text: Minutes of the regular meeting of Tuesday, May 7, 2002 (As approved June 4, 2002) The San Francisco Public Library Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2002 in the Koret Auditorium, Main Library. President Higueras called the meeting to order at 4:02PM. The following members were noted present: Commissioners Bautista, Higueras, Steiman, and Swig. Commissioner Chin was excused attendance. Commissioner Coulter's arrival was expected to be delayed. Commissioner Streets joined the meeting at 4:04PM. AGENDA ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 2, 2002 MINUTES Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 2, 2002 MINUTES: Mr. Ed Regan found his comments accurately reported. Commission comment on AGENDA ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 2, 2002 MINUTES: MOTION: by Commissioner Bautista, seconded by Commissioner Steiman for approval of the Minutes of April 2, 2002. ACTION: AYE 5-0 (Bautista, Higueras, Steiman, Streets, and Swig) Commissioner Coulter joined the meeting at 4:11PM. AGENDA ITEM #2 CITY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT City Librarian Susan Hildreth gave the Commissioners a brief report concerning her participation in the federal Legislative Lobbying Day activities in Washington, DC noting that she had called on Senator Feinstein and Representative Pelosi in support of renewal of the funding for the LSTA (Library Services Technology Act). The City Librarian reported on recent events at the Library including the inauguration of San Francisco's third Poet Laureate, the Guild of Book Workers "Best of the Best" Exhibit in the Library's Jewett Gallery, and an exhibit of the design charrette panels that would be traveling to the Bayview, Richmond, and Marina Branches during May, June, and July. The City Librarian next briefly outlined the newly formulated procedures and form (copy attached) for library staff responding to public records requests. Ms. Hildreth then reported on upcoming public meetings for the new Mission Bay Branch at PacBell Park on May 9 and for Glen Park on June 11th. Please note: Copies of Commission Minutes and handouts are available in the Office of the Commission Secretary, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #2 CITY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT: An anonymous member of the public commented that the new public records request procedures were a series of hoops that the public must surmount to gain information and that they were inconsistent with the Public Records Act and the Sunshine Ordinance's requirement to bend over backwards to make public records requests as easy as possible. Commission comment on AGENDA ITEM #2 CITY LIBRARIAN'S REPORT: Vice President Steiman noted that the public records procedures seemed to mirror those used by the Board of Supervisors. Deputy City Attorney Catharine Barnes reported that the purpose of these guidelines was to make it easy for everyone to understand the process to obtain documents and provide equal access to obtaining records. In response to a question by President Higueras, the City Librarian proposed to post the procedures and a copy of the request form on the Library website. Commissioner Streets suggested that copies of the public records request procedures and form be made available to users on the Main Library's first floor. AGENDA ITEM #3 BRANCH LIBRARY NAMING POLICY Deputy City Attorney Catharine Barnes gave a brief presentation outlining the latest changes (copy attached) that she had made in revising the Naming Policy. Ms. Hildreth noted that the existing Naming Policy had been adopted prior to revision of the City Charter and that the new City Charter gave authority to the Board of Supervisors to name city buildings Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #3 BRANCH LIBRARY NAMING POLICY: An anonymous member of the public commented that while the Library Commission lacked final authority over naming that they had the responsibility to take the lead on this issue noting that this was the Commission's third discussion of this matter. This person found the suggestion that those requesting a name change be asked to pay for it inappropriate and commented that they opposed naming libraries for individuals under any circumstance. Mr. Ed Regan spoke in favor of naming facilities for living people after gaining their permission citing the recent name change of Kezar Stadium and that the branch name should also include the nearby street intersection to help people locate the branch. Rev. Roland Gordon, Pastor of the Ingleside Presbyterian Church, read a brief poem that spoke to his opposition to any requirement that honorees be deceased, suggesting that many outstanding living people were worthy of recognition. Rev. Gordon cited his own renewed commitment after his church's fellowship hall had been named in his honor and that many people in the community felt Mayor Brown's leadership in making the new Ocean View Library possible merited recognition by naming it in his honor. Commission comment on AGENDA ITEM #3 BRANCH LIBRARY NAMING POLICY: Commissioner Coulter noted that he disliked the term "Branch Naming Policy" noting that there were many library facilities where honorific recognition might be considered, Commissioner Coulter suggested a one-year rather than a five-year period after someone had died to consider honoring them. Commissioner Coulter additionally noted potential problems and risks inherent in naming public facilities for a living person. The City Librarian reported that the likely costs of a name change would not be significant. Following a discussion among the Commissioners it was proposed that the policy be called the Library Facilities Naming Policy. It was also the consensus of the Commission that individuals so honored be deceased at least one year to allow time for appropriate reflection on their contributions, and that service to the Library be the principle determinate of eligibility. At the suggestion of President Higueras a requirement for a meeting at the branch to be named to gather neighborhood comment and identify a community consensus favoring the naming prior to the Commission considering any action was added. It was noted that should some very generous individual offer to pay the cost of building a branch that consideration could be given to naming it in their honor. In addition, it was the sense of the Commission that, unless waived by the Commission, all costs associated with the renaming should be borne by those proposing the change. Several refinements to the proposed procedures were discussed. Deputy City Attorney Barnes proposed to incorporate these changes and bring back a further revised policy for the Commission's consideration. AGENDA ITEM #4 LIBRARY 2002/03 BUDGET UPDATE Mr. George Nichols, Library Finance Director provided the Commissioners with a detailed status report on recent developments regarding the overall city budget and revenue picture as well as an update concerning the impact on the Library of the projected General Fund short fall. The Library Finance Director described the new ways in which the Board of Supervisors had organized itself to address the budget and reported on the April 11th and April 23rd meetings where the Library had made presentations on its budget. Mr. Nichols then outlined each of the next steps in the budget approval process. Mr. Nichols also highlighted the significance of the Controller's May 1st 9 month report of increases in property tax based Prop. E (Library Preservation Fund) revenues accruing to the Library in this fiscal year and briefly discussed revenue projections for next year. Mr. Nichols reported that there would be no reductions in the Library's Budget. The Library's Finance Director reported that in view of the Library's revenue situation the Mayor's Budget Office had agreed to consider increases in the proposed budget prior to its June 1st release. Mr. Nichols identified these as anticipated increased funds for public copying and printing to offset increased costs resulting from the termination and replacement of the Pinnacle Contract. Mr. Nichols also reported that the Mayor's Budget Office was considering adding funds for the purchase of a new delivery truck as well. Mr. Nichols further noted that an additional $250,000 was proposed to be added to the book budget. The Library Finance Director observed that while the City faced serious budget difficulties, the Library was in good shape, with losses in General Fund revenues more than offset by increases in property tax based revenues. Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #4 2002/03 BUDGET UPDATE: An anonymous member of the public commented on the library budget related committee meetings held by the Board of Supervisors and noted good questions and comments by Supervisors Maxwell and Peskin as well as interesting answers to their questions. This person noted that Supervisor Peskin had questioned a lack of previous year's performance figures for the Library. Commission comment on AGENDA ITEM #4 2002/02 BUDGET UPDATE: In response to questions by Commissioner Streets, Mr. Nichols described how the new Xerox Contract was being negotiated after it became clear that Pinnacle was not going to be able to provide public copying and printing services called for in their contract. Deputy City Librarian Paul Underwood described the termination process for the Pinnacle contract following a May 1st notice of default. The Deputy City Librarian then reported that the new Xerox Contract would make available a new type of digital copier that required less maintenance and provided better service that had not been available when the Pinnacle contract was negotiated. The City Librarian outlined the history of the Library's efforts during the past five years to maintain public copying and printing services. In response to Commissioner's questions, Ms. Hildreth reported that there would be a phased in transition to new debit cards. President Higueras expressed satisfaction that the Library had been able to avoid having to make budget cuts and in response to his questions Mr. Nichols described the sources of the increased property tax revenues and the methods used by the Controller's Office in preparing their estimates. In answer to additional questions by President Higueras, Ms. Hildreth and Mr. Nichols reported on details of the Supervisors' discussions of the Library Budget. Ms. Hildreth noted that Supervisor Peskin had raised questions concerning performance figures with many city departments not just the Library and that the Supervisor's concerns seemed to have been addressed. The City Librarian and the Finance Director noted that neither the Board's Office of the Legislative Analyst nor the Board's Budget Analyst had so far raised any questions concerning the proposed budget. Mr. Nichols suggested that it appeared unlikely that there would be any reductions in the Library Budget by the Supervisors due to revenue concerns but that they could make changes as a result of policy decisions. In response to a question by Commissioners Streets and Bautista, Mr. Nichols noted that the as the Library Commission had submitted its budget that the next steps were in the hands of the Mayor's Budget Office and that discussions were ongoing concerning the proposed augmentations. Ms. Hildreth proposed to report back to the Commission in regarding the status of any proposed changes. AGENDA ITEM #5 BALIS SAB REPORT Ms. Deborah Doyle, the BALIS (Bay Area Library Information System) Advisory Board Representative, made a report to the Commission concerning its activities during her term in office (copy attached) since she was appointed in June 2000. Ms. Doyle provided a background and overview of what the Bay Area's cooperative public library system does to provide services to member public libraries under the authority of the California Library Services Board. The BALIS Representative provided an update on recent issues addressed by the citizens advisory board including: development of a system plan for services focused on helping under served communities, addressing technology issues, and how to pool resources; efforts to share information on Prop. 14 (State library Bond); and developing ways libraries can work together to share and use resources. Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #5 BALIS SAB REPORT: An anonymous member of the public commented that they were gratified to hear the report, noting that they had long been interested in and had attended many Advisory Board meetings. The anonymous member of the public observed that in the past the designated representatives had often not attended and that the work of the Advisory Board tended to get buried. The anonymous member of the public recalled only one previous report and that while this board was tranquil it was not insignificant providing different jurisdictions opportunity to share information. This person also commented that its meetings were open to the public. Commission comment on AGENDA ITEM #5 BALIS SAB REPORT: Commissioner Coulter and President Higueras commended Ms. Doyle for her hard work and dedicated service as San Francisco's representative on BALIS. Commissioner Bautista was glad to learn more about BALIS. President Higueras suggested that Ms. Doyle make two annual reports to the Commission concerning BALIS activities. AGENDA ITEM #6 FRIENDS AND FOUNDATION REPORT Martín Gómez Executive Director of the Friends & Foundation provided the Commissioners with updates on the recent Library Laureates Dinner, reporting $230,000 raised, and the annual Library support grants, this year amounting to $485,263. Mr. Gómez also noted that the Friends and Foundation were underwriters of the Poet Laureate programs and annual Effie Lee Morris Lecture. Mr. Gómez informed the Commissioners that the San Francisco 49ers had made a commitment to support the Library's Summer Reading Program and that local movie theatres had agreed to run public service announcements about Summer Reading. Mr. Gómez informed the Commissioners that the Friends and Foundation had hired Ms. Kathy Bella as its new Chief Development Officer. AGENDA ITEM #7 LABOR UNION REPORT Not offered. AGENDA ITEM #8 NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Bautista requested a progress report on the Excelsior Branch Prop. 14 application. President Higueras requested a report on Library safety and security issues. Public comment on AGENDA ITEM # 8 NEW BUSINESS: An anonymous member of the public commented on their understanding of an unspoken agreement on public comment rights. This individual then commented on the availability of the full Prop. 14 Application document, concerning a lack of prior public comment on the application, and the precedent set by how the Commission addressed it. AGENDA ITEM #9 PUBLIC COMMENT Mr. Ed Regan suggested that Library public service hours be expanded from 6AM until Midnight 7 days per week. An anonymous member of the public expanded upon previous comments concerning the Commission's adjournment of its last meeting in honor of the late Ms. Annette McNear. This person commented that Ms. McNear had been a grassroots librarian who had worked for many years for the Library. This individual felt Ms. McNear had been subjected to abuse by the Library Commission and the Library. This anonymous member of the public commented that they believed Ms. McNear had been a martyr. AGENDA ITEM #10 ADJOURNMENT MOTION: by Commissioner Coulter, seconded by Commissioner Bautista that the meeting be adjourned. ACTION: AYE 5-0 (Bautista, Chin, Higueras, Steiman, and Streets) The meeting was adjourned at 6:37PM. Please note: Copies of Commission Minutes and handouts are available in the Office of the Commission Secretary, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 Copies of Public Comment Summary Statements as authorized by San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.16 can be found in Appendix A. These summary statements are provided by the speaker and their contents are neither generated by, nor subject to approval or verification of accuracy by, the San Francisco Public Library Commission. The number of members of the public who spoke anonymously at this meeting. 1 Michael Housh, Commission Secretary 6/5/02 Minutes of the regular Commission Meeting of May 7, 2002 Appendix A The Public Comment Summary Statements included in these Minutes are authorized by San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.16.. These summary statements are provided by the speaker. Their contents are neither generated by, nor subject to approval or verification of accuracy by, the San Francisco Public Library Commission. The number of members of the public who spoke anonymously at this meeting. 1 Public Comment available for viewing in pdf format.


