text: To catch a spoofer Eric Hunsader, founder of the technology company Nanex, says it isn't that hard to spot spoofing and believes CME Group has not actively pursued the practice "because the people they'll issue the fines to are their largest customers." —Photo by Michael R. Schmidt April 2016 Print friendly page By Roy Strom Chicago Lawyer staff writer As is the case with anything that is nearly 120 years old, the history of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange contains controversy. There have been swindlers and there have been manipulative traders. And then there is Vince Kosuga. To this day, Kosuga remains the Big Kahuna of infamous traders, thanks to his handiwork in the onions futures market in 1956. Leading up to that year, Kosuga and an associate, Sam Siegel, purchased enough actual onions and contracts for future onion deliveries that they controlled 98 percent of the onions in the city — onions which were routed for delivery throughout the country. The duo had "cornered the market," as they say, controlling the supply of a product and, therefore, its price. After restricting the supply of onions and driving up their price, the duo flipped the trade. They purchased huge numbers of short contracts, or bets the prices would fall. And that, of course, is exactly what happened when Kosuga and Siegel flooded the market — a classic misdirection ploy. They made millions. Onions were so plentiful and cheap that stories abound of traders dumping them in the Chicago River, lest they have to pay to store them. Outraged and recently impoverished, onion growers sought regulatory protection from speculators. A bill was proposed to ban futures trading in onions, which had become the most actively traded product at the exchange, says Scott H. Irwin, an economics professor at the University of Illinois who has studied commodities markets for decades. Seeking to head off the bill and protect its business, the CME's chairman testified before Congress. "If there be abuses in (onion) futures trading, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange will be the first to condemn and correct" them, E.B. Harris testified, according to the book "The Futures" by financial journalist Emily Lambert. Fast forward to the 60th anniversary of the infamous onion trade, and the CME Group finds itself in a similar predicament: fending off increasing regulation by promising to beef up its policing of a type of manipulative trading — this time, a modern-day misdirection ploy known as "spoofing." The policing effort has shown some success: CME Group says it issued 29 disciplinary actions for spoofing-like activity last year, up from 18 the year prior. But the exchange also has its fair share of critics. At best, they argue CME Group could and should do more to spot spoofing, a tactic where traders attempt to influence prices to their benefit by placing orders they never intend to fill. At worst, the critics say CME Group is paralyzed by a conflict of interest: It receives fees from the very traders it is being asked to put out of business. Eric Hunsader, who uses his technology firm, Nanex, to draw public attention to spoofing, says CME Group has not actively pursued spoofing "because the people they'll issue the fines to are their largest customers." CME Group disputes this claim. It argues lax enforcement of its anti-spoofing rules would be against sound business judgment because it would undermine the market's confidence in its exchange, leading to less business. "No one has a more vested interest in protecting the integrity of our markets than CME Group," Kathleen Cronin, CME Group general counsel, writes as part of a lengthy response to a list of questions from Chicago Lawyer. In interviews with more than a dozen market participants — lawyers, professors and trading firm professionals — there is one thing everyone seems to agree on: CME Group is in the best position technologically to spot spoofing and put an end to it. The disagreement begins when the next logical question is asked: How well is it doing the job? A modern-day misdirection ploy Spoofing is not a new phenomenon. But it has been supercharged by the same rise of technology that has emptied most of the city's open-outcry trading pits. It is a computer-assisted tactic in which a trader (sometimes using a computer algorithm) profits by tricking others (typically computers) into believing the price of a futures contract is poised to move. In one variation, the trick is accomplished by placing a large number of bids to buy contracts at a price above the current trading price. As the market sees that demand, the price moves toward it. Then, quicker than the blink of an eye, the spoofer cancels the large bids to buy contracts and places a similar or smaller-sized order to sell them. The sell orders are placed at the price the market has just risen to, allowing the seller to sell just a bit higher than it would have without the fake order. And isn't selling higher and buying lower what every trader wants to do? Of course. One problem, though: The 2010 Dodd-Frank Act made trading in this manner explicitly illegal. Due to its history as the futures market capital of the world, Chicago has become the epicenter for the legal fight to end spoofing, technically defined as placing an order "without the intent to trade." In the biggest case to date, New Jersey-based trader Michael Coscia was convicted of six counts of commodities fraud and six counts of spoofing by a federal jury in Chicago in November — after just an hour of deliberation. On April 28, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber is set to sentence Coscia. Each count of commodities fraud carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the Department of Justice says in a release. Each count of spoofing carries a maximum 10-year sentence and a $1 million fine. Unsatisfied with one victory, Zach Fardon, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, is attempting to extradite an alleged spoofer from London to face trial in Chicago. The Commodities Futures Trading Commission has also pursued civil cases against at least nine individuals. These headline-grabbing cases have made spoofing the financial crime of the moment and, lawyers and trading-firm executives say, struck fear into traders. But spoofing has not gone away. "If (traders) are entering a lot of orders without the intention to consummate, then they should go talk to their lawyers," Timothy Massad, chairman of the CFTC, is quoted saying in a Reuters article. Talk to the lawyers Based on Massad's advice, there are many traders who should be talking to their lawyers. "There are dozens and dozens of trading firms in this town. Some are big, some small. Some registered, some not. They are all encountering some form of spoofing or another on a very regular basis," says Cliff Histed, a partner at K&L Gates who has worked at the CFTC and as an assistant U.S. attorney. The largest trading firm in Chicago, Ken Griffin's Citadel Securities, began encountering what it would later recognize as spoofing in September 2013, according to a court filing. Their reaction and the ensuing investigation provides an example of the current regulatory environment. A Citadel employee named Richard May noticed a decline in the firm's trading performance in the market for E-Mini S&P 500 contracts in 2013. CME Group's single most frequently traded product, E-Minis are a hedge for the future performance of the broad S&P 500 equities index. Citadel considers the E-Mini market a "critical benchmark and the most important pricing input for Citadel Securities' futures and equities business," May would later testify in a court affidavit. May and a small team set out to determine the cause of their misfortune. They quickly realized they were getting caught on the wrong side of a spoofer. Within four months, May created a software program he refers to as a "pull-swipe detector," using another, more literal term for spoofing. A source familiar with the pull-swipe detector says it is "not as sophisticated as you might think." It was an automated program that sifted through data provided by CME Group to spot a pattern where large orders were canceled and a similarly sized order was placed nearly instantaneously on the other side of the trade. When a spoofer was detected in the market, May testified he would pull back Citadel's trading by up to half, costing the firm "millions of dollars." Citadel gave that information to the CFTC on Jan. 8, 2014, and to CME Group on Jan. 17, 2014. They would later be informed they had stumbled upon activity the CFTC and CME attributed to a trader — now well known — named Igor Oystacher. Later in 2014, the CFTC had a lot of information on Oystacher. Joy McCormack, a veteran CFTC investigator, testified in another court affidavit she had been investigating Oystacher since October 2011. By that time, McCormack testified the CFTC was aware of multiple complaints filed to the CME regarding Oystacher's activity by market participants. By 2015, the CFTC knew of at least a dozen complaints. In November 2014, CME Group fined Oystacher $150,000 and settled a disciplinary action against him by imposing a one-month trading ban. The trading activity identified in the CME's report occurred in the copper and crude oil markets and dates from 2010 through 2011. But an October 2015 lawsuit filed by the CFTC in federal court suggests Oystacher's allegedly manipulative behavior occurred far more frequently than what is mentioned in CME Group's disciplinary action. It shows Oystacher was active in the market for natural gas, the market for a gauge of market volatility known as the VIX and, as Citadel pointed out, the E-Mini market. The trading dates ranged from 2011 through 2015. While his attorneys were defending against the CFTC's initial complaint, the CFTC alleged in a February court filing Oystacher continued his spoofing practice. A trading firm alerted CME Group on Feb. 2 that it had to shut down its trading algorithms the prior day because of what it says was spoofing. A CFTC investigation, in partnership with CME Group, determined this activity again stemmed from Oystacher. CME Group has issued no disciplinary actions related to spoofing-like activity this year. (View Chicago Lawyer's timeline of alleged spoofing on the CME from 2011 to 2015.) Whose job is it anyway? While it may seem difficult to catch (It all happens so fast!), there is broad agreement among experts that spotting instances of spoofing is a relatively simple endeavor for those closest to the market: high-frequency trading firms. In order to be effective, spoofing must be noticed, says Craig Pirrong, a finance professor at the University of Houston. It is designed as bait for high-frequency trading firms. To a fast trader, the spoofer looks more like a sucker. A spoofer's large bid to buy a contract at a price far away from the current one is an easy opportunity. In theory, it would allow a fast trader to purchase the contract at the current price — or even a bit higher — and quickly unload it to the spoofer at an even higher price. That is, until the spoofer flips the script and takes advantage of the heretofore unsuspecting HFT, as high-frequency traders are known. "It's sort of saying, 'Look at me. Look at me,'" Pirrong says. "And it's something that tends to be repeated. So those two things together do mean that companies like HFT firms … are likely to pick it up." Like Citadel, those firms have the resources to spot spoofing and can make the decision not to trade. Other traders are not so technologically savvy. "These markets aren't supposed to be HFT against HFT," says one trading industry source who was not authorized to speak publicly. "Regular people are getting crushed by this." Market participants who would like to see improved oversight do not hold much hope the CFTC will provide it. The agency faces a number of challenges. For one, it does not have access to real-time trading data from the exchanges, which makes it largely reliant upon others to open investigations. This lack of data was a cause of great concern for Mark Wetjen, a former commissioner of the CFTC. In a speech while he was still with the CFTC last year, he said, "The CFTC cannot retain the public's trust in its ability to perform the agency's congressionally mandated mission without the proper view of what's occurring in the marketplace." Another former commissioner, Bart Chilton, shares similar doubts about the CFTC's abilities. "The people at the regulators that look at the trading, they're not physicists and mathematicians," says Chilton, now a senior policy adviser at DLA Piper. "It takes them a while to figure this stuff out." Pirrong says, "The CFTC has a long-standing issue of being technologically challenged." The CFTC did not respond to an e-mail containing questions for this article. These technological roadblocks suggest the responsibility to survey the market largely lies in the hands of one market participant: exchanges, like CME Group. "They're in the best position to detect this," says Histed, the K&L Gates partner. Says Hunsader: "Technologically, this is easy stuff to spot. Very easy. Especially when you're the exchange." CME Group's protocol The main reason CME Group has the best ability to detect spoofing is because it is the only entity in the market that knows who is placing each order. A trading firm may be able to notice a large pattern of canceled trades followed by orders on the other side of the trade. But the exchange can actually verify that one trader is behind both trades, which is a crucial step toward showing the trader never intended to execute the canceled orders. In response to questions from Chicago Lawyer, CME Group says it invests millions of dollars each year in its market regulation function, including supporting and developing sophisticated technology. Its market regulation department has about 175 positions as well as tools to "query and aggregate real time and historical order messaging data at a rate of one billion rows per second." When that team spots trading it suspects may be spoofing, CME Group says it alerts the trader of the activity. If the activity persists — which the exchange says "almost universally" never happens — the exchange has the authority to "summarily deny access" to the markets. There is only one instance where the exchange took this type of action, according to a review of disciplinary notices. In the cases of Nasim Salim and Heet Khara, the exchange says it noticed a pattern of disruptive trading in February last year. By April 30, the duo, who appeared to perform a kind of tag-team spoofing in the gold futures market, were denied access from the markets. "Spoofing is prohibited in our markets and we have a number of procedures and systems in place to monitor for that and all disruptive trading practices," CME Group general counsel Cronin says. "We proactively monitor the market for bad behavior and vigorously prosecute violations of our rules." Even though the disciplinary action for Salim and Khara appears to be exactly the type that many market participants are clamoring for, it was met with skepticism in some corners. That's because CME Group disciplined Salim and Khara two days after Hunsader, the founder of Nanex, posted a blog about specific instances of spoofing activity in the gold futures market — activity that occurred on the same day he published his post. "It doesn't take much effort to spot many HFT spoofing algorithms in real-time," Hunsader wrote. "Here are three examples we easily found." A commenter on the widely read blog Zero Hedge, which picked up Hunsader's story, wrote: "When will the CFTC and SEC get serious and hire Eric Hunsader? This guy is doing your damn job!!!" In an unrelated case, Hunsader says he was given a $750,000 whistleblower award by the Securities and Exchange Commission for information that led to a $5 million fine against the New York Stock Exchange in 2012. CME Group's scorecard In practice, CME Group's disciplinary regime has a more spotty history than even the Salim and Khara case would suggest. The CFTC issued a review of the CME's abilities to detect spoofing from the period of July 2012 to June 2013. It found that only one of 10 spoofing investigations opened during that time originated from one of CME Group's programs that detect spoofing-like trades. Eight investigations during that time were opened because of tips from trading firms. After the review period, the CFTC says findings from one of CME Group's programs led to two additional investigations from that time period. As a result of the review, the CFTC directed CME Group to find additional ways to detect spoofing. If it has, the programs work slowly. Apart from the Salim and Khara actions, CME Group has exclusively disciplined traders whose spoofing-like activity happened more than a year ago, according to an analysis of the past two years' worth of CME Group disciplinary actions. That analysis identified 39 traders who were disciplined for spoofing-like trades. Only Salim and Khara were disciplined for trading activity that occurred last year. A more typical example of CME Group's disciplinary timeline comes from a trader like Aaron King, who received a $35,000 fine on May 29, 2015, for trades he placed from August to November 2011. Only one trader has received a permanent ban from trading: Nitin Gupta, who in July was also fined $150,000 for trading activity that occurred in 2013. According to an analysis of CME Group's disciplinary actions, there were 10 traders disciplined for spoofing-like trades placed in June 2013, a high-water mark for any month since 2011. By comparison, there were no alleged spoofers in 10 of 12 months last year. CME Group says it has issued 47 disciplinary actions in the past two years related to spoofing-like behavior. Chicago Lawyer was able to identify 44 such actions. Some traders received multiple disciplinary actions. While many people in the industry say the amount of spoofing has decreased, none of the more than a dozen sources interviewed for this article expressed an opinion that spoofing was not occurring this year or last. As evidenced in the Oystacher case, this disciplinary time lag could allow alleged spoofing to continue. And in what may prove the most high-profile spoofing case, CME Group failed entirely to discipline the alleged trader: Navinder Sarao. Navinder, Navinder, tsk, tsk Sarao is a London-based trader who U.S. Attorney Fardon is fighting to have extradited to the States to face criminal charges in Chicago. The indictment and criminal complaint allege that from 2010 to 2014 he made more than $40 million using a specially designed software program that allegedly helped him conduct spoofing on a scale that dwarfs Oystacher. The criminal complaint also says CME Group noticed Sarao placing and canceling orders that it says manipulated the opening price of futures markets as early as September 2008. On March 23, 2010, CME Group alerted Sarao's clearing firm that he had 1,613 attempted trades rejected "in the last five minutes," the complaint states. No actions appear to have come from this communication. About a month later, on April 27, 2010, Sarao is alleged to have made $821,389 in profits. The complaint says CME Group reached out again on May 6, 2010 — the day of what is known as the "Flash Crash," when stock markets globally fell nearly 10 percent in minutes before quickly recovering. In an e-mail referenced in the complaint, CME Group wrote to Sarao that all orders entered before the market opens "are expected to be entered in good faith for the purpose of executing bona fide transactions." Sarao responded 19 days later. The complaint says he wrote an e-mail to his clearing firm saying that he had "just called" CME Group. "Told 'em to kiss my ass," he writes. He was arrested more than four years later by Scotland Yard. (Follow the efforts to spot and stop Sarao's alleged spoofing with this Chicago Lawyer timeline.) Why did it take so long? Hunsader has a theory: "Sarao was a very high-volume customer, and that's probably why they didn't follow up." Does the math add up? The Justice Department's complaint against Sarao lists the volume of his trades for nine specific days spread from 2010 to 2014. During those nine days combined, Sarao traded more than 1.1 million contracts in the E-Minis market. On average, his trades on those days made up more than 4 percent of the CME's total volume in the E-Mini market. On Feb. 22, 2011, when he traded nearly 170,000 contracts, Sarao was a party to roughly 5.6 percent of all trades. Sarao actively traded E-Mini contracts on 392 days from April 2010 to April 2014, the original criminal complaint says. He allegedly used the "dynamic layering technique" — a version of spoofing — on more than 246 days. Sarao's volume on the days detailed in the indictment would likely place him among the market's most active participants on those days, according to a paper that analyzed real CFTC trading data from 2010 by Adam D. Clark-Joseph, a University of Illinois finance professor. The data show the eight most active high-frequency traders in the E-Mini market accounted for roughly 1 million contracts traded each day. That would mean each of the eight traders, on average, traded 125,000 E-Mini contracts a day. Sarao traded more than 125,000 contracts on six of the nine days detailed in the criminal complaint. The most Sarao ever traded? 190,000. But Clark-Joseph strongly rejects Hunsader's theory that CME Group would be financially incentivized to turn a blind eye to Sarao's trading. For one thing, Clark-Joseph says it is unlikely that Sarao's trading activity was as high on the days not detailed in the complaint. "One blip of 4 percent is really bizarre, but he was not 4 percent of the market for any sustained period," says Clark-Joseph, who has studied volume data at the exchange but does not have first-hand knowledge of Sarao's trading activity. Furthermore, CME Group would take into account the adverse effect Sarao's trades had on other market participants. For instance, Citadel, which says it is consistently among the top five most active traders in the E-Mini market, testified it reduced its trading volume by 50 percent on days in which it spotted spoofing activity. "If other customers are getting ripped off, they're less likely to trade," says Pirrong from the University of Houston. "If this is really predatory activity, it's not clear that the fees paid by the predators are going to be larger than the lost fees from those who decide not to trade." If other high-frequency traders' reactions to spoofing are similar to Citadel's, Clark-Joseph's data shows how much that could cost CME Group. He says the combined trading volume of the eight largest high-frequency traders for the E-Mini market is about 75 percent greater than the next 22 combined. And the 30 largest traders by trading volume make up about 10 times more volume than the next 300. And that comprises around 80 percent of the market. "It's pretty concentrated," he says. The E-Mini is the CME's single most-traded product, making up 15 percent of all volume in 2014 — a year in which CME Group earned nearly $2.6 billion in clearing and transaction fees. Clark-Joseph says the trading breakdown is similar in about five other large markets. "If I traded on the CME, I would not lose any sleep about spoofing," Clark-Joseph says. "The people who have the best ability to catch it already have extremely strong incentives to prevent and discourage it." If that isn't incentive enough for CME Group to enhance its policing activity for manipulative trading, there is always the cautionary tale provided by the fallout of Kosuga's manipulation in the onions futures market. "It caused this public perception that the markets were not fair and that prices were substantially manipulated and unwarranted relative to the true underlying fundamentals in the marketplace," says Irwin, the U. of I. economist. The bill to banish the onion trade was signed into law by President Dwight Eisenhower in August 1958. To this day, onions remain the lone agricultural product barred from trading in the futures markets.


