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100% Pure New Zealand
Tourism New Zealand's tourism marketing campaign is 100% Pure New Zealand. It is used in all of our international marketing work - including advertising, international PR activity and online marketing, event and sponsorship activity.
When 100% Pure New Zealand was launched in 1999, it was the first time New Zealand had one message in all of its tourism markets around the world. The campaign was developed to be clear and concise: to communicate a single message about New Zealand that captured the imagination of our target market.
100% Pure New Zealand tells the story of how this country's unique combination of landscapes, people and activities cannot be found anywhere else in the world - it is a "100% Pure New Zealand" visitor experience.
Over the years it has been used as 100% Pure Relaxation, 100% Pure Adrenalin, 100% Pure You and 100% Middle-earth - all connected back to the core premise of 100% Pure New Zealand.
100% Middle-earth, 100% Pure New Zealand was named best destination marketing campaign at the 2012 World Travel Awards.
The latest adaption is 100% Pure Welcome, 100% Pure New Zealand, our biggest campaign yet! It showcases what makes us unique – our warm and welcoming people alongside our stunning landscapes.
Everyday for the next year a short video will go live of a New Zealander wishing the world a good morning from their favourite place in New Zealand. New Zealanders are also being invited to be a part of the campaign by creating their own 'good morning world' videos and sharing them on social media using the hashtag #goodmorningworldnz.
Consumer marketing and advertising
Consumer Marketing - including advertising, promotions and online marketing work - is the most visible part of Tourism New Zealand's work.
Tourism New Zealand's advertising is evolving from print, television, cinema and billboard advertising, to greater use of technology to reach our target audience wherever they are, and whatever they might be doing, in their daily lives.
This has meant embracing new media such as mobile technology, social media and online advertising.
Online channels
Tourism New Zealand helps make planning and booking a New Zealand holiday easy by ensuring the international travel trade know and understand New Zealand, and by delivering a world-class travel website to consumers.
Our consumer website, www.newzealand.com, is the main way Tourism New Zealand provides information about New Zealand to international visitors. The goal of newzealand.com is to connect consumers with travel sellers.
The site offers interactive planning tools, special travel deals, operator listings and information about New Zealand.
Content is tailored to the interests and requirements of consumers from all our key markets. There are now over 20 market versions of the site, with nine of the editions either partly or fully translated. All campaign activity drives visitors to newzealand.com.
The website has twice won the international Webby Award for best tourism site in the world.
International Public Relations and media engagement
Gaining compelling, high-profile media coverage to motivate our target market to travel to New Zealand is the main aim of Tourism New Zealand's public relations team. Tourism New Zealand's international media programme hosts around 150 international journalists in New Zealand each year from print, online and broadcast organisations.
Tourism New Zealand is also hosting a growing number of respected influencers - opinion leaders, writers and thinkers who endorse New Zealand internationally.
Word of mouth is one of our most powerful marketing tools, and the reach and credibility of influencers makes their word even more powerful. Working with these individuals helps extend New Zealand's profile and inspire travellers from our target market to come here on holiday.
Our media website www.media.newzealand.com is where we regularly publish story ideas, videos and media resources that can be accessed online, 24 hours a day by international media.
Every year our international media programme hosts journalists for events such as the World of Wearable Art Awards Show (WOW), the New Zealand Golf Open, Toast Martinborough, Matariki (the Māori New Year) and international yachting events such as the Volvo Ocean Race. Coverage of these events reaches millions of readers and viewers in our offshore markets and raises awareness of what's on in New Zealand and the kinds of experiences people can have here.
Tourism New Zealand also organises or contributes to some high-profile international events that bring New Zealand to life and capture the imaginations of our target market.
The Rugby World Cup 2011 and Tourism New Zealand's Giant Rugby Ball are examples of this, but we have also won Gold at the Chelsea Garden Show in London, hosted thousands of people for a two-day New Zealand festival in Japan and taken Māori art treasures to China, the US and Japan.
Working with the travel trade
International travel sellers - travel agents, wholesalers and online travel sellers - play a vital role in 'selling' a destination and providing trusted expertise and personalised service to customers. They can be very influential in helping consumers make holiday choices, not only about where to go, but also what to do and where to stay when they get there.
Tourism New Zealand works with regional tourism organisations and the New Zealand tourism industry to educate a core group of travel sellers in each of our markets to ensure they have the knowledge, understanding and passion for New Zealand they need in order to sell the destination effectively.
Each year, we bring around 200 agents to New Zealand to show them what New Zealand has to offer. We also train agents in market, both face-to-face and online.
Every year we travel with New Zealand-based tourism operators to participate in Tourism New Zealand-run trade events and industry travel expos in a number of markets. These events are vital for connecting the New Zealand industry with the offshore trade and for ensuring the travel trade have a good understanding of tourism products and services available in New Zealand.
Our trade marketing and offshore teams also work closely with travel trade partners in market to run joint campaigns and promotions and to assist them in effectively marketing New Zealand to their customers.
Find out more about our offshore trade events programme


