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In the first part of this blog, I discussed the one fundamental but crucial and fatal flaw to the "multidisciplinary" membership approach many financial services associations have adopted: the professional educational meeting is the anchor of the local chapter experience for most associations, and the professional education meeting is an absolutely terrible way to facilitate networking for multidisciplinary members. I also discussed the three primary reasons, which were content, sponsorship and networking time.
The cumulative result of these problems is that while the associations may get a short burst of membership when they hang out the shingle of being "a multidisciplinary networking association," the end result is that the majority of affiliated professionals don't renew, as they find the content and sponsors irrelevant, and that the meetings allow virtually no time to actually network.
Furthermore, as the content (and sometimes sponsorship) becomes torn between core members and affiliated professionals, the core members may begin to let their membership lapse if they feel resources are becoming divided (leaving less of the pie for core members than when they were the sole membership focus) and membership meetings are becoming less relevant than ever (if the content shifts to a non-core focus).
And in the meantime, sponsors begin to lapse as well, as the chapter meeting attendance shrinks significantly due to both core and affiliated professional membership attrition.
So what's the solution? If the organization wishes to truly embrace a multidisciplinary networking approach, the networking should be the reason for gathering in the first place; having continuing education content just consumes networking time!
Chapter meetings in a true networking organization should occur specifically for the purpose of introducing members to each other, in a facilitated manner, that ensures everyone really understands what everyone else does, what their expertise is, and who their target clients are.
Notably, such multidisciplinary meetings actually require people from multiple disciplines who do not have overlapping practices; looking to other networking organizations as a model, quotas for both a minimum and maximum number of professionals in a particular discipline or specialty are not uncommon. Minimum participation requirements are often enforced as well. Simply put, if you're not genuinely interested in showing up to network, to learn how you can help other affiliated professionals, and to clearly explain to them how they can help you, don't bother showing up at all.
Yet in this environment, "professional education" is not just unnecessary to facilitate networking, it's actually a waste of precious networking time. Not to mention the nigh impossibility of finding an educational topic (or a sponsor!) that would be genuinely relevant enough to all members across all disciplines to make it worthwhile, anyway.
Notably, some affiliated professionals do manage to make connections in the multi-disciplinary financial services associations, by getting even more involved than just attending chapter meetings. For instance, volunteer committees actually do afford meaningful social interaction that can promote networking. However, this is not a replicable growth model for most chapters, especially given that in the end even volunteer committees meetings are not really structured networking time, many committees and boards still have minimum requirements for a certain number of "core" members, and only so many affiliated professionals can really get involved before it gets too competitive (given the lack of structure around balancing the number of affiliated professionals in overlapping disciplines).
Of course, this isn't to say that continuing education content is always bad at an association meeting. When the focus of the association is on a core membership with a common focus and common needs—who all find relevance in the same content —then CE content can be an excellent common purpose around which the organization's community is built.
But the key distinction is that building community is different than networking; community involves similar people who share a similar bond and can relate to each other on common issues, while networking involves different people who have a distinct, non-overlapping business focus that can create cross-referral or partnered business opportunities.
As long as associations continue to run community-oriented CE meetings while trying to draw a multidisciplinary networking membership base and meeting attendance, I fear there will be continued high attrition rates from affiliated professionals like my attorney friend, who are often faced with chapter meetings that include irrelevant content, irrelevant sponsors, little structure to actually facilitate true networking, and often little time to actually network at all.
Either focus on core members, or truly focus on networking. If there's a fear that making meetings more truly networking focused—without the CE—might cause meeting attendance to drop, then perhaps the reality is that core members aren't really that interested in networking after all.
So what do you think? Do you join professional associations for networking (for cross referral opportunities) or for community (meeting professional colleagues and peers)? Do you actually find chapter meetings anchored by financial planning CE credit to really be effective networking time as a financial planner? Are you an affiliated professional that finds CE meetings to be a good use of time when you're not the target of the CE? Have you ever been involved in other networking organizations? Do you see a difference between networking organizations and professional membership associations?


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Two injured in collision on Reno Highway
Two people were injured after a collision Tuesday between a white Buick Park Avenue and a semi-truck on the Reno Highway.
According to Churchill County Sheriff Ben Trotter, both vehicles were traveling eastbound around 3 p.m. Trotter said he was not sure what caused the collision, although a vehicle towing a car appeared to slow down near Payless Tire and the semi rear-ended the Buick.
Trotter said he did not know the identities of the victims. The Nevada Highway Patrol will investigate the collision.
The Buick came to a stop about 100-150 feet from the semi. Sheriff's deputies, the Fallon/Churchill Fire Department and the NHP responded and the firefighters extricated the male passenger. The driver, a woman, was transported by paramedics the Banner Churchill Community Hospital with a minor cut, Trotter said.
The male passenger, meanwhile, was transported to a facility in Reno. According to Trotter, the male passenger was complaining of pain. The trunk of the Buick was smashed, and the crash reduced the traffic flow to one lane in each direction.

subset: commoncrawl


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Center on Wealth and Philanthropy
formerly: social welfare research institute, swri
The Center on Wealth and Philanthopy (CWP) is closed.
About CWP
Read about the institute, meet our staff, contact us directly with your requests or comments.
Message from the Director
CWP Director, Paul G. Schervish welcomes you to our website.
Read up-to-date research snippets regarding contemporary issues on wealth and philanthropy.
Sign up for CWP's e-mail newsletter, "Wealth and the Commonwealth," and stay informed about the latest news, research, and trends in the areas of wealth and philanthropy. Fast Newsletter Signup.
Download research reports and articles and order papers and books.
CWP In The News
Keep up to date with our philanthropy research through press releases and see where our research has been cited in the local, national and international media outlets as well as in blogger websites.
Learn more about our research projects on wealth and philanthropy, our diary study, wealth transfer, high-tech philanthropy.
Social Welfare Research Institute becomes Center on Wealth and Philanthropy
Read the rationale behind the name change and link to firstname.lastname@example.com for reports published by SWRI researchers in the 1970's and 80's.
Other Resources
Investigate some of the resources we rely on in our research.
CWP is grateful for the support from our generous sponsors:
February 5, 2015
CWP to Wind Down
For nearly a half-century, BC's Center on Wealth and Philanthropy has examined not only the patterns and motives, but also the moral and ethical considerations that drive charitable giving among the rich. As its director, Professor of Sociology Paul Schervish, and associate director John Havens move toward retirement, their work is featured by the Boston Globe and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Hear Schervish discuss fundraising in 2014 and the forecast for 2015 on Nonprofit Radio.
(Originally published on BC's Agora Portal.)
January 20, 2015
Data Are 'Problematic' in Giving Report
Schervish and Havens respond, in a letter to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, to a number of issues with the Chronicle's October "How America Gives" study.
Also, see Havens' and Schervish's original November 18, 2014 critical commentary of the study below:
"How America Gives": the Data Don't Add Up
July 15, 2014
Wealth and the Commonwealth Newsletter Volume 32
Clarification of Women and Wealth Statistic
CWP comments to clarify the fraction of wealth of married decedents transferred through estates.
May 28, 2014
Updated U.S. Wealth Transfer Report Released
An estimated $59 trillion will be transferred from 93.6 million American estates from 2007 - 2061 in the greatest wealth transfer in U.S. history. Read today's press release and the full technical report here:
A Golden Age of Philanthropy Still Beckons: National Wealth Transfer and Potential for Philanthropy
May 22, 2013
Schervish receives 2013 ASA Distinguished Career Award
Paul G. Schervish will be honored with the 2013 Distinguished Career Award presented by the Altruism, Morality, and Social Solidarity Section of the American Sociological Association at its annual meeting in New York City in August, 2013.
Read the complete press release here
March 5, 2013
Paul Schervish and John Havens at The Boston Foundation's (TBF) Understanding Boston Forum to discuss the newly released report from TBF, The Transfer of Wealth in Greater Boston: The Toll of the Recession and Prospects for the Future and its corresponding technical report produced by John J. Havens and Paul G. Schervish, Wealth Transfer and Potential for Philanthropy in the Boston Metropolitan Area.
Click here to download the TBF Report
Click here to download the CWP Technical Report
Click here to read an overview as contained in the press release
January 16, 2013
Paul Schervish on WGBH News Boston Public Radio discussing how the budget deal impact rates of giving.
November 7, 2011
Paul Schervish and John Havens presented at a North Dakota conference regarding the state's $308 billion wealth transfer.
March 17, 2011
Paul Schervish on NECN discussing the level of US donations so far to Japan's tsunami victims.
Click here to see video of interview
March 11, 2011
Read a transcript of an interview with Paul Schervish on the hutchinsreport.com (blog talk radio) which aired 12:30pm on 3/11/11 discuss his research and views on giving by the wealthy.
Click here to listen to interview
Click here to read transcript interview
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Bayern Munich kept hopes of a second straight treble intact by reaching the final of the DFB-Pokal with a 5-1 victory over Kaiserslautern.
Pep Guardiola's men remain on track to emulate their achievements of last season, when the Bavarians won the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal, following a comfortable semi-final triumph at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger put Bayern, who have already been crowned Bundesliga champions and won the Club World Cup in December, ahead midway through the first half with a fine headed effort.
Toni Kroos netted shortly after to put Bayern in complete command before a second-half penalty from Thomas Muller eased any nerves.
Simon Koller did pull one back for second-tier outfit Kaiserslautern, but that proved to be little more than a consolation as Bayern cruised to victory, Mario Mandzukic and Mario Gotze both scoring late on to set up a mouth-watering showpiece with Borussia Dortmund in Berlin next month.
Muller, who replaced Gotze in the Bayern starting XI following last weekend's 3-0 home defeat to Dortmund, came close to opening the scoring after eight minutes as his header from Schweinsteiger's clever cross was deflected against the crossbar.
The hosts laboured for much of the opening period against a determined Kaiserslautern defence, but Guardiola's men made the breakthrough in the 23rd minute when Schweinsteiger powered home a magnificent downward header from Arjen Robben's pinpoint corner.
And that lead was doubled nine minutes later, Kroos meeting Robben's lay-off on the edge of the area with an exquisite finish that curled past Kaiserslautern goalkeeper Tobias Sippel and into the bottom corner.
Any hopes of a Kaiserslautern revival were extinguished just five minutes into the second half as Muller rolled the ball home from the spot after Chris Lowe had tripped Robben inside the area.
Bayern refused to take their foot off the gas, though, and would have added a fourth had Franck Ribery not missed the target when presented with an empty net from Muller's pull-back.
The visitors then reduced the deficit on the hour mark, striker Zoller glancing Florian Dick's right-wing cross beyond Bayern goalkeeper Lukas Raeder.
But Bayern were far from finished and re-emphasised their dominance 13 minutes from time when Mandzukic confidently slotted home after latching on to substitute Gotze's through-ball.
Gotze then rounded off another wonderful Bayern showing in injury time, combining effortlessly with Ribery before coolly finishing from point-blank range.


