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WACO School Board takes bus north to Washington
WAYLAND — WACO School Board members jumped in with both feet Monday night.
Continuing its movement northward, the board approved sharing its transportation program with the Washington Community School District.
The two districts had been sharing a director of transportation for several years, but now Washington will administer WACO's transportation program.
Monday night's decision, however, did not come without considerable discussion before unanimously approving the 28E agreement.
"We need more numbers if I am going to approve something like this. They have to give us some numbers. What if it costs $50,000 more?" asked board member Todd Meyer.
Meyer, following the release of some numbers which revealed transportation costs would remain basically the same, later made the motion to approve the 28E agreement.
Terms of the three-year agreement have WACO bus drivers becoming employees of the Washington Community School District. Woody Hardin, Washington and WACO transportation director, said current WACO regular route and substitute drivers "are more than welcome and encouraged to apply for driving positions with the Washington Community schools for the WACO District driving positions."
Washington also will handle:
• All driver continuing education;
• Maintaining driver certifications and online records;
• Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals;
• New driver training (CDL) and setting up new drivers on the 17-hour online course;
• Online vehicle reporting (keeping vehicle list current and bus inspection repair reporting);
• Evacuation drills;
• Substitute drivers (providing them when needed);
• Driver evaluations.
WACO will continue to supply school buses for its routes. The district also would continue to have coaches transport teams to athletic events.
The district, however, is faced with a deteriorating fleet of buses.
"We have been limping along and making it work," Superintendent of Schools Pat Coen said regarding the buses. "A couple of the buses are rusted through and one has a blown head gasket. We have several that are over 10 years old. They are going to start bleeding us."
Coen proposed leasing six buses from School Bus Sales of Cedar Rapids. He said the district, which needs nine buses for routes and activities, could lease six buses for $85,000 annually.
Money for the lease would be paid through the district's School Infrastucture Local Option (SILO) tax receipts, noted Carrie Coble, school business manager.
"We have more than enough money to afford this," Coble informed the board.
She said the district receives between $300,000 and $450,000 annually in SILO revenue.
The lease payment also could be made from the physical plant and equipment levy fund (PPEL) or a combination of SILO and PPEL funds, but Coble said there wouldn't always be enough money in the PPEL account for the payment. Currently, the district's PPEL balance is $126,000 which Coble said "is the highest since I have been here."
Directors also were told that other school vehicles (vans, etc.) are running on borrowed time.
WACO board members also approved riverboat grant applications for a rubberized playground surface, enrichment activities and technology (1:1 initiative and laptop computers for faculty member).
Brandt Snakenberg, elementary school principal, told the board that there are technology infrastructure issues at the elementary school which need addressing.
"We have to improve our infrastructure at the elementary school and we have to decide where we want to go as a school. We just need a broader discussion on things we need at the elementary school, develop a plan for where we are at and where we are going," he said.
Snakenberg said he will be organizing a committee to develop a plan for the elementary school and asked for a board representative. Director Gary Brose was drafted to serve on the panel.
The principal said the state is moving away from the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) for elementary-school students to a web-based assessment. He said current infrastructure at the elementary school could not handle the increased demand.
"We need a discussion not only on technology infrastructure needs but our broader needs. We need to discuss where we want to go before we jump down the rabbit's hole," Snakenberg remarked.
Directors also approved a one-year contract for Dr. Darrell Smith to serve as superintendent for the 2013-14 school year. Now retired, Smith, a Swedesburg resident, was WACO superintendent from 2002-2008. He will be made $25,000 for a minimum 100-day contract.
In other agenda items, the board:
• Approved the early graduation request of Virginia Trinkle. Trinkle is a junior but will have fulfilled graduation requirements at the conclusion of the school year.
• Approved the resignations of instructors Lynita Stambaugh and Ralph O. Kaufman III and cheerleading sponsor Tammy Sinn.
• Approved contracts for Millie Youngquist, musical director for the high school musical this spring; Bert Miller, quiz bowl sponsor; and Dyann Graber, special education teaching associate.
School board members meet again in regular session Monday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school media center at Wayland.


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_Note that the dressing should be started well ahead of serving, to allow the shallots to mellow in the vinegar._
2 small to medium shallots, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar, or more as needed
1 garlic clove, grated on a Microplane
Kosher salt
4 or 5 fresh basil leaves, smashed a bit between your fingers
1/2 cup olive oil
Good tomatoes, sliced
Fresh corn, cut from the cob
For garnish:
Fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
In a small bowl, combine the shallots, vinegar, garlic, and a pinch of salt. The vinegar should just cover the shallots; if it doesn't, add a splash more. Let sit at room temperature for an hour or more, until the shallots have given up their raw flavor. Then add the basil leaves and olive oil, and whisk well. Taste, and add salt as needed. If the shallots are too strong or bitter, you can fix that with a pinch or two of sugar. Set dressing aside at room temperature, ideally for at least 30 minutes, to allow the basil to release its fragrance. Remove the basil before serving.
Arrange some sliced tomatoes on a platter, and top with corn kernels (about 1 ear of corn for every 2 or 3 tomatoes). Spoon dressing generously over. Garnish with thinly sliced fresh basil.
3 tablespoons butter
Kernels from 3 ears fresh corn
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed if desired, minced
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high until bubbling. Add the corn, scallions, and jalapeño. Cook until the corn begins to brown and stick to the bottom of the pan, about 10 minutes, lowering the heat if necessary. Add water and scrub the bottom of the pan with the spatula to dislodge the extremely delicious brown bits. When the water has boiled off, add salt to taste. Off the heat, add lime juice and serve immediately with additional lime wedges.
Yield: 4 side-dish servings


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A Carnival Cruise Line ship damaged by fishing nets near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, returned to the Port of Long Beach on Monday morning, one day later than scheduled.
Carnival Splendor's propulsion shafts were damaged by the nets and repair work scheduled for Thursday night took longer than expected, Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said.
The ship left Puerto Vallarta on Friday afternoon for the roughly two-day trip back to Long Beach. While the repairs were made, the ship's services continued to function normally, Gulliksen said.
Due to the delay, passengers scheduled to leave Sunday on a Mexican cruise had their departure put off by one day. Their cruise will be shortened from six days to five, Gulliksen said. Passengers will receive a one-day refund and were given a $50 credit. They were also given the option of canceling without fees, Gulliksen said.
The Splendor, which has a capacity of 3,006 passengers, has had some trouble in recent years. During a Mexican cruise in November 2010, the ship had a fire in its engine room, cutting electrical power. Crews put out the fire, but the ship could not regain electricity and it was towed to San Diego.
In February 2012, 22 passengers from the Splendor were robbed at gunpoint while riding on a bus near Puerto Vallarta, according to news reports.
Follow Brian Sumers on Twitter at http://twitter.com/briansumers


