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Cross two 'stans off your hit list with a 13-day tour through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This well-rounded tour takes you through bustling bazaars and beautiful city mosques in Samarkand and Bukhara, as well as bucket-list natural landscapes like the Derweze gas crater known affectionately as the Door to Hell. Destinations less-ventured can be challenging to visit on your own, but with a skilled Chief Experience Officer (CEO) leading the way, you'll have incredible experiences without sacrificing safety or your sense of adventure.
What's Included
Your Local Living Moment: Overnight in a Yurt, Aydar Kŭl Camp. Orientation walk (Samarkand). City tour including a Registan visit. Nurata Shrine visit. Alexander the Great fortress visit. Guided walking tour (half-day, Bukhara). Walking tours (Khiva). Kunya Urgench visit. Derweze crater visit. City tour (Ashgabat). Transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Bargain your way through traditional bazaars, Stay overnight in a local yurt camp, Visit the desert community of Erbent, Marvel at Derweze (known as the "Door to Hell"), See the city treasures of Ashgabat
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Important Notes
Central Asia is a region which may be very different to anything you have experienced before. Mixture of Soviet heritage and Islam, summer heat and winter cold, religious conservatism, traffic and crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge.
Though you can see lots of people in traditional clothes, Central Asia has adopted western style clothing as well. Don't hesitate to pack your usual travel clothes: in summer it can be shorts and t-shirts, sandals etc. We recommend not to bring tank tops/singlets and any types of clothes with bare shoulders and backs – it is unacceptable in most areas, even in bigger cities. Our tour takes us to many religious sights, where dress code is very strict. We recommend women to have a headscarf in their day bags to cover up when going inside mosques (it's also a great help in the heat in summer). Best things to pack for the hot Central Asian climate is loose, long clothing – long trousers and sarongs or long skirts for women. In colder months (from the end of October through the end of April) it can rain and snow – bring warm clothes, jackets and comfortable warm shoes for walking.
This trip operates at altitudes over 800m (max altitude 3016m at Song Kul ). Whilst we travel slowly allowing plenty of time to acclimatize you may experience headaches, nausea, lethargy, especially when visiting Song Kul & Iskanderkul. It is important to be aware of the affects of altitude on one's tolerance especially on long driving days.
Due to the restrictions on changing money in Central Asia region, only notes/bills printed after 1996 and in good condition will be accepted for exchange. Usually 50 and 100 USD/EUR notes get better exchange rate. We recommend to bring smaller denominations as well – many vendors accept them if you don't have local currency.
According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between May 5th and June 4th, 2019. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time.
Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.
Group Leader Description
All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12
Meals Included
12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Private vehicle, walking.
Local Flights
Please be aware that flight delays between Bishkek and Dushanbe can occur. Your CEO may need to make adjustments to your itinerary in case of flight schedule changes.
Solo Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Hotels (11 nts), yurt (1 nt), tented camping (1 nt).
My Own Room Exceptions
Day 4 (Yurt stay); Day 10 (Camping near Derwaza Crater)
Joining Hotel
For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.
Joining Instructions
If you have not pre-arranged an arrival transfer with G Adventures, we suggest taking at taxi from Tashkent International Airport to the hotel.
To find a taxi, exit the Airport and there will be many taxis. The hotel is situated about a 10-15 minute drive from the airport. Many drivers will approach you – all of them know where the hotel is, but you should bargain before you get in the taxi. Depending on time of the day and your bargaining skills, a ride to the hotel will cost approximately 10-20USD.
If you have paid in advance for an arrival transfer, a G Adventures representative will be at the airport to meet you. If for any reason you are not met at the airport, please call our local support line. If you are unable to make contact for whatever reason, please make your way to the joining point hotel via taxi.
Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned for that day other then your welcome meeting in the evening, so you can arrive at any time. Similarly the last day is a departure day during which no activities have been planned.
A G Adventures Representative will organize a short meeting soon after arrival, during which you will meet other tour participants and receive information about general and specific aspects of the trip. A welcome note will be left for you in the hotel so you have all the necessary information regarding the meeting time. If you arrive late, s/he will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.
Arrival Complications
We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your CEO (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.
Emergency Contact
Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative (if one is listed below) or our G Adventures Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.
If you have purchased an arrival through G Adventures or if an arrival transfer is included in the cost of your tour, please note that:
Your arrival transfer has been arranged based on flight information provided to us. If you are advised of a flight schedule change within 48 hours of your scheduled arrival time, we will do our best to rearrange your arrival transfer however we cannot guarantee this. If your arrival transfer does not arrive within 30 minutes after you have exited the arrivals area please take a taxi to your start point hotel.
If your call is specifically concerning Airport Transfer complications please call our local G Adventures Transfer provider directly at: +7 (727) 2506848
G Adventures Office Central Asia:
Mr. Laziz Otayarov (Operations Manager – Central Asia)
Mobile 1: +99890 963 4779 (24h)
Mobile 2: +99897 921 7087 (24h)
If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with our 24 hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
What to Take
What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking though, you should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage (please see below for exceptions), and though you will not be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes) we recommend keeping the weight under 10kg/22lb.
Suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures travellers! Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags with wheels are acceptable, although we recommend your bag has carry straps as well, as you may be required to negotiate bus and railway station steps. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day walks and day trips.
Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
Visas and Entry Requirements
Please note that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change. It is important that you check for yourself with the Embassy of Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan Visa Exemptions: Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Uzbekistan for stays up to 30 days:
Australia, Austria, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Hungary, Brunei Darussalam, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Canada, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden , Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, New Zealand, Portugal, Bulgaria, Republic of Cyprus, Malta, Poland, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Chile, Romania, Slovakia, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Finland, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Estonia, Israel, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey
Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to enter Uzbekistan for stays up to 90 days:
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine
Citizens that are eligible to apply for E-Visa online:
Albania, France, India, Kuwait, China (including Hong Kong), Macedonia, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, USA, Thailand
With E-Visa, no need to request LOI or apply for Visa at Uzbekistan Consulate or Embassy. The E-Visa is eligible for 30 days, single entry.
Uzbek E- visa website: https://e-visa.gov.uz
For question "Preliminary place of residence in Uzbekistan", please provide following: "Uzbektourism Licensed Hotels"
Nationalities which are not listed on Uzbekistan Visa exemptions list or not on the E-Visa list are required to apply for Visa Approval/Telex No prior to their Uzbekistan Visa application at Uzbekistan Consulate. In order to get Visa Approval/LOI you will be required to fill out & submit the request form (https://www.gadventures.com/visa-forms/Uzbekistan/). It takes about 7-10 business days to get the approval from Uzbekistan MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Once Visa Approval No/LOI is received we will forward it to you/your agent. Please print out the Visa Approval/Telex No along with duly completed Uzbekistan visa application form & submit to the Uzbekistan Consulate.
Information accurate as of September 12th, 2018
All nationalities require a Visa to enter Turkmenistan. In order to secure your visa, you must first apply for a Letter of Invitation through G Adventures. Once your trip is confirmed, please submit your application for your Turkmenistan Letter of Invitation no later than 40 days before the start of your tour. A link will be emailed to you in your confirmation email. At the approximate 40 day mark from date of first travel, your Visa application details will be forwarded to our local agent in Turkmenistan, who will submit your documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. This will take around 2 to 4 weeks to process.
Important Note:
If you submit your Letter of Invitation application inside of 40 days from departure date, you will be subject to having your Letter of Invitation process expedited for an additional fee of approximately $70USD per person. It will take approximately 7 to 10 business days in order to process and approve your expedited Turkmenistan Letter of Invitation application.
