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Hints and Tips for Committee Chairs
From New Members Round Table (NMRT)
Revision as of 13:48, 29 August 2007 by Johnmeier1 (Talk | contribs) (→Financial Training)
Hints and Tips for Committee Chairs and Board Members
There's a page on the NMRT web site that contains a number of hints and tips for committee chairs, board members, and committee members. It's a little old, but still worth a look: http://www.ala.org/ala/nmrt/comm/ldc_faq.htm
Amanda Roberts, this year's NMRT Past President shares the following:
The best tip I have is ... BE PROACTIVE. Don't wait around for things to change if you are not satisfied with your committee experience. If you have an idea for improvement, communicate it formally. Fill out a Board proposal form and pitch your idea to the NMRT Board at an Executive Board meeting. There are online Eboard meetings if you can't attend conferences.
- Subscribe to the NMRTBD electronic discussion list. This is mandatory for all committee chairs and board members.
- Be sure to copy your director (see committee list) and the NMRT President and Vice President in on any communications. THIS IS ESSENTIAL. Don't worry that you're overwhelming any of us with minor details. We need to be aware of what's going on with the committees so we can step in or offer assistance if needed.
- Use an e-mail program that allows easy archiving so you can refer back to messages as necessary. Gmail is very good for this!
- Board members: Create e-mail folders for each of your committees, and file e-mails as you receive and respond to them.
- Add all committee members to your address book to ensure that their e-mails don't get caught by your spam filter.
- Even if you're planning a program for Annual in June 2008 and you don't have much to do at the beginning of your term, make contact with your committee members periodically. This reminds them that they are part of the committee and that you haven't forgotten about them!
- Please copy the NMRT Treasurer in on anything relating to money and the NMRT budget. She will be able to provide you with the guidance you need.
- Reports are due three times per year.
- Planning report: Highlights what you'd like your committee to accomplish this year. Due after Annual (this year in August 2007).
- Progress report: Describes the progress that you've made towards the goals set in your planning report. Due after Midwinter (next year in February 2008).
- Final report: Summarizes the year's accomplishments and makes suggestions for the following year. Due before Annual for committees whose work is finished prior to Annual, or immediately after Annual for committees putting on programs at Annual (next year in June/July 2008).
- Previous years' reports are available in the NMRT Archives. These reports can be very informative and can give you context for some of your activities.
- Please turn in reports promptly!
- Handbook entries MUST be updated at the end of your term. Many of our handbook entries are out of date and need major revisions.
- If a committee member disappears after repeated attempts at contact (via e-mail, phone, etc.):
- Let your director know that there is a problem. Please copy the NMRT President and Vice President in on this correspondence.
- If you need a replacement committee member, let your Director and the President and Vice President know ASAP. There are always volunteers waiting for committee appointments.
- If a chair disappears after repeated attempts at contact (via e-mail, phone, etc.):
- Let the NMRT President and Vice President know immediately. We will attempt to contact your chair.
- If you have a person on your committee who would make a good replacement, let the NMRT President and Vice President know. We will appoint a new chair.


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"The Voice" Season 4 has come to an end. This means that Shakira and Usher will have vacated the red spinning chairs that they've been keeping warm for on-hiatus coaches Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green, who'll return to the show this fall.
Shakira and Usher have become popular "Voice" cast members during their short run on the show — some viewers even seem to prefer them to their predecessors, if the comments in this very blog have been anything to go by. But don't worry: Shakira and Usher will be back next year, for Season 6. And those of you who've been missing Xtina and Cee Lo, fear not — their return in Season 5 is just a few months away.
But until then, it's time to ask the inevitable question: Who judged it best? Let's answer that by staging our own Shakira/Xtina and Usher/Cee Lo "battle rounds"…
Manners: Shakira is definitely the kinder, gentler diva here. Shakira greets everyone with a smile and oodles of enthusiasm and affection, and she always "roots for the nice guys." Christina, on the other hand, is not always so nice. Remember that time when she rudely texted and sipped Starbucks during Tony Lucca's performance? Or when she spent her entire critique of Juliet Simms's fantastic "Man's World" bragging about her own performance of the same song at the Grammys? Or how she picked on the amazing Amanda Brown throughout Season 3? Sheesh. Shakira would never stoop so low.
WINNER: Shakira
Fashion: Yes, Shakira always kept it classy, and kept covered-up, and I appreciated that this season. But I kind of missed Xtina's endless, eye-popping array of Spanish lace fans, spaceship-shaped royal wedding hats, leather diapers, doll-hair wigs, bachelorette-party tiaras, and down-to-there plunging necklines. It was always fun, or at least funny, to see her black-bar-worthy fashion Don'ts week after week. I admit I'm already excited to see what sort of crass, crazy costume Xtina will rock on the Season 5 premiere.
WINNER: Xtina
Expertise: Both Christina and Shakira have made their unfair shares of coaching mistakes. Christina's past flubs included cutting Jesse Campbell in Season 2, letting Aquile and De'Borah go in Season 3, assembling a team of interchangeable mini-me's in Season 3, and being so obnoxious during her Season 2 feud with Adam Levine that she pretty much ruined her finalist Chris Mann's chances of winning. Shakira's track record hasn't been perfect, either. Her egregious Season 4 errors have included letting Luke Edgemon slip away in the Battle Rounds, pitting Garrett Gardner against Tawnya Reynolds and Shawna P. against Sasha Allen in the Knockout Rounds, and choosing a really unsuitable Backstreet Boys song for poor rocker Garrett that ensured his premature doom. But at least Shakira put together a diverse team, and she made a couple of smart, strategic Steals in the Battle Rounds (Karina Iglesias and Sasha). So this round narrowly goes to…
WINNER: Shakira
Vocals: Let's face it, this show IS called "The Voice." And while both Shakira and Christina have their annoying vocal tics — Shakira sometimes sounds like one of those screaming YouTube goats, and Xtina often grunts like she's giving birth mid-song — in the end, Christina is the stronger singer of the two, and really one of the strongest singers of her generation. So that gives her some extra cred.
WINNER: Xtina
Manners: I expected Usher, an R&B heartthrob, to come across as a lothario and a lech. But he's been quite a gentleman, for the most part, other than one slightly off-color joke about the Swon Brothers' "Fishin' in the Dark" and his tendency to always sit in his red chair with his legs splayed wide open. Cee Lo, on the other hand, always blatantly, ickily flirted with the show's female contestants, sometimes even letting his libido make bad decisions for him. (Remember Erin Martin? DOMO? I rest my case.) Gross.
WINNER: Usher
Fashion: Usher may be a sharp-dressed man, but there's no contest here. Cee Lo is a fashion icon! Some of his "Voice" getups have made Xtina look positively plain. Cee Lo has worn a white Tony Manero leisure suit, spiked Stormtrooper armor, a Prince costume (complete with Jheri-curled wig), a fringed Elvis jumpsuit (complete with matching pompadour wig), head-to-toe red Billy Idol leather, a leopard-print cape, and even zebra-striped satin pajamas on the set of "The Voice." The wardrobe budget for this show is going to at least quintuple when Christina and Cee Lo return.
WINNER: Cee Lo
Expertise: Usher has made some sound decisions this year, mainly when supporting THE coolest contestant of Season 4, Michelle Chamuel. But Cee Lo, of all the coaches in "The Voice's" four seasons, has the most illustrious and impressive history of picking truly interesting, outside-the-box singers. Cee Lo took chances with acts like Vicci Martinez, Nakia, Juliet Simms, Jamar Rogers, Tony Vincent, the Shields Brothers, Jamie Lono, Nicholas David, Cody Belew, MacKenzie Bourg, Diego Val, and Chevonne, some of the most unique contestants to ever compete on the show. I've missed his risk-taking this season (I bet he would have LOVED Midas Whale and Grace Askew), and I look forward to seeing the choices he'll make in Season 5.
WINNER: Cee Lo
Pets: In Season 2, Cee Lo's sidekick was a lap cat that had its own Twitter handle, T-shirt line, and pop single. In Season 3, he adopted a rare shoulder-dwelling parakeet named Ladybird. He even once sang a duet with Kermit the Frog and recorded a Christmas song with a flock of furry Muppets. Cee Lo should really have his own spinoff series on the Animal Planet network. Meanwhile, where are Usher's animals? The guy doesn't even own a goldfish, apparently. Boo.
WINNER: Cee Lo
Going by the tallies above, Shakira and Christina are tied, while Cee Lo narrowly beats the (also worthy) Usher. Which "Voice" coaches did you prefer? Sound off in the comments section below!
Related links:
- VIDEO: Usher talks "The Voice"
- PHOTOS: "The Voice" Season 4 performances
- The 10 most-robbed "Voice" contestants of Season 4

subset: commoncrawl


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Another Dang Season of Squidbillies Debuts on Adult Swim
New Episodes Air Sunday Nights at Midnight Beginning May 16
The inbred squid-things of Dougal County return for a fourth or fifth season, depending on how you slice it, of hillbilly shenanigans in new episodes of Squidbillies on Adult Swim beginning Sunday, May 16, at midnight (ET, PT). The squids won't disappointify you, as long as you like bank robbing, drug trafficking, unskinny bopping, and guest appearances by bona-fide music and sports stars, including Widespread Panic, Drive-By Truckers, and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and graceful dancer Chad Ochocinco. Creators Dave Willis and Jim Fortier pulled out their rolodex to create the ten red-neck-iest episodes yet for one of Adult Swim's longest-running original series.
In this season of Squidbillies, the Cuylers continue to stir up all kinds of ball bustin' trouble and display reckless behavior. Early turns to polygamy and decides to remain faithful to all 97 of his new wives. Meanwhile, the discovery of Lil's secret drug operation brings Widespread Panic to Dougal County. The season wraps with a special 30-minute all-star musical featuring Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams, and Bonnie "Prince" Billy to name a few.
Squidbillies premiered on Adult Swim in October 2006 and is from creators Dave Willis and Jim Fortier, both Georgia natives. Willis and Fortier worked as writers and producers on Space Ghost Coast to Coast. When Adult Swim launched in 2001, Jim Fortier wrote and produced for The Brak Show, and Dave Willis co-created Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Adult Swim shares channel space with Cartoon Network, home to the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families, and is seen in 97 million U.S. homes.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.