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Don't Listen to Us
When you see us - your political leaders, and me - in our impotence, our cowardice, our blindness and our folly, use your own judgment.
At our age, a man begins to develop a certain interest in the black-bordered notices on the obituary page. You find friends and acquaintances there every day. Those who live long become sought-after eulogizers. Eulogizing becomes a way of life.
The mourners of Zion and Jerusalem are happy, even in their sorrow, to invite VIPs, and especially politicians, to say "a few words" at the graveside that transform private grief into public grief. And the VIPs, for their part, are loath to turn down a grieving family. Sometimes they know the deceased personally, as a childhood friend. Sometimes they don't remember him at all, or very vaguely. Recollections of the deceased may be so faint that the eulogizer has no choice but to scrape up words from the funeral parlor floor or trot out the old cliches used on such occasions from time immemorial. It is not unheard of for a desperate eulogizer to quote David's famous lament for Saul and Jonathan. So is it any surprise that we don't always see the person for the shrouds? Was the dearly departed a contributor, or the kind who pocketed contributions?
Actually, these sad "post-mortem" musings favorably point to the eulogy of Israel's president at the graveside of a certain "peace activist," one which was surprisingly original. "We were angry at Abie Nathan for not doing as others did. We were angry at him for crossing borders, for breaking laws. But woe to us if he had listened to us," said Shimon Peres.
That is not as simple and self-evident as it sounds. There is much more profundity and meaning in this statement than the brain can absorb in one sitting. It also sheds new light on our history and those who star in it. Words fly out of our mouths and disappear before we know it, but this remark is bound to linger for a long time to come.
First, it is clear the president knew who the deceased was, despite being overloaded with official duties, which can tend to be confusing. Secondly, it has taken nearly 30 years, but the accused has had his name cleared and his reputation restored in a grand public gesture. When we visited the prisoner in jail every Shabbat and brooded over the reasons for his arrest, Israel's future president was already sitting there, writing notes for a beautiful eulogy. Imagine that.
So it was worthwhile, Abie. Every minute behind lock and key was worthwhile. Not only have you been pardoned, but you have been set up as a role model.
Thirdly - and most importantly - everyone knows that Peres is not a man imprisoned in the past. He is always looking forward, to the future, to his dreams. If not for the shackles of political life and collective responsibility that have chained him down, his young, subversive spirit would have soared long ago.
And what this spirit is saying to us today is this: Don't be so impressed by our anger and our outbursts of fury. One day, the anger will subside and be replaced by applause. In your lifetime, you will be penalized, but in death you will be celebrated. We come not to bury you but to praise you.
When you see us - your political leaders, and me - in our impotence, our cowardice, our blindness and our folly, use your own judgment. Follow your conscience. Don't pay attention to our nonsense. Woe to you if you listen to us. And don't say I didn't warn you.
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When a merchant needs financing to buy products, suppliers often rely on the business's reputation when deciding whether to extend it credit. This is relatively easy to do when the supplier has worked with the same buyers for years, or they have a strong standing in the industry. When the business is half the world away, however, lending can be a riskier proposition.
One way to resolve this issue is the use of banker's acceptances. These are time drafts that a business can order from the bank. The financial institution promises to pay the exporting firm a specific amount on a specific date, at which time it recoups its money by debiting the importer's account. A banker's acceptance, or BA, works much like a post-dated check, which is simply an order for a bank to pay a specified party at a later date. The holder may choose to sell the BA for a discounted price on a secondary market, giving investors a relatively safe, short-term investment.
BAs are frequently used in international trade because of advantages for both sides. Exporters often feel safer relying on payment from a reputable bank than a business with which it has little if any history. Once the bank verifies, or "accepts", a time draft, it becomes a primary obligation of that institution.
The importer may turn to a banker's acceptance when it has trouble obtaining other forms of financing, or when a BA is the least expensive option. The advantage of borrowing is that it receives the goods and has the opportunity to resell them before making payment to the bank.
Discounting the Acceptance
To understand banker's acceptances as an investment, it's important to understand how businesses use them in global trade. Here's one fairly typical example. An American company, Clear Signal Electronics, decides to purchase 100 televisions from Dresner Trading, a German exporter. After completing a trade agreement, Clear Signal approaches its bank for a letter of credit. This letter of credit makes the bank the intermediary responsible for completing the transaction.
Once Dresner ships the goods, it sends the appropriate documents – typically through its own financial institution – to the paying bank in the United States. The exporter now has a couple choices. It could keep the acceptance until maturity, or it could sell it to a third party, perhaps to the very bank responsible for making the payment. In this case, Dresner receives an amount less than the face value of the draft, but it doesn't have to wait on the funds.
When a bank buys back the acceptance at a lower price, it is said to be "discounting" the acceptance. If Clear Signal's bank does this, it essentially has the same choices that Dresner had. It could hold the draft until it matures, which is akin to extending the importer a loan. More commonly, though, it replenishes its funds by rediscounting the acceptance – in other words, selling it for a discounted price on the secondary market. It could market the BAs itself, especially if it's a larger bank, or enlist a securities brokerage to perform the task.
Acceptance as an Investment
Since an acceptance is a short-term, negotiable agreement, it acts much like other money market instruments. Like a Treasury bill, the investor buys the bank draft at a discounted price and gets the full face value upon maturity. The difference between the discount and face value determines the yield. In most cases, the maturity date is within 30 to 180 days.
Banker's Acceptances do not trade on an exchange, but rather through large banks and securities dealers. As such, most dealers don't supply bid and ask prices, but rather negotiate the price with the prospective investor, often a fund manager. Average BA yields are published in the Wall Street Journal, proving a useful guide to investors pursuing this vehicle.
Pricing of these drafts largely depends on the reputation and size of the paying bank. Those with a strong credit rating can usually sell their acceptances for a lower yield, as they're believed to have little chance of defaulting on their obligation. Institutions that sell a large volume of BAs also enjoy an advantage in this regard.
While banks often sell their acceptances through dealers in New York and other major financial centers, they may use their branch network to supplement sales. The bank's staff will often contact local investors, who are generally interested in smaller transactions, not those of $1 million or more that many fund managers pursue. Local investors often accept a smaller yield and, because the bank circumvents dealers, its selling expenses can be much less.
Risks and Rewards
An acceptance provides the opportunity for a modest profit, with yields generally somewhere above those of T-bills. However, BAs provide a couple key benefits for the investor. For example, since they don't have to be held until maturity, holders have the flexibility to resell them if they so choose.
They're also relatively safe, particularly when the paying bank enjoys a strong credit rating. The bank carries primary responsibility for the payment. Because of the tremendous risk to its reputation if it can't fund an acceptance, most banks that provide acceptances are well-known, highly rated institutions.
However, even if the bank lacks necessary cash to make the payment, the investor receives added protection from other parties involved in the transaction. The importer is secondarily liable for the acceptance, and the exporter has a contingent obligation. In fact, any investors that have bought or sold the instrument on the open market carry any obligation for the draft.
The Bottom Line
A banker's acceptance can be a sound investment for those seeking to balance higher-risk investments in their portfolio, or for those focusing on asset preservation. On the risk/reward spectrum, a BA is toward the very bottom, just ahead of the Treasury bill.
Because banker's acceptance pricing is negotiated between buyer and seller, investors who do their research stand the best chance of getting a competitive rate. This is especially true given the volatile nature of BA pricing. In the course of a single day, yields can go up or down significantly. As such, it's important to look up yields in the Wall Street Journal or a reputable website before making a purchase. In light of the bank's primary obligation for an acceptance, any quotes should reflect its reputation and credit rating.
When a merchant needs financing to buy products, suppliers often rely on the business's reputation when deciding whether to extend it credit. This is relatively easy to do when the supplier has worked with the same buyers for years, or they have a strong standing in the industry. When the business is half the world away, however, lending can be a riskier proposition.


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If an item you ordered from TextbookRush does not meet your expectations due to an error on our part, simply fill out a return request and then return it by mail within 30 days of ordering it for a full refund of item cost.
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All the information you need in one place! Each Study Brief is a summary of one specific subject; facts, figures, and explanations to help you learn faster.
List price: $7.99Copyright year: 1989Publisher: Beach Lane BooksPublication date: 8/1/2000Binding: PaperbackPages: 40Size: 8.50" wide x 11.00" long x 0.25" tall Weight: 0.330Language: English
Children's writer Bill Martin, Jr. was born and raised in Hiawatha, Kansas. Ironically, the future early childhood educator had difficulty reading until he taught himself, before graduating with a teaching certificate from Emporia State University. After graduation, he taught high school drama and journalism in Kansas. He served in the Army Air Force as a newspaper editor during World War II. He wrote his first book, The Little Squeegy Bug, for his brother, Bernard, an artist, to illustrate while recuperating from war wounds. It was published in 1945 and the brothers would go on to collaborate on 10 more books by 1955. He earned a master's degree and doctorate in early childhood education from Northwestern University and became principal of an elementary school in Evanston, Ill., where he developed innovative reading programs. In 1962 Martin moved to New York City to become editor of the school division of Holt, Rhinehart and Winston where he developed the literature-based reading programs Sounds of Language and The Instant Readers. Martin returned to full-time writing in 1972 and ended up writing over three hundred children's books during his career. His titles include; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See?, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you Hear?, The Ghost-Eye Tree, Barn Dance, and Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom. He died on August 11, 2004 at the age of 88.
Lois Ehlert was born November 9, 1934, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and the Layton School of Art. She has also worked as an art teacher, freelance illustrator, and designer. Her work as an author and an illustrator has appeared in countless publications and has received numerous awards and honors. In addition to creating books, Ehlert has produced toys, games, clothes for children, posters, brochures, catalogs, and banners. She has received the Caldecott Honor Book, 1989, for Color Zoo, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for Snowballs, the Booklist Editors' Choice for Cuckoo/Cuc�: A Mexican Folktale/Un Cuento Folkl�rico Mexicano, the IRA Teachers' Choice and NCTE Notable Children's Trade Book in the Language Arts for Feathers for Lunch, the American Library Association Notable Children's Book and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.
John Archambault is a poet, journalist, and storyteller who worked with Bill Martin Jr on several projects. He lives in Idyllwild, California.
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A motorcyclist who was hit by a drunk driver on Long Island Friday night is in critical condition, police said.
Karen Labarbera, 52, of East Northport was driving her motorcycle on Pulaski Road in Greenlawn at around 7:15 p.m. when she was hit by Connie O'Hara, 51, of Huntington, police said.
Labarbera was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital by police helicopter with head and leg injuries and is in critical condition, according to officials.
O'Hara was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, authorities said.
Information on a lawyer for O'Hara was not immediately available.
Published at 9:35 AM EDT on Aug 31, 2013 | Updated at 10:49 AM EDT on Aug 31, 2013


