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It might have been a farmhouse back in the days when this valley was all orchards. It was the sort of building that realtors grab onto for their own offices, and had probably seen many renovations and all sorts of tenants over the years, but today the sign above the wide front porch read "Piggyback Skunkworks."
"Pardon the mess, we're still moving in," my Cousin Corbett said as he led me through the din of carpenters and masons working in the front hallway and into his office, which would probably have been called a parlor when the building was young. The noise level was only relatively lower there, since his office was currently lacking a door.
"I'm glad you're writing for Dr. Dobb's again," he said as we sat in uncomfortable but trendy chairs at a round glass table in the center of the otherwise almost empty room. Aside from some building materials, the only other thing in the room was an antique telephone table next to the door with what from this angle looked like some sort of gameboard on it. I was about to thank him when he added, "Now you can write about Piggyback Skunkworks."
Several sheets of plywood that had been leaning precariously against the wall behind me fell to the floor with a sound that sent me to my feet, my heart doing a Buddy Rich impersonation.
"What we do," he went on, ignoring the interruption and my reaction... "are you going to write this down? What we do is develop incremental innovations."
I picked up my chair and reoccupied it, fumbling for my pen and notepad. "That means something, I suppose?" I was beginning to discern individual themes in the general cacaphony outside. Mixed in with the melodic lines of carpentry and stonework, I was fairly sure I could pick out empassioned voices, telephones ringing, at least one pinball machine, and, distantly, gunfire.
"It means that we seek out centers of high creativity, identify promising innovations, and come up with a minor tweaks that leverage them."
"You feed off other people's creativity."
"Piggybacking is what we call it. Our company slogan is 'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants'."
I identified the source of the pinball sounds. Looking across the hall I could see into a larger office or workroom where several games were in use. "What do you mean by 'centers of high creativity'?"
"Oh, it could be a company that innovates a lot, like Google, or a company that people innovate around, like Twitter, or it could be a technology that has the potential to drive new ideas, like WiFi, or a single invention that attracts a lot of press, like the Segway."
"Okay, let's take those one at a time. How do you piggyback on Google?"
"Easy. Google invents so many things it can't keep track of all of them. Take its logo variations, or doodles."
"Its logo var -- oh, you mean like how they change 'Google' on holidays and other special occasions?"
"Right. Google has created so many of those one-off logo variations that they've given up trying to keep track of them, so a third-party website could do well just warehousing those things so they don't disappear like old TV show kinescopes."
"You had the brilliant idea of archiving Google doodles?"
"I wish. There are several websites like that already. But that's the kind of thing we plan to do."
"So let me see if I understand the concept. You take some innovation like Google Wave and try to take it to the next step? But a baby step?"
"Bingo. In fact, I can't tell you too much about it, but we're working on a piggyback for Google Wave right now. In Wave, Google is trying to integrate every kind of communication, okay, but we push it to the next step: we ask, 'What did they leave out?'"
"So what did they leave out?"
"Nonverbal communication." He raised his eyebrows and lowered his voice. "We're developing a way to integrate emotions and facial expressions into Google Wave."
"Like Smileys?"
He made a facial expression at me. It wasn't smiley.
"Oh," I said, "I think I can do this! Google Maps for the inside of buildings! Beyond Street View to Hallway View! Cubicle View! Your-Boss's-Office View!"
"It's been done. Ankit Agarwal beat us to that one."
"Hmm. This is harder than it looks. I guess sometimes there isn't a next step."
"There's always a next step, Michael. I'll show you, I'll make up a next step for your example. Google Maps: The Fantastic Voyage."
"You mean like that Raquel Welch movie where these people shrink down to microscopic size and are injected into some guy's bloodstream?"
"We'd just need to set up a company, acquire venture capital, license the technology, the DoD probably has what we'd need, and promote it. That's bigger than the kind of thing we hope to do, but it's just a for-instance."
"It's just weird, is what it is. Let's try something sensible. You said Segway? Segway was a genuine innovation and it's been around for a while. Can you piggyback on a Segway?"
He smiled. "So to speak?"
"So to speak."
"We could, but that's also been done. There's a four-wheel-drive Segway, which is really innovative, given that a Segway only has two wheels, and there's a Segway autopilot. There are just amazingly creative people out there solving problems that don't exist. It's inspiring. That's why our R&D division is so crucial; we've got to get out in front of all that innovation. I'd introduce you to the team, but they're in the field right now."
The outer door opened and several people came through the hallway carrying trashbags that looked like they were full of trash. It surprised me that they would be carrying trash into the building, and then I realized that I was probably looking at the crack Piggyback Skunkworks R&D team in action. "Um, how about WiFi? And by the way, is that gunfire?"
"Skeet shooting. At Piggyback Skunkworks we believe in providing a wide range of break-time recreational opportunities for our employees. WiFi, you said. WiFi's tough. We had a pilot project to mod a WiFi network to turn it into a device for seeing through walls, but a couple of guys in Utah beat us to market."
"Okay, how about Twitter?"
"There's a lot of good piggybacking out there already, like Twitter for Your Jewish Mother. We're thinking about a plug-in that automatically inserts your name into the Twitter Suggested Users List. We know we could sell that to Robert Scoble and Dave Winer."
"It seems like..." I paused as I realized what it was on the telephone stand: a Ouija Board. "Uh, it seems like the Twitter challenge comes in figuring out new things to do with it, right? Like, what can't be said in 140 characters?"
"Given that a court order has now been served via Twitter, apparently there is nothing that can't be said in 140 characters. The idea that a lawyer could ever hold himself to 140 characters is truly inspiring. Even a Twitter sonnet is not impossible."
"I have to call you on that. How can you write a sonnet in 140 characters?"
"Do the math, Michael. A sonnet is 14 lines of iambic pentameter. An iambic foot is two syllables, with the accent on the second. Pentameter is five feet per line. That's 10 syllables per line. That works out to exactly one syllable per character. Totally doable."
"Prove it." I thought I had him, but Cousin Corbett is not easily had.
"Okay, Here's the first line of a sonnet titled 'The DaVinci Cone' by Dan Beige of our staff. It's about an employee in a Dairy Queen trying to decipher a hard-to-read handwritten note from a customer:
"It's very McLuhanesque. Literally, it's about the employee referring to the individual letters of the note, a 'D,' a 'Q,' and so on, but reading between the lines, or rather between alternate letters, we find the customer's message."
I shook my head. "If I actually saw that written in a tweet I'd never know it was a poem, or even meaningful. But recited as you did in iambic pentameter, it makes a twisted, pathetic sort of sense."
"You know how to fill that customer's order, don't you?"
"Sure. He wants a DQ, and he wants it PDQ. What else is in this alleged poem?"
"It's kind of an historical mystery; the customer's note turns out to contain obscure, dramatic references to the Nazi era:
"In that line Dan fits 10 syllables into five letters and a numeral, cutting himself some slack for punctuation."
I eyed him warily. "How far are you going to take this, Corbett?"
"You're right; quoting more than two lines of a sonnet probably exceeds the limits of fair use. I'll stop there."
I'm not sure about fair use, but he was sure pushing some kind of limit.
More Swaine's Flames


