text:
Mary Jane & Tommie Glynn's '72 Chevy 4x4
We get excited when we see a well-constructed custom vintage truck. Our first thought is, "Would CCT's customers enjoy reading, seeing, and learning more about this pickup?" If the answer to that question is yes, it's time for us to start asking the current caretaker some questions.
Sometimes we see a pickup that may not jive with CCT's core readership, but we can't resist photographing it. Such was the case with Mary Jane and Tommie Glynn's '72 Chevy 4×4. The Glynn's Chevy is an exceptional 4×4, and therefore the exception to the rule of not featuring 4×4 custom classic trucks.
Tommie purchased the pickup in 1997. He drove it for a few years before cutting out all the cancerous sheetmetal panels and cab corners and welding in new metal, all before painting the truck.
Last year, Tommie set out to build a one-of-a-kind truck. He took the C10 apart and modified the front of the frame to accept front shock mounts for a Dana 60 frontend transfer case. With Superlift front shocks and springs, Tommie installed the '82 Dodge Dana 60 and added a dual steering stabilizer. An '80 GM 14-bolt Posi with a 4.10:1 final drive ratio replaced the original differential. Superlift shocks were also used for the rear.
When the time came to provide prodigious power for the 4×4, Tommie was the perfect person for the job. He's a mobile mechanic. Tommie bored the '80 Chevy 454ci cylinders 0.030-over, before stuffing the holes with flat-top 10:1 compression pistons. A COMP Cams solid lifter camshaft and double-roller-timing chain were two more components to the performance-oriented engine build. Tommie backed the big-block with a heavy-duty clutch and a '72 GM four-speed manual trans.
This time around for the 1/2-ton's exterior, the talented crew of C&N Auto Body in Nipomo, California, performed extensive metal surgery. C&N's owner, Nacho Cepeda, removed the panels, bed, and cab; sandblasted the lot; cut out some more rust; and brought the metal back to better than new. Colleague Ramon Garcia painted the exterior a stunning DuPont Blazing Copper. Once the paint had cured, Nacho put the panels and cab back on the frame and installed the Bruce Horkey oak and polished stainless stringer bed floor kit. He also replaced the greenhouse with all-new tinted glass.
Before Tommie could bring the bigger-than-life Bow Tie to the upholstery shop, he utilized the stock wiring harness to wire it. Pete's Upholstery in Santa Maria, California, trimmed the '95 Ford F-250 seat in maroon crushed velvet and black Naugahyde. Considering the 4×4 may see some off-road action, the original seat belts were replaced with three-point retractable shoulder belts for safety sake.
Thanks to the owner's diligence and the craftsmen's professionalism, the Blazing Copper truck took one short year to build. If you craft a vintage pickup that's one of a kind, you're apt to catch the attention of the CCT staff, even if it towers over all the other sweet haulers that are featured in the magazine. In other words, never say never.


text: NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. financial stocks inched higher in early trading on Tuesday after Bank of America Corp. BAC, +0.89% CEO Brian Moynihan said that the company is already feeling the impact of the fiscal cliff in its ongoing business and future planning. "We're actually forming (business) plans in August and September. So even leading up to that, people are becoming more conservative. And I think that's had an impact on what the growth will be in 2013. And I think we're in danger if this thing begins to string out in 2013, you may begin to have problems about what 2014 begins to look like," the CEO told CNBC Television. Bank of America managed a modest gain on Tuesday despite the comments, but the advance lacked conviction as the shares continue to advance toward $10. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. JPM, +0.90% shares were flat. J.P. Morgan, along with Bank of America, American Express Co. AXP, -0.18% and Travelers Cos. TRV, +0.52%, make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average's DJIA, +0.96% quartet of financial stocks. In the broader sector, The Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF XLF, +1.02%, which tracks the financial stocks in the S&P 500 SPX, +1.21%, rose 0.1%

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Remember last summer when ABC aired the Kelly Clarkson-fronted reality competition Duets? [Cue sound of crickets chirping.] No? Well, the part of me that watches too much reality TV (aka my heart, soul, brain and spleen) likes to think the producers of NBC's The Voice paid secret homage to their fallen rival during the Season 4 Top 8 results telecast.
RELATED | The Voice's Garrett Gardner on Mining His John Lennon Connection and Rocking Backstreet!
Yes indeed, while the main focus of tonight's show was — as Carson Daly reminded us at the top of the hour — watching eight become six, there was nevertheless a parallel to the very best late-night infomercials via a "But wait, there's more!" addendum. Said Easter eggs came in the form of a quartet of contestant duets — a couple of 'em quite terrific, two of 'em fairly inscrutable — that gave the Top 8 one more chance to shine before the guillotine got wheeled onto the stage.
RELATED VIDEO | Idol's Angie Miller on Risky Song Choices, 'Theatrical' Criticisms and That Duet With Lazaro! Plus: How She Wrote 'You Set Me Free'
This was also the episode that proved you simply can't predict who's going home based on iTunes sales alone. While Holly Tucker, Judith Hill and Sasha Allen ranked as the week's Bottom 3 sellers on the digital music service (with Sasha in dead last), only one of 'em saw her Voice journey reach its conclusion. Let's get to the results, shall we?
Sent to Safety (in Random Order)
Michelle Chamuel
Danielle Bradbery
Sasha Allen (cue a complete Shakira freakout, and feelings of nameless dread from Sasha's five not-yet-saved rivals)
The Swon Brothers
Final Four Left in Limbo
Holly Tucker
Judith Hill
Amber Carrington
Sarah Simmons
Final Two Saved
Amber Carrington
Holly Tucker (Whoa! That's three country blondes — and the entirety of Team Blake — in the Top 6!)
Judith Hill
Sarah Simmons
To me, the week's results and the overall arc of Season 4 says that risk-taking simply doesn't get rewarded by Voice voters. Or, if we're paraphrasing the Teachings of the Hare, slow and steady (and fairly predictable) might end up winning this race. Also: People love Blake Shelton, or at least they're responding to his silly "Oh em gee you are the most IMPORTANT thing to happen to music" feedback to his trio of contestants.
A few other thoughts and theories before we get to letter grades for the duets:
* Judith definitely had the buzziest Blind Audition with "What a Girl Wants," but taking a brutally hard look at her full Voice trajectory, I can't say anything she did in the weeks that followed quite managed to match that eye-popping Christina Aguilera cover. This isn't to say Judith deserved to go home before lesser talents like Sasha or Holly or The Swon Brothers, but momentum and the illusion of "growth" both matter in reality singing competitions, and Judith had neither of those advantages. Perhaps just as damaging: Judith's outré hairstyles and fashion choices may have alienated voters who like to see a star bloom in front of their eyes — and reminded the world that as Michael Jackson's former duet partner, she had the advantage of industry experience (and the ability to tap into said experience should she not make the finale).
* Sarah, meanwhile, looked like a serious contender during the early weeks of the competition, but Coach Adam did her no favors by not reining in her growing tendency to, um, "explore" the most unpleasant edges of her vocal tone. Last week's "Mama Knows Best" was a screeching tirade, and Wednesday's "Somebody That I Used to Know" suffered from intermittent pitch problems. (Plus, it's one of those songs that really needs another few years on the shelf before the general populus wants it brought back out into the sunlight.) I know she had a decent iTunes showing this week, but I'm not entirely shocked or saddened to see her exit.
* Interesting that Blake yelled "bullcrap!" after Adam said at the top of the show that his own team wasn't going to ever "play it safe." Defensive much?
* Also interesting that Shakira started off the show by admitting that if Sasha got booted, "it's because her coach made a mistake [in terms of song selection]." I'm not sure I agree with that contention — to me, Sasha overwrought style and tendency to go flat are far bigger issues — but it was nice to see Shakira's lack of ego (on a show where coaches have, well, healthy sized ones).
* Michelle Chamuel biting into a head of iceberg lettuce like it was an apple: Rated Y…for Yikes! (She's still just so lovely though, isn't she?)
* Could Christina Milian please come up with a better question than, "How does it feel to be saved by America?" I mean, how does she THINK it feels? URGH!
As for grades for the night's duets…
Michelle & Judith: "Sweet Nothings" | The verses may have been pitched a wee bit low for Michelle, and the vibrato may have gotten laid on a little too thick by Judith, but the song fit quite well with both of their vibes, and they soared nicely when it counted. Grade: B+
Sasha & The Swon Brothers: "Don't You Wanna Stay" | From the airplane "delayed" graphics on the backdrop to Sasha's gale-force riffing dominating the Swon boys like a cheetah with a field mouse, this was a deeply peculiar pairing — with dubious results. Grade: C+
Danielle & Sarah: "1,000 Years" | The good news is Danielle's restraint seemed to be contageous, prompting Sarah to focus more on the lilting melody. The bad news? I felt the Lunesta butterfly circling overhead by the midway point. Grade: B-
Amber & Holly: "Does He Love You?" | It's not easy stepping out of Reba's formidable shadow, but this pair of power divas completely unleashed their beast-sized voices for a throwdown of Godzilla-vs.-Mothra proportions. Absolutely terrific! Grade: A
And with that, let me turn things over to you. What did you think of Season 4 Top 8 results night? Did the right contestants get the boot? Sound off in the comments, and for all my reality-related news, recaps, interviews and videos, follow me on Twitter @MichaelSlezakTV!
Follow @MichaelSlezakTV