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Delfouneso rescues point for Seasiders
Nathan Delfouneso struck late to deny Bolton in a 2-2 draw which ensured Michael Appleton avoided defeat in his first game as Blackpool manager.
Mark Davies put the visitors ahead but it was all square after 19 minutes when Blackpool's England Under-21 international winger Tom Ince superbly scored his third goal in as many matches.
A pleasingly open game produced a host of chances as each side pressed for the win, and it was Wanderers who landed a telling blow in the 71st minute when Lee Chung-yong converted Chris Eagles' cross.
But on-loan Aston Villa striker Delfouneso, on for the injured Gary Taylor-Fletcher at the interval, pounced nine minutes from time when Bolton failed to deal with Stephen Crainey's free-kick.
Blackpool and Bolton remain 12th and 17th respectively in the npower Championship and are separated by two points.
Appleton, installed at Bloomfield Road on Wednesday evening after Ian Holloway left to succeed recently-appointed Bolton boss Freedman at Crystal Palace last weekend, opted not to alter the Blackpool XI that recorded a first win in six games at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
Kevin Phillips and Ian Evatt returned to the bench following injury and suspension respectively.
David Ngog, who scored the winner before being sent off in Freedman's first game at the helm against Cardiff last weekend, was restored to the starting line-up alongside on-loan Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing and winger Martin Petrov.
Ngog had the ball in the net early on but was flagged offside when applying the finish to Sam Ricketts' cross.
Blackpool left-back Crainey was allowed to venture forward as Petrov neglected his defensive duties and Elliot Grandin smashed the resulting centre over.
Davies gave Bolton a 16th-minute lead, collecting the loose ball to slot home after Alex Baptiste's interception to deny Ngog.
The response was instant and magnificent as Ince cut in from the right flank and curled beyond the helpless Adam Bogdan from 25 yards.
Craig Cathcart had the opportunity to send Blackpool in ahead at the break but was off target when he met Matt Phillips' corner unmarked
Petrov thrashed a volley over from Davies' chipped pass early in the second period and the end-to-end feel remained as Wanderers captain Zat Knight did well to clear following a jinking run from Matt Phillips.
Lee was introduced in place of Petrov shortly before the hour and shortly afterwards Blackpool midfielder Chris Basham might have punished his former club for further slack set-piece marking.
Ince was agonisingly close to finding the decisive touch when Crainey collected an excellent Sylvestre pass and flashed narrowly wide of the far post in the 65th minute, before Bolton led slightly against the run of play.
Davies picked out Eagles on the right flank and his cross was met by a sliding Lee to cap a fine team move.
Having led for three minutes in the first-half, Wanderers managed 10 this time around before Kevin Phillips knocked down Crainey's set-piece for fellow substitute Delfouneso to net for the first time in nine appearances.
Phillips almost snatched the points for Blackpool but Bogdan atoned for poor positioning by palming over, while Bolton's Kevin Davies came on to make his 600th career appearance in the closing minutes.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG


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The interest from the private equity community in filling the growing capital gaps that exist in the balance sheets of U.S. banks has spurred the FDIC Board to adopt a Final Statement of Policy on Qualifications for Failed Bank Acquisitions (the "Policy Statement"). The Policy Statement, published on September 2, 2009, provides private equity investors with guidelines for acquiring failed banks or thrifts. While the final Policy Statement is a more investor-friendly version of the proposed Policy Statement the FDIC published on July 9, 2009, for public comment (the "Proposed Policy Statement"), critics of the Policy Statement argue that the final form does not go far enough to attract much-needed private capital to the banking industry, and in some cases may even deter investors from pursuing the purchase of failed banks.
To view the full text of the Policy Statement, click here.
Applicability. Notably, the Policy Statement incorporates public comments related to the ambiguous definition of "Investor" included in the Proposed Policy Statement. As adopted, the Policy Statement applies to (1) private investors in any company proposing to assume, directly or indirectly, the deposit liabilities or assets and deposit liabilities of a failed insured depository institution, and (2) applicants for insurance in the case of de novo charters issued in connection with the resolution of failed insured depository institutions (hereinafter, "Investors"). The Policy Statement does not apply to (1) investors in partnerships or similar ventures with bank or thrift holding companies, or in holding companies with a strong majority interest in the resulting bank or thrift and an established record for successful operation of insured banks or thrifts, or (2) investors with 5% or less of the total voting power of an acquired depository institution or its bank or thrift holding company, provided there is no evidence of concerted action by a group of such investors.
Capital Commitment. A significant divergence from the Proposed Policy Statement is the reduction in the minimum capital ratio required of Investors from 15% to 10%. A 10% ratio of Tier 1 common equity to total assets must be maintained for a period of three years from the time of acquisition of the failed institution. Thereafter, the depository institution must maintain a standard of capital adequacy that is at least "well capitalized" during the remaining period of ownership by the Investors.
Cross Guarantee. Another departure from the Proposed Policy Statement is the diluted cross-guarantee provision. The Policy Statement provides that if one or more Investors own 80% or more of multiple banks or thrifts, then the stock of the banks or thrifts commonly owned by these Investors shall be pledged to the FDIC. Upon the failure of any one of the banks or thrifts, the FDIC may exercise such pledges to the extent necessary to recoup any losses incurred by the FDIC as a result of the bank or thrift failure. The FDIC may waive this pledge requirement where enforcing the pledge obligation would not reduce the cost of the bank or thrift to the Deposit Insurance Fund (the "DIF").
Transactions with Affiliates. The Policy Statement prohibits extensions of credit to Investors, their investment funds and affiliates of either, by an insured depository institution acquired by such Investor pursuant to the Policy Statement. This prohibition does not apply to existing credit extensions made by a bank or thrift which is acquired by Investors. An "extension of credit" is as defined in 12 C.F.R. § 223.3(o). An "affiliate" is any company in which the Investor owns, directly or indirectly, at least 10% of such company and has maintained such ownership for at least 30 days. Public criticism of the proposed transactions with affiliates provision resulted in the addition of the 30-day minimum ownership period in the definition of "affiliate," and the exemption for existing extensions of credit.
Secrecy Law Jurisdictions. One area almost entirely uninfluenced by public comment is the secrecy law jurisdiction provision. This restriction bans investors in entities domiciled in bank secrecy jurisdictions from investing in an insured depository institution unless the investors are subsidiaries of companies that are subject to comprehensive consolidated supervision as recognized by the Federal Reserve Board and they consent to several regulatory oversight conditions. These conditions include: providing information about the non-domestic Investors' operations and activities, including consenting to the disclosure of potentially confidential or private information; maintaining their books and records in the U.S.; cooperating with the FDIC, if necessary, in obtaining information maintained by foreign government entities; consenting to jurisdiction and the designation of an agent for service of process; and agreeing to be bound by the statutes and regulations administered by the appropriate U.S. federal banking agencies.
The FDIC, in response to comments requesting clarification of the meaning of "secrecy law jurisdiction," defines the term in the Policy Statement as a country that applies a bank secrecy law that limits U.S. bank regulators from determining compliance with U.S. laws or prevents them from obtaining information on the competence, experience and financial condition of applicants and related parties, lacks authorization for exchange of information with U.S. regulatory authorities, does not provide for a minimum standard of transparency for financial activities, or permits off shore companies to operate shell companies without substantial activities within the host country.
Continuity of Ownership. Absent the FDIC's prior approval, Investors shall not sell or otherwise transfer their securities for three years following acquisition. FDIC approval will not be unreasonably withheld for transfers to affiliates which agree to be subject to the provisions of the Policy Statement applicable to the transferring Investor. Certain mutual funds are exempt from this requirement. This provision was left largely unchanged from the language in the Proposed Policy Statement, except for the addition of the conditions under which FDIC approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Prohibited Structures/Bid Limitations. Certain ownership structures are prohibited from bidding on failed banks or thrifts, including a single private equity fund seeking to acquire ownership of a depository institution through the creation of multiple investment vehicles, funded and effectively controlled by the parent fund. The FDIC reasons that the nature of these structures is such that it is difficult to ascertain beneficial ownership, the responsible parties for making decisions are not clearly identified, and ownership and control of the institution are separated. In addition, investors that directly or indirectly hold 10% or more of the equity of a bank or thrift in receivership are prohibited from bidding on that failed bank or thrift.
Disclosure. The Policy Statement imposes certain disclosure requirements on Investors. Investors are expected to submit to the FDIC information about the Investors and all entities in the ownership chain as well as such other information as the FDIC determines is necessary to ensure compliance with the Policy Statement. In response to public concern about the confidentiality of certain information, the Policy Statement provides that confidential business information will be treated as such and will not be disclosed except in accordance with law.
A provision was added to the final version of the Policy Statement to clarify that the FDIC Board of Directors may waive any of the provisions of the Policy Statement if the exemption is in the best interests of the DIF and the goals and objectives of the Policy Statement can be accomplished by other means. The Policy Statement will be reviewed in six months to gauge its impact on the banking industry.
The Bottom Line. The Policy Statement eased some of the restrictions and requirements related to private equity investment in failed financial institutions; however, hurdles remain. The FDIC may be forced back to the drawing board in six months if private investors determine that those hurdles were too high.


