text:
Debate over state financial incentives for the proposed Big River Steel plant, which would be built in Mississippi County, takes center stage in the Arkansas Legislature this week, presenting some intriguing political conflicts.
Lawmakers are considering a $125 million bond program, apparently necessary for the $1.1 billion plant to be built. When the project was announced in January, supporters said it would bring 500 to 800 jobs with an average starting salary of $75,000. Furthermore, it would take some 2,000 construction jobs to build the mill.
In this time of economic uncertainty what's not to like about such a project?
Lots, as it turns out.
Since January the two sides have been gathering ammunition, but this is not your ordinary partisan political battle.
First, you have the Democratic administration of Gov. Mike Beebe claiming it as a major industrial recruitment triumph. In the announcement Beebe said this is the largest economic-development project in the state's history, that it would make Mississippi County the nation's second-largest steel-producing county.
The Nucor Corp. already employs about 1,600 people at two factories not far from the 1,140-acre site south of Osceola where Big River would be built. To some extent Nucor and Big River would be competing for the same markets.
Then you have a Legislature with Republican majorities for the first time since Reconstruction. Few of those Republicans have been responsible for Beebe's high level of popularity.
On the other hand, Republicans generally support big business and industry, and they don't usually mind government incentives that promote economic development, even while cutting taxes and spending elsewhere. So there are internal conflicts for the GOP.
Take this one, for example — a real whopper.
Billionaire industrialists David H. Koch and Charles G. Koch of Koch Industries plan to invest $120 million in the new steel mill, which would make them a 40 percent stakeholder. The brothers Koch founded and bankrolled a special interest political group called Americans for Prosperity.
In the 2010 and 2012 elections AFP poured thousands and thousands of dollars into Arkansas legislative races to help Republican candidates. While the group's success rate was mixed, its money certainly boosted Republican gains, at least enough to create the slim majority in the House of Representatives.
You'd think the winners would have a soft spot in their hearts for a project to help the Koch brothers cash in.
Nevertheless, Talk Business Arkansas reported Monday that the AFP Arkansas director had sent an e-mail to legislators last week opposing the bond issue and other state incentives for the Big River plant.
The AFP mailout said the state's investment is too risky and would give Big River an unfair economic advantage over its competitors.
Indeed, the $125 million bond issue is only part of the state's "corporate welfare" that would go to Big River, if the project goes forward. The AFP says the total package, including tax breaks, grants and loans, is more like $325 million. The problem is that much of the state's industrial recruitment, including financial incentives, is conducted in secret — allowing taxpayer dollars to be given away to private interests without public debate.
If we don't do that, economic development officials argue, we can't compete with other states, most of which already have financial advantages over Arkansas. They're probably right.
What industrial recruiters do then is to give away existing tax revenue and potential tax revenue in return for new jobs. The idea is that we recover the lost revenue with the new business and new jobs, i.e., higher payroll, sales and property taxes.
That's why voters in 2004 overwhelmingly approved Amendment 82, which allows such bond issues as the one proposed for Big River. In effect, we said we would trust our elected officials to use the authority wisely.
The question now is whether this project is wise.
Officials of Nucor are saying, rather loudly, it is not. Over the past week they've published a full-page, full-color advertisement daily in The Jonesboro Sun and also Sunday in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette opposing the project. Urging citizens to contact their legislators, the ad says in part:
"We're still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression. So why is the state now proposing to gamble $125 million Arkansas tax dollars on a start-up steel company? The steel mills we already have only operate at a fraction of their capacity. If demand for steel existed, these mills would be running full-time."
To be fair, it should be pointed out that Nucor has also benefited from state financial incentives. How much exactly is a secret, but a New York Times investigation last year produced a nationwide database accounting for business incentives awarded by cities, counties and states. It places Nucor third highest in Arkansas with $17.8 million in sales and use tax credits, income tax credits and an economic investment tax credit.
Still, that's small compared to the proposal being debated.
Our lawmakers are looking closely at a couple of independent studies analyzing the Big River project. One of them says the Arkansas Economic Development Commission overestimated the long-term net economic benefits of the plant. The lawmakers will have to determine if that's true; if so, turning down a $1.1 billion plant will require no small measure of political courage.
Roy Ockert is editor emeritus of The Jonesboro Sun. He may be reached by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Elderly Woman Victimized Resulting in Two Arrests and One Summons for Theft
Elderly abuse in Maine comes in many forms and a case being investigated by the Knox County Sheriff's Department involves alleged theft by care providers.
Detective Don Murray was handed the case after Deputy Paul Pinkham responded to a complaint of theft in excess of $20,000 from an elderly woman in Owls Head back in August.
As a result the Knox County SO arrested and charged two of the people involved who were home care givers to the victim, and the third was a friend of one of them.
Detective Murray says Tasha Campbell, 22 of Searsmont and Alicia Rawley, 45 of Waldoboro admitted they had, on many occasions, taken the victims debit and credit cards and used them for cash. The debit card had over 80 transactions of cash withdrawals that the victim was unaware of.
A friend of Campbell's, Terry Perry, 40 of South Thomaston was also involved and admitted to making cash withdrawals on the card.
All of the suspects have been charged with theft.
If anyone believes that they or someone they know may be a victim of similar crimes, please call Detective Don Murray at the Knox County Sheriff's Office. 207-594-0429 ext. 723.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hostel Cosmos Amsterdam
Amsterdam Hostel Cosmos is a small, friendly hostel located in the city centre of Amsterdam. We recommend our hostel to people who enjoy a more laidback and calm atmosphere.
Check-in: 12 noon.
Check-out: 10.30am.
We kindly request that all customers confirm their booking at least one day in advance of their arrival.
Payment is due in full upon arrival by cash only. We do not accept credit cards. ATMs and banks are a short walk away. All nights of accommodation must be paid for on arrival or no later than 21:00 hours. On arrival it is not possible to cancel your booking or part of your booking. No refunds due to cancellations on arrival and you will lose your bed(s) for remaining days!
We do not accept multiple group bookings of six or more people. Bookings made under different names for more than five persons will be cancelled!
Prices do not include the 5.5% city tourist tax, which shall be added to your balance upon arrival. Please include this in your budget calculations.
We have a daily lock-out from 12:00 noon to 14:30. You may check-in during this time, however.
If you are more than one hour late without advising the hostel it will be presumed that you are not arriving.
We have a 72hr cancellation policy. Cancellations must be made by email to Hostel Cosmos Amsterdam 72 hours prior to the arrival date (not the arrival time). Late cancellations and no-shows shall be charged the equivalent of the first night's accommodation for weekday bookings or two nights' accommodation for weekend bookings (Fri/Sat/Sun). This will be charged to the given credit card.
In case of a booking for more than one person, pleas be aware that booker is responsible for the total amount payable upon arrival. This means that in case one of your friends doesn't come along or doesn't arrive, you will have to pay the full amount for all days and lose the bed for the remaining day(s).
When one does not pay the total amount on arrival, we will charge the credit card of the booker for the total amount plus any additional costs requested by the credit card company.
It is not allowed to bring visitors to the hostel. Please respect this rule as we will ask you to leave our hostel when breaking this rule.
Our hostel is also the permanent residence of Simba, the house cat. Any guest who may be allergic to cats should be mindful of this before booking their stay with us.
We make every effort to accommodate you in the dormitory size of your choice. However, because of the nature of our business, we may have to place you in a different-sized dormitory. As a result the balance to be paid upon arrival may be slightly different than what is stated on your confirmation.
After making the reservation you will receive an email with your booking details and confirmation number. Make sure you bring this confirmation with you to the hostel. Otherwise reservation confusion will be your own responsibility.
We are happy to hold on to your bags but keep in mind that we can only do it for a maximum of three hours.
If you do not receive a booking confirmation from us you do not have a booking.
The Cosmos management and staff reserve the right to refuse accommodation to anyone.
There is a minimum of two nights' stay at the weekend (Fri/Sat/Sun).
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
Hostel Facilities & Policies
- 24 Hour Reception
- 24 Hour Security
- Adaptors
- Age Restriction
- Bicycle hire
- Board Games
- Book Exchange
- Breakfast Not Included
- Common Room
- Credit Cards Not Accepted
- Free City Maps
- Free WiFi
- Hair Dryers For Hire
- Hot Showers
- Internet Access
- Linen Included
- Security Lockers
- Luggage Storage
- Mini Supermarket
- No Curfew
- Non Smoking
- Safe Deposit Box
- Steam Room
- Taxes not included
- Tours/Travel Desk
- Towels For Hire
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 7 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
Must-Read Hostel InfoThis property has specific Terms & Conditions.
Please note that cancellation must occur 7 days before the check-in date and any booking cancelled after this time will be subject to a cancellation fee equivalent to the full amount of your booking.
Please note that in case of a No-Show you will no longer have a room or bed at Hostel Cosmos Amsterdam. In case of a No-Show the booking will be subject to the full amount of your booking.
• Hostel Cosmos Amsterdam reserves the right to pre-authorize your card prior to arrival. Please make sure there is enough credit on the given credit card to cover the total amount of the booking. We will pre-authorise (not a charge) the full amount of the reservation directly after the booking is made. The booking will be cancelled if we will not be able to get an pre-authorisation.
• Taxes not included - city tax 6.00 % per person per night.
• Please note you will have to pay in cash upon arrival as we do not accept credit cards, ATM's and banks are a short walk away.
• Please note that your full balance due is payable on arrival and non-refundable.
• In case the guest or the one responsible for the booking, does not pay the amount in cash due on arrival, we are forced to charge the amount from the given credit card(s). The charge will include the amount still to pay on arrival, city tax and other costs of merchant or bank.
• Please note that in case of a No-Show you will no longer have a room or bed at Hostel Cosmos Amsterdam. In case of a No-Show the booking will be subject to a No-Show fee equivalent to your stay.
• Checking out or leaving before your actual date of check out, will result in losing your bed(s) or room(s).
• In case of a booking for more than 1 person, you should be aware that booker is responsible for the total amount payable upon arrival.
• This means that in case one of your friends doesn't come along or doesn't arrive, you will have to pay the full amount for all days and loose the bed for the remaining day(s).
• Groups over 6 people cannot book online
Please make sure there is enough credit on the given credit card to cover the total amount of the booking. We will pre-authorise (not a charge) the full amount of the reservation directly after the booking is made.
The booking will be cancelled if we will not be able to get an pre-authorisation.
After payment on arrival in cash, we will release the amount back to your account.
New Year's Eve special conditions:
There is a minimum stay of 4 nights required between the 30th December and 2nd January.
Cancellations have to be notified by e-mail 14 days before the arrival date. After this period we are forced to charge full amount of the reservation.
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
From SCHIPHOL AIRPORT: Every 20 minutes a train is scheduled from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station. When you arrive at the airport and you reach the central hall (ground floor), there is a large sign with train information. The trains to the Central station are normally running from 05:40 AM to 00:30 AM -
From Amsterdam CENTRAL STATION:
Exit Amsterdam Central Station and go to the Main Square, where you'll find the tram stand. Take tram number 5 towards the Museum Square stop, that's the 10th stop, Museumplein. Get off the tram and walk straight ahead on the left hand side walk. Look for a shop called Soup en Zo, located on 81 Van Baerlestraat Straat. We are located above the carpet shop; the entrance is around the corner, on69-A Frans Van Mierisstraat Street.
A one way ticket will cost you € 3.80 from a vending machine, you will need some coins though. On www.ns.nl you can find all information on travel times and prices in English.


