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Reports: Hanley Ramirez bolts Dodgers for lucrative contact with Boston Red Sox
The Dodgers and Hanley Ramirez have officially moved on from each other. Ramirez agreed to terms on a four-year, $88 million contract with the Boston Red Sox with a vesting option for the 2019 season, according to multiple reports Monday.
Reports: Hanley Ramirez will sign with Boston Red Sox
As reports surface that Hanley Ramirez is expected to sign with the Boston Red Sox as early as Monday, here's the background behind possible move for the Dodgers shortstop. Ramirez was not expected to return to Los Angeles in 2015.
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire reliever Joel Peralta from Tampa Bay Rays
Reliever Joel Peralta was acquired by the Dodgers from the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a four-player trade. The deal is the first major move for the Dodgers since Andrew Friedman left the Rays to become president of baseball operations.
Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Darnell Sweeney just looking to fit in
GLENDALE, Ariz. — If hitting is timing, and if pitching is the disruption of timing, then hitting good pitching in front of your new bosses is perfect timing. Darnell Sweeney wasn't sure just how many Dodger executives were at Camelback Ranch last week at the Arizona Fall League.
The Bard of baseball ops: Josh Byrnes brings unique voice to Dodgers
Two economics majors and an English major walked into the Dodgers' front office. The English major said — well, this is about to become a recurring question when personnel decisions are at stake.
Gabe Kapler, new Dodgers director of player developement, plans on asking many questions
Gabe Kapler, the Dodgers' new director of player development, has some ideas. Yeah. And Clayton Kershaw has some awards. Kapler's unusual career path has taken him from being a 57th-round draft pick out of Moorpark College to playing in the major leagues, managing a minor-league team, back to playing, then to writing and broadcasting.
Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout only 11th duo to win MVPs in same local market
Call it the So Cal Sweep. Clayton Kershaw and Mike Trout became only the 11th pair in Major League Baseball history to win most valuable player awards in the same local market. Kershaw, one day after winning his third National league Cy Young award in four seasons, became the 11th MVP in Dodgers history.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw got just what he deserved
The headline will be "Clayton Kershaw Wins MVP," although it should be "Media Gets Something Right." That is far more unexpected and newsworthy. Kershaw followed up his unanimous Cy Young Award with a National League MVP on Thursday, becoming the first in the low-mound era to win it.
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw wins historic National League MVP award
Clayton Kershaw isn't just the best pitcher in baseball anymore. The Dodgers pitcher was named the National League's Most Valuable Player on Thursday, a historically rare feat for the 26-year-old left-hander.
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw wants no part in MVP decision process
If any current pitcher can win an MVP award, it's Clayton Kershaw. The question is, can a pitcher win an MVP award? The world will find out today, when baseball's ultimate individual award is revealed.
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw a unanimous choice for his third National League Cy Young Award
The Dodgers' front office underwent a major change in October. They have a new president of baseball operations, general manager, senior vice president, scouting director and farm director. They did not change managers or pitching coaches, and recently GM Farhan Zaidi gave a vote of confidence to starting catcher A.
Hanley Ramirez rejects Dodgers' qualifying offer, making him a free agent
Hanley Ramirez did not accept the Dodgers' qualifying offer by the Monday afternoon deadline, making him a free agent. Ramirez was not expected to take the qualifying offer, a one-year $15.
All 12 MLB free agents turn down qualifying offers
NEW YORK — For the third straight year, baseball's free agents shunned qualifying offers from their former teams and chose to test the market. All 12 free agents who were given the $15.
Dodgers add Gabe Kapler, Billy Gasparino to front-office roles
In Gabe Kapler, their new director of player development, the Dodgers stayed local. Kapler attended Taft High School in Woodland Hills before earning a scholarship to Cal State Fullerton, where he played one season before transferring to Moorpark College.
L.A. Dodgers' Yasiel Puig embraces trip to Japan for upcoming MLB goodwill tour
Konichiwa, Yasiel Puig-san. The so-called Wild Stallion is about to be unleashed onto Japan as part of Major League Baseball's latest goodwill tour to the country for the Japanese All-Star Series.
Dodgers hire Farhan Zaidi, Josh Byrnes to cement front office leadership
The Dodgers announced the hires of general manager Farhan Zaidi and senior vice president, baseball operations Josh Byrnes on Thursday. The announcement, which had been in the works for several days, provides some clarity as to how the front office will be structured under Stan Kasten and Andrew Friedman.
Dodgers' front office undergoes large overhaul in short order
Dodgers president Stan Kasten has been a baseball executive for 25 seasons. He oversaw a massive offseason turnover in 2009, when he was the Washington Nationals' president. That year he hired eight men into his front office, plus a new manager.
Farhan Zaidi, the Dodgers' next GM, is met with a familiar skepticism
In many ways, the Dodgers will not be treading new ground when Farhan Zaidi is announced as their new general manager this week. There have been younger general managers in baseball. The Texas Rangers' Jon Daniels, the Chicago Cubs' Theo Epstein, and current Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman were all 28 when they got their first GM jobs.
Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez , Zack Greinke win Gold Glove awards
Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said that Zack Greinke positions the infielders himself when he's on the mound. That might not be the case in 2015, if Andrew Friedman's defensive data holds more sway over infield alignment than any pitcher or coach.
Source: Dodgers choose Farhan Zaidi as their next general manager
The Dodgers will name Oakland A's assistant general manager Farhan Zaidi their next general manager, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed Tuesday night. Former San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes is also expected to be appointed to a front-office role when the official announcement is made.
Hanley Ramirez receives qualifying offer from Dodgers
Andrew Friedman's first major decision as the Dodgers' president of baseball operations followed conventional baseball logic. Typically, a 30-year-old power hitter usually has no trouble finding a lucrative multi-year contract offer as a free agent.
Los Angeles area sports TV contracts for Dodgers, Angels, Lakers, Clippers
Contract value per year, expiration date, affiliate Clippers $20 million 2015-16 Prime Ticket Lakers $200 million 2034-35 Time Warner Cable SportsNet Dodgers $340 million 2038 SportsNet LA Angels $150 million 2032 Fox Sports West Kings $20 million 2023-24 Fox Sports West
After Dodgers' TV fiasco and Lakers' struggle, will Steve Ballmer lead Clippers into new era of sports media?
There may be nobody better suited to lead sports television into a new era than a former Microsoft CEO who seems to live by a motto of "hard-core energy." Though he may not relish being saddled with the responsibility,
Dodgers pitcher Dan Haren undergoes arthroscopic surgery on his non-throwing shoulder
Dan Haren underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder Wednesday morning in a procedure performed by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers announced. The 30-minute procedure was to clean out bursitis and the AC joint.
Beating victim Bryan Stow doesn't have to pay ex-Dodgers owner Frank McCourt $400,000 in legal fees
Attorneys for Bryan Stow and Frank McCourt reached an agreement Wednesday that averts the possibility that the San Francisco Giants fan beaten outside Dodger Stadium three years ago might have had to pay up to $400,000 in trial costs to the former Dodgers owner.
Dodgers exec Andrew Friedman says Don Mattingly's job is safe, will hire general manager
The Dodgers are in the market for a new general manager but not a manager. As the future of the organization is concerned, those were the main takeaways from Andrew Friedman's first press conference as the Dodgers' President of Baseball Operations on Friday.
Dodgers' general manager search is on, but Andrew Friedman offers few details
Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez crashed Andrew Friedman's first press conference at Dodger Stadium. "Are you looking to acquire a younger, faster first baseman?" he asked.
Under new executive Andrew Friedman, Dodgers prepare for a brave new world
When Fred Claire became the Dodgers' general manager in April 1987, he inherited a farm director, William Schweppe, and a scouting director, Ben Wade, who had been with the team in some capacity since it moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn.
Dodgers hire Andrew Friedman as president, name Ned Colletti senior advisor
Dodgers president Stan Kasten said he didn't begin negotiations to hire Andrew Friedman, the longtime Tampa Bay Rays general manager, until recently.
Joe Maddon praises new Dodgers exec Andrew Friedman after years of success with Tampa Bay
In search of more wins, the Dodgers have settled on more ties. They booted general manager Ned Colletti sideways, as a "senior advisor" to President/CEO Stan Kasten. They created the position of President, Baseball Operations for Andrew Friedman, the general manager at Tampa Bay.
Five reasons why the Dodgers replaced Ned Colletti
1. The players' performances regressed and someone had to pay. It's always easier to fire a coach, manager or executive than it is to dismantle a $240 million roster. Clayton Kershaw lost twice in a four-game series.
Los Angeles Dodgers GMs through the years
Here's a list of Dodgers general managers since the team moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn in 1958: 1958-68 Buzzie Bavasi (Four National League pennants, three World Series titles) 1968 Fresco Thompson 1969-87 Al Campanis (Six National League West titles, four National League pennants, one World Series title) 1987-98 Fred Claire (Three National League West titles, one National League pennant, one World Series title) 1998 Tommy Lasorda (interim) 1999-2001 Kevin Malone 2001 Dave Wallace (interim) 2002-03 Dan Evans
Los Angeles Dodgers land Andrew Friedman — and it puts Don Mattingly on the hot seat
One down, one more to go? One in, another one on the way? And if connecting the dots is your thing, how can you not pull out a black marker and draw a direct line from Andrew Friedman to Joe Maddon right about now? In other words, if you're Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, that seat you sit on just got a whole lot warmer.
