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(Updated at 5:20 p.m.) Arlington County firefighters are asking the county government to fund two additional firefighter positions to service the county's growing population.
This morning, the Arlington Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association (the IAFF Local 2800) issued a long, detailed statement on the need to staff Tower 104, which serves the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, and Rescue 109, which serves Pentagon City and Columbia Pike, with four firefighters, as opposed to their current three-person staffs.
"Tower 104 and Rescue 109, with an ever-rising response area population, massive increase in high-rise square footage, terrorism threat, and other changing factors, require adequate staffing to safely and effectively carry out our assignments," the Local 2800 writes. "The current staffing of three firefighters is woefully and dangerously inadequate."
Rescue 109 was one of the first responders to the house fire in Nauck on March 15 that claimed two lives, and the firefighter who was injured fighting the blaze was on the three-person truck. He has not yet returned to duty, according to the Local 2800.
Tower 104 is a large fire truck with a ladder and "bucket" that puts firefighters into position, while Rescue 109 is a truck with no ladder that transports firefighters to emergency scenes, but comes equipped with tools for responding to car accidents and building collapses, according to Arlington County Fire Chief James Schwartz. Both trucks are staffed with firefighter/EMTs.
Schwartz said he has been advocating for four-person units for years, but he said budget constraints have prevented Tower 104 and Rescue 109 from joining the rest of the county's fleet with four-person staffs.
"It's been a longstanding position of mine and it has been advocated by the department for some time," Schwartz told ARLnow.com this afternoon. "Obviously, the Board has to make policy decisions. I think they, too, would like to get to four-person staffing in each of the units. Sometimes the budget guidance is limiting in that regard."
Schwartz said four-person staffing is not as simple as just hiring two more firefighters. Each additional firefighter on a truck is the equivalent of four full-time positions, to account for three eight-hour shifts a day and covering for vacation and sick leave.
"In order to achieve the safe staffing levels that we're after, it would require us to hire eight new positions," he said. "That's not an insignificant budget issue. It's doable, and I think the Board is supportive of this effort."
Schwartz said years ago, only about half of Arlington's fire trucks were manned by four-person crews, but the last time the county added staff to bring fire trucks up to four-person teams was in 2004.
Four-person trucks are not just the ideal position for the union, Schwartz said, but it's also the national standard as dictated by the National Fire Protection Association and several other advocacy groups. Despite the fact that Tower 104 and Rescue 109 are assigned to some of the county's most densely populated areas, the decision to leave specifically those two units undermanned was done after careful risk analysis.
"Almost every unit in the department is quite busy and has a level of responsibility that is not greater or lesser than any other unit in the system," he said. "We have 14 suppression units in service every day. Twelve have four-person staffing, and those were selected based on judgments we make that have a lot to do with call activity, the kind of calls that units run. I have to make judgments based on the resources I've been allocated."
Schwartz said the County Board gave County Manager Barbara Donnellan direction to "review all public safety staffing and to make a recommendation for FY 2016," at a budget meeting last month. To the Local 2800, FY 2016 is already too late.
"It has been shown that increased staffing reduces firefighter injuries, thus reducing the amount of money paid by Arlington taxpayers to care for and backfill with overtime employees," the union writes. "Tower 104 and Rescue109 are limited in being able to safely, quickly, and effectively perform… critical functions while understaffed with three firefighters… This is dangerous and unacceptable."
File photos
The Arlington School Board adopted its FY 2015 budget last week, increasing its expenditures by 3.13 percent from $523 million last year to $539.4 million this year.
Arlington Public Schools will receive a transfer from the county of $432.2 million, with the rest of the money coming from federal, state and other sources.
Responding to parent criticism, the School Board reversed many of the cuts proposed by Superintendent Patrick Murphy. While the school system is growing thanks to increased school enrollment, Murphy sought to offset some of the expense of that growth through cuts totaling $7.3 million and the equivalent of about 75 full-time positions.
The School Board moved more than $5.6 million in reserves for 2016 into expenditures for this coming year, adding the equivalent of 70 full-time positions to Murphy's proposed budget. Among the proposed cuts nixed by the Board:
- Merging the Langston High School continuation program with Arlington Mill High School, located at the Arlington Career Center ($1.6 million and 19 positions)
- Eliminating library assistants at elementary schools ($1.1 million in the budget and 21 positions)
- Reduction of professional development funding from the Twice Exceptional program, for gifted special education students ($75,000 and a part-time position)
- Cutting seven of the 12 assistants from APS' secondary school autism program (see below)
School Board Chair Abby Raphael was the only School Board member to vote against reinstating the autism assistants. The seven positions were restored with $271,859 in one-time funding.
"It's our job to set priorities," she said during the meeting last Thursday night. "I think as we go through that process, it's also our job… to decide if we're not going to have cost savings and we're going to add things, then what are we going to cut? Primarily how we've funded [these programs] is taking funds from our FY 2016 reserve."
Raphael said the reserve in the approved budget is less than $300,000 for FY 2016. In addition to restoring the autism programs, the School Board approved ending early Wednesday release and implementing FLES programs (foreign language in elementary schools) at Oakridge, Nottingham, and Tuckahoe elementary schools.
The School Board decided to quietly eliminate the superintendent's 1:1 Initiative, which received considerable attention when it was announced this winter. The initiative would have provided APS second-graders with Apple iPads and sixth-graders with Google Chromebooks, with plans to broaden the program to other grades in future years. The initiative was slated to cost $200,000 next year, and it was part of Murphy's broader literacy initiative, which was slashed by $600,000 in the School Board's adopted budget.
FY 2015 will also see a decrease in capital projects funding, with the $6.9 million allotted for 2015 coming in 13.5 percent less than 2014′s $8 million in funding.
Though the budget will push Arlington's per pupil spending to $19,244, the highest of any suburban D.C. school system, some teachers are saying — privately — that it doesn't deliver on APS' pledge to attract and retain high-quality teachers. The budget includes a 2 percent cost-of-living increase and $500 one-time bonus for APS employees, but no salary step increase.
"They are not giving teachers the step increases that they promise when you are hired," one anonymous tipster told ARLnow.com. "They are giving us cost of living increases, sometimes, which help older teachers, but not younger teachers. They keep implementing new ideas and spending loads of money [on] stuff that gives teachers more work, but not actually increasing the pay to even it out."
The Arlington County Board adopted a $1.15 billion budget Tuesday night.
The Fiscal Year 2015 budget trims one cent from the county's real estate tax rate while — thanks to a rise in property assessments — adding funds for schools, road paving and high speed fiber optic infrastructure. It also maintains service levels in other areas of county government.
The real estate tax rate is now $0.996 per $100 in assessed value, bringing the annual county tax burden on the average Arlington homeowner to $7,327.
The budget includes merit pay raises for county employees, which the County Board added back into the budget after an outcry from police and firefighter employee associations.
The Board, including newly-elected member John Vihstadt, voted unanimously for the budget. Vihstadt, who was elected on a platform of fiscal responsibility, said he was pleased with the tax rate reduction and did not want "to let the perfect be the enemy of the good" in budget deliberations.
Two other Board members echoed that sentiment in voting for the budget. Libby Garvey said she didn't approve of the budget's cut to mental health services for prison inmates (a grant that funded an employee for that task had run out) and accused the Board of squirreling away transportation money in various funds with the intention of, at some point, using it for streetcar projects, which she opposes.
Walter Tejada spoke out against budget guidance that directs the county manager to study the possibility of privatization and outsourcing Volunteer Arlington, which promotes and coordinates volunteer opportunities.
Other budget guidance for the manager (which was added by the Board outside the normal public budget process) included:
- A request for a report by the end of the year on the financial sustainability of Artisphere
- Enhancement of the county's internal audit functions and the establishment of a fraud and waste hotline
- Improved parking ticket adjudication for tickets issued in error
- A plan for a phased implementation of staffing increase for the county's police, fire and other public safety departments
The county's press release on the budget passage, after the jump.
(Updated at 4:40 p.m.) Two days after the Arlington County Board voted to offset a one-cent tax rate cut by eliminating a pay raise for county employees, the Board has changed course.
County Board Chair Jay Fisette told ARLnow.com Friday afternoon that, after the Board met with representatives from the police and firefighter unions this morning, it decided to cut from other areas to make up the $6.6 million gap in the budget the tax cut will create.
The Arlington County Police Union, the Arlington Police Beneficiary Association and the Arlington Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association (Local 2800) each released statements denouncing the Board's decision to go against County Manager Barbara Donnellan's recommendation to keep the property tax rate at 2014′s level of $1.006 per $100 in assessed value — and to pay for it by eliminating pay raises in favor of a "modest" 1 percent Cost of Living Adjustment and a one-time $500 employee bonus.
The decision was made in the days leading up to Wednesday's budget mark-up, leading the police and firefighters to question the process and transparency of the Board's budget process.
"Throughout the budgetary process that started in September 2013, there were no discussions by the County Board that indicated that step increases would be eliminated," Local 2800 said in a statement. "Only now, six days before the vote, have we been informed… We understand that there needs to be a balance and restraint in the current economic times but there also needs to be transparency."
The APBA said the cut in step increases would have hit twice as hard because the county changed employees' healthcare plans this year, resulting in increases in premiums as high as 7 percent for some employees.
"Not only is this budget cut targeting employees in one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S., it also was made at the 11th hour, outside of Arlington's well-accepted and long-established budget process and after the last opportunity for public comment," the APBA said in a statement.
"It is the opinion of the APBA and Union that this last minute decision is politically motivated as a newly elected County Board Member was just sworn into office," APBA member Jim Tuomey said in a separate email. "We feel this is a last minute effort for the County Board to try and 'win over' the voters by saving a penny on the real estate tax rate at the expense of all County employees and we have no opportunity to be heard at future work sessions with the budget adoption next Tuesday night."
Fisette said the Board unanimously decided to cut the tax rate "a few weeks ago," before the April 8 special election that saw John Vihstadt became the first non-Democrat elected to the Board since 1999 by a 57-41 percent margin over Democrat Alan Howze.
The decision to do away with the step increase came as a shock to the employees because it hadn't been mentioned in any public hearings or meetings. Moreover, Fisette said, it's rare that the Board goes away from the county manager's recommendations on compensation. It's particularly rare that the Board lowers salaries or cuts pay raises, Fisette said. (more…)
(Updated at 10:10 a.m.) Arlington's property tax rate will drop by a one cent in the next fiscal year.
The County Board last night directed the County Manager to reduce the tax rate in its Fiscal Year 2015 budget from $1.006 per every $100 in assessed value to $0.996.