Once your Letter of Invitation is processed and approved, we will send this information to your CEO guide who will be leading that trip. As our trip crosses in to Turkmenistan overland, Visa can be obtained at the (Shavat) border. Our CEOs will be responsible for presenting the LOIs to Immigration officials, each traveller will then collect their Visa individually in their passport after paying for their Visa Fee and Immigration tax.
Visa fees vary per nationality. European, US, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand nationals pay approximately $60USD per person. Nationals from the United Kingdom pay approximately $90USD per person. Immigration tax paid at the border is approximately $15USD per person.
Important Note:
Visa at the border can be paid only in cash in USD (Good condition notes without marks or stamps are accepted). In case our travellers had no chance to get cash USD in their home country, there is a possibility to withdraw USD cash in Uzbekistan's bank prior going to border.
The days spend in Turkmenistan are as follows:
AUTA – Best of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan: Days 9 – 13
Detailed Trip Notes
Border Crossings for AZKU:
Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan border – Kegen – Tup/Kensu border
Tajikistan/Uzbekistan border – Oybek border
Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Money Exchange
In general Central Asia is a cash operating region, and travellers cheques are not recommended. Due to bank restrictions, only banknotes printed after 1996 can be exchanged. Better to bring notes without marks or stamps on them. We recommend to bring about 70 USD in small denominations: 1, 5 and 10 USD notes. If you are not able to get local currency it's always possible to pay in USD or EUR.
There are lots of ATM's to withdraw local currency (UZS), and banks around to exchange USD or EUR. Travellers cheques are not recommended, as only limited amount of banks work with them. Please, note that you can withdraw only local currency (Uzbek Sums) from ATM's. Some banks in Tashkent allow USD cash advance, but this option depends on the amount of USD cash in the bank.
The preferred currency for local transactions is the tenge, and local establishments rarely accept credit cards so keep cash on hand. ATMs in Kazakhstan are accessible in the larger cities, and withdrawals can be made by credit card. There are many currency exchange locations available to exchange EUR, USD, GBP, Russian rouble, Kyrgyz som and Chinese yuan.
The preferred currency for local transactions is the som, and local establishments rarely accept credit cards so keep cash on hand. There are many of ATMs accessible in Bishkek and other larger cities such as Cholpon Ata and Karakol. Larger cities will also have money exchange locations that will trade EUR, USD, Roubles; some locations will trade GBP, and Chinese yuan.
The preferred currency for local transactions is the somoni, and local establishments rarely accept credit cards so keep cash on hand. You may be able to pay in USD and EUR in some places, however, it is recommended that you take out somoni at ATMs in Dushanbe; there are very few ATMs outside of Dushanbe, and those that exist are less dependable.
Emergency Fund
Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!
In Central Asia It is not customary to tip service providers such as waiters, but it is very appreciated, depending on the service we recommend 3-5%. Tipping shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $2-$3 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $20-25 USD per person, per week can be used.
Optional Activities
- Welcome Dinner
- Amir Timur Mausoleum Visit (3USD per person)
- Tomb of the Old Testament Prophet Daniel Visit (3USD per person)
Aydar Kŭl Camp
- Camel Ride (5USD per person)
- Kazakh Singing (Free)
- Hammam (Bathhouse) Visit (20USD per person)
- Jewish Area and Synagogue Visit (Free)
- Lyabi-Hauz Visit (Free)
- Carpet Museum (1USD per person)
- Bai Bazaar (Free)
- Dashoguz Museum (10USD per person)
- Ashgabat Hippodrome (Free)
- Ertugrul Gazi Mosque (Free)
Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.
You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our CEO they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
Safety and Security
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home – you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your CEO has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your CEO will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions.
Protests and Demonstrations- Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a good photo opportunity and leave the area immediately.
Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards) have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s).
Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk.
We take all prudent measures in relation to your safety. For ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling, please visit:
Trip Specific Safety
We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home – you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
A Couple of Rules
llegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.
Planeterra-The G Adventures Foundation
The Planeterra Foundation planeterra.org is a Canadian non-profit organization that helps empower local people to develop their communities, conserve their cultures, and create humane and supportive systems for their endeavours. Planeterra provides capacity building and catalyst grants to get community social enterprises off the ground. These businesses address local challenges by providing benefits for indigenous people, empowering marginalized women, and granting disadvantaged youth access to education, employment, and brighter futures. Planeterra also works to ensure these businesses have a thriving customer base by integrating programs into G Adventures' itineraries globally.
G Adventures is Planeterra's largest corporate donor, covering all operating costs so 100% of your donation will bring opportunity to people in need.
Dollar-a-Day Program
G Adventures' Dollar-a-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar for every day you are on trip. 100% of these donations go directly to support community development projects worldwide that are implemented by Planeterra.
Local Dress
Central Asian dress is quite conservative. Plan to pack loose-fitting light clothing appropriate for hot weather and plan to cover knees, shoulders and chest. For women, a hair scarf is recommended, though they are easy to buy in country.
After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Your tour evaluation will be e-mailed to you 24 hours after the conclusion of your trip. If you do not receive the tour evaluation link in the days after your tour has finished, please drop us a line at firstname.lastname@example.com and we will send it on to you.
Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G Adventures, subscribe at www.gadventures.com/newsletters/
Stay current on how our company invests in our global community through our foundation – Planeterra. Sign up for Planeterra's monthly news to learn more about how to give back and support the people and places we love to visit.
Minimum Age
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
International Flights
Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.
Max Pax
Day 1: Tashkent
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting followed by an optional dinner.
Included Activities:
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
Day 2: Tashkent/Samarkand (1B)
Travel on to Samarkand. Take an orientation walk and opt to visit the Amir Timur Mausoleum.
Included Activities:
Orientation Walk
Private Vehicle (4.50 hour(s), 310km)
Day 3: Samarkand (1B)
With free time, enjoy the Samarkand sights, have a cup of tea in a local tea house, or wander around the bazaar.
Included Activities:
Samarkand City Tour
Day 4: Samarkand/Aydar Kŭl Camp (1B, 1D)
Travel out into the desert to visit the Nurata Shrine and remains of the Alexander the Great fortress. Continue on for an evening in a local yurt camp. Opt to ride a camel or enjoy an evening Kazakh singing show.
Included Activities:
Chashma Complex and Holy Spring Visit
Fortress of Alexander the Great Visit
Overnight in a Yurt
Private Vehicle (4.50 hour(s), 280km)
Day 5: Aydar Kŭl Camp/Bukhara (1B)
Travel to Bukhara, one of the most charming cities in the country. Opt to visit the old city bazaars, have dinner with a local family, or visit a traditional hammam (bathhouse).
Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s))
Day 6: Bukhara (1B)
There is plenty of time to explore the artisan shops and wander the narrow twisting streets and alleyways. A centre for pottery, cloth, and Turkmen carpets, the Old City is centered around Lyabi-Hauz, a delightful pool of water surrounded by ancient mulberry trees, where you can sit at café tables and let the evening drift by. There is also the option to take in a local puppet show held in an old caravanserai or indulge in a Turkish bath.
Included Activities:
Bukhara City Tour
Day 7: Bukhara/Khiva (1B)
Enjoy a full day's travel through the desert to reach UNESCO-listed Khiva. Get to know the place on a late afternoon walking tour.
Included Activities:
Orientation Walk
Private Vehicle (6.00-7.00 hours, 450km)
Day 8: Khiva (1B)
Explore the old town surrounded by city walls, bargain with locals on the market, and wander through the madrassas, climb up minarets, and explore the dark dungeons Khiva was infamous for back in the 10th century. Wander through the inner walls of the Ichon-Qala and enjoy spectacular sunset views of the sand-coloured mosques and madrassas.
Included Activities:
Khiva Ancient City Tour
Day 9: Khiva/Dashoguz (1B)
In the morning drive to the Uzbek-Turkmen border. After border procedures, drive to Dashoguz. Opt to explore the city and it's Bai Market with free time.
Included Activities:
Border Crossing (Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan)
Private Vehicle (1.00 hour(s), 60km)
Private Vehicle (0.33 hour(s), 15km)
Day 10: Dashoguz/Darvaza (1B, 1D)
Drive to Kunya Urgench to visit the ancient capital of the Khorezmian Empire. Proceed to Darvaza, also known as the "Door to Hell". Enjoy a delicious barbeque dinner. Spend an evening camping under the stars.
Included Activities:
Kunya-Urgench City Visit
Darvaza Gas Crater Visit
Private Vehicle (2.00-2.50 hours)
Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s), 300km)
Day 11: Darvaza/Ashgabat (1B, 1L)
After breakfast transfer to Ashgabat. On the way, stop near the community of Erbent and admire its golden sand dunes that stretch out to the horizon.
Included Activities:
Erbent Sand Dunes
Private Vehicle (1.00 hour(s))
Private Vehicle (2.50-3.00 hours)
Day 12: Ashgabat (1B)
Take the day to explore Ashgabat. Take a tour of the city in the morning and visit several city treasures such as the National museum or Neutrality Arch.
Included Activities:
Ashgabat city tour
Day 13: Ashgabat (1B)
Depart at any time.