text:
Our surgical team looks forward to providing you with the best possible care. The following information will familiarize you with what to expect before, during and after your procedure. Please read and print our Preparing for Your Surgery brochure and Pre Surgery Evaluation Instructions. Orthopedic patients should download our Orthopedic Outpatient Surgery brochure.
Your anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist play very important roles in your surgery. They will administer and monitor the anesthesia that will let you "sleep" during your operation, or "numb" certain parts of your body. Before surgery, a member of the anesthesia team will meet with you to determine the most appropriate type of anesthesia for you.
Your stomach must be empty prior to surgery. If not, your appointment may be postponed or cancelled. It is very important that you follow the diet guidelines in the Preparing for Your Surgery brochure and Pre Surgery Evaluation Instructions.
Following your surgery, your condition will be closely monitored by our nurses. Your recovery time will vary, according to the type of surgery. You may feel tired or weak for a few days, because some effects of anesthesia last up to 48 hours. Please don't drive a car, operate heavy machinery, drink alcoholic beverages, engage in strenuous activities, or make any important decisions during this recovery time. You will receive more specific instructions before you are discharged.
Our goal is to reunite patients and their family or friends as soon a possible after surgery.
Introducing South Shore MyChart, the new and improved Patient Portal.
No matter what you're facing, receiving exceptional, unified care is non-negotiable. That's why we're bringing people, caregivers and excellence in medicine together. As One.
Learn More
South Shore Health Systems: >> See all


text:
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — The former president and CEO of an upscale jewelry manufacturing company was fined nearly $1 million Thursday for smuggling black coral into the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ashu Bhandari also was ordered to spend one month in jail, complete 300 hours of community service and pay nearly $230,000 to the University of the Virgin Islands for projects to research and protect black corals, the U.S. Justice Department said.
The sentence marks the end of one of the largest federal cases involving illegal trade in wildlife.
Bhandari pleaded guilty in November to one count of false classification of goods to hide shipments of internationally protected black coral that his former company, Gem Manufacturing Inc., received from Taiwanese suppliers.
Bhandari was the last defendant to be sentenced in a case that spawned a three-year investigation that also sent two of his business partners to prison.
Ivan and Gloria Chu of Taiwan-based Peng Chia Enterprise Co. Ltd. pleaded guilty in 2010 to illegally importing black coral as part of a plea deal. Ivan Chu agreed to serve 2 1/2 years in prison and pay a $12,500 fine, while Gloria Chu agreed to serve 20 months and pay a $12,500 fine.
In 2011, Bhandari's company was ordered to forfeit dozens of jewelry items, sculptures and more than 13,600 pounds (6,000 kilograms) of raw black coral. Together they were worth about $2.17 million.
Gem Manufacturing also was ordered to pay a nearly $4.5 million fine, the largest ever at the time for non-seafood wildlife trafficking and the fourth-largest for any U.S. case involving illegal trade in wildlife.
Black coral is an organism that thrives in deep ocean water and grows on rocks like a plant. It can live for hundreds or thousands of years and can be harvested for jewelry and other purposes under strict trade regulations.


text:
Clyde L. Dermyer, 90, of Addison passed away on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at his home.
He was born on Jan. 27, 1922, in Woodstock Township, Lenawee County, Mich., to Otis and Mary I. (Rhodes) Dermyer. He married Mary T. Romano on June 7, 1974, at Clark Lake, Mich., and she survives.
Clyde lived in the Woodstock Township area all his life. He was a carpenter, brick layer and farmer for years. Clyde was a veteran, serving in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946. He was a member of the N.R.A., the Addison Gun Club and he was an avid golfer where he scored a hole-in-one at age 80 at Devils Lake Golf Course.
Surviving besides his wife, Mary, are five daughters, Joan (Thomas) Gray of Eaton, Ind., Ragena (Kelly) Cecil of Jackson, Dianne (David) Hatfield of Tecumseh, Tohni Romano of Onsted and Deborah Vance of Sacramento, Calif.; 19 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Robert Dermyer; four sisters; one brother; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held at noon Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, at the Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home in Addison with Pastor Kevin Duffy officiating. Burial of his ashes will be in Woodstock-Sanford Cemetery, Woodstock Township, Lenawee County, Mich.
View this obituary and send condolences to www.brownvanhemert.com.
Clyde L. Dermyer
Clyde L. Dermyer, 90, of Addison passed away on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at his home.


text:
To view this Social Media Release, please enter the following address in your web browser.
SOURCE CNW Enriched News Releases
For further information: For further information: For a complete listing of social media releases available through CNW Group, please visit our calendar at http://smr.newswire.ca
CNW Enriched News Releases
National Gallery of Canada
Browse our custom packages or build your own to meet your unique communications needs.
Fill out a CNW membership form or contact us at 1 (877) 269-7890
Request more information about CNW products and services or call us at 1 (877) 269-7890


text:
The Duck Dynasty is getting one brother bigger.
Alan Robertson, the eldest son of duck caller king Phil Robertson, will leave behind his current gig as a Louisiana pastor and join his family on the A&E reality series.
Although, unlike his dad, uncle and brothers, Alan Robertson lacks the trademark family facial hair, he says he does let the beard grow during hunting season.
"The beards are so iconic," he said. "All this time I've been flying under the radar; I can go to Starbucks and get Mama coffee. That's about to change."
And while he's hanging up his clerical frock in exchange for hunting camo, Robertson said he's not leaving behind his beliefs.
"What I do for our church -- you see, it's a pretty good-sized church -- impacts a lot of people, but because of my association with the show, I'll get to minister to a lot more people," he said. "Any person that's an evangelist, that's what you want to do, so I had to give this up for something possibly bigger."
Robertson's wife of 29 years, Lisa, is a little hesitant to step into the spotlight, especially because they're coming brand new to reality television while the rest of the family is used to having cameras around.
"I'm just worried about coming in and not being able to perform on the spot," she said. "Everyone else has three years of experience filming."
And their two daughters, Anna and Alex, will soon make their own debuts on the show. Anna already works for the family business, while Alex and her husband Vinny say they plan to open up a food truck and park it in front of the Duck Commander store.
"Duck Dynasty" returns for its fourth season August 14.


text:
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday that he hopes the administration of his successor, Bill de Blasio, "is even better" than his own.
De Blasio, a Democrat, won a lopsided victory over Republican Joe Lhota this week and will lead the nation's largest city after 12 years with Bloomberg at the helm. Bloomberg, an independent, said on his weekly radio show that he hopes for a "seamless transition."
"Everybody says, 'Oh, it's going to be a difficult transition,'" Bloomberg said. "It isn't."
He said most city employees won't leave when his administration ends on Dec. 31. "They go on, they do their jobs every day, and it'll continue," he said.
Bloomberg said he will not criticize de Blasio, just as his predecessor, Republican Rudolph Giuliani, refrained from criticizing him.
"I'm sure there were plenty of things I did that (Giuliani) didn't like, that he wanted to stand up there and yell and scream, but he didn't, and I won't," the mayor said.
He also touched on other races, including Democrat Terry McAuliffe's victory over Republican Ken Cuccinelli in the Virginia governor's race.
Blooomberg, a billionaire and longtime advocate of gun control, spent more than $1 million on ads criticizing Cuccinelli's position on gun rights. He called McAuliffe an "unapologetic backer of common-sense gun laws" and said his win proves "people want reasonable gun checks to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and people with psychiatric problems."
Bloomberg said McAuliffe won despite being rated F by the National Rifle Association while Cuccinelli was rated A. He said that a few years ago, if he had suggested that a candidate could win a southern governorship without the NRA's backing "you would have said I'm crazy."
NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said Bloomberg's involvement in the race didn't help McAuliffe, and instead narrowed his lead over Cuccinelli from double digits to about three points.
"He was political poison," Arulanandam said.


