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Bolivia turns to Russia for drug-eradication help
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) -- President Evo Morales will seek Russia's help in fighting drugs in Bolivia, saying the United States has stopped supporting efforts to eradicate illegal coca plants.Morales told reporters on Friday that he will discuss the immediate purchase of helicopters and loans of other aircraft to fight coca production when he visits Russia on Sunday.
Bolivia is the third-largest producer of illegal coca, the main ingredient for cocaine, after Colombia and Peru. Coca leaves also have traditional and religious uses in Bolivia.
The Bolivian president accused Washington of violating international conventions on the "shared responsibility" in the drug war and blamed the Narcotics Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy for a delay in the eradication of coca crops.
Not a single coca plant has been destroyed so far this year, Morales said, compared to the 1,483 acres (600 hectares) of coca that had been destroyed by this same time last year.
But Kris Urs, the U.S. embassy's charge d'affaires, told reporters Friday that normal eradication efforts will begin Saturday with the same amount of support from previous years.
"We have not ceased to cooperate," Urs said. "We're in talks with the government about how we can make the eradicators work more effective while minimizing costs.
In 2007-2008, Washington spent $25 million to eradicate coca and fight drug trafficking in Bolivia. But no figures were available Friday for the current year.
Morales expelled the U.S. ambassador last September, accusing him of interfering in internal affairs, and in November suspended operations of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which he accused of spying.


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|Separate WC's
|Property type
Villa Olivetta is situated in Agia Marina, Cyprus. This detached holiday rental property is air conditioned and sleeps up to 7 people along with a private pool swimming pool and sea views. Villa Olivetta has has 3 air conditioned bedrooms. If an additional bed is required there is 1 folding bed. The villa can sleep up to 7 people. Large lounge, kitchen with dining area. Laundry room. Patio doors to shaded poolside dining terrace.
3 air conditioned bedrooms (2 doubles and 1 twin), 1 en suite bathroom and 1 family bathroom. Private Pool Size: 8.0m x 4.0m Depths: Shallow=1.0m; Deep End=1.2m Additional Pool Features: Pool Shower, Poolside Dining Area, Sun Beds and Pergola The pool is totally private with sun beds and shades. The surrounding grassed garden is enclosed by walls and further adds to the security and privacy of this villa. The pool is not overlooked by any nearby villas.
Holiday Rating: Excellent
Recommend Property: Yes
Cleaner Rating: Excellent
Holiday Review:
Beautiful villa we stayed there for a week and it couldn't have been more comfortable. Very high standard of care from the owner I would definitely recommend this villa and I hope to return again.
Androulla was a very welcoming and accommodating host. The description on the website was accurate no need for change Everything was as expected and very good
We had the most wonderful holiday in Cyprus. It was our first visit and we will definitely return. We hired a car which I believe is essential for this villa as you are unable to walk to a local restaurant but it helped us in exploring the island and wonderful restaurants and the beautiful town of Polis is only a short drive away. The villa itself was lovely. It was quiet relaxing had everything you needed and we quickly felt at home. Androulla (the host) was extremely welcoming really informative and happy to help. She gave us lots of advice and was on hand to make our stay one to remember. Andorra invited us to dinner which we both thoroughly enjoyed and was one of the highlights of our stay. Both Agni and Androulla provide a truly amazing service and I would highly recommend to all. We will be using Agni again and will look forward to seeing Androulla again in the future.
We spent a week at Villa Olivetta and had a fantastic week. The villa was exceptionally clean and very well equipped. We arrived late on Sunday night to be welcomed with Soup and homemade bread left by Androulla the owner. Androulla also left everything we needed for our breakfast the next day along with tea and coffee. We arrived home another day during our stay to find homemade bread and dessert left for us. Androulla was kind and helpful during our stay and made us feel very welcome in her villa. She was there if you needed anything or any advice on places to go. The surrounding area is beautiful and there are many lovely places to visit with some breathtaking views. This is definitely the place to stay for a relaxing holiday away from the usual daily hustle and bustle. We would not hesitate in recommending Androulla and her villa to others and would definitely visit again if we come to Cyprus.
We had been to the villa last year so knew what to expect. Nice tranquil location in a lovely quiet village. However it was made even better with the new garden which was really nice to look over and wander around in. Our host Androula made us very welcome and was very helpful if we asked anything. Overall a great holiday and hopefully we will be back next year
This was our first visit to Cyprus. We could not have chosen any better. We have never had such a relaxed holiday ever The villa is Exactly as it looks in the description. Spotlessly clean beautiful pool peaceful. Set in a lovely village in a wonderful part of Cyprus. A good base to explore. Androulla the owner is amazing. She suggested local places to eat that were spot on. Nothing was too much trouble. Would suggest a car would be a very good idea to see the surrounding area and beyond.Would highly recommend. Are looking to return 2017.
Cyprus has warm and sunny weather all year-round without extreme hot or cold temperatures. In the Summer temperatures can reach 90 degrees, but cool Mediterranean breezes temper the heat. Winters are mild with some rain and snow in the Troodos Mountains. Spring and autumn are quite warm and pleasant. There are ancient settlements everywhere you go which are reminders of the Islands 10,000 year history and its incredibly diverse scenery ranges from dramatic pine clad mountains to secluded coves gently washed by the sparkling warm waters of the Mediterranean sea.
Polis is located in the North West area of Cyprus just 45 minutes from Paphos airport. Polis is the ideal holiday location for those guests who appreciate authenticity and tranquility in a pleasant and friendly environment, which blends mountains and sea with wonderful warm clear seas and sandy beaches.
Polis is considered as one of the best locations for nature lovers and those keen on active holidays, such as hiking, cycling, horse riding and golf. Polis also offers all the facilities required for a relaxing vacation with banks, a hospital, pharmacies, shops, restaurants, taverns, bars, cafes and a picturesque pedestrian's area in the traditional heart of Polis, a local meeting point throughout the year from early hours till late at night. Furthermore, the region boasts an excellent archaeological museum, Byzantine churches and traditional houses.
Latchi is a pretty peaceful fishing village surrounded by vibrant green countryside and farmland. Located on the border of the Akamas Peninsula on the north west coast of Cyprus, this traditional Cypriot resort is just 2 miles from Polis and around 15 miles from Paphos. Perfect evenings can be spent enjoying Cypriot cuisine at the traditional waterside tavernas where the fresh fish and seafood is excellent.
This quiet resort is the ideal base for nature lovers, walkers and bird watchers as it is perfectly located to the Akamas Peninsula which is a protected region and National Park of Cyprus. This vast area has all kinds of flora and fauna, nature trails, rugged gorges such as Avakas Gorge, isolated coves and tranquil beaches. It is here that you will find Lara Bay where the green turtles breed and Fontana Amorosa Bay. A boat trip from the harbour will give you excellent views of the Park from the sea. A great way to explore the surrounding countryside and places that can't be reached by road is on horseback. Hiring a car is also a great way to explore the traditional villages in the Troodos Mountains that are only accessible by the winding mountain roads.
Latchi beach is blessed with beautiful clear blue waters along with the beaches in the bays around the resort. Watersports are on offer here and offer something more than just lazing on the beach. An excellent spot for scuba diving, all ages and abilities will love diving here among the caves and sunken wrecks which are home to a fascinating variety of marine life.
*Plus compulsory or optional charges based on actual occupancy or consumption. The payment has to be made in the currency offered by the property manager, before use of conversion tool. Payments in other currencies have to be negotiated beforehand with the property manager. The currency conversion tool is provided for your convenience only and is non-binding.

subset: commoncrawl


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Gandhim3 wrote:
All the shift codes posted worked as of this posting
The one cheat I don't feel bad about. Nothing in the Golden Chest is really worth bragging about and it all gets out-leveled relatively quickly. Granted that's at level 30 or so. I suppose it's plausible that at higher levels something worth a crap might come out of that crate.
Either way, I refuse to play their stupid games with the shift codes. I'm not going to like them on Facebook or scour the internet for just one more key.