text:
Salaams and Salutations Beauties,
SO while in NYC...I wanted to meet up with some of the NYC designers I knew and those who I'd seen and had yet to 'see' in person. So I contacted Sister Jennah from Al-Mujalbaba, Sister Najmah from Najm Designs, Sister Fawziyyah from Al-Musa Wear/House of Gems and Sister Saundra from Urban Hijab to meet with us in Brooklyn for a talk about clothes and beauty. They ALL came, masha~allah.
First up was Sister Jennah from Al-Mujalbaba. She talked about how long she had been in business and how she wanted to help sister become more modest. Have you seen her designs? LOVE THEM. I get all my hijabs from her (for you hijab wantabe thieves). She picks fabrics that are washable, wear great and look GOOD!!
We found out from her husband that prop designers from NBC's 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' come to their store for prayer rugs and Qurans. They even had an 11 year old who took his shahada come in to pick up clothes.
Next up was Najmah Abraham from NAJM Designs/ the NAJM Network. Sister Najmah really explained to the group about how she picks out her fabric. That for her and her fashions they have to be functional as well as affordable. That LOVELY she is showing us above is a jersey knit tiered dress. OK I sooo want that. EVERYONE wanted that.
Sister Najmah is an inspiration!! She inspires modesty. She's going to be at my MIL's fashion show next month. Can't wait to see the goodies she brings.
Najm designs is more than clothes...its a MOVEMENT in art.
Our intermission was led by sister Najla Muhammad from NJ. She's a poet and she's brilliant!! So young, so beautiful, so talented..may Allah(swt) reward her in all her endeavors. She ROCKED it..FYI.
Next up was Sister Saundra from Urban Hijab. We learned at Friday night's dinner that she USE to be a scientist. But her increase in Deen led her away from that..and she started providing clothes for sisters. Masha~allah, she has some very nice high quality clothing. It was great to meet her, see and touch her designs. Umm Aminah purchased on outfit or two. Praying for a lot more to come from sister Saundra.
Last but NOT least was Sister Fawziyyah of Al-Musa Wear/House of Gems. She's a wife and mom that has LOTS of style. She's been making clothes with lots of flavor for years. Ladies in NYC know her and of her. Insha~allah she will continued to be blessed with much more success.
Her style is young, fun and modest. Just the thing the UMMAH needs to help younger sister's realize that modesty is more beautiful and pleasing to Allah(swt).
What a NIGHT!! We were exhausted but it was a fun night. Can't wait to go back and do it AGAIN!!
B Beautiful
Umm Amirah


text:
'Commentable' online documents are a great way to establish two-way dialogue with the people who care about your organisation to get feedback and input on strategies, standards, documents and policies.
Our Read+Comment service helps clients set up purpose-built, flexible sites around important documents which can incorporate other online tools such as a blog, Twitter feed, poll widgets or online surveys easily into a single, flexible platform.
We offer a managed service combining hosting, our own specialist Commentariat theme (wit customization as required) and the necessary hosting and support service – along with any moderation or content publishing support you might need.
We've helped:
Find out more about the kind of documents we've helped teams to get feedback on and drop us a line or give us a call


text:
SCCSD developed the Code of Student Conduct to inform all students and parents of the district's expectations regarding behavior and conduct. The Code is reviewed and approved by the SCCSD Board of Trustees.
All students and parents receive copies of the Code of Student Conduct, which describes disciplinary offenses and how the school district handles them. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children adhere to the rules and conventions of proper behavior while at school. SCCSD has an official policy of "zero tolerance" for student behavior that could disrupt instruction or pose safety hazards on SCCSD property and at school-related events. Such behavior includes the possession of weapons, drugs, or alcohol.
Click Here: → 2018-2019 Student Handbook
Copyright © 2019 Carver Elementary School


text:
September 14, 2011 - 1:49pm
A totally new co-op based zombie mod. This mod will stand out from all the other zombie mods for several reasons, as most zombie mods focus on mindless shooting this zombie mod will be going deeper into the survival horror. If you attract too many zombies you will definitely not survive. This should prove a unique zombie experience like you have never seen before. Expect also features like movable barricades, uniquely designed maps and weapons from singleplayer. To summarize it, what you will get from this mod is thrilling gameplay with your friends against hordes of zombies.


text:
New products and changes introduced over the last week include an international ESG index fund from Pax World; a tactical fixed income fund from Innealta Capital; a global managed futures strategy fund from 361 Capital; a Korea ETF from Horizons ETFs; and new indexes from NASDAQ and Chaikin Analytics.
In addition, Pensco has expanded Bitcoin investment options in self-directed IRAs; StockViews has launched a new equity research platform; ALPS Portfolio Solutions announced a new ETF; and Abacus Group has announced a strategic partnership with LiquidityBook.
Here are the latest developments of interest to advisors:
1) Pensco Expands Bitcoin Investment Options in Self-Directed IRAs
Pensco Trust Co. has announced that it will be expanding options in self-directed IRAs to invest in bitcoin. This comes in the wake of an IRS ruling that bitcoin will be subject to capital gains taxes.
Pensco clients can now establish a legal entity such as an LLC, and invest in bitcoin through that entity using their retirement funds. Pensco is currently evaluating other methods to allow self-directed investors and advisors to gain exposure to bitcoin.
2) ALPS Portfolio Group Announces New ETF
ALPS Portfolio Solutions has announced the launch of the newest ETF in its High-Dividend Sector Dividend Dogs Series, the ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG).
EDOG utilizes Dogs of the Dow Theory to select the five highest yielding securities on a sector-by-sector basis from S-Network Emerging Markets Index.
Pax World Management LLC, the investment advisor to Pax World Funds, has announced the launch of the Pax MSCI International ESG Index Fund (PXINX), a passively managed fund that seeks investment returns closely corresponding to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Europe Australasia Far East (EAFE) ESG Index. The Index consists of equity securities of issuers organized or operating in developed market countries around the world, excluding theU.S.andCanada, that have high sustainability or ESG ratings relative to their sector and industry group peers, as rated by MSCI ESG Research.
PXINX was formed by the merging of the Pax World International Fund (PXINX) and the Pax MSCI EAFE ESG Index ETF (EAPS). The new fund's institutional class shares will charge a unified management fee and total expense ratio of 0.55%. Individual investor class and class R shares each will charge a distribution fee that will increase the total expense ratio for these share classes to 0.80% and 1.05%, respectively.
4) Innealta Capital Launches Tactical Fixed Income Fund
Innealta Capital, a division of AFAM Capital, has announced the launch of the Innealta Capital Tactical Fixed Income Fund (YLDAX, YLDIX, YLDNX). The fund was created to potentially achieve risk-adjusted returns from exposure to a wide spectrum of fixed income securities. It is driven by a quantitative model that takes economic, fundamental, risk and technical analyses into consideration when evaluating the risk/reward potential of investing in various fixed income sectors, as represented within the ETF investment universe. Dr. Gerald Buetow, chief investment officer of Innealta Capital, is the fund's portfolio manager.
The fund invests in ETFs and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) that track fixed-income indices. Its investments may include bonds issued by governments, government agencies, municipalities and companies across a wide range of industries and market capitalizations in theU.S.and foreign markets, as well as asset-backed securities. Its quantitative investment framework attempts to control for both risk and yield at the portfolio level.
5) 361 Capital Launches Global Managed Futures Strategy Fund
361 Capital has announced the launch of its 361 Global Managed Futures Strategy Fund (AGFZX, AGFQX), which normally invests in long and short positions in futures contracts on indices primarily comprised of non-U.S. issuers.
The fund seeks to generate performance by employing a suite of systematic trading models that take positions (long, short or cash) primarily in equity index futures contracts across the globe.
6) Korea ETF Launched by Horizons
Horizons ETFs Management (USA) LLC has announced the launch of the Horizons Korea KOSPI 200 ETF (HKOR), providing exposure to the KOSPI 200 Index with a total gross expense ratio of 0.38%.
HKOR seeks investment results that, before fees and expenses, generally correspond to the performance of the KOSPI 200, which is a free float-adjusted, market-capitalization-weighted index made up of 200 blue chip companies listed on the Korea Exchange (KRX). It uses factors such as market and sector representation and liquidity to determine stock weightings.
7) NASDAQ, Chaikin Announce Enhanced Alpha Indexes
The NASDAQ OMX Group Inc. and Chaikin Analytics LLC have launched three NASDAQ Chaikin Power Indexes: the NASDAQ Chaikin Power US Large Cap Index (NQULCHK), the NASDAQ Chaikin Power US Small Cap Index (NQUSCHK) and the NASDAQ Chaikin Power US Dividend Achievers Index (NQDACHK). These new indexes are rules-based, quantitatively enabled investment strategies designed to outperform their respective benchmarks and are based on the Chaikin Power Gauge, a multifactor quantitative model.
The NASDAQ Chaikin Power Indexes filter the NASDAQ US 300 Index, NASDAQ US 1500 Index and NASDAQ US Broad Dividend Achievers Index utilizing the Chaikin Power Gauge, which is based on a proprietary multifactor model that combines fundamental, technical and sentiment factors into a rating that indicates a security's statistical probability to over- or underperform the market in the intermediate term. The indexes are available to fund managers, advisors and investors for licensing and implementation through separately managed accounts and ETFs.
8) StockViews Launches New Equity Research Platform
StockViews has announced the launch of a new equity research platform, the Research Room, which provides members with a range of in-depth research forU.S.stocks contributed by StockViews analysts. The research will be vetted and reviewed by StockViews editors, but will also be subjected to peer review.
StockViews' proprietary software will allow members to generate professional-standard equity research, combining text, charts, tables and price targets. Usability is at the core of the product, with information relating to the stock and the author automatically populated.
9) Abacus Group, LiquidityBook Partner on Solution Hosting
Abacus Group LLC and LiquidityBook have announced a strategic partnership to host LiquidityBook's buy-side solution LBX in the AbacusFLEX private cloud environment.
The partnership will offer AbacusFLEX clients access to LBX, which provides order management, portfolio management, trading, network connectivity, compliance and post-trade processing in one product. The single hosted LBX platform provides global FIX and non-FIX connectivity directly to brokers. It also contains a regulatory compliance module, offering Value-At-Risk (VAR) calculations, stress testing, reporting and alerting capabilities, along with shadow books and records.
Read the Mar. 30 Portfolio Products Roundup at ThinkAdvisor.


