly how much money it is going to cost you to buy your leased vehicle you need to compare it to its current value on the open market. You can find out approximately what your vehicle is worth by looking up its Edmunds.com True Market Value in the Used Vehicle Pricing section of this site. You also may want to stop by the following discussion: sysop, "Real-World Trade-In Values" #, 14 Dec 2000 11:07 pm. Don't forget to check to see if you are still on the hook for your remaining lease payments. The difference between your leased vehicle's current value and how much it will cost you to buy it plus any remaining lease payments that you are obligated to pay will equal the cost of getting out of your lease right now. You may find that you are better off waiting until you are closer to the scheduled end of your lease to get another new vehicle.
If you absolutely have to get a new vehicle now, make sure that you get the best possible deal on it. I would be happy to give you my opinion on the new deal that you were offered, but you didn't provide much information on it. What exact model are you interested in? What is its MSRP? How much is the dealer that you are working with charging you for it (its selling price)? Is the 60 month contract that you are considering a loan or a lease? Let me know and I'll tell you what I think.
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum
valueguy Posts: 208CARMAN what is the MF for a 36 or 39 month, 12,000 miles per year lease on a 4 Runner Limited 2wd model located in Florida
josephd05 Posts: 46Carman,
I have a 2006 fully loaded, MSRP 44,700, I paid 39999. Put total 2K down, leasing for 557 a month for a 3 year 15K per year lease.
WEll, my lease ends in April of 09 and I already have 34K miles on it. I have a friend who wants to buy out the lease. My question is, should I let him do it? I would save the cost of brakes and tires, and excess mileage. The downside is, I would have to fork up another 1500 or so up front if I wanted to lease an 08. I see the MSRPs on the 08s are cheaper. What do you think? Do you think I could get a better monthly payment this time around? I would like to start over with the truck as my new driving habits make for less miles.
elzejb Posts: 1Hi, I am looking to lease an 08 4Runner in SW Florida but can't seem to find anything. I want leather, sunroof package and need to keep my total lease under $450/month including taxes. I need to know if this is possible. I need a 36 month, 15k miles, and $0 down outside of payments. This is through work so I have to stick with these parameters. Any help is appreciated.
Car man,
Was wondering if you might be able to advise. Am looking at a 2008 V6 Limited w/ carpet/cargo mats, JBL synthesis, Extra Value Pkg and Tow Hitch at Toyota Marin, CA, and am wondering whether the deal is good or not. Considering a 36 mo lease, 12000 miles, and nothing down.
Retail Price: $36975 w/ 1880 in accessories.
Dealer Price: 31909 w/ 1424 in access.
(For reference: Edmunds MSRP: 36975 w in 1560 access,
Invoice: 33017 with 1215 in access, and
TMV as 33,893 with 1326 in access.)
Cap cost = 36,774.
Residual: 22,046
No security deposit.
Monthly payment: $482.74
Monthly payment with tax: $520.37
I have been looking at a Volvo XC70 w/ the works ($42K selling price) and Touareg2 V6 w/ lux ($43K selling price) and have gotten quotes for (XC) $530/mo for 24 mo with nothing down and 10500 and (Touareg) $570/mo for a 36 mo lease (first month paid by VW), nothing down, 12000 miles, respectively. These cars are essentially $10K more yet their leases are fairly comparable.
Surely I can get a lower monthly payment, yes? But how??
Many, many thanks!
looking4asoob Posts: 10The Toyota website listed April lease incentives look great on the 4Runner. Lured me away from the Highlander. I have sent emails to the dealer to get the full details. Has anyone taken advantage of this yet?
What are the current going rates for the money factor and residual value for a 2008 limited 4runner?
The current money factor (which I will likely improve further in May) is .00087. Residuals after 24 mo: 23,525; after 36 mo; 21,306-22,046; after 48 mo. 18,198-18,938.
At least that is what I was told and what my paperwork reflects...
rjohnson1987 Posts: 5Where can I find the residual values and money factors for leases through Toyota Financial? Including any exta incentive through the Encore program.