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Six highlights in your travel week | 27 Aug
Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson are set to star alongside the likes of Grug and Where's Wally when this year's Floriade flower festival takes over Canberra's Commonwealth Park from September 15 to October 14 — and takes visitors on a trip down memory lane through the theme of Pop Culture.
Visitors can also tantalise their tastebuds and sample the best produce from Canberra and the surrounding region, keep the kids entertained throughout the school holiday period for free at KidzKlub, or spend Sunday afternoons picnicking at Jazz in the Park.
Retro-inspired flowerbeds will showcase some of the world's most iconic figures in music, film, literature and social media. People can expect Marilyn Monroe and Ken-Done-inspired creations alongside beds dedicated to Grug, the Rubik's Cube and what's sure to be a crowd favourite, Where's Wally.
NightFest, Floriade's ticketed after-dark experience, returns for five nights from September 26-30 when Commonwealth Park will come to life with illuminated flowerbeds, a line-up of local and drink food stalls, nightly entertainment and dazzling lighting installations.
A 42-year-old campground has transformed into Habitat Noosa — a world-class eco-tourism facility located in the Great Sandy National Park, just a five-minute boat ride from the Noosa Everglades and a 25-minute shuttle transfer from Noosa.
The 65-acre site, with 500 metres of riverfront on the Noosa River, provides on-site camping, powered sites, cabins and glamping accommodation, and is home to a large eastern grey kangaroo population.
Other facilities include a kiosk, craft beer bar (with their own micro-brewery on-site), bistro and entertainment area complete with views over the Noosa River.
Habitat Noosa offers exclusive and direct access to the Noosa Everglades.
Rates for unpowered sites start from $15 and powered from $22 per night, while glamping starts from $33 per night for a Wilderness Tent and ranges to $290 per person ($145 twin share) for a Paperbark Tent.
Visit www.habitatnoosa.com.au
Astronomy enthusiasts of all ages can discover the spectacular Australian Outback sky at Ayers Rock Resort's upcoming Uluru Astronomy Weekend on September 14-16.
The weekend will be hosted by TV personality and meteorologist Nate Byrne, and feature leading astronomy experts.
It will include family activities and demonstrations, an outdoor cinema experience under the stars, astro-photography and discussions on energetic cosmic events, the structure of the Universe, dark matter, Aboriginal astronomy and navigation.
Those attending the Uluru Astronomy Weekend will receive a special rate starting from $315 per room per night, based on a two-night stay. This includes airport transfers, Astronomy Weekend activities and seminars, and an Indigenous activities program.
Two events are available at extra cost — an Astro Trivia Lunch and a Stellar Starlit Dinner.
Phone 1300 134 044 or visit www.ayersrockresort.com.au
For the cycling aficionados who are in serious withdrawal with the finish of this year's Tour de France, Europe Holidays is offering two new European cycling tours that mix the heady feeling of the wind in your hair while cycling with the old-world charm of cruising the Danube or Southern Italy on traditional wooden boats.
The Danube itinerary, for instance, involves cycling and cruising through six countries with widely differing cultures, cuisines and landscapes, taking in the vast expanses of the Pannonian plains, the breadbaskets of Croatia and Serbia and the history and charms of historic and thriving cities like Belgrade, Budapest and Vienna.
Cycling ranges from 35-50 kilometres a day, with several days off, building up appetites for the diverse local cuisines and delicacies in each country and optional wine tastings along the way.
The seven-night package is priced from $1102 per person twin-share
Travelmarvel has announced a $1700 saving per person on its 10-day 'Icelander Explorer – Fire & Ice' small-ship cruise along the country's breathtaking coast next year.
Circumnavigate the island nation on the Ocean Diamond, a compact ice-class vessel featuring 109 suites and staterooms and chartered exclusively for Travelmarvel guests.
Highlights include vast glaciers, thunderous waterfalls, lava fields and steaming hot springs as well as up-close encounters on-board zodiacs
Inclusive of airport transfers, port charges, tipping, the vast majority of meals, and beer, wine and soft drink during lunch and dinner, the journey is now available from $6995 per person twin-share.
Phone 1300 205 408 or visit www.travelmarvel.com.au
Experience Christmas on Viking's Mid-Atlantic crossing this December for $5595 per person twin-share including flights.
The crossing departs December 16 from Lisbon to Miami on board Viking Sun with the price including accommodation in a veranda stateroom and including flight to Lisbon and return from Miami.
Walk the cobbled streets of Lisbon before sailing to vibrant Miami.
Phone 138 747 or visit www.vikingcruises.com.au

subset: commoncrawl


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When Patents Attack: How Patents Are Destroying Innovation In Silicon Valley
from the can-we-be-done-with-this? deptThis week's episode of This American Life is absolutely worth listening to. The TAL team has been doing more and more amazing investigative reporting work in the past year or so, and this week's episode is called, "When Patents Attack!" which was apparently a last minute change from the much more bland and misleading "Invention Peddlers." The episode was done by Planet Money's Alex Blumberg and NPR's Laura Sydell and there's a written version of the story on the Planet Money blog, which covers most, but not all, of what's on the audio version (and, yes, it's nice that the story refers to Techdirt as an "influential blog," though it looks like they may have only done that in order to have someone they could "quote" calling Intellectual Ventures a "patent troll").
The episode does a nice job showing how much Silicon Valley hates patents -- and highlights how it's got nothing to do with people wanting to "steal" ideas, as patent system defenders will claim, but because ridiculous, broad, meaningless patents get approved all the time. The story quotes patent holders themselves who say they have no clue what their own patents mean and that they're "embarrassed" to have their name on such things.
Most of the story is focused on Intellectual Ventures, of course. And it does a wonderful job basically debunking all of IV's usual talking points (though, honestly, they could have gone farther on a few of the debunkings). IV does its usual song and dance. As it does any time a reporter wants to write about it, IV shows off its "lab," which is where lesser reporters start to swoon. The TAL team quickly points out that absolutely nothing from the lab has ever come to market. Instead, it points out that IV seems to make all of its money from shaking down companies. IV tries to push back and uses the story of "Chris Crawford" as proof that IV is really about supporting inventors.
So, the TAL team digs into the story of Chris Crawford and his patent. And it basically disproves everything that IV claims, and shows, yet again, that IV is nothing but a giant patent troll shaking down companies for cash. First, they look at the patent in question, 5,771,354, for an "Internet online backup system provides remote storage for customers using IDS & passwords which were interactively established when signing up for backup services." Yeah. Online storage. Patented. But not just by Mr. Crawford. TAL talks to David Martin, who analyzed Crawford's patent, and notes that there were over 5,000 patents that were issued for the exact same thing. Not slightly different. The same thing. This is a massive failure of the patent system and the USPTO (which doesn't appear in the story, which is fine, because they would have just given the usual meaningless statements). Another person looked at Crawford's patent, and points to a ton of prior art.
And this is IV's go-to patent in proving it supports innovation.
The piece discussed trying to track down Crawford and the patent. Crawford cannot be found, but it doesn't matter, because he's got nothing to do with the patent. He sold it to one of Intellectual Ventures' 1,300+ shell companies, who transferred it to another shell company, who transferred it to another shell company (still owned by IV), who then "sold" it to "Oasis Research." Oasis Research, like many patent trolls, is a shell company for its owners, who are hidden away. There's simply no way to officially know who owns Oasis Research. And that's because the entire point of Oasis Research is to act as a shell and a shield for its real owners (almost certainly a few patent attorneys). TAL goes to the fake, totally empty, "offices" of Oasis Research, in Marshall Texas. They're in a building with a bunch of other such "companies." They all have empty offices with no employees and certainly aren't doing a damn thing for innovation. They have offices so they can sue in every patent troll's favorite court system: the one in East Texas.
Of course, it turns out that Intellectual Ventures still has an economic interest in the patent -- which is pretty typical. For years, IV wouldn't sue directly, but instead handed off its patents to these kinds of shell companies (the ones it used to claim its mission was to eradicate) and then collect a cut of any of the money made.
One of the more amusing (though, depressing) scenes in the episode (which isn't in the written version) is when the TAL team starts asking some very basic (you would think) questions about the lineage of ownership in Crawford's patent. They talk to Peter Detkin, the former Intel patent attorney who coined the term "patent troll" in talking about Ray Niro (not mentioned in the episode)... but who went over to the dark side in a big, bad way by co-founding Intellectual Ventures. Detkin appears to suffer from a massive bout of cognitive dissonance in trying to pretend that IV is not doing the exact same thing that he claims he hates. The TAL team shows him the USPTO's standard page showing the changing patent assignments, and Detkin basically starts to stutter that he's "unfamiliar" with this particular thing. He literally states:
Detkin: I won't be able to tell you, probably, from looking at this. I mean I'd have to talk to... I'm not even an expert in... You're looking at the USPTO website? I haven't looked at this particular website in a while. I don't know how it's organized....Soon after that you hear IV's PR person jump in and try to stop the interview. Yeah. Detkin claiming he can't understand the USPTO website is just classic.
Alex Blumberg, from TAL: Wait... are you telling me that you're the... (long pause)... you run a patent company and you were the head counsel at Intel in the patent department, and you don't know what the Patent Office website is... you don't know how to read this...?
Detkin: (Frustrated) Look, I can look at this if you want, but I haven't looked at this particular website and I don't now how it's organized, and I'm not exactly sure what it is you're trying to get at... and I'm happy to answer questions, but if you're going to cross-examine me on the record about a patent website, I don't quite think that's fair...
Anyway, the whole thing is worth a listen. I'm hopeful, but doubtful, that something useful might come of this. When the Planet Money team recently exposed the massive government waste in the form of the dollar coin minting laws, it actually resulted in a bunch of politicians springing into action. I doubt that will happen here, because we just went through about seven years of battles concerning patent reform, and what came out of it was watered down nothingness. Of note: Intellectual Ventures fought hard (and potentially dirty) against patent reform... until it suddenly switched camps, once the reform was watered down so much as to be useless.
The key takeaway, though, is just how incredibly damaging the entire patent system is to actual innovation today, and how pretty much everyone in Silicon Valley recognizes it -- but many are afraid to speak out about it, because they fear getting targeted by flat out bullies like Intellectual Ventures. Our government keeps talking up the importance of innovation and job creation... and then leaves us saddled us with a patent system that does everything possible to hinder innovation and destroy companies. I'm glad that mainstream outlets like This American Life are covering the story. I just wish I were more optimistic that it would actually result in some kind of change.
Filed Under: innovation, nathan myhrvold, patents, shell companies
Companies: intellectual ventures, oasis research


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San Francisco Trip Rejuvenation
Almost exactly 5 years ago, I had visited San Francisco for the first time with my wife for a short 3 day get away. As we both recalled, not nearly enough time to take in the sights and restaurants this amazing city has to offer. As a birthday gift for her, I booked us a week long vacation in the same hotel, right in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf. LOVE this area. It's like Vancouver's Granville Island on steroids.
When I had visited last, I had only enjoyed the sourdough/breads from a non-home baker standpoint. This time, needless to say, I was excited to enjoy the fine breads this city has to offer from a totally different view. Sadly, the one day we ventured deep into the downtown/Mission area, both Tartine and Tartine Bar were closed. Of course they were. Regardless, we still had some great bread from a variety of bakeries/restaurants which has me more motivated than ever to produce better breads at home. I am pretty sure the next bread I bake is going to be a SF sourdough.
This city is one of my favourites and I can not wait to go back again soon. Hopefully, catching Chad's bakery on an open for business day!
New Years dinner at The Franciscan. Wonderful bread that reminded me of a 36 Hour Baguette found on this site. With some prosciutto and fresh buratta.


text: Thursday night was a tough one for the ice sculptures on Main Street in Stroudsburg. This one, at the corner of Main and Sixth streets, was toppled overnight and left to melt in misery. At least one more was vandalized earlier in the week. Here, Fatima Shabazz, 7, checks out the carnage Friday afternoon. The sculptures were installed last Saturday as part of the fourth annual Ice Festival in Stroudsburg.