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About RBC > Media Newsroom > Speeches > Address to Shareholders
Gordon M. Nixon
President & Chief Executive Officer
Royal Bank of Canada
144th Annual Meeting of Royal Bank of Canada
February 28, 2013
Calgary, Canada
Thank you and good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the members of our team here in Alberta - and our 80,000 employees around the world - welcome to RBC's annual meeting.
It is a pleasure to be here in Calgary, a vibrant and economically dynamic city -- in a province known for its beauty, resources and entrepreneurial spirit.
RBC's history in Alberta goes back over a hundred years, to when we opened our first branch in Edmonton in 1906. Today we employ more than 4,100 people in the province, have 137 branches and are privileged to serve more than one-in-three Albertans.
We have an exceptional team here that has made this growth possible. I'd like to recognize some of my colleagues: Bruce MacKenzie, Royal Bank Regional President for Alberta and the Territories; Derek Neldner, Managing Director of RBC Capital Markets and Co-Head of our Global Energy Team; and our two Capital Markets Vice-Chairmen, Bill Sembo and Gord Ritchie.
I also would like to acknowledge our Calgary based directors - our Chairman, David O'Brien, and directors Rick George and Tim Hearn. Over the years, our executives and directors from Alberta have played a big role in our success.
I would be remiss not to mention Ted Newall and Peter Lougheed, both long serving directors whose sage advice, support and loyalty will always be part of our legacy.
Our bank has been honoured to play a role in Alberta's growth. This province and, in particular, its energy sector have been vital to Canada's economic success.
We are proud to be a global leader in the provision of financial services to the energy sector and that leadership has been built from our base in Calgary.
But Alberta is more than just energy. Many sectors are contributing to its growth, including agriculture, technology, manufacturing and healthcare, to name a few, and we are privileged to serve over 110,000 small and medium sized businesses throughout the province.
Before I go through our results, I'd like to emphasize that Canada's strength and diversity have given RBC a strong foundation for growth.
Like Canada, RBC possesses a reputation for strength and stability and sound risk management. And, like Canada, we draw on the strength of our diversity, we value good governance, and we strive to create an environment where talented and skilled people can reach their full potential.
Being the leading bank in a country with a sound banking system has provided a significant competitive advantage. In short, we have the good fortune of being positioned to both benefit from - and contribute to - the growing strength of our country.
So how do we ensure that RBC lives up to its own potential? I believe that the critical starting point is having a consistent vision. Our vision is: "Always earning the right to be our clients' first choice." We are in a client service business, and RBC has always recognized that long-term success will only come from providing value and advice to our customers.
RBC's strong foundation means we are well positioned to execute our strategy and drive growth for our clients and for our shareholders. While the market environment has forced many of our competitors to restructure and change direction, our long-term strategic goals remain consistent. Because we refrained from many of the excesses of our global competitors leading up to the economic crisis of 2008, we are one of the few global banks whose business mix and strategic focus have remained consistent.
In Canada, we have an established leadership position and continue to profitably extend this lead. Our objective is to grow our Canadian Banking business at a 25 per cent premium to the competition and we have consistently exceeded that over the past number of years.
Outside Canada, we operate in areas where we have competitive strengths and can leverage our leading Canadian franchises to grow profitably. Our focus is on high net worth, corporate and institutional clients in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and through emerging market hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong.
Our brand strength underpins our growth strategy. Not only is the RBC brand as strong as it's ever been in Canada, but internationally our brand has become known for integrity, strength and safety.
Turning to our financial performance, it's clear that our vision, strategy and commitment to our clients have served us well. Our earnings in 2012 were not only a record for RBC but were the largest ever for a Canadian company.
We had record results in three of our business segments - Personal & Commercial Banking, Capital Markets and Insurance.
We delivered earnings of over 7.5 billion dollars, up 17 per cent from the prior year. On a continuing operations basis, our earnings of 7.6 billion dollars were up nine per cent.
These results are a testament to our diversified business model and our ability to execute our long-term growth strategy while maintaining a prudent risk profile and disciplined cost management.
Last year our return on common equity was 19.5 per cent notwithstanding our high capital ratios that were well above regulatory minimums.
Over the past year, we have gained market share across most of our businesses, deepened client relationships, added new clients and invested in building strong franchises in Canada and globally.
We have been actively managing costs relative to revenue growth to improve our efficiency; this means we can reinvest savings in our businesses.
We also continued to focus on effective deployment of capital, including balancing investing in our businesses with returning capital to our shareholders:
Thanks to our earnings power across businesses and geographies, we achieved all of our financial performance objectives for the year: Earnings Per Share Growth, Return on Equity, Capital and Dividend Payout Ratios.
Our one-year Total Shareholder Return during fiscal 2012 was 22 per cent - the highest of the major Canadian banks.
Our objective is to achieve top quartile shareholder returns over the medium term, as we believe this reflects a longer term view of strong and consistent financial performance. For the five-year period, we delivered top quartile returns compared to our peer group.
And we are off to a strong start in 2013. This morning we released our results for the first quarter, and we earned over 2 billion dollars, up 12 per cent from last year and eight per cent from last quarter.
Diluted EPS of a dollar thirty-six were up 11 per cent from a year ago and our return on equity was 19.6 per cent.
Our Basel III common equity Tier 1 ratio of 9.3 per cent is well ahead of both internal and regulatory requirements and we continue to aggressively manage our balance sheet.
I am also pleased to tell you that we are further raising our quarterly dividend by announcing this morning an increase of three cents or five per cent. This is the fourth dividend increase in two years, representing a total increase of 26 per cent since the first quarter of 2011.
All of our businesses contributed to our strong results this quarter with record earnings in Personal & Commercial Banking and Wealth Management and strong earnings in Capital Markets. We believe our financial and competitive strength positions us well to deliver continued growth and to achieve our 2013 objectives.
I would now like to provide you with a high-level overview of each of our businesses and tell you why we believe they are positioned for future success.
Starting with Personal & Commercial Banking we have the largest and most profitable retail bank in Canada, and hold the number one -- or number two -- market position in each of our core products.
We are continuing to extend our lead by winning more market share and growing earnings faster than our peers. We have the largest distribution network, the broadest range of products and services, and the size and scale to drive efficiency. We continue to focus on innovation and technology as a key to winning new business.
While our Caribbean Banking operations are facing weak economic conditions, this remains an attractive region for RBC. We have been doing a lot of work to improve operations and efficiency and are confident in our future operating performance.
Our U.S. based internet bank is servicing a growing number of clients and provides a leading cross-border product offering for Canadian customers who want effective, low-cost banking and credit products in the United States.
Our Wealth Management division is a leading global wealth and asset manager.
In Canada, we are the clear market leader with the largest full-service wealth manager, asset manager and mutual fund provider in the country, and we are gaining market share.
Internationally, we are building a high-performing global asset management business, expanding our high and ultra high net worth market share, and leveraging our capabilities to win more business. Where global competitors face capital challenges, we are stepping in to serve their clients and hire the best talent.
While the operating environment in Wealth Management has been challenged by low rates and anemic markets, we are confident that our foundation will provide strong future growth, particularly as markets stabilize, client activity increases and interest rates normalize.
Our Insurance business is one of the largest Canadian bank-owned insurance companies. Its strength is fuelled by the RBC brand, a broad product suite, and leading distribution capabilities. We are winning business by making it easier and more convenient for clients to do business with us.
Investor & Treasury Services is a new segment within RBC that combines RBC Investor Services - a leading global custodian - with our Global Financial Institutions and Treasury Services businesses. Bringing these activities together positions us to deliver a more integrated suite of products to our institutional clients in Canada and around the world, to expand revenues and to improve efficiency.
And finally, Capital Markets is a top 10 global investment bank and we are gaining market share in traditional investment banking businesses faster than any bank in the world. In Canada, we have successfully extended our lead and we have significantly increased market share in the U.S., which is now our largest market. In the U.K., Europe and Asia, we are winning business that was once the domain of the bulge bracket dealers.
Over the last several years we shifted our revenue balance from trading to lending and traditional investment banking activities. We have moved aggressively to reduce risk and eliminate complex assets from the balance sheet. We have built top teams and made a name for ourselves in advice, execution and balance sheet support for our clients.
While others are withdrawing credit in the U.S., we have capacity because we significantly reduced our loan book going into the crisis as we viewed the risk/reward balance as too low - counter to virtually all of our global competitors.
Across our businesses RBC is well positioned to continue to win clients and market share. But, as fortunate as we have been in Canada to date, we live in an era of global economic and market uncertainty. The headwinds in the operating environment are not new, but they will continue to shape our outlook.
The European sovereign debt and banking crisis continues to create uncertainty. While we have seen increased stability in Europe, the structural imbalances remain and ultimately have to be managed and many economies restructured.
Fiscal and regulatory uncertainty continues in the United States, potentially creating a major risk, not just to the U.S., but to the world. The consequences of America failing to effectively deal with its fiscal imbalance will be significant and political dysfunctionality is preventing reasonable compromise.
And domestically, we are not without our challenges. We have rising provincial debt levels, low relative productivity, and concern over the state of the Canadian housing market, a concern that, in my view, has been overstated by some but nonetheless has resulted in slowing consumer demand.
Our industry continues to face considerable regulatory uncertainty. While Canada's principles-based approach to regulation is a source of strength for this country, other jurisdictions are looking at far more prescriptive approaches and more protectionist measures. We need to ensure we hold firm to our approach and promote quality of regulation over quantity.
And finally, the fundamental dynamics of the global economy are changing. Emerging market economies are providing the bulk of global growth while at the same time intensifying global competition. Technology and the internet are not only changing the way we do business but are re-shaping industries -- including financial services.
So how does Canada adapt to this new global environment? And how do we at RBC both protect ourselves from unpredictable events, while taking advantage of the opportunities presented?
Two years ago, I said that this would be Canada's decade, and I still believe in our ability to outperform the rest of the developed world. But we must continue to transform our economy and create sustainable jobs.
Canadian businesses need to aggressively pursue new export markets. When it comes to going global, our businesses are falling behind other industrialized nations. Our trade patterns have barely changed since Confederation, and if we are to achieve above average growth, we must increase overall export activity with the parts of the world that are actually growing.
And it is not just about the resource sector. We must expand trade with a strategic approach in other sectors such as agri-foods, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and technology; areas where we can compete and take advantage of the growing middle class in emerging countries.
We also need to close the productivity gap and invest in innovation and entrepreneurship. Canadian companies must rev up their commitment and find better ways to translate research and ideas into viable commercial successes.
Immigration policies are also critical to our future prosperity. We continue to need more immigrants in Canada, but it's not just about numbers. Immigrants need to be effectively integrated in our society, and we must assist them in finding meaningful work that is consistent with their education, experience and abilities. Done right, this drives economic growth and is one of Canada's most obvious competitive advantages.
All of this requires smart, efficient governments that encourage and facilitate the growth of emerging sectors and export activities. If we let process, inefficiency and trade barriers get in the way, we will fall further behind.
Now, while it is easy to identify weaknesses, we all know that finding solutions is more challenging. But we must start putting in place the policies to deal with these challenges or we will lose the benefit of the relative strength we have built over the past five years. If I worry about one thing in our country it is complacency - on a relative basis, we have done well so why change -- but in today's world the status quo is simply not an option.
One can view the glass as half full or half empty and I choose the former as we are in a position to tackle these issues, a luxury that many developed economies simply do not have. Canada has the fundamental strength to create jobs and prosperity but we need to work differently and together to achieve our potential.
And at RBC, we must also continue to transform in order to capture business from higher growth markets and find ways to better and more efficiently serve our clients.
Today, we continue to invest in technology and in people. We have record spending on technology and innovation to improve efficiency, and we continue to attract diverse talent to better serve our customers.
We entered 2013 with great momentum in all of our business platforms, high capital levels and strong earnings, so we have the ability to withstand headwinds and invest in each of our businesses.
Before closing, I would like to briefly comment on corporate citizenship at RBC. Today's stakeholders expect much more from corporations and society's expectations are only going to increase in the future.
There is no question that the most important role for a global financial institution is capital formation, helping individuals and businesses grow and prosper. But we also pay taxes, purchase goods and services and contribute approximately 100 million dollars a year in charitable donations and community sponsorships.
We know that it is possible to make healthy profits and support social and environmental progress at the same time. The definition of corporate social responsibility is changing and companies that don't live up to societal expectations will pay a heavy price. We actively care about our communities and work hard to balance business and social interests because we believe that the right balance is critical to creating sustainable long-term value.
Some highlights of our activities include the RBC Blue Water Project, a 50-million dollar commitment to help protect the world's most valuable natural resource.
The RBC Children's Mental Health Project has provided more than 16 million dollars to help children and youth with mental illness.
Last year we launched a social finance initiative, which will provide 10 million dollars in capital to help finance small businesses that tackle social and environmental challenges and an additional 10 million dollars to be invested in socially responsible funds.
Through RBC Play Hockey, we support hockey at the grassroots level so more young Canadians have an opportunity to play. We are honoured to have three RBC Olympians with us here today -- current and past players from our women's national team: Jennifer Botterill, as well as Calgary's own Bobbi-Jo Slusar and Carla MacLeod.
On your way out today, please visit our Play Hockey display where you can get autographs from these three remarkable women and hear about our program.
I am also pleased to announce today our latest donation of 250,000 dollars to the Calgary Police Foundation in support of the new Calgary Child Advocacy Centre, which will assist children and families facing issues of abuse.
But it is not just about giving --- it is also about improving the communities where we live and work and ensuring we have the right policies and culture to do the right thing for all of our stakeholders. I'm particularly proud of the many hours of volunteer work and financial contributions made by RBC employees in support of a wide range of important causes.
Corporate social responsibility is a complex equation but we work hard to find the right balance and are pleased to once again, this year, be included in the Global 100, a list of the world's most sustainable companies.
Finally, confidence in the future of RBC is founded on the strength of our people.
For almost a century and a half, our employees have been earning the right to be our clients' first choice by delivering trusted advice and helping them achieve their financial goals.
While there's always room for improvement, RBC stands out for the talent and dedication of our people. Our 80,000 employees in over 50 countries share a client-focused vision and live our core values of service, teamwork, responsibility, diversity and integrity. These values unite our diverse workforce as we work together to understand and meet the needs of our clients and deliver value to our shareholders.
While 2013 will, no doubt, bring its share of industry and economic challenges, I am extremely optimistic and excited about RBC's future. Our businesses are well positioned and each has ambitious but sound objectives and strategies.
On behalf of our Board of Directors and my colleagues on the senior management team, I'd like to thank our employees for their continued hard work and commitment.
I believe RBC has the right strategy, the right culture and the right people to deliver growth and build value for our clients, employees, communities and shareholders.
Thank you.
The following speakers' notes and the webcast have been furnished for your information only, are current only as of the date of the webcast, and may be superseded by more current information. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update the information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
These speakers' notes are not a transcript of the webcast and may not be identical to the comments made during the webcast. You can replay the entire webcast up to February 28, 2014 by visiting the Royal Bank of Canada ("we" or "our") website at [www.rbc.com/investorrelations/ir_events_presentations.html.]
In no way do we assume any responsibility for any investment or other decisions made based upon the information provided on our website or in these speakers' notes. Users are advised to review the webcast itself and our filings with the Canadian Securities Regulators and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") before making any investment or other decisions.
From time to time, we make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation. We may make forward-looking statements in these Annual Meeting of Common Shareholders speakers' notes, in filings with Canadian regulators or the SEC, in reports to shareholders and in other communications. Forward-looking statements in these speakers' notes include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals, the economic outlook, and the outlook for each of our business segments. The forward-looking information contained in these speakers' notes is presented for the purpose of assisting the holders of our securities in understanding our financial position and results of operations as at and for the periods ended on the dates presented and our financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "believe", "expect", "foresee", "forecast", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "goal", "plan" and "project" and similar expressions of future or conditional verbs such as "will", "may", "should", "could" or "would".
By their very nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, which give rise to the possibility that our predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct and that our financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals will not be achieved. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these statements as a number of risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors - many of which are beyond our control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict - include: credit, market, liquidity and funding, operational, legal and regulatory compliance, insurance, reputation and strategic risks and other risks discussed in the Risk management and Overview of other risks sections of our 2012 Annual Report and in the Risk management section of our Q1 2013 Report to Shareholders; the impact of changes in laws and regulations, including relating to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations issued and to be issued thereunder, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's global standards for capital and liquidity reform, over-the-counter derivatives reform, the payments system in Canada, consumer protection measures and regulatory reforms in the U.K. and Europe; general business and economic market conditions in Canada, the United States and certain other countries in which we operate, including the effects of the European sovereign debt crisis, and the high levels of Canadian household debt; cybersecurity; the effects of changes in government fiscal, monetary and other policies; the effects of competition in the markets in which we operate; our ability to attract and retain employees; the accuracy and completeness of information concerning our clients and counterparties; judicial or regulatory judgments and legal proceedings; development and integration of our distribution networks; and the impact of environmental issues.
We caution that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect our results. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to us, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Material economic assumptions underlying the forward looking-statements contained in these Annual Meeting of Common Shareholders speakers' notes are set out in the Overview and outlook section and for each business segment under the heading Outlook and priorities in our 2012 Annual Report, as updated by the Overview section in our Q1 2013 Report to Shareholders. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.
Additional information about these and other factors can be found in the Risk management and Overview of other risks sections of our 2012 Annual Report and in the Risk management section of our Q1 2013 Report to Shareholders.
Information contained in or otherwise
accessible through the websites mentioned does not form part
of these speakers' notes. All references in these speakers'
notes to websites are inactive textual references and are
for your information only.