text:
(Cross posted at Alan Mutter's Newsosaur)
With fresh non-profit news ventures seemingly turning up left and right, you would think this was a brand new idea. But it's not.
A wide variety of non-profit news ventures have been providing unique, professional-caliber, and invigorating perspectives on our world for many years. A number of ventures – like the Center for Investigative Reporting, Ms., or my own organization, Mother Jones – predate the popularization of the Internet by more than two decades (and let's not even begin to count how many years The Progressive, Harpers, NatGeo, or The Nation Institute have been around!).
The pioneers of non-profit news cover the full array of media, from magazines, to radio and television, to online. Here's an incomplete list of nonprofit journalism orgs that pre-date the latest wave (you can find links to many of these at the Media Consortium website – of which many but not all are members):

subset: commoncrawl


text:
allblitz brauchte ein neues Briefpapier Design und hat einen Wettbewerb auf 99designs gestartet.
Aus 78 Designs von 20 Designern wurde eine Gewinner gewählt.
Blue Gate IT is a new company looking for a professional, corporate logo & stationary kit. Winning designer will have 1st preference to design our new website and future designs! Please read the brief for our requirements.
Blue Gate IT
Blue Gate IT is a new company looking for a professional, corporate logo & stationary kit.
We will be servicing small to mediumsized businesses with their IT requirements. We ran a contest a few weeks ago and chose awinning design. Unfortunately after thecontest had ended it had come to our attention that the winning logo was a copyof another companies logo.
Here is the link for the previous contest: http://99designs.com/contests/19190
As you can see there were quite a few entries, noneof which really grabbed our attention.
Blue Gate IT would like to stand out from the rest withtheir unique logo and design schemes.
The contest winner will also have the first preference in designing the website for Blue Gate IT. The current address http://www.bluegateit.com.au is onlythere as a splash screen and is not the layout we have chosen.
We would like to encourage all designers to entertheir work and hopefully establish a relationship that will carry on furtherthan just a logo contest. Blue Gate ITwill be offering website and design services and would definitely like tomaintain a relationship with the winning designer for future work.
Good luck and start sending in those designs! :)
· Uniquedesign with a corporate and trendy look
· Feel freeto add your own little extras and recommendations
· Does nothave to have a "Blue" feel to it, feel free to try different colour / fontschemes.
· Previousdesign had the letter B and a Gate look to it: http://www.bluegateit.com.au/logocopy.jpg
- Please donot post designs that are copies of other businesses :)


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Finding Nouf
by Zoe Ferraris
First Published: 2008
10 Copies & Reading Guide
When sixteen-year-old Nouf goes missing, her prominent family calls on Nayir Sharqi, a pious desert guide, to lead the search party. Ten days later, just as Nayir is about to give up in frustration, her body is discovered by anonymous desert travelers. When the coroner's office determines that Nouf died not of dehydration but from drowning, and her family seems suspiciously uninterested in getting at the truth, Nayir takes it upon himself to find out what really happened.
Reading Guide:
Publisher's Reading Guide – Includes Brief Introduction and Discussion Questions
Los Angeles Times – "Mystery of the Saudi Desert" by Sarah Weinman
Entertainment Weekly – "Book Review" by Allyssa Lee
On the Web:
Author's Official Website – http://www.zoeferraris.com
Los Angeles Times – "Envisioning Herself as a Saudi Man" by Swati Pandey
The Huffington Post – "Zoe Ferraris Raises the Veil: Love and Murder Mysteries in Modern Saudi Arabia" by Nina Sankovitch
Paper Cuts – NYTimes Blog – "Living with Music: A Playlist by Zoe Ferraris"
Follow Zoe on Twitter: @zoeferraris
If you enjoyed Finding Nouf, you might like:
City of Veils by Zoe Ferraris (Nayir al-Sharqi #2)
Interred with Their Bones (Book Club Kit) by Jennifer Lee Carrell
Deception on His Mind by Elizabeth George


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The 6th Annual Spanish Town Mardi Gras Invitation Golf Tournament will be Saturday May 26th, 2007 at Magnolia Creek Golf Course, Hwy. 19 Ethel LA.
The morning tee time will be promptly at 8:00 AM, the afternoon tee time will be 1:15 PM, both with a shotgun start.
All the slots for the morning round are filled! Eight slots are still available in the afternoon round. If you would like to play in the afternoon round, please call Dusty Kling @ 328-3167 for an invite.
Entry fee is $200 for a 4 person team.
Format is a 4-person scramble with rules governing some of the holes.
Lunch will be served for both morning and afternoon groups starting at 12 noon with snacks and beverages of your choice served throughout the day. Door prizes for all will be awarded for both groups starting at 12 noon.


text:
Researchers identify new brain receptor for fantasy
pharmaceutical research
Researchers are closer to understanding the biology behind GHB, a transmitter substance in the brain, best known in its synthetic form as the illegal drug fantasy. These findings have just been published in the scientific journal PNAS.
In the 1960s, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) was first discovered as a naturally occurring substance in the brain. Since then it has been manufactured as a drug with a clinical application and has also developed a reputation as the illegal drug fantasy and as a date rape drug. Its physiological function is still unknown.
Now a team of researchers at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the University of Copenhagen has shown for the first time exactly where the transmitter substance binds in the brain under physiologically relevant conditions. The results have recently been published in the scientific journal PNAS – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA:
"We have discovered that GHB binds to a special protein in the brain – more specifically a GABAA-receptor. The binding is strong even at very low dosage. This suggests that we have found the natural receptor, which opens new and exciting research opportunities, in that we have identified an important unknown that can provide the basis for a full explanation of the biological significance of the transmitter," says Laura Friis Eghorn, PhD student.
Illegal use and possible antidote
Fantasy is also used as a so-called date rape drug, because in moderate amounts it has sedative, sexually stimulating and soporific effects. The compound is also abused for its euphoric effect, but in combination with alcohol, for example, it is a deadly cocktail that can lead to a state of deep unconsciousness or coma.
"GHB is registered for use as a drug to treat alcoholism and certain types of sleep disorders, but the risk of abuse presents difficulties. In the long-term, understanding how GHB works will enable us to develop new and better pharmaceuticals with a targeted effect in the brain, without the dangerous side-effects of fantasy," explains Laura Friis Eghorn, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology.
Fantasy is an extremely toxic euphoriant, because the difference between a normal intoxicating dose and a fatal dose is so small. A better understanding of the biological mechanisms behind GHB-binding in the brain will benefit research into a life-saving antidote for this drug. Today there is no known antidote.
Statistics from Denmark in 2010 show that 8-10 percent of young people who frequent night clubs have had experience with Fantasy. However, since the drug is often also used in private for its sedative effect, it is difficult to estimate the extent of abuse.
Researchers on a targeted fishing expedition
The new research findings are the result of a collaboration between researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia and medicinal chemists at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences:
"Our chemist colleagues designed and produced special ligands – that are mimics of GHB in several variations. This enabled us to go on a targeted fishing expedition in the brain. We have slowly found our way to the receptor, which we have also been able to test pharmacologically. In itself, it is not unusual to find new receptors in the brain for known compounds. However, when we find a natural match rooted in the brain's transmitter system, the biological implications are extremely interesting," explains Petrine Wellendorph, associate professor and head of the responsible research group that produced the pioneering results.
Laura Friis Eghorn, PhD student, mobile phone: +45 23 96 84 97
Petrine Wellendorph, associate professor, mobile phone: +45 61 30 28 26
Related News
PhD student Laura Friis Eghorn
Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Mobile: +45 23 96 84 97
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Associate Professor Petrine Wellendorph
Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
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Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid was first discovered in the 1960s as a compound that easily entered the brain, where it inhibited the transmission of nerve cell signals. Scientists also discovered that GHB occurs naturally in the brain in small amounts, but the physiological significance of the compound is still unknown.
In larger doses GHB has been used both recreationally and medicinally. In Denmark, GHB is best known as the illegal drug Fantasy, which has both euphoric and sedative effects, but which can lead to coma and death when ingested in higher doses. GHB is also known as a date rape drug, because it has been used to induce unconsciousness before a sexual assault by being added to the victim's drink, undetected because it has neither odour nor taste. There is no known antidote to a GHB overdose.
Since the 1970s, GHB has been used for medicinal purposes as an anaesthetic, to treat sleep disorders and to reduce pain during childbirth. Today GHB is a registered drug for treating sleep disorders and alcoholism.