That penny corresponds to about $6.6 million in reduced revenue for the county. However, the tax and fee burden on the average Arlington taxpayer will still rise about 4.6 percent, thanks to an increase in property assessments and increases in solid waste and water-sewer fees.
The county plans to use the additional tax revenue on a variety of projects, but much of it will go to Arlington Public Schools and to a "modest" 1 percent cost-of-living adjustment and $500 bonus for county employees.
"The Board's action provides $432.2 million to the Schools, an increase in base funding of $19.6 million, or 4.7% more than FY 2014, the county said in a press release. "With this budget, Arlington's support of our students now exceeds $19,000 per pupil — more than any other school district in the region."
The Board also funded three new School Resource Officers and $8 million for school construction. Other non-school projects the Board committed to funding yesterday include $200,000 in tourism marketing, $1.6 million for the county's high-speed fiber optic network for businesses, $52,000 for a new sexual assault hotline, $72,606 for a mental health coordinator, $700,000 for costs associated with the opening of the new year-round homeless shelter early next year, and $300,000 for plowing snow from bike trails.
"The Board had to make some tough decisions," County Board Chair Jay Fisette said in a statement. "In order to give some break to homeowners who have seen their assessments rise, we limited the growth of the County budget, launched no new major initiatives and focused on funding schools and maintaining our core services and existing infrastructure."
The $200,00 for tourism came at the request of the county's hotel businesses, which were doubly hurt by a quarter-cent drop in the Transient Occupancy Tax and the lack of business in the fall during the government shutdown.
"I've got to thank you for this," County Manager Barbara Donnellan told the Board. "With the vacancies in the fall, I met with people in the hospitality industry and they were telling me, 'It's terrible, we're going to have to lay people off.'"
At the end of the meeting, new Board member John Vihstadt made a motion to halt all funding that would directly or indirectly go to funding the planned streetcar network along Columbia Pike and in Crystal City for 2014 and 2015. The measure failed 2-3, with Vihstadt joined by Libby Garvey in voting for the motion.
The County Board will officially vote on the budget on Tuesday. The county's press release on the budget decisions, after the jump.
The Arlington County Board held its annual public budget hearing Tuesday night, and there was no shortage of requests for more spending.
During the hearing members of the community typically lobby the Board to direct budget funds to particular areas of need or to specific nonprofit organizations. Only a couple asked the Board to cut spending.
Forty-five speakers came to the podium Tuesday night, and even more packed the County Board meeting room in support of their causes.
Members of the Arlington General Employees Association (AGENA) represented a significant chunk of the audience, with speakers rallying against pay raises that they feel unfairly favor management over the labor force.
"A team works together to provide great service. Each member brings something unique which makes the team work well," said Jewyll Davis, speaking on behalf of AGENA. Davis cited County Manager Barbara Donnellan's budget that calls for an avergae general management pay-for-performance raise of 3.2 percent, but an average increase of 2.3 percent for general employees. "Good team members should not receive a raise less than their managers'."
Dozens of speakers requested additional — or continued — funding for nonprofits like Arlington Free Clinic; Bu-Gata, a tenant advocacy group; and the new nonprofit Arlington Neighborhood Villages, which supports those aging in place in Arlington.
There were at least five speakers who mentioned a need for an increased contribution to mental health services, from $75,000 for peer counselors to support for replacing state and federal funding that is set to run out.
"The preservation of critical safety net services to protect our most vulnerable residents should take highest priority," Jim Mack, chair of the county's Community Services Board, said.
The biggest contingent of speakers were those requesting additional County Board investment in affordable housing. Six speakers presented direct cases for more affordable housing funding, while others speaking for related causes, like family services and tenant's rights, expressed support during their comments for more affordable housing money.
"I'm here to ask that [the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing] and other organizations like APAH will be able to have a budget to be able to fund affordable housing in Arlington for many years to come," one speaker said. "I know that that the request is for $5 million more in the budget, but it's worth it."
Donnellan's proposed budget calls for a general fund of $1.1 billion, which includes no tax rate increase but an average yearly cost increase of $381 per family due to a rise in real estate assessments and other fees. Only three speakers at the meeting spoke out against spending more.
"Needs not wants must drive county government and the county board. But that's not what's occurring in Arlington County," said Jim Hurysz, a frequent County Board critic. He said he's attended several budget work sessions so far, and "no one, with the exception of [Board member Libby] Garvey, expressed any concern for Arlington's taxpayers, and I haven't heard any concern expressed here tonight."
The County Board will be holding another public hearing tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. to address the tax rate, which Donnellan has proposed holding steady at $1.006 per $100 in assessed value tax rate.
Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan released her mid-year review of Fiscal Year 2014 earlier this week, and it's generally good news for the county.
County staff is projecting that Arlington will collect $20.8 million more in taxes than originally budgeted for, led by a $23.4 million increase in real estate tax revenue. Another bright spot an additional $3 million from personal property taxes. The increases are due to higher-than-expected real estate assessments and strong new car sales and used car values, according to Donnellan.
Some county revenue is lower than expected, however. Sales taxes are projected to be down $2.6 million, hotel taxes are down $2.1 million, fines are down $2 million and cigarette and communication taxes are both down $300,000.
Donnellan's memo to the County Board blames the federal government shutdown for the lower sales and hotel tax revenue. The decrease in fines is largely due to "parking ticket revenue declines."
Given additional savings found in county expenditures, Arlington estimates it has an additional $27.6 million available. Of that, $9.6 million will be transferred to Arlington Public Schools, $12.3 million is to be used as one-time funding in Donnellan's proposed FY 2015 budget, and $5.7 million is unallocated.
The one-time funding included in Donnellan's budget includes:
- $2.8 million — Affordable Housing Investment Fund
- $3 million — Paving
- $1 million — Facilities maintenance
- $1 million — Parks maintenance
- $1 million — Transportation maintenance
- $1.5 million — Technology capital investment
- $1.5 million — Park lands acquisition
Public hearings on the new county budget are scheduled for March 25 and 27. The new fiscal year starts July 1.
The following letter to the editor was submitted by former School Board member Ed Fendley.
Peter Rousselot is right to argue for increased school funding, but wrong to claim that there is a systematic bias against local funding for Arlington Public Schools.
What matters for students and teachers is the actual amount of funds provided each year.
By this measure, support for our schools has deservedly and substantially grown in recent years. By any recognized standard, APS is one of the best-funded systems in the nation.
School-budget funding is poised to rise again if the County Board approves the County Manager's proposed 4.7% funding boost for APS or, hopefully, an even greater amount.
But instead of considering actual funding and actual needs, Rousselot focuses on the irrelevant statistic that school operations as a percent of the overall county budget is lower than in some previous years.
By this flawed metric, the U.S. military is also grossly underfunded. Military outlays as a percent of the federal budget are smaller today. than in the 1950′s or 60′s — never mind that actual defense spending has sharply increased in real dollars,
It is in the interest of Arlington Public Schools to focus on the actual amount of funding received from the county, not the percent this represents of the county budget. This is especially the case because in years when county revenue is static or declining (yes, it does happen in Arlington) our schools would otherwise be at risk of underfunding.
In the midst of rising enrollment and increasing educational needs, the Arlington schools budget is a legitimate area of discussion. But this should be done on the basis of real numbers, not the irrelevant figures that Rousselot presents.
Ed Fendley served on the Arlington County School Board from 2006-2010 and is a founder of the Arlington Egg Project.
To submit a letter to the editor, please email it to email@example.com. Letters to the editor may be edited for content and brevity.
(Updated at 9:00 p.m.) The proposed FY 2015 Arlington Public Schools budget funds an increase in enrollment without increasing class sizes, but includes cuts to alternative high school programs.
The $539.4 million budget — a 3.1 percent year-over-year increase — also provides a cost-of-living salary increase for APS teachers, launches a new early literacy initiative and funds an APS-provided take-home iPad for every 2nd grader and a Google Chromebook for every 6th grader.
APS Superintendent Patrick Murphy presented his proposed budget to the Arlington School Board Thursday night. It's the beginning of a process that will culminate with the School Board's final budget adoption on May 8.
Murphy's budget includes $7.3 million in cuts and "efficiencies." APS expects to save $1.6 million by merging the Langston High School continuation program into Arlington Mill High School (located at the Arlington Career Center) and by reducing day classes offered to students over the age of 22.
"I understand the commitment of the community to provide this option for adults," Murphy said. "But in these challenging budget times… one of my concerns remain core services for children who are school-aged and on the K-12 continuum."
Murphy also proposes saving $800,000 via cuts to special education assistants and $1.1 million by eliminating library assistants from elementary schools. Another $200,000 will be saved by reducing non-mandated elementary school field trips.
Because the school system is growing, Murphy says APS employees impacted by the cuts will be transferred to other roles instead of being laid off.
APS expects school enrollment to increase by about 800 students in the coming school year, from 23,316 to 24,153. That will cost APS $9.8 million for the hiring of teachers, acquisition of textbooks and materials, and for relocatable classrooms, furniture and technology. Another $300,000 will go to hiring four additional bus drivers and a route coordinator. Murphy's budget keeps class sizes the same, but the cost per pupil will increase, from $18,678 to $19,244.
The proposed budget includes the beginning of a number of significant initiatives.
Starting in the fall, every 2nd grader will be issued an Apple iPad and every 6th grader will be issued a Google Chromebook. All 2,150 iPads and 1,650 Chromebooks will be internet-accessible at school (via WiFi) and students will be able to take them home. Officials say the computers will be leased and the cost in FY 2015 will be $200,000. Dubbed the 1:1 Initiative, APS expects to gradually expand the program to every grade level, with 3rd and 7th grades next in line.
Fiscal Year 2015 will be the first year of a three-year goal to eliminate early release days and to spread foreign language programs (FLES) to all elementary schools. Two of the seven schools with early release days will have the early release eliminated under Murphy's budget, thus providing additional instruction time for FLES. It's yet to be determined which two schools will be chosen.
A third major initiative in Murphy's budget is early literacy. Murphy hopes to boost reading levels for those in two grade categories — PreK-2 and 3-6 — via investments in technology, summer reading programs and professional development for teachers.
"I feel a real responsibility that we need to build in that area," Murphy said of the literacy initiative.
Peter's Take is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.
The proposed FY 2015 Arlington County Budget continues the Arlington County Board's pattern of providing too small a share of our tax dollars to Arlington Public Schools (APS).
While school enrollment is projected to continue to surge, and while educational challenges are continuing to rise, APS' share of the tax revenue we provide to the County was shrinking even prior to the latest County-proposed budget:
"The share of revenue that APS has received from the County has declined in recent years, from 46.1 percent in FY 2011 and FY 2012 to 45.6 percent in FY 2014," School Board Chair Abby Raphael wrote in an open letter to County Board Chair Jay Fisette.
The FY 2015 Budget
Despite repeated pleas last fall from parents to the County Board to rectify this inequity — pleas that were rudely and inappropriately criticized by some County Board members — the latest proposed County budget fails to rectify the inequity. It still proposes the 45.6 percent shrunken share.
On Feb. 21, the School Board once again requested that the share be restored to 46.1 percent. If granted, this increase would produce an additional $4.8 million in revenue in FY2015.
Why is the County Board continuing to shortchange our public schools?
Why have we gotten to the point where the School Board feels compelled to write a public letter to the County Board asking the County Board to restore APS' historic share of the tax dollars we pay? Why do some members of the County Board tell members of the taxpaying public (who fund our government 24/7/365) that there are only certain months each year when the public can ask the County Board for more resources for our schools?
If anything, the School Board was too deferential when its Chair noted in her letter that "the School Board understands that the County Board has many priorities to balance in meeting the needs of our residents." The persistent problem the School Board faces is that the County Board has the wrong priorities.
The County Board's priorities are wrong because the County Board is:
- committing our money to vanity projects like an unnecessary $310+ million Columbia Pike streetcar, a gold-plated $80+ million Aquatics Center, and an extravagant $1.7 million Clarendon dog park;
- pouring our money into tax increment financing schemes (TIF). Under TIF, increased revenues amounting to millions of dollars are no longer available to fund any other services such as schools;
- failing to give first priority to using our money to fund core services like schools.
In these times of surging enrollment and new instructional challenges, APS deserves an even higher share of our money than the School Board seeks in its Feb. 21 letter.
Peter Rousselot is a former member of the Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia and former chair of the Arlington County Democratic Committee.
The Arlington County Board on Saturday voted to advertise no increase to the county's real estate tax rate.
That means that the tax rate can only go down or remain the same ($1.006 for every $100 in assessed value) in the Board's budget, which will be crafted over the next two months before final approval on April 22.
Two residential fees, meanwhile — the water-sewer rate and the household solid waste rate — are proposed to increase 3.4 and 2.4 percent respectively in County Manager Barbara Donnellan's budget, which will be used as a jumping off point by the Board.
In all, thanks to a 5.9 percent increase in residential property assessments, the total tax and fee burden on the average Arlington household is expected to increase by $368, or 5.3 percent, to $7,371 if the Board follows Donnellan's proposal to hold the real estate tax rate steady.
Additional information on the budget and the budget process can be found in our previous article and on the county website.
Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan's new proposed budget will hold tax rates steady, but would still result in a higher tax bill for residents.
Donnellan is proposing no increase in real estate and stormwater management tax rates, which impact homeowners. The combined tax rate would remain $1.006 for every $100 in assessed value.
There will be modest increases in waste collection and water and sewer fees, plus a $0.25 increase in ART bus fares and a $0.50 increase in some STAR fares.
With Arlington residential property assessments rising 5.9 percent this year (5.3 percent for single family homes), homeowners will pay more in taxes under Donnellan's budget, despite tax rates holding steady. The average Arlington household will pay $7,371 in county taxes and fees, a $368 or 5.3 percent increase over last year.
Arlington's general fund spending would increase $28.4 million, or 2.6 percent, to $1.12 billion under Donnellan's budget. That includes $687.7 million for county government operations, a $11.9 million or 1.8 percent increase, and $432.2 million for Arlington Public Schools, a $19.6 million or 4.7 percent increase.
Among the areas of higher spending proposed by Donnellan are:
- $5.2 million for county employee salary increases
- $600,000 for a half year of operations of the new Homeless Services Center
- An additional $3.5 million for street paving, bringing the total paving funding to $11.1 million
- A 7.5 percent increase in the county's health care costs
- A 1 percent increase in grants to nonprofits from the Department of Human Services
- Three additional School Resource Officers
- Additional funding for streetlights and traffic engineering
- A dedicated "principal planner" for Crystal City
Other budget priorities identified by Donnellan include investments in encouraging cybersecurity companies to move to Arlington; technology investments like a "pay by cell" parking system; and growing the county's "BizLaunch" business assistance program.
Affordable housing investments accounts for $34.3 million in local tax dollars — 5.1 percent of the county's general fund budget (excluding schools). That includes contributions to the Affordable Housing Investment Fund, housing grants and funding for the rapid re-housing program.
Despite this year's snowy winter, there is no change proposed for the county's snow removal budget. Donnellan, however, said that the county is studying whether changes are necessary to the county's snow removal operation.
Donnellan will present her proposed budget at Saturday's County Board meeting. The County Board will begin holding work sessions on the budget next week. Public hearings on the budget and tax rates are scheduled for March 25 and 27. Final budget adoption is scheduled for April 22.
Following budget adoption, from May to July, Arlington will go through its Capital Improvement Plan process, where spending plans for major projects, like the Columbia Pike streetcar, are set.
Property values in Arlington rose significantly over the past year despite high office vacancy rates.
Arlington County said today that its overall 2014 real estate assessments rose 5.8 percent. The growth was "fueled primarily by strength in the residential market, as well as new construction of commercial properties," the county said.
The assessments for residential properties — single-family homes, condos and townhouses — rose 5.3 percent, to an average of $552,700.
Commercial real estate assessments were the biggest surprise, rising 5.4 percent over Calendar Year 2013. County staff projected in November that commercial assessments would be flat.
In addition to new construction, the county said that apartment and retail properties helped lead the growth in the commercial sector. Apartment assessments rose 4.8 percent while general commercial properties (retail) increased more than 10 percent. Office property values "rose slightly."
Last year, residential property assessments increased 1 percent while commercial property assessments declined by 0.5 percent.
With real estate assessments up 5.8 percent this year, over the 2.6 percent projection, the county should get some welcome wiggle room for its upcoming Fiscal Year 2015 budget. This fall county staff projected a $20-25 million budget gap. The county says it still expects to face a budget gap, but didn't list any specific projections.
"We are grateful that Arlington continues to show resilience and stability, despite ongoing tensions in the larger economy," said Arlington County Manager Barbara Donnellan, in a press release. "I am pleased the budget gap is narrowed, but we still face expenditure pressures for both County and Schools."
The County Board instructed Donnellan to come up with a budget that does not raise tax rates. The higher assessments, however, will serve as a defacto tax hike if rates remain the same — $1.006 per $100 of assessed value.
The county press release says rising school enrollment in particular is putting pressure on county finances.
Arlington also faces a number of expenditure pressures, especially to support aging County infrastructure and Arlington's population growth. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, the pressures include health care, retirement costs, new facilities and contractual cost increases, including Metro. Meanwhile, the County continues to invest in current and new infrastructure to maintain the high quality of services that are important to the long-term sustainability of the County.
Arlington's largest expense is Arlington Public Schools, which represents approximately 45.6% of local tax revenue, and an investment of more than $18,000 per student. Continued year-over-year growth in school enrollment has put pressure on School facilities and educational costs.
As revenue is again expected to be less than projected expenditures, both the County and Schools will need to determine their priorities within these fiscal constraints. The County Manager and School Superintendent will present their proposed budgets to the County Board and School Board in late February. The County Board will set the real estate tax rate in April.
The real estate assessments were mailed today to property owners and are expected to be available online at 11:00 p.m.
County Gets $500k for Beaver Pond Project — Arlington County has received a $500,000 state grant for a project to improve the Ballston beaver pond. "The $2.7 million improvement project, paid for mostly from stormwater funds, includes changing the flow pattern to keep water in the pond longer, allowing wetland plants to remove nutrients and other pollutants before it flows out," the county said in a press release. "Construction is expected to begin in the summer 2014." [Arlington County]
Fisette's Disclosure Doesn't Include Husband — County Board Chairman Jay Fisette's annual financial disclosure did not include the finances of his husband. Fisette was married in D.C. this past September, but Fisette says he's not required to include his spouse in the disclosure since their marriage is not recognized under Virginia law. [Washington Post]
Howze Tops Fundraising Battle — Democratic County Board hopeful Alan Howze has raised the most money of any County Board candidate, with $16,245. Fellow Democrat Cord Thomas appears to be completely self-funding his campaign, while independent candidate John Vihstadt's donors include a number of local Republicans. [Blue Virginia]
Congressional Primary Date Set — A date has been set for the crowded Democratic primary in the race to succeed the retiring Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.). The primary will be held on June 10. [Twitter]
APS Budget Forum Dates Set — Arlington Public Schools will hold three community forums on the upcoming FY 2015 budget. The forums will be held on Jan. 22, Jan. 29 and Feb. 3. [Arlington Public Schools]
Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D) has offered a statement regarding Tuesday night's bi-partisan budget compromise that averted another government shutdown.
Kaine largely praised the $85 billion agreement that funds government agencies through 2015. He did, however, express disappointment in certain cuts, such as cost-of-living adjustments for military retirees and for federal employee benefits.
Here is Kaine's full statement:
"Ever since I took office last January, I made it a mission to do everything I could to replace the across-the-board sequester cuts that have so severely hurt Virginia and return to normal budgetary order. I even delivered my maiden floor speech last February on the urgent need to find compromise and avert sequestration. Tonight, I'm pleased that after passing a Senate budget for the first time in four years and going to conference with the House, a deal has been reached.
I'm disappointed that reductions in the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for military retirees and cuts to federal employee benefits were included. But the deal goes a long way toward alleviating the most harmful effects of sequestration next year – cuts that have disproportionately impacted federal employees and the defense community – and restoring basic economic certainty to businesses and families across the Commonwealth. It also ensures we won't suffer another damaging government shutdown next month that would have resulted in more negative consequences for federal employees.
The two-year, bipartisan agreement will relieve $63 billion of sequester cuts for 2014 and 2015. It will also avert additional defense cuts – including $20 billion in cuts that were set to take effect in January 2014 – and replace non-defense cuts over the next two years. We've also given appropriators the certainty they need to write full appropriations bills – a significant step toward ending the dangerous pattern of stopgap, governing-by-crisis measures that have plagued the budgeting process in recent years.
While I'm still examining the details of the deal, I am pleased a spirit of compromise and cooperation prevailed."
Update at 5:10 p.m. — Rep. Jim Moran (D) has also issued a statement on the budget agreement, saying it's flawed but he will ultimately support it. The full statement, after the jump.


