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On the doorstep of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Jackson Hole is a superb holiday destination for anyone with a love of the outdoors. Hiking, golf, horse riding and skiing make Jackson Hole an all-year-round location. If you don't relish the idea of being cooped up in a hotel, why not consider renting your accommodation? You might decide on a cosy cabin at the foot or the mountains or a house in town. Either way, you and your family will have space to relax in and a feeling of independence.
Take the Big Red cable car to the top of Rendezvous Mountain for spectacular views, fossils and wildflowers; from the summit you can go paragliding, or skiing in winter. Be sure to visit Grand Teton National Park with superb views of its granite mountains. Whilst you're there, take a boat trip across Jenny Lake followed by a walk up Cascade Canyon for stunning scenery. Sit on top of a volcano in Yellowstone National Park, and don't miss its two stunning waterfalls. See elk at the National Elk Refuge during the winter and spring, as well as a host of other animals and birds. Find time to visit the Bridger-Teton National Forest, a picturesque unspoilt wilderness where you can go hiking, canoeing or horse riding in summer. If you plan your trip for winter, there will be opportunities for skiing, ice climbing and snowmobiling.
Children who love the outdoors can go horse riding or mountain biking in any of the national parks. Why not rent bikes and go cycling on the Moose Wilson Pathway from the town of Wilson to Grand Teton National Park? Teton Village has a bungee trampoline on which you can jump twenty-four feet quite safely; the Mountain Dew Climbing Wall, also in the village, is twenty-five feet high. If the younger members of your family are animal lovers, they might be lucky enough to see grizzly bears, wolves, moose or elk during your visit to the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Jackson Hole is a paradise for lovers of nature and outdoor activities. Your stay doesn't have to be an expensive one if you opt for the low-cost alternative of a rental property. Whether you hanker after a spacious ranch or a slopeside lodge by the mountains, we have an extensive range of accommodation for you to choose from. Spend a few minutes reading our genuine customer reviews to help you decide which would be the right property for you and your family. Your holiday in Jackson Hole promises to be one you will remember for a lifetime, and we will help to make your stay a delightful one.
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graffiti shoulder shoulder bag bag printed wide Yellow Women EUzeo Messenger chest strap There are IELTS tests to choose from:
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General Training
Please note that if you are taking IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) purposes then additional options (and rules) are applicable. Visit what is IELTS for UKVI for relevant information.
Make sure you know which test you need before you book.
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The version you need
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|You should take IELTS Academic
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In our younger, more impressionable years there seemed to be a mystique surrounding the neighborhood tree house. Whether it was in your backyard or that of your buddy's, kids just seem to flock to that box. Some were just a collection of repurposed refuse while others were well-planned construction masterpieces. But they all seemed to be consistent in a couple of features; elevation and imagination.
Elevation: I am not sure if that aspect was overcompensation for the height-challenged youth or just because it was super cool to keep something off of the ground. Plus it gave us a reason to create stairs, rope pulls and the ever-coveted fire pole! The elevation also gave us a great way to increase our view of the world.
Imagination: Many kids have spent countless hours dreaming of different worlds. Some were playing knights defending castles of medieval times. Others piloted space ships who were exploring distant planets. Fire trucks, stage coaches and battlegrounds were all envisioned by its occupants. It's amazing how those small boxes could invoke such an imaginative environment.