text:
Never Lose That Bookmark
The moment you see an interesting website, you save it to your bookmarks for future reference.
Thus, with time, you have created a huge list of favorites that�s not just long but is spread across different places like Firefox, delicious, Google Bookmarks, Opera, etc.
Though backing up favorites is easy but are they worth anything if the underlying web page changes or disappears off the web completely ?
You definitely don�t want to miss access to all these food recipes that you have painstakingly collected on the Internet over the past couple of months.
Now you could either save web page manually using these web clipping tools or a much better option is Iterasi - they have come up with a very elegant solution where you just have to upload a file containing all browser bookmarks and they handle the rest while you take a coffee break.
Iterasi create an archive of all web pages associated with your bookmarks and saves them permanently into your account so you always have access to all your favorite content. And the price is perfect - $0.
There�s some more - Iterasi can also archive different versions of your favorite web pages as they change over time. For instance, if you CNN is your favorite website, you can do a "Daily" check and a new copy will be uploaded to your account each day so you can see changes across time.
Iterasi can either accept your local browser bookmarks or you can pass your del.icio.us credentials and it will fetch all your online bookmarks. For this to work with other online bookmark service like Yahoo! Bookmarks, ma.gnolia, Windows Live Favorites, etc - you�ll have to first export them local in the standard bookmark format.
If you ever used bookmarks to save links, this is definitely something your should not miss. Available on both Mac and Windows version of Iterasi.
Related CRM Comparison Articles
Go Channels!
Read more about Go Channels!...
How long should your employee performance review t
Read more about How long should your employee performance review take?...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Team Fortress 2 Gets Mac Release, New Training Mode, Half-Off Discount and Free Weekend
It's all part of what Valve's calling "The Mac Update" to the colorful multiplayer affair. In addition, those that play Team Fortress 2 on Mac before Monday, June 13 will get a "free limited edition set of in-game earbuds."
Don't be fooled by the naming of "The Mac Update," as everything it brings--short of being able to earn in-game earbuds--is likewise available on Team Fortress 2 PC. In fact, those that already own Team Fortress 2 PC will be able to download it on Mac for free, with both platforms using the same servers so that everyone can play together.
Team Fortress 2 Patch Notes
- Added Mac support.
- Overhauled the main menu, and added help to Loadout, Backpack, and Crafting screens.
- Added Training, with support for General gameplay & Soldier class training for now.
- Added Offline Practice mode, with support for KOTH maps and Dustbowl.
- The "Open Character Loadout" key will now go to your future class if you've requested a class change, but haven't respawned yet.
- Community Requests
- Added "mp_forceautoteam", a server convar that forces all joining players to autoteam.
- Added "mp_stalemate_meleeonly", a server convar that allows melee weapons only during stalemates.
- Added "ExtinguishPlayer" input to tf_player for map makers.
From The Chatty


text:
304 Rebecca Lane
Lewisville, TX 75067
Estimated payment ∕month**
Customize your monthly payment
Sq Ft
New in 2019 Stonebrook Builders Introduces a Unique Over 55 Active Community* Conveniently Located with Amazing Amenities These Craftsman Styled Condos Feature two Bedrooms with Study Options, Garages and Iron Fences. Gated Entrance and Perimeter Fence. HOA lncludes Exterior Maintenance, Landscaping and Mowing. Truly a Lock and Leave Lifestyle. Homeowners will Enjoy the Walking Trails, Community Center, Private Pool, Putting Green, Doggie Park and Bocce Ball Court. A Variety of Floorplans Which Can be Customized. All Plans will be ADA Compliant and offer Options for Smart Home Technologies. Extensive Energy Saving Features include 16 SEER HVAC Systems and Low E Windows. Certified Green Built Texas Homes. Rare Find Today!
Barry Buchanan
AssociateEbby Halliday, Realtors Rockwall/Heath/Lake Ray Hubbard Office
(214)632-5268Contact Me
Additional Property Details
Homeowners Association (HOA)
Lot & Land
*Note: All room dimensions, including square footage data, are approximate and must be verified by the buyer.
The information contained herein is furnished by the owner to the best of his/her knowledge, but is subject to verification by the purchaser, and agent assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof. The sale offering is made subject to errors, omissions, change of price, prior sale, or withdrawal without notice. In accordance with the Law, this property is offered without respect to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, familial status or disability. This is not intended to solicit property currently listed.
**Assumes 4.25% APR, 20% down payment, and conventional 30-year fixed rate first mortgage. Rates cited are for instructional purposes only; current rates are subject to change at any time without notice. You should not make any decisions based simply on the information provided. Additional required amounts such as taxes, insurance, home owner association dues, assessments, mortgage insurance premiums, flood insurance or other such required payments should also be considered. Contact your mortgage company for current rates and additional information.Listing Agent:Lesa Stuart
Broker:Ebby Halliday, REALTORS-Frisco
Safety Rating
Commute to Work
School Districts
Results received from this calculator are designed for comparative purposes only, and accuracy is not guaranteed.
(877) 275-1762Alex.Parker@
PHMLoans.com Visit Our Website
When you decide to buy a home or refinance your mortgage, your search should start and end here. At Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC, we strive to create an extraordinary customer experience through the efforts of knowledgeable and caring mortgage professionals where relationships are valued, and the focus is on treating every client as if they were the only client. Choose a lender you can trust to find the mortgage loan that best suits your needs.
4 Beds 3 Baths 2,291 Sq Ft
1312 College Pa... Lewisville, TX 75077
$249,000 Reduced
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,706 Sq Ft
1241 College Pa... Lewisville, TX 75077
$255,000 Reduced
4 Beds 2 Baths 2,197 Sq Ft
1357 Forestglen... Lewisville, TX 75067
$224,900 Reduced
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,598 Sq Ft
1413 Cherry Hil... Lewisville, TX 75067
$234,900 Reduced
4 Beds 2 Baths 2,012 Sq FtNew!
1409 College Pa... Lewisville, TX 75077
$244,900 Reduced
4 Beds 2 Baths 2,148 Sq Ft


text:
We have found 1 companies of
Garden Centers
20602 Laramie Rd
65584, Saint robert (Missouri)
flower removal in Hammond (Indiana, 13-08-2015) I need someone to come tear out a lot of overgrown weeds and flowers from my yard. It has sat for over a year without work due to it being in probate before I...
Yard Cleanup in rockvile (Maryland, 08-08-2015) Garden bed weeded, shrubs removed, tree trimmed, vines on fence removed, mulching
Lawn mowed in Westwood (Massachusetts, 30-07-2015) I just left message to have my lawn mowed at 15 Pheasant Hill St, Westwood, Mass, later today or tomorrow. My number is -5 Thanks. Kevin
Citiservi Lawn Care Discount Coupon
Wheather you just get your law cut or have a complete lawn care package, with Citiserve....
For free
8% discount for prepaid yearly lawn program.