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Nicole Scherzinger rose to fame in her girl group The Pussycat Dolls, and now she wants to use her talents to give back. She's inspired by her aunt, who has Down syndrome, and wants to set up a music camp for disabled people.
Nicole, 31, told Los Angeles' Talk Radio station: "I grew up with my aunt who is actually younger than me because my grandmother had her at an older age and she has Down syndrome. She has always had a special place in my heart and is such a wonderful addition to our family. I used to tell my girls in the Pussycat Dolls that I would have my own musical camp or school where I would teach people with special disabilities or Down syndrome."
Nicole, who is currently competing on Dancing with the Stars, hopes her camp will raise awareness of people with Down syndrome. Nicole's boyfriend, Formula 1 racing champion Lewis Hamilton, has also been inspired by a disabled family member.
Lewis' brother Nicolas suffers from Cerebral Palsy and in his autobiography, My Story, Lewis wrote: "I only have to think of one person to keep me motivated and put a smile on my face, my brother Nicolas. I often try to imagine myself in Nic's position. I don't think I would be anywhere near as strong as him. There's so much to admire in him. So, whatever I am doing, I say to myself, 'If you think it's hard to do this, then think again.' "
Lewis has his own charity, the Lewis Hamilton Foundation, which focuses on improving the lives of children and young people in ill health or poverty across the world.