It's Out of the Question: A short stop for Dodgers, Angels in playoffs may be out of their control
How is it again that the Dodgers and Angels came up short? Short story shorter, they both got shorted. Like a couple of key episodes deleted from a full season of "House of Cards." Like an ace and extra-inning jack missing from a Royal flush.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Don Mattingly puts onus on GM Ned Colletti in assessing team's early playoff exit
Don Mattingly's final press conference of 2014 was everything his final act of 2013 was not. In a casual setting surrounded by a group of reporters Thursday, the Dodgers manager spoke with confidence.
Los Angeles Dodgers devastated after early playoffs exit
ST. LOUIS — Andre Ethier called it "sickening." A.J. Ellis, "devastating." Choose your adjective, the Dodgers didn't take another season-ending loss in St.
Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in quite a dilemma
Albert Pujols officially left St. Louis on Dec. 6, 2011. There were no torched jerseys, no midnight vigils. Cardinals' fans were still high on a World Series title. A season-ticket holder named Jeff Schmitt sat at Mike Shannon's restaurant that day and said, "Sure, we're sad, but what more could he have given us? We're losing a good man, but no man is bigger than the franchise.
Yasiel Puig benched for Game 4 of NLDS
Yasiel Puig is not in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the NLDS vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. Andre Ethier will take his spot and bat sixth. See lineups here.
Dodgers join Angels in an unhappy ending
ST. LOUIS >> You know, the Dodgers and Angels can still play. There's nothing on their schedule. Time Warner Cable needs the programming. They can still get together, maybe on that old military base in Tustin, where Arte Moreno wants to move the Angels.
NLDS: St. Louis Cardinals end Dodgers' season as Clayton Kershaw falters again
ST. LOUIS — Another season ended for the Dodgers on Tuesday with another new villain to consume their nightmares. The calendar flips, the faces change, but the uniform remains the same. In Los Angeles, this is known as the Cardinal Way.
Five reasons the Dodgers can win Game 4 of the NLDS
The Dodgers face elimination today in Game 4 of the NLDS. With the Dodgers trailing 2 games to 1, Game 4 is at 2:07 p.m. (West Coast) on FS1. Here are five reasons the Dodgers aren't done. 1.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. St. Louis Cardinals: Game 4 live updates
Live updates and commentary from Los Angeles News Group staff writers J.P. Hoornstra and Mark Whicker, from the Los Angeles Dodgers' NLDS Game 4 vs. the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014.
Yasiel Puig has no issues with not starting Game 4 for Los Angeles Dodgers
ST. LOUIS >> Yasiel Puig admitted Tuesday that he had been pressing. Maybe Dodgers manager Don Mattingly recognized that, or maybe he recognized a bad matchup from far away. Maybe both. Whatever the exact reasons, Mattingly decided that benching Puig and giving Andre Ethier his first start in center field since August gave the Dodgers their "best chance to win" Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
St. Louis Cardinals end another postseason for Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
ST. LOUIS >> Another season ended for the Dodgers on Tuesday with another new villain to consume their nightmares. The calendar flips, the faces change, but the uniform remains the same. This is what they call the "Cardinal Way" in Chavez Ravine.
Will Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke be enough for Dodgers?
ST. LOUIS >> It still looks like St. Louis, even with the 8-year-old ballpark and the flashy developments around it, but it feels like Waterloo. The Dodgers tonight play yet another win-or-die game against the one team that mocks their modus operandi.
Dodgers will hand the ball to Clayton Kershaw for Game 4
ST. LOUIS >> After the last game Clayton Kershaw pitched for the Dodgers, he openly wondered if it would be his final game of the season. He had just been handed the worst defeat of his career, allowing eight runs in seven innings in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Cardinals vs. Dodgers: NLDS Game 3 live updates
Live updates and commentary from Los Angeles News Group staff writers J.P. Hoornstra and Mark Whicker, and the teams, from the Los Angeles Dodgers' NLDS Game 3 vs. the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, Oct.
Dodgers get no relief in St. Louis, lose 3-1 in Game 3 of NLDS
ST. LOUIS >> Surrounded by reporters, Matt Kemp didn't want to repeat what he said to home plate umpire Dale Scott at the end of Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Monday.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, John Lackey will start Game 3 of NLDS on the basis of trust
ST. LOUIS — Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu and St. Louis Cardinals right-hander John Lackey arrived at their Game 3 starting assignments on the basis of trust. The Cardinals trust that Lackey's postseason experience — 19 games' worth — means more than his pedestrian post-trade deadline record this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Dan Haren prepared to pitch in relief in Game 3 or start Game 4
ST. LOUIS — Dodgers manager Don Mattingly's pitching plans for the National League Division Series are anything but straightforward. Dan Haren is listed as the Dodgers' starting pitcher for Game 4, but he's also going to be prepared to pitch in Game 3 on Monday if a long reliever is needed.


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Silverchair Ana's Song (Open Fire) Lyrics
Last updated: 07/07/2014 03:40:06 PM
Please die, Ana
For as long as you're here, We're not
You make the sound of laughter
And sharpened nails seem softer
And I need you now, somehow
And I need you now, somehow
Open fire
On my needs designed
On my knees for you
Open fire
On my knees desires
What I need from you
Imagine pageant
In my head
The flesh seems thicker
Sandpaper tears corrode the film
And I need you now, somehow
And I need you now, somehow
Open fire
On my needs designed
On my knees for you
Open fire
On my knees desires
What I need from you
And you're my obsession
I love you to the bones
And Ana wrecks your life
Like an anorexia life
Open fire
On my needs designed
On my knees for you
Open fire
On my knees desires
What I need from you
Open fire
On my knees desire
Open fire
On my needs designed
On my knees for you
Thanks to Sar for submitting Ana's Song (Open Fire) Lyrics.
totally agree | Reviewer: sv | 7/7/14
With all comments. Daniel is a genious a beautiful human being. The way he describe all the suffer he went throught is just incredible.
My respect for this great artist.
Question | Reviewer: Ariel | 6/26/12
Can someone tell me -'cause i don't speak english- what is he saying when he use the word "designed", and when he say "and i need you/what i need from you" what could he need from anorexia? Or is he singing about a girl too?
Thank you.
No one. | Reviewer: Anonymous | 10/13/11
Sirieus.. I love this song so damn much!
It is really hard to listin to the lyrics 'cause i had anorexic my self but he discibes it so percect.
I just love the song
(and i am sorry if my english is baaaaad)
Beautiful | Reviewer: Jelena | 9/12/11
This song brings me to tears every time I listen to it. It hurts to know that a beautiful person like Daniel went through anorexia. He's such a strong person and this song says it all. He brings hope to people suffering from anorexia.
Genius | Reviewer: Anonymous | 3/2/10
And you're my obsession
I love you to the bones
And Ana wrecks your life
Like an anorexia life
Those four lines are pure genius. Daniel Johns is a musical genius. The four chords at the start have so much emotion in them, and the way he sings it is beautiful.
ana's song | Reviewer: Mary | 10/4/08
To me, this song is just plain genius. I never know this song is related to anorexia. But he commits so much feeling to this song when he sings. I can almost feel pain and anguish. Very brilliant song. He has a heart-melt voice and simply makes this song alive.
Wow | Reviewer: Sharon | 11/7/07
I cant believe that he had anorexia. Nothing compares to that. I just started listening to this band,and the first time I heard this song I started crying....gosh I don't even know what to say. This song is so awesome.
beautiful. | Reviewer: anonymous. | 11/5/07
thankyou, silverchair.
its hard to find a song about eating disorders, everythings about heartbreak instead.
anorexia/bulimia is just as heartbreaking.
Waltz Moore - From First To Last
.... | Reviewer: .... | 6/3/07
i think this song can be also related to the people that suffer bulimia, and all type of eating desorders. its a real and emotional song... daniel johns is awesome!
This is going to sound stupid... | Reviewer: David | 5/25/07
But I had no idea this song was about anorexia. Absolutely beautiful song though, very well written. Evokes emotions like you wouldn't believe! Love it!
loves it. | Reviewer: I love greentea | 4/2/07
This song and others like it (paperbag-fiona apple) are what get me through the day. This disease sucks but music like this makes me feel more connected to others going throught the same thing. it's kinda like the first time I got my heartbroken. All those songs about heartbreak made it easier cause I knew there were other people all over feeling the same thing.
love it | Reviewer: Jenn | 3/23/07
this is the best song ever written. its just such a powerful song
anyone whos had ed can relate to this
i love it.
10/10! | Reviewer: Anonymous | 2/20/07
i love this song!
it makes me cry and remember my anorectic days. i kinda want them back because its still a bit of a obsession to me but this song remembers me, that it can control you make you lose yourself...
thank you silverchair for this great song!
even though many people may not understand it...
and it's so easy to play on the guitar! but still amazing!
outstanding | Reviewer: Kylie Jones | 1/30/07
I love this song. It really brings things home like so many others have said before. This song hits home for me and I'm sure many others. I love being able to listen to this song because it so powerful and strong and I dont feel so alone.