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The town has been able to accomplish many of the projects we have because of the ability to get grant money from various sources. We spent a total of $1,195,000 in grant money in the fiscal year ending June 30 for projects in the town. This tells a story of the significant savings and leverage we receive from grants.
The grants and money allocated from them are summarized below:
• Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Grant was established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. The funds are being utilized for the purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed and abandoned residential properties and the demolition of blighted structures. $391,500
• Section 319 Grant for Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Projects to reduce fecal coliform levels in the May River is being utilized for funding Best Management Practices including physical structures, educational programs, and crafting ordinance changes that are intended to reduce fecal coliform levels in the river. $50,145
• Buckwalter Place Greenway Trail Grant assisted with funding design and construction of the Buckwalter Greenway Trail. $92,921
New River Trail - Trailhead Development Project Grant assisted with funding to provide access and parking for the New River Linear Trail. $71,646
• Hazard Tree Mitigation and Canopy Tree Restoration Grant provided funding for tree removal, tree replacement, and tree pruning as made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).$19,850
• Unified Development Ordinance Grant assisted with the funding of a watershed sustainability ordinance and environmental design guidelines as a critical component in overhauling the Town's Unified Development Ordinance under a smart growth/smart code model. $43,710
• COPS Hiring Recovery Program assisted with funding salary and benefits for two sworn officers for Community Oriented Police Services. $120,486
• Buck Island-Simmonsville Sewer Extension CDBG Grant assisted with the funding in the Town's efforts to provide sewer service to homes along Buck Island Road north of Hyon Road as well as adjacent areas such as Ballfield Road, Centerfield Land, and Twin Oaks. $356,246
• Bluffton Oyster Factory Park Grant assisted with funding the Oyster Factory Park boat launch project. $48,995
With a town population of 12,530, this $1,195,589 grant revenue is equal to $95.42 per person savings. We do not know what cuts the federal or state government will make in the future, but last year we were once again able to leverage grants to make a significant impact for the town of Bluffton.


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Rapid Rooter plugs are all natural soil-less organic grow plugs made of composted tree bark and organic materials. These plugs are perfect for seedlings or cuttings. Transplant plugs in soil or soil-less hydrogardening applications.
This item is sold individually. The case size is listed for your convenience for instances where you wish to order in case quantities.
— Ships from H: WA, CA, CO, MI, TN, PA, FL USA.