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Jemmag necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 40 diseños de 7 diseñadores freelance.
Independent business with 25 years knowlege of the local area of postcode - zip code 8135 in The Algarve, Portugal.
All those who are visiting or who own villas or properties in the postcode area 8135 of Portugal's Algarve.
A simple logo to replace that found at wheninwonder.com which is already operational. The site traffic is growing but would benefit from a new domain more appropriate to the area and the target audience.
Please think about the brand name Algarve8135 or ALGARVE8135 but leave off the .com.
Ideally i would like to keep the strap line 'Vale do Lobo & Quinta do Lago, Portugal' but i am open to your opinion. valedolobo.com and quintadolago.com show info on these areas.
Portuguese colours are dark red and dark green but i feel the brand should be simple and in gun metal grey (dark dark grey) - please avoid any bright colours. The strap line can stay the same or same colour as the brand.
I am happy to stick just with the letters and numbers of the brand/logo or have a little logo/symbol next to it ...
The site is almost a directory of local information, but i would like the site to be more a CLUB than directory because visitors to this area often return (many own villas). Many users are finding the site by search and the vast majority looking for ideas of restaurants, shops ... with the next most popular being golf and properties. the site might be tailored more to these categories in the future.
I may modify the colours of the site ... and travelpad might become 'owners & visitors club' ...
Thank you very much for your efforts and ideas - they are truly appreciated. JEM
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Hello there, and welcome to another pledge in MNN's Nest, an interactive program that helps you create and accomplish easy and Earth-friendly personal goals. With each goal that you tackle, you earn points that are then turned into donations to your favorite nonprofit eco-charity.
This personal pledge may be a bit difficult to grasp in our fast-paced, car-centric culture, but we at MNN encourage you to walk one place instead of driving at least once a week. Here's why:
If not for the environment, do it for the exercise: There's nothing quite as enjoyable as a long, zesty walk. Whatever your destination (and you don't even really need one) walking provides a bit of (gasp) fresh air and exercise. If you drive to the gym on a daily basis to walk on a treadmill for 40 minutes while simultaneously watching "The Bachelor," why not just take a brisk evening constitutional and TiVo your favorite trash TV instead? Or better yet, why not try hoofing it to the gym? The health benefits of a simple 30-minute walk are numerous and can help you manage your weight, control blood pressure, keep bad cholesterol in check whole boosting good cholesterol, and maintain a healthy heart. Plus, nothing clears a stressed-out, overwhelmed noggin better than strapping on tennis shoes and heading outside for a stroll. One of our favorite benefits of walking for exercise is that we notice things both inspiring — like a particularly stunning sunset — and odd — like the lady down the street's latest yard display of ceramic frogs and leprechauns — that we usually don't see while zipping around in a car at 30 miles per hour. And if you tend to get bored or restless while walking, invite a friend or a family member along to chat with, make use of that iPod or take a camera along to document the things you see along your stroll.
Oh the places you'll go: The first place you might be inclined to walk to is your home away from home: work. Due in part to suburban sprawl and other factors, trading in wheels for walking shoes for your daily commute may be a bit much to ask. We understand. However, unless you really live in the sticks, there are plenty of other places to walk to instead of the office. Some ideas: the post office, the supermarket, the movies, school, a local restaurant you've always wanted to try out, the yoga studio, the hardware store, the gym (again), a friend's house, a park, and the list goes on and on. Just remember if you anticipate partaking in a little retail therapy along or at the end of your journey, take a reusable shopping bag with you so you aren't stuck with a plastic one.
Keeping carbon emissions and cash in check: Twenty percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from propelling ourselves around in cars with each gallon of gasoline we burn releasing 20 pounds of carbon. According to the Worldwatch Institute, ditching the car and making a four-mile round-trip journey by foot will keep 15 pounds of harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides out of atmosphere. Do this once a week and you'll prevent the emission of nearly 800 pounds of health-compromising toxins. Walk eight miles a week in place of driving and you'll knock around 1,600 pounds of pollutants off of your environmental footprint ... not too shabby. Plus, as you've probably noticed, fillin' up isn't exactly cheap these days. Save a few bucks (and perhaps buy yourself a pair of snazzy new sneakers) by walking a couple of miles instead of driving.
Ready to get fit, prevent hundreds of pounds of pollutants from entering the air and keep some precious green in your wallet? Then repeat after me: At least once a week this year, I'll walk one place instead of drive. Now put this pledge into action!
Harvard University, "Commuter Choice Program: Environmental Benefits"
Fueleconomy.gov, "How can 6 pounds of gasoline produce 20 pounds of carbon dioxide?"
People's World, "A gallon of gas makes 20 pounds of CO2"
The Department of Cambridge, Mass., "The Health Benefits of Walking"
More personal pledges to consider:
- I will make my home more energy-efficient.
- I will actually use my reusable bags.
- I will get my kids (and myself!) outside more this year.
- I will do a toxin audit of my home.
- I will support my town's local and green businesses this year.
- I will eat more meals at home.
- I will read three environmentally themed books this year.
- Instead of throwing them away, I will recycle my old electronics before buying new ones.


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Page One
Infected Bat a Reminder to Use Caution
A bat infected with rabies was recently found in the area of the 1500 block of Spruce Street in the City of Berkeley. Although the bat was removed without incident, residents in Berkeley and the surrounding areas are advised that Alameda County has been a "Rabies Area" since 1958.
In Berkeley, bats and skunks are the most likely animals to be infected, although unimmunized dogs, foxes, coyotes, badgers, weasels, raccoons and unvaccinated cats can also carry the rabies virus.
Rabies infection is virtually always fatal in man so it is critical that people know how to prevent infection. Avoid skunks and bats and do not handle dead wild animals.
Educate your children about the dangers of wild animals and warn them not to touch any animal they do not know.
Any nocturnal animal which is seen during daylight hours such as skunks, bats, or grey foxes should be considered dangerous.
Call Berkeley Animal Control Services at (510) 981-6600, Monday-Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., if suspicious or dead animals are observed in your area. For after-hours emergencies contact Dispatch at (510) 981-5900.
• Rabies is found in most counties in California including Alameda County. Alameda County has been declared a "Rabies Area" since 1958.
• Rabies is a deadly virus disease which affects the nervous system. Once symptoms start in an infected human being it is uniformly fatal. There is no known cure.In the event of contact with an animal which might have rabies, prompt medical attention including administration of immunization can prevent disease. It is essential that anyone exposed to a potentially infected animal seek medical care immediately.
• Rabies is transmitted in the saliva of infected warm blooded animals (mammals) through mucous membranes or any break in the skin by biting, licking or scratching.
• Animals at high risk for carrying rabies are skunks, bats, dogs which have not been vaccinated against rabies, foxes, coyotes, badgers, weasels, raccoons, and wild and unvaccinated domestic cats. Rodents (gophers, mice, hamsters, squirrels, rats, opossums, guinea pigs) and rabbits are considered very low risk for rabies.
• The degree of risk to humans and pets for rabies is determined by the species of the animal and the circumstances. There is no risk for rabies from reptiles, birds, or insects.
• If a wild animal such as a skunk, bat, or grey fox which is normally nocturnal (active at night) is seen in the daylight acting in a strange manner, it may be tested for rabies by the State Health Laboratory. Example of animals to be tested:
A skunk roaming or staggering in daylight. A bat hanging on a window screen or sill. A grey fox acting in an aggressive manner in the daytime.
• Immediately call the City of Berkeley Animal Control Services at (510) 981-6600 regarding strange acting animals.
• The following are protective measures that are necessary to prevent rabies in humans and domestic animals.
Have dog(s) and cat(s) vaccinated against rabies. Vaccination and Licensing is required for all dogs 4 months of age and older. Dogs which are first vaccinated at one year of age or less must be revaccinated one year later. The interval for revaccination is three (3) years for older dogs.
Confine dogs to property especially puppies less than four (4) months of age since they are not protected against rabies. Otherwise, if a dog is taken off the premises it must be on a leash.
Report any animal bites of humans or any close contact between dogs or cats with skunks or bats or other wild animals to the City of Berkeley Animal Control Services at (510) 981-6600.
Avoid wild animals or domestic animals which are strays or which run loose. Do not feed wild animals by hand. It is dangerous to attempt to feed, pet, or care for sick or injured animals.
Do not attract skunks or raccoons with food! They will eat garbage, fruit, vegetables, and especially dog and cat food. Pet food left outside is a strong invitation to wildlife. Keep garbage cans covered with tight fitting lids.
Do not provide shelter for skunks and other wild animals. Close all openings under your home and other buildings. Keep foundation vent screens in good repair. Eliminated piles of trash, rocks, wood, hollow logs, heavy growth of vegetation and other possible hiding places.
If you require information regarding wild animals such as bats or skunks, please call the City of Berkeley Animal Control Services at (510) 981-6600, Monday through Sunday or Vector Control Services at (510) 981-5310, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For after-hours emergencies, contact Dispatch at (510) 981-5900.