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PROVIDENCE — The foundation working to build a permanent memorial at the site of a 2003 Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people says sales are picking up for its first major fundraiser.
The comedy show Friday night at the Providence Performing Arts Center is hosted by Dee Snider of Twisted Sister and NBC's ''Celebrity Apprentice'' and features performers including Craig Gass, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson.
Victoria Eagan of the Station Fire Memorial Foundation says sales are still not great, but have gotten better.
The group says it must raise more than $1 million to build and maintain a memorial.
Eagan says there's the potential to raise $50,000 to $100,000 on Friday. Tickets are $30 or $40 and are available at PPAC's website or box office.


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INIS MEAIN is a classy sort and could be the answer to this tough-looking handicap having had the speed to win over 1m2f on the Flat since landing another competitive affair at Navan. Our Man Zebo chased home Lots Of Memories at Fairyhouse last month but Off The Charts and Some Officer weren't far behind. Limerick scorer Moonlight Boy steps up in trip but has won over 3m between the flags and less exposed than some. Subtle Ben also has plenty of scope while Bob Keown is proving consistent and makes more appeal than The Crafty Butcher and fellow UK raider Tullyesker Hill. Bothair Clei may be the best of these nearer the foot of the handicap.
The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, progress into 8th at 6th, closer in 5th before straight, ridden entering straight, no impression in 4th 2 out, left 3rd last, kept on to 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Ludo Et Emergo (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chase in Apr.
Theatre Bird (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Led, headed before 5th, weakening when mistake 5th, soon dropped behind leaders, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Gitane Du Berlais (10-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mrs nov hdl G3 (1) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Chased leaders early, slight mistake 6th, dropped to last 6 out where not fluent, soon no impression, last of 6, well behind Rebel Fitz (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f hdl hvy in Mar.
Inis Meain (USA) 2-1fav (11-10) Settled in rear, 7th 3 out, ridden to go 3rd approaching last, under pressure and kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl hvy in Feb beating Kostar (9-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Urano (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, progress into 12th before 4 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 13th of 23, 36l behind Lots Of Memories (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl in Apr.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up, closer at 4th, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Giantofaman (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Tullyesker Hill (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4th, mistake and lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Double Double (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Apr, 11 ran.
Moonlight Boy (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, challenged entering straight, led before 2 out, ridden and challenged 2 out where mistake, soon narrowly headed, kept on to dispute last, led again run-in and kept on well, won at Limerick 2m mdn hdl in Apr beating Tawseef (11-12) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Our Man Zebo (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, progress after 3 out, 7th entering straight, ridden into moderate 5th 2 out, stayed on into 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 23, 7l behind Lots Of Memories (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl in Apr.
Landero 9-4fav (11-6) Soon tracked leaders, on terms from before 3 out, struggling a bit when mistake next, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 14l behind Aughnacurraveel (11-5) at Kilbeggan 3m hdl gf in Sep.
Celestial Prospect (AUS) 11-4fav (11-7) Waited with towards rear, closer in 9th and headway before straight, soon tracked leaders, 2nd from 3 out, led last and stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 gf in Sep beating Tabhachtach (10-11) by 4l, 18 ran.
Off The Charts (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden into 8th entering straight, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 23, 19l behind Lots Of Memories (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl in Apr.
Totally Couture (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Towards rear when fell 1st, in a race won by Operating (11-7) at Cork 2m 4f amat beg chs in Apr, 13 ran.
Some Officer (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Rear of mid-division, progress into 10th 5 out, ridden and no extra 3 out, kept on one pace straight, 9th of 23, 19l behind Lots Of Memories (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl in Apr.
Subtle Ben (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, led from next, ridden and went clear from 2 out, kept on well, won at Tramore 2m 5f mdn hdl in Apr beating Cappacurry Zak (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Viaduct Joey (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Led briefly early, tracked leader, a little slow 5 out, jumped left and reminders from 3 out, 8th before straight, weakened, 9th of 10, 42l behind Once And Always (10-3) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy in Mar.
Bob Keown (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 19, 3l behind Tinker Time (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Annie Oakley (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, 4th from 4th, ridden and dropped to last 4 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 40l behind Balnaslow (11-10) at Tramore 2m 6f chs in Apr.
Slew Charm (FR) 25-1 (10-2) Mid-division, jumped right 1st, towards rear and mistake 2nd, progress into 6th before 4 out, ridden and no impression after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 15, well behind Hidden Horizons (10-3) at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 sft in Mar.
Count Salazar (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden before next, dropped to 3rd after last, no extra, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Drive On Locky (10-8) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-109 in Apr.
Everything Zain (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Soon in rear, still towards back when impeded by faller 3 out, no danger approaching straight, 6th of 9, well behind Man With Van (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl hvy in Feb.
Express Du Berlais (FR) 11-2 (9-10) Led early, tracked leader in 2nd after 1st, pushed along when slight mistake 4 out, no extra in 8th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 22l behind Cara's Oscar (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 in Apr.
Bangonform (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression early straight, moderate 5th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 21l behind Cara's Oscar (10-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 in Apr.
Bothair Clei (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Soon chased leaders, travelling smoothly approaching straight, challenged 3 out, on terms from before next, led soon after 2 out, clear last, reduced lead closing stages and kept on to hold on at the finish, won at Cork 3m hcp hdl hvy in Mar beating Globalized (9-10) by hd, 13 ran.
Mini Vic (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 4th, 6th halfway, mistake 4 out, ridden into 4th before straight, stayed on into 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Clara Mc Cloud (11-6) at Limerick 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl in Apr.
Theleze (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, pressed when not fluent 2 out, not fluent & left clear last, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f mares mdn hdl hvy in Mar '12 beating Castlerock Rose (11-7) by 15l, 16 ran.
Allez Vic (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, improved to lead 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 in Mar beating Not For Burning (11-3) by 4l, 16 ran.
Company Coming (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 7th and mistake 3 out, progress into 3rd entering straight, ridden before 2 out, no extra in 4th before last, 5th and kept on one pace run-in (placed 4th), 4th of 16, 13l behind Desertmore Stream (11-4) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl hvy in Apr.


text:
The application process is a two-step procedure. Interested parties should submit a "Letter of Intent" under the signature of the city mayor or county commissioner including applicant contact information, project description, type of assistance requested, and estimated project cost and local match. Interested parties should also include supplementary materials as appropriate to help describe the project. Program staff will review Letters of Intent and request more information as needed.
Letters of Intent are due Monday, October 30, 2017 for the 2018 application round.Letter of Intent Form
Contact Info:
Additional information on Transportation and Land Use Connection may be obtained by contacting Megan Townsend.


text:
Luc Alphand Cycling Race
Serre Che Luc Alphand race 2015
La Serre-Che Luc Alphand' bike race is open to everyone. It will take place on saturday and sunday 27 & 28 June 2015 in Serre Chevalier, in France's Hautes-Alpes department.
Routes selected for the 18th Serre-Che
A big surprise for this new edition : a new and longer route. 207km from Serre Chevalier, through Montgenevre and Mont Cenis passes in Italy, Télégraphe and Galibier passes on their northern sides, then back to Serre Chevalier. And still two shorter routes. New : the event takes place on 2 days, everyone can choose to ride on saturday or sunday. The races start in Serre Chevalier
In 2006, the famous magazine Cyclosport made a survey to know the favourite races. 3 races had a lot of votes : l'Ardéchoise, stage of the Tour de France and…. the Serre Che Luc Alphand.
A « human size » race titled the magazine which underlined « the friendly atmosphere» of the event…
The routes :
Parcours A : Chantemerle – col du Montgenèvre – Mont Cenis – Télégraphe – Galibier – Chantemerle : 205km
Parcours B : Chantemerle – Champcella – Col d'Izoard – Cervières – Chantemerle : 108 km
Parcours C : Chantemerle – col du Montgenèvre – col de l'échelle – Chantemerle : 85km
All the information in english