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Hope the White House couches are comfortable -- 'cause it seemed Barack Obama was in the dog house with Michelle last night after busting out an impromptu salsa with another woman!
It all went down at the Fiesta Latina event at the White House, when El Presidente suddenly turned into a virtual Don Juan DeMarco for a one-on-one salsa with Latin pop star, Thalia.
But when Obama returned to his seat and tried to talk to Michelle, the First Lady wasn't havin' it -- totally blowing the guy off!!!!
And you thought Hillary Clinton was cold...
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DAMASCUS, Syria — The Syrian foreign minister accused the U.S. and its allies of stoking "terrorism" in his country, delivering an uncompromising message before the United Nations on Monday as fighting spread in a centerpiece of Syria"s cultural heritage, the historic Old City of Aleppo.
Elsewhere in the country, a government air raid on a northern town killed at least 21 people, activists said.
Addressing the U.N. General Assembly"s annual ministerial meeting, Walid al-Moallem denounced countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey for supporting the opposition, and also lashed out at calls in Washington and in Arab and European capitals for President Bashar Assad to step down.
"This terrorism which is externally supported is accompanied by unprecedented media provocation based on igniting religious extremism sponsored by well-known states in the region," he said, an apparent allusion to an anti-Islam film produced in the U.S. that has sparked protests throughout the Muslim world.
He invited the opposition to "work together to stop the shedding of Syrian blood" and said that a Syrian-led dialogue could produce a "more pluralistic and democratic" country.
Al-Moallem"s call, similar to other overtures made by Assad"s regime, is unlikely to be heeded by the opposition. Most opposition factions have repeatedly dismissed the government"s purported peace initiatives as propaganda, meant to buy time. They say will accept nothing less that Assad stepping down as a precondition for talks.
But on many other points, the Syrian opposition"s political factions as well as rebel groups fighting on the ground are deeply divided. The Damascus representative of the new international peace envoy to Syria said Monday that the large number of rival rebel groups is one of the main obstacles to a U.N. mission"s efforts to broker an end to Syria"s 18-month crisis.
With every diplomatic effort so far failing to halt the violence, Syria"s civil war has descended into a deadly daily grind as the regime and the rebels trying to overthrow Assad both try to gain the upper hand.
Some of the heaviest fighting Monday took place in the northern city of Aleppo, Syria"s commercial capital, where rebels recently launched a new offensive.
Aleppo-based activist Mohammed Saeed said 12 people were killed when troops shelled a mosque in the city. A video posted online showed wounded worshippers being rushed away. Another video showed the Osman bin Madoun Mosque later in the day with its green carpets stained with blood.
The Observatory said 40 people were either killed or wounded in Aleppo on Monday, while the LCC put the death toll nationwide at as many as 95 by Monday afternoon.
Northwest of Aleppo, government warplanes bombed the town of Salqin, killing at least 21 people including five children, activists said. The Local Coordination Committees, another activist group, put the death toll at 30.
Salqin is located some six kilometers (four miles) from the border with Turkey in Idlib province, which has seen intense clashes between government troops and rebels in recent months.
Footage posted online by activists showed several mutilated bodies in the back of a pickup truck as a man shouts that his son was killed. A second video showed three dead children on the floor of what appeared to be a hospital.
The government severely restricts access to the country, and the authenticity of the videos could not be independently verified.
The state-run news agency SANA said dozens of "terrorists" were killed in Salqin, including some non-Syrian foreign fighters.
A militant group fighting in Syria reported on its website that four members of the Al-Nusra Front were killed in the Salqin battle including a Tunisian. The group has claimed responsibility for several recent suicide attacks in Syria.
Meanwhile, Mokhtar Lamani, who represents special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi in the Syrian capital, told The Associated Press in an interview that a solution to the country"s crisis remains very difficult because of the "high level of mistrust between all parties." Most opposition groups demand Assad"s departure from power, while the regime says its opponents are working as part of a foreign conspiracy.
Brahimi, a veteran Algerian diplomat who previously served as a U.N. envoy to Afghanistan and Iraq, waded into Syria"s complicated diplomatic landscape last month when he replaced Kofi Annan, the former U.N. chief whose peace plan for Syria failed to end the violence that activists say has so far killed more than 30,000 people.
Lamani said Brahimi, who visited Damascus last month, will pay a second visit to Syria soon and will tour the country. Asked whether he still sees hope of a political solution in Syria despite the bloodshed, Lamani said: "I think maybe the time will be too long, but I hope (so) … and this is what I am here for because I hope that in the end there would be some light."
Lamani noted that he had recently visited the central province of Homs and the southern province of Daraa, where he with met representatives of armed groups in the town of Rastan, a rebel stronghold in Homs that was among the first areas to take up arms against Assad"s regime. He did not provide any details of his meetings.
He said that some of the main obstacles to brokering a resolution to the conflict are divisions among rebels and opposition groups. There is a vast array of such groups inside and outside the country, and relations among them have been dogged by infighting and mutual accusations of treachery. The rebels include army defectors and gunmen who work under the rag-tag Free Syrian Army.
"There are so many opposition parties inside and outside Syria in addition to the armed groups," Lamani said in Damascus. "This is a little bit very dangerous and complicating our mission because of this kind of fragmentation."
Concerns mounted meanwhile over the damage to Aleppo"s historic center, a UNESCO world heritage strike, after a destructive fire which broke out late Friday. Both activists and government officials have said that damage is immense, but blamed the other side for starting it.
Rami Martini, chief of Aleppo"s Chamber of Tourism, said three historic markets which he identified as Niswan, Darb and Istanbul "were totally burnt and they consist of more than 500 shops."
Martini, a government tourism official, blamed rebels for the fires in the market, saying opposition forces "hate history." Some opposition activists have suggested government shelling of rebels in the market may have started the blaze.
The Aleppo bazaar, a major tourist attraction with its narrow stone alleys and stores selling perfume, fabrics and spices, had been the site of occasional gun battles and shelling for weeks. But amateur video posted Saturday showed wall-to-wall flames engulfing wooden doors as burning debris fell away from the storefronts. Activists said hundreds of shops were affected, in the worst blow yet to the city"s historic center.
Aleppo"s walled old city with a medieval covered market, or souk, was recognized by the U.N. cultural agency as a World Heritage site, one of six in Syria.
Martini said the government as well as Arab and international funders spent $300 million to renovate the Aleppo market between 1993 and 2010. "The historical losses in the market are invaluable and the hope is that the market be renovated in the future," he told The Associated Press by telephone from Aleppo.