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Punk LED Collar Kit – Red LEDs – Make your own studded choker with an LED twist! This kit of parts comes with all the materials you'll need for a punk style LED collar. Ten juicy diffused red LEDs adorn a high-quality black leather collar that fits necks 12-15 inches (30 to 38 centimeters).
Attach the included battery holder and potentiometer, used to adjust the brightness of the LEDs. The simple circuit is powered by a single CR2032 battery (we provide an extra for maximum glow time). Follow our project tutorial (soldering required) to build your own punk LED collar and be the star of your next party or parade!
- Leather collar size S/M – (collar measures measures 18″ x 1″ x 0.1″/457mm x 25mm x 2.74mm)
- 10 x 10mm diffused red LEDs
- Sewable coin cell CR2032 battery holder
- Strip of faux suede fabric to line collar
- 1K trimpot small potentiometer
- Small piece of wire
- 2 x CR2032 coin cell batteries
You'll need some very common electronics tools to make this project:
- Soldering iron and solder
- Wire cutters and wire stripper (or a tool that does both)
- Pliers
- 3rd hand tool or Panavise or some other way to keep your work steady
- A basic multimeter is handy as well
- Fine tip curved tweezers make assembly a breeze
And just a few craft supplies:
- Craft knife or utility blade
- E6000 or similar craft glue
- Ruler
- Marker or pencil
Project assistance and modeling by Risa Rose!
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1 Comment
Fun project!
We did something similar as a workshop for kids at the WebVisions Barcelona conference. Used the project to introduce electronics concepts and basic soldering skills. Once you've got it down, you can mix up LED colors and band colors to match your outfit or just your preferences. Good next steps skill builders include getting the LEDs to blink in sequence with another pot to control speed.
Awesome to see this as a kit!
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.


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Hi all,
we are purchasing SSL certificate for our Exchange 2010. Iam confusing in SAN entries part of CSR. our vendor has asked to just enter the common name in the CSR. we use email.domain.com to access our emails. so my question is what should be the common name
in CSR "domain.com" or "email.domain.com" ? please reply faster as i have to submit the CSR today
Thanks in advance
Martina Miskovic
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Winner: Budget Cuts Cannot Compromise School Safety
Albany, N.Y., January 29 –State Senator George Winner (R-C-I, Elmira) said today that he'll be urging the new Democratic leadership of the state Senate to follow the lead of Republicans when they held control of the chamber in 2008 and immediately reject a proposal to reassign nearly 100 New York State Troopers currently working as "school resource officers" (SROs) in schools across New York.
Former Governor Eliot Spitzer attempted a similar move two years ago and was met with swift and strong opposition from Winner and other Senate Republicans. The proposal was subsequently left out of the final 2008-2009 state budget.
In his 2010-2011 proposed budget, Governor David Paterson has again proposed to reassign 90 SROs statewide.
"One responsibility you never turn your back on is safe schools," said Winner. "This proposal lacks common sense. It threatens the security, safety and quality of our schools. It should immediately be rejected by legislative leaders."
Winner said that he will also continue to urge New York's federal representatives to provide aid for SROs, as recently suggested by area Congressman Eric Massa.
In 2008, Winner was an outspoken opponent of the reassignment of SROs locally and across New York. He reminded colleagues throughout that year's budget negotiations that a March 2008 incident at the Greater Southern Tier BOCES campus involving Trooper Pat Stickler, the school resource officer, underscored the need to reject the proposed reassignment.
Winner was referring to a March 14, 2008 incident in which Richard Lindsay of North Hornell attacked his estranged wife outside the BOCES campus in Coopers Plains. After ramming his wife's minivan with a U-Haul truck, Lindsay dragged her out of the overturned vehicle and attacked her with the butt end of an assault rifle. Stickler, with the assistance of two school administrators, stopped the attack, disarmed Lindsay and brought him into custody with no shots being fired.
"If Trooper Stickler had not been there, I don't even want to imagine the tragedy that could have unfolded," said Winner.
At a legislative hearing in Albany in February 2008, Winner said that State Police officials made a compelling case for the critical role that State Trooper SROs play in ensuring a safe learning environment, as well as in fighting crime in local communities. In that school year alone, State Police SROs responded to more than 2,500 criminal calls, made over 1,000 arrests and confiscated nearly 100 illegal weapons. It was further noted that SROs intervened to prevent more than 170 potential suicides and regularly act as mentors to troubled students.


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More Syrian troops 'head to Homs'
Army reinforcements, including tanks, are heading towards the city of Homs, a Syria-based activist has claimed.
Syria-based activist Mustafa Osso said he does not think the regime will be able to retake Homs through military force as residents plan to fight until "the last person". He added that Homs is facing "savage shelling that does not differentiate between military or civilian targets".
Rami Abdul-Rahman, who heads British-based activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said he expects the regime to try retake the Baba Amr district of Homs.
The Observatory said that the latest shelling of Baba Amr killed five civilians. In neighbouring Lebanon, security officials said at least three wounded Syrians were brought for treatment in the eastern town of Chtoura. The officials said the wounded came from the Baba Amr attacks.
Clashes between military rebels and Syrian forces are growing more frequent and the defectors have managed to take control of small pieces of territory in the north as well as parts of Homs province, which is Syria's largest stretching from the border with Lebanon in the west to Iraq and Jordan in the east. Increasingly, Syria appears to be heading towards an all-out civil war.
Assad's authoritarian regime may be trying to subdue Homs - an important stronghold for anti-Assad groups - before a planned referendum on Sunday on a new constitution. The charter would allow a bigger role for political opposition to challenge Assad's Baath Party, which has controlled Syria since a 1963 coup.
But the leaders of the uprising against Assad have dismissed the referendum as an attempt at superficial reforms that do nothing to crack the regime's hold on power. Assad still counts on support from Iran and allies such as Russia, which fears losing its main Arab partner. But his government is facing escalating pressure and isolation from Western and Arab states.
Mr Osso said the three convoys heading toward Homs comprise dozens of vehicles from the eastern suburbs of the capital Damascus, an area that was reclaimed by Assad troops from rebels late last month.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross has announced it is trying to broker a humanitarian ceasefire in Syria. ICRC spokeswoman Carla Haddad said the group is "discussing several possibilities with all those concerned and it includes a cessation of fighting in the most affected areas".
She said that the Geneva-based aid group has been in talks with Syrian authorities and opposition groups for some time but attempts to negotiate a ceasefire were "an important new step".