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Ky Van Tang, Co-Lead in Credit Research explores the importance of considering responsible investment in investment decisions.
We go beyond the limits of most credit analysis
An allocation to global credit provides investors with higher yields than those on offer from cash and government bonds and diversification to complement equity exposures. We go the extra mile to navigate risks and opportunities in global markets. Ky Van Tang, Credit Research Co-lead, explains why our team of credit research analysts scrutinise ESG risks the hardest.
Important Information
This material has been prepared and issued by First Sentier Investors (Australia) IM Ltd (ABN 89 114 194 311, AFSL 289017) (Author). The Author forms part of First Sentier Investors, a global asset management business. First Sentier Investors is ultimately owned by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc (MUFG), a global financial group. A copy of the Financial Services Guide for the Author is available from First Sentier Investors on its website.
This material contains general information only. It is not intended to provide you with financial product advice and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should consider, with a financial advisor, whether this information is appropriate in light of your investment needs, objectives and financial situation. Any opinions expressed in this material are the opinions of the Author only and are subject to change without notice. Such opinions are not a recommendation to hold, purchase or sell a particular financial product and may not include all of the information needed to make an investment decision in relation to such a financial product.
CFSIL is a subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Bank). First Sentier Investors was acquired by MUFG on 2 August 2019 and is now financially and legally independent from the Bank. The Author, MUFG, the Bank and their respective affiliates do not guarantee the performance of the Fund(s) or the repayment of capital by the Fund(s). Investments in the Fund(s) are not deposits or other liabilities of MUFG, the Bank nor their respective affiliates and investment-type products are subject to investment risk including loss of income and capital invested.
To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted by MUFG, the Author, the Bank nor their affiliates for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this material. This material contains, or is based upon, information that the Author believes to be accurate and reliable, however neither the Author, MUFG, the Bank nor their respective affiliates offer any warranty that it contains no factual errors. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Author.
In Australia, 'Colonial', 'CFS' and 'Colonial First State' are trade marks of Colonial Holding Company Limited and 'Colonial First State Investments' is a trade mark of the Bank and all of these trade marks are used by First Sentier Investors under licence.


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Dodd-Frank regulatory requirements
As a Swap Dealer registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Natixis must comply with several Dodd-Frank regulatory requirements, such as CFTC Rule 23.431 regarding the communication of swap risk disclosures prior to entering into any over-the-counter derivatives transactions.
Per this Rule, if the institution you are representing (hereafter referred to as the "counterparty or prospective counterparty") falls under all of the categories below:
- The counterparty or prospective counterparty is a "U.S. person" as defined by the CFTC;
- The counterparty or prospective counterparty is not a Swap Dealer or a Major Swap Participant, as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA);
- The counterparty or prospective counterparty is considering to enter into over-the-counter derivatives products known as a "swap" and further defined by the CFTC.
Natixis is required to make important disclosures regarding the material risks inherent to swap transactions, which include, but are not limited to, market, credit, liquidity, foreign currency, legal and operational risks.
These disclosures are attached to this webpage and can also be found in the Legal & Documentation section of the International Swaps & Derivatives Association (ISDA) – http://www2.isda.org/functional-areas/legal-and-documentation/disclosures/
The General and Asset-Specific Disclosures are applicable depending on the type of swap transaction that is contemplated. For example, if the counterparty or prospective counterparty is contemplating entering into an Equity Swap, the General Disclosure as well as the Equity Derivatives Disclosure Annex should be reviewed.
Further to the disclosures provided on this website, other disclosures may apply from time to time depending on the swap transactions being contemplated. Particularly in the case of bespoke or customized swaps, additional and more specific disclosures could be required. When applicable, you should examine carefully any of these additional disclosures.
While Natixis has reviewed the ISDA General and Asset-Specific Disclosures, it makes no representation as to their content which may change at any time without notice and without our knowledge. Information provided through this webpage is also subject to change without prior notice, please visit this website regularly if you would like to have the most up-to-date information.
If you have any questions about these disclosures or the general content of this website, please contact your Natixis sales representative.
Natixis shall not be liable for any decision taken on the basis of the information disclosed on this webpage.
|April 26, 2013
|General Disclosure Statement
|ISDA - General Disclosure Statement.pdf
|April 26, 2013
|ABS Swap Disclosure Annex
|ISDA - ABS - Swaps.pdf
|April 26, 2013
|Commodities Derivatives Disclosure Annex
|ISDA - Commodities Derivatives Disclosure.pdf
|April 26, 2013
|Credit Derivatives Disclosure Annex
|ISDA - Credit Derivatives Disclosure.pdf
|April 26, 2013
|Equity Derivatives Disclosure Annex
|ISDA - Equity Derivatives Disclosure.pdf
|April 26, 2013
|Updated FX Disclosure Annex
|ISDA - Foreign Exchange Derivatives Disclosure.pdf
|April 26, 2013
|Interest Rate Derivatives Disclosure Annex
|ISDA - Interest Rate Derivatives Disclosure.pdf
|Sept. 3, 2014
|Updated Credit Derivatives Disclosure Annex
|ISDA Updated Credit Derivatives Disclosure Annex (9-3-2014).pdf
|August 5, 2015
|Updated General Disclosure Statement
|ISDA General Disclosure Statement (8-5-2015).pdf


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Born on 1 September 1986 in Durban, South Africa, Abu Muawiyah began his study of Islam at the age of 13. After seven years in a Deobandi Darul Uloom, Abu Muawiyah graduated at the age of twenty and continued his study of Islam under scholars from a variety of groups and madhhabs. In 2007, Abu Muawiyah joined the Islamic Online University as one of its first students. In this same year, he met Dr. Bilal Philips and became one of his students. In January 2014, he completed a BAIS through the Islamic Online University and is currently pursuing his Minor in Education. Abu Muawiyah has served as a Da'ee for IIFRI, and as an Islamic Studies, Arabic and Economics teacher at Ihsaan Boys College in 2008. In 2009, he taught Social Studies, English and Economics with an Islamized curriculum at the Al-Fajr International School in Chennai, India.In 2010, he became one of the first Tutorial Assistants of the Islamic Online University's BAIS program. He has served as TA for Fiqh, Arabic, Tafseer, Etiquettes, History and Aqeedah at IOU over the past four years, and currently serves as the Head Tutorial Assistant of IOU's BAIS and Higher Diploma Programs. Abu Muawiyah is the author of 'Having Fun the Halal Way: Entertainment in Islam' and hosted two weekly Radio Programs on Radio Al-Ansaar 'The Divine Connection: Understanding the Quran' and 'Dawah Dynamics' from 2012 until 2013. Abu Muawiyah has lectured at various workshops, conferences, radio stations, television stations and youth camps around South Africa and abroad. He is happily married with four children, and currently resides in Durban, South Africa.
Listen to Ismail Kamdar in full in the Spotify app