text:
A CHP is a process that a complainant can use to resolve their issue. The CHP should comply with the Rules and must include a redress mechanism that is approved by the Regulatory Board. Please note that the 2007 rules have changed in that there must be free redress available to consumers.
Please see the Complaints Handling Procedure Helpsheet and Approved Redress Mechanisms sheet.


text:
Mens Seiko Sportura Kinetic Watch SRG005P2
Sorry, this product is now discontinued and is no longer available.
We Price Match!Seen it cheaper?
This mens Seiko Sportura watch features a high-impact design, with a stainless steel case, black dial and broad leather strap. The watch has a day and date function and kinetic movement.
This watch is supplied with:
- check Official Seiko presentation box
- check Official Seiko guarantee
- check Instruction manual (where applicable)
This product can be shipped to:
- UK (United Kingdom)
- EU (European Union)
Share this product
Should you find any item not to your liking, simply return the unwanted item(s) to us using the enclosed returns form and your purchase will be refunded in full. We assure you of a smooth, easy, and zero hassle returns procedure if you change your mind for any reason. Please note that earrings and other items of body jewellery cannot be returned for refund as unwanted items in the interests of hygiene. Currently, refunds are processed in an average of 2 days after receipt (Live statistic)
FREE Click & Collect for orders over £25.00 from any mainland participating partner showrooms* (excluding airports and orders paid for by PayPal or Interest Free Credit). For more information on our new Click & Collect scheme please see this link (*UK only)
Own this item? Click here to write a review
Other independent review sources
There are no reviews for this product yet. Be the first to add a review for it.
The Seiko brand has been synonymous with precision watch engineering for over a century, with a series of firsts including the first production quartz watch, quartz chronograph and kinetic watch. Seiko today produces a range of accurate, stylish watches for every occasion, maintaining the original reputation for excellence and reliability for men and women. In fact, the accuracy of Seiko has led to the brand being the official timekeepers for various professional sporting events. The Seiko timepiece collection features the iconic logo across a multitude of designs, from chunky masculine watches to futuristic technological designs, slim and delicate ladies' bands to sparkling fashion pieces and much more. For a watch that guarantees accuracy for everyday use to a gorgeous yet practical occasion accessory, Seiko's attractive designs will complete your look no matter what your personal taste or style. Combining reliability and precision with style is second nature to Seiko. Founded in 1881, the brand's name is synonymous with quality and their timepiece collection includes a variety of fetching designs for men and women of all tastes. The men's range includes classic silver pieces that can be worn every day, as well as chunky, solar powered chronographs in sleek black, or even finished with a striking brown leather strap. For women, dainty, fuss-free designs in silver sit alongside more striking pieces, featuring two-tone steel and gold, as well as sparkling diamond finishes that befit their iconic logo.
Watch Shop is an authorised Seiko stockist.
This is an authorized SEIKO Internet Site. We offer you the same high quality service on our website as we offer at our retail premises.
Love Seiko?
Sign up to receive email updates when new styles of Seiko are added to Watch Shop!


text:
Earn Your Business Degree Online
Best Online Colleges
Online College Courses
Online Business Degree
Business Administration Degree
Online Business School
Online Business Degree Programs
Business Management Degree Online
Business Degree
Online Business school
Choosing a college is a very big life decisions that will decide your future in many ways. Today there are a lot of academic options available, traditional colleges, online colleges, or a hybrid of both.
The goal of earnyourbusinessdegreeonline.com is to help you collect the knowledge and skills you need in order to get a success in your carrier.
We provide helpful and practice information about fulfill an online degree programs. We also provide additional important info about university ranking, salary information, related jobs, and more.


text:
A nun Greenpeace volunteer waves a pinwheel as other volunteers march for Renewable Energy at the CCP Complex in Pasay City on 27 November 2010. Greenpeace is calling on President Benigno Simeon Aquino to commit to shift to 50% renewable energy by 2020 in the country.
© ©Greenpeace / Alanag Torraalba
1 - 12 of 2507 results.
Follow @gpph


text:
Radical Left Reshaping Face Of Politics In Greece
Greece's leftist leader says his party will not seek to leave the Eurozone if it wins next month's parliamentary elections. Alexis Tsipras, who heads the Coalition of the Radical Left, called on France and Germany to stand in solidarity with the Greek people and to "stop their policy of austerity." Robert Siegel talks with Euclid Tsakalotos, the left's top economic adviser and economic professor at the University of Athens.
Greece holds parliamentary elections next month because the elections earlier this month failed to produce a governing coalition. The two big parties that had signed on to Europe's austerity terms no longer account for a majority of the seats in parliament. The big new player, coming in second was the Coalition of the Radical Left, or Syriza, which opposes Europe's terms for a bailout, but says Greece should continue to use the euro.
Euclid Tsakalotos is a top economic advisor to the coalition leader, Alexis Tsipras. He's an economics professor at the University of Athens. And Mr. Tsakalotos joins us now from Athens. Welcome to the program.
EUCLID TSAKALOTOS: Thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be with you.
SIEGEL: Greeks say they want to remain in the eurozone, your party says Greece should remain in the eurozone, German Chancellor Merkel says Greece should remain in the eurozone, but you remain very far apart on terms for Greek doing so. At this point, should Greece be making contingency plans at least for dropping out or being forced out of the eurozone, and using its own currency again?
TSAKALOTOS: Well, before we get to contingency plans, I think we should try to change what's been going on in Europe for the last two or three years. The continuation of a vicious cycle of austerity measures leading to recession, leading to calls for new austerity measures doesn't seem to be working in Greece. It doesn't seem to be working in Spain or Portugal and Italy. And the Greek people have said that austerity can't be the answer.
SIEGEL: Can you imagine a European solution that would be a mix of some economic stimulus or some debt forgiveness from the E.U., but still include compliance with the cuts in the minimum wage, public payrolls, and other public spending that the last Greek government agreed to?
TSAKALOTOS: I think the euro is in desperate trouble. No fixed exchange rate system can last at long period of recession, stagnation and lack of growth. Eventually peoples will react. Eventually people will say there must be a different way and that is the beginning of the end of the fixed exchange rate system. So either Europe will change direction or the eurozone will collapse - and we don't welcome that.
SIEGEL: But most of the solutions that are proposed, including eurozone-wide Eurobonds, say, would amount to German taxpayers - by accepting to pay much higher interest rates - picking up much more of the tab for all of southern Europe. Angela Merkel's party, speaking of elections, has been losing them these days because German voters think that they're already paying more than their fair share for Europe.
What do you say to their democratic realities?
TSAKALOTOS: If there was a breakup of the eurozone and there was a larger Deutsche Mark zone, then that Deutsche Mark would be severely appreciated. And the impressive export performance of the German economy would dwindle very rapidly. I mean, the United States is a monetary union. If Mississippi is in desperate trouble, then funds from the federal budget go to Mississippi. And not only that but the bonds that paid for that help are paid from people from California, from New York, from Vermont and so on.
Now, most economists think that a monetary union is not viable without a proper central bank, without some kind of fiscal federalism, and it's not viable without economic policies being carried out according to European-wide conditions and not the conditions that are currently held in Germany. Everybody wins something and loses something from a monetary union.
In the period running up to this crisis, where the current account deficits were in Spain and Italy and Greece, where we were buying German goods and also the Germans were gaining by lending us the money to finance our current account deficit.
SIEGEL: But one reality of fiscal federalism in the United States is that while, yes, the U.S. borrows nationwide, so do the states, but Mississippi has to balance its budget. And that's in effect what they've been telling you - you'd better get your fiscal house in order in Greece.
TSAKALOTOS: But there's two issues there. We can look at fiscal rules, if we have fiscal federalism but were not in normal circumstances. We're in moments of recession. This is what Hoover said in America in the early '30s, that in a recession you should balance the budget. And everything we've learned since then and in the experience after 2008, that when you're in a recession is not the time to be thinking about balancing the books.
I would say to the German people that we are not really demanding much more than they gained in 1953 when their debt problem was dealt with by the great powers. And they reached an agreement not only to have a Marshall Plan to get the economy going, but also that German people would pay back their debt according to economic conditions. What does that mean?
That in periods when there was greater growth they would pay back more. And in periods or in years that they had less good performance, they paid back less.
SIEGEL: Germans point to some pretty recent history. When West Germany absorbed the broken economy of East Germany, the whole country paid for it in stagnant incomes for several years. They say, look, we suffered - you've got a broken economy now, you've got to pay for it. It may mean suffering. What do you say to them?
TSAKALOTOS: Well, I'd say I would remind German people of a different episode in their history. In 1918, Keynes said to the great powers - to America, to France and Britain - don't bring Germany to her knees. If you insist on reparations, if you insist on pain, then what you'll have is a Germany that is defeated; a Germany whose economy is in tatters and that will lead to problems. And Keynes was right.
In the 1920s and '30s, we had recession. We had hyperinflation. We had vast unemployment and, as you know, that led to fascism and to war. So we have a lot to learn from history. And the major lesson of history is you don't bring an economy to its knees to help it. It's not good for that economy and it's not good for you.
SIEGEL: Well, Professor Tsakalotos, thank you very much for talking with us.
TSAKALOTOS: Thank you very much.
SIEGEL: Euclid Tsakalotos is an economic adviser to the coalition of Alexis Tsipras, leader of the Coalition of the Radical Left in Greece.
Copyright © 2012 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio record.


