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Saturday, January 24
Come and play, everything's A-OK! Join Fernbank Museum and Georgia Public Broadcasting for a day celebrating the 45th Anniversary of this beloved and honored children's educational television show with VIP guest, Cookie Monster!
Cookie Monster10am – 2pm, Great HallMeet everyone's favorite Sesame Street character.
123 Sesame Street Brownstone Photo Opportunity10am – 2pm, Great HallHave your picture taken on the most famous prop from the show.
Macaroni-asaurus Craft10am – 2pm, Great HallUse macaroni to make a dinosaur of your very own.
Sesame Street Temporary Tattoos10am – 2pm, Great HallTake your favorite characters home with you in tattoo form.
Sesame Street Game Station10am – 2pm, Great HallCome and play with a variety of fun games.
Story Time10am – 2pm, Naturalist CenterEnjoy children's stories from local authors.
Costume Contest12pm, Great HallDress in your Sesame Street best and compete for a show-themed prize during our costume contest.
Happy 45th Birthday Sing Along12:30pm, Great HallJoin Cookie Monster in singing happy birthday to Sesame Street.
Classic EpisodesTBD, AuditoriumWatch classis episodes of Sesame Street.**
Cost: Sesame Street Celebration activities are included with Museum admission and are free for Fernbank members.
*Activities are subject to change without notice.
**Times and titles to be announced.
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From the murder of a widowed single mother in Georgia and her two teenage daughters{pix to your right}, to the crisis in Kansas where Kenyan accountants were involved in fraud against taxpayers, to the young Mwendwa, a Kenyan gangster in Chicago who was arrested and charged with the murder of a young girl when he ordered a member of his gang to fire a gun against a rival gang— smoke from the Kenyan Community has been rising from every hut. Also in Delaware, Paul K. Wayoike was arrested and charged with murder. According to the police report, he alledgedly used a hammer to beat his wife to death for apparently having an affair. Police in Baltimore are also looking for Anastasia Oluoch, a clinical nursing assistant accused of beating an elderly patient. Oluoch was exposed by the elderly man's daughter who had installed a surveillance camera in her father's room. The once silent, and what the authorities call a "closed community," has found itself in a situation in which Kenyan men, women, and their children are wondering whether the Kenyan house is on fire.
For many years, the Kenyan community in America has been "undercover." It is not often that a member of the community has been in the news. The only nationally known Kenyan-American with Kenyan roots whose flag has been flying high across the nation has been Barak Obama. His has been a positive exposure of Kenyans as natural born leaders to be reckoned with in this country. Kenyans have not historically been ones to want to bring too much attention to themselves. Many migrated from Kenya to settle peacefully in America, not to join any political or social demonstration. The community has kept and upheld that tradition firm through the years until recently. This silent trend seems to have shifted and the Kenyan community has been thrown into the limelight at full force.
The murder of Jane Kuria, 47, and her daughters Isabella, 19, and Annabel, 15, and the senseless, brutal beating of Jeremy Kuria, age 8, has not only shocked the community, but has left many community leaders wondering whether there are Kenyans in America who have begun to burn down the house. This question has been asked by many, especially when there seems to be word that the authorities may be focusing on the possibility that the brutal murder was committed by a Kenyan who knew the family. The intense investigation to find the killer or killers has gone far beyond the border and, according to a reliable source, even back to the victim's village in Kenya. In a community where peace is often the norm— with many Bible studies, church fellowships, and Nyama choma feasts, these events have brought fear, especially to single mothers and single females living alone. Even married women whose husbands often travel or work late have begun to express concern. Speaking to one young couple in Atlanta, the wife of a young businessman told KEN that she has begun to live in fear, something she has never felt before. "We have always left our blinds open," she remarked. "We have never had any reason to think that someone was watching us or that we would find someone inside our house after work. Now I not only close the blinds, but I walk throughout the house after work to ensure that no one is there hiding." She said that the events in Atlanta have made even her young son to notice that something has changed in the house. "My son never used to see me pull down the blinds, now he looks at me curiously when I start to pull them down. You can see him wanting to ask 'Mommy, what is going on? Why are you closing the blinds?' " Her husband, though not wanting to show fear, acknowledges in a typical Kenyan manly reaction, "Even though I don't believe there is any reason to be concerned, people are worried."
Dr. Samuel Njuguna Nagi, a licensed therapist working in the South Carolina Dept. of Mental Health, and the director of Reach Family Counseling in Columbia, South Carolina noted: "The Kenyan community continues to evolve trying to arrive at a 'Kenyan-American Identity'." He told KEN that, "When Kenyans arrive in this country, they are faced with a brand-new social structure and culture. This culture contradicts their traditional Kenyan culture and begins to take a form of an opposition. The success or failure of a Kenyan immigrant socially, economically or in education (which brings many Kenyans to America), depends upon how one fights this social battle."
Dr. Nagi continued to explain the dilemma by giving an example of a family whose son he was counseling. According to Dr. Nagi, the boy had been involved in drugs and the selling of drugs. He had been doing drugs for more than three years. He explained that during these three years, the father did not even know. "To make matters worse, the boy was selling drugs from his own bedroom." Dr. Nagi argued that when Kenyans and other Africans come to America, they adopt the decades old Western philosophy of privacy. They give their children more privacy than they need. Their children who are also struggling to adjust to the culture get sucked into the American high school behavior. They begin dating, using drugs, and get themselves in trouble at an early age. Arguing that living in Kenya also had its own problems, he explains that at least in Kenya, parental authority is more easily exercised and the young have no right to room privacy. This means there is no TV in the bedroom, no girls in the room, and no unknown buddies. Also the parents have the right to go into the bedrooms and therefore keep an eye on their children. The influence of grandparents, uncles, and aunties, and the whole overseer philosophy in Kenya including the boarding school environment plays a role in curbing the potential of gangster mentality. "In this country, we have Kenyan teenagers paying child support and graduating from high school with criminal rap sheets."
According to another Kenyan community leader who has worked with the community for many years, "The problems within the Kenyan community are just beginning and they will get bigger," Pastor Shadrack Ruto told KEN in an interview. Ruto, who is the senior pastor of Upendo Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, told KEN that the crisis in the community is being highlighted by the breakdown in community fellowship. The pastor describes how some of the Kenyans analyze the historical development of the Kenyan-American Community. According to analysis by people close to him, there are those Kenyans who came to America in the '80s. These were disciplined individuals whose sole purpose was education. They were accountable to the educational institutions and generally stayed in school, joining the American workplace and holding good family values after graduation. Many went back to work in Kenya to help build the nation. Then there is a group which came in the '90s. The majority of those in this group came for economic reasons. Kenya was going through economic hardship and the government of Moi was doing nothing about it. Many Kenyans were looking for a way out. When they came to America, their focus was on making money. This meant illegality and with illegality comes a life of underground actions that may sometimes be illegal. Then there is the crowd that arrived after 2000. Many of these immigrants have no values and morals. Among these are those who do not come to school, but submit to an uncontrolled social discipline. They are involved in illegal businesses, alcoholism, and nontraditional Kenyan behavior. Though Pastor Ruto does not share the exact sentiments of the analysts, he does acknowledge that there is a growing change in Kenyan community morality and values. "The social, economic, psychology, and cultural values of individual Kenyan immigrants depends upon where they Land. If one is welcomed by a community of Kenyans who have no value of education, the individual will not go to school. If one arrives in the neighborhood of illegal workers, the individual will become illegal and work undercover." The community that receives you in America shapes you.
Both Dr. Nagi and Pastor Ruto hold the same belief that there is a greater social health among Kenyans who are a part of a church-based or an education-based fellowship. These two entities provide a discipline that promotes better values than the empty chasing of the American dream. These contentions, though true, do not go far in settling the problems facing the Kenyan community given that Ms. Kuria was a member of a Kenyan community church and fellowship. What is true in this country is that the Kenyan community needs to come out of hiding and face its community needs. Kenyan church leaders have tried to bring the community together but they have found themselves facing the ancestral problems Kenya faces. Tribalism has historically eroded the cohesion of Kenyans in Kenya and unfortunately here in America. And until recently, the Kenyan Embassy in Washington was in social dormancy.