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Be a part of it.
Since 1993 we have pushed the boundaries of audio innovation with our award winning range of Vented Innovative Bass Enclosures. From the car to your living room, and now with headphones and portable devices. In all that time our mantra has remained the same, to create the BEST, most INNOVATIVE audio products without sacrificing PERFORMANCE, QUALITY or STYLE.
Your music is our passion. Be a part of it. - VIBE


text:
Baylor coach Guy Morriss was fired Sunday, a day after the Bears
finished their 12th consecutive losing season with their 12th
straight Big 12 loss.
Morriss was unable to produce a winning record in his five
seasons, going 18-40 overall and 7-33 in conference games. He had a
year left on his contract.
Athletic director Ian McCaw said he informed Morriss of the
decision Sunday. The move had been anticipated for several weeks.
The leading candidate to replace Morriss is Baylor icon Mike
Singletary, a linebacker for coach Grant Teaff and the Bears from
1977-80. Singletary was selected to 10 straight Pro Bowls during
his 12 seasons with the Chicago Bears and was elected to Pro
Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
"I want to publicly express my appreciation to coach Morriss
for his contributions to the Baylor football program," McCaw said
in a statement from the Waco campus. "The football program is on a
more solid foundation than it was when he arrived at Baylor."
The Bears (3-9, 0-8 Big 12) ended their season with a 45-14 home
loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday night. Morriss met with the
players Sunday afternoon after he was fired.
"I would like to thank them publicly for their hard work and
efforts on the field as well as in the classroom," Morriss said in
a statement. "I believe the football program is in better
condition now than when I inherited it. I wish Baylor well in all
future endeavors."
Baylor interviewed Singletary before hiring Morriss five years
ago, but Singletary had no coaching experience at that time. He
does now.
Singletary is in his third season as assistant head coach of the
San Francisco 49ers, who played at home Sunday. He was an assistant
in Baltimore two seasons before that and has interviewed for three
NFL head coaching jobs, including the Dallas Cowboys last winter.
Other potential candidates are Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, who
has strongly denied reports that this will be his last year with
the Razorbacks, Houston coach Art Briles and Oklahoma State
offensive coordinator Larry Fedora.
McCaw said a national search would begin immediately, and that
there was "no precise timetable" to name the new coach. He said
he wouldn't comment on potential candidates.
Whoever replaces Morriss faces a difficult task.
Baylor's 12 consecutive losing seasons have all come under the
four coaches since Grant Teaff left in 1992 after 128 victories and
eight bowl appearances in 21 seasons.
The Bears are the only Big 12 team without a bowl appearance
since the conference's inception in 1996. Only two teams from Bowl
Championship Series conferences have gone longer without a bowl,
but Indiana (7-5) is expected to play its first postseason game in
14 years and Vanderbilt (5-6) can get bowl eligible by winning its
regular season finale.
This was the fourth time Baylor didn't win a league game. Only
two other teams have gone 0-8 in the Big 12 -- Kansas in 2002 and
Iowa State in 2003. But those teams have had some success in the
Second-ranked Kansas (11-0) could play for a national
championship this season. Iowa State went to five bowls in a
six-season span, the exception being that 2003 season.
When asked after Saturday's game what needed to be done to make
Baylor a winner, Morriss didn't give an answer.
"I don't know if I have enough time right now to answer that,"
Morriss said. "I'd have to give that some thought."
There were some positive accomplishments under Morriss, a
15-season NFL lineman who was 9-14 in two seasons at Kentucky
before taking the Baylor job.
Baylor beat two-time defending North Division champion Colorado
in Morriss' conference debut in 2003. The coach also delivered the
first Big 12 road victory, in 2005 at Iowa State, and then last
year the Bears won three Big 12 games in the same season for the
first time.
"If someone told me going into the season we'd be 0-8 in the
Big 12, I would have laughed at them," linebacker Joe Pawelek
said. "As players, we have to learn from practice and take it out
on the field on Saturdays. It's not a coaching deal. ... The
100-and-something guys down there in the locker room are the ones
who have to realize that it's our team."
The Bears had 37 turnovers this season and their 33
conferences losses under Morriss were by an average margin of four
"It's been disappointing that our execution just hasn't been
there this year like we needed to be," Morriss said. "You keep
thinking any week now it's going to click, and it just never did.
We just couldn't get it going."


