text:
THE CORE –– is a health, research and technology enterprise corridor.
The CORE is Different!
Unlike traditional economic development organizations or trade associations, we and our Partners are business leaders and economic visionaries; focused to create and grow innovative businesses to create a sustainable innovation ecosystem within the health-sciences industries.
Frequently Asked Questions about THE CORE
What is THE CORE?
THE CORE – www.thecoreidaho.com – is a health sciences/technology and business enterprise corridor in the heart of Idaho's fast-growing Boise Valley. The City of Meridian, Idaho State University and their energized partners recognize that innovations in health sciences and technology will continue to be the stimulating force of the economy.
Who is behind it?
THE CORE is founded by a partnership of government, university and business leaders as a model for research, innovation and economic development in the health, science and technology sectors. Idaho State University Meridian Health Science Center is the education anchor in THE CORE and a key asset to advancing health, sciences and technology economic development.
Where is it?
THE CORE is in Meridian, Idaho, located at the center of the Boise Valley region along the
I-84 corridor. The 1,800-acre development spans North-South from Fairview to Overland and East-West from Cloverdale to Locust Grove. ISU is remodeling 182,000 square feet of new campus space in Meridian where 25 health profession programs will make their home in 2009 – creating dynamic environments supportive of entrepreneurs, health professionals and students.
What are THE CORE goals?
The goals of THE CORE are to develop quality health sciences education, foster economic growth and recruit new and quality companies to Idaho. THE CORE will become a vibrant place where educators, researchers and businesses come together to expand the economic landscape of the state and region and opportunities for Idahoans.
Why focus on health sciences and technology?
Health care will be the state's fastest-growing, largest and highest paying industry between now and 2016. THE CORE will be the key asset to delivering quality health sciences education in Idaho and supporting the complementary businesses that thrive alongside institutions of higher education.
In the past three years alone, Meridian has seen an increase of 60 businesses and more than 1,300 jobs in the health care sector.
What is the anticipated economic impact of THE CORE?
Coupled with the stable incomes they provide and the cultural vibrancy they stimulate, business enterprise zones in partnership with universities have come to anchor many cities' prospects for growth because of the ability to educate, attract and retain a highly qualified workforce.
About The CORE
The CORE's Focus is to be the leading health, research and technology business cluster in the Pacific Northwest. Centered in Meridian, Idaho, The CORE is in the heart of Idaho's fast-growing Treasure Valley, straddling three miles of Interstate 84 just 10 minutes from Boise's major airport with direct flights to and from more than 15 major U.S. hubs.
The CORE's Mission is to promote the fusion of health sciences, research and technology to drive innovation and sustainable economic growth. The CORE will foster a vibrant ecosystem where entrepreneurs, educators, researchers and professionals will collaborate, create, and show case technology assets. This diverse group of partners will deliver long term and lasting benefits to the community by sustaining and creating new jobs that cannot be outsourced.
The CORE Membership Opportunities – Support The CORE! By joining The CORE you can join business and community leaders to make our vision a reality. Drive innovation, research, and technology while enjoying the wide variety of benefits The CORE will provide you and your organization; including participation and involvement with our industry priorities, initiatives, task groups, community alignments, events and forums, products, and member recruitment activities.
THE CORE's Vision - Public/private partnership dedicated to grow sustainable economic development through health sciences and technology in THE CORE of Idaho's Treasure Valley. Existing businesses, attractive infrastructure and compelling assets – THE CORE of the Boise Valley along the fast-growing I-84 corridor – are driving innovation to systemically grow the Idaho economy.
THE CORE's Goals are to:
Grow jobs
Foster economic growth
Develop quality health sciences education
Recruit new and build quality companies in Idaho
THE CORE will become a vibrant place where educators, researchers and businesses come together to expand the economic landscape of the state and region and opportunities for Idahoans.
THE CORE Leadership
Earl E. Sullivan-Chairman
Bill Canon
David Sanna
Kathy Moore
John Francis
Mike Fenello
Ex-Officio Members:
City of Meridian - Mayor Tammy de Weerd
ISU Health Sciences – Dean Bessie Katsilometes
Location and Infrastructure
THE CORE is in Meridian, Idaho, located at the center of the dynamic Boise Valley region along the I-84 corridor.
THE CORE is 10 minutes from the Boise Airport with direct flight access to and from 14 urban centers: Seattle; Portland; San Francisco; Oakland,; San Jose; Sacramento; Las Vegas; Phoenix; Los Angeles; San Diego, Salt Lake City; Denver; Minneapolis; Chicago.
Outstanding physical infrastructure already exists in THE CORE – fiber systems, new roads, three miles of frontage along Interstate 84, as well as two freeway exits.
Innovation cannot exist in a vacuum; it must be supported by entrepreneurship. Fortunately, THE CORE has access to critical resources and support services to promote a culture of entrepreneurship:
A number of the nation's largest investment banks and other financial institutions delivering counsel, deal structuring, funding, and other financial services to the dozens of organizations already established in THE CORE.
Boise Valley venture capitalists and angel investors support early-stage companies, entrepreneurs and promising innovation ventures and networks.
Benefits of The CORE Membership:
Trustee Membership (Visionary & Innovator) – Providing Access and a Voice, Trustee Level Membership is the highest level of commitment to the Mission and Vision of The CORE. Along with the benefits of Access to the The Core's information resources and having a Voice in the future of The CORE, additional benefits include:
CORE Education: Steering the future of specialized work force development in the state of Idaho. CORE Education will pick one to three sectors a year to coordinate new programs or enhancements to current programs already offered in the state. With the participation of Idaho's major education institutions and various private groups, specialized workforce development will be a primary focus for The CORE.
CORE Capital: Access to capital sources and the development of new capital sources for businesses in health, research and technology. CORE Capital will focus on bringing in angel, private equity, empowerment funding, venture capital and other capital resources to The CORE.
CORE Forums: Industry specific education and networking events that will include the following: Quarterly Trustee meetings to determine the future needs in education, capital, and talent, legislative mixers, open houses for members of The CORE, roundtable discussions, educational seminars, and other events to grow The CORE.
CORE Data: The CORE will develop a centralized repository of information related to staffing, real estate projects, new businesses, access to capital, events, permitting/licensure requirements, etc. A general "war room" of information will be assembled for the benefit of our members.
CORE Talent: A jobs board will be available for members to post and use for future workforce needs. In addition, The CORE will establish various internship programs with the educational groups involved with The CORE that will be listed on The CORE website and for our Trustees first. There will also be a general forum for the discussion on talent and new ventures.
CORE Service Panel: The CORE will develop a strike force of preferred service providers to help the companies and individuals in The CORE expand. This will include members from banking, legal, telecom, building, developers, and other relevant service providers that will act a first line for answering questions and providing immediate feedback on projects. This Service Panel will also be directly tied into the necessary permitting for expansion and growth in Meridian.
General Membership Benefits – General Membership provides a great deal of visibility into the future of Health, Research, and Technology in the State of Idaho. Members will have multiple opportunities to participate in events ranging from networking to educational and will have their businesses listed in our membership directory as well as have the ability to see the direction that The CORE is taking prior to the general public. This will include peer-to-peer events, news feeds, and access to resources generated by The CORE and their Trustees.
Join The CORE! Simply go to www.TheCOREIdaho.com and click on the "Sponsorship and Membership Section" to sign up. Or for more information on The CORE membership or benefits, please call Earl Sullivan at (208) 724-0790, or email [email protected].
The CORE Membership Levels:
Visionary or Innovator Membership – As a Trustee to The CORE, you will be intimately involved with The CORE's strategic direction and will be actively involved with The CORE's development and economic-support programs. The expectations of our Visionaries and Innovators are toward the uppermost levels of investment, responsibilities, and participation; for this you will have first access to The CORE members, data, and future events. At this membership level, we will display your company's logo on marketing materials and on our website, advertising specials related to news for your company; and most importantly, you will have a Voice in the future of Health, Research, and Technology in Idaho!
Partner Membership ($1000+ / Year) – As a Partner, your company will enjoy the benefits and inclusion of what The CORE provides to our new community – access to industry leaders, opportunities to build your businesses through education and networking, insights into current trends, regulations, research and emerging technologies and other collateral benefits of The CORE's efforts.
Service Company Membership ($2500 / Year) – Service-based companies that want to participate in The CORE are encouraged to show their support. Membership benefits include access to key decision makers and knowledge of the upcoming projects and initiatives. Ask about Trustee Level Service Panel - Limited Opportunities Available
Incubator Membership ($500 / Year) – Exclusively for start-up or VC-backed companies in business for less than three years with revenues less than $5M, membership benefits for Incubators are geared specifically towards creating enhanced visibility and growing your business – all while enjoying the same benefits as a Partner.
Affiliate Membership ($1000 / Year) – Affiliate membership is exclusively for Not-for-Profit entities, Chambers of Commerce, Governmental Entities, or other related groups that are supportive of The CORE's vision. The membership benefits of the Affiliate will be in line with Service companies.
Individual Membership ($250 / Year) – This membership is for individual contributors and supporters or groups with less than five people that want to support the efforts of The CORE. Memberships for Individuals enjoy the same benefits as a Partner, but at a reduced annual membership fee – providing individuals with the same visibility normally only afforded through larger organizations.