One of the solutions to the growing Kenyan youth violence is a call from many Kenyan leaders for Kenyans to send their Kenyan-American teenagers to Kenya before their children turn 16. According to Dr. Nagi the decision to send his three teenage children to Kenya for a year in Kenyan schools was the best decision he ever made. "My daughter and two sons are better people and understand the historical Kenyan values of life, family, and community responsibility after spending a year in Kenya." He explains that he sent his children to Kenya when he discovered that his theoretical instructions were not enough. "Parents must aggressively be involved in their children's lives. They must make a decision to shape their children's future."
Pastor Ruto agrees with Dr. Nagi and challenges the Kenyan family to go back to its roots—to not only find that good Kenyan nature, but to remember that there is great value to be found in the fellowship of Christ. "We are religious people historically, and within our development, the body of Christ has been the foundation for our good and gracious society. Our community's stability lies within the realization that man is fallen and it is this nature that boils into criminal behavior."
Where there is smoke, there is fire. A people can either ignore the smoke until the fire burns down a house, or they can put it out and save themselves and their children. The undercover and segregated tribal and social behavior guarantees that the Kenyan community will continue to see itself "smoke". A few years ago many Kenyans were arrested for possessing fake social security cards. Many were deported but never left. They are so deep undercover they cannot even find themselves. We also have Kenyan teenagers who are not able to attend college because of their parents' illegal status.
Given the pro-community administration at the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, it is time that both the social, religious, and Kenyan government representatives in America merge together to address the issues facing the Kenyan community. The office of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kenya has begun to engage Kenyans in the Diaspora. The challenge for the Office is to help the Kenyans who are here illegally due to immigration technicalities become legal.
There is a false modern philosophy propagated by President Kibaki's administration that the foundation of community health is economics. However, history teaches us constantly that a strong moral and family tradition is essential to social, political, and economic well being of any community, including our own. "Asiye fundishwa na mama yake hufundishwa na Ulimwengu." Yes, and the "Ulimwengu" has no mercy or grace.
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VALDEZ, JUAN (?–?). Juan Valdez was lieutenant general and alcalde of the presidio and villa of Bexar in 1720 when Father Antonio de San Buenaventura y Olivares presented a petition asking that no mission be granted the Zacatecan missionaries led by Father Antonio Margil de Jesús. Valdez answered that he had orders to establish such a mission and accordingly selected a site for San José y San Miguel de Aguayo Mission.
Carlos E. Castañeda, Our Catholic Heritage in Texas (7 vols., Austin: Von Boeckmann-Jones, 1936–58; rpt., New York: Arno, 1976). Marion A. Habig, "Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo," Southwestern Historical Quarterly 71 (April 1968).
The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this article.Frank Goodwyn, "VALDEZ, JUAN," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fva02), accessed October 10, 2015. Uploaded on June 15, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.


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All Shall Perish, Oceano, Within The Ruins tour (w/ Obey The Brave)
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Some People Call Me The White Devil
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
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All Shall Perish, Oceano, Within The Ruins tour (w/ Obey The Brave)
All Shall Perish, Oceano, Within the Ruins, Reflections, and Betrayal will team up for the "Heavy MTL South of the Border Tour" this summer. Dates include:
7/30 Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
8/1 Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog
8/3 St. Louis, MO @ Fubar w/ Obey the Brave
8/4 Chicago, IL @ Reggies w/ Obey the Brave
8/5 Toledo, OH @ Rocket Bar w/ Obey the Brave
8/6 Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theatre w/ Obey the Brave
8/7 Springfield, VA @ Empire w/ Obey the Brave
8/09 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium w/ Obey the Brave
8/10 Montreal, QC @ Heavy MTL
8/11 New York City, NY @ Studio @ Webster Hall
8/12 Buffalo, NY @ The Waiting Room
8/13 Cleveland, OH @ Peabodys
8/14 Columbus, OH @ Skully's
8/16 Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre
8/17 Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
Fuck yes the Chicago date is a Sunday night with Obey The Brave. Fuck to the yes.
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Winner of the 2008 Acoustic Guitar Magazine¦Players' Choice Award,¦two Telly Awards and an AEGIS Award for Excellence in Education, Learn & Master Guitar is widely recognized as the best home instruction course for learning guitar available anywhere. It consists of 10 professionally produced DVDs, 5 Jam-Along CDs, a 100+ page lesson book, and a free online student support site. It is the only instructional package you'll ever need on your journey toward mastery of the guitar. All you provide is the practice! Steve Krenz is an accomplished session player and instructor whose teaching accolades include an Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Players' Choice Award for Best Instructional Material. His 20+ years of professional experience includes playing guitar with Grammy-winning artists Donna Summer, Bryan White, Michael W. Smith, Isreal Houghton, and the Fifth Dimension. Total running time: 19.25 hours.


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via ABC press release. I knew they would detail In the Motherhood besting My Name is Earl, they love sticking it to NBC in their press releases these days.
Quick Take for Thursday, March 26, 2009
(Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)
Thursday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)
ABC placed No. 2 to an "Idol"-led Fox on Thursday night in Total Viewers (11.0 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.8/10), outpacing CBS' NCAA Basketball Tournament coverage (Regional Semi-Finals) on both counts.
- Although facing increased competition on the night from Fox's special Thursday edition of "American Idol," ABC grew week to week by +4% in Total Viewers and by +9% in Adults 18-49 (10.6 million and 3.5/10 on 3/19/09). In fact the Net grew its overall Thursday audience for the 2nd consecutive week, delivering its best Thursday in 5 week in viewers and young adults - since 2/19/09.
- The Net's numbers shot up over the same night last year by 5.1 million viewers and by 100% in Adults 18-49 (5.9 million and 1.9/5 on 3/27/08).
"In the Motherhood" (8:00-8:30 p.m.)
ABC's series debut of "In the Motherhood" upset "My Name is Earl" at 8:00 p.m., defeating NBC's veteran comedy in both Total Viewers (6.7 million vs. 5.9 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.1/6 vs. 2.0/6). The new ABC comedy's biggest advantage over "Earl" came among Women 18-34, where it nearly doubled its NBC comedy competitor with an 86% winning margin (2.6/8 vs. 1.4/4).
- Despite facing "Idol" in the time period this year, with the opener of "Motherhood" ABC was up in the half-hour over the year-ago night (with original programming) by 14% in Total Viewers (6.7 million vs. 5.9 million) and by 5% in Adults 18-49 (2.1/6 vs. 2.0/6). In fact among Adults 18-49, "Motherhood" generated ABC's highest rating in the time slot in 6 weeks - since 2/12/09.
"Samantha Who?" (8:30-9:00 p.m.)
Despite facing "Idol" and "March Madness" on its premiere in the half-hour, ABC's "Samantha Who?" proved itself a compatible companion for "In the Motherhood" with impressive retention of its lead-in among Total Viewers (97%) and Adults 18-49 (100%). In fact "Samantha" built on "Motherhood" at 8:30pm to finish as the No. 1 scripted TV program in the half hour in Women 18-49 (3.0/7) and Women 25-54 (3.6/8).
"Grey's Anatomy" (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Thursday's No. 1 scripted TV program in Total Viewers (15.8 million) and Adults 18-49 (5.5/13), ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" dominated the 9 o'clock hour, beating Fox's "Idol"-driven "Hell's Kitchen." "Grey's" tallied its 13th time in its last 14 original telecasts to stand as Thursday's No. 1 regular entertainment show with Adults 18-49, and the 14th time in as many original airings with Adults 18-34.
- Surging week to week by 1.2 million viewers and by 10% in Adults 18-49, "Grey's" turned in its most-watched telecast in 4 months (11/20/08) and its 3rd-biggest audience this season.
"Private Practice" (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
ABC's "Private Practice" ranked No. 1 in the 10 o'clock hour, topping NBC's veteran "ER" in Total Viewers (10.5 million vs. 10.2 million) and Adults 18-49 (3.8/10 vs. 3.5/9). In fact the ABC sophomore drama has topped "ER" in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 on 8 of 9 head-to-head original telecasts in the time period. "Private Practice" finished as the No. 1 entertainment program in the hour in Adults 18-49 for the 5th time in its last 6 originals, while standing as the top entertainment broadcast with Adults 18-34 on all 10 original airings in slot.