text:
In the most thorough examination to date, David P. Currie analyzes from a legal perspective the work of the first six congresses and of the executive branch during the Federalist era, with a view to its significance for constitutional interpretation. He concludes that the original understanding of the Constitution was forged not so much in the courts as in the legislative and executive branches, an argument of crucial importance for scholars in constitutional law, history, and government.
"A joy to read."—Appellate Practive Journal and Update
"[A] patient and exemplary analysis of the work of the first six Congresses."—Geoffrey Marshall, Times Literary Supplement
David Currie is a distinguished scholar at the University of Chicago Law School who, having written two volumes on "The Constitution in the Supreme Court," has now turned to the less discussed topic of what Congress has made of the Constitution. The initial result is this useful and reasonably sprightly reference work covering the debates of the first six Congresses. Currie's method is simple. He has gone through the Annals of Congress and other sources detailing congressional discussions during these years and organized them topically, with special attention to constitutional issues. His text then summarizes what they said, interspersed with commentary comparing and contrasting their various views with those expressed in later, kindred constitutional controversies, particularly later Supreme Court decisions. This endeavor has two chief virtues. First and foremost, as Currie contends, he provides abundant evidence that Congress (and the President) have generated much of what we properly regard as constitutional law, often on "constitutional issues of the first importance" that "have never been resolved by judges" (p. x). Making a working government out of the skeletal constitutional sketch required innumerable decisions on the rules for conducting business in each house, their relations with the President and other executive officials, their powers to review the conduct of elections and the apportionment of representatives, their authority to structure the judiciary, to define who was a citizen, and much more. Many of their judgments have become so thoroughly embedded in our conceptions of the basic prerogatives and duties of the different branches of government that their often controversial congressional origins have been obscured. Currie does a service in bringing this history into fuller view. Second, Currie's very willingness to read congressional debates and take them seriously is refreshing. Except for some valuable but sometimes deracinating "content analysis" studies, political scientists rarely read congressional debates carefully, regarding them mostly as politically motivated hot air. This is all the more true when we turn to recent history, since members of congress now have ample opportunity to insert ersatz, sanitized versions of their spoken (or never spoken) remarks into the Congressional Record. Yet in all periods, what they include is often still politically revealing: statements that may seem innocuous in discussions of economic rights, state power, race, gender, foreign policy during a certain period, or from "mainstream" perspectives, may for that very reason tell us most about the often vulnerable political premises then prevailing. Currie's summaries of the early congressional debates provide many such examples. Both these strengths of the book are, however, accompanied by limitations. Although Currie gives lots of examples of members of congress engaging in constitutional reflections, he does not himself reflect on this activity. He views constitutional interpretation in Congress as pretty much like constitutional interpretation by courts. It involves the same methods and is to be judged by the same standards. Indeed, apart from his recounting of what they said, the bulk of Currie's own contribution here is to list the later Supreme Court decisions on the same points the early representatives discussed and to suggest briefly who he thinks did a better job of making sense of the text. Perhaps that's all there is to do; but one might at least question whether that is so. Keith Whittington's forthcoming work suggests, for example, that when Congress interprets the Constitution, it is necessarily less concerned than courts with discerning established limits on power, and more concerned with "constructing" what can be done within the document's broad outlines. That different task may lead to different constitutional understandings. Whether those claims are correct or not, the issue of what it means for the Constitution to be interpreted "in Congress" might have received more consideration in a work devoted to that topic. Furthermore, in his commendable effort to be both comprehensive and concise, Currie ends up giving such brief snippets of what members of congress said on various topics that we miss a good deal of the substance and a great deal of the flavor of their thinking. These debates include some wonderful oratory, but little of it is quoted here. Currie also centers his discussion on what Congress said on constitutional issues that contributed "to the development of legal doctrine" (p. x). But he construes even that deliberately, and understandably, limited task rather more narrowly than he might. To mention some examples drawn from my own work with these records: in an early House debate over whether to seat William Smith of South Carolina, an expatriate during the Revolution, James Madison laid out a rather extraordinary theory of "natural" citizenship, at apparent odds with much revolutionary thought and some judicial rulings; but Currie does not report, much less analyze, that theory's content. Smith then went on to protest elaborately when the House entertained antislavery petitions. He invoked Jefferson's discussion of blacks in Notes on the State of Virginia and characterized blacks in ways that tell much about early American racial thinking, including thought on the appropriate legal status of free blacks. But Currie simply reports that deep south representatives "began to squeal like stuck pigs" when the petitions were introduced and that Smith was concerned that emancipation might be ex post facto legislation (p. 66). Currie also notes without comment or analysis the choice of the first Congress to confine naturalization to "whites," a decision of profound constitutive, if not constitutional, significance, with which courts would eventually have to wrestle mightily. More surprisingly, Currie even has little to say about whether Congress really did intend in the Judiciary Act of 1789 to give the Court original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus. Later, the views concerning foreigners aired in the debates over whether to seat Albert Gallatin in the Senate and the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts are also given short shrift. At many points, then, larger issues raised in these exchanges are not highlighted, sometimes not even acknowledged. But as the "stuck pigs" line suggests, this book does contain many breezy asides commenting on the wisdom and folly of American politicos and judges, past and present. These quips often make for amusing reading, even when the reader disagrees with Currie's pithy appraisals. Nonetheless, this is a scholar's reference book, not a work for a general reader and not suited to be a primary classroom text. It will help us all find out quickly what the early Congresses said on any number of issues and whether the Supreme Court subsequently agreed, and that is valuable. We can then, I trust, go on to analyze the significance of such debates for American politics and constitutionalism in many ways that will go beyond what Currie tried to do, or perhaps could hope to do, in this book.


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In celebration of the 9-5 range, Saab is giving classic 9-5 owners the chance to revitalize their car at the same time as its launching of its most advanced car to date, the all-new Saab 9-5 Saloon, and as the arrival of the 9-5 SportWagon is expected later in 2011. The Saab 9-5 accessories promotion, which is available for 9-5 models dating back as far as 1998, will include body kits, engine tuning kits, alloy wheels, cargo items and more at great prices.
Saab vehicles as old as 13 years, known for their durability and longevity, are just as reliable as the current models.
Every Saab 9-5, whatever the age, can benefit from an investment in updated accessories. All 9-5 accessories (designed for optimum quality, functionality and performance) are genuine Saab parts and prices include fitting where needed.
Saab's dedicated Owners Area website (www.saabserviceclub.co.uk), which is an online loyalty club for Saab owners of three years or more, allows members to access all the latest Saab news and offers, as well savings on both labor and parts.
David Leighton, Business Development Manager – After Sales at Saab GB said that the 9-5 has always been a "well-loved" model with Saab customers.
Saab added that revitalizing the 9-5 with accessories like new wheels or fine tuning the engine can really breathe new life into the car's performance and driving experience; while customizing boot space or adding handy items like tow or roof bars, can really help personalize the 9-5 to suit the owner's lifestyle.
The phrase "forward looking design" does not mean that the company is disregarding the past, but rather it refers to the entire visual appeal present in the latest Saab 9-5 Sedan. Design Chief of Saab Brand Simon Padian shares that while the company continues to use classic brand design cues, it is giving it a new and modern interpretation. The company, he adds, have used the visual themes present in a number of its latest concept cars like the Aero X, which is clearly motivated by the aircraft heritage of the brand and a Scandinavian design.
The face of the new 9-5 Sedan is expressed by the deep grille with the ice-block and curving headlamp units on each side. Its whole glasshouse is shown through a wraparound mono graphic. The cabin continues to have the signature cockpit look of the brand due to the side pillars and the disguised windshield.
Because of the interplay of the proportions, the roof and the windshield brings to mind the class Saab 900. In addition, the 9-5 Sedan exhibits a powerful and strong stance, perceived regardless of what angle it is viewed from.
Its low-slung body has that organic sculpture which manages to merge with neat and clean lines having natural shapes. Proof of the brand's design cues are seen in the bodywork's fuselage-smooth surfacing, strong rear C-pillars, and the belt-line that appears like a hockey stick.
The large Saab logo is still present and has been embossed in the grille's center which exemplifies the self-confident and assertive design language. Highlighting its dynamic character further is the falling roof-line that ends in the extensive rear pillar that supports a somewhat recessed rear screen.
Blended to the wheels are the front wings, which have been subtly flared, in order to suggest latent energy. Underneath the flat and smooth rear deck lies the ice-block full-width rear light bar which wraps to its trademark lighting. Overall, the proportions of the 9-5 Sedan extend the traditional profile of the three-box saloon while being able to avoid the fastback cliché that is the four-door coupe look.


text: One of the flaws with the episode format is that it often requires the characters forgetting something important. A life changing event, a relationship, some game changing technology that should affect the story line for years afterwards. The crew forgot they know how to time travel, open trans-warp, increase shields 1000 % etc. My thinking is different than 'let's explore Will's music hobby for a few minutes'. That, I find artificial and pretty boring. I'm thinking something like after the original episode aired, there's more episodes later with Geordi still talking with married Leah over the com-- Another one where they're talking and someone walks in and Geordi seems to end the transmission quickly as if not wanting anyone to know. Or is it coincidence? Later they meet and they actually have a one time affair--or they do nothing, but still end it when they're wondering if it's becoming an affair. Now, to me, that's interesting because you don't normally see that with TNG characters--spice it up!!!


text:
Lucas eyes start of season
Lucas Leiva hopes to be fit enough to return to action around the start of the new season.
Last Updated: 04/07/12 2:34pm
Lucas Leiva hopes to be fit enough to return to action around the start of the new season.
Liverpool's combative midfielder suffered serious damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last November, undergoing surgery the following month.
Now back on Merseyside after a spell of rehab with former club Gremio in his native Brazil, the 25-year-old feels his long spell out of action is nearing the end.
"I think I am progressing very well in terms of the knee, strength and fitness-wise," he said.
"I am working every week and trying to improve every week and the main target is to be fit for the new season, if not for the start then after a few weeks."
The injury forced Lucas into the first long-term absence of his career, something he admits he found difficult to deal with.
He added: "It has been very hard for me because I have never been out for a month so you can imagine five months when I can't play and only watch the game.
"I just had to cope with the injury and the time. As soon as I got the injury I knew I would be out for many months and I started to think about other things.
"The most difficult period for me was when I was on crutches for two months, especially the first four weeks after the surgery when the knee was swollen.
"To be honest, for a few moments I thought I couldn't come back or even walk, because the way I looked at my knee I felt scared.
"But as soon as I started the rehab, it is unbelievable how your body reacts.
"My main target now is to be 100% recovered and be okay to play a part in next season."