subset: commoncrawl


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Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag frittered away more than $1 million on designer clothes and handbags in a desperate bid to become the new Beckhams.
The former "The Hills" stars ended up broke after blowing a massive $10 million, fearing they had to spend money before the Maya-predicted Apocalypse in December.
The couple has now opened up about how they managed to lose so much cash, revealing they spent a fortune on designer clothes, private jets and gold bars to hand out to their friends, as well as $3,200 bottles of wine, penthouse hotel suites, security guards, make-up artists and stylists.
Pratt even bought a $96,000 rock to decorate their home as the pair desperately tried to set themselves up as rivals to superstar showbiz couple David and Victoria Beckham.
He tells Britain's OK! magazine, "I bought a £60,000, 1,500 lb quartz crystal from a volcano in Peru – I needed a crane to put it in our house. In hindsight, that was a little excessive. … When we came into all this money, we just couldn't spend it fast enough. I just lost the plot. … When you start buying people cars and you're not David Beckham, you're heading for trouble. …
"I spent over a million dollars on men's clothing because I wanted people to take me seriously as an A-lister. I wanted to be in the fashion magazines alongside Brad Pitt."
Montag adds, "I grew an obsession with Hermes Birkin handbags. They were like £13,000 each. I had wardrobes full. But we wanted to keep up with the Beckhams. I love Victoria's style."
They also lost $2 million by setting up their own record label to launch Montag's flop singing career.


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The system status indicator light tells you when the system is on and provides the system's status during operation.
Understanding the LED status indicator
Applies to:
OFF: system is off.
Solid green: system is on.
Blinking green: system is muted.
Fast blinking green: volume commands received
Blink green twice: volume limit reached
Solid orange: system is on and in dialogue mode
Dim orange: system is in standby with auto-wake enabled
Solid red: system error