We Need More Of This!! | Reviewer: Anonymous | 1/1/07
This song is the most beautiful, emotive, poignant, realistic anorexic song that I have ever heard, and suffering from the disease it means so much to be able to listen to this song. The power in his voice makes you feel like you're not alone, and lyrically I just love it. I can relate totally to 'I love you to the bones' and that's really clever. Also how he refers to anorexia as ana, as a lot of us do and says ana wrecks your life, then 'like an anorexic life' and how you can hear ana wrecks your life if you drag out anorexic life. rex soudns like wrecks...and a lot of people get the lyrics in the second verse wrong, did it myself the first time too, although it sounds like film, it's actually filth, film doesn't even make sense. It's a (well obliviously) reference to being anorexic how you're like sandpaper, and I guess you could interpret filth (well I like to) as how you feel, because there is a lot of self-hate and pain involved. I guess if you wanna get ''deeper'' you could say that ana ''washes'' that away, because tears physically wet your skin, and it's a if you wanna say like a release. I love this song so much, and not getting into whether or not I am 'for' or against proana, even if I was I hate when this song is used as a proana song, because its not. Even with popular lyrics such as Fionna apple 'starving hurts but hunger works' in that she also shows an obsession, but one in which she's carrying out. This song is different in the sense that it's screaming I want this to stop. This song gives me such strength, and I think Daniel is not only brilliant because I know how terrible it is, but because he represents something we don't see much of in this world, unlike the people who flaunt anorexia around. We need more people like him. This song buts you to shame, there's such angst and pain in his voice. 10/10 for the most emotional heart-breaking brilliant song written yet by silverchair.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Speed Zapper is aiming at Military Avenue with a tragic history that has failed to slow the speeders.
It's clearly marked with a speed limit of 35 miles-per-hour as it runs downhill through a residential area.
Leah Derry has two kids she keeps very close when they're outside. She says many drivers aren't as careful.
The stretch of road in question is dangerous. Fifteen-years-ago Freddie Kellum Jr. crossed the street to go to the park. He was hit by a car and killed.
As a result, the city installed a stoplight to make things safer.
"But when the stoplight is not in use, there's no one passing," Leah said. "People fly by."
The stretch of road on our radar was in a work zone when we set up the Speed Zapper and we still found a record-setter out there, registering 67 miles-per-hour in a 35 zone.
Military runs right along St. Bernard's Catholic School and the speeds are alarming to principal Mark Zulkoski.
"We're sending reminders to parents and neighbors about trying to adhere to the speed limits because sometimes we do have kids that don't quite follow the rules and cross where they shouldn't cross," he said.
The average speed we clocked was 36. The highest was that 67, nearly twice the speed limit.


text: Babies are sweet gum boxes baby shower favors will be the delight of your party. And if for some reason you or your baby shower guests needed a reminder of how sweet babies are, here's one that fits neatly in your pocket or handbag. These white paper boxes come filled with gum in various colors. They can be securely re-closed, and after the included gum has been used up, the box can be refilled. Choose your label design and personalize it with your own message at no extra cost. Whatever you add to presentation of the box, its intrinsic message remains: Babies are sweet, just like this gum.


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The Legislative Council approved the transfer of $29,000 from contingency to contractual services last month to cover cleanup costs for private property at 31 Great Hill Road. A 3,400-square-foot home there was destroyed by fire, June 24, 2011. Neighbors have complained for three years about the unsightly mess, saying it attracts vermin, wildlife, and poses a safety hazard because of an uncovered and rain-filled swimming pool on the property. Demolition was completed last week.
There is a certain subset of Newtown inhabitants who don't need signs or maps to identify Church Hill Road. They see the churches from stone steps to spires, and their own heart rates and respiration tell them it is a hill. They are sidewalk walkers. We see them every day from our office perch on the eastern slope of Church Hill within earshot of the snap of the town's famous flag — just below where the sidewalk ends. Unfortunately, it is not the magical and poetic place made famous in every child's imagination by Shel Silverstein.
To the Editor:
After many, many hours of work by Legislative Council Ordinance Chair Ryan Knapp and his colleagues, several information forums on the proposal, and a sparsely attended public hearing, the full council unanimously approved an upgraded senior tax relief program May 7.
To the Editor:
To the Editor:
After reading The Bee's coverage of my attendance and comments on the Board of Education budget at the April 2 Legislative Council Meeting, I must respond and clarify.
To the Editor:
On April 2nd, the Legislative Council unanimously approved the budget put forth for our consideration by the Board of Finance. This budget represents a zero tax increase while taking into account the need for a solid school security plan, proper coverage of our health insurance funds, money to repair our roads as well as a reduction in staffing in our schools in response to declining enrollment.
Please join us on Tuesday, April 22nd, and vote yes at the Middle School on Queen Street from 6 am – 8pm.
It may have been one of the shortest budget public hearings the Legislative Council has hosted, but its four participants brought the same degree of passion and advocacy for the school district budget proposal as dozens have in previous years.
The four residents, plus Interim Superintendent John Reed, spent a total of about ten minutes Wednesday evening relating their support for the district's spending plan, and calling for the council to move the budget request to referendum with no further reductions.
To the Editor:
A piece last week in The Newtown Bee centered on prevailing wage laws applicable to public construction in Connecticut. ["Town Attorney Reviews Prevailing Wage Implications With Council."] Unfortunately, Newtown Town Attorney David Grogins' attempts to educate town officials on the subject was incomplete and, in part, wrong.
The Legislative Council is in the preliminary stages of initiating a new charter review process.
Council Chair Mary Ann Jacob reported to her colleagues February 19 that she is issuing a letter to all town boards, commissions, and departments soliciting input regarding issues in Newtown's constitutional document that may need to be revised, amended, or struck, as well as any issues that need to be considered for addition.


text:
@CottonJones Saw the title and author and thought how can this not ba amazing, and man, I was not disappointed!! Thanks for sharing.
~ Takes one to know one! ;~) Well that and you write such consistantly good poetry to read! ;~)) Happy 4th my friend!
Cleverly done Olan. I rather like these. If you're still having problems with the notification try sending Wattpad a message.
A slice of wisdom presented through clarity of windows...;~) food for the mind and spirit offered here...nicely penned my friend!
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In association with
By Andy Downes -
New bikes
20 February 2014 11:24
As exclusively revealed by MCN more than five weeks ago, Lotus has taken the covers off the new motorcycle it will produce as a road bike and go on sale within months.
MCN got hold of leaked images over a month ago and revealed the plans for a road-legal motorcycle were way ahead of where many expected. The German-owned company Kodewa which has a licence to run the Lotus name has now officially revealed the final styling of the bike and technical details for the first time.
We can see the engine is a 1195cc V-twin from KTM's RC8R superbike with a claimed 200bhp and dry weight of 180kg.
Lotus Motorcycles states: "The C-01 combines ample power via a V-twin engine with a distinctive body designed by Daniel Simon integrating carbon fibre, titanium and aerospace quality steel.
"The C-01 motorcycle is not designed, engineered or produced by Group Lotus plc but is the result of a collaboration between motorsport veterans under the leadership of Kodewa, led by Dr Colin Kolles. The development on the C-01 was carried out with the support of Holzer Group (co-owners of Kalex) and design guru Daniel Simon.
"Drawing on their wealth of motorsport experience, the team of engineers has designed a unique high performance superbike.
"The C-01 will be available in a range of liveries some of which pay homage to Lotus' sporting pedigree. A customisation service is also available, limited only by the imagination of the client. With an exclusive production run of just 100 units, superbike collectors and fans of the Lotus brand will need to move fast to secure one."
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Who's it meant for ?
Apart from Batman who which market is this intended for ?
Ultra cool designs like this might be ground breaking but they're as practical as a chocolate fireguard.
02 March 2014 14:55
bit early this isn't it - stuff like this usually surfaces on April 1st.....
28 February 2014 18:36
I hope they make this.
It might just be a digital concept that never sees the light of day but its stunning to look at.
26 February 2014 16:27
It's like the Norton Nemesis all over again.
26 February 2014 12:06
'Lotus' 'bike'
Just to put this into perspective and to understand how 'developed' this is as a real machine, have a look at the website of the designer (Daniel Simon) http://danielsimon.com/ where it is quite clear that all his stuff is airbrushed art for comic books and Hollywood mock ups.
Although he has done the livery for a few real cars in his time and he does sell a nice T-shirt.
No wonder "The C-01 motorcycle is not designed, engineered or produced by Group Lotus plc"
I'm more than a tad disappointed at MCN taking the bait without proper questioning on spec and reality.
Too busy falling for the 'exclusive' story without letting the facts get in the way?
"Lotus has taken the covers off the new motorcycle it will produce as a road bike and go on sale within months."
Here's what Daniel's website says about his work:
"...he focuses his acclaimed style on creating iconic fantasy vehicles for Hollywood blockbuster films such as Tron: Legacy, Captain America: The First Avenger, Prometheus, and Oblivion. He also offers automotive-design services, lectures, and works on his own vehicle-centered fantasy worlds, available as books: Cosmic Motors™ and The Timeless Racer®."
Have you spotted the word 'fantasy' in there?
Bit sad really....
26 February 2014 11:34
Save money by comparing quotes. It's quick and easy
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FORT WAYNE – Fort Wayne's Air National Guard base received mostly high marks during an inspection conducted over the past several days by Air Force inspectors.
Master Sgt. Darin Hubble said Wednesday that the 122nd Fighter Wing was reviewed in four categories and received two outstanding ratings, one excellent and one satisfactory rating.
We did well, said Hubble, public affairs superintendent at the base.
He said the satisfactory rating was related to civil engineering but that shortcomings have already been mostly rectified.
That's the beauty of the inspection – the opportunity for us to grow and get better by having someone outside look at our processes, he said.
Nearly 70 inspectors had been at the Ferguson Road base since April 11. They examined the fighter wing's performance in the flying, maintenance, support and administration of its squadron of 20 combat jets. The 122nd Fighter Wing received praise Wednesday from the Air National Guard director during a Capitol Hill hearing of a Senate Appropriations subcommittee.
Col. (David) Augustine leads a great group of airmen there at Fort Wayne, Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke told the Defense Subcommittee.