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Sample Returns
Collecting Rock and Soil Samples and Returning Them to Earth
Sample Selection
With all of the rock and soil samples that are available on Mars, we need the ability to determine which samples are the most scientifically interesting. Scientists and engineers are currently developing many tools and instruments to make the right choices. The initial identification of interesting rocks will probably be done in the same way that a field geologist studies rocks on Earth, by using visual information such as color and texture. For this job, electronic imaging systems are essential. We need some systems to take high-quality images of rocks from a distance of several meters (several feet), while we need others to look at rock features on microscopic scales of millimeters or less. These abilities along with spectroscopy, a technology using ultraviolet, visible or infrared light to analyze a rock's chemical composition, are also being developed. This chemical information will give clues to a rock's origin and history
Drilling for a Rock Sample
After a scientifically interesting rock has been selected based on its chemical composition and other factors, we must obtain a sample of it that is small enough to be brought back to Earth, yet large enough to preserve important texture and structure. Instruments have already been designed to drill into rocks and retrieve cores from the inside. These interior rock samples should be better preserved than the outside of the rock, which will have been exposed to, and chemically altered by, the Martian atmosphere.
Protecting the Sample
Since searching for evidence of present or past life is a key objective, the sampling system carried on the rover must not contaminate the sample with any organisms brought from Earth. The coring apparatus must be thoroughly cleaned before launch so the samples won't interact with dust or biological material from Earth. After all, we wouldn't want to bring a sample all the way from Mars and study its features, only to discover that we're studying Earth materials along with it. We want "pure" Martian samples, straight from the source!
Launch into Space
Once the rover has its samples, they will be placed in a small spherical container weighing a few kilograms. To increase our ability to bring back samples untainted with Earth materials, samples must be sealed in a capsule for launch. This capsule must be able to seal completely in order to prevent contamination of the sample by the Earth's atmosphere or biosphere upon landing on Earth. Technologies for remotely welding metal to make clean airtight seals are needed to protect the returned samples. The sealing process must also assure that material of Martian origin remains on the outside of the container to avoid inadvertent release of the material on Earth. Once sealed, a small rocket called a Mars Ascent Vehicle will launch the capsule from the surface of Mars.
From this point, there are several possible approaches to bringing the sample to Earth. The most practical of these appears to be using an orbiter to capture the sample container while it is in Mars orbit. Methods are being studied for finding a small canister in Mars orbit, navigating the orbiter to rendezvous with the canister and capturing the canister, all with commands initiated 100 million kilometers away. Although traveling at the speed of light, the commands will take almost half an hour to reach the spacecraft.
Return to Earth
The journey back to Earth involves special precautions to ensure safe containment of the sample. The samples may be delivered directly to Earth, but could be returned via the space shuttle. Although it is highly unlikely that living organisms will be found on the samples, NASA will implement a wide range of precautions to preclude inadvertent release. This protocol will analyze the samples in containment to determine if they are hazardous. The samples will be released for scientific analysis only when it is determined that they are non-hazardous.


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"You are never in neutral," TreePeople founder Andy Lipkis tells environmental leader Huey Johnson, in an interview about how we all affect the environment. "People say [to me], 'I love what you do because you show that people can make a difference.'" The truth is, people do make a difference, Andy says. And it comes in the form of every step we take, every penny we spend, in all the ways we move through the world.
Growing up in the 1960s in a severely polluted Los Angeles, Andy realized that we have to embrace the notion that even the smallest contribution—whether planting a single tree or shutting off the tap when you brush your teeth—does make a positive difference.… Read more >>


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Find Your Perfect Home.
Grandville Real Estate
Grandville is located in Michigan. Grandville, Michigan has a population of 15,953. Grandville is less family-centric than the surrounding county with 30.81% of the households containing married families with children. The county average for households married with children is 33.22%.
The median household income in Grandville, Michigan is $53,490. The median household income for the surrounding county is $52,716 compared to the national median of $53,482. The median age of people living in Grandville is 36.1 years.
Grandville Weather
The average high temperature in July is 82.8 degrees, with an average low temperature in January of 18.1 degrees. The average rainfall is approximately 36.7 inches per year, with inches of snow per year.
View Homes for Sale in Grandville
Grandville Map
Real Estate Near Grandville
Nearby Cities
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Grandville Zip Codes