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In his above-mentioned email, Phelps explained that Easton "processes the captured images of the Martellus map in order to generate a series of derivative, processed images which maximize the legibility of text and other information on the map. Roger builds an 'image cube,' in a sense a stack of the captured images, and then uses statistical methods to analyze the collected data and to distinguish features of the map. Some of these features, such as faded writing, may be illegible to (the) naked eye, but can be isolated statistically and then rendered legible in processed images. A feedback loop between Roger Easton, project scientist, and Chet Van Duzer, project scientist, improves the processed result and insures that we maximize the legibility of faded and obscured text on the map."
Heyworth pointed out that capturing the images is only 15 percent or 20 percent of the process. The majority of a multispectral imaging project involves the image processing and the task of reading and understanding what's revealed.
"Multispectral imaging is an esoteric science," Heyworth said, explaining that "we do textural science," and that "the technology … is in its inception."
The goal, he said, is "to reveal writing that is not visible … and also to create a highly color accurate … digital reproduction of the object," a reproduction that reaches back in time. He likened the process to looking at stars. Through the multispectral imaging process, one "looks into the earliest history of the object," he said. And through that technology, he said, "we're changing the canon."
The Martellus map multispectral imaging project at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library was a collaboration between the Early Manuscripts Electronic Library, which oversaw the imaging process, and the Lazarus Project, which provided the equipment. The imaging team included independent scholar Chet Van Duzer, who led the project; Gregory Heyworth, a professor of medieval studies at the University of Mississippi and the director of the Lazarus project, who conducted the imaging; Michael Phelps, the director of the Early Manuscripts Electronic Library, who served as the project manager; Roger Easton, a professor of imaging science at the Rochester Institute of Technology and the imaging team's project scientist; and Kenneth Boydston, CEO of the digital imaging company MegaVision, who designed the camera used in the imaging process and helped to capture images of the Martellus map.
Learn more about the Early Manuscripts Electronic Library at emelibrary.org. Learn more about the Lazarus Project at lazarusprojectimaging.com. And visit the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library online at beinecke.library.yale.edu.
This article appears in the October issue of The Arts Paper. Read other stories from this issue online here.


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Police believe video of Carina Saunders' killing exists
Bethany officers searched SE Oklahoma City motel
Bethany police searched a southeast Oklahoma City motel for a video they say is evidence of the murder and torture of Carina Saunders.
That's according to a search affidavit filed in Oklahoma County District Court on Tuesday.
In the warrant, investigators said they have talked to more than 80 witnesses and followed up on hundreds of leads in the case. Police said sources have told them there is video of the 19-year-old being tortured and murdered, but police have yet to confirm the existence of the video.
Police said they located a woman they believe may have possession of the video. That woman led police to a motel room at the Studio 6 motel, located at 3850 S. Prospect Ave., where detectives made contact with another individual.
The return inventory of a search warrant requested for the property showed police seized two cameras, a zip drive, four cellphones, an SD memory card, a Toshiba laptop computer, meth and drug paraphernalia.
Officers arrested Luis Ruiz on July 5 in connection with Saunders' killing. Five other men have also been arrested but have yet to be charged in the case.


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CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - In a dazzling and previously undetected display of orbital dynamics, two planets beyond the solar system have been found circling a pair of stars, scientists using NASA's Kepler space telescope said on Wednesday.
Unlike single planets orbiting single stars, the planets in the Kepler-47 system, located about 5,000 light years away in the constellation Cygnus, are flying around a "moving target," San Diego State University astronomer Jerome Orosz said in a paper published in this week's Science magazine.
As a consequence, when and how long it takes for the planets to orbit their parent stars varies, a telltale sign of so-called "circumbinary orbits."
Kepler works by detecting slight dips in the amount of light coming from target stars caused by orbiting planets passing by, or transiting, relative to the observatory's line of sight.
Last year, astronomers announced the first planet found to be orbiting a pair of stars.
The Kepler-47 family is more complex, with at least two planets circling a pair of stars that whirl around each other every 7.5 days.
One star is similar to the sun, though only 84 percent as bright. Its diminutive partner is two-thirds smaller and 175 percent dimmer.
Flying around the duo are planets Kepler-47b, which orbits in 49.5 days, and Kepler-47c, which takes 303 days to circle the parent stars.
The inner planet is about three times the size of Earth and too close to its parent stars to support life, scientists believe.
The outer world, Kepler-47c, lies within the so-called "habitable zone," where temperatures could support liquid water on the surface, provided it had a surface. Astronomers suspect Kepler-47c is a gas giant, slightly bigger than Neptune. But it could have life-friendlier moons.
Kepler scientists previously discovered four systems each having two stars and one planet. The discovery of multiple planets in a dual-star system taxes currently held theories about how planets form.
"The multi-planet nature of the Kepler-47 system establishes that despite the chaotic environment around binary stars, planetary systems can form and persist close to the binary," Orosz wrote.
(Editing by Jane Sutton and Eric Beech)


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Buxton, Sano form dynamic duo for Twins
Seeing Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano generate the most excitement in a recent poll by MLB.com should excite Twins fans, especially because both earned in-season promotions in 2013 and are headed somewhat speedily toward Target Field. The Twins' system is flush with talent, well beyond these two young hitters, but it is hard not to stand in awe of what Buxton and Sano might accomplish.
Sano and Buxton are a level apart, with Buxton recently getting promoted to Fort Myers, the club Sano left behind for Double-A not that long ago. But they have been teammates before, albeit briefly. Sano and Buxton were in the same lineup for a week at instructs last fall. The results should come as no surprise to anyone.
"I think we went 6-1 that week," Buxton said with a smile. "The next week, we were split up. I think we went 3-3 then."
It is hard to think of a time in recent memory when one organization had two such highly-regarded prospects at the same time. The D-backs did have top-10 prospects in Tyler Skaggs and Trevor Bauer a year ago. Oscar Taveras and Shelby Miller created a nice 1-2 punch for a time as well, but with all due respect to those pairings, none comes close to the Buxton-Sano combo in terms of upside potential.
And if fans, let alone the Twins' front office, are excited about seeing that play in the Twin Cities, Buxton is right there with them.
"It'll be pretty cool," Buxton said. "He's a great player to watch. It should be really interesting."
And could it lead to more stretches like that 6-1 week at instructs?
"I would have to say so," Buxton said with a smile.


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Dear AXN Asia Community Members,Thank you for your support and participation in our online community over the years. As we would like to focus more of our efforts on Facebook and Twitter, after much consideration, we regret to inform you that we have decided to close the AXN Asia community effective 1st June 2011.Warmest Regards,The AXN Asia Teams
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WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. military commanders have been told to explore ways to increase security assistance to Lebanon and Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs said Wednesday, as the violence in Syria spills across the borders and the Iraqis face growing threats from the local al-Qaida offshoot.
Gen. Martin Dempsey said the assistance is aimed at improving the two nations' military capabilities and could include sending in U.S. training teams and accelerating foreign military sales of weapons and equipment to Iraq and Lebanon.
Dempsey made the recommendation to U.S. Central Command in recent weeks, according to Air Force Col. Ed Thomas, a spokesman for the Army general. There have been no U.S. military trainers in Iraq since troops left at the end of 2011, as the war there ended. But the U.S. has provided military training and assistance to Lebanon for a number of years.
"Militarily, what we're doing is assisting our partners in the region, the neighbors of Syria, to ensure that they're prepared to account for the potential spillover effects," Dempsey said during a Pentagon briefing Wednesday. "As you know, we've just taken a decision to leave some Patriot missile batteries and some F-16s in Jordan as part of the defense of Jordan. We're working with our Iraqi counterparts, the Lebanese Armed Forces and Turkey through NATO."
He said that as he looked at the challenges being faced by Syria's neighbors, including the re-emergence of al-Qaida in Iraq, he determined that the U.S. should help them build up their military abilities. He said the assistance would not involve sending U.S. combat troops into Lebanon or Iraq.
The U.S. last week left about a dozen F-16 fighter jets in Jordan, where they will be flying and conducting training operations. The Pentagon also left a Patriot missile battery there, bringing the total number of American forces in Jordan to about 1,000.
U.S. officials said the increased show of military might in Jordan was a signal to Syria that it must confine its civil war within its borders. The officials said it is meant to show that the U.S. was committed to its defense relationship with Jordan and that America intended to maintain a strong presence in the region. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the planning publicly.
Dempsey and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel declined to provide any additional information about U.S. plans to provide weapons to Syrian rebels, other than to say that the U.S. military has no role so far in that program.
According to officials, the CIA was coordinating the effort to arm the rebel groups.