Clarke was responding to a question from Sen. Dan Coats, R-Ind., who wondered about prospects for replacing Fort Wayne's A-10 jets with F-35 Joint Strike Fighters that are under development.
In video provided by Coats' office, Clarke said the A-10 is one of my personal favorites and that he grew up in the Air Force flying the A-10s. However, they're getting old. They are legacy fighters.
The Air Force has used A-10s since the 1970s. Clarke said replacing them and other combat planes with F-35s should be in full flow in 2020.
Bases will be chosen to fly F-35s according to many criteria, he said, including their location, existing facilities, environmental studies and personnel.


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November 28, 2014
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Former state Sen. Rosalind Kurita has lost a federal appeal of her ouster as the Democratic nominee in her 2008 bid for re-election to the Tennessee General Assembly.
The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday upheld a federal judge's refusal to reinstate Kurita to the ballot after Democratic officials declared her 19-vote primary win as "incurably uncertain."
The legal team for Kurita's primary opponent and successor, Tim Barnes, argued that there had been heavy Republican crossover voting and alleged that poll workers directed his supporters to vote in the wrong primary.
Democrats were angry with Kurita after casting a key vote in favor of Sen. Ron Ramsey in the Republican's 2007 election as Senate speaker.
Kurita is now a health policy adviser in Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's administration.
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Meryl Streep
Serving up a tasty appetizer ahead of its December 25th release, "Into the Woods" just dropped a new teaser trailer for all to enjoy.
The Walt Disney Pictures production stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick and Lilla Crawford, all under the direction of Rob Marshall.
With just over two months until its theatrical release, Disney has just unveiled twelve new images from "Into the Woods" for all to behold.
The forthcoming fairytale flick is featured in the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly with four different cover versions and the new cache of snapshots.
With "Into The Woods" coming to theaters this Christmas, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick and Lilla Crawford are all featured on four different versions of the Entertainment Weekly cover for October 31st.
The "Pirates of the Caribbean" hunk looks amazing as The Big Bad Wolf, posing next to Crawford's Little Red Riding Hood, while Meryl Streep and MacKenzie Mauzy make a convincing Witch/Rapunzel combo.
One day after the tragic death of beloved actor/comedian Robin Williams, Meryl Streep shared some kind words during her interview on "Today."
Though she was in the house to plug her new movie "The Giver," the "Iron Lady" actress took a moment to talk about her reaction to the loss of the "Dead Poets Society" legend.
Stepping out for an exciting evening, Katie Holmes, Taylor Swift and Brenton Thwaites all showed up at the Big Apple premiere of "The Giver" last night (August 11).
The "Dawson's Creek" cutie got plenty of attention in her flowing pink Zac Posen gown as she worked the arrivals area outside the Ziegfeld Theater along with the "Mean" songstress and the "Maleficent" man.
Bringing the enchanted stage show to the silver screen, "Into the Woods" has finally released the first preview trailer for all to enjoy.
Directed by Rob Marshall, the forthcoming fairytale flick is slated to hit theaters on December 25th, making for quite the Merry Christmas.
There's still a few months before Disney drops "Into The Woods" into theaters, and in the meantime we have a set of still photos as a tasty visual appetizer.
The highly-anticipated flick is a big screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim fairytale-themed musical of the same name and it's currently in the re-shoot phase of production.
The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood was brimming over with beautiful people last night (June 5) as Jane Fonda was honored at the 2014 AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony.
"Desperate Housewives" hottie Eva Longoria was gorgeous in a leggy white getup as she mingled with fellow stars like Michael Douglas, Jeff Daniels and Meryl Streep.
Back in 1994 it was a Newbery Medal-winning novel and now Lois Lowry's "The Giver" has been given the Tinseltown treatment.
The Weinstein Company just unveiled a new teaser trailer for the forthcoming flick, due in theaters on August 15th, 2014.
She received the coveted Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's Monte Cristo Award earlier this week for her outstanding work on the stage and Meryl Streep took a moment to catch up with GossipCenter at the NYC event.
While on the star-studded red carpet, the Oscar-winning actress revealed the keys to her success, stating its thanks to "Luck, [laughs] that's a big one. Stamina, a sense of humor, not taking any of it too seriously and not giving up."
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We introduced you to our sponsor Sweetheart Shout Out a while ago when I went all fangirl over their alien wedding invitation. Well, Sweetheart Shout Out's husband and wife team, Phillip and Tara, have spiffed up their wedding invite biz (new website WOOT!) and have decided to celebrate by unleashing new awesomeness on Offbeat Bride.
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Because they're graphic designers, there's no stopping Phillip and Tara from plucking the thoughts from your brain and turning them into ridiculously awesome wedding invitations. Can't find the right invite for your Labyrinth-themed wedding? Sweetheart Shout Out has already made that magic happen. Or what about capturing the essence of the venue or city in which you're saying your vows? I think they did a bang up job of capturing my hometown of Los Angeles with that pink Sunset Strip wedding invitation.
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With the launch of Sweetheart Shout Out's new website they've also added a ton of awesome tools to help y'all plan your invitations. So check 'em out already!


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Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2013
Tour the 41st annual show house benefiting the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.
Designing for a Cause
This year, 18 designers were selected to redo and put their spin on a room in an Upper East Side townhouse. They had a month to complete the job. Click through to see a few of our favorites.
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Archive for November 12th, 2011
Sad newsPosted in Uncategorized - 12 November 2011 - No comment
Librarian, writer, columnist.
I grew up in China, studied German at universities in China and Germany, ended up living in the United States since 1991. Life is a journey and a mystery. I am still on the journey, learning and growing every day.


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The Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) is the most important World Bank country document. It is tailored to the needs and circumstances of each country and lays down the World Bank Group's development priorities, as well as the level and type of assistance the Bank will provide for a period of three years.
The CAS preparation is a participatory process. Before its adoption, key elements of the strategy are discussed with government representatives; and to ensure the widest possible involvement, public dialogues are also held, with Internet-based discussions taking place in many countries.However, the CAS is not a negotiated document. Any differences between the country's own agenda and the Bank's strategy are highlighted in the CAS document. A progress report is issued in the intervening year. More information is available on the OPCS website.
Country Assistance Strategy for Chad
The World Bank closed its offices in Chad on February 1, 2008, but partially reopened the office as of January 2009 to enable close supervision of the Bank's portfolio of projects directly benefiting the poor. The Bank has not drawn up a Country Assistance Strategy for Chad since 2004-06. An Interim Strategy Note (ISN) is currently in preparation for the remainder of International Development Association (IDA) grants.
Regional Integration Assistance Strategy for Central Africa, 2003 - 2008
Chad receives some Bank assistance through the Regional Integration Assistance Strategy for Central Africa. The regional strategy includes IDA funding for various technical assistance and infrastructure investments, designed to improve trade links and enhance the economic integration of six Central African countries. The region is comprised of Chad, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. While the ultimate goal of poverty reduction remains primarily a national responsibility, the Bank's regional strategy is based on the premise that regional integration can contribute to poverty reduction by:
Strengthening the links between the poorer landlocked countries and their more prosperous coastal neighbors ; and
Helping to establish the basis for faster economic growth.
The strategy includes plans to build new roads and improve existing ones, modernize and integrate the financial sector, and speed up transaction time at the ports and customs. This will facilitate the movement of goods, people, and capital and reduce transaction costs. For more information, please refer to Regional Integration Assistance Strategy for Central Africa (PDF).


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Events for July 27, 2014
ADC Festival of Art + Craft in Advertising and Design
When: From 04/07/2014 to 04/09/2014
Take a trip to world famous Miami Beach for the ADC Festival of Art + Craft in Advertising and Design. North America's only commercial industry festival on the beach will showcase the latest inspired workmanship in advertising, design, photography, and other creative mediums.
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Friday, 05 April 2013 00:00
Terese Keogh of Manhasset High School has been named a "Distinguished Teacher of 2013" by the Harvard Club of Long Island.
"Our awards recognize people who transform the future," explained Dr. Judith Esterquest, a board member of the Long Island Harvard Club. "Dedicated teachers like Mrs. Keogh expend unfathomable amounts of time and energy on our Long Island teens, day after day and year after year. Their efforts inspire students to dream dreams, to work to accomplish those dreams, and to think rigorously about what they want their future to be."
One of a dozen teachers from across Long Island to receive this award — from across the 120 school districts on Long Island — Mrs. Keogh will be honored at the Harvard Club's annual University Relations Lunch on April 7. Following the award ceremony, Harvard professor Dr. Maria Tatar will give a short lecture on "Mythical and Magical: The Resurgence of Fairy Tales in Popular Culture." Renowned for her many books and articles which have elevated the study of fairy tales and folklore into a mainstream academic pursuit, Dr. Tatar chairs the Program in Folklore and Mythology at Harvard University and holds an endowed chair as the John L. Loeb Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures.
Mrs. Keogh, who has spent 13 of her 30-year teaching career at Manhasset, teaches AP and regents physics. Besides coaching the Manhasset Physics Olympics team, Mrs. Keogh spends many additional hours with students and on behalf of students. She has written over 2,000 recommendations for students over her career, supporting their applications to colleges, summer programs and scholarships, and has occasionally sent off as many as 200 letters in a single year. Her undergraduate degree is from New York University.
Nominated by Olivia Henry, a former student who is currently a freshman at Harvard College, Mrs. Keogh was described as "by far the best teacher I had all through high school."
"She had a tremendous impact on me by teaching me lessons in and out of the classroom," explained Ms. Henry, "AP Physics was one of the most challenging science classes in our school, but many students opted to take it, just to have Mrs. Keogh as a teacher."