- Growing its overall audience for the 2nd straight week and increasing week to week in young adults, "Private Practice" turned in its highest non-crossover numbers this season.
A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to over 30% currently, from 23% at the same point in 2008. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.
Source: Nielsen Media Research (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings), 3/26/09.


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Meet Gary Numan [PHOTOS/VIDEOS]
Gary Numan achieved his greatest success in 1979…and 1980 in America…and is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music!
Gary Anthony James Webb was born in Hammersmith, England on March 8, 1958.
His father was a British Airways bus driver, based at Heathrow Airport.
Gary attended a technical college as a teen, and joined the Air Training Corps. Some of his later jobs included: fork lift truck driver, air conditioning ventilator fitter, and clerk in an accounting department.
On the musical side of his life, Gary Numan's father gave him a Gibson Les Paul guitar, when he was 15…one of his most-treasured possessions to this day!
He was soon playing in local bands, including "Mean Street" and the "Lasers."
Gary Numan formed his own band, "Tubeway Army," with his uncle, Jess Lidyard, and Paul Gardiner.
Initially, he called himself "Valerian," while he was playing with the band…later, he picked the name "Numan" out of the yellow pages…where he spotted "A. Neumann," Plumber.
As the main singer for Tubeway Army, plus their songwriter and producer, Numan started to gather a loyal following by the late 1970s.
After putting together an album's worth of punk-influenced songs, Tubeway Army was signed to a small label in 1978. Their debut singles, "That's Too Bad," and "Bombers" failed to chart.
The self-titled, new wave "Tubeway Army" album, in 1978, didn't spawn any hit singles either…but it introduced Numan to the world of synthesizers, a new-found passion.
The next album, "Replicas," went to #1 in England in 1979, at the same time that the single "Are Friends Electric?" went to #1. The song did not chart in the U.S….
But Gary Numan was poised for success! On BOTH sides of the Atlantic!
"The Pleasure Principle" album was released as a Gary Numan album in 1979.
"Cars" would go to #1 in Britain in 1979…it would soar to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 (U.S.) charts…in 1980.
Hence, Gary Numan is a "Saturday Night Jersey 80s" artist on New Jersey 101.5!
"Cars" is a song about how people use technology and material goods (like cars) to isolate themselves from others…
"The Pleasure Principle" album is described as a rock album without guitars! Instead, Numan used synthesizers fed through guitar effects pedals, in order to achieve a distorted, phased, metallic tone.
Sadly, this was Gary Numan's only appearance on the pop charts in America!
Among the places in American pop culture over the years where "Cars" has show up: Grand Theft Auto video games, on TV, its been used in "The Simpsons," "Family Guy" and "Two And A Half Men." Both Oldsmobile and Nissan have used the song in commercials to SELL cars.
Gary Numan remains a vital music force in England and throughout Europe…touring through the decades to support hit records, and putting out 17 additional albums to date, including the 2013 release "Splinter (Songs from A Broken Mind)." He continues to have somewhat of a cult following in England.
In his personal life, Numan describes himself as a "positive atheist."
He married a member of his fan club, Gemma O'Neill, in 1997. They have three children.
After being harassed during the England riots of 2011, Numan decided to move his family to America. They have lived in the Los Angeles suburbs for the past 2 years.
What else is Gary Numan up to? Check out his official website by clicking here!


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Barack Obama's Muslim Childhood: New Information
by Daniel Pipes
Building on my articles on the subject of Obama having been born and raised a Muslim, this weblog entry collects new information as it becomes available.
Not at mosque in Indonesia: The Daily Telegraph (London) quotes Zulfan Adi, described as 47 years old and running an internet café: "I've asked all the neighbours whether they saw him pray at the mosque and the answer is no, but he played around the mosque." The newspaper makes much of this quote (titling its long piece on Obama's Indonesian years "Barack Obama's childhood friends deny he was a Muslim") but the quote too directly contradicts the earlier one of Adi's quoted above, that Obama "was Muslim. He went to the mosque. I remember him wearing a sarong," to be taken at face value. (August 28, 2008)
Horsed around in Koran class: Andrew Higgins writes in the Washington Post about Santo Fransiskus Asisi at "Catholic school in Indonesia seeks recognition for its role in Obama's life." It includes these details:
(April 9, 2010)
Discusses his Christian faith: Cathleen Falsani, then the Chicago Sun-Times religion reporter, interviewed Barack Obama on Mar. 27, 2004, just after he had won the Democratic Party primary to run for the U.S. Senate from Illinois. She has posted the complete transcript of it. Portions relevant to Obama's Muslim identity include:
(August 19, 2010)
Attended Muslim classes and prayers: Obama's former grade three teacher at Menteng One in Jakarta says he studied the Koran and prayed with Muslims despite the objections of his mother, Ann Dunham, a Catholic, reports Anne Barrowclough for the The Times (London):
(November 8, 2010)
Barack Hussein Soebarkah? A speculative but informative analysis by Jason Kissner in the American Thinker connects Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, to the Subud cult, a small Muslim sect in Indonesia founded by a Javanese Muslim, Muhammed Subuh. If Kissner's analysis is correct, Obama's mother converted to a very attenuated version of Islamic teachings. (January 22, 2014)
Related Topics: Muslims in the United States, Southeast Asia
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Utah judge hears evidence in 1989 murder
The night before Felicia Pappas died, her friend had news for her.
"I told her that night if I had a little girl, I was going to name it after her," Tonya Lynn Lucero said.
And Lucero did. Lucero was the final witness Thursday as a 3rd District Court judge heard testimony to determine whether Thomas Noffsinger, 46, would stand trial for murder and sexual assault in Pappas' 1989 death. The hearing resumes Friday, after which Judge Elizabeth Hruby-Mills could rule.
Pappas was just a 17-year-old Granite High School student when she was found murdered near 600 E. 4500 South in Millcreek. Her murder was considered unsolved until 2011 when, as Chad Grundy, the forensic science manager at the state crime lab, told the court Thursday, investigators got a break in the case: DNA pointing to Noffsinger.
The DNA, Grundy testified, was on a sperm sample found inside Pappas and on one vaginal and one rectal sample from Pappas. The odds of the samples belonging to someone other than Noffsinger is in the quintillions, Grundy said.
But defense attorney Heather Brereton asked Grundy about one sample that indicated DNA from a second unidentified man. Grundy said while it's possible that sample had DNA from a second man, the indicators were not as strong as they were for the presence of Noffsinger's DNA.
Later, accountant Jeffery Jensen testified about finding Pappas about 7 a.m. on April 6, 1989, naked from the waist down behind his office building. Deputy Utah Medical Examiner Ed Leis testified he went to the scene and found Pappas wearing only a blue sweater with a broken bra underneath and a shoe and sock on her left foot.
Someone strangled the 5 foot 3 inch, 110-pound Pappas, Leis testified, citing his autopsy, about 1 a.m. The perpetrator most likely used his hands. Someone also sexually assaulted her, Leis testified, though he couldn't say if the sexual assault happened before or after Pappas died.
About a dozen of Pappas' friends and family were in the courtroom and lightly gasped as the first crime scene photo of the teenager's body was displayed on a projection screen. Pappas' mother, who had been forewarned of the medical examiner testimony, was absent for that portion of the hearing.
Leis testified he has performed about 10,500 autopsies, but he indicated the Pappas case stood out.
"I live about 17 blocks east of where this occurred on 45th Street," Leis told defense attorney Heidi Buchi. "I think about this almost every time I drive by there."
Lucero, who as 16 at the time of her best friend's disappearance, testified she and Pappas went to the old Cushion N Cue pool hall at 2865 S. State St. late on April 5. She last saw Pappas crossing west on State Street.
Friday's witnesses are expected to include Pappas' mother and Unified Police Department cold case detective Todd Park. There was no testimony Thursday of how Noffsinger would have encountered Pappas.
Marita Viselli, who spoke to reporters Thursday on behalf of Pappas' mother, said Pappas and Noffsinger were not acquaintances and no one in the Pappas' family had heard of him before the DNA match.