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We found a trading operation that piled on risk, ignored limits on risk taking, hid losses, dodged oversight and misinformed the public
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon sought to hide escalating trading losses that surpassed US$6.2 billion, misled investors and dodged regulators as a "monstrous" derivatives bet deteriorated last year, a Senate probe found.
[np_storybar title="Have you heard about the London whale?" link="https://business.financialpost.com/2012/04/09/have-you-heard-about-the-london-whale/"%5DRead the story that first raised alarm that the portfolio built by U.K. trader Bruno Iksil, known as the London Whale, had built an illiquid book of derivatives so large that it was distorting credit indexes
The largest U.S. bank "mischaracterized high-risk trading as hedging," and withheld key information from its primary regulator, sometimes at Dimon's behest, according to a report Thursday by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. The 301-page document also shows how managers manipulated internal risk models and pressured traders to overvalue their positions in an effort to hide growing losses in a credit derivatives portfolio in London.
"We found a trading operation that piled on risk, ignored limits on risk taking, hid losses, dodged oversight and misinformed the public," Chairman Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat, told reporters Thursday after his investigators spent nine months combing through 90,000 documents and interviewing current and former executives.
There's nothing that can be done, absolutely nothing that can be done. There is no hope. "The book continues to grow more and more monstrous
Former Chief Investment Officer Ina Drew, 56, among Wall Street's most powerful women until she resigned in May four days after the bank disclosed the initial trading losses, will testify Friday at a subcommittee hearing in her first public appearance since leaving the New York-based bank. Lawmakers have pushed banks to halt so-called proprietary trading, and regulators are weighing tightening exemptions for hedging.
'High Risk'
"Mr. Dimon has not acknowledged that what the SCP morphed into was a high-risk proprietary trading operation," according to the report, referring to the synthetic credit portfolio.
JPMorgan has "repeatedly acknowledged mistakes" in handling the loss, Mark Kornblau, a spokesman for the bank, said in an e-mail.
"Our senior management acted in good faith and never had any intent to mislead anyone," Kornblau said. The bank cooperated with the investigation and has "already identified many of the issues cited in the report," he said. "We have taken significant steps to remediate these issues and to learn from them."
JPMorgan, regarded on Wall Street as one of the best-managed banks in the world, lost more than US$6.2 billion over nine months last year in a derivatives bet on companies' creditworthiness.
Synthetic Credit
Bloomberg News first reported on April 5 that the portfolio built by U.K. trader Bruno Iksil, known as the London Whale, had built an illiquid book of derivatives so large that it was distorting credit indexes. The Federal Reserve and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency sought additional information about the trades following media reports.
The Senate report cited Bloomberg stories published last year disclosing that Dimon had transformed the CIO in the past five years from a conservative investment operation into a much larger, high-risk trading profit center, and that he exempted the office from rigorous scrutiny.
JPMorgan's communications officer met with reporters on April 10 to say that the activities were for hedging purposes and that regulators were fully aware of them, "neither of which was true," according to the subcommittee's report.
John McCain of Arizona, the ranking Republican on the subcommittee, said the report shows a "shameful demonstration" of what goes on at federally insured banks and said JPMorgan and other institutions are not "too big to fail" or "too big to jail."
I don't know where he wants to stop, but it's getting idiotic
'No Hope'
Iksil's book more than tripled from a net notional size of US$51 billion in late 2011 to US$157 billion by the time trading was shut down in late March of last year, the report says. Iksil acquired more than US$80 billion or about 50% of a thinly traded credit index, which made it difficult to find buyers, according to the subcommittee.
"There's nothing that can be done, absolutely nothing that can be done. There is no hope," Iksil said, according to a transcript of a March 16 call with junior trader Julien Grout. "The book continues to grow more and more monstrous."
As losses ballooned, Iksil faced increasing pressure from manager Javier Martin-Artajo to report a higher value of his portfolio by marking it aggressively when compared with market prices, the report said.
'Getting Idiotic'
"I can't keep this going, we do a one-off at the end of the month to remain calm," Iksil told Grout in discussing a price adjustment that the report said was apparently requested by Martin-Artajo.
The change would have valued the portfolio US$400 million above market prices, the report said. "I don't know where he wants to stop, but it's getting idiotic," Iksil said.
JPMorgan "dodged federal regulators and misled the public by hiding losses, by mismarking credit derivatives' values," McCain told reporters at a press briefing.
The OCC noticed that JPMorgan stopped sending the investment bank's daily profit-and-loss report, which shows how much money the unit made or lost on a given trading day, in late January or early February of last year, according to the report. Dimon told executives to stop sending the data "because he believed it was too much information to provide to the OCC," the report said, citing an interview with the OCC's head JPMorgan examiner, Scott Waterhouse.
Risk Downplayed
The bank also said there was a data breach that prompted the company to limit the disclosures. When Dimon found out that then-Chief Financial Officer Douglas Braunstein agreed to resume the reports, the CEO "reportedly raised his voice in anger" the subcommittee said.
JPMorgan frequently pushed back on the OCC, according to the report. Waterhouse "recalled one instance in which bank executives even yelled at OCC examiners and called them 'stupid,'" according to the report.
While JPMorgan has a reputation for best-in-class risk management, "the Whale trades exposed a bank culture in which risk limit breaches were routinely disregarded, risk metrics were frequently criticized or downplayed, and risk evaluation models were targeted by bank personnel seeking to produce artificially lower capital requirements," according to the report.
Dimon and Drew were among bank managers who spoke with the panel's investigators. Several ex-employees refused to be interviewed, including Iksil and Achilles Macris, who was chief investment officer of Europe, Middle East and Africa. The panel said it couldn't require them to cooperate because they lived outside the U.S.
Pay Clawbacks
Iksil, Macris and Martin-Artajo were all forced out of their jobs. The bank told the panel it clawed back the maximum amount permitted under its employment policies with them, or about two years of compensation. The bank canceled outstanding incentive compensation and obtained repayment of previous awards. Drew forfeited about US$21.5 million.
Dimon's pay for 2012 was cut 50% by the board of directors after an internal review found him partly responsible for the botched trades on credit derivatives.
Senate investigators said they found little evidence showing what the bets would have protected against. Dimon told senators last year that the wagers were intended to cushion losses on other holdings in the event of a credit crisis.
Drew said the credit derivatives were intended to hedge JPMorgan's entire balance sheet, while others at the bank said they protected against losses on investments held by the CIO, according to the report.
Voodoo Magic
Patrick Hagan, at one point the CIO's senior quantitative analyst, told investigators that he was never asked to analyze the bank's other assets, which would have been necessary to use the bets as a hedge, according to the report.
The credit bets were called a "make believe voodoo magic 'composite hedge,'" by an examiner at the OCC, according to the report.
The CIO group e-mailed a presentation to Dimon and other executives on April 11 that showed the credit bets were no longer working to protect against losses, the Senate investigators said. It included a chart that showed the portfolio would lose money in a financial crisis.
Days later, Braunstein told investors and analysts on a call to discuss earnings that the credit bets were a hedge that lowered risk. Dimon that day dismissed accounts of the loss as a "tempest in a teapot."
"None of those statements made on April 13 to the public, to investors, to analysts were true," Levin said. "The bank also neglected to disclose on that day that the portfolio had massive positions that were hard to exit, that they were violating in massive numbers key risk limits."
Braunstein, who stepped down in January as CFO and is still at the bank, will join Drew before the panel today. Ashley Bacon, JPMorgan's acting chief risk officer, and Michael Cavanagh, who led the internal review of the losses and is now co-CEO for the corporate and investment bank, also are scheduled to testify.