"Mrs. Keogh always emphasized to her students that learning was not just about grades on tests," Ms. Henry continued, "but about how what we learn can be observed in the real world and how we can use our knowledge beyond the classroom. Mrs. Keogh always went above and beyond in her teaching by offering extra help and always finding interesting examples to get her students involved and enthusiastic about physics."
At the April 7 ceremony, the HCLI will announce the Distinguished Teachers of 2013 who will also receive scholarships for a "Harvard experience" at the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, MA. The scholarships are funded by contributions from Harvard alumni living on Long Island. "These teachers inspire excellence," added Susan Novick, president of the Harvard Club. "We are proud to honor them."
When Superintendent of Schools Charles Cardillo learned of this award, he said, "Mrs. Keogh is the personification of Manhasset High School's philosophy that the combination of high standards and excellent teaching ensures that all students can and will succeed," before adding, "Her upbeat and enthusiastic demeanor, combined with her expertise in physics, creates a wonderful learning environment."
"Mrs. Keogh's engaging presentation and lecture style, combined with her warm, supportive and humorous nature, connects very well with students," Superintendent Cardillo continued, "She successfully responds to student inquiry with challenges, requiring students to reflect upon prior content, or to think more deeply into the topic at hand. Encouraging such higher-level thinking supports the more advanced learners in the class, while still engaging and effectively challenging students across the full spectrum of academic levels."
This year's 14 Distinguished Teacher Award winners were nominated by current Harvard students and then selected by members of the HCLI. This year's award winners teach history, English, math, science, music, and physical education. A few teach at schools that send one or two students to Harvard almost every year; others teach at schools that have sent only a couple in 20 years. These include Baldwin, Elmont, Half Hollow Hills West, Manhasset, Massapequa, Mineola, Northport, Patchogue-Medford, Roslyn, Sewanhaka, Wantagh, and West Islip High Schools, and Southampton Intermediate School.
Prior winners of this award from the Manhasset school district include 2010 award winner Eric Shapiro, who teaches English at the middle school; 2009 award winner Dr. David Dorman, AP History; and 2005 award winner Dr. Joseph D'Angelo, AP English and Gifted & Talented, who was also named an honorary Fellow of the Harvard Club of Long Island and enjoyed a scholarship to attend a program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
"Over the past 20 years, Harvard has accepted students from more than two-thirds of the approximately 120 school districts on Long Island," said Carolyn Hughes, who chairs the HCLI Schools & Scholarships Committee, which ensures every Long Island applicant to Harvard gets a personal alumni interview. "In the past five years, Harvard has accepted students from more than half of these districts, offering admission without regard for financial need. Harvard's generous financial aid program, which provides financial aid for families making up to $180,000, has helped keep it affordable. Because of this reach, we decided to have current Harvard undergraduates nominate the Long Island teachers who had the greatest effect on their lives and the lives of their fellow students." The Harvard Club of Long Island website is www.harvardclubli.com.
This year Harvard College received over 34,000 applications nationally (not quite 700 from Long Island) and will accept under 2,100, that is, about 6 percent. There are approximately 160 undergraduates from Long Island currently at Harvard College.


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NDP accused of trying to stifle conflicts as two more staffers come forward
Curling the way it was originally done on an outdoor rink brings its own...
Kendra Wilkinson has admitted she believes Hank Baskett is "worth fighting...
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A motion to dismiss Police Services Act (PSA) charges against Orangeville police Sgt. Curtis Rutt has been denied.
While Rutt's lawyer, Andrew McKay, had argued the charges were laid outside of a six-month time limitation, PSA hearing officer Morris Elbers disagreed.
"I find the notice of hearing was served within the time period stipulated," Elbers said, while delivering his decision on Friday (Sept. 28).
Rutt was charged on Aug. 8, 2011 with two counts of discreditable conduct and one count of deceit, as well as one count of breach of confidence for interactions with members of the media. The charges stem from the sergeant's request for a Section 25 review of the Orangeville Police Service (OPS), which would probe the service's management and operation.
According to the PSA, charges must be laid within six months of when enough factual information is available to believe misconduct has occurred.
"The process is designed to protect officers from delay in holding a hearing. I hold the same belief," Elbers said.
McKay had argued OPS Chief Joe Tomei had the information required to launch an investigation by, at the latest, Dec. 22, 2010 – weeks after Rutt filed his request for a Section 25 review.
However, Elbers disagreed that the information was available to Tomei.
"There was not a sufficient body of factual information to create a reasonable belief that misconduct occurred," he said.
Elbers explained the information needed to launch an investigation became available following an interview between Sgt. Rutt and the Toronto Star, which was published on on Feb. 4, 2011. Tomei determined the contents of the article might equal misconduct by Feb. 10. The same day, Rutt was served with a notice of investigation.
"It would appear from the information received in the motion material that the media interviews reached a decisive or pivotal point on Feb. 10, 2011," Elbers said.
Tomei had previously sought a third party to investigate the contents of the Section 25 document. While the OPP had declined to conduct the investigation, The Toronto Police Service agreed to lead the probe. The day after Rutt was served with a notice of investigation, Tomei contact Toronto police and advised them to treat the case as a disciplinary investigation.
"I must conclude that the clock was ticking on the date the decision was made to ascertain after the media scrum with the Toronto Star," Elbers said.
Elbers said OPS could not have led the investigation as the Section 25 request falls under the definition of whistleblowing — a practice protected by law.
"The determination could not be left in the hands of the chief as he is one of, or the main principle party, in the Section 25 review," Elbers said.
The third party investigation was a requirement for laying any charges against Rutt.
"In most instances it would be unfair to the officer if the chief made his decision prior to conducting a thorough investigation," Elbers said. "Officers in my belief are entitled to a thorough investigation."
Following the hearing, Rutt's daughter Olivia said her family is "very disappointed" with the decision. She added her father plans to challenge it.
"Your tax dollars are being wasted in this kangaroo court," Olivia said.
Although disappointed, Olivia said her family sees a "positive" aspect to the decision. Proceeding with the tribunal will bring details of Rutt's Section 25 review into the public eye.
"This is something (Orangeville residents) ought to know and have the right to know," Olivia said.
The PSA tribunal to address the four charges against Rutt will resume on Monday (Dec. 10).
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Mortgage Architects www.mortgagegate.ca in Orangeville is here to make your life easier. A...
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Yesterday I got done with quilting, cutting, appliqueing circles, prepping circles. Like I say a busy day and I'm sure it will continue on today.
Circles – some are all prepped and waiting for me to press today. Last night I was enjoying some tea made in the little teapot that my daughter Melanie gave me for Xmas – the little tea cup goes with it.
4 1/2 rows of circles on the quilt top – when I get caught up on circles I will be added them as I put the rows on the quilt.
The next red to get ready some time today – I plan on cutting today. Background pieces cut out for several diagonal rows I think. The black is for the circles.
Star Crazy — This side is quilted and back to the middle – I will probably take today off of quilting though and give my fingers a break. I will need to start doing that more often I am getting a lot of dry skin in areas and need to get some healing in. This area on the side does look wrinkled and not pulled tight, it is ok though really, I loosened it up a little while I was quilting so it is easier to get the needle through. Any thing that isn't perfect will look fine after it is washed and dried and has the shrinkage affect in it.
So today and tomorrow I think I will be working on more circles for Joseph's Coat and cutting red melon pieces. I might get started putting the Farmer's Wife blocks together as well seeing as I should take a day off of quilting.
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Cajun Party Mix
I pack this mix in Christmas tins to give to friends and family. They can't seem to get enough-and it's so easy!
30 Servings
Prep: 10 min. Bake: 35 min.
6 cups miniature fish-shaped crackers
6 cups pretzel sticks
3 cups Rice Chex
3 cups Corn Chex
1 can (11-1/2 ounces) mixed nuts
1 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 to 1 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Preheat oven to 250°. In a large roasting pan, combine first five
ingredients. Combine butter, garlic powder, celery salt, cayenne and
pepper sauce; pour over cereal mixture and stir to coat.
Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool
completely. Store in airtight containers. Yield: about 5 quarts.
© Taste of Home 2014


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Sarah Palin Talks Booze, But Not Pot Blog Home FBI Arrests Man for Enacting His Constitutional Right to Threaten the Murder of a Senator Numerous Times
Barack Obama vs. Clark Kellogg on the Court
Do yourself a favor and don't turn this off this video of Obama and former Indiana Pacers Clark Kellogg after the first few minutes. Believe me, you're going to want to. You'll start getting that same feeling that you got when you watched Obama "throw" out the first pitch yesterday. Resist the urge…
Can't help but feel that this is some kind of a metaphor for something or other.
(via Andrew Sullivan)
Tags: Barack Obama, Basketball, Indiana, Sports
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A healthy breakfast will give our body the energy it needs to start the day right. Find out how God's Word will do that for your mind and spirit. read more
Charisma Magazine
Page 20 of 82
How to Let Go and Let Our Children Grow
Our children are certain to make preventable mistakes. Here are some reasons why we should simply let them do so. read more
Fight for Your Marriage, Not Your Pride
What are some insignificant conflicts in your marriage that you need to let go of in order to love your spouse well? read more
How to Succeed at Christianity without Really Trying
So you think life as a believer is really hard? Here are some principles to live by daily to make things easier. read more
5 Reasons American Men Struggle to Find Their Purpose
Here are some countercultural traits men need to have in order to fulfill their destiny. read more
Are You 'Manning Up' in Your Marriage?