text:
Scenes captured by Daily Sentinel photographers during the past week.
Grand Junction resident Beth Littlenton is over come with emotion after being presented with a new bike after donating her 1950 Raleigh bike to Brown's Cycles on Main Street Saturday.
#19, Ryan Atwood from Navarron College signs an autograph before the start of the Championship game at Suplizio Field.
The Color Guard before the start of the championship game.
The National Anthem before the start of the championship game.
The combined MCSD and GJPD Color Guard during the National anthem.
Lee Bowerman is repainting the first mural he ever created for Frame Depot.
A Grand Junction firefighter hoses down the burning rubble of an abandoned barn.
A grinning Tyler Brady, left, holds a baseball given Tuesday to the residents of Mesa Developmental Service's Olson Avenue home that has been autographed by players from the Central Arizona College baseball team. Players pictured are, from left, Ryan Downs, Jordan Lane, Jordan Lewis, Zach Dando and Greg Ryan.
As instructor Deb Bailey watches, "Sgt." Kinisha Nostrant-Hill, 13, ties Christopher McKenney's arm before checking his veins during a blood-drawing exercise at Mesa State College's M*A*S*H Camp for middle school students who are interested in health careers. About 50 children are enrolled in the camp, which continues through the week at the college
A bicyclist braves the closed section of the Riverfront Trail along the Blue Heron segment west of Glacier Ice Arena Tuesday. This part of the trail is covered with water from the rising Colorado River.
Maggie Meyer, 3, of Grand Junction plays in one of the many fountains at the splash pad at Lincoln Park - Moyer pool Tuesday. Beginning June 2, the splash pad will be open mornings from 9:30 to 12:45, and the cost will be $1 per child. The pad is already open during the pool's regular hours from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.
A grinning Tyler Brady, left, holds a baseball given to the residents of Mesa Developmental Service's Olson Avenue home that has been autographed by players with the Central Arizona Community College baseball team. Players pictured are, from left to right, Ryan Downs, Jordan Lane, Jordan Lewis, Greg Ryan and Zach Dando.
Juco fan Tayler Rezak, 10, of Grand Junction enjoys a huge piece of watermelon after taking a nap on her dad's (Cliff) lap.
The Grand Mesa Pipes and Drums Band performs during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado Monday morning. The Grand Valley Combined Honor Guard conduct a memorial service for deceased veterans of the Armed Forces.The program included remarks by local government officials, performances by the Grand Mesa Pipes ad Drums, dedication of the new columbarium and placing of wreaths by representatives of veterans' organization.
David Harris, No.1 from Navarro College, crosses the plate after hitting a three run homer in a seven run 3rd inning against Iowa Western in Game No. 9 of the JUCO World Series.
Ward Churchill speaking at Sherwood Park in Grand Junction.
Very high winds during game 6 keep the flags blowing out.
Gary and Shane Honda were taught by their grandfather, Gary McCallister, how to care for honeybees.
Photo by Mike Wiggins—A Grand Junction Police Officer investigates an accident Sunday at 12th Street and Ute Avenue, where a Kia Rio and a motorcycle collided, sending the motorcyclist to St. Mary's Hospital and closing the intersection for several hours.
Please Login or Register to leave a comment.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
After nearly 20 years, this may be the last gathering of the Wickhambrook Potters.
The get together at the village hall has been organised annually by the children of Florence Potter, who died in 1994 only two weeks before her 89th birthday.
It has been organised by her children George, Faith, Frank, Eva, John, Sam and David, who are now aged 85 to 68, and finding it a bit much to cater for the 65 to 70 family members who come from as far as Egypt.
But after Saturday's gathering, on what would have been Florence's 109th birthday, Sam said: "Whether it will be the last one is open. There were murmurings from the younger members of the family that they want to keep it."
One has even traced the family tree back to the 1700s. They have lived in Wickhambrook since the generation before Florence.


text:
Well Being
Maybe the Grapefruit Diet Isn't Total Hooey After All — Vitamin C and Weight Loss
(www.livelywomen.com) — As it turns out, increased intake of Vitamin C has been shown to play a role in burning fat and keeping it gone. RealAge reported today that
People in a study who had low blood concentrations of vitamin C and walked on a treadmill for an hour burned 25 percent less fat than people with adequate C. But a dose of C brought fat-burning levels back up to par. Why? Seems C is essential for creating carnitine, a substance that turns fat into fuel.
Not sure how much vitamin C you need? Here's a handy tool to figure it out.
What's your favorite way to get vitamin C? I love grapefruit.
Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King
(image: SXC.hu)
Tags: womens health blog, womens health, women, woman, health, vitamin c, fat, weight loss, lose weight, grapefruit, lively women, kristen king


text:
End of Year Analysis
No doubt, eCommerce and online marketing managers will end the year on a high note. But how were the other three quarters? When you look back at 2012 as a whole, did you meet all of your marketing and revenue goals throughout the year? Did you set the correct goals for 2013?
Big data provides a detailed look into your customer base so you can take a more granular approach to growing your online business next year, focusing on improving repeat visits, decreasing bounce rates, increasing natural search traffic, and prolonging customer lifecycles to improve lifetime value.
You already know how to attract new customers to capture the first sale. To truly impact your business next year you have focus on capturing the second – then third – sale.
To do that you have to understand how to engage customers post-purchase and how to re-engage them as time goes by. The longer customers go without buying from you, the less likely they are to make the next purchase. Jim Novo, customer loyalty expert, contributed an article recently discussing how to measure the relative value of your customers and reach out to them with appropriate offers and messages.
Our new Lifecycle Grid was created to provide insight into your customer base and relative value of each customer. The concept is simple and highly effective. Customers are segmented by the number of purchases made and the length of time since their last purchase and highly-relevant emails are deployed automatically as purchase time lags. The messaging and offers received by someone who purchased ten times and whose last purchase was 29 days ago is much different than the email received by someone who only purchased one time over six months ago.
The ability to speak to the different customer segments based on their relative values isn't new, but it has been extremely difficult until now. As you look to get started, here are a few tips to remember:
- The recency of the last purchase is a good indicator of purchase intent – the longer it has been since the purchase was made, the less likely another sale becomes
- The more purchases a customer has made, the more likely they are to purchase again – and share their good experiences and thoughts with their friends
- It's important to re-engage shoppers within 60 days of the first sale to prevent them from lapsing
- Customers who have purchased recently and ones that have made several purchases don't require big discounts to incent them to buy from you again, but customers who haven't purchased in several months require greater discounts or offers
- It is possible to re-engage customers who haven't purchased in over a year or two – but watch the bounce rates as you don't want to continue to send to email addresses that are no longer valid
Focusing on engagement and lifecycle management will prevent customers from defecting, greatly increasing loyalty and revenue. If you'd like to learn more about how it works, visit our website or give us a call at 877.362.4556.
Login to leave comments.


text:
Built for durability the NXe 140 Round paintball pods stand out you're your standard paintball pod. Built to last through even the toughest conditions any paintball player face.
NXe 140 Round Paintball Pod Features
Feel free to contact our customer service with any questions or concerns regarding your order at:
(724) 571-5770
Home of the Lifetime Marker Warranty
Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy - Shipping Policy - Site Map
Payment methods accepted:
Copyright Punishers Paintball Supply © 2003-2016 All Rights Reserved
All photography and text on this site is the original work of Punishers Paintball Supply and manufacturers.
Contents may not be used for any commercial or non-commercial purpose without prior written consent from www.punisherspb.com.


