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Bottlenose dolphins in Louisiana's Barataria Bay have lung damage and adrenal hormone abnormalities not previously seen in other dolphin populations, according to a new peer-reviewed study published Dec. 18, 2013 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
The Deepwater Horizon spill heavily oiled Barataria Bay. The study was conducted in August 2011 as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) by a team of government, academic and non-governmental researchers. In the NRDA process, federal and state trustee agencies working cooperatively with BP identify potential injuries to natural resources and lost public uses resulting from the spill, along with restoration projects to ensure that the public is fully compensated for its loss.
The publication details the first evidence that dolphins in heavily oiled areas are exhibiting injuries consistent with toxic effects observed in laboratory studies of mammals exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons. The dolphin health study concludes that the health effects seen in the Barataria Bay dolphins are significant and likely will lead to reduced survival and ability to reproduce.
Twenty-nine of the total 32 dolphins sampled in Barataria Bay received comprehensive physical examinations, including ultrasound examinations to assess lung condition. The researchers assigned almost half (48 percent) of the dolphins a guarded or worse prognosis. In fact, they classified 17 percent as being in poor or grave condition, meaning the dolphins were not expected to survive.
These findings are in contrast to dolphins sampled in Sarasota Bay, Florida, an area not oiled by the Deepwater Horizon spill. For Dr. Lori Schwacke, the study's lead author and veteran of a number of similar dolphin health studies across the southeast, the findings are troubling: "I've never seen such a high prevalence of very sick animals -- and with unusual conditions such as the adrenal hormone abnormalities."
The NRDA researchers found that moderate to severe lung disease was five times more likely in the Barataria Bay dolphins, with symptoms including lung masses and consolidation. The researchers also found that 25 percent of the Barataria Bay dolphins were significantly underweight and the population overall had very low levels of adrenal hormones, which are critical for responding to stress.
The researchers examined alternative hypotheses for the dolphins' disease conditions, such as exposure to other human-made chemicals that have previously been measured in high concentrations in marine mammals and also associated with impacts on health. Blubber samples from the Barataria Bay dolphins, however, showed relatively low concentrations for the broad suite of chemicals measured, including PCBs and commonly detected persistent pesticides, as compared to other coastal dolphin populations.
Based on the findings from the 2011 dolphin health study, researchers performed three additional health assessments in 2013 as part of the Deepwater Horizon NRDA. The studies were repeated in Barataria Bay and Sarasota Bay, and also expanded to Mississippi Sound, including both Mississippi and Alabama waters. Results from these more recent health assessments are still pending.
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Have you been counted in the 2020 census yet?Last week, a total of 51.1% of Park Forest households had officially been counted in the 2020 census, 1.9% behind all residents of the state of Illinois at 53% counted.This week, as of April 20, 53.9% of Park Forest households are now officially counted, 1.8% behind the pace of all Illinois households currently tracking at 55.7% counted.Park Forest is encouraging all residents to be counted today. With most indoors as part of a stay-at-home order, now is the perfect time to complete this short but important process.Millions of dollars, which can make a significant difference for the betterment of the Park Forest community, are at stake. Consider these numbers:· There are 9,600 households in Park Forest· 7,200 of those 9,600 households were counted in the 2010 census for a response rate of 75%· With an average of 2 to 3 people per household, an estimated 6,300 Park Forest residents were unaccounted for in 2010.· With each resident representing an estimated $1,400 in federal funding, the 6,300 Park Foresters not counted in 2010 resulted in a loss of nearly $90 million dollars for the community over the last 10 years.Do your part to help Park Forest receive the maximum amount of federal dollars available by being counted. These dollars help to finance important efforts in the community, like education, roadway projects, and enhancing the community's water system. All being counted is critical to the next 10 years in Park Forest.Help Park Forest achieve a 100% response rate today! Log-on, dial in, or mail off your completed census form right away. It's one of the most important things you can do to help your community. Complete the 2020 census now by visiting https://2020census.gov/