Countless married Christian men have become spiritual sissies. Do you fit into that category, or have you manned up in your marriage? read more
How Don Came to Watch Another Man Love His Wife and Raise His Children
Do you know anyone this has happened to? How can you take care to make sure it doesn't happen to you? read more
Dealing With Dirt and Hurt: When to Call in the Cavalry
How do you deal with adversity? What is the secret to changing the situation? Here are some suggestions. read more
Are You Overdoing It on Special Occasions?
Do you or anyone you know party a little too hearty during special celebrations? Here are a few God-honoring ways to whoop it up with some self-control. read more
Are You Giving In to Satan's Mind Games?
Have you been focusing on yourself and your own problems? Have you tried helping someone else with theirs? read more
9 Things Wives Should Never Say to Their Husbands
This time, it's the husbands' turn. What other phrases have you discovered that cause more ...
Win a $100 Visa Gift Card and Other Great Prizes
Share our Top 12 Christian Gift Ideas with your friends for a chance to win these great prizes!
Praying Down Powers and Principalities
Many people go to unhealthy extremes in their approach to spiritual warfare. Instead of diving down ...
What Would Jesus Say to Kim Kardashian?
Jesus offers His salvation to everybody—even if you are a reality TV star who poses nude.
10 Foods That Increase Your Risk of Cancer
Plain and simple, here are some foods (and drinks) that you should stay away from.
Warring With Wisdom and Revelation
God is calling us to a higher level in spiritual warfare. Here's how you can up your game for ...
When 'Apostles' and 'Prophets' Lust for Fame
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9 Things You Should Never Say to Your Wife
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How to Respond When Your Child Says, 'I'm Gay'
Angela discovered that her teenage daughter was struggling with same-sex attraction. Here's ...
Get R.T. Kendall's New Book & Devotional
Experience the Holy Spirit in a way that will change your life!
6 Keys to Keep the Fire of God Burning in Your Life
Every day we're faced with challenges that can quench the flame of faith. Here's how to fan ...
Win a $100 Visa Gift Card and Other Great Prizes
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Bill Johnson: Claiming the Power to Heal As Jesus Did
God gave every believer the power to heal as Jesus did. But releasing such miracles through you is ...
Are We Really in the End Times?
Perry Stone cuts through the confusion surrounding the current end-times debate to answer two ...
7 Characteristics of Authentic Prophetic Ministry
Too much of the church is sinking in the quagmire of apostasy. Here are key scriptural elements ...
3 Things to Do When You're Drowning Spiritually
Stop flailing your limbs and cursing your situation. Take these simple steps to grow beyond the ...
2 Key Deceptions Behind Your Spiritual Battles
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4 Kingdom Laws for Understanding Angels
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5 Financial Red Flags That Can Sink Your Family
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4 Overlooked Ways the Holy Spirit Is Active
The Holy Spirit moves in the most unexpected ways. Here are four activities of the Spirit we should ...
Good News/Bad News About Spiritual Warfare
The enemy hates you and comes to kill, steal and destroy, but he's got some very real ...
The World-Shattering Secrets of the Shemitah
Could a 3,000-year-old mystery lie behind some of the most pivotal events of modern times and hold ...
Myles Munroe, Wife Killed in Airplane Crash
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined though there had been heavy rain across the ...
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Experience the Holy Spirit in a way that will change your life!


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Adata Technology has launched a series of retractable capless USB drives, the C008, in capacities ranging from 2GB to 32GB.
The new C008 features a slide-out USB connector, with the capless design for greater convenience, the vendor said.
Users can also take full advantage of Adata's free-download value-adding software, including UFDtoGO, OStoGO and Norton Internet Security 2010 (60-day trial), it said. The C008 is backed by lifetime product warranty.
- 2014 global high brightness LED market, trends and shipment forecast
For the global LED lighting market, the market size will reach US$25.82 billion in 2014 or a market penetration rate of 23.4%. This is attributable to exponential shipment growth for light bulbs, tubes, and directional lamps.
- Greater China touch panel shipment forecast through 2015
This Special Report provides forecasts through 2015 for Greater China touch panel shipments with breakdowns based on technology (glass, film, resistive), application (smartphone, NB and tablet) and by firm.
- 2014 global tablet demand forecast
This report analyzes the main players, their strategies and shipments forecasts for 2014, as well as other factors contributing to either growth or decline in various segments within the tablet market, with a particular focus on Apple, Google, Samsung, and Microsoft, along with whitebox vendors.


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This page contains additional references for Chapter 2 of Responding to Healthcare Reform: A Strategy Guide for Heatlhcare Leaders. The most current additions are at the top of the page. It also includes the annotated references from the book and their associated hyperlinks.
Current References
Shortell, Stephen M.; Rundall, Thomas G.; Hsu, John. "Improving Patient Care by Linking Evidence-Based Medicine and Evidence-Based Management." JAMA. ;, 2007, 298, 6, 673-676
Introduction: Not until about 100 years ago could a typical patient expect to benefit from the medical care provided by a typical physician. Today most patients benefit from medical care, but all patients could benefit more if clinicians routinely provided care consistent with the latest scientific knowledge. One report suggests that only 55% of US adults receive care consistent with current recommendations: 1 In 2001, the Institute of Medicine concluded that a chasm lies "between the healthcare we have and the healthcare we should have: 2. Moreover, the results of efforts to improve medical quality have been modest and uneven to date.
Auerbach,A. ; Bertko,J.; Brownlee,S.; Casalino,L.P. et. al "Toward a 21st-century health care system: recommendations for health care reform." Ann.Intern.Med., 2009, 150, 7, 493-495,
Abstract: The coverage, cost, and quality problems of the U.S. health care system are evident. Sustainable health care reform must go beyond financing expanded access to care to substantially changing the organization and delivery of care. The FRESH-Thinking Project (www.fresh-thinking.org) held a series of workshops during which physicians, health policy experts, health insurance executives, business leaders, hospital administrators, economists, and others who represent diverse perspectives came together. This group agreed that the following 8 recommendations are fundamental to successful reform: 1. Replace the current fee-for-service payment system with a payment system that encourages and rewards innovation in the efficient delivery of quality care. The new payment system should invest in the development of outcome measures to guide payment. 2. Establish a securely funded, independent agency to sponsor and evaluate research on the comparative effectiveness of drugs, devices, and other medical interventions. 3. Simplify and rationalize federal and state laws and regulations to facilitate organizational innovation, support care coordination, and streamline financial and administrative functions. 4. Develop a health information technology infrastructure with national standards of interoperability to promote data exchange. 5. Create a national health database with the participation of all payers, delivery systems, and others who own health care data. Agree on methods to make de-identified information from this database on clinical interventions, patient outcomes, and costs available to researchers. 6. Identify revenue sources, including a cap on the tax exclusion of employer-based health insurance, to subsidize health care coverage with the goal of insuring all Americans. 7. Create state or regional insurance exchanges to pool risk, so that Americans without access to employer-based or other group insurance could obtain a standard benefits package through these exchanges. Employers should also be allowed to participate in these exchanges for their employees' coverage. 8. Create a health coverage board with broad stakeholder representation to determine and periodically update the affordable standard benefit package available through state or regional insurance exchanges.
Asplin,Brent R. "Value-Based Purchasing and Hospital Admissions: Doing the Right Thing Isn't Easy" Annals.Emerg.Medicine., 2010, 56, 3, 258-260
Intro: David Walker is the former Comptroller General of the United States and head of the Government Accountability Office. He knows numbers. His recent description of the long-term fiscal health of the federal government reads like a terminal diagnosis.1 Walker is particularly concerned about long-term structural deficits in the federal budget—the underfunded promises of entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Much has been said about the financial problems of Social Security. Under current law, the Social Security program is underfunded by $7.7 trillion, which is a daunting number, considering the federal debt is already more than $13.1 trillion.2 Unfortunately, Social Security is in great fiscal shape compared with Medicare. The current Medicare program is underfunded by a mind-boggling $38 trillion during the coming decades.1 That's $38 trillion of unfunded promises in a program that is widely criticized by providers for failing to cover the cost of care.
Bodenheimer,Thomas; West,David. "Low-Cost Lessons from Grand Junction, Colorado." N.Engl.J.Med., 2010, 363, 15, 1391-1393
Intro: In August 2009, President Barack Obama traveled to Grand Junction, Colorado, touting that community's health care system as a model for the provision of low-cost, high-quality care. According to the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care, average per capita Medicare spending in Grand Junction was $6,599 in 2007 — 24% lower than the national average and 60% below high-cost Miami. In 2005, Grand Junction had only 60% as many coronary-artery bypass surgeries in its Medicare population as the national average, 55% as many inpatient coronary angiography procedures, and 61% as many inpatient days during the last 2 years of life. Moreover, Grand Junction scored above the national average on a number of measurements of preventive care, diabetes, asthma, and other quality metrics.
Cortese,Denis A.; Korsmo,Jeffrey O. "Putting U.S. Health Care on the Right Track." N.Engl.J.Med., 2009, 361, 14, 1326-1327
Intro: Americans do not consistently receive high-value health care. Collectively, our country spends more on health care than any other nation, but our people do not receive the best outcomes, safety, service, or access in return. Although some organizations, regions, and states deliver high-quality, affordable care, many do not. It's time to make high-value health care the norm in the United States. To reach that goal, we must hold physicians and other providers accountable for providing high-value health care, defined in terms of both quality and cost: value=quality÷cost. In this equation, quality includes clinical outcomes, safety, and patient-reported satisfaction, and cost encompasses the cost of care over time. Outcomes for hospital care, procedures, and chronic conditions can be assessed with the use of such measures as hospital admissions, emergency department visits, unplanned readmissions, death rates, postoperative complications, missed days of school or work, measures of organ function, and scores on general health surveys. Safety can be evaluated by means of such measures as central-line infection rates, medication errors, and postoperative complications. And patient satisfaction can be quantified with tools like those used by the National Research Corporation's Healthcare Market Guide. Performance data are available from such respected sources as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Quality Forum, the Leapfrog Group, the AQA Alliance, the University HealthSystem Consortium, the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review File, and the Commonwealth Fund. Regional Medicare spending data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or from the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care could provide the equation's denominator.