text:
Velocity-Stack Mod: Cheap and Easy Horsepower and Torque Gain on Toyota Trucks
Once upon a time, someone who owned a third-gen 4Runner (or 95.5 and up Tacoma) decided that the OEM airbox and ducting were restrictive and inefficient. They were right (well explain in another paragraph). So ask yourself, as this someone once did: Whats the easiest way to get more air into a box with one opening? Make another one. A big hole.
Is a big hole good enough? You can do better. Weve developed an interpretation of the hole-in-the-box modification the stack mod which is an improvement on the historic deck-plate mod. Our version made a documented 8 hp and 8 ft-lb of torque on the Mustang AWD500 Legacy dyno at Reese Tuning in San Diego County (619/749-0156, reesetuning.com). Imagine an inexpensive velocity stack that mounts exactly where the deck plate goes, providing a route for air directly to the filter. Best part? Its cheap the only part youll need costs $3. Everything else is junk youve got laying around the garage, plus some basic tools that if you dont own, you really need to.
Defining the Old Deck-Plate Mod
Next youll ask: Why is the original deck-plate mod for the Tacoma and 4Runner called that? From the looks of it, a deck plate is like a modular opening, or drain port, designed to function in a flat deck, apparently for nautical applications (so says the Web). In essence, the deck-plate mod describes the installation of this sort of port in the airbox to allow a significant increase in airflow (with it screened over if youre trying to keep vermin and debris out of the filter).
You could short bus this mod. Instead of the standard deck-plate maneuver, some folks have gone so simple as to plainly attack the airbox with a power drill, the oft-titled Swiss-cheese mod. We wouldnt stoop so low, but you can if that sort of thing satisfies you. Our velocity stack design is arguably less expensive than the original deck-plate modification, delivers air more effectively, and the project is no harder than before.
How and Why for a Velocity Stack?
Whats a velocity stack? Thinking historically: imagine F1, Can-Am or other race engines from the 50s, 60s and 70s, and youll remember shiny metal tubes sprouting from every carb on the engine, with one end shaped in a roughly parabolic funnel - velocity stack. Its basically a tube with one end formed to take advantage of an atmospheric equivalent of the Venturi Effect: air is collected from a larger area and fed into a narrower chute. This concentration increases flow.
The key ingredient we used for the stack mod was the plastic tube a bass port designed to tune and extend bass range for speaker boxes. Bass ports often have one end shaped like a velocity stack to eliminate inlet turbulence. Efficiency differences between perfect and crude stacks are minimal, so anything close will do. Having made a few bucks in college building custom speakers, using a bass port came to mind when looking at the construction of the original deck-plate mod. If you give air a channel or a tube to flow within, you direct the air and improve flow. For example, instead of a crowd trying to force itself into a room, consider people moving in an orderly line which process do you think works faster? The original deck-plate design uses the thin deck-plate ring to define the opening, but theres no channel, no tube, no route for the air to be directed into the filter. A velocity stack means focused air, plus increased flow.
Theres a speaker and electronics wholesaler in Ohio Parts Express, 800/338-0531 that keeps a massive catalog of this sort of part. They dont stock all the most exotic or miniscule tidbits, but the bulk of the killer components you need when wiring things or creating electronic devices can be found in their catalog. The four-inch diameter/four-inch long bass port (part no. 260-403) was ideal: theres only so much room in the face of the airbox, and the windshield-washer reservoir crowds it on one side. We wanted to use as much length of the stack as possible, so it was going to stick out of the front of the airbox a tad, and then extend into the airbox leaving room between its terminus and the filter.
Eight Horsepower and Eight Foot-Pounds
We parked our 180,000-mile 1997 4Runner (V6 and the slushbox) on the four-wheel Mustang dyno at Reese Tuning last week, and prepared to build the stack mod on the shop floor (instant results, no deviation in dyno settings). The Mustang dyno is a road-force dyno that applies gradient resistance to its rollers to mimic the delivery of power on an actual street, so the power figures are predictably less than non-interference dynamometers, but more honest. Mustang dynos are occasionally called bad names because they dont deliver the biggest absolute numbers that the dyno queens and poseurs crave, but most tuners respect road-force dynamometers for providing the most realistic power figures and the most accurate wheel horsepower.
The results are attached; the graphs are unaltered. Wed have preferred longer graphs with more from early in the powerband, but we had to roll into the throttle (with WOT by 3400) to avoid downshifting. The improvements netted with nothing more than the aforementioned velocity stack installed are obvious across the powerband (and remarkably even). Peak HP gain came at 4700 RPM with an increase of 8 hp, and torque peaked at 4800 RPM, providing an 8 ft-lb gain.
The air/fuel ratio was slightly leaner with the velocity stack in place, but still safe (even with a 180K fuel pump). We plan to install a bigger pump out of an STi (well test that too), but its our suspicion that lousy flow elsewhere and inefficient heads are causing plenty of ruckus at high RPM the horsepower curve falls off as the intake tract eats itself around 5000 RPM. Ironically, the most improvement was seen from the stack in that range, suggesting more ponies are to be had with further flow improvements. Well incrementally dyno a K&N plate filter and mods to the rest of the intake tract too.
Crash-Course In Airbox Surgery
Remove the airbox. Spin out the three bolts holding it down (theyre captured with the bushing, so mind the bits), loosen the hose clamp downstream of the mass-air, undo the two bolts holding the mass-air sensor, unplug it and gently twist it out of the airbox. Give the airbox a tug and its out.
Use the bass tube to trace a circle on the upper-left corner of the airboxs flat face (as if youre looking at the airbox from the front of the truck), space the opening about two centimeters from the edges. Youre not cutting at the line youve drawn use it as a guide, but cut about five millimeters within it, then slowly trim out until the stack fits snugly. Its woodwork basics with plastic use the drill to make a small hole completely inside the cutting radius, then cut a 360-degree loop with the jigsaw. Dont get grabby with the size of it you can slowly massage things with the saw and file to get a perfect interference fit. You should be able to slide the stack into the opening with a slight amount of friction, and the stack should stick in place without fasteners. We shouldnt have to tell you this, but just in case youre having a moron moment, be sure remove the filter from the airbox so as to keep errant plastic fragments from getting into it, and so you dont hack a hole in it during a moment of errant jigsawery.
You dont want big junk and livestock getting in the airbox, so some sort of screen would be wise. We chose to use an old speaker grille as a screen for the bass port velocity stack. Admit it: youve got 10 unused old speakers in your garage. Peel one apart, trim the screen to fit, secure it with a few screws (we also formed it around the lip of the stack, mostly because it looked cool). Pre-drill the holes, because you dont want to split the stacks lip or the grille. The grille we used, a little denser than basic screen material, appears to have cooperated with the stack to deaden the V6s drone, which can become obnoxious uncorked. According to stack physics, the stack probably defeats the drone by itself, though we didnt test it that way.
Two smaller ports easier to locate in the airbox to avoid interference with other things in the boxs neighborhood could work so long as you do the math and have enough flow area to guarantee effective air movement. Several smaller runners (instead of one big one) might also improve low-end torque more (as is the logic behind longer intake runners), but the fact that theyre upstream of the filter means the filter might mitigate substantial further gains. Its a small bother the improvements netted with the arrangement weve specd here are legitimate and dyno-proven, so you dont need to mess around unless you have an itch to scratch.
Tools needed? We used: 10mm and 12mm sockets, a few extensions, needle-nose pliers, a round or half-moon file, hacksaw, jigsaw with a fine blade, drill with a bit about 1.5-times-larger-than-the-blade width, a crayon, some caulk (if you want to seal around the stack-airbox interface). Dont make excuses if theres time this is cheap horsepower. Have some.
Buyers Guides
Visit Forums TRUCKS & 4x4 FORUMS
- new member
- ATV/UTV: Rage Mohave | Now Available at Discount Tire Direct!
- New Promotion from Go Rhino - up to $50 Prepaid Reward!
- In the Market for Goodyear DuraTrac Tires | Step Inside!
- Diode Dynamics Labor Day Sale: Save 20% On Your Entire Order w/code: LABOR
- Jeep Wrangler JL, Scrambler Pickup Caught During Towing Test
- Labor Day Deals on Tires & Wheels | | NOW Available IN-STORE!


text:
Scanning QR codes.
Creating technology wishlists.
Recording videos.
Those are just a few of the things that took place across Onslow County Schools Wednesday as part of Digital Learning Day.
Digital Learning Day is a nationwide celebration of innovative teaching and common-sense, effective applications of digital learning in schools, according to information from Alliance for Excellence Education, which organized the event. The organization is a Washington, DC-based national policy and advocacy organization that aims to ensure all students graduate from high school ready for success.
Jerri Sydes, the technology facilitator at Trexler Middle School, said she and the technology facilitators at Richlands High School, Richlands Elementary School and Richlands Primary School worked together to plan Digital Learning Day events.
�(We are) just trying to bring the students and schools together,� Sydes said.
Trexler students Skyped with the Engineering Academy from Richlands High School at the beginning of the school day, allowing students to get a tour of the classroom and see some of what the academy students do, including using a 3-D printer.
In the media center, students were able to participate in the QR-code scavenger hunt, which provided clues that led to a book.
Haley Janiec, a sixth grade student, said the clue she pulled was about a boy named Luke.
�They gave us kind of a hint; it�s about him hiding,� she said.
First Haley looked for a book titled �The Hidden� but didn�t find that title on the shelves. Then she found a �Among the Hidden,� she said.
�I read the back of the book, and I got the book,� Haley said.
Also in the Trexler media center, Ayden Neff, a seventh grader, read �Wilamina and the Weather Conditions� via Skype to area second grade students in Sarah Barnett�s class at Richlands Primary School.
�It was pretty fun,� Ayden said, explaining that he has neighbors in the first and second grades who he normally reads to.
Art students at the school were also using technology on Wednesday but in a different way: Students were using old equipment, ranging from keyboards to scanners, to create art.
At Northwoods Elementary Magnet School of Technology and Innovation, Digital Learning Day was business as usual. Students used their Smartboards, document cameras, netbooks and tablets in the classroom. Several classrooms also created videos while the Media Center planned to participate in the Library of Congress webcast.
In Lisa Cherubini�s kindergarten class, students were practicing addition on their Galaxy tablets.
The tablets allow students to learn without worrying that other students are ahead of them or making an error in front of their classmates.
Riley Morrow, 5, said she likes being able to study math and reading on her tablet. Reading, she said, was her preference.
�I like that it�s fun because I get to listen a lot and you get to answer it,� Riley said. �It�s fun to answer it.�
Blue Creek Elementary School, Richlands Elementary School, Sand Ridge Elementary and Hunter�s Creek Middle School were also among Onslow County schools who planned to participate, according to Digital Learning Day organizers. White Oak Elementary in Carteret County was also slated to participate.
Amanda Hickey is the government reporter at The Daily News. She can be reached at email@example.com.