text:
|2011-04-27, 23:39
|Link #22
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On the front lines, fighting for inderpendence.
Wouldn't that be great. The prospect of an inter-atmospheric cable also brings the idea of an orbital elevator to more light.
But I'm thinking a bit too far.
So I read a magazine recently (Time, maybe?) that essentially whailed on every favorable resource out there for all its worth. Even solar panels (cost, low energy, regional needs) and wind turbines (kills birds, whales). Is there ANYTHING decent out there?
Mostly theoretical, and not necessarily possible.
|2011-04-27, 23:49
|Link #23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: classified
In the mean time, companies like Chevron have seen the proverbial "writing on the wall" and are actively developing alternative fuels.
|2011-04-27, 23:58
|Link #24
blinded by blood
Orbital solar arrays would probably not be based on photovoltaics. There are many other ways to get electricity out of sunlight.
And it's not that the oil companies see the "writing" so much as they see how popular alternative is growing and how unpopular oil is growing. They're just taking steps to make sure they get in at the ground floor when things switch over.
When we're off oil, they want to be the ones controlling whatever replaces it, of course.
Edit: "Cold fusion" is a solidly disproven hoax. This is well-known. Not to say that there aren't other types of fusion that could possibly generate electricity--but what's commonly known as "cold fusion" is pretty much science fiction.
For terrestrial energy generation nothing beats solar. The sun is the source of nearly all energy on Earth--it's a lot more effective to get it at the source than through one of its many secondary or tertiary (and so on) stages.
|2011-04-28, 00:05
|Link #25
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: classified
I can't say I blame them, though that doesn't mean I have to like the fact they control the world's energy production and are seeking to control the clean-fuels as well.
Orbital Solar (a la Gundam 00 ) would be ideal I would think.
|2011-04-28, 00:14
|Link #27
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: classified
NASA has been working on Solar Power transmission ideas for years now.
Here's an image of a proposed Solar power satellite system from the 1980s.
Here's the link to the article that talks about it and other Solar power space projects of NASA.
|2011-04-28, 00:16
|Link #28
The Comet has Come
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Republic of California
Age: 40
Actually, in California, most are natural gas powered plants.
If NASA....or anyone else, is going to build something like that, they are going to need to start some large scale zero-g construction, and get a transportation system to get materials into orbit agian effectively, since the US Shuttle program is ending this year...so no more pickup truck in space.
However if they do try something space related, it could drive a new major economy. Suppling materials for these things...maintenance for them...supplies and recreation for those that maintain these things. Could be an entire industry just to get these things up and powering the planet.
|2011-04-28, 00:56
|Link #32
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 60
|2011-04-28, 00:58
|Link #33
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 28
|2011-04-28, 01:17
|Link #34
The Comet has Come
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Republic of California
Age: 40
Most consider it too expensive to get things into orbit on a large scale verse what you might get out of it, since it does take a lot of energy to get into orbit...and a lot of money to construct something that will survive, not only in space, but also the trip into space. Unless it can either pay for itself eventually, or there is no other way to do whatever it is effectively.
One wonders how much it will cost, both in monitary terms and it energy expended, to get a major mining operation going in the solar system. Large enough to provide materials for colonization, or just new resources for Earth out of the asteroids mainly. The Moon if there are viable mineral deposits...or fuel for interplanetary vessels.
Can we make it before oil and other materials are either too expensive, or run out?
|2011-04-28, 01:27
|Link #35
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 28
|2011-04-28, 01:37
|Link #36
blinded by blood
The value of effectively unlimited energy is incalculable.
Of course they don't want to work for it, to spend money on it, to research it--if energy loses all scarcity, becomes virtually unlimited, cheap and clean...
... you do the math.
If energy is demonetized, a lot of very powerful and very rich people will cease to be both powerful and rich.
|2011-04-28, 02:12
|Link #37
fushigi ojisan
Join Date: Jan 2011
There was a science fiction story I liked as a kid: it involved sucking hydrocarbons from Jupiter's upper atmosphere to use on Earth.
BTW, the whole idea of oil companies somehow stifling solar power or whatever reminds me of the old "100 mpg carburetor that runs on water but squashed by big oil" stories. When I interned at some oil companies back in the mid-90s they were already big on researching alternatives to petroleum. I don't think they have some amazing replacement for oil locked away just so that they can profit from high gas prices. If they made breakthroughs in alternatives to oil they'd be the first to try to market them.
I also get tired of the demonization of oil companies whenever gas prices spike. Yes, they make huge revenues and profits, but everyone always concentrates on the absolute number rather than the profit as percentage of revenue. Energy drives everything in the economy so of course the absolute numbers are going to be huge. But it annoys me whenever the news media or politicians jump on the oil industry when gas prices shoot up. I guess it is easier to score points with the public that way rather than focusing on things like how quantitative easing is destroying the dollar and driving speculation and inflation, which in turn is one of the causes of instability around the world (along with rising food prices driven by that other boondoggle ethanol). I consider Bernanke, Geitner, and the rest of the banker cabal criminals with very real blood on their hands for what they're doing.
|2011-04-28, 02:26
|Link #38
Asuki-tan Kairin ↓
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Fürth (GER)
Age: 37
4 US$ per gallon, is by comparison a moderate price for fuel... I mean, I have to pay 6,32€ per US gallon for premium fuel (94 AON(AKI)/98 RON) at the moment (thats 9,35 US$ per US gallon).
Last edited by Jinto; 2011-04-28 at 02:52.
|2011-04-28, 02:30
|Link #39
blinded by blood
Not saying the oil companies are sitting on the technology to make energy freely available to everyone--that'd be a strawman and I don't deal in straw men!
I'm saying they're not terribly interested in researching something that could cause them to lose money, and I was actually talking more about government leaders than necessarily oil companies. Scarcity of resources, whether it's real or imaginary, is how governments control their people, after all.
|2011-04-28, 05:01
|Link #40
I asked for this
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Winterfell
Age: 28
|Thread Tools


text:
farmmachinery, seeder, agricultural machinery, Food Processing Machine, Food machinery, Manufacturer and Supplier - China
Straw and Stem Shatter Collector (4JQ-1.5/4JQ-1.8)
It can be fitted to 22-73.5kw tractors, and integral operate. (4JQL-1.5 can be fitted to Self-propelled Wheat Combine). It can perform smashing, casting, collecting, etc. during one operation. The collected straw and stem is filiform, and can be stored immediately. Cut off the power of the collector, It can be used to shatter. It adopted offset integral, and ensure working to the side of the field. The blades adopt special technology. It can prolong its life 2-3 times. It is rational structure, safe, durable, and high efficiency. It had many kinds of uses.
Model 4JQ-110 4JQ-1.5 4JQ-1.8 4JQL-1.5
Overall dimensions
(mm) 1450*1750*2900 1450*2150*2900 1450*2500*2900 1450*2100*2900
Driving force
(kw) 22-36 36-51.5 48-59 Self-propelled
wheat combine
Net weight
(Kg) 500 620 690 690
Working width
(mm) 1100 1500 1800 1500
Straw's length 30-100 30-100 30-100 30-100
Stubble height
(mm) 100-150 100-150 100-150 100-150
Quality of Y
Blade 24 40 48 40
For more details please contact us:
Noor Hui(manage)
Tel:0086-139 31867155
Email:huihongchuan (at) hotmail.com
MSN: huihongchuan (at) hotmail.com
Shijiazhuang Langtuo Machine Co.,Ltd