Cutler,David. "How Health Care Reform Must Bend The Cost Curve." Health Affairs., 2010, 29, 6, 1131-1135
Abstract: The true measure of health care reform's success is whether it drives down medical costs over the long term. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has several features designed to modernize the delivery of services and thus ensure a more efficient, more effective, and less expensive health care system. These features include bundling medical services into larger payment groups, using value-based purchasing, and improving care coordination. These changes could spark a productivity revolution in health care that would make it much more affordable and simultaneously increase the quality of care. The success of these efforts at controlling long-run cost growth will require activism from the government and the private sector.
Guterman, Stuart; Davis, Karen; Schoenbaum, Stephen; Shih, Anthony. "Using Medicare Payment Policy To Transform The Health System: A Framework For Improving Performance." Health Affairs (Published online), 2009, 28, no. 2, 238-250
Abstract: As the largest payer for health services in the United States, Medicare has the potential to use its payment policies to stimulate change in the organization of care to improve quality and mitigate cost growth. This paper proposes a framework in which Medicare would offer an array of new bundled payment options for physician group practices, hospitals, and delivery systems, with incentives to encourage greater integration in the organization of health care delivery and the provision of more coordinated care to beneficiaries. These changes could also serve as a model for other payers to improve quality and efficiency throughout the health system.
Haywood,T. "The cost of confusion: healthcare reform and value-based purchasing." Healthcare Financial .Management, 2010, 64, 10, 44-48,
Abstract: Title III of the Affordable Care Act presents two types of opportunities: those whose outcomes pose some uncertainties and those whose outcomes are well known. Accountable care organizations (ACOs) represent an uncertain opportunity, and although they may prove to be a worthwhile pursuit, focus on ACOs should generally not take precedence over more pressing concerns, such as impending loss of Medicare revenue. Value-based purchasing represents an opportunity that, if missed, would likely result in a revenue loss.
Holmboe,Eric S. ; Arnold,Gerald K.; Weng,Weifeng; Lipner,Rebecca. " Current Yardsticks May Be Inadequate For Measuring Quality Improvements From The Medical Home." Health Affairs., 2010, 29, 5, 859-866
Abstract: Health reform legislation grants authority for patient-centered medical home pilot projects to test changes in the way primary care is provided. There is concern that using a measurement tool to qualify medical homes that is solely based on the presence or absence of "system elements" may miss the point conceptually and lead physicians astray in attempts to transform their entire practices. To find out whether and how practice characteristics explain health care quality, we examined risk-adjusted composite measures of quality for common chronic and acute care conditions and preventive care from 202 general internists working primarily in small primary care office settings. We found that current conceptions and measures of what constitutes "successful" practice systems and care are incomplete, and have limited associations with measures of health care quality. Future research should explore more fully the issues around physician competence, including competence in systems and quality improvement; the interactive nature of clinical practice; and other important system elements not captured by current tools.
Luft,H.S."Economic incentives to promote innovation in healthcare delivery." Clin.Orthop.Relat.Res., 2009, 467, 10, 2497-2505,
Abstract: Economics influences how medical care is delivered, organized, and progresses. Fee-for-service payment encourages delivery of services. Fee-for-individual-service, however, offers no incentives for clinicians to efficiently organize the care their patients need. Global capitation provides such incentives; it works well in highly integrated practices but not for independent practitioners. The failures of utilization management in the 1990s demonstrated the need for a third alternative to better align incentives, such as bundling payment for an episode of care. Building on Medicare's approach to hospital payment, one can define expanded diagnosis-related groups that include all hospital, physician, and other costs during the stay and appropriate preadmission and postdischarge periods. Physicians and hospitals voluntarily forming a new entity (a care delivery team) would receive such bundled payments along with complete flexibility in allocating the funds. Modifications to gainsharing and antikickback rules, as well as reforms to malpractice liability laws, will facilitate the functioning of the care delivery teams. The implicit financial incentives encourage efficient care for the patient; the episode focus will facilitate measuring patient outcomes. Payment can be based on the resources used by those care delivery teams achieving superior outcomes, thereby fostering innovation improving outcomes and reducing waste.
McClellan,Mark; McKethan,Aaron N.; Lewis,Julie L.; Roski,Joachim; Fisher,Elliott S. "A National Strategy To Put Accountable Care Into Practice." Health Affairs., 2010, 29, 5, 982-990
Abstract: The concept of accountable care organizations (ACOs) has been set forth in recently enacted national health reform legislation as a strategy to address current shortcomings in the U.S. health care system. This paper focuses on implementation issues related to these organizations, building on some initial examples. We seek to clarify definitions and key principles, provide an update on implementation in the context of other reforms, and address emerging issues that will affect the organizations' success. Finally, building on the initial experience of several organizations that are implementing accountable care and complementary reforms, we propose a national strategy to identify and expand successful approaches to accountable care implementation.
Paulus, Ronald A.; Davis, Karen; Steele, Glenn D. "Continuous Innovation In Health Care: Implications Of The Geisinger Experience." Health Affairs, 2008, 27, no. 5, 1235-1245
Abstract: To achieve the diverse health care goals of the United States, health care value must increase. The capacity to create value through innovation is facilitated by an integrated delivery system focused on creating value, measuring innovation returns, and receiving market rewards. This paper describes the Geisinger Health System's innovation strategy for care model redesign. Geisinger's clinical leadership, dedicated innovation team, electronic health information systems, and financial incentive alignment each contribute to its innovation record. Although Geisinger's characteristics raise serious questions about broad applicability to nonintegrated health care organizations, its experience can provide useful insights for health system reform.
Porter,Michael E. "A Strategy for Health Care Reform — Toward a Value-Based System." N.Engl.J.Med., 2009, 361, 2, 109-112
Intro: Despite many waves of debate and piecemeal reforms, the U.S. health care system remains largely the same as it was decades ago. We have seen no convincing approach to changing the unsustainable trajectory of the system, much less to offsetting the rising costs of an aging population and new medical advances. Today there is a new openness to changing a system that all agree is broken. What we need now is a clear national strategy that sets forth a comprehensive vision for the kind of health care system we want to achieve and a path for getting there. The central focus must be on increasing value for patients — the health outcomes achieved per dollar spent.1 Good outcomes that are achieved efficiently are the goal, not the false "savings" from cost shifting and restricted services. Indeed, the only way to truly contain costs in health care is to improve outcomes: in a value-based system, achieving and maintaining good health is inherently less costly than dealing with poor health.
Rosenthal, Meredith B., PhD ; Landon, Bruce E., MD et. al "Employers' Use of Value-Based Purchasing Strategies." JAMA, 2007, 298, 19, 2281-2288
Abstract: CONTEXT: Value-based purchasing by employers has often been portrayed as the lynchpin to quality improvement in a market-based health care system. Although a small group of the largest national employers has been actively engaged in promoting quality measurement, reporting, and pay for performance, it is unknown whether these ideas have significantly permeated employer-sponsored health benefit purchasing. OBJECTIVE: To provide systematic descriptions and analyses of value-based purchasing and related efforts to improve quality of care by health care purchasers. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted telephone interviews with executives at 609 of the largest employers across 41 US markets between July 2005 and March 2006. The 41 randomly selected markets have at least 100,000 persons enrolled in health maintenance organizations, include approximately 91% of individuals enrolled in health maintenance organizations nationally, and represent roughly 78% of the US metropolitan population. Using the Dun & Bradstreet database of US employers, we identified the 26 largest firms in each market. Firms ranged in size from 60 to 250,000 employees. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The degree to which value-based purchasing and related strategies are reported being used by employers. Percentages were weighted by number of employees. RESULTS: Of 1041 companies contacted, 609 employer representatives completed the survey (response rate, 64%). A large percentage of surveyed executives reported that they examine health plan quality data (269 respondents; 65% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 57%-74%]; P<.001), but few reported using it for performance rewards (49 respondents; 17% [95% CI, 7%-27%]; P=.008) or to influence employees (71 respondents; 23% [95% CI, 13%-33%]). Physician quality information is even less commonly examined (71 respondents; 16% [95% CI, 9%-23%]) or used by employers to reward performance (8 respondents; 2% [95% CI, 0%-3%]) or influence employee choice of providers (34 respondents; 8% [95% CI, 3%-12%]). CONCLUSION: Surveyed employers as a whole do not appear to be individually implementing incentives and programs in line with value-based purchasing ideals.