text:
Product Description
- Home /
- Burton 2015 Genesis Snowboard Bindings Black - Mens
Details: Burton 2015 Genesis Snowboard Bindings Black - Mens
- Single-Component Baseplate Construction:
One material throughout creates consistent response and feel for all-terrain domination.
- 30% Short-Glass/Nylon Composite:
Slightly more responsive than the Park Blend yet still plenty playful.
- Re:Flex™:
With a minimized, cored baseplate and Living Hinge™ disc, Re:Flex™ dramatically improves board flex and feel, and reduces weight.
- 18% Short-Glass/Nylon Composite
- Canted Hi-Back Design:
This ergonomic design follows the natural contours of your left and right legs to maximize control and comfort.
- Zero Forward Lean Hi-Back:
Riders who prefer a more playful and relaxed feel will dig the Zero Forward Lean design on select hi-backs. As always, you can still choose to crank 'em forward for quicker control when carving or climbing icy pipe walls.
- Kickback Hammock:
A lighter weight upgrade to the Heel Hammock, this two-piece, heel-hugging hi-back is literally suspension on a snowboard. Dynamic interaction between an internal spring and rubberized hammock results in increased response and reduced vibration while your heel is cradled in complete suspension.
- MicroFLAD™:
The higher the Forward Lean angle on your hi-backs, the quicker your heel-edge turns. Crank 'em forward for icy hits in the pipe like Danny does, or back 'em off for jibbing like Keegan. For mind-blowing micro-adjustability, our MicroFLAD™ systems give you twice the options of our traditional FLAD.
- Hammockstrap™:
Reactstrap roots in a stitch-less construction for ultra-response with minimal materials.
- Flex Slider:
Burton's NEW Flex Slider makes strapping in a breeze thanks to a stretched hinging slider that allows the ankle strap to flex and fall fully open. Thanks to science these parts are now stronger, too, due to a forced molecular alignment.
- Lightweight Gettagrip Capstrap™:
Super Lightweight EVA. 3D® Curved, Triple Axis Spine. Ultra-Minimized Capstrap™ Construction with True Wrap Toe Window. Grip Fit. Conformable as Capstrap or Toe Strap.
- Double Take Buckles featuring Insta-Click:
Be the first to drop in with the rapid ratcheting of Burton's NEW Double Take Buckles. Helical teeth and a complete rethink of the entire package results in "Insta-Click" immediate engagement, faster uptake, and fewer cranks to tightness. The result: vastly improved strength, speed, and ease-of-use.
- Re:Flex Fullbed Cushioning System:
FullBED cushioning offers a full coverage, cushioned platform that maximizes comfort while minimizing fatigue. Anchored to the baseplate, its stealth trap door design makes it easy to access the mounting hardware.
- B3 Gel:
The same cushioning found in our high-end boots for unstoppable impact protection.
- AutoCant
- Features Re-Ground Materials to Reduce Waste
We have the Burton 2015 Genesis Snowboard Bindings Black - Mens in stock with Free Shipping in Canada.
We are proud to be an Official Partner with Burton in Canada.
Additional Information
Brand Burton Splitboard Binding No Flex N/A Colour Black Season Winter 2015Free Shipping
Comor Sports Returns Policy.
At Comor Sports we value our customers, always trying to exceed their expectations. We understand that sometimes item you ordered is not exactly what you were looking for or it doesn't fit perfectly.
In this case simply return it in its original condition within 30 days of shipped date and we'll exchange it, issue store credit or refund it.
- Returns are accepted within 30 days of the shipped date.
- Merchandise must be unworn/unused, in its original condition and accompanied by the original receipt or packing slip.
- The Return and Exchange Policy applies only to online purchases made through ComorSports.com. (For returns from in-store purchases, please contact the store for details.)
Please note:
Only items in their original condition with tags will be accepted for credit. Items that show signs of wear such as stains, washing, etc. will not be credited.
Returns by Mail:
We will gladly exchange, issue credit or refund your online purchase within 30 days of the ship date. Simply pack your item(s) and return by mail to:
Online Sales Returns
1793 West 4th Ave
Vancouver, BC
Please note: Buyers are responsible for return shipping and insurance costs, except in the case of a error on the part of ComorSports.com. We strongly suggest obtaining a tracking number.
*We reserve the right to refuse a return if the conditions outlined above are not met.
Returns In-Store
Comor Sports has retail locations within the lower-mainland. We would be happy to return your item in-store for an exchange or store credit if this option is more favorable to you. To make your return in-store, you only need two things:
- Your merchandise, in its original condition with tags and/or packaging as well as any parts or accessories.
- Your original receipt or packing slip.
How to contact us if you have questions about your return:
Simply send us an email to email@example.com with the subject: RETURNS or give us a call at 1-888-262-7337
ComorSports.com - Shipping Policy FAQ
Please read through these frequently asked questions to find more information about our shipping policy. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com or giving us a call at 1-888-262-7337
- Where do you ship?
- We ship within Canada and the USA.
- How do I qualify for Free Shipping?
- If your order total is 100$ or more, you're eligible for free shipping via Canada Post Expedited within Canada.
- Do you offer Free Shipping to the USA?
- At this moment, we're unable to offer free shipping to the USA.
- How long will my item take to ship and how long will it take to reach me?
- Our turnaround for shipments is generally 24 hours, however during holidays and sales there may be additional processing time. Once your order leaves our warehouse, and depending on the shipping speed selected, most parcels are delivered within 5-10 business days.
- How do I calculate shipping charges?
- Once you've added an item to your cart, you can click the cart (top right) and generate a shipping quote by inputting your information in the bottom right before you check out.
- Will there be duties on my order to the USA?
- Unfortunately we're unable to give a concrete answer as to whether duties are charged on orders to the USA.
- Do you offer in-store pick-up?
- Yes! When you check out, simply select Store Pick-up and your order will be prepared for pickup at our Kitsilano location. If you're interested in picking up your order from another one of our stores, please contact us so that we can arrange that ahead of time for you.
- Are you able to ship Bikes?
- No. Our Bike selection is only available for local pick-up at one of our stores.
xPrice:Actual Price:Our price is lower than the manufacturer's "minimum advertised price." As a result, we cannot show you the price in catalog or the product page.
You have no obligation to purchase the product once you know the price. You can simply remove the item from your cart.Our price is lower than the manufacturer's "minimum advertised price." As a result, we cannot show you the price in catalog or the product page.
You have no obligation to purchase the product once you know the price. You can simply remove the item from your cart.
Contact Us . . .
Call our Online Support,
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm:
Reach our Kitsilano store directly
Contact us by email.


text:
The football teams from La Mirada and La Habra high schools entered Friday's nonleague showdown on completely different trajectories.
The Matadores, ranked No. 1 in the Daily News' preseason Top 10 and No. 2 in the CIF-SS Southeast Division poll, were routed 43-14 by Tesoro in their opener. Three turnovers and 22 penalties cost La Mirada field position all night long and put the defense under a tremendous strain.
"It was one mistake after another," La Mirada coach Mike Moschetti said.
Conversely, La Habra earned a convincing 26-3 drubbing of El Toro on Friday in which sophomore quarterback Eric Barriere threw three touchdowns. In heat that hovered consistently around triple digits, the Highlanders executed their game plan and maintained their poise throughout.
"Our quarterback executed really (well) and our defensive play was really good," said La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta. "Any time you play good defense, you have an opportunity to win."
Friday's highly anticipated contest – kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at La Mirada Stadium – pits two of the area's premier programs and hotbeds of talent. La Mirada's Dallis Shipp (Oklahoma) and Michael Trani (Cal) have already committed, and tight end/linebacker Tyler Luatua has Alabama and Notre Dame, among many others, hot on his trail. La Habra, No. 3 in the Daily News' preseason rankings and No. 2 in the Southwest Division poll, boasts a roster with three already committed (Greg Gaines to Boise State, Toa Lobendahn to USC and Darrell Cloy to Arizona) and more to come.
"They have lots of talent," Mazzotta said, "and obviously, expectations are very high over there."
Despite the disappointment of the night before, Moschetti said his squad was in good spirits Saturday morning and preparing for the week ahead.
"We've gotta focus on right now," he said. "We've gotta regroup and get better and learn from our mistakes."
Chiefs seek improvement
Like most football coaches following the first game of the season, Santa Fe's Dave Pierson found plenty of places for his Chiefs to improve following their 34-21 victory last week over Ontario Christian.
"We've gotta minimize our penalties," he explained, "we've gotta finish drives and we have to play a little bit better as a collective group on both sides of the ball."
Overall, however, he was pleased with Santa Fe's opening effort. Junior quarterback Christian Lara ran the offense well and the defense made stops when necessary.
"Everybody's healthy," Pierson said, "and the kids played well."
This week, the Chiefs will host Esperanza at El Rancho High School. It's one of three sites Santa Fe calls "home" this season as the stadium they share with Pioneer is being renovated. Esperanza defeated Kennedy 13-6 last week.
"It's an opportunity for us to get off to a good start at home against a quality opponent," Pierson said.


text: Home > CGS > Geologic Hazards > Tsunami > Inundation Maps > Humboldt Page Image Page ContentClick on the map images to view/download the detailed tsunami inundation maps or click on the alphabetized list of quadrangles to the right of the image. Affected coastal cities/communities on each map are listed in parentheses. Click HERE to find out what to do during a tsunami, if you live in, work in, or visit Humboldt County. Download Maps by Quadrangle Name Arcata North (McKinleyville, north Arcata) Arcata South (south Arcata, east Eureka) Cannibal Island Crannell (Crannell) Eureka (Eureka, Fairhaven, Somoa, Manila) Fern Canyon Ferndale (Ferndale) Fields Landing (Fields Landing, King Salmon, Loleta) Fortuna (Fortuna) Orick (Orick) Rodgers Peak (Big Lagoon, Patrick's Point) Shelter Cove (Shelter Cove) Trinidad (Trinidad) Trinidad (north) Tyee City FIND OUT WHAT TO DO DURING A TSUNAMI, IF YOU LIVE IN, WORK IN, OR VISIT HUMBOLDT COUNTY... Humboldt County tsunami evacuation plan - The county has an interactive website devoted to multiple hazards at the following website: http://gis.co.humboldt.ca.us/Freeance/Client/PublicAccess1/index.html?appconfig=hazards "Living on Shaky Ground" - This is a detailed guide for northern California residents that shows what should be done before, during, and after an earthquake or tsunami: http://www.humboldt.edu/shakyground/ Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group - For more information about tsunami hazards along the north coast, please visit this site: http://www.humboldt.edu/rctwg/ Image Caption DOC 1 Column


text:
This star rating is the opinion of the property owner only. A Self-Rated hotel has not been assessed by the AA or Visit Britain, whose official star ratings we use across LateRooms.com.
Pathumwan Princess5 Self rated
444 MBK Centre, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330
Price FromView Rooms
This hotel doesn't have any reviews yet.
About the hotel
The Pathumwan Princess Hotel is a 5 star International Hotel offering a high standard in accommodation, service, and an enviably strategic location. The hotel is a proud winner of three prestigious awards in the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards 2011-2013 Regional Series. Acknowledged as one of Bangkok's leading hotels, it provides unsurpassed convenience for guests with its comfortable access to the fastest way around the city, the National Stadium Sky train station.
Shopping is made easy as the hotel is adjacent to one of the most popular shopping malls in Bangkok, the MBK shopping center. It also stands proud amid all the best of the city's shopping, cultural and entertainment complexes. Pathumwan Princess has 455 beautifully appointed rooms and suites while maintaining the warmth of traditional hospitality
Read MoreLess
We currently have no rooms available for this hotel that match what you're looking for. Try changing your search, selecting an alternative hotel, or give us a call on 0333 0146275 where we'll be happy to help.
Facilities Show/hide
- Main
- Hotel Non-Smoking Throughout, Disabled Facilities, Air conditioning in rooms, 24 Hour Reception, Babysitting services, Cots available, Safety Deposit Box, Tea/Coffee making facilities in each room, Hairdryer in each room, Minibar in each room, Telephone In Each Room, 24 Hour Room Service, Concierge, Laundry/Valet Service, Wake Up Call Available, Currency Exchange, Interconnecting rooms available, Doctor on call, Lift to all floors, Public Air Conditioning
- Parking
- Car parking available onsite
- Business
- Wi-Fi Available, Meeting Facilities, In-room Broadband, Wi-Fi Available In Public Areas, Business Centre, Private dining services
- Dining
- Restaurant, Bar
- Leisure
- Outdoor Pool, Aerobics Studio, Fitness Centre, Sauna, Steam Rooms, Massage, Jacuzzi, Squash Courts, Tennis Courts, Table Tennis, [Channels] News, [Channels] Foreign (European), [Channels] Foreign (Other)
- In Room Entertainment
- TV, Satellite TV
Can't find the facilities you're looking for?
- Call us on 0333 300 1007 and we'll help find the perfect hotel for you
- Call
Useful Info Show/hide
- Between 14:00 and 00:00
- By 12:00 hours
- Up to 11 years old
- The price shown is based on the occupancy and dates you have searched for. Prices and availability are subject to change based on the arrival date, number of nights and occupancy searched for. All prices are inclusive of all local taxes.
- Pets are not allowed
Customer Reviews
Our reviews are from genuine LateRooms.com customers. We verify that the customer has stayed before leaving a review.
No reviews yet