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Welcome to the Houston Yacht Club
Houston Yacht Club is the "friendliest yacht club on the Texas Gulf Coast" and offers a busy schedule of activities and services that appeal to all boating interests and age groups. We offer top level racing, an unrivalled junior sailing program, numerous social events, and a variety of cruising and educational opportunities. Our beautiful clubhouse and new harbor are located directly on Galveston Bay. Founded more than 100 years ago, we have built a tradition of excellence in every aspect of yachting. We are a fun-loving casual group, and HYC provides a truly comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
We are located only 35 minutes from downtown Houston, and you can park right at your slip and be sailing on the bay in just a few minutes!
GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT THE HOUSTON YACHT CLUB. Click HERE for complete details.
The Houston Yacht Club reveals its history, and all of the wonderful features of membership at HYC. If you're looking for a club in Houston Texas you found it!
We'd like to meet you and show you our home on the bay. To arrange a tour or find out more about HYC, please contact our membership director at 281-471-1255 or click here.
If you are already a member, Welcome, friend! Click here to sign in.
The Houston Yacht Club 2019 Calendar is packed with fun events. For a complete list of events, please click HERE.
The Houston Yacht Club has a full calendar of racing events for 2019. For complete details to include the Notice of Race please click HERE.


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Real Salt Lake's preseason is coming to a close just as other teams around the league are reaching their stride.
But after RSL ended their second out-of-state training stint in Phoenix earlier this week, and ahead of a crucial CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match against the Columbus Crew on Tuesday, head coach Jason Kreis said his team is on the right track.
"We're very, very pleased to finish up our preseason with a positive result and a positive defensive effort from our guys," Kreis told ESPN 700 Sports Radio after his team shutout Chivas USA, 2-0, in a scrimmage on Tuesday.
The team leaves for Columbus on Saturday to give the players enough time to get acclimated to both the weather and the timezone in Ohio.
Reports out of RSL's camp indicate that the defense has begun taking shape over the past few days, but though the attack has shown some impressive spurts, it hasn't fully clicked yet.
That's to be expected given the team started camp less than four weeks ago and that it's suffered a number of injuries and absences from both midfield and forward positions.
Midfielders Arturo Alvarez and Will Johnson have missed time due to international commitments, while forwards Fabian Espindola and Pablo Campos suffered injuries that shelved them for an extended period.
[inline_node:328817]Fortunately for RSL, Morales, Alvarez and Espíndola have all since returned to the practice pitch and were able to work out at the team's training facility late in the week.
Perhaps the biggest unknown is which player will start up top alongside Alvaro Saborio in Tuesday's match, though many have speculated that youngster Paulo Jr. could fill that role.
"He was very dangerous for us all day, getting himself into dangerous spots and taking guys on very well," Kreis said of Paulo Junior's performance against Chivas USA. "We're still looking for that finished product. We would have liked to have seen him finish one of those plays with either a goal or an assist."
Alvarez and Espíndola are the other likely options. However, Alvarez has had little time on the field between injury and time away with the El Salvador national team. Espíndola may be a more likely alternate and reportedly was in great form prior to his injury.
"My timeframe is to have that decision made by next Monday night," Kreis said. "That's when we meet with the players, we give them the lineup and we prepare for the match."
As for the Crew, Kreis said he thinks he has a pretty good handle on a team that has had a lot of turnover during the offseason.
"We've done a pretty decent job of scouting them in their last two preseason matches here in Arizona," he said. "We think we've got a pretty good feeling for where they're at right now, and what they're going to look like next week."
In regards to his own side, Kreis said he's pleased with its progress but understands there's still work to do.
"There's no chance that we'll be in midseason form for these first two matches against Columbus," he said. "But I also don't think that we have to be because they are going to be in the exact same boat."


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Over the Hill, but Still Shredding
As skateboarding's early enthusiasts approach middle age, some are eschewing crowded public skate parks in favor of their own private clubs. WSJ's Conor Dougherty reports Photo: Matthew Jenkins.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
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Sensor reflectors are used with all retro- or auto-reflective sensors and are critical for the function of the sensor. Sensor reflectors are available in a range of formats to suit different applications and environmental conditions.
Types of sensor reflectors
Most commonly sensor reflectors are square, rectangular or circular with multi-faceted surfaces to capture and return the light beam. They have single hole, dual hole or adhesive mountings and can be matched with specific sensors to optimise performance. In most situations a standard sensor reflector made from ceramic or lightweight acrylic can be used. Some sensors in industrial environments need reflectors that are made from specific materials such as stainless steel, or that have chemical- or heat-resistant properties.
How do sensor reflectors work?
Sensor reflectors are mounted in a position that allows the beam of light produced by the emitter in the sensor to bounce off the sensor reflector and return to the receiver in the sensor housing. When the beam is obstructed, it alters the output signal in the sensor, commonly triggering an alarm.


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Overstep Attachable Carpet Stair Treads Mocha Brown Stripe
Indoor Overstep Attachable Carpet Stair Treads, by House Home and More work great on most hard-floor stair surfaces and fit most interior stairs regardless of depth or height. These uniquely designed waterfall-style treads help to preserve your stairs and create a safer walking environment for your family, guests and pets. Each tread features three looped-fiber strips sewn into the back and three adhesive-backed hooked-fiber strips that adhere to the riser and tread of every step. The simple to install hook-and-loop fastening system offers all the classic elegance and stability of a carpet runner, without any of the intrusive hardware. Each tread can be easily removed and reattached, as needed. And since the entire fastening system takes place beneath the tread, none of the components will be seen from the top! These treads are made of high-quality olefin carpet to resist stains and bound on all edges to prevent fraying. Due to the skid-resistant rubber backing, these treads are not machine washable, but can be easily vacuumed and spot cleaned. Pair them with our Attachable Rugs and give your home a radiant revamp!
Attachable Stair Tread Installation
- Work great on most hard-floor stair surfaces, and fit most interior stairs regardless of depth or height
- Help to preserve the surface of your stairs and create a safer walking environment for your family, guests and pets
- Made of high-quality olefin carpet to resist stains and bound on all edges to prevent fraying
- Easy to install, remove and reattach as needed
- Can be easily vacuumed and spot cleaned
- Made in the U.S.A.
Most orders typically leave our warehouse within 1 business day. Same day shipping is provided if you order before 2 pm EST / 11 am PST.
All orders ship from our warehouse located in Chandler, Arizona so transit times may differ based on your location.
FREE FedEx ground shipping on all orders shipped within the 48 contiguous United States.
However, for orders being shipped outside the 48 contiguous United States, shipping costs will be calculated upon checkout.
We do offer expedited shipping services via FedEx. If you choose to have the shipping expedited, you will be responsible for all associated costs.
Expedited shipping options and costs will be available upon checkout.
We have a full 30-day money back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may send the item back within 30 days of receipt for a full refund. Items must be returned in their original package in the same condition as they were shipped.
Feel free to reach out to our customer support team for more details related to returns.
For our full return policy and details click here.


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Happy St. Patrick's Day!
We will be having a St. Patrick's Day party tomorrow. I am very excited to see what the leprechaun has in store for our classroom!
Tomorrow is the end of the 3rd quarter, so I will be entering final grades. These will be printed and sent in the mail to you.
In social studies, we completed chapter 8 lesson 3 and tomorrow we will do chapter 8 lesson 4. Lesson 3 has been graded, and will be entered into the grade book soon! In the Social studies curriculum there are 12 chapters, so we have 4 more chapters left (12 lessons) after this week that need to be complete before the end of the year (9 weeks left). We usually get through 2 lessons a week, therefore we should finish social studies in 6 weeks with 3 extra weeks of cushion. The cushion weeks can include the testing weeks or last the week of school that we might not get to social studies as scheduled. It looks like we are right on track and can relax and thoroughly finish this curriculum!
In Science, we have finished a science experiment and Unit 8 Lesson 1. These will be graded and entered into the grade book by tomorrow afternoon! In science there are 10 units with various amounts of lessons in each. Total, we have 9 lessons left which is a little less than social studies and we will definitely finish this on time as well.
Of course, after we finish the social studies and science curriculum, I will have supplementary lessons until the end of the year. The good news is that the curriculum is the same throughout the grades, so they wont be behind going into next year, they will be on level and ready. The supplemental lessons will be lessons that I create, they will be fun and will touch on topics that we might have had a tougher time with.
Thank you and have a great weekend!


