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BOSTON — What a Super letdown once again for Mike D'Antoni and the Knicks.
D'Antoni, with his coaching job possibly hanging in the balance, watched the Knicks again fail to execute in the final minute last night in an excruciating 91-89 loss to the Celtics at TD Garden.
The Knicks don't know how to make the big play, set the big pick or hit the big shot, and that falls directly on D'Antoni as well as his players.
The system is failing.
This was a repeat of the previous night's 105-102 loss to the Bulls in many ways, but much worse because the Knicks blew a 12-point third quarter lead and let an aging team up off the mat to beat them.
"We had a great shot to win, but we're a little snake-bit right now,'' a somber D'Antoni said.
They are, but you also make your own breaks and the Knicks got a huge one when Paul Pierce's 3-pointer was waved off with 14.4 seconds remaining when officials determined the shot clock expired before the ball left his hand. Landry Fields then air-balled a 3-pointer, and the Knicks had one final chance. But Steve Novak, who had not played one second, was inserted into the game and followed with another air ball from the corner.
Carmelo Anthony did not score in the final 6:34 and had a drive swatted away in the final minute as the Boston defense focused on shutting him down.
"We played hard," D'Antoni said. "It was tough, two in a row with legitimate chances to win we haven't quite finished, weird circumstances, but that's life.''
Such is life as a Knick these days.
On Novak being inserted for that final shot, D'Antoni said: "We were trying to get a shot, we didn't really execute. We had great looks two or three times before that and we didn't make them, and they shut us down at the end.''
In Thursday's 105-102 loss to the Bulls at the Garden, Amar'e Stoudemire misfired on a 3-pointer that could have tied the game. With 40.8 seconds remaining last night, Iman Shumpert missed an open trey.
Consider this another nail in D'Antoni's coffin.
There was a report in The Daily earlier this week D'Antoni would be fired today if the Knicks lost these two games. But according to league sources last night, D'Antoni is not getting fired today.
It's interesting to note Anthony did not take any of the critical threes the last two nights. Opponents find a way to make the big shot, but Anthony can't find a way to take that big shot.
On the eve of the Super Bowl with the Giants taking on the Patriots, the Knicks could have been Super against another Boston team but did not make it happen. The loss dropped them to 8-15.
More than the losing, the Knicks need to get over being satisfied with failure. This is a team that gives itself way too much credit just for competing.
How about winning? How about making a big play?
The Knicks were patting themselves on the back for giving the undermanned Bulls a competitive game Thursday night even though the Bulls were the ones on the road, playing their second game in two nights without two of their starters.
There is a sense of entitlement that has not been earned.
The Knicks have no killer instinct and do not know how to execute at critical times. Perhaps that will change, but this is who they are now. They need to recognize that before they can move forward.
"The effort, the defense, the little stuff [was] good,'' D'Antoni said. "We had a little lapse every once in a while.''
The Knicks again found a way to lose. This is more than a little lapse every once in a while. This was failure. Again.


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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post writes that the Rockies beat the Blue Jays, though a soggy night slowed Ubaldo Jimenez, who won his 12thgame and saw his ERA "climb" to 1.16.
Bob Egelko of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that Barry Bonds' federal prosecutors lost their appeal on steroids tests, dealing them a major setback. The Chronicle's Gwen Knapp writes that it is the prosecutors who swung and missed on Bonds.
La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes that Francisco Liriano was in total control as he outdueled Tim Hudson in the Twins' victory over the Braves.
Brian Costello of the New York Post writes that Andy Pettitte became the third pitcher to get to 200 wins with the Yankees in their victory over the Astros. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News writes that a source says the Yankees were "furious" with Alex Rodriguez's silence regarding his groin injury. The Daily News' Tim Smith writes that you can just call Alex "Day-To-Day-Rod."
Zachary Levine and Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle write that the Yankees fit Roy Oswalt's trade criteria. Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times writes that Oswalt isn't in the Dodgers' mix because of money.
Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe writes that Red Sox medical director Thomas Gill defended the team's care for Jacoby Ellsbury, citing "misconceptions." Benjamin also writes that Jeremy Hermida became the latest Red Sox left fielder forced to the disabled list by a collision with Adrian Beltre.
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune writes that Ozzie Guillen and Ken Williams downplay their feud. The Tribune's Paul Sullivan writes that the war of words escalates between Lou Piniella and Steve Stone as the Cubs manager questions the expertise of the White Sox analyst. The Tribune's Phil Rogers writes that it is no fluke that Chicago's teams are 13 games under .500.
David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that Nate McLouth was placed on the disabled list with a concussion and Brandon Hicks was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett instead of Jordan Schafer because Omar Infante fouled a ball off his foot.
Derrick Gould of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Jeff Suppan's arrival with the Cardinals was delayed because of weather issues.
Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that Nelson Cruz is still on the mend from his hamstring injury and won't be activated during the Rangers' road trip, and Derek Holland was sent to Arizona to rehab his shoulder injury.
Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News-Tribune writes that a disappointed Jack Zduriencik paid a visit to the Mariners in San Diego and that Mark Lowe will undergo back surgery.
Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that Matt Stairs goes on the disabled list with a mysterious knee injury.
Dan Connolly and Don Markus of the Baltimore Sun write that Brian Roberts had an epidural injection and will undergo more treatment and tests.

subset: commoncrawl


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'The Hobbit' Soundtrack — What Does It Tell Us About 'An Unexpected Journey'?
'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,' the first film in Peter Jackson's 'Hobbit' trilogy, is hitting theaters in just a month and a half now, and that means it's time for more promotional goodies to start popping out, including the official track list for 'The Hobbit' soundtrack. Back in the summer when Warner Bros. released the 'Dark Knight Rises' soundtrack list, it gave us some hints at what we could expect to see in the film. So, with the one for 'An Unexpected Journey' now available, what does it reveal about Bilbo and his band of merry dwarfs?


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Meta Search
search across all the following databases:
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Entire collection of data resources.
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The SOC is a system used to classify workers into one of 840 designated detailed occupational categories according to definitions.Links:
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While performing over the weekend, Toni Braxton gave the crowd one heck of a show.
Her dress came apart without her knowing — and she kept performing!
She eventually ended up putting on a blazer from a fan who she invited up on stage and then took the dress off completely.
She never skipped a beat…
Thank God for spanx!
Hit 'play' above to watch.


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Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Lawn Mowing Equipment' started by RamosMidTn, Dec 5, 2013.
I'll stick with the pumps and wheel motors, cheaper to replace
Im not here to start a pissing match but this is not true. Seperate pumps and motors cost more than trans axle units to replace. Plus with seperate pumps and motors you get cross contamination during a failure which causes both to fail. There is a reason most major companies are going to trans axle units. Each side has its own fan and reservoir. The failure rates for trans axle hydro systems is much lower than seperate pumps and motors.
Posted via Mobile Device
Each of it own. I can get pumps for less than $100 and wheel motor for about the same, a few hoses, oil coolers and fans can solve the problem of cross contamination.
Who makes these pumps? Just a rebuild kit alone costs much more than $100 for a White commercial pump.
Posted via Mobile Device
Surplus center sometimes has good deals, searching online. or directly from suppliers
as far as brands, which ever you want. BRAND NEW!
Look around, i got a used Toro pro line 36" this past year for $850 with a sulky. He was a friend of mine but take your time, do the research on the mowers you are looking for and make sure it will work for you.


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Eating disorders–including anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating–are among the most painful and difficult illnesses a person can face. Sufferers know firsthand the confusion and agony these illnesses can bring. They also know how it feels to long for hope–and to wonder if victory can ever be achieved.
The truth is, eating disorders affect the whole person. Yet treatments often focus on emotional issues alone. In this powerful book for individuals who… (more)
Publisher: WaterBrook (October 05, 2010)
Format: EPUB
Page count: 288 pages
File size: 2 MB
Protection: DRM
Language: English


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APC UPS offers our best solution for protecting home and office computers in case of power failure. It provides battery backup during power cuts and also safeguards your equipment from surges and spikes. Automated software automatically shuts down your computer system in the event of an long power outage. APC UPS also offers many handy features like audible alarms, an LED status indicator, user replaceable battery, push-button circuit breakers and transformer-block spaced outlets etc…
- APC ups ES 500va 230V India (BE500Y-IN) – Rs.2,300/-
- APC ups ES 650va 230V India BE500Y-IN (BE650Y-IN) – Rs.3,300/-
- APC ups ES 800va (BE800Y-IN) – Rs.5,300/-
- APC ups ES 1000va (BR1000-IN) – Rs.7,800/-
- APC ups ES 1500va (BR1500-IN) – Rs.10,000
*All prices are in Indian Rupee (INR)


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What's the difference betwem C++ and C# ("C beef" or "C gitter")
and what argument is there for learning the language sometime in the near future.
Printable View
What's the difference betwem C++ and C# ("C beef" or "C gitter")
and what argument is there for learning the language sometime in the near future.
NOTHING is different between them in the .NET framework. I'm talking about Managed C++ vs. C#.
They both will run on MSIL "microsoft interpreted Lang." sort of a bytecode like java has. IE. they will both have the exact same performance and MS wants you to use C#, since you gain nothing by programming in VC++.NET.
Regular C++ will be faster than C#, or anything .NET.
my advice is to pick up C# at your leisure, preferrably get a company to pay for your training. Just stick to C++ and you'll be fine for awhile yet.
>they will both have the exact same performance
Which is not 100% true. While the same bytecode will run in the same amount of time, C++.NET, C#.NET and VB.NET for example will not generate the same bytecode from almost equal statements. VB for example will provide overflow checking on additions, while C++ will simply add without checking. This will result in slightly better performance for C++.NET.
The differences in the performance of any of those languages will be so insignificant it really is a non-issue. In fact MS says that C# is the optomized version for .NET and that C++.NET exists only for programmers who love C++ and it adds unneeded complexity to the .NET framework. Therefore, most likely C# will be the lang. that will outperform both C++.NET and VB.NET but still in an insignificant way.
If you need to write Networked, Server, Text, anything that doesn't need optomization like a GAME you should probably use .NET - C# preferably.
Otherwise stick to C++ (regular).
It doesn't make sense to me why MS would try and kill off true C++ and old style VB by forcing C# to everyone. Just want to be like Sun with J2EE I guess. :p
What is this .NET thing you're all talking about?
from what i hear, C# ( i pronounce that as either "see sharp" or "c pound") is just microsofts variation on C++ or java, one of these. i dunno, im all confusled!
If you are all confused, then don't provide answers.
If you want to know what C# is, go out and read tutorials, the FAQ, or a book. The compiler is free for download at Microsoft.