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Blue Ribbon Restroom Trailers
- Serving:
- Serving Northern VA, DC, Bethesda and Baltimore MD
- Address:
- Maryland,
- City, Zip Code & State
- Washington D.C., VA 20876
Premier renter of stylish upscale portable restrooms trailers avaiable on the market today. Even the most discerning of clientele continue to be pleased with the quality and stylish look of these premier bathroom trailers.
Renter of the best upscale restroom and shower trailers on the market today. From the moment you step inside one of their premium trailers you'll think you've entered another world or perhaps the bathroom of an upscale New York apartment. These bathrooms are beautiful ande with full sinks, decor and premium toilets all selected for their aesthetic value and functionality. You wont believe you just stepped into a rental bathroom trailer. They have handicapped accessible trailers too along with separate mens and womens facilities to offer you every function a bathroom should have and more!
Their bathrooms feature airconditioned and heated enclosures along with unisex and male/female options available. Their trailers feature marble sinks with running water, skylight and a slew of different lighting options, Radio and CD Players, and of course reading material for those long trips to the bathroom. Their specialty shower trailers feature 8 mens and womens shower stalls with a total of 4 sinks. Their Imperial standard model has 2 separate private bathrooms with the mens side featuring a private stall, urinal and corian sink with the womens side have the same without the urinal. Their Imperial Upgraded model has the same features as the Imperial standard but is more spacious! Their Royale model features beautiful modern amodations and looks like the bathrooms you would find in a hotel with 2 stalls and 2 marble sinks in the female portion and 3 urinals 1 stall and 1 marble sink on the male side. Their Regal model has all the features of the royale but with 2 extra stalls on the womens side and an additional one of the male side in the same ultra modern beautiful setup that has set their royale and regal models apart from thepetition. Their mini model features the beautiful styling of their Royale models but is extremelypact and features womens and mens amodations.
For the most beautiful bathroom amodations available on the market today call now and request a quote on different models. They'll be happy to conform their services towards you budget and should always have bathroom trailers available for your event. Delivery does take a little time so be sure to call atleast 4-5 days before the date of your event to ensure they'll be able to fully amodate you.
Among other cities, Blue Ribbon Restroom Trailers may serve the following areas: Washington, Baltimore, Arlington, Alexandria, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Fairfax, Herndon, Rockville, Springfield, Gaithersburg, Reston, Dulles, Vienna, Annapolis, Falls Church, McLean, Frederick, Merrifield, Ashburn, Manassas, Mc Lean, Sterling, Towson, Washington Navy Yard, Winchester, Woodbridge, Falmouth, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg
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by Jason
Iron Man Costume
Rate this costume:
52 votes
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Tony Stark or IRON MAN
|Costume type:
|Costumes for Men
This homemade costume for men entered our 2011 Halloween Costume Contest.
A word from Derick, the 'Iron Man' costume creator:
The costume is being worn by myself, Derick. The idea started after visiting a website, www.therpf.com. The website is full of creative people who share amazing costume builds. If your looking for "how-to insturctions" the site is full of people who help including myself. The costume took me around 6 months to build and I am glad to finally get to share it with others.
Similar costumes:


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Automotive design is part art, part engineering, part manufacturing, part marketing. On rare occasions, all those parts come together to create a brilliant, transcendent car. This year, art, engineering, manufacturing and marketing have collaborated to produce the vehicles on our list of the Ugliest Cars Of 2012.
We polled a group of experts, and asked them to express their opinions on a list of vehicles available for sale in the United States for the 2012 model year. We also asked them to share their thoughts about the current state of automotive design. Our experts were: George Peterson, President and founder of Auto Pacific, a leading automotive marketing research and product-consulting firm; Michelle Naranjo, managing editor at Autobytel.com, automotive socialite and host of Autoline Detroit's Open Line Show, often found on Twitter as @MissMotorMouth; and Evan Gubernick, creative director of Antenna Magazine, a men's lifestyle magazine.
Each of our experts agreed that the Smart Pure Coupe deserved a place on our list. According to Peterson, the Smart is too small and "never accomplished the flexibility of its original concept." Naranjo grouped the small vehicle designs as a category, and then stated that "the worst has to be the Smart for its inability to keep up with the Joneses of the subcompact world and continue to look like the toy in the bottom of the generic cereal box." Gubernick was similarly dismissive: "Wedged amongst the bicycle racks on the canals of Amsterdam, this thing might seem at home. But here in the U.S., it will always be a toy hanging from a rear view mirror."
The Acura ZDX received a heap of abuse as well. Gubernick derided the compact crossover's design: "With the front of one car slapped on the body of another, this is simply misshapen. In an attempt to be both elegant and sporty, it is neither." Peterson pointed at "mis-proportioned styling at every angle." He called the ZDX "a very unfortunate car that sacrifices function for funk." Naranjo claims that the ZDX "takes the parrot beak and turns it into a toucan."
For Naranjo, the GMC Terrain was "one of the ugliest" SUV designs for "its sheer insistence on remaining a landlocked beast incapable of budging off a sandbar. To say that there is stillness in the design is a vast understatement considering that it isn't stillness one perceives but the staidness of a concrete block bunker." Gubernick wasn't much kinder. "I kind of love the foulness of this, such a typically American reaction to European style. One day, they'll figure out how to put Superman-style abs on the extruding details," stated the Antenna creative director. Peterson is more wistful. "GMC Terrain tries too hard to look like a tough-and-rugged traditional SUV," he opined. "This look may have passed." According to Peterson, Terrain's design is only "moderately ugly," though "more appropriate for 1990 than 2012."
Automotive design is a highly collaborative art, combining practical industrial design and engineering with pure aesthetics. Most automotive designers work as part of a team, and sometimes the resulting vehicles veer dramatically from the original concept that inspired the design. "I don't believe bad designers made bad cars, and good designers made good ones," says Gubernick. "The ethos of a company will determine with is ultimately produced… Beautiful cars are the result of a team on the same page. Ugly cars are the result of the opposite."
"Ugly" is a matter of perspective, according to Naranjo: "What is ugly to some may be the high performance, luxury or quirkiness that the driver feels suits their needs and expectations." Gubernick concurs, concluding that "it's a good time for car design" with a European sensibility emerging in American car design. "You see on the streets what you used to see only at the shows as concept cars, and though I've poked fun at them, mistakes will be made during these accelerated moments of evolution and that's fine. The further the boundaries are pushed, the more the middle of the road will move as well. We reject what we do not know, so to call something 'ugly' may be more of a comment on our comfort with what's next than with what we are actually seeing."
I have reviewed hundreds of cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, minivans and motorcycles for a wide assortment of magazines and websites. If it's got wheels and an engine, I…
I have reviewed hundreds of cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, minivans and motorcycles for a wide assortment of magazines and websites. If it's got wheels and an engine, I want to drive it or ride it, and then write about it. I'm fascinated by transportation, and by what our means of transportation says about who we are. I have lived all over the place, but I've recently relocated to the Detroit area.


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Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Children in Mexico: Criminals or victims?
By Tania L. Montalvo, CNNMexico.com
At least 30,000 children in Mexico are involved in some sort of organized crime, according to a nationwide alliance of civic and social organizations.
The Child Rights Network in Mexico says many of these children are taking part because of death threats or because of economic and social necessity. It is urging the government to start recognizing them as victims of child abuse.
"The drug cartels are not training them to be ringleaders," spokeswoman Veronica Morales said. "It is a new form of abuse in which they are being used to commit an offense, to violate the law and to deceive authorities."
In the past year, there have been numerous headlines of children being arrested in Mexico.
Perhaps the most high-profile case involved a 14-year-old boy known as "El Ponchis" ("The Cloak"). He was found guilty of torturing and beheading at least four people for the South Pacific drug cartel.
A month after the boy was sentenced to three years in a correctional facility, a 13-year-old girl was captured in the state of Jalisco and accused of being part of the Zetas drug cartel.
Authorities said the girl was receiving 8,000 pesos a month -- almost $800 -- for being a lookout. She would let gang members know who was entering and who was leaving Luis Moya, a municipality in north-central Mexico.
n January of last year, a 15-year-old boy was captured in Jiutepec, just outside of Mexico City. During an impromptu news conference on the street, the child confessed that he was a lookout for the South Pacific cartel. He said he was collaborating with the cartel because of death threats.
Children are easy prey for organized crime because they lack opportunities, said José Luis Cisneros, a sociologist at the Metropolitan Autonomous University in Mexico City.
"Socially, (the children) see the violence as the only way to make people respect them -- and as a way to exercise certain power, something that has been denied to their families," Cisneros said.
While the Child Rights Network in Mexico said it has documented at least 30,000 kids involved in some criminal group, the Mexican government said it has not.
According to the Agence Presse-France, the government told the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child that it doesn't have information about minors involved in criminal or armed groups.
A legal gap for children?
Civil organizations in Mexico also said law enforcement officials are violating children's rights when they make arrests.
The Child Rights Network in Mexico said it is common for many child suspects -- like the 14-year-old assassin and the 15-year-old boy in Jiutepec -- to be presented to the media without respect for their privacy or their presumption of innocence.
"A youth criminal justice law does not exist," Morales said. "There is a proposal in review in the Congress, but even that one has significant omissions.
"The (United Nations) Convention (on the Rights of the Child) points out that the children have to be treated and not necessarily imprisoned after having committed a crime."
Arturo Argente, director of the law faculty at the Monterrey Institute of Technology of Higher Education (Toluca Campus), agrees that Mexican authorities must protect a child's identity and guarantee that a process will follow "from a child-abuse angle, as a kid who has been working at an illegal business." In addition to that, he said, the children must receive psychological treatment and be taught to respect the law.
Morales is calling for a comprehensive law that would "give attention to the kids" with specialized courts, judges, lawyers and specialists.
"When there is a child involved in some organized crime act, there is never a suitable investigation," she said. "The authorities justify that it is a drug-trafficking crime and it is treated as a regular case."
Experts note that arrested children are not the only young people affected by organized crime.
In the past five years, from December 2006 to December 2011, at least 1,188 children have died because of armed clashes, according to the Child Rights Network in Mexico. That represents about 2.5% of the estimated 47,515 drug-related deaths over the last five years reported by Mexican authorities.
The U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child confirmed that up until 2010, 1,000 children had died in acts linked to organized crime.
Borderland Beat Reporter Ovemex Posted at 2:47 PM
I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees------