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The summer has drawn to a close, and it's time for parents to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year – the one that starts with kids back in school and culminates with year-end holidays. As equity investors, we too wonder if this is the most wonderful time of the year – for stocks.
What kind of performance can investors expect in the year's final quarter? To find out, we began by looking at the historical quarterly performance of Canadian stocks, using returns from January, 1956, until June, 2013. We focused on the median (middle) values for each quarter, which we believe are a better indicator than averages since they are not as affected by extreme values.
The results in the accompanying table show that the fourth quarter has historically offered the best returns for Canadian stocks. Of equal interest is that the results for all four quarters are positive. This means that an investor in Canadian stocks should reasonably expect, at the median, to earn a positive return in each quarter, an indication that investors who try to time the market are truly fighting an uphill battle.
Moving on to the U.S. market, our analysis of index returns over the past 50 years yields results similar to those in Canada. The table illustrates that, for both the S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones industrial average, all four quarters offer positive median returns. In addition, the fourth quarter produces the highest median performance by a wide margin.
Measuring the returns of the index is useful since it provides us with an expectation of likely performance. We also find it useful to understand the likelihood of generating positive returns since consistency is a key goal when investing. The bottom half of the accompanying table summarizes the odds of generating a positive return by quarter, based on historical patterns.
These results suggest two important conclusions. First, the odds of generating a positive return are better than 50-50 for both Canadian and U.S. stocks in each quarter: This means the odds favour a "stay invested" strategy in both markets. Second, the odds of generating a positive return are highest in the fourth quarter.
Not only does the fourth quarter offer the highest returns, it also offers the most consistently positive returns. Why is this so? Nobody knows definitively. However, we do have some suspicions that we'd like to share with you.
- Investors return from summer hibernation. Investor activity tends to slow down in the summer time. As the leaves change however, many investors feel the need to "catch up" and the relative frenzy of activity in the fourth quarter helps propel stocks higher.
- Smart investors get in before the flood. The deadline for making an RRSP contribution is March 1 and most investors wait until the very end. Smart investors position themselves ahead of the pack, and the extra activity pushes up prices of stocks in the fourth quarter.
- Institutional investors engage in window dressing. As the year nears its end, fund managers will often buy stocks that have already enjoyed strong performance. (They know they must publish their portfolios at year end and they want to look good.) The additional activity causes these stocks to rise even further.
- It's bonus time! Canadian banks typically pay performance bonuses late in the year after their October year-ends. In 2012, over $10-billion in bonuses were reportedly handed out! We suspect that a meaningful portion of these bonuses finds its way into the stock market.
Whatever the reason, the fourth quarter has proven to be the year's best for North American stocks. As we head into October, don't be surprised if you hear investors whistling "It's the most wonderful time of the year."
David Fruitman, CFA, is vice-president and portfolio manager at STYLUS Asset Management Inc.; Brennan Carson, CFA, is vice-president of client service and business development at the same firm.


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Lucas Co. Alerts now available
Tue, 08 Oct 2013 18:27:04 GMT —
There is a new way for Lucas County residents and others to get potentially life saving information sent to their phones or email accounts.
Lucas County Commissioners have partnered with the City of Toledo and other communities to offer Lucas County Alerts.
It's a free notification system that provides emergency alerts to public via text and email.
You will receive up to the minute information on anything from snow emergencies to tornado warnings to amber alerts.
Anyone can choose to opt in, you don't have to live within the county limits.
Just log onto www.lucascountyalerts.com to sign up.


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POLICE say former reality TV star and fashion designer Kristin Cavallari was stopped for speeding in the Chicago suburb of Evanston.
Because she was driving without an Illinois licence, Cavallari was escorted to the Evanston police station to post $US150 bond ($163).
The wife of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was driving with a California license. But Illinois law requires those living in the state for more than 90 days to get an Illinois licence.
The 26-year-old former star of MTV's Laguna Beach and The Hills was stopped on Friday while crossing into Evanston from Chicago.
Police would not say how fast she was going.
Afterward, Cavallari tweeted, "Who knew having a California drivers licence in Illinois was a CRIME to be escorted to the police station to post bail?!!"


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The Learning Collaborative's Center in Dummerston houses its office and resources.
Telephone: 802-257-8600
Toll Free: 866-889-0042
Fax: 802-246-1188
Susan Leuchter, Services Coordinator at firstname.lastname@example.com
USPS Mail:
PO Box 300, Brattleboro, VT 05302
To Ship via Other Carriers: Use our street address, 471 Route 5, Dummerston, VT 05301
24 Hour Drop Box: You can return videos and books or make other small deliveries at the book return box at the top of handicapped ramp, north end of the building.
The Learning Collaborative is located just north of Brattleboro
on Route 5 between Vermont Exit 3 and Exit 4 of I-91.
We are 1.8 miles north of the rotary at Exit 3 (Brattleboro).
We are 4.1 miles south of Exit 4 (Putney).
Look for a single story brick building on the west side of the road.
Many people know it as "the old regional library."
Parking and one doorway are at the back of the building.
Handicapped accessible parking, ramp and doorway are at the north end of the building.
Learning Collaborative Events in Springfield, Vermont
The Collaborative often uses the facilities of the Howard Dean Center in Springfield , located beside Springfield High School and River Valley Tech Center.
For directions to the Dean Center, please consult: www.DeanCenter.org


text: Hi, today I added XEvents handling to xmobar, a status bar you should know I'm writing. Now, this is more difficult of what I first thought, since xmobar makes heavy use of Haskell threads. Since we need to call XNextEvent, it seems, as far as I can understand, that this is going to block every other Haskell threads, unless the threaded RTS is used and/or (?) forkOS (which requires anyway the threaded RTS) is used instead of forkIO. While this is working fine on my system, I have a system with an old Xorg build (I cannot compile X11-1.2.2 and X11-extras on that machine), which seem to block all threads no matter what I do. This is not a valuable test for me, so I need testers to confirm or refute my personal test. Here you can grab the source, which now requires x11-extras (I think that 0.2 should go, but I did not check: please let me know if you find out): http://gorgias.mine.nu/xmobar/xmobar-0.7rc1.tar.gz If no tester will show up, well, no problem: no refreshing xmobar will be released....;-) ciao andrea


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Movement Within BC is Largely Away From Cities
"While the main destination for new arrivals from other countries or provinces is Metro Vancouver, a five-year study of census data by BC Stats shows a trend in the opposite direction for those moving around within the province."
"The study looks at population flows between B.C.'s four Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs): Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford and Kelowna, as well as to and from the area outside CMAs."
"It found that from 2001 to 2006, Vancouver saw a net outflow of 25,560 B.C. residents. All other regions saw a net gain, and communities outside the big urban centres posted the largest increase, more than 17,000 people."


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The release of MIDP 2.0 and the introduction of the new Mobile Service Architecture (MSA) are generating momentum for the Java ME platform. As more and more Java-enabled mobile devices become available and more service providers become open to third-party development, the demand for customized applications will grow dramatically. Now, there's a practical, realistic guide to building MIDP 2.0/MSA applications that are robust, responsive, maintainable, and fun.
Long-time… (more)
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional (December 29, 2007)
Format: EPUB
Page count: 432 pages
File size: 15.8 MB
Protection: DRM
Language: English