text:
Our Talmage Cellars wines are exclusively available for label personalization. Please see below for information on the current Talmage Cellars varietal offerings. For a listing of Personalized Wine Cases and Half-Cases, please go here. For a listing of our Personalized Boxed Gift options, please go here.
Talmage Cellars California Cabernet Sauvignon
Our Talmage Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon is a young and powerful 2017 vintage. From its rich, dark color; flavors of black currant, blackberry and black cherry are revealed. The aromatic characters of this wine primarily consist of dark fruit but toasted oak, black pepper and earthy notes are also present. This Cabernet Sauvignon showcases bold, juicy tannins from start to finish. This wine shows its true colors by coating the entire surface of the mouth with these elegant tannins. This Cabernet is extremely well-balanced and possesses great length. Pair it with a wide range of dishes such as pork tenderloin, grilled chicken, roast beef or game meat. Enjoy it with the featured recipe: Spicy Teryaki-Marinated Flank Steak with Grilled Peaches.
Talmage Cellars California Merlot
Our Talmage Cellars California Merlot displays red fruit aromas of raspberry and strawberry. There are also interesting flavors that develop, such as smoked meat and bacon. These flavors come from toasted oak barrels. This dry wine showcases nice, lengthy tannins. This wine is a classic representation of a great Merlot: easygoing and charming with a good amount of tannins and a long lasting, lingering finish. This Merlot is very versatile and can be enjoyed with pasta dishes such as lasagna, grilled tuna fish, chicken or roasted pork loin. Try it with the featured recipe: Garlic & Herb Roasted Chicken and Vegetables.
Talmage Cellars 2016 California Chardonnay
This wine provides aromas of yellow flowers, such as daffodil, with ripe pear, Gala Apple and grapefruit notes also present. The attack in the mouth is quite clean and round for a dry wine. This wine was fermented in stainless-steel tanks, which provided great acidity and a balanced overall body. Citrus components such as lemon and lime make this wine very crisp and refreshing. The finish has hints of toasted oak. The compact body of this Chardonnay makes it a great accompaniment for grilled fish, seafood or a cheese platter. Enjoy it with the featured recipe: Baked Lemon Herb Salmon.
Talmage Cellars California Semi-Seco Sparkling
This Talmage California Semi Seco-Sparkling Wine has aromas of pear, hazelnut and caramel with hints of orange and anise. The flavors are fizzy and sweet with good acidity and a pleasant medium weight on the palate. This wine has a long sweet finish with tons of fruit and the type of acidity that goes with anything. Enjoy this wine with sushi, strawberries dipped in chocolate, Thai food or light cheeses such as fresh mozzarella. Try it with Red Curried Chicken, or enjoy it all by itself!


text:
Each week a nutritionist from the University of Maryland Medical Center provides a guest post to The Baltimore Sun's health blog Picture of Health (baltimoresun.com/pictureofhealth), which is printed here. This week, Karen Kolowski weighs in on genetically modified foods.
Organic, free-range, grass-fed — you need a dictionary just to get around the grocery store aisles these days. Products are being designed to better fit into our expanding society — items that grow faster, last longer on the shelf or are more productive. Some of these can occur naturally by cross-breeding similar species, but more commonly this happens inside the lab with scientists rearranging the genetic material. Genetically modified organisms or genetically engineered products are usually plant foods in which their molecular biology has been changed in ways that would not naturally occur in the environment.
Genetically modified foods have been enhanced so that they are more tolerant to weather changes, more resistant to pests and fortified with nutrients not naturally found in the organisms. The two most common traits incorporated into plants are a tolerance for herbicides and an insecticide that is now inside the plant, rather than being sprayed on it. The seeds are then marketed and sold with the expectation that they are going to produce better, stronger, more nutritious food, without the need to spray as many chemicals on the crop. Per the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the most commonly planted genetically modified crops in the U.S. since 2003 are soybeans, cotton and corn. Foods that are genetically engineered or contain products that are genetically engineered do not have to be labeled for the consumer.
These designer foods are regulated by three government agencies: the USDA, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. Each of these agencies is required to conduct tests to ensure that the product is safe for humans and the environment.
The USDA regulates the field-testing of the seeds and their possible environmental impact. The EPA works with the genetically modified organisms that incorporate insecticides, fungicides and pesticides to try to ensure that there will be no environmental damage and that they are safe for human consumption. The FDA regulates genetically modified food and makes sure that they are safe to consume.
The most common concerns are allergic allergic reactions. Proteins cause allergic reactions, and to genetically modify a food product, proteins are moved from one food to another. For the majority of genetically modified crops, commonly known allergens are not used in genetic transfer. The FDA, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization have developed new tests for genetically modified foods. Currently, no allergic effects have been discovered with genetically modified products on the market.
In this day and age, shoppers need to be informed about what they're eating. Understanding the reasoning for genetically modified foods, which crops are most likely to be genetically modified, and the possible outcomes that can occur can be difficult to grasp. More information can be found at: http://www.USDA.gov http://www.FDA.gov http://www.EPA.gov.


text:
Tablet Adoption at Work
The State of Tablet Adoption at Work is a new infographic from VentureBeat.com. It's interesting that the infographic itself was sponsored by Lenovo and Qualcomm, but included as part of a VentureBeat article. You can find the original version here at TabletsAtWork.com
Since the debut of Apple's iPad in Jan. 2010, the integration of tablet devices into our lives and work has progressed rapidly — so fast that it's sometimes hard to put in perspective how quickly got here. The exclusively obtained infographic below breaks down how far workforce adoption of tablet technology has come — and where it's headed. (The graphic was sponsored by Lenovo and Qualcomm.)
I love the clean, professional design look. I really like the color scheme and the mixed bag of visualization styles; grid of icons, treemap, stacked bar, line chart, etc.
Only a couple of design issues about this one I would improve.
I'm willing to let 16 tablet icons represent 16.1 Million tablets shipped in 2010 (rounding), but why only 144 tablets shown to represent 147.2 Million? That was just the designer wanting a clean, square visual that breaks the actual data visualization.
The line chart showing 134% increase in shipments powered by Android and Windows is way out of scale. It's visualizing something close to a 900% increase.
At the bottom there should be a copyright statement and the URL to the original infographic landing page so people can find the full high-resolution version.
Found on the Inside Flipboard feed in Flipboard for iPad.


text:
Healing talk
Bruce Bower described efforts to bring mental health services to the poor in developing nations, especially in times of war, in "Heal thy neighbor" (SN: 12/14/13, p. 22).
"We will have to come forward and join hands to help these people," Dee Baig said on the Science News website. "The idea that the famous poet Saadi described in the following lines more than 700 years ago is as relevant today as it was then: 'If one member is afflicted with pain, other members uneasy will remain. If you have no sympathy for human pain, the name of human you cannot retain.' "
Putting it all in perspective
Readers have lately taken us to task for not indicating the sizes of objects in photographs and diagrams.