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Kookaburra & Galah Wrapping Paper
Wrapping Paper Sheets
Australian native birds wrapping paper sheets made in Australia from sustainably sourced FSC certified paper. Wrapping paper sheets featuring a Kookaburra, Pink Galah & Kingfisher painted in watercolour.
Stars & moons with Australian animals wrapping paper designed by Stephanie Elizabeth from watercolour artwork paintings. Sheets of wrapping paper created for gift wrap or scrapbooking.
Flat folded wrapping paper sheets
Proudly created and produced in Port Douglas, Far North Queensland, Australia.
Printed on luxurious, matte finish 100gsm FSC Certified paper.
Size: 420 x 594 mm (16.53 x 23.39 inches)
Wrapping paper sheets come carefully folded as sheets or rolled safely in a postage tube.
Wrapping Paper Australia
Are you sick and tired of getting the same old plastic wrapped rolls from Target or Kmart? We started printing wrapping paper because we couldn't stand the amount of waste that came with using mass produced rolls. Our paper is FSC certified, which means that all the trees used to create the paper we use are replaced in a sustainable matter.
Wrapping Paper Gift
Theres nothing that puts a smile on someones face quite like a nicely wrapped gift. Stephanie Elizabeth Wrapping paper sheets are designed and printed in Port Douglas for you to enjoy anywhere in the world!
Scrapbooking Supplies Australia
Ever wanted to get into scrapbooking? These wrapping paper sheets are a fantastic way to express your inner creative self! Wrap them around a diary to give it a little more life or stick it throughout your books to spark a little joy from page to page.
Shipping at SEA (get it?)
Ok enough of that.. we take delivery seriously around here!
As all of our prints are created in house we are able to create and post orders most week days. Our chosen courier company Sendle supplies a tracking number for all orders but our smaller parcels are sent via Australia Post and depending on size may go untracked.
Our small prints are neatly packaged in their own rigid flat mailer (which are 100% recycled and recyclable, yay!).
Larger prints are carefully rolled and shipped in mailing tubes.
All prints are carefully wrapped and/or rolled in acid free tissue paper.
Backing boards are used on flat postage to ensure that corners do not get damaged in transit.
COVID-19 Shipping Changes
Shipping has been affected worldwide due to COVID-19. Some weeks our postage and couriered parcels arrive in a matter of days as per usual. Unlucky other orders are seeing quite substantial delays... We have put everything in place to ensure the process is as easy to navigate as possible. If you are concerned about your package not arriving in time, please ensure you order express postage as it is guaranteed to have tracking.
Express Shipping
Our express shipping is handled by our friends at Sendle.
Express shipping Australia wide incurs a flat rate of $10. Tracking and postal insurance is included in this cost.
They unfortunately do not deliver to PO boxes. If you have no alternative, then we will use our other friends at Australia Post to send to your PO box.
When your order is placed, a courier is usually booked for the following working day. Please allow 3-5 days for express postage to reach you. Shipping times may increase for regional areas.
Standard Shipping
Free standard shipping is offered on over $25.
Orders fulfilled with this shipping method will be packed and sent in the most economical way possible. Australia Post is used for all orders that can be packed in a flat, rigid mailer. Such orders will be sent without tracking.
Standard postage typically takes 4-7 days to arrive. However, in busy periods such as holidays (especially Christmas) orders can take a couple of weeks. possibly longer due to Covid.
Small Postage Fee
Orders under $25 will incur a small postage fee of $5.
International Shipping
International express shipping incurs a $30 fee. This includes tracking and insurance on your package via Australia Post.
International shipping times vary between countries, typically it takes between 7 and 21 working days. If your order is a priority, please email us as soon as possible with your order number and we can try our best to get it to you in time.
Frames Shipped International
All International orders that include frames will have the frame refunded as we do not ship print frames overseas. The cost to do so and the chances of breakages are simply too high. We can recommend some overseas suppliers for framing options though is just get in touch!


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I have installed XAMPP on my Mac. It is working great! However I have a 80MB SQL file that I need to upload.
Could someone talk me through how I do this?
All I need is the simple steps.
How to connect to mysql
How to authenticate
How to send the file.
Help with this is very much appreciated.


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Saturday, April 07, 2012
It was one week ago this morning we started our long journey home from our digs in Congress Arizona. Already it seems like so very long ago & our memories of Arizona House seem so very far away. This past week will always be remembered as a sad journey, having just lost our dear sweet little Motormouse. It is nearly one year now that we lost both Checkers & Max as well. I quietly sit in my chair waiting for another day's sunrise. Soft music filters through the darkness. The glow of a computer screen casts a pale light onto my keyboard. The whirlwind week has finally caught up with me. It is a time for reflection. It is a time for sadness. Sensing my sorrow, a little doggy face appears out of the darkness beside my chair. A ray of sunshine on a darkened morn. Pheebs cold little nose nudges my hand as if to say, 'it's alright Dad, I'm here now'.
But, not to worry. I will not let the sadness get me down. It is a new day, a new sunrise. Things to do & tasks to be attended to. It's Saturday morning & Saturday mornings have always been my favourite time of the week. Now, what goals will I set for myself today. Let's start by finding my socks. Oh, that Pheebs!!
Heard my first Northern Flicker & Red Wing Blackbird this morning. Buried my first Red Wing Blackbird too. Flew into one of our sunroom windows & died instantly. Bird feeders are up & loaded with seeds. Today's visitors included Blue Jays, Cardinals, Red Wing Blackbirds, Black Capped Chickadees, Grackles, & Yellow Finches. I did see a black Squirrel scamper up a nearby tree with a peanut in it's mouth so the Squirrel wars are about to begin for another season.
Kelly & I headed off to the town of Goderich on some errands. Stopped at McDonald's to check out the new renovations. Looked up at the menu & saw the Burritos. Thought of Motor & I coming to McDonald's last summer for our Burrito fix. Had ourselves a coffee & moved on. Big bag of wild birdseed at TSC. Couple more stops & we got ourselves right the heck out of town. It's Easter week-end & the stores & streets were full of humanoids flopping around everywhere. I may never return to Goderich ever again. But, then again……
And a note to my fellow Facebookers. I have been receiving some 'Friend Requests' lately & I thank you folks for your interest. But, I have not accepted them because I am afraid of getting 'hacked' again. I accepted a Friend Request' a few months ago which turned out to be a jerk who hacked my account & began sending out spam messages for some money scheme in my name. For that reason & that reason alone I do not accept Friend Requests anymore. Nor do I accept or participate in any gaming stuff or any requests of any kind for anything. I simply do not trust Facebook to protect me from the scum bag low life creeping around the internet looking to do damage to others.
We use Google's search engine here & I particularly like Google's, Google Earth. I think this company has made numerous positive strides forward in the past bringing many great programs & applications to bear but I am also beginning to wonder if the great Google Monster is quickly outgrowing itself & morphing into something well beyond it's own common sense. There has been a lot of buzz around lately about the new Blogger dashboard, etc. This is a good example of what I fear to be coming down the pike. Google is beginning to act like a frantic Bull in a china shop as it links this to that & that to this. Could the easy blogging format as we know it be on the way out. Already annoying changes have been made to the ease of Picasa's Web Album features, not to mention the Dashboard, etc. Could Picasa's easy to use photo editing program be under scrutiny for change? I don't hear much about the highly touted Google+ anymore. Has it fallen on it's face or am I just too far out of the great Monster's social loop now. I know of two Blogs that have totally & unexplainably disappeared off the internet recently. Just vanished. Owners went to access their blog and they were gone. I'm sure there are others. Is this a result of Google's ongoing changes. Will our blogs at some point go the way of great Dinosaurs & disappear to make room for some new wave of Google techno pop culture. Google is a major profit driven company & I wonder what expense & damage they will cause in their charging pursuit through the china shop in quest of their golden idol bottom line. I don't know, I'm just thinking out loud & asking a question or two. Oh, just my humble opinions of course……..
And, here's something to keep in mind. Remember to check your Spam folder in your Blogger Dashboard on a regular basis because you could very well have reader's comments in there that never got published. Received an email awhile back from a reader wondering why we had not published her comments. Turns out they were all sitting in our Spam folder. Kelly just found all those comments yesterday & published them. Also found a comment from Karen & Steve that had not been published. So, might be a good idea to get in the habit of regularly checking your Dashboard's spam folder.
And for you 5th wheel owners in our area. Most of you probably know by now that top of the line CARRIAGE has closed it's doors, ceased building it's prestige's 5th wheel trailers & gone out of business. Doesn't mean their product is any less. Just means they had some management problems. STORMRUNNER RV SALES & SERVICE here in Bayfield has about half a dozen Carriage 5th wheels left. With a special extended warranty on the units you are probably not going to find any better deals. No sales people at Stormrunner. When you deal here you deal directly with Harry & Dianne, the owners. No middle people, no commissions, no hype & no pressure. No baloney:)) They have decided to replace the Carriage line with Thor Industries REDWOOD 5TH WHEEL line. Dianne & Harry are friends of ours & we know they will treat you fairly. Tell em the Bayfield Bunch sent ya:))
46F in Bayfield today & 75Fin Congress Arizona:))
GROANER'S CORNER:(( A very religious man lived right next door to an atheist. While the religious one prayed day in, day out, and was constantly on his knees in communion with his Lord, the atheist never even looked twice at a church.
However, the atheist's life was good, he had a well-paying job and a beautiful wife, and his children were healthy and good-natured, whereas the pious man's job was strenuous and his wages were low, his wife was cheating on him and his kids wouldn't give him the time of day.
So one day, deep in prayer as usual, he raised his eyes towards heaven and asked: "Oh God, I honour you every day, I ask your advice for every problem and confess to you my every sin. Yet my neighbour, who doesn't even believe in you and certainly never prays, seems blessed with every happiness, while I go poor and suffer many an indignity.
Why is this?" And a great voice was heard from above ...
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
26 comments:
So sorry for your loss of little Motormouse -- glad Pheebs is providing support. GREAT pics as usual. Cannot imagine driving from AZ to CN as quickly as you and Kelly did -- we move way too slow for that...lol!ReplyDelete
Oh my, you got me crying again. Thank God you have the lovely Pheebs, she is indeed a special dog.ReplyDelete
You have so many colourful birds, in your part of Canada, our shore birds are not so pretty.
- AnonymousSaturday, April 07, 2012
I LOVE finding your blog on here so early in the day! Don't know how many nights I've sat up waiting for you to post. It would be a terrible day for LOTS of people if something happened to your blog!! You do a huge service to your many "followers" and the rest of us!, by sharing your lives. You are treasured. Our hearts are linked with yours through all the highs---and the lows. Have a great Easter weekend. RoseReplyDelete
Somebody told me that Carriage merged into Thor Industries, so new carriage models are now Thors.ReplyDelete
On golden pond indeed.ReplyDelete
I have thought a lot lately how it was that Pheebs was sent to you at a time you would most need her. It was no coincidence, was it?ReplyDelete
I wondered where all the pretty birds went. I hope they wake you up each morning like they did me. You better not be awake waiting on them. I slept 12 hours last night.ReplyDelete
I do not know the beautiful bird you caught on pixels, but let us know when you find out.
I am dreading going home this Summer.
HAHAHAHA! And the Lord was annoyed.ReplyDelete
Yeah, I'm worried about Google in general. I used to trust their products. Now it feels like the general drive to win over users has taken a page out of Facebook's "nuts to you" policy.
Second the Good Luck Duck's comments on Google. Seriously thinking of trying to move my blog to Wordpress before it disappears into the vast unknown that is the corporate bottom line.ReplyDelete
??? bird? Female common merganser.ReplyDelete
have a lovely Easter weekend..surrounded with memories of your beloved, Motormouse..those burritos will never taste the same..ReplyDelete
thank goodness for Pheebes and her cold nose to get you out and moving!..
have a wonderful Easter....so glad you have the pheebes....to keep you busy....take careReplyDelete
have a wonderful Easter....so glad you have the pheebes....to keep you busy....take careReplyDelete
So glad Pheebs is there for you.ReplyDelete
The thing about Google is it is a for profit company and since Blogger is free, they can do whatever they want and probably don't give a hoot whether we like it or not. I hope they don't start charging cuz then I would have to quit but then sometimes I guess ya get what ya pay for!
- Louisiana ManSaturday, April 07, 2012
I think you must be out of the great Monster's loop as Google+ is growing by leaps and bounds. Why do you think Google is making all the changes to Picasa and Blogger? It's to integrate with Google+.ReplyDelete
Your other Canadian blogger friend, Rick and Paulette, has a good handle on what Google's doing and why and he explains it all very well if you are interested.
I have a love/hate relationship with FB, kind of like WalMart but even cheaper.ReplyDelete
It was over 80 in Congress today when I went through. Gorgeous 74 up on the hill.
I do remember to check my "spam" folder from time to time. Turns out though, it's only just spam in there. "Delete" is the next step. Some times having a low profile is an OK thing.ReplyDelete
Enjoy your Easter. Hope it warms up.
- AnonymousSunday, April 08, 2012
That FB wants to be in everyone's face up close and personal 24/7, no thanks. Goggle's android market seems to be taking precedence now. Sorry to hear of blogs being lost, terrible shame. They are the sanskrits of people's lives which most hold very dear to their hearts, especially yours. It's no secret we live in a cold, profit-driven society. Life these days is not for the faint of heart. Happy Easter BFB!ReplyDelete
Take care.
Loved your top two photos today, gorgeous! And I agree about Google--are they getting too big for their britches??ReplyDelete
yes Google, Blogger and Picasa are all good and does make you wonder where we might end up. Take care and enjoy the warming up weather.ReplyDelete
Happy that you have the Pheebs she certainly knows when you need a little cheering up. You have some beautiful birds coming to your feeders. Have a good Day!!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSunday, April 08, 2012
Happy Easter Al and Kelly,ReplyDelete
Love reading your blog and seeing the great pictures you take.
The Pheebs came into your lives to make you young again. She was sent to you by Max and Checkers as they knew little Cora was leaving soon. Think happy thoughts.
Have a Blessed Sunday.
Sylvia K.
Murrieta, CA
Did you know that you can put a picture on Google Earth of your home or a particular spot. There is a picture on Marshall South's home.ReplyDelete
Sorry about your "mouse". It is hard to lose a dog the family has grown up with.
I strongly agree with your thoughts about the Blogger, Picasa etc. Originally I had only placed a few photos there to share with a friend. By accident I found out that all my blogger photos are stored there too. Not my doing. I didn't ask for it.ReplyDelete
As for FB, I have lost interest in FB. It is like sending an SMS. And just thinking of lifeline thing - from birth to death all at the fingertips of FB.
I like the blogger community better. It is like bunch of friends one grows to learn about and like. But I am afraid there will be changes too. The lure of the profit will bring it. We just have to adjust.
I think the disease of Cursmudgeon is contagious...and I caught it..I wonder sometimes if it wouldn't be a more "personal" life for all if we would all just put down the "smart" phones, back away from the computer screen and get to know the simple life again...I am not going gently into the world of technology...See?..I DID catch that disease!!ReplyDelete
Beautiful photograhs as always! You may want to know that the folks who made our 5th wheel, Evergreen, hired most of the engineers and mid-level management from Carriage! They will be building the new high end Evergreen 5th wheel RV's! Give Kelly a hug and scratch Pheebs ears from us! We landed in Zion Utah today for our workamping job! Geri and ChuckReplyDelete