text:
"In this warrior cat site you can either roleplay a clan cat,rouge,loner or even a wolf so come here today."
Top site lists are a simple, but powerful system for exposing your site to millions. If accepted into our exclusive network this is a great opportunity to grow your site.
Pick a unique URL: top-site-list.com/your-name. Add a custom logo and background. Your choice of over 275 styles for your toplist, or provide your own custom HTML layout.
4,179 Top Site Lists
246,506 Members
1,026,477 Listed Websites
317,567,295 Total Votes
553,768,317 Total Hits


text:
Inside the Issue
Through My Eyes: An Interview with Christine LincolnBy Caitlin Youngquist
Christine Lincoln's story in our Winter issue, "What's Necessary to Remember When Telling a Story," comprises no more than fifteen hundred words, but its length belies its breadth. Braiding enchantment with sorrow and hope, it begins inside a dream, with a man carrying a small woman in his mouth—"a grown woman not much bigger than a bullet"—running from a dark-skinned girl thought to be coming after them. From there, it unfurls into an agonizing, tender portrait of the nameless dreamer, once an abusive partner, who spends the rest of the story musing over the love he ruined years ago. Lincoln, born in the sixties, hails from Baltimore; having endured a period of addiction that briefly left her suicidal, she turned to fiction, which was, she told me, what she needed to save herself. She went on to pursue an M.F.A. and currently lives in York, Pennsylvania, where she is poet laureate emeritus.
I spoke with Lincoln over the phone, her voice gentle and heartening, about "What's Necessary"; about her debut collection of short stories, Sap Rising; and about her thoughts on race and literature in America, both today and as it was for her growing up one of the only black children in her school. Every so often, she'd pause midsentence—near tears, she'd say, because she hadn't shared this with anyone before.


text:
Episode Idea - "CBWT"
Moderator: Big-Will
Episode Idea - "CBWT"
Inside the bank are tellers, account reps and lawyers. The lawyers have a long line waiting for their services and they are the largest department. They help get people off of drug charges.
In the background is a small line of people with caskets full of money that fit perfectly in the teller windows.
Randy gets busted for marijuana possession with intent to sell or something you could get busted for in Colorado now, he goes to the judge and says "Your honor, indicting me on these charges will cause financial instability with my family and therefore you just can't, here is some pocket change, we good?" And the judge let's him go. Because of this precedence, it goes crazy with everyone doing every illegal thing they can and using this defense and getting away with it.
There is mass panic, chaos and Anarchy. Millions dying from all sorts of crap.
You know what I learned today? That we have laws and we enforce those laws for a reason...no matter who you are.
I waive all rights to this IP.
Re: Episode Idea - "CBWT"
The South Park Scriptorium on Facebook
Favorite Character: Butters
Need to look for something on the board? Use the search links below: US version and UK version
Return to "FanFics and Episode Ideas"
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


text:
Open daily from 10:00 to 17:45
Open Friday from 10:00 to 22:00
These trio of images focus on the inner workings of the most extraordinary machine: the human body. Dissecting and reconstructing images with everyday discarded materials, I attempt to create dynamic collages and prints, inviting the audience to engage with their own life. Each piece is a play on typical phrases, and a reminder of the complicated miracles the body performs every day.


text:
In my days managing car dealerships, we had a very specific regimen for securing our reputation within the community. It involved clear objectives, employee buy in, customer advocacy, rewards for loyal repeat customers and so on. The level of action we took defined our company culture. Our culture was directly reflected in our customer satisfaction scores.
When I left the day-to-day operations of retail automotive, Yelp and other online ratings sites were just coming into their own. Consumers were waking up to the fact that they could share their experiences with people in a much larger arena. Today, 96% of people say an online review influences their purchase decision.
With the rise of online ratings platforms, there's been an influx of online reputation management providers and gurus. Many make promises of ONLINE reputation management and many dealers/owners mistakenly think that means real-life reputation management.
My ex-boss used to say, "Nobody watches your money like you do." I say, "Nobody watches your online reputation like you do." Being lulled into a false sense of security by delegating your reputation management leaves you open to many surprising, uncomfortable situations. If you're not truly managing your daily operations' reputation then any reaction is futile.
ONLINE reputation management is about managing the medium, not the customers' experience. It's fairly straightforward to monitor, listen and periodically respond to consumers who take the time to write reviews. Managing your business operations prior to any customer's review is where the hard part is. This is where many fall into the trap of thinking their online reputation is safe.
How do you want to be perceived? How are you showing up in real life? If your business' operation has holes in it when it comes to customer experience, those holes will be found out on Social Media. If you find your online reputation is in the cellar (or could be with one or two negative reviews), perhaps the reason is one (or more) of these:
1. You're Not Managing Your Process. Managing Your ONLINE Reputation starts inside your business. What happens in real life gets amplified on Social Media. I had a call from a dealer recently. We discussed his needs while I reviewed his current state on Yelp: 146 reviews/2 stars. Many reviewers had written novels when sharing their experiences about this store. It's clear these people have passion and they want everyone everywhere to know about their negative experience. The dealer said to me, "I need somebody to help me clean this up." Respectfully, it's not that simple. What he really needs is somebody to help him clean up his process. There is no magic wand to wave over your online ratings to make these customers stop sharing their real life experiences.
2. You're Not "Customer Centric". It's one thing to say you are and quite another to actually operate from a customer centric space. Are you committed to making your customers' experience stellar? Most likely, yes. Does your culture reflect your vision and mindset?
The sum total of all interactions a person has with your company is "customer experience".
We just welcomed Joefrey Bean, author of "Customer Experience Revolution" to our local meetup called Social Media Campfire. He's done extensive research on companies like Amazon, Apple and Starbucks and found that great ideas and great products alone are not good enough anymore. These companies change people's lives, cause competitors to scramble to catch up and transform their industries forever.
These companies delight people at every step of the customers' experience: intriguing them as potential customers, satisfying them when they become true customers, and continuing to outperform until their customers become advocates for the company. Your culture must be customer centric to keep your online (and offline) reputation positive.
3. You're Ignoring What's Being Said. I'm in contact with a lot of dealers and one of the common occurrences I see is that some prefer to stick their head in the sand and ignore what's being said about them online. I understand and it can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to the Social space. However, now is not the time to choose denial. You can't manage what you don't measure. Set up a Google Alert for your store. Consider using Social monitoring software. Technology has provided great ways to hear what's being said about you online and it gives you more control when you need to take action.
Where does the customer experience start for your business? Social Media and ratings sites are only getting more popular. It's time to shift your strategy and update your process to include how your business is perceived online. It's a mirror of the perception people have in real life. That's where the magic happens.


text:
I'm looking to implement the following functions for Hot Standby, to allow those with administrative tools or management applications to have more control during recovery. Please let me know if other functions are required. What else do we need? * pg_is_in_recovery() returns bool (true if in recovery, false if not) * pg_last_recovered_xact_xid() Will throw an ERROR if *not* executed in recovery mode. returns bigint * pg_last_completed_xact_xid() Will throw an ERROR *if* executed in recovery mode. returns bigint (together allows easy arithmetic on xid difference between master and slave). * pg_last_recovered_xact_timestamp() returns timestamp with timezone (allows easy arithmetic with now() to allow derivation of replication delay etc) * pg_freeze_recovery() - freezes recovery after the current record has been applied. The server is still up and queries can happen, but no WAL replay will occur. This is a temporary state change and we keep no record of this, other than making a server log entry. If the server is shutdown or crashes, it will unfreeze itself automatically. Has no effect on master. Will throw an ERROR if not executed in recovery mode. Superusers only. returns text (XLogRecPtr of freeze point) * pg_unfreeze_recovery() - unfreezes recovery. Recovery will begin again at exactly the point recovery was frozen at. Will throw an ERROR is not executed in recovery mode. Superusers only. returns bool (true if unfroze, false if was not frozen when called) * pg_end_recovery() - Will force recovery to end at current location. Recovery mode cannot be easily re-entered, so there is no "restart" function. Will throw an ERROR is not executed in recovery mode. Superusers only. returns text (XLogRecPtr of freeze point) * pg_start_backup()/pg_stop_backup() could work during recovery, but the backup history file would need to be manually inserted into the archive once complete. Is that acceptable? (Note that we don't know where the archive is or how to access that; the information is all in recovery_command. We cannot assume that archive_command points to same archive. So making it happen automatically is too much work for this release, if ever.) If that seems useful, we could do this by avoiding any operation that changes WAL stream during recovery: no checkpoints, log switches etc.. pg_start_backup() would return XLogRecPtr of last restartpoint. pg_stop_backup() would return last known xlrec recovered (we won't keep track of this record by record). * pg_reload_conf() will not force re-read of recovery.conf since that may require extra work and doesn't seem that important, if we have the manual override mentioned above. All desirable? All possible? Any others? -- Simon Riggs www.2ndQuadrant.com PostgreSQL Training, Services and Support
Next: From: Heikki Linnakangas Date: 2008-10-20 09:28:45 Subject: Re: PGDay.it collation discussion notes Previous: From: Markus Wanner Date: 2008-10-20 09:23:07 Subject: Re: Block-level CRC checks
Next: From: Gevik Babakhani Date: 2008-10-20 09:51:29 Subject: Re: extending functionality strategy Previous: From: Dave Page Date: 2008-10-20 08:47:11 Subject: Re: extending functionality strategy
Next: From: salman Sheikh Date: 2008-10-20 09:34:28 Subject: Error in Adding All Table Previous: From: Alvaro Herrera Date: 2008-10-19 19:17:38 Subject: Re: Problem removing Sequence in Postgresql 8.0.3