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If your event meets any criteria listed below the organizer may need to obtain a Special Events permit from the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
It is the responsibility of the organizer to work with the SCCFD to obtain any necessary fire permits. There may be additional costs and requirements required by the SCCFD that the organizer must comply with. You can review the outdoor carnivals and fairs specifications document at: http://www.sccfd.org/images/documents/fire_prevention/standards/2.4.6_outdoor_carnivals_and_fairs.pdf for more information.
The organizer must submit proof of the permit application to the Events Specialist prior to the event. This application can be found at https://www.losgatosca.gov/2439/Special-Events-Information. Please contact the SCCFD for additional information. At www.sccfd.org or (408) 378-4010.
Show All Answers
For your convenience we have highlighted some of the typical event-related town fees that you may incur when planning your event in town depending on the elements of your event. We have also highlighted other event-related fees not associated with the Town that you may want to consider when planning your event budget.
For a full list of fees please see the Town's Comprehensive Fee Schedule. Please note that these fees will be adjusted annually by the average consumer price index for the calendar year and/or by the percentage increase in actual operating costs for the current year – whichever is greater.
Special Event Application Fees
Temporary Sign Permit
Parks Special Use Permit
$95 - $150
Oak Meadow Bandstand
$65 - $150
Town Plaza Park Use
$55 per hour
Block Party Permit
Encroachment Permit
$279.00 and up
Dumpster Permit
Police On-Site Staff Support
Actual cost per hour
No Parking Signs
$1.00 each
Non-Town Event Related Costs
Costs for these items are not specified as they will vary greatly depending on the vendor the organizer chooses to use. However, these are other items you should consider budgeting for when planning an event in Los Gatos.
All special event applications require the submission of a site diagram. A Site Diagram should include the following:
Consider the following in your planning: Impedance of emergency fire, police, or paramedic vehicles. Conflict with public transportation such as buses, shuttles, and trains. Interference with people trying to reach hotels, the airport, residences, businesses, places of worship, and public facilities. If your event involves road closures, please see the road closure related FAQs for further, detailed, important information.
An event timeline is required with the special event application. The event timeline should include as much information as possible at the time of the submission such as, equipment delivery/pick-up times, set-up/tear-down times of specific equipment, volunteer/staff arrival/departure times, event activities, etc. Typically, an excel format is best. We understand that this detailed of information may not be available at the time you submit your application, but we recommend submitting any information you have so that the Event Specialist may be aware of the elements of your event and inform you of any additional permits or requirements needed as a result of those elements. A more detailed timeline should be submitted closer to the event date.
Depending on the scope of the event most events will require a $2,000,000 General Liablity Insurance. Applicants will need Worker's Compensation, if employees are being paid to work the event. Applicants that are driving deliveries on to the property where the special event permit covers will need Automobile Insurance as well. The Town also requires a seperate endorsement page, stating the Town of Los Gatos as additionally insured.
Events with amplified sound, large crowds, street closures, and/or other elements which may otherwise inconvenience the surrounding businesses and residents require neighborhood notification. The event organizer must provide notice to businesses and residences typically within a 500-foot radius of the event location depending on the scope of the event, at least 2 weeks prior to the event. The organizer must include in the notification the time, location, type of event and anticipated noise or traffic disturbances. Notifications can be in the form of a letter, flyer or postcard or other documentation. The organizer must provide the Town Events Specialist with a copy of the notification prior to distribution for approval.
Per the Special Events Municipal code, Sec. 14.100.010, the organizer may not advertise their event until the organizer has received a Conditional Letter of Approval from the Town. To place banners advertising the event in town the organizer must apply for a Temporary Sign Permit through the Community Development Department. The Temporary Sign application can be found here. Posters in private businesses are permitted if the organizer has received written or verbal approval from the business owner.
If the event requires the use of a Town park such as Town Plaza Park, Oak Meadow Park, Civic Center Plaza or any other Town-owned park the organizer must indicate this in their special event application. The organizer is responsible for paying for any park use fees as indicated in the Town's Comprehensive Fee Schedule, in addition to the special event application fee and all other town related costs. The organizer must also abide by all regulations set-forth in the Town's Facilities Use Policy. Among these policies, all events held in a public park must be open to the public and cannot restrict access. The Events Specialist will work with the Parks and Public Works Department to reserve the requested park as part of your special event application.
In addition to the park use fee, a refundable deposit may be required depending on the nature of your event to account for any possible damage that could be done to the park grounds. A post-event site evaluation will be done by a member of the Parks and Public Works department to determine if any damage occurred as a result of the event. If it is found that damage was done to any of the facilities or additional clean-up is needed this will be documented and the event organizer will be billed at full cost recovery rates for cleanup and repair.
For smaller park events such as children's parties, organized recreational activities or classes that are contained entirely within a park and do not meet the other Special Events requirements, a Parks Special Use permit may be required. In these cases, the applicant may work directly with the Parks and Public Works department by visiting https://www.losgatosca.gov/1084/Park-Reservations-Permits-Fees.
Event organizers are required to provide a safe and secure environment for their event. This is accomplished through solid pre-planning and anticipating potential problems and concerns. The size, type, time of day, and location of the event as well as overall activities, are all factors that need to be analyzed by the Town when determining whether your event will need uniformed security.
Each special event application will be reviewed by the Town to determine if security is required. Events having the potential to draw a large crowd, such as street fairs or concerts, and include the consumption of alcohol are likely to require security. If security is deemed necessary for an event, the Town will require either private security or the Los Gatos Monte-Sereno Police Department (LGMSPD). If LGMSPD staff is required, the applicant is responsible for paying the hourly rate for each officer to the Town of Los Gatos. A minimum of two LGMS Police Officers at four hours is required. The Event Specialist will include those estimated costs in the estimated Town fees provided to the organizer prior to the event.
If additional LGMS Police Officers are needed on the day of the event due to larger than expected attendance or other factors, the organizer will be responsible for paying for those additional costs after the event. Organizers will not be billed for regular calls for service.
In cases where private security is being used they must meet the following criteria:
The organizer must submit the following pieces of information for approval of their requested security vendor. Please note that even if security is not required but the organizer wishes to use private security anyway, the company must still be approved.
For larger events the organizer is responsible for providing first aid onsite during the event. The first aid station must be indicated on the site map and a brief explanation of the first aid plan should be provided in the special event application. The first aid station should be staffed by qualified individuals trained and certified in basic first aid training.
Set-Up of Event
Event set-up must comply with the Los Gatos Municipal Code Sec. 16.20.010 and may not make, cause suffer or permit any noise disturbances within 100 feet of any building or place regularly used for sleeping purposes between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., unless given specific approval from the Town. For events that occur over multiple days or set-up prior to 8:00 a.m. the organizer must submit a plan to the Town of Los Gatos Event Specialist and work with the Town to find the best option and location for set-up which causes minimal disturbance to the residents of Los Gatos. Event set-up cannot take place on an open roadway and cannot cause a roadway to be closed longer than the hours permitted by the Town.
Clean-Up of Event
The event organizer is responsible for leaving the event area and the immediate adjacent areas in the condition of which they were found prior to the event. Clean-up must occur immediately after the event and within a reasonable time frame as to not disrupt or prohibit the public from accessing the area in a timely manner. The organizer must provide a cleanup plan to the Town at least two weeks prior to the event that indicates 1) sufficient staff (paid or volunteer) to handle cleanup throughout the day and after the event; and 2) sufficient equipment placed in effective locations (dumpsters, trash receptacles, hot coal barrels, and grease barrels). The Town does not provide street sweeping services for special events unless specifically requested by the organizer. In those cases, the organizer shall pay the hourly rate as indicated in the current fee schedule. Should the event organizer fail to perform adequate clean up or damage occurs to Town property and facilities, the organizer will be billed at full cost recovery rates for cleanup and repair. In addition, such failure may result in a denial of future approval for a Special Event Permit or the requirement of a cash deposit or surety bond for future events.
The organizer shall be responsible for providing adequate portable toilets at their event. The organizer must submit a portable toilet plan to the Town two weeks prior to their event by indicating the location and number of toilets on their site/route diagram. If the toilets are placed anywhere outside of the permitted event hours or location an encroachment permit may be required. See section 10 for more information on encroachment permits.
The Santa Clara County Department of Health Services recommends one (1) chemical toilet for every 250 people, or portion thereof. The figure is based upon the maximum number of people at your event during peak time. A percentage of disabled accessible toilets will also be required. For events providing food, the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health (SCCDEH) requires 1 portable toilet and one hand wash station for every 15 food service workers. The SCCDEH may have additional requirements that the event organizer must comply with if the event is required to obtain a permit from them.
When determining how many portable toilets will be needed for an event the organizer should consider the number of people attending, the length of the event and what type of food and drink will be sold or served. For events where alcohol will be present an additional 15%-20% of portable toilets should be added to the calculation. The chart below may serve as a guide in planning.
When holding an event in a Town park, public park toilets may be used. However, the organizer will be required to provide their own staff to service the park toilets during the event or may be required to pay for the Town's Parks & Public Works staff to service the restrooms if the event is outside of their normal working hours.
The organizer may not direct attendees to use private restrooms unless already agreed up with the business owner prior to the event. Authorized placement locations for portable toilets and trash receptacles will be determined by the Town for each event. For more information on DEH requirements please visit: www.sccgov.org/sites/deh
The event organizer must properly recycle and dispose of waste throughout the term of the event and the area must be returned to its original condition immediately upon conclusion of the event. The event organizer is responsible for providing additional trash and recycling receptacles to accommodate all waste generated from the event.
The event organizer is responsible for event specific garbage and recycling as well as public, Town-owned trash and recycling receptacles throughout the duration and after the event. The organizer must provide a place to store the full waste bags during the event, such as a dumpster.
Dumpsters must be placed in an approved location and may be delivered 1-2 days prior to the event and removed 1-2 days after the event if needed. If the dumpster is blocking parking spaces or any other public area outside of the permitted event area or hours an encroachment permit may be required from the Town. See "What is an encroachment permit?" in these FAQs for more information.
If using a Town facility or park where there may be existing electric power access, it is the responsibility of the organizer to indicate in their application that they would like to use the power so the Events Specialist can coordinate with the Parks and Public Works Department to ensure the power will be available for access on the event date. If the organizer needs to access private electric power sources it is the responsibility of the organizer to request access from the property owner. When the organizer does not have access to power they may use a generator and may need to obtain a fire inspection permit from the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
The organizer may not use any public water access points and must receive the property owner's approval if using private water sources. If the organizer has any event equipment, such as portable restrooms, that require electrical or water access and it is not available the organizer must use a self-contained system.
An encroachment permit is required from Parks & Public Works Engineering division for special events when the organizer wishes to place any event equipment on any public property such as a street, sidewalk or parking lot outside of the permitted event hours and locations that have been approved in the Special Event Conditional Letter of Approval. Examples include, portable restrooms, dumpsters, etc. that are placed on a public street or lot prior to the event date. The organizer should fill out an encroachment permit application and turn it in to the Event Specialist who will work with engineering on their behalf to obtain an approved permit. The specialist will also include the encroachment permit cost in the estimate and the final invoice to the organizer.
The encroachment permit application and additional information can be found at: https://www.losgatosca.gov/2342/Encroachment-Permits
The sale or furnishing of alcoholic beverages at a public event will require an additional permit from the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The applicant MUST obtain a Letter of Authorization from the Chief of Police to ABC before they will issue an ABC permit (30-day process). This application can be found at https://www.losgatosca.gov/2439/Special-Events-Information. The Organizer may submit this application along with their special event application to the Town Event Specialist for signature from the Chief. The Town Event Specialist will return the signed ABC Letter of Authorization to the organizer upon approval of the event so that the organizer may move forward with obtaining their alcohol permit from ABC.
All alcohol consumption during the event must stay within the permitted area and be clearly defined with barriers such as a beer garden area or road closure. Signs measuring a minimum of 11"x17" must be posted at all exits that read, "No Alcohol past this point." Security or volunteer staff will also be required at all exits to ensure that alcohol does not leave the permitted area. Private security or LGMS Police Officers may be required based on the number of event attendees (see "What are the security guidelines for events?" in these FAQs). The organizer must provide the following information to the Event Specialist prior to submission of the Letter of Authorization application.
Hours of sale must be approved by the LGMS Police Department. Police may close the sale of alcohol at any time during the event if they determine that these controls are not being adhered to or in the interest of public safety. Please note that the ABC may also visit the event site to determine that their requirements are met. The organizer is responsible for training their event staff to identify when the alcohol should not be served to an individual who is intoxicated.
For more information visit www.abc.ca.gov or call (408) 277-1200.
Events in which food will be cooked and/or served or sold to the public require a Temporary Event Permit from the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health. The organizer is responsible for applying for this permit and it must be submitted to the Town, along with all other applicable permits, at least two weeks before the event. Temporary events usually consist of one or more food booths/operations, also known as temporary food facilities (TFF). It is the responsibility of the Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health to review all TFFs to ensure the protection and food safety of the public.
Organizers may not use Town water access points for food booths or hand wash stations. The organizer may use private water access points if given written permission from the property owner prior to the event.
You can find more information about the costs and requirements for a temporary event permit at, https://www.sccgov.org/sites/cpd/programs/TE/Pages/home.aspx or by contacting the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health at (408) 918-3400.
Organizers should always consider parking in their event planning. Organizers should describe their plans for parking in the special event application and indicate these areas on the site map. If any of those parking accommodations include private properties, the organizer must work with the property owner to receive approval to use their property. If using Los Gatos High School as overflow parking, you must obtain a permit from Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District: www.lgsuhsd.org or (408) 335-2000.
Events that include road closures are typically much more complex in nature due to the high level of safety precautions that must be taken, planning and potential inconvenience to the public and businesses. All events wishing to close any public right-of-ways such as roads, sidewalks, parking lots, etc. must indicate this in their special event application. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by Town staff.
Please read the following FAQ topics in these FAQs for further information on road closures.
All organizers requesting to close any portion of a street for their event must do the following:
In many cases it is also recommend that the organizer provide first aid such as through an organization like D.A.R.T as well as volunteers to help monitor closure points and/or race marshals in the case of runs, cycling races, etc.
There are three levels of road closures:
Please note that each road closure request will be evaluated on a case by case basis and other factors such as time of year or anticipated event volume may also be factored into determining the level of closure.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Due to the size and nature of a N. Santa Cruz closure, these requests must seek special approval and are limited to a certain number per year.
A traffic control plan (TCP) is a detailed plan including a map of the requested closure area and the placement, number and type of all traffic control equipment necessary to provide the safe and efficient movement of vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians through or around temporary traffic control zones. A TCP is typically designed by a certified traffic control engineer. For level one road closures the organizer may create their own TCP. The information below will guide the organizer in creating their TCP. A preliminary TCP must be submitted with the special event application with a final TCP required at least 45 days prior to their event. The TCP must be reviewed by the Town's traffic engineer and the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department.
Submitted Traffic Control Plans shall include the following:
Any closure of public right-of-ways will require the use of Uniform Traffic Control equipment, these may include physical barriers (cones and barricades), traffic signs, lights, and more, to ensure public safety. The organizer will be responsible for obtaining their own equipment as the Town does not provide these. Implementation of the road closure and re-opening will be determined by the Town based on the complexity and level of the closure. If a Traffic Control Company is required to implement the closure the organizer is responsible for those costs. A list of traffic control vendors can be provided if needed.