I'm looking at a 4Runner Limited V8 with MSRP of $43494. Dealer has offered $38413 including rebate. I want a 36 month lease with 15K miles per year.
passat_mx Posts: 32Hi,
Does anyone know the residual and money factor for the 4Runner SR5 2WD, 3yrs, 15k miles per year? I'm in Southern California.
ez2beme00 Posts: 14Do you really think 4Runner lease offers will be lower in May? I was thinking about getting one this month but now I may wait.
I am no car guru. Just a participant in this forum. However, considering the current state of financial markets, dismal consumer spending, and poor auto sales, and given that Toyota March sales continue to be down from Feb. and that 4Runner sales are 34.4% less ytd, I am hedging my bets and guessing that better incentives (or at least not worse ones) are on the horizon. But again, I am NO expert. Do what's best for you.
Hi rjohnson1987. Toyota Financial Services' current buy rate lease money factor and residual value for a 36 month lease of a 2008 4Runner Limited V8 4WD with 15,000 miles per year are .00087 and 55%, respectively for consumers who qualify for its "Tier 1+" credit tier. Keep in mind though that TFS calculates vehicles' residual values differently than most banks do. Most banks just use a straight percentage of vehicles' full MSRPs including all options, but TFS places restrictions upon what options can be residualized. This makes it difficult to estimate what a lease payment will be on a lease through TFS.
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum
Hi passat_mx. Toyota Financial Services' current buy rate lease money factor and residual value for a 36 month lease of a 2008 Toyota 4Runner SR5 2WD with 15,000 miles per year are .00087 and 55%, respectively. Keep in mind though that TFS calculates vehicles' residual values differently than most banks do. Most banks just use a straight percentage of vehicles' full MSRPs including all options, but TFS places restrictions upon what options can be residualized. This makes it difficult to estimate what a lease payment will be on a lease through TFS.
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum
Hi ez2beme00. See my previous posts for an idea of what the 4Runner's current lease program is like. As far as what selling price you should pay goes, the 4Runner is a really nice truck...but with gas prices this high and the economy slowing down the market for SUVs is absolutely terrible right now. If you live in an area that has a decent level of competition, I suspect that you won't have much trouble finding a dealer that will sell you one for fairly close to dealer invoice.
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum
stratburst Posts: 2Shopping for an 08 4runner. A SE Toyota dealer quoted a .00119 Teir1 money factor with a 56% residual on a 48 month lease. I want a 36 month term but dealer states that its not an option. Can anyone confirm this? What should the Tier1 rate be on a 36 month, 48 month term be?
lilelvis Posts: 82I have been looking at late model 4runners, or even 2008s if the prices keep dropping. I generally don't lease since I figure I'm better off buying the car outright since I plan to hold onto the car for a long time.
That being said, is it a good time to enter into a 36 month lease and just negotiate the purchase price in three years since, in all likelihood, the resale will be far lower than what they are currently estimating? Or have the car companies already started dropping their expected values?
I'm a rookie when it comes to leasing - sorry if I am butchering terms. Money factor? Residuals? All pops and crackles to me :confuse:
Hi lilelvis. July marks the beginning of a new quarter, which is generally the time that banks make adjustments to vehicles' residual values. So most trucks' residuals dropped by a couple of points this month. Having said this, in my opinion most trucks residuals are still unrealistically high at this point. I thank my lucky stars every day that I am currently leasing my SUV. The bank that I am leasing it through is going to take an absolute bath on it.
By the way, since you are new to the world of leasing you definitely should check out the following informative articles that are available here at Edmunds.com prior to visiting any dealers: 10 Steps to Leasing a New Car and Calculate Your Own Lease Payment.
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum
matrsoskin Posts: 32Hi folks,
I thought I could share with you my outstanding lease experience with the Westboro Toyota (Boston area): 2008 4Runner V6 4WD Sport Edition, 36 months/12K miles per year, for $424/month with $424 due at signing. I flew in, drove back ~800 miles and still saved ~$1500 compared to the best offer I had received from the local dealers within the 300 miles radius.
The typically equipped SR5s can be leased for $399.75 with nothing down!
First time leaser and don't know what I should be looking at for a cap cost.