text:
Reloading and other advice please. (My First Post)
View Single Post
September 4, 2012, 12:54 AM
Lost Sheep
Senior Member
Join Date: January 24, 2009
Location: Anchorage Alaska
Posts: 3,340
Welcome to the forum and thanks for asking our advice.
I used to own two Lee Pro-1000s and switched to a Lee Classic Turret. It suited me better, as monitoring multiple simultaneous operations made me uneasy. My production rate is higher on the Turret than I was able to achieve on the Pro-1000. The primer feed device used on the turret was more reliable to manipulate (for me) and (in my opinion) is more immune to accidental primer ignition as well.
The Lee Classic Turret is the best auto-indexing turret in the world. (It happens to be the better of the ONLY two made in the world; the other is the Lee Deluxe Turret.) But I also opine that it is the fastest turret in the world and if you can get by with 125-200 rounds per hour continuous production rate and only 4 die stations, worthy of consideration.
The Dillon products are miles ahead of the Pro-1000. While I have never used one, I have studied on them some and believe their customer service to be the best in the world (from the very credible reports I have heard) and their operation to be reliable.
Hornady's LnL is a progressive press that is on a par with the Dillon and also worthy of your consideration.
Good luck.
Lost Sheep
Lost Sheep
View Public Profile
Find More Posts by Lost Sheep
Page generated in
seconds with


text:
MADISON - The Wisconsin Badgers have developed a reputation for scheduling weak non-conference teams over the last few years. A multitude of FCS teams and non-BCS opponents have trudged through Camp Randall Stadium, more often than not giving the Badgers nothing more than warm-up games for the Big Ten conference season.
But the Badgers departed from that recent history in a big way Wednesday when they announced that they would take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sept. 5, 2015. The two teams will play at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which also hosted a game between the Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines last season. Alabama now has a neutral site opening game scheduled for the next three years.
"As a league we decided that we needed to upgrade our non-conference schedule," Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said in a press release. "We understand that strength of schedule will be a factor in determining which teams earn the right to participate in the new four-team playoff system and we want to be in that mix."
With the new college football playoff set to start during the 2014 season, many other Big Ten teams have scheduled top-tier non-conference games in hopes of boosting their strength of schedule. Ohio State has home-and-home series scheduled with Oklahoma, TCU, and Oregon already, while Michigan has scheduled a series with Arkansas.
And with Alabama winning three of the last four BCS national championship games, its clear the Badgers could get a big boost from playing the Tide in 2015 if both teams remain competitive in the future.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to play a storied program like Alabama in a terrific venue like Cowboys Stadium. It will be a great experience for our program, our players and our fans," Alvarez said.
New Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen also said he was excited at the prospect of kicking off the college football season and getting a chance to show off his program to the country.
"It's a tremendous opportunity for the University of Wisconsin, a tremendous opportunity to kick off the college football season," Andersen said after practice Wednesday. "That's a memory that the kids will have forever, regardless of the opponent."
Time and broadcast information for the game has not been announced, but it's highly likely the game will air in primetime. The Badgers were also scheduled to host the Washington State Cougars on Sept. 5 of that year to complete a home-and-home series with them, but it's unclear when or if that game is still on the table for the Badgers.
For more Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and discussion, follow John on Twitter.


text:
Have Questions?
Questions we've been asked
Q. What is a virtual garage door company?
A. Virtual garage door companies may take referral calls from out-of-state telephone call centers, or rent high-ranked websites (leads are gathered from high-ranked websites the unsuspecting customer has visited). Unlike some virtual garage door businesses, we don't participated in renting a high-ranked website to the highest bidder, or take calls from a call center. When making your call, ask questions. As for us, we intend to keep everything local and personal (sometimes the person taking your call could do the service). We stand by our excellent service and we've been doing it for nearly 30 years right here in Western Washington.
Q. What do I do about broken garage door springs?
A. Garage door torsion springs are tightly wound spring coils mounted above the garage door. They counter-balance the weight of the door when opened and closed. After more-or-less 10,000 cycles, they can break. Do not attempt to remove broken springs. If they are in pairs, the second spring could still be wound tightly. If handled improperly, springs can torque out and possibly seriously injure the installer. Leave the job to a professional and be safe.
Q. Can I paint my garage door?
A. You can paint a wood or steel steel garage door. Garage doors usually have a factory baked-on paint which is long lasting. If you want to paint, use a latex paint, as oil base paints are more subject to bubbling and peeling.
Q. What about door security?
A. Security ranges from physical door security to opener security. If you need to upgrade your security requirements, there are many opener accessories to choose from including wireless keypads and remote controls. Call us for a free consultation.


text:
There should be 1 Smart Source and 1 Redplum in the Sunday paper this week!
Click HERE for a preview of the specific coupons we will probably have in our inserts this Sunday. The SS and RP coupons are both listed. Although some of these coupons may be a little different than the ones we receive, many will be the same.
If you buy the paper at a store on Sunday (instead of getting a subscription), make sure you buy it INSIDE the store, not from the paper boxes. You want to make sure your paper has the coupons in it before you pay, which you can't do if you are buying from the paper box.
Happy shopping everyone!


text:
Federal, state, and tribal wildlife agencies charged with maintaining wildlife populations and stopping species from becoming endangered are struggling to protect wildlife and habitat. They face the continuing threats of development, pollution, toxins, invasive species, habitat loss and more. These agencies face regular budget short-falls and often are the first to be cut in times of economic decline. Wildlife now faces the new threat of global warming, which has direct impacts to habitat – from rising sea levels to shifting water and temperature patterns – as well as exacerbating previous impacts.
Wildlife agencies do not have the budgetary capacity to handle this new, all-encompassing threat.
National Wildlife Federation is working to ensure federal, state, and tribal wildlife agencies are funded to protect wildlife from global warming in two main ways: 1) from funds created by clean energy and climate legislation, and 2) through the annual federal budget.
Clean Energy and Climate Legislation
One of National Wildlife Federation's core campaigns is to ensure that a portion of the revenue generated annually from clean energy and climate legislation will go to help safeguard wildlife and natural resources from the impacts of climate change. This funding could amount to billions of dollars annually and, once established, would be outside of the political process so that agencies could rely on it for years to come. This would allow wildlife managers to undertake the long term planning and projects needed to protect wildlife in a warming world.
Bills that have reached Congress thus far are the American Clean Energy and Security Act and the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.
What a Climate Bill Means for Wildlife Professionals
Last spring, a clean energy and climate bill passed the House of Representatives. This spring, a bi-partisan effort is underway to craft a clean energy and climate bill in the U.S. Senate. The House bill would provide $1.7 billion annually for natural resource conservation. Meaning, thousands of wildlife and natural resource jobs could be created and funded by a climate bill. In such trying economic times, a comprehensive climate bill would not only address climate change and safeguard our natural resources, but it would also create and protect American jobs. These would be American jobs, on American lands.
Natural resource funding in a climate bill would revitalize local economies through the restoration of public lands, parks and coastlines; create sustainable American jobs that can't be outsourced while restoring coastlines, forests, deserts and rivers to health; and invest in jobs that increase the resiliency of our lands and waters, so they can better adjust to climate changes
To join NWF's policy listserv on safeguarding wildlife and natural resources from climate change, email email@example.com
The Federal Budget
The Federal Budget provides funding to all the federal agencies responsible for managing natural resources – from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the U.S. Forest Service. It also provides grants to state and tribal agencies that manage fish and wildlife resources. National Wildlife Federation works to make sure an appropriate share of this money goes to managing these resources in a way that will ensure the long-term survival of our wildlife.
The proposed presidential budget for fiscal year 2011 includes many new efforts for restoration and also addresses climate change. National Wildlife Federation is pleased that the Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency in particular take great strides to deal with climate change.
Find specific budget numbers for the Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Additional Resources:


text:
I am currently in Los Angeles and so those of you who read this blog and are annoyed by/uninterested in the few restaurant reports I post each month should brace yourself for more restaurant reports than usual. You should also expect fewer whisky reviews than usual going forward as I will be finally slowing down the near-daily pace I've been on for the last year and a half.
Frustrations with (ongoing) technical problems with Google Analytics's tracking of traffic that cropped up in July eventually brought me to the realization that I've come to be far more driven by the ego boost of growing pageviews than I'd ever thought I'd be*. And also to the subsequent realization that the pace of my reviewing was in large part a response to the anxiety that if I didn't post enough the readership would go away. It's embarrassing to admit this, but I also had to acknowledge that I was often choosing what I drank on the basis of reviewing "needs" and not simply what I wanted to drink.
Thankfully, the impetus for the realization of the problem was also its solution: After a week and a half of growing frustration I discovered that no longer having an accurate sense of my traffic was in fact deeply liberating. In a sense it means the readership has gone away ("If a page is viewed in a forest but Google Analytics doesn't track it did it make a clicking sound?") and with it any temptation to chase it. I can now just post at my convenience, and not to feed the blog, and thereby stop the slide into turning this into the least financially rewarding job I've ever had. (And it's not like I would ever catch Serge anyway—10,000 reviews! That's an average of more than two reviews a day, every day for 12 years.)
Anyway, enough about my uninteresting inner life. These are the whiskies that will definitely/probably/possibly be coming soon:
Ancient Age, Straight Bourbon
Blair Athol 25, 1988, Cask 6918 (Van Wees)
Braeval 13, 1998 (Signatory)
Brora 30, 6th Release
Bruichladdich "The Organic"
Caol Ila 11, 1999, First Fill Sherry Cask 305326 (G&M)
Clynelish 16, 1995, Refill Sherry (Kintra Whisky)
The Famous Grouse
Imperial 17, 1995 (Signatory for K&L)
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Longmorn 11,1999 (Alambic Classique)
Yoichi 15
Yoichi 15, Genshu Single Cask 412195
Yoichi 20
Yoichi 20, Genshu Single Cask 100126
The Ancient Age, Blair Athol and Caol Ila will be simul-reviews posted at the same time as those of Michael Kravitz over at Diving for Pearls.
*Of course, with great ironic timing this happened just a few days after I posted my July iteration of "Coming Soon…" in which I noted the steady rise in my traffic numbers over the last 12 months or so.