text:
Casa Aruna
Are you planning to stay a couple of days in Pisa?
downtown, behind Scuola Normale Superiore, 20 min. from the beach, 5 min. from the station and the airport.
We offer rooms with private bathroom and shared
Very close to Piazza dei Miracoli, hospital Santa Chiara and the river Arno. From here you can easily walk to all the main attractions in Pisa
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
B&B Facilities & Policies
- Air Conditioning
- Cable TV
- Free City Maps
- Free Internet Access
- Free WiFi
- Hair Dryers
- Towels Included
- Wi-Fi
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 1 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
Must-Read Guesthouse InfoThis property has specific Terms & Conditions.
Tourist tax € 1,50 per person/night extra (to pay at arrival)
Breakfast not included, but on demand. (extra charge, arrange at arrival)
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
Coming from Florence, A11 motorway
Exit motorway in Lucca est
Carry straight SS12 for 10 kms
Carry straight Statale Abetone for 5 kms
At the roundabout carry straight
Turn left Largo San Zeno
Turn right via Santa Caterina
(if you do not have LTA access card, park here)
Turn left via Carducci (LTA = limited traffic areas)
Turn right and immediately after turn right
50 meters on the left you arrive in Chiesa S.Apollonia square
Located Near
Piazza dei Miracoli, hospital Santa Chiara and the river Arno with its museums can easily be achieved by walking.


text:
Kiowa County Signal's Maverick Most Valuable Player First Runner-Up
#21 Rustin Ardery
(39% of Total Votes)
Ardery had another stand out season earning him a top spot on voter's ballots and the stat sheet.
Ardery was second on the team in points per game (12.4), second in total season points (260), first in field goal percentage (.540) and made the most trips to the free throw line sinking 42-of-76 (.550) . Defensively he was second in blocked shots (16), third in steals (17), first in offensive rebounds (55), second in defensive rebounds (88) and second in total rebounds (143). Ardery also led the team in personal fouls (63).
Ardery earned a "Defensive Player of the Year" honor in the Signal's Maverick Basketball MVP voting last season and also earned a "Defensive Player of the Year" honor at the end of the 2012-2013 football season.
"I think he was the most improved player from last season and you could tell he was working his butt off all year," said one voter.
"He was everything we could hope for in a Maverick, he worked hard, he has talent and he looked like he was having a good time," said another voter.


text:
The Labor and Employment Law ("LEL") concentration is the newest addition to the Law School's concentration offerings.Its creation recognizes the consistent popularity and significance of LEL practice in the legal profession, and the Law School's commitment to offering an enhanced course of study in the field. The concentration builds upon Suffolk Law's recognized strengths, including its broad curricular offerings, distinguished alumnae in the field, and leadership of the Robert F. Fuchs Labor Law Conference and the New Workplace Institute. Suffolk Law's full-time and adjunct faculty is widely recognized for their achievements as scholars, teachers, and practitioners.
The concentration's foundation consists of three core courses: Employment Law, Employment Discrimination, and Labor Law. That foundation supports a series of requirements designed to impart graduates with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to make immediate contributions in their professional roles and to represent clients in various legal, economic, and social environments.
Students graduating from the concentration can pursue careers in the private, non-profit, and public sectors representing employers, employees, or labor unions, in a law firm or an in-house counsel setting. Those students should also find enhanced career opportunities in areas such as human resources, labor and employee relations, and employee benefits.
Internships are a vital component of the concentration.The internship experience enables students to learn how attorneys work and the challenges they face.It also affords students the opportunity to reflect upon the professional model to which they aspire.
Concentrators are required to complete a minimum three (3) credit internship; however, Evening Division students may apply for a waiver of this requirement.
Evening division students with full time positions should consult the Internships section of this website to learn more about potential waiver of the internship requirement.


text:
Acipenser dabryanus
|Scope: Global
Language: English
|Scientific Name:
|Acipenser dabryanus Duméril, 1869
Common Name(s):
|Red List Category & Criteria:
|Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) A2bcd ver 3.1
|Year Published:
|Date Assessed:
|Qiwei, W.
|Pourkazemi, M., Zhang, H., Du, H. & Smith, K.
This species is endemic to China and is restricted to the Yangtze River system. It has recently been extirpated from the lower reaches of river and is now restricted to the upper main stream in the Sichuan Province. It also enters major tributaries, including the Ming, Tuo, and Jialing rivers. In the late 20th century population numbers declined drastically due to overfishing and habitat degradation. Incidental catch data between 1982 and 2008 indicate that since 1982 only tens of specimens are being captured annually. Artificial propagation began in 1976 by the Chongqing Fisheries Institute, China. Since 2007, more than 5,000 individuals have been released into the upper reaches of the Yangtze River for stock rehabilitation (Zhang et al. 2009). Dam construction has caused major adverse effects to the habitat of this species and have resulted in a reduction in its area of occurrence of this species. The naturally occurring population is considered to be very small and it is thought this species only survives in the wild due to restocking. No evidence exists to show that re-stocked animals are reproducing in the wild. Therefore, due to inferred and suspected population declines, along with a decrease in the area of occupancy and historical overfishing, this species has been assessed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).
|Previously published Red List assessments:
|Range Description:
|This species is endemic to China and is restricted to the Yangtze River system. Historically, under the natural, unaltered conditions that existed until the middle of the 20th century, this species inhabited the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River and its large tributaries, including the Ming, Tuo, Jialing, Xiang and Han rivers, as well as the large lakes linking attached to the Yangtze River.
A. dabryanus has recently (possibly since 1995) been extirpated from the lower river and is restricted to the upper main stream of the Yangtze River in the Sichuan Province. It also enters major tributaries, including the Ming, Tuo, and Jialing rivers. (Zhuang et al. 1997).
|Countries occurrence:
Possibly extinct:China
|Additional data:
|Range Map:
|Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
|The natural population of this species was not considered to be large. Historically, this was an important species in commercial fisheries of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (Chen 2007). In the late 20th century population numbers declined drastically because of overfishing and habitat degradation. Incidental catch data between 1982 and 2008 indicate that since 1982 only tens of specimens are being captured annually and there have been no capture records below the Gezhouba Dam since 1995. The stock has dropped markedly during the past 20 to 30 years and now the production is so small and scattered, that no exact account of total production is reported. Artificial propagation began in 1976 by the Changjianq Fisheries Institute, China. Since 2007, more than 5,000 individuals have been released into the upper reaches of the Yangtze River for stock rehabilitation (Zhang et al. 2009).
|Current Population Trend:
|Additional data:
|Habitat and Ecology:
|This is a small sturgeon species that is permanently resident in freshwater. It usually inhabits the middle and lower layers of the water and prefers slow moving water that is rich in humus, and feeds on demersal organisms (those that live at or near the bottom of a body of water).
This species spawns in upper reaches of the Yangtze River, in the spring (March-April) and the autumn (October-December). Its key spawning reach is between Maoshui and Heijang, a stretch of 321.7 km (The Chanjiang Aquatic Resources Survey Group 1988).
|Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat:
|Generation Length (years):
|Use and Trade:
|This species is taken from the wild for human consumption and research purposes.
|Major Threat(s):
This species has historically experienced unsustainable levels of fishing. Furthermore, mesh sizes of fishing nets have reduced, thereby capturing young, especially during the periods when many juveniles concentrate to feed.
Fishing effort and intensity has also increased in the past, for example in the Neijiang reach of the Tuo River there were only 500 fishing boats in 1950s, but this number increased to about 2000 by 1985. In the Leshan Reach of the Ming River, drift gill nets are crowded together from day to night.
The primary traditional fishing season in the main stream of Yangzte River is between March and August, with more than 30% of the catch processed between April and May. However, this is also spawning season of A. dabryanus, therefore spawning stock are particularly vulnerable to capture.
Furthermore, the construction of the Gezhouba Dam in 1981 and the Three Gorges Dam in 2003 have caused major adverse effects to the habitat of this species and have resulted in a reduction in the area of occurrence of this species, which is now restricted to the upstream river, above the dams. More recently, the construction of the Xiangjiaba Dam in 2008 is situated in the middle of this species spawning reach and therefore is expected to adversely affect the population through habitat fragmentation and associated habitat degradation.
Additionally pollution from increasing human development affects the entire Yangtze basin. Much untreated waste water discharges into the river each year. Water quality is also affected by run-off caused by deforestation of the the upper Yangtze Valley (Zhuang et al. 1997).
|Conservation Actions:
A three month seasonal fishing ban between February and April was introduced in 2002 in the upper Yangtze River.
This species has been listed as a First Class Protected Animal of the State since 1988, and has received the same effective protection as Acipenser sinensis. This species was also listed on CITES Appendix II in 1998.
Artificial propagation was first carried out in 1976. Since 2007 more than 5000 juveniles have been released into the upper Yangtze River for stock rehabilitation, but these species are not thought to be breeding in the wild and no larvae have been seen in recent years.
It is considered that the survival of this species is entirely reliant on restocking efforts, without which this species would possibly become extinct (Zhang et al. 2009).
Since the 1970s, the Institute of Aquatic Products of Sichuan Province have increased efforts regarding raising and breeding of A. dabryanus. For example young A. dabryanus from the Yangtze River have been introduced into the Changshou City reservoir for culturing (The Changjiang Aquatic Resources Survey Group 1988).
In 2000 the first national nature reserve was created in the upper Yangzte river. The area of this reserve was extended in 2005 to mitigate the conflict between hydroelectric projects and the maintenance of the functionality of the ecosystem. The reserve is now the largest aquatic reserve in China, which has a total length of 1162.6 km (including 436.5 km of the main river) (Zhang et al. 2009).
|Qiwei, W. 2010. Acipenser dabryanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T231A13041556. . Downloaded on 20 September 2018.
|To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
|If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided


text:
Sanguineto Trilo4Tuoro sul Trasimeno
The six flats were made when an old cowshed, which was never used, was refurbished. It is in the centre of a tiny country village called "Sanguineto". This place takes its name after the battle between the Roman army and the army from Carthage - led by the famous leader Hannibal - where a lot of blood was shed.
The flats have been luxuriously built with the help of ancient materials and techniques but, at the same time, by using all the modern accessories to make them as comfortable as possible. Each has liquid gas central heating with a boiler outside the flat and each has got its own electricity consumption.
Each flat has also a large balcony with a veranda and a private garden. All the flats are perfectly integrated with the environment and have a beautiful view over lake Trasimeno.
As two flats belong to the same owner and the other four (plus "La Torre") to another person, they have all been given different names, although they are located in the same structure. All guests (included the ones of "La Torre") can use the swimming pool (6x12 m) which is located 30-40 m below the structure. The pool has a magnificent view over the valley below and over Lake Trasimeno.
Annibale-MonoIs a studio flat with a living room and a coking area. There is a double bed, a sofa bed, and a bathroom with a shower.
Annibale-Bilo / Sanguineto-Bilo1 / Sanguineto-Bilo2This is a two-room flat with a living room and a coking area. It has also a double bedroom, a sofa bed and a bathroom with a shower.
Sanguineto-Trilo3This flat has a living room with a coking area, a double sofa bed, two bathrooms (one with a shower and the other one with a tub) and two double bedrooms.
Sanguineto-Trilo4Here, there is a living room, a kitchenette, a bathroom with a shower, a twin-bedded room and a double bedroom.
La TorreThis ancient sighting tower stands near the tiny village of Sanguineto and dominates the flat country near which the famous battle between the Roman army and Hannibal's army took place. During the last century people used to live in the tower, then they stopped. The careful refurbishing and the modernisation of the place – keeping its old fascination intact - gave, as a result, a small flat for two people. The living room, with a cooking area, is downstairs. By means of an iron wrought staircase you get to the first floor where there is a double bedroom with a small bathroom with a shower. There is also air conditioning which can be used by paying some extra money. The Tower is surrounded by a panoramic garden where there are two vey ancient olive trees. There is a gazebo under one of the two olive trees, where you can comfortably sit to have breakfast or look at the view. The guests of La Torre can also enjoy the pool which is only 20 m far from the small house.
In each of the above said flats dogs are welcome but guests are kindly requested never to leave them inside alone. For each dog there is an extra charge of 15 € for the cleaning of the place when guests leave the flat.


text:
Editor, the Record:
Editor, the Record:
When I woke up a couple of weeks ago, I thought I was in Middle Smithfield Township. What in the world do the Pocono Township Supervisors think they are doing? They seemed like they were at least halfway intelligent when elected. If Henry Bengel and Frank Hess were unsatisfied with Harold Werkheiser in the position of director of public works, they should have relieved him of his duties by any means legally acceptable.
Henry Bengel should step down immediately. He should then fill out an application when the position is advertised in all the proper places. Requirements and experience should be made clear, as well as the going salary. With unemployment as it is in our area, I have no doubt someone with experience could be hired, and probably at a lower salary.


text:
To download the full report, click here.
America's biopharmaceutical research companies are working on 54 medicines to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a report released today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). These exciting therapies are in late-stage development, meaning they are either in clinical trials or awaiting review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Today, more than 13 million American adults suffer from COPD, one of the most common lung diseases in the U.S.COPD is a progressive lower respiratory disease that encompasses two main conditions – chronic bronchitis and emphysema – characterized by obstructed airflow to the lungs that interferes with normal breathing. People with COPD may be limited in their ability to work, exercise and perform routine activities.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the number of patients with COPD is increasing. In addition to those who have been diagnosed with the disease, 12 million Americans likely have COPD without knowing it.
"Early detection of COPD is imperative, as effective treatment can change the course and progression of this devastating disease," said PhRMA President and CEO John J. Castellani. "The promising new therapies highlighted in this report illustrate how emerging scientific approaches, to treating respiratory diseases such as COPD, offer great hope to improve and save the lives of future patients."


text:
... my plan is to try and edit and schedule at least a half dozen recipes I've made, but have been too busy to upload. A few more, are very seasonal-- so I guess I should wait until next year!
I've cooked and hosted Thanksgiving, for my family, for at least thirty years. I've evolved from buying vegetable oil injected Butterball turkeys, to draping my turkey with butter drenched cheese cloths, to basting the bird every 30 minutes-- and I even tried Alton Brown's brined a turkey. Over the decades, I've had semi-raw birds, overcooked birds and then I've had great turkey! To be perfectly honest, I don't care for brined poultry. I can tell the difference in the texture of the meat-- I find that brined poultry takes on a spongy texture that doesn't agree with my tongue. Neither does my husband. I apologize if I offend those of you who are true "brine fans", but I skip that step. I have come to rely on a cooking thermometer and prepping the turkey with great seasonings, and butter.
I have converted to buying only a Diestel Turkey (we paid $2.09 a pound), and we picked it up the day before Thanksgiving...fresh and unfrozen. These birds are raised in the foothills of the California Sierras. They're a sustainable farm and certified organic, for those of you who appreciate what that means. Their turkeys are hormone-free, range free and I believe that the higher cost is well worth the price. I'm a fan of buying from turkey farms, like this, for the rest of my Thanksgiving years to come.
Last week, I caught Ina's show on Roast Turkey with Truffle Butter. I had no intention of investing in truffle butter, because I think it's highly overrated-- but, that's me! What I found interesting were the tips that Ina's friend gave.
- Don't baste the turkey, and you'll get a crisper skin
- Don't stuff the turkey (which I quit doing years ago). An unstuffed bird will cook more evenly. I agree!
- Generously salt (season) the cavity of the bird.
- Instead, the bird was stuffed with a whole head of garlic, herbs and onion.
REALITY CHECK: I you don't want to make your own turkey or chicken stock, by all means, buy canned or boxed!
Recipe cards are at the end of this post.


text:
I just got a call from the Anne Arundel County Animal Control near Annapolis today, and the blues have finally hit us. I've never seen a blue in a shelter out here before, but they tell me they have one who needs immediate rescue (like tomorrow).
I can't take her in as I've already got one more bitch on my hands than my house can hold! But if you're a legit rescue in the Mid Atlantic, give a call to Animal Control and you might be able to get your rescue a temp-tested, fully vetted, blue beauty that'll draw the adopters in.
She's female, 7-8 months old, and they say she's sweet as candy. Not for adoption to the general public, available to be released to rescue ONLY.
Looking for a blue in the MidAtlantic?
Why buy from a breeder when there are plenty of homeless pups in shelters???
1 post • Page 1 of 1
1 post • Page 1 of 1
Return to "Rescue Resources & Adoptable Dogs"
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests


text:
Pakistan Lambasts Human Rights Watch
Pakistan's military has lashed out at Human Rights Watch for claiming security forces are complicit in attacks on the country's Shiite religious minority.
The New York-based human-rights advocacy group said in a report last week that Pakistan law enforcement and intelligence agencies have "turned a blind eye" to attacks on Shiites, a Muslim sect that Sunni militants regard as heretical.
The report said over 400 Shiites were killed in Pakistan in 2012 in targeted attacks. It cited a double bombing of a billiard hall in the southwestern city of Quetta last month that led to the death of 92 people from the ethnic Hazara group, the worst-ever attack on Shiites in Pakistan.
The carnage continued Friday, with a suicide attack on a Shiite mosque in northwestern Pakistan that killed 22 people and wounded scores of others.
The Human Rights Watch report drew an angry response from Pakistan' s army, which said in a statement this weekend that it was "a pack of lies, propaganda driven and totally biased." The military said Human Rights Watch was trying to create "chaos and disorder" in Pakistan by stirring sectarian violence.
It's usual for Pakistan's army to react to criticism with conspiracy theories and defensive rhetoric.
The key question here, though, is whether Pakistan's security forces are failing to stop these attacks on Shiites – which would signal an almost total collapse of state authority – or whether they are complicit in them.
Either way, things looks bad for the security forces. But the distinction is important as Pakistan has claimed in recent years to have broken ties with militants whom its security forces once armed and trained as a way of influencing events in Afghanistan and Kashmir.
The army regularly points to a four-year war against militants in the lawless tribal regions that border Afghanistan as evidence of its seriousness in improving security.
But critics, including Human Rights Watch, question how militant groups are able to continue to strike at will across the country, pulling Shiites off buses before executing them and gunning down others in broad daylight.
Human Rights Watch, in its report, alluded to a continued army-militant nexus, saying, "The government was unable or unwilling to break the links between Pakistan's military and intelligence agencies with extremist groups."
Talat Masood, a retired Pakistan army general, said he did not believe the military is directly involved in attacks on Shiites. But, he added, security forces continue to depend on militant proxies to fight other battles, giving them legitimacy.
For instance, the military uses Islamist militants to attack separatists in the southwestern state of Baluchistan, of which Quetta is the capital, Mr. Masood said. That has allowed the militants to operate freely in the area and turn their sights on the Shiite Hazara community, a group originally from Afghanistan that live in and around Quetta, he added.
"They didn't realize the consequences of that," Mr. Masood said.
Whatever the army's links to militants, its failure to stop the killings of Shiites, once a respected minority in the country, is a national embarrassment and a sign of tilt toward religious extremism in the country.
Leaders of banned anti-Shiite militant organizations like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi remain out of jail and are free to give regular hate-filled speeches in mosques and at rallies. Due to anti-Shiite propaganda, attitudes toward the minority in Pakistan have hardened. According to a poll published by the Pew Research Center in August, 41% of Sunni respondents in Pakistan said they believed Shiites were not Muslims.
Against this backdrop, the claims of Pakistan's military that Human Rights Watch is trying to destabilize the country ring hollow. Pakistan needs no help in doing that.
Follow Tom and India Real Time on Twitter @TomWrightAsia and @indiarealtime.