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Grundfos Control MPC is a control cabinet with a CU 352 controller that permits monitoring and control of up to six identical pumps connected in parallel. It comes with everything needed to get started, and contains software optimised for your particular application. Control MPC will minimise energy consumption and cut energy costs straight out of the box. With application-optimised software, you have complete control over the pumps in your system. Features such as automatic cascade control ensure the highest possible system energy efficiency.
As the only system on the market, Control MPC knows exactly which – and how many – pumps to control, and will optimise performance and minimise energy consumption based on user-supplied pump curve data.
With Control MPC, there are no communication barriers. You are free to choose between a wide range of operating languages, and Control MPC supports communication with monitoring equipment or other external units via a number of different fieldbus protocols:
- Ethernet (VNC server is standard in Control MPC)
- PROFIBUS via CIM modules
- LON via CIM modules
- Modbus via CIM modules
- GSM and GPRS via CIUMmodules
- PLC via IO 351B modules
The Control MPC is designed and built to the same exacting quality standards as all other Grundfos products. Features such as standby pump allocation, forced pump changeover and dry-running protection help to increase your system reliability and decrease downtime and costly maintenance. All it takes for you to start enjoying these Control MPC benefits is to follow the simple installation wizard, which helps you set the desired parameters in the correct sequence.
- Pressure boosting
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WASHINGTON – Barack Hussein Obama officially began his second term as the 44th president Sunday, setting the stage for him to lay out his vision in an inaugural address on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr., Day.
More than half a million people are expected to watch from the Mall, four years and a day after the nation's first African-American president was sworn in the first time.
President Obama, joined on Sunday by a dozen family members, recited the 35-word oath of office administered by Chief Justice John Roberts in the Blue Room of the White House. It was an intimate and businesslike 30 seconds of history. Obama's hand rested on a Bible that the first lady's father, Fraser Robinson, had given to his mother, LaVaughn Delores Robinson, on Mother's Day 1958.
The president saved the pomp for Monday, when he and Roberts will repeat the oath outside the U.S. Capitol. The Constitution mandates that presidential terms begin Jan. 20, and when the date falls on a Sunday, the public ceremony traditionally is held the next day.
Organizers said the crowd will be far smaller than the estimated 1.8 million on hand in 2009 for an emotional and historic gathering on a bitterly cold day. But the stakes for Obama are no less important as he delivers his second inaugural address at a time when the economy remains fragile and his signature achievements, including health care reform, are still works in progress.
Obama, who has confessed to feeling bruised by the partisanship in Washington, aims to use his remarks to underscore the importance of seeking common ground in Washington and encourage Americans to engage in the political process, White House senior adviser David Plouffe said.
These are themes that echo the grassroots activism that King, born 84 years ago, put to use so effectively during the civil rights movement.
"He's going to make that point very strongly — that people here in Washington need to seek common ground," Plouffe said of Obama on "Fox News Sunday."
After reciting the oath Sunday, Obama kissed first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, Malia and Sasha. "I did it," the president said.
"You didn't mess up," Sasha said, a reference to four years ago when Roberts and Obama bungled the oath at the public ceremony and had to do it again privately to make sure all constitutional obligations were met.
By Monday, Obama will have taken the oath four times — as many times as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The last president to take the oath on a Sunday was Ronald Reagan, as he began his second term.
The brief swearing-in ceremony at the White House — from the family's entrance to the handshakes and kisses that marked departure — took less than 90 seconds and provided one of several glimpses Sunday of the 51-year-old president. He also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery and worshiped at a celebrated African-American church.
The Obamas began the day in the second row of the District's Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church — known as the "national cathedral of African Methodism" — where the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to the first lady, who turned 49 on Thursday.
Metropolitan's pastor, the Rev. Ronald Braxton, invoked the Obama re-election slogan of "Forward," in his sermon, based on Exodus Chapter 14.
Braxton recalled the Old Testament account of Moses and the Israelites as they fled persecution and confronted the Red Sea in their path. "The people couldn't turn around. The only thing that they could do was to go forward," said Braxton.
"Mr. President . . . never let fear blind you of the power, potential and possibilities that rest only in the hands of God," Braxton said.
Vice President Joe Biden got a jump on the president by taking his oath at an 8:21 a.m. ceremony at his residence at the Naval Observatory. Justice Sonia Sotomayor did the honors, becoming the fourth woman and the first Hispanic to administer the oath to the president or vice president.
If Obama's swearing-in was private and quick, Biden's was more of a party, attended by more than 120 people. The timing of the event apparently was driven by Sotomayor's need to be in New York for an afternoon address and book-signing for her new memoir.
Washington began to play its quadrennial role as the host of inaugural hoopla: red, white and blue bunting draped hotels and official buildings; bleachers lined the parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue; five Jumbotrons and 1,500 portable toilets sprouted across the Mall; out-of-towners in parkas and sneakers mingled with people wearing gowns and heels.
Visitors and the hundreds of workers preparing for the public ceremony were blessed with temperatures warmer the high 2 to 4 degrees forecast for Monday.
Monday's ceremony will feature an original poem from Richard Blanco, who will be the youngest inaugural poet and the first Latino to serve in the role. Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor and Beyonce will perform.
After his address, Obama will dine with members of Congress at a luncheon on the Hill, a tradition that can be traced back to 1897 and the inauguration of President William McKinley. After the luncheon, Obama will review a military procession and then lead the inaugural parade from the Capitol to the White House, where he will watch from a reviewing stand.
The parade, which is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m., will unfold between a military cordon of about 1,500 service members. Planners expect about 10,000 to march, including bands, military units, equestrian teams and other organizations representing all 50 states.
Then come two official inaugural balls, both of which will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The lineup of talent includes Alicia Keys, Usher and Soundgarden.
The Obamas are expected to appear at the Inaugural Ball and the Commander-in-Chief Ball. Inauguration planners made some tickets to the Inaugural Ball available to the public, but the Commander-in-Chief's Ball, which began with President George W. Bush, is open only to invited members of the military.
Layers of security, though scaled back from 2009, will close down or restrict access to large parts of downtown Washington. The Secret Service, which is coordinating the effort among civilian law enforcement, national guard and military personnel, started closing streets at 7 a.m. Sunday, beginning with Pennsylvania Avenue between Second and 15th streets NW. On Monday, an estimated 6,000 national guard members representing 25 states and territories will assist, mostly with crowd control.
But even before the big day, thousands of well-wishers clogged Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mall on Sunday, seeking an opportunity to soak up history on a sunny afternoon. Many were first-time inaugural visitors, eager for a chance to catch a glimpse of the president or get a prime viewing spot near the big screens on which the swearing-in and speech will be broadcast live.
Outside the White House, Louphelia Simmons and April Robinson marveled at what was to come. Simmons had stayed home in Birmingham, Alabama, four years ago. She was not happy, but family obligations prevented her from making the trip.
This year, Simmons said she obtained tickets from Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell and was determined to be in Washington.
"I want to be part of this historic moment," Simmons said. "Never did I think that I would see this in my lifetime."