text:
The Paris Peacock (Papilio Paris) is a beautiful green colored butterfly in the family Papilionidae (swallowtail butterflies), found in northern areas of Pakistan. I saw this butterfly for the first and last time in May 2008, before starting this blog. They were mud-puddling in a large number on the bank of a stream in Dara Gokand, district Buner.
A photography blog that focus on Pakistan natural beauty, people, culture heritage, customs and traditions, historical places, travel destinations, wildlife: flora and fauna.
Paris Peacock Butterfly
The Paris Peacock (Papilio Paris) is a beautiful green colored butterfly in the family Papilionidae (swallowtail butterflies), found in northern areas of Pakistan. I saw this butterfly for the first and last time in May 2008, before starting this blog. They were mud-puddling in a large number on the bank of a stream in Dara Gokand, district Buner.
17 comments:
- Anastasia said...
i never knew that these butterflies existed and they are so beautiful! glad that you were able to take a few photos when you spotted them.
- September 26, 2010 at 11:26 PM
- Zane said...
Wow - love the colour on the butterfly - emerald greens - I have not seen one like that in my part of the world.
PS. Previous post on parasitic wasps - excellent - love that huge green caterpillar - poor victim!
- September 26, 2010 at 11:50 PM
- birdy said...
Thanks Anastasia! Before starting this blog I was not interested in capturing insects. However the beauty of this butterfly attract me and I got a few shots, though not clear.
- September 26, 2010 at 11:56 PM
- birdy said...
Thanks Zane for the comment and appreciation. I also have not observed this species in other parts of the country, I have visited so far. I think hilly areas with moderate temperature provide best habitat to this species.
- September 27, 2010 at 12:18 AM
- Anastasia said...
the pictures may not be clear, but they're still very good because you captured a shots of those butterflies. did these butterflies inspire you to start a blog on insects? you always capture nice shots of interesting and/or beautiful insects and anything else you share.
- September 27, 2010 at 3:54 AM
- SAPhotographs (Joan) said...
What a beauty Birdy!! The inside and outside of the wings are such a contrast in colour.
I have a wonderful green one flying around here I am trying to catch as it is one of those which never settles on anything. I do not think I am going to have much luck though but I still have a week to try. :)
- September 27, 2010 at 10:11 AM
- birdy said...
Thanks Anastasia for the response. This butterfly inspired me to capture butterflies and other insects, which ultimately lead me to start this blog. However I didn't limit this blog to insects, but to each and every thing that comes in my way.
Once again thanks for the appreciation and kind words.
- September 27, 2010 at 5:58 PM
- birdy said...
Thanks Jaon!
The irradiant green color of this butterfly is very attractive. Though this butterfly was busy in mud-puddling, but didn't let me to go close, so I have to shoot it from a distance and that's why the pictures are not clear. The specie you mentioned is probably a similar specie.
Good luck with shooting! We are waiting for your captures.
- September 27, 2010 at 6:20 PM
- Andrea said...
Hi Birdy, that is certainly an eye catcher, have seen that here but they don't seem to alight steadily. However, they are seldom seen, most are the white-striped black backwings with almost the same red dots inside. By the way, i would like to suggest that proper way of writing Scientific names are appreciated everytime they are written, so that others will not be mislead. Genus starts with capital letter and species with small letter, either italized or bold, e.g. Papilio paris. And species is always written with an s, not specie. thank you very much. I hope you wont mind this suggestion.
- September 28, 2010 at 9:19 AM
- Claudia said...
Beautiful images..second is my favorite!
- September 28, 2010 at 8:39 PM
I have not seen this butterfly on the net too. That green is so beautiful. Glad you posted these pictures.
- September 29, 2010 at 7:45 PM
- birdy said...
Thanks Andrea for your detail comment. Your suggestions and corrections are highly appreciated. To be honest, I have never been a student of English, Zoology, Entomology or Botany. I'm here to learn from people like you. I have mentioned in my disclaimer that the information on this blog should not be treated as an expert view on any topic, but a description to my images.
- September 29, 2010 at 8:10 PM
- birdy said...
Thanks Claudia for the comment and appreciation.
- September 29, 2010 at 8:12 PM
- Yacek said...
Jest bardzo ładny.
- October 1, 2010 at 1:59 PM
- walterbayliss said...
Thanks for great read.
With Good Content - And Subscribers... You can do really well.
Waly Bayliss
President and CEO
- October 3, 2010 at 6:41 AM
- balakrishnan said...
as far as I know paris peacock do have large blue patch on upper side of hindwing,the Un markings are also vary....then it is somethingelse!
krishna peacock?
can you give me exact location? and when?
compare with
- November 2, 2010 at 8:39 PM
- birdy said...
Thanks Yacek and walterbayliss for the feedback.
Thanks balakrishnan for the visit and comment. This butterfly do have a blue spot on the hindwing, though not very clear in my picture. If you enlarge the 2nd picture, you will see a part of blue spot just underneath the forewing. Your images of pairs peacock are amazing. Do you have a picture of krishna peacock? I took these pictures in an area of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, very near to Kashmir.
- November 2, 2010 at 10:00 PM


text:
About Us
About Our Store
Location - Hours
Vendor Links
Home Equipment
Commercial Equipment
Service & Repair
Contact Us
Site Map
Exercise Bikes
Rowing Machines
Stepmills & Stairmasters
Spin Bikes
Upper Body Ergometers
Home Gyms
Free Weights and Bars
Strength Equipment
Functional Trainers
Core and Plyometrics
Inversion Tables
Posters, Books and DVD's
Boxing & MMA Equipment
Gym Flooring & Mats
Used & Consignment
Commercial Cardio
Sell Your Equipment: Consignment, Trade-In, Buy-Back Programs
Commercial Strength
Cross Fitness Training
Suspension Trainers
Fitness Accessories
Bike Accessories
AB Machines
Scales, Body Fat, Calipers
Copyright Sacramento Equipment Center, Inc.,
5400 Date Ave., Sacramento, CA 95841, Phone: (916) 331-7030 or (800) 675-1838
Folsom Exercise Equipment Center
Sacramento Exercise Equipment Center Inc. is your #1 resource for commercial & home gym equipment. With California's largest showroom we sell treadmills, ellitpicals, elliptical trainers, steppers, climbers, setpmills, exercise bikes, spin bikes, exercise mats, rubber flooring, weight benches, and workout equipment. If you are into body building, home fitness, weight training, spinning, cycling, fitness training, Pilates, yoga, or just looking for a weight bench, dumbbells, weight plates, dumbbell racks, plate trees, exercise ball, bands, weight belts, lifting gloves, accessories, bars, body fat mentors, gym flooring or exercise machines, check us out. With the shift towards Cross Fit training, bumper plates, plyo boxes, slam balls and sleds, we stock them all right in our local retail store. We carry quality brands such as; Tuff Stuff, Body-Solid, True Fitness, Horizon, Diamondback, Vectra, BodyCraft, Lifecore, Lemond, SPRI, Teeter Hang-Ups, Cap Barbell , Troy-USA, TKO, Freemotion Fitness, UMAX, and Powerblocks – Just to name a few.
Serving all of Sacramento as well as Auburn, Roseville, Citrus Heights, Amador, El Dorado, Cameron Park, Rocklin, Loomis, Lincoln, Butte, Fair Oaks, Folsom, Lodi, Galt, Stockton, Tracy, Manteca, Modesto, Shingle Springs, Yuba City, Sutter, Marysville, Napa, Sonoma, Sonora, Yolo, Tahoe, Reno, Calaveras, Grass Valley, Placer, Placerville, West Sacramento, Chico, Petaluma, San Francisco, Livermore, Pleasenton, Davis, Vacaville, Fairfield – We will deliver and service your choice in quality exercise and fitness equipment.