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PITTSBURGH -- An insurance company is suing to keep victims of last year's shootings at an LA Fitness club from collecting on the gunman's policy.
George Sodini, who killed three women and wounded nine others before turning the gun on himself last August at an LA Fitness in Collier Township, PA, had a homeowner's policy that included $100,000 in personal liability coverage. Victims and survivors have sued Sodini's estate and are hoping to collect on that money.
But a judge in Allegheny County (PA) will now decide if State Farm insurance company will pay out the $100,000, according to multiple media reports.
"Insurance policies cover accidents, not intentional acts of conduct," State Farm spokesperson Doug Griffith said.
Griffith added that putting the liability question to a judge "was in the best interest of all parties."
The attorney who represents three of the victims, Henry Sneath, disagreed with State Farm's decision not to pay out the policy.
Sodini's assets have been liquidated and are worth between $100,000 and $300,000, according to Rebecca Bowman, an attorney for Sodini's estate. The assets include Sodini's home, which sold for $100,000 in November. Sneath said that the money will be paid into a court-ordered fund and distributed to victims based on the outcome of court cases.
The University of Pittsburgh last year declined to accept Sodini's money that he willed to his alma mater.


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Exercising Using Low-Impact Spinning Bike Equipment
Finding the right spinning bike can be very daunting. For one, there are several brands and models that you can choose from. Plus, just like any product these days, just as with the baby monitors we discussed, each of them has its own features and technologies that you need to examine before picking the right unit.
It can also be a real challenge to find that one model that fits your goals and needs. Even though all of them are capable of helping you achieve your fitness goals, they're of different types. This means that they excel in one area and fail in another.
Therefore, it's imperative that you know what type of results you want to have using an indoor cycle. By knowing what you want to achieve, it'll be easier for you to find the most suitable unit.
One of the benefits of this exercise bike is that you can do it at home without stressing your knees, joints and hips, unlike jogging and running.
This is an ideal piece of equipment for those who are recovering from injuries or surgeries. In fact, some doctors and physical therapists do recommend the use of this equipment as a low-impact workout. No matter what brand or model you want to have, it can be a terrific choice if you wish to avoid joint problems while still building cardiovascular strength.
A spinning bike won't only protect you from getting your joints injured but it'll also help you burn calories, which is good if you're trying to lose weight.
Choose a model that can provide you a reclined position when exercising so it can support your back, thereby, giving you a more comfortable ride. Just make sure to read these three indoor cycling reviews and decide for yourself.
Thankfully, most models and units on the market come with adjustable seats. Some of them have adjustable handlebars that you can use to achieve the most comfortable position while using it.
Can it help you lose weight?
A spinning bike is only a tool to help you lose weight. However, if you don't pedal on a regular basis and don't eat a balanced diet, then you're not going to achieve the weight loss goal that you want. That said, you need to use it as often as you can and watch what you eat every day.