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A sociologist and an urban historian document the community activism reshaping some of the cities hardest hit by the great recession.
Over the next couple of weeks, The Atlantic Cities is exploring America's rebuilding efforts in a four-part series. Read the first installment here.
A couple of sharp-eyed Midwestern academics spotted the first green shoots of a national urban rebuild three years ago.
In mid-2009, Chicago sociologist and photographer David Schalliol and Milwaukee-based urban historian Michael Carriere launched a collaborative study of creative revitalization efforts in urban areas across the country, particularly those hardest hit by decline. They've since visited more than 30 cities and turned up nearly 200 outfits and initiatives, creating a national map of grassroots renewal, from Albuquerque to Providence.
"We're seeing this huge number of groups, this ubiquity of DIY development," says Schalliol, who is working toward a sociology doctorate at the University of Chicago. "We seem to have reached a new moment, where this kind of community-based and community-directed activism is playing a larger role in shaping the possibilities and facilitating a variety of new opportunities, from play to work to food to housing."
Some are sustainable businesses looking to redevelop a fallen neighborhood, while others are slapdash, activist-bred pop-ups that quickly come and go. Many are small-scale, longer-lasting efforts – such as turning a demolition site into a park, or reclaiming unused or abandoned buildings for housing or recreation activities.
A handful of other observers have also picked up on this movement. The Street Plans Collaborative, a group of urban planners, designers and activists, recently published their second volume of Tactical Urbanism, detailing efforts like chairbombing, guerrilla gardening and Open Streets. And author and community revitalization analyst Storm Cunningham is writing a book documenting the global rise of citizen-led regeneration and developing a website to help support it.
To Schalliol, these community-led efforts mark an unprecedented shift in the way people respond to local problems. "Rather than going to city officials and asking for help," says Schalliol, "there's an understanding that a) the funds may not be there, b) the response may be too slow, and that c) the community itself has the capacity to deal with it."
One of Schalliol's favorite examples is Sweet Water Organics, a Milwaukee aquaponics outfit that transformed a derelict former factory into an innovative urban fish and vegetable farm. "It's dealing with de-industrialization, trying to re-envision commerce and community," says Schalliol.
Unlike the nationally-known Milwaukee outfit Growing Power, Sweet Water hopes to sustain itself without grants or foundation funding. "It's trying to chart a new path, with a profitable business arm and a non-profit, community education element," says Schalliol.
Some organizations think they're accomplishing more than they actually are, while others underestimate their impact. Whatever the case, these small-scale efforts are certainly no silver bullet for the problems facing former industrial cities today.
"We're not positing that this DIY work can or will make up for the lost revenues," says Schalliol. "But I do think they provide a variety of models for which we can see new ways of engaging larger systemic problems and in the meantime do quite a bit of local good. As a result of this national critical mass, I think there's more of an emphasis on these issues -- and that can lead to policy changes."
In Chicago, urban gardeners helped alter municipal policy in favor of urban agriculture. And last year, the city of Milwaukee awarded Sweet Water Organics a $250,000 loan (although some are now questioning that decision).
Schalliol lives in Chicago and has spent a good deal of time in Detroit. Carriere lives and teaches in Milwaukee. Thus, the two have done a great deal of work in those three Midwest cities. Schalliol's photos, which accompany this piece, reveal a handful of the hopeful new initiatives and the devastation that preceded them, offering a glimpse of a region bottoming out and hitting the reset button.
After showing some of Schalliol's photos at a small Milwaukee museum early this year, the duo is looking to mount a major exhibition. They're also talking with publishers, planning to publish a book on the project next year. For now, we have this glimpse of what they've found.
Two signs of the balance between dereliction and neighborhood stability on a Detroit North Side residential street: a woman mows her lawn and illegally dumped materials are stacked for collection. (2009) Says Schalliol, "While there is something to be gained from engaging imagery that seemingly depicts only decline, it is important to illustrate that even those sites are the product of social forces and actions of individuals. Consequently, I try to complicate the presentation of derelict sites by balancing signs of decline with those of renewal or order. That tension not only provides a visual dynamism; it provides a more complete understanding of place."


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Natura Pet Products recalls dry pet food products
Salmonella was detected at a single retail location
LANSING, Mich. – Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling several brands of dry pet food due to the risk of salmonella contamination.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture discovered a single retail location that tested positive for the presence of salmonella, and prompted the recall.
The affected products include the brands Innova, EVO, California Natural and Healthwise. The products were made within a two-week window in December 2012.
The pet food was distributed between Dec. 18, 2012 and March 15, 2013. Product expiration dates range between Dec. 17, 2013 and Jan. 2, 2014. The food was sold worldwide and online.
Natura Pet Products says no salmonella-related illnesses have been reported at this time.
If you have any of these products, you are advised to throw them away immediately.
For more information or to receiver a product replacement or refund, call Natura toll-free at 800-224-6123 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Team: Temporaries & Call Centre Divisions
I specialise in: All temporary roles across the UK (except London)
Languages: English, German & Spanish
I've been at Euro London since: 2015
About me: I have started in recruitment by working in-house for a localization company and enjoyed recruitment so much that I decided to pursue a career in it. Euro London Appointments was my first choice and still is. I've been with Euro London Appointments for more than 2 years, I started off in our Frankfurt am Main, Germany office and since January 2017 I am working in the London office.
If I were a famous person, I would be: Bill Murray, because I would love to be an 80s Ghostbuster.
Fun fact: Longest word in German: Nachrichtenübermittlungsbeschleunigungssystem, Meaning: news transfer acceleration system
Aucune offre d'emploi trouvée


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By Sherri Ellington
Five years ago on Dec. 6, Peytn Gotell, at just 6 months old, became a Christmas miracle when she received an emergency heart transplant. This year, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of her surgery, Peytn passed a little bit of that miracle on.
Peytn's hair before and after her donation to Locks of Love.
Tis the season for gifts of love
No Trackbacks


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Tom Flynn has not received any gifts yet
Greets and Salutes, Tom - Welcome to the Mad House! [grin!]
Welcome to Atheist Nexus!
Well, there goes the neighborhood. Seriously, Mr. Editor (and enough other, lesser, titles to keep any reasonable person occupied),welcome to Atheist Nexus!
Ed B (aka feb)
© 2020 Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: The Nexus Group. Powered by


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Packed with poems: Moving readings provide respite
The bustling of the holiday season is in full swing. The usual moral virus has infected many people, forcing them to shop, spend, give, and receive. Nothing new, just the same ol' end of the year whirlwind to which we have unfortunately all become accustomed.
As the days get shorter and colder, the live music scene in Charlottesville dies off a great deal. Some may take this opportunity to spend time at home and reflect on the spirit of season. I'd rather take this time to seek out new and different events occurring around town. This week a little bird told me of an open mic poetry reading being held at the Live Arts lab space.
I have been to poetry readings around town and found most of them to be pretty depressing, so I was interested to see how my friends Tucker and Erin, who are occasional organizers of the events, had decided to make this one different.
Aside from a slight delay because of the late arrival of the jazz ensemble that was scheduled to play, I would have to say that the event was an over-the-top success. Maybe it was the good karma already associated with Live Arts that brought out the best that evening.
The space holds a maximum of 50 people, and every seat was filled. Twenty poets had signed up to read, forcing all the performers to scale down their presentations to one or two pieces. That proved to be a great move because it required the readers to choose their best work.
Whereas most poetry readings are typically forums for the self-indulgent, this time the audience was treated to unique subject matter, wordplay, and thought-provoking imagery. One after the other, the poets came and read- some serious, some funny, some quiet, others loud and rambunctious, but never was there a point where I nodded my head and wondered why the hell I was there.
Throughout the evening the jazz ensemble (which consisted of some awesome players) improvised to the works being read. Listening to them reminded me that jazz may be the most adaptable music America's culture has ever created. The music set a mood of comfort in the room. That comfort reached out and embraced every person there.
Reading the last poem of the evening, the reader was in tears the kind of tears that come when something is so beautiful and so real that nothing else can express the feelings better.
The poetry lounge is open for business once a month. See you there next time.


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Melrose Scout Productions Podcast #136: Vista at the Roundtablestevejb68 on December 5, 2013 in Humor, Leadership, podcast
One of the things we are doing a bit different this year at the monthly Scenic District Boy Scout roundtable meetings is to break up the meeting, near the half way point, with a game, song, or skit. The goal is to introduce a new game or teach a new song or skit to troop leaders that they may take back to use in their own troops. One month we played one pitch kickball. The next month we played Tip with a frisbee. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves so far.
Last month I lead the group in one of my favorite campfire songs, Vista. It is a sing-along, repeat after me type of silly song that also has some simple hand gestures. The words are a little hard to follow, and the song gets faster each time. It is a challenge to keep up and do well.
I was joined by three newly beaded Wood Badgers in leading this song at the roundtable. As you will see, we all had fun, even though one gentleman had a little trouble keeping up with us. Did anyone care? Not a bit. That is part of the fun of the song.
I would like to thank Dan Kuntz for providing the video for this post to the Melrose Scout Productions Podcast.
I challenge you to learn the song and use it at your next meeting or campfire. Is your audience able to keep up with you?
Click here to DOWNLOAD this Podcast.
Subscribe to the Melrose Scout Productions Podcast
at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/melrosescoutingproductions
or through iTunes (Please take time to rate the show).
Leave a comment below, or at the iTunes store.