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Washington D.C.
By Nicole Cisneros McKeen
The words of Frank Sinatra's famous song reflect the sentiments of Tammy Mayberry '97 who agrees that Chicago is "My Kind of Town."
She is devoted to the Second City, and it's not because she hasn't been anywhere else. On the contrary, she spent most of a decade working in the nation's capital. It's just...
Ithaca College alumni set the stage for honest political action


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Gossip Girl's Taylor Momsen may be about to pull a disappearing act.
The actress with the goth looks is going on an "indefinite hiatus" from the EW show after the November 29 episode, reports Deadline.
Momsen, who portrays Jenny Humphrey on the show, has only appeared in three episodes this season, though she's billed as a series regular. Reps for the show and the network didn't comment, but sources told Deadline she will be absent from at least four episodes beginning with the mid-season finale on December 6.
U.S. & World
A show insider maintained to the website the reduced screen time was due to "strictly creative reasons."
The actress and lead singer in the punk rock band The Pretty Reckless has had some high-profile incidents of late.
She first shot a provocative cover for Revolver in which she sported sky-high heels and garters. Later, Momsen was also called out by Project Runway's Tim Gunn when he guest starred on Gossip Girl. He called her a "diva" and said that she couldn't recall her lines. "I thought to myself, 'Why are we being held hostage by this brat?" he said.
Selected Reading: Deadline, New York, Just Jared


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Random thoughts on almost anything and everything, with an emphasis on defense, intelligence, politics and national security matters..providing insight for the non-cleared world since 2005.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Stuck on Stupid
Unfortunately, Dobbs's latest effort falls in that latter category. He questions U.S. policies in the current crisis in the Middle East, resurrecting the tired talking point that the U.S. gives too much aid and support to Israel, while ignoring other countries in the region. The implication of course, is that anti-American sentiments in the Middle East are exacerbated by our alliance with Tel Aviv.
While the United States provides about $2.5 billion in military and economic aid to Israel each year, U.S. aid to Lebanon amounts to no more than $40 million. This despite the fact that the per capita GDP of Israel is among the highest in the world at $24,600, nearly four times as high as Lebanon's GDP per capita of $6,200.
Lebanon's lack of wealth is matched by the Palestinians -- three out of every four Palestinians live below the poverty line. Yet the vast majority of our giving in the region flows to Israel. This kind of geopolitical inconsistency and shortsightedness has contributed to the Arab-Israeli conflict that the Western world seems content to allow to perpetuate endlessly.
Let me get this straight. Following Dobbs's logic (or lack thereof), the U.S. could improve its posture in the area--and possibly, decrease the violence--by simply giving more aid to other Middle Eastern countries, and being more even-handed in our dealings across that troubled region.
It sounds nice, but there are more holes in Lou's argument that the proverbial block of Swiss cheese. Let's begin with his figures on foreign aid. True, Israel receives more U.S. aid dollars than any other country (roughly $2.7 billion a year), but he ignores the fact that the #2 ,#3 and #4 recipients of our foreign aid largesse are Muslim nations, Egypt, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In fact, 6 of the top 10 countries on the aid list are Muslim, or have a significant Muslim population. Add the combined receipts for these countries, and you'll find the aid total more than matches our annual allocation to Israel. Not that anyone should object; Egpyt, Afghanistan and Pakistan are key allies in the War on Terror, and the U.S. has important partnerships with other Muslim nations on the top 10 list.
Dobbs also ignores the fact that much of our aid to Israel is used for defense programs. He would probably argue that such aid is irresponsible, since Israeli weapons are being used to kill Lebanese and Palestinian civilians, thus perpetuating the constant cycle of violence. But he fails to mention that the U.S. has a vested interest in Israel's ability to defend itself. Some of the programs funded with American dollars are devoted to joint projects (namely missile defense) that can save American lives as well.
But most glaringly, Dobbs seems to believe that a more balanced approach will win friends and influence people in an always-voliatle region. Once again, the numbers disprove his claim. In the late 1990s, the Heritage Foundation compared the voting records of countries that received the most foreign aid from the U.S. Their study revealed that 74% of U.S. aid recipients voted against us a majority of the time in the U.N. Among the ten nations that received the most aid, six of those voted against the U.S. more than half the time. So much for buying friends.
Finally, there's the question of what exactly we would get for increased aid to Lebanon. The nation was dominated by Syria (a candidate member of the Axis of Evil) for more than 30 years, until the "Cedar Revolution" of 2005. Even today, Damascus exerts an inordinate influence on Lebanese affairs, so it's a good bet that increased aid for Lebanon would wind up in the hands of Syrian proxies, or (worse yet) factions aligned with their terrorist friends from Hizballah.
Dobbs also notes the suffering of the Palestinian people, most of whom live in poverty. Gee, Lou, do you think 40 years of corrupt leadership under Yasser Arafat had anything to do with that. His "widow" resides in opulence in Paris--wonder how many U.S. aid dollars were used to feather her nest? And, do you think that the "new" Hamas-led government would be a better steward of U.S. aid dollars?
Mr. Dobbs believes we're not very smart when it comes to our dealings in the Middle East. I disagree--in fact, when it comes to Mideast policy, it looks like CNN's general-purpose pundit is stuck on stupid.
If you want similar words of wisdom, hold your nose, and check out the latest offering from that closet anti-Semite, Patrick J. Buchanan.
7 comments:
- cynical joe said...
Is the protection of Israelis worth the destruction of liberal proto-democratic Lebanon? I'm not saying thats the equation, I'm asking, if it comes down to that, are we ready to sign off on it. Its clear that Israel's attacks on infrastructure, in Beirut alone, will have Lebanon teetering on sliding back into the 80s and civil war. Ironically, Lebanon was supposed to be an example of the Administration's success in bringing democracy to the middle east and steering away from supporting corrupt compliant dictators. If the campaign to crush Hizzbollah, in fact unites Lebanese around Nasrallah, in defying the Israelis, what have Israel and America gained?
- crosspatch said...
Dobbs works for CNN. He knows on which side his bread is buttered.
- Wanderlust said...
cynical joe, your argument above forgets the fact that we are not "protecting" Israelis. Unless, of course, you mean "protecting" Israelis in the sense that John Bolton stood up to the recent silliness put forward by Kofi Annan regarding his "stop the violence" resolution, and vetoed it.
Israel is a sovereign nation, that has been attacked by forces that another sovereign nation - Lebanon - have allowed to operate in their midst, unchecked. One side may argue that the Lebanese government is so "proto-democratic" that it cannot root out a cancer in its midst (Hezbollah); and another side may argue that because the Lebanese government didn't attack Israel, why has Israel attacked Lebanon? Still others point to the civilians that have lost their lives in the fighting. Yet all those arguments, in their various flavors, are merely straw men.
You and others like you forget that Lebanese people have been active on the blogosphere lately, begging Israel to stay the course and finish what it started: the eradication of the cancer of Hezbollah from their country. The indiscriminate use of Lebanese civilians as human shields by Hezbollah has not stopped this word getting out.
Israel is not "[destroying the] liberal proto-democratic [nation of] Lebanon". Instead, Israel has been methodically closing a trap around Hezbollah, so that the cancer that wages war on Israel from within Lebanon can be eradicated. And it's about time.
We are not "signing off" on Lebanon's destruction. Israel was attacked on numerous occasions from forces within Lebanon, and Israel, as a member of the United Nations, has a right to defend its borders with all means at its disposal. I believe the resolutions by the UN to that effect even apply to Israel, despite the overwhelmingly obvious bias against Israel in that cockroach-infested building on Turtle Bay.
- cynical joe said...
I'm not unsympathetic to Israel's strategic situation. My concern is whether its possible to calibrate the destruction of infrastructure so finely that Hezbollah is destroyed but Lebanon lives. I'm confused as to why Israel is hammering Beirut so hard (including Lebanese army barracks) if the plan is for the Lebanese army is to eventually replace Hezbollah in the south. My worry is that this war will cause the moderates in Lebanon to flee, the remaining ones to radicalize and move towards Nasrallah and to be left with not just a failed state with a Hezbollah region, but rather a full-blown Hezbollah controlled Lebanon with a whole country that they then can use to attack Israel. Then, it'll be Hezbollah with strategic depth, Syria will be back controlling Lebanon and America's interests in the region will be negatively impacted.
- Kitty said...
It's CNN. Need I say more?
- eatyourbeans said...
Israel is our North Korea; if, say, they were to go nuts and nuke Tehran, we should act just like China does: tut-tut-naughty-naughty...(psssst! good going, jews!)
Down the road, I can't think there can be peace and quiet in the middle east until the oil-needy nations, which comprise several billion people, decide enough is enough, and form a condominium to firmly administer and equitably share the region's energy deposits.
- baddog46 said...
A lot of this is how far back you peel the onion.
Lebanon as a nation-state was created in 1943. Before that it was part of Greater Syria. So, Syria has always considered Lebanon to be part of Syria and not a nation-state.
In 1982, when Israel invaded Lebanon the largely Shiite Lebanese population initially welcomed the Israelis for liberating them from the PLO oppression. It was only after occupation became onerous that the cycle of terrorist attack beggeting the bulldozing of houses began.
At the time, Amal was the dominant Shiite party/militia. The other dominant representative elements included the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) led by Walid Jumblatt (Druze), Al Morabitoun (Sunni), and the Phalangist (Marounite Christian led by the Gemayel family). Disatisfaction with the direction of Amal led to the formation of Hezbollah.
American response to the embassy bommbings, the Marine Barracks, kidnapping of William Buckly, encouraged Hezbollah to grow. (Peel it back further to 1980 and the Iranian revolution and hosistage crisis). IGRC and MOIS set up training camps in the Bekaa valley (where you will still see Hezbollah flags and pictures of Iranian clerics, not Lebanese flags or pictures of Lebanese politicians (other than Nisrallah.)
I could go on and on. I spent some time there in 1984 as an SF guy.