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Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Calgary Flames forwards Matt Stajan and Paul Byron have returned to their respective homes for personal reasons and will not be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Lightning.
The Calgary Herald reported that Byron's wife is expected to give birth soon.
Though the paper declined to elaborate on Stajan's situation, his family is still dealing with the death of his son, shortly after childbirth, in early March.
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
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subset: commoncrawl


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Ask the Life Insurance Expert
If my son and his wife were to both pass away, who would their life insurance policies go to?
I assume they are the only beneficiaries on each other's policies. If they passed away at the same time the policies would go into their estate. At that point, their wills (if they have wills) might define the new recipients. Or if their estate goes into probate a judge would decide.
[Let Insure.com help you find affordable life insurance now.]
Here's more on wills vs. life insurance.


text: that-geek-next-door that-geek-next-door: asylum-art: Intricate Handmade Fantasy Creatures by Ellen Jewett on Etsy | on deviantART Born in Markham, Canada, Ellen Jewett took to shaping three-dimensional forms naturally at a young age. To Ellen, sculpting has always been about life, biological narratives and cultural statements. The tedious hours of labor act as the mysterious foundation from which each of her sculptures' personality springs forth. In 2007 Ellen completed her post secondary education with a degree in Biological Anthropology and Art Critique from McMaster University. She had already started Creatures from El in 2005 and upon graduation plunged into it full-time. Ellen continues to supplement her knowledge with professional courses and apprenticeships. She aspires to pursue graduate work in anthrozoology whilst maintaining her life as a studio artist. These are incredible that-geek-next-door Source: asylum-art


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2 notes &
A great story, told from multiple perspectives, about two women and their lives and families, unfolding in layers to tell a more complex tale.
I don't normally read much non-genre fiction, but have had a recent hankering for it, perhaps as a welcome break from research. This one caught my eye and I decided to start it today on my day off.
I always think reading a book in one sitting is the highest praise one can have, and having polished this off in a handful of hours, I can confirm that this is fab summer reading, very stylish and terribly absorbing. I'm always drawn to books with multiple view points, and while I can't comment on the numerous comparisons people have made between this and The Great Gatsby, it has at least encouraged me to read the latter next, another admirable trait!


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More than a clothing line, Spiritbearer is a ministry. In August 2013 my wife & I will be moving to Costa Rica for a year as missionaries. Every product that is bought helps fund our ministry & the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Amazing devotionals to start for a year :) #recommend #DoThese #awesome #great #SpiritFood #God #Devotions #commitment #Love #Joy @RickWarren #DailyDevotional #Bread #Bible #GodsWord #Winning #sweet
Look what I found at work today! Legit! (Taken with Instagram)
A few weeks ago i found out i was pregnant. I really wasn't planning on this happening, at all. But it happened..
My boyfriend and i were really excited about it and had finally come to terms that we were going to be parents. I was having cramping and bleeding off and on for a while. I had gone…
"Nothing stands between a man and his Maker…"
- Be sure to take some time to check out Jake's organization Heartsupport!
One of the most hardcore tattoos I've ever seen. I met this guy at Cornerstone, he told me that once during accountability time with a bro, they got to talking about sharing the gospel, and he felt really convicted about his obedience to that, so much he permanently inked on his arm the words of Paul from 1 Corinthians 9:16.
"Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
- Jarrid Wilson
So amazingly true thanks!!!!
He set all of us free. We have to choose Him. He already chose us. #PowerInTheCross (Taken with Instagram)
He really will fight for you. #PersonalExperience (Taken with Instagram)


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I have been encouraging colleagues to participate and collaborate using Google Docs for a number of reasons. Schools are busy places and often, all the stakeholders are not involved in every conversation about the future direction of the school or even more mundane issues that would benefit from more input by staff.
Collaborating with Google Docs will help us to have an open dialogue without having to hold as many expensive meetings.
These short videos will help you to conceptualise what the tool can be used for in our professional lives.
more about "Teachers and Principals Talk about Go…", posted with vodpod
Hat tip to Wesley Fryer for the above video.


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"Either you're working hard trying to make it happen, or you're working three times as hard trying to keep it happening." - CeeLo Green
HOW TO RIDE YOUR CREATIVITY BY WHITNEY PASTOREK - Fast Company
Brown and Jagger!
Mick Jagger chats with James Brown on the set of the The T.A.M.I. Show. In a testament to the Stones' meteoric rise in the States, Brown opened for the band at this taping in 1965.
mick jagger
(via chubstr)
Source: barefootmarley
Those socks!
From one of my favorite performances of his.
Robert Plant
Don't even try to deny him.
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Related Documents
Size: 8 KB
Pages: 2
Date: 2011-10-27
September 1, 2000 FM 1-T 084 1 Florida Method of Test for SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND ABSORPTION OF FINE AGGREGATE Designation: FM 1 T-084 FM 1 T-084 is identical to AASHTO T-084.
Size: 74 KB
Pages: 1
Date: 2011-10-30
Proficiency Sample 1. Perform the following tests:FM1-T011, AASHTO T27, andFM1-T084. All tests should be conducted on each sa mple according to the AASHTOor FSTM.


text: North Korean defectors who live in South Korea prepare to fly balloons carrying anti-North Korea leaflets near the demilitarised zone which separates the two countries. The slogans on the balloons read "Liberate North Korean compatriots", "Terminate three generations of hereditary power transfer", "Go to hell, Kim Jong-il", "No condolence call for devil" and "North Koreans, rise up". (Photo: Kim Kyung-Hoon / Reuters via the Telegraph)


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Heya folks
Well I started to learn xhtml. In the past I use to write my code in html 4.01 standard, and now I think it's a time to go one step forward. And that is xhtml.
For the base I take my old html and do some corections and I manage to do validate xhtml page.
But I have now some questions. First i want do transform my old page to xhtml strict doctype, but there is a problem.
I have in my page form like this:
<form action="server" method="post" name="VNOS" onsubmit="submitonce(true)">
So if I use strict mode, than my page is not xhtml validate, beacause acording to w3c /name="VNOS"/ is not an option. It is suported only for
T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.
name / form_name / Defines a unique name for the form / TF
Is there any other way to name my form?
p.s. Also inbox defined with CSS looks diferent. If I use strict mode, then the height of inbox is corect, but in transitional mode is about 1/3 size biger. Anybody know why?
p.s.s. I use IE6 :)
Thanx in advance for your help


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Web Id: P000308691
Encircle your wrist with this stretch bracelet by Izaro featuring three rows of pink & brown wooden tubes with metal spacer beads and rhinestone rondelles. Bracelet measures 8 in.
Bealls is a privately held company, rich in tradition, owned by the founding family and its employees. Founded in 1915, Bealls Department Stores now operates 80 store locations in the state of Florida in addition to BeallsFlorida.com. Bealls Department Stores and BeallsFlorida.com are owned and operated by Beall's Department Stores, Inc and Beall's Westgate Corporation.
Copyright 2014 Bealls, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Definition of publishing in English:
publishingSyllabification: pub·lish·ing
Pronunciation: /ˈpəbliSHiNG /
The occupation, business, or activity of preparing and issuing books, journals, and other material for sale: she worked in publishing
More example sentences
- Outsourced journalism, better known as contract publishing or custom publishing is a growth industry in the West.
- For the general publishing and pop-culture industries, this has not seemed so much like a heroic or contrarian stance as a stiff and snobbish one.
- We recognize that range of creative activity that goes beyond academic publishing.
Definition of publishing in:
- The British & World English dictionary
Get more from Oxford Dictionaries
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Word of the day bogle
Pronunciation: ˈbəʊɡ(ə)l
a phantom or goblin


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Tour of California Stage 1 Results
Peter Sagan survived a last minute tire change, coming from behind, to take the first stage of the Amgen Tour of California. Sagan rides for LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE (LIQ). Second place was taken by GARMIN-BARRACUDA (GRM) Heinrich Haussler. Fred Rodriguez, riding for EXERGY (XRG), finished third.
Peter Sagan is 22 years and now has a career win of 27 professional races. He won The Big Bear Climb finish in 2010.