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Audi news and features from publications and media outlets around the world.
Audi recently held the launch for its Euro only Audi A1 quattro in the remote icy climate of northern Sweden. Perfectly suited for the this limited production A1 fitted with quattro all-wheel drive, photos from the launch alone seem to tell the story. Interested in viewing, reading or watching more? EVO is one of the first to file a report including more photos, video and driving impressions.
When you think of the halcyon years for Ford's luxury brand Lincoln, you sort of have to go back to maybe the Kennedy era 60s with their Martini Lunches and suicide doored Continentals. The modern era has been less remarkable and that's likely due to lack of original product. To succeed and move forward, Ford has
We've been watching from the sidelines as Saab has slowly imploded since its exit from GM ownership. Picked up and managed by the people who also owned the Audi-powered, British-built Dutch brand Spyker, Saab was unable to make a go of it alone or to pair up with a larger manufacturer for support. It seems the storied Swedish brand's days
National Public Radio (NPR) published a story this week highlighting the unrivaled growth by Audi in the luxury car market over the last few years. Fans of the brand or simply those curious will want to take note, because this relatively short piece touches on a number of facets about the brand and makes a few key points. Siting celebrity
Audi has begun its launch process for the all-new S8, including test drives for select journalists in Spain. We're heading there to test it for ourselves next week but in the meantime we wanted to share this latest content for those who can't get enough of Audi's new flagship S-car.
Below you'll find three links. The first is a link to our S8 photo
Check out this stanced candy apple red 2002 A4 featured this month on Eurotuner.com. Given its many (and we mean many) modifications, SEMA show subtlety level and mix of many modifying styles, we're guessing most everyone who sees it will have an opinion on it.
For the OE+ guys, the car sports a B7 nose conversion despite its B6 rounded tail and 2002 production
Forget what you've heard about earthquakes and hurricanes, because living in the north eastern section of the US is fantastically rich with events. No, not natural disaster events... they're actually quite rare. We mean enthusiast events.
Case in point is Dubs on the Delaware. Yes, as four-ringers we wish there'd be a little less 'Dub' and a little more 'Ring'
In case you didn't know, there's a large Audi-only enthusiast show in the Pacific Northwest that continues to grow. While we've never attended the Pacific Northwest Audi Expo, our previous experience with Audi-VW shows in the region (WaterWagens and WaterWerks to be specific) has proven to us that the quality of cars in the region is top tier. And looking through the photos, cars like this Audi
Former Audi racecar driver and TT owner/enthusiast Don Istook recently took delivery of the very first TT RS to be placed in owner's hands here in the States recently and has shared the experience. Published over on Quattroworld, the piece highlights his own racing history here in the States and continues on to his new 2012 TT RS coupe. Read it after the jump.
Full Story
One of the great things about the summer season is the widespread presence of niche shows in remote locales around the country. For those looking for German car enthusiast shows in New England, take note of the most recent event report from the editors of Audiworld. We've never heard of Wolfsgart held in Essex Jnunction, VT though after perusing the photo galleries from the event (after the jump below), we definitely


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Filters: Author is Viterbo, P. [Clear All Filters]
Journal Article
Basin scale estimates of evapotranspiration using GRACE and other observations." Geophysical Research Letters 31 (2004): 20504. Abstract"
GRACE-derived terrestrial water storage depletion associated with the 2003 European heat wave." Geophysical Research Letters 32 (2005): 18405. Abstract"
Total basin discharge for the Amazon and Mississippi River basins from GRACE and a land-atmosphere water balance." Geophysical Research Letters 32 (2005): 24404. Abstract"


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EU leaders are set to meet at the European Council summit in Brussels on November 22 to hash out a multinannual financial framework, which will determine the EU's joint budget for 2014-2020. The meeting comes as European leaders are trying to formulate effective short- and long-term policies to combat the ongoing eurozone debt crisis, even as the economic outlook (WSJ) for the region worsens. The two "elephants in the room" at the budget summit, says CFR's Sebastian Mallaby, are questions of how to continue financing indebted Greece, and constructing a sturdier European architecture to prevent future crises. Moreover, funds from the EU budget, which amount to just 1 percent of EU GDP, cannot significantly aid indebted eurozone states, argues Mallaby. "It's a very small budget, and there's been a vicious fight about agreeing it," he says. "The contention around that 1 percent budget is indicative of the general problem in Europe of how hard it is to get countries to agree on a common economic policy."
What's at stake in the European Council leaders' summit this week in Brussels?
The European leadership going to the summit has two big issues on its plate. One is the immediate question of how to deal with Greece, and the other is the more structural one of how to build an architecture for Europe that will prove more resilient in the long term. On Greece, the issue is that the Greeks have gotten in a position where they need more money to get through the next few months.The budget is in a deeper deficit than projected, therefore they need more help from their outside partners to crack a hole in the deficit in order to avoid being in a position where they can't pay the government's bills, and they have to start printing their own drachma-like currency to pay those bills, at which point they would be exiting the euro. To avoid that calamity, they're going to need some help from the outside, and there's been a fight going on between different members of the troika [the EU, ECB, and the IMF, Greece's international creditors] as to how to deliver that help.
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On the question of architecture for the future of Europe, the euro optimists point to the extent to which the glass is half full--and it's true that [eurozone leaders] have already created a bailout fund paid in capital, which has passed muster at the constitutional court and which didn't exist before. Where on the other two main pillars of the future architecture, namely union around budget issues and then union around banking issues, there's a lot further to go. On the budget union, there's agreement on fiscal rules that the member countries need to abide by, but those rules have yet to be tested, and there are no forms of transfer between one country to another in the event that you need to stabilize member countries that fall into recession. On the banking union, that's the thing which is possibly the most important and the least developed. There's an agreement, at least in principle, to get a road map for banking union agreed by the end of 2012 and implemented by the end of 2013, but most of the details have yet to be agreed upon, and there's high potential for that deadline to slip.
These issues [separate from the multinannual financial framework] are the elephants in the room, and whether they get addressed in a public way probably depends on whether [EU leaders] reach a consensus on them. But the European Union budget is something like 1 percent of EU GDP. It's a very small budget, and there's been a vicious fight about agreeing to it, with the Brits playing their usual hardball, and the contention around that 1 percent budget is indicative of the general problem in Europe of how hard it is to get countries to agree on a common economic policy.
What kind of role can the budget—in terms of structural funds, for example—play in alleviating the eurozone crisis and spurring growth?
Very little, if at all, because 1 percent of GDP is just too little to do much of anything. The 1 percent has no necessary effect one way or another on the eurozone's economic performance. If member states pay 1 percent of EU GDP to the center, and the center then spends that, a certain amount of spending in the system is unchanged unless the member states issue debt to make that payment to the central budget, in which case you'd have a stimulus. And even if you did issue debt to pay the stimulus in 1 percent of the region's GDP, it's not very big compared to let's say the fiscal cliff in the United States, which is 4 percent of U.S. GDP.
If you look at the EU budget in a different way, which is to say not how much total stimulus to get for the total EU, but can you transfer money from rich countries to poorer countries, and help alleviate the pain in poor countries, again, the thing is just too small to matter. If you've got a country like Spain, with a budget deficit of around 7 percent of GDP and unemployment of 25 percent, the fact that the center can send you a few tens of billions of euros is a drop in the bucket.
What does the acrimony surrounding the budget allocations say about EU members' commitment to long-term integration and the larger European project?
Europe is split between a fairly impressive commitment to the idea of unity in the abstract--the only exception where there's serious wavering is Britain--but, on the other hand, a lot of difficulty in actually agreeing to policies that would make unity function smoothly. If you ask most people, "will there be more countries that want to line up and join the eurozone in the next five or ten years?" the answer is yes. Poland will probably join. So there is a political will toward integration. But the will to actually make the integration function properly, that's what's missing. And that's what you see in the acrimony over agreeing to what is really a very small joint budget.
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The other point is that a lot of economists, who look at the monetary union, say it can't function without a significant joint budget that moves money around inside the monetary union to stabilize differences in unemployment. If you've got a monetary union with a common monetary policy, by definition the monetary policy will suit some parts of the union more than it suits the other parts. So there are going to be some parts, which are going to be maybe growing too fast, having a bit of inflation, and the other parts will be growing too slowly, and will have a bit of unemployment.You need stabilizers to prevent those imbalances from getting out of control, and the classic stabilizers are labor mobility and budget transfers.
Most economists look at this monetary union and say you need a bigger fiscal union to make a monetary union work. But even at a minimum, the joint budget that Europe has now of 1 percent of its total GDP, they can't agree on the budget without enormous political eruptions, and I think that does tell you something about how far they've got to go to realize the vision of a monetary union and a fiscal union.