text:
Lauren Sozio
Editor's Note: We got a little off track with our own publishing schedule of this wonderful ongoing series by Lauren Sozio, so apologies to our readers for that. In light of the our conclusions regarding the strategies being successfully employed by the GRIT 50 firms to grow their brand awareness as well as last week's announcement by Google on their use of digital content as a respondent gateway, partner monetization program, and incentive system I believe the topic of digital publishing convergence remains highly relevant to the market research industry. Lauren's analysis of the history, drivers, and future of this trend is just fantastic, so we're very happy to be getting back into the groove on publishing the installment. Enjoy!
By Lauren Sozio
The age-old relationship between man and machine is a volatile dialogue, contested, embraced and eventually naturalized with each innovation. There is a complex and interdependent interchange between technology, individuals and community: a multilayered discourse that is the foundation for my study.
Digital idealist Yochai Benkler illustrates technology's membership in a greater ecology. As "different patterns of adoption can result in very different social relations", technology becomes inseparable from its milieu. Within this oxygen-rich environment, it defines and is defined by the individuals who employ it. Nicola Cavalli argues the importance of context, as she distinguishes innovation, which, unlike invention, warrants not simply technological development but social adaptation. Media historian Lisa Gitelman furthers that innovation is not a technologically driven process, but defined by the complexities of cultural engagement. User integration is as integral to innovation as the production of new technology itself.
This paper favors a more robust, interdisciplinary approach to address the tension between old and new media, and seeks to examine technology in conjunction with community. Henry Jenkins develops this notion, as he prescribes merging the fields of political economy and audience research to account for technological changes. While the political-economic approach allows for insight into the structural mechanisms that drive production, audience research allows for in-depth analysis of consumption patterns. This integration of both perspectives allows for the co-existence of industry and culture, and consequently of the material and the symbolic.
Context is also about creating parallels. The digital disruption of an analogue model is not isolated to the publishing industry. Over the past decade, the music and video industries have been similarly shaken by this transition. Peer-to-peer file exchange and direct musician to fan portals have complicated the record labels' role as a gatekeeper. Telecom providers, Direct Broadcast Satellite, and online video aggregators break apart a space once controlled by networks and studios. These new entrants (along with piracy, which has challenged the practice of windowing) have forced incumbents to revise their business models in order to stay relevant. Consumers expect convenient and customized viewing, from content to ads. Preferences are driven by algorithms and social networks. Viewers consume content simultaneously on multiple screens, as television sets have been crowded-out by mobile devices and gaming consoles. The publishing industry is in a prime position to learn from these trends, as well as from the errors their counterparts have made along the way.
In spite of the technical differences between industries, they all share the same fear: becoming obsolete as new technology cannibalizes old. When examining this shift, it is critical to keep in mind the ecosystem comprised of organizational structures, consumer behavior, next generation electronic devices, the many permutations of content, the incumbents and the new kids. There is no simple dichotomy. It is more complex than the novel eclipsing the outdated, as each of these elements coexist, contradict, complement, and confuse one another.
Convergence in a Networked Ecology
The conversion from an industrial, material-centric era to a "networked information economy" (Benkler) breeds creativity and confusion in ways that would confound those in industrial times. Benkler describes this conversion from a linear, material-centric era to a "networked information economy" that departs from the hierarchical rigidity of the past. These newly collaborative ventures enable consumers to make personal choices unencumbered by commercial media, and to cultivate "experimental behaviour, diverse viewpoints and an understanding of the value of failure" (Potts & Mandeville).
Tech entrepreneur Tim O'Reilly, recommends thinking outside-the-box, as value can be created "by simply assembling [these components] in novel or effective ways". Nonanta similarly insists on a diversity of perspectives, "open-ended" dialogue and internal redundancy where professional roles overlap in order to stimulate creative solutions. Chesbrough posits that it is disadvantageous for firms to privatize R &D; rather, the most successful strides occur when firms practice "open innovation." Protecting innovation from the outside world has become a nearly implausible task in the information age, but instead of seeing this as a threat, these scholars embrace Nonanta's declaration that "new knowledge is born in chaos", and view these non-linear structures and processes as opportunities for growth.
Their optimism is dependent on adaptable business models and flexible actors that are poised to seize the opportunity of such disruption. Melody, while acknowledging ICTs' potential, remains skeptical and theorizes that they could either "serve to improve the efficiency and equity" or "create market imperfections, inefficiencies and equity distortions". The "serendipitous" nature of innovation that Nonanta applauds could alternatively wreak havoc on the orderly assembly lines of industry.
As these two eras collide, a new language has been devised that encapsulates the volatile digital age. This destructive process of "breaking down boundaries of formerly separate activities" (Potts and Mandeville) is convergence, the buzz-word of the dot com era. In most cases, convergence has become a ubiquitous, misconstrued term that band-aids fears of digital disruption. Because convergence encompasses many processes, from technological to cultural to economic, its scope is wide-reaching, its actors diverse and its power dynamics in constant flux.
Jenkins catapults Pool's "convergence of modes" from analogue to digital, as he expounds on Pool's notion that the "transformation of the media occurs not in a vacuum but in a specific historical and legal context". Emphasizing the social and cultural aspects—as comprised by content, ideas and relationships—in addition to its technological components, Jenkins is able to illuminate convergence in a humanist light, not simply bundled with wire and hooked to modems.
Jenkins reminds us that media convergence is "a process but not an endpoint" in order to illustrate the flux of relationships and to stress the necessity of negotiation that occurs at the juncture of production and consumption. He illustrates the collision of seemingly disparate entities, creative commons and conglomerations, professional and amateur culture, mass and independent networks, and "commercial media" and "collective intelligence". This process is paradoxically controlled yet chaotic, facilitating yet complicating, homogenizing yet diversifying and expanding yet fragmenting culture.
In this offbeat but dynamic interface, which is a major deviation from the linear transmission model (see Carey, 1992), Pool's proclamation that "the relationship between technology and institutions is not simple or unidirectional", and Jenkins' wisdom that convergence is a "process", not a resolute "end point" provides guidance. It is this fluctuation understood to be inherent in convergence that makes it both fascinating and frustrating to use as an analytical model. The strengths of working with this networked model are also its weaknesses.
Convergence in the publishing industry is represented by the merging of once disparate media, technology, and industry players. This fusion occurs on many levels. This study will focus on the convergence of devices, content, and the characters involved in the creation of these elements.
Platform Distribution: Translating Text for Multiple Screens
Is it the device or the content that drives this convergence? Most publishing houses would be damned to admit that anything but content is king; however the shifts in the tablet ecosystem over the past few years have forced them to reconsider before dismissing devices as irrelevant. In the past, the device was the hardcover and the paperback—and the content was a title—a single, coherent narrative. In the digital era, as book and information processor merge, hyperlink and plain text unite, and tech developer, editor and reader become indivisible, the picture has become more complex. A story is no longer confined between bookends, but can coexist in a cloud of endless narratives. Suddenly the device becomes an interactive window for multitudes of content.
The device can either serve to constrain or liberate text. Although "digital" often connotes freedom from the constraints of an analogue age, many publishers, along with hardware and software creators, are still governed by the principles of the physical world. Because the prototype was bound, it is often difficult to think about packaging text beyond the cover.
Mr. Ratliff, founder of digital platform Atvar, informs the New York Times that the future of publishing depends on more than just the "one-to-one transition from book to e-book" (Wortham, 2011). Ratliff continues, "We shouldn't be bound by those constraints." The restrictions of physical print do not apply to mobile devices, PC monitors or gaming consoles. These multiple platforms allow a reader to travel within and beyond the page. This hyper-contextualized experience, which can be accessed anytime and anywhere is just the beginning of this on-demand era.
Books are suddenly being redefined by many contexts. Text becomes governed by screens, operating systems, formats, interfaces, and browsers. Adrian Taylor, Creative Director of interactive marketing agency Springbox, projects that "content strategists and creators must begin to think more contextually about their output. The lines between platforms are getting blurrier every day" (Taylor, 2011). Publishers speak of creating device agnosticism, and employing a formatting standard (ePub) in order to maintain parity across devices. But as more tablets, app builders and telecommunications providers enter the digital publishing space, competitors seek to carve out their niche. With this differentiation, there is growing asynchronicity. Should books on mobile devices be shorter than on tablets? Will images and sound triumph over text on mid-size screens? Will the Android prove a more amenable interface than an iPhone?
Delivering information with clarity and purpose has become one the greatest challenges in an age of information overload. The following section explores one way that multitudinous content can be translated into a user-friendly package that serves both the consumer and the producer.
Two Dimensional Books in a Transmedia World: Extending Content Across Platforms
Like convergence, transmedia has become a buzz-word of the digital age. The Producers Guild of America recently created a unique title around the concept: Transmedia Producers who "develop cross platform storylines on Film, Television, Short Film, Broadband, Publishing, Comics, Animation, and Mobile". This strategic move has enabled the traditionally conservative film industry to harness the power of new media under one umbrella.
Although the transmedia concept has been more formally explored in the context of video, similar patterns have emerged in the publishing industry. Transmedia can be analyzed from both a narrative and marketing perspective. While the first is based on story-telling, the later is focused on brand extension to reach new markets and build stronger franchises. While some media analysts favor the narrative approach, I offer that both perspectives have to be considered before making the decision to extend content.
Transmedia delivery is one strategy for creating coherence and extending narrative across platforms. These platforms combine traditional with new media, and the physical device with an intangible cloud. Seize the Media, a creative agency that thrives in this domain, offers that "the execution of a transmedia production weaves together diverse storylines, across multiple outlets, as parts of an overarching narrative structure" (2011). Instead of aggregating or pulling content, transmedia delivery involves the dissemination or pushing of content. Alternatively, transmedia can act as an "aggregate" for "fragmented audiences" (Seize the Media, 2011). In essence, transmedia generates new energy and drives traffic for media properties.
Transmedia delivery can be employed to extend a brand into previously untapped markets. Brand strategists who wish to extend assets beyond their prescribed package evoke the term platform proliferation. The founder of the Digital Book World community, Guy LeCharles Gonzales, cites Star Wars as a prime example of an entertainment franchise that has taken advantage of transmedia, and postures that these "projects are really just cross-media marketing initiatives and/or brand extensions, driven by licensing deals and a parceling out of rights in a manner that often includes loss of creative control by the author." It can describe the licensing of media properties to new formats (similar to the windowing practice in film and television).
At a more literary, narrative level, transmedia delivery, according to Gonzales, "puts the author's creative vision at the center" (2010). Similarly, Jenkins postures that it "represents a process where integral elements of a fiction get dispersed systematically across multiple delivery channels for the purpose of creating a unified and coordinated entertainment experience" (Jenkins, 2007b). Diction like "systematic," "unified," "coordinated" are central to the definition. Transmedia may transform the way we viewed pre-Internet storytelling. While narrative chaotically flows beyond the page, beyond the bounds of age-old oral tradition, transmedia acts as a grounding force. It is the central nervous system that enables us to comprehend in a world of competing interfaces.
This paper seeks to explore transmedia as a strategy to navigate converging landscapes. As the publishing industry crosses into previously segmented creative fields such as entertainment and gaming, differentiation becomes increasingly difficult. In order for the industry to preserve its role as a professional filter, it is critical that industry actors learn how to successfully manipulate narrative across media.