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VIDEO: The trailer for Food, Inc.
You are what you eat. And if you're like most Americans, you eat hamburgers made from cows who likely spent their lives crowded in fetid factory farms, ankle-deep in mud and excrement. And chickens artificially bred to grow so big, so fast, that the birds can barely support their own weight. And corn. Lots and lots of corn. Corn in ketchup and salad dressing and peanut butter and jelly and juice and cola and nearly every component of the fast-food "value meal" you just wolfed down at lunch. But as Robert Kenner shows in his excellent new documentary (which is as visually flashy as it is viscerally alarming), that "value" is illusory. The massively mechanized corporate production processes that stock the average supermarket with 47,000 brands of low-priced food are insidiously damaging our environment, our economy, our culture, and our health. And as such talking heads as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma) explain, only we as citizens and consumers can change that.
See all articles by: MIKE MILIARD
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We made a change in the kitchen last week, something I've been wanting to do for months now. A couple of years ago, I found a free fixture at Habitat ReStore, brought it home, rewired it, and painted it white. That free fixture hung in our kitchen for two years and it was really great (especially since it was free!) but I've been dreaming of something a little more snazzy. I wanted to mix it up and bring in some lighting that was bigger, bolder, and modern.
I've been fixated on statement pendants over kitchen islands lately, so I finally decided it was time to upgrade ours. Say hello to the two new polished nickel lantern fixtures that now hang over our kitchen island!
Ba da bling!
We splurged on two polished nickel and linen shade lanterns, purchased from one of my sponsors, Shades of Light. With a 10% discount, they were $288 each but my oh my what eye candy they are!
They're really gorgeous in person but do you notice the slight problem?
At first, we couldn't figure out why one was slightly lower than the other, we counted the links, they were the same. The ceiling wasn't crooked, what could be wrong? So we stared at it for a few minutes, then Matt noticed the difference.
It took five whole seconds to fix the pendant late last night and I didn't feel like reshooting new images. Anyway, they're perfectly even now.
Here's the old (free) fixture that was hanging in the kitchen before we started:
We had only one round electrical box for a single chandelier and we did some research online on how to turn one into two. I love a great DIY project, but I get squeamish with wiring walls since I've never done it before, so we hired an electrician who came highly recommended to do the switcheroo for us, and I'm so glad we did!
First we decided the proper spacing for the new fixtures while holding them up above the island. Then our electrician cut open new holes in the sheetrock with a hole saw to anchor new round boxes for the two pendants.
(The electrician did the same thing with the wall in our hallway bathroom too, since we're switching from one overhead fixture to two sconces on the wall in that space – more to come on that remodel soon.)
The center hole was patched with joint compound for sheetrock, then the next step is to sand it smooth, prime with water based primer for walls, and touch up the paint.
The polished nickel finish on these lanterns sparkles like jewelry, I'm pretty crazy about them. They make quite the statement when you enter the room!
I also pulled a switcheroo on the mantel shelf above the range. I kept the collection of white ceramics, several of them thrift store finds, but added some new botanical prints.
Green preserved oak leaves add a dose of fall color and two framed culinary prints from Eva Juliet replace the clock.
To see more scenes from our kitchen, take a peek at this post from earlier this year. Aaaaaand speaking of mantels, the Fall Mantel Link Party posts tomorrow at 8 a.m. PST. I'll snap some pics of our living room mantel today and share them tomorrow – join me in linking up yours too.
See you then!


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Learn About the New ISO 6892-1:2016
The newly released ISO 6892-1:2016 standard for ambient tensile testing of metallic materials provides greater clarity of the major changes that were introduced in the previous version, ISO 6892-1:2009.
The 2009 version of the standard introduced testing rates based on strain rate (Method A). Method A was based on maintaining a strain rate around the area of interest (yield), whereas traditional testing was based on having a constant stress rate during the elastic region (Method B). As some metals are strain-rate sensitive, Method A provides improved repeatability and allows for more comparable results by reducing the variation of test rates at the time when strain-rate sensitive parameters are determined. The introduction of Method A caused confusion. Many understood this as only being achievable by using equipment capable of closed-loop strain control, but this is not true. It is possible to conform to Method A of ISO 6892-1:2009 by using a constant crosshead speed.
To better clarify, the requirements of Method A, ISO 6892-1:2016 now includes two clearly defined approaches, Method A1 (closed-loop strain control) and Method A2 (constant crosshead separation rate).
To learn more about changes to the standard, contact us or for information or visit the links below:
• Download Our Whitepaper: ISO 6892-1:2016 WHITEPAPER
• Read More About the Standard: VISIT TESTING SOLUTION PAGE
• View the AZOM Interview with Our Metals Market Manager: READ THE INTERVIEW
• Watch the Webinar Focused on the New Standard : VIEW OUR WEBINAR


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SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VeriFone Systems, Inc. (NYSE: PAY), announced today that the first U.S. lottery ticket sale at the fuel pump was printed at a Greater Minneapolis area convenience store and gas station in November. Lottery sales at the pump and other self-service locations represent a major untapped market segment for state lottery commissions across the U.S.
VeriFone and partner Linq3 have implemented "play at the pump" at 9 locations in Minneapolis under auspices of the Minnesota State Lottery. At gas pumps equipped with VeriFone's payment enabled media solution, PAYMEDIA, consumers can buy quick pick numbers for Powerball and Mega Millions drawings utilizing debit card payments at the same time they fill up their tanks. The first sale was completed November 13 at the Gramsie Mart on Rice Street in Shoreview, Minn.
"We believe that play at the pump allows us to easily expand the distribution of lottery products and make the purchase of a ticket more convenient," said Ed Van Petten, executive director of the Minnesota State Lottery. "This delivery method reaches a casual player who may want the convenience of making a lottery purchase while at these locations. It is a means for the Minnesota State Lottery to generate additional revenue for the state and its' important beneficiaries. It will also provide additional revenue and media elements to help lottery retailers grow their business."
PAYMEDIA for Secure PumpPAY delivers dynamic video and audio that informs and entertains consumers -- including promotions on lottery jackpots -- while ensuring secure, PCI- and EMV-compliant payments. Consumers are age-verified and enrolled in a quick process at the pump, which enables them to make debit card purchases of tickets whenever they pull up to a participating location. Winnings under $600 are automatically deposited to the debit card-linked account and consumers can check purchases on the web and sign up for mobile text notifications.
"Many consumers forget to play the lottery or just simply don't have the time to make an extra stop, so VeriFone's media solution makes it easy for them to play," said Jennifer Miles, executive vice president, VeriFone North America.
VeriFone's payment-enabled solutions for gas pumps, taxis and other point of sale locations represent an opportunity for lotteries to expand sales channels in new and innovative ways. Linq3 has forged secured payments processing integration with many of the nations leading payments and ATM processors, creating a nationwide network to securely process lottery transactions.
"Linq3 enables lotteries to efficiently reach a greater market as well as generate more sales and more revenue for their designated beneficiaries," said Daniel Cage, CEO of Linq3. "Working with VeriFone we're making it easier for consumers to play their favorite games during shopping transactions."
Additional Resources:
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for VeriFone Systems, Inc.
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements related to VeriFone Systems, Inc. within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on VeriFone management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of VeriFone Systems, Inc. These risks and uncertainties include: our ability to successfully roll out lottery solutions on our PAYMEDIA platform, customer acceptance and adoption of our new solution offerings, our ability to protect against fraud, the status of our relationship with and condition of third parties upon whom we rely in the conduct of our business, our dependence on a limited number of customers, uncertainties related to the conduct of our business internationally, our dependence on a limited number of key employees, short product cycles, rapidly changing technologies and maintaining competitive leadership position with respect to our payment solution offerings. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriFone is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
About VeriFone Systems, Inc. (www.verifone.com)
VeriFone Systems, Inc. ("VeriFone") (NYSE: PAY) is the global leader in secure electronic payment solutions. VeriFone provides expertise, solutions and services that add value to the point of sale with merchant-operated, consumer-facing and self-service payment systems for the financial, retail, hospitality, petroleum, government and healthcare vertical markets. VeriFone solutions are designed to meet the needs of merchants, processors and acquirers in developed and emerging economies worldwide.