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WASHINGTON — The Senate will get one last chance to dismantle the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy before going home for the year.
The House on Wednesday sent senators legislation that would end the 1993 law that forbids recruiters from asking about sexual orientation and troops from acknowledging that they are gay.
But supporters in the Senate say there might not be enough time left on the legislative calendar to get the bill through before the end of the session. And failure could mean a lengthy delay for efforts to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy requiring thousands of uniformed gays to hide their sexual identity.
Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
House Speaker John Boehner became animated Tuesday over the proposed Keystone Pipeline, castigating the Obama administration for not having approved the project yet.
- Budget deficits shrinking but set to grow after 2015
- Senate readies another volley on unemployment aid
- Obama faces Syria standstill
- Fluke files to run in California
- Christie acknowledges federal subpoena
- Obama says Fox News's O'Reilly 'absolutely' unfair in extended interview
- Christie security officer hit with shoplifting charges
- Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
More politics
Democratic leaders in the Senate say they are committed to bringing the bill to the floor before Congress adjourns for the year. But they are challenged by opposition from some Republicans and a daunting agenda that includes finishing work on legislation to fund the government and ratifying a nuclear arms treaty with Russia.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the House vote proves that an overwhelming majority of Congress wants to repeal the law.Video: Hoyer: DADT vote shows 'it's time to move forward' (on this page)
"The time for weeklong negotiations on amendments and requests for days of debate is over," Reid said. "Republican senators who favor repealing this discriminatory policy need to join with us now to stand against those who are trying to run out the clock on this Congress."
White House backs stand-alone bill
The House, in introducing the bill, sought to avoid the complications of combining it with a general defense bill. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., also promoted a stand-alone bill in the Senate. Supporters say they have the 60 votes for passage if they can get it to the Senate floor, with a handful of Republican senators recently announcing support.
"It is now the Senate's turn to take the final step toward overturning this discriminatory policy," Collins and Lieberman said in a statement. "We are out of excuses."
President Barack Obama reiterated his support for lifting the ban in a statement after the House vote.
"Moving forward with the repeal is not only the right thing to do, it will also give our military the clarity and certainty it deserves," Obama said. "We must ensure that Americans who are willing to risk their lives for their country are treated fairly and equally by their country."
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Thursday that Obama has been in touch with Reid regularly on how to move forward. Some activists contend the president could be taking a more public role advocating for repeal.
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"There's time to do this if there are those on the other side of the aisle that wish to get this done," Gibbs said.
Failure to overturn "don't ask, don't tell" this year could relegate the issue to the back burner next year when Republicans, who are far less supportive of allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the military, take over the House and gain strength in the Senate.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said in a statement after the House vote that Defense Secretary Robert Gates encourages the Senate to lift the ban and thus enable the Defense Department "to carefully and responsibly manage a change in this policy instead of risking an abrupt change resulting from a decision in the courts."
The House passed similar legislation in May as part of a larger defense bill. The measure stalled in the Senate.
Other political news of note
Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
House Speaker John Boehner became animated Tuesday over the proposed Keystone Pipeline, castigating the Obama administration for not having approved the project yet.
- Budget deficits shrinking but set to grow after 2015
- Senate readies another volley on unemployment aid
- Obama faces Syria standstill
- Fluke files to run in California
- Animated Boehner: 'There's nothing complex about the Keystone Pipeline!'
Many Republicans, led by Sen. John McCain of Arizona, argue that it would be a mistake for the military to undergo a major cultural change while the nation is fighting two wars.
The issue also has split the military. Gates and other senior military leaders who support lifting the restrictions on gay service point to a recent Pentagon study showing that most people in uniform don't object to serving with gays. But the head of the Marine Corps, Commandant Gen. James Amos, repeated his opposition this week, saying that lifting the ban during wartime could cost lives.
The White House stresses that the change would go into effect only after the president, the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that implementation is consistent with military readiness, recruiting and retention and unit cohesion.
More than 13,500 service members have been dismissed under the 1993 law.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Just what is in Bristol's water supply? Or is it simply a combination of estuary location, compact size and integrated population? But just as there is a dialect called Bristolian, there is an identifiably Bristolian sound – restlessly rhythmic, marvellously moody, acutely melodic, something urban and yet oceanic, full of hidden depths and currents.
"I don't know what's in the water here," wonders one half of Malachai, the singularly named Scott, "but for me it's down to B Boy principles, and attempting to be one step ahead of everyone else. People here pride themselves on their knowledge; they know a good thing when they hear it."
Malachai's 2009 album debut 'The Ugly Side Of Love' was an extraordinary record, one of the best to emerge from Bristol's excessively creative scene. "The rarest of things; both highly individual and highly interesting, with razor-sharp lyrics and excellent tunes" (Clash). "Oppressive, indulgent, often beautiful and wildly disorientating" (The Word). But as MOJO added, it was "a stand-alone Bristol sensation." The album had hallmarks of an archetypal Bristolian bent but it wasn't simply trip-hop but something spikier and tougher, rooted in myriad fabulous forms of the '60s psychedelic underground, from folk to funk, from Tropicalismo to Turner holed up in his Ladbroke Grove lair in Performance.
Also, in the stealthy, sandpapery voice and hugely charismatic presence of singularly named singer Gee, Malachai has a unique frontman.
Totally coincidentally, says Scott, the new record 'Return To The Ugly Side', like its predecessor, totals 14 incisive tracks and 35 concise minutes. There are changes, however. It's more influenced by their individual hip-hop roots than the first album. They're now called Malachai and not Malakai (they changed it after the US rapper of that name objected). And more importantly, "it's a more developed, rounded sound for us without it going hi-fi," Scott reckons. "The first album is like a poppy, eager Labrador, like 'here's a big tune! And here's another!' we were also a bit 'let's have a go at that!' like we were four different bands. The Labrador has been around the block a few times now. It feels truer to us."
Talking influences, Gee mentions '60s pop-psych bands The 23rd Turnoff. The Cavemen and The Savages; Scott adds, Portishead's third and DJ Shadow's first, with a more chopped up feel in tandem with recent Gonjasufi and Flying Lotus albums. In the orchestrated intro 'Monsters', Ben Salisbury's arrangement aims for what Scott calls, "the space and strangeness" of Jon Brion's score for Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind that infiltrates other nooks and crannies of the album. It may sound more like one band now but Return To… has many moods. 'Anne' throws a Lennonesque (circa 'Tomorrow Never Knows') curve but The Beatles never sounded like this. Mid-Antarctica ('Wearing Sandals'), has a metallic crunch but a contradictory dreamy core. 'Rainbows' – which samples Welsh rockers Mann's 1969 instrumental 'Parchment & Candles' – distils that sweetness and adds a female vocal in the form of Sheffield's Katy Wainwright to underline a more beautiful side to love.
Because as both album titles confirm, the ugly side usually wins out. "I've been so hung up on love, I was in a strange, bad head space," explains Gee, who was going through a bad break-up at the time of the first album. "But the words were much more than boy-girl. I grew up with that post-war 'I love you' mentality, and there are so many love songs out there that don't touch on how wide and complex love really is. As you get older, you see how the world works and you get more confused and hurt by how it's run."
By the time he was writing Return To… says Gee, "I was coming to terms with it and letting go." Despite its solemn mood, this is clearest on 'Let 'Em Fall':"If you've been hid behind bars / heavy chains over your shoulders / let 'em fall let 'em fall let 'em fall." It's the first single from the album, given its sleek and contagious chorus.
Not that Gee is out of the woods yet. In the jittery 'My Ambulance' (co- written with Geoff Barrow's Beak> bandmate Billy Fuller), he confesses, "I'm feelin' lost, so lost / I do need you, my ambulance") with echoes of The Pretty Things' SF Sorrow opus in the vocal and beyond. The pensive, eerie 'Distance' epitomises loneliness ("Sonars and radars they bring no news / even though they know there's no use"). Similarly sparse and subterranean, 'Monster' chokes, "I don't want to be the monster/ the one you run from / I should be the one you run to/ it should be me who is loving you."
Yet after 'Snake Eyes', the second instrumental interlude, the closing 'Hybernation' – at 3.41 mins the longest and most skeletal track - Gee is emerging. The circulating, descending guitar line suggests that life goes on: "I've been here enough / here in a low position / there's only up / I'm comin' up / tunneling up / who knows what I'll find out when I meet the sun?"
"'Hybernation' is about self-imposed isolation. I like to keep to myself, but it's damaging," Gee acknowledges. "We all hide behind our screens, computer or otherwise, increasingly so as time goes on. It's like we're having conversations with machines and forgetting to be human. We're denying ourselves the truth.
"If we're hung up on anything," he concludes, "it's honesty. That's the beauty of Malachai for me."
Malachai, then, in its fervent duality – Scott/Gee, tunes/beats, past/present, dread/hope, ugly/beautiful – have made another west country classic. Ah, Bristol's water supply; so much to answer for…
- Malachai Unveil New Video & Remixes For Forthcoming Single
- Malachai Announce New Single & Free Download
- Malachai's new album is out today
- Epic Malachai mixtape and album coming soon
- Malachai Unveil The Video For 'Let 'Em Fall'
- Malachai are back and doing lots of stuff
- Malachai return with new album
- Malachai Make A 'Return To The Ugly Side'
- Malachai: New Video: Snowflake
- Malachai - Fading World - Stream / Free MP3


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- Our Towns
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Discover New Jersey Shore Camping and the beautiful forests and kid-friendly entertainment at the Long Beach RV Resort. Just 10 miles from pristine beaches, this resort is the place to stay whether you're vacationing in an RV, pitching a tent or renting one of our rustic cabins.
The 227 spacious sites have water hookups, on-site grills, campfire rings and private picnic tables. We also have tent sites and cabin rentals available.
For our guests' convenience, our grounds feature laundry facilities, a dog park, a dump station and a store selling all sorts of treats and camping supplies.
Vacation is the time to play and our resort provides plenty of entertainment options. Bounce on our jump pillow, or play mini-golf on our 18-hole course. You'll also find incredible nature trails for hiking, a playground for the kids and a pristine swimming pool.