Right now looking at a 36 month lease on a '08 4Runner Limited V6 RWD. The dealer is quoting a cap cost of invoice, advertising fee, $10 gasoline charge, $434 for Sirius sat. radio, and $500 dealer "profit".
Is that something I should negotiate down on considering the economy and car buying climate?
Much thanks in advance for any/all help on this.
Hi paul9903. $500 over dealer invoice is a reasonable selling price for a 4Runner right now. I wouldn't have a problem paying that much to lease one. For additional feedback on how much you should pay for this truck, hop on over to the "Toyota 4Runner Prices Paid and Buying Experience" discussion.
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum
I am looking at the following:
Urban Runner Package
Sport Extra Value Package
Sale Price = 29,128
I want to lease and have to give back the $3,000 rebate to get the MF of .0005, but what is the residual value on there leasing for this model. Based on there website, a base model has a 59.8% residual value. Is this what I should use to calculate estimated payments? Please advise!
Also depends on where you are leasing. Because Priuses are selling like hotcakes and at MSRP in our area (NoCal), I was able to negotiate $1000 BELOW invoice on an '08 Urban Runner. The car had been on the lot for 2 months so I knew that they had already eaten through some of their potential profit from Toyota. Needless to say, they were willing to take a loss (a) because they could afford to do so due to the situation with the Priuses and (b) because they wanted/needed to move the car. Good luck.
Find a 4Runner Limited V6 2WD? Is it the state of the market or the fact that the '09's are coming in soon. I just am able to move forward on my lease and now nobody in the Southern California are can find the 4Runner I need with the navigation package included. Not in dire need (I have a work car as well), so do I just sit tight until the 2009 models roll off?
Also, how should I treat the lease of the 2009, will the cap cost/residual be similar to the 2008 quotes I have received?
bullynj Posts: 7Hi,
Im new here and live in NJ - I am looking at leasing a 2008 Toyota 4Runner SR5 cost here is 2700 down and 299 a month for 39 months. I have never leased before. Is leasing a good thing to do??
Welcome bullynj. Since you are new to the world of leasing, you definitely should check out the following informative articles that are available here at Edmunds.com prior to visiting any dealers: 10 Steps to Leasing a New Car and Calculate Your Own Lease Payment.
As far as the specific lease that you are interested in goes, I see that you are considering making a $2,700 down payment. This is not a good idea. I always advise consumers not to make large down payments on leased vehicles. Those who make them risk losing part or all of them if their vehicle is totaled. Even though it means that your monthly payment will be a little higher, you will be better off going with a zero down lease.
The best way to get a good deal on the 4Runner that you want is to negotiate as low a selling price as possible on it and then have the dealer that you are working with calculate your monthly payment using Toyota Financial Services' buy rate lease money factor. TFS' current buy rate for a 36 month lease of this truck in your state is an amazingly low .00001 for consumers who qualify for its Tier 1+ credit tier.
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum
asm0721 Posts: 13Car Man:
I am looking to get an 08 leftover in the Pittsburgh area. I was able to get a price of 30,350, $1000 below invoice. Now I am deciding if I want to buy or lease. We are currently leasing an 06 4runner now and have tier one+ with Toyota. What are the current residual values and money factors in the Pittsburgh area for an 08 4*4 Sport v6...
rsamerica1 Posts: 54Got quote today on an '08 4wd Limited w/ 4.0L 6 cyl with:
* 50 State Emissions
* Carpet Floor/Cargo Mat (5 or 6-Piece Set)
* Daytime Running Lights
* Exhaust Tip by Valor
* Limited EVP #1
* Power Tilt & Slide Sunroof
* Radio: JBL Synthesis AM/FM/In-Dash 6-CD
* Rear Spoiler w/Center High Mounted Stop Light
* Tow Hitch
* X-REAS Shock Absorbers
Without negotiating $33,500+ TTL ($3535 dealer "savings" / $2500 rebate).
Not sure, but curious to know 1) how this appears at first glance and 2) what the current residual value and Tier 1 money factor is for this at 12000 and 15000 miles per year for 36 months.
This discussion has been closed.