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FIND YOUR HOME IN Kansas City
Kansas City 64161 Real Estate
Kansas City is located in Missouri. Kansas City, Missouri 64161has a population of 193. Kansas City 64161 is less family-centric than the surrounding county with 20.79% of the households containing married families with children. The county average for households married with children is 33.4%.
The median household income in Kansas City, Missouri 64161 is $69,792. The median household income for the surrounding county is $61,184 compared to the national median of $53,482. The median age of people living in Kansas City 64161 is 38.3 years.
Kansas City Weather
The average high temperature in July is 87.9 degrees, with an average low temperature in January of 19.7 degrees. The average rainfall is approximately 41.4 inches per year, with inches of snow per year.
Kansas City Map
Kansas City real estate offices
ReeceNichols - Liberty
ReeceNichols - Kansas City North
ReeceNichols - Country Club Plaza
ReeceNichols - Parkville
ReeceNichols - East
ReeceNichols - Blue Springs
ReeceNichols - Southgate
ReeceNichols - The Village
ReeceNichols REALTORS Kearney
ReeceNichols - Lee's Summit
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Lobbyists turn to gun permits to skip lines at Capitol
AUSTIN — To avoid getting delayed behind noisy schoolkids waiting in line to pass through new metal detectors at the state Capitol, lobbyists are signing up for concealed handgun permits exempting them from the security checkpoints.
Visitors to the Capitol also now are subject to inspections of purses, bags and briefcases by Department of Public Safety officers.
The only people exempted are lawmakers, properly identified state employees or Texans who carry a pistol with a concealed handgun license — or just the license itself, which allows them to bypass the security lines for an express lane reserved for "CHL: Holders."
"Every lobbyist in Texas is going to become a card-carrying member or a gun-carrying member," lobbyist and former state lawmaker Pat Haggerty said. "We're going to have more damn guns in here than we know what to do with.
"And there are some lobbyists I don't know whether I'd trust — or trust myself if they're around," added Haggerty, a Republican who represented El Paso for 20 years. "It would certainly be a good way to do away with the competition."
The changes to the traditionally wide-open building came as a result of a gunman firing shots from its south steps earlier this year after visiting a state senator's office.
More than 1,400 lobbyists currently are registered with the Texas Ethics Commission. Many enter and exit the Capitol numerous times during the course of a day, particularly when the Legislature meets.
"Not that I have anything against schoolchildren, but when you need to be at the Capitol, you need to be at the Capitol. You don't need to be standing in the line. It's hard enough to get people to talk to you, and they're not going to talk to you if you are standing in line with a bunch of kids," said Bill Miller, a veteran lobbyist who arranged for some of his office colleagues to take an all-day training class for certification to carry a concealed handgun.
It costs $140 plus a $2 handling fee for a license and about $100 for the class.
Miller speculated most Texas lobbyists will get the permits.
"Nobody I know is getting it for purposes of a gun. They are getting it strictly for purposes of expediency," he said.
Texans licensed to carry concealed handguns do not have to pass through Capitol security because they have been "trained, vetted and passed a criminal background check and are legally authorized by state law to carry a concealed weapon," DPS spokeswoman Tele Mange said. "There are no limitations on occupation as long as an individual meets the state requirements and pays for the license."
Lobbyist Rick Sookiasian predicted "a lot of lobby-only classes" for the handgun permits. He expects legislative leaders will make changes before the next legislative session starts in January to accommodate frequent visitors, such as lobbyists.
"We're not even visitors. This is where we do our business," Sookiasian said.
But he's not going to wait for any accommodations. He plans to get certified for a concealed handgun license in the coming weeks — "and I don't even own a gun," he said.


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BetterRide Mountain Bike Skills Students Continue to Amaze Us! Whether it is an 81-year-old student finishing the Leadville 100 in 13 hours, a passionate rider hitting a step up that previously kicked his butt, a 65-year-old riding steeps and drops with ease or a young racer entering his first full World Cup season on the Specialized/Monster Energy team we are inspired by our students. Reaching your best is hard work and takes consistent deliberate practice, something they have to make time for and commit to despite their busy schedules. Over the last few weeks we have witnessed our students riding at their best and gotten so many emails, facebook posts and phone calls that I thought I would share a few stories, photos and links with you.
Professional trail builder and beard farmer Aaron Mattix posted an interesting review of his camp and what has happened to his riding in the two years since. At first he was pretty bummed to be doing drills on pavement but goes on to say this: "My bike still has its fair share of parts that need replaced, but now that I have the knowledge, drills, and experience from Gene's camp, I can continue to upgrade my riding level, which is the ultimate upgrade." It is a really fun read and cool to see one of our camps from a students prospective: http://localstash.net/2014/04/2-years-later-better-ride-camp-review/ The rest of blog is great too, really heart-felt and often entertaining.
Dale Watterson posted this on our facebook page the other day:
"Awesome time at Over the Edge Sports bike festival this weekend. I got to apply more things I learned from my Better Ride class and was able to clear a step up and sand pit that had previously kicked my butt. Thanks again Dante and Jackie."
BetterRiders had a great showing at the KHS/Five Ten Reaper Madness at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City. We had students on the podium in all pro classes and tons of fast amateurs on the podium too, including an all BetterRide Jr. Expert (Cat 1 podium)! Really impressed with riders hard work and commitment.
There is a great interview with five time BetterRide Camp veteran Mitch Ropelato on pinkbike, he talks about his career, his choice of using a 29er for many downhill races and there are some GREAT photos too! Read it here: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/29er-questions-mitch-ropelato-2014.html
And I got to ride and coach John Palmer again! http://wp.me/p49ApH-13G
We love helping you reach your best and it is great to see you practicing instead of just riding! Keep up the great work!
Don't just ride your bike, drive your bike,


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Five Washington-area companies made the 2013 Fortune Magazine list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, a list based on criteria like benefits and perks, employee turnover and workforce growth.
Navy Federal Credit Union was the highest-ranked local company, at No. 56, up from No. 95 last year.
Google Inc. was the top-ranked company on this year's list.
Local companies on the Best Companies to Work For:
You can see the full Fortune list here.
Need a break? Play a quick game of solitaire or Sudoku. Or take one of our fun quizzes!