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A person born 27 October 2018 has the zodiac sign Scorpio
From 23/10 to 21/11.
Scorpio is brave, very secretive and deceptive calm on the surface, but beneath the surface passion burns and Scorpio love and hate with the same intense fervor. Scorpio never do anything half done and it's always all or nothing applies. Scorpio is a real good judge of character and they have a strong compassion for the "real" problems. However they does not tolerate people who complain about unimportant or insignificant problems.
Scorpio can easily read other people and they like to analyze and study their surroundings. However, they are not so easy to read for others and they usually keep large parts of their lives and their inner secrets hidden which makes them hard to get into life.
Scorpio is like all water signs incredibly sensitive and this sensitivity tends sometimes take destructive forms, they can have extremely difficulties to forgive or forget a injustices and they can be really vindictive and they don't shy away to use their empathic ability to make other poorly. Scorpio also often has a great need for control and they can become extremely jealous.
Scorpio is perhaps jealous, but an incredibly loyal friend and partner. Scorpio appetite and need for sex is almost inexhaustible, and it's not for nothing that Scorpio's ruling part of the body is the sexual organ. They are usually powerful lover but also romantics of great proportions. When Scorpios fall in love they do it with a vengeance, and nothings can stop them.
Scorpio loves and lives with their very own glow and they do sometimes struggle with the dark sides of themselves that sometimes tend to take over. Scorpio is very interested in existential questions and they easely get in touch with their own as well as others inner soul. They can be somewhat of a seeker after higher meaning. Scorpio has a strong desire to transform both their own and others' consciousness which makes Scorpio often go through different phases of change in their lives but also that they have the ability to help and guide others.
Appropriate career choice: Anything that has the task of helping others, for example. Psychologist, surgeon, researcher, police officer, detective, healer, teacher.
Sensitive body parts: sexual organs.
Good qualities
Purposeful and determined
Intelligent and astute
intuitive and good character connoisseur
Problem solver and extremely durable
Very sexy and passionate
Less good qualities
Overly jealous
Ownership of Fixed against his partner
Can be cruel and revengeful
Suspicious and bitter
May have a compulsive behavior


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The new sidekick button automatically give you the link to the page in publish instance once you activate it. That is, with a single click, you can see your current page in publish instance.
To view this community article, click https://helpx.adobe.com/experience-manager/using/creating-touchui-component1.html.
Join the Adobe Experience Cloud Community
Join the Adobe Experience Cloud Community by clicking this banner
I (Scott Macdonald) am a Senior Digital Marketing Community Manager at Adobe Systems with 20 years in the high tech industry. I am also a programmer with knowledge in Java, JavaScript, C#,C++, HTML, XML and ActionScript. If you would like to see more CQ or other Adobe Digital Marketing end to end articles like this, then leave a comment and let me know what content you would like to see.
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Summer just got sexy again! Over 40 actors from the Washington area will sing, dance, and strip to support Taking Care of Our Own.
For the past two years, The Summer Hummer has sold out before the first panty hit the floor. This year won't be an exception. Book tickets now to make sure to get your seat to Washington's only bawdy burlesque, where every dollar goes to help theatre professionals in need.
Join us for a 7pm or a 9pm show on Monday, August 18 at Signature Theatre.
$35 General Admission
$75 Premium Reserved Seating


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The state of Tennessee is making it very difficult for students to decide not to go to college. And it's probably not for the reason you're thinking. HLN reports:
"Tennessee high school grads, listen up, are soon going to be able to attend community college for free. Lawmakers have approved a bill that will pay all tuition and fees for two years."
Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to us. Especially when you consider the fact that College Board found in 2013 the average cost of a two-year degree at an in-state school costs more than $10,000 per year. On average, it costs students about $18,000 per year for a four-year degree at an in-state school.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam laid out a proposal for this program back in February when he gave his State of the State address.
The Washington Post reported at the time, Haslam said the government would set aside $300 million from the state's lottery fund to help cover the costs.
WKRN notes that the governor's plan to take money away from the lottery fund will mean the Hope Scholarships, which are funded from that lottery reserve, will be cut from $4,000 to $3,500 for freshman and sophomores at four-year universities.
At the same time, Tennessee plans to increase the scholarship for juniors and seniors from $4,000 to $5,000.
This college tuition program is a large part of Haslam's "Drive to 55" initiative, which The Tennesseandescribes as an "initiative aimed at increasing the number of college graduates from 32 percent to 55 percent by 2025."
The program, now called The Tennessee Promise, mandates all recipients meet five requirements.
First, they must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. They must work with an assigned mentor and attend a college orientation. Students are also required to maintain their grades and finally, perform one day of community service each semester.
Cleveland.com notes Oregon and Mississippi have also discussed the idea of offering students two free years of community college, but Tennessee is the first state to adopt the proposal.
The Tennessee Promise program will take effect in fall 2015. The state is expecting 25,000 students to apply.


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The Lawn Pest Control Guys in Congress, AZ target bugs before they threaten your home with lawn insect control, most of the bugs live and breed in your lawn before trying to get inside of your home. The experts at Lawn Pest Control Guys start by inspecting the outside of your house, then an identification of places where insects can get into your home and the local conditions of your home that could favor infestations by pests.
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The experts at Lawn Pest Control Guys in Congress, AZ will also remove spider webs from windows and doorways. The experts know which insects are most likely to be in your area. Call us today on 888-380-6066 and we will be glad to serve you.


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|New Rochelle, NY
|High School:
|The Ursuline School
2008-09: Captain.
2007-08: Team captain...Started all 29 games, averaging 31.1 minutes per contest...Posted 5.4 points per game while making 34.6 percent of her three-point attempts...Scored a season-high 14 points at Wagner on Jan. 7...Had four four-assist efforts...Grabbed career-best five rebounds on three occasions.
2006-07: Team captain...Appeared in 21 games, making eight starts...Averaged 2.9 points per game...Hit 30.2 percent of three-point tries...Posted season-high eight points versus Boston College on Nov. 24...Had two five-assist performances, dishing out that total in the season-opener versus Virginia Commonwealth and on Nov. 19 at Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
2005-06: A Northeast Conference All-Rookie Team selection...Averaged 5.2 points per game while dishing out 42 assists...Made 11 starts and appeared in all 29 games...Shot .326 from beyond the arc...Had two best performances against Mount St. Mary's, scoring career-high 15 points in Emmitsburg on Jan. 21 and 13 versus the Mount in New Britain...Had career-best six assists versus Wagner on Jan. 30.
Before Central: Played four years at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, NY...Member of the team's 2002 and 2003 New York State Class A Championship teams...New York State Public High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award recipient in 2002 and 2005...All-league and all-county as a junior...Scored 1,000th point in senior season...Also named league most valuable player and All-State honoree in final year...City of New Rochelle Exceptional Youth of the Year Award winner in 2000.


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PHOENIX (KPHO) — In human vernacular, "fat cat" is a wealthy and privileged individual, according to Merriam-Webster.
In the feline world, it means Meatball, a 36-pound cat surrendered to the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control's East Valley Animal Care Center in Mesa.
Meatball is "the biggest cat I have ever seen," said Melissa Gable of the MCACC.
Despite his size, the affectionate Meatball can walk, but the shelter's veterinary team said it is watching his health closely.
The shelter took in a 28-pound cat in August, and the largest cat on record was from Cairns, Queensland, which weighed in at 46 pounds, according to Guinness World Records.
MCACC staff said Meatball had apparently been shuffled from home to home before being brought to the shelter.
Meatball is so large, he can't comfortably fit in the shelter's regular cat kennels and is living in one of the administrative offices at MCACC's West Valley Animal Care Center in Phoenix.
MCACC staff said they are trying to find a spot with a rescue organization that specializes in overweight cats because of his risk for severe health issues, the need for constant monitoring and because he needs a special prescribed diet.
Meatball is not available for general adoption, the staff said.


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Dike, TX– IdealLean is one of the many popular women's workout product line available on the market today. With its release twelve months ago, it has become a craze in the fitness industry all over the world. Best Meal Replacement Shakes Guide offers IdealLean products on their website.
"IdealLean is a collection of products promoting weight loss and muscle building from IdealFit. We have fat burners as well as protein shakes found on our website," says company representative of Best Meal Replacement Shakes Guide, Lindsay Marie. "Exclusively made for women, this line of products enables them to train like men and make workouts more efficient and easy."
Countless supplements have been released competing for the top spot of the best fat burner and muscle builder, but all of these seem to work only for men and not for women. While it is true that there are also thousands of women who are into weight loss and muscle building, most companies don't acknowledge that. Fortunately, IdealFit saw the need to create something exclusively for women, and that is where the concept of IdealLean was introduced. View http://www.bestmealreplacementshakesguide.com/idealfit-review-ideallean/ for more information.
IdealLean has different products namely: Protein, BCCAs, and Pre-Workout Protein Shakes. IdealLean Protein is a formulated protein drink that helps women maximize body toning as well as muscle building. It is made up of 20g of protein from 100% whey isolate, which gives the body the proper nutrition it needs to build up muscle fast and to repair damages acquired after the workout. On the other hand, IdealLean BCCAs is the product to have for those who are looking for a weight loss formula. It comes with 5000mg BCCAs with a blend of coconut water powder that ensures hydration while exercising. Lastly is the Ideal Lean Pre-Workout Shakes. It is a power-packed drink that keeps a person boosted and focused all throughout the exercise. The famous Green Tea extract is just one of the many healthy ingredients of this drink that act on blood circulation and blood flow. As expected, all of the Ideal Lean products are free of carbs, fats, and artificial sugars to maximize the effect on the body. To know more about these products, visit their Facebook page.
The company is located at 1800 County 3561 Rd in Dike, Texas (75437). For queries and questions, contact them via phone at (903) 945-3934 or via email at email@example.com. For detailed reviews of the products, please visit http://www.bestmealreplacementshakesguide.com/.
Media Contact
Company Name: IdealLean
Contact Person: Lindsay Marie
Email: email@example.com
Phone: (903) 945-3934
Address:1800 County 3561 Rd
City: Dike
State: Texas
Country: United States
Website: http://www.bestmealreplacementshakesguide.com/


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I'm from Israel, and when I just moved to the US, I went to one temple where things were different. I saw some women that wore kippot (plural kippa in Hebrew). Also, why is the kippa referred as a "yamaka" all the time? It's wrong pronunciation anyway. Kippa is more common anyway, and easier to pronounce.
Question: Why in America are the traditions of the kippa so different?