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Should parents in Arkansas be able to choose what schools their children attend without restriction? If so, would that result in racial resegregation in parts of the state, with mostly white schools in one part of the county and schools with mostly minority students in another part? If so, what should the state do to discourage that from happening?
Legislators are asking those questions because Arkansas' previous school choice law was declared unconstitutional in a district court last year. Under that law, a parent could send their child to a district other than the one where the family resides. However, the transfer was not allowed if the new school district had a higher percentage of that student's race than the student's resident district.
That brought on a lawsuit from parents who wanted to transfer their students from the Malvern School District to neighboring Magnet Cove.
In that case, the district judge ruled that the state couldn't base its school-choice law on race, so the entire law was thrown out. The case is under appeal, and if it is not resolved by this summer, then there will be no choice option next school year. That means legislators need to do something while they are in session these next two months.
Let's be clear: There's no indication whatsoever that race was a motivating factor in those Malvern parents' lawsuit. They wanted to give their children the best education possible. Who can blame them for that?
However, Hot Spring County is the kind of situation the old school choice law tried to address by limiting transfers. The school district in the county's only city, Malvern, has a majority white population but a large number of African-American students. Meanwhile, the county has four rural districts where most of the students are white. Two of them, including Magnet Cove, are only a few miles from the Malvern campus.
The school choice debate involves two competing values. Should parents have the right to send their children to the school that's the best fit for them and where they can get the best education possible? Most Arkansans probably would say yes. Does the state want to do anything that, over time, would result in racially segregated schools? Looking back at Arkansas history, most people probably would say no.
So the next question is, are we past the days of white flight? State Sen. Johnny Key, R-Mountain Home, says we're close enough. He's introduced a school choice bill that basically would allow parents to choose their children's school, period. He says that most parents today would not drive their children to a neighboring district just so they can sit comfortably next to kids who look like them. Moreover, schools can offer differentiating programs – like El Dorado's free college tuition for students – that would attract families regardless of their ethnicity.
Two other legislators also have introduced school choice bills. One by Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, would allow parents to choose their children's school but let schools opt out of the school choice program if they believe it would result in racial resegregation. Rep. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, has introduced two bills: one that would allow currently transferred students to stay in their new schools, and one that would list about a dozen reasons a family could request a school transfer in the future.
While bills involving guns and abortion have been sailing through the Legislature, these school choice bills haven't even been discussed in committee yet.
That's not surprising. This is a tough one for a lot of reasons. It involves human nature, Arkansas history, and the desire by a lot of people – parents, educators and legislators – to do the right thing even though it's not clear what that is.
Steve Brawner is an independent journalist in Arkansas. His email address is email@example.com. He can be followed on Twitter at @stevebrawner.


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Jon Rose necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 57 diseños de 17 diseñadores freelance.
A logo for an established website selling specialized Music Folders (similar to hardback books) for the purpose of holding sheet music for choirs, bands and orchestras. The site is http://www.MyMusicFolders.com We want a logo that is specific to the product line. The logo will be used on the header of the website and as the letterhead of invoices, sales orders, and correspondence related to the music folders products. We are running a concurrent contest for our NEW website selling Choir Robes. Please bid on that one too if you would like. We would like logos for each site that coordinate, but are distinct according to the product line.
We want a small logo that will be easy to convert into line art as necessary. The logo should be legible even when reduced to 1". The logo should suggest the product, "Music Folder". It could include a suggestion of a musician also, such as a singer or player. The logo will be used on all web pages on that website, and on all our correspondence associated with the folders, to provide visual continuity as well as brand identity. Our company produces and sells music items and has been in business for about seven years. We started as a fund raising project for our community choir, and have grown into a profitable independent business, still donating a percentage of profits to the choir.
- Item 1)Should coordinate with our other logo for MyChoirRobes.com (see our other contest) Item 2) A "Coco Chanel" classic style Item3) Clean, classic lines Item 4) Warm and inviting
- Item 1)Not too modern styling Item 2) not over-the-top expensive looking Item 3) not "royal" or "regal" looking
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text: Look. Before we go any further. I know. There's zero gameplay footage, there's zero announcements (because we knew the product itself was coming in 2009), and with no gameplay and a s-s-s-haky cam, there's always the chance it's a fake. But you know what? As a community service to anyone who is still a Metallica fan, here you go. This trailer is apparently bundled with Guitar Hero: World Tour, and comes complete with corny "Ride the Lightning" tag line. [thanks everyone who sent this in!]


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Supreme Support!
A must for your little one! This mattress is firmer and more supportive than most. The Mohair Mattress is made by Natural Mat and is their most luxurious baby mattress, offering a firmer, more supportive base. Horsetail hair (the strongest and most durable natural fiber in the world) forms the core of the Mohair Mattress. It is then sandwiched between two layers of organic coir (made from the husks of coconut) for extra support. Silky mohair fleece wraps around the outside acting as a luxurious thermal insulator. The cotton herringbone cover is removable for easy washing! Free of synthetic chemicals and materials, the Mohair Mattress will provide baby with healthy comfort, and mom with peace of mind!
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Partner, Buenos Aires
At BCG, Allies bring a sense of collaboration and excitement to their teams. They create an atmosphere of trust and support in which people can do their best work. Alejandro finds clarity in a complex world.
The best part of working at BCG is the incredibly talented people you work with. Everybody at BCG pushes you to your limits.
My previous professional experience was in multichannel development for banks. BCG exposed me to different functions—such as M&A, strategy, operations, and integrations—both in the financial industry space and in consumer packaged goods. All my cases at BCG have been deeply challenging and amazing.
The thing I value the most is the high-impact work we do at BCG. I have had the opportunity to work in projects that change the client's agenda and reality. In my time at BCG I have had the opportunity to work on an integration that reshaped the transactional banking industry in Argentina and on a project that redefined the business model for a regional spirits and wine company.
Alejandro holds a business economics degree from Di Tella University and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The high-impact work I do and the extremely talented people I work with every day.
Q: When did you know you belonged at BCG?
A: Since the first day I joined the BCG Buenos Aires office, I felt I belonged. People are extremely open and very collaborative. This is the type of environment I like working in!
Q: How has BCG helped you grow and succeed?
A: BCG has helped me grow and succeed by giving me the opportunity to work in new functions (M&A, strategy, integrations) and industries (consumer packaged goods, insurance, private banking) and also to have massive exposure to the firm's senior management. This type of exposure is very difficult to find in the industry.


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Drinks and Your Teeth: Could Your Favorite Beverage Increase Your Risk of Tooth Decay?
Protect Your Enamel by Avoiding These Drinks
Keep your enamel strong and healthy by staying away from these drinks:
Cavities are not just caused by eating sugary foods. The drinks you consume can also increase the risk that you will develop tooth decay. Understanding how your favorite drinks can damage your teeth will help you decide if you need to make a few changes to protect your tooth enamel.
How Does Sugar Affect My Teeth?
Every time you take a drink of your favorite sugary beverage, a layer of sugar coats your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth attacks the sugar, producing acids that can weaken or damage your tooth enamel, the hard, protective layer that covers the surfaces of your teeth. The longer you expose your teeth to sugar, the greater your chance of developing a cavity.
Sugar Isn't the Only Enamel Enemy
Beverages that contain acids are very effective at destroying tooth enamel. Once the damage occurs, your teeth are not only more likely to develop cavities, but may also become more sensitive when all or part of the enamel is missing. A variety of acids found in beverages are to blame for the problem, including citric, malic, phosphoric and tartaric acid.
The Worst Combination: Sugary AND Acidic
Drinks that are sugary and acidic, such as some fruit juices, soft drinks and lemonade, can make tooth decay occur much more quickly. Avoiding or limiting these drinks is essential to avoiding tooth decay.
Alcoholic Beverages Increase Your Tooth Decay Risk
Alcoholic beverages contain sugar, but that's not the only reason they are harmful to your teeth. When you drink alcohol, your saliva production decreases. Saliva is helpful in washing away sugar from your teeth. When it starts to dry up, your teeth can suffer. Drinking alcohol frequently can also irritate the tissues in your mouth and cause gum disease.
How Will I Know if My Enamel is Damaged?
If the drinks you consume have damaged your tooth enamel, you may notice several symptoms, including:
- Yellow teeth due to exposure of the dentin layer under your enamel
- Pain when you eat or drink cold, hot or sweet foods and drinks
- Dents or pits on the chewing surfaces of teeth
- Rounded appearance to your teeth as the enamel wears away
- Cracks at the edges of your teeth
Things You Can Do to Reduce or Prevent Tooth Enamel Erosion
Follow these tips to rid your mouth of sugars and acids:
- Drink water after consuming a beverage to remove sugars and acids, or chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva production if water isn't available.
- Do not spread drinking out over hours. Finish your drink quickly to avoid bathing your mouth in sugars and acids.
- Drink beverages with a straw to limit exposure to your enamel.
- Limit sugary and acid beverages to meal times. Food can help counteract acids.
- Avoid brushing your teeth for 30 minutes after you drink an acidic drink. If you brush immediately after finishing your drink, you will spread the acid over your teeth instead of removing it.
Regular visits help your dentist spot signs of tooth decay and other dental health problems. If it's time for your next visit, call us to schedule a convenient appointment time.
Colgate: What Are Sugar Drinks Doing to Your Teeth:
Know Your Teeth: Soda Attack: Soft Drinks, Especially Non-Colas and Iced Tea, Hurt Hard Enamel, 5/15/16
WebMD: Tooth Enamel Erosion
Dentistry Today: Sugars, Acids in Alcohol May Lead to Tooth Decay, 12/16/10
Know Your Teeth: Sports and Energy Drinks Responsible for Irreversible Damage to Teeth, 5/12
Nutrition Research: Acidic Beverages Increase the Risk of In Vitro Tooth Erosion, 2008
University of Maryland Dental School: Soft Drinks and Dental Erosion, 8/27/04
Our staff of dental professionals are dedicated to helping you achieve your dental wellness objectives. Thank you for subscribing to our dental wellness newsletter.