text:
- Home
- News
- Sports
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Features
- Special Sections
- Classifieds
- Public Notices
Announcement is made of the forthcoming marriage of Jennifer Ann Johnson and Steven Wayne Honeycutt, both of Raleigh. The bride-elect is the daughter of Glenn and Dawn Johnson of Shallotte. The prospective groom is the son of Wayne and Virginia Honeycutt of Supply. An April 26, 2013, wedding is planned at The Isles on Ocean Isle Beach. The wedding will take place on the beach with a reception to follow.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the The Brunswick Beacon, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
|ZIP Code:


text:
Prophet Mohammed cartoons: Freedom of Speech or Dangerous Provocation?
Date created : Latest update :
In today's international press review, we focus on Charlie Hebdo's controversial front page. The French satirical weekly published caricatures of Prophet Mohammed, fuelling further anger in France and abroad. Also in the papers: a Pakistani accused of blasphemy after he refused to take part in protests, and an unusual love song featuring a beautiful woman, her admirer and...a drone.
Le Soir: "The caricatures that freak France out"
L'Orient le Jour: "Huge mistake"
Christian Science Monitor: "Muhammad cartoons are a headache for Hollande"
Dawn: "Man accused of blasphemy after refusing to join anti-Islam film protest"
LA Times:"Innocence of Muslims actress sues producer"
The Guardian: "Drone love song"


text:
I know you've all been asking and wondering about this. But just so you know? Gwyneth Paltrow isn't pregnant right now. OMG, you guys! You're so funny, always asking the Goop One when she's having another baby! But stop asking already, she's totally done having babies, okay? No more apples dropping from her tree.
What? It's only her buddy designer Diane von Furstenberg who's asking? Oh. Geez, thanks a lot Kate Middleton for totally hogging the celeb mom spotlight already!
Yes, it's true: For Gwyneth's cover story in British InStyle, von Furstenberg asked Gwyneth the one question people have mostly stopped asking her. Is she thinking of having another baby? And actually, for once Gwyneth gives an answer I can relate to.
My brain says, 'Oh, I think I'm done, the kids are big now and I don't want to go back to changing diapers'. But a part of me would love to have another. Of course, I'm old now!
(Well, I can relate to most of that except the "I'm old now!" As someone who is Gwyneth's age -- this is not "old." It's just not super-young. My grandmother is turning 95 this year. THAT is old.)
Not only am I the same age as Gwyneth (more or less), we also had our first child around the same time, in our early 30s. And you know what? I'm so done now. It's not just the health/physical thing. I'm in the high-ish risk age bracket, true. But I'm in good health and I have excellent doctors.
It's more about where I am in my life now. Now that my son is capable of fixing himself a sandwich, comprehending irony, and compiling his own Spotify playlists, I kind of feel like having a baby at this point would feel almost regressive. With every milestone your kids reach, you, as a parent, get more and more freedom. And your kids get more and more interesting.
And ... look, all of you with new babies, you know I adore those little ones and I will never tire of gazing fondly at their pictures. NEVER, you hear me everyone on Facebook? But the older my son gets, the more boring caring for a baby seems to me. Oh sure, if I accidentally got knocked up and somehow Republicans managed to take away my right to an abortion, I would probably find a way to love having another baby. (I am so joking about that abortion part.)
But don't even get me started on the whole work/parenting balance. I don't want to face all those difficult questions about daycare, nannies, work at home, etc. And breastfeeding, lord have mercy. My boobs are enjoying their early retirement, thank you. So yeah, for all of you who've been asking? All zero of you. I am NOT having another baby. Not because I'm so OLD, but because I am done with that phase of my life.
Do you think 40 is too "old" to have a baby?
Image via InStyle


text:
Artistic Logo Design for Skyler.Asia
Held by: Frank Ng (fng)
Last rated:
Contest Statistics
Scores (259 total)
5 3
4 11
3 72
2 93
1 80
This Project 27
Average 1
This Project 261
Average 112
Logo design created by professional graphic designer Private User
Entry designed by:
More entries from this contest:
Want a unique logo design like this one?
Did you know?
Our clients use design contests for all of their graphic design needs, including:
Banner Ad Design, Twitter Page Design, Clothing Design, Button & Icon Design, and more!


text:
Forgot password?
Event location:Grant Thornton
3140 Rowan Place
John Smith Drive
Event start: Tuesday, 28 February 2012 16:00
Event end: Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:30
This networking event, organised by Angel News, connects top-level senior executives with fast-growth companies looking to add expertise to their teams. If you are looking to work with an exciting growing business, in any role from Mentor, Operations Manager or CEO, to Marketing, Finance or Sales Director, you will want to attend Pitching for Management™.
Visit the event website
Find your local office or arrange for a BvD advisor to call you. More...
Follow us on Twitter | © 2012 Bureau van Dijk | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Sitemap | bvdinfo.com


text:
I have to find information that can be located in files on a hard drive. Are there good tools to search for specific keywords (even in the hard disk free space area ;-), detect encrypted files, detect wrong filetype, etc.?
I currently use Windirstat to see all the filetypes and open each one manually. This process is very long and not reliable.
Can someone provide a better method?


text:
Ancient Continental Collisions May Have Provided Air to Breathe
Researchers have proposed a new theory for how oxygen production was kick-started billions of years ago, when only trace amounts of the gas existed in the Earth's atmosphere. When continents collided they started a chain reaction, researchers say, that eventually produced a hospitable, oxygen-rich atmosphere. They argue that the tectonic collisions that created the Superia/Sclavia, Nuna, Rodinia, Gondwana and Pangaea supercontinents also formed supermountains, which eroded rapidly, washing vast amounts of nutrients into the oceans. This fuelled explosions of oxygen-producing algae and bacteria [New Scientist].
The Australian researchers say that each collision of tectonic plates caused a bump in oxygen levels, and that studies of modern mountain formation bear out their theory. Other scientists have already shown that the formation and erosion of the Himalayas led to increases in atmospheric oxygen, [study coauthor Charlotte] Allen notes. "Scale up the Himalaya to supercontinental proportions and you have a modern analogue for what we think happened seven major times in earth's history" [ABC Science]. However, some experts have expressed skepticism regarding the new theory.
To draw their conclusions, the research team studied zircon crystals formed from primeval lava flows, and used radioactive dating to determine how long ago they formed. They found that more zircon crystals had been formed when several land masses were squashed together into a supercontinent; and that those time periods matched increases in atmospheric oxygen. "We had no inkling there would be a correlation with atmospheric oxygenation," Allen says [Nature News].
Yet their findings, published in the journal Nature Geoscience [subscription required], have been flatly contradicted by experts like Dick Holland of Harvard University, who says that the greatest boost in oxygen levels occurred during the "great oxidation event" around 2.3 billion years ago, when no tectonic upheaval was taking place. "This inconsistency virtually destroys their proposed connection between continental collisions and oxygen levels," he says [New Scientist].
Image: flickr/ilkerender