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TUPELO, Miss. - For the past three seasons, the BancorpSouth Center has served as the gracious host for the Gulf South Conference basketball tournament.
However, its future in the birthplace of Elvis Presley could depend on how many people show up to watch the four-day event this year.
Attendance numbers - or the lack thereof - could determine whether the GSC will give Tupelo another three-year deal to host the men's and women's tournaments.
"We need another 1,500 to come," GSC commissioner Nathan Savant said in Wednesday's edition of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. "Our only concern is attendance."
The tournament drew only 3,482 fans last year, compared to 3,526 in its first venture to the BancorpSouth Center. Salant said he wishes to see somewhere between 5,000 and 7,500 fans to attend this year's event, while Gary Wheat of the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau has set 5,000 fans as his goal for paid attendance.
"We want to work with Tupelo," said Savant, who likes the idea of having the tournament at a neutral site. "Our attitude has not been to say 'It's your tournament, you do all the work,' then be the first ones to scream when something goes wrong."
The biggest blow for Tupelo has been the lack of interest among area residents. The city has tried to lure local fans with advertising and bargain ticket prices, but that has failed.
Wheat has implemented an "adopt a team" program in conjunction with area businesses in hopes of getting more people in the stands. Another plan implemented was getting pre-paid tickets into the hands of marginal fans that may like what they see on the opening day of the tournament and return for the remaining games.
Tupelo has not benefitted much from the tourney itself because of the $50,000 guarantee it pays to the GSC. However, the area businesses have profitted to the tune of $255,000 in 2001 to $280,000 last year.
"It's an event I want to keep here," Wheat said. "Also, it opens other avenues. In talking with athletic directors and presidents, they really think this is a destination where the NCAA would place the Elite Eight."
Tupelo's downfall, however, could be a plus for a place much closer to home. Hot Springs has been mentioned as a possible future site for the GSC tournament since seven of the league's current 18 teams are in the state.
"The wild card is Hot Springs," Savant said. "If those people make an offer, it would be hard to refuse."
Hot Springs, which will have its renovated Convention Center ready for basketball in November and will host a University of Arkansas women's game next season, hasn't made an offer at the moment. City officials, however, sent representatives to last year's tournament and know about the GSC's relation with Tupelo.
"We do not have an organized effort, but we're keeping an eye on it," said Steve Arrison, executive director of the Hot Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Our biggest selling point is we think we can get people in the stands. If we go after it, we will stress that in our proposal."
Another place the GSC mentioned is Pensacola, Fla., but city officials there say the tournament is not on their "radar."
MUW to leave GSC
While the 18-team Gulf South Conference boasts of having the largest's collegiate affilation in the country, one of those members will be leaving at the end of the school year.
The Mississippi University of Women in Columbus, Miss. (about 65 miles south of Tupelo) has announced that it is dropping all of its athletic programs in order to stress a fitness, recreational and intramural program for its students.
The decision was another blow to members of the MUW basketball team, which heard about the decision last December. This came a month after a tornado destroyed the Pohl Physical Education-Assembly Building, which served as the Blues' home floor.
MUW played the remainder of its games at nearby New Hope High School and was forced to find alternate locations around the Columbus area for practices. Now players must decide whether to transfer to another school or forego the rest of their college playing careers.
MUW's decision, however, caught Savant totally by surprise.
"We're very disappointed that they really did not consult with our conference or its presidents," he said.


text:
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the global leader of IP and RF planning, assurance and optimization
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Missing Tour Guide Found Alive in Golan, Bound and Wounded
A 60-year-old tour guide of the Galilee community of Michmanim was found in the Golan Heights foothills Thursday night naked, bound and bearing a gunshot wound to the head.
The severely wounded guide, Nir Gur, had been reported missing several days earlier.
A group of tourists discovered Gur, bleeding heavily and clinging to life in the Golan community of Mitzpeh Gadot. They summoned Golan District police to the scene, and Gur was taken by ambulance to Haifa's Rambam Medical Center in very serious condition.
Gur remains in intensive care, where his condition is described as "stable," with the shooter's bullet still lodged behind his ear. The man's family positively identified him on Friday.
Golan police have launched an investigation, but there are as yet no suspects, and it is not known how or why Gur arrived at Mitzpeh Gadot.
Yossi Gabbai, the interim commander of the Golan District police, said they were "turning over every stone to ascertain details that could shed light on this incident."
Gabbai said it was "a very strange case." He added: "Nothing is known about anyone Gur may have come into conflict with."
Want to enjoy 'Zen' reading - with no ads and just the article? Subscribe todaySubscribe now


text:
August 27, 2016
Man United boss Jose Mourinho: We want to be champions
"Our objective is to be champions"
Jose Mourinho
"For me it is amazing to look to my side to see people suffering with me and jumping for goals, it's a great spirit."
Mourinho also insists that he had sympathy with a battling Hull side.
He added: "I'm recovering. I think we did everything to win.
"We were so good in our attacking way I was always sure the goal would arrive.
"Hull did an amazing job, they defended with everything.


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So the devil slides into the booth of an all-night diner on Sunset Boulevard near the Comedy Store circa 1984, and slaps a contract down on a coffee stain in front of an aspiring young comic.
"Here's the deal," the devil tells him. "You're going to be famous beyond your wildest dreams. You're going to play sports arenas and do movies. All you have to do is put on this leather jacket and some shades, fire up a smoke and say some of the gooiest, filthiest things ever said on a stage."
A catch? Well, this is the devil, so there's always a catch. But the devil will at least be straight-up about it.
"This is it. At least in comedy. You can try to branch out in the movies, and maybe some day Woody Allen will even direct you in one. But stand-up? You do this now, you do it for life."
So he takes the deal. Cut to the Vinyl room inside the Hard Rock Hotel last week. There is Andrew Dice Clay, 55 and still doing the Diceman, who made him what he is but never lets him be anything else.
Nothing really shocks us any more, but the Diceman still tries. He pummels us high and low with 40 minutes of comedy with a connecting theme: the many ways to describe seminal fluid.
For the faithful, it's now a nostalgia act. And for a sad few of his fans who don't see the cartoonishness of it, the Diceman may still be the guy who says what they feel but know they can't speak themselves.
And there is that Archie Bunker quality of a little old-fashioned common sense escaping, amid the bigotry and sexism, when all filters are removed. Today's young women need not seek the Diceman's approval for excessive grooming and bedazzling of the pubic area.
And he doesn't want to see what your phone can do, unless what it can do is an actual sexual act.
The faithful are rewarded with the latest variations on the theme, the Diceman's take on gay marriage. He takes a riff that's become familiar in stand-up — why would gays surrender promiscuity, the one thing straights always envied? — and briefly transforms into a gay Dice:
"We can't (get married), so I guess I gotta go now. … I can't marry ya, so take care a yerself. I gotta go (have sex with someone else)."
For those of us who never fully bought into the Dice bit, the best moments come when he borders on breaking character, giving us a wink from behind the aviator shades.
If he had a chance to talk to God — " 'Cause he's probably a fan, right?" — he would ask about the design logic of scrotums.
He asks a woman up front, "What'd you think you were walkin' into tonight, Seinfeld? He does the same thing I do, only he wears a tie." Then he recaps one of the previous routines in a pretty good Seinfeld impression.
He steps outside himself again to note, "They think they're going to see some kind of animal sayin' the wrong thing. But it's all about romance."
He can't do that much, though. He clings to the persona as tightly as Stephen Colbert does to his, down to the detail of calling Tiger Woods "the golf man," and fumbling for the names of his "sticks."
He's not so much trapped in character as in the material. You can tell there's a good comic in there from the timing and the few times he ventures beyond the sexual descriptives.
He seems almost bored of that stuff, too, and no one seems to mind when he puts a quick wrap on it, reprising a few dirty nursery rhymes and calling it a night when just an hour has passed since the opening act walked onstage.
But he's still here, and he still sells tickets. And you don't mess with the devil.
Clay's periodic dates resume next month at the rock club Vinyl, which provides cool atmosphere for comedy shows even if the rows of folding chairs are packed optimistically close together.
And it's a sign that at least some things have changed since Clay broke big in the '80s when opening act Eleanor Kerrigan (an ex of his) can spin off the Dice thing as insult comic and no one gives a second thought to it.
Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@
reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.
Andrew Dice Clay
9 p.m. April 19-April 20
Hard Rock Hotel, 4455 Paradise Road
$54-$98 (800-745-3000)
Grade: C+