text:
2 Can't-Miss Events in February 2014: Beer and Wine & Chocolate Festivals
The Big Brew NY Beer Festival takes over the Westchester County Center in White Plains on February 8, while Mahopac hosts the Hudson Valley Wine & Chocolate Festival the next day
Book cover courtesy of Storey Publishing
It's February, that time of year when a beer drinker's thoughts turn to... chocolate? "I'll usually get a surprised reaction when I talk about pairing beer with chocolate," says Mary Ann Reis. "People look at you a bit suspiciously and say, 'I thought you paired wine with chocolate.' "
It's a whole new frontier out there, folks. That's why Reis's New Jersey-based company, 2 Chicks with Chocolate, will be presenting a special Chocolate and Beer Pairing at the Big Brew NY Beer Festival on February 8 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. "People traditionally wanted to think about having beer with bratwurst, but things have changed."
Reis notes that people who have not previously been beer drinkers can often be eased into appreciating a good ale with the help of chocolate. The pairings can be of several variations — including using chocolate beer. "There are different ways of doing a chocolate stout," she says. "Some actually have chocolate in them, and some just create a chocolate flavor with hops. One of my favorite things to pair with a chocolate beer is a raspberry ganache. At a Christmas party this year, I took Lambic cherry beer and mixed it with a chocolate stout and served it to some friends of mine. Some of the people who were not beer drinkers really liked it."
Of course, chocolate is just one part of this new festival, a spin-off of the Big Brew Beer events that have been held in New Jersey for several years. More than 100 craft breweries from around the globe — including local favorites Peekskill and Defiant brewing companies — will be serving up samples, and VIP ticket holders can indulge in a beer-infused buffet with a menu designed by award-winning craft beer writer John Holl, the author of The American Craft Beer Cookbook. Holl will be on hand to discuss food and beer pairings with VIP guests. "Take, for example, a steak on the grill," says Holl. "It gets a really nice char on it, then you have the caramelization of the fat and a litle bit of the carbon black along with it. I would say that a porter or a brown ale would go really well with this; the sweetness in the beer would really contrast nicely with some of the savory juices that come off of the meat. But if you add a Gorgonzola sauce on top — then you need a beer that is a little more assertive, like an IPA that can really cut through the flavors of the cheese. It's really all about ways to either complement or contrast."
Holl believes that events like these are a natural extension of the craft beer craze. "People are really starting to notice that there are more than the beers they grew up with on the shelves these days. People are interested in the stories behind the beer, interested in finding out about the process, and just interested in trying out all these different types of beer."
Tickets are available online at www.bigbrewny.com through Feb. 8: VIP $80; general admission $50; designated driver $10. At the door: VIP $90; general admission $60; DD $15.
Photograph by Lara Ferroni. Used with permission of Storey Publishing
The Hudson Valley Wine & Chocolate Festival rolls into town on February 9, just in time to stock up on supplies for Valentine's Day. Hosted by the Brewster-based organization Partners with PARC, the festival features regional wineries, craft beer and liquors, holiday craft vendors, and of course a bevy of chocolate items and confections. And all proceeds support area residents with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.
Putnam County Golf Course, Mahopac; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Attendees must be 21 or older. For more information, visit www.hvwineandchocolate.com.
» Visit our Beer Guide
» Find a brewery or beer seller
» More from The First Draft beer blog


text:
Subscribe To Read Julian Assange's Letter To Benedict Cumberbatch Calling The Fifth Estate A 'Wretched Film' Updates
I've already subscribed
"I believe you are a good person, but I do not believe that this film is a good film."
That's what Julian Assange had to say about The Fifth Estate way back in January, when Benedict Cumberbatch contacted him and asked to meet with Assange before playing him in the film about the controversial Wikileaks founder. Assange, who has been vocally opposed to the project since the very beginning, had no problem dismissing the film sight unseen. And when The Fifth Estate premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September, critics agreed with him. Cumberbatch is a good person who everyone still likes. But The Fifth Estate, according to many who have seen it, is not a good movie.
That doesn't mean it's not fascinating, though, to watch Assange continue to deal with the film's existence, and do his best in his own punkish way to undermine the movie's version of his story. Last month Wikileaks leaked the full script for the film and pointed out what they call its many inaccuracies. Today Assange has published on Wikileaks the full letter he wrote to Cumberbatch back in January, turning down the actor's request to meet and imploring him to step away from the film entirely. It's a pretty dramatic response. Here's a snippet:
You will be used, as a hired gun, to assume the appearance of the truth in order to assassinate it. To present me as someone morally compromised and to place me in a falsified history. To create a work, not of fiction, but of debased truth.
Assange, more than most people on the planet, has good reason to be paranoid-- he is indeed a wanted man, he has indeed tangled with powerful forces within the United States government, and he is feared by many powerful organizations with the weapons and knowledge to wipe him out entirely. And sure, The Fifth Estate is produced by Disney, one of the few corporations as powerful and potentially terrifying as the U.S. government itself. But the verdict is still out on whether The Fifth Estate will actually be an effective tool of propaganda against Wikileaks-- based on the middling reviews so far it seems more likely to be received as straining Oscar bait, and have far less impact than what Wikileaks itself has done.
The Fifth Estate opens next weekend, which will give us all a chance to test our own opinions against Julian Assange, film critic.


text:
3M Steals Viral Image Idea To Avoid Licensing It
There is probably nothing more pathetic in the world of marketing than watching a big corporation try to do something "viral"—usually they end up looking like Elaine dancing. But sometimes, they're so cynical and soulless about it that they don't just come across as incompetent, but as exploitative cheapskates as well. In 3M's case, they wouldn't pay $2,000 to license a well-known photo with its own viral history, and instead recreated a fake version of it to save a grand. We guess they're just hoping none of the sites and communities that made the photo popular in the first place will notice. Oh wait, this is supposed to be viral or something…
Melanie at All About Content has the entire story, from the original office prank that went viral thanks to sites like Digg and BoingBoing, to 3M's attempt to appropriate it, to their shabby treatment of the owner of the photo and their subsequent workaround.
Michelle, the "eMarketing Supervisor" who was negotiating with Scott, comes across as particuarly disingenuous in her email to him:
We were quoted about $750-$1000 to shoot our own, but if you could allow us to use yours on a couple in-store displays for 6 months within that range, we could arrange for that instead.
Really, Michelle?
Only two displays throughout the entire country? Are you a really bad eMarketing manager, or lying to Scott about how much you'd use the photo? [We think mmmsoap makes a good point about how this was probably meant.]
We guess what's most offensive about this is 3M can surely afford to pay a legitimate licensing fee to the owner of the photo, which would have also served as a goodwill gesture to the community that most likely gave it the campaign idea to begin with. As Melanie puts it in her article:
But let's pretend the legality of this move wasn't even a question for now, and focus on this: Social media marketing campaigns rely on the social media community to carry them. As a marketer, you have to respect the community and its members. Ripping off community members and then turning around and asking that same community to generate buzz for your campaign is just ballsy… or stupid.
The irony: The YouTube contest rules say "Remember, creativity and true brilliance will get you noticed."
Is that part of the rules, or a threat from 3M?
"3M Carjacks the Post-It Note Jaguar" [All About Content] (Thanks to Craig!)
(Photos: 3M display and original Post-It car by Scott Ableman)
Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.