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American chain to roll out donuts such as coconut rasgulla, gulab jamun & motichoor laddoo as part of its localisation drive
This festive season, Haldiram's and Bikanervala have a completely unexpected competitor. Taking localisation of its menu to a new micro-level, American donuts and coffee chain Dunkin' Donuts is in the process of rolling out variants of donuts like coconut rasgulla, gulab jamun and motichoor laddoo.
With its franchise owner Jubliant FoodWorks looking to drive volumes and replicate the performance of its other brand Domino's Pizza in India, the localisation drive is a first for Dunkin' Donuts in India.
For Dunkin' Donuts, the world's largest donut brand which forayed into the country early last year, the move is ambitious to say the least. Dunkin' Donuts India president and COO Dev Amritesh says the product's 'flexibility' lends itself to a high degree of customisation. "There's a significant opportunity to customise donuts for consumers — both for those who are used to the product and those who aren't yet familiar with donuts." There have been examples of countries customising donut toppings in other markets from time-to-time, but Amritesh says the extent of localisation is probably the highest in India. The donuts are being rolled out in time for the Diwali season, but the fastest-moving ones will become a permanent feature on the Dunkin' menu.
The idea may also be exported to other markets if they find acceptance, says Amritesh. Abneesh Roy from securities firm Edelweiss Securities wrote in a report last month: "We expect Jubilant FoodWorks' valuations to remain expensive given efficient execution, sharp expansion and innovation."
Early last year, Jubilant had inked a master franchisee alliance with Dunkin' Donuts, an alliance that diversified its portfolio and reduced its dependence on a single brand – Domino's. Dunkin' Brands is the world's fastest largest coffee and baked goods chain with a global sales of $6 billion.
Localisation is critical to MNCs operating in India especially in foods and is a rule rather than an exception. And, everyone from burger and fries chain McDonald's to cereal maker Kellogg's to chips firm PepsiCo Foods has been forced to localise.
The American baked foods and coffee chain currently operates five stores in India and it plans to set up 100 over the next five years, encashing the country's rapidly growing eatingout segment.
Retail consultancy Technopak Advisors estimates the country's eating-out market to be close to . 33,000 crore, with organised restaurant chains clocking a growth of 20-25%. The organised segment is valued at about . 8,000 crore.
But, in the April-June quarter, Jubilant FoodWorks reported same-store sales growth of 22.3%, down from 36.7% in the year-ago quarter, as consumers cut back on discretionary spends in a subdued economic environment. Jubilant FoodWorks' other brand in India, Domino's, is the category-leader in the pizza segment.
Filed under: Beverages, Chain Stores, News & Articles, Retail Formats, Retail Verticals | Tagged: Bikanervala, burger and fries chain, Diwali, Domino's pizza, Donuts, Dunkin, Dunkin' Donuts, eating-out market, Edelweiss, Haldiram, Jubiliant Foodworks, Kellogg, Localisation, McDonald, Pepsico Foods, restaurant chains | 1 Comment »


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This is a very slim, extremely lightweight battery based on the Polymer Lithium Ion chemistry. This is the highest energy density currently in production. Each cell outputs a nominal 3.7V at 1000mAh. It comes terminated with a standard 2-pin JST connector 2mm spacing between pins.
These batteries require special charging. Do not attempt to charge these with anything but a specialized LiPo charger, such as:
Battery includes built-in protection against over voltage, over current, and minimum voltage.
Download Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Download Data Sheet of the JST Connector


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He glances down the hallway to his left, takes three steps to the right and, with a smile, spins back left.
It's another wrong turn for Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Mass., who was raised among political royalty but is just another lost freshman on Capitol Hill six weeks after taking office. His family served in Washington for most of the past six decades, but this Kennedy exits elevators on the wrong floor, struggles to locate bathrooms and has yet to make many friends.
"It's kind of that freshman hazing ritual where nobody really will tell you where you are," the 32-year-old Kennedy said on a recent walk to the Capitol. "It was actually yesterday where I made it over from my office through the underground tunnels and actually popped up where I thought I was going to pop up in the Capitol. First time. I was very proud of myself."
Indeed, carrying the weight of his family name and a self-deprecating sense of humor, he is living in relative obscurity as he eases the Kennedy brand back into national politics. It was a brand without a face following the 2011 retirement of his troubled cousin, Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, whose departure created the Kennedy family's first extended absence from elective office since John F. Kennedy became a congressman in 1947.
The boy-faced Joe Kennedy III, a redhead with little political experience, is quietly bringing the name back.
He has no entourage. He shies away from national media interviews. He introduces himself simply as "Joe." And there is little sign of entitlement when he talks about a new career in public service.
"This is gotta be on my own," says Kennedy, a former state prosecutor and Peace Corps volunteer. "People have got to get to know me, they gotta get to know who I am, what I stand for, what my values are. And I recognize that takes time."
He mentions the credibility his great-uncle Ted Kennedy built up over decades as a senator from Massachusetts in a career so accomplished that he earned the nickname "the liberal lion." Even some of the Senate's most conservative members respected him, the younger Kennedy pointed out.
"That just isn't something that's going to be given to you," he says. "It's something you gotta go earn."
The Kennedy label, of course, evokes intrigue just as it stirs whispers of scandal, death and elitism. Patrick Kennedy left office after high-profile struggles with substance abuse and mental health. Ted Kennedy's legacy is marred by the 1969 car accident on Chappaquiddick Island that left a woman dead.
And Joe Kennedy III never met his grandfather, U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, or his great-uncle President John F. Kennedy, both of whom were assassinated more than a decade before his birth. His grandfather was in Congress himself when he was killed, serving as a senator from New York.
The young Kennedy flashes his family's youthful good looks, ease with people and prosecutorial wit. But he also has an aw-shucks manner at times that won him the affection of colleagues when he served as Sen. Ted Kennedy's volunteer state campaign chair in 2006.
"He's a little in awe of where he is already, which is the best kind of representative to be," said Stephanie Cutter, a senior aide for President Barack Obama's campaign who had worked for Ted Kennedy. "I think a lot of other people think he should be in a rush. But I don't think he thinks so."
Indeed, Joe Kennedy III comes to Congress in the seat previously held by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., with a passionate belief in the power of good government and modest expectations as freshman member of the minority party. He says little about long-term goals, instead focusing on bridging the current political divide and helping constituents back home.
In particular, he cites an opportunity to work with Republicans on the Foreign Affairs Committee, in addition to protecting research and development on the Science, Space and Technology Committee. He hopes this is the beginning of a long career in public service.
"Members of my family - both my mother's side and my father's side - have found ways to serve," Kennedy says. "And as long as I feel like I can continue to contribute - and if I get the support of the people that I'm representing - I hope to be able to. ... I am enjoying this."
But his inexperience is easy to see.
He nibbled on his fingernails while waiting more than an hour to speak during the first hearing of the science committee. With just a hint of a Massachusetts accent, the soft-spoken Harvard Law graduate stumbled over his words at times before asking a Texas Instruments official about the company's effort to address cancer rates in his district.
But there is little doubt that his name gives him more weight than the average freshman.
The audience perked up when Kennedy was called on to speak at the committee hearing. And the other elected officials are well aware of his background.
"It was extra special for me to sit with a Kennedy at a presidential swearing-in," said Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., another freshman who sat next to Kennedy at Obama's recent inauguration.
"But he's one of the most modest, humble individuals you'll ever meet," Swalwell continued. "He stands on his own two feet. That's what's important. He would be in Congress regardless of what his name is. ... He's demonstrated nothing but a willingness to do the grunt work like the rest of us."
Back in his Massachusetts district, Kennedy has drawn admiration and curiosity in an overwhelming Democratic state where the family name is an institution. Ted Kennedy's widow, Vicki, is still mentioned as a potential candidate for statewide office. And Ted Kennedy Jr., 51, has considered political runs.
Despite his lack of experience, Joe Kennedy III easily won his general election last fall with more than 60 percent of the vote.
"I wanted to get to know him. I voted for him. I didn't even know if he was 30!" said Franklin attorney Deb Batog, 48, who attended a recent luncheon for the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce simply to hear Kennedy speak.
But she said his name would only carry him so far.
"He's still going to have to prove it," Batog said. "Can he create his own legacy? Nobody knows."