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It looks like only Kristen Stewart is struggling with the mandatory distance between her and Robert Pattinson. The Trampire is reportedly going crazy missing her former man who is filming The Rover in Australia, making many unanswered calls and hoping to sneak a trip to the location sooner rather than later. Rob on the other hand is simply living his life abroad. He is rumored to have split with Kristen before leaving the states and decided that no relationship was better than one where he laid in bed alone at night wondering what Kristen was up too.
Rob hasn't exactly been below the radar since arriving and according to SA Police. The actor was busted for bicycling without a helmet of all things! A rep for the police confirmed that the story about Rob was true but they reassured his over zealous fans that the punishment is nonexistent.
"He will not be fined; it is just a simple caution. We had a chat with him and told him that it is a requirement to wear a helmet while cycling a pushbike. It's no biggie."
Do you think Rob had any idea of the cycling laws in Australia? Maybe he sped off after yet another annoying call from Kristen rolled in and he had to blow off steam. Supposedly her increasing clinginess was leaving him cold these past few months. Maybe Kristen prompted this traffic stop of sorts!
All that aside, do you think that the couple will eventually reunite down under? Should Rob give it another whirl or leave well enough alone. I mean he started off as a side dish and has now been with her while she chose another side dish. Clearly fidelity isn't her strong suit and cheating is a pattern, don't you think? Let's just face the facts – Kristen Stewart is a disgusting home-wrecking trampire. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
If You Want More Hot Celeb Dirty Laundry News Then Please Like Us On Facebook and Follow Us On Twitter!


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When Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed SB 408 today, he said, "A healthy, stable and competitive private insurance market is critical to the success of Florida, given the hazards we face. I commend the Florida Legislature, especially Sen. Richter and Rep. Wood, for bringing this important legislation forward."
The bill, which addresses cost drivers in an attempt to reform Florida's unsteady property insurance market, became effective upon the governor's signature. As it made it way through the legislative process it faced strong opposition from various quarters, most notably from Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey. Fasano fought many of the bill's provisions and as recently as this week was urging Scott to veto it.
A synopsis by Thomas J. Maida and Paul Lowell of Foley & Lardner LLC details a number of the significant reforms in the legislation, including:
- Expanding exclusions from losses covered by the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to include losses caused by perils other than a covered event, such as fire, theft, flood or rising water, as well as amounts paid for waivers of deductibles and bad faith awards.
- Limiting public adjuster compensation for reopened or supplemental claims to 20 percent of the claim payment (10 percent for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. claims) and requiring additional disclosure statements and notices to certain parties.
- Requiring insurers to provide two replacement cost coverage options for payment of personal property insurance claims. The first option pays the full replacement cost without reservation. The second option pays the depreciated value and holds back the remainder of coverage until the policyholder provides receipts.
- Requiring a policyholder to file windstorm and hurricane claims within three years.
Rates were addressed in several portions of the legislation. SB 408 reinstates the requirement that carriers submit rate change requests using the file-and-use process until May 1, 2012. In file-and-use, an insurer must receive approval from the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) before changing its rates. The bill allows carriers to seek rate increases up to 15 percent to adjust for reinsurance costs; the OIR has 45 days to approve or disallow the request.
Follow the Progression of SB 408 Through the Florida Legislature
The bill increases the minimum surplus requirements for new residential property insurers (those approved on or after July 1, 2011) from $5 million to $15 million. For insurers that hold a certificate of authority prior to July 1, 2011, the surplus requirement gradually increases to $15 million over the next decade.
SB 408 also addresses sinkhole claims, which have proliferated in Florida in recent years. Carriers sought to have the mandatory coverage language deleted but settled for language specifically defining "structural damage" to narrow the definition of a sinkhole loss. Additionally, the new bill requires a policyholder to pay 50 percent of sinkhole testing costs up to $2,500 if the policyholder requests testing after an insurer denies the sinkhole claim; sinkhole claims must be filed within 2 years of the covered loss.
The governor's approval, which was universally expected, brought kudos from major insurance groups and others:
Florida Association of Insurance Agents Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Kyle Ulrich: "By signing Senate Bill 408, Governor Rick Scott has taken necessary and long overdue actions to stabilize Florida's property insurance market and increase competition in the marketplace. We applaud Governor Scott for taking this step to provide necessary relief to Floridians looking for more affordable options to insure their property.
"State Sen. Garrett Richter, State Rep. John Wood and legislative leadership deserve high praise for tackling this complex issue. We sincerely appreciate their hard work to craft this comprehensive and critically needed reform plan to spur recovery in our insurance market.
"After enduring years of misguided policies that have wrecked our homeowners' insurance market, this new law will go a long way in repairing the serious damage that has been done and sends a strong signal to the world that Florida is open for business. That is good news for consumers who will benefit from Governor Scott and the Legislature's action to promote the needed stability and predictability in the marketplace."
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty: "I commend Governor Scott for his leadership during the legislative session and for signing SB 408 relating to property and casualty insurance. This bill focuses on addressing cost drivers in the system and will yield long-term benefits for Florida by stabilizing the property insurance market and attracting new capital investment to our state."
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors- Florida spokesman Bob Lotane: "We applaud the Florida lawmakers who seriously weighed the issues to address the challenges that confront our property insurance markets rather than those who cast an eye toward the next political office and look to score cheap political points.
"Florida faces an array of unique natural risks and this legislation will help us continue to protect Floridians property while also attracting badly needed competition and capital to our state."
The American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research President Steve Pociask: "It is my strong view that SB 408 represents meaningful and pro-consumer reforms that will encourage competition, increase policyholder surplus and protect consumers from insurer insolvencies."
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America Assistant Vice President and Regional Manager William Stander: "PCI thanks Gov. Scott for signing SB 408, which is a major step forward toward restoring private, market-based solutions in Florida. This new law will address the concerns of consumers and policyholders about the cost of property insurance in Florida and help stabilize the state's insurance marketplace.
"We also commend the legislative leaders who led the charge for reform, Sen. Garrett Richter (R-Naples) and Rep. John Wood (R-Haines City), and the overwhelming majority of Florida's legislators who voted for this important legislation. The fact that the House supported the bill 85-33, and the Senate passed it 26-11, demonstrated broad support for moving Florida's insurance market forward.
"SB 408 will protect insurance consumers by addressing many of the cost drivers that push rates higher. The bill will make it an unfair and deceptive trade practice for public adjusters to mislead people at a time when they need help the most. It also will cap public adjuster fees, meaning more settlement money in the hands of consumers, while taking measures to ensure that properties are properly repaired, meaning safer homes and better resale values.
"This law will help restore a healthy, stable and competitive insurance market that provides economic security and peace of mind to policyholders. It is an excellent example of how government, industry and the people of Florida can work together to stabilize and improve the state's insurance market. It is a common-sense, long-term solution that utilizes market-based solutions and means stronger homes and safer families."


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Social products are an interesting bird. For even the most experienced product designer, social products prove an elusive lover. While there are many obvious truths in social products, there are also alot of ways to design them poorly. Especially when you are deep in the moment making pixel-level decisions trying to remember what's important, things may not be so clear.
The only magic I've found in designing compelling social products that have the best shot at breaking through the noise and capturing people's time and money is in being extremely clear on how your social product meets a few key design principles.
Gina Bianchini of Mightybell (formerly of Ning)
Incredible episode of TWiS. Gina's vision for the future of social software is right on target. Brilliant entrepreneur.


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Bono barked out the four-letter word par excellence when he accepted the award for best song at the Golden Globes ceremony, and it was delivered live to East Coast viewers of NBC.
A few hours earlier, a CBS microphone caught a man using the same word during the American Football Conference championship game between the Oakland Raiders and the Tennessee Titans.
About the same time, back on NBC, actor Colin Farrell made a scatological reference, traditionally verboten on network TV, during a preceremony Golden Globes show.
There was no "straw" in our case. We just felt we were wasting our lives in front of it. It was one of the greatest decisions we've ever made.


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Eldorado, Texas - (ReUterus & Ass Mess): One hundred pregnant under-eighteen year-olds taken from the Yearning For Zion polygamy nutters' hellhole have stunned doctors after ultrasound scans showed images of Jesus in their wombs.
Hospital staff were astonished to find that all twelve Stations of the Cross appear to be replicated in the expectant young mothers' fetuses as well as other typical Biblical poses of the Messiah.
"One Jesus image shows Him throwing the money-changers out of the Temple," a stunned obstetrician at the Seedy Signs Memorial Hospital in Austin said today, "another is quite clearly Jesus changing water into swine."
A number of ultrasound scans depict scenes reminiscent of the Last Supper with Jesus cuddling a pregnant St John.
"We don't know how they're doing it," an attorney representing the fundamentalist slave camp girls at a child custody hearing said today.
"This could of course be a spontaneous satanic form of Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome," cult expert and Clinical Professor of Psychopathology Dr V Smart explained.
"We're not expecting any babies to be born with horns or tails, however."