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U.S. Taxpayers Spent $43 Million On A Gas Station In Afghanistan
And a chunk of that money is still unaccounted for, according to a new report
The Department of Defense spent upwards of $43 million to build a gas station in Afghanistan between 2011 and last year — and a chunk of that money is still unaccounted for, according to a new report.
The cost of a natural gas filling station in the city of Sheberghan, in northern Afghanistan, totaled a stunning $42,718,739 to be exact, according to a report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), released on Monday. "DOD charged the American taxpayer $43 million for what is likely the world's most expensive gas station," John Sopko, special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, said in an email to Vocativ.
SIGAR found that $30 million of that went to overhead while $12.3 million was spent on direct costs for the station. Another $3 million contract for the construction of the station remains accounted for.
The State Department's Task Force for Business and Stability Operations, which was responsible for planning the station's construction, has declined to explain itself. "One of the most troubling aspects of this project is that the Department of Defense claims that it is unable to provide an explanation for the high cost of the project or to answer any other questions concerning its planning, implementation, or outcome," Sopko wrote in a letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on October 22.
A comparable gas station for filling cars with compressed natural gas inside the U.S. costs anywhere between $10,000 to $1.8 million, according to a 2014 report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy. And a filling station in Pakistan was expected to cost no more than $500,000, according to SIGAR.
The $43 million gas station was part of a State Department project aimed at minimizing Afghanistan's reliance on imported gas. The country imported 100 percent of its gasoline from 1980-2012, a SIGAR analysis of U.S. Energy Information Administration data found, and the idea was that Afghanistan instead look to its natural reserves. The country possesses over 15 billion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas, according to the latest U.S. Geological Survey.
The State Department, however, never conducted any "feasibility studies" or surveys about the logistics of how a natural gas filling station in Afghanistan would work, the SIGAR report said. If it had, it might have found that Afghanistan lacked significant infrastructure to pump natural gas.
Other aspects are also expensive. Converting a car from gasoline to natural gas costs an estimated average of $700 per vehicle — steep considering Afghan citizens make an average of $690 per year. Low average income among citizens, lack of infrastructure and other factors led to a net loss of $31 million on the Sheberghan gas station.
In response to questions about the gas station from SIGAR, the State Department said it had no expertise to answer inquiries about the Task Force that funded the station because the Task Force stopped operating in March.


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THE mother of murdered British girl Imani Green wept last night as she told of
the moment her girl was shot in Jamaica.
Speaking for the first time about the horror last month, Donna Green said she
briefly left the eight-year-old to play in a cousin's grocer's shop.
But after hearing gunshots, she dashed back to the store and found her little
daughter face down in a pool of blood.
Heartbroken Donna, 47, said: "I felt numb and shocked when I saw Imani just
lying there.
"I felt the deepest sorrow you could ever imagine to the point where you feel
like you're on the brink of insanity.
"Imani and I were bessie mates, we went everywhere together, it was very rare
that we were apart.
"She was a very special little girl and to lose her in this way has torn me
Imani had been behind the counter, pretending to be a shopkeeper, when a
gunman burst in and unleashed a hail of bullets. One hit Imani in the head.
Donna and her other daughter Jamila, 19, had walked to a relative's house
nearby to drop off shopping bags. They heard several loud bangs.
Donna, of Balham, South London, said: "I'd never heard gunshots in my life but
I instantly recognised the sound."
"Jamila came running into the kitchen saying 'Mummy, Mummy, what was that?'.
"I said 'gun shots' and just started to run towards the sound. I just remember
running out and calling for Imani."
The pair ran to the shop in Duncans, east of Montego Bay, and found the
child's gran Sandra Fisher and cousin Brandese Brown already there.
Donna said: "I saw them jumping up and down and screaming, and I thought
what am I going to face — that's the last place I saw Imani.
"I looked inside at an angle. I saw my daughter laying face down on the floor.
There was a pool of blood near her.
"I remember turning round and throwing my hands in the air.
"I had my sunglasses on my head and even they felt too heavy, I remember
taking them off and throwing them.
"It was just madness, everyone was screaming and crying."
Jamila ran into the shop and scooped her sister up into her arms. "That was
the most amazing, bravest act for a 19-year-old child," Donna continued.
"She shouted that Imani was still breathing and I just went into auto-pilot.
"I grabbed a man I didn't know and said, 'drive the car, we're going to
The family then made a 20-minute trip to hospital.
Jamila was in the front passenger seat holding Imani on her lap. Donna was sat
directly behind her.
Donna said: "It was the longest drive of my life. But I'm a realist. I knew
deep down that Imani wasn't going to make it.
"I had to fight every desire to crumble. I just felt so helpless.
"Jamila kept saying, 'breathe Imani, breathe' and I remember putting my hand
on her head and feeling the blood.
"We were saying, 'Imani, everything's gonna be alright, we love you'. I
suppose it was my goodbye to her."
Hospital staff took Imani into an emergency trauma room and Donna faced an
agonising wait. Eventually a doctor came out and confirmed that Imani had
died — but Donna said she couldn't cry.
She explained: "I went into survival mode, I shut my emotions down totally.
The police came and then the undertaker came and took her body away, it was
all so unreal."
Donna and her daughters had been enjoying a holiday while staying with
extended family.
Jamaica's warm climate helped Imani's battle against rare blood disorder
sickle-cell anaemia.
The three called at the grocery store after a day out shopping.
But when Donna went to leave, Imani pleaded for "five more minutes" to play.
The mum recalled: "I said, 'Alright, five minutes and we'll come back and
get you'.
"Imani was so happy. She was standing behind the counter playing shopkeeper
and talking to customers — so we left her there.
"She was with her cousin and granny's house is no more than a one-minute walk
away." Police have arrested eight people over Imani's death. Three other
people were wounded in the still unexplained attack.
Now, six weeks on, Donna is still trying to come to terms with losing her
beautiful child — who she described as "an angel" with a love of music and
Breaking into smiles as she showed photos of Imani on the beach, Donna said:
"She loved going to Jamaica.
"She had so many happy times there, she felt free of her condition, free from
"As soon as her eyes opened in the morning, she'd jump out of bed, open the
door and go outside. She befriended all the animals, the stray dogs, the
goats, and she'd run to say good morning to her grandma in the garden. She'd
be outside for hours."
Donna maintains that Duncans is a safe, close-knit community.
And she insisted that, despite the tragedy, she will return. She said
Jamaica will always have a special place in her heart.
She revealed Imani was very close to sister Jamila, brother Dean, 27, and
decorator dad Richard, who collapsed in shock after learning of Imani's
death in a phone call back to the UK.
Donna, who was Imani's full-time carer, said: "She was my life, my career, my
reason for getting up in the morning."
Since the tragedy, Donna has received hundreds of condolence messages from
She said: "I would like to thank, from the depths of my heart and soul, the
people who sent me cards, flowers, lit all the candles and held all the
vigils. Thank you so much."
Donna is relying on family and friends to get through the tough times ahead.
But she added: "A part of me died that day and I will never, ever, be the
same again."


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It sucks enough being a kid, and then you find out you're immortal, can travel through time, and that you're destined to defeat the forces of darkness. I mean, geeeez, when's he gonna find time for a girlfriend and MTV? Such is the plight of Alexander Ludwig, who plays Will Stanton in the upcoming sci-fi/fantasy "The Dark is Rising", based on the series of novels by Susan Cooper. The film is being directed by David L. Cunningham and co-stars Emma Lockhart, Ian McShane, Gregory Smith, Frances Conroy, Christopher Eccleston, and is currently still shooting in Romania, but that won't stop images from the film showing up on the net.
The film tells the story of Will Stanton, a young man who learns he is the last of a group of warriors who have dedicated their lives to fighting the forces of the Dark. Traveling back and forth through time, Will discovers a series of clues which lead him into a showdown with forces of unimaginable power. With the Dark once again rising, the future of the world rests in Will's hands.
In an interview with Sci Fi Wire, director David L. Cunningham cautions readers of Cooper's book that the film takes "liberties" with the novels.
Among the changes: Hero Will Stanton (newcomer Alexander Ludwig) is now 13, not 11, and he is an American living in a small northern English village, instead of a native-born Brit. The character of the Walker (Jonathan Jackson) has been made younger-appearing and given a new story arc involving the loss of his soul. The movie also beefs up the action by adding new special-effects-enhanced sequences to Cooper's narrative, Hodge said.
Oooh, you just know the whole "make him an American" bit will annoy some people.
Images from "The Dark is Rising" via Comingsoon, which has more of them:


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Opening Night Gala is at 7 p.m. and curtain at 8 p.m. "Wit" will run through April 5 and show times are Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p. m. Tickets are $17, $15 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. For tickets, purchase online at www.repeastplayhouse.org or call (661) 288-0000. The Repertory East Playhouse, 24266 Main St., Newhall.
Moments to Remember Songfest
The Men of Harmony will host their 35th annual show on Sunday at 2 p.m. with the bitter-sweet theme of "Time Goes by and the Years Rush On." Formerly known as the Harmony Hills Barbershop chorus, they will perform at the Valencia High School Auditorium, 27801 N. Dickason Dr. in Valencia.
Memorable songs of past decades will be the highlight and there will be special appearances by the award-winning quartet Crush, Oddly Enuf, Quantum Leap and the Blue Plate Special quartet. Seniors and children $15, general admission $18. Call Cal for tickets at (661) 296 2292. For information visit www.scvMenofHarmony.com.