Viselli said Pappas' mother isn't sure what sentence she wants to befall Noffsinger this time, but wants some closure for her daughter.
"She's lived the loss 25 years not knowing what happened to her daughter and without closure," Viselli said.
Noffsinger already imprisoned for life
O Thomas Noffsinger is already serving life in prison for the March 1990 murder of Marie Callender's pie chef Victor Aguilar. Noffsinger stabbed the father of four in the back, stomped on him and then slashed his throat as he and another man attempted to steal the business' safe.
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Re: Maharashtra MH-CET B.ED examination date
Directorate of Higher Education, Maharashtra State, Pune is organized common entnrace test for admission in the B ed courses at the colleges of Maharashtra .. below I am giving you details for it ..
You have to passed Graduation/ Post Graduation from any well recognized university in any discipline and you have to obtained minimum 45% marks ..
Important tentative date for BED CET ::
Issue of application form: April 2014
Last date for submission :: may 2014
Entrance test will be held on : june 2014
Exam Fee:
Rs 650/- for Open/OBC/SBC categories and Outside Maharashtra all categories Candidates
Rs. 350/- for the Backward Class candidate from the Maharashtra State
Exam Pattern:
The CET will comprise the following subjects below :
Mental Ability,
Teacher Aptitude
General Knowledge
Total marks :: 50 marks
Duration :: one hour duration.
Contact details :
Director of Higher Education
Central Building, Pune 411 001.
Phone : 020-26051729
Fax : 020-26051729
Regional Joint Director,
Higher Education, Mumbai Region, Mumbai
(Elphinstone Technical Highschool Campus),
Dhobi Talao, Extension No 3, Ground floor,
Mumbai 400 001.
Phone : 022-22656600
Fax : 022-22656600
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Something to celebrate - Bobcats' LB Zeke Jackson one of four to earn Holland Award
With all four fall sports teams at Central High School making the postseason, it was an understandably festive atmosphere at the San Angelo Convention Center on Monday at the school's 2006 Fall Sports Program.
For more than three hours, the accomplishments of the district champion boys and girls cross country teams, the district and bidistrict championship volleyball team and the bidistrict champion football team were celebrated with food and awards.
"I've been around Central athletics for 15 or 16 years and I can't remember a more successful year for fall sports," Central cross country coach Keith Meek said to the assembled hundreds near the beginning of the event.
The cheerleaders, athletic trainers and mascots were also recognized.
The biggest winners of the night were the four Holland Award honorees, who took home the annual award of excellence voted on by team members.
Central linebacker Zeke Jackson was the Holland Award winner in football. Whitney Vick won in volleyball. Ashley Mercer was the girls' cross country winner and Trenton Tribolet was the boys cross country honoree.
Those were just part of a slew of awards handed out, however.
Volleyball player Whitney Daniel and punter Wills Register were winners of the Minton White Scholar Award, which is named for a former Central principal and given to the male and female athletes with the highest GPA.
Both athletes are vying to be valedictorian in their Central senior class of more than 700.
Defensive Players of the Year honors for the football team went to linebackers Ryan Steinbrunner and Chas Freeman, tackle Nick Rowton and safety Kevin Justice.
Offensive Players of the Year awards went to linemen Justin Humphreys and Eric Samaniego and quarterback Blake McCarthy.
Special Teams Players of the Year were deep snapper Louis Vitela and punter Chance Vick.
The Heart Award went to tackle Dason Tucker and running back Terrance Cadd.
Reserve Players of the Year were linebacker Robert Venegas and tight Reed Johnson.
Special awards were also given to reserves Mark Martinez, Preston Menchaca, Chris Rios and Seth Mayberry.
The Bobcat Spirit Award went to football players D.J. Clough and Chase Miller.
The football team captains as voted on by the team — Jackson, Freeman, Steinbrunner and McCarthy — were also recognized.
Subscribe to the San Angelo Standard-Times
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Programs & Online Health Tools
Resources to help you become a better health care consumer
What does it mean to be a better health care consumer?
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This unique web portal allows registered members access to information that is tailored to your coverage. At mycapbluecross.com, you can see how many pending claims you have, get quick access to secure messages, read up on all types of health information, and discover the various wellness programs offered to members.
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We support efforts that make information more widely available to members and providers so that they may benefit from the activities of organizations such as the Pennsylvania Health Care Quality Alliance (PHCQA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services, which are leaders in the area of providing quality information.
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Hospital Compare
Use this US Department of Health and Human Resources Web site to find publicly available information about quality measures for hospitals nationwide.
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CIOs feel left out in business strategy stakes. http://bit.ly/1gvZ4IM << This is why CIOs need a new model for IT: http://amzn.to/1bLyzhb.
Engage, engage, engage
Much has been written about the CMO-CIO relationship recently. According to Gartner CMOs will soon outspend CIOs on IT, while some industry commentators have even gone as far as claiming the CIO will end up either reporting to the CMO or being replaced by their marketing peer altogether. And then there's the growing trend of organisations creating the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) role reporting directly to the CEO and with a remit of driving digital transformation. A role some would argue should lie at the heart of the CIO's responsibilities.
Should CIOs be worried about these developments? Do the articles, studies and opinion columns have any truth to them? And if so, what do CIOs need to do to ensure they have a role to play in shaping the digital future of their organisations?
You can read the rest of this post on The CIO Leader, my site for business-focused technology leaders.
The CIO: broker of technology, driver of value
This was one of the key messages in CA Technologies CEO Mike Gregoire's keynote speech to around 5,000 business leaders at this year's CA World event in April. Gregoire explained that trends such as consumerisation have shifted the focus of enterprise IT away from the size of its data centre, number of servers, etc. to the value that technology has and can add to the organisation.
And with this change in focus comes a change in what the business expects from its CIO. Gregoire encouraged CIOs to embrace these changes by reinventing their role to one where they act as a broker providing access to technology that will help drive value for their organisations.
You can read the rest of this post on The CIO Leader, my site for business-focused technology leaders.
CIOs and digital: are you serious?
I went to the Harvey Nash CIO Survey 2013 launch event yesterday. As last year it was a very good event with some great insights from the survey; very entertaining speakers and an opportunity to network and catch up with fellow CIOs before and after the presentations and panel session.
If you follow me on Twitter (@ij_cox) you will know that I was live tweeting during the presentations and panel session. However, from a quick look at the hashtag for the event (#hnciosurvey) it appears that in a room full of around 150-200 CIOs and senior IT professionals I was one of the only people doing so. In fact the vast majority of the tweets sent during the event came from just six accounts, two of which belong to subsidiaries of Harvey Nash (@MortimerSpinks and @AlumniFIN) and one to the Editor in Chief of CIO Magazine (@ciouk).
In terms of individuals notable mentions go to Maria Ingold (@MariaIngold) and Ash Mahmud (@Ash_Force) who along with me complete the top 6 tweeters. After the top 6 there were only a handful of attendees who tweeted anything at all. And this is not the first CIO event I've been to where only a small number of people engage with each other on social media.
Is this the same group of people that believe they have a role to play in helping drive digital innovation within their organisations? Can they do this with any credibility if they do not use these tools in the same way that people in other functions and, quite possibly, their own departments use them? Events such as last night are now multi-channel; it's about being in the room and online. And it's the same for businesses – we operate in a multi-channel environment with our colleagues, partners and customers. CIOs should embrace this if they are to have any credibility in the digital debate.
Some CIOs are worried about the growing involvement of the CMO in deciding how and what technology is used. If only 3 out of 150 of us engage in social media during a key CIO event, they are quite right to be worried.
Every cloud … why IT departments are more important than ever
Rewind just over 12 months when there were numerous articles proclaiming the end of the CIO role within five years; IT departments would be bypassed by CFOs and CMOs purchasing cloud services directly from vendors and without the involvement of the internal IT function.
I argued against this view in a number of articles on this site. In What is it with the CIO role… I explained how selecting and managing multiple service providers was a key element of the CIO role and, with the advent of cloud, was becoming more important, not less. I also explained how the successful procurement and use of cloud services requires a range of technical knowledge covering security models, integration with internal or other cloud-based systems, understanding when to use private or public cloud, negotiating service level agreements, etc. My conclusion in that article was that cloud would actually reinforce the importance of the CIO rather than diminish or eliminate the role.