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Phone: 503-823-7529
1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204
Request for Expressions of Interest
Businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals are invited to form public-private agreements to carry out revenue-generating and capital-related activities supporting Portland International Raceway's goal to provide a "World Class Racetrack." The intrinsic value of what PIR offers potential partners is greatly enhanced by the large numbers of visitors it attracts that have an affinity for motor sports, cycling, and related recreational activities. PIR holds approximately 650 events per year and attracts over 400,000 visitors annually. For more information on PIR, go to Portland International Raceway.
This Request for Expressions of Interest creates a competitive environment in which to establish new agreements for these projects. Expressions of Interest for projects at Portland International Raceway will be received on an ongoing basis.
PIR has prioritized the following projects:
Other capital improvements or services that enhance the visitor experience will also be considered.
Please review the details of the project(s), then submit your PIR Expression of Interest using the online form.
Background Information
The relevant economy that impacts PIR is the Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton metropolitan statistical area (MSA). It consists of seven counties. Five are in Oregon: Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill - and two are in Washington state: Clark and Skamania. A survey conducted by ECONorthwest in November 2005 revealed that about 72% of the visitors to PIR come from the MSA, of which only 22% are from Portland itself. For this reason, the economic outlook for the MSA best indicates the prospects for the proposed projects.
There are currently 829,870 households residing in the MSA. About a third have incomes that are between lower middle-income to poor. Another third are middle-income earning between $40,000 and $70,000 a year. The remaining one-third of households are upper middle-income to affluent and make over $70,000 a year.
The forecast suggests that this region will see substantial gains in the number of new households, particularly outside of the City, in conjunction with real income growth. Both of these elements are particularly favorable for the developments at PIR.
Within the next five years the number of households will increase by 57,870. Less than 24% of that growth will occur in Multnomah County. More importantly for the amenities proposed for PIR, household growth will be concentrated in the upper income ranks. While the number of lower income households is projected to fall by 8,621 between 2007 and 2012, the number earning over $70,000 a year is projected to climb by 57,870. Although some of the predicted increase would be driven by inflation, most is expected to arise from real wage and income gains.
For more information, review the PIR Economic Impact Analysis.
Questions? Contact Trang Lam, Deputy Director, at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 503-823-5123.


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The threat of suspicious activity turned out to be unfounded, said Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said, and the building was reopened. But students were rattled.
"They were just screaming, 'Get off the sidewalks,'" said Terryn Wingler-Petty, a junior from Wisconsin. "They seemed very confused about what was going on. They were just trying to get people organized."
One officer was seen escorting a crying young woman out of Burruss Hall, telling her, "It's OK. It's OK."
The student who had killed 32 people in two university buildings on Monday had also killed himself, but he left behind a bomb threat, and the school was investigating whether he had any links to previous bomb threats on campus.
Cho Seung-Hui's roommates and professors on Wednesday described a troubled, very quite young man who rarely spoke to his roommates or made eye contact with them. His bizarre behavior became even less predictable in recent weeks, roommates Joseph Aust and Karan Grewal said.
Grewal said he had pulled an all-nighter on homework before the shootings and saw Cho at around 5 a.m.
"He didn't look me in the eye. Same old thing. I left him alone," He told CNN. He said when he saw Cho that morning and during the weekend, Cho didn't smile, didn't frown and didn't show any signs of anger. Grewal also said he never saw any weapons.
Several students and professors described Cho as a sullen loner. Authorities said he left a rambling note raging against women and rich kids. News reports said that Cho, a 23-year-old senior majoring in English, may have been taking medication for depression and that he was becoming increasingly erratic.
Professors and classmates were alarmed by his class writings _ pages filled with twisted, violence-drenched writing.
"It was not bad poetry. It was intimidating," poet Nikki Giovanni, one of his professors, told CNN Wednesday.
"I know we're talking about a youngster, but troubled youngsters get drunk and jump off buildings," she said. "There was something mean about this boy. It was the meanness _ I've taught troubled youngsters and crazy people _ it was the meanness that bothered me. It was a really mean streak."
Giovanni said her students were so unnerved by Cho's behavior, including taking pictures of them with his cell phone, that some stopped coming to class and she had security check on her room. She eventually had him taken out of her class, saying she would quit if he wasn't removed.
Lucinda Roy, a co-director of creative writing at Virginia Tech, said she tutored Cho after that.
"He was so distant and so lonely," she told ABC's "Good Morning America" Wednesday. "It was almost like talking to a hole, as though he wasn't there most of the time. He wore sunglasses and his hat very low so it was hard to see his face."
Roy also described using a code word with her assistant to call police if she ever felt threatened by Cho, but she said she never used it.
Cho's writing was so disturbing, though, he was referred to the university's counseling service, said Carolyn Rude, chairwoman of the university's English department.
In screenplays Cho wrote for a class last fall, characters throw hammers and attack with chainsaws, said a student who attended Virginia Tech last fall. In another, Cho concocted a tale of students who fantasize about stalking and killing a teacher who sexually molested them.
"When we read Cho's plays, it was like something out of a nightmare," former classmate Ian MacFarlane, now an AOL employee, wrote in a blog posted on an AOL Web site.
"The plays had really twisted, macabre violence that used weapons I wouldn't have even thought of."
He said he and other students "were talking to each other with serious worry about whether he could be a school shooter."
"We always joked we were just waiting for him to do something, waiting to hear about something he did," said another classmate, Stephanie Derry. "But when I got the call it was Cho who had done this, I started crying, bawling."
Despite the many warning signs that came to light in the bloody aftermath, police and university officials offered no clues as to exactly what set Cho off.
Cho _ who arrived in the United States as boy from South Korea in 1992 and was raised in suburban Washington, D.C., where his parents worked at a dry cleaners _ left a note that was found after the bloodbath.
A law enforcement official described it Tuesday as a typed, eight-page rant against rich kids and religion. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
"You caused me to do this," the official quoted the note as saying.
Cho indicated in his letter that the end was near and that there was a deed to be done, the official said. He also expressed disappointment in his own religion, and made several references to Christianity, the official said.
The official said the letter was either found in Cho's dorm room or in his backpack. The backpack was found in the hallway of the classroom building where the shootings happened, and contained several rounds of ammunition, the official said.
With classes canceled for the rest of the week, many students left town.
Tuesday night, thousands of Virginia Tech students, faculty and area residents poured into the center of campus to grieve together. Volunteers passed out thousands of candles in paper cups, donated from around the country. Then, as the flames flickered, speakers urged them to find solace in one another.
As silence spread across the grassy bowl of the drill field, a pair of trumpets began to play taps. A few in the crowd began to sing Amazing Grace.
Afterward, students, some weeping, others holding each other for support, gathered around makeshift memorials, filling banners and plywood boards with messages belying their pain.
"I think this is something that will take a while. It still hasn't hit a lot of people yet," said Amber McGee, a freshman from Wytheville, Va.
Monday's rampage consisted of two attacks, more than two hours apart _ first at a dormitory, where two people were killed, then inside a classroom building, where 31 people, including Cho, died. Two handguns _ a 9 mm and a .22-caliber _ were found in the classroom building.
According to court papers, police found a "bomb threat" note _ directed at engineering school buildings _ near the victims in the classroom building. In the past three weeks, Virginia Tech was hit with two other bomb threats. Investigators have not connected those earlier threats to Cho.
Cho graduated from Westfield High School in Chantilly, Va., in 2003. His family lived in an off-white, two-story townhouse in Centreville, Va.
At least one of those killed in the rampage, Reema Samaha, graduated from Westfield High in 2006. But there was no immediate word from authorities on whether Cho knew the young woman and singled her out.
"He was very quiet, always by himself," neighbor Abdul Shash said. Shash said Cho spent a lot of his free time playing basketball and would not respond if someone greeted him.
Some classmates said that on the first day of a British literature class last year, the 30 or so students went around and introduced themselves. When it was Cho's turn, he didn't speak.
On the sign-in sheet where everyone else had written their names, Cho had written a question mark. "Is your name, `Question mark?'" classmate Julie Poole recalled the professor asking. The young man offered little response.
Cho spent much of that class sitting in the back of the room, wearing a hat and seldom participating. In a small department, Cho distinguished himself for being anonymous. "He didn't reach out to anyone. He never talked," Poole said.
"We just really knew him as the question mark kid," Poole said.
One law enforcement official said Cho's backpack contained a receipt for a March purchase of a Glock 9 mm pistol. Cho held a green card, meaning he was a legal, permanent resident. That meant he was eligible to buy a handgun unless he had been convicted of a felony.
Roanoke Firearms owner John Markell said his shop sold the Glock and a box of practice ammo to Cho 36 days ago for $571.
"He was a nice, clean-cut college kid. We won't sell a gun if we have any idea at all that a purchase is suspicious," Markell said.
Investigators stopped short of saying Cho carried out both attacks. But State Police ballistics tests showed one gun was used in both.
And two law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because the information had not been announced, said Cho's fingerprints were on both guns. Their serial numbers had been filed off.
Gov. Tim Kaine said he will appoint a panel at the university's request to review authorities' handling of the disaster. Parents and students bitterly complained that the university should have locked down the campus immediately after the first burst of gunfire and did not do enough to warn people.
Kaine warned against making snap judgments and said he had "nothing but loathing" for those who take the tragedy and "make it their political hobby horse to ride."
"I'm satisfied that the university did everything they felt they needed to do with the heat on the table," Kaine told CBS' "The Early Show" on Wednesday. "Nobody has this in the playbook, there's no manual on this."