text:
Biodynamic agriculture has the highest organic standards in the world. Foods grown biodyna- mically are recognised internationally for their unique and outstanding flavour. The food is grown with powerful life-enhancing biological preparations in the most ethical, humane and sustainable methods known of in the modern world. As our cattle are grass fed, the meat has the recommended ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fats (3:1). Grass fed beef is high in other na- tural minerals and vitamins, in addition it is a great source of CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), a fat that reduces the risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes and a number of immune disorders. Biodynamic food is grown without the use of harmful poisons, pesticides, hormones, herbicides, GMO's, veterinary chemicals, all of which have been linked to various human diseases.
Recently the World Health Organisation named the most commonly used farm herbicide in the world (Glyphosate), as a probable cause of can- cer. This chemical has been found in humans worldwide, and has come from conventional farming and food. Choosing to eat biodynamic and organic food is your protection.
Natural grass fed biodynamic beef is a health food.
Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food and nutrition.Biodynamic farmers strive to create a diversified, balanced farm ecosystem that generates health and fertility as much as possible from within the farm itself. Preparations made from fermented manure, minerals and herbs are used to help restore and harmonize the vital life forces of the farm and to enhance the nutrition, quality and flavor of the food being raised. Biodynamic practitioners also recognize and strive to work in cooperation with the subtle influences of the wider cosmos on soil, plant and animal health. Biodynamics is thus not just a holistic agricultural system but also a potent movement for new thinking and practices in all aspects of life connected to food and agriculture. It awakens and enlivens co-creative relationships between humans and the earth, transforming the practice and culture of agriculture to renew the vitality of the earth, the integrity of our food, and the health and wholeness of our communities. Biodynamics was first developed in the early 1920s based on the spiritual insights and practical suggestions of the Austrian writer, educator and social activist Dr. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). Today, the biodynamic movement encompasses thousands of successful gardens, farms, vineyards and agricultural operations of all kinds and sizes on all continents, in a wide variety of ecological and economic settings.
When buying "fresh" meat at the grocery store or butcher, it is not clear how long it has been sitting in that display case. Buying our meat frozen guarantees that after it got cut it was vacuum sealed and frozen quickly to preserve the meat at it's absolute peak of freshness.
Freezing kills parasites and prevents the growth of microorganisms that cause both food spoilage and food borne illness so food that is kept constantly frozen will always be safe to eat. Only quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.
Not surprisingly, the freshness and quality at the time of freezing will be reflected in the condition of the frozen food. We freeze our meat immediately after our butcher cuts it. It doesn't sit in a display cooler for a few days before going into the freezer. We vacuum seal it in small portions that freeze really quickly in our commercial freezer to ensure the highest quality and prevent freezer burn. This combination of fast freezing, packing in an oxygen free environment and dark, cold storage ensures that our meat will keep at top quality for at least two years.
Freezing does not affect the nutrient value of meat and poultry products
Scientific studies are showing that common agricultural chemicals like glyphosate are showing up in the urine and breast milk of people all around the world. Glyphosate and other farm chemicals generally referred to as "pesticides" (which also include herbicides), are linked in scientific studies to human health problems. If you want to help your family avoid these chemicals, it is important to understand the difference between "grass fed" and "organic" meats.
Only organic and biodynamic certification guarantees food grown without toxic agricultural chemicals. Meat that is labelled as organic or biodynamic certified is your assurance that it is from animals that are naturally grass fed on pastures and land that are not sprayed with chemical poisons. Certified Organic and biodynamic farmers are audited annually and have to account for every input. Toxic farm chemicals and artificial fertilisers cannot be used on certified organic or biodynamic farms, and animals are not treated with veterinary chemicals. "Grass fed" allows toxic agricultural chemicals to be used Meat that is labelled as "grass fed" and is not certified organic or biodynamic, may well come from animals that are grazing on land that is sprayed with agricultural chemicals. In conventional (non organic) agriculture, the spraying of grass with insecticides to kill "bugs" like red-legged earth mite is a common occurrence, and the use of herbicides to kill grass is routine on most farms. The photo below shows a common practice in conventional (non organic) agriculture whereby to prepare land for planting a crop the next year, the farmer sprays the grass with a herbicide like glyphosate in spring and then grazes that sprayed grass with animals. Meat from animals like the sheep in this photo can still be labelled as "grass fed", because they are grazing on grass.
This photo shows sheep grazing grass that is dead because it has been sprayed with a herbicide. The photo was taken in The Great Southern area of Western Australia in spring 2013. The green grass in the picture is unsprayed and is green because it is in a relatively natural state. The dry dead grass has been sprayed probably about a month before, to kill the grass before it sets seed. The sheep are in the paddock to eat the sprayed grass so there are less grass seeds to germinate in the paddock the next year. Less grass makes it easier for the farmer to sow his crop the following year. Conventional farmers' main method of killing grass to prepare to plant a crop like wheat or oats is to spray it with herbicides. Organic and biodynamic farmers plough the land to prepare for their crops. Sprayed grass like what is shown in this photo is a common sight in all farming areas. (Photo courtesy of William Newton-Wordsworth and part of the "Stop the Poisons" presentation. If you want to learn more about how your food is grown by organising a presentation for a group of people such as a school P and C, please contact the Newton-Wordsworth family at firstname.lastname@example.com) The fact that in conventional non organic agriculture the grasses and land are regularly sprayed with poisons to kill insects, or unwanted "weeds", or to prepare for growing crops or new grasses, is what has been building up chemicals like glyphosate in the soil, water and food that comes from this land. That is why farm chemicals like glyphosate are now showing up in people. They are used so widely in conventional farming, they are now polluting the plants and the food. Buying organic and biodynamic certified food is your only assurance that it is grown without harmful agricultural chemicals like glyphosate. "Grass fed" is simply an assurance that the animals ate grass, but that grass could have been sprayed with chemicals. Studies have shown the health benefits of grass fed meat, and our organic and biodynamic certified meats are all grass fed and we claim these benefits. However, people need to realise that non organic animals could potentially have been grazing on grass growing on land that for example had a GM canola crop growing on it in the previous year and was sprayed multiple times with a range of insecticides and herbicides. If you want to help your family avoid agricultural chemicals in the meals you are preparing, buy and eat certified organic and biodynamic foods!
Every month you will have the chance to get your freezer filled with our biodynamic premium meat. To ensure 100% quality and freshness, we'll pick every month our best animals to go to our certified abattoir. This means the best quality and freshness for you, less stress and impact on the animals and it gives us the time to care for our animals and the farm.
When Rob Broadfield (Twitter) picked our meat into the top 10 of Western Australia, we were so grateful that our input and vision paid out and got recognised through the taste and quality of our produce. And people are waking up, wanting higher quality food for better health and taste. They get back up from contemporary scientific research, claiming the benefits of biodynamic and grass fed meat.
We want to encourage you, to buy in bulk and share it with your family, friends or neighbours. For us it means that you will make our work much easier which we want to reward with discounts and free delivery in and around Perth. This offer is very limited due to our numbers of animals every year. Having less numbers of cattle is one of our keys of success in creating the highest quality meat possible.
Williams River Produce is owned and run by Kelly and William Newton-Wordsworth who have been farming biodynamically for 28 years at their property, "Boraning" located half way between Williams and Quindanning, on the Williams River in Western Australia. Boraning is situated in the rolling hills of some of the most beautiful countryside in Western Australia, just two hours from Perth.
Williams River Produce is a family business committed to clean, healthy agricultural methods and to producing the highest quality foods. Some of our best selling products include our Biodynamic Olives, Olive Oil, Pistachios, Beef and Lamb. A number of our products have been sold at some of the world's top gourmet food stores, including Harvey Nichols in London.
The founders of Williams River Produce have 28 years of experience with making a real difference in their local environment in a number of ways. One of the most significant is their agricultural operation. On their property in Western Australia they have been farming almost 3,000 acres of land bio‐dynamically, using no artificial fertilizers or chemicals and bringing new life to tired soil. In a recent article 'Carbon Farmers of America', titled 'How we fix global warming', Allan Yeomans, states that "the greatest biological source of carbon dioxide feeding the greenhouse effect, comes from the destruction of the fertility of the world's soils."
Kelly and William Newton‐Wordsworth have been following the methods set out by Alex Podolinsky in Australia for almost 22 years. They have created a paradise on their property, growing biodynamic beef, lamb, olives, pistachios, many fruits and nuts and breeding horses for dressage, eventing and showjumping (www.williamsriverhorses.com.au). They are green pioneers, not only in biodynamic farming, but also in the move away from monoculture in modern agriculture to creating a diverse range of products and activities on the land.
William and Kelly have opened up the opportunity for the public to come and enjoy the taste sensations of their delicious biodynamic olives, olive oil, pistachios, marmalade, and meat at their biodynamic and organic farm shop, cafe and restaurant. You can also stay in their groovy, colourful, community style accomodation, and relax and enjoy a wander through the rocks and hills of their 2,900 acre property. You can swim in their "biodynamic" lakes and experience a horse back ride, join them in the garden, or pick a piece of ripe fruit as you take a walk through the extensive orchards. Come and experience the magic of Boraning. (www.williamsriverfarmstay.com.au)
Kelly and William have also been involved in "greening the world" on their own property. In 2008 they won the Landcare award for their district. Kelly also won the "Australian Broadcasting Rural woman of the year award" for the whole of the great Southern region of Western Australia, in 1996.
For many years they have been planting thousands of trees (over 100,000) simply for conservation purposes. In addition to planting native trees, with their additional desire to green their farm in a commercial way, they have planted thousands of "food producing" trees such as pistachios, olives, oranges, almonds, pecans and numerous other fruit and nut crops in smaller numbers. They have now turned their hands to producing products from these raw materials, such as olive oil, olives in brine, marmalade, fig jam, meats and pistachios, that they are wholesaling throughout Australia, and internationally. They sell their olive oil and marmalade at Harvey Nichols in London, with now interest from Harrods in all of their products. William and Kelly, have pioneered a microcosm of what is possible on a much wider scale. Having proved the validity of bio‐dynamic farming on all fronts, they want to now bring their knowledge and practical skills to the macrocosm. The theory, being that if they can succeed with this method of farming on 3,000 acres, then any farmers can do this.
More information: www.williamsriverproduce.com


text: Juanita Moore, the Academy Award nominated actress best known for her role as the brokenhearted mother of a mixed daughter who wanted to pass as white in the 1959 film, "Imitation of Life," died in Los Angeles on January 1, 2014 at the age of 99. A Los Angeles native, she was born there on October 19, 1914 (or 1922 - there are conflicting dates) and studied drama at Los Angeles City College before embarking on a singing career that took her to nightclubs in New York and Moulin Rouge in Paris. As a member of Ebony Showcase, a Los Angeles theater group, she had her first break as an actress in a controversial play at the time called "No Exit" wich was about three people who were presumed to be dead. Prior to becoming only the the fifth black performer to be nominated for an Academy Award, she appeared several films including "Pinky" in 1949 and "Affair in Trinidad" with Rita Hayworth in 1952. During a press tour for Imitation of Life in March 1959, Ms. Moore told Hazel Garland of the Pittsburgh Courier that she had to gain 18 pounds in order to appear more matronly for her role in the film. She said it took less than four wees to gain the weight, but more than two months to lose it. "To me, this is the break every actress dreams of getting. It is one in which I can run the gamut of emotions." By 1967, she was far less enthusiastic in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "The Oscar prestige was fine, but I worked more before I was nominated," Moore said at the time. "Casting directors think an Oscar nominee is suddenly in another category. They couldn't possibly ask you to do one or two days' work. You wouldn't accept it. And I'm sure I would." In this photo, Ms. Moore (seated at right) is shown on the set of "Imitation of Life" with the legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who famously sang at the funeral of Ms. Moore's character Annie Johnson at the end of the film, and Ross Hunter, the producer of the film who cast her in her most famous role. Mr. Hunter and director Douglas Sirk considered over 40 black actresses for the role, including Pearl Bailey and Marian Anderson. Mr. Hunter told interviewers in March 1959, "When we interviewed Miss Moore, we knew our search was over. Even if she hadn't been an experienced performer, her sincerity, warmth, and natural qualities would have won the role." Once married to Nyas Berry, of the famed tap dancing Berry Brothers, Ms. Moore was married for over 50 years to Charles Burris, who died in 2001. Photo: A Certain Cinema/Sérgio Leemann.