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During the 1800s Falmouth was a thriving town and was one of the busiest shipping ports in Jamaica. Setting the stage for what was to be the quintessential town; the streets were laid in grid, with wide straight streets going from north to south and east to west. Falmouth was ahead of its time; you see Falmouth was the first town in the western hemisphere to have piped running water, even before New York City. After emancipation, in early 1900s, Falmouth, like many other thriving colonial cities and towns became stagnant, from inactivity, as people started moving to more populated towns. But today, with its natural deep harbors, Falmouth is regaining its pride and is home to one of the islands busiest cruise ship port, with an average of eight mega cruise ship calling into port each week
Falmouth Jamaica 1.jpg Historic Falmouth.jpg Horse-Back Jamaica 6.jpg Bob Marley.jpg


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Officials watch funds soliciting Newtown donations
HARTFORD -- Connecticut and Newtown officials say they are trying to get a handle on the number of charitable funds and organizations that have been raising money for causes related to last month's shooting massacre at the Sandy Hook Elementary school.
The biggest, the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, which is being administered for free by the United Way, has taken in more than $6 million in donations in the three weeks since the fatal shootings of 20 first-graders and six school administrators.
But Newtown Selectman Will Rodgers says the town has compiled a preliminary eight-page list of other groups that have been raising money to pay for everything from funerals to mental health counseling for first responders to a permanent memorial or a new school.
"We are going to send a copy to the state attorney general, the FBI and Consumer Protection asking them to take whatever effort they can take to vet these funds," he said.
State Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said his department is already well into that process and has identified dozens of Newtown-related charities.
He said that while most of the groups raising money are well-meaning, many of them are not properly registered with the state, something they were legally required to do before they began collecting money.
He said in most cases state officials are meeting with the charities, outlining for them their responsibilities and making sure they are now taking the steps to come into compliance with the law. But, he added, several fraud investigations that could lead to criminal charges are under way.
"We don't think that's a large bulk of the money, but nevertheless it's reprehensible, and we will refer those to the attorney general for prosecution when we find them," he said.
Officials say they also are finding some funds that have raised thousands of dollars for victims' families without the families' knowledge or approval. Others are raising money for costs that already have been donated, such as funeral services.
Rubenstein said giving to the United Way fund or another already established nonprofit is a good way to ensure that money is not being misused.
Some of the newer groups have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. An organization of local residents running the Newtown Memorial Fund has close to $500,000 in its coffers. It says that money will go to victims, first responders, a memorial and scholarships.
The group's treasurer, Robert Davenport, a certified public accountant, said it already has registered with the state and is awaiting its official letter from the Internal Revenue Service designating it as a charity.
"We're hoping that in the near future we can coordinate our efforts with the other funds so that there is not duplicative efforts and that all the money is raised can go for things that are needed for the families of the victims and for a memorial and for the future," he said. "We think we can be part of that."
Some other more established organizations are having a harder time raising money.
The nonprofit Newtown Youth Academy, which opened its sports and fitness center free of charge to the town's children after the Dec. 14 tragedy, has raised just $12,000 for its Community Commitment Fund. That money is earmarked for providing youth sports, after-school programs, counseling programs and programs for first responders at the center.
"We don't want to look like we have our hand out," said Peter D'Amico, the owner. "But we're already providing services, and we'd like to establish more and keep them as cost-free as we can."
Meanwhile, Rodgers, the selectman, said the town is setting up a charity foundation. He has been put on a committee that will begin deciding how that foundation will distribute the money donated to the town and the undesignated School Support Fund.
He said that organization also can take over the charities of well-intentioned people who find they are in over their heads.
"This foundation will be able to deal with their regulatory and compliance work and tax issues," he said. "The money they've raised will then go back to them to spend."
Rodgers said they hope to have the foundation fully set up in a month but it likely will be one or two more before they begin making distribution decisions.