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March 29, 2011 at 1:28 pm #3666
First, I have to apologise for the lengthy post, but this is the first time I have used WordPress and it's also the first time I have edited a website!! Newbie doesn't begin to cover it unfortunately, so please be gentle. My partner and his team create mobile applications and games and as their web programmer is busy with other work, they have left me to figure out how to use this Broadscope theme (Vers. 1.0.5) to give them a working website where they can showcase their products. I have completed much of the initial editing using the Broadscope theme options and I have created the menu which now has 11 pages including the Home page which I have set up as the frontpage. I would like to set up the Products page to have a submenu, where headings drop down and (a) link to a new page and (b) are accompanied by some text and images.
I have looked at the template documentation but although it says "Activating the mega menu is quite simple: just check the checkbox that gets shown for top level items. All items that are nested directly below them will then be converted to columns instead of links. these columns can then hold any number of links, and also text and images since the description field also accepts html code!" when I do this it doesn't change any pages to columns. When I drag and drop the page below and to the slight right of the custom page (created through the URL in Custom Links) it becomes a column, but then when I click on Save Menu, it reverts back to being a page, albeit one that now says Mega Menu next to it. And yet, there is still no drop down menu on the site. What am I doing wrong? Is there a simple step by step instruction manual anywhere? I've not found anything that can help me so far in the help files, the template documentation or on the internet. Help!!April 4, 2011 at 9:46 am #43248
Have resolved this issue myself. Guess this is what happens when you're a newbie. Still struggling with learning how to use shortcodes and stuff, but thankfully this brick wall that I hit has finally fallen down through brute force.April 4, 2011 at 12:24 pm #43249
The topic 'Creating a mega menu in Broadscope' is closed to new replies.


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Low numbers force Eyre school closure
Karkoo Primary School on Eyre Peninsula in SA will close next year because of low student numbers.
Petria Glover from the school's governing council says there would only have been six enrolments next year.
The students will be transferred to Cummins Primary School.
Ms Glover says the school has a long history in the district and it was a hard decision to make.
"I think the children won't have any problem. I think it just might be the emotional parents and those that have had long-term contact with the school that will have more trouble," she said.
"It's going to be sad but we're very hopeful. We need to be thankful that we've had a great school and know that the future's going to be great too."
Topics: primary-schools, family-and-children, regional, primary, schools, karkoo-5607, sa, cummins-5631, port-lincoln-5606, port-pirie-5540


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Science, in the effort to improve our lives, or if not, at least make sure we never leave the house with static cling, has come up with another invention so amazing, you will say, "I cannot allow my kids to have that."
Some scientists in England - still letting that country's perpetual clamminess go unaddressed - have invented gloves that allow people to climb walls, like houseflies or those with Bill O'Reilly as a houseguest.
According to the Reuters story, scientists made this discovery after careful examination of the feet of the gecko, a lizard primarily known for selling car insurance, I think. You may come up with your own jokes about other types of reptiles selling insurance.
Mimicking the billions of tiny hairs found on gecko feet, the "gecko tape" is strong enough to allow a college student to hang out the window for a few minutes, but too expensive to allow that student to hang out on the ceiling of a sorority house for an hour or two (I am thinking this practical application needs to be explored).
This entire story raises several questions:
- Did geckos absorb much teasing in their middle-school gym classes for having hairy feet? Is this what led them to start eating bugs?
- When a student volunteered to hang out the window with the tape, was he drunk? Did he make brutally obvious Spider-Man jokes?
- Has anyone told the guys at "Fear Factor" about this?
- Speaking of car insurance, what is the idea behind "no-fault" insurance?
Are we to believe that divine providence occasionally causes one vehicle to casually tap another from behind at 35 mph?
In the story, a science professor at UC Berkeley says the tape could be used for handling computer chips or in medicine, perhaps by creating more space in waiting rooms. ("Mr. Anderson, the doctor will see you as soon as you get your toupee off our ceiling.") He doesn't mention it, but given that he's at Berkeley, I'll bet protesters could find some insidious way to use it, as well.
Inventions like this make me think of my high school friend, Rob Starr, who spent inordinate amounts of time fixing up "classic" vehicles but neglecting to repair small leaks in minor parts like gas tanks. The end result of this was that people would turn to gawk in admiration as Rob sat by the side of the road with his "classic" car, after it ran out of gas once again.
This kind of problem led to some rather wild ideas, such as the one he saw in the back of an old issue of Popular Mechanics, a concept which everyone thinks is great but only a few curious sorts like Rob actually read (see also: PBS). According to the item, all you had to do was send $100 to a company in a foreign country somewhere, and they'd send you a kit for your very own one-man helicopter! "If we got the one-man helicopters," he would say, usually after he'd spent a lengthy amount of time on a highway shoulder, "wouldn't that be cool?"
Apart from the fact that we lived a little too close to an air force base for this to be safe - I don't know how fast the helicopters were, but I tend to think missiles are faster - I did not think this was cool. For one, I would think a highway patrolman's head would explode at the number of tickets he or she could write if you were zooming around in one.
Also, at that age as now, I wasn't even that good at piloting my one-man Human Body, so putting me in charge of a helicopter would've have been a good way to ensure a sudden power failure in the greater Grass Valley area normally blamed on errant birds, if you know what I mean.
So no one-man helicopters. And for the time being, no gecko gloves either, which does free up scientists to study a problem I think we can all agreed needs to be studied: Bill O'Reilly. Let's hope for a breakthrough soon.
Ben van der Meer is the news editor of the Tracy Press.
Comments about this column? Send mail to the News-Sentinel newsroom.
To subscribe to the Lodi News-Sentinel, fill out our online form or call our Subscriber Services Department at (209) 333-1400.


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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Smalley's 87, a popular downtown Minneapolis bar for Minnesota Twins fans before games, confirmed Friday that it will be closing its doors on Sunday.
Officials with the bar said they will be closed for two weeks while they undergo a change both in management and their name. The bar is scheduled to reopen March 1 under the name "The Alley Sports Tavern."
Current employees of Smalley's 87 can reapply for their jobs at the new bar. A bar manager didn't say what all is changing at the bar, but that there are some indoor and outdoor renovations that will be taking place.
Smalley's 87 was named after former Twins star Roy Smalley, who played on the 1987 World Series championship team.


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2017 Events Calendar
Browse by Category
Browse by Subcategory
Focus 99 (www.focus99.com) is looking Hispanic participants For an opinion survey "Focus Group" which will be held in Chicago on May 8th.
Duration: 2 hours
Compensation: $80
We need men and women aged 40 to 64 who speak Spanish and are taking medication for high blood pressure (Hypertension). We do not make any sales or drug tests and will not require your personal information. ONLY YOUR OPINION.
To participate contact: Juliana Ortega at 305-409-0807 or e-mail email@example.com
Get social! Latinos Progresando is now using Facebook Comments on our posts to provide an enhanced user experience. To post a comment, log into Facebook and then "add" your comment. To report spam or abuse, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box.
3047 West Cermak Road
Chicago, IL 60623
Office: (773) 542-7077 (Ext. 10)
Contact us


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Rescuers saved a dog stuck in an icy cranberry bog in Little Egg Harbor Township, N.J., on Friday.
The husky fell through the ice and was first spotted by a kayaker, who tried to help.
Local firefighters ultimately saved the husky's life by walking through the ice to grab him and carry him out.
The husky was stuck for 30 to 40 minutes, according to fire officials. After the rescue, the dog was determined to be OK and was returned to its owner.
Published at 3:22 PM EST on Jan 6, 2012


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Read this before you consider swimming with captive dolphins
View Single Post
April 10th, 2006, 04:41 PM
Senior Member
Cruise Maniac
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 133
There has been much heated debate about the longevity of captive dolphins compared with that of dolphins in the wild. The dolphin captivity industry will often make the claim that dolphins in captivity live just as long, or even longer, than dolphins in nature. According to some of those who are opposed to keeping dolphins captive, the picture looks very different. Just a few examples of mortality statistics provided by members of the animal welfare community:
'Orcas can live up to 90 years in the wild. They live an average of only 5.2 years in captivity'
'Bottlenose dolphins live up to 45 years in the wild. In captivity, they live an average of about 5 years.'
The most obvious problem with these statements, of course, is the fact that they compare maximum life expectancy of wild dolphins with the average lifespan of captive dolphins. Maximum life expectancy and average lifespan are two different values. They can't be compared as if they were one, and for this reason alone the statistics are misleading.
Furthermore, in order to calculate the average lifespan of captive dolphins one would have to know the exact time of the dolphins' capture or birth, and the exact time of their death. It's simply not possible to gather this information, as it's not made available to us by the dolphin captivity industry. In many countries there is no obligation to report dolphin deaths, nor is it required by law to report how many dolphins died during the capture process.
The most serious error associated with using mortality rates as an argument against dolphin captivity is the fact that it opens the door for dolphinaria to use mortality rates in defense of dolphin captivity. By putting so much emphasis on a captive dolphin's lifespan compared with that of a dolphin in nature, we reduce the dolphin captivity issue to being a question of how long a captive dolphin can be kept alive. The result is a futile dispute that diverts the attention from what this issue is really about. At some point the dolphin captivity industry may be able keep their dolphins alive for as long as in nature, but that doesn't make it right.
Before you open your mouth to speak, please make sure it's an improvement upon the silence.
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- The former owners' "tree guy" stopped by (again) to ask about trimming the large tree in our front yard. I have clearly but nicely (I *thought*) told him that we were not interested in his services, and last time he came by, I told him that he was welcome to do the work for free (convey your point with humor, right?!) This time he tried to hug me REPEATEDLY and said, "for you, I will do for free." Um, NOOOOOOO.
- I volunteer at our kids' elementary school once a week. A number of 1st and 2nd graders are identified (through test scores and teacher recommendations) and get a little extra help with reading and such. Many times these kids speak only Spanish at home, so their English vocabulary/exposure may be fairly limited, so simple tasks like matching words/picture may be slightly harder (words like bud, quilt, fog, etc.). I also need to remind myself that we're just in a different climate, so plants, weather, etc. are also different. Today, one of the worksheets we did together had a sketch of green beans - both of "my" kids identified them as mesquite pods. Neither of them knew what beets were, and both completed a sentence where a boy was giving something to a girl with "beans" ("Why yes, a pot of charro beans would be lovely, thank you!!")
- A friend lives one school district over; it is a smaller community. Her son attends public school, and consistently is a top scorer. He also repeatedly gets notice of violations because his somewhat wavy hair starts to brush the tops of his ears. They were also off yesterday for Mexican Constitution Day (of course no vacation for Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Veteran's Day, Memorial Day...) This is the same school that had the theme "Keep Christ in Christmas" for their float in the community holiday parade last year.
- I still long for more variety in our restaurant choices, particularly in regard to ethnic food. Olive Garden ≠ Italian! There are Mexican restaurants on virtually every corner, but how about Vietnamese, Portuguese, Thai, or even plain old American diner fare? Well, we *ARE* getting a Cracker Barrel and Popeye's soon ;)
To be fair, I will say that I do enjoy the fresh citrus, generally mild winters, proximity to the beach, having a pool, and the lower costs of housing... but I don't know if this white chick will ever truly fit in.