text:
The importance of tire replacement and how to replace tires are essential information that every driver should know. Replace tires at an appropriate time to ensure a safe and comfortable ride.
The Importance of Tire Replacement
Timely replacement of tires is critical to driver safety and also influences vehicle lifespan and performance.
- in case of severe tire erosion.
- in case repair is impossible due to damage (e.g. puncture).
How to Replace a Tire
In the case of a damaged tire and wheel, professional consultation is recommended. Tire replacement should only be done by a trained and highly experienced technician.
< Detach the tire and wheel from the vehicle. >
< After separating the tire and wheel, replace with a new tire. >
< Check tire balance. >
< Attach the newly attached tire and wheel to the vehicle. >
Tip for Tire Replacement
- As a minimum requirement, replacement tires should ideally be fitted in pairs across the same axle.
- If tires are replaced on only one side, it can cause left-right imbalance and have an effect on a cars performance.


text:
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text:
Get your hands greasy and salty with these french fry gloves.
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Avocado Mini Skirt Sliced


text:
Reply to Col. MaxeyDecember 20, 2010 — Deacon Duncan
Via Ed Brayton's blog comes this letter from Lt. Col. Stacy Maxey, as reported by guest blogger Chris Rodda.
Letters to the Editor, December 15, 2010So let me see if I understand this: The Defense Department is proposing to let people who choose to live a homosexual lifestyle serve "openly" in the armed forces (per the Dec. 2 article "DADT study group: Full integration is best"), but won't allow Christians such as myself the freedom to "openly" share the good news of Christ with our co-workers — as the faith we've chosen requires?
DOD officials plan to tell servicemembers who have a problem with those living a homosexual lifestyle to "learn to deal with it," but they are prepared to counsel and/or slap Christians with paperwork if someone feels "offended" by our witness? Wearing sexual lifestyle choices on your sleeve is OK, but not your faith?
Military chaplains who teach that homosexuality is antithetical to and incompatible with Christianity (which it is) can either muzzle their objections or "leave," but gays will be permitted to parade their lifestyle choices in front of all?
Bottom line: So I'm free to express myself if I'm a homosexual, but not if I'm a Christian? What disgraceful hypocrisy.
Here's the truth: I will continue to witness to who I want, when I want and where I want. My commitment to my God supersedes my commitment to the DOD and, if officials are upset about that, then I guess they can "learn to deal with it."
Department of Defense? More like the Department of Double Standards.
Lt. Col. Stacy L. Maxey
I feel like writing back to the good colonel and clarifying one or two matters about which there seems to be some confusion.
Dear Col. Maxey;
Regarding your letter of Dec. 15 to the Stars and Stripes, it seems you are offended by the double standard involved in repealing DADT. I'm sure you will be delighted to find out that a fair compromise is easily available that removes all of the issues of double standards between Christians and gays in the military. All we need to do is apply the same standard to both. With the repeal of DADT, the following will be possible:
- If someone asks whether you are a Christian, you will not have to lie and say that you are not, just as gays will no longer have to lie when asked if they are gay.
- If the military discovers that you are Christian, you will not automatically be discharged, just as gays will no longer face immediate discharge upon discovery that they are gay.
- If you are seen openly participating in casual Christian activities, such as going to church or carrying a bible, you will not need to fear immediate exposure and discharge, just as gays who are seen associating with others of the same sex will not need to fear immediate exposure and discharge.
- Any prayers, Bible studies, or other Christian activities which you engage in on your own time, in private, will not be any of the military's business, just as it is none of the military's business what homosexual soldiers do in private, on their own time.
- If you have a fellow soldier or superior officer who is pressuring you to engage in homosexual activities against your will, you will have the same freedom to file a complaint as a gay soldier has to complain about a fellow soldier who is pressuring them to engage in Christian activities against their will.
- If a superior officer unfairly penalizes you for failure to engage in homosexual activities, by giving you unfavorable performance reviews, withholding promotion, or giving you punitive work assignments, you will have the opportunity to apply for a redress of your grievances, just as gays will in the case of superior officers who penalize them similarly for failure to engage in Christian activities.
- Military chaplains who advocate Christian conduct, as well as those who advocate homosexual conduct, will be free to speak as their conscience demands when conducting designated services where attendance is voluntary, but may face pressure, reprimands, or even discharge if they abuse their position to advocate Christianity or homosexuality among those who do not wish to participate in such exchanges.
Granted, you may be required by regulations (if not by ordinary courtesy and professionalism) to make certain concessions. For example, to promote team cohesion and unit effectiveness, you may not be allowed to single out certain members of your team for public humiliation and harassment just because they are gay. But even here, the same standard works the other way: your team members will be required not to single you out for public humiliation and harassment just because you are a bigot and/or have chosen a bigoted religion.
You are right: there have been some serious and injurious double standards in the military. I'm sure that with your interest in justice, fairness, and service, you will be delighted now that these double standards are being ended, and the samel rules applied equally to all service members.
Deacon Duncan.


text:
The Dakar Truck classes are pretty amazing things to see, especially these huge and surprisingly agile big Tatra trucks. It's like watching a cross between a jackrabbit and a garbage truck. As usual, beware of the soundtrack.
I'd like to think those trucks all have cargo in them, because why waste the trip? They're all full of china tea sets and wedding cakes, I heard.