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CANBERRA - Australia's incoming conservative government promised to re-boot a stalled mining boom and revive an appetite for investment on Sunday after leader Tony Abbott swept into office on a platform to scrap a mining tax and run a stable administration.
Abbott's Liberal-National Party coalition ended six years of often turbulent Labor Party rule and three years of minority government, winning a majority of more than 30 seats in the 150-seat parliament at Saturday's national elections. It was Labor's worst result since 1934.
Abbott, a former student boxer, Rhodes scholar and trainee priest, began his first day as prime minister elect with a dawn bike ride with friends around his home on Sydney's northern beaches, before meeting government and ministry officials.
"People expect the day after an election an incoming government will be getting down to business. That's what I'll be doing today," Abbott told reporters.
Abbott, who was backed by media owner Rupert Murdoch and his Australian newspapers, takes office as Australia's economy adjusts to the end of a mining investment boom, with slowing government revenues and rising unemployment.
But Abbott's finance spokesman Andrew Robb, who may become the trade minister in the new government, said Australia's economy and mining sector would receive a boost from the election result.
"As of today, the mining boom will be rebooted," Robb told Australian television, adding Australia had become uncompetitive under the Labor government. "We will restore an appetite for risk and investment."
Analysts said the victory for Abbott should give him at least two three-year terms in office.
"The only time we've ever had a one-term government is during the great depression. There is no real reason to expect they won't go beyond the three years," Monash University analyst Nick Economou told Reuters.
Despite his solid victory, Abbott's government will not have a majority in the upper house Senate, where he is likely to face a disparate range of minor parties and independents with the balance of power votes from July 2014. Labor and the Greens will control a Senate majority until next July.
Abbott will need Senate approval to scrap the carbon and mining taxes, and to implement his landmark paid parental leave scheme which has upset big business and many in his own party.
The influential Business Council of Australia, which represents the nation's biggest listed companies, urged the Senate to recognise the government's mandate, but continued to express concerns about the taxpayer-funded leave scheme.
Final Senate results could take several weeks to determine, due to the complex nature of the preferential voting system.
Abbott may be forced to deal with independent Nick Xenophon, Victoria's Motoring Enthusiast Party, and anti-immigration firebrand Pauline Hanson might also win a Senate seat and return to parliament after a 15-year absence.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the election was the showing of start-up Palmer United Party, founded just five months ago by colorful mining entrepreneur Clive Palmer, who could win a seat in both the Senate and the lower house.
Palmer, who has interests in nickel, coal and iron ore, also plans to build a giant robot dinosaur park and a replica of the Titanic. His campaign was marked by 'twerking' on national radio and threats to sue both the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and News Corp's Rupert Murdoch, whose wife he accused of being a Chinese spy.


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Constructed in the early 20th century, Eixample is a district of the Spanish city of Barcelona known for the urban planning that divided the district into octagonal blocks. Influenced by a range of schools of architecture, Eixample Barcelona was designed in a grid pattern with long streets, wide avenues, and rounded street corners.
Despite being in the center of a thriving European metropolis, the district provides improved living conditions for inhabitants including extensive sun light, improved ventilation, and more open green space for public use. And of course, the result from the grid-like structure is astounding from above:


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In addition to the World of Color Dining Packages and Picnic Meals, guests will also get to experience edible color in other ways!
Spectrum Splash: Beverages in light-up souvenir glasses with a colorful choice of flavors –- strawberry red, blueberry blue, or sour Granny Smith apple green.
Light-Up Cotton Candy: White cotton candy with a colorful swirl, on an illuminated wand that lights the cotton candy from inside.
Multi-Colored & Flavored Popcorn: A delicious treat that comes in three flavors – red cherry, blueberry and purple grape – and mixed in with regular kettle corn, all served in a Disney California Adventure see-through "World of Color" souvenir popcorn bucket.
Tropical Mist Cocktail (for adults): It's a passion fruit and mango liqueur with coconut rum – and a light-up swizzle stick. Available at the Cove Bar and Ariel's Grotto restaurant.
Sounds awesome to me!
Images/Source: Disney


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Pro Health Insurance Agency
Best Health insurance agency in Saint Petersburg
Health insurance is a type of insurance that covers the medical and surgical expenses of the insured. It is an agreement between an individual or company that the insurer will pay for the policyholder's medical expenses. Today, health insurance is essential because medical costs have been steadily rising over the years. There are different types of health insurance plans available, which offer different levels of coverage. Some plans only cover the basic medical expenses while others cover all medical expenses. The Health Insurance Agency in Saint Petersburg offer a wide range of health insurance plans to choose from. Their team of qualified and experienced agents can help you choose the right plan for your family. You can get a free quote from their website and compare the different plans before making a decision.
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 258,308, making it the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the second-largest city in the Tampa Bay Area, after Tampa. It is the largest city in the state that is not a county seat (the city of Clearwater is the seat of Pinellas County). Along with Clearwater, these cities are part of the Tampa–St.
Allendale Park/Five Points, Allendale Terrace, Arcadian Heights, Azalea Homes, Bahama Shores, Bartlett Park, Bayou Shores, Caya Costa, Central Oak Park, Childs Park, Coquina Key, Crescent Heights, Crescent Lake, Cromwell Heights, Disston Heights


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This article is more than 1 year old
Scotland Yard mulls Google Wi-Fi slurp
Privacy International alleges RIPA offence
Police are considering whether to investigate Google's Wi-Fi data harvesting operation.
The Met received a complaint from Privacy International but has not yet decided whether to formally launch an investigation, a police spokesman said today. Officers may speak to Google staff before making a decision.
The pressure group alleges that Google carried out illegal interception of communications, a criminal offence under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.
Google has admitted its Street View fleet collected and stored payload data from unencrypted Wi-Fi networks as it toured the country. It has called the operation a "mistake" and blamed it on software created by a rogue engineer against internal policy.
Nevertheless the dominant search firm is now under scrutiny by criminal and civil authorities in dozens of US states and European countries. ®