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Reliable Exhaust Gas Measurements
Would you like to switch to the US version of our website?
Extensive exhaust gas measurements for emission reduction purposes
The reduction of emission values plays an essential role in vehicle development. In order to obtain meaningful measurement readings, CSM has expanded its measurement portfolio to include exhaust gas measurement modules from ECM.
ECM (Engine Control and Monitoring) is the market leader in the USA for quality exhaust gas measurement technology based on wideband sensors. The company offers compact, CAN-based modules and analyzers for the measurement of lambda, O2, NOx and NH3 in vehicles with petrol, diesel, CNG or LPG engines as well as test benches.
ECM modules thus are the ideal complement to CSM measurement modules. They dispose over the same environmental specifications as the MiniModules from CSM. As a result, these exhaust gas measurement modules can be extremely easily linked with other measurement modules from CSM, in a measurement setup and for example be used for the engine application.


text: I have been using Cerberus to track my phones. I used it too much recording room sounds, checking sms and phone logs. I was tracking my desperate teen who is on the edge of life and death. Now Cerberus has blocked those features with no response on emails to customer service. I know I am not supposed to use it for that but I payed for the app, and its my phone and I told my teen, you are being tracked. I need something similiar to replace Cerberus. Any suggestions?


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The Legislative auditor has recommended that the Department discontinue its relationship with independent Residential Habilitation Providers that provide services in the client's home. As defined by the Internal Revenue Service, the current practice creates an employer/employee relationship and requires the Department to tax wages paid to the provider. Therefore, Residential Habilitation Providers must be employed by a Residential Habilitation Agency by July 1, 2002. The following procedure codes will not be effective after July 1: 0585B, 0586B, 0587B, 0588B, and 0681B and will be denied if billed with service dates after that date.
Residential Habilitation Supported Living Providers who provide Supported Living in the home of the client may no longer be enrolled as an independent provider. Supported Living may be provided only through an agency that provides such services.
This change does not affect Independent Residential Habilitation Providers who deliver services to DD/ISSH waiver clients living in a Certified Family Home.
If you need assistance locating a Residential Habilitation Agency for employment purposes, you may contact your Regional ACCESS Unit. If you have any questions about this information release, please contact Mary Wells at (208) 364-1955.
Effective July 1, 2002 procedure codes 0585B, 0586B, 0587B, 0588B, 0681B will no longer be valid.


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A junior fellow who shall remain nameless (Nathaniel Peters, graduate of Swarthmore College, photo and other identifying marks to follow) forwarded this YouTube video to me with extreme prejudice.
I don't get it . . . the gentleman in the red jersey obviously enjoys an intense work ethic and dedication to obtaining the group's goals in a timely fashion.
Now get back to work, Nathaniel, or, as the sign on my office door says, "the beatings will continue until morale improves."


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U. S. Open
In no sport is the strain of a championship match so prolonged as in golf. Even in chess, which takes no account of the body, the strain ends when you stop playing, but a golf match can go on and on long after you have played your last stroke. Perhaps Joe Turnesa of Elmsford, N. Y., reflected on this paradox when, with his sticks put away, he stood in front of the Scioto Club (in Columbus, O.) and watched Robert Tyre Jones win the American Open.
Perhaps Jones reflected in similarwise...
To continue reading: or Log-In


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The College of Adaptive Arts presents its 5th annual film festival on March 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Retro Dome @ Century 21 Theater, 3161 Olsen Dr., off of Winchester Boulevard.
A film from Joey Travolta Inclusion Films will be among the offerings in the short films "by, for and about individuals with differing abilities." Films range from two to 12 minutes in length.
Tickets are $15 general admission, $8 for students and free for children under 5 and available at the door. For additional information visit collegeofadaptivearts.org.
The Century 21 dome theater is scheduled to close March 31.


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Health and Safety Podcast Transcript: Dec. 12, 2013
Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast. I'm
your host Jim Person. Coming up, learn about holiday fires and staying
safe during snow and ice. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can
be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
The holiday season is a festive and joyous occasion. However, it's also a dangerous part of the year; over 400 lives are claimed, more than 1,600 injuries occur and over $990 million in property damage is lost. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, taking simple, common-sense, lifesaving steps will help ensure a safe and happy holiday – and residents can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty. Reduce your risk of home fires by following these important safety tips. For holiday trees:
Do not use candles on or near the tree.
Place the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces and
If you have a live tree, keep it in a sturdy base filled with water.
Check the water level every day.
Safely dispose of your tree before it becomes dangerously dry. Never
burn the tree or tree parts in your fireplace.
When using holiday lights:
Use "UL" approved lights.
Examine all indoor and outdoor lights for frayed cords and replace if
Lights should not touch combustible materials.
Indoor lights should never be used outdoors.
Avoid using extension cords, but if you do, follow instructions
Do not overload electrical circuits such as wall outlets and extension
cords. Use a circuit strip.
Also pay close attention to holiday gift wrap:
Keep papers, bows and trims away from heat sources such as fireplaces,
space heaters, radiators, etc.
Never burn gift wrappings in your fireplace.
And don't forget fireplaces and wood stoves:
Have the chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned by a certified
chimney specialist.
Leave glass doors open while burning a fire to prevent creosote
Install a stovepipe thermometer to help monitor flue temperature.
As a final precaution, make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, and ensure you have an escape plan — and practice it. During the holiday season, don't be too busy to be safe. Learn more from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department online at fairfaxcounty.gov/fr.
Even a small amount of ice on walkways and driveways can lead to slips, trips and falls, which often lead to serious sprain and strain injuries. The Fairfax County Risk Management Division recommends these safety tips if you're outside in icy weather:
Slow down and watch where you walk. Walk slowly and deliberately.
Use handrails when you can.
Keep your hands out of your pockets; you need to have both hands free
for balance.
Concentrate on what you're doing – avoid texting or using your
cellphone until you are inside a building.
Make sure you are wearing appropriate footwear. Flat footwear with a
good rubber tread provides the best traction.
Walk in designated walkways. Avoid shortcuts that could conceal
Be careful getting into and out of vehicles – and hold on to the
vehicle for support.
Use floor mats when entering a building to remove moisture from the
bottom of your shoes. This will prevent you and others from having to
walk on wet or slippery surfaces.
- If the ice causes tree limbs to fall in your yard, be careful when you are picking up the debris. Keep your back straight and lift with your legs. Also, know your physical limits. If there is a substantial amount of debris, get professional assistance with the removal.
To stay informed on winter weather, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/weather-forecast.htm. And for the latest emergency preparedness news and information, visit the county's emergency information blog at fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog.
That's it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov. And remember, if you have a police, fire or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.


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February sales take a dip as the mercury drops
Fri, 28 Feb 2014 23:31:03 GMT —
The deep freeze is putting a cold spell on some local businesses. Retailers across Michigan are reporting a drop in sales for January and February citing the record-breaking snow and sub-zero temperatures.
â??This has got to be the consecutively coldest winter that we've, Iâ??ve ever experienced,â?? says Chris Graff, general manager of Graff Chevrolet in Davison.
Mother Natureâ??s cold spell is leaving plenty of cars in stock but not many buyers lingering outside.
â??The time of tire kicking is very minimal right now,â?? says Graff.
Inside, car salesmen are sharpening their valet skills.
â??We're doing a lot of leg work for the customers,â?? says Graff. â??Making it easier for them (customers) to stay inside where it's warm and bring the car to them,â?? says Graff.
For those not brave enough to battle Old Man Winter---well, there's always the internet.
â??Itâ??s convenience, they can shop in their pajamas,â?? says Eric Coron, director of internet sales at Graff Chevrolet.
Over in Flushing at Macksoodâ??s, itâ??s the same story.
â??Itâ??s been so cold and snowy, it's just been hard for people to get out,â?? says Tom Macksood, owner of Macksoodâ??s. He depends on February and March sells.
Thatâ??s when winter weary Michiganders start thinking sunshine, patios and grills...
â??Weâ??re hoping the middle of March but it might be more towards April 1st,â?? says Macksood.
While customers may not be thinking about backyard patios right now over at the patio section, well you can say it's warm spot for business.
â??A lot of people are looking for heat. Wood stoves, gas fireplaces, that's been good,â?? says Macksood.
While the fire places keep things warm, salesmen are hoping Mother Nature and Old Man Winter seek couples counseling and give Michiganders a break.
â??Iâ??m looking for a little bit of sunshine and a lot business,â?? says Macksood.


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A lack of communication between the world of research and civil society on the benefits and drawbacks of low-carbon technologies is affecting the wider understanding and endorsement of these technologies by European citizens. This is one of the findings of this week's EUSEW (EU Sustainable Energy Week) event co-organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA). Up for discussion were geothermal energy, energy storage, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and nuclear research across the EU.
Entitled Together for low-carbon Europe: energy research meets civil society, the event gathered together the research community and civil society to discuss why and how energy technologies and citizens need to be brought together. The event also provided a space for an interactive dialogue to demonstrate to a large audience the impact of technology research on people's everyday lives.