text:
For one, Urdu1, as the channel is named, seems to have hooked a substantial number of viewers, which seems to be giving its big-name rivals in the television entertainment business all sorts of palpitations. No doubt a major part of the reason for its sudden popularity is the fact that it is broadcasting some of the most popular Indian soaps, whose ratings on the illegally (but widely) broadcast Indian entertainment channels such as Star Plus and Colors, put to shame ratings of all other Pakistani channels. It is technically able to do this because it is actually not a Pakistani channel (which are subject to far more restrictions regarding Indian content) but a 'foreign channel', based out of Dubai and only having 'landing rights' in Pakistan.
But it is also benefiting from the fact that it still broadcasts most of its programming without the massive commercial breaks that have become the characteristic of Pakistani entertainment channels and which have become the bane of viewers. Unlike Pakistani entertainment channels which offer up their programming in blocks of, often, seven minutes or less, and where an hour of programming can include 22 minutes or more of commercials (also violative of the terms of their licenses, which stipulate no more than three minutes of advertising after every 15 minutes of programming - this stipulation has been challenged by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association in the Sindh High Court where the case is pending), Urdu1 so far has been getting by with running ads mostly at the beginning and end of their content. Viewers, fed up with the extended and excessive commercial breaks on Pakistani channels, seem to have given their approval.
By far the most fascinating part of the programming on this new channel from a sociological point of view, however, is the inclusion of - and unexpected popularity of - some of its dubbed offerings. Urdu1 is also offering Latin American and Turkish soaps which, despite the fact that they contain non-desi actors whose voices have obviously been dubbed into Urdu, seem to have found wide acceptance among the usual female population that comprises the bulk of the viewers of such programming. So far, Pakistani channels have rarely ventured into the dubbing territory (although Geo Entertainment has shown a couple of dubbed films in the past) because it was generally believed that audiences did not like watching such dubs and could not identify with non-desi actors and that the viewership could not justify the costs of dubbing. It would be interesting to see when rival channels also begin to add similar programming. And we can bet it won't be long.
But Urdu1 is also making waves for other reasons. A conglomerate of its rivals, including Hum TV, Geo Entertainment, ARY Digital and Express Entertainment have filed a case in the Lahore High Court against the granting of 'landing rights' to the new channel (which basically allow it to be distributed legally within Pakistan), which was launched in Pakistan only in the second week of June. They have challenged the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to justify the grant of the license, which they claim is against PEMRA's own criteria for such licenses.
For one, these rivals argue that any foreign satellite channel must have been operative for at least three years before it can be considered for a 'landing rights' license , and that Urdu1 did not fulfill this criteria, having been launched (even by its own admission) "in the Middle East" only in June 2010. They also claim that foreign channels are, allegedly, not allowed to have more than 10-15% of their programming in Pakistani languages under PEMRA rules and thus Urdu1 falls afoul of this criteria as well. Urdu1's rivals may be technically right (we tried but could not locate these stipulations on the PEMRA site) but it should be fairly obvious from this petition that the big Pakistani entertainment channels are very apprehensive of what Urdu1's popularity could mean for their revenues. And let's be clear about one thing: their loud cries about 'foreign cultural content' and 'subversion of Pakistani culture' are only smokescreens for the real issue of revenue and profits.
There are a few points to consider here. A) I am no fan of the mind-numbing histrionics of Indian soaps, but is the "trade protection" being sought by Pakistani channels against Indian television content legitimate, especially when one considers that all of these same channels vie to run - and go out of their way to promote - Indian content such as awards shows and films when they can? B) Is Indian content the only issue? It was considered the main issue because of the supposed easy identification of Pakistani viewers with Indian storylines and actors, and the reason that nobody bothered that much about Western content, assuming it catered only to a small niche of viewers. How will that point-of-view fare with the popularity of dubbed non-Indian content as shown by Urdu1? To take the point further, is isolationism something to aspire towards? C) One can make legitimate arguments about the need for smaller trade / production entities to have benefits that level the playing field somewhat against larger entities that have the advantage of scale. But does that argument really hold for 'cultural products' in an increasingly globalized world where technology makes the cultural products of other nations easily accessible? After all, the 'protection' offered to the Pakistani film industry for over 40 years did not really help it to survive or become better did it? D) There is a fundamental issue at stake also about who benefits from such protection: does it actually benefit people it claims to serve or just a few corporates such as television channels, some big local production companies and their owners and investors? After all, all viewership surveys in Pakistan attest to the continuing popularity of Indian soaps despite their official prohibition and despite the rantings of the moral brigade. If viewers insist on watching shoddy melodramas and continue to find ways to do it, is it the job of government to deny them legitimate avenues to do so?
Finally, there is another significant aspect to Urdu1 which has piqued our interest. Its Pakistan license holder is a company called Horizon Media (Pvt) Ltd. which is fairly untraceable on the web. For a channel that supposedly launched "in the Middle East" (out of Dubai) in 2010, Urdu1 also has no website that we can locate. Its CEO is a man called Faraz Ansari, who used to be the former General Manager of Ten Sports and apparently worked for other media companies earlier as well.
However, we have learnt from very reliable sources that the real people behind the channel are three "heavyweight" legislators of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. In fact, we have been able to identify one of them: Ms Shazia Marri, now elected as a member of the National Assembly and former/ current minister for Information and Electric Power in Sindh province. Another may be current Sindh minorities minister Dr Mohan Lal, whose brother Mr Jai Prakash, a Shikarpur-based trader, is alleged to be the main financier of the venture.
What makes the whole venture more curious is that, according to our sources, Ms Marri has also been in long-running talks to buy an FM channel called Josh 99FM which operates out of Karachi, Lahore and Hyderabad and is "affiliated" with three other unnamed FM stations, claiming a total "potential" listenership of over 60 million people. Josh FM99's Chief Executive is Mr Sarmad Palijo, the younger brother of the sitting Sindh Culture and Tourism Minister Ms Sassui Palijo. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that those in the know claim the purchase negotiations have dragged on because of the involvement of Ms Faryal Talpur, another sitting PPP MNA and the sister of President Asif Zardari. Our sources claim they do not know what Ms Talpur's stakes are in the matter but that on more than one occasion, she intervened once the price had been tentatively agreed, to ask the parties to reconsider the price. According to our sources, one intervention was to urge a lowering of the price, another was to raise it, which may indicate that Ms Talpur had been requested to intervene by both sides at various times.
Is there a new media empire in the offing?


text:
Translation Disclaimer
Are you a tenant or a landlord of a Berkeley residence? Embroiled in a landlord-tenant dispute? Want the help of a neutral third party in resolving this problem? Interested in exploring whether a free, quick, non-adversarial and informal process would work for you? The City of Berkeley's Rent Stabilization Program offers a no-cost mediation service that can be an effective and efficient way to resolve disputes.
Typical issues or problems that can be addressed in mediation include, but are not limited to: roommate disagreements, entry for repairs, noise complaints, privacy rights, rent due dates/late fees, and move-out/eviction issues. To request mediation, you must complete a Request for Mediation form. Before completing the Request for Mediation form, please contact a Housing Counselor to discuss your case. You can reach a Housing Counselor by e-mail at email@example.com. Drop-in counseling is available at our office located at 2125 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704 (northeast corner of Milvia and Center Streets, downtown Berkeley), or by phone at 510-981-RENT (510-981-7368).Office Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.Wednesday: 12 p.m. (noon) – 6:30 p.m.


text:
In light of the holiday, you might hear a lot of the national anthem this week. Radiohead's version is not one of unwavering patriotism, but it's a bass-heavy, brass-backed banger that they play at nearly every live show.
Though it didn't make it onto an album until 2000's Kid A, frontman Thom Yorke actually wrote the riff when he was just 16. It was left off older records, because the band felt it too good to be a b-side. And I'm going to have to agree (partially because don't argue with Radiohead).