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Global Markets for Automotive Sensor Technologies -- Focus on North America
Report Highlights
- The global market for automobile sensors was $14.1 billion in 2011 and is expected to reach nearly $15.2 billion by 2012. BCC projects this market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% reaching $22.1 billion in 2017.
- Aautomobile production in the North American region totaled nearly 14.6 million vehicles in 2011, which is expected to reach 17.5 million by the end of year 2012. BCC expects that this market will grow to nearly 25 million vehicles produced in 2017, a CAGR of 7.3%.
- Automobile production in the US region was nearly 9.1 million in 2011 and is expected to reach 11 million by the end of 2012. BCC expects that this market will grow to nearly 15.4 million by 2017 at a CAGR of 7%.
The automotive industry is being revolutionized by technological innovation. The performance of vehicles, safety and comfort are being improved by using automotive sensors in various systems including air bags, tire pressure monitoring and vehicle stabilization control. Most of these innovations have been through improved electronics and advanced sensors, using technologies like silicon micro-engineering, thick film, capacitive, variable reluctance, optical and radar. New applications are emerging particularly in emission control and safety areas, apart from the sensors already being used for oil pressure, coolant temperature, vehicle speed and fuel level. The sensors field has become more challenging regarding robustness, reliability, quality and finally cost. This report will look at the various sensors used in an automobile, the global and regional market for these sensors, and their applications.
Increased demand for convenience, comfort, safety, efficiency and environmental protection drives the automotive sensor market. Sensors integrated with electronics, communications and computer intelligence are poised for a growth surge. "Smart sensors" or "intelligent sensors" are integrated sensors with intelligence and will be used in conjunction with all types of devices. The advent of the "smart car" has major implications for the automobile industry as well as the sensor industry, and this report will study the route that is being taken by various automobile and sensor manufacturers in achieving the ultimate goal of the "smart car."
The report should attract the attention of engineering technologists and make them more aware of how sensors can contribute to system control and monitoring in an automobile. This report is intended to serve as a valuable resource for all personnel involved in the design and production of automobile sensors, associated systems and automobiles; for researchers working in the development of new sensor technologies for use in various automobiles; and for manufacturers of different types of automobile sensors.
In today's automobile industry, systems controlled by sensors have become an integral part, and this has made most electro-mechanical devices more refined and more efficient with their application. The development and deployment of a number of sensing technologies support and enable the introduction of advanced electronic systems, although there are challenges regarding robustness, reliability, quality and cost. Although new sensors are emerging to improve system functionality and enable future advanced systems, existing sensors will also continue to find new applications, building upon their past record of performance. This report will study the areas in the production of an automobile that have advanced with the use of sensors, and the markets for these sensors in various applications and regions.
For this report, automobiles are considered to include all passenger cars, light commercial vehicles (LCVs), heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) and buses.
Both primary and secondary research methods were used in preparing this report. Primary information sources for this market research include individuals within companies, various research organizations, governmental agencies and trade associations.
Secondary research includes extensive literature reviews, such as trade journals, seminar proceedings, patent literature, company literature, published reports and government publications. Additional secondary research sources include databases, trade literature, specialized journals and government statistics
Srinivasa Rajaram is a mechanical engineer with more than 40 years of experience in designing factory layouts and setting up factories. He was senior vice president of M/S Schenck Avery Ltd., an Indo-German joint venture, and has authored several technology market research reports for BCC Research.
BCC Research offers an online information retrieval service. Its home page, located at www.bccresearch.com, enables readers to:
- Examine the complete BCC Research catalog of market research reports and place direct orders.
- Subscribe to any of BCC Research's many industry newsletters.
- Read announcements of recently published reports and newly launched newsletters.
- Register for its well-known conferences.
- Request additional information on any BCC research product.
- Take advantage of special offers.
The information developed in this report is intended to be as reliable as possible at the time of publication and of a professional nature. This information does not constitute managerial, legal or accounting advice, nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is of a speculative in nature. The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or from its use.


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Matt Taibbi wrote a terrific piece for Rolling Stone in October 2006 about the Republican-led Congress in power at the time. He painted an unsettling picture of what he called the "Worst Congress Ever."
"These were the years," Taibbi wrote, "when the U.S. parliament became a historical punch line, a political obscenity on par with the court of Nero or Caligula -- a stable of thieves and perverts who committed crimes rolling out of bed in the morning and did their very best to turn the mighty American empire into a debt-laden, despotic backwater, a Burkina Faso with cable."
The article included this classic quote from Jonathan Turley: "The 109th Congress is so bad that it makes you wonder if democracy is a failed experiment."
That was six years ago. I think it's more than fair to say the current, 112th Congress makes the 109th look brilliant and responsible by comparison. Indeed, in all sincerity, I don't even think it's a close call. Ezra Klein had a great piece today, listing "13 reasons why this is the worst Congress ever."
Hating on Congress is a beloved American tradition. Hence Mark Twain's old joke, "Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." But the 112th Congress is no ordinary congress. It's a very bad, no good, terrible Congress. It is, in fact, one of the very worst congresses we have ever had.
Ezra's list is well worth reading, and the list is an effective indictment. Congress isn't legislating; it lacks public support; it's undermining the national economy; and it fails to complete basic tasks.
I'd only add that one of the consequences of having a Congress this abysmal is the extent to which it shapes our expectations. I've felt great relief on several occasions since the 112th Congress began when lawmakers managed to avoid government shutdowns that lawmakers themselves had threatened -- which is depressing, since I really shouldn't be impressed when the legislative branch of the United States government manages, just barely, to keep its own lights on.
We've internalized absurd standards. We simply assume as a matter of course that important policymaking is impossible, and we celebrate legislative moves that, in the recent past, were routine and remarkable.
There's no shortage of explanations for this, but at a certain point, Americans who showed up to vote in the 2010 midterms might need to accept some responsibility -- they elected some of the most manifestly unqualified policymakers in a generation, and the result is a Congress that's hard to watch without covering your eyes.


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Who we are and what we do
Cycling UK, formerly known as the CTC is the national cycling charity; it inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling. It encourages all types of cycling, on the road or off it. It supports you if you already ride, or would like to ride, to work or school, for health, touring, sport and leisure – or just because it's fun. Members of Winchester CTC range from those who like to ride 10-20 miles to those who ride Sportifs and events of over 1000km. Some members also enjoy touring in the UK and abroad.
Winchester CTC is the local group of Cycling UK. It covers the area in and around Winchester (including Chandlers Ford and Bishops Waltham); however we regularly welcome riders from outside this area. It offers a range of cycle rides throughout the year; the rides range from short, easy rides suitable for novice cyclists to more challenging rides that are longer and faster. Winchester CTC also puts on open challenge events throughout the year; some events are jointly arranged with Southampton CTC. It also campaigns locally for better cycle facilities.
Membership: You don't need to be a member of Cycling UK when you first come out on a ride with Winchester CTC. You can ride with guest membership for 3 rides to see whether you like us. Membership is national and when you join Cycling UK, you can ride with any CTC/Cycling UK group anywhere in the country. Membership also provides you with £10 million 3rd party insurance cover plus free technical and legal advice and a bi-monthly magazine. For more information on Cycling UK and how to join see here
Coming out on your first ride with us? Please see information here
What you need for our rides:
Bike: all you need is a roadworthy bike. You'll find life a lot easier on a reasonably lightweight road or touring bike rather than a heavy bike or mountain bike with knobbly tyres. Don't be put off trying one of our rides because you think you don't have the right bike. We can advise on how you can adapt your existing bike and provide expert advice if you want to buy a new one.
Clothing: Specialist clothing and a helmet are optional. A light, waterproof jacket is almost essential for the British climate. Otherwise just bring something to drink, a spare inner tube and tyre levers and lights for winter and evening rides. Rides stop for refreshments at regular intervals but you may like to pack a cereal bar or similar as emergency rations.
Rides: We offer a full range of leisure rides ranging from short to long at varying speeds. Each ride has a leader who decides the route and makes sure that nobody gets left behind. We also organise open challenge events; they have no leader but you are provided with a full route description.
For a full description of our rides and the current programme, see Our Rides page


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Leading the Resistance, Whit and Wisty face their most daunting challenge yet in the jaw-dropping sequel to Witch & Wizard. When Whit and Wisty were imprisoned by the wicked forces of the totalitarian regime known as the New Order, they were barely able to escape with their lives. Now part of a hidden community of teens like themselves, Whit and Wisty have established themselves as leaders of the Resistance, willing to sacrifice anything to save kidnapped and imprisoned kids. Now the villainous leader of the New Order is just a breath away from the ability to control the forces of nature and to manipulate his citizens on the most profound level imaginable: through their minds. There is only one more thing he needs to triumph in his evil quest: the Gifts of Whit and Wisty Allgood. And he will stop at nothing to seize them. In this second installment of James Patterson's epic Witch & Wizard series, Whit and Wisty's heart-pounding adventures through the Overworld and Shadowland lead to a spectacular climax and conclusion.
- Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
- Publish Date: March 2012
- Dimensions: 6.81 x 4.23 x 0.97 inches
- Shipping Weight: 0.37 pounds
- Page Count: 352
- Reading Level: Ages 12-15
Related Categories