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Spotted: more checkerspots
May 10, 2004
By Scott Maben
The Register-Guard
CORVALLIS – It's fitting that a rare butterfly is proliferating in the hills west of here – the newfound population of up to 500 thrills conservationists and gives them hope that the colorful Taylor's checkerspot will fight back from near extinction.
The recent discovery ought to tickle Oregon State University fans, too: The butterfly has distinct orange and black checkers with white markings.
The new colony – along with a previously known population of about 1,000 on nearby private and county park land – accounts for about three-quarters of all Taylor's checkerspot known to exist. The rest are scattered across 10 sites in Western Washington.
"It's extremely exciting, because this is the largest population we have on publicly managed land," said Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of the Xerces Society. The Portland-based invertebrate conservation group has asked the federal government to declare Taylor's checkerspot an endangered species.
"We found the population where they're already trying to do habitat restoration," he said.
It's a pat on the back for Benton County, which has worked to improve habitat and preserve pockets of native prairie to accommodate the butterflies, which feed on wild strawberry, hairy cat's ear, rosy plectritis and other native wildflowers.
An ecologist looking for the species found the latest population in some meadows at the county-owned Beazell Memorial Forest north of Philomath late last month.
"It's an excellent indicator that we're doing something correctly," county Parks Director Jerry Davis said. "This shows we have some really nice property and what we're doing is not messing it up."
The management plan for the forest outlines oak preservation, meadow enhancement, habitat restoration and selective tree cutting as an ecological tool.
Significant loss of upland prairie in the Willamette Valley over the past century and a half has nearly wiped out the butterfly, Hoffman Black said.
Scientists estimate less than 1 percent of this important habitat remains in isolated spots that continue to be threatened by invasive weeds, encroaching fir trees and development.
"As the prairie habitat has gone, the butterfly has gone," Hoffman Black said.
Preserving what's left and opening up new habitat are essential steps toward preventing Taylor's checkerspot from disappearing forever, he said.
"Just like folks who have advocated for protecting the last of the old growth forests, we need to advocate for the last of the prairies," he said. "It may not be as dramatic, but it's just as important."
The Xerces Society began working to protect the butterfly and its habitat four years ago and has developed a close partnership with Benton County, which is trying to protect the largest population – about 1,000 – in and around the parks department's Fitton Green Natural Area, north of Philomath.
Hoffman Black's group also shares conservation ideas with private landowners who have meadows suitable for the insect.
But those efforts alone aren't enough, he said. The plight of the butterfly persuaded the society to pursue its first-ever lawsuit. It recently filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to place Taylor's checkerspot on the endangered species list.
The agency lists Taylor's checkerspot as a candidate for the list, but often it takes pressure from environmental groups to compel the agency to formally list a species.
Hoffman Black said the species was known to occupy more than 70 sites as recently as the mid-1970s. "We've lost at least 60 populations in the last 30 years," he said. "So we know this butterfly is endangered and needs to be protected. We do not want to sit on our hands."
Name: Taylor's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori)
Description: Orange and black checkers with white markings and a wingspan of less than 2 1/4 inches.
Past range: Grasslands, prairies and oak woodlands of Vancouver Island, Puget Sound basin and Willamette Valley.
Present range: Two populations west of Corvallis and 10 smaller populations near Olympia and Port Angeles, Wash. Only about 2,000 remain altogether.
Threats: Primarily habitat loss due to agricultural and urban development, fire suppression and forest encroachment, livestock grazing and invasion by native and non-native plants.


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Report: University of Texas Looks to Lock Down Mack Brown Through 2020January 23, 2012
ESPN.com is reporting that the University of Texas regents are meeting with only one item on the agenda, extending the contract of head coach Mack Brown.
The extension is necessary to quell rumors that Brown is closing in on retirement after two of his worst seasons as the Longhorn head coach.
Brown has been an icon at UT and has been rewarded greatly for his success. He is among the nation's highest paid coaches with an annual salary of over $5 million.
His current contract is through 2016, but the regents would like to see that extended to 2020.
An extension would not only quiet speculation of Brown's retirement, but would also give high school recruits more confidence that they won't experience a coaching change during their time at Texas.