You can read the rest of this post on The CIO Leader, my site for business-focused technology leaders.
CIOs must focus on business not technology
My last article for The CIO Leader, CIOs should not be technical, prompted quite a lot of reaction across this site, LinkedIn and Twitter. The basic premise was that CIOs who were predominantly technical, or who at least were perceived to be technical were at a disadvantage to those that demonstrated a good understanding of the wider business. This was supported by a secondary point that CIOs that had spent part of their careers outside of IT were better placed to take on additional responsibilities or progress beyond the CIO role.
It's worth noting that most of the feedback to my article was positive and in agreement with these points. In fact, the few negative comments about the piece were largely based on a misunderstanding of the central point; these people thought that I was saying that CIOs did not need to understand technology or that they should not have any technical background. This is not the case.
You can read the rest of this post on The CIO Leader, my site for business-focused technology leaders.
CIOs should not be technical
The days of the CIO being the most senior technologist in their organisation with time served working their way up through the IT department are numbered. In fact, having a technical background or at least one that is clearly evident in how you speak, behave or approach issues is likely to be a disadvantage in the future.
The way organisations are using technology has changed. Disruptive technologies such as cloud, social and mobile have made technology far more accessible to non-technical functions. The supposed challengers to the CIO role, be it the CMO, CDO or even the CFO, are demonstrating that you do not need to be technical to successfully apply technology to enable business capabilities.
You can read the rest of this post on The CIO Leader, my site for business-focused technology leaders.


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Toddlewood Recreates Grammys 2014 Fashion For Tiny Tots
Toddlewood Recreates Grammys 2014 Fashion For Tiny Tots
Grammys 2014 style gets a toddler makeover and only Access was there to witness the controlled chaos as photographer, and Toddlewood creator, Tricia Messeroux, recreated some iconic Grammy moments.
"12 years a slave" nominee edge Ya for dressed up for the golden globes. And we were there to meet music's mini-mes. It's uncontrolled -- More like controlled chaos. Hair, makeup, costume and set design. Photographer and creator Tricia has only a very short amount of time to re-create these iconic grammy moments. First, choose what celebrity we're going to actually duplicate. Who are you supposed to be here? Pharrell. Much to the delight of his mini-me 7-year-old Kenny. 7-year-old rhea is a micro version of Taylor swift's sparkling Gucci. Do you know who Taylor swift is? No? Yeah. And here is Katy Perry's mini-me white Valentino. And 7-year-old redhead Arianna is spot-oin Alexander Mcqueen. Some girls just want to have fun but I never heard that here about her. Little John legend was an exact duplicate down to his tuxedo and he even had make believe stubble. She sparkled in her Joanna Johnson. And petey got to pretend to be one of his favorite artists. I'm posing as a miniature robin Thicke. But one thing I noticed right away that his hair is basically almost black. Mine is like peanut butter. And her zebra print couture and Madonna and her son David in Ralph Lauren complete with the pose. Those kids have style and they are cute. See them all on the website. They're aiming dodge balls


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Organization: Common Cause
Seeking: Legislative Affairs Director & Managing Director of Campaigns
Their Mission: Common Cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1970 by John Gardner as a vehicle for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest. Common Cause strives to strengthen our democracy by empowering our members, supporters and the general public to take action on critical policy issues. Now with nearly 400,000 members and supporters and 35 state organizations, Common Cause remains committed to honest, open and accountable government, as well as encouraging citizen participation in democracy.
Organization: Center for the Study of Social Policy
Seeking: Associate – Community Change
Their Mission: Center for the Study of Social Policy's initial emphasis was on federal policy, including welfare reform, tax credits for low-income families, long-term care for the elderly and health care. As the work evolved in the 1980's and 1990's, greater responsibility for addressing social problems devolved to state and local governments. CSSP responded by increasing its direct technical assistance to state, county and city agencies and leaders. CSSP is a pioneer in advocating for family preservation services to keep children safe in their own homes; for a results-focus in education reform and cross-sector human services; for community-based decision-making in health and human services and for data-based advocacy.
Organization: Louis D. Brandeis Center
Seeking: Civil Rights Legal Fellow
Their Mission: The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law is an independent, unaffiliated, nonprofit corporation established to advance the civil and human rights of the Jewish people and promote justice for all. LDB conducts research, education, and advocacy to combat the resurgence of anti-Semitism on college and university campuses.


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Create an Account
Whatever vacation style you choose, you will find it in a California timeshare. Whether you are looking for a beach getaway, desert horizon, scenic mountainside, or snow-capped slopes, you'll find them all in California.
If you'd like to buy a California timeshare, review the timeshares on offer below or enter in the name of the timeshare resort in the search bar and you can contact the timeshare owner directly to discuss buying a timeshare. If you need some assistance, click on the Contact Us tab at the top of the page and fill in the form to contact the specialists here at BuyaTimeshare.com so we can connect you with your dream vacation property.
Looking to rent a timeshare? Our team can even help you find the right timeshare rental or assist you to rent out your California timeshare so you can make some extra cash.
Palm Springs is a desert paradise with a unique charm and style all its own. You can buy California timeshares at Marriott's Shadow Ridge.... Read More
Palm Springs is a desert paradise with a unique charm and style all its own. You can buy California timeshares at Marriott's Shadow Ridge in nearby Palm Desert, for a taste of that mid-century flair. Sun-drenched valleys and lush green golf courses complement each other perfectly in this land of outdoor adventure.
In fact, a fine selection of comfortable and affordable lodging is located throughout the state, including Grand Pacific Palisades in Carlsbad and Marriott's Newport Coast Villas in Newport Coast.
The Los Angeles area is also a great destination for a California timeshare vacation. With a perfect blend of weather, beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife and luxurious lifestyle, this home to the stars draws visitors from around the world.
Hollywood is right around the corner and here you can take the opportunity to buy or rent California timeshare during specific times of the year for your ticket to big events such as the Oscars, film festivals and movie premiers. Nearby Orange County is well-known for its amusement parks, surfing, and spectacular beachfront dining and shopping.
Now, a getaway to a timeshare in California wouldn't be complete without a visit to Disneyland, would it? In case you weren't aware, timeshare units at resorts such as WorldMark Anaheim and The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian give you terrific access to the park for your next Disneyland experience.
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Just north of the San Francisco area is where you'll find the world-famous wines of the Napa Valley, while at the southern end of the state, San Diego also has its fair share of California timeshares.
The list goes on and on for fun things to do and new places to see on your California timeshare vacation, no matter what your location. A generally sunny and warm climate makes vacation planning a snap. Rain is rare, occurring mostly during winter, but if the weather does force you indoors, an abundance of activities such as aquariums, theatres, dining and world-class shopping venues assure a pleasurable time for everyone.
With so many different regional cultures, climates, and communities, you'll never have a dull moment with a California timeshare. If you have decided to buy a timeshare in California, then you have come to the right place. Even if you're looking to sell California timeshare, BuyaTimeshare.com has the tools to market your vacation property since our goal is to bring buyers and sellers together so that buyers can start enjoying their vacation right away!
If you'd like to buy or rent California timeshares and save money in the process, the specialists at BuyaTimeshare.com can connect you with the vacation property of your dreams. Remember that shopping on the resale market means you'll save 50-60% off the retail cost of a timeshare offered through the resort, since we don't have the sales and marketing costs that the resorts have to cover through their sales process. That's real savings we are able to pass along to you.
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Buy Carlsbad Seapointe Resort.
If you are looking to purchase an annual vacation at an amazing... Read More
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Celebrities, Depositions, Labor / Employment, Music, Rudeness
Back in September, we declared that Lil Wayne was the best celebrity deponent of all time, but now we may have to take back that title and hand it over to Lady Gaga, who recently proved herself to be a gigantic bitch on the record in sworn deposition testimony.
In case you were unaware, Lady Gaga is the queen of all things fabulous. She can get away with wearing things — like dresses made entirely of meat, plastic bubbles, and Kermit the Frogs — that not even Madonna would consider. Her little
minions monsters span the globe, and will jump to defend her highness at a moment's notice. Her lyrics are powerful and awe-inspiring, and she's a major proponent of gay rights, worldwide.