text:
'Trisha's Southern Kitchen' Is Cookin' for the Food Network
Food lovers with a taste for good Southern cooking will soon be able to get tips from Trisha Yearwood as she launches a new show on the Food Network. 'Trisha's Southern Kitchen' premieres on Saturday, April 14.
"For me, cooking is very connected to my family and friends," the Grammy-winning chanteuse says. "Every recipe on the show carries wonderful memories with my loved ones and I can't wait to share my meals, stories and family photos with Food Network viewers."
The new show is a natural fit for the Georgia-born singer who has authored two best-selling cookbooks. 'Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen,' written with her mom, Gwen, and sister, Beth, was published in 2008 and 'Cooking for Family and Friends' was published in 2010. Both books hit No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list in the Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous category.
On the new show, Trisha will share some of her family's favorite recipes and help health-conscious viewers by offering tips on how to lighten up some of the more decadent Southern dishes. The six-episode series was shot in Nashville and will feature theme shows that include planning a baby shower and a family barbecue.
Viewers will learn how to prepare such Yearwood family favorites as Daddy's Barbecued Chicken, Chick-less Pot Pie and Uncle Wilson's Famous Baked Onions.
Watch Trisha Yearwood's 'Georgia Rain' Video


text:
There may be but a handful of vintage airport terminals left in the United States, and the very fact that some exist at all depends on some specific circumstances. Typically they are found at airports that for whatever reason could not, or did not, expand at a rate to justify destroying their original terminal and replacing it with a larger, more functional structure. In most cases it was simply a case of the old airport's being bypassed by a new, larger facility. In those instances where the old airports were not redeveloped, their terminals were left behind as a sort of time capsule. New York's Floyd Bennett Field was one such example. That facility was doomed by its geography, supplanted by upstarts La Guardia and later Idlewild Airports (today, JFK International) simply because they were closer and more convenient to Manhattan. It was given to the U.S. Navy, which left the terminal largely unchanged, and then to the National Parks Service, which finished the restoration of the deteriorated building back to its original 1930s appearance two years ago.
Another such architectural gem has joined the ranks of the few with the recent restoration and rededication of the former passenger terminal at New Orleans Lakefront Airport. While I have written about flood-prone Lakefront several times, I was finally able to visit it in January during my trip to New Orleans to cover NBAA's annual Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference.
Today, most aircraft arriving there merely pass by the building on their way to one of the three FBOs on the field, but it's well worth a stop at the terminal, which has taken a curious and circuitous route to restoration.
Once the main air gateway to the Crescent City until the opening of Moisant Field (now Louis Armstrong International) in 1946, the airport was built at a cost of $3 million in the early 1930s, during the tumultuous reign of Louisiana Governor (later Senator) Huey "Kingfish" Long. Originally named Shushan Airport, in a nod to Abraham Shushan, one of Long's political cronies, the airport was built on state-owned land, to prevent the city of New Orleans from having any control over it. Even today the airport remains under the jurisdiction of the state-run Orleans Levee District Non-Flood Protection Asset Management Authority.
Upon its opening in 1934, the terminal was one of the most advanced in the country. Like its contemporary at Floyd Bennett, it featured highly ornamental art deco period styling and artwork depicting the romance of flight. It was built from the finest materials, with many fixtures bearing either the name or initials of the immodest Shushan, whom Long placed in charge of its construction. Among its amenities were its own surgical suite/hospital, a post office, a ballroom, even several guest suites with private baths that once hosted the likes of Amelia Earhart.
Some believed this elaborate terminal would be a testimony to Long's accomplishments in the state and a positive welcoming image to the reporters who would flock to New Orleans to interview him after he announced his eventual run for the presidency. That dream would die a year later when Long was assassinated.
Despite its grandeur, Lakefront (as it soon became known after the end of the Long era and the taint of Shushan's subsequent indictments), was shunted aside to serve as a general aviation-only facility once Moisant Airport opened. The terminal's ballroom, known by generations of local partygoers as the Walnut Room, remained a popular venue for weddings and high-school proms, but the aviation-related use of the building largely ended when it became the headquarters for the Levee District in the early 1960s.
To accomplish this transformation, the building's two-story lobby atrium was altered, with a floor installed in the opening on the second floor, closing it off from below and creating a board room. The murals of exotic aviation destinations by Spanish artist Xavier Gonzales, which ringed the second floor balcony and were keyed to an inlaid compass rose set in the center of the first floor below, were hidden away behind newly built walls, while the original art deco aluminum railings that ringed the atrium were removed. Vinyl floor tiles were installed on top of the original terrazzo tiles and marble flooring.
On the outside, the change was even more dramatic. The building was rendered nearly unrecognizable when its many windows were first bricked over, and then the entire outside was sheathed in a metal skeleton, supporting slabs of concrete. The purpose of the drastic redesign remains unclear. Some say it was spurred by the Cold War, and the desire to turn the building into a bomb shelter. Others suggest an urge to rid the airport of the art deco influence and the racial inequalities the period evoked amid the sensitivities of the 1960s. Whichever was correct, the top of the building was mutilated as well, with the sawing off of detailed cast stone relief panels containing aviation motifs.
Thus the building would remain until August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina roared ashore and swamped much of New Orleans. While the airport's runways were no strangers to flooding in the past, for the only time in its 70-year history, the terminal building was inundated with four feet of water, from above and below, rendering it uninhabitable. After the storm, the Levee District relocated to another building off the airport, and for the next year the debate raged about what to do with the old terminal. Eventually it was decided to restore the building to its original appearance and work began in earnest in 2009 when the Federal Emergency Management Agency agreed to provide $20 million to fund the project.
The first order was to clean out the building and repair the damage wrought by Katrina, including asbestos removal. The concrete exterior sheathing soon came down, revealing the original lines of the building, and the ornamental castings on the roof were rebuilt using period photos as a reference. On the inside, workers undid the modifications to the lobby atrium, once again opening up the center. The vinyl tiles were removed to reveal the original floors, while replacement railings and reproductions of the period light fixtures were installed.The original hand-painted acoustical ceiling tiles (made from sugar cane) had deteriorated. They were no longer manufactured, so the restoration effort used pegboard backed with soundproofing material, which once painted proved to be a dead ringer for the original. Lead architect Alton Ochsner Davis, who happened to be at the terminal the day I visited, told me that color synthesis revealed the original colors of those tiles were much brighter than what remained after years of exposure to smoke and the environment. As a result, he sought to restore the terminal's original vibrancy with the brightly colored replacements. The murals that had slumbered behind the walls for more than 40 years saw daylight once again. Of the eight originals, one had somehow vanished, while another was found in damaged condition in storage at the Louisiana State Museum. Even the original Shushan Airport dedication plaque was located in the collection of Louisiana State University and returned.
One thing that won't likely be returning to the terminal is the Levee Board. According to Louis Capo, executive director of the Non-Flood Protection Asset Management Authority, the plan is to lease out the entire building to aviation-related, revenue-generating businesses. Already signed on are a flight school, a limousine company, even an aviation attorney's office, which will occupy a suite on the second floor. A vintage-look coffee shop, the Fly-Away Café, was due to open in the lobby, and the renovated Walnut Room (with a brand-new catering kitchen and terrace overlooking the airport and Lake Ponchartrain) was set to retrieve its mantle as one of the area's premier event venues. The result: another shrine to the golden age of aviation has survived an uncertain past and will serve as a reminder of the heady days when flight was equal parts glamour and adventure.


text:
Need Xfinity in Knoxville, TN? CableTV.com is the Best Choice
Choosing an Xfinity programming package from Comcast is the best way to get affordable cable television in Knoxville, TN. Customize your Xfinity TV package to fit your personal needs with crystal-clear digital channels and the viewing convenience of DVR and On Demand choices.
The average American, including residents of Knoxville, watches 35 hours of TV each week. Become an Xfinity subscriber in Knoxville, TN and discover what premium home television is all about with Xfinity TV. You'll get your favorite local cable channels from Xfinity, so if you follow the local sports teams in Knoxville, you're in luck. You'll also get the most popular television shows and the latest Hollywood blockbusters. There are plenty of Xfinity TV specials in your area. Call today to learn more.