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ST. LOUIS -- Portland lost by 24 to top-ranked Kentucky last week. Pilots coach Eric Reveno believes No. 23 Saint Louis is better.
"We've played some good teams and they're the most skilled and toughest team that we've probably played in terms of execution and just good basketball," Reveno said after Saint Louis' 73-53 victory on Saturday night.
"Would they win at Kentucky? I'm not going to say that. Looking at them I'm thinking `That's a good team,' and unfortunately they're doing it to us."
Brian Conklin made all seven of his shots with a strong inside game and scored 19 points, helping No. 23 Saint Louis beat Portland 73-53 in its first home game as a ranked team since 1994 on Saturday night.
"It always helps when you don't miss," Conklin said.
Cody Ellis had 16 points off the bench and Kyle Cassity and Mike McCall added 10 apiece for the Billikens (7-1), who had a 25-3 run in the first half and led by 26 early in the second. Those three combined for Saint Louis' seven 3-pointers, with Cassity going 3 for 5.
|More on Saint Louis-Portland
|Related links
"The 3s were big," coach Rick Majerus said. "We had the right people taking them, too. We were patient."
The Billikens could drop out of the Top 25 after losing at Loyola Marymount on Tuesday night in their fourth game in six days, but have a good chance to beef up the record with the next five also at home against beatable opponents.
"We couldn't really care less about rankings," Ellis said. "We've got to come out and play the same way whether we're 23rd or 300th in the country. Play the same every game."
Majerus blamed fatigue for Saint Louis' lone loss and thought players still were a bit weary. It didn't show on the court.
"I felt like I had my legs back," Conklin said. "We went short but hard the last couple practices leading up to this game, it was more just a mental game, focusing on what we needed to do strategy-wise.
"We know we can run up and down the floor, we know we can put the ball in the basket."
Thomas van der Mars had 12 points before fouling out with 6:30 remaining for Portland (3-5), which has lost five of six. Nemania Mitrovic, the Pilots' leading scorer with an 11.9-point average, was held to two points on 1-for-6 shooting.
Ellis, Saint Louis' sixth man, didn't play a minute due to defensive concerns in the school's loss at Loyola Marymount.
"Over the offseason, during preseason, defense has been the main emphasis of what I needed to improve on," Ellis said. "I'm getting more minutes because I'm able to defend people now."
Portland committed 12 of its 16 turnovers in the first half, and also missed five of its first six from the free throw line. Portland's 16 first-half points and the final total were both season worsts.
All five of Saint Louis' first-half 3-pointers came in the 25-3 run that made it 37-12 with just under two minutes to go, and the Billikens led 38-16 at the break.
Portland was in it the first 10½ minutes, trailing 12-9, but was down 37-12 after Mike McCall's 3-pointer with 1:52 to go. The Pilots were 1 for 6 at the free throw line, committed 12 turnovers and got off only 17 shots against Saint Louis' half-court pressure.
"They found their offensive footing sooner than we did," Reveno said. "The bottom kind of fell out a little bit and they just got really comfortable."
Nemanja Mitrovic, Portland's leading scorer with an 11.9-point average, was scoreless in the first half and finished with two points on 1-for-6 shooting.
Portland had one turnover the first eight minutes of the second half, helping cut the deficit to 15 at 50-35. Ryan Nicholas and Tanner Riley added 11 apiece for the Pilots.


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Pink Floyd have confirmed that they will indeed release a new album, entitled The Endless River, in October.
Rumours emerged on Saturday (July 5) that the band were set to release previously unreleased material recorded around the time of their final album The Division Bell which was released in 1994.
Columbia Records confirmed the news in a statement saying, "Pink Floyd can confirm that they are releasing a new album The Endless River in October 2014.
"It is an album of mainly ambient and instrumental music based on the 1993/4 Division Bell sessions which feature David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright.
"The album is produced by David Gilmour with Phil Manzanera, Youth and recording engineer Andy Jackson. Work is still in progress, but more details to come at the end of the summer."


text:
Paging DSTE MB D12/En EL18A Owners
imax2k2 wrote:
I was just going through a 7 month old thread, about the grip from DSTE, along with the En EL18A version of their batter which is 3900 mAh, which sounded like it was performing well during the time.
I wanted to ask how has the experience been, everyone who owns this combo, over time, how long does the battery hold charge, hows the grip been working and if they have found any other flaw over time apart from the LV issue, which I noticed on the thread. My D800 comes in tomo(very excited), and I'd most likely be purchasing this grip and the EL 18 battery for the higher fps.
If anyone has found a better option, or prefer any other please give your opinion too.
I have been using this grip and the battery since I got my D800. I have had no problems at all. The battery life is excellent. The LV problem is overcome by keeping a battery in the camera body.
|Post (hide subjects)
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|Feb 4, 2013
|Feb 5, 2013
|Feb 5, 2013
|Feb 5, 2013


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CALF CREEK (Grayson County). Calf Creek rises three miles northeast of Sherman in east central Grayson County (at 33°41' N, 96°34' W) and runs southeast for six miles to its mouth on Choctaw Creek, a mile southwest of Penland (at 33°40' N, 96°28' W). The stream is intermittent in its upper and middle reaches. It crosses rolling prairie with locally steep slopes, surfaced by deep to shallow expansive clays and clay loams that support oak, juniper, and various grasses. The area has served as range and crop land.
Image Use Disclaimer
All copyrighted materials included within the Handbook of Texas Online are in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 related to Copyright and "Fair Use" for Non-Profit educational institutions, which permits the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), to utilize copyrighted materials to further scholarship, education, and inform the public. The TSHA makes every effort to conform to the principles of fair use and to comply with copyright law.
For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this article.Handbook of Texas Online, "Calf Creek (Grayson County)," accessed November 22, 2017, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rbc12.
Uploaded on June 12, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.


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'Vulture funds insult, threaten Argentina'
Argentina's dispute against holdout creditors suing the country over its defaulted bonds has reached international media once more now that the federal government published an ad at several foreign newspapers warning "facts show" vulture funds are "vultures."
The Kirchnerite administration has moved fast to respond to a media campaign launched by the American Task Force Argentina (ATFA) group in the United States which the government affirms is bein funded by same creditors litigating against the South American nation.
"In a new display of their modus operandi, the vulture funds publicly insult and threaten Argentina. Their goal: to blackmail the country in order to make a profit of over 1600% at the expense of the well-being of the Argentine people," the document reads.
Entitled "Vulture funds: Facts show that it is no myth that they are vultures," the text aims at exposing an alleged campaign by the ATFA group.
"In order to win over the US public opinion, the vulture funds have been funding a group called American Task Force Argentina(ATFA; truly a US Task force against Argentina), which has spent the last few years slandering the country before the eyes of Washington. The vulture funds have also dedicated recent years to fund the campaign of US politicians."
Both in Spanish and English, the version of Argentina's new ad was published in the official website of the Economy Ministry (mecon.gov.ar) today, ratifying the country's "negotiating capacity" and renewing its condemnation of US Court Judge Thomas Griesa's ruling ordering it to pay vulture funds in full – around 1.3 billion dollars that could plunge Argentineans into default.
The Cristina Fernández de Kirchner administration first took its anti-vulture funds position to media spotlight earlier this month in an advertisement published in both American and European newspapers. "Argentina wants to continue paying its debts but they won't let it," the full-page advert then read.


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No plan on rehab assignment for Rolen
No plan on rehab assignment for Rolen
CINCINNATI -- Third baseman Scott Rolen, on the disabled list since May 12 with a strained left shoulder, could be back relatively soon. But there will be no rehabilitation assignment in the Minors before his activation.
"We've been discussing that -- probably not," Reds manager Dusty Baker said on Tuesday. "He's been getting a lot of hitting. I think he's been on a rehab before and a couple of times he didn't go on a rehab. There are some guys that their strokes are such that they might not need it."
Rolen has continued to take batting practice and ground balls for the past week and has reported no problems.