text:
Governing Statutes
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (Conservancy) was established by AB 2600 (Stats. 2004, ch. 726). The provisions of the Public Resources Code added by AB 2600 were subsequently amended by AB 1201 (Stats. 2005, ch. 227) and AB 3081 (Stats. 2008, ch. 512). Below, you'll find the current text of the statute governing the Conservancy with subheadings inserted for your ease of use.
The Conservancy is established within California Public Resources Code 33300-33356.
Division 23.3. Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Chapter 1. General Provisions and Definitions 33300-33302
Chapter 2. Sierra Nevada Conservancy 33320-33333
Chapter 3. Powers, Duties, and Limitations 33340-33356
Legislative Findings and Declarations
33300. This division shall be known, and may be cited, as the Laird-Leslie Sierra Nevada Conservancy Act.
33301. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) The Sierra Nevada Region is a globally significant area, including many national and state parks, the highest peaks in the 48 contiguous states, and large, pristine areas that are open for public use.
(b) The Sierra Nevada Region is an important part of the state's economy, providing substantial agricultural products, timber resources, ranching, mining, tourism, and recreation.
(c) The Sierra Nevada Region provides 65 percent of California's developed water supply and nearly all of the water supply for western Nevada. As California's principal watershed, the region is the critical source of water for urban and rural parts of northern and southern California.
(d) In cooperation with local governments, private business, nonprofit organizations, and the public, a Sierra Nevada Conservancy can help do all of the following:
(1) Provide increased opportunities for tourism and recreation.
(2) Protect, conserve, and restore the region's physical, cultural, archaeological, historical, and living resources.
(3) Aid in the preservation of working landscapes.
(4) Reduce the risk of natural disasters, such as wildfires.
(5) Protect and improve water and air quality.
(6) Assist the regional economy through the operation of the conservancy's program.
(7) Identify the highest priority projects and initiatives for which funding is needed.
(8) Undertake efforts to enhance public use and enjoyment of lands owned by the public.
(9) Support efforts that advance both environmental preservation and the economic well-being of Sierra residents in a complementary manner.
Definition of Terms
33302. For the purposes of this division, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) "Board" means the Governing Board of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
(b) "Conservancy" means the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
(c) "Fund" means the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Fund created pursuant to Section 33355.
(d) "Local public agency" means a city, county, district, or joint powers authority.
(e) "Nonprofit organization" means a private, nonprofit organization that qualifies for exempt status under Section 501(c)(3)of Title 26 of the United States Code, and whose charitable purposes are consistent with the purposes of the Conservancy.
(f) "Region" or "Sierra Nevada Region" means the area lying within the Counties of Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Tehama, Tulare, Tuolumne, and Yuba, described as the area bounded as follows: On the east by the eastern boundary of the State of California; the crest of the White/Inyo ranges; and State Routes 395 and 14 south of Olancha; on the south by State Route 58, Tehachapi Creek, and Caliente Creek; on the west by the line of 1,250 feet above sea level from Caliente Creek to the Kern/Tulare County line; the lower level of the western slope's blue oak woodland, from the Kern/Tulare County line to the Sacramento River near the mouth of Seven-Mile Creek north of Red Bluff; the Sacramento River from Seven-Mile Creek north to Cow Creek below Redding; Cow Creek, Little Cow Creek, Dry Creek, and the Shasta National Forest portion of Bear Mountain Road, between the Sacramento River and Shasta Lake; the Pit River Arm of Shasta Lake; the northerly boundary of the Pit River watershed; the southerly and easterly boundaries of Siskiyou County; and within Modoc County, the easterly boundary of the Klamath River watershed; and on the north by the northern boundary of the State of California; excluding both of the following:
(1) The Lake Tahoe Region, as described in Section 66905.5 of the Government Code, where it is defined as "region."
(2) The San Joaquin River Parkway, as described in Section 32510.
(g) "Subregions" means the six subregions in which the Sierra Nevada Region is located, described as follows:
(1) The north Sierra subregion, comprising the Counties of Lassen, Modoc, and Shasta.
(2) The north central Sierra subregion, comprising the Counties of Butte, Plumas, Sierra, and Tehama.
(3) The central Sierra subregion, comprising the Counties of El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, and Yuba.
(4) The south central Sierra subregion, comprising the Counties of Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, and Tuolumne.
(5) The east Sierra subregion, comprising the Counties of Alpine, Inyo, and Mono.
(6) The south Sierra subregion, comprising the Counties of Fresno, Kern, Madera, and Tulare.
(h) "Tribal organization" means an Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, or a tribal agency authorized by a tribe, which is recognized as eligible for special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians and is identified on pages 52829 to 52835, inclusive, of Number 250 of Volume 53 (December 29, 1988) of the Federal Register, as that list may be updated or amended from time to time.
Back to top
Conservancy Program Areas
33320. There is in the Resources Agency the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, which is created as a state agency to do all of the following, working in collaboration and cooperation with local governments and interested parties:
(a) Provide increased opportunities for tourism and recreation.
(b) Protect, conserve, and restore the region's physical, cultural, archaeological, historical, and living resources.
(c) Aid in the preservation of working landscapes.
(d) Reduce the risk of natural disasters, such as wildfires.
(e) Protect and improve water and air quality.
(f) Assist the regional economy through the operation of the conservancy's program.
(g) Identify the highest priority projects and initiatives for which funding is needed.
(h) Undertake efforts to enhance public use and enjoyment of lands owned by the public.
(i) Support efforts that advance both environmental preservation and the economic well-being of Sierra residents in a complementary manner.
The Board
33321. (a) The board shall consist of 13 voting members and three nonvoting liaison advisers, appointed or designated as follows:
(1) The 13 voting members of the board shall consist of all of the following:
(A) The Secretary of the Resources Agency, or his or her designee.
(B) The Director of Finance, or his or her designee.
(C) Three public members appointed by the Governor, who are not elected officials, to represent statewide interests.
(D) One public member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, who is not an elected official, to represent statewide interests.
(E) One public member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, who is not an elected official, to represent statewide interests.
(F) One member for each of the six subregions who shall be a member of the board of supervisors of a county located within that subregion, and whose supervisorial district shall be at least partially contained within the Sierra Nevada Region. Each member shall be selected by the counties within that subregion, according to the following procedure:
(i) Each county board of supervisors within a subregion shall select a member of their board to determine, with the selected members of the other counties in the subregion, which member of a board of supervisors within the subregion shall be appointed as a member of the conservancy board. An alternate may be appointed. The appointed member and any alternate shall have at least part of his or her supervisorial district within the subregion.
(ii) The initial appointment of a member for each subregion shall be made no later than 60 days after the effective date of this division. A subsequent appointment to a regular term on the board shall be made before the date specified in Section 33322 for the commencement of that term. A vacancy occurring before the end of a term shall be filled for the remainder of the term within 60 days of the vacancy.
(iii) If the boards of supervisors of the subregion do not appoint a member to the board within the timeframe specified in clause
(ii), the Governor shall appoint one of the supervisors selected in clause
(i) to serve as the board member for the subregion.
(2) The three nonvoting liaison advisers who serve in an advisory, nonvoting capacity shall consist of all of the following:
(A) One representative of the National Park Service, designated by the United States Secretary of the Interior.
(B) One representative of the United States Forest Service, designated by the United States Secretary of Agriculture.
(C) One representative of the United States Bureau of Land Management, designated by the United States Secretary of the Interior.
(b) Appointing powers shall seek to include individuals from a breadth of backgrounds.
(c) Two members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and two members of the Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, shall meet with the conservancy and participate in its activities to the extent that such participation is not incompatible with their respective positions as Members of the Legislature.
33322. Members and alternates, if any, shall serve terms as follows:
(a) The members appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (C) to (E), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 33321 shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing power.
(b) The members and alternates, if any, appointed under subparagraph (F) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 33321 shall serve, as follows:
(1) Members and alternates in the north Sierra subregion, the central Sierra subregion, and the east Sierra subregion shall have terms beginning on January 1 in an odd-numbered year and ending on December 31 of the following even-numbered year. All terms shall be for two years.
(2) Members and alternates in the north central Sierra subregion, the south central Sierra subregion, and the south Sierra subregion shall have terms beginning on January 1 in an even-numbered year and ending on December 31 in the following odd-numbered year. Members and alternates who are initially appointed to the board shall serve for a one-year term for the first year. Subsequent terms shall be for two years.
(c) No member of the board, whose appointment to the board was contingent upon meeting a condition of eligibility under this division, shall serve beyond the time when the member ceases to meet that condition.
33323. (a) The voting members appointed or designated under paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 33321 who are not state employees shall be compensated for attending meetings of the conservancy at the rate of one hundred dollars ($100) per scheduled meeting day.
(b) All members of the board shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in attending meetings of the conservancy and carrying out the duties of their office.
33324. Annually, the voting members of the board shall elect from among the voting members a chairperson and vice-chairperson, and other officers as necessary. If the office of the chairperson or vice-chairperson becomes vacant, a new chairperson or vice-chairperson shall be elected by the voting members of the board to serve for the remainder of the term.
33325. (a) Seven members of the voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the conservancy. The board shall not transact the business of the conservancy if a quorum is not present at the time a vote is taken. A decision of the board requires an affirmative vote of seven of the voting members, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.
(b) The board shall adopt rules, regulations, and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy.
(c) The voting members of the board appointed or designated pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 33321 and the nonvoting advisers selected pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision
(a) of Section 33321, shall have the right to attend all meetings of the board, including closed sessions.
33326. The board may establish advisory boards or committees, hold community meetings, and engage in public outreach using advanced forms of technology, in order to facilitate the decision making process. Members of advisory boards or committees may be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, that they incur in attending regular meetings of the advisory board or committee of which they are a member.
33327. The board shall establish and maintain a headquarters office within the region. The conservancy may rent or own real and personal property and equipment pursuant to applicable statutes and regulations.
33328. The board shall determine the qualifications of, and shall appoint, an executive officer of the conservancy, who shall be exempt from civil service. The board shall employ other staff as necessary to execute the powers and functions provided for under this division.
33329. The board may enter into contracts with private entities and public agencies to procure consulting and other services necessary to achieve the purposes of this division.
33330. The conservancy's expenses for support and administration may be paid from the conservancy's operating budget and any other funding sources available to the conservancy.
33331. The board shall conduct business in accordance with the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
33332. The board shall hold its regular meetings within, or near, the region.
33333. On or after January 1, 2006, the board shall post agendas for each board meeting on the Internet.
Jurisdiction and Cooperation
33340. The conservancy's jurisdiction is limited to the Sierra Nevada Region.
33341. The conservancy shall carry out projects and activities to further the purposes of this division throughout the region. The board shall make every effort to ensure that, over time, conservancy funding and other efforts are spread equitably across each of the various subregions and among the stated goal areas, with adequate allowance for the variability of costs associated with individual regions and types of projects.
33342. In carrying out this division, the conservancy shall cooperate with and consult with the city or county where a grant is proposed or an interest in real property is proposed to be acquired; and shall, as necessary or appropriate, coordinate its efforts with other state agencies, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Resources Agency. The conservancy shall, as necessary and appropriate, cooperate and consult with a public water system that owns or operates facilities, including lands appurtenant thereto, where a grant is proposed or an interest in land is proposed to be acquired.
Grants and Loans
33343. (a) The conservancy may make grants or loans to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and tribal organizations in order to carry out the purposes of this division, including grants or loans provided to acquire an interest in real property, including a fee interest in that property. Grant or loan funds shall be disbursed to a recipient entity only after the entity has entered into an agreement with the conservancy, on the terms and conditions specified by the conservancy. After approving a grant, the conservancy may assist the grantee in carrying out the purposes of the grant.
(b) When awarding grants or making loans pursuant to this division, the conservancy may require repayment of those funds on the terms and conditions it deems appropriate. Proceeds from the repayment or reimbursement of amounts granted or loaned by the conservancy shall be deposited in the fund.
(c) An entity applying for a grant from the conservancy to acquire an interest in real property shall specify all of the following in the grant application:
(1) The intended use of the property.
(2) The manner in which the land will be managed.
(3) How the cost of ongoing management will be funded.
33344. In the case of a grant of funds to a nonprofit organization or tribal organization to acquire an interest in real property, including, but not limited to, a fee interest, the agreement between the conservancy and the recipient nonprofit organization shall require all of the following:
(a) The purchase price of an interest in real property acquired by the nonprofit organization shall not exceed fair market value as established by an appraisal approved by the conservancy.
(b) The terms under which the interest in real property is acquired shall be subject to the conservancy's approval.
(c) An interest in real property to be acquired under the grant shall not be used as security for a debt unless the conservancy approves the transaction.
(d) The transfer of an interest in the real property shall be subject to approval of the conservancy, and a new agreement sufficient to protect the public interest shall be entered into between the conservancy and the transferee.
(e) A deed or instrument by which the nonprofit organization acquires an interest in real property under the grant shall include a power of termination on the part of the state, subject to the requirements of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 885.010) of Title 5 of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Civil Code. The deed or instrument shall provide that the state may exercise the power of termination by notice in the event of the nonprofit organization's violation of the purpose of the grant through breach of a material term or condition thereof, and that, upon recordation of the notice, full title to the interest in real property identified in the notice shall immediately vest in the state, or in another public agency or a nonprofit organization designated by the conservancy to which the state conveys or has conveyed its interest. (f) A deed or instrument by which the nonprofit organization acquires an interest in real property under the grant shall provide that the conveyance is subject to a remainder interest vested in the state. If the existence of the nonprofit organization is terminated for any reason, the conservancy may require that the remainder shall become a present interest and that full title to the real property shall vest in the state, or in another public agency or a nonprofit organization designated by the conservancy to which the state conveys or has conveyed its interest.
Back to top
Miscellaneous Program Provisions
33345. The conservancy shall adopt guidelines setting priorities and criteria for projects and programs, based upon its assessment of program requirements, institutional capabilities, and funding needs throughout the region, and federal, state, and local plans, including general plans, recreation plans, urban water management plans, and groundwater management plans. As part of the process of developing guidelines for projects and programs, the conservancy shall undertake and facilitate a strategic program planning process involving meetings and workshops within each of the subregions, with the purpose of formulating strategic program objectives and priorities within that subregion. The strategic program shall be updated regularly, at least once every five years.
33346. (a) The conservancy may expend funds and award grants and loans to facilitate collaborative planning efforts and to develop projects and programs that are designed to further the purposes of this division.
(b) The conservancy may provide and make available technical information, expertise, and other nonfinancial assistance to public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and tribal organizations, to support program and project development and implementation.
(c) The recipient of a grant or loan provided by the conservancy pursuant to this division for the acquisition of real property shall provide for the management of the real property to be acquired as specified in the grant agreement.
33346.5. The conservancy may apply for and receive grants to carry out the purposes of this division.
Interests in Real Property
33347. (a) The conservancy may acquire from willing sellers or transferors, an interest in any real property, in order to carry out the purposes of this division. However, the conservancy shall not acquire a fee interest in real property by purchase.
(b) The acquisition of an interest in real property under this section is not subject to the Property Acquisition Law (Part 11 (commencing with Section 15850) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), unless the value of the interest exceeds two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per lot or parcel, as adjusted for annual changes to the Consumer Price Index for the State of California, as calculated by the Department of Finance. However, the conservancy may request the State Public Works Board to review and approve specific acquisitions.
(c) The conservancy shall not exercise the power of eminent domain.
33348. Notwithstanding Section 11005.2 of the Government Code or any other provision of law, the conservancy may lease, rent, sell, exchange, or otherwise transfer, an interest, option, or contractual right in real property, as well as a vested right severable therefrom, that has been acquired under this division, to a person or entity, subject to terms and conditions in furtherance of the conservancy's purposes.
33349. (a) The conservancy shall take whatever actions are reasonably necessary and incidental to the management of lands or interests in lands under its ownership or control, and may initiate, negotiate, and participate in agreements for the management of those lands or interests with public agencies or private individuals or entities.
(b) The conservancy may improve, restore, or enhance lands for the purpose of protecting the natural environment, improving public enjoyment of or public access to public lands, or to otherwise meet the objectives of this division, and may carry out the planning and design of those improvements or other measures.
(c) The conservancy may enter into an agreement with a public agency, nonprofit organization, or private entity, for the construction, management, or maintenance of facilities authorized by the conservancy.
Back to top
Funding and Expenditures
33350. The conservancy shall make an annual report to the Legislature and to the Secretary of the Resources Agency regarding expenditures, land management costs, and administrative costs.
33351. The conservancy may expend funds under this division to conduct research and monitoring in connection with development and implementation of the program administered under this division.
33352. (a) The conservancy may receive gifts, donations, bequests, devises, subventions, grants, rents, royalties, and other assistance and funds from public and private sources.
(b) Except as provided in Section 33347, the conservancy may receive an interest in real or personal property through transfer, succession, or other mode of acquisition generally recognized by law.
(c) All funds or income received by the conservancy shall be deposited in the fund for expenditure for the purposes of this division.
33353. The conservancy may fix and collect a fee for a direct service it renders, provided the service is rendered at the request of the individual or entity receiving the service. The amount of a fee shall not exceed the conservancy's reasonable costs and expenses of providing the service rendered. All fees received by the conservancy shall be deposited in the fund for expenditure for the purposes of this division.
33354. Proceeds from a lease, rental, sale, exchange, or transfer of an interest or option in real property, and all other income, shall be deposited in the fund for expenditure for the purposes of this division.
33355. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, only for the purposes of this division.
Powers not Granted
33356. Nothing in this division grants to the conservancy:
(a) Any of the powers of a city or county to regulate land use.
(b) Any powers to regulate any activities on land, except as the owner of an interest in the land, or pursuant to an agreement with, or a license or grant of management authority from, the owner of an interest in the land.
(c) Any powers over water rights held by others.
Back to top