text:
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Southern California Timing Association Top Speed Time Trials - Dry-Lake Screamers
Building cars for drag or road racing is fine and dandy, but it seems the top-speed guys don't get the recognition they really deserve. That's not to say going 8s on the strip or doing serious hot laps around a road course is easy, but most don't realize what it takes to make a stock-bodied car go 150 mph, 200 mph, or faster. These guys do-and we have to say it looks a lot tougher than the dragstrip or road course boogie.The Southern California
Timing Association is one of the oldest motorsport sanctioning bodies around, and it's been putting on top-speed time-trial events at SoCal's El Mirage dry lake for more than 50 years. We decided to take a trip up there and check out some of the killer cars that hammer the 1 1/3-mile stretch of El Mirage soil on a regular basis.
Wanna Go?
The SCTA usually puts on six El Mirage events a year between May and November, and this year's dates are set for May 16, June 6, July 18, September 12, October 3, and November 13-14. We heartily recommend it to anyone with a serious need for speed. For details, contact the SCTA at 805/526-1805 or visit them on the Internet at www.scta-bni.org.
No Bellybutton Camaros!
If you think all Camaros are boring, try driving one 236 mph and let us know if you've changed your mind. That's the number you'll see in Ed and Glen Carter's Midyear Camaro. Secrets? A 475-inch big-block with Eagle rods, a Crane solid roller, and 13.0:1 compression. Ed and Glen pointed out that the motor has the stock oiling system, unlike some setups that use a big-buck dry-sump system. On top are Dart 320 aluminum heads and Hilborn mechanical injection. Ed and Glen share the driving duties and grab the levers of a Lenco four-speed. A 3.07:1-geared 12-bolt is the setup used at El Mirage, and the car was really on a march when one of the brothers (we didn't ask who was driving) accidentally shut the car off at 174 mph. They've got nothing to be embarrassed about though, as the Camaro has run as fast as 204 mph at El Mirage. At Bonneville, more room allowed for taller 2.73:1 or 2.56:1 gears and a career speed of 236 mph! For other classes, they have two other motors: One's a 427 and the other a unique, destroked 358-inch big-block.
Motivatin' Monza
George Vose owns this wild '75 Monza and crew guys Howard Hoffman and Martin Hansen turn the wrenches. Martin was also the pilot on the day we caught up with them. The 307-inch small-block is topped with a 6-71 huffer and runs on alcohol. Motor bits include Dart heads, a solid roller cam, a steel crank, and Arias pistons. A TH400 trans turns a 12-bolt with 2.56:1 gears. Running in C Blown Fuel Altered, Martin tripped the timers at 170 mph. Future plans call for some record chasing at Bonneville in the 220-mph range with a 259-inch small-block.
Flyin' Firebird
Don LaBine's '88 Firebird is a pretty basic car and a great example of how you can go scary fast without spending super-scary money. Starting with one of better aerodynamic profiles (the '82-'92 Firebirds have less frontal area than the '93-and-newer cars), he added a healthy amount of go-power in the form of a 433-inch big-block. The combo uses a 454 block with a 396 crank, Carrillo rods, and JE slugs that net 13.0:1 compression. An Engle mechanical roller cam moves the valves. On top are Dart heads and a Hilborn mechanical fuel-injection system. Power is channeled through a Muncie M-21 close-ratio four-speed to a 9-inch Ford riding on a four-link. In the third-member are 2.75:1 gears. Don runs in either the B Gas Coupe or B Gas Altered class, and we saw him punch a 201.393-mph hole in the high-desert atmosphere. The tune-up that day was right on the money as the car's best pass stands at a slightly faster 206 mph.
What a Luxury (Race) Car Should Be
Just like it says on the side of Jim Gazdzik's Mark VIII, this rig is a hot rod Lincoln of the first order and one of the baddest Fords we've ever seen. The '96 Lincoln Mark VIII is a brand new car, and we saw it on its second-ever trip to a land-speed record event. Jim has lofty goals, and if the way it's built is any indication, some serious speed is not far away. It went 168.868 mph the day we saw it at El Mirage. Power for this other-worldly machine comes from a Boss 429 destroked to 362 cubes to fit in the C Gas Altered class where the current record is 223 mph. The Alan Root aluminum block contains a Sonny Bryant billet crank, Carrillo rods, Arias pistons, and an Elgin cam. The Root aluminum heads have Jesel rockers, Manton pushrods, K-Motion valvesprings, and Manley valves and retainers. Spark is provided by MSD bits. Engine management is by way of an ACCEL/DFI setup tuned by Ken Duttweiller. On Duttweiller's dyno, the Boss 362 cranked out 750 hp at 7,500 rpm. Power is transferred to a Jerico four-speed and a 9-inch rearend with 2.75:1 gears.
The most notable feature is how the motor is set entirely behind the front wheels making it basically a mid-engined car. With a blown version of a Boss motor, Jim, Crewchief John Petri, and driver Alan Foglidani hope to crack the 300-mph barrier with the slippery Mark VIII profile. You can have an additional peek at this awesome car on the web by visiting www.hotrodlincoln.com. Or better yet, go to El Mirage and see it in person.


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Scientists put fruit flies on meth, and observed the chemical results. What they found was a link between meth, sugar, and cancer cells.
There are a surprising number of tests in which scientists expose bugs to drugs. Many of those test are, I suspect, the scientists just being jerks - such as when they exposed a bee colony to cocaine to see if that messed things up (it did) or when they exposed spiders to marijuana to see if that messed up their webs (it did). Sometimes, though, scientists actually find out something useful when they drug insects. A recent study of fruit flies on meth showed important changes that meth makes in a organism's cells.
For one thing, meth alters the process that cells use to fuel themselves - changing until it resembles the fueling process of cancer cells. Healthy cells use oxygen to break down stored energy. The process is slow, but efficient. Cancer cells, however, use glycolysis. This is a process that splits glucose fast, and splits it independent of the presence of oxygen. Glycolysis is quick, but wasteful, and so requires a great deal of ready glucose to keep the cell going.
Researchers found that fruit flies which consumed trehalose, a sugar that insects metabolize, lived longer than fruit flies that did not. People on meth crave sugary drinks and snacks. It could still be a psychological reaction to the drug, but this research indicates that the need for sugar is a biological response to the meth, and the body's way of keeping itself alive when its healthy biological processes are altered.
Via PLOS and RP.com. http://www.eurekalert.org/emb_releases/2011-04/uoia-ffo041311.php


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Surprised not to see a thread on here for the new free online management game called Stumped - Stumped! Free Multiplayer Online Cricket Management Game
It's meant to be a challenger to battrick and FTP, trying to address the flaws of both those games (especially battrick, which has collapsed into development inertia, and which I only keep playing because of the First Class games).
Anyhow, I've only just signed up for Stumped, which is still in its first season, but I'm pretty impressed - the match engine is very detailed (although the commentary is repetitive), the training system is cool for developing rounded teams rather than a stars/clowns divide like battrick, and the developers post and respond on the forum more times every day than the battrick developer has in the last 3 years. I think it looks really promising, and since it's still in its first season, now is a cool time to get in on the ground level while there's a fairly level playing field.
So does anyone else here have a team in Stumped? How are you doing if so?


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Behind the Lines: NCAA Tournament Day OnePosted by rtmsf on March 18th, 2009
This edition of Behind the Lines is emanating from Las Vegas. The Obsessed With Sports crew will be enjoying the first weekend of the tournament from the sports betting capital of the world.
Thursday, March 19th
The 8 versus 9 games are very close, as they should be.
Behind The Line: Take a look at the over on this one–it's at about 127. Butler has consistently been going over numbers in this area while LSU scores a lot more than other Horizon League teams.
Behind The Line: Both teams have been very good as far as covering as of late. They are a combined 14-6 in their last 20 games. In this case, the spread might play a more minimal role.
Gonzaga is no stranger to being a double digit favorite.
Behind The Line: Gonzaga is 7-6 this season when they have been favored by double digits.
Connecticut is also familiar with large spreads.
Behind The Line: UConn is a misleading 3-7 when they are double digit favorites. I say this because a number of their non-conference games didn't even have lines because they weer favored by so much. Also playing a large role is the competition in the Big East, against whom the Huskies were still favored by more than 10.
According to Bodog the longest shots to win the whole shebang are Binghamton, Morehead State, Morgan State, Radford, Robert Morris and Chattanooga at 1750:1, respectively.
More from Vegas as the week progresses!