Brown has consistently had top recruiting classes, but with 5-7 and 8-5 seasons the past two years, that could soon come to an end if the Longhorns don't get back on track soon.
The team showed growth and development this season with the defense getting better and young quarterbacks David Ash and Case McCoy emerging as leaders.
Once Brown finds his next full-time quarterback, there is little doubt that Texas will get back to winning quickly. The team is always loaded with talented weapons on offense. They simply need someone to lead the team and distribute the ball to the play makers.
Getting Mack Brown extended long term and putting rumors and distractions to rest is exactly what the University of Texas and their football team need to get back on top of the Big 12.


text: Hey, I've been searching online for a few hours now and I still haven't found any sort of answer to this problem. I've got an Ampeg B4R that makes a loud buzzing noise as soon as it's cut on. It doesn't matter if anythings plugged in or not, and volume and tone adjustments make have no effect on it. I've tried different basses, speaker cables, cabs, power cords, and outlets. I'm at my wits end. Has anyone figured out the solution to this problem?


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Poor Brett, it was meant to be his night but it ended in tears - notably not his - after he suffered a bone fracture on the basketball court.
What looked like a fairly innocuous stumble had serious consequences which one imagines is what happens when you have 166 kilograms of force behind you.
I did feel for the guy, it was actually stirring stuff seeing him set a goal and try to reach it. I hate to be a stick-in-the-mud but I don't believe he managed to complete the 15 laps in time, despite Shannan pushing him along. Is it just me or was that point slightly glossed over?
But never fear, Hayley tells us Brett is coming back to the show and we assume Shannan has been busy coming up with a new fracture-friendly training programme.
In the next segment the contestants faced the fridge, which has the potential to be both good and bad - a metaphor that is about as subtle as the show's editing. Really, the sight of those struggling with obesity doing their best to avoid the fridge is a tacky touch.
Janet and Kirsten reluctantly plucked a double pass off the shelf, but what is it for? We find out tonight and after the build up I expect nothing less than Ellen to be behind those gates but fear I will be bitterly disappointed. My fingers are now crossed for one of the Masterchef judges to join the show because, let's face it, this is a crossover that needs to happen.
Meanwhile, the action is heating up for The Biggest Loser off screen as the show is rocked by scandal. Scott Ellis reported that multiple contestants were evicted from the show after an "inappropriate relationship" became known. The matter is now with police.
And in news that will surprise no one, a psychologist believes the show does more harm than good in the way it places unrealistic expectations on the contestants and subjects them to further bullying under the guise of physical training. Who knew?


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Another of Daniel Alfredsson's guarantees has come true.
The Ottawa Senators are returning to the Air Canada Centre for Game 7 tomorrow night, just as their captain boldly predicted three days ago.
All that remains to be determined is whether the Sens can seal the deal and win this Eastern Conference quarter-final, as Alfredsson said they would.
By defeating the Maple Leafs 2-1 last night in double-overtime in Ottawa, the Sens staved off elimination and will live to see another day.
Mike Fisher was the hero, beating Leafs goalie Ed Belfour at 1:47 of the second overtime period to extend this Battle of Ontario to a one-game, winner-take-all Showdown in Hogtown.
Alfredsson is on a bit of a roll, having predicted before Game 4 that the Sens would break Belfour's shutout streak.
"It was a hard-fought game," Leafs forward Joe Nieuwendyk said as he scurried for the team bus. "We would have liked to end it now but this is no time to hang our heads.
"It just shows the importance of winning that final regular-season game."
Nieuwendyk was referring to the Leafs' 6-0 blowout of the Sens on April 3, a victory that allowed Toronto to finish one point ahead of Ottawa in the Eastern Division standings.
The result was home-ice advantage for Toronto in the first round, an edge the Leafs now will attempt to exploit.
"That's what you play 82 games for," defenceman Bryan McCabe said. "It's something you hope you don't have to use, but now that we're in this position we'll take it."
The Leafs again played without captain Mats Sundin, who also is doubtful for tomorrow night, coach Pat Quinn said. Sundin has missed the past two games with an injury to his upper left leg.