text:
Most people rarely engage with life insurers after purchasing a policy, aside from making billing inquiries or updating contact information. With customer interactions so infrequent, insurers cannot be customer-centric, especially by the standards of today's always-on digital landscape.
They face a compensation value proposition dilemma. Carriers cannot afford to pay out more claims to increase customer interactions. But without more interactions, higher cross-sell rates, product and relationship stickiness—even relevancy itself—are at risk. So is growth. With connected wellness, insurers can improve frequency and quality of customer interactions to cultivate more meaningful customer relationships that touch people's daily lives.READ THE REPORT [PDF]


text:
Skip to Content
A high quality, academically rigorous ESOL program conveniently located at UW Bothell. More than just tips and tricks in the classroom, the UW Bothell ESOL program provides you with an opportunity to understand the students in your classroom and the other people around you who come from homes where English is not the primary language. Students must earn a minimum grade of 2.5 in both B EDUC 541 and B EDUC 542 in order to be recommended for the ESOL endorsement.
The program began with the creation of guiding principles for working with ESOL students developed by a team of faculty and staff at UW Bothell. Educators at any level in any role will benefit from the program curriculum; however, certified Washington State teachers in any endorsement area may earn an ESOL endorsement upon successful completion of all the coursework.
The curriculum for the ESOL Program at UW Bothell is comprised of four (4) courses for a total of 20 credits. Any graduate level student may take one or more of these courses, however, check course description first for prerequisites. Students planning to add an ESOL endorsement to an existing Washington State teaching certificate are required to take all four of the courses.
Click here to review the Degree Requirements for all M.Ed. Students.
All courses are aligned with the Washington State ESOL Endorsement Core Competencies and delve beyond the State ESOL requirements to the issues and opportunities of working with students with limited English language proficiency.
Those students planning to add an ESOL Endorsement to their existing Washington State Teacher Certification, must pass a standardize exam required by Washington State in order to be declared Highly Qualified in the area of English to Speakers of Other Languages. The WEST-E English Language Learners test is designed to measure knowledge of specific ESOL content. Students are advised to wait to take the WEST-E until they have completed most of the coursework in the ESOL program.
B EDUC 541 Second Language Acquisition, Bilingual Education, and the Structure of English (5 cr)
Topics include research, practice, and connections between language, literacy, cultural traditions, identity and education in preparation for teaching ESOLs in general education or classes specifically for ESOLs.
B EDUC 542 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in ESOL (5 cr)
(Prerequisite: 541, or instructor permission)
Develop curriculum, instruction, and assessment based on theories of teaching and learning specific to English language learners. Includes how ESOL centered curriculum can be incorporated in the general education classroom through specific subject areas and in classes designed specifically for ESOLs.
B EDUC 543 Practicum in ESOL (5 cr)
(Prerequisite: 542)
Students demonstrate knowledge of ESOL practices and theories in a K-12 classroom setting that includes students demonstrating a range of ESOL levels. Please fill out the ESOL Practicum Planning Information for K-12 Teachers at least two quarters before taking B EDUC 543.
B EDUC 544 Leadership and Program Level Assessment in ESOL (5 cr)
Presents the historical and political context of bilingual education in the U.S., legal issues relevant to educating English language learners, professional leadership, and assessment of ESOLProgram quality.
*OSPI report to the legislature (Dec. 2012) "Education English Language Learners in Washington 2011-2012"
**Working, certified teachers, with ESOL students in their classroom and a certified ELL teacher onsite who can mentor the candidate, may complete the Practicum requirements at their worksite.
Submit a Program Interest Form
Michele Graaff
M.Ed. Advisor
ESOL Completion Checklist


text:
Language Arts, History, Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts
Explore the art of Georgia O'Keeffe. Hear stories about her life, inspirations, and set-backs, as well as the unexpected rise to fame of this beloved American artist.
This program may be made available on another date by request.
Registration is required. Email email@example.com or call 817.989.5032 for more information.