text:
After an acute illness, a patient is often medically stable but requires rehabilitation, skilled nursing, or monitoring. At times it may not be feasible for these services to be provided in the home setting. Russell Regional Hospital has a Swingbed Program that provides a variety of skilled services to the patient and family, including:
- Inpatient Care
- IV Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Skilled Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Social Services
- Dietary Consultation
- Patient / Family Teaching
- Case Management
- Cardiopulmonary Care


text:
- Home
- News
- Sports
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Features
- Special Sections
- Classifieds
- Public Notices
BRISTOL –– The overwhelming majority of high school senior football players knew they had participated in their last games back in November. Some were planning to play in college, but most figured they were done with the sport.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the The Gazette, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
|ZIP Code:


text:
Final Paycheck Process
- The final paycheck will be direct deposited if the employee is participating in the direct deposit program. If the employee is not participating in the direct deposit program, the final check will be mailed via first class mail to the permanent address indicated in Banner Self Service, at the time of processing.
- Staff and faculty members are expected to provide human resources, firstname.lastname@example.com, with any address updates after separation. This address will be updated by human resources to assure proper delivery of tax statements (W-2 Form).
- Final paychecks are issued according to the regular University Bi-Weekly and Monthly Payroll Schedule. In other words, the final paycheck is not issued as a special check.
- The balance of an eligible staff member's accrued vacation, up to a maximum of 200 hours, will be paid in the event of separation from the University. The balance, as it appears in human resources information system, will be verified by the department head before payment is made. Newly hired employees who have not completed an initial six (6) month orientation period are not eligible for vacation pay out upon termination.
- For staff, accrued and unused sick time is not paid out; it will remain in an account for (1) year in the event the employee is re-employed by Saint Louis University.


text:
Your privacy is important to us.
M & M Ford Lincoln takes your privacy seriously and does not rent or sell your personal information to third parties without your consent. Read our privacy policy.
127 Mill Street
Directions Liberty, NY 12754
Actual rating will vary with options, driving conditions, habits and vehicle condition.
The standard features of the Ford Flex SE include 3.5L V-6 287hp engine, 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, Safety Canopy System curtain 1st, 2nd and 3rd row overhead airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 17" aluminum wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, AdvanceTrac w/Roll Stability Control electronic stability.
Starting at: $30,025
|City/EPA-Est Hwy mpg
|SE Search New
|287-hp 3.5L 6-cyl
|6-spd auto
|16 / 23
|SEL Search New
|287-hp 3.5L 6-cyl
|6-spd auto
|16 / 23
|SEL Search New
|287-hp 3.5L 6-cyl
|6-spd auto
|16 / 22
|Limited Search New
|287-hp 3.5L 6-cyl
|6-spd auto
|16 / 23
|Limited Search New
|287-hp 3.5L 6-cyl
|6-spd auto
|16 / 22
|Limited w/EcoBoost Search New
|365-hp 3.5L 6-cyl
|6-spd auto
|15 / 21
The Flex shows its age in the cabin, with dated styling. It hasn't changed much since 2008, except for a revision of the centerstack and slight upgrade to materials. The instrument panel is low. The Flex clearly, if lightly, copies the Mini dash that was all the rage back then. The centerstack houses the large SYNC3 touchscreen interface on SEL and Limited models, along with capacitive touch controls for climate and audio.
The fit and finish are good, with soft materials and upholstery in front that feel luxury grade, at least in the SEL and Limited. And it's fairly quiet inside, after sound deadening material was added in 2013.
But it's still mostly about passenger comfort and space: seven people and 20 cubic feet behind the third row. With wide door openings and a tall roof, it's easy to climb inside. Long windows keep the interior bright; anything else would make the Flex feel like a cargo van.
The front and second-row seats are wide and comfortable; in fact they're a pleasure. The second row is a 60/40 that seats three and folds easily and quickly; optional captain's chairs seat two for six-passenger seating capacity. The Flex's Volvo roots show (back in 2008, Ford owned Volvo) in the second row, where there's more headroom and legroom than many crossovers.
The third row is 50/50 that seats two and folds easily. Not only that, but we put a 6-foot, 6-inch editor back there, and he emerged smiling with his knees still working. The seat isn't padded as well as the second row, but it's fine for short trips. The tall roof means passengers have to bend less to get back there, although it's still not as tall as a minivan.
With both the second and third rows folded, there's 83 cubic feet of space, which is 20 cubic feet less than the Traverse and just a bit less than the Pilot.
We wouldn't expect a car with the dimensions and weight of the Flex to be fun to drive, but it is relatively so, thanks to clever engineering and suspension black magic that minimizes the effort to move 4600 pounds around highways, towns, and parking lots. The Flex feels like a wagon, with fairly crisp steering and a compliant ride that only gets bouncy if you drive too fast in tight corners.
The electric power steering, hard-mounted to the chassis subframe, has a quick ratio. The steering loads up predictably, and there's even a little feel of the road coming through.
The brakes have been improved with more surface area, a larger master cylinder, and sharper booster tuning, to give a stronger bite and more feel to the pedal.
The good powertrains deserve some credit for making the Flex stress-free. The base V6 brings 288 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque, enough to make acceleration adequate, while the 6-speed automatic shifts with grace. We've found that it performs best with simple front-wheel drive, because of the extra 200 pounds that comes with the all-wheel drive. If you need AWD, go for the V6 turbo that makes 365 horsepower.
That all-wheel-drive system is quite smart, with sensors that measure yaw, steering angle, and throttle. They work with the paddle-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission, which won't upshift when you're in a corner or climbing a hill. But if you ease off the throttle it will upshift.
Final Word
The Flex has eminent charm, if you have the need. There's no other vehicle quite like it. It's a pure people-mover. With all-wheel drive and a hot turbocharged V6 with paddle shifters, it's worthy of respect; and with the black appearance kit, it takes a step deeper into its own world. But it's not cheap.
Sam Moses contributed to this report.
The 2017 Ford Flex comes in SE ($29,710), SEL ($32,410), and Limited ($37,910). Prices are MSRP and do not include destination charge.
Standard equipment includes power windows, mirrors, and locks; three-row seating, Ford's SYNC infotainment system with a 4.3-inch screen and Bluetooth; rearview camera; 17-inch wheels; and fabric upholstery.
SEL models add 18-inch wheels, SYNC3 infotainment system with 8.0-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, keyless ignition, remote start, dual-zone climate control, power front seats, and wood trim.
Limited models add 19-inch wheels, leather seats, 12-speaker Sony sound system, blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert, navigation, power liftgate, and upgraded interior materials.
If you want front collision warning and adaptive cruise control, add a $2900 package. And appearance option includes 20-inch wheels with a black roof, door handles, grille, and window sills. There's also a heated steering wheel, power folding rear seats, panoramic sunroof, trailer-prep tow package, and second-row captain's chairs.
Even if the Flex goes away, its profile and styling will be remembered, and probably even reborn in some other vehicle, not necessarily a Ford. It works, even if there isn't a great demand for it. We see a space-age surf wagon.
We also see some British in the sides of the Flex: part Range Rover, part Mini Cooper. And we see some 1960s Ford Fairlane and Country Squire wagon, without the faux woody.
Your privacy is important to us.
M & M Ford Lincoln takes your privacy seriously and does not rent or sell your personal information to third parties without your consent. Read our privacy policy.


text:
CN-Porter Unisex Lightweight Water Shoes Quick Drying Shower Garden Sandals42 M EU/8.5 D(M) US|Khaki Khaki 42 M EU/8.5 D(M) US
Hollow out PVC upper- breathable ventilation, perspiration, quick draining and dry, moisture -proof, eco-friendly.
Lightweight, super soft and flexible construction for easy on/off.
Flexibility and firm Eva sole - lightweight comfortable, durable, high toughness, good shock / cushioning performance.
Multi-Occasions. Beach shoes, Water aerobics, Boating, Surfing, Kayaking, Fishing, Garden shoes, Shower shoes ETC.
Please don't use amazon size chart. For correct fit please use the SIZE CHART provided in the product description.
Water Shoes


text:
The International Symposium on Superconductivity, which has been held annu ally since 1988, is a forum for presenting the most up-to-date information about a broad range of research and development in superconductivity, from funda mental aspects to applications. More than 10 years have passed since the discovery of oxide superconductors and since various developments of applications began. It may be said that the prospects for application of oxide superconductors recently have opened up. Great progress has been made toward practical use, for example, of the flywheel, which uses bulk materials, and the high-performance cryo-cooled magnet made of bismuth wire. These were the results of persistent efforts to develop materials from the viewpoint of materials science and engineering. Also important is the progress in comprehensive understanding of high temperature superconductivity. Unique electronic properties of cuprates such as the non-Fermi liquid normal state, spin-charge separation, spin gap, and d-wave symmetry were discussed at the symposium, as were the unique electromagnetic properties resulting from the low dimensionality of cuprates. In the field of new superconductors, many exotic materials have been discovered since 1986. A decade of work with cuprate superconductors is reviewed in this proceedings, and several of the newest materials are presented. These papers will be instructive for many researchers and for students who are to enter this field.A tentative analysis for the A H, vs. 6 relation revealed that the ... For this purpose, in this study, we have done NRMA measurements using a c-axis oriented YBa: Cu30, (~800A) fabricated on MgO substrate. EXPERIMENTAL Samples andanbsp;...
|Advances in Superconductivity X
|Kozo Osamura, Izumi Hirabayashi
|Springer Science & Business Media - 2013-11-11
You must register with us as either a Registered User before you can Download this Book. You'll be greeted by a simple sign-up page.
Once you have finished the sign-up process, you will be redirected to your download Book page.How it works:


text:
Meet and chat with Windsor singles at Matchmaker.com, our Windsor chat rooms contain thousands singles in your local area. Whether you are looking for serious relationships, friendship, or even marriage Matchmaker.com will help you find that special person. Chat with other members with a live video instant messenger or join on of our Windsor chat site rooms and meet singles today!
WindsorJoin Now Free!
Windsor Girls | Windsor Men | Windsor Gay | Windsor Lesbians
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
More Windsor Links:
Windsor Dating | Windsor Personals | Windsor Speed Dating | Windsor Singles | Windsor Love
Senior Dating | Catholic Dating | Christian Dating | Muslim Dating
Black Singles | Asian Singles | Latin Dating
Matchmaker is a large and exciting online community where Windsor chat discussions take place. Members are able to change text, style and color, add graphical smiles, and click usernames to bring up profile details. Windsor chat rooms and users are organized intuitively on the left side of the interface where users are able to easily peek into rooms without joining, see who is inside, who'sbroadcasting audio and video, how long they've been in the Windsor chat room and more. Clicking on the detail button or an individual username brings up expanded information on the Windsor chat room.


text:
Online Extras: December 2009 Issue
Here are the Online Extras from the December 2009 issue.
* Click here to watch the Wood Whisperer video on Flush Trim bits.
* Click here to read the 18v Lithium-ion Drills Test from April 2008.
* Watch the video of Trevor Smith's students building boomerangs and then send their projects soaring.
* Click here to read Glen D. Huey's clever method for installing crown moulding.
* Watch the video of Glen using the table saw to make cove moulding.
* Read Bob Flexner's article, "Applying Wiping Varnish."
* Click here to read about our visit to Krenov's Fine Woodworking Program at the College of the Redwoods.
* Click here to read the Great Woodshops article, "Legendary Rocker," about our visit to Sam Maloof's workshop.


text:
Disclosure and Authorization
to Obtain Consumer Reports for Employment/Volunteer Purposes
Please Read Carefully!
In considering you for a volunteer position or employment and, if you are employed, in considering you for subsequent promotion, assignment, reassignment, retention, or discipline, Canopy of Neighbors ("the Company") may request and rely upon one or more consumer reports or investigative consumer reports about you that we obtain from a consumer reporting agency, such as IntelliCorp Records, Inc.
For explanation purposes:
Under the FCRA, before the Company can obtain a consumer report or investigative consumer report about you for employment purposes, we must have your authorization. Before we take adverse action on the basis, in whole or in part, of information in that report, you will be provided a copy of that report, the name, address, and telephone number of the consumer reporting agency, and a summary of your rights under the FCRA.
Canopy of Neighbors Report Details
Social Security Number Verification/Address History, OFAC, Nationwide Sex Offender Registry, Multi-State Criminal Search, Single County Searches
I have carefully read the Disclosure and Authorization and authorize the Company to obtain and rely upon one or more consumer reports and investigatory consumer reports. I also agree that this Disclosure and Authorization in original, faxed, photocopied, or electronic (including electronically signed by clicking the authorization button below) will be valid for any consumer reports or investigative consumer reports that may be requested about me by or on behalf of the Company.
I certify that all of elements of the personal data I will provide in this portal are true, accurate and complete. I understand and agree that any omission, false statement, misleading statement, or answer made by me on my information or any supplements to it and in any interviews will be sufficient grounds for rejection of employment and my discharge after employment. I also understand that nothing in the Disclosure and Authorization shall be construed as an offer of employment or contract for services.
You have the right, upon written request made within a reasonable amount of time, to request whether a consumer reports has been run about you and disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report and to request a copy of your report. Please be advised that the nature and scope of the most common form of investigative consumer report obtained with regard to applicants for employment is an investigation into education and/or employment history conducted by IntelliCorp Records, Inc. [3000 Auburn Drive, Suite 410; Beachwood, Ohio 44122; 1-866-202-1436]. The scope of this notice and authorization is all encompassing, however, allowing the Company to obtain from any outside organization all manner of consumer reports throughout the course of your employment to the extent permitted by law.
Enter Information
I understand the use of my Social Security number on the criminal Background Check shall be used for no other purpose than to conduct a Background Check. Furthermore, I understand that my Social Security number shall not be sold or in any way transferred to a third party except for the express purpose of conducting the Background Check.


text:
Reviews > Music
REM's Comeback
"…for a supposed comeback attempt, R.E.M. doesn't seem desperate to be loved here. Much of Accelerate actually sounds fired-up and angry: 'Living Well Is the Best Revenge' is an aggressive opening salvo, the oblique narrative of 'Mr. Richards' finds Stipe at his most effectively political, and the gritty, double-speed 'Horse to Water' is the album's most self-critical song… If it isn't able to recapture the post-punk energy of Reckoning, the political fury of Life's Rich Pageant, or the epic scope of Automatic for the People, the album, at the very least, finds the band playing to its strengths rather than attempting to explore an increasingly thin artistic mythology. That alone justifies Accelerate's positive buzz, even if the album doesn't quite support the magnitude of it." READ MORE >
Reviews > Books
Holy Man: What does the Dalai Lama actually stand for?
"'The more he gave himself to the world,' Iyer writes, the more Tibetans have come to feel 'like natural children bewildered by the fact that their father has adopted three others.' …Avidly embracing the liberating ideas of the secular metropolis, the Dalai Lama resembles the two emblematic types who have shaped the modern age, for better and for worse—the provincial fleeing ossified custom and the refugee fleeing totalitarianism. Even so, his critics may have a point: the Dalai Lama's citizenship in the global cosmopolis seems to come at a cost to his dispossessed people… It is hard to see the Dalai Lama bringing about mutual understanding in the world at large when he has failed to bring it about between China and Tibet." READ MORE >
Reviews > Books
Sleepy-Eyed Writer, Wandering Byzantium
"About the Lower East Side today,' Mr. Price said, 'This place is like Byzantium. It's tomorrow, yesterday — anyplace but today.' ... 'Lush Life' took so long to finish, he said, in part because he spent so much time researching it — talking to people, riding around with the neighborhood police and sometimes just walking around. 'I always like to hang out,' he said, 'because, one, it's a way of avoiding really writing; and, two, sometimes God is a crackerjack novelist and you can plagiarize the hell out of him.' He particularly liked hanging out with cops, he said, 'because I'm so not a cop myself. Being with them gets me out of my own self-consciousness.'" READ MORE >
Reviews > Movies
Rated G for Glorious
"…In the Jungle of Nool something foreign lands on a piece of clover. It's not a spaceship but an entire alien world: the nearly infinitesimal planet of Who-ville. Horton the elephant, his large ears giving him the most acute hearing, detects cries from the clover speck. He can't see the little Whos, but he deduces, believes, knows that sentient creatures are in there; and his caring instinct tells him that they must be protected. He builds a rapport with the tiny planet's resident scientist, Dr. Hoovey, who is having just as much trouble convincing his villagers that there's a giant outside force, unseen but benevolent, that will determine their future." READ MORE >
Reviews > Books
Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana
"Far from pushing boundaries, or the church's buttons, Rice's portrayal of Jesus as the son of God and the savior of humankind is theologically sound. At the same time, he's also very human, with needs and cares readers can relate to. 'It's an attempt to get close to him and what he experienced, to make it historically exciting and historically correct,' she said. Writing the books 'has made me conscious of what (Jesus) suffered in the way of derision and dismissal … Just like today -- people go around making jokes about him. But he goes right on winning souls no matter what anybody does. We've come 2,000 years, and you can still sit at his feet and hear him speak and feel his hand, maybe, touch your shoulder. He survives it all.'" READ MORE >
Reviews > Movies
Board Game: Gus Van Sant's latest experiment works
"The book is linear and psychological and even invokes Dostoyevsky—Notes From the Underground… and, by implication, Crime and Punishment. Van Sant dumps Dostoyevsky and ruptures the story line; his narrator, Alex, apologizes for screwing up the order of events… Alienation, guilt—it's all free-floating, as if Camus had reworked Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart."' READ MORE >
Reviews > Books
The Last Triumph of Fatima
The centrality of Fatima to the second, 'suffering servant' stage of John Paul II's papacy, and his involvement with the two men who would become the Vatican's numbers one and two after his death, may help explain why Lucia's cause has been fast-tracked for beatification... In the book, Bertone seems relieved that all the Virgin's prophecies were now safely in the past tense, and could no longer be seen as portending the world's end: 'It's all quite different from the massive carnage certain fevered brains like to imagine taking place,' he writes… READ MORE >
Reviews > Books
The Advantages of Closing a Few Doors
…Dan Ariely's new book, 'Predictably Irrational,' an entertaining look at human foibles like the penchant for keeping too many options open. "Closing a door on an option is experienced as a loss, and people are willing to pay a price to avoid the emotion of loss," Dr. Ariely says… So what can be done? One answer, he says, is to develop more social checks on overbooking. He points to marriage as an example: 'In marriage, we create a situation where we promise ourselves not to keep options open. We close doors and announce to others we've closed doors.'" READ MORE >
Reviews > Movies
Penn's 'Into the Wild' Is Beautiful, Stirring, Complex
"…too-muchness is the essence of the story—a hero's gallant, possibly mad and inevitably doomed attempt to channel too much experience and too many ideas through one young life that can't possibly hold it all… Moviegoers will argue the question of whether the young man's quest succeeds or fails: Is he a pilgrim who finds the transcendence he sought, or a wounded bird flying blind on lofty ambitions, or both? There's no arguing, however, that 'Into the Wild' is a new experience, even though some of its countercultural themes and tropes may seem familiar. It's a mainstream movie of ideas that lives in a world of fateful action." READ MORE >
Reviews > Books
After the Apocalypse
"As they travel the father feeds his son a story, the nearest that he can come to a creed or a reason to keep on going: that he and his son are 'carrying the fire.' …the boy seems to intuit a promise: that life will not always be thus; that it will improve, that beauty and purpose, sunlight and green plenty will return; in short that everything is going to be 'okay,' a word which both characters endlessly repeat to each other, touching it compulsively like a sore place or a missing tooth. They are carrying the fire through a world destroyed by fire, and therefore—a leap of logic or faith that by the time the novel opens has become almost insurmountable for both of them—the boy must struggle on, so that he can be present at, or somehow contribute to, the eventual rebirth of the world." READ MORE >