Before last night's game the Leafs were 4-0 in playoff overtime decisions against the Senators. But that is ancient history. Just ask Fisher.
When the Sens' Antoine Vermette managed to squeeze past Aki Berg's attempted pin behind the Toronto net and hit Fisher with a perfect cross-crease feed, the Ottawa forward needed only tap the puck across the goal line to send the capacity crowd of 18,500 at the Corel Centre into a frenzy.
With Berg out of position, defence partner Bryan Marchment helplessly found himself in no man's land.
"There were two guys to cover and I had to go right to the guy who was on the post," Marchment said, referring to Vermette. "I tried to stop the puck with my skate but I couldn't."
"It was an honest response by our defenceman (Berg) but their kid slipped off it," Quinn said.
McCabe's power-play goal at 4:14 of the first period -- a shot that deflected off the skate of Sens defenceman Brian Pothier -- held up until 4:55 of the third when Sens man-mountain Zdeno Chara tied the game 1-1.
Chara used all of his 6-foot-9 frame to fend off checkers while circling the net, then came out in front and snapped a quick shot past Belfour. The goal snapped Belfour's shutout streak at 116 minutes 55 seconds.
The Leafs almost took the lead with 90 seconds remaining in regulation time when Ron Francis took a Gary Roberts feed only to clank one off the post.
"It was that close," Francis said. "Now it's down to one game with everything on the line."
The key play in Game 6:
- Aki Berg lost Antoine Vermette behind the Toronto goal. Vermette reversed his field and broke away from Berg to the side of the net, the Leafs went to help Berg and left Mike Fisher alone for the goal.
Fisher nets OT winner
MIKE ZEISBERGER -- Toronto Sun
, Last Updated: 4:53 PM ET


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In the middle of last year CTIA-The Wireless Association, along with various wireless companies and a range of law enforcement agencies, announced that it would create a couple of databases to prevent reactivation of stolen phones. The first database was for GSM and CDMA phones. That was successfully implemented towards the end of last year. Now a few days before its self-imposed deadline, CITA President and CEO Steve Largent has announced that the 4G/LTE database has been implemented and is ready for action.
What has happened is that U.S. providers have created a common database for LTE smartphones so that stolen phones can not be activated on any LTE network in the U.S. There is also interoperability with appropriate international LTE stolen mobile smartphone databases. "As more countries and more carriers around the world participate in the 3G and 4G/LTE databases, criminals will have fewer outlets since these stolen phones would be blacklisted and could not be reactivated," said Largent.
Criminals will have fewer outlets since these stolen phones would be blacklisted and could not be reactivated.
However this isn't a blanket solution to stop smartphone theft. Smartphone owners need to remain vigilant and use services like the Android Device Manager to locate stolen phones and remotely wipe the phone if necessary. CITA also provides a list of anti-theft protection apps for Android smartphones. "We also remind consumers to pay attention to their surroundings. Similar to your purse or wallet, it's best to not call attention to your smartphone and create an opportunity for a thief to steal it," added Largent.
The implementation of the 4G/LTE database was the final step proposed by CITA back in April of 2012. The other steps, all of which have been implemented, included:
- Notify consumers of features to secure/lock smartphones with passwords.
- Educate consumers about features to secure/lock smartphones with passwords.
- Educate consumers about applications to remotely lock/locate/erase data from smartphones.
- Educate consumers about smartphone theft, protections and preventative measures.
Do you have a smartphone theft horror story? Please share it with us by leaving a comment below.


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Papal Audience: Prayer Makes Salvation Secure
BY Edward Pentin
| Posted 8/1/12 at 2:43 PM
At his weekly general audience today, Pope Benedict XVI praised the 18th century Italian St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, in particular his teaching on the importance of prayer as necessary for salvation.
The founder of the Redemptorist Order, the Holy Father recalled, describes prayer as "a means necessary to salvation and the graces we need to achieve it" – a sentence, the Pope added, that "synthesizes Alphonsian understanding of prayer."
The 18th century saint "wanted us to understand that in every situation of life we need to pray, especially in times of trial and difficulty," the Pope said, recalling the saint's famous maxim: "He who prays is certainly saved; he who does not pray is certainly damned."