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GraphicRiver Social Media Icons Set 1 Blue Series 3433100
Stock Graphic \ Icon \ Media
Social \ Design \ Applications \ Mobile \ Projects \ Presentations \ Contains
Icon - Social Media Icons Set 1 Blue Series 3433100 by introwiz1 @ GraphicRiver
Stock Graphic \ Icon \ Media
Set of 16 social media icons great for presentations, web design, web apps, mobile applications or any type of design projects. The pack contains EPS , AI, PSD , JPEG (4000×4000) and transparent PNG for each icon (256×256 pixels).
High Resolution: Yes; Layered: No; Graphics Files Included: Photoshop PSD, Transparent PNG, JPG Image, Vector EPS, AI Illustrator; Minimum Adobe CS Version: CS.
Keywords: avatar, comments, community, computer, digital tablet, envelope, facebook, friendship, Global Connection, headphones, internet, laptop, magnifying glass, mail, message, Micro-blogging, networking, photo sharing, photos, rss, searching, smartphone, Social Gathering, social media, speech bubbles, technology, twitter, web page, wireless technology.


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Business Development Melbourne. Business Coaching Melbourne. Business Mentoring Melbourne. Executive & Personal Coaching Melbourne.
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Published on 14/04/2015
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The problem with most behavior management systems is that the kids who are misbehaving get all the attention. It's hard to remember to pay attention to kids' GOOD choices when you're required to track and address their bad choices. And often rewards are built into behavior management plans so that a child who struggles to stay on task gets a reward for 15 minutes of on-task behavior, but a child without that plan who is on-task 99% of the time every single day gets nothing.
How can we as teachers acknowledge kids' good choices in the classroom simply and easily?
How can we show appreciation to children who are respectful and hardworking on a daily basis?
For me, one of the simplest solutions has been the use of compliment slips. I just typed up a number of tasks that I wanted to thank kids for, printed the compliments out on colored paper, cut them apart, and stored them in a pencil box divided with little cards I made from old file folders.
Every few weeks, without warning, I chose one of the compliment types and placed them on the desk of my students. I'd notice who hadn't been tardy that day and left a "thank you for being on time to school" note on their desk when they went to art. Or during the kids' lunch break, I'd do a random desk check and leave notes that said "Thank you for keeping your desk so neat and clean" for the kids who had followed our clean desk diagram without reminders.
Sometimes I gave the compliment slips only to one or two kids at a time. When I got a new student who didn't speak English and a Spanish-speaking student took him under her wing, I placed a compliment slip on top of her backpack: "Thank you for being so kind and helpful to your classmates." When a student had the opportunity to keep a dollar she'd found on the ground but instead chose to turn it in, I gave her a compliment slip that read "Thank you for doing the right thing when no one was watching."
Although I rarely gave out any kind of tangible rewards to students, I'd amassed a small collection of sparkly pencils, stickers, and bookmarks, and decided to store them in the pencil box with the compliment slips. I thought of these as surprise gifts: something that I wanted to give to my students not out of obligation to a reward system, but as a token of appreciation for their help in making our classroom run smoothly. This is something I like to do on occasion with husband or family or friends who are so supportive and wonderful to me…why not my students? Why not give them an unexpected thank you gift and card?
I really can't overestimate the impact these compliment slips have had on my students. It didn't matter whether I gave a surprise gift or not: just saying thank you, and memorializing my appreciation in writing, was incredibly gratifying for the vast majority of students. One student attempted to collect every type of compliment slip I had created. Another tucked them carefully into the clear plastic pocket of her homework binder so she could admire them every time she took the binder out. Even my harder-to-impress kids still smiled and exchanged happy looks with me upon seeing the thank you note on their desks.
Because the compliment slips were such a powerful tool for thanking and appreciating kids, I decided to create a more polished version for my TeachersPayTeachers store. I've created individual slips in three different sizes (depending on how much paper and ink you can spare, and whether or not you also want to take time to write a personalized message to students on the slip.) There's also a version of each compliment in black and white so you can save your colored ink and print on colored paper if you prefer. Additionally, I created dividers to help you organize the cards: the two smaller versions of the slips will fit perfectly behind the dividers so you can find them easily. If you want to save time and purchase these ready-to-print compliment slips and thank you notes, I've made them available for for just $1.50.
Thank you reading this blog. Thank you for your support in all the ventures I've undertaken throughout the years: books, webinars, curriculum resources in TPT, and more.
And thank you for the hard work you do every single day in the classroom. Your work is so, so important. I hope these compliment slips make the job a little easier, and help you pass on this attitude of thanks and gratitude to your hard-working students as you let them know THEY are appreciated, too.


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Urgent action on the eurozone debt crisis picked up Wednesday with emergency budget talks in Rome and Paris after the ECB laid down terms for shoring up Europe's single currency.
A new round of stock market free-falls underscored fragile sentiment despite a US Federal Reserve statement that forecast low US credit rates for the next two years.
Central banks have a central role in dealing with the trans-Atlantic debt crises, and it was only after the European Central Bank resumed buying public debt, including Italian and Spanish bonds, that pressure eased on Rome and Madrid.
The relief could be short lived however, since markets erupted again after Greece's finance minister some of the bonds included in its debt swap might stretch further than initially thought, and rumours swirled about a French credit ratings downgrade.
The ECB has tried to calm markets verbally but only intervened in the one for public debt after it was clear Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had heard ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet's oft-repeated call for a "quantum leap" in the tightening up of public finances.
The eurozone debt crisis, which threatens the entire bloc barring clear progress towards a new framework, is part of a wider, deeper drama based on massive US debt and fears of a new recession.
The ECB "actively" resumed purchases of bonds issued by distressed countries now including Italy, the third-biggest eurozone economy, and Spain, which is number four.
France, the second-biggest and an "AAA" credit rated country, has seen its borrowing rate drift away from benchmark 10-year German bunds meanwhile, and was hit by rumours it would be the next major economy to suffer a downgrade.
France swiftly denied the speculation and the ratings agency Fitch promptly confirmed Paris' top rating.
President Nicolas Sarkozy also promised new measures by August 24 to slash France's public deficit in a bid to reassure markets.
Sarkozy had broken off a holiday on the Riviera to fly back to Paris for an urgent cabinet meeting on the crisis.
France currently chairs the Group of Seven industrialised nations, and Finance Minister Francois Baroin said the new measures would take account of "global uncertainty" and a historic cut of the US rating by Standard & Poor's.
In Italy, Berlusconi has called parliament back early from summer holidays to vote Thursday on a constitutional amendment that would require a balanced budget.
He also met trade unions and business leaders Wednesday to nail down reforms they shunned just a month earlier, and press reports said measures should be adopted at an emergency cabinet meeting that might take place next week.
Italy welcomed a sharply lower rate of 2.959 percent when it tendered 6.5 billion euros ($9.3 billion) in 12-month bonds on Wednesday, down from the 3.67 percent it had to pay in a similar operation last month.
Italian borrowing rates had leapt on concern that Rome could be forced into seeking a bailout like those granted to Greece, Ireland and Portugal.
The burst of eurozone activity came a day after Trichet warned in a radio interview that Europe was facing "the worst crisis since the Second World War."
In this context, "we expect governments to do what we consider to be their work, their duty," he declared.
"We have been extremely clear with the Italian government over recent days in asking for a number of decisions to be taken," Trichet said.
Economists felt the ECB was now dictating terms to eurozone governments in exchange for controversial aid that only it can provide at short notice.
"The ECB is now accelerating the process of conforming to the standards it requires by really dictating here the changes it requires to provide support," Barclays Capital managing director Julian Callow told AFP.
Berenberg Bank senior economist Christian Schulz added that the ECB was "the only one that can impose conditions on Italy."
But Moneycorp analysts wrote that Trichet was also trying to make it clear the central bank needed help as well.
"His unspoken message was that, with reserves of around 500 billion euros, the ECB does not have the resources to soak up 1.5 trillion euros of Italian government bonds," they said.


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Breakfast is served in the kitchen at a large oak table, all the cooking is on the AGA with as much local produce as possible.
Our garden is south facing and on a sunny day its great to sit in and relax.
We offer hanging and storage space for walking gear in our utility room
We have a house cat named Oskar
Parking is available.
The house has steps to the front and inside.
Sandy McCarthy
Gwynfro, Ferwig, Cardigan
SA43 1PX West Wales
Telephone: 01239 613920
More information at www.facebook.com/Gwynfro/
Read about Cardigan here
Visit Gwbert on Sea Read about Mwnt National Trust beach here


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January 7, 2011
List Lady
I had a great holiday. I sat around and ate whatever my husband put in front of me. I didn't worry about going to the gym. (Don't tell my trainer) I tried not to stress about the pine needles all over the floor. (The thing was dead from the day we got it home and it went downhill from there) I also did a lot of organizing with the family.
You would think that my house is already organized...which it is...but even an organized organizer can find stuff to throw out. Mr. Mike got into the swing of things and purged the kitchen of gadgets and extra small appliances. We are still working on some small spaces but we have a pile about four boxes, plus some stuff stacked on top, to go to the second hand store. Yay!
What am I up to now? Well I'm glad you asked.
I love them.
I need them.
They are my friend.
Here are the top lists that I have been making so far this year.
Play along and make your own lists to add to my list.
1. Menu
2. Chore Chart
3. Annual Goals
4. Groceries
5. Inventories
6. Budget
7 Projects
Some of these lists belong side-by-side. The inventory of the food in the freezer, cupboards and food storage area is done before the Menu is done, which is done before the Grocery list is done. See what I mean.
Go ahead and make your lists. Don't make them too long. Put them all in one place so you don't have bits of paper with lists all over the place. No one likes a lost list.
What's on your list today?
3 comments:
I hate lost lists... makes me crazy! I have ALWAYS been a list person but lately with my second pregnancy and running a day home things have gotten out of control. The pregnancy caused the sickness, which cancelled the day home, which has now led to more sanity and all of January to put my house back together. I lost way too many lists over the Christmas break... and a lost list, is a useless one!ReplyDelete
I have a few lists lately:ReplyDelete
1. Things I still have to get ready before kids start school (school starts at the end of January here in Oz)
2. Unfinished projects that I want to complete this year - lots of quilts and sewing stuff
3. Cupboards and rooms I need to reorganise
4. Things I need to decide how to get rid of
and the best one:
5. Birthday presents to buy for my daughter's birthday :)
- Melissa "List Lover" NewtonJanuary 13, 2011
I LOVE LISTS!! My family makes fun of me and says that I have Lists of my Lists! I dont care. I NEED to have them in my life. A Perfect gift for me? A note Pad or Journal! LOL. I forget things and if I have too many things to do I get overwhelmed and then the Anxiety kicks in. I find writing relieveing. Even if I am stressing over something in my life, I break out the journal and write it all out. It helps. Even if I never read it again, it seems to put my stresses in somewhat order.ReplyDelete
My lists going on now:
*"To DO"
*"To Pick Up"
*Kids activites
*Scrapbook layout ideas
Next list to compose is "What to Purge in my Basement"


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|These are pictures of the World Trade Center, the terrible terrorist attack, and the aftermath. Parentheses indicate the number of pictures in each section.
The way they were (4)
The Attack (4)
The Missing (5)
Gathering at Union Square (5)
Fine print & copyright ©1998-2004 Aaron Elliott, all rights reserved. Feel free to send questions or comments.