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(Berlin) part 2 at Berghain and Panorama Bar - this Friday - Hudson Mohawke vs Rustie, Plaid 'live classics', DJ Andrew Weatherall, Clark, Jackson, Tim Exile, DJ Winston Hazell, Steve Beckett & Warp DJs
Last Friday 4th December saw Battles take their new songs to Germany for the first time with specially-invited guests.
This forthcoming Friday (11th December) is an all-night rave across both Berghain and Panorama Bar, bringing the year of Warp20 parties to a fitting finale.
Please note the rare opportunity to be able to buy tickets in advance for the Berghain/Panorama Bar - so make sure to grab one if you want to get in easily.
Warp20 (Berlin) Pt.2 - Friday 11th December, Berghain & Panorama Bar
Hudson Mohawke vs Rustie
Plaid (live 'classics' show)
DJ Andrew Weatherall
Clark (live)
Tim Exile (live)
DJ Winston Hazell (Forgemasters)
Steve Beckett
Warp DJs
Warp20 (Berlin) Pt.1 - Friday 4th December at Berghain
8 / doors - Warp DJs
9 - 9:45 - Gravenhurst (live)
9.45 -10.15 - Warp DJs
10:15 -11:30 - Battles (Live)
11:30 -12:30 - Thomas Fehlmann DJ (Kompakt/The Orb)
12:30 - 01:15 - Nice Nice (Live)
01:15 / close - Tyler Pope/!!! /LCD / DJ
< panorama bar = PERLON records until late >
Warp20 (Berlin) is presented in collaboration with Leisure System


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You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image.
Thousands of Xtra customers have had to change their security settings by today, in order to continue accessing their accounts though third-party software.
An additional layer of security was being rolled out this afternoon across the Xtra email system by Telecom and Yahoo, following a spate of security issues.
Customers had been contacted via email, phone, or text message since February and the security settings came into effect at 3pm today.
Users who did not update their settings by the 3pm deadline may find themselves locked out when trying to access their email through third party software such as Microsoft Outlook or through Android devices.
Around 140,000 users - a third of Xtra's customer base - had accessed their emails through such software in the past 90 days, a Telecom spokeswoman said.
It was currently unknown how many had changed their settings before the 3pm deadline.
All customers were still able to access their accounts using webmail at xtramail.co.nz.
"We have had a really good response from customers over the weekend changing their settings,'' the spokeswoman said.
"It only takes about five minutes and there are really clear instructions on our website. However, customers will need to be aware that they'll have to do it for all of their devices.''
Users who have already changed their settings to SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or who use their account via webmail or Yahoo mobile applications do not need to change.
The added encryption is designed to make the email service more secure, particularly on public wifi connections.
Xtra was plagued by spammers last year, with more than 60,000 users sent malicious spam in one attack. Another attack forced some email accounts to be locked until users changed their password.
* Customers can visit www.telecom.co.nz/SSL for detailed instructions on making the setting change, or call 0800 268 268.
* For more information on the SSL update, go to www.telecom.co.nz/ssl.
* Information for staying safe online is available at www.telecom.co.nz/techinasec or via Netsafe at www.netsafe.org.nz.
- By Patrice Dougan of APNZ


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In order for you to install and run AccuWage Downloadable, you must have administrative rights on the computer in which you are installing the software and saving wage report files. To check to see if you have the proper rights, follow these steps:
- Locate the drive where the software and wage report files are saved.
- Right click the file and select "Properties".
- Select the Security tab, then click on the "Advanced" button.
- If you are an administrator, your user name will be listed as having "Full Control".
Systems Configurations
In order for you to install and run AccuWage Downloadable 2016, you must also meet the following minimum system configuration. Please review below to make sure you meet the minimum standards.
- Processor: 1 GHz or higher processor
- Display: Screen resolution of 800x600 or greater
- Memory: Minimum of 512 MB of RAM
- Java Runtime: Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 7 update 6 or higher
- Browser:
- Internet Explorer version 9.0 or higher with Active X and Java SSV helper enabled
- Firefox with the java plugin
- Operating System: Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10
- Disk Space: The processing of large EFW2 files requires approximately 30 MB of hard disk space and processing of large EFW2C files requires approximately 60 MB of hard disk space per every 50,000 records
- Java Control Panel settings:
- Security Tab: "Enable Java Content in the browser" must be selected
- General Tab: Access "Temporary Files Settings" window by clicking the "Settings..." button and ensure that "Keep temporary files on my computer" is selected
Some errors you might receive and/or problems you may encounter:
Windows Vista is high in security. To prevent administrative problems and to be able to run the AccuWage software you may need to disable the "User Account Control" (UAC):
- Open "My Computer/Computer" on the desktop.
- Select "Control Panel".
- Select "User Accounts" or "User Accounts and Family Safety".
- Select "Turn User Account Control on or off".
- Uncheck the "Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer" box and select "OK".
- Restart your computer.
Note: You can also right select the "AccuWage Icon" on your desktop. In the context menu displayed select "Run as Administrator".
If you are running anti-spam software, be sure to configure it so that SSA e-mail is not identified as spam:
- On the Microsoft Outlook page, select the "Home" tab, then the "junk" down arrow.
- Under the Home tab, select "Junk E-Mail Options".
- Under Junk E-Mail Options, select "Safe Senders".
- On the Safe Senders screen, select "Add".
- In the Add address or domain box, enter the e-mail address for Social Security; @ssa.gov, and select "OK".
Some versions of Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.7 are experiencing an issue making it non-compatible with AccuWage. Below are some options for uninstalling the software or accessing the Help Guide:
- Help Guide
- Select the Word version of the Help Guide on the right side of the page.
- In the AccuWage Downloadable software, go to 'Help' menu and under 'Contents', you will find the Help Guide.
- Uninstall AccuWage Downloadable
- Select the "Start" menu on the left hand corner of your computer screen. Select Control Panel –› Programs –› Programs and Features, and select the software from the menu. Right click on the software and uninstall from your computer.
Windows 8.1 does not support plug-ins on the Start screen and therefore you will need to switch to the Desktop screen to run the plug-ins. Below are some options to switch to the Desktop screen.
There are several quick ways to achieve this.
- By pressing the Windows logo key on the keyboard you can toggle between the Start screen and the Desktop screen.
- You can also click on the Desktop tile in the Start screen to switch to the Desktop screen.
- Move your mouse pointer to the far left bottom of the screen to switch between the Start screen to the Desktop screen and vice versa.
Internet Explorer 9.0 and higher is only compatible with AccuWage Downloadable if ActiveX is enabled. Below are instructions on how to enable Active X.
- Open Internet Explorer.
- Click the Tools menu, and then click Internet Options.
- On the Security tab, click the Custom level button.
- Scroll down the Security Settings until you see ActiveX controls and plug-ins.
- For Automatic prompting for ActiveX controls, click Enable.
- Scroll down to Download signed ActiveX controls and click Enable or Prompt.
- Scroll down to Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins and click Enable or Prompt.
- Scroll down to Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting and click Enable or Prompt.
- Click OK, and then click OK again.
Some internet browsers are not allowing Java plugins or require Java plugins to be enabled. For a list of browsers that are compatible with AccuWage Downloadable TY16, please refer to the System Configuration Requirements.
For more information about the EFW2 and EFW2C formats, or for answers to other questions about wage reporting, please contact an Employer Services Liaison Officer or visit How to Reach Us.


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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has turned his powerful oratorial voice to singing by appearing on a new compilation of revolutionary songs released by his United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
Chavez, who is known to belt out Venezuela folk songs during his frequent television appearances, sings an ode to a 19th century rebel leader on the album, released to coincide with the last weeks of campaign to elect governors and mayors.
The president's familiar growling baritone rolls over a traditional harp-led "joropo" backing in the song, which praises the exploits of Maisanta, a rebel fighter from whom Chavez claims to be descended.
The album, Battle Music which sports a clenched fist on the cover, also features a rap track that samples a Chavez speech.
Last year, one of Chavez's aides put together a selection of the former paratrooper's top singing moments.


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8270 Lancaster Drive
A location in Cotati
Commute to Downtown Rohnert Park
Some errands can be accomplished on foot.
About your score
8270 Lancaster Drive has a Walk Score of 68 out of 100. This location is Somewhat Walkable so some errands can be accomplished on foot.
Nearby parks include Kotate Park, Lady Bug Park and Benicia Park.
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from 8270 Lancaster Drive.
Bus lines:
10T Cotati, Rohnert Park Schools
0.0 mi
44 Petaluma JC, SSU, Santa Rosa
0.0 mi
10 Cotati, Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University
0.1 mi
26 Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Cotati
0.1 mi
48 Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Santa Rosa
0.1 mi
14T Cotati, Rohnert Park Schools
0.2 mi


text:
Lily in love with love
Lily Collins thinks listening to the mind is important when falling in love.
The 24-year-old is the actress of the moment, starring in hits such as Stuck in Love and the hotly-anticipated Mortal Instruments franchise.
She was linked to co-star Jamie Campbell Bower, but is currently believed to be single.
This doesn't stop the pretty brunette from dreaming about finding The One.
"I love a love story and I believe in true romance," she gushed to the latest edition of British magazine Company.
"I do believe in listening to your mind as well and that you need to be smart about certain things - to protect yourself. You need a healthy mix of both really, but it's important not to think so much that you're not able to follow your heart."
Lily rocks her own look and is known for sporting fashion-forward pieces on the red carpet.
Part of her unique look is a small piece of body art, which, unlike many parents, her mother loves.
"The tattoo on my wrist is a combination of a British crown, angel wings, a heart and the initials LJ," the UK star explained.
"It's very delicate. My mom and I went and got one together - they're not matching, but we got them done at the same time."
Lily's star is sure to keep rising as The Mortal Instruments franchise continues.
The petite actress revealed whose career she is keen to emulate.
"I want to be as successful as Natalie Portman," she said of the Black Swan actress.
"I love her films. The way she commands a screen is amazing - especially as she's quite small in reality, with delicate features, yet she is so powerful to watch."
© Cover Media