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Address: 299 Moo 4 Hnongjik Rd., A.Muang, Pattani 94000
Area: Pattani-City
C. S. Pattani was designed to integrate the charming southern arts and culture along with the warm hospitality of people here. The hotel off ..
1,500THBBook Now
Address: 8/28 Charoenpradit Rd., T.Sabarang A.Muang, Pattani 94000
Area: Pattani-City
My Gardens Hotel room in Pattani province. You will experience the atmosphere at home with pure air. Ideal for personal or family retreat. ..
429THBBook Now
Address: 91-2 Moo5 Rusamilae, A.Patthani-City, Pattani 94000
Area: Pattani-City
Park View Pattani Located in Pattani, Welcome to luxurious 77-bedroom with air conditioning and an on-site restaurant. The hotel is deco ..
980THBBook Now


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PLEASE NOTE: Your web browser does not have
enabled. Unless you
, your ability to navigate and access the features of this website will be limited.
| Glossary
Plural: glomeruli; one of a number of specialised structures in the kidney, composed of loops of specialised capillaries that filter blood, allowing small substances to pass through towards the urine but preventing loss of larger proteins and blood cells.
©2001 -


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First batch of WWE '13 screenshots surface
WWE '13 was officially announced yesterday during an episode of Monday Night Raw. The game, which will sport current WWE Champion CM Punk's likeness on the cover, will feature an Attitude Era theme. While details on this aspect of the game are still unknown, it's very likely that the story mode will feature stars of the '90s and early 2000s including Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mankind.
Additionally, while the roster is certain to be rife with some of today's best WWE wrestlers, the whole Attitude Era thing likely means that we'll be getting a beefed up roster with plenty of fan favorites from the iconic period in wrestling, as well as some old school arenas.
A handful of screenshots from WWE '13 have surfaced. They mainly showcase some of the stars we'll see in the game such as Sheamus and old school Undertaker, and one of them shows what happens when two giant guys fall onto the ring from the top turnbuckle. Check 'em out! They're pretty cool!
Are you looking forward to WWE '13? Do you want to recreate classic Attitude Era rivalries? How about working on that dream card and pitting current grapplers against the best of the '90s and early 2000s? Well, for me, that already happened, but now you guys can finally make Stone Cold wrestle against Randy Orton! (The Rattlesnake will totally kick Orton's ass, though.)
For a bunch of nonsensical gibberish, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.


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· KICK BOXING FOR WOMEN - twice weekly, Elbert Parks and Recreation Department; instructor Steve Crenshaw, 14 years of experience; classes are like Tae-Bo, aerobics exercise, self-defense, build confidence and self-esteem; (706) 283-1128.
· BOATING GEORGIA WATER SAFETY COURSE - 8:30 a.m. July 9, National Guard Armory, Hartwell; for young personal craft drivers ages 12 through 15; students must pre-register by paying the $10 fee to cover the cost of materials at either the Hartwell Marina or the Harbor Light Marina; (706) 376-5700 or (864) 224-0593.
· ADULT SOCCER TEAMS WANTED FOR GEORGIA CUP SOCCER SIX TOURNAMENT - tournament is July 10-11 at the Athens YWCO; seven adult divisions to play in; national championships will be Aug. 6-8 on Hilton Head Island, S.C.; six players a side, 60-by-40-yard pitch; fast-paced game; to register, contact Bear Foot Sports on the Web site at www.adultsoccer.com or call (843) 689-3440.
© 2017. All Rights Reserved. | Contact Us


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The wildlife paradise of Daws Hall is holding an open day.
The 25 acre site in Lamarsh boasts about 100 different species of wildflowers, four acres of unspoiled woodland, a number of ponds and even its own island.
It is home to an abundance of wildlife, as well as 16 Red-breasted geese, a rare and endangered breed originating from Russia.
It will be open next Sunday from 12 noon until 4pm.
Entry is £5 for adults and £1 for children over five.


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Join us at the monthly Eco/Justice Cafe
4 - 10 pm, on First Fridays!
The Cafes support support area environmental and social justice activists, their organizations, and the UDC students and staff who care.
- April 1 headline performance by American Sinner, featuring attorney/accordionist Scott Trowbridge at 8 pm. See http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Sinner/66524222296 or http://www.myspace.com/americansinner or http://www.americansinner.com/
- Happy Hour and networking begin at 4 pm
- Live music, fine food by Fresh Start, great beer, soft drinks
- Free childcare/kids area available
- Requested donations: $15/$10 for students & lower income earners/$5 for kids gets you great food by Fresh Start (see http://www.freshstartcatering.com/), good beer and sorta OK soft drinks. No one turned away for inability to donate!
Please pay the donation when you register (though it's not required!)
- 7 pm Shabbat - everyone welcome.
(Other religious ceremonies, ethical expressions, pagan rites invited!)
- Organizational tablers welcome at no charge - contact firstname.lastname@example.com
- Additional musicians, poets, jugglers, visual artists also sought: email@example.com
- 4.0 Lounge Game Room will be open for billiards!
- Don't forget: Invite your Facebook friends to this event at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132856943452601 !
Questions, comments, criticisms: Joe firstname.lastname@example.com
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UDC David A. Clarke School of Law
4340 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 274-7400
Fax: (202) 274-5583
Admission Inquiries: firstname.lastname@example.com
General Inquiries: email@example.com
Connect with the School of Law


text:
Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co.
Second Revised Volume No. 1
Contents / Previous / Next / Main Tariff Index
Effective Date: 06/01/1997, Docket: RP97-148-002, Status: Effective
Original Sheet No. 284A Original Sheet No. 284A : Effective
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS (Continued)
20. TAXES (Continued)
for Shipper's account, and Transporter shall pay or cause to be
paid all taxes and assessments imposed on Transporter with
respect to natural gas transported after its receipt by
Transporter and prior to delivery to Shipper.
20.2 Transportation sales and service taxes incurred in the State of
South Dakota imposed on transportation service rendered to
(The rest of this sheet has been intentionally left blank.)


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Pig Lick, Indiana: This just crossing news wires... Melinda Belle Piffle of this city contacted authorities when she opened her bedroom closet door and discovered three missing socks in the process of trans-mutating into wire clothes hangers.
Investigating officers learned from Miss Piffle that in recent months she had discovered several unmatched socks in her laundry. She also reported that wire clothes hangers seemed to be multiplying mysteriously in her closets.
Officers confiscated the "half hanger/half sock" thingies and other closet items for scientific analysis. Miss Piffle asked to be frisked and handcuffed but officers declined.
This writer will be in contact with Miss Piffle to conduct a controlled experiment in her closet to verify if missing socks somehow relate to the appearance of hangers. Handcuffs may be involved.