text:
One of the great inventions of our time — in terms of its social impact and influence on the health care and food preservation industries — refrigeration equipment is everywhere, from hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and hospitals to homes, vehicles, and wherever large amounts of electronic equipment are housed (such as telecom hubs and Internet servers). As with all mechanical/electrical systems, there is always the possibility of malfunction. In many cases, it's the electrician who is tasked with making an initial diagnosis and/or repair. Armed with a basic knowledge of refrigeration systems, an electrician often can service this type of machinery, saving the facility the expense of outsourcing.
However, that doesn't mean you should even think about breaking open the refrigerant circuit, unless you are licensed to do so. The license to handle refrigerant is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency on a federal level. The focus is not on a person's ability to troubleshoot and repair refrigeration equipment, but rather on competency in handling refrigerant so it doesn't escape into the atmosphere and subsequently damage the ozone layer and/or contribute to global warming. As you can imagine, fines for working without a license in this area are very high.
Keeping your cool
Generally, the initial complaint with a refrigeration system is that the temperature is too low or too high. If it's too low, you need to adjust the thermostat. The idea is to tweak it slightly and then check back in about an hour. If the temperature is too high, check to see if the compressor is running. If it is, then the problem is probably ice buildup on the evaporator. You can remedy this situation by shutting the compressor down until the ice melts or — if time is of the essence — removing the ice with a heat gun or handheld propane torch, making sure you don't overheat the aluminum fins or any nearby wiring/components. Several factors can cause the evaporator to ice up, including leaving the door open, a worn door gasket, excessive ambient humidity, or failure of the defrost cycle timer. If the compressor is not working — and fails to come on when you adjust the thermostat — then a little more advanced knowledge and troubleshooting skills are required.
Let's take a look at a typical walk-in refrigeration unit (Photo 1) to gain a better understanding of how these systems work. This particular unit consists of a well-insulated room with a heavy gasketed door with single-acting push hardware on the inside. High up near the opposite wall (hanging from the ceiling), one or more evaporators (Photo 2) are mounted. The cold refrigerant passes through this unit and goes back to the compressor located outside the walk-in via a low-pressure return line. The evaporator consists of pipe arranged in a flat coil configuration with cooling fins attached — quite similar to an automotive radiator. Other features include a fairly powerful electrical motor with a fan blade attached to the shaft, a sturdy guard to prevent injury, and a sheet metal shroud for further protection.
Located just before the evaporator is the diffuser valve. This device, which is the key to the whole mechanism, is equipped with a small orifice (size depends on type of refrigerant). This constriction of refrigerant causes an abrupt drop in pressure. Beyond the diffuser valve, a given quantity of refrigerant occupies a much greater volume so that the temperature drops suddenly.
On the wall behind the evaporator is a thermostat (calibrated in degrees), which is adjustable by means of a hand knob or screwdriver. A high cut-in and low cut-out (opposite of a heating system) exist so the machine won't cycle excessively. Next to the thermostat is a wall switch, which controls power to the thermostat and then to an in-line solenoid valve just before the diffuser valve. The action of the switch or the thermostat deprives the solenoid valve of power, causing it to stop the flow of refrigerant in the high-pressure line.
The thermostat could control the compressor by means of a low-voltage line back to the motor; however, a more elegant solution is employed instead. When the solenoid valve shuts off, an increase in pressure is detected at the compressor, and a high-pressure sensor shuts it down immediately, thus controlling the function without the need of any wiring run back to the compressor.
The compressor and condenser are located some distance away, frequently in a basement directly below or sometimes in a compressor room (Photo 3), along with other similar units connected to other walk-in or reach-in coolers.
Making the call
Although under certain circumstances it's possible for you, as the electrician, to troubleshoot refrigeration equipment, you must decide whether or not a refrigeration technician should be called in for backup. Let's take a look at some practical tips, along with a little background, that will help you make that decision.
Years ago, compressors were belt driven. Refrigerant leakage around the input shaft was a constant problem, which was solved by putting the pump and motor inside a hermetically sealed housing with no external shaft. Most units made today use this design — in which they are immersed in oil and are not repairable. Many hermetically sealed units have no provision for checking, adding, or changing the oil. Because there is no combustion, the oil does not require changing. Because there is no external shaft, leakage is not an ordinary occurrence either. Typically, they run for quite a few years before needing replacement. If and when they do, remember this changeout is a job for a licensed refrigeration technician, because it involves opening the refrigerant circuit and capturing the old refrigerant for recycling purposes or proper disposal.
It's normal for a compressor/motor assembly to run hot to the touch — a derivative of Boyle's Law at work, not the motor overheating. Similarly, the compressor makes a distinctive knocking sound in normal operation, a consequence of the compression process. If this sound becomes abnormally loud, it means the end is near.
For a single-phase 240V unit, there is a start winding and a run winding, both submersed in refrigerant and electrically independent of each other — except that single legs of each winding are joined inside the hermetic enclosure to form a common wire. Besides economy, the purpose for this configuration is so there will be only three sealed holes instead of four; therefore, there's less chance of leakage. (Note: Larger units are 3-phase, and start windings are not required.)
There are two refrigerant lines connected to the compressor — the larger of which is the low-pressure return line. Under normal operating conditions, it will remain cool (but not cold) to the touch. The smaller pipe (both of these are usually copper tubing) will be hot where it emerges from the compressor. It goes to the condenser, which can be air-cooled or water-cooled. Air-cooled condensers work like an automotive radiator. There is a pipe matrix with cooling fins and a well-guarded fan that directs air through the assembly to get rid of the excess heat. Where the high-pressure pipe emerges from the condenser, it will be close to room temperature. Water-cooled condensers are even better. The high-pressure line emerging from this type of heat exchanger may actually feel cold to the touch, depending on the temperature of the water.
Surrounding these components is a plethora of electrical controls with many variations. The following comments are applicable for a typical single-phase, 240V setup. The whole thing is fairly easy to troubleshoot, especially if you have a schematic. If you don't, you must look over the equipment and try to understand the purpose of the system's various components.
Step by step
First, of course, you must look at the electrical supply, which travels from the entrance panel to a disconnect close by. If there are several compressors for separate walk-in and reach-in coolers, each should have its own disconnect.
If the compressor is not running, verify that both legs are energized at the disconnect output. Next will be a timer, the purpose of which is to shut down the compressor so that the evaporator can defrost. These timers can malfunction, causing the compressor not to run or keeping it from entering a defrost cycle.
If the timer has output so that both legs are energized but the compressor is still not running, then there are typically three additional controls capable of shutting down power to the compressor: high-pressure cutout, low-pressure cutout, and overtemperature cutout. The quick and dirty way to ascertain which, if any, of these is the culprit is to shunt them out individually. Because these devices have a protective function, it's more prudent to take voltage, current, and resistance measurements at appropriate points.
The overtemperature sensor is usually a round button sitting on the compressor adjacent to where the wires come out inside the terminal housing. The high- and low-pressure cutouts are contained within a single pressure switch that has two flexible copper tubes running to it — one from the compressor and one from the refrigerant piping. Because the points often stick, tapping lightly on the outside of the pressure switch may cause the compressor to take off, indicating a new pressure switch may be needed. A sight gauge in the refrigerant line also indicates if a recharge of the refrigerant is necessary.
If both legs are energized at the compressor terminal box, take ohm readings with wires unhooked. Neither start nor run should be open with respect to common or to each other, nor should they be shorted. The reading should be low ohms, depending on the horsepower of the motor. At megohm ranges, there should be good isolation between all three wires and the metal enclosure or any accessible equipment ground. If any of these tests yield unacceptable results, you must replace the pump/motor assembly.
Another cause for "failure to start" is bad capacitors. If the start or run capacitor is visually bad, (i.e., swollen or leaking oil), replacing it will likely solve the problem. Applying an ohmmeter, it should be neither open nor shorted. In a megohm range, the reading should gradually progress to a certain point as the ohmmeter battery charges the capacitor, then retreat to the starting point when leads are reversed. This "counting" action is necessary for a good capacitor but not a guarantee it will perform under full power. If in doubt, replace both capacitors with known good ones of the same values. If the relay will not pull in — even though all controls are positive — the coil may be weak or the points corroded, in which case replacement is appropriate.
Herres is a licensed master electrician in Stewartstown, N.H. He can be reached at [email protected].
Sidebar: NEC Compliance
Air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment is covered in Art. 440, which follows Art. 430 (Motors, Motor Circuits and Controllers). The requirements of Art. 440 presuppose knowledge of Art. 430, in addition to Chapters 1-3.
For a hermetic refrigerant motor compressor, sizing the disconnecting means, branch circuit conductors, controller, branch circuit, short circuit and ground fault protection, and separate motor overload protection is fairly straightforward. Use the rated-load current marked on the nameplate of the equipment. Where this value is not shown, go to the rated load current on the compressor nameplate. Where present, use the branch circuit selection current instead to size out disconnecting means, branch circuit conductors, controller and branch circuit short circuit and ground-fault protection. Use Chapter 3 tables to size conductors based on the above current values.
Proper grounding and bonding is essential, because unintended fault current could be carried from the compressor and condenser unit back to the evaporator via refrigerant piping, where a poorly grounded metal enclosure could become energized and be a hazard to individuals standing on a damp concrete floor.


text:
The American Civil War was fought in over 2,000 places, over a period of four terrible years. From April 1861, to the summer of 1865, friends fought friends, brothers fought brothers and cousins fought cousins. Very few families would escape, untouched by the war, with some families losing fathers, and sons.
In the course of four terrible years, over 620,000 Americans would be killed, from battlefield injuries, and disease, in this mighty scourge of war. At the Battle of Antietam, there would be close to 24,000 casualties, in one day - more than we lost at Normandy, in World War II. These numbers are amazing, when you consider that the entire population, of the U.S., at this time, was less than 31,500,000. In today's numbers, we would have to lose close to 6 million soldiers to match the level of killing we endured then. The efficiency of killing, was impacted by the improvement in weaponry during the middle of the 19th Century. While the weaponry was quickly advancing, the battlefield tactics were not keeping pace. We became very good at killing each other during this time.
During the war, the North would enjoy a significant numeric advantage in troops. Additionally, they would have more advanced weaponry and a better Navy. The South would benefit from more aggressive commanders, and would have the advantage of fighting to protect their "home and hearth," as most of the battles would be fought in the Confederate states. Unfortunately, neither army would take full advantage of their strengths, causing the war to drag on for four long years.
The purpose of this web site, is to raise awareness, of our country's history. If you take away a better understanding of our history, I will be well pleased. Additionally, this web site will allow you to see beautiful pictures of our most celebrated battlefields.
Michael Noirot
St. Louis, Missouri - USA
Home | Battlefields | Commanders | Store | Library | Links | Equipment | About | Contact


text:
by David Macy, Director of Mobile Product Marketing
Matthew Watkins was never good at soccer (um, football)
Today's guest blogger is Matthew Watkins. Check out his fantastic mobile art site @ http://www.fingerpainted.it/
Sometimes a tool is as much about what is left out of the release as it is what is included. The fundamental design of a hammer is unchanged over the centuries. You pick it up, it feels right in your hand, and it gets the job done. Adobe Ideas may not be a Swiss Army Knife app, but it's a hammer as far as sketching applications go.
I reach for it when I want to create in a hurry, when I want to quickly comp an idea. I was undecided at first I about the line correction, but the more I used it the more I realized that this is one of the main attractions of the app for me.
Adobe Ideas is a vector software, but without the complications of Bézier curves, anchor points and levers like the Inkpad app or Adobe Illustrator on the desktop; although you have a virtually unlimited canvas, great for presenting a concept. You have layers and the possibility of importing photos, and you have excellent export options. Adobe Ideas permits you to email the current Ideas screen visualization, if you are only interested in a particular element at iPad screen resolution in .png format, or you can email the whole sketch as an editable .PDF to be opened in Illustrator, or in Photoshop at the desired resolution and edit them as you prefer.
Artists and designers have never had so much creative power in their hands.
On a flight from London to Milan, in that awkward moment where they make me turn off my mobile devices, I started drawing a comic about my total incapacity for soccer as a child. After a couple of sketches the unfasten seatbelt light came on and I was curious to see just how different the creative experience would be drawing my comic on an iPad with Adobe Ideas. The result turned out to be entertaining for the person sitting beside me on the plane, and enlightening for me.
I found that even over the turbulence I could perfectly draw what I saw in my head, all in smooth snappy lines, different from the pen strokes. More finished, and more camera ready. I took advantage of the app's ability to create and manage colour palettes to sample some greys from a previous drawing.
So there you have it. After all these years, my soccer ability is perhaps even just a tad worse now, but I feel my creative capacity is undiminished, and that I have powerful new tools to help me get my job done.