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|[Page 216]
|From Transnistria...
|Ten people on the gallows
(Warwerowka Camp)
|The temple in Cernivci burned down by
the Germans (1941)
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text:
Haith Says He is Cooperating with NCAA Miami Probe
COLUMBIA (AP) -- Missouri coach Frank Haith says he is fully cooperating with the NCAA in the latest round of trouble at the University of Miami.
The Hurricanes have declared center Reggie Johnson ineligible, saying his family received impermissible travel benefits from a member of Haith's staff.
Haith spent seven years at Miami before Missouri hired him in April 2011. Miami has asked the NCAA to reinstate Johnson and said he wasn't aware of the extra benefits.
Haith has led Missouri to 25 wins and a top 10 perch in his first year in Columbia. A former Hurricanes booster, Nevin Shapiro, has claimed that Haith approved a $10,000 payment to then-Miami recruit DeQuan Jones. Haith has denied that allegation, and Jones has since been cleared to play by Miami after initially being sidelined this season.


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Arts, Beats & Eats returns for its 15th year in Royal Oak
Music, food and art festival runs Aug. 31- Sept. 3 in Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK, Mich. – Residents only have one more day to enjoy Arts, Beats & Eats in Downtown Royal Oak.
The event celebrates its 15th year returning to the bustling streets of Royal Oak where it kicked-off events on Friday.
Ford Arts, Beats & Eats, presented by Citizens Bank, will entertain thousands of visitors from across the region with its outstanding music line-up, stellar arts programming, mouthwatering selection of food, as well as a number of high-impact community initiatives.
Watch: Local 4 at Arts, Beats and Eats Friday night
The national recording artists performing at this year's festival include, R.E.O. Speedwagon, G. Love & Special Sauce, Theory of a Deadman, Travis Tritt, Mayer Hawthorne & The County, Saving Abel, Morris Day & The Time, The Guess Who, and Detroit deaf hip-hop artist Sean Forbes. More than 150 local bands also will perform on nine stages throughout the festival.
More than 50 of the area's favorite restaurants, caterers and food-related attractions will take to the streets of Royal oak to share their food and unique takes on the culinary arts with visitors.
The Juried Fine Arts show will feature some of the best work from around North America in more than 140 booth spaces.
Know before you go
Copyright 2012 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Stolen truck found in Keystone Lake
Truck weighing 60,000 pounds submerged in water
State police are still searching for someone who stole a tri-axle truck and apparently drove it into Keystone Lake, where it was found submerged on Tuesday afternoon.
Photos: Truck goes into Keystone Lake
The truck was discovered in the water off Route 210 in Plumcreek Township, Armstrong County, just north of Elderton.
The truck was filled with aluminum frames used to pour foundations for homes and was estimated to weigh 60,000 pounds, police said.
The truck is owned by Keystone Country Concrete Foundations Inc. in Brookville, but it was parked in a lot in Elderton when it was taken sometime between between 8:30 p.m. Monday and 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said.
Whoever stole the truck likely dumped it in the lake and took off, police said. Nothing was stolen, including the aluminum frames loaded in its trailer.
A dive team went into the water, but no one was found inside the truck. A hazmat team was called to help remove fuel from the lake.
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission controls the 850-acre lake and stocks it for fishing.


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As of March 2012 I have found two generations of Hall in my direct line. They start with my 3x great grandmother Margery Hall born 1803 in Elsdon in Northumberland. Margery's father is 4x great grandfather Joseph Hall born in 1767 in Elsdon. I found Joseph just a few months into my research and since he was the first person I named in generation 7 he gave me a big incentive to continue digging. Margery Hall married John Thornton and had 8 children. They named one of their sons Hall Thornton which gave a good clue to finding the correct couple.
Wikipedia claims that Elsdon was a lawless place many centuries ago. I remember when I was about 9 or 10 going on a school trip to the Elsdon area and stopping to view Winter's gibbet where a murderer was hung in chains in 1791. Strange sort of thing to take a busload of 9 year olds to see. Interesting now to see that this event would have been during the lifetime of my ancestor Joseph Hall. I suppose that in such a small village he must have known the murder victim.
Transcript of Elsdon parish records
Another Hall researcher gave me a useful hint today. The Open Library have a transcript of Elsdon parish records from 1672 to 1812. This contains a lot of useful information but the search functionality is not very user friendly, a few pages are out of sequence and I have found one potential transcription error. Nevertheless a good starting point for finding out more about Elsdon folk.
Children of Joseph Hall and Eleanor Thompson
My initial list of the children of my 4x great grandparents Joseph Hall and Eleanor Thompson was taken from the transcript of Elsdon parish records mentioned above. Unfortunately it did not tally correctly with the vicar's numbering of the children and was further confused by the transcript indicating that my 3x great grandmother Margery Hall was the daughter of John, which conflicted with my previous information that he was Joseph. I have now checked the details to the microfilm of the records of Elsdon St. Cuthbert's church held at Woodhorn. (Reel M241 for future reference) and confirmed that the children of Joseph and Eleanor are:
|Position given as:
|24 Aug 1794
|22 Oct 1793
|24 Aug 1794
|22 Oct 1793
|22 Sep 1795
|27 Aug 1797
|3 Mar 1799
|26 Jan 1799
|4th son
|27 Jul 1800
|10 Jul 1800
|2nd dau
|24 Jul 1803
|3 Jul 1803
|3rd dau
|31 Mar 1805
|1 Mar 1805
|5th son
|3 May 1807
|9 Mar 1807
|6th son
|2 Dec 1810
|22 Oct 1810
|7th son
Now I understand why some transcripts give James and some give Gabriel as the child baptized in 1794. The church record shows two baptisms and gives Oct 1793 as birth for both, so Gabriel and James must have been twins. My ancestor Margery is the 7th child and youngest girl.
Finding my Hall 5x great grandparents
As a result of my visit to Northumberland Archives Easter 2012 I believe I have now identified my 5x great grandparents Hall. My 4x great grandparents Joseph Hall and Eleanor Thompson were married in 1793 in Elsdon, Northumberland. I had previously been told by other distant relatives that Joseph was born about 1767. The marriage date suggests that this could be correct, but I wanted to be more certain so I checked the parish records for Elsdon St. Cuthbert's backwards from 1775. This review gave me a baptism for Joseph Hall on 1 Jan 1769, son of Gabriel Hall and Hannah Hall of West Todholes in Elsdon parish. This was a very good possibility for my Joseph as he would have been 24 at the time of the marriage. I ran out of time at Woodhorn to follow this lead further, but have subsequently reviewed the Elsdon parish record transcription on Open Library and searched findmypast and familysearch. I found no other likely baptismal candidates for my Joseph, but did discover that Gabriel and Hannah had buried a son Joseph on 17 March 1766. I have not found a birth record for him. Since they have used the name twice it may suggest that there are more Josephs to look for further back in the lineage.
Further review of the transcript on Open Library turned up a marriage record on 12 December 1765 for "Gabriel Hall and Hannah Hunter of ye Westtodholes, both in this parish". Since the event timings and place names are appropriate and I cannot find any other Joseph birth which fits I am drawing the conclusion that Gabriel Hall and Hannah Hunter are my 5x great grandparents. The fact that Joseph and Eleanor named one of their eldest (twin) boys Gabriel and their eldest girl Hannah adds an extra reassurance that I have traced the correct couple.