And last, but certainly not least, she's a true New Yorker, as is evidenced by the f**k-laden deposition transcript that the New York Post got its grubby little hands on….
Lady Gaga (née Stefani Germanotta) was sued by Jennifer O'Neill, her former personal assistant. O'Neill is seeking payment for 7,168 hours of overtime work. That works out to $393,000, plus damages, for serving at the Queen of Pop's "beck and call" from 2009 to 2011. Here are the details from the New York Post:
Lady Gaga unloaded on a former personal assistant who's suing her for overtime pay — blasting the woman in a sworn deposition as a "f–king hood rat who is suing me for money that she didn't earn."
"She's just — she thinks she's just like the queen of the universe," Gaga ranted, court records obtained by The Post show.
"And, you know what, she didn't want to be a slave to one, because in my work and what I do, I'm the queen of the universe every day."
In fairness, we'll concede that Gaga is, in fact, the queen of the universe, that doesn't mean she's got the right to treat the members of her entourage like peasants when it comes to overtime pay. She claimed during her deposition that she never pays overtime, and that O'Neill is a "disgusting human being" for suing over it.
The snippets the Post pulled from the deposition make Gaga look like an enormous C-U-Next-Tuesday, and while there were many spectacularly obnoxious quotes to choose from, we've grabbed the best ones for your perusal. Take, for example, the pop star's reasons why O'Neill is trash for suing Gaga for overtime pay:
"Because she slept in Egyptian cotton sheets every night, in five-star hotels, on private planes, eating caviar, partying with [photographer] Terry Richardson all night, wearing my clothes, asking YSL [Yves Saint Laurent] to send her free shoes without my permission, using my YSL discount without my permission."
Being a glorified slave certainly has its perks. By the way, O'Neill was being paid $75,000 a year to wait on the superstar hand and foot, a job that she was allegedly "majorly unqualified" for, per Gaga. "I expect there to be a certain level of, like, you know, knowledge and academia about, like, your job," noted the ever eloquent Gaga.
And as far as the subject of O'Neill's lawsuit is concerned, far be it from Lady Gaga to no not make the entire debacle all about herself — whatever, she was born this way. Here's what the fame monster had to say:
"Not that people who do that don't deserve their hourly pay, but I'm just pointing out that I deserve everything I've worked for. I deserve every dollar of it. And she deserves every dollar of her $75,000 that we agreed to. But she does not deserve a penny more."
As for the $393,000 O'Neill claims she's owed, Gaga says she'd rather dole it out to her current employees, the ones "that work hard for [her] now that deserve it." Never would Gaga deign to hand over the cash to O'Neill, ever: "I'm not going to give it to her so she can go to Intermix and buy herself a new tube top."
Work, work, fashion baby? We're not entirely sure if there's such a thing as a $400,000 tube top (even if it's made of, like, you know, filet mignon and stuff). But be that as it may, Gaga — a woman who goes out in public with her tits aflame, mind you — still went on the record to criticize O'Neill's fashion sense.
Mother Monster was not pleased that she had to sit through a six-hour deposition, so she ended with perhaps the bitchiest comment of all: "You are not my f–king friend." Ouch. Even if O'Neill just dances, everything is not going to be okay after that kind of a nasty aside. Talk about a bad (workplace) romance….
Besides which, "[t]his whole case is bulls–t, and you know it," Jennifer O'Neill!
Lady Gaga rants under oath in pay battle with former personal assistant [New York Post]
Earlier: Lil Wayne Is Quite Possibly the Best Deponent of All Time
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text: 1 TV Back to article: X Factor's 10 raunchiest performances: Rihanna, Aguilera, Cheryl 0 Previous Bryan Adams provided a brief cameo on The X Factor last year with the show's finalists as they sang his hit 'Baby When You're Gone'. When asked after his performance by Dermot O'Leary what advice he could give, he said: "Write your own music and try and play live as much as you can!" This was followed by an awkward pause and blank faces from the contestants. Copyright: Rex Features Ken McKay/TalkbackThames/Rex Features 10 of 10 Previous Next


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Flying from Zürich
All flights from Zürich depart from Zürich Airport (ZRH). Winner of the World Travel Award and the Business Traveler Award, Zürich Airport is a world-class facility, and is conveniently located about 11 kilometers from the city center.
Zürich Airport Information
Zürich Airport provides its visitors with every modern amenity and service. Should your vacation extend beyond Zürich, you can use the travel agencies located at the airport to plan the next leg of your journey. A variety of shops and restaurants are available to help you pass the time until your departure.
Getting to the Airport in Zürich
Several bus lines run between the airport and different points in the city. If you wish to catch a bus to Zürich Airport, first check with your hotel to see if they offer a complimentary shuttle. A taxi to Zürich Airport will take approximately 20 minutes depending on traffic. Ask at your hotel's front desk for a reliable company, or contact the airport for information on their fleet of taxis. If you wish to take the train to Zürich Airport, the Swiss Federal Railways trains leave from the city center and take only 10-15 minutes.
Arriving in Stuttgart
Known for its automobile industry, Stuttgart, Germany provides an interesting mix of innovation and history. Travelers book flights to Stuttgart every year to enjoy high-tech wonders as well as works of art that date back over 1,000 years. Arrive in Stuttgart in comfort and luxury by flying on airberlin.
First Time in Stuttgart
If you are new to the city, a great place to start is Palace Square, located right at the heart of the city. From there, you can easily access great shopping areas, historical sites, and gorgeous parks.
Your Stuttgart
If you are a car lover, you will find yourself in seventh heaven if you travel to Stuttgart. Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are both headquartered in Stuttgart where they also have their own car museums. If the family grows tired of car museums, plan an excursion to Hohenzollern Castle, which will make you feel as if you have been transported to the Middle Ages.
Making the Most of Your Stuttgart Holiday
If you are looking for cheap hotels in Stuttgart while the weather is nice, it is best to plan to purchase tickets to Stuttgart for the spring or fall. It is possible to find flight deals to Stuttgart in the summer, but this is the peak tourist season.


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October 6, 2015
Lincoln is one of the top digital cities in the nation according to the Center for Digital Government.
Lincoln tied for sixth in cities with populations from 125,000 to 249,000. This is the third consecutive year Lincoln has finished in the top ten.
The award was presented yesterday to Mayor Coleen Seng.
Doug Thomas, manager of the information services division of the City Finance Department, said more than 300 cities participated in the annual study.
The study assesses how local governments use information technology to streamline operations and deliver services. The study looks at the availability of information, forms and services; the ability to send feedback; and information technology management.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or email@example.com.


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Primary links
Who We Are
About RI
Our History
Our Successes
Board of Directors
Jobs, Fellowships & Internships
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Return And Resettlement Displaced Iraqis
The Return and Resettlement of Displaced Iraqis
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 01:00
Testimony of Kenneth H. Bacon, President, and Kristele Younes, Senior Advocate
March 31, 2009
Committee on Foreign Relations, US Senate
Thank you, Senator Casey, for holding this hearing today. As President Obama noted in his February 27 speech on responsibly ending the war in Iraq, "millions of displaced Iraqis…are a living consequence of this war and a challenge to stability in the region, and they must become part of Iraq's reconciliation and recovery." This hearing and legislation such as the Casey-Cardin "Support for Vulnerable Iraqis Act" will play an important role in addressing the security and stability challenges presented by Iraqi displacement.
Refugees International has been working on the plight of displaced Iraqis for three years. In 2006 and 2007, we called the Iraqi displacement crisis "the fastest growing" in the world. Although the rates of displacement have since slowed, about 20% of the Iraqi population remains displaced. The Governments of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and other host countries say that they are sheltering almost 2 million Iraqi refugees, while the International Organization for Migration notes that another 2.6 million are internally displaced in Iraq. The latter are known as IDPs.
Throughout the past three years, Refugees International has advocated increased assistance to displaced Iraqis, as well as increased resettlement of Iraqi refugees in the US and other countries. Our efforts have led the United Nations to significantly increase their presence and work in the region and the US Government to step up efforts to respond to the crisis. In 2008, the US Government provided $400 million in assistance to displaced Iraqis. To date, in 2009, the US has contributed $150 million and expects to contribute more. As for resettlement, the US welcomed more than 13,000 Iraqis in 2008 and plans to resettle at least 17,000 in the current fiscal year. More needs to be done, but these improvements in the humanitarian response are encouraging and demonstrate the willingness of the US government to address some of the humanitarian consequences of the war in Iraq.