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Our Philosophy
Our mission is to provide you with the best quality, safe and effective herbal remedies that you can trust, and we also post regularly on our blog about all kind of natural healing to help you achieve optimal health. Because our products are based on the classic Chinese Medicinal Herbs used throughout the China for over four thousand years for people to create radiant health and well being.To provide you with the best quality, safe and effective Chinese herbal remedies that you can trust and a comprehensive resource online that helps you attain holistic health and natural healing. Because our products are based on the classic Chinese Medicinal Herbs used throughout the China for over four thousand years for people to create radiant health and well being.
Our Guarantee
We'll promptly return, exchange or refund any purchase you are not happy with. To send an item back to us, simply use the HerbalShop return label that came in your original mailing package. No questions asked.
Shipping & Delivery
We ship all US orders via USPS Priority Mail. This allows us to insure and track each package. All apartment or suite numbers must be listed in the shipping address. For orders going to addresses within the continental United States, we now offer Free Shipping for each order. Usually, we fill your order within 2-5 business days and start it on its way to you. Order usually arrives within 7-10 business days (for in-stock items).
Returns & Replacements
30-day money back guarantee!!
Your personal satisfaction is guaranteed for all purchases. We do not want you to have anything from Herbalshop.com that is not completely satisfactory. You may return any item for any reason within 30 days of receipt for a full refund of the purchase price. Shipping charges can only be refunded if the return is due to our error. Please state the reason for the return, so we may improve our services to you in future. All returned products should be in the condition they were received in, as well as in their original packaging. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your order, please send an email to our customer service department at email@example.com
You may use any return shipping method at your own expense. Once we receive your order, we credit the appropriate account within 10-14 days; we also send you an email to let you know the refund is complete.
How to Return/Exchange Your Item
1. A return and exchange form is enclosed with every package.
2. Pack your merchandise in the original shipping box.
3. Please fill out the return section of the form completely and enclose it with the item(s) you are returning.
4. Please indicate if you would prefer to receive a refund, or make an exchange for another item.
5. If you are exchanging merchandise, please fill out the exchange portion on the back of the form.
6. Shipping and handling fees are not refundable.
7. Send the package to:
Herbshop.com Return
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8. Insure your package for the full value or the merchandise and return it to us using the delivery service of your choice.
9. Check your e-mail. We will notify you via e-mail once your return has been processed.


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August 11, 2015
Tampa Bay/Hudson, FL – The Heart Institute at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point is offering a community education class called Heart Healthy Nutrition: Eating for a healthy heart. The next class will be held September 1 at 1 pm at the Rao Musunuru, MD Conference Center located at the back of the campus at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson.
Those who attend will learn eating habits to help prevent & treat heart disease. The different types of fats & cholesterol, sodium & fiber will be explained along with which are the most beneficial foods to include in the diet and which to limit. Food label reading, recipe modification, and food shopping will be discussed. Handouts will be provided to take home for reference.
Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information and for reservations call 727-869-5498.


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The National Portrait Gallery will be open Wednesdays through Sundays 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m. beginning Sept. 18 at Eighth and G streets N.W. Refer to Visit for the latest visitor safety guidelines, including a new requirement for free timed-entry passes for all ages.
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Matrix Games Signs Armada 252623 Oct 2009 0
Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Ntronium Games (www.ntronium.com) have announced that they have reached a publishing agreement for Armada 2526, a space-based blend of turn-based strategy and intense real time space battles. The founder and director of Ntronium Games, R.T. Smith, has been creating strategy games for more than 20 years, including the original 4x space classic Armada 2525. Most recently he was the project director and lead designer for Medieval 2: Total War, having earlier served as designer and programmer on the previous Total War games.
David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said ?We?re thrilled to be working with a developer and designer who has been the creative direction behind hits like Rome: Total War and Medieval 2: Total War. We?re confident that the critical acclaim his work in the Total War series has enjoyed will translate well into outer space with Armada 2526!?
Armada 2526 continues the great tradition of space opera games. Players guide their race from its first interstellar journeys until it becomes a mighty galactic empire. Along the way, they'll explore the galaxy, conduct research, diplomacy and trade, found new colonies, maneuver mighty star fleets, and fight epic battles. Although the game is complex, and the possible strategies endless, powerful help and advisor features help you get up to speed quickly. Unlike many games in this genre, Armada 2526 boasts a streamlined play system, providing games that can be finished in a reasonable time, and emphasizes battle and strategy over economic micro-management.
Some major features include:
- Turn-Based Strategy Map - The strategy map shows the portion of the galaxy where the game takes place. Here you'll maneuver your fleets, manage your colonies, and grow your empire. The emphasis in this part of the game is thinking and planning, so you can spend as much time as you want planning your strategies, and issuing orders. When you're done, hit the "end turn" button, and your orders will be carried out simultaneously with those of other players.
- Epic Space Battles - Battles can be epic affairs with more than a hundred ships on each side. They are presented to the player in their full majesty via real-time 3D rendering with glowing energy beams, shimmering shields, and spectacular explosions. The action is real-time, both to enhance the visual spectacle, and to introduce elements of tension and pressure; however, the emphasis is firmly on tactics and maneuvering formations, rather than frantic clicking on individual ships, and you always have the option of pausing the battle to issue orders. Planetary assaults are especially intense with ship to ships battles, ground battles and ground to air battles all taking place simultaneously. If the attacker doesn't complete the conquest quickly enough, the battle will continue into the next turn, giving each side the chance to throw in reinforcements.
- Diplomacy - With so many players, you need a full featured diplomatic system. In Armada 2526 you can negotiate offensive and defensive alliance, non aggression pacts and trade agreements. Trade money, technology, colonies, ships and information. You can issue threats and ultimatums, or ask for favors. Friendships can be made and trust earned, or your reputation can be ruined by bullying and not honoring agreements. Negotiations proceed by a series of offers and counter offers. Hard bargaining can drive the price down, but being generous builds friendships. During negotiations, you see an animated view of your counterpart, so you know who you are dealing with, and how they feel.
- Technology - There are many different technology items to research. The game system encourages you to specialize in particular areas of tech, so as you expand and meet new players, you will find that they have radically different capabilities. Many of the technologies are disruptive, and force you to radically alter your strategy and tactics to utilize them, or to cope with the lack of. You may for instance concentrate on building the biggest and best navy in the galaxy, and then watch in dismay as your ships flee from and opponent who has mastered the psychic arts, or are outmaneuvered by an adversary who has specialized in stealth or hyper space technology. You may have turned your planets into fortresses, but this won't help if they are infected by nanobots that eat defenses from the inside out, or if your opponent is impolite enough to drop an asteroid on your favorite colony.
- Powerful AI - The artificial intelligence routines have been created by an expert in the field, to provide AI players that are both worthy adversaries, and opponents that are fun to play against. The A.I. has been built into the game from the beginning of development and updated to take advantage of new game features as they are added, giving the developers the maximum time to polish its behavior. This is in contrast to many games, where the AI is tacked on at the end of development. Of course the same powerful routines developed for the opponents, are also available to assist the player in managing their empire, and to offer game play advice.
Armada 2526 will be available in time for the holiday season. Get more information from its official product page.
And now for some screenshots. Check out these hot little exclusives:
In addition we have some more screenshots released to the general press:
In addition to these screenshots there is also a video that has been released. It can be viewed here: http://www.matrixgames.com/products/376/videos/Armada.2526
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Study: Sibling bullying hurts, too
When Wendy Donenfeld was little, her brother, seven years her senior, started calling her "vantz" -- the Yiddish word for "bed bug."
He hit her, tried to dodge her when she tagged along with him and his friends and, on some memorable incidents, would use her as a guinea pig for wrestling moves he learned from TV.
"He'd grab my head and yell `Sleeper hold!'" said Donenfeld, who, at 59, has not forgotten the terror.
Given her own experience, Donenfeld, of Stamford, wasn't surprised to hear about a study out of the University of New Hampshire showing that bullying by siblings can be just as emotionally damaging to young people as bullying by their peers.
Study researchers interviewed nearly 3,600 children and caregivers about whether the kids experienced various forms of "aggression" at the hands of their siblings. They found those who were subjected to name-calling, physical assaults and other forms of abuse sibling reported greater mental health distress than those who didn't endure such torment.
The researchers also interviewed subjects about bullying by peers who weren't family members and found, in some cases, sibling and peer bullying were equally detrimental to a child's mental health.
That's significant, said study lead author Corinna Tucker, associate professor of family studies at the University of New Hampshire. In recent years, bullying of kids by classmates and others their age has become a huge concern, she said, but bullying by siblings has largely been left out of that discussion.
"There has been a perception by the general public of sibling bullying as something to be dismissed," Tucker said. "What is deemed acceptable among siblings is not deemed acceptable among peers."
For the study, researchers spoke to the caregivers of children aged 1 month through 9 years and spoke directly to those age 10 to 17 years. All of the children involved had at least one sibling 18 or younger living with them.
More InformationOh, brother! (or sister)
Here are a few key facts from the University of New Hampshire sibling bullying study:
Researchers interviewed 3,599 children and caregivers via telephone.
Children aged 10 to 17 were interviewed directly; with children aged 1 month through 9 years, a parent or other caregiver was interviewed.
All study subjects had at least one sibling younger than 18 living with them.
Interviews asked whether the kids studied had experienced various acts of "aggression" from siblings in the past year, including physical assaults, verbal abuse, and "property aggression," such as taking the child's belongings by force.
About 32 percent of children and adolescents reported experiencing one type of sibling victimization in the past year; 8 percent reported being the victim of two or more types.
The study looked at whether the subjects had incurred various types of aggression, including physical assault with no weapons, physical assault with a weapon and "property aggression," such as taking a sibling's belongings by force.
Researchers found that 32 percent of the children and adolescents studied reported one type of sibling bullying in the past year and 8 percent reported being the victim of two or more types.
The study then looked at levels of depression, anxiety and anger among those who experienced bullying. Researchers found mild physical assault (such as kicking or pushing) at the hands of a sibling had a bigger impact on the mental health of children 1 month through 9 years than it did on older children. But the impact of other forms of sibling aggression were the same across age groups.
Tucker said some of the subjects also reported being bullied by non-family members and, in many cases, the peer bullying had as big an impact on mental health as the sibling bullying.
Though there have been several media stories about teens and young adults who killed themselves after being bullied by peers, Tucker said the study didn't indicate an increase in suicidal feelings as a result of sibling bullying.
The study represents a step forward in research on sibling aggression, which previously had been underanalyzed, said Dr. Aaron Krasner, director of the adolescent transitional living program at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan.
However, he pointed out that the study doesn't seem to look at other underlying issues that might contribute to poor mental health among bullied kids examined.
For instance, he said, if a bullied child had a condition like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, that could also be factor in his or her anxiety, anger and depression. "When you look at a big group of people, you can establish a relationship (between an action and a result), but you can't necessarily infer that thing A led to thing B," Krasner said.
Still, he said, the New Hampshire study is valuable in showing that managing sibling aggression is a crucial part of parenting.
Tucker, meanwhile, said more research is needed on the subject, but the new study has already struck a chord with many, including Donenfeld.
She said she feels she was bullied by her brother, though she doubts he would classify his behavior that way. To a degree, she said, she understands why he acted the way he did.
Donenfeld said her mother always forced her brother to take her with him, and he didn't want her there. And even with the tension in their relationship, it wasn't all bad.
She and others also said there's a fine line between sibling bullying and just ordinary sniping among siblings. "You definitely expect some amount of competition and you expect some stinging remarks from time to time," said Dr. Sheila Cooperman, vice chairwoman of psychiatry at St. Vincent's Behavioral Health in Westport. "But when there's real aggression and real anger and malice, that's different. That can really hurt."
firstname.lastname@example.com; 203-330-6290; twitter.com/AmandaCuda; http://blog.ctnews.com/whatthehealth/