text:
- What is Business Aviation?
- Membership
- Flight Department Administration
- Aircraft Operations
- Professional Development
- Events
- Advocacy
- News & Publications
- Products & Services
NBAA Training Guidelines for Single Pilot Operations of Very Light Jets and Technically Advanced Aircraft
This document provides the National Business Aviation Association-recommended training guidelines for the next generation of very light jets (VLJ). For the purpose of this document, very light jets are jet aircraft weighing 10,000 pounds or less (a distinction from the traditional definition of large aircraft as more than 12,500 pounds, and light aircraft as 12,500 pounds or less) and certificated for single pilot operations. These aircraft will possess at least some of the following features: (1) advanced cockpit automation such as moving map GPS and multi-function displays; (2) automated engine and systems management; and (3) integrated autoflight, autopilot and flight-guidance systems. This document offers a training outline that represents the minimum curriculum necessary to satisfy a very light jet transition-training program.
These training guidelines do not mandate how very light jet training is to be implemented. Though the guidelines were developed with a simulator-based training program in mind, each training provider must best determine the most effective and efficient methods to meet the objectives in this document. All elements presented must be addressed in a training program for very light jets.
The National Business Aviation Association acknowledges the members of the NBAA Safety Committee for their dedication in creating these guidelines.
Table of Contents
1.3. Prerequisite Knowledge/Certification
3. Component Training Requirements
3.1. Initial Candidate Evaluation
3.2. Pre-Training Study Package
3.2.1. Cockpit Resource Management/Single Pilot Resource Management
3.5. Initial Operating Experience


text:
INSO - Industrial Software
The research group for Industrial Software (INSO) deals with the study of development and maintenance of software systems in practice. Special focus goes to the issues project, process, product and people in software engineering. Major method applied is the empirical approach: investigation of engineering in industrial projects. INSO is a research group hosted by the Institute of Automation at the Faculty of Informatics.
Based on science and experiences INSO seeks:
- to contribute to the international software engineering research community through research projects and scientific publications,
- to be a reliable and independent scientific partner to software engineering projects in Austrian and European industry,
- to provide a practically useful and competitive educational pattern for software engineering students at the Vienna University of Technology.


text:
Family of girl killed in yard wants driver to face criminal charges
ALOHA, Ore. - A family whose 11-year-old daughter was hit and killed while in her yard is fighting for answers after they learned the driver won't face charges.
Prosecutors say David Herman suffered a diabetic episode and lost control of his car, hitting Kylie Hornych on April 4. The car stopped when it smashed into her house at Southwest 160th and Farmington.
The family returned to the home Thursday to discuss the incident after having moved out of the house since the accident. They are still in disbelief, and the shock of that day has never really worn off.
The house is fixed up, but the family is still trying to deal with the loss. And they didn't expect another devastating blow.
To deal with the pain of knowing she'll never see her granddaughter again, Carolyn Duffy carries a picture of Kylie at all times.
"Heartbreak, sadness that she's not here and never will be again," she says. "She never even had a chance to live her life."
Three months ago there was no explanation for why a driver crashed into mailboxes, cars, swerved for a mile or so before crushing Kylie and then crashing into the house.
But Kylie's family fully expected to have answers and expected the driver to face consequences for killing their little girl.
"(It's) hard to make sense of it," says her aunt, Tracie Thompson. "How one minute she could be there and gone the next. And how someone could make a decision that he made to get into the car when he wasn't well. And he took a life as a result."
Her family calls life after Kylie, Hell on Earth. Thompson, a diabetic herself, doesn't see how the driver's medical condition is any excuse for killing the heart of this family.
"Because of somebody's carelessness and irresponsibility, a child was killed," says Duffy. "A child that didn't need to be killed. There was no reason, absolutely no reason for him to run out of his diabetic supplies. None whatsoever."
The family says they've received a lot of support from neighbors. People they've never met have donated money and are now supporting the family's fight for criminal charges in this case.
Prosecutors' reasons for not charging the driver
Prosecutors say they don't think they have enough in the investigative reports that would help them prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver, David Herman, committed manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide in this case.
The Washington County district attorney's office says its decision not to charge him in the death of Kylie Hornych stems in part from his history as a diabetic and how he'd managed his disease.
He told investigators he'd checked his blood sugar that morning at breakfast before heading to his job as a science teacher at Liberty High School. But he admitted he had run out of the test strips that he normally used at lunch time. That meant he had to ballpark the amount of insulin he needed to give himself. The insulin he gave himself apparently wasn't enough. His blood sugar dipped, and he had that diabetic episode moments before hitting and killing Kylie.
He presented himself to investigators as someone who managed his disease well and those investigative documents obtained by KATU News show he told them he'd never had a diabetes-related crash before.
The documents reveal "when asked if Herman has ever lost consciousness due to low blood sugar, he recalled only once. He had overexerted himself working in the yard of a previous house."
One of the first deputies to arrive on scene at the Hornychs' house described Herman still at the wheel of his Prius with "an odd grin on his face and a glazed appearance in his eyes. ... I asked Herman what had happened. Herman, still grinning, said he didn't know where he was. I asked where he was coming from and he said he did not know."
The deputy concluded: "Based on my investigation Herman was less than 1.5 miles from a Fred Meyer store where he could have easily obtained glucometer strips which would have allowed him to accurately test himself and accurately medicate himself. Based on my investigation Herman did not take proper precautions to properly dose himself with medications."
The documents show Herman's blood sugar was 51 shortly after the crash. He told officers he was confused why it was so low, because giving himself a low dose of insulin at lunch time should have given him high blood sugar, not low.
Canzano reported from Portland.


text:
Circuit City's announcement Monday that it was closing 155 stores, or 21 percent of its 721 U.S. locations, and planning to start lease renegotiations for others, will be echoed by numerous retailers throughout 2009, with the total number of stores shuttered in the United States expected to double the figure predicted for this year.
By the end of 2008, store closing announcements will total 6,100, according to an October forecast from ICSC. But that figure might reach 14,000 next year, according to industry insiders. Store closings are already projected to be up 25 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, according to TNS Retail Forward, a Columbus, Ohio-based retail consulting firm.
"My personal feeling is that we have not seen the worst of it," says Matthew Bordwin, managing director and national co-head of the real estate services team in the Melville, N.Y. office of KPMG Corporate Finance LLC, a middle-market investment bank.
Landlords should brace themselves for tough times ahead, after already watching one tenant after another close stores, file for bankruptcy or announce liquidation. Now, even healthy retailers are getting rid of the bottom 10 percent to 15 percent of their real estate portfolios, says Andy Graiser, co-president of DJM Realty, LLC, a Melville, N.Y.-based real estate consulting and advisory firm. To keep vacancy rates in check, landlords will have to do everything in their power to help struggling chains survive when they themselves are being faced with a refinancing crisis.
As a result of massive store closings, vacancy rates will spike next year, reaching 17.3 percent by the middle of 2009, according to Property & Portfolio Research, Inc., (PPR) a Boston-based property research and portfolio strategy firm. The firm bases its vacancy projections by comparing the changes in retail space and retail sales against a pre-determined benchmark of required sales per square foot in 54 U.S. markets. The figure includes information on neighborhood shopping centers, community centers, power centers, regional malls and lifestyle centers larger than 30,000 square feet.
In 2009, PPR projects rents in the retail sector will decline 5.6 percent. The most viable option for landlords will be to try to hold on to existing tenants by reworking their lease terms, says Graiser.
With the precipitous decline in consumer spending and the tightening credit, the industry should see a minimum of 10,000 store closings in 2009, says Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, Inc., a New York City-based retail consulting and investment banking firm. In the first half of next year, ICSC projects, store closing announcements will surpass the 3,100 mark.
With holiday same-store sales growth forecasted to reach, at best, very low single digits, Davidowitz and Lois Huff, senior vice president with TNS Retail Forward, both say there will be a significant number of bankruptcies in the first quarter of 2009. Those chains that are teetering on the edge right now and need strong holiday sales numbers to stay afloat will likely be pushed into bankruptcy.
During the 2008 holiday season, spending on apparel will experience zero percent growth compared with a 1.9 percent increase last year, according to TNS Retail Forward's projections, while spending on furniture items will fall 2.3 percent compared to a decline of 0.7 percent last year. The luxury sector will feel the pinch as well, though not to the same extent as midmarket retailers, says Davidowitz.
"It's basically a foregone conclusion that it will be one of the more challenging seasons we've seen in many, many years," says Al Williams, principal with Excess Space Retail Services, Inc., a Huntington Beach, Calif.-based real estate disposition and restructuring firm. "Consumer spending has been down; if anything, by December, it could be slightly worse."
Excess Space estimates the number of store closings for all of 2009 could increase 100 percent compared to this year, ranging from 12,000 to 14,000 stores. Chains that rely on discretionary spending, including apparel sellers, furniture stores, jewelers and restaurant operators, will be hardest hit, according to Graiser.
This will be a particular concern for owners of class-B properties in secondary markets, which will experience the brunt of the closings, says Bernard J. Haddigan, managing director of the national retail group with Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, an Encino, Calif.-based brokerage firm. If those centers face debt maturities next year, the owners might be forced to put in more equity into refinancing transactions to make up for rent shortfalls.
But lenders will likely try their best to help owners keep occupancy levels up, says Graiser. "The lenders are not going to want to see these properties come back to them."
--Elaine Misonzhnik