Shortell, Stephen M. ; Rundall, Thomas G. ; Hsu, John. "Improving Patient Care by Linking Evidence-Based Medicine and Evidence-Based Management." JAMA. ;, 2007, 298, 6, 673-676
Intro: Not unitl about 100 years ago could a typical patient expect to benefit from the medical care provided by a typical physician. Today most patients benefit from medical care, but all patients could benefit more if clinicians routinely provided care consistent with the latest scientific knowledge. One report suggests that only 55% of US adults receive care consistent with current recommendations.1 In 2001, the Institute of Medicine concluded that a chasm lies "between the healthcare we have and the healthcare we should have."2 Moreover, the results of efforts to improve medical quality have been modest and uneven to date.3
Two components are necessary to improve the quality of medical care: advances in evidence-based medicine (EBM), which identify the clinical practices leading to better care, ie, the content of providing care,4 and knowledge of how to put this content into routine practice. These advances in evidence-based management (EBMgt) identify the organizational strategies, structures, and change management practices that enable physicians and other health care professionals to provide evidence-based care, ie, the context of providing care.5 Until both components are in place— identifying the best content (ie, EBM) and applying it within effective organizational contexts (ie, EBMgt)—consistent, sustainable improvement in the quality
Tompkins, Christopher P.; Higgins, Aparna R.; Ritter, Grant. A. "Measuring Outcomes And Efficiency In Medicare Value-Based Purchasing." Health Affairs (Published online), 2009, 28, no. 2, w251-w261
Abstract: The Medicare program may soon adopt value-based purchasing (VBP), in which hospitals could receive incentives that are conditional on meeting specified performance objectives. The authors advocate for a market-oriented framework and direct measures of system-level value that are focused on better outcomes and lower total cost of care. They present a multidimensional framework for measuring outcomes of care and a method to adjust incentive payments based on efficiency. Incremental reforms based on VBP could provoke transformational changes in total patient care by linking payments to value related to the whole patient experience, recognizing shared accountability among providers.
Annotated References from Responding to Reform
Caldwell, C., T. Faulker, and K. Stuenkel. 2010. "Aggressive Cost Reduction: Taking Lean to the Next Level." Presentation at the 2010 Congress on Healthcare Leadership, March 24.
One of the primary tools for productivity improvement is "Lean Six Sigma." The presentation by Caldwell and colleagues showed impressive results. The Floyd Medical Center in Northwest Georgia saved $7,599,508 in annual operating costs through the execution of over 650 lean projects in two-and-a-half years. Mr. Caldwell indicated that in his experience as a consultant, savings accrue from reducing these areas of waste.
|Waste Type
|Improvement Impact
|Staffing not matched to demand
|Over inventory/supplies
|Materials and information movement
|Redundancy /Overprocessing
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). 2011. "Educational Resources." [Online information; retrieved 1/3/11.] https://www.cms.gov/PQRI/30_EducationalResources.asp
CMS provides a both overviews and educational resources for the Physician Quality Reporting System. Eligible professionals are encouraged to contact their professional organizations for additional information and tools that will facilitate participation in the Physician Quality Reporting System.
Dartmouth Atlas. 2007. "Preference Sensitive Care." A Dartmouth Atlas Project Topic Brief. [Online report; published 1/15/07.] www.dartmouthatlas.org/downloads/reports/preference_sensitive.pdf
Researchers at Dartmouth University have done extensive research in the geographic variation in the provision of "preference sensitive care." They state:
Preference-sensitive care comprises treatments that involve significant tradeoffs affecting the patient's quality and/or length of life. Decisions about these interventions—whether to have them or not, which ones to have—ought to reflect patients' personal values and preferences, and ought to be made only after patients have enough information to make an informed choice. Sometimes, as with the options for treating early stage breast cancer, the scientific evidence on the main outcome—survival—is quite good; other times, as with treatment options following prostate cancer, the evidence is much weaker.
[Institute of Medicine (IOM). 2001. Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
The Institute of Medicine first addressed these issues in Crossing the Quality Chasm. The premise of this landmark study is that there is a chasm between what we know is good medical practice and the way medicine is actually practiced in the United States:
McLaughlin, D., and J. Hays. 2008. Healthcare Operations Management. Chicago: Health Administration Press.
Healthcare Operations Management provides an in depth examination of contemporary business tools that can be used to improve quality and productivity.
Quality Net. 2011. "Surgical Care Improvement Project." [Online information; retrieved 1/3/11.] www.qualitynet.org/dcs/ContentServer?c=MQParents&pagename=Medqic%2FContent%2FParentShellTemplate&cid=1137346750659&parentName=TopicCat
The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) is a national quality partnership of organizations focused on improving surgical care by significantly reducing surgical complications. The goal of this unique partnership is to reduce the incidence of surgical complications nationally by 25 percent by the year 2010.
US Department of Health and Human Services. 2011. "HHS Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare Associated Infections: Incentives and Oversight." [Online information; retrieved 1/3/11.] http://www.hhs.gov/ash/initiatives/hai/incentives.html
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has a variety of tools to encourage the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These tools include regulatory oversight, financial incentives, transparency and associated incentives, or some combination of these. Within each of these broad categories are a number of initiatives to combat HAIs, and DHHS website describes the various ways these tools and initiatives support efforts to prevent infections.
Wennberg, D., D. Berkson, and B. Rider. 2008. "Addressing Overuse, Underuse and Misuse of Care." Healthcare Executive 23 (4): 8.
This article reports on the survey by the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice which shows that geography plays a significant role in determining the quality, quantity, and cost of healthcare in the United States. The survey provides the factors that affect variations in practice, which include differences in the way physicians and other caregivers make diagnosis and treatment decisions and measures on the supply side such as the number of physicians, and the availability of hospital beds and imaging technology.


text:
California Counties See Tax Shrinkage
California Ranks Last on States Tax List
California Ranks Last in Yet Another Survey
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November 2010
California Counties See Tax Shrinkage
Assessed property values in California are likely to decline for the second year running, according to a Bond Buyer review of data from the state's larger counties. Even though the state's tax assessment system has the effect of muting the volatility of property assessments, 11 of the state's 12 largest counties (including San Bernardino County) experienced a decline in their property tax roll this year.
County assessors are required to provide property assessments as of Jan. 1, and deliver a report on their tax rolls by summer. Final figures on the tax rolls of all 58 counties will be tallied in late summer or early fall by the state's Board of Equalization.
A review of early figures from the state's biggest 12 counties — accounting for more than 78% of the state's overall 2009 tax roll — indicates that the statewide roll will drop for the second year running. Last year's final statewide tax roll was down 2.4% — the first year-over-year decline since statewide record keeping began in 1933, according to the Board of Equalization.
This year, the 12 largest counties are down 1.8%, according to data collected from 11 assessors' offices. In the 12 counties surveyed, the tax roll was down about $62.7 billion, translating into a minimum of $627 million less in property taxes at the state's basic 1% rate. The decline in local property tax collections has an impact on state government as well, because the state guarantees a minimum per-student spending level for K-12 education.
For most school districts, that guarantee already exceeds their property tax receipts, so lower property tax collections mean the state has to pay more to make up the difference. The tax roll figures being announced this summer measure assessed valuations as of January 1, 2010. They will affect property tax bills that are due in November 2010 and February 2011.
California Ranks Last on States Tax List
California is tied for last place on a recent study of how and what states tax. The report, entitled "Taxifornia," is part of the California Prosperity Project by the Pacific Research Institute, a nonprofit, free-market advocate organization based in San Francisco. It assesses California's tax burden, the structure of its tax system, and how they affect the state's competitiveness.
Taxifornia takes a different approach in analyzing states' tax structure and illustrates that no matter how you slice and dice the data, California is a high-tax state.
Here are the top 5 states, based on a 10-point scale (10 being the best):
This study measures two different but inter-related aspects of taxes: the total amount and the mix of taxes used by calculating 3 measures of taxation:
California ranks last in personal income taxes, scoring 1.1 on a 10-point scale. The corporate income tax is less burdensome on the PRI scale, scoring 6.1 and ranking 34th. (The majority of businesses pay personal rather than corporate taxes because they are sole proprietors, partnerships, limited liability companies or S-corporations.) "If policy makers want to understand why the Golden State's economy is lagging behind those of other states, the punitive and steeply progressive personal income tax is a good place to start looking," the report says.
In the mix and design of its major taxes, which include personal and corporate income taxes, capital-based taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes, California ranks 45th in the country. The report also emphasizes that California's performance does not exist in a vacuum.
The Report goes on to say, "Whether we are considering other Southwestern states or other West Coast states, only Washington performs anywhere near as poorly as California in terms of burden of government and tax structure. Businesses and entrepreneurs are sensitive to taxes, and California is simply not tax-competitive with its neighbors."
"Not only is California a high-tax state—as everyone already knew—but it is also an inefficient-tax state, perhaps equally troubling," the report says.
From one point of view, though, California's rank of 45th on the tax structure side is good news. It means that through sensible tax reform, economic growth can be fostered along with job creation, without the need for sacrificing tax revenues to state and local governments. This means shifting from costly income taxes, both personal and corporate, to consumption taxes. Of course, once the low-hanging fruit of efficient tax reform has been plucked, further incentives for private-sector growth will have to come through reductions in California's total tax burden, currently the fourth-highest in the nation. California should simultaneously pursue tax reform and tax reduction.
California Ranks Last in Yet Another Survey
Chief Executive Magazine recently conducted its annual survey of CEOs to determine the best and worst places to do business in the United States for 2010. California came in last among the fifty states and Washington D.C. as a place to do business, underscoring the weakened competitive position of the state. A distinction it has now held for six straight years. The survey asked business leaders to rank states based on taxation and regulation, quality of workforce and living environment.
Despite its favorable climate, California rated lowest in the survey due to high taxes and heavy regulations, high unemployment rate and heavy union presence. Income tax rates run as high as 10 percent for top earners, and many of those tax dollars go to benefits for California's swelling number of government employees, with $500 billion in unfunded pension and health care liabilities for state workers. And unions are growing - from 16.1 percent of workers in 1998 to 17.8 percent in 2002.