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YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE CARTAGENA! I can't imagine anyone not liking the city. You may be worried about visiting this city in Colombia, but you don't have to be. Especially if you find yourself in the Old Town Cartagena. It's really a wonderful place, here's why:
- Cartagena is the safest city in Colombia.
- It's not a tourist trap. I was there November/December and although the tourists were there, it was not overcrowded like Venice.
- The locals frown on public drunkenness and are not afraid to put misbehaved tourists in their place (this is quite entertaining when it happens). This means that while you can party and have a great time, you don't need to worry about obnoxious tourists or locals.
- It's not Mexico. You're not going to get sick from the food or water…unless you eat oysters at the beach…everything else is a-ok (even the super cheap ceviche). Here's a full lista de las cosas que necesita para comer en Cartagena.
Cartagena is not perfect. It has plenty of issues, but even with the negatives I left ready to go back. I'll walk you through some of the coolest spots in the old town (there will be other blogs for other neighborhoods), and give you some tips for your trip to Cartagena Colombia (they're at the bottom of this post – so scroll if you're in a rush).
Old Town Cartagena Guide
Chances are if you're headed to Cartagena, you'll spend most of your time in the Ciudad Vieja (the old town). This is where most tourists spend their time, and it is easy to see why. El casco antiguo y elCiudad Murallada (walled city) is a treasure trove of Colonial architecture, churches, gorgeous mansions, amazing shopping, and history. I loved the old city and spent plenty of time there…I could have spent even more and plan to quite soon. Cartagena is a very inexpensive travel location if you do it right.
You probably noticed if you googled "Cartagena" that a Spanish city pops up from time to time. Esta es la ciudad que dioLa Heroica her name, y la razón por Cartagena se conoce comoCartagena de Indias. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in 1533, Cartagena was inhabited by the Karib, Malibu and Arawak. Spaniards came and took over. Cartagena's location on the Caribbean made it an important trading post (many slaves were put to horrible fates here) and a great place for profit for the Spanish. This, in turn made it attractive to Spain's rivals. El español tenía que protegerse y construyó elCastillo San Felipe de Barajas. The Spanish held their ground and the Catholic church took hold of the city. Cartagena was at one point a center for the Inquisition of the Americas. In 1821 Simon Bolivar liberated the city from Spain and Cartagena's modern history began.
The old city is more than just the walled city…but it's small enough that you can walk it all in one
day night (you'll end up heat stroked or sunburned if you attempt this during the daytime). There are three main neighborhoods in the old city: San Pedro, San Diego and Getsemani. San Pedro was where the rich people lived. San Diego was for the working people, and Getsemani has now become the hippest neighborhood after being known for being the place for prostitution. Cartagena values its travel dollars, so you should be safe all over the old city. At no point did I feel threatened and we had no bad experiences with thieves or pick pockets. There are always people on the streets and I had no issues at all. That being said, don't be stupid and go flaunting money, cellphones, or jewelry. Have fun, but observe caution and you'll be just fine.
Plaza de San Pedro Claver (1575-1612) – You'll know you're there when you begin to see some charming metal sculptures of people doing what Colombian people do: getting a haircut, playing games, etc.. These were made by sculptor Eduardo Carmona. Then you will notice a large sculpture of a man of the cloth in conversation with a slave. As I mentioned before, Cartagena's economy was boosted by the slave trade. Claver era un sacerdote jesuita español que bautizó y esclavos proselitismo que llegó desde África. He considered himself the advocate for slaves and was canonized in the late 1800's. The church dedicated to him is a Cathedral in the Italian style and totally worth a visit (especially since it's pretty cool in there). There is also a museum where you can learn more about Cartagena's history and the slave trade that built the city. At this plaza, usted encontrará a menudoPalenqueras selling fruit (perfect respite from the heat – watermelon, pineapple, papaya) and homemade sweets like cocadas. If you want to take a picture of or with a Palenquera, it is customary to make a small purchase beforehand. Heck, those internet points you win on instagram mean nothing to you, but the dollar you pay for that delicious watermelon will make a difference in their lives. You can also sneak into the Modern Art Museum to get a little shade.
Museo de Arte Moderno de Cartagena: El historiador del arte en mí se encogió cuando entré al calor y la humedad. Dicho este museo tiene una colección excepcional y me gustaría animarles a cobrar más para que pudieran estabilizar la temperatura en el edificio. Su derecho Plaza de San Pedro Claver y ocupa dos edificios uno del siglo 17 y otra del 19. Fueron utilizados para almacenar armas, but have now been connected to become the MAMC in the late 70's. La colección incluye dos artistas colombianos e internacionales. Mi artista favorito era Enrique Grau. Él donó las piezas a Cartagena y le da una idea bastante clara sobre el artista. Otros artistas que me llamó la atención fueron Alfredo Guerrero, Augusto Rivera, Omar Rayo, y Olga de Amaral. El costo por boleto de adulto fue de $ 5.000COP (alrededor de $ 1.50USD) Calle 30, 4-08 – phone 0057 5230 2622
Plaza Santo Domingo – This is one of the most touristy spots in the city. Plaza Santo Domingo is located a block away from Plaza Bolivar. It is made up of the Iglesia de Santo Domingo and a bunch of restaurants that offer outdoor seating. This means that a bunch of young ladies will all work hard to sell you on going to the restaurant they represent. There are a few things I particularly liked about this plaza. First, the Iglesia de Santo Domingo from the mid 1500's. The church is a popular wedding location, we must have seen a different wedding every night we were there. This plaza is also quite popular for dance troupes, so you get some very inexpensive "dinner & a show". Just make sure to have a little cash to donate to the performers. Finally, as a good Colombian should, Me enamoré conGertrudis. Who is she? She's La gordita de Fernando Botero, Colombia's most well known visual artist. This Rubenesque reclining nude is made of bronze…it is said that if you rub her breasts, she will bring you luck in love.
Plaza Bolivar – This plaza is always full of people, both tourists and locals. A few spots here deserve their own write up, so they will get it. The plaza surrounds the equestrian statue of Simon Bolivar, Latin America's George Washington. Grab a seat, buy a fresh coconut and sip it under a tree. At night time, enjoy the nightly dance shows and live concerts. If you're into museums, check out the Cartagena Gold Museum (tiny, but free to enter). You can also check out the Museum of the Inquisition which has tons of torture devices and more gruesome items. The Cathedral of Cartagena is a nice place to cool down…and if you so wish, check out the sculpture dedicated to Pope John Paul II from his 1986 visit.
Palacio de la Inquisicion (At Plaza de Bolivar)- This is one crazy museum. Vive en una hermosa casa que sirvió como el patio de laHoly Office. It's not the cheapest museum for what you get, but if you're an architecture fan like I am…that will make it worth it. A word of warning. There are "guides" in the museum. They don't cost cheap, and I don't think they are worth the price. You can pay for them if you want to be entertained, but the museum is not huge, so a guide is not really warranted. That being said, este museo tortura realmente pone las cosas en perspectiva cuando se empieza a ver todos los instrumentos de tortura que fueron utilizados por la iglesia para que la genteconfess they were witches. There's some pretty gruesome stuff in there. Lo que más me asustó más que nada fue elHeretics Fork. This device is a double sided fork, that is placed between your sternum and your chin making you super uncomfortable. Basically, you move, you are impaled by the fork. I'm not really sure what kind of person you need to be to come up with this idea, but I'd say a pretty sick one.
Plaza San Diego – Pasé demasiado tiempo aquí, sobre todo porque las chicas de laarepa con huevostand make the best ones in the city. I think I had one every other day. Seriously – these women are the best in the city, so do not miss them. I loved the square mostly because although there were plenty of tourists in this plaza, you could feel the energy of the locals. Grab a seat at the plaza, enjoy your arepa con huevo and enjoy the music from local musicians ranging from kid rappers, to guitar trios playing boleros, to amateur violinists. When you're ready to move on, hit up the Institute of the Arts and Sciences, check out las Bovedas, and the Teatro Heredia.
The Clock Tower & Plaza de la Aduana – There are many tiny entrances into the walled city, its most famous is the Puerta del Reloj or Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower). As you go under the clock tower, you will see many artisanal crafts for sale. They're priced nicely enough, so it's a nice time to help the local economy. Una vez que usted pasa por la torre del reloj va a estar en elPlaza de los Coches. Yes, you can pick up a carriage ride, but I find them inhumane (many of the horses are ridiculously skinny, and the carriages are made of heavy materials unlike those in New York). Ladies, you are not princesses, stop making believe you are. A quick walk from here, usted encontraráPlaza de la Aduana donde Cristóbal Colón destaca triunfalmente sobre La India Catalina. I've got so many issues with this monument, but it does tell you a lot about the history of the city and Latin America. Walk a little more, y usted se encontrará enPlaza San Pedro Claver.
Muelle del Pegaso en Cartagena de Indias – As you walk out of the city center through the clock tower, you will encounter the Muelle del Pegaso(dock of the Pegasus) which connects the Center of the old city to Getsemani. Está decorado con varias esculturas pegaso, y se sienta en compañía del Centro de Convenciones y el Camellón de los Mártires. It was a lovely spot in December, especially at night when the area would be lit up and vendors sold arepas con queso, cerveza and other treats to locals. You'd often hear music and be entertained by street artists. One night, nos encontramos con el Festival de Pasteles en el Parque Centenario. This was an awesome event. Se corrió toda una semana y localespastelmakers competed for the title of the best Pastel of Cartagena. Their pasteles are quite similar to Tamal tolimense. I was in heaven. We went back twice, ate like pigs and had an amazing time. If you want to take a trip to Isla Rosario, you can grab a boat here, but we recommend that you plan this out ahead. A day trip is not worth it. If you head out to Islas Rosario, take at least 3 days.
Getsemani – This is now the hippest barrio in Cartagena. It is where independence was first declared and has recently seen a renaissance. It was once known for prostitution, seedy stores and clubs. Now, it is a lovely neighborhood with stunning graffiti and street art, killer restaurants, and is definitely a home for the local Cartageneros. We were there during December and on our nightly walks, we'd see all the people from the neighborhood at the local church singing the novena. There were ton of restaurants, bars, and clubs.
India Catalina – Catalina had it rough. She was kidnapped by the Spanish in the 1500's and eventually ended up assisting them in the conquest of Colombia. El monumento en su nombre se encuentra en el puerto entre el Castillo de San Felipe y el casco antiguo.
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas – Sorry Cartagena, but you gotta up the ante here. This is a stunning site, but you're missing a ton of opportunities here. Lisbon's Castelo Sao Jorge is kicking your ass when it comes to defensive castles and it's not because theirs is better, but because they understand how to use the space to envelop tourists in history and lore. I'm physically healthy and active, and I am a huge history buff…and I did not find this to be the most pleasant experience. The site itself is impressive, but the tourism board is missing out on many opportunities to make money while making visitors happy. Go, but make sure to wear sunscreen (bring extra). Wear sneakers, there is no way up, but walking. Asegúrese de usar un sombrero ya que no hay lugares para esconderse del sol (unless you head into the bovedas – not the most comforting spots around), and make sure to bring a few frozen water bottles. The only shop is all the way at the top of the Castillo, by the time you get there, you will be heat stroked. Cartagena could create a better experience by setting up rest spots (tables, chairs, and umbrellas), guides throughout to talk to you about the history. También podrían establecer centros de aprendizaje dentro del castillo(or at least more signs). Finally, their gift shop sucks. Nice people there, but it's all nick nacks. That would be the perfect spot to have a small wine/beer/frituras bar and a little music. Lisbon does this, and they do it quite well.
- Sun Protection: The Caribbean sun can be unforgiving. Make sure to wear sunscreen and a hat. Even though I wore SPF 30 on a daily basis, I ended up with a little skin damage. You can also carry around bottles of water, but stuff is so cheap there, I would just buy it on the street.
- Carry small bills: Local vendors (and taxi drivers) will try to get as much out of you as possible. Make sure to carry change so that you don't end up overpaying for goods and services.
- Stay away from the Emerald Shops: Colombia has great emeralds, but this is not the place to purchase them.
- Do eat on the street: Look for women and men with bags filled with Styrofoam containers. Salen alrededor 11 and will yell "ALMUERZO". That means lunch. These lunches cost a mere $2USD and usually include coconut rice (yummmy), a green salad, and a protein that can be chicken, or pork. So freaking good. Then grab yourself a coconut from a street vendor to wash it down with.
- Wear White: White reflects heat, so you will stay much cooler. Besides, this is the favorite color of the locals, so you will stick out less.
- Dress nicely: Colombians don't wear sneakers, and while Cartagena is more relaxed than say Bogota or Medellin, if you wear sneakers or flip flops you will totally stick out. At night time, step up your game. Gentlemen can wear white linen pants with a nice shirt, and ladies can wear a nice Summer dress.
These are not listed in any particular order…but you cannot leave Cartagena without trying these lovely dishes:
- Arepa Con Huevo: My absolute favorite type of arepa. Find the arepa ladies at Plaza San Diego. There are others in the city, but these are better than any restaurant or stall in town. Estas arepas se hacen de harina de maíz, and filled with spiced ground beef and deep fried. Once they cook, they are filled with two eggs and fried again. They are possibly my most favorite indulgence (and they are super cheap). I'm kinda drooling right now.
- Arepa Con Queso: These arepas are thick cheese & cornmeal cakes that are grilled (on butter) and topped with more butter and cheese. Son acre, delicious, caloric and damn good with a beer. The best ones were at the carts of el Camellón de los Martires.
- Tasting Menu at Restaurante 1621 – Sofitel Santa Clara: It's expensive for Cartagena, it's a steal by NYC standards. La cocina es francesa-Caribe y pone los ingredientes de Cartagena a las normas deLa Technique. The service and wines were also wonderful. We paid $120 USD for dinner for two (two courses and dessert).
- Gelato at Paradiso: I was blown away. Gelateria Paradiso hace todo en casa con los mejores ingredientes disponibles. You can have something traditional like Cookies & Cream, something tropical like Tamarind, or something unusual like Basil. There's a flavor for everyone.
- Pasteles Cartageneros: I may have loved these because they were so much like Tamales Tolimenses (I may get hurt next time I go to Cartagena for saying this). Ellos son abundantes, delicious, and one is enough for two – but I've been known to polish one off on my own. They are made or cornmeal which is filled with pork, chicken, beef and a few veggies. La mezcla se envuelve en una hoja de plátano y se hierve. If you go in December, preguntar lugareños acerca de laFestival de Pasteles. It goes on for a week and you'll have the chance to taste pasteles from the city's best Pasteleros.
- Limonada de Coco: Oh yeahhhh…there are few things better in the sweltering Cartagena heat than a delicious Coconut Lemonade. I'm not sure what the hell they do to make this so damn good, but I was ordering these at every restaurant in town.
- Fruit: Fruit is freakin' delicious in Colombia and Cartagena has a bounty of it. You can get anything from pineapple, papaya, guava, uchuva, nispero, granadillas and much more. If you want to try a good variety, dirigirse a una de las plazas y comprar una ensalada de lapalenqueras. It will cost you very little and you will get a taste of one of each of the fruits at her table.
- Ceviche: You're at the beach. You better eat seafood. When it comes to ceviche you've got plenty of options. You can go to La Cevicheria, but if you really want the Cartagena experience, you need to head to Avenida Venezuela (between the walled city & Getsemani) and check out the Ceviche stands. Amazing ceviche for around $2USD. Just remember to ask for it without ketchup or salsa rosada. Colombians love ketchup on their fish and I find this to be a sacrilege…just something to keep in mind.
- Arroz con Coco: You will be hooked and beg for the recipe. Coconut rice here is served at almost every meal. It's made with real coconut and panela (basically pure unrefined cane sugar). It somehow works with main courses. Especially fried fish.
- Fried Fish: The fried fish in Cartagena is delicious. Most restaurants will offer whatever is the catch of the day. When you eat it, make sure to relish on the fins. Fried fins taste better than potato chips.
Getting sick when you're traveling sucks. Usted podría ir a un hospital en la ciudad, but there's a much better option. Hay un servicio de llamada AMI. Este servicio es un servicio médico de emergencia de suscripción para los locales. ¿Cómo ayuda esto? If you're sick, puede llamar al servicio y solicitar un médico. The bad news is that if they're having a busy night they won't get to you immediately (and you'll have to call back until a spot opens up). La parte buena es que un médico llegará a su hotel / alojamiento, usted echa un vistazo allí, y prescribir lo que necesites. La mejor parte, una visita nos costó $90.000 POLICÍA (menos de $ 30USD). One note – usted tendrá que llamar desde un teléfono fijo o Skype. En Colombia teléfonos fijos sólo pueden llamar a teléfonos fijos, and mobiles can only call mobiles…weird, Lo sé. Gracias Dr.. Ronald por cuidar bien de nosotros.