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Little Miss Sunshine
William Finn and James Lapine's musical adaptation of the quirky 2006 film isn't always convinced it's a musical.
On life's twisty road, sometimes you need to pull over and change direction. When the coveted title of "Little Miss Sunshine" is unexpectedly within her reach, young Olive Hoover convinces her family to make the 800 mile trek to the pre-teen pageant of her dreams. Along the way, a series of mishaps threatens to derail the group's quest for the crown, until they realize a young girl's far-fetched goal may actually hold the key to the family's happiness. From the Tony Award-winning team of James Lapine and William Finn comes Little Miss Sunshine, a new musical comedy about one modern family's unexpected route to brighter days. Little Miss Sunshine is based on the film, Little Miss Sunshine, written by Michael Arndt.
William Finn and James Lapine's musical adaptation of the quirky 2006 film isn't always convinced it's a musical.
Reviewed by theaterlita on Oct 17, 2013
A Pageant-Style Interview With Little Miss Sunshine's Five Precocious Princesses - Dec 6, 2013
Al Hirschfeld Sketches Through the Current New York Theater Lineup: Part I - Dec 3, 2013
Stephanie J. Block and Will Swenson Open Little Miss Sunshine Off-Broadway - Nov 15, 2013
Little Miss Sunshine - Nov 14, 2013
Flashback Friday: Remember When Little Miss Sunshine Star Stephanie J. Block Played Liza Minnelli? - Nov 8, 2013Read more related articles


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105 Walton Way, Milledgeville, GA 31061
0 $
Listed by Coldwell Banker SSK, Realtors - View Local Website
4 Bedrooms
2 Baths
1580 SqFt
Location: Milledgeville, GA 31061 Prop Type: Single Family Detached Year Built: 1986
Contact JULIA THOMAS
Office: Coldwell Banker SSK, Realtors Address: 1827 N Columbia Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061 Office Phone: (478) 453-4200 Mobile Phone: (770) 301-4383 Business: (478) 453-4200 Fax: (478) 453-4238 Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
About 105 Walton Way, Milledgeville, GA 31061
Big 4 bedrooms&2 bath home with a huge 2 car garage and 2 automatic door openers. This home has new tile in the kitchen and dining, plus all the bathrooms. Also, 2 brand new HVAC units. It sits on an one acre very level, private lot and is convenient to Milledgeville, Sandersville and Sparta. This is a great home for a family or a starter home for a new couple. Call now to come and see it!!!
Style: Other Style
Located in Baldwin County, this neighborhood in Milledgeville has a population of 43658.
Median Age34
Median Income$38,463
Households with Children25%


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Search results
7 results found
Ontario statutes being reviewed for accessibilityInformation
The Ontario Public Service is conducting an Accessibility Legislative Review to remove any potential barriers in Ontario statutes to persons with disabilities. Between 2013 and the end of 2014, 13 ministries will review 51 statutes and will consider steps to remove any barriers that are identified.
Accessible Customer Service PolicyInformation
The Ontario Public Service Accessible Customer Service policy outlines the Ontario Government's responsibilities and legal obligations for providing accessible customer service to persons with disabilities.
Ontario Public Service Accessible Customer Service PolicyPDF
The Ontario Public Service Accessible Customer Service Policy outlines what the Ontario Public Service must do to comply with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation and what our customers can expect from us.
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan: 2012 Annual Status ReportPDF
In keeping with the format of our multi-year plan, this status report outlines OPS progress on commitments in leadership and modelling compliance, and achieving organizational change.
Providing accessible services and information to Ontarians is an important part of what we do at the Ontario Public Service.
Accessibility in the Ontario Public Service: Leading the Way ForwardPDF
The Ontario Public Service Multi-Year Accessibility Plan is a road map that describes how we will transform the OPS into an accessible organization.
Ontario Public Service: Policies That Make Accessibility WorkInformation
A Guide to Accessibility Directives and Policies in the Ontario Public Service This guide provides a compact summary of the accessibility policies and directives that are currently in place within the Ontario Public Service.


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Definición de inhospitable en inglés:
inhospitableSaltos de línea: in|hos¦pit|able
Pronunciación: /ˌɪnhɒˈspɪtəb(ə)l , ɪnˈhɒspɪt-/
1(Of an environment) harsh and difficult to live in: the inhospitable landscape
Más ejemplos en oraciones
- Tibetans still form a majority of people living in the inhospitable countryside.
- So why would any sane recreational diver seek to dive in such an inhospitable environment?
- It is a harsh, inhospitable land, covered in flies and governed by insufferable temperatures that defies easy civilization.
uninviting, unwelcoming;
uninhabitable, barren, bare, sterile, desolate, austere, severe, stark, spartan
2(Of a person) unfriendly and unwelcoming towards people.
Más ejemplos en oraciones
- He encountered storms, bogs and forests, was given the cold shoulder by the inhospitable inhabitants of Fouzilhac, got lost and had to camp out for the first time.
- She lived in Toronto for one year and discovered that English Canadians were not the cold, inhospitable lot she had been led to believe they were.
- Nor were its inhabitants 'a wild and inhospitable people', of whom it could be said 'All their habits are the habits of barbarians'.
unwelcoming, unfriendly, unsociable, unsocial, antisocial, unneighbourly, uncongenial, cool, cold, chilly, frosty, glacial, aloof, stand-offish, haughty, disdainful, distant, remote, indifferent, offhand;
uncivil, discourteous, ungracious;
ungenerous, unkind, unsympathetic, ill-disposed;
hostile, inimical, xenophobic
late 16th century: French, from in- 'not' + hospitable (see hospitable).
inhospitableness sustantivo
- Más ejemplos en oraciones
- With the extent and inhospitableness of its spaces, it was a night of eerie solitude.
- Flying into Arequipa gives a sense of the inhospitableness of the landscape.
inhospitably adverbio
- Más ejemplos en oraciones
- As spring turns to summer, the mercury rises drastically in the region, making the deserts that are likely to be the theatre for war, inhospitably hot.
- The area has gold, coal, tin, oil, and reindeer, but making a living out of any of them is tough because of inhospitably cold temperatures and high winds.
- The breathtaking scenery, which ranges from inhospitably barren to invitingly lush, makes The Motorcycle Diaries a story of the land as much as a story of the two men traveling it.
inhospitality sustantivo
- Más ejemplos en oraciones
- Flying high above, the sight of cities gives an impression of the human struggle for survival against the harsh inhospitality of nature.
- 'The sheer inhospitality of the region means there is very little there, other than desert and mountains,' he says.
- Sir, please pardon my inhospitality, however, it is rather late and I am actually not very anxious to see you at the moment.
Definición de inhospitable en:
- el diccionario Inglés de EE.UU.
- el Sinónimos ingleses
- el Sinónimos de inglés estadounidese
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Palabra del día deictic
Pronunciación: ˈdeɪktɪk
denoting a word whose meaning depends on context...


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How To Cook Questions
0 Answers
2 Views
A google search only gives me cancer related results...
best answer
0 Answers
7 Views
I feel like I can't cook beef???whenever I cook it on stove top it tastes gross???something about frying it that is bad? Grilled meat tastes great, and meat in soup???but fried is just blah! Maybe I am cooking it on too high of a heat ruining... (more)
Here's all you need to know: http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/12/the-food-lab-complete-guide-to-pan-seared-steaks.html Take away: season well before and allow to rest. Works for me. Also - for oil I use butter ghee.


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I'm a web, logo & UI designer from Koper, Slovenia. I love technology, music, football and reading books about design & usability. http://matoweb.com
The new portfolio site of a swiss web agency
We're a small, friendly and talented team based in Pretoria, South Africa. We craft beautiful digital solutions for awesome clients, across all platforms.
Dimond is an award-winning modernist architect inspired by nature. Our design captures his affinity with the environment and features geometric typography inspired by his designs.
Drone Creative is a multidisciplinary design studio specialising in graphic design, UX, web development and mobile apps.
Crystalnix creates software ecosystems.
The official Garofoli Store in Milano


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You'll turn heads as an exotic and dramatic Pretty Peacock! This colorful corset and matching mask will encourage you to strut you stuff and spread your feathers. Costume includes strapless corset with side zipper closure, lace-up back for cinching and matching thong; Eye Mask; Pettiskirt.
**This costume includes a Fashion Corset with Plastic Boning, and is not appropriate for daily wear or tight lacing.
Stockings not included.