text:
Healthier lifestyles are becoming more vogue in today's culture, and the executives at Foxy Produce are trying to help consumers transition to more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Healthier lifestyles are becoming more vogue in today's culture, and the executives at Foxy Produce are trying to help consumers transition to more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Company representatives will be at Hen House stores on Aug. 7, 8 and 9 in Lenexa, Prairie Village and Leawood, respectively, to demonstrate their products and offerings.
Matt Seely, the company's vice president of marketing, talks more about the gaining popularity of "juicing," and offers tips for better eating.
1. Can you tell us about the educational program, Rejuicenate, and how your company, Foxy Produce, got started?
"As we continue to look for ways to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, the trend of juicing fresh fruits and vegetables provided us an insight into how people are consuming fresh produce in a new and different format. As we looked closer at the amount of fresh produce used during the juicing process, we realized this is something that consumers enjoy doing, creating. It provides tremendous health benefits and is a great way to get people to eat more fresh produce. It's truly a win-win for consumers and the fresh produce industry.
"We decided to take it to another level by creating our own juicing recipes using our product line of fresh vegetables. Once we had the recipes, we wanted to share them with supermarkets and shoppers across the country and show them how juicing is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle, while making fresh fruits and vegetables an integral part of their daily diet."
2. Why do you think juicing appeals to so many people who would like to eat healthy but are pressed for time?
"Juicing is something you can do any time of day. Many start their day with a juicing mixture, but it's something that can be done at any time.
"The other aspect of juicing is an individual can create their own recipe. It's a great way to experiment with fresh fruits and vegetates you may have in your refrigerator and create your own refreshing and healthy juicing recipe."
3. One of the drawbacks about juicing for many people is the expense and waste of leftover pulp. Foxy has invented juicing recipes that can be made inexpensively and snacks that can be created using the pulp. What are some of the snacks that you would recommend and what is the secret to juicing on a budget?
"During the development of those recipes, we literally stumbled onto something we think is truly unique and different — using the pulp by-product that most people throw away in a variety of healthy recipes.
"During the juicing process, the non-liquid pulp is usually thrown away. We took the pulp and mixed it in with cream cheese and hummus, for example, making a spread for bagels, celery sticks, or a variety of other food items. This provides consumers with essential fiber for their diet, while using the entire plant — no waste. And they taste great.
"As for their secret to juicing on a budget, two things. First, try to buy in bulk. With various club stores or larger sized produce packs, consumers can buy enough product to keep them juicing for a week at a time. Also, look for various retailers' weekly specials. With proper planning, consumers can continually substitute 'cost-effective' or 'on-sale' items into their juicing program."
4. Reps for your company will be coming to the Kansas City area soon. When and where will they be, and what will they share with the public?
"From August 7-9, we will be showcasing our Rejuicinate program at Hen House stores in the greater Kansas City, Kan., area. We will be doing one store a day over the three-day period. Consumers can follow both Foxy and Hen House social media programs — Facebook and Twitter — to learn more about the store locations.
"The reps at the demos will show consumers how to juice, and allow them to taste some of the recipes we've developed. Consumers can pick-up free copies of the 20-plus recipes we've developed and also enter to win a free Juicer."
5. What are the greatest health benefits that juicing offers and why did you decide to get into the nutrition business?
"The greatest health benefit associated with Juicing is very simply consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables. We know that diets rich in fresh fruits and vegetables are a perfect way for consumers to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
"Our objective is to get consumers to consume more fresh and vegetables — whether it's in entrees, salads, side dishes, or juicing — and whether it's morning, noon or later in the day, juicing provides a terrific opportunity for everyone to consume fresh produce in a very refreshing manner."


text:
NC Highway Patrol down about 160 troopers
NC Highway Patrol down about 160 troopers
The North Carolina Highway Patrol hopes additional money and a slowdown in retirements will help it fill about 160 empty positions.
The Times-News of Burlington reports the open positions are 10 percent of the 1,600 troopers agency would like to have statewide.
The heaviest concentration of vacant posts is in rural areas and in the eastern and western parts of the state. Highway Patrol spokesman First Sgt. Jeff Gordon says it takes longer for troopers to respond to wrecks and they have less time to look for dangerous drivers.
Department of Public Safety officials hope to get more money this year to end a hiring freeze on 69 positions. Gordon says the Highway Patrol also has been hit by a wave of retirements of troopers hired in the 1980s.


text:
112cm x 188cm Ultra Vintage Persian Rug
This Over 80 year old(Antique) Persian Ultra Vintage rug is Hand Knotted of 100% Natural Wool and has 234375 knots per square meter.
Colors found in this rug include: Beige, Black, Rust Red. The primary color is Beige.
This rug is 1/5" thick.
The measurements for this rug are: 112 cm wide by 188 cm long.
All of our hand-knotted rugs are professionally washed and treated. All rugs are individually inspected before leaving our warehouse.
This rug's SKU # is 110912443
Please note this Persian Ultra Vintage rug is an antique Persian Rug that has been washed, over-dyed, and then shaved down to a low pile. Look at the detail pictures to fully appreciate the uniqueness of this piece.
Ask A Question


text:
ATLANTA (AP) — President Barack Obama singled out Georgia's early childhood education program in his State of the Union address, but the state has stumbled to meet its goal of enrolling every child in pre-K since it made that a priority two decades ago.
Obama was set to visit an early childhood learning center near Atlanta on Thursday, perhaps to make a case for the benefits of universal pre-K, an initiative the president said could help reduce teen pregnancy, violent crime and lead to more students graduating from high school. A closer look at Georgia's program, however, reveals a lot of challenges.
Georgia made a commitment to universal pre-K in 1995 and it's been a slow climb, with about 60 percent of eligible children currently enrolled. And Georgia's high school graduation rate is among the lowest in the nation.
"While we're proud of our pre-K program, it really needs to be expanded so we're reaching all of our children," said Tim Callahan, spokesman for the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, the largest professional teacher organization in the state. "It's a matter of funding. There's just not enough slots to meet the complete need our state has."
The president plans to visit the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center, which is considered a success. It has about 350 students, ranging in age from 6-weeks-old to 5-years-old.
"In states that make it a priority to educate our youngest children, like Georgia or Oklahoma, studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job and form more stable families of their own. So let's do what works, and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind. Let's give our kids that chance," Obama said in his speech.
The Georgia school is in Decatur, which is just east of Atlanta and home to many college professors and other highly educated professionals who place great value on education. Many move there specifically for the city's relatively strong schools.
In surrounding DeKalb County, however, the story is different. The county school system is in danger of losing accreditation for what one official described as "conflict and chaos." Other school systems in the area have struggled as well.
Atlanta Public Schools were rocked by a standardized test cheating scandal several years ago and the school system in nearby Clayton County had its accreditation revoked in 2009, though it has since been restored. The K-12 system statewide has seen repeated budget cuts and some districts have resorted to teacher furloughs.
About 60 percent of the state's students are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch and 25 percent live in abject poverty, which also has an impact on both pre-K enrollment and future educational success, Callahan said.
"Those children need (pre-K) the most and sometimes they come from family situations where those families are less able to navigate the application process, they're less aware of what's going on in these kinds of programs and less likely to take advantage of them," he said.
The state's pre-K program currently enrolls about 84,000 students, and about 8,000 children are on a waiting list, said Reg Griffin, spokesman for the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Some other eligible children may be enrolled in private pre-K programs, he said.
Georgia's pre-K program began with a pilot program for at-risk kids in 1992 and was opened to all eligible 4-year-olds in 1995. It has been funded by the state lottery system since the start, but as lottery revenues decreased in recent years, Republican Gov. Nathan Deal and state legislators have had to make cuts.
The program was shortened by 20 days in 2011, though Deal got lawmakers to restore 10 of those days last year and has proposed adding back the other 10 in his current budget proposal.
The program currently gets about 34 percent of the state lottery money, with the rest going to the HOPE scholarship fund to help qualifying Georgia students attend college. The pre-K program's budget in the current fiscal year is $298 million.
The Georgia Department of Early Care recently researched whether pre-K students showed signs of doing better in kindergarten, the first such study in the program's history, Griffin said.
"We were really pleased that across the board the program was preparing students for kindergarten and placing them on a trajectory toward success in K-12 and beyond that to college and career," he said.
But only about 67 percent of high school students graduate in Georgia, ahead of only two other states and the District of Columbia, according to U.S. Department of Education figures.
Steven Barnett, director of the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University, plans to be in Georgia for the president's appearance. He doesn't have details but he expects the president's initiative to include matching federal funding to help increase participation in early childhood learning programs.
With its pre-K framework and commitment already in place, a state like Georgia would be in a prime position to benefit and could easily get to 90 percent enrollment within a few years, Barnett said.
"If the federal government steps up and offers matching funds, can they make it possible for Georgia to actually serve all the kids? For me, that's why Georgia's a great example," he said. "You have the expressed will to do this. You have some pretty good standards in place."