text:
Baja SAE competition returns to PSU
Thursday, December 5, 2013 2:00 AM
Pittsburg, KS
Officials from Pittsburg State University and the City of Pittsburg gathered on Thursday to announce that PSU will once again host Baja SAE – Kansas. The event, which will draw thousands of competitors from across the U.S. and numerous other countries, is set for May 22-25, 2014.
"We are very excited to once again host this important event," said PSU President Steve Scott. "Hosting Baja SAE – Kansas allows us to showcase our university and our community for visitors from around the world. The fact that PSU was chosen to host the event just three years after hosting it for the first time is a testament to the strong spirit of cooperation between the university and the community."
Baja SAE consists of competitions that simulate real-world engineering design projects and their related challenges. Engineering students are tasked with designing and building an off-road vehicle that will survive the severe punishment of rough terrain. The competition involves designing, planning and manufacturing.
Students must function as a team to not only design, build, test, promote, and race a vehicle within the limits of the rules, but also to generate financial support for their project and manage their educational priorities.
Trent Lindbloom and Bob Schroer, both assistant professors in Automotive Technology, are coordinating the event.
"The cap for the competition is 100 teams," Lindbloom said, "and we quickly reached that number through online registration. There are about 16 teams on a waiting list, in case someone drops out."
The teams registered include universities from across the U.S. as well as teams from Egypt, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Argentina, Venezuela, Bangladesh and India.
Teams from the U.S. include Arizona State University, Auburn, Baylor, Clemson, Michigan State, Northwestern, Penn State, University of Alabama, University of Illinois, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, University of Tennessee and the University of Virginia. Pitt State's entry, Gorilla I, carries the nickname of "Dorothy."
Lindbloom said the competition is expected to bring more than 1,100 competitors, along with friends and spectators to Pittsburg.
"Crawford County, the City of Pittsburg and the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and are excited to partner with PSU to bring Baja SAE – Kansas back to Pittsburg," said B.J. Harris, director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The benefits of having so many visitors in our community are obvious and we're confident that those who come here will find it welcoming and a wonderful place to spend some time."
Lindbloom said the support of the community was one of the reasons Baja SAE returned to PSU.
"One of the things that impressed them most (Baja SAE officials) was the community and how them made the competitors feel welcome," Lindbloom said. "When the teams came into town, they saw welcome messages marquees and signs along Broadway. That's not the case in many cities where the competitions are held."
Lindbloom said officials were also impressed with how well organized the 2011 event was.
"We were the first to ever live-stream the endurance event," Lindbloom said. "That made it possible for friends and family to watch the competition live from anywhere around the world."
The four-hour endurance competition, held on a course built by PSU east of the Bicknell Sports Complex, is a brutal test for the vehicles. This year, Lindbloom said, PSU is tweaking the endurance course to make it even better for spectators.
"We're making some slight changes in the course so that nearly all of it will be viewable for the spectators," Lindbloom said.
Although the competition is still six months away, Lindbloom said, there is plenty of work to do.
"Right now is the important time for a lot of organization and planning," Lindbloom said. "We're lining up local sponsors and that's critical to the success of the event."
He said anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can contact him at 620-235-4198.
For more information on Baja SAE – Kansas, visit pittstate.edu/info/baja2014


text: Thank you for an amazing PegaWorld 2019 Watch replays PegaWorld brings together the biggest brands on the planet – including the experts who build and use Pega's game-changing software – for real talk about the transformative power of tech. Whether you want to revolutionize customer engagement or work smarter with automation (or both!), join us and thousands of fellow leaders and transform your future. 80+ Sessions 5,000+ Attendees 700+ Organizations Boston Convention & Exhibition Center May 31 – June 3, 2020 Join our email list for updates on next year's event Sign up Thank you to our sponsors Titanium Diamond See all sponsors


text:
March 18, 2008
By Roey Gilberg
As China's relevance on the international stage continues to grow, many around the world are taking notice. On Friday, February 29th UCLA Anderson turned its own focus squarely to the burgeoning superpower as well, as it played host to the 2nd annual Wilbur K. Woo Greater China Business Conference.
Endowed by Mr. Woo, Vice Chairman Emeritus of Cathay Bank and Cathay Bancorp, Inc., this year's conference was titled, "Engine for Growth: The China/California Connection." The event explored the various opportunities Greater China's economic emergence presents to California's businesses, entrepreneurs and industries in general.
The day kicked off with Anderson's own Dean Judy D. Olian, as she offered welcoming remarks and introduced the keynote speaker, Clarence Kwan. Kwan, National Managing Partner for the Chinese Services Group of Deloitte & Touche LLP, presented a plethora of facts and figures demonstrating various aspects of business in China, recommending that in order to fulfill any sort of long term vision, "you have to have a good fact-based analysis." Referring to China as a global "game-changer," he said that he was imparting the data so that everyone could draw conclusions as to how they themselves can become game-changers, "In the shadow of this huge giant, China."
He closed his remarks by offering several "rules" for doing business in China, mixing salient advice with light-hearted humor. He recommended that those in particular who are bilingual should, "learn when to be Chinese, and when to be American ... if you just act like you're Chinese, they're going to eat you up."
With Kwan's words in mind, the conference dispersed into two concurrent panel discussions -- one focused on the topic of investment in China, and the other concerning the future of Chinese mass entertainment and how Hollywood fits in.
The latter panel was moderated by Lora Chen, vice president of business development for the environmentally-oriented media organization Common Ground. Julia Jenks, senior director of global strategy for the Motion Picture Association of America touched on one of the running themes of the entire conference when she said that the Chinese entertainment market is "equal parts massive potential, equal parts challenges."
Among the challenges discussed were digital piracy, censorship, and non-competitive practices by the Chinese government. Perhaps the most significant such policy the government has imposed is a per year quota of twenty American films to be played in Chinese movie theaters. As Stanley Rosen, director of the East Asian Studies Center at the University of Southern California put it, "It's not a true market in the sense that the market is being administered by bureaucrats."
However, "the demand for the entertainment is definitely there," said Carol Choi, vice president/general manager of Greater China for Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Victor Gao, chief of staff for Yahoo's Media Division, suggested that the internet, as an outlet for original content distribution, is the future. "The internet has instant reach, and it's a massive reach," he said.
Panelists also discussed the various difficulties of getting Chinese content to resonate in America. Teddy Zee, president and co-founder of the production company Ironpond, suggested that the West is so used to martial arts films that it is not receptive to Chinese films "unless there's a kick and a chop." Rosen sardonically added, "For an American audience, see a movie with subtitles is like doing homework."
After lunch the conference gathered for a CEO exchange featuring Iris Lin, founder and CEO of Trinity International Industries LLC, Inc. and Charles Woo, co-founder and CEO of Megatoys, Inc., and moderated by "Felix" Zhongxun Guo, a morning show host on KAZN AM 1300 Chinese Radio. With Guo's congenial attitude and humorous interjections contributing to a more personal setting, Lin and Woo chatted about a wide range of topics, from the development of their own businesses, to the current presidential campaign, to how they give back to their communities.
The conference then broke into the final two discussion panels -- one on real estate in China, and one on how young professionals can go about embarking on China-related careers. During the latter, moderated by Associate Press investigative reporter Justin Pritchard, the audience was treated to a wealth of advice as to how to take advantage of the Chinese economic boom.
Adam Schorr, a partner with Margolis & Tisman LLP, reminded everyone to be conscious of the cultural differences one might experience in China. He illustrated with an anecdote of going to see a Woody Allen film in a packed Chinese theater, and recalling how not one person laughed throughout the entire film.
The most common theme touched upon was the importance of building relationships with people. Robert Hills, Partner for Deloitte Consulting, emphasized that understanding the culture and becoming familiar with the language are important aspects of building such relationships. Stacy Sun, partner with Global China Ventures, urged spectators to "stay current, and be eager to learn."
Perhaps Clifton Chang, Regional Manager-Asia Pacific for Johnston & Johnston, summed up the entire event when he said, "Right now, China is the Wild West."
For one Friday afternoon, UCLA Anderson was the frontier.