text:
The Weekly Leading Index ( WLI) growth indicator of the Economic Cycle Research Institute ( ECRI) came in at -0.4 in today's public release of the data through March 16th. This is the tenth consecutive week of improvement (less negative) data for the Growth Index and the highest level (i.e., least negative) since August 12th of last year. The underlying WLI also improved, increasing from an adjusted 125.0 to 125.7 (see the fourth chart below).
The "Yo-Yo Years"
The big news this week is the ECRI public commentary posted yesterday (March 22) with the intriguing title The Yo-Yo Years. The commentary is a version of Lakshman Achuthan's presentation at the Bloomberg Sovereign Debt Conference in Frankfurt, Germany. The commentary is a must-read for anyone following the ECRI data.
Essentially Achuthan argues that we are entering an era of more frequent recessions as a result of two things: 1) declining economic trend growth and 2) increased cyclical volatility following the end of the Great Moderation (circa mid-1980s to 2007). The "we" in the sentence above is not only the US but also much of the developed world, especially Europe. Moreover, the idea of global "decoupling" is largely a myth because of the export dependence of most economies.
Particularly interesting is Achuthan's discussion of the Bullwhip Effect, "where small fluctuations in consumer demand growth get amplified up the supply chain into big swings in demand as we move away from the consumer." Achuthan goes on to explain the mechanics of amplification of the Bullwhip effect on more frequent recessions in developed countries to the countries that supply intermediate and crude goods.
Year-over-Year Growth in the WLI
Triggered by ECRI's recent commentary Why Our Recession Call Stands, I'm now focusing initially on the year-over-year growth of the WLI rather than ECRI's previously favored, and rather arcane, method of calculating the WLI growth series from the underlying WLI (see the endnote below). Specifically the chart immediately below is the year-over-year change in the 4-week moving average of the WLI.
As the chart above makes clear, the WLI YoY is currently at a lower level than at the starting month for five of the seven recessions during the published series. Of course, the same can be said for its interim YoY trough in 2010. In any case, the behavior of this indicator over the next quarter or so will be especially interesting to watch.
The History of ECRI's Recession Call
On September 30th, ECRI publicly announced that the U.S. is tipping into a recession, a call the Institute had announced to its private clients on September 21st. Here is an excerpt from the announcement:
For a close look at this movement of this index in recent months, here's a snapshot of the data since 2000.
Now let's step back and examine the complete series available to the public, which dates from 1967. ECRI's WLI growth metric has had a respectable record for forecasting recessions and rebounds therefrom. The next chart shows the correlation between the WLI, GDP and recessions.
A significant decline in the WLI has been a leading indicator for six of the seven recessions since the 1960s. It lagged one recession (1981-1982) by nine weeks. The WLI did turned negative 17 times when no recession followed, but 14 of those declines were only slightly negative (-0.1 to -2.4) and most of them reversed after relatively brief periods.
Three other three negatives were deeper declines. The Crash of 1987 took the Index negative for 34 weeks with a trough of -6.8. The Financial Crisis of 1998, which included the collapse of Long Term Capital Management, took the Index negative for 23 weeks with a trough of -4.5.
The third significant negative came near the bottom of the bear market of 2000-2002, about nine months after the brief recession of 2001. At the time, the WLI seemed to be signaling a double-dip recession, but the economy and market accelerated in tandem in the spring of 2003, and a recession was avoided.
The question had been whether the WLI decline that began in Q4 of 2009 was a leading indicator of a recession. The published index has never dropped to the -11.0 level in July 2010 without the onset of a recession. The deepest decline without a recession onset was in the Crash of 1987, when the index slipped to -6.8. ECRI's managing director correctly predicted that we would avoid a double dip. The positive GDP since the end of the last recession supports ECRI's stance.
The Certainty and Dramatic Language of ECRI's New Recession Call
What is particularly striking about ECRI's current recession call is the fervor and certainty of the language in the public press release:
Note the complete absence of wiggle room in the announcement, nor have there been any public communications from ECRI to qualify or soften its recession call. ECRI has put its credibility on the line. As I've said before, if the U.S. avoids a recession, ECRI's reputation will be permanently damaged.
A Look at the Underlying index
With the Growth Index showing so little change over the past several weeks, let's take a moment to look at the underlying Weekly Leading Index from which the Growth Index is calculated. The first chart below shows the index level.
For a better understanding of the relationship of the WLI level to recessions, the next chart shows the data series in terms of the percent of the previous peak. In other words, a new weekly high registers at 100%, with subsequent declines plotted accordingly.
As the chart above illustrates, only once has a recession occurred without the index level achieving a new high -- the two recessions, commonly referred to as a "double-dip," in the early 1980s. Our current level is 14.5% off the most recent high, which was set 4.7 years ago. The longest stretch between highs was about 5.2 years from February 1973 to April 1978. But the index level rose steadily from the trough at the end of the 1973-1975 recession to reach its new high in 1978. The pattern we're now witnessing is quite different.
Additional Recent Analysis
Here are some links to some useful articles for evaluating the substance of the ECRI's controversial recession call:
March 6: ECRI's Recession Call: "Is There Something Magic About 2 Percent?" Georg Vrba digs into ECRI's claims about the year-over-year growth rate of its indicators. March 3: The Elusive 2012 Recession: When Can We Expect It? Georg Vrba and Dwaine van Vuuren introduce the RecessionAlert.com website. February 21: Evaluating Popular Recession Indicators Georg Vrba offers a critique of three recession indicators, including ECRI's WLI and WLI Growth. February 17: No Wonder ECRI's Weekly Leading Index Data is Free Kishor Bhatia points out the remarkable similarity between the WLI and the S&P 500. February 14: Recession: Just How Much Warning is Useful Anyway? Dwaine van Vuuren questions the benefit of recession forecasts for portfolio management.
Earlier discussions of the ECRI recession call include these commentaries:
January 18: Why the Average Investor Is Bamboozled by Recession Forecasts by Jeff Miller. January 17: Further Improving the Use of the ECRI WLI by Dwaine van Vuuren and Georg Vrba) January 10: Using the ECRI WLI to Flag Recessions by Dwaine van Vuuren January 3: US Recession - An Opposing View by Dwaine van Vuuren.
Here is Dwaine's latest snapshot of the WLI, which should be studied in the context of his January 17 article with Georg Vrba:
Note: I update this chart weekly shortly after Dwaine posts his latest version.
With regard to the ECRI shift to YoY, Dwaine comments:
Another Source for Recession Forecasts
For a carefully researched and frequently updated alternative perspective on recession risk, see the Recession Alert website maintained by Sharenet and PowerStocks Research.
But What About the 3.0 Q4 GDP?
At the end of February the BEA posted its Second Estimate of 3.0 for Q4 GDP, up from 2.8 in the Advance Estimate a month earlier. This is definitely above the conventional view of the economy on the threshold of a recession. ECRI itself did not offer a specific date for the start of the forecast recession. A general view is that ECRI's headlights shine about six months into the future, which would make Q1 2012 GDP a critical number for evaluating ECRI's stance. In his recent media appearances, ECRI's Achuthan has said that his company's date for the start of the recession extends though the first half of 2012.
The U.S. has had eleven recessions since the earliest quarterly GDP calculations, which began in 1948. In the month declared by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) as the beginning of the recession, quarterly GDP for that month has only been negative four times. In fact, three of the six positive GDP recession starts were at GDP levels higher than the 3.0 of Q4 2011.
ECRI doesn't provide the general public with the analytical details behind its calls, but the Hoisington Investment Management Q4 Report also makes a 2012 recession call accompanied by an extended economic analysis that includes several key topics:
soaring debt-to-GDP contractionary fiscal and monetary policies anticipated decline in exports a weakened consumer capital spending cutbacks
See also the Advisor Perspectives interview with Lacy Hunt, Hoisington's executive vice president, for a reassertion of their recession call with some additional explanation for their views.
Note: How to Calculate the Growth series from the Weekly Leading Index
ECRI's weekly Excel spreadsheet includes the WLI and the Growth series, but the latter is a series of values without the underlying calculations. After a collaborative effort by Franz Lischka, Georg Vrba, Dwaine van Vuuren and Kishor Bhatia to model the calculation, Georg discovered the actual formula in a 1999 article published by Anirvan Banerji, the Chief Research Officer at ECRI: The three Ps: simple tools for monitoring economic cycles - pronounced, pervasive and persistent economic indicators.
Here is the formula:
"MA1" = 4 week moving average of the WLI "MA2" = moving average of MA1 over the preceding 52 weeks "n"= 52/26.5 "m"= 100WLIg = [m*(MA1/MA2)^n] - m


text: I preform my major detail every May, getting impatient for the weather to improve. Hasn't been above 60 here in MD for any length of time yet. Had a new idea for claying, wanted to see if anyone had tried it. Claying seems to be tedious(Not that I mind) since you have to constantly spray lubricant - clay - then wipe away area with a good towel so the lubricant doesn't dry. My is idea that after throughly washing the car to put my nozzle on a light spray and use water as lubricant to clay the newly clean surface. Should make the claying process easy by being able to move across the whole car without much fuss, then simply dry and you are ready to apply your favorite sealants. Matt