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Northfield All Stars win New Jersey state softball title
Written by SUZANNE MARINO Tuesday, July 29, 2014 12:00 am
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NORTHFIELD—The sirens wailed as the police and fire department led the way down Tilton Road Monday night for the 13/14 year-old Northfield All Stars softball team parade celebrating their 5-4 win over the Tri-Boro team to take the state title.
It took 10 innings to get the job done as they squared off against the District 2 champion Tri-Boro team from Northeast New Jersey in Mantua. Northfield earned their way to the tournament winning the District 16 title last week.
The Northfield girls jumped out to an early lead when Meredith Miller hit a three-run bomb in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. Tri-Boro tied it up in the fourth and took the lead in the top of the tenth.
Tri-Boro tried to take the wind out of Northfield's sails but the girls still had some tricks up their sleeves and hot bats in their hands.
Manager Mike Toner said that Lauren Toner reached base on a Tri-Boro error and a passed ball got her to second base. Toner scored on a timely hit by Meredith Miller and the game was knotted at 4.
Gabriella Monzo got a hit and Northfield had runners on first and second. The Tri-Boro pitcher got the next two batters out. Olivia Goff came to the plate and delivered the biggest hit of her softball career; a two-out single that brought Monzo home to take the game 5-4.
Toner said the excitement erupted around home plate. "Olivia really delivered when we needed her, it was a great hit," said Toner.
The girls on the team are from Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point. According to the coach, eight of them played on the 11/12 year-old Northfield All Stars that played for a state title and came up a little short. They erased that with a big win to claim the New Jersey District 16 State title.
The players enjoyed their parade through the towns and then headed back to Birch Grove Park but their softball journey is far from done. Friday they will head up the turnpike to West Haven, Connecticut to play for the Eastern Regional crown. The tournament begins Saturday. They will be up against nine other tough teams all looking to make a run at the title, but Northfield team will let you know; they have what it takes to go into extra innings and still get the job done.
The players are; pitcher Gillian McCarthy, right fielder Lauren Toner, left fielder Jessie Higbee, first baseman Meredith Miller at third is Mary McLaughlin, center fielder McKenzie Brennan, on second base is Olivia Goff, Gillian McCarthy is the pitcher, right fielder Madison DiSidori, left fielder Lauren Vandenberg, short stop Shauna Bennett and Gabriella Monzo is the catcher.
Eight of the players will be freshmen at Mainland Regional High School in September.
- 4-year old struck by a car near his Northfield home
- Library sale is a sweet success
- Council to consider declaring Somers Point in need of rehabilitation
- Mainland's economic tool kit for student success
- Monday was demolition day at American Legion Post 353 in Linwood
- Linwood Council to consider creating a second liquor license
- Blessing creatures great and small, even on your Iphone
- Fatal accident claims pedestrian along Shore Road
- Mazzeo speaks out on Taj Mahal court decision
- Linwood, Northfield and Somers Point teacher contracts
- Letter: Purse returned, lesson learned
- Letter: School board promises are rarely kept
- Letter: Post Crashers' help is much appreciated
- Letter: Learning the real story of Richard Somers
- Letter: Thank you for supporting MRHS baseball team
- Letter: Make closed casino into Veterans hospital to support vets and the economy
- Restore liberty, rebuild Atlantic City
- Letter: Radom drug testing is a violation of student's rights
- Letter: Linwood, Northfield deserve full-time police chiefs
- Letter: More reason to be pessimistic than optimistic
Current Sports
- EHT Eagles net 10th win on wet, windy turf
- ACHS field hockey to host Millville in playoffs
- Absegami, AC drop out from NJSIAA football playoff leaders
- Pro soccer goalie hopes to make saves vs. domestic violence
- Cedar Creek seniors lead the way in big win over Oakcrest
- Streaking Greyhounds win 9th straight, eye CAL National title
- Northfield girl tackling a new sport
- Mustangs can't get a handle on Prep's Harris
- Cannuscio and McManus win bronze at Finlandia Trophy
- EHT holds off Ocean City, wins 17-14


text:
Dr. Jason R. Nordstrom, MD
Internal Medicine, Baylor Family Medical Center
- 301 E Ovilla Rd Ste 100
Red Oak, TX 75154
- 1 Office Location
- Email a Friend
- (972) 617-5225
Dr. Jason R. Nordstrom has been practicing medicine for 13 years. Dr. Nordstrom graduated from the Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine - Lubbock in 2001. He practices medicine in Red Oak, TX and specializes in Internal Medicine. Dr. Nordstrom is affiliated with Baylor Medical Center and Baylor University Medical Center. He speaks English and Spanish.
Gender: Male
Years in Practice: 13 Years
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine - Lubbock
Graduation Date: 2001
Hospital Affiliations: Baylor Medical Center, Baylor University Medical Center
Specialties: Internal Medicine
©2005-2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.


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McDaniel rushed for 762 yards and nine touchdowns and scored a touchdown through the air in 2007 as a junior. He also averaged 39.2 yards on kickoff returns. McDaniel was named Varsity Offensive MVP and all-league honorable mention.
In January, he had a solid performance at the U.S. Army All-American Combine and this weekend he'll be in Las Vegas for the New Level/Scout Pass Camp.
Here are clips of McDaniel in action from his 2007 junior season.


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Every Day Light 6/23
June 23
Divine mathematics
For reading & meditation: Proverbs 11:16-24
"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another with holds unduly, but comes to poverty." (v.24)
What all the passages in Proverbs which talk about generosity are really teaching us is that selfishness short-circuits human happiness and that the route to joy is liberality - liberality with our talents, our treasure and our time. Today's text is, of course, difficult for some to accept because it violates all the rules of mathematics. How can it be that the more you give away the more you have? It doesnt seem logical! Well, let Lord Bertrand Russell, one of the greatest mathematicians of the century, comment on that: "Mathematics and logic have nothing to do with reality." David Rivett, a chartered accountant and one of the directors of CWR - Crusade for World Revival - says that since he has been with the organization he has found that God has a quite different arithmetic from what he as an accountant has been used to. For example - what do five and two make? Seven? Yes, in man's arithmetic, but not in God's. In God's arithmetic five and two make five thousand. How come? Well, five loaves and two fish - the little lunch which a boy once gave to Jesus - was taken by Him and turned into enough food to feed five thousand. And just to add to the point - twelve baskets of fragments were gathered up after everyone had eaten their fill! Nature, we are told, abhors a vacuum; it is the same in the spiritual realm. Liberality and generosity create a vacuum into which God flows, enabling us to give and to go on giving. I cannot explain it, but I have seen it happen again and again.
O God, You who are always reaching out to me in generosity and love, help me this day to do the same. May You use my generosity to touch the lives of others. For Your own dear Name's sake. Amen.
For further study:
1. How did the disciples view this extravagant act?
2. How did Jesus view it?
Recently on Every Day Light, with Selwyn Hughes
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Recommended For You
|Chateau Petrus
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Petrus is a made almost entirely of Merlot grapes grown in Bordeaux's right bank Pomerol appellation. Although never officially classified, the chateau has long been considered on par with the First Growths from the left bank. The ownership of the estate has passed between the Arnaud family in the 19th century, to Madame Loubat at the end of WWII, and finally to Jean-Pierre Moueix in recent years. Petrus's clay soil is rich in iron and the estate's average vine age is 40 years. Chateau Petrus produces approximately 3,000 cases of wine each year. The most legendary vintages for Petrus include 1945, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1955, 1959, and 1961, in addition to recent success in 1982, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2000 and 2003. Petrus's flavor profile typically features aromas of ripe mulberry, black currant and spicy vanilla oak. The wine has incredible power, depth and richness which allow it to age for decades.
See all Bordeaux producers
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Corporate Office1890 Bryant St, Ste 208San Francisco, CA email@example.com
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Ten Best Places to Watch the Olympics in NYC
Looking for a place to watch the Olympics in New York City? The New York Press is here to help! Here is a shortlist of the best venues and sports bars showing the London Games in the city this summer. Whether in the Upper East Side or Williamsburg, this guide is here to make sure you get your fill of gold medals and drink specials.
By Laurent Berstecher
1. Smithfield
With its three floors and 21 Flat Screen TVs, Smithfield Bar will make sure that you don't miss out on the action. Located a few blocks away from Madison Square Garden, the bar will provide live screenings all of the Olympics major events, from the opening to the closing ceremony, starting at 10am. Drink specials include 5$ Newcastle Brown Ale and 6$ Gin and Tonics.
Smithfield NYC, 215 W 28th Street
2. Woodwork
After a busy month of Euro Cup Football, Woodwork will exceptionally devote its 3 soccer-loving flat screens to the London Olympics. The Prospects Heights bar is an ideal hangout for those who would rather watch the Games in Brooklyn. The bar will welcome you with a number of drink specials, including customer favorite "USA": A pint of Miller and a shot of Evan William Green Label for 6$.
Woodwork, 583 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, Prospect Heights, NY.
Tired of the thick atmosphere and sticky counters of sports bars? At the Big Screen Plaza you will be able to enjoy live sports without having beer spilled all over your shoulder. As the name indicates, the Plaza is a 10,000 square foot outdoor venue complete with a 30 x 16 ft. giant HD screen. Located in the heart of Manhattan, the plaza will be holding regular screening throughout the Olympics, and a special event for the opening ceremony.
Big Screen Plaza, 851 Avenue of the Americas (Behind the Eventi Hotel) New York, NY 10001
4. Tonic East
Who said you can't watch sports AND be comfortable? With its massive plasma screens, comfy sofas and surround sound, Tonic East offers a one-of-a-kind sports viewing experience. And if women's curling is on, you can always go enjoy the view of Murray Hill from the bar's rooftop. Drink specials include 3$ Budweisers and 4$ Well Drinks.
Tonic East, 411 Third Ave, New York, NY 10016 www.toniceast.com
Yes, even the Meatpacking District has its sports bars. Sure, it's a little fancier than your average British pub, but who doesn't like massive leather couches? For those of you who are more into sports than style, fear not: SNAP has its basics covered, hosting 16 flatscreen TVs that will be airing all the Olympics you can handle.
248 W. 14th St, New York, NY 10011 www.snapsportsbar.com
6. Mulholland's
One of the rare sports bars in Williamsburg, Mulholland's does things right: The 22 beers on tap and juicy chicken wings will make you feel right at home (if you were born in a dive bar that is.) We hear that the atmosphere is casual, and the cocktails delicious. Oh, and by the way, they also have a bunch of TVs, including one in their backyard for some Olympic tanning sessions.
312 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
If you feel like supporting the Brits, Churchill will certainly welcome you with open arms. Ok, this isn't London, but it's close. The English Pub will hold a special happy hour during the opening ceremony (Friday 27th from 4 to 7pm), with special Olympic cocktails for decent prizes. During the rest of the competition, customers will get a free "surprise" for every gold medal won by the British. Go England!
The Churchill, 45 E 28th Street
8. Pulino's Bar and Pizzeria
Tired of all this booze? Want to quit drinking? Or maybe you're just hungry. Pulino's is here to show you that you don't need beer to enjoy sports: A pizza slice will suffice (hint: try both at the same time.) For the Olympics, Pulino's blasts out the giant projector and promises live coverage during daytime hours. Don't miss out on the complimentary snacks and appetizers, from 4 to 6:30 pm!
Pulino's Bar and Pizzeria, 282 Bowery, New York, NY 10012
Who said you can't drink beer and watch sports for charity? Located in the Financial District, 121 Fulton Street will be screening Olympic Women's Soccer and hosting three fundraisers for the Claudio Reyna Foundation, which provides soccer programs for underprivileged children. Donate 10$ at the door, get 10% off your bill, and feel better about spending the day getting slightly hammered while watching the Games. It's for a good cause!
121 Fulton St, New York, NY 10038
Ever heard of the Beer Olympics? Well, we haven't either, but I'm sure you get the idea. On the 28th and 29th of July, Southern Hospitality will be hosting its own, lager-drenched version of the Olympics. Teams of four can register for 100$ to participate in this epic beer pong and flip cups contest, which will see the winner take home a cash prize. And yes, TVs are provided, for those who might want to watch real sports or catch up on the score during a veteran's restroom break.
1460 Second Ave, New York, NY 10075
Tags: 121 fulton street, 2012 olympics, big screen plaza, london olympics, mulholland's, New York, olympic games, pulino's, smithfield, snap, southern hospitality, sports bars, the churchill, tonic east, where to watch, woodwork
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Benjamin Sibelman with a picture of a red dot on a Surface tablet, and a poster of Earth
Edinburgh University People & Planet group held a vigil to stand in solidarity with those in the Philippines and call on their university to divest from disaster and ditch fossil fuel stocks.
Sorry it's backwards, my camera died today while photographing a meeting with a rep. for Sen. Brown.
"#We Stand With You" — a simple phrase that emerged as a global symbol of solidarity with the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan.God bless Philippines,from Malaysia.
The 2nd Congregational Church of Jewett City, Connecticut, United States of America
Philippines, CatalystStandsWithYou
Our prayers and hopes are walking with you through the aftermath.
I'm an Australian who stands with you.