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Service will honor worker who was killed
PINE ISLAND — Friends of a construction worker killed earlier this week will hold a service in his memory at 5 p.m. today at Alfred A. McKethan Park on Pine Island.
Steven Thompson, 28, of Dade City was working on a road project in a closed westbound lane of Spring Hill Drive, just east of Spring Park Way, when a woman driving a pickup failed to merge into the one open lane, authorities said.
The pickup plowed over a barrel barrier, continued along the closed lane and slammed into Thompson, authorities said. He later died at Spring Hill Regional Hospital.
Couple had marijuana in home, officials say
SPRING HILL — A married couple from Spring Hill face drug charges after investigators say they found about a pound of marijuana in their home.
Two children, one age 14 and the other about 2, also live in the house, investigators said.
Eric Edward Sievers, 36, and Jennifer Lee Sievers, 32, were both arrested and charged with five criminal counts, including cultivation and possession of marijuana. Bail for each of the Sievers, who live at 3348 Susan Drive in Spring Hill, was set at $30,500.
Driver faces DUI, other charges after stop
BROOKSVILLE — A man with a long history of infractions was charged with a litany of new criminal counts — including felony DUI —after a traffic stop on Alberta Street early Thursday morning.
In addition to DUI, 33-year-old Timothy Paul Hall of Brooksville was charged with driving while his license was suspended or revoked, resisting arrest without violence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, refusal to submit to a sobriety test and criminal mischief.
His bail was set at $17,500.
Hall's criminal record in Hernando County dates back to 1996. It includes convictions for shoplifting, solicitation for sale of cocaine and — six times — battery. He has been convicted of DUI three times and has been charged with at least 34 traffic offenses in the past 15 years. As recently as Oct. 20, he was found guilty of reckless driving.
Motorcycle crash kills Weeki Wachee man
HOMOSASSA — A 54-year-old Weeki Wachee man died Thursday night after losing control of his motorcycle on a Citrus County road, authorities said.
Henry Charles Richards was riding his 2010 Harley-Davidson east on County Road 480, also known as Oak Park Boulevard, when he had trouble on a curve in the roadway just east of Corkwood Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The motorcycle crossed the westbound lane and traveled onto the north shoulder, flipping twice. Richards, who was wearing a helmet, died at the scene, authorities said.
The crash remained under investigation Friday.
— Times staff


text:
At the top left is a photo of the Eclipse and depending on which button you select on the right, it will show you which button that corresponds to on the mouse. There are three different profiles that you can fully customize, and all settings are stored on the mouse. This means that you can move the mouse to another computer and all of your custom buttons and macros will still be available.
Each button on the right side can be remapped from several different presets. The second screenshot above shows Button 5 being remapped to Emulated Hid, which allows you to open a program such as your web browser, e-mail or media player simply by pressing that button. The third screenshot shows the Keepshot (mouse) function, which is a bit like a turbo button on a gaming controller. More on this during the testing portion of the review.
The macro and script functions allow you to create and edit macros and scripts. Completed macros / scripts can be transferred to the mouse's onboard memory or stored in the macro / script library on your hard drive.
To record, simply click Start Record, then enter your preferred button presses then click Stop Record. You can adjust the instruction cycle time as well as determine how the macro / script is executed when you press the designated button. Fire mode activates the macro / script a single time when pressed. Loop mode repeats the macro / script until the designated button is pressed again, while Keep Firing mode loops the macro / script while the button is held down. You can see in the screenshot above that I have created a macro with text spelling out "testing".
The Configuration section of the Eclipse software allows you to fine-tune the allowed DPI levels and set each level to a preset value from 200-2400 in 200 DPI increments. You can also change the USB report rate, from 125 up to 1000.
Usage thoughts and a conclusion are just ahead...


text:
Christopher B. Cosgrove III
L Cpl. Christopher
B. Cosgrove III, 23, of Cedar Knolls, N.J., died Oct. 1 while
conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar
province, Iraq.
He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 2nd Battalion,
25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Dover, N.J
He lives alone In the hills and the trees
He bares his soul To the cool mountain breeze
He talks to the Spirit He listens to the Wind
They shield him from memories Buried deep within
The world has forgotten The sacrifice he made
The scars he bears remind him Of the high price he paid
Freedom is not given But with blood it has been bought
By warriors such as he And by the wars they fought
We can't forget our warriors Or let them die in vain
But with respect and honor We can help to ease their pain
Our Freedom will be taken If no one will defend
God bless our Forgotten Warriors Who live to fight again.
God and the soldier all men adore
in times of trouble, but no more.
For when war is ended and all things righted,
God is neglected, the old soldier slighted.


text:
As a recruit with Impact Campus Ministries, I need your help! I am seeking long-term partnerships with individuals who would pray for me and give monthly or yearly. In turn, I will keep you updated on what's happening in our ministry and pray for you and your family as well. If you are interested, please call me at (801)575-6683 or email me at email@example.com.
How to Give
If you would like to make a one-time donation now, or set up monthly recurring
gifts, you can give online at any time at our online giving page.
To give by mail, please make your checks out to
Impact Campus Ministries with "Matt Doubet" in the memo line and mail them to:
PO Box 82925
Tampa, FL 33682


text:
Mightymast Lunar Football Table
The Lunar Football Table is a sturdy and stylish table perfect for home, office or school use.
It comes fitted with a manual scorer so you can keep track of who's winning. The Lunar has a simple and attractive silvery grey finish with solid steel chrome plated rods. It's incredibly easy to assemble and will make the perfect gift for football fans.
- 1 x Table Football
- 4 x Handy cup holders
- 2 x Footballs
- 86.0cm x 75.0cm x 140.0cm
Mightymast Lunar Football Table Customer Reviews
Related products in Childrens Gifts
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have an un-answered question about this product? Simply ask us a question and we'll do our best to help.


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Posted 5 years ago
(1 item)
A friend gave me these two hand embroidered on silk pieces. They are fairly large...the boat one being approx. 20" X 29" (embroidered area only) and the polo one being approx. 10 1/2" X 15". They are embroidered on silk with a lightweight cotton fabric. Both are signed with thread. I have included a photo of one of the signatures.
My friend bought both of them some years ago in New York at a big folk art/raw art show.
I collect world textiles but have no idea where these came from or how old they are. They appear new.
Can anyone tell me anything about these?
Thanks, Sharon


text:
On ons, 2011-08-03 at 21:02 +0000, Matthias Kurz wrote: > SELECT > a.companyname AS a_companyname, > a.street, > a.zip, > a.city, > a.country > FROM > myAddress a > ORDER BY > a_companyName COLLATE "C" DESC, > a.street COLLATE "C" ASC, > a.zip COLLATE "C" ASC, > a.city COLLATE "C" ASC, > a.country COLLATE "C" ASC > --- > > Gives me following error: > --- > ERROR: column "a_companyname" does not exist > LINE 26: a_companyName COLLATE "C" ASC, > --- ORDER BY can only refer to output columns by themselves, not as part of an expression. This is the same issue that SELECT a AS x FROM foo ORDER BY x works but SELECT a AS x FROM foo ORDER BY x + 1 doesn't. What is perhaps not obvious is that (a_companyName COLLATE "C") is an expression. The COLLATE clause is not specifically part of the ORDER BY syntax, but a general expression. > Is this the right behaviour? > Or a bug? Well, it works as designed and documented, and it is consistent with other behaviors, as I showed. The SQL standard is sufficiently murky on this subject, however, that I can't tell right now whether this is how it is supposed to work. But it looks like someone researched this carefully in the past, so probably yes.
Next: From: John Carriel Gomez Date: 2011-08-07 20:10:33 Subject: Help-PGRES_FATAL_ERROR Previous: From: Craig Ringer Date: 2011-08-06 02:02:38 Subject: Re: BUG #6143: connection problem


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Hello, I have searched the forum and can't find a solution already written that works for me.
How can I increase the number of words that show in the blog main page in Shoutbox?
I tried using this piece of code, but it only works with numbers less than 20. (I can show fewer words, but not more than 20 words). Is there a solution to this to let me set it for MORE words?
This is the code I tried that did not work:
add_filter('excerpt_length', 'my_excerpt_length');
function my_excerpt_length($length) {
return 20; }
Hi lbdesign,
You should be able to use the More tag to tell the theme where to break off the text. I just did a quick test on my local install to test it and it will first take the excerpt (if no more tag is in the visual editor) and display that. Then it will display the text before the More tag if it IS present.
There are also some settings at the top of loop-index.php to control the excerpt size of the full size featured posts ($excerpt_big, $excerpt_small) if you want to further modify the amount shown for the full sized posts.
Thank you — I will try adding the More tag first.
The topic 'change the length of the blog post excerpt on the home page? (Shoutbox)' is closed to new replies.