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Morton's Neuroma Signs and Symptoms
In research what is causing my foot pain I learned about Morton's Neuroma a potential culprit.
I suspect that many of us over 50 have a variety of foot pain issues to deal with particularly those like me who have had jobs doing lots of standing.
My doctor is setting up an appointment with a podiatrist in the couple of months and hopefully we will get to the heart of the matter. It would be nice to start walking my dogs again not to mention the benefits of increased cardio exercise impacting my weight loss and fitness efforts.
For those of you who suffer from foot problems here is an article explaining Morton's Neuroma a potential culprit.
Take care and be well.
Tommy Douglas
Morton's Neuroma - Overview and Symptoms
By David L Greene
A neuroma is the development of a benign tumor of a nerve, while Morton's neuroma is slightly different in nature. Morton' s neuroma is not actually a tumor, but rather a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the digital nerve that leads to the toes. Patients who report a sensation that they are walking on a marble and have persistent pain in the ball of their foot may have this condition.
Morton's neuroma most commonly develops between the third and fourth toes. The condition occurs as the nerve passes under the ligament that connects the toe bones or metatarsals in the forefoot. The condition is more common in women than in men, occurring eight to ten times more often in women than in men.
Morton's Neuroma - Symptoms
In many cases there are no outward physical signs of the condition, because it is really not a tumor. Since there is not a tumor, a lump may not develop and often does not occur.
The most common symptoms of Morton's neuroma include:
- Burning pain within the ball of the foot that may radiate into the toes
- Pain in the foot that intensifies with activity or the wearing of shoes
- Although rare, night time pain may occur
- Numbness in the toes
- Unpleasant sensations in the toes
Runners and active individuals who perform exercise on a routine basis often report the feeling of pain as they push off from a starting block or even the ground before taking a stride. High-heeled shoe wearers may also experience an aggravation to the condition as pressure is placed on the area of condition development. Tight and narrow shoes contribute to symptoms because the compressing of the toe bones and nerve being pinched aggravates the condition.
Simply changing the type of footwear typically worn or alleviating activities that contribute to pain and discomfort may relieve symptoms. Your doctor will be able to discuss the changes you can make at home to help eliminate flare-ups and symptoms from occurring.
Morton's Neuroma Treatment OptionsTreatment options vary depending on the severity of the case.
Nonsurgical treatments can be as simple as wearing wider shoes, implementing custom shoe inserts or pads, or taking medication designed to reduce inflammation. Nearly 80 percent of people who receive conservative treatment for Morton's neuroma experience relief.
However, when conservative treatment fails, surgical options may be available. Your doctor may discuss surgical treatment options with you, when all other forms of treatment do not provide the kind of relief you want.
Valley Foot Surgeons serves the Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona metropolitan area with experienced and modern laser foot fungus treatment.
The practice has an Award Winning podiatrist Phoenix with decades of experience. Call (480) 994-5977 to make appointments.
David L Greene


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Paint Color Suggestions for Small Bathroom with No Natural Light?
Q: I need paint color suggestions for my bathroom, which is a tricky room to decorate because it's small and receives no natural light. Currently, the room is painted in Sherwin Williams "Watery," which I think is too dark because it actually looks seafoam-green on the walls. The cabinetry in the bathroom is white, and the floor tiles are neutral. I like my current shower curtain, which is white with a blue and brown floral pattern, and would prefer to pick a nice light color that allows me to keep that curtain in place. Suggestions?
Sent by Liz
Editor: Leave your suggestions for Liz in the comments — thanks!
• Got a question? Send us yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first).


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Screenplay Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi
Movie Time: 124 minutes
Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a sickly Brooklyn kid, just wants to serve his country, but due to his small frame and fragile health, he has been rejected from the army four times. While Rogers waits on an examination table for his fifth physical, Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), impressed with Rodgers' unwavering conviction to fight for his country, decides to give Rogers a chance and accepts his latest application. (00:15:28)
After Rogers excels through army training and morality tests by relying on his will and wits, Dr. Erskine selects him as the subject of his new experimental procedure to turn him into a super soldier. At a secret lab hidden underneath an antique shop, Rogers is injected with a Erskine's super soldier serum that transforms him into a new and improved fighting machine: a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier of solid muscle. (00:32:30)
Tired of playing the part of Captain America in shows set up to entertain the troops and encourage enlistment in the army, Rogers parachutes behind enemy lines to rescue the abandoned Allied soldiers at a Hydra weapons plant where his old friend Bucky (Sebastian Stan) is being held. At the plant, Rogers saves Bucky and the rest of the Allied team, and Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) escapes the exploding facility. (01:08:45)
While attacking a Hydra train, Rogers and his team capture Dr. Zola (Toby Jones) but not without sacrificing Rogers best friend Bucky who is shot and thrown off the train, only to fall to his demise while Rogers watches helplessly. (01:25:25)
Rogers has finally caught up to Red Skull in his aircraft and defeated him, but the plane is still loaded with bombs and headed for New York City. Rogers decides that the only way to prevent innocent lives from being taken is to sacrifice himself and plunge the plane into the ocean. (01:47:04)


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(UPI) -- Amsterdam is putting their resident alcoholics to work by offering them beer and cigarettes to clean the city's streets.
A few resident alcoholics are being offered 10 euros a day, a half packet of rolling tobacco, and five cans of beer per day. The men are allowed to drink two in the morning, one at lunch, and another two after work.
"This group of chronic alcoholics was causing a nuisance in Amsterdam's Oosterpark: fights, noise, disagreeable comments to women," Gerrie Holterman, head of the Rainbow Foundation told AFP. She added that the goal was to keep the men occupied and away from trouble.
There are about 20 men in total who are split into two groups. They each work three days a week.
The men interviewed by AFP said that the incentive to show up was the beer. Chronic alcoholics struggle to function without alcohol, they said.


text: Video News: United Kingdom Iraq troops open fire on protesters At least three people were killed on Friday (January 25) when Iraqi troops opened fire during clashes in Falluja city with Sunni protesters rallying against Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, officials and witnesses said. It was the most serious violence since Sunni protesters began taking to the streets in late December to challenge Maliki's Shi'ite-led government and rally against what they see as the marginalisation of their minority sect. "We received three bodies with gunshot wounds in the abdomen, back and shoulder," a hospital source told Reuters. A Reuters witness at the scene said troops initially fired in the air to disperse crowds, but later some soldiers fired shots at protesters who approached their military vehicles and set one of them on fire. © DailyMotion - Friday, January 25, 2013