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If you're interested in becoming a franchisee, there are three key areas to consider before signing on the dotted line.
There are three core parts to becoming a franchisor. First, you need to determine if franchising is right for you. Franchising is often referred to as 'intrapreneurship'. The franchisor creates the system and processes you have to follow as a franchisee, which means you don't have the leeway of an entrepreneur launching their own business.
Choosing a sector
Second, you need to determine which industry sector you're interested in. Does retail, fuel, beauty, fitness or the food industry interest you? What skill sets do you possess? It's important to note that most franchisors do not require experience in the sector of your choice.
Related: Finding Your Perfect Franchise
Sorbet for example looks for franchisees with business backgrounds rather than beauty backgrounds. The franchisor believes it is better to teach business people the beauty industry over teaching beauticians business.
Similarly, a franchisee running an automotive franchise won't be servicing cars themselves – but they do need to understand hiring the right employees, motivating staff, customer service, good invoicing and bookkeeping practices and so on.
Choosing a franchise
Finally, once you've determined which sector you're interested in, you need to choose a franchise to invest in.
A number of factors will influence this decision. First, how much cash do you have? Set up costs vary from sector to sector and brand to brand, and your unencumbered cash and how much you can secure from the bank will determine what you can afford.
Some franchise groups have multiple offerings as well, so you can choose which brand suits your needs and what you can afford.
A key factor at this stage is researching the franchise you are interested in. What do franchisees say about the system? Make sure you ask as many franchisees about their experiences as possible.
The franchisor will give you a list – make sure you ask more franchisees than this. Ideally you want a mix of happy and less-than-satisfied franchisees. No business is perfect, and you want a complete picture.
Be sure to determine which franchisees seem most like you. In this way you will be able to ascertain what aspects of the franchise system will be problematic for you, and which aspects won't.
Related: 3 Secrets To Franchising Success
Questions to ask yourself:
- Are you prepared for the fact that your franchise will not break even for 12 to 18 months?
- Do you have the necessary savings to support yourself and your business during this time?
- Are you willing to spend at least a few weeks in this franchise or a similar franchise to understand the realities of owning a business in this sector?
- Have you researched your market, territory and competitors?
- Will there still be a market for your offering in five years' time?
- Where do your skills lie? What industry are you coming from? Many franchises are looking for business people rather than industry and sector experts.
- Are you able to acknowledge your skills gap, and then figure out how to bridge that gap?


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Visit Erumapetty - Best of Erumapetty
Unplug yourself and have a laid-back vacation at Erumapetty, India. This city offers countless opportunities to click pictures for your travel journal. The nearest major city to Erumapetty is Munnar. Munnar, is a worth visiting city owing to its prime attractions like Tea Garden, Mattupetty Dam, Kannan Devan Tea Museum. A vacation to Erumapetty can typically be of 1-2 days. Immerse in the spirit of the city and you'll not miss your home.
Erumapetty is an affair to remember, follow this apt itinerary of the place and return home with a bunch of memories.
Explore the travel itinerary planning tool for your visit to Erumapetty and create a flawless plan in few simple steps!


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Sad News….
Early Tuesday morning (Jan. 8, 2007) the motocross community lost a great man, Gary Gracyk, father of AMA SX/MX racer Gavin Gracyk. Gary had been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and fought hard against the ravages of the disease. Monday afternoon, as soon as Gavin got word that his Dad's condition had taken a turn for the worst, he flew home to Blissfield, Ohio from southern California. Gavin and his mom were at Gary's side when he passed.
Gary (47 years young) was a wonderful father, husband and was admired by many. Gavin's dad was a constant source of encouragement and inspiration throughout Gavin's life and career in motocross. Even as the ALS confined Gary to a wheelchair he could be seen at the side of the track pushing Gavin hard to get better and cheering him on at High Point, Steele City and Southwick…
In addition to the constant love, support and guidance he showed Gavin, Gary founded the S.O.A.R. (School Of Advanced Racing) Academy, was a member of Gospel Hill Ministries, a youth teacher at Gospel Hill A to J, founder of the A.L.S. group of Coshocton County, an AMA member, a professional motocross instructor, involved in Big Brothers / Big Sisters, church league bowling and softball, and enjoyed working with kids and helping others.
Gary touched many people in the sport, just ask anyone who went to visit the house, Gary would be out at the track giving pointers trying to help every rider get faster. Off the track, Gary would have you running hills with your bike on your back, he believed in nothing short of a 110%!!!
This is the second great loss in Gavin's life in just over a year….having lost his fiancé Nikalee Boatman a little over a year ago in October 2006. Gavin and his family ask everyone to please understand their need to have private time to grieve, and respect Gavin's desire to concentrate on the pending race this coming weekend. Gavin is competing in the AMA SX West Coast Lites series, where he finished 7th overall at the season opener in Anaheim last weekend, and he plans on racing the next round in Phoenix, AZ this weekend.
The family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of concern, well wishes and prayers. Special thanks to Gavin's coach/trainer Drew Robertson, his mechanic Dave Derosier (and his wife Sarah) and the rest of Gavin's extended family at Troy Lee Designs for helping them get through this difficult time.
Calling hours are from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at theFischer Funeral Home at 412 E Main St., Warsaw, OH.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 10, 2008,at Gospel Hill 27610 TR 45, Warsaw, OH 43844 with Rev. Ron Davis officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to:S.O.A.R. Academy, c/o Ohio Heritage Bank, 200 Main St., Coshocton, OH 43812or to Gospel Hill Ministries, 27610 TR 45, Warsaw, OH 43844.


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Emilia Clarke stars in first image from Voice From The Stone.
The first image has arrives online from supernatural thriller Voice From The Stone, featuring Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke and a suitably gothic backdrop.
The film is set in '50s Tuscany, and stars Clarke as a nurse charged with caring for a young boy who hasn't uttered a word since the sudden death of his mother.
Living with the boy and his father in their foreboding manor house, Clarke finds the bond between the trio growing stronger, while also becoming increasingly aware of a malevolent force at work on the family.
The first image doesn't give too much away, but in terms of setting the mood, it does the job pretty effectively. Bad things are going to happen behind those stone walls…
Directed by Eric D. Howell and co-starring Marton Csoskas and Caterina Murino, Voice From The Stone will open later this year, with a release date yet to be confirmed.


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There are enough team-specific puff pieces out there to cushion the fall of even the most devastating check. There are also enough wholly biased apologists out there talking in circles so loudly that they may reverse the Earth's rotation.
Don't worry; this isn't that. In this article, we'll breathe a sigh of realism into the fanatical world of hockey. Instead of looking at the game through a fan's angle, we'll approach a team and its respective chances to get to the Stanley Cup Playoffs through pure logic and reason.
The team: The New York Rangers
Currently in the NHL, we're looking at an average of 15 out of 82 games played. Needless to say, the season is just getting underway. Even if odds could be very practical at this juncture, taking them and placing a bet would not be. It would be more akin to playing online slots games – spinning the reels and hoping to hit with blind luck.
However, the process of deduction is still a very useful tool. And seeing the New York Rangers are currently sitting at .500 in a tough division, with Philadelphia on top, bodes well for the team's overall chances at entering the playoffs.
To straight make it, the Rangers are looking fairly solid at around 44%. Not that high considering, but still fair. This is because, of course, the Pittsburgh Penguins trail close behind in the Atlantic, and other teams in the East, like Boston, Tampa Bay and Carolina, are expected to make late runs.
Throughout all the approved USA online casinos and sports books out there, the consensus seems to be that the Rangers are a decent team with an outside chance of playing the proverbial playoff spoiler and getting into the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Rangers are 30:1 to make the Finals. A team like the Washington Capitals, however, with the best odds in the league, sits comfortably—through a gambler's perspective—at 5:1.
With players like Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, Sean Avery and Artem Anisimov showing up in a big way this early, the Rangers' odds may very well improve on a game-by-game basis.
This isn't online blackjack games we're speaking about, however. There's nothing set in stone. The odds-making world still doesn't have a lot of confidence in this New York squad.
By contrast, the current leaders of the Atlantic, the Philadelphia Flyers, are at a solid 12:1 to make it to the Finals, and the Penguins, the division's projected winners, are still at 7:1. So, you get a feel of the standoffish nature at this juncture.
All that aside, the Rangers are still looking good to make the playoffs this year. We'll give them a solid 3:1 due to the inspired play they've shown, even when outmatched.
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