"To save one's soul without prayer is most difficult, and even [as we have seen] impossible…but by praying our salvation is made secure, and very easy," St. Alphonsus wrote.
Reflecting on the saint's words, the Pope said: "Only through prayer can we accept Him, His grace, which, by illuminating us in every situation, helps us discern the truth, and, by fortifying us, renders our will capable of implementing what we know to be good."
He continued: "We often know what is good, but are incapable of doing it. Through prayer, we can. The disciple of the Lord knows he is always exposed to temptation and in prayer never fails to ask God for help conquer it."
Vatican Radio has the full text of the Holy Father's catechesis from today.
The Pope quotes from St. Alphonsus's 1759 book: "Prayer: The Great Means of Salvation and of Perfection" – a work which the saint considered "the most useful of his writings," the Pope said.
Thankfully, the book can be read online - almost in its entirety - here.
Copyright © 2013 EWTN News, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Girl, 3, is struck and killed by SUV
Published 6:11 am, Tuesday, January 3, 2012
A 3-year-old girl died in a traffic collision when she darted out of a ditch into a street in southeast Montgomery County Monday afternoon, officials said.
Amy Collier died in the collision, which happened in a residential area on Legends Estate Drive at East Legends Trail about 4 p.m., according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Troopers said Collier was rushed to Memorial Hermann hospital in The Woodlands, where she was pronounced dead.
No other injuries were reported.
Troopers said the driver of a 2008 BMW was traveling on Legends Estate Drive and stopped at stop sign at a three-way intersection. The driver then began to turn left onto East Legends Trail and the child went into the street from a nearby drainage ditch, trooper said.
No other information was immediately available.


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Small companies gaining greater access to creditFriday, October 1st, 2010
Small businesses had much easier access to credit in the third quarter of this year, according to figures from the Bank of England.
From the survey of UK lenders, the Bank suggested that restrictions on borrowing are doing less to hamper companies than first thought. The survey showed more lenders reporting increased access to credit than a decline, giving a balance of 27 per cent, up from a balance of 13 per cent in second quarter, and minus 1 per cent in the first quarter.
Economists predict that this improvement in access will go a long way to ease fears that smaller companies have been frozen out of the borrowing markets.
While access has become easier, however, the demand for it still shows that businesses are excercising great caution, amid continued economic uncertainty. The Bank reported, "The uncertain economic environment was constraining investment-related demand for new lending."
The Bank of England's head of markets, Paul Fisher, said there were positive signs on what remained, however, there was also likely to be a long road to recovery. He added, "It is clear that the lending capacity of the banking system, in the UK and elsewhere, is impaired and will take some years yet to recover. Some banks need to continue de-risking and deleveraging."


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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Daniel Montaldi had resigned from his Florida post six months ago because he was seen as too sympathetic to offenders.
He was hired in Wisconsin to evaluate sex offenders at the Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center in Mauston and recommend to court officials which ones should be released. But Gov. Scott Walker told reporters Wednesday that he was not happy with the choice.
"I wasn't pleased with it. It's a civil service hire so ... the last two days we've been looking at what legal means we have to try to seek an alternative there," Walker said. "My hope is we'll have an answer by the end of today to do that."
Department of Health Services spokeswoman Stephanie Smiley said late Wednesday that the verbal offer of employment to Montaldi had been withdrawn. She said he had not received any pay from the state.
"The department will continue to protect the public by operating the program with existing resources as it has during this vacancy. Next steps for recruitment of this position have yet to be determined," Smiley said.
Montaldi did not respond to phone messages left by the newspaper for comment.
The Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel found the number of potential predators identified by the state dropped by more than 50 percent under Montaldi's leadership. It also uncovered an essay in which he said he believes sex offenders are "statistically unlikely to reoffend."
"This is a guy who has a catch-and-release approach to violent sexual predators," Florida state Rep. Matt Gaetz said this week. "Mr. Montaldi is a bad egg. We're just glad he's out of Florida."
Gaetz said Montaldi resigned as he was about to be called before the Criminal Justice Subcommittee to address recent failures in that state's sex offender program.