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Day 3 of Clean Eating Challenge!
First week in and the challenge should be getting a little easier. The first few days are the worst but if you hang on and persevere, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel:) During this challenge you will learn to take away the crutches and the 'drug' of choice ie; chocolates, soda, Starbucks, etc…in our lives. One of the hardest things to do is to start dealing with our feelings. When we let go of our 'drug', we are forced to really feel. This is a good thing! When you are cranky, overwhelmed, angry, irritable, etc…it means that you are human and your heart is beating. When we choose to numb out and not deal, we are not connected, present, and engaged in life. I promise you that there will be great clarity and energy right around the corner if you do not give up! You will learn new tools to deal rather than go to donuts, cakes and cookies:)))
1. Thursday- Stretch, cardio, upper body, and close out with a stretch. Moving and stretching our bodies are an important part of the workout. Don't skip it!
Try this one!
2. Food-Know the difference between emotional eating and true hunger. When you abuse your body by not eating or overeating then you can mess up your hunger cues. A baby doesn't have to be told when it's hungry. They will let you know! It's interesting that they start to scream for food about every three hours. We were designed that way. We need to eat when we're hungry and stop when we're full. When we don't follow the natural cues, we numb out. That's when we eat mindlessly, even when we're not hungry. So check out this cool list. The next time you pick up a snack, ask yourself these questions….
3. Mantra for the Day: It's Supposed to be Hard!
If you are asking yourself, "What did I get myself into???" Well, you're on the right path:) This is supposed to be hard. It's so much easier not to care, to eat whatever you want and to lie to yourself. You have engaged in really dealing with this part of your life. So, when you start to whine and complain about how much you want chocolates, caffeine, alcohol, etc…then tell yourself that you are exactly where you're supposed to be. Self control is like a muscle…the more we use it, the stronger it gets. Also, when we don't use it, we lose it!!!
Love you guys and I'm rooting for you!!!


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In Jay Carter's first year as Williamstown's tennis coach, he was spoiled. He had Aaron and Adam Marchetti and rode them to the boys 1995 state Class AA-A championship.
Carter is still around today, and is still coaching his Yellowjackets to state team titles.
OK, so that statement was only half true — until Saturday. With Luke Flanagan and brothers Alex and Ryan Leo leading the way, the Yellowjackets captured their second state title, ending the eight-year reign of Charleston Catholic.
So what was Carter's problem all these years?
It wasn't for a lack of participation or talent, to a large extent. The Yellowjackets did win the runner-up trophy last season.
Considering Charleston Catholic's thorough domination in recent years, it's tough to remember who picked up the "other" hardware. But Carter surely didn't forget all those powerful AA-A teams that got in his way.
"We've had some good players, but you've got to remember Charleston Catholic has had some great teams," Carter said. "The Bluefields down here, they've won a couple of times. In between, Parkersburg Catholic has won a couple of times. Wheeling Central.
"It's very hard. Those are the main reasons it's been very difficult. I had the quality of kids to do it, where we were regional runners-up. But we never had that number to get over [the hump]."
This time, the Yellowjackets did. They outslugged Catholic 16-13, with Aaron and Ryan Leo winning at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, over the Irish's Andrew Jones and Tyler Zubick. Luke Flanagan and Aaron Leo combined to win at No. 1 doubles.
Catholic pulled down two victories in easily locking down the runner-up prize. Joe Kelly won at No. 4 over Madonna's Allen Alimario, and Jones and Zubick combined to beat Ryan Leo and Alex Kingson at No. 2 doubles.
Alex Leo finished his singles season 24-0, something the Marchetti brothers didn't do.
"They're in the Virginia Tech hall of fame, and they didn't go undefeated," Carter said.
The Yellowjackets and nearly everyone else had departed by the time Parkersburg Catholic won the team championship in girls Class AA-A. The Crusaders captured their second such title, the first coming in 1998.
In this mixed-up field, the Crusaders needed only nine points to complete the Wood County small-school sweep. But they paid a heavy price in anxiety.
Julie Wiseman recorded the team's only championship, beating Madonna's Morgan Duerr 7-5, 6-0. As it turned out, Wiseman's two points were much more hard-earned.
"Julie was down double match point to a Chapmanville girl at the regional," said Crusaders coach Nacho Cardenas. "If she doesn't rally and win that match, we're not standing here."
Funny Cardenas should mention Chapmanville Regional, because the Tigers scored six points and put their paw prints all over the team race.
First, the Tigers' duo stymied the Crusaders at No. 2 doubles, with Halley Justice and Alex Lewis rallying to beat Wiseman and Kate Clowes 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. Denied that tournament-clinching point, the Crusaders were forced to watch Bluefield try to steal the top prize in the No. 3 doubles match.
Which involved Chapmanville. And you know that match had to go three sets.
When the last ball dropped at just before 8 p.m., the Chapmanville duo of Mya Bryant and Sara Lambert thwarted Bluefield's Emma Cole and Camilla Deeb 7-5, 5-7, 6-4.
With that, the Tigers celebrated their first girls state championship of any sort, the Crusaders celebrated their first team title in 16 years and Bluefield finished as disappointed but proud runner-up.
"A really good friend of mine, in fact the head coach I started working with, Joe Joyce, always told our students and told all the coaches, 'It's No. 3 doubles teams that win state tournaments,' " Cardenas said. "I just never realized it would be someone else's."
There was another breakthrough in the marquee singles event, as Wheeling Central senior Joanna Capito beat Charleston Catholic's Christina Centofanti 7-6 (8-6), 6-2. Capito was eliminated three times by former Irish star Claire Hamilton, at No. 2 twice and No. 1 last year.
Capito and her coach, Peggy Dailer, said winning the first-set tiebreaker settled her down and energized her.
"I think once she got that behind her, she got a little more confidence and she played a lot better in the second set," Dailey said.
Reach Doug Smock at 304-348-5130, firstname.lastname@example.com or follow him at twitter.com/dougsmock.


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Travis Head has suddenly emerged as one of the most coveted players at next month's Indian Premier League auction, with the 22-year-old no longer tied to his existing, meagre deal with Delhi.
Head's break-out season for Adelaide Strikers had seemingly come too late to trigger a bumper IPL contract, with the Daredevils announcing on New Year's Eve he was one of six overseas players they had retained. Their announcement came 90 minutes after Head had blasted 56 off his last 15 deliveries to lead the Strikers to a stunning home victory against the Sydney Sixers.
Before that innings, he had managed only 49 runs across his first three matches in this season's Big Bash League.
When the IPL released the preliminary squad decisions for this year's IPL it seemed Delhi had been richly rewarded for their decision to retain Head as one of their six overseas players, having bought him for 3 million rupees ($A64,200) at last year's auction. He would have been paid the same rate for 2016.
It is believed Head was shocked to learn of his retention in the aftermath of his unbeaten 101 against the Sixers, having been formally notified by the Daredevils he would be released and would therefore be eligible to enter the auction. The Daredevils seemingly were reconsidering after Head's innings on New Year's Eve.
But, while nothing has been announced by the IPL, some time in the past fortnight Delhi's tally of retained overseas players for the 2016 season has been reduced from six to five on the IPL website. Head, having previously been listed as a retained player, is now officially listed as having been released, and therefore available for the auction on February 6.
Head is second for BBL runs this season, with 276 at an average of 55.2 and strike-rate of 158.62. The left-hander has struck 20 sixes across his seven innings, a tally eclipsed only by top-scorer Chris Lynn, who has been retained by Kolkata.
In the past four matches Head has scored 227 runs at an average of 113.5 and a strike-rate of 177.34 for the top-placed Strikers, with 18 of his 20 sixes coming in those four innings.
Head is yet to debut for Australia, but his form has made him a contender for the three Twenty20s against India at the end of the month and the World Twenty20, to be held in March in India.
There are currently six Australians with IPL contracts in excess of $A1 million: Mitch Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Mitch Starc, Steve Smith and James Faulkner.