text:
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just before the start of Spartanburg Methodist's opening game in the NJCAA tournament, a woman came up and tapped head coach Jeff Brookman on the shoulder.
"We've been praying for you," she said. "We've been praying really hard."
SMC, boosted by loyal supporters from the Methodist community not only in Hutchinson but as far away as Wichita and beyond, made it to the Final Four of the 24-team junior college tournament. The local fans, many of them senior citizens, wearing their blue "Fear the Pioneers" T-shirts, hold up signs and cheer for their adopted team.
"This has been a lot of fun," said the Rev. Mark Conard, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Hutchinson. "It's something that the Methodists can get together and do. We have people from congregations all over. This is our thing and we're having a good time."
The relationship began last year when SMC made the national tournament for the first time since 1999. School president Colleen Keith said they reached out to find support.
"All I asked was that they made it known to the congregations that there was going to be a Methodist college out there," Keith said. "They went above and beyond. They really got into it. … Mark is the one who spearheaded it. Church people have shown up at the hotel with drinks and snacks. Kids have made cards. It's been amazing.
"Throughout this season, we've nurtured that relationship. We include them in mailings and emails. We let them know that they are family."
Last year, Keith sent boxes of T-shirts, whatever the school had on hand.
This year, with SMC having wrapped up a spot weeks ago by winning the Region 10 regular season, she had time to print extra T-shirts just like the ones the players wore in pregame warm-ups.
This year, the church-goers followed closely as SMC made it to a No. 1 ranking in the country, finished the regular season undefeated, won the league tournament as well and came to Hutchinson as the No. 2 seed of the big tournament.
Methodists would have taken the SMC team under their wings no matter what. But they were happy to learn that the Pioneers are more than just good basketball players.
"Without being stereotypical about it, they are fine young men," Conard said. "I like the way they play because they do it with discipline and tenacity and teamwork. But they seem to have those same qualities in their everyday lives."
The day after arrival here in Hutchinson, the SMC team went to worship service at the First United Methodist Church, which had a welcoming sign out front. Conard even worked the Pioneers into the message.
"The sermon was about casual conversations and not-so-casual conversations," Conard said. "So I just talked about the issue of ranking and seeding. Depending on whom you talk to, that's more than a casual conversation. They knew what I was talking about. Most of the people in the church are up to speed on NJCAA basketball, so they knew what was going on, too."
Conard said there wasn't a conflict of interest in rooting for an out-of-town team when Hutchinson Community College also made the tournament as one of the best teams in the country. There was plenty of love and support to go around, he said.
"I did have people tell me, 'We'll cheer for Spartanburg unless they meet up with Hutch,' " Conard said. "That would have been in the championship game. If that had happened, it would have been me with a crowd of nobody cheering for Spartanburg."
Conard said he and other members of the church have said that part of the appeal regarding SMC is that, despite the No. 1 ranking, the Pioneers are widely considered underdogs here because of the school's size.
"We all know what happened in the story of David, right?" he said. "I've heard many times that they're not that good, that the competition they face isn't that strong. Most of those people who were saying that aren't playing anymore."
Prayers, cheers give Pioneers a lift in Kansas
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just before the start of Spartanburg Methodist's opening game in the NJCAA tournament, a woman came up and tapped head coach Jeff Brookman on the shoulder.


text:
Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces
F+W Media, Jan 15, 2003 - Art - 144 pages
Draw amazingly accurate portraits starting today!
Even if you're an absolute beginner, you can render strikingly realistic faces and self-portraits! Instructor and FBI-trained artist Carrie Stuart Parks makes it simple with foolproof step-by-step instructions that are fun and easy to follow. You'll quickly begin to:
From inside the book
14 pages matching proportion in this book
Where's the rest of this book?
Results 1-3 of 14
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Looking the Part Materials and Supplies
Pencils and Erasers
Other Tools
57 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
angle average banjo baseline blend bottom chapter cheek chin circle template close one eye Coeur d'Alene Compare correct created dark darker distance drawing the face edge elſe example Eyebrows eyelid facial features FBI Academy female face Flatten forensic art front grid hair Hayden Lake head shapes highlight h�pe Idaho iris John Hinds Kelly Dullanty Kneaded erasers lead learned lids light lighter look lower lip measure Natural artists negative space noće nose nostril � � object Oconomowoc optical indexing paper stump pencil lead pencil strokes Perceptions perfect circle philtrum photograph picket fence pre-instructional proportion pupil REMELCUMBERLAND round shapes ruler seek shading pattern shadow SHAPE Tool side sketch smooth smudge straight teach techniques teeth thank tion tool to help tracing paper tures upper lip Uſ� watercolor width


text:
Turing was introduced to Mornington Crescent while at Bletchley Park during the war (a cryptographer's mind being ideally suited to the more subtle elements of strategy). Turing posited that it should be possible to construct an automatic device to play the Game.
In fact, he later went further and suggested that if such a machine could persuade a human opponent that it was, itself, a human player then that device could be considered intelligent. He viewed this exercise as a more stringent corollary to the standard Turing Test, mere conversation being relatively trivial to synthesise.
Despite this early speculation, it is only recently that MC simulators (or sims as they are more commonly known) have been within the reach of technology. Sim games have become a regular feature at MC web sites, and offer a fruitful field of exploration for the ambitious programmer.
Even with this enthusiastic activity, Turing's dream of an entirely synthetic MC player which is capable of playing undetected against a human opponent is a long way away.
Note that 'sim' in this sense has nothing at all to do with the popular computer game The Sims. They are as distinct as cheese and some entirely different cheese.
(Actually, I did make a [Mornington Crescent Table for the Sims], a few years ago.)


text:
Reduce the radon health risk in your home
Posted 1/26/2016
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension offers free test kits and presentations
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's Radon Education Program is offering educational presentations at various locations across the state. Free radon test kits will be available at the presentations and at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension offices and partner offices statewide, through Feb. 29.
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It comes from the ground and can accumulate in homes, raising the risk of lung cancer. In Nevada, one in four homes tested show radon concentrations at or above the EPA action level. A simple three-day test can determine if a house has a radon problem. If radon problems are found, they can be fixed. Find out more and get a free test kit at a presentation in your community:
Scheduled presentations in northern Nevada include:
- Jan. 27 — CVIC Hall, 1604 Esmeralda Ave., Minden, at 6 p.m.
- Jan. 28 — Incline Village GID Public Works, 1220 Sweetwater Road, Incline Village, at 6 p.m.
Scheduled presentations in southern Nevada include:
- Jan. 30 — Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N. Buffalo Drive, Las Vegas, at 10:30 a.m.
- Jan. 30 — Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, at 2 p.m.
- Jan. 31 — West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, at 10:30 a.m.
- Jan. 31 — Sunrise Library, 5400 E. Harris Ave., Las Vegas, at 1:30 p.m.
- Feb. 1 — Rainbow Library, 3150 N. Buffalo Drive, Las Vegas, at 6 p.m.
- Feb. 2 — Caliente Fire Hall, next to Rainbow Canyon Motel at 880 Front St. on U.S. 93, Caliente, at 7 p.m.
The Nevada Radon Education Program is a program of University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and is funded by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health. Since the program began in 2007, more than 21,000 homes have been tested in Nevada. For more information, visit the Nevada Radon Education Program website at www.RadonNV.com, or call the Radon Hotline at 888-RADON10 (888-723-6610).


text:
Frequently Asked Questions
Send money online
Can I change the name on a money transfer?
How long does it take to send money online?
Will my credit card charge a fee for sending money with Western Union?
What is Verified by Visa® and MasterCard SecureCode®?
How do I know if my online transfer's been approved?
Can I change the name on a money transfer?
You can only make minor typographical corrections to the receiver's name on a regular money transfer as long as the money hasn't yet been picked up. This can't be done on a money order, bill payment, or prepaid money transfer.
You can send money online to a Western Union location for cash pickup, directly to your receiver's bank account, or to your receiver's mobile phone. After you've chosen your destination country, you'll see the types of services available.
Learn more about how to send money online.
How long does it take to send money online?
Here are a few ways you can send money online using Western Union:
- Money in minutes:
If your money is needed within minutes, you can send online using your credit or debit card. Receivers can pick up cash at Western Union locations worldwide, depending on the hours of operation at that location.
You can always pay with a Visa® or Mastercard® credit card.
Payment options offered for your country:
- Visa and MasterCard
You can send up to 1.000 EUR within a 5 day-period before we need to verify your identity.
After that is finished, your send limit will increase to 5.000 EUR per 3-day period.
Will my credit card charge a fee for sending money with Western Union?
Some card issuers may charge additional fees for using our services. Please contact your card issuer for more information.
What is Verified by Visa® and MasterCard SecureCode®?
Verified by Visa® and MasterCard SecureCode® help prevent unauthorized online use of cards. These services use personal passwords or identity information and are available for most cards from participating financial institutions.
Once your card is activated, your card number will be recognized whenever it's used at participating online stores. A window will automatically appear, and your card issuer will ask for your password. You'll enter your password to verify your identity and complete your purchase.
If you haven't activated Verified by Visa® or MasterCard SecureCode,® your card can still be used on our site.
How do I know if my online transfer's been approved?
Your online receipt will show whether your transfer was approved. If we need more information before we can complete it, you'll be asked to call us. When the transfer's complete, you'll get an email with your tracking number (MTCN).