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Patter by Douglas Kearney
Sean Singer reviews Douglas Kearney's Patter today in Rumpus Poetry....more
Sean Singer reviews Douglas Kearney's Patter today in Rumpus Poetry....more
Darth Vader, King Laios (Fill Out Their Applications as, Across the Lobby, Genghis Khan's "Cat's in the Cradle" Ringtone Plays): Fathers of the Year...more
The following piece was presented as "5 Poems and 3 Notes" in the panel "Post Black? Culture, Craft, and Race in Verse" at the 2013 AWP Conference in Boston, Massachusetts....more
This is the fourth time we at The Rumpus have celebrated National Poetry Month by running a new, original poem by a different poet every day of April (and sometimes a little beyond). You'll be able to keep up with every poem by following @RumpusPoetry or @The_Rumpus on Twitter, or by checking the Facebook pages for The Rumpus and Rumpus Poetry for announcements....more
Hey, if you haven't had the chance to take a look at all the stuff Rumpus Books has been up to lately, you should probably do that now....more


text: Unfortunately, Phillip and I won't be able to be there. I'll be busy Monday night cooking and serving the Relay for Life feast that I auctioned off earlier this year. It looks like Tuesday night is going to be northern Regional (Atlantian) Baronial courts. Wednesday is Atlantian Royal Court...not sure about Thursday yet...and Friday I'm part of the crew for Lion in Winter...be sure to come by to see it. Oh...and Sunday night, we're putting a lady on Vigil for her Laurel whom I've been mentoring locally for her Laurel in the Outlands. Yes, she already knows about it...they issued her Writ in Royal Court at an event this morning. So this Pennsic is going to be extraordinarilly busy for me! If any of you get a chance, come by N33 and look for the Dun Carraig banner (red and white with lots of cross bottonys). Every night is hospitality night with food and drink for our guests. Kiri On 7/14/07, Saint Phlip <phlip at 99main.com> wrote: > > Well, Lilinah, why don't you plan on coming down to SPCA on Saturday? > You can sit in the shade, we can chit chat, and any cooks who have the > day free could cruise by too? Who knows what we could get into? > > It's SPCA camp, in W-10 on the map. If you look on the map, we're in > the southeast corner- most people nearby can tell you where we are > (we're at the other end of W10 from Orluk Oasis, and across the road > from the Tower) and I should have a sign out. > > On 7/14/07, Lilinah <lilinah at earthlink.net> wrote: > > I'll be busy Monday all afternoon and evening cooking and serving, so > > guess i won't be able to make it to the pot luck... > > > > My Pennsic schedule so far: > > On Friday the 3rd I'm arriving. > > (Saturday is a day of... rest?) > > On Sunday the 5th I'm taking the West Kingdom meal plan cooks, the > > fabulous V&V (Vittoria and Vyncent) shopping for their food > > necessities - and i'll be buying mine as well. > > On Monday the 6th i'm cooking a dinner for the West Kingdom Royals > > and Their guests. It's a small dinner - about a dozen - and i'm doing > > period Middle Eastern food, because the Queen is doing a "Persian" > > reign. > > On Tuesday the 7th i'm going to the Indian feast. > > > > I have no evenings planned between the 8th and the 11th... (Midnight > > Madness on the 8th?) > > > > And i've offered to help Devra with her shop - i gotta look over the > > class schedule and get back to her with my available days. Yeah, i > > know you're here, Devra :-) I've got an event today, so i'll get to > > you tomorrow with specifics. > > > > -- > Saint Phlip > > Heat it up > Hit it hard > Repent as necessary. > > Priorities: > > It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools which make the smith. > > Blessed be the self-righteous, for they shall inherit themselves. > _______________________________________________ > Sca-cooks mailing list > Sca-cooks at lists.ansteorra.org > http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/sca-cooks-ansteorra.org >


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Pitango Closes New $270M Fund Backed By Asian Money To Fuel More Startups Coming Out Of Israel
Israel's startup scene has taken another big step forward today. Pitango Venture Capital, the Israel-based investment company behind like Apple-acquired Anobit, Samsung-acquired Boxee and many others, has closed a $270 million fund, which it will use to back "Israeli companies and companies with an Israeli nexus" that may otherwise be operating in the U.S. and Europe… Read More
Chasefuture's Platform Coaches Mainland Chinese Students On University Admissions
The allure of top-tier Western universities isn't lessening anytime soon for the hundreds of thousands of Chinese high school graduates emerging out of the country's best schools. That's why a host of different startups helping mainland high school students with admissions like InitialView have cropped up in the last year or two. Chasefuture, a one-year-old startup from… Read More
Payments Startup MobiKwik Launches Mobile Wallet As India's Central Bank Acts To End Country's Cash Dependence
In a move that could ease paper money's stranglehold over the Indian economy and society, Mobikwik is releasing a mobile wallet for the country's burgeoning Android smartphone-class to digitally buy goods directly from merchants. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is empowering payment companies to facilitate more digital transactions in order to create some competitive tension… Read More
Singapore App Maker MyHero Raises $10M Series A For Its Stock Market Trading Gamification App, TradeHero
An app that lets people play the stock market without the risk of losing any real money has turned its virtual cash game into a pile of actual Benjamins, by closing out a $10 million funding round. The app in question, TradeHero, is made by a Singapore-based developer MyHero. Investors in the round are Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers China fund (KPCB China) and IPV Capital. Read More
JustFab Raises Another $40M Led By Hong Kong's Shining Capital To Take Its Fashion Subscription Commerce Model To Asia And Beyond
Hot on the heels of its merger with rival ShoeDazzle (yes, pun intended), subscription-based fashion commerce site JustFab, now with 35 million users, is once again adding to its coffers, to pick up the pace on international growth. Today the company is announcing that it has raised $40 million in a Series C round of funding. Read More
Verdict On Pakistan YouTube Ban Delayed As Case Is Moved To High Court Full Bench
The year-long saga of the Pakistan government's YouTube ban has just taken another twist, as a case to unblock the website has been referred to a panel of Lahore High Court justices who will now decide whether the country's haphazard internet censorship regime is unconstitutional. It's another reprieve for the government's IT minister Anusha Rehman, who has overseen… Read More
Security Concerns Abound Over Unofficial Android iMessage App That Uses Chinese Servers To Process Data
An unauthorised app that lets Android users chat on Apple's closed iMessage network is causing a big stir. It's had viral downloads in the tens of thousands amid claims that it could be spreading malware; but the Chinese developer who developed the app tells us everything is cool. Read More
Line Adds Vine-Style Clip Maker & Video Calling To Its Mobile Messaging Platform
The largest mobile messaging apps are increasingly social platforms in their own right. There is more evidence of that today as Line Corporation has added yet another feature to its platform play. Snap Movie allows for Vine-style short video sharing within Line, which gives users yet another way to communicate with each other without having to leave the social, entertainment playground. Read More
Poor Sales In India Force Maps Provider Sygic To Release Navigation App For Free
App developers are struggling to make money in India because of low credit card penetration, according to Michael Stencl, CEO of maps provider Sygic, which has now dropped the $5.58 fee to download its GPS navigation app. As Indian Android owners remain reluctant to purchase apps, mapping providers are turning to features such as offline availability to compete with Google, which has grown… Read More
Pakistani Activists Smell A Mole In Government's Proposed YouTube Filtering Plan
After ignoring repeated requests to appear in a court case challenging the Pakistan government's year-long YouTube blackout, the country's elusive IT minister is expected to appear at a hearing later this month to outline plans to drop the blanket ban — and instead selectively restrict "blasphemous" and "offensive" material on the video-sharing site. Read More
FoodieQuest App-In-The-Making Wants To Gamify Food Photos
FoodieQuest is an app in the making that wants to turn the craze for taking photos of food — second only to the selfie in the photo-sharing hierarchy — into a sticky social game. The app will let users snap a photo of their dinner and then pit it against another dish pic taken by someone else. It's like hot or not for food — or piping hot/undercooked, to stick with… Read More
Japanese Recruitment Firm Recruit Co Wants To Buy Freelancer.com For $400M
Looks like Recruit Co, the Japan-based HR and recruitment site giant that has long been gearing up for an IPO, is on the acquisition trail again, just a month after buying NuGrid in India and a year after its acquisition of Indeed.com. According to sources close to the situation, it has made a $400 million offer for Freelancer.com, an online portal that connects people with short-contract jobs. Read More
Pakistan Government-Backed Incubator Seeds Local Investor Appetite
Ali Rehan and his university cohorts had just won Pakistan's Startup Weekend hackathon when they decided to quit their PhD research project to build a photography app. Weeks later they were offered a $100,000 investment for 60 percent equity in Eyedeus, as their fledgling startup is called. The money on its own was a tantalising offer in Pakistan's nascent ecosystem, but it would… Read More
Apple Sends Separate Invite To Chinese Media For Sept. 11 iPhone Event, Adding To Increased Focus On The Region
Apple has sent out a second round of event invitations to media today – this time directed specifically at Chinese publications and journalists, for a follow-up event to their September 10 shindig at Apple Campus in Cupertino. The invites have the same graphic as the original, but will occur September 11 at 10 AM CST at Beijing's World Trade Center. This marks the first time Apple… Read More
Xiaomi's App Market Has Nearly 2X The Average Downloads Of Competitors, Could Help Boost International Success
Xiaomi, the break-out smartphone star of the Greater China market, is receiving lots of attention thanks to the somewhat salacious tale of ex-Android VP Hugo Barra and his recent move to the Chinese company. Xiaomi is looking to sell around 20 million smartphones by the end of 2013, and is doing so well that it's challenging Samsung, a formerly dominant force among OEMs, at home in China. Read More
India's Visa Maze Ensnares Foreign Entrepreneurs
Returning for his fourth and final visit to the Indian offices that would grant him a coveted five-year business visa, social entrepreneur Alex Stevens* was confident his wild goose chase was almost at an end. However, facing the elusive supervisor, he was greeted with an awkward smile, a head tilt from side-to-side, and, "sorry, you can't get your visa now, please come back in… Read More
As Uber Drives Into India, It's Shifting Its Emerging Market Strategy Up A Gear
Transportation tech startup Uber is continuing its aggressive expansion across Asia. As of this week, it is now live in India, starting first with a luxury car service in its tech capital, Bangalore. The subcontinent may boast a potential market of over a billion, a rising middle class and 164,000 millionaires, but these are silver linings to some possibly darker storm clouds: low credit… Read More
Safecity Crowdsources India's Sexual Assault Incidents To Highlight Danger Zones
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HTC Reportedly Building New Mobile OS Specifically For China Market, In Partnership With Chinese Government
HTC's Hail Mary play might not take the form of another new smartphone: The Taiwanese company is reportedly working with Chinese government officials to build a mobile OS that includes "deep integration" with China-specific services like Weibo, aimed specifically at the Chinese market. The project could see the new mobile OS launch before year's end, according to the… Read More
Philippines Telco Rolls Up Six Messaging Apps — Including Facebook Messenger & WhatsApp — Into One Unlimited Access Data Bundle
Philippines carrier Globe Telecom is extending a previous unlimited access bundle it began offering last July, with Viber, to include five more messaging services: Facebook Messenger, Kakao Talk, WhatsApp, WeChat and Line. Many carriers in emerging markets offer bundled access to one or two core mobile messaging players, but it's interesting to see a telco offer access to so many OTT… Read More