text: Ceterus Networks selects Calysto Communications Published on September 09, 2003. Most Popular Atlanta--Ceterus Networks, which develops high-speed data services, has selected Calysto Communications as its agency of record. Calysto will provide public relations, trade show support and media strategy for the launch of Ceterus' Universal Transport System for data communications. In this article: BtoB


text:
What the WWE truly needs
by, 08-06-2011 at 03:58 PM (2304 Views)
What's up everyone? This is longtime EWN browser and lifetime WWE fan (and superstar of the Smackdown videogames) kingez, aka Zac Funari (you may have seen me post in the comment sections before). The purpose of this blog is to share my opinion on what the WWE truly needs to be awesome again. I'm a wrestling fan, so I like the wrestling product no matter how crappy creative has gotten. And lately WWE has been pretty crappy on the creative side (aside from, of course, CM Punk's recent explosion). Now could I or even you put together a better story than they've been producing? Maybe, maybe not. But that doesn't mean we can't share our opinions. Blasting WWE creative is commonplace, and its not entirely fair to compare today's product to that of the attitude era but its inevitable given the day and age we live in. Creative has lost touch with the fans though, and that is a problem. Its not like they can't go online and find out what the fans want these days.
So what's the solution? I don't think there is any one solution that will save the WWE (yes Chris Jericho, that even means you). Anyone can say "well they need to push younger talent and utilize underutilized wrestlers" and "get rid of this PG crap". I don't despise the PG era, but I do sorely miss the good ol' days of TV-14 when bitch and ass were commonplace. And puppies were nice too I hate to say this but in WWE's defense it is difficult to push younger talent when teh crowd isn't into them at all. Its one thing to be lightly cheered or lightly booed, but when the crowd is silent to your entrance and match? Not good. Now the WWE does need to push younger and underutilized talent, that's a given. I see why they are hesitant though, it could be bad for business. Or it could be brilliant and the next huge superstar could be born (Check Survivor Series 1996 with the debut of Rocky Maiavia. Piss poor crowd reaction initially, turns into arguably the biggest superstar WWE has ever seen). Business needs risks, as I know Vince McMahon knows. You have to take risks to succeed. WWE has stopped taking risks. Its good for the little Jimmy's out there, but bad for us seasoned fans. Take a risk with a young talent and see what happens. Its not like there's a shortage of young talent these days. If one bombs, shell out another. That's how the WWE's machine works.
So now to the meat and potatoes: What the WWE truly needs to thrive again. They need as i mentioned above to take more risks with talent and storylines and quit playing it safe. Now there are 2 other things they desperately need, 1 of which is possible and the other, well, not so much: 1) A new superstar and 2)Legitimate competition. The WWE hit a homerun with CM Punk. He can be the new superstar the WWE so desperately needs. I've always been a huge CM Punk fan and thought he's been underutilized since Day 1. I'm thrilled they're finally letting him fulfil his potential. At least they are for now. Recent history would suggest his time will end and Cena's time will unfortunately still be now, but I doubt that will happen because they need another superstar and CM Punk is that guy. Now that they're letting him run with it, they should give credibility back to the other titles (intercontinental and US) and develop young talent with those (they're onto something with Ziggler, they just need to give him a little bit more of a push and then guys like him, Kofi, Ryder, Riley, and Bourne can really take off). So they are on the right track with CM Punk. They need to do something else with Del Rio though, and stop force feeding me him. Stop telling me his destiny. What has he done other than win the Rumble and Money in the Bank? He hasn't shown me anything spectacular. Blow me away with an amazing match or show me some excellent mic skills. I'm not impressed with Del Rio and that's because they have just been forcing how good this guy is down my throat and not showing me. CM Punk though is right on track and hopefully he becomes the next huge superstar the WWE needs and opens the doors for others (I'm looking at you Riley).
As for the second thing the WWE needs, legitimate competition, that aint gonna happen anytime soon unless they create it themselves (which won't happen) or TNA, ROH, and New Japan all join forces and create a mega brand, which doesn't seem likely either. So since there isnt a better overall product (we all know ROH has better wrestling, but the overall product isn't better) out there and nobody is even close, the WWE doesn't have to go that extra mile to be great. They know they're great and the best and have been for a long time now. They know that nobody is threatening them at all like WCW did. Therefore, we get what CM Punk perfectly described as the WWE Brand because what else is there? Impact Wrestling? I like the roster but the people in charge and execution is piss poor. Like I said, there is no better complete overall product out there now or on the horizon to threaten and push the WWE. And since that's the case, we're going to be treated with a mediocre WWE product instead of the edgy product we want.
The WWE needs to capitalize on CM Punk and create a new Superstar. Then hopefully the Miz, Riley, Del Rio, and others can follow suit and become as much as I hate saying this the next core like Triple H, Rock, Michaels, Austin, and Taker (there is obviously no comparison here, but I'm just trying to get my point across). We have Cena, Orton, Christian (finally), and now Punk. We need more so we'll see what happens. Since there is no competition for the WWE, we'll have to settle for what we get.


text:
No Time for Old Tactics
It has been another tough spring for school districts across the nation. The economic crisis of the past two years is hitting school systems hard as districts plan for the 2010-2011 school year. State support to schools continues to decline, and the "soft landing" afforded by federal stimulus monies is a thing of the past. School districts must cut costs but find their options constrained by restrictive labor agreements in addition to the collective bargaining process itself. If ever there was a time for a new approach to bargaining, it is now.
Many budget experts predicted that 2010-2011 would be the toughest year for schools. For example, more school districts in Orange County, Calif., have filed negative or qualified budgets than in previous years, meaning that they cannot maintain required budget reserves for the next couple of years. In other words, districts do not have the reserves, or savings account, to cover their deficit between increased expenditures and decreasing revenues. Even as state funding declines, school districts are locked into automatic pay increases for employees in the form of step-and-column advancement for longevity. In many places, freezing these pay raises can only be agreed to through the bargaining process.
Of course, there is severe pressure on school districts to rein in costs, given that there is little hope of increased funding from states, which are facing severe budget cuts to all services. School districts will have to enter another round of belt-tightening to balance budgets.
Goals and Processes Not Aligned
The content of individual labor contracts generates costs for districts, but a bigger problem is the systematic mismatch between separate but interconnected budget and bargaining cycles. The timelines for budget implementation and collective bargaining prevent measured action. For example, California Education Code requires districts to provide notice to teachers of potential job reductions by March 15; however, districts make budgets in June for the following school year. To further complicate the matter, these budgets are often preliminary, as California often passes its budget in the summer. It is therefore hard for bargaining teams to know when to pull the trigger on a final deal.
School districts have to preliminarily lay off teachers in order to keep options open as the budget picture develops through the spring. For the past five years, layoffs have become a rite of spring, like the swallows returning to Capistrano. In California, more than 23,000 pink slips were handed to teachers on March 15, the statutory deadline to notify teachers of potential job losses. Layoffs can be avoided if salary concessions are arrived at through collective bargaining, but by its very nature, collective bargaining is a time consuming process.
Bargaining is taking longer now simply because budget cuts were made a long time ago. Districts have already cut down to the bone. They can reduce the number of employees who serve children—this means teachers mostly, thereby raising the number of students assigned to remaining teachers— or they can cut salaries and/or health and welfare benefits for all employees.
Both choices are unpopular with labor unions. Salary and job preservation are leverage points during collective bargaining. Traditional collective bargaining between teacher unions and individual school boards is fraught with tension, as elected officials seek to preserve management rights and protect programs for students while the main, but not sole, goal of teacher unions is to protect conditions for their members. Even when labor and management have the same interests, the process of collective bargaining and the complex scenario in which it takes place inhibits creative solutions.
The Public Wants Change
The court of public opinion is exerting additional pressure this time around. The public has mostly embraced the educational reform ideas embodied in recent developments like state content standards, standardized testing and No Child Left Behind. Parents also wish to exercise their rights as consumers—that is, they want educational choices for their children, as evidenced by both the success of choice programs within public schools and the charter school movement.
Teacher unions face internal pressures as well. A sizeable number of their dues paying members are disillusioned with unions. New teachers hired since 2000 are causing fractures in unions dominated by veterans who remember the hard-fought battles to win favorable working conditions like seniority rights. The newer generation of teachers questions the very need for collective bargaining, particularly if it protects senior teachers over those with less seniority. These are the future teacher leaders, and unions are harming their own future by discarding them.
District leaders and unions have a common interest to meet the demands of the public in order to preserve public education itself. Collective bargaining cannot be seen as an obstacle to progress. Many Americans have lost jobs or suffered salary cuts in this recession. They expect teachers and school workers to reduce compensation if that results in the preservation of school programs and quality education for students. The public expects us to protect good teachers and remove bad teachers. Progressive union leaders recognize this.
Legislatures may move to undo laws that prohibit reasonable solutions. In the short term, it is unrealistic to think that collective bargaining will go away. But it is realistic to expect negotiating teams to plan collective bargaining so that decisions are made in a timely way to preserve the stability of school organizations. This is not the time for traditional oppositional bargaining where negotiation teams stake out positions based on individual needs. In these scenarios, delay is a tactic. Districts can't afford to waste time in a negotiations dance when they are in danger of going broke. In recognition of an unusually deep recession, many unions have made temporary concessions in the form of unpaid work days, or furloughs, but the process still takes too long and is often held to ransom by old bargaining methods.
There Is Another Way
It is possible to incorporate these common interests—the health of public education, student achievement, stability and fiscal solvency— into collective bargaining between school management and employees. Core values bargaining, win-win bargaining, or interest-based bargaining are all approaches that seek to find mutually acceptable solutions in a timely way, based on developing trust between teams by transparently sharing data and information.
In these scenarios, management and unions each identify common core interests and use them as a platform to develop solutions. Bargaining is seen as an ongoing process to create solutions that address the content of agreements, the process through which agreements are reached, and the relationships that need to be developed to implement successful agreements.
The deliberate delaying tactics of the traditional positional bargaining of the past, the withholding of budget information, and the deliberate manipulation of facts and context to win the best deal at the expense of the other side will no longer work in the current climate. The public demands more. Public schools have been pushed to the edge of a giant chasm by the economic crisis. It is in everybody's interest, especially our students', for both school management and labor unions to prevent a free-fall.
Eamonn O'Donovan is assistant superintendent of human resources to Los Alamitos Unified School District in California.