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Plans change.
Uncertainty seems to be the only hard and fast rule of adventure. I had originally planned a short ride on the KLR for Saturday to find some dirt and break in the new tires. Sunday I would meet up with a buddy to do a little exploring and check out some rarely visited ruin sites north of Phoenix. All in all, a solid weekend of outdoor fun. Then the shop called and said I wouldn't have my bike back before Saturday. Great, there goes my Saturday plans. Then I got a message that my buddy came down with some kind of flu and had to bail on our Sunday excursion. My weekend of adventure was falling flat.
I spent Saturday getting caught up on some things around the house, which was far more practical use of my time but had all the excitement of getting a box of no. 2 pencils for Christmas. By Saturday night I was still trying to decide if I would explore the ruin sites solo, or do something else and wait for my buddy to recover. He's as much of a history nut as I am and we usually team up to hit new ruin sites, so I finally decided I would wait on those and, instead, head out on the KLR for a substantial ride. Well, substantial to a new rider like me at least.
Seven Springs to the Verde River: FR24 and FR269
If you take Cave Creek Road north out of town and drive until you run out of pavement, that's Seven Springs Road and Forest Route 24 (also known as Camp Creek Road). The approach brings you up Cave Creek Road through some of the most prestigious luxury golf course communities in Scottsdale like Desert Mountain, Mirabel and Tonto Hills. Shortly after that you'll reach the turn-off for Bartlett Lake and the Tonto National Forest Ranger Station. Just past the Bartlett turnoff any traffic drops off considerably and you'll essentially have the road to yourself. At least I did on Sunday.
Last year I did a backpacking trip into Tonto National Forest toward Skunk Tank north of Cave Creek. We backpacked in from Seven Springs, spending a night in the desert along the creek and then packing out. That was the last, and only time I had driven up Seven Springs Road. There is a short unpaved portion of the road before reaching the trailhead, but I really hadn't made it out to the true dirt roads of FR24. Other than a little map research and a vague general knowledge of the area, I had no idea what kind of conditions I would find or whether I would be able to handle them when I got there.
Being new to this bike, I don't yet have a lot of confidence in my skills. As I mentioned in the last post, I hadn't really been on a motorcycle for 6 or 7 years before buying the KLR and I never really drove much dirt. This whole Dual-Sport Adventure Motorcycle business is entirely a new thing to me. I headed out anyway, determined to gain some experience on dirt roads.
Sears-Kay Ruin
Just past the turn-off for Bartlett Lake is a small Hohokam village ruin site known as Sears-Kay. It is one of many sites dotted along the Verde River and it's tributaries like a long chain linked by one of the only continuous water sources in the state. The sign on site says that Sears-Kay is nearly 1000 years old, but other sources argue it was first occupied as late as 1500 AD. The hilltop site was discovered in 1867 by soldiers from nearby Camp McDowell and later named after J.M. Sears who founded a ranch nearby in 1887 called Sears-Kay Ranch.
Early on this particular Sunday morning I pulled into the parking lot for Sears-Kay and found it completely empty. I parked near the trailhead and turned off the bike only to be engulfed in complete silence. After stashing my gear and grabbing my camera I casually headed up the trail enjoying the peace of a morning alone in the desert. I made short work of the easy 1 mile trail and took my time walking among the partially reconstructed dry-stack stone walls. Some recent summer storms had brought moisture to the desert and the site was ripe with smatterings of color from seasonal wildflowers.
Camp Creek Road (FR24)
I didn't stay at Sears-Kay long. I was anxious to get into the backcountry and a little worried about letting it get too late, too hot and too crowded. I drove the rest of the way up Seven Springs Road switched between pavement and dirt as it twisted it's way back into the canyons. Eventually the pavement, and the people, completely faded away and I had the desert to myself.
One of the things I've always loved about hiking in Arizona is getting back into the untouched desert environments. The KLR offers a similar experience but allows me to see much more of the desert in a shorter time and get much further back into remote areas I wouldn't get to otherwise. Ultimately, I'll start combining hiking trips with motorcycle trips for a deeper look at Arizona backcountry.
As I rode down FR24 I kept a pretty moderate pace, still a little tentative about riding on unstable surfaces, which allowed me too look around a bit and enjoy the scenery. I stopped often to take pictures, explore a little side trail, or just turn off the bike and enjoy the amazing views in silence.
FR24 is a pretty well maintained road and was perfect for feeling out the bike. The hardpacked dirt was decent and not overly rutted out from storms, no muddy pits, no loose sand. It was a fun, easy, twisty bit of fun that I was really starting to enjoy. I expected FR24 to be more active on a Sunday morning with other traffic but I did not see another vehicle the entire time I was on this road. The solitude was an unexpected bonus and, at the same time, a little spooky in case of something going wrong.
FR24 (Camp Creek Road) ends at a T junction with FR269 (Bloody Basin Road). At the wide intersection there is a sign post showing the mileage along Bloody Basin Road to I-17 going west and to the Verde River going east. There is also sign at this intersection that talks about the Great Western Trail, a 3000 mile backroad route from Mexico to Canada. Apparently, the Arizona section of this trail uses Camp Creek and Bloody Basin to work it's way north. I had the choice here to turn back, but I was making a day of this and it was still early. Besides, I really wanted to get out to the Sheep Bridge and put my feet in the Verde River.
FR269 is a pretty nice road as well, until the first creek crossing. Tangle Creek is the first big creek crossing and the first place I saw other people all day. A guy in a big 4×4 bronco was stuck in the soft sand of the creek and an older gentleman in another truck was working to help him get free. They had most of the creek blocked but as I approached they waved me through and darted around them praying that I wouldn't bite it on my first creek crossing…especially with an audience. Coming up on the wide creek I could see tons of loose sand, river rock and mud and I really didn't know what the bike would do or how I would handle it. JUST DON"T FALL.
I gunned it through the creek, goosing the throttle a little so I could maintain some speed and the KLR cut a path through the sand and over the rock without a hitch. YES! After Tangle Creek the road progressively got worse. There were two or three other creek crossing with the same loose, wet sand and every time I crossed one the road on the other side deteriorated a little. I eventually got used it, even started to enjoy the feel of the bike hoping around and finding traction on the rocky surface. It felt good to dial in and get a real feel for how the bike handles on terrain.
Verde River Sheep Bridge
I finally rounded a corner and caught my first look at the Verde River and the Sheep Bridge in the valley below. The structure is pretty cool and as I approached I found it interesting how natural the setting felt. This man-made structure in the middle of the desert at the end of a long dirt road didn't seem out of place at all, it made sense. As I cruised down the switchbacks toward the bridge I passed a small corral and the old concrete slabs of structures that once stood near the bridge. I rode up to the bridge itself, designed as a footbridge, and for a split second debated if the structure would really hold me and the bike. But there were tire tracks and the new bridge looked solid enough. The Sheep Bridge is a 476 foot suspension bridge originally built in 1943 then rebuilt in 1989. Remnants of the old bridge foundation are still there next to the new bridge.
Our summer storms have been pretty active this year, making for some interesting developments in the creeks, washes and rivers around here and the Verde is no exception. It was obvious the water had come down after a recent swell had saturated the banks and flooded the riparian plants that line the river's normal shoreline. The muddy brown water was flowing pretty good around the tight corner just upstream of the bridge, slowing where the river widened then picking up steam again as the river narrowed downstream. The Verde is normally a very pretty deep green but this turbulent muddy mess was a sign of recent weather upstream.
I hiked down the little rock trail from the bridge to the gravel bar along the river. There was no one else around and I had the place to myself, at least for a while. The shoreline was a muddy, sticky mess and it looked like a couple of people had attempted to trudge through it before me. I chose to hike a little further down stream for something a little more stable. I found a spot where I could approach the river without sinking to my calves in muddy clay and dipped my head in the water to cool off.
I sat listening to the river for a while. My time rafting in the Pacific Northwest has given me a keen appreciation of rivers and their unique character. I love the sound of moving water and find it to be the closest thing to meditation I have experienced. I eventually pulled myself away from the river, suddenly very aware of my water supply and the increasing heat.
I passed two trucks on their way to the river as I rode back. Having left when I did, I kept my experience at the river unspoiled and was thankful for the timing. I noticed much more confidence on my return, riding a little faster, taking corners just a little harder, worrying less as I approached the sandy washes. Once I hit the graded road on the other side of Tangle Creek I opened her up a little bit and cruised down the gravel road at a pretty good pace. Other than the two trucks near the river, I saw no one else on the road back. A few people had made it in and stopped at one of the many open camp sites along the road, but that still left me with the road to myself.
What did I learn?
Getting back home I started going through the pictures from the ride. I really enjoyed my Sunday morning adventure on the KLR and I am anxious to get back out there. There are a few things I learned on this ride that will allow me to be better prepared next time I go out.
For one, I didn't take nearly enough water. That'll be remedied next time I head out. I had underestimated how long I would be out there, and I underestimated how dehydrated I would get sweating in my riding jacket and helmet. Dehydration could have been a big problem and I was feeling it's effects as I wrapped up the ride. I had some emergency gear in case it became an issue but bringing more water is easy enough.
Second, I was very under-prepared for a problem. I guess I expected to see a lot more people on these backroads and figured extraction would be easy. I need to bring some basic gear that would make upwards of 72 hours of survival easier to manage. It will likely never be an issue, but it will give me peace of mind to be prepared.
Navigation was poor. Knowing the route I wanted to take, it wasn't a big deal but when I get more confident on the bike I want to be able to explore more of the side roads, trails and washes. Better maps, GPS and a compass really should be part of my regular gear. Really, I need to treat these outings more like I would extended hiking trips and less like road trips.
Food! I foolishly headed out without breakfast and didn't bring a damn thing to eat with me. That was downright stupid and won't happen again.
Thoughts for the next adventure…
Studying the area a little more now that I've been out there, I want to explore some of the other roads. Mount Humbolt, Maggie May Trail, Table Mesa Trail, New River and Bloody Basin are all now on the list. I want to look further into the Great Western Trail and how far north that will allow me to ride. I also learned that there are natural hot springs at the Verde River near the Sheep Bridge…reason enough to go back in Winter and make camp. The other direction on Bloody Basin Road is the Agua Fria National Monument, a 71,000 acres protected area created in 2000. There are supposed to be upwards of 400 archaeological sites within the Monument, some as much as 2,000 years old.
However, I think the next adventure will be in a different area. I have really been interested in exploring Castle Hot Springs Road near Lake Pleasant. Not a technical ride, but there are a lot of side trails and backroads of varying difficulty. I just may have to check it out.