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The New York Jets announced Monday that they have released wide receivers Chris Duncan, Lawrence Hamilton & Muneer Moore, and also waived running back-kick returner Keith Burnell who was signed last week.
The team will practice at 3:30 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. All three practices are open to the public. Camp will break Thursday before the Jets play their city rivals Friday night. Kickoff for the home game versus the Giants is scheduled for 7:00 pm.


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楊丞琳 (Rainie Yang) — 天使之翼 (Angel Wings)
Such a beautiful way to convey the message that love is simply love, regardless of orientation and opposition, and that we all suffer and struggle for the sake of being with that one person.
楊丞琳 (Rainie Yang) — 天使之翼 (Angel Wings)
Such a beautiful way to convey the message that love is simply love, regardless of orientation and opposition, and that we all suffer and struggle for the sake of being with that one person.
Lov3 - Vanness Wu
Marry Me - Vanness Wu
(Source: taiwanesefanatic)
Different Man - Vanness Wu
King Flower starring Nikki Hseih, James Wen, Chris Wu
還我 - S.H.E. (full version)
Taiwanese diva A-Mei held her AMeiZing Live World Tour at Kaohsiung, Taiwan last night, accomplishing the feat of being the first Chinese singer to throw a concert at the Kaohsiung World Games Main Stadium.
Despite an NT$83.9 million (S$3.52 million) set-up, which consists of a four-storey tall rainbow hot balloon, a hundred-metre mobile stage, two additional sets of costumes apart from those from her previous shows, more than 50 songs performed and 45,000 fans in the arena, the media focused primarily on her weight issues.
'Today's performance is different from usual," the 40-year-old lamented. "Many cameras and pens are pointing at me. No matter how well I sang and performed, the focus will still be on my figure.'
Although the songstress shared that she has been cycling religiously to shed some pounds, she poked fun at herself, saying, 'I'm sorry if you want me to be stick-thin. A-Mei can only be a singer and not a model.'
In related news, nearly 1000 people reportedly asked for refunds of their tickets due to the inferior sound system at the concert. The organizer clarified regarding this, 'We have yet to receive any feedback of such at the moment.'
Zodiac - Wang Leehom
Men's Uno
Vic Zhou hints at F4 reunion
Taiwanese boy band F4, consisting of members Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu and Vic Zhou, rose to fame after filming Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden in 2001. They became a popular figure in Asia and have released three albums, which include popular tracks "Meteor Rain" and the Mandarin cover of "Can't Help Falling in Love".
In 2008, the boys became preoccupied with their solo careers in acting and music, thus reducing group work assignments.
While in China to promote his new drama, Home, Vic commented that the story revolves intensively around "bromance".
Touched by his own character in Home, Vic said, "It makes me reminisce on the days with the F4 members."
Vic also added that they would contact and update each other often, while hinting that F4 would "reunite at the right time".
When asked if the 31-year-old is still willing to take on idol dramas, he answered, "I won't deliberately avoid [acting in idol dramas]. Acting is a lifelong journey."
獅子需要梯子 - Yen J
Let Me Touch That (Demo) - Nick Chou
吾在場證明 - Yen J


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More shoes drop for Chinese author who made up peer reviewer addresses
Last month, we brought you the story of Guang-Zhi He of the Guiyang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, an enterprising fellow who got caught faking the email addresses of potential peer reviewers. At the time, Elsevier, who published journals where He published, told us there would be several retractions other than the one we reported on.
Three of those have appeared, in the same journal, Experimental Parasitology, and saying the same thing:
This article has been retracted as the author fabricated information during the review process to obtain a favorable review. As such this article represents a severe abuse of the scientific publishing system. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process.
The retracted papers are
- Evaluation of the efficacy of a recombinant Entamoeba histolytica cysteine proteinase (EhCP112) antigen in minipig
- Evaluation of the efficacy of a recombinant Entamoeba histolytica cysteine proteinase gene (EhCP5) antigen in Minipig
- Cloning, expression and evaluation of the efficacy of a recombinant Entamoeba histolytica cysteine proteinase (EhCP4) antigen in minipig
The fake email address approach may not quite be a trend yet, but this retraction comes on the heels of our post Friday about a South Korean scientist who faked reviewer emails so he could pass judgment on his own papers.
5 Responses
It is good to see that Elsevier is so strict in dealing with "a severe abuse of the scientific publishing system" like faking the email addresses of potential peer reviewers.
It will be even better if Elsevier can demonstrate consistency with their policy that: "One of the conditions of submission of a paper for publication is that authors declare explicitly that their work is original and has not appeared in a publication elsewhere. The re-use of material, without appropriate reference, even if not known to the authors at the time of submission, breaches our publishing policies" and retracts such papers promptly, as the abuse of the scientific publishing system is MUCH GREATER in these cases.
In reply to chirality , August 29, 2012 at 8:18 am
RE: DIY reviews
YES! Totally agree with your proposal that "The manuscript should be sent to a legit reviewer and if he or she leans towards publication, the paper should stay." and that "the author should be made to answer for the misconduct he perpetrated."
RE: 24,678 or 24,680
Let's kick-off the contest with something really special.
I nominate the paper below for three categories:
(i) DIY review
(ii) Duplication publications
(iii) Copyright irregularities
Paper: "What we mean by social determinants of health"
Author: Vicente Navarro
According to PubMed website the above paper appears twice, but with different PMIDs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=What%20we%20mean%20by%20social%20determinants%20of%20health :
What we mean by social determinants of health. Navarro V, Int J Health Serv. (2009)
PMID: 19771949 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
What we mean by social determinants of health. Navarro V, Glob Health Promot. (2009)
PMID: 19276329 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Arguments for the above nomination:
(i) DIY review:
Vicente Navarro is Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Health Services (IJHS).
(ii) Duplication publications
The entire text of the paper (i.e. 100%) appears also in Global Health Promotion (GHP).
Please note that the paper has been cited many times and some authors prefer to cite GPH's publication (which is the earlier), while most prefer to cite IJHS's publication (which is the later).
(iii) Copyright irregularities
Both journals: IJHS and GHP claim simultaneously copyright on the very same material?!?
I'll leave to somebody else all the glory for revealing precisely how many DIY reviews Vicente Navarro has in his journal IJHS.


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Fall 2012 Faith-Based Leadership Certificate Program
Money Matters: Financial management for effective service.
How do you ensure the necessary resources to meet the mission of your faith-based organization? This course will explore tools to enhance your congregation's stewardship and giving, the components of a capital campaign, and good checks and balances to maintain transparency and safety. Accounting practices for congregations will be explored, and ethical and legal/tax issues will be covered.
Instructor: TBA
Meets: October 30, November 6, 13, & 20, 2012
10/23/2014EDP: Seminar #1 - Leadership, Beyond Management
10/27/2014FORUM: Tres Vidas
10/29/2014NICNE October Leadership Cafe
10/29/2014FORUM: The Special Consensus Bluegrass Band
10/30/2014EDP: Seminar #2 - Communication for Leaders
10/20/2014Stephen King's works focus of book co-authored by RU professor Michael A. Perry
10/15/2014'Ultra-Deep Field' art exhibit to open October 20 at Rockford University
10/6/2014Students invited to explore Rockford University on October 13 Visit Day
10/6/2014Rockford University welcomes area high school students to annual Entrepreneurship Day
10/6/2014Rockford University announces creation of Puri Business School