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Did Britney Spears Lip Sync to Sia in Las Vegas? [VIDEO]by Michelle McGahan | PopCrush
Oops! She did it again.
Things got a little bit awkward during Britney Spears' Las Vegas residency when she appeared to be lip synching to Sia during a recent performance.
As Britney strutted her stuff onstage, she held the mic in her hands and seemed like she was singing her hit 'Perfume' — only it was Sia's vocals that were heard in the venue. Yikes!
Of course, the incident isn't too mind-blowing — after all, Sia co-wrote and sang backing vocals on the track, and Britney's manager even confirmed that the pop superstar doesn't sing the whole time throughout her 'Piece of Me' set.
"To put on the show that she puts on, it's virtually impossible to sing the entire time and do what she does," he revealed in a Medium interview. "She's singing on every song, basically, when she has the ability to sing. There's no way you can dance for 90 minutes straight and sing the entire time."
Back in February, the singer was accused of lip syncing to her track 'Alien.' Britney Spears lip syncing to Sia might not be entirely shocking — but we have to admit, it's pretty freaking awkward.
Check out Britney Spears' performance of 'Perfume' in the video above.
See Britney Spears + More Celebs' Yearbook Photos


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We are happy to announce that the FL Studio 64 Bit beta is now available from Looptalk for testing. While FL Studio can already host 64 Bit plugins, this beta moves the core FL Studio application and associated components to native 64 Bit operation.
The beta includes 64 Bit releases of most FL Studio 'native format' plugins & components such as Edison, Newtone, Sytrus, Slicex, Harmor, Gross Beat, Vocodex etc. Click on the image above to read up on the full details of the 64 Bit beta release and start testing.
We also have 64 Bit VST versions of most plugins available for testing here and here.


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Ten Interesting Medical Stories From 2008
The end of the year seems to be a time for making list. Best of the year. Worst of the year. Predictions for the coming year. Resolutions for the coming year. So I thought I would share some (not necessarily the best or worst or even in order of importance) of the medical news of 2008 I found interesting. Feel free to share your suggestions in the comments section.
1. The changes in Health Policy that 2009 may bring
Thousands of forums have been taking place throughout the nation since Dec. 15, and reports are being uploaded to www.Change.gov. According to the Web site, the Health Policy Transition Team will prepare a report for the President-elect using information collected from all across the country.
2. In February, Dr Hootan Roozrokh was accused of hastening a patient's death to harvest the organs.
It's the stuff of horror movies: an evil, deranged surgeon purposely kills people to harvest their organs. In the 1978 movie "Coma," patients were kept in comas and shipped off to a mysterious location where their organs were removed.
In December, he was found innocent of the charge.
"Dr. Hootan Roozrokh was found not guilty after two months of trial and two days of deliberation jury. If the court verdict had been against the doctor, he would have faced up to four years in prison."
3. Dr Michael DeBakey, pioneer of heart procedures, died this year at age 99 years.
"World famous heart surgery specialist Dr. Michael DeBakey who was the heart surgeon operating the Russian president Boris Yeltsin dies at age 99. Dr. DeBakey passed away in the Methodist Hospital in Houston on Friday night. Many world leaders and presidents dotted the list of nearly 60,000 heart surgeries that Dr. Michael DeBakey has performed, including the late American presidents John F Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon, the last Shah of Iran, King Hussein of Jordan and Boris Yeltsin of Russia."
4. November 2008, a Colombian woman, Claudia Castillo, received a trachea transplant using her own stem cells. Doctors in a Barcelona, Spain hospital used her stem cells into a trachea taken from a cadaver. Because the new windpipe is "almost indistinguishable" from the her normal bronchi, her body should not reject the transplant.
5. In March, a little girl was born with facial duplication. The condition usually results in stillbirth, but not always as seen in this recent news report of this little girl born March 11, 2008.
They are not ashamed of the extraordinary looking little girl, the villagers who live near her, the young parents, the overprotective local doctor. That's because while she may only be 2½ weeks old, she is far more famous than any resident of this part of the country has ever been. She is famous because she was born with a condition known as facial duplication. She has one body and two faces.
6. Healthcare conscience rule and how they may change patient care / access to care.
Women's groups, state governments, and a host of others have reacted harshly to the new conscience rights regulation put forth by the Department of Health and Human Services last week. The National Family and Reproductive Health Association stated that the "new regulations will limit access to contraception to low-income and uninsured women and men and will create new hurdles for family-planning service providers," Deborah Kotz reports. The National Partnership for Women and Families noted, "These regulations leave the term 'abortion' undefined, so individuals and institutions are free to classify birth control as abortion." And the ACLU also expressed its "grave concern."
7. Dr Alan Bittner's office was served with a warrant on Friday, November 14, 2008.
Dr. Bittner currently has three lawsuits filed against him by three women who had plastic surgery work done at his facility... Besser confirmed to Canyon News that Dr. Bittner fled the country. It is not known exactly when he fled, and it has been alleged that he is collecting his assets in off-shore accounts. Besser also stated that "Dr. Bittner's home and vehicle were served with a search warrant on the same day that the Beverly Hills Liposculpture facility was served with a search warrant." And if that wasn't enough, it seems he was using the fat removed from liposuction patients to fuel his vehicle.
8. Cleveland Clinic did the first near total face transplant done in the United States.
In a 22-hour procedure performed within the past two weeks, surgeons transplanted 80 percent of a woman's face who suffered severe facial trauma -- essentially replacing her entire face, except for her upper eyelids, forehead, lower lip and chin. For the privacy and protection of those involved, no information will be released on the patient, the donor or their families. (A written statement from the patient's sibling is available at http://www.clevelandclinic.org/face.)
9. A 70-year old woman gave birth to a baby girl.
Rajo Devi delivered her baby by caesarean section Nov. 28, said Dr. Anurag Bishnoi of the National Fertility Centre in northern Haryana state. Dr. Bishnoi told journalists that Devi and her baby, who weighed just over 3lbs, are in good health.
10. Never Events – so well covered in this post by Buckeye Surgeon
Just when I was starting to calm down about the controversy surrounding "never events", the New York Times unloads a masterpiece of naivete and contempt. Reading this, my eyeballs almost popped out of my skull. One would think that the editorial staff of such a renowned, prestigous newspaper would exhibit a little more intellectual rigor when composing such a denunciatory op-ed piece. I almost thought Diane Suchetka had infiltrated the NY Times hierarchy.
And now, from the other side of the political spectrum, comes a piece from the National Review (arch conservative publication)that uses the concept of never events in such a way to elucidate the danger of government managed health care delivery. (Thanks to Alice at Cut on the Dotted Line).


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Mini-reviews 54: Beaujolais Nouveau, Cousino-Macul, McManis, 14 Hands
Reviews of wines that don ?t need their own post, but are worth noting for one reason or another. Look for it on the final Friday of each month.
? Georges Dub uf Beaujolais Nouveau 2013 ($8, purchased, 12%): Much better this vintage — less banana and more oomph, including acidity that hasn't been there for several years. It's still not as grapey as it should be, but decent enough cheap wine. Good to see that this annual tradition is worth buying again.
? Cousi o-Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Antiguas Reservas 2010 ($17, sample, 14%). Chilean red has more in common with California Central Coast style, meaning lots of juicy black fruit and a little herbal aroma, than it does with many Chilean wines.
? McManis Viognier 2012 ($12, purchased, 13.5%): Oily, very fruity (peaches?), and a little bitter on the back — decent enough, but not near the quality of the rest of McManis' wines. California and viognier continue to be a difficult combination.
? 14 Hands Hot to Trot White 2010 ($10, purchased, 13%): Nowhere near the quality of the 14 Hands red blend, this Washington state effort has an unpleasant finish and is uneven and disjointed, with an odd fruitiness. Very disappointing.


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Instead of kicking a ball into foul territory and failing to cover home plate, Scott Rice found a way to lose more efficiently by throwing a wild pitch.
John Buck got caught off second base when he inexplicably thought a lineout to the outfield was up the gap falling in, and got thrown out inexplicably trying to steal.
David Wright had a ball flop out of his mitt on a tag play on John Jay, giving the Cardinals an extra out, which they turned into a run-scoring single.
Wright struck out with Daniel Murphy on third with one out. The Mets didn't score.
Apparently discomfited by Carlos Beltran coming into second standing instead of sliding, Murph heaved one past Ike Davis, giving the Cards a runner on second with one out instead of nobody on with two out. Yadier Molina, to the surprise of no sentient Mets fan, promptly rapped a single to right to give the Cards an insurance run.
The amazing thing? This sad parade of boneheaded mistakes and failures actually amounts to progress for this broken, pathetic team.
How many times must you put your hand on this particular hot stove? Find something else to do with your summer.