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CNAC Meeting Minutes for April 23, 2012
Child Nutrition Advisory Council
An Advisory Body to the State Board Of Education
Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2012
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1801
Sacramento, CA 95814
Members Present
Carol Chase, Caroline Danielson, Nori Grossman, Lawrence Herrera, Clell Hoffman, Lucy McProud, Soo Park, Barbara Rohrer, Trish Vance, and Colleen You
State Board of Education Liason
Member(s) Absent
Marni Posey
Also Present—California Department of Education Staff Members:
Stephanie Enright, Mike Danzik, Beth Rice, June Preston, Chris Kavooras, Sandip Kaur, Donna Reedy, and Shelly Asbury
Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 10:03 a.m. by Interim Chair, Lucy McProud, who thanked the Food Distribution Unit for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foods made available.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
The members introduced themselves.
Approval of Agenda:
Colleen You moved to approve the agenda, and Barbara Rohrer seconded the motion. The Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC) voted to approve the agenda.
Approval of Minutes:
Two corrections were made: on page 3 fresh fruits and vegetables should be fresh fruit and vegetables On page 1, Marni Grossman should be Nori Grossmann. Barbara Rohrer moved that the minutes be accepted as corrected. Colleen You seconded the motion. The Council voted to approve the minutes as corrected.
Public Comment
No public comment was provided.
- Issue Paper #1: School Breakfast and Lunch: Transitioning to the New Meal Patterns, Increased Costs to Districts and Additional Staff Training Required
- Issue Paper #2: Improper Use of Non-Profit School Food Service Cafeteria Funds
- Issue Paper #3: Food Service Management Company Contracts
- Issue Paper #4: Competitive Foods and Beverages
- Issue Paper #5: Access to Free Water in Schools
- Issue Paper#6: School Food Safety Inspections
- Letter to Vivian Lees, Chief, Subject: Comments National School Lunch Program: Direct Certification Continuous Improvement Plans
- Management bulletin in regards to proper use of cafeteria funds
- Technical Assistance workshops for the new meal pattern
Item 1
Lucy McProud introduced the nomination of officers—Chair and Vice Chair.
Clell Hoffman nominated Lawrence Herrera for the position as chair. Barbara Rohrer seconded the motion. The Council voted to appoint Lawrence Herrera as Council Chair.
Duties of the Chair:
- Preside at meetings
- Work with the Nutrition Services Division (NSD) to create an agenda for each meeting
Soo Park nominated herself as Vice Chair, and Lawrence Herrera seconded the motion. The Council voted to appoint Soo Park as Vice Chair.
Duties of the Vice-Chair:
- Preside at meetings in the absence of the Chair
- Work with the NSD to create an agenda for each meeting in the absence of the chair
Shelly Asbury, NSD staff to the CNAC, gave a brief summary of the meeting process:
- The Council will provide input for the next agenda at the end of each meeting.
- About one month before the meeting, Shelly and Carol Chase will propose an agenda using the input of the CNAC members from the previous meeting.
- The Chair/Vice-Chair will make suggestions and approve the final agenda.
- The agenda will be posted on the State Board of Education (SBE) Web site at least 10 days prior to the meeting.
- Shelly will provide talking points and a more detailed agenda to the Chair.
- The minutes are reviewed by Carol and the Chair prior to the meeting. After approval by the Council, the minutes will be posted on the SBE Web site.
Item 2
Beth Rice, SBE Staff, presented the Roles and Responsibilities of the Council, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI), and the SBE.
- SBE members are appointed by the Governor. There are currently three vacant SBE positions. A Board Liaison to the CNAC will be appointed after the Governor fills the vacant SBE positions. In the interim, Beth Rice will act as Board Liaison.
- The Board will not fill the vacant CNAC positions of Classroom Teacher and Student at this time.
- Susan Burr, Executive Director the SBE, is the Board liaison to the Governor.
- If the CNAC wishes to advise the Board and/or the Governor on an issue, a letter should be sent to the SSPI and the SBE. The Council does not send items directly to the Legislature or the Governor. The SBE appreciates information and perspective from the advisory councils.
- A quorum for action items is based on thirteen members.
- Council members are required to submit a Form 700 Conflict of Interest annually and take the on-line ethics training every two years.
- Education Code CFR 49351 gives the SBE the responsibility to provide rules and regulations for the School Lunch and School Breakfast programs.
- The relationship between the SBE and SSPI
- The SBE is the lead agency for federal programs.
- Items to the SBE almost always come from the CDE.
- The SBE can waive Education Code requirements under defined circumstances.
- Normally the Board Liaison would be the communicator between the CNAC and the SBE. Currently, in the absence of a Liaison, communication should be in the form of a letter to the SBE and the SSPI.
Carol Chase, representing the SSPI, shared this perspective.
- Is valuable in providing feedback for the public comment phase of proposed Federal and State Regulations
- Assists with Federal and State programs coordination
- Acts as advisors of the Team California for Healthy Kids, an initiative of the SSPI
- Assists with providing guidance on all child nutrition programs—Preschool, School, After School, and Summer sites
The Council took a ten minute break.
Item 3
The NSD staff reviewed the six topics that were discussed at the last meeting. At this meeting, the Council provided information, input, and recommendations for action.
Topic #1—New Meal Pattern Transition
- Schools will receive an additional six cents per meal if they are following the new meal pattern regulations. However, information regarding how the standards will be certified for the six cents has not arrived yet. We will inform Council members as soon as it is sent to the NSD.
- The training plan for the new meal pattern was reviewed. At least 22 different types of trainings are available. Many of these are multiple presentations with technical assistance, and over 400 people have been trained to date. The NSD is emphasizing that a Food Service Representative from the district should accompany the Food Management Company representative.
- Recurring feedback includes:
- There is too much information; it needs to be presented more clearly.
- There is a need for more information on menu planning.
- The new meal pattern requirements will have a significant influence over budgets for the new school year. Some changes will go into effect immediately; others will be transitioned. The USDA requests that states make a good faith effort to comply with regulations.
- The monitoring process for certifying the six cents may be part of the triennial Coordinated Review Effort; the NSD will send the federal package to Council members when it becomes available.
The Council took a one hour lunch break.
Topic #6—Food Safety Inspections
- The USDA requires schools to have two safety inspections per year.
- Some counties do not have enough health inspectors to meet this requirement. The CDE is working with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to find a remedy for this.
- More cooperation between the CDE and the CDPH is needed.
- Some schools are charged fees from the county, which is in conflict with the statute that does not allow a government entity to pay for services from another government entity.
- There are differing regulations governing jurisdiction of the inspections.
- Health safety for School Gardens is a concern that needs to be addressed.
- Data regarding which districts are compliant and noncompliant is needed.
- Schools can charge the inspection expense to the cafeteria fund.
- A joint letter from the CDE and the CDPH to county health departments may help resolve this issue.
Issue #5—Access to water
- State and Federal laws are in place, but the USDA needs to provide more detail regarding funding and locations.
- The regulations on this issue are being released with the competitive food and beverages regulations, which are expected soon.
- The CNAC could write a letter to the SBE and the SSPI to provide input for the response to the federal government regarding this issue.
- The Council suggested that the NSD could provide a place on-line to share best practices.
- The Council also voiced that this is an unfunded mandate and the burden should not rest on the food service program when it is really a district issue. The School Facilities Division of the CDE should also be involved.
Issue #4 Competitive Food and Beverages
- The USDA is working on national standards to regulate food sold on campus during school hours. The NSD anticipates California and Federal standards to be similar. Vendors have requested one set of rules to make compliance easier.
- The USDA has developed an on-line program where California sponsors will be able to access a list of approved food items. The USDA is currently working with vendors to upload the list.
- Assembly Bill 1746 (Williams) would restrict the sale of electrolyte replacement beverages. The bill is currently on hold.
Issue #3 Food Service Management (FSM) Contracts
Some FSM companies are not returning funds from benefits and credits to the school districts. When this practice came to light it was apparent that there needs to be some type of oversight. The NSD does not have enough staff to provide the oversight, but has requested authorization for positions for that purpose. AB 1917, which would define the relationships between FSMs and school districts, is currently in the legislature.
Issue #2—Improper use of Cafeteria Funds
- Several school districts have used cafeteria funds to pay for other, non-allowable expenses. The average re-payment to the schools' cafeteria funds has been more than $165,000 per school district. Most of the districts that have been found non-compliant have agreed to a repayment plan or have reimbursed their cafeteria funds.
- There is no room for negotiating using funds for the cafeteria.
- Auditors are aware of the requirements but may not have all the information. The NSD is working with the Audits and Investigations Unit to communicate the information.
- Training on this topic has been extensive in conferences and chapter meetings for the California School Nutrition Association, as well as the financial management classes sponsored by the NSD.
- There is now increased awareness of the regulation, and school and district administrators as well as school nutrition managers are asking questions and seeking technical assistance.
- A Management Bulletin on this topic is almost ready to be released. Council members received a draft. The NSD requested that the members of the council e-mail Shelly Asbury with their feedback by Friday, April 27, 2012.
- Council members shared these suggestions:
- Information for school districts could be posted on the CDE Web site along with information on USDA indirect costs.
- Information about paid lunch equity and non-program food revenue (including adult meals) would be appreciated.
Item 4
NSD staff reviewed the Summer Waiver Process. Regulations mandate that schools serve one nutritious meal to each needy student sometime during the school day. Schools may request a waiver from that requirement for Summer School under one of these three conditions:
- The school is near a Summer Food Service Program site that the students can access for lunch.
- The school would lose money if they provided lunch. The NSD would like to see as many schools provide lunch as possible, so we give districts technical assistance to help them provide lunch.
- The summer school session is two hours or less per day.
When the waivers are analyzed, the NSD recommends approval or denial to the SBE. Due to NSD's diligent work, the waiver requests have decreased significantly in the last eight years. The districts that request waivers are mainly in rural areas.
AB 2555, which is currently being considered by the legislature, changes the due date for districts to submit waivers, giving the NSD adequate time to meet the SBE deadlines. The Council is invited to make suggestions for improvements of this process.
Item 5
Council shared their requests for the agenda for the June 19 meeting.
- The Council was interested in pursuing Nutrition Education for students, teachers and parents, especially with the need to encourage a positive response to the New Meal Pattern.
- The goal of Nutrition Education is to encourage healthy food choices.
- Teachers need data on the relationship between nutrition and achievement, so they would be more motivated to support good nutrition in the schools. Teachers should be educated about nutrition; there is a disconnect between words and behavior. How can this be done at a low cost?
- The CDE should tap resources available from non-profit organizations, foundations, and businesses to market the new meal pattern to districts, teachers, and parents.
- Nutrition Education and Wellness should be embedded into the Curriculum Framework so that it is perceived by students to be a natural part of life. Can the CNAC be an influence? The upcoming frameworks and common core standards may provide an opportunity for change.
- Gardens are a critical component of learning, and funding is needed. Children will eat what they grow.
- A Web site for school food directors to share best practices for integrating nutrition education into all areas of curriculum would be helpful.
- In some areas there is a gap between lunch and school dismissal. Can the National School Lunch Program bridge this gap?
- The CNAC supports discussion of eating habits—after school and early childhood—with parents. Team California could be a vehicle for these ideas.
- Next meeting:
- Include Jason Spencer, an aide to the Superintendent, and representatives from Team California in the June meeting to discuss the above recommendations
- Provide updates for the new school meal pattern and for water access legislation at the August meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.