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Press Releases
House Small Business Committee Examines Role of Business Incubators on Job Creation
The House Small Business Committee held a hearing today to examine the role that business incubators can play in creating jobs and growing our economy.
Business incubators are facilities that serve small businesses by providing below-market office space, management advice on operating a business, and various type of clerical assistance. Provision of these services, shared among a variety of small businesses, lower operating costs and reduce start-up times by eliminating many of the logistical barriers associated with the opening of a business. Frequently, incubators are established in abandoned buildings, thereby promoting development in economically depressed areas. After receiving assistance from an incubator, a small business can often stand on its own, healthy and self-sufficient.
Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) said, "Now more than ever, Americans need the services offered by small business incubators. The economic downturn has shuttered many businesses, leaving once bustling communities with empty storefronts and warehouses. Employers are hesitant, if not completely unable, to expand their operations or hire new workers, and would-be entrepreneurs are putting future initiatives on hold. Small business incubators can help provide stability in an unstable environment, encouraging growth and development."
During the hearing, Committee Members heard testimony from Dr. Robert Strom, Director of Research and Policy at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to entrepreneurship. In his testimony, Dr. Strom cited recent Kauffman Foundation research that found that young firms (less than five years old) are responsible for virtually all net new jobs in the United States. Without these businesses, job creation would have been negative for 22 years from 1977 through 2005. It is clear that small firms will continue to play a critical role in America's economic recovery.
Mr. Peter Linder, Chair of the Mid-Atlantic Angel Group Fund, testified at the hearing about the important assistance that angel investors can offer developing businesses. Ranking Member Graves believes that particular attention should be paid to the role that such private-sector investors can play with respect to incubators in an effort to lessen dependency on federal funding.
For video of the hearing, click here.
Tags: Workplace Issues


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The fellowship is a 10 week full time program that gives the web's emerging makers the opportunity to hone their skills alongside the industry's finest. You'll attend workshops & lectures, build out your network, be mentored by veterans and put your skills to the test at a leading Canadian startup.
We've handpicked a group of Montreal startups that are working hard to change the status quo. You'll get a court-side seat at one of them and mingle with the rest.
Every week all fellows will gather for a range of in-depth workshops and sessions with our mentors. You'll learn about the in's and out's of building great products and make connections for life.
Applications close on Sunday May 18th at midnight. Apply now, it only takes a few minutes and we promise you don't want to miss out.
The fellowship starts on Monday June 9th and runs 5 days a week until Friday August 15th. Mark your calendars; it's coming fast.
The fellowship is an unpaid educational program. It's as close as things get to a startup degree and it'll be worth every second. You'll learn a ton and make connections for life.
Of course. The startup world needs technical people, but it needs other folks too. Please specify your core strengths when applying.
You'll get to pick favorites and we'll do our best to fulfill your wish, but we can't guarantee you'll get your pick. Fret not though, every host company was picked for a reason.


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Sure, a record number of homeowners have missed mortgage payments, but they aren't alone.
More than 120 banks (mostly small, regional ones) that received federal aid via Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) have missed scheduled quarterly dividend payments.
That's more than a sixth of the banks that received aid at the height of the mortgage crisis.
Another five banks that received capital injections from TARP have outright failed, likely costing taxpayers $3 billion.
And a record six banks have missed six dividend payments, while Southern California-based bank Saigon National Bank has missed seven.
Makes you wonder where all that TARP money went? Aside from teaser rate loan programs.
The rising number of "deadbeat banks" has prompted Treasury to weigh the option of appointing members to the boards of banks that miss six or more dividend payments, but thus far the agency has refrained from doing so.
It would only make sense at banks that received a sizable investment, such as AnchorBank of Wisconsin, which received $110 million, and Seacoast National Bank of Florida, which received $50 million.
Of course, things aren't so bad if you compare them to massive bailouts tied to AIG and General Motors – officials noted that taxpayers have already recovered roughly three-quarters of the TARP funds invested in banks.
And the estimated cost of TARP has fallen despite all the missed payments, with the projected final cost now only $66 billion.