text:
Indian River
Mackinac City
Home>Plan Your Trip>Huron Breeze Golf & Country Club
Located just 4 ½ miles north of AuGres on US-23, Huron Breeze Golf Club will entertain you with a skillful design that incorporates pine and hardwood flanked fairways, strategic bunkering, and large duck ponds. You will find the generous landing areas and variety of tee areas will allow you to challenge yourself as much as you would like. Regardless of your skill level, you will enjoy the secluded feeling and blend of nature on each hole that make this a truly enjoyable golf experience.
The Bunker Bar & Grill specializes in delicious and reasonably priced menu items. Among the favorites, the Breeze Burger is complimented with homemade chips or fries. Whether its patio dining, watching the game, or enjoying the fireplace, the friendly staff at The Bunker Bar & Grill promises to make your next dining experience a pleasant one.
The Breezeway Restaurant is in a scenic setting overlooking the golf course and a large duck pond. The atmosphere for the dining room has been described as "casual elegance", also fitting the menu offerings that have made Huron Breeze "the place to dine".
Meetings, banquets and wedding facility also available.
Available in Spring Available in Summer Available in Fall Public Restrooms Fee Required
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22 Free Crochet Patterns: Afghan Patterns, Crochet Hats, and More
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Colorful Shells and Bows Boutique Tissue Box Cover
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Make this colorful Tissue Box Cover from Roseanna Beck as a special crochet project. The colors will light up the room and it's a useful craft. The Colorful Shells and Bows Boutique Tissue Box Cover is a simple crochet project.
- 52 yds. White Red Heart 4-ply yarn
- 35 yds. Lime Green Red Heart 4-ply yarn
- 20 yds. Hot Pink Red Heart 4-ply yarn
- 9 yds. Yellow Red Heart 4-ply yarn
- 9 yds. Parakeet Red Heart 4-ply yarn
- G crochet hook or size needed for gauge
- Tapestry Needle
- Boutique Tissue Box
GAUGE: Side square measures 4 ¾" x 5 ¼" (before bottom edging)
STITCH GUIDE: Chain (ch), Single Crochet (sc), Half Double Crochet (hdc), Double Crochet (dc),
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Special Stitch: Shell – 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc
SIDES: (make 2 hot pink and 1 each yellow and parakeet)
Rnd 1 – With white ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join to beg sc.
Rnd 2 – Ch 4, dc in same st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in each st around, join to 3rd ch of beg ch 4 and
fasten off.
Rnd 3 – Join color with a sl st in any ch 1 sp, ch 2 (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same sp, *ch 1, Shell in
next ch 1 sp, rep from * around, join to top of beg ch 2 and fasten off.
Rnd 4 – Join green with a sc in ch 1 sp of Shell, *5 dc in next ch 1 sp, sc in ch 1 sp of Shell, rep
from * around, join to beg sc and fasten off.
Rnd 5 – Join white with a sl st in center dc off any 5 dc cluster, sc in next dc, hdc in next dc,
(2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next sc, hdc in next dc, 1 sc in each of next 9 st, hdc in next dc,
(2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next sc, hdc in next dc, sc in next dc, sl st in next dc and fasten off.
Rep pattern along opposite edge of square.
Rnd 1 – With green ch 14 to form a ring, work 24 sc in ring, join to beg sc and fasten off.
Rnd 2 – Join pink with a sl st in any sc, ch 2, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same st, *ch 1, skip 2 sc,
3 dc in next sc, ch 1, skip 2 sc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next sc, rep from* around, join
to top of beg ch 2 and fasten off.
Rnd 3 – Join white with a sl st in ch 2 corner sp, ch 2 (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, *ch 1, 3 dc
in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 corner sp, rep
from * around, join to top of beg ch 2 and fasten off.
1. With corresponding color whipstitch sides together.
2. With white whipstitch top to sides.
3. With white work 1 sc in each st around bottom.
4. Weave green strand of yarn around bottom.
5. Using 1 strand of white, pink and green attach bows to center of each side at top seam
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Woman sentenced to life for fetal abduction
Morales-Rodriguez gets no chance of parole
MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee woman convicted of trying to steal a baby by killing a pregnant woman and slicing out her full-term fetus has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole.
A jury convicted 34-year-old Annette Morales-Rodriguez in September on two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, one each for the mother and baby.
The convictions carried mandatory life sentences, but Judge David Borowski could have allowed the possibility of parole. Wisconsin does not have the death penalty.
Morales-Rodriguez told police she killed the 23-year-old woman and tried to steal the baby because she was desperate to give her boyfriend a son. She told investigators she was "sorry for the girl" and never meant for the baby to die.


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From my other blog: Fantastical Muse
Epicness in the Bible: The Mighty Men
This post forms part of my series of posts on "Epicness in the Bible". "David's Mighty Men" is the title used in some bibles, and it is the title I have grown used to. The story of David's mighty men is definitely among my favorite parts of the bible… it's so darn EPIC! If the story […]
"The Children of Húrin" – A Middle Earth work I actually didn't enjoy
First and foremost, I think I have to give some background knowledge as to where this post is coming from. I am one of those stereotypical Tolkien fanboys. I love Middle Earth, I love the world Tolkien created – the characters, the languages, the races, the maps, the history… yeah… pretty much the whole thing. […]
Those first few pages
There is something very strange about those first few pages that you read in a book… so many emotions and thoughts come to mind when I think about the experience of just starting a new novel: intrigue, judgement, excitement, loathing, disgust, pleasure – and the list goes on. After going through that experience a few […]
Thoughts on "The Belgariad" by David Eddings
As part of my quest to work through the best selling fantasy books/series of all time, "The Belgariad" was one hurdle to be crossed… and a big hurdle at that. Let's just start off by saying the books are big, very big. Even though there are only 5 books in the series, each paper-bound adventure […]
The Maze Runner – a world building fail?
Before I get to what this post really is about, let me first state the following for the record: I actually quite enjoy "The Maze Runner" movie franchise. Now I haven't read the books, so my knowledge of the Maze Runner world is currently limited to what I have seen on the screen for both […]
Monthly Archives: December 2012
December Challenge: Learn to type without looking at my fingers
I think at school I once learnt how to type without looking at my fingers, but it never stuck. I type, I actually type allot as I basically sit in front of a PC and do admin all day. So … Continue reading
Posted in Making Changes, Work effectiveness Tagged learning to type, work time 1 Comment


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for the dosa batter:
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup moong dal flour
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup yogurt
1 small onion, minced
1-3 green chilies, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon jeera (cumin seeds)
6 curry leaves, minced
for the potato masala filling
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 pounds of potatoes, skinned and diced
1 large onion, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-3 green chiles, minced
1 inch piece of ginger, minced
1 teaspoon amchoor (green mango powder)
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1 teaspoon jeera (cumin seeds)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons oil
For the dosas:
Whisk all ingredients together. The batter should be quite thin like pancake batter. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, while you make the filling.
For the filling:
Saute mustard seeds and jeera in oil for 2-3 minutes until the mustard seeds begin to pop. Add onions, garlic, ginger, and chiles and saute 5-10 minutes until the begin to turn golden. Add potatoes, amchoor powder, salt, garam masala, and turmeric. Saute for 5 minutes until spices are fragrant. Add water, cover and cook on medium heat for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft enough to break with a spoon and most of the water has been absorbed. Turn heat off and mash potatoes.
Making the dosa:
To a hot non-stick skillet or crepe pan, add a teaspoon of oil and a large ladle full of batter. Tilt and turn the pan to spread the batter into a thin layer. When the top starts to cook around the edges, run a pancake turner underneath it to loosen the dosa. After about 2 minutes, flip the pancake and cook 2 minutes on the other side. Both sides should be golden brown. Flip onto a plate, scoop some potato filling into the center and fold the pancake over to form a half-moon.
Yield: 4 filled dosas.


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Harshita Bhurat, MathWorks
In this webinar, we showcase features and capabilities in Fixed-Point Designer that provide data types and tools for developing fixed-point algorithms in MATLAB code and Simulink models. It also covers the MATLAB and Simulink workflows for floating-point to fixed-point conversion, bit-true simulation of your designs, and comparison of fixed-point results with floating-point baselines throughout the conversion process.
About the Presenter: Harshita Bhurat is the Fixed-Point Designer product marketing manager at MathWorks. Prior to joining MathWorks, Harshita was an embedded systems application engineer at Broadcom Corp. She has an M.S. in computer science from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Recorded: 16 Jul 2013


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How Does A Debt Management Program Work?
You deposit money each month with the credit counseling organization. The organization uses your deposits to pay your unsecured debts, like credit card bills, student loans, and medical bills, according to a payment schedule the counselor develops with you and your creditors. Your creditors may agree to lower your interest rates and waive certain fees, but check with all your creditors to be sure that they offer the concessions that a credit counseling organization describes to you.
A successful Debt Management Plan (DMP) requires you to make regular, timely payments, and could take 48 months or longer to complete. Ask the credit counselor to estimate how long it will take for you to complete the plan. You also may have to agree not to apply for — or use — any additional credit while you're participating in the plan.
Is a DMP Right For You?
In addition to the questions already listed, here are some other important ones to ask if you're considering enrolling in a DMP.
Is a DMP the only option you can give me? Will you provide me with on-going budgeting advice, regardless of whether I enroll in a DMP? If an organization offers only DMPs, find another credit counseling organization that also will help you create a budget and teach you money management skills.
How does your DMP work? How will you make sure that all my creditors will be paid by the applicable due dates and in the correct billing cycle? If a DMP is appropriate, sign up for one that allows all your creditors to be paid before your payment due dates and within the correct billing cycle.
How is the amount of my payment determined? What if the amount is more than I can afford? Don't sign up for a DMP if you can't afford the monthly payment.
How often can I get status reports on my accounts? Can I get access to my accounts online or by phone? Make sure that the organization you sign up with is willing to provide regular, detailed statements about your account.
Can you get my creditors to lower or eliminate interest and finance charges, or waive late fees? If yes, contact your creditors to verify this, and ask them how long you have to be on the plan before the benefits kick in.
What debts aren't included in the DMP? This is important because you'll have to pay those bills on your own.
Do I have to make any payments to my creditors before they will accept the proposed payment plan? Some creditors require a payment to the credit counselor before accepting you into a DMP. If a credit counselor tells you this is so, call your creditors to verify this information before you send money to the credit counseling agency.
How will enrolling in a DMP affect my credit? Beware of any organization that tells you it can remove accurate negative information from your credit report. Legally, it can't be done. Accurate negative information may stay on your credit report for up to seven years.
Can you get my creditors to "re-age" my accounts — that is, to make my accounts current? If so, how many payments will I have to make before my creditors will do so? Even if your accounts are "re-aged," negative information from past delinquencies or late payments will remain on your credit report.
How to Make a DMP Work for You
The following steps will help you benefit from a DMP, and avoid falling further into debt.
Continue to pay your bills until the plan has been approved by your creditors. If you stop making payments before your creditors have accepted you into a plan, you'll face late fees, penalties, and negative entries on your credit report.
Contact your creditors and confirm that they have accepted the proposed plan before you send any payments to the credit counseling organization for your DMP.
Make sure the organization's payment schedule allows your debts to be paid before they are due each month. Paying on time will help you avoid late fees and penalties. Call each of your creditors on the first of every month to make sure the agency has paid them on time.
Review monthly statements from your creditors to make sure they have received your payments.
If your debt management plan depends on your creditors agreeing to lower or eliminate interest and finance charges, or waive late fees, make sure these concessions are reflected on your statements.