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A plugin is a filter program that
helps PSP create a special effect. There are many freeware plugins
for you to use. Many were created for other graphic program, but
can be converted to use in PSP.
First you should download Plugin
Commander. This is a stand-alone program (separte from PSP) that allows
you to organize and convert filters for use with PSP. It will convert them
to th eproper extension (.8BF) so that PSP can use it. You can download
Commander here.
1. Scroll down and click
on the link "Download the free Light Edition"
2. When the zip file finishes
downloading, create a folder to unzip the program into. Unzip the
program into that folder.
3. Open folder and find
the execute Icon, and right-click on it. Choose create shortcut.
When the shortcut appears in the folder, drag the shortcut icon onto your
You may also need the SystemsDLL.zip
file. They are located on the same page as the Plugin Commander download.
1. Download this, and unzip
into the same folder.
2. Then open the folder
and copy all the .dll files into your Windows/Systems folder.
3. Restart your computer.
Now I will walk you through how
to install a plugin. You must have a plugin to use.
A common plugin is the Simple
Filter. But other filters are listed at the bottom of this page.
1. Once you download your
plugin zip file, unzip it into the same folder that you saved your
Plugin Commander files.
2. Make sure that Paint
Shop Pro is closed. Close the program before installing any plugins.
3. Open up your Plugin Commander.
You will get a two-sided box.
4. On the left side, find
the folder where you unzipped your plugin to, and open up that folder.
you will see a list of plugins (only the ones you have downloaded *S*)
7. Set to Photoshop FF Plugin.
Then click convert.
Note: it is important that
the converted plugin is placed in your PSP plugin folder. If you
can't call it up in PSP then perhaps you need to copy and paste the converted
file into this folder.
That's it! When you open
PSP, the plugin will be loaded. To find it you would click on Effects--Plugin
Filters-- and then scroll through the list. Art Texture plugin will
be located in the Ulead choice.
*Note: Please realize that
storing too many plugins into your PSP plugin folder can result in PSP
loading and working slowly or even crashing. So you may want to store
your converted programs into a different folder, and then move them into
your plugin folder when you use them.
Here is a tutorial that use the
Art Texture Plugin, that I thought you would enjoy. *S*
Filigree Background (my tutorial)
Here are some other Plugins that
you would find helpful in your PSP addiction! These will take you
off my site!
Art Texture plugin
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See this?
As of today, that thing is in the garbage!
You see, I used to be all about the numbers. The numbers on the scale that is.
After having 3 babies, and then trying to lose all the pregnancy weight, I would weigh myself all. the. time.
Even after losing all the weight, I would still weigh myself on that scale. I felt it kept me accountable. Accountable to those 3 little numbers I would see everyday.
However, for the past few months, I haven't been weighing myself that much. I had been wanting to gain 5 pounds. I felt I was looking a little…..gangly?!
To do this, I started adding a lot of "good" fats back into my diet.
Before this, I had been concentrating so hard on eating only "low-fat" this and "low-calorie" that. But I wasn't trying to lose weight anymore, so I added back in the good stuff: avocados, real peanut butter, flax seed, olive oil, etc. I also would indulge once in a while in a dessert. I mean seriously, who can be perfect in their eating forever?! Not moi.
I also added in some heavier strength training and more intense cardio to my workouts.
After a little while of "good" fats, a few desserts, and some extra tough workouts, I decided to weigh myself again. At first, I'll admit, I was scared to step on the scale. I had been a certain number for a while, and to see that number go up, (even though I knew it was good for me) was going to take some getting used to.
Surprisingly, the extra 5 pounds felt good. My body felt great. I could see positive changes.
So….what do I do?
I decide to start weighing myself regularly again. The whole "accountable" excuse.
I weighed myself weekly.
The first week I stepped on the scale, my weight had increased 2 pounds. I chalked it up to PMS…you know what I'm talking about ladies, right?
The second week, my weight had gone up another pound. What the?
The third week, it was back to normal.
The fourth week, back up 3 pounds!
Seriously. I don't get it! How can someone's weight fluctuate so much. I'm eating super healthy (I didn't even eat 1 slice of Mark's bday cake!) and my workouts are intense!
My theory……
The scale is a liar!
Yep, a complete liar.
I think people's weight fluctuates naturally, some more than others. Obviously, I'm one of those "more than others" type. Maybe it's water retention, maybe I'm gaining more muscle, maybe, maybe, maybe what??!
So in the garbage Mr. Scale goes.
I haven't even been wearing my Bodybugg anymore *gasp*! (If you want to know what a Bodybugg is, you can read this post)
I'm even thinking about not tracking my calorie intake anymore!
As long as I'm feeling good, eating right, exercising, and still fitting into my skinny jeans……
That's what it's all about.
So tell me, do you weigh yourself on a regular basis or just go by how your clothes are fitting and how you are feeling?Print This


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Luke's father was a worker and later an executive for Douglas Aircraft, and while he was born in Los Angeles, the demands of the elder Luke's job had the family relocating every few years, first to Georgia and later, when Robin was 11, to Hawaii. It was there that he took up the guitar and the ukulele.
He was appearing as an amateur performer at Punahou High School when he was spotted by a local impresario, who helped Luke hook up with Bob Bertram, a producer whose clients included singing cowboy Eddie Dean. Bertram owned several labels, including Lariat, whose artists included Joe Maphis, Polynesian (which released hula records aimed at the tourist trade, ) and Bertram International, which recorded rock & roll.
Luke was recorded by Bertram International in early May 1958 doing two originals, "Living's Loving You" and "Susie Darlin'," the latter title referring to Luke's younger sister. "Susie Darlin'" was issued in the spring of 1958 and did very well locally in Hawaii. Luckily for all concerned, it was also heard by Art Freeman, a distributor for Dot Records, who brought the single to the attention of his employers. The powers-that-were at Dot picked the record up for distribution on the mainland; Luke was already a headliner in Hawaii, closing shows on bills with the likes of the Everly Brothers and Sam Cooke, but the national release of "Susie Darlin'" resulted in his doing a quick tour of the United States and appearing on American Bandstand. As the single climbed the charts, he was brought back for more shows, in the company of the Kalin Twins, who were enjoying their first flush of success with "When" at the time. He appeared on more national television shows, including The Perry Como Show, and also became friends with a number of other neophyte music stars, including Buddy Holly and Ricky Nelson; Holly even taught him the chords to "Peggy Sue" backstage before an appearance on the same bill.
Luke sounded a good deal like Nelson, and also like Holly in his softer moments; as a balladeer, he could almost have been an Anglo counterpart to Ritchie Valens. He had a gentle, romantic voice that also managed to be sexy and vulnerable, and made him a major heartthrob and teen idol.
The follow-up to "Susie Darlin," "Chicka-Chicka-Honey," was released before Luke had graduated from high school in 1959. He moved to Los Angeles to attend Pepperdine University, and began recording directly for Dot Records, backed by the likes of Glen Campbell and the Champs. In the fall of 1959, he was rushed into the studio to record a cover of a fast-breaking British single, "Bad Boy," which was tearing up the English charts in a version by Marty Wilde.
Luke remained popular on the concert stage and was well taken care of by Dot Records president Randy Woods, but it wasn't his intention to continue as a singer. After finishing his undergraduate work in 1962, Luke pursued a graduate degree in business administration that ultimately brought him into the academic world and took him out of music permanently. He left singing behind after the mid-'60s, choosing instead the life of a faculty member and the chance to savor the memories he had of his five years as a teen idol. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi


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Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System Annual Benefit StatementsMay 7, 2013 | In Benefits & Work/Life
Coming Soon: New Enhancements to the 2012 Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System's Annual Benefits Statements
The 2012 Annual Benefits Statements will be in Members' ORBIT accounts later this month. For the first time, all active members receiving a statement will have a Social Security estimate included in their statement. Members who did not contribute as of Dec. 31, 2012 will not receive a statement.
In addition to a Social Security estimate, the 2012 statement will include:
- A more prominently positioned gap analysis at the front of your statement. You will be able to see early on a comparison of your projected monthly income to your projected monthly need. This will help you better understand what factors contribute to your income and how you can enhance your long-term savings.
- Your contributions to the N.C. Retirement Systems as of Dec. 31, 2012
- Your projected sources of retirement income, including your retirement benefit through the N.C. Retirement Systems, and your NC 401(k) and NC Deferred Compensation (457) monthly incomes through the Retirement Systems administrator
To help you better understand the information in your statement, an "Annual Benefits Statement" website will be available by Friday, May 10. This website will provide:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Links to resources for all ages and career stages
Use your Annual Benefits Statement and this website to help you address any retirement gap you may have, and aid you in developing a retirement plan.
To access ORBIT:
- Visit www.myncretirement.com
- Click on the ORBIT button to log-in
- Once logged on to your personal ORBIT account, click on "View Annual Benefits Statement" to view or print your statement
Additional communication will be sent when the Annual Benefits Statements are posted to your account.