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The 35 million unique visitors per year to NYC.gov will notice an online makeover that tops off Mayor Bloomberg's Digital Roadmap.
With an aim to connect residents to city happenings, New York has re-launched its website, NYC.gov, as part of a long-term strategy to engage visitors and residents in a customized and user-friendly way.
The site, launched at the end of September, had not seen a major update since 2003 and was included as part of New York City's Digital Roadmap, a tech overhaul spearheaded by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to revitalize the city's communication and technology sector.
So far, progress on the plan has provided Internet access to more than 300,000 low-income residents, added 40 new online learning programs, and increased the number of companies in the city's technology sector to more than 1,000.
"Throughout our administration, we've taken major steps to bring government and New Yorkers closer together," Bloomberg said in a city release. "The new NYC.gov is the latest in our efforts to use technology to make it easier than ever before for New Yorkers to get information, request services and find out what's happening in their city."
Notable features of the site — that boasts more than 35 million unique visitors per year, more than 1 million pages and 250 million annual page views — include city alerts, mayoral announcements and customized news about neighborhoods and city programs.
Other features of the site target user interaction using NYC.gov as the bridge between city services and city residents. Non-emergency 311 service requests, city job openings, records and other city resources can all be accessed through the site.
"It puts the New Yorker at its center," said Rachel Haot, the city's chief digital officer, pointing to the site's long-term goal, to become the one-stop spot for every possible interaction visitors and residents have with city government.
Photo: Rachel Haot, New York City's chief digital officer. Photo courtesy of the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.
Haot said the city envisions one day in the not-too-distant future having one user login for residents and visitors where they can access data on all of their city-related information, such as billing, city applications, 311 service requests and other important data inside a single online dashboard (not too different from Google's one password move for its Web applications).
Haot said the city sees the update as a potential game changer compared to traditional city sites that require residents to log into multiple websites with multiple user names and passwords to access information.
Despite the big changes to the site, Haot said community reaction has been positive.
"The response has been fantastic and that surprised me because with any change there is some negative feedback," Haot said, "We expected more of that feedback and overall there has been very, very, little."
That lack of criticism, according to Haot, is likely due to a community-driven design process. In 2011, the city hosted its first hackathon, a design contest that called in local Web talent to collaboratively produce site prototypes to guide the creation of NYC.gov.
Ultimately, judges Scott Heiferman, the CEO of Meetup, and Mimi Chun and David Tisch, of the New York General Assembly, accepted five of the 14 proposals to be included into the project's RFP. Criteria for judging included the elements of innovation, usability, social integration, location technology and ingenuity.
"The contest helped us to engage the most talented and creative engineering talent in New York City. It allowed for a fresh perspective," Haot said.
Brooklyn-based design firm HUGE was awarded the task of taking the project from the drawing board to the Web. To fill in the gaps — and as required by RFP guidelines — HUGE took to the streets speaking with New Yorkers from various demographics about their preferences, likes and dislikes, and how they typically interact with the city online.
On the technical end, Web analytics pointed to specific usage demands while city officials instructed on specific needs. Parking, trash collection and school status took top spots, and as a result, have become featured content on the site.
The website is also fully responsive, making it easy to use whether the user is accessing it from a desktop computer, smartphone or tablet. The website is accessible in more than 100 languages and surpasses ADA requirements, according to officials.
As with most websites, Haot said, minor updates will be ongoing, but there will be a few major updates along the way as well. The next major update will be page templates for city agencies to use for their various programs and services. Haot said these templates will help city agencies tailor their city pages to the needs they serve.
Deputy Mayor for Operations Cas Holloway, said in a city release that he hopes the site will ensure the exchange of accurate information between officials and residents, while also answering the need to further bring its services into the digital world.
"Technology is at the center of virtually every city service, and for many New Yorkers, NYC.gov is where the service experience begins," Holloway said.
Looking for the latest gov tech news as it happens? Subscribe to GT newsletters.


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Notebooks Guide
Toshiba Satellite U920t Convertible Ultrabook
Toshiba Satellite U920t is an Ultrabook that can convert into a tablet form factor with a 12.5-inch touchscreen. Designed as a multipurpose notebook to take full advantage of all input options with Windows 8, it's one of the earlier notebooks to sport these design attributes.
Tags: notebook, tablet, toshiba, windows 8, satellite, ivy bridge, convertible
HWZ's Overall Rating: 7.5
Unique yet functional form factor
Slider mechanism allows various screen angles
1366 x 768 pixels screen resolution
Sliding rail puts pressure on screen
Plastic build
One-handed tablet usage not possible


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We matched that to:
How do I improve my credit rating?
You can improve your personal credit rating by paying all of your bills on time and lowering your debt ratio. Your credit rating can increase if you keep your account balances below 75% of your authorized limit.
Other factors such as running your balance up to the credit limit, making late payments, or having your account sent to a collection agency, will have a negative impact on your credit rating. Avoid applying for too many credit cards in a short period of time, as it could be interpreted as a sign you are seeking credit.
To find out more about your personal credit rating, contact Equifax or TransUnion by phone, or through the web.
Equifax: www.equifax.ca
(514) 493-2314 or 1-800-465-7166 / For all Canadian residents
TransUnion Canada: www.transunion.ca
(800) 663-9980 / For English speaking residents across Canada except Quebec
(877) 713-3393 / For English speaking residents of Quebec, and French speaking residents across Canada
Thank you.
Please note that the answers to the questions are for information purposes only for the products discussed. Individual circumstances may vary. In case of discrepancy, the documentation prevails.


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RadioShack hoping same-day repairs draw traffic
NEW YORK -- Will a quick fix mobile repair service provide a quick fix for RadioShack?
On Monday, the struggling retailer is launching a nationwide Fix It Here program for phones and tablets with cracked screens, broken buttons, faulty cameras, water damage, audio issues and other maladies, that it hopes will lure customers into the stores. Major selling point: in select markets RadioShack promises same-day repair service.
The rollout represents an expansion of the program to more than 700 RadioShacks by year-end. Fix It Here is currently available at 280 stores, in Dallas-Fort Worth (RadioShack's home market where it was first piloted), New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Boston, Miami, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
CEO Joe Magnacca has high hopes for expanding service. "Same-day repairs haven't been available from a trusted national retail brand -- until now," he says. "Based on the positive reception of Fix It Here, we are ready to offer this service across the country. We are learning that we are drawing customers from a larger radius than our traditional RadioShack customer."
These have been tough times for RadioShack. The consumer electronics retailer is planning to close as many as 200 stores this year. It is remodeling other locations. And it had operating losses of $344 million in 2013 with its next annual earnings release set for Tuesday.
RadioShack claims that most repairs under Fix It Here will be completed in under an hour, though there will be occasions where a technician might have to order parts from RadioShack's distribution center. For now the service is only available for Samsung and Apple devices -- RadioShack isn't handling repairs for other brands.
Repair costs start at $39.99 and carry a 90-day warranty on parts and labor. You need not have purchased the damaged device at RadioShack or make an appointment ahead of time. Of course if a would-be repair is too expensive and a customer is eligible for an early upgrade, RadioShack will be all too happy to try and sell the person a new device.
There will be visible repair workstations within the store, though the precise location will depend on whether it's a mall location or free-standing store. But not every RadioShack location will offer the service -- maybe just over half the stores in San Francisco will have it, for example, Magnacca says.
According to RadioShack's own focus group research, fast and affordable phone repair ranked at the top of services most compelling to consumers.
You can find a repair location here.
"(The Fix It Here program) will help put us back on the map with customers who were perhaps never our customers or customers who have left us," Magnacca says. "Clearly every retailer is struggling with driving traffic. I believe this is one that will draw in new customers and drive the frequency of traffic. "


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What we read while deleting our emails from Qatar…
- Edward Snowden sat down with Brian Williams for his first TV interview since last year's NSA revelations. Secretary of State John Kerry offered some (incredibly disingenuous) criticism of Snowden. Daniel Ellsberg, who Kerry praised, responded to Kerry's attack.
- In the aftermath of Elliot Rodger's massacre and the polarizing hashtags it inspired, two prominent nerds, Chris Gethard and Arthur Chu, write passionately and brilliantly about male attitudes toward women.
- David Graeber reviewed Thomas Piketty's Capital in the 21st Century, and talked to Thomas Frank about the evolution of labor.
- On police abuses worse than stop-and-frisk. Meanwhile, the War on Drugs continues to destroy lives, even of toddlers. Is it time to talk about redemption in criminal justice?
- Socrates on trolling.
- More like unfair trade, am I right?


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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's oil minister said Tuesday his country has the ability to meet existing and future demand for oil, seeking to alleviate concerns about supply and cut prices.
Ali al-Naimi told reporters that the kingdom now pumps around 10 million barrels a day, and said its production capacity of more than 12 million barrels is sufficient to meet any world demand.
He said that current oil prices are too high, and the kingdom wants the per-barrel cost to fall back toward $100. Brent crude, which is used to price international varieties of oil, was trading above $113 a barrel in London on Tuesday.
Al-Naimi's comments came at the end of a meeting of Gulf Arab petroleum officials in Riyadh.
Also Tuesday, al-Naimi said Saudi Arabia's Aramco energy company discovered a new gas field in the Red Sea, about 26 kilometers (16 miles) northwest of Duba Port in Saudi Arabia.
The gas flowed at a rate of around 10 million cubic feet per day when testing the reservoir in a well that was more than 17,000 feet deep, al-Naimi said.
The minister said more wells would be drilled to determine the exact size of the gas field.


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10 Days LateTuesday 11th November
Where does the time go? I am sure that it was only a couple of days ago that I posted but Nooooooo it was ages. I love this time of year when the days are crisp and the leaves are such beautiful colours. We went walking locally on Sunday and I managed to snap some autumnal lovlies - yes I do mean David and Gracie. It is not often that I manage to get a photo of them together (David hates being photographed and hates being scrapped even more!) I love that when she walkes with her dad she often still holds his hand - the bond between them is incredable even though he is coming to terms with the rapid speed she is growing up at the moment much better than I am. Don't you just love Gracia's autumn walking outfit - denim shorts and red wellies!
I have been hording all the little scraps of paper from my Scrapagogo kits, because they are always so beautiful, and decided to put them to good use. I drew a 1 inch margin around a piece of white cs and then drew 4 rows of 2.5 inch squares and then used 32 different patterened paper triangles to fill the squares. I machine sewed these all down and used a Bazzill In Stitchz around the edge. I then found a fantastic quote about families being like a quilt stitched together and used my Dymo and some Core D'inations cardstock for the journaling!
I also made a lo using bits and pieces from loads of different Scrapagogo kits and am rather pleased with it, even if I do say so myself :) Don't you just love the face that David pulls when I ask him for a kiss. When he saw this lo he said "Stop scrapping me!" - Yeh like I going to even think about that - he he he he he.
Friday 21st November
This post has been languishing on Blogger waiting to be posted for the last 10 days and I completely forgot about it because when I originally tried to post it Blogger was playing silly beggers and would not let me post.
So now I can post my two los for Scrapagogo's November kit and ...................................
....................... some little peeks of what I have been working on for December!