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Microsoft launched a massive campaign today to empower, educate, and provide opportunities for millions of young people on a global scale. As part of its campaign to be a good global citizen, Microsoft has introduced a new program called YouthSpark. The program will cooperate with businesses, governments, and nonprofits to create opportunities for young people worldwide.
In a live event hosted online today, Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, talked about the initiative. Ballmer said, "Through Microsoft YouthSpark we are making a commitment to help 300 million young people around the world achieve their dreams by focusing our citizenship efforts and other company resources on connecting young people with opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship. We believe that working with our partners we can help empower young people to change their world, and we are committed to using our technology, talent, time and resources to do that." Noting the global economic downturn and lack of trained workforce Brad Smith, Executive Vice President of Microsoft said, "Our next generation of citizenship will focus on the next generation of people. The global unemployment rate for workers younger than 25 is 12.7 percent, which is double the rate for the world as a whole. This is indicative of a growing opportunity divide between young people who have the access, skills and opportunities to be successful and those who do not. We must work together to close the opportunity divide for youth and help secure the future of this generation and the future of our global economy."
Microsoft plans to partner with nonprofits worldwide including GlobalGiving Foundation, TakingITGlobal, Telecentre.org Foundation and the International Youth Foundation, as well as regional nonprofits such as Silatech in the Middle East, The Trust for Americas in Latin America, AIESEC International in Europe, and the ASEAN Foundation in Asia. In the U.S. it plans to work with 5 charities including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, City Year, Junior Achievement USA, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and Year Up Inc. YouthSpark will offer students and teachers access to Office 365 for Education and Skype in the classroom, as well as other tools for teachers. To be honest, the programs they outlined today are so vast, it is truly hard to take it all in. On top of all the previous things mentioned, YouthSpark will also be offering the following:
• Partners in Learning. A professional development program for government officials, school leaders and educators to help them with new approaches to teaching and learning, using technology to help students develop 21st century skills.
• Microsoft IT Academy. A career-ready education program available to all accredited academic institutions, providing students with 21st century technology.
• DreamSpark. Free access to Microsoft designer and developer tools for students and educators, helping advance key technical skills during the high school and college years, a critical time in a student's development.
• Imagine Cup. The world's premier youth technology competition, which challenges students to apply their knowledge and passion to develop technical solutions for social impact, to develop engaging games, and to demonstrate innovation that can benefit others, local communities and the world.
• Students to Business. A program that matches university students with jobs or internships in the technology industry.
• BizSpark. A software startup program, providing young entrepreneurs with access to Microsoft software development tools and connections with key industry players, including investors, to help them start a new business.
Microsoft is also focusing on other citizenship efforts. Here are 3 initiatives they outlined in their press release today:
• Give for Youth, a global microgiving marketplace focused on raising funds for nonprofits that support youth causes around the world.
• Microsoft YouthSpark Hub, an online space where people can explore and access all the youth services, programs and resources provided by Microsoft and its nonprofit partners.
• Microsoft Innovate for Good, a global online community enabling youth to collaborate, inspire and support one another while using technology to make a difference in their communities.
Microsoft has definitely taken on a huge undertaking with these programs. Hopefully, word will spread and those who could benefit the most from this program will find the resource best suited for them. If you or someone you know would like more information, visit Microsoft's website at http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/youthspark/.


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Plastic is the material of choice for men and women who are seeking comfortable, lightweight eyeglasses and sunglasses. Another added benefit of plastic frames is that they are usually hypoallergenic. But function isn't the only reason to choose plastic eyewear: Because the material is easily molded into unique shapes and can be injected with pigment or even laminated to create a layered effect, plastic frames come in a huge variety of colors, shapes, and finishes to suit the widest range of personal styles.
See More Like This »


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During Our Lady's visit to St. Catherine Laboure on November 27, 1830, rays of light flowed from rings on her fingers that were made of precious stones. However, some of the stones on the ring did not shine. Mary explained, "These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them. The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask." Mary then spoke of the medal with these words, "All who wear it will receive great graces; they should wear it around the neck. Graces will abound for persons who wear it with confidence." The medal is simply a visible sign of the inner devotion the wearer has to Mary and to her Son, Jesus.
Pieces/Pkg: 1
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There may by cases where you want to generate a Linux binary on a FreeBSD machine. This is not a problem with the linuxulator, but not with the default linux_base port.
As you may know, the linux_base port is designed to deliver an integrated experience with FreeBSD native programs. As such some parts of the native FreeBSD infrastructure is used. If you would try to use a Linux-compiler to generate Linux-binaries, you would run into the problem that by default the FreeBSD includes are used.
To have a fully featured and non-integrated Linux environment on your FreeBSD system either mount an existing (and compatible) Linux installation somewhere into your FreeBSD system, or install a linux_dist port. This can be done additionally to an already installed linux_base port.
When you have a complete Linux environment available, you need to mount the FreeBSD devfs to /path/to/complete_linux/dev, linprocfs to /path/to/complete_linux/proc and linsysfs to /path/to/complete_linux/sys to have a complete setup.
Use it
Now you just need to chroot into this /path/to/complete_linux and you configure/make/install or whatever you need to do to generate your desired Linux binary.


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$58K misconduct case could cost 12 city workers' jobs
Baltimore transportation workers accused of receiving scrap metal proceeds
A dozen Baltimore City employees could lose their jobs and three supervisors are suspended without pay in an ongoing investigation involving more than $58,000 in scrap metal proceeds.
Transportation officials said they worked with the Office of the Inspector General to investigate claims of possible misconduct and theft of scrap metal by its own personnel.
Transportation officials said they gave inspectors information of potential misconduct by employees in the Conduit Section. According to the Department of Transportation, an extensive investigation revealed the employees allegedly cut metal and sold it to scrap yards, received scrap metal proceeds over five months.
As a result, 12 transportation employees have been recommended for termination, and three supervisors have been suspended up to 28 days without pay. WBAL-TV 11 News has learned the employees were in charge of underground repairs to cable, fiber optic and electricity lines.
"Mayor (Stephanie) Rawlings-Blake has made clear that misconduct will not be tolerated in any city agency, including the Department of Transportation," said Khalil Zaied, director of the Department of Transportation. "The vast majority of transportation employees are honest and work hard for the citizens of Baltimore and I will not allow the wrongful actions of a few to tarnish their good work."
"Moving forward, the Department of Transportation will be partnering with the Office of the Inspector General to fund an independent full-time position to investigate any potential allegations of fraud, waste and abuse," Zaied continued. "We will have zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior by DOT employees."
There was no immediate word on time frame for possible further action.