Assistance by the international community and the resettlement of vulnerable Iraqis to the US and elsewhere remain critical components of a comprehensive response to the Iraqi displacement crisis. However, with such a large segment of the population displaced, the solution for most displaced Iraqis will be to return home.
As security in Iraq seems to be improving, it is essential that the Government of Iraq, the US and the United Nations (UN) work together to create conditions suitable for returns.
Earlier this month, we conducted a mission to Iraq to survey work in the main areas of displacement and return in the center of the country. We visited several areas of Baghdad, as well as Eskanderia, in the former "Sunni triangle of death", Fallujah in the Anbar Governorate, Karbala and Hilla in the Babel Governorate.
I very much appreciate your invitation to brief you on our findings. Unfortunately, a medical emergency has forced us to present our testimony in writing. I hope you will make this entire statement part of the hearing record and that you will not hesitate to submit questions in writing.
Here are our major findings:
• As security in Iraq improves, refugees and internally displaced Iraqis are starting to return home, but the returns are slow and tentative.
• While security remains the major factor in a family's decision to return home, other factors play a role—infrastructure, particularly water and electricity, employment opportunities and health care. The government of Iraq (GOI), the U.S. and the United Nations have to do a better job of working together provide the services necessary to support returning Iraqis.
• The capacity of the GOI to provide protection and services to returning Iraqis is weak. A vibrant civil society sector, including increasingly competent local non-government organizations, is beginning to develop in Iraq, but the government often sees the civil society movement as a threat rather than a potential partner. The U.S. and the UN should concentrate on helping to develop a better partnership between the GOI and civil society organizations.
• Returns tend to ratify the ethnic cleansing that took place during the worst years of sectarian violence, when many mixed neighborhoods became all Shi'a or all Sunni. The GOI needs to do a better job of convincing Iraqis that rule of law applies equally to all Iraqis and that the government is nonsectarian.
The state of returns
Since November 2007, the Government of Iraq has been trying to encourage the return of displaced Iraqis. In Syria, Jordan, and Egypt the GOI has made buses and planes available to help refugees return to their country and has provided them with a small sum upon their return home. As for the internally displaced, they too can receive assistance to vacate the homes they sometimes occupy illegally and to return to their homes. Iraq went as far as violating international refugee law by asking Syria to close its borders to refugees at the end of 2007, when the number of people fleeing was still significant, because of fears that the large number of refugees gave a bad image of the security situation inside the country.
In its strategy to encourage returns, the Government of Iraq has failed to take political, social and economic reality into consideration and examine the country's capacity to absorb large numbers of returns. Instead, it has made the return of displaced Iraqis a component, as opposed to a consequence, of its security strategy. Large returns, the Government reasoned in 2007, would create the impression that security in Iraq was better and would win popular and international support for the Government's military and political actions.
Pressure on the displaced to return to their homes continues today. Refugees International met with Government officials who all expressed the desire to see the "IDP file" closed in 2009, as there are "no longer reasons to be displaced" in Iraq. As a result, IDPs are no longer being registered, as the government hurries to make the displacement problem disappear. Moreover, Prime Minister Al Maliki's Shi'a Government has little sympathy for the largely Sunni refugees in neighboring countries. Syria and Jordan state that almost 2 million such refugees are still in their countries, but the Government of Iraq states that there are no more than 400,000, and fewer have registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. According to a UN diplomat in Baghdad, the Prime Minister sees all refugees as "traitors" or "baathists" who prefer "getting money without working" rather than helping rebuilding their country.
Displacement from Iraq has slowed but hasn't stopped yet; the UN continues to register new arrivals in Syria and Jordan for instance. A small percentage of the internally displaced are returning, in part because of the ceasefires imposed by Sunni and Shiite militias and the security those militias have established in their fiefdoms for members of the same sect. Also, many formerly mixed communities are no longer mixed and there is essentially no one left to force out. In addition, the conditions for displaced families both within Iraq and in neighboring countries are extremely difficult and continue to deteriorate. Thus, some Iraqis are returning to "safe" neighborhoods in Baghdad.
Returns remain a trickle, however, rather than the solution of choice for most displaced. According to the IOM, around 50,000 families (250,000 persons) have returned, mostly to Baghdad, and mostly from within the country. Only 8% of these returnees were refugees from neighboring countries. As for the rest of the IDPs, a survey by IOM shows that 61% of those still displaced would eventually like to return, but don't feel ready to do it now. The remaining 39% would either like to integrate in their current communities, or resettle somewhere else. Obviously, if the post 2006 population movements aren't reversed, there will be serious consequences for the political future of Iraq, as entire neighborhoods and cities will remain homogenous.
Returns are the most effective way to gauge lasting improvements in Iraq, as refugees and IDPs are often the best informed about the conditions in their places of origin. The low numbers demonstrate that major obstacles and challenges need to be addressed before mass returns can take place. According to UNHCR and the US embassy in Baghdad, many who have returned to Iraq from neighboring countries have now become internally displaced, unable to go back to their homes. They seek shelter in neighborhoods reflecting their religious sect, not neighborhoods where they are the minority and might feel threatened. As for IDPs, many fear returning because returnees have been killed. Local security officials and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) confirmed that there have been incidents of intimidation or murder in many areas, and these stories spread quickly throughout the population. Refugees International visited the Sunni area of Amriya, where a Shi'a family was killed when it tried to return. We heard of similar incidents happening to Sunni families in Shi'a neighborhoods.
Besides the fragility of the security situation, there are many other obstacles to return. According to assessments conducted by international and national aid agencies, refugees and IDPs who have returned need shelter, electricity, water, employment and non-food items. Healthcare is also a major issue: there are 18,000 healthcare workers in Iraq today, versus 36,000 in 2000. Humanitarian organizations have designed programs to target some of these needs. For instance, IOM designed a returnee food and non-food basket, and seeks to assist returning families by including them in its community assistance, water/sanitation, health and education programs. Similarly, UNHCR included assistance to returnees in its 2008 and 2009 programs, while both international and local NGOs stand ready to assist in many areas of Iraq. As for the GOI, it announced assistance to returnees-around $800 per family-that is neither sufficient nor efficiently distributed.
Despite these initiatives in assisting returnees, the systems are currently not in place to handle a large number of returnees as it is the overall infrastructure of the country that needs to be revived. Moreover, there is no unified process to deal with returning internally displaced persons or refugees. As in the post-conflict Balkans, property disputes are a key issue in Iraq, as many returnees are unable to go home since their houses are occupied by others. Property disputes will linger for many years to come and are likely to spark renewed violence. For now, they are being handled by the Iraqi army on orders from the Prime Minister's cabinet dealing with the eviction of "squatters", many of them IDPs themselves.
Creating conditions for returns: the role of the Government of Iraq
Despite improvements in security, many Iraqis believe large-scale violence might resume, as internal struggles for power emerge and are no longer limited to the Sunni-Shi'a divide. In particular, many fear the consequences of the US-planned withdrawal, and the effect it will have on the different factions. The fear is compounded by the current lack of capacity of the Iraqi Government, which is reflected by its inability to deal effectively with displacement.
Inside the Government, sectarian bias remains strong. According to senior US officials in Baghdad, "there isn't one Government in Iraq", but a regroupment of factions, each pursuing their own agenda. Sunni still largely feel disenfranchised and under-represented, and mistrust towards the Shi'a-dominated Government is largely present at all levels of society. The Ministry of Displacement and Migration (MoDM) is run by Shi'a Kurds, whose first priority has been the resettlement of refugees coming back from Iran. Most advisors to the Prime Minister are Shi'a. IDPs feel it is much easier for displaced Shias than for displaced Sunnis to gain assistance. Similarly, many Iraqi NGOs working in Sunni areas report having trouble registering with the Government of Iraq. One NGO representative told us that when she went to the government NGO office to register her organization, she was asked "why she works in these areas", meaning Sunni neighborhoods of Baghdad.