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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has warned the club must have a team befitting of the Olympic Stadium if the potential move is to be successful.
A unanimous decision from the London Legacy Development Corporation board (LLDC) was to make the Barclays Premier League club the preferred bidder for the use of the stadium. Allardyce believes the relocation could be "outstanding" for the Hammers but has issued a stark warning that the club must continue to develop and progress to make the move work.
"There is one thing you have to bear in mind, you cannot build a white elephant and the white elephant is a great stadium and no team - disaster," he said. "We have to manage our finances carefully because of the over-riding debt of the football club."
He added: "I think what (co-chairmen) David Sullivan and David Gold do is top that up with their own wealth but there is somewhere down the line where they want to create a situation where that doesn't happen.
"The long-term future of the football club is not only a new stadium but a new training facility that needs to go with the stadium as well - there are years of good financial management needed as well as success on the field."
The 58-year-old Allardyce took charge at Bolton two years after they had opened their new stadium and soon led the Trotters to the Barclays Premier League.
The ex-Blackburn boss reckons his success in Bolton would not have been possible if the club had not moved to their newer, modern ground.
"There is always a lot of disruption when a club decides to move form somewhere which has a huge history," he said.
"It is always going to be upsetting to some of the very loyal supporters we have but in the end, when you look to what happened at places like Bolton, I couldn't have built that sort of success without those fantastic facilities - not that a facility has ever produced a player but it doesn't half help."
Allardyce is also aware that the extra revenue that comes from selling out a bigger stadium could make a difference in football's modern era, and he added: "I suppose it has got bigger facilities and could then create bigger revenues and I think you have got to judge a football club by its revenues these days - by its spending power."


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John Gorman was born in Minnesota, attended high school in Illinois and Iowa. After graduation enlisted in the United States Air force where he served as an Aircraft Loadmaster out of Charleston AFB South Carolina on C141 Star lifter cargo aircraft, accumulating 10,000 flight hours hauling cargo and troops all over the world. He was involved in many campaigns, some of these were Operation Desert Storm/Gulf War, Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada, missions to Beirut, Operation Just Cause, Panama as well as humanitarian missions to Haiti, Somalia and elsewhere, including some stateside. He graduated from the NCO Academy, and attended the Community College of the Air Force, was awarded the Air Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Award, achieved the rank of MSgt and was honorably discharged in 1997. He earned his FCC Amateur Radio License, FAA Aircraft Dispatcher license and later his FAA Private Pilot License in 2000.
He started his Pocket Constitution site as a labor of love and a hobby with his mom in mind in 1997 the year she died. His mother loved her country, was a member of the American Legion and VFW Ladies Auxiliary's she'd sell poppies every year and during the Vietnam War bought and wore MIA bracelets. His grandfather was a WWI Veteran, father was a WWII Veteran, uncle is a Korean War Veteran and brother is a Vietnam War Veteran, all loved and love their country. There were additional reasons though that he started this Pocket Constitution site, some of them are as follows. He found it very difficult finding pocket constitutions and remembers calling the Government Printing Office about it back then and the GPO representative had know idea what he was talking about. Also he believes it is important to have a more informed citizenry, public and voter. Too many of our institutions, media outlets and schools no longer inform us about the ideas of America's founders. John now resides in Henderson, Nevada, and is the owner and sole proprietor of Dorseygor Press.
For more information, visit any of the following:
(100% veteran owned)
Sandra Miller Linhart was born and raised in the mountainous town of Lander, Wyoming. Here she was able to cultivate her love of reading, due in no small part to the fact the nearest record store was a two hour drive away, and the local radio station played only country and classic music. Were it not for this, Ms. Linhart might today be a rock star, or, at the very least, have better taste in music. However, with a well-stocked library within walking distance, she often found herself taking long journeys into the wonderful worlds created by the minds of Ursula K. Le Guin, Madeleine L'Engle, Stephen King and, of course, Judy Blume in the dusty basement of the Fremont County Public Library.
Growing up in poverty, Sandra's escape from her stark reality came printed and neatly tucked between the dust-laden, beaten covers on the library bookshelves, yearning for attention. Not content merely to travel to these places created by the wordsmiths she admired, Sandra knew she wanted to craft her own mental destinations for others to enjoy.
Being deployed is a fact of life for soldiers. Humanitarian efforts, operations other than war (OOW), peaceful or wartime missions, a soldier's duty is to be there. Sometimes it means leaving little ones behind wondering why.
DADDY'S BOOTS & MOMMA'S BOOTS give a voice to our little ones' questions and concerns: Where does Daddy or Momma go? What does he do? Might she get hurt? When will they come back? But, more importantly, the books give assurance and hope to military children that their parent's duty is an honorable one.
For more information visit www.smlinhart.com
Returning again this week, Michael Russer addresses the topic of transitions; unique to military families when a military loved one is either on the move, or reintegrating back to civilian life. Michael J. Russer, CEO of RUSSER Communications and Managing Director for GoArmyHomes LLC is an international speaker, author and columnist about doing business online and virtual outsourcing. He is co-author (along with Christine Durst and Michael Haaren of StaffCentrix) of "Transform Your Business Using Virtual Assistants", the first book on virtual assistants for the real estate industry.
GoArmyHome's mission is to provide assurance to every Army service member and their families that their particular needs as active military personnel are understood and will be fully addressed. These base specific sites are created under the guidance of men and women who have completed many military PCS moves, who have the knowledge and experience as to the support requires to make a relocation go smoothly. Staff dedicated to specific needs can be found at each site.
For more information, visit www.goarmyhomes.com
Military Mom Talk Radio on airs on Mondays at 2pm Pacific Standard Time on Toginet Radio and can be downloaded directly from Itunes and MilitaryMomTalkRadio.com. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Military Mom Talk Radio is co-hosted by Sandra Beck and Robin Boyd and produced by Doris Rivas-Brekke, hosted by Toginet Radio and powered by Motherhood Incorporated. Military Mom Talk Radio supports and helps bring information to the families of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard and is dedicated to serving our friends and family at the following Army bases: Fort Sill, Fort Bragg, Fort Carson, Fort Jackson, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Dix, Fort Campbell, Fort Belvoir, Eglin AFB, Shaw AFB, Fort Hood, Fort Eustis, Fort Leonard Wood, Redstone Arsenal and Fort Bliss. We would also like to honor our friends and family at the following over seas installations: Bahrain Administrative Support Unit, NATO Support Activity Belgium, Bad Kreuznach, Rhein-Main Air Base, Stuttgart/Robinson Barracks, Naval Forces Guam, Kadena Air Base, Torii Station, Aviano Air Base. We would like to thank the Department of Defense for supplying guest and topics.
Return to the Military Mom Talk Radio Podcast Page


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- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Public Works
Public Works
Public Works Divisions
Electric Division
The Electric Division is responsible for new construction and repairs of the Village electrical system. This includes maintaining overhead power lines, underground power lines, and substations. This division is also responsible for maintenance of the electric meters and meter reading, and traffic signals.
Gas Division
The Gas Division is responsible for new construction and repairs of the Village gas system. This division only handles gas customers on the former Chanute Air Force Base area. All other gas customers are served through Nicor Gas. Nicor can be reached at 888-642-6748 or by visiting www.nicorgas.com.
Lift / Pump Station & Sanitary Mains
The Lift / Pump Station and Sanitary Main Division is responsible for maintenance and repairs of sanitary mains and all lift stations associated with the Sanitary Division. This division also maintains and repairs storm mains throughout the Village.
Street Division
The Street Division is responsible for a wide variety of tasks involving public streets. This includes the planning and coordination of snow and ice removal, installation of traffic and street name signs, pothole patching, shoulder repair, and street sweeping. Additionally, leaf and brush removal and maintenance of the storm catch basin is performed by the Street Division.
Brush and Leaf Collection Schedule
Wastewater Treatment Division
This Wastewater Treatment Division is responsible for the operations of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This facility treats and processes sanitary materials collected from the system in order to provide a healthy environment through compliance with all of the current state and federal standards.
Water Division
The Water Division is responsible for maintaining water mains, new water taps, and main water valves. Additionally, they repair and replace water meters throughout the Village. Fire hydrants are repaired and maintained by the Water Division, as well.
Protect your Water Meter and Winterize your Home
Water Treatment Division
The Water Treatment Division is responsible for providing safe drinking water for the community. This division manages the operation of the Water Treatment Plant.
Public Utility Organizations
The Village of Rantoul belongs to several public utility organizations including the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA), the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA), and the Illinois Public Energy Association (IPEA).
The IMUA provides monthly safety meetings for Public Works employees and also represents the Village of Rantoul on Utility, Training, and Legislative Matters. The IMEA secures the pricing of electrical power for the Village. They also represent IMEA members at a higher level of government. Both organizations use the same website.
Contact Us
Department of Public Works
Jake McCoy
Director of Public Works
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
7:30 am - 4:30 pm
200 W. Grove Ave.
Rantoul, IL 61866
Phone (217) 892-6526
Fax (217) 892-6527