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Mr Chairman, Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I am Sharon Halford, a democratically elected Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands and although pleased to be here to once again represent my country I am somewhat disappointed that the need to do so remains 16 years on from my first appearance before this committee. However I note that by comparison to the Honourable Joe Bossano from Gibraltar who has been coming here for nearly half a century my time has been short. Under the auspices of the United Nations General Assembly, Resolution 1514 (XV) of 1960, people from Non-Self-Governing Territories can exercise self-determination and reach full measure of Self-Government either by Free Association, by Integration or by becoming Independent.
Building on this, UNGA Resolution 2625 (XXV) of 1970 offered a fourth option as an outcome of a peoples excise of right of self-determination; any other political status freely determined by a people.
With this in mind the people of the Falkland Islands exercised their right to self-determination in March this year when a referendum was held to seek the views of the people as to the way forward. This referendum was proposed and organised by the Falkland Islands Government, not the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom was prepared to accept the outcome, whatever that was, unlike the Government of Argentina which continues to refuse to recognise our basic human rights.
The Preamble to our referendum question stated:
The current political status of the Falkland Islands is that they are an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom.
The Islands are internally self-governing, with the United Kingdom being responsible for matters including defence and foreign affairs. Under the Falkland Islands Constitution the people of the Falkland Islands have the right to self-determination, which they can exercise at any time.
Given that Argentina is calling for negotiations over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, this referendum is being undertaken to consult the people regarding their views on the political status of the Falkland Islands.
Should the majority of votes cast be against the current status, the Falkland Islands Government will undertake necessary consultation and preparatory work in order to conduct a further referendum on alternative options.
And the question asked of Islanders was:
Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?
With a simple YES or NO answer required.
A team of 8 independent, experienced international observers were deployed to monitor our Referendum. The Independent Referendum International Observation Mission included current and retired legislators, civil society leaders, journalists and international observation experts from Brasil, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Uruguay and the United States of America.
In their final report they stated:
"It is the conclusion of this independent team of international election observers that the Falkland Islands referendum process was free and fair, reflecting the democratic will of eligible Falkland Islands voters."
92% of the electorate voted and of these, an overwhelming 99.8% voted to remain an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. Only 3 people voted for some alternative political status. The message is clear. We, the people of the Falklands, are happy with our current relationship with the UK. It is not an anachronistic colonial situation as characterised by Argentina, but a modern relationship where the UK listens to our wishes and we are responsible for our own internal self-government. The right of Falkland Islanders to determine their own future is unequivocal.
The principle of self-determination is enshrined in Article 1, Paragraph 2, of the Charter of the United Nations. Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights affirm the right of all peoples to self-determination, and lay upon States Parties, including those having responsibility for the administration of Non-Self-Governing Territories and Trust Territories, the obligation to promote the realisation of that right and respect it, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter. At no point has the United Nations ever explicitly denied this right to the Falkland Islanders. In the weeks following the referendum I, along with all of the elected members of the Falkland Islands Assembly travelled extensively throughout Latin America, the US and Europe to seek support for our right to self-determination and to explain why we had held our referendum.
We were warmly received by the people we met, and we were very pleased by the interest we encountered in life in the Falkland Islands. We found public support for the rights of the Islanders to decide their own future everywhere we went and we are succeeding in loudly broadcasting our voices on our rights. I personally met with Government Figures and young people in a number of Caribbean states, some of which are represented on this Committee today.
In St Lucia I enjoyed a lively session with thirty or so young people at a local Community College where I was asked about life in the Islands and our relationships with our Latin American neighbours. As two Island peoples we have an awful lot in common. In Antigua I met many people who agreed that our referendum result could not be ignored by the world and should be respected, as the principle of self-determination was too important to ignore. Both visits gave me much hope that Argentinas one-sided narrative of the Falkland Islands is beginning to be dispelled and that many around the world view the Islanders as a legitimate people with the legitimate right to have their wishes respected. I hope that this Committee can come to the same view.
Unfortunately the Government of Argentina does not appear to have moved on or made progress since I first spoke here, on the contrary it appears to have taken retrograde steps. Argentina continues to spread misinformation worldwide; an example of this being the call for other countries to support their right to negotiations over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
Since Argentina amended its constitution in 1994 in which it states that the Falklands are Argentine, the scope for negotiations have been severely limited as the Government of Argentina can, and will, only accept one outcome - that the Falklands are Argentinean. This is not the basis for negotiation, when one party has already pre-determined the outcome.
Argentine Foreign Minister Timerman insists that the UK complies with non-binding UN resolutions on negotiations over the Falklands yet continues to ignore the fact that Argentina rejected two binding UN Security Council Resolutions in 1982 which called for the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Argentine armed forces from my homeland.
Repeated calls for the UK to adhere to UN resolutions that were in place prior to Argentinas illegal invasion of the Falkland Islands do not take into account the impact that this action has had on the sovereignty issue an impact sadly measured by the great human cost to both Argentina and the United Kingdom.
The figures in our most recent census in 2012 show that our population is not one implanted by Great Britain, as the Government of Argentina continues to claim, but instead our inhabitants have arrived from as many as 57 different countries with some of the largest concentrations being from St Helena, Chile, Argentina, the Philippines, Germany, Russia, and New Zealand. Interestingly over half of our population consider themselves Falkland Islanders first and British second, which strongly suggests that we have our own unique identity and way of life; we are a people in our own right and should be recognised as such.
In the Falklands we are continuing to develop our economy and unique society despite the actions of our aggressive neighbour and continued efforts to disrupt our way of life, such as Argentinas Presidential Decree 256, which seeks to severely restrict legitimate economic activity and shipping in our waters. However, we are an island population and as such thrive on such challenges - where there is a will there is always a way and we have repeatedly shown that we certainly have the will.
We desire to live in peaceful co-existence with all of our neighbours, including Argentina, and remain disappointed that the Government of Argentina has walked away from co-operation with the Falkland Islands Government on a range of issues which we would both benefit from, fisheries management in the South Atlantic being a good example.
This is not how a responsible nation should be behaving and I am saddened that the progress we had achieved together during the 1990s has not resulted in a more positive relationship between our two countries. It is also sad to see that the Government of Argentina continues to celebrate the invasion of the Falklands each year with rallies and military parades whilst also denouncing the actions of the Military dictatorship in 1982 as undemocratic and against the will of the Argentine people.
For Islanders, my friends and family, the events of 1982 were hugely devastating and whilst we have a duty to commemorate the sacrifice of those young men who fought bravely for our freedom we have no interest in celebrating the conflict.
Mr Chairman I believe our wishes have been expressed very clearly. I hope that the Islanders have spoken loudly enough for people to hear them around the world. I do however realise that people will only hear our message if they are prepared to listen and on this occasion I would hope that the members of this committee are prepared to listen and take note.
On behalf of the Falkland Islands Government I once again invite the Members of this Committee to visit our Islands, to meet our people and listen to the views and wishes of the people. Thank You Mr Chairman.


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Derry girl, 11, donates hair for cancer sufferers
You don't usually get an audience for your first haircut – never mind a film crew.
But that's what happened as an 11-year-old girl took the kindest cut of all as she sacrificed her waist-length mane to make wigs for cancer sufferers.
Ciara Harkin decided to have the chop after witnessing another little girl lose her hair during chemotherapy.
The youngster's decision to donate her beloved 14-inch locks has been described as courageous and generous beyond belief.
Not only has she sacrificed her own hair, she has also raised thousands of pounds in sponsorship which will go towards providing wigs for at least eight more child cancer sufferers.
There was a real buzz at The Salon in Londonderry yesterday as senior stylist Brenda Holden stood with scissors poised to begin a very special job.
Apart from a trim to keep her hair in good condition, Ciara had never had her hair cut in her life.
The salon at the Quay in Derry was packed as Ciara's parents, brother and friends along with a host of photographers and a television crew gathered to witness the momentous occasion.
Ciara and stylist Brenda had a long discussion about what the end result would be, and had agreed on a trendy concave bob.
After measuring and securing Ciara's hair, it was time for Brenda's scissors to connect with the precious tresses. The little girl gave a huge sigh but remained calm – her mum Joan was slightly more emotional and her eyes filled with tears. She said: "I am just so, so proud of her.
"Ciara made up her mind to donate her hair almost two months ago but she hasn't stopped there. She set up a website to collect sponsorship but this has already soared above her target," she added.
"She set a target of £350, the cost of making a wig, but that has rocketed to over £3,000 and we will keep the page open for another week."
Brenda spent over an hour cutting and styling Ciara's hair.
Admitting to a few nerves, Brenda said: "Making sure I got the measurements right and secured at least 12 inches needed for a wig was the nerve-racking part – that's what this is all about and that brought pressure."
Everyone watching agreed the end result was a job well done and Ciara looked stunning, but the crowd waited with bated breath for the only opinion that really mattered.
Then, with a big grin on her face, Ciara exclaimed: "I love it!"
Belfast Telegraph