Sectarianism is not the only problem with the government of Iraq. Corruption is rampant, and makes it extremely difficult for the Government to effectively deliver assistance and for international and national NGOs to operate. The World Food Programme (WFP), which delivers food assistance to hundreds of thousands of displaced Iraqis, had its cargo seized by Iraqi police who alleged that the food was rotten. Refugees International met with many local and international groups operating in the city of Hilla, in Babel, who complained that the local head of MoDM was an incompetent 26-year-old, who was appointed because of his links to the Governor and who constantly tried to intimidate agencies into distributing assistance to his friends and family.
The improvements in security have not translated into improvements in the provision of services. This situation is unlikely to improve in the near future, given the financial difficulties that the Government of Iraq is currently experiencing. The fall in oil prices has had a severe impact on the Iraqi national budget, which went from a planned $82 billion to less than $60 billion for 2009, with further cuts planned. Moreover, the government has also made cuts in the public distribution system of food (PDS) which cost $5.9 billion last year.
The Government has nevertheless tried to take a few steps to address displacement. The creation of returnee assistance centers in Baghdad provides legal and financial assistance to returnees. Unfortunately, the government interrupted the payment of $800 to returnee families in October, and it is unclear when assistance will resume. To address property disputes, the Prime Minister's office issued two orders for the Iraqi army (through the Baghdad Operations Center, or BOC) to evict squatters when returnees can show documents establishing their property rights. Those evicted are entitled to some assistance. This system is, however, flawed, as many squatters are IDPs themselves who cannot return home. As for homeowners, getting their property back does not mean they can return, since they often fear for their safety.
Assistance to returnees, property restitution, and the provision of basic services are essential for Iraqis to return home. But many will still not return until they feel the root causes of the conflict have been addressed. They need to feel accepted by the community and provided with security guarantees. Baghdad, and indeed the rest of Iraq, resembles a large military base today - with each neighborhood sealed off by walls, and populations unable to move freely when they choose. Areas are currently protected by the army or by "awakening groups", Sunni militias created by the US army, who were eventually supposed to be integrated into the Iraqi armed forces and police. Save a few exceptions, it hasn't really happened yet, making the situation unsustainable. Refugees International and others worry that absent a real political reconciliation process and an efficient disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program, these groups will remain as armed militias with the same political agenda and strong grievances. The possibility for resumed violence is also present along the disputed boundaries between the Kurds and the central Iraqi Government. A political solution is vital to ensure there won't be large-scale confrontations.
The US, the international community, and the UN need to provide financial and technical assistance to the government of Iraq to address the needs of the displaced, the returnees and the root causes of displacement. In addition, political pressure on the government of Iraq to address its own sectarianism and rampant corruption must be maintained. A comprehensive, inter-ministerial system is needed to establish the rule of law, which is essential for Iraqis to feel safe and return to their homes. Finally, the international community must work with the Government of Iraq to create jobs. With 30% unemployment rate, Iraq's economic future is compromised. So is its security, as most of the unemployed are young men who are vulnerable to recruitment by militias and other armed groups.
The way forward
Humanitarian needs remain a priority in Iraq. The UN assistance mission to Iraq is currently trying to build the government of Iraq's capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies and should be supported in this work. Many populations in Iraq live in vulnerable conditions, unknown to the aid community which, because of security restrictions, has been unable to get a comprehensive picture of conditions in the country. Refugees International visited groups of displaced Iraqis in Baghdad and elsewhere who lived in unsanitary conditions, were not registered with the MoDM, and had never received any assistance from any UN agency or NGO. Aid organizations must work together and establish better coordination and reporting mechanisms to ensure that vulnerable Iraqis stop falling through the cracks.
NGOs and UN agencies have started addressing these problems by designing several types of programs: some targeting basic needs and others looking at longer-term development, such as job training for widows. UNHCR is working with local NGOs to provide protection and assistance to the most vulnerable, while UNICEF is launching its IMPACT program, addressing the needs of some of the poorest communities in Iraq. These organizations and others who are working in Iraq need financial and political support. At the end of 2008, the UN launched an appeal for $547 million to meet the needs of Iraqis both in and outside of Iraq. Contributions to this appeal have been insufficient to date. Refugees International urges the US to lead by example and fund 50% of the overall appeal. The US plays a special role in the region, and this needs to be translated into the prioritizations of humanitarian assistance as well.
Civil society plays an essential role in Iraq. Both international and national NGOs have been at the forefront of providing assistance since the beginning of the war, often at great risks for their staff. Yet there seems to be great mistrust by the government of Iraq towards NGOs, especially Iraqi ones. The Government is currently discussing a law that if passed, would enable the State to exert a disproportionate level of control on NGOs, on their finances, and even on their lifespan. It is true that the Iraqi civil society is young, and that many NGOs exist only by name, or as a tool for political parties. Many others however, are legitimate and could become important actors if they were given the resources and the capacity building they need. Refugees International met with impressive local groups, who provide assistance to thousands of vulnerable Iraqis, without any support from the Iraqi government or the international community. The US and other donors must also work with the government to achieve a compromise that would ensure government oversight without impeding NGOs independence. Iraq today is struggling to replace sectarian violence with political discourse and reconciliation. It has a long way to go, but more active civil society organizations would provide a good mediation channel.
Even if fully funded though, the UN and NGOs will not be able to address major problems, such as the establishment of basic services throughout the country. This task has been taken up by the government, and also by the US provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) which have a much larger budget that any UN agency. For example, UNICEF had $30 million budget in 2008, the PRTs had $862 million at their disposal to undertake projects such as the repair of power grids, the rebuilding of schools and bridges, or the construction of hospitals. Unfortunately the PRTs projects are often implemented without much coordination with the central authorities, the UN, or USAID. There needs to be much increased coordination with communities and all actors involved in the reconstruction of Iraq to ensure ownership and sustainability. Furthermore, as the US troops draw down, thought has to be given to the handing over of PRT projects to the government of Iraq or the UN. The US has a responsibility to ensure that these projects don't fall through, and that whomever they are handed to has the capacity and the resources to maintain and complete them.
As efforts continue to stabilize and rebuild Iraq, special attention needs to be given to the most vulnerable, and durable solutions need to be found. The stateless Palestinians of Iraq remain one of the most vulnerable groups, the subjects of discrimination and attacks by many factions. The hundreds who sought shelter in the camps of Al-Tanf and Al-Waleed at the Syrian border with Iraq must be resettled immediately and the criteria applied should be the same as for Iraqis. According to the UN, there are 10 -12,000 left in Iraq. For this population, resettlement to a third country is likely to be the only durable solution.
The US and the international community must also turn their attention to Iraqis who will not be able to return home, whether they are refugees or internally displaced. They may be too vulnerable to return, or have reasons to fear for their safety. Either way, there are currently no plans to address their needs and plan for their future. The US must engage Syria, Jordan and other host countries on finding durable solutions for these particularly vulnerable groups. As for the 39% of internally displaced Iraqis who don't plan to return home, they will need assistance to either integrate in their new communities or resettle elsewhere. The political implications for the future of Iraq must be carefully considered, while respecting the will of the displaced.
We can avoid repeating past mistakes. The US must consider the humanitarian implications of its engagement in Iraq, and ensure that measures are taken to mitigate the effects the conflict continues to have on civilians. Working with the government of Iraq and the UN, the US must stand ready to assist vulnerable Iraqis, including the displaced and the returnees. This is not only a humanitarian imperative, but a security one as well.
Refugees International is an independent, non-profit humanitarian advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Refugees International generates lifesaving humanitarian assistance and protection for displaced people around the world and works to end the conditions that create displacement. We do not accept government or United Nations funding, relying instead on contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.
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Line 6 Product Weights and Dimensions
Nov 07 2006 02:47 AM | Line6Tony in General FAQweight size dimensions
Please download the Excel Spreadsheet file for dimensions of your Line 6 product. Please be aware that new and/or unreleased products may not be reflected on this list. Also, be sure to use the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet to select your product family.
l6 product dimensions 100407.xls 60.5KB 1979 downloads
l6 product dimensions 100407.xls 60.5KB 1979 downloads