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A BATTERED and bruised Star Wars fan hopes the "force" of West Yorkshire Police will help recover his expensive replica lightsaber after he was mugged.
The new decade got off to a bad start for the victim, who was dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi, when he was attacked by four youths while making his way home from a New Year's Eve fancy dress party.
The 37-year-old accounts manager was grabbed as he trekked home from the Brudenell Social Club along Queens Road, Hyde Park, Leeds, between 1.30am and 2am on New Year's Day.
As he passed the Harolds streets area he was pinned against a wall and punched and kicked to the ground from behind by four youths.
After delivering the brutal beating the cowardly yobs stole the rare Master Replica FX "lightsaber" which could cost as much as 300 to replace.
The distinctive collectors' item features a long illuminated tube with a handle which produces sound effects and can normally only be bought over the Internet. Obi, who does not want to reveal his real name, told the YEP that he could not remember hearing any warning or demands from his attackers before the beating.
He said: "I just found myself on the ground being kicked.
"After they had gone I remember being helped up by a couple and being asked if I was alright.
"I probably should have gone to a hospital A and E unit, but I went to the doctor's and he reckoned I had lost a pint or two of blood through the bruising."
He added: "I managed to cover my head, otherwise if they had hit my head with their kicks I would have been in a shocking state.
"I have a fairly resilient nature and it won't make me turn into a hermit. But the shock has come out in the last couple of days."
He said that he understood another group of people who attended the same party had also been assaulted and robbed by a gang making their way home at about 4am.
A North West Leeds Police spokesman confirmed detectives were investigating the possibility of a link between this assault and the later one.
The muggers were described as Asian and in their teens.
Officers are particularly keen to trace a white man and woman, aged in their twenties, who went to the victim's aid and are believed to live locally.
Witnesses should contact Det Con Alex Cullen at Weetwood police station via 0845 6060606 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.


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No Money Down FHA Loan For Investors (It's Actually a $100 Down Loan) Tucson Investment Real Estate Financing For No Money Down!
March 13th, 2010 by Michael Oliver
FHA now has a loan program for investors (non-0wner occupied) real estate/ home purchases. Many people don't realize within the FHA there are many of different loan options since many people option and receive the most common that is for (mostly) first time buyers with great rates and a 3.5% down payment requirement. However there are other loan programs FHA loans have always allowed investors to use them to purchase/ finance real estate what is somewhat new is this $100/ down option for investment real estate. This isnt just in Tucson either it is nationwide available for all non-owner occupied real estate/ homes.
So what are the requirements?
-640 Minimum Credit Score
-No Escrow Holdbacks On The Property
-No More The 4 Financed Properties At One Time
What are the current mortgage rates for this $100 down FHA investor/ non- owner occupied loan program?
-The rates for this program are the same as an owner occupied FHA loan which currently is at roughly 5.25%
Where do I find the properties/ homes that I can buy with this FHA $100 Investor loan?
You can find these investor open HUD Homes through a HUD Certified Realtor who knows about them. Very (and I mean Very) few Real estate agents (Realtors) know anything about HUD homes because of the nature of them. It is worth stating many HUD Homes are good deals and because the public doesn't know much about them and the real estate community knows only a little more buying a HUD home can be generally purchased for under market values sometimes as much as 15%-25% under. I have seen really nice HUD Homes that were listed for sale under market and due to the unknown nature of them few buyers stepped up and a couple of these homes were bought for amazing deals by the buyer.
The homes that can be used for this type of loan/ financing as an investor is a HUD home that has been on the market for over 10 days and classified as "available for non- owner occupied" bids. After the 10 day mark HUD Homes (Housing and Urban Development) are open to investors and those investors are able to bid and buy these homes. HUD Homes take a special Realtor (HUD Certified/ which I am by the way) to be able to get you into the properties and also to make the bids for you. When you buy (or even bid) on a HUD Home you must use a Realtor to place the bid. HUD Home's use a electronic bidding process and everything is handled online initially for HUD Homes.
- 3 Comments »
- Posted in Financing, Home Mortgage Center, Investing


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Sundance Film Festival Review Roundup: THE DETAILS
The critical response to Jacob Aaron Estes' dark comedy THE DETAILS, starring Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks and Laura Linney, among others, has been decidedly mixed. A sampling of reviews:
"Writer-director Jacob Aaron Estes' real accomplishment is successfully moving the tone of the movie from broad comedy to some serious business. THE DETAILS was picked up at Sundance by the Weinsteins, who should be able to use the picture's star power and savvy marketing to make it a date night conversation piece." — James Greenberg, The Hollywood Reporter


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WS campaign
Presupuesto R5250-10500 ZAR
Quick requirements :
1> 7 Images needs to be scannable (Target images)
2> On the scanning of the target image a form will pop up to be completed
3> Once form is submitted data will be saved via a web service and a video will play
App must run on Ios and Android
Must be completed in 3 days
1 freelancer está ofertando un promedio de R10000 para este trabajo.
Gone through your requirement of making the augmented reality application for 7 markers and you want to pop the form after scanning the image and then sending it to library and then video playing .Ready to work for you Más
Hello, I am an engineer with top level experience in application development and website design. I would like to complete your project.


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Chris Brown, Rihanna Together at Jay-Z Concert, Karrueche Tran Reacts (PHOTO)
Chris Brown and Rihanna were photographed enjoying Jay-Z's concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Oct. 3 just days after they were reportedly spotted "kissing" in a New York nightclub.
The pair, who split in 2009 following a domestic assault incident, sat side by side and at one point. Brown, 23, was seen resting his arm across the back of Rihanna's chair. They sat directly behind Jay-Z's wife Beyonce and his new artist Rita Ora, and although they all appeared to be in good spirits, Brown's girlfriend of two years Karrueche Tran reportedly has fled New York in a rage.
"[Karrueche] hit it a few hours ago. She mad at the [boy] and said to him 'I'm leaving you're triffling punk a--' and said 'f--- you.' He tried to calm her down- told her he didn't want her to leave and went after her, but she scooted on him," a source reportedly told Hollywoodlife.com.
"[Karrueche's] really upset at Chris for what he's been doing [with Rihanna]. She basically told him to stop disrespecting her and at least give her some respect and not cheat on her right in her f------ face," the source added.
Tran, who is renowned for posting cryptic messages on her Twitter page, appeared to take a dig at Brown over the Rihanna incidents.
"There's a difference between a man and a boy," she tweeted on Oct. 2, adding, "I prefer men."
The following day, after Brown and Rihanna's alleged date at Jay-Z's concert, the 24-year-old model reportedly fled New York after allegedly dumping Brown.
"Take off," she tweeted Oct. 3 adding "Bye baby."
Brown, whom Rihanna admits that she will always love, also posted his own cryptic message, which some say was directed at both Rihanna and Tran.
"Both r Free from it all!" Brown tweeted Oct. 3.
Rihanna has not publicly commented on her relationship status with Brown, but her recent behavior has fueled rumors of reconciliation. The duo was reportedly seen "hugging and kissing" at Griffin nightclub on Monday, a source reportedly told Celebuzz.com.
"We got there, [Rihanna] saw [Chris], thought he looked good and she wanted to push up on it. She took a hit and had a drink and it was on and cracking. They hooked up," a source reportedly told Hollywoodlife.com.
"They were in the club partying hard, had some drinks and kush and one thing led to another and that was that. She wanted some of him and she got some. Wasn't like Chris was gone turn her down. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him," the source went on.
To see photos of Rihanna with Chris Brown at Jay-Z's concert click here: http://hollywoodlife.com/2012/10/04/chris-brown-rihanna-jay-z-concert-dating/


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