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Many Christmas tree growers are counting on tradition and loyal clientele to help them stay in business as more artificial trees find their way into local homes.
For more than 22 years, Frank Mazzara and his family have been going to Atanasoff's Tree Farm in Deerfield, N.Y., near Utica, to cut their own Christmas tree, load it up and then head for breakfast.
Twelve family members, spanning at least three generations, kept with that tradition on the farm Sunday while John Atanasoff pointed out the best of his crop.
For Mazzara, there's nothing like a real tree, he said. The smell, the freshness and the memories outweigh the work that goes into cutting and maintaining it.
"We have always cut our own tree," Mazzara said. "Artificial trees are like blow-up design. It is the easy American thing."
Many Christmas tree growers in the region are counting on tradition and loyal clientele to help them stay in business as more artificial trees make inroads into local homes.
Sales of artificial Christmas trees have gone up more than 25 percent — from 7.3 million in 2001 to 9.3 million in 2006 — according to National Christmas Tree Association data.
Real Christmas trees have not quite kept pace: Sales increased roughly 3 percent from 27.8 million in 2001 to 28.6 million in 2006.
Laura Fuller of Vernon prefers an artificial tree, she said Friday while shopping at Target at Sangertown Square in New Hartford, N.Y.
"I am allergic to the real trees, and they are not allowed in the dorm rooms because they are a fire hazard." Fuller said.
The History
Christmas trees were introduced in United States by German settlers in the 1800s, according to National Christmas Tree Association, and they began to be sold commercially in 1851.
Soon after, in 1883, artificial trees were offered. With conservationists encouraging people to go for artificial trees to stop the destruction of forests in the early 1900s, artificial trees started getting more popular.
Omar Massoud of Massoud's Tree Farm in New Hartford started selling Christmas trees in the 1980s.
Over the years, he and his wife, Judy, have sold thousands of trees to families that come back each year, he said.
For Judy Massoud, the business is about the joy of seeing children who once accompanied their parents to the farm now bring in their own babies.
"It's memories," she said. "It is all a part of creating and being part of their memories."
Sharon George of George's Farm Products Inc. in Clinton, N.Y., said she often sees families with their children in a sledge go into the woods to choose that perfect Christmas tree.
"The trees are a byproduct of your personality," he said. "There's always families with young kids that want to come out and cut their own."
The Debate
The one-time cost for artificial Christmas trees can be appealing, some customers say. The trees can be packed and reused while real ones last only weeks.
And with more manufacturing moving to China, prices for artificial trees have gone down considerably, said Richard Moore of the National Christmas Tree Association.
"We would not compete with that," he said. "With us, it is the tradition that counts."
Artificial trees also are neater: Owners have to water real Christmas trees and clean up the needles that fall off.
"Price is not really a detrimental factor," Moore said. "It is the convenience, the messiness .…"
But artificial trees present an environment problem because they don't decompose in landfills.
"A real tree … after it has served its purpose, it can be ground into wood chips," Moore said. "We may use a fake tree for a few years and then it goes to a landfill for a few thousand years."
Despite the increased popularity of artificial trees, some customers always will want the real thing, Moore said.
Dan Ficano of New Hartford bought an artificial Christmas tree once but did not like it much, he said.
"I missed the smell," he said.
Ficano and daughter Julia, 3, watched their large balsam fir tree get packed up at Massoud's Sunday.
And on Friday, the family will decorate it together, Ficano said.
"That's American tradition," said Bob Norris of New York State National Christmas Tree Association and a tree grower in Red Creek.
Utica Observer-Dispatch


text:
By Jessica Malnik| This post can be found here
In an ideal world, nascent PR pros and neophyte journalists should know how to do a variety of things before they walk across the stage and get their diplomas.
There's no need to be an expert in everything, but it helps to have some familiarity with a variety of tasks and programs. As someone who's been in the workforce for a few years now, I offer seven underrated skills that all aspiring PR pros and journalists should have:
1. Basic HTML knowledge
By this, I mean basic. There's no need for PR pros to know how to code websites, although it could be helpful. There is a need to know to how to post a blog post using WordPress, Blogger, or Posterous. Knowing simple HTML commands for headlines, body copy, bold, italic, and bullet points is HTML 101.
2. Video editing
This can be daunting to learn. I'm not saying everyone should be fluent in Final Cut Pro or Avid, but there is no reason that a marketer or PR pro should not have some familiarity with iMovie, Animoto, or Jaycut. These are simple programs that enable you to upload and edit videos, often in minutes.
3. Excel
Creating simple spreadsheets and tasks in Excel can be difficult for newbies. Though it may be a tough program to learn, there's no excuse to do so. You will use it more than you think.
4. Proper grammar
Writing well is a staple of just about any career. Good grammar and spelling are at its root. Channel the advice of your middle school English teacher whenever you construct a sentence, paragraph, white paper, presentation, or blog post. Good grammar matters.
5. Basic math
Whether you're analyzing statistics, comparing percentages, or helping prepare a budget, simple math skills come in handy more often than you might think.
Understanding how SEO affects your site's search rankings is important. At the very least, you should know to craft an SEO-friendly headline and keywords for site content. Any added knowledge is gravy. For additional SEO resources, check out SEOMoz blog, a phenomenal resource.
7. Social media familiarity
It's mind blowing how many marketers and PR pros handle "social media tasks" professionally when they have no or little experience using those platforms. You don't have to be super active on Facebook, Twitter, G+, etc., but you should at least be on the sites and know how to use them.
What other skills should marketers and PR pros have? Please leave them in the comments section below.
Jessica Malnik is a PR/marketing coordinator, social media specialist, videographer, and an avid Gen Y blogger. A version of this article originally appeared on her blog.


text:
Abstract submissions will be accepted until Sept. 14, 2009
ACE10 is now accepting abstract submissions. The 129th Amercan Water Works Association's (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition will take place in Chicago next June.
Water professionals contribute knowledge and vision to the conference's professional program. AWWA solicits both oral and poster presentations for the conference's professional program. Papers for both will be included in the conference proceedings.
Session topics include:
• Distribution, Plant Operations, and Maintenance;
• Engineering, Design, and Construction;
• Government Affairs;
• International Topics;
• Management and Leadership;
• Public Affairs;
• Regulatory Trends;
• Research;
• Residuals;
• Security;
• Small Systems;
• Mid-Western Regional Topics;
• Water Conservation;
• Water Quality; and
• Water Resources/Reuse.
Abstract submissions are accepted online at awwa.org/ace10. Submission deadline is Sept. 14, 2009.
Membership in AWWA is not a requirement for presentation. Individuals or organizations may submit as many abstracts as they choose, but each abstract can only be submitted in one session topic area.
If more than one abstract is submitted on different aspects of an individual project, the project may be selected more than once for presentation.
In all cases, AWWA will contact to confirm submitter's availability to make the presentation. Presentation of more than one paper by the same organization during any given session is discouraged.
A separate form must be provided for each individual abstract. Please indicate if your presentation is suitable for a poster or oral presentation.


text:
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:16 pm
We can agree on that. And I believe that someday we will, or might, be able to "engineer" with consciousness in the same way we can light. Some people (maybe SC?) might be dissatisfied with that, might want "more," and I would not try to dissuade them. As long as they don't insist that we be dissatisfied along with them!Windwalker wrote: Consciousness as we perceive it may well be illusion -- but it is a real phenomenon, insofar as it arises from electrochemical changes that can be measured and which alter or cease during sleep, coma or death.


text:
The estate inventory of Thomas Pinckney, Jr., filed in Nov 1817, lists the names of enslaved ancestors in Charleston and at Ashepoo, St. Bartholomews Parish, Colleton, SC.
We invite you to contribute to this page.
To view the document, please click on the images attached to this page.
This document was indexed and made searchable by Alana Thevenet.


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Call today to find a dealer in Boston, MA1-877-297-1912
For use with infinias S-EIDC32 door controller
Hex wrench for installation or removal of the S-EIDC32 cover plate security screw.
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Oops! The input is malformed!
Originally published 12 October 2010
Master data management (MDM) is a top priority for many organizations as they aim to deliver and leverage trusted business information. Master data encompasses high-value information such as customer, supplier, partner, product, materials, and employee data. Its critical for addressing business problems and is at the heart of every business transaction, application and decision. Many organizations are deploying enterprise-wide MDM solutions to meet the demands of entering new markets, as well as financial and legislative demands that put increasing pressure on organizations.
Companies that have started their MDM journey have realized some significant gains. Manufacturers are managing their supply chains more efficiently and healthcare providers are delivering more accurate and comprehensive patient records. National, state and local governments are providing a more complete view of information and better serving individuals.
However, these organizations recognize that MDM is not a destination, but a journey. Companies and agencies are not static and environments and goals change over time. As a result, many organizations need to adapt their MDM deployments to address new and wider sets of business requirements, and enable different deployment and implementation architecture options. MDM will also need to expand beyond customer and product data into other data and relationships and provide access to information-rich systems for broader use.
This means that organizations should look for an adaptive MDM solution that supports their short- and long-term strategy for solving business and IT challenges resulting from poor data quality.
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