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Brief Fact Summary. Samsung, the Defendant, ran a television ad to gain business for a VCR consciously depicting Vanna White, the Plaintiff, in front of a wheel resembling the wheel of fortune. Plaintiff sued Defendant for appropriation.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. While at common law anything that altered leased premises in any way constituted waste, under Ohio case law there must be substantial damage to the reversion in order for waste to be actionable.
Facts. Patricia Woodrick, Plaintiff-appellant is appealing an injunction prohibiting Catherine Wood, defendant-appellee, from removing a barn that partially rests on a parcel of land in which Woodrick has a remainder interest. George and Catherine Wood owned several parcels of land. The barn is partially on both Lot #105 and Lot #106. Catherine Wood has a life estate and a 75% remainder interest in Lot #105. Patricia Woodrick has a 25% remainder interest in Lot #105. Lot #106 is owned by Catherine Wood and Sheridian Wood. Patricia Woodrick has no ownership interest in Lot #106. Catherine and George's daughter Sheridan sought to raze the barn a rotting barn on the property, but the other child, Patricia, sued to enjoin them from tearing it down on the theory that it would amount to waste. The trial court rejected Patricia's argument, but awarded her the value of the barn, $3200.
Issue. Whether the holder of a remainder interest in a parcel of land may prohibit the life tenant of such property from destroying structures of value on the land even if such removal of those structures would increase the property value.


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Isaac Watts
Isaac Watts (17 July 1674 – 25 November 1748 / Southampton / England)
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Psalm Xxxiv: Lord, I Will Bless Thee
Lord, I will bless thee all my days,
Thy praise shall dwell upon my tongue;
My soul shall glory in thy grace,
While saints rejoice to hear the song.
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It's still too early for Paradise Unified School District Board President Judith Peters to give any details about the contract negotiations with the Teachers Association of Paradise.
"We're moving along fine right now," said Peters, adding that the "easy stuff" was pretty much figured out.
The easy stuff relates mostly to policy and language, she said.
"It had to do with defining what you pay a teacher for covering another teacher's class," she said, noting that covering another class can take a teacher out of their prep periods. "We're hammering out a formula for doing that."
She said there were also some language issues that had to be defined and clarified.
"It's pretty easy when everybody agrees 'this is what we said and this is what we meant to say.'"
With the smaller issues out of the way, the school board and the union can focus on more difficult matters.
"It's salaries," Peters said. "That's the main body of what we are going back and forth with."
She said offers and counter-offers have been made and it is just a matter of coming to an agreement.
She couldn't expand on the details of what was made in the offers and said she doesn't know when an agreement will be reached.
For one thing, they are waiting for information from the Local Control Action Plan (LCAP) Committee.
When Proposition 30 passed, it changed the way the district receives and distributes the money it gets from the state.
"Most of the money is in one big pot," she said. "The state stopped telling us where we have to spend it all and we have to come up with a plan ourselves and document how we spent it."
The LCAP committee is made up of members from the teachers' union, the classified union, parents and students - essentially, members from each school's site council.
Peters said the board has ideas on what to do and the committee will submit their ideas as well.
There have been several closed session special board meetings between teacher negotiations since February, when teachers publicly lobbied the board for a pay hike.
Peters said the special meetings are so the board can get an update and advise district administrators on negotiations.
If there were no special meetings, the board would have to wait for each month's regular board meeting to get the information.
There was a special board meeting Monday, and Tuesday District Superintendent Roger Bylund was meeting with the teacher's group.
Peters said she hopes an agreement between the two groups will be reached by June. She added that the two groups may disagree on certain points, but both are looking out for the students.
"With the way the money is coming from the state, personally, I think it's great," said Peters. "We're in contact with a good section of the community and representatives from the school to figure out what's best for students and how to spend the money."


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Pawlenty upbeat about governors' historic meeting with Obama but worried about the growing federal and state deficits
Gov. Tim Pawlenty described today's historic meeting between governors and President-elect Barack Obama as "constructive and positive" but expressed concerns that the stimulus plans they discussed to help struggling states could dangerously run up the nation's deficit.
In an afternoon conference call from Philadelphia, the Minnesota governor also told local reporters that he hasn't seen the exact numbers yet but worries that Thursday's state revenue forecast deficit problem will show not only a large projected deficit for the next biennium but a shortfall for the current biennium's final seven months.
If there are immediate financial problems, Pawlenty said he'll try to work with legislators to make the needed cuts, but that if those efforts fail, he'll be forced to "unallot" funds that already have been approved.
In this morning's meeting with Obama, Pawlenty said the president-elect made it clear he will seek infrastructure aid for the states that offers federal money for needed improvements that are ready to begin immediately so the impact can be quickly felt. Other parts of the stimulus plan aren't decided, and Obama asked the governors for help in designing it, Pawlenty said.
"With the exception of the infrastructure part of the package, no other decisions are made, and he's in a listening mode," he said. "He heard the ideas and suggestions from the governors."
Published reports indicate the governors asked for help because the recession and resulting increase in joblessness will mean higher health care costs for the poor, greater use of food stamps and added strain on welfare programs
According to townhall.com, the governors "have asked for at least $40 billion to help pay for health care for the poor and disabled and perhaps $136 billion more in infrastructure projects like road and bridge repairs in the legislation, which Democrats hope to have ready for Obama's signature as soon as he takes office on Jan. 20.
"Obama has said he will make an economic stimulus his top priority, and his aides and congressional leaders have been discussing the outlines of a measure that could exceed $500 billion over two years. The president-elect has said his goal is to secure 2.5 million jobs."
Some execs worry about over-extending nation's 'credit card'
But Pawlenty noted that many of the governors expressed concern about the massive amount of federal spending taking place.
"A number of us made the point that we have to put a limit on the nation's credit card because we're spending so much money so fast," Pawlenty said.
Pawlenty paraphrased Obama's response: The risk of economic deflation and stagnation are more immediate and urgent and important than the risk of letting the deficit go too high or face inflation.
The governors also talked with Obama about Medicaid, one of the biggest costs in the state budget, which is "out of control and rising at unsustainable rates," Pawlenty said.
He said he worries that federal aid for Medicaid assistance to the states could come with strings. If the federal government insists on no changes in eligibility or puts other restrictions on the states, it could delay needed reform in the system, the governor said.
Asked if he might reject federal aid that comes with restrictions, Pawlenty said:
"It's possible. If they say we'll give you a dollar, but if you take it, you can't change any of these federal programs and have to keep them as they were, then their dollar might not be worth it. It will depend on how much is offered and what strings are attached."
Pawlenty taking wait-and-see view on federal aid
Pawlenty said that, even with the infrastructure aid, he wants to see the plan before deciding whether it's a good thing for the state.
"I want to see how it's structured. We'll see. I don't want to just have the money go out without some reform in how its spent. I don't want some committee chairman to cherry-pick his pork-barrel project. If there's not a focus on politics, it will be more attractive."
"We'll have a more detailed reaction when we see their proposal. Today's discussion was mostly conceptual."
Pawlenty said the state does have needed infrastructure projects in the works, and said that with the right kind of conditions, it would be beneficial to have the federal boost to create some economic activity. Even that, though, won't help the state's immediate budget deficit, he said.
On Minnesota's budget problems, Pawlenty said he will have a Thursday afternoon press conference, after the revenue forecast is announced. Even then, he won't announce any proposed long-term changes in state operations until his budget message in January.
Earlier in the year, the state's monthly collections were running ahead of projections, by up to $300 million, he said.
"But as revenues are collapsing, will that cushion we built up be big enough [to prevent a deficit in the current biennium]? My opinion is no, it won't be sufficient. I think we'll burn through the cushion and be in a deficit for the current biennium.
"Because we'll be past the three-quarters mark [in the current biennium], the Legislature or the governor has fewer options, so we'll consult immediately with legislators about making commitments in early January to solve the deficit. But if they're unwilling, we'll go forward with unallotment, if need be.
"We'll give them a full chance to be partners, but we can't wait too long."
Pawlenty said today's meeting with Obama was historic and unprecedented because apparently no other incoming president has held such a summit with the nation's governors.
As it was breaking up, Pawlenty said he had a short chat — one on one and off to the side — about Minnesota's commitment to renewable energy. "He said he'd like to have further discussions," Pawlenty said.
Joe Kimball reports on St. Paul City Hall, Ramsey County politics and other topics. He can be reached at jkimball [at] minnpost [dot] com.
Comments (1)
We all need to take this piece as a heads-up. Gov. Pawlenty really doesn't understand money. It isn't real, in the sense of gold coins. What is real is the full faith and credit of the U.S. government which will have to direct our economy in order to dig us out of this mess. Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman addressed the deficit fears clearly in a recent column:
"Right now there's intense debate about how aggressive the United States government should be in its attempts to turn the economy around. Many economists, myself included, are calling for a very large fiscal expansion to keep the economy from going into free fall. Others, however, worry about the burden that large budget deficits will place on future generations.
" But the deficit worriers have it all wrong. Under current conditions, there's no trade-off between what's good in the short run and what's good for the long run; strong fiscal expansion would actually enhance the economy's long-run prospects."
Are we to be doomed to a longer and deeper recession in Minnesota because Pawlenty is too stubborn to reconsider his doctrinaire bias? He needs to be planning right now for how best to use federal stimulus funds. There is no time for his wait-and-see attitude or his determination to "solve the deficit" when the deficit is not our most pressing problem. How dare he threaten to "unallot"?
If he drags his feet in this crisis, maybe we need to impeach our governor.
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