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For the native English speaker, one of the drawbacks of living or traveling in a foreign country for any extended period is finding a good English bookstore where one can stock up for those long train rides or nights when the only thing to watch on TV is a mediocre Hong Kong film with no English subtitles.
Luckily, Beijing is chock full of good bookstores and accessible libraries, and even has an occasional large open-air book sale. The problem lies in finding them. And you can forget relying upon your dog-eared copy of the Lonely Planet, because most of those stores won't be there.
So, for your perusal, here are the 10 best English bookstores in Beijing:
1. The Foreign Languages Bookstore (Waiwen Shudian)
This store in Wangfujing has been a mainstay for foreigners in Beijing for many years. It contains a large collection of books on Chinese art, history, literature, language, medicine, economics and art books, post cards, all in English, the majority of which have been published by Chinese publishing houses. It also carries some classic Western novels and a selection of imported books on Chinese history, religion, philosophy, and a couple of dozen Western travel guidebooks (Lonely Planet and Fodor's).
Hours: 9 AM - 8:30 PM
Tel: 6512-6903
2. The Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore (Wangfujing Xinhua Shudian)
The second floor of this bookstore contains a very large collection of classic English and American novels, short story compilations, books on Chinese culture and language, imported novels, and some discounted imported fiction and nonfiction hardbacks. On the first floor is a large array of reference books, English dictionaries, English teacher resource books, and various Oxford guide books (to sailing, geography, history, linguistics, philosophy, etc). The third floor has an erratic selection of magazines.
Across from McDonald's and next to the Oriental Plaza
Hours: 9 AM - 9:30 PM
Tel: 6525-2592
3. Haidian Foreign Languages Bookstore (Waiwen Shudian)
This foreign languages bookstore has a wide and interesting selection of books on Chinese culture, economics, literature, standard classic American and British novels and a small selection of older imported books. In addition, the street this bookstore is on has several used bookstores, some of which have small selections of English books.
At the Zhongguo Haidian Tushucheng, just south of Beijing University
Hours: 9 AM - 6:30 PM
Tel: 6252-9345
4. The Export Books Bookstore (Waiwen Jinkou Shudian)
Owned by and located next to the Wangfujing Foreign Languages Bookstore, this store has a large collection of imported classic and new Western novels, biographies, best sellers, language teaching resource and computer books, imported books on Chinese history and culture, Western dictionaries, and a surprisingly large selection of children's books.
Next door to the Wangfujing Foreign Languages Bookstore
5. Beijing Books Center
The Beijing Books Center at the Xinhua Bookstore is new and simply massive, with a large collection of English books on the second floor dealing with all aspects of Chinese culture and some Western classics.
17 West Changan Ave.
Hours: 9 AM -8:30 PM
Tel: 6607-8477
6. The Friendship Store English Bookstore
Inside the first floor of the Friendship Store is a small bookstore featuring Western magazines, lots of imported books on Chinese history and culture, current Western novels, and travel books. (A hint about buying books at this store: if you find something here that is published in China, it is better to instead pick it up at the nearby Wangfujing Xinhua Bookstore or the Wangfujing Foreign Languages Bookstore, since the markup at The Friendship Store is at times quite steep).
17 Jianguomenwai Dajie
Hours: 9 AM - 9 PM
Tel: 6500-3311 ext. 312, 311
7. The Beijing Language and Culture University Press Bookstore
This is the best place in Beijing to buy Chinese language learning books of all levels, tapes, dictionaries, phrase and grammar books, slang books, and even famous Western books on linguistics.
The Beijing Language and Culture University Press Bookstore
Next to the south gate of the Beijing Language and Culture University
Chengfu Lu, Haidian
Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM - 5 PM, Sat 9AM - 4PM
Tel: 8230-3653
8. The China Bookstore
This store has a small collection of English books but it is THE place in Beijing to buy Chinese art books, books on calligraphy, post cards, and photography books. The selection is impressive. Alongside both East and West Liulichang Street, which runs in front of the main entrance to this bookstore are several other good art bookstores. This famous area has sold books and art supplies in Beijing for more than 300 years. And while it is now touristy, it is still the place to get some excellent and cheap art books.
115 Dongxi Liulichang Jiedao
Tel: 6317-5607
9. Yansha Tushu Tiandi
On the 6th floor of the Lufthansa Shopping Center is the Yanshatushutiandi Bookstore. It has a large collection of imported books on China, bestseller Western novels, and even Western art and photography books.
6th Floor, Lufthansa Shopping Center
Tel: 6465-1188 ext. 675
10. China Economic Bookstore
The China Economic Bookstore has a limited number of general interest English books, but a good selection of material dealing with economic and business related matters in China, including reference books and dictionaries.
China Economic Bookstore (Zhongguo Jingji Shudian)
301 COFCO Plaza, Jianguomennei Dajie
Hours: 9 AM - 9PM
Tel: 6617-5893
Plus: Embassy libraries
Few people realize that many Western embassies have libraries, some with circulating material, containing novels, magazines, non-fiction books, and reference materials. Here are four of them:
Australian Embassy
It has a collection of around 1,000 books, this includes novels, books on literature, economics, psychology and history as well as some magazines. People of any nationality can check out books but you need to bring a photocopy of your passport to do so.
21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
Hours: 9 AM - noon, 2PM - 4:30PM, Monday through Friday
Tel: 6532-2331 ext. 227
American Center for Cultural Exchange
The center has a collection of over 3,000 books dealing with American politics, laws, and economics, government reports, and subscribes to 100 periodicals. Cannot checkout materials.
Room 2801, Jingguang New World Hotel, Chaoyang District
Hours: 9 AM - noon; 1PM -5PM, Monday through Friday
Tel: 6597-3742, ext. 207
Canadian Embassy
Hosts a small collection of primarily novels.
19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
Tel: 6465-1188, ext. 3268
Hours: By appointment only, for Canadian citizens.
British Embassy Annex
The information center has a good collection of books dealing with British education and universities.
Cultural and Educational Section, Landmark Tower, 4th floor, 8
East 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang District
Hours: 9 - 5, Monday through Friday
Tel: 6590-6903, ext. 200, 201
Book sales
Twice a year, (usually in May and September), over 400 Chinese publishing houses Have a enormous 10-day book sale on the grounds of the Working People's Palace of Culture, which is located immediately south of the Forbidden City. Although most of the Books are in Chinese, you can find classic Western novels, good art and architecture books, and books in English on Chinese culture. It is also an excellent place to buy very inexpensive chops, CDS, and calligraphy materials, and maps.
Also, during the Chinese New Year, if you wander around some of the big temple fairs, you occasionally can find some vendors selling English books.
(Source: CityWeekend)
Fuzhou Road is famous for its book stores. On it there are a Shanghai Book Town, Ancient Book Shop and a store exclusively selling foreign books and foreign-language textbooks, which are listed along the road.
Shanghai's City of Books (Nandong)
Address: No.345, Nanjing Road. E. near Shandong Road N.
Tel: 6322-1557
Opening Hour: 9:30 - 21:30
It is a branch of Shanghai's City of Books. It doesn't sell any foreign language books, but you can buy computer games and software.
Traffic: Metro Line No.2 (Nanjing Road E. Station)
Shanghai's City of Books
Address: No.465, Fuzhou Road
Tel: 6391-4848
Website: http://www.bookmall.com.cn
Opening Hour: 9:30 - 20:30
This is the biggest book store in Shanghai with six floors. Each floor has different kinds of books, but most English books are for Chinese students preparing for exams.
Foreign Language Bookstore
Address: No.390 Fuzhou Road
Tel: 6322-3200
Opening Hour: 9:00-18:00
You can find many English novels on the ground floor, as well as dictionaries. There is a corner on the ground floor for foreigners who want to learn Chinese.
On the higher floors, you can find some professional books in English. Of course, many of the books are for Chinese students.
Shanghai Culture Commercial Building
Address: No.355 Fuzhou Road
Opening Hour: 9:00 - 17:30
This store has a variety of stationery and painting materials. If you are a major in painting or art, this is a good place to find professional material.
Source: Shanghai Daily
(China.org.cn January 15, 2007)