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Phen375: The Best Fat Burner For Massive Weight Loss!
In today's market, everyone is focused on losing weight quickly and effectively. So many products market themselves as the ultimate and best fat burner available. But all those claims can't be true, can they? One product, Phen375, can live up to the hype and deliver proven results rapidly.
So many supplements and diet pills have side-effects that consumers never expected. But Phen375 is manufactured in a facility that is registered with the FDA and can turn any weight loss attempts into success, quickly and easily. Phen375 works be suppressing appetite while turns the metabolism into a fat-burning machine. With Phen375, users can start burning unwanted fat 24 hours a day, while reducing their cravings for sweets and snacks that retain fat and negatively impact weight loss goals.
Finding the right weight-loss solution is more than just diet and exercise. While a balanced lifestyle is essential for any long term solution to lose weight, there is a product on the market that can easily aid in burning unwanted fat off the body quickly, and with little effort. At an affordable cost of less than 4 dollars a day, Phen375 can supercharge any weight loss attempt, and allow users to drop between three and five pounds weekly, all while working safely and effectively without the list of side effects often associated with other weight loss pills or supplements.
It's a known fact that eating more calories than are consumed produces unwanted fat on the body. By suppressing the appetite as well as boosting the metabolic rate through the roof, Phen375 users lose the desire to snack on unhealthy foods, and convert a balanced diet into energy that works to burn fat even while at rest.
Phen375 has thousands of success stories under its belt, and has been recommended by many leading health professionals for being a safe and effective weight loss tool that can produce results faster and more reliably than diet and exercise alone. Phen375 reviews are full of positive and effective results. This product is a must-have for anyone who wishes to lose weight quickly and safely, without the added dangers associated with many other products available. For a product that works safely and at a speed that is incredibly fast, try Phen375 to supercharge a weight loss plan today, and get connected with the best fat burner on the market.


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USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick breaks down the speculation around Shelly Sterling and her involvement with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The NBA made sure that Shelly Sterling, the wife of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, knew the chances of her keeping her stake in the team are pretty much slim to none.
In her first interview since the NBA banned Donald Sterling, Shelly Sterling says she will fight to keep her share of the team and plans one day to divorce her husband.
But, that fight might not happen.
"Under the NBA Constitution, if a controlling owner's interest is terminated by a 3/4 vote, all other team owners' interests are automatically terminated as well," according to a statement from NBA spokesman Mike Bass. "It doesn't matter whether the owners are related as is the case here. These are the rules to which all NBA owners agreed to as a condition of owning their team."
DONALD STERLING: 'Am I entitled to one mistake?'
If there was any doubt this situation will become testy, Shelly Sterling's lawyer put those to rest shortly after the NBA issued its statement.
"We do not agree with the league's self-serving interpretation of its constitution, its application to Shelly Sterling or its validity under these unique circumstances," her lawyer Pierce O'Donnell said in a statement. "We live in a nation of laws. California law and the United States Constitution trump any such interpretation."
Shelly Sterling spoke to Barbara Walters, and ABC News posted a short story with excerpts from the conversation Sunday.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has banned Donald Sterling for making racist comments and urged owners to force Sterling to sell the team. Silver added that no decisions had been made about the rest of Sterling's family.
"I will fight that decision," Shelly Sterling said in the interview. "To be honest with you, I'm wondering if a wife of one of the owners, and there's 30 owners, did something like that, said those racial slurs, would they oust the husband? Or would they leave the husband in?
"I don't know why I should be punished for what his actions were."
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O'Donnell has said Shelly Sterling will fight to retain her 50 percent ownership stake in the team.
Sterling also said that she "eventually" will divorce her husband, and that she hadn't yet done so due to financial considerations.
"For the last 20 years, I've been seeing attorneys for a divorce," she said. "In fact, I have here - I just filed - I was going to file the petition. I signed the petition for a divorce. And it came to almost being filed. And then, my financial adviser and my attorney said to me, 'Not now.'"
Contributing: Associated Press.