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To discover some of the most peaceful and picturesque seaside villages the Fraser Coast has to offer, set off on the Burrum Coast Discovery Trail. It begins just a short drive from Hervey Bay, with the fishing hamlets of Toogoom and Burrum Heads. Here you'll be able to enjoy pristine beaches, cute cafes, nature walks and plenty of wildlife. There are a number of mangrove-lined rivers and creeks that are great places to go fishing, crabbing or kayaking.
Next stop on the trail is the historic township of Howard, 37 kilometres west of Hervey Bay - best known as the former home of Andrew Fisher, the first Labour Prime Minister of Australia. You can then head to the rural village of Torbanlea which has a proud history of more than 100 years of coal mining.
|24 Hours
|32 Kilometres
Discover the fishing village of Burrum Heads, where the Burrum River meets the ocean. You can then continue along a short drive along the coast to Hervey Bay. Keep a look out for wildflowers lining the road on the way back to Hervey Bay.
For a longer drive, continue along the Burrum Heads Road, to the mining villages of Howard and Torbanlea on the Bruce Highway.
|Route Details
|Mode of Travel
|Route Type
Departing from the Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre turn left onto Pialba-Burrum Heads Road and follow the road until you get to the base of the hill. Turn right on to Ansons Road and follow the road to Dundowran Beach.
This quiet, dog friendly beach with gentle waves at high tide also offers a relaxing sandy haven out of the horizon at low tide. Off Sempfs Road you will find the Ted and Maud Mungomery Vine Forest Reserve - the last littoral vine forest remaining in Hervey Bay. Access the walking tracks at Cissus or Ebony Courts only.
Head up the road to Panorama Drive and discover the valuable self-sustaining ecosystem at the beautiful Arkarra Lagoons; a haven for turtles, eels fish, ducks, pelicans, waterbirds, insects and many more species. Have a drink or tee-off up the road at Craignish Gold and Country Club located on the left off the Pialba-Burrum Heads Road.
|Route Details
|Mode of Travel
|Route Type
Continue along the Burrum Heads Road and take the turn off to Toogoom one of the most picturesque seaside spots on the Fraser Coast and is only 15 minutes from Hervey Bay. Here you will find unspoilt beaches, great fishing, wildlife and bird watching.
Fishing is a favourite pastime and there is a boat ramp, jetty, holiday accommodation, bakery and licensed restaurant.
|Route Details
|Mode of Travel
|Route Type
|Level of Difficulty
Level 1: Suitable for the disabled with assistance
Return to the Burrum Heads Road to reach Burrum Heads.
This friendly fishing village is nestled in the mouth of the Burrum River, about 36 kilometres north of Hervey Bay. From the Esplanade you can look across to Hervey Bay and on most days see the top end of Fraser Island.
Take a stroll along the miles of soft, sandy beaches, collect fascinating shells, explore or fish rivers and creeks by boat or canoe or just sit and watch the pelicans and some of the other 90 species of birds that inhabit the area.
Covering 23,1000 hectares, Burrum Coast National Park has mangrove-lined riverbanks, wallum heath with spectacular wildflowers and tea tree-dominated swamps. The southern section of the park, the Burrum River Section, is located on both sides of the Burrum Heads Road, just before Burrum Heads township.
(The central section of Woodgate National Park can be reached from Woodgate Board, 38 kilometres from Childers).
|Route Details
|Mode of Travel
|Route Type
Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator's website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).


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Something you need to consider carefully, and a question that comes up often with new observers is "How often should I observe my program stars?" The answers depend largely on the type of stars you are observing. The following table is a general guideline. As you learn more about the different types of variables, and the personalities of some of the specific stars you choose to observe, you may decide to observe them more or less often than suggested here.
Variable Type
These data consist of formally published data for the years 1900 to 2008, and data for the years 2009 through the present for a subset of these stars. Data from 2009 to the present were those used for calculations of the AAVSO Bulletin, and are considered preliminary. For a description of this data set, please click here.
Stars with maxima and minima data are as follows:
Introduction to Bulletin 74
AAVSO Bulletin 74: Predicted Dates of Maxima and Minima of
371 Long Period Variables for 2011
Elizabeth O. Waagen, Senior Technical Assistant
Matthew R. Templeton, Ph.D, Science Director
AAVSO, 49 Bay State Road, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Letter to Users of 2011 Bulletin
February 2011
Dear Observers,


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Melrose Playground
Mayaro Playground
This playground opened in 1954 as the Melrose Houses Playground. The neighborhood of Melrose was originally settled by the Morris family, who were granted nearly the entire southeastern portion of the Bronx by the British crown in the late 1600s. By the 1850s, the Morrises began selling their land to families, forming suburban communities surrounding Manhattan. Around that time Melrose was given its name by the Scottish surveyor Andrew Finlay, paying tribute to Sir Walter Scott's literary work Melrose Abbey, a popular piece at the time.
The neighborhood then experienced an influx of German immigrants, whose churches, theaters, and beer gardens would dominate the cultural identity of the area until the 1950s. Although relatively isolated at first, in the late 19th century more people settled the area, and Melrose Avenue was built in 1891. The development of rapid transit transformed Melrose from a suburb into a bustling urban area, especially after the completion of the first subway line in 1908, which connected it to Manhattan.
Melrose gradually became one of the largest commercial and entertainment centers of the Bronx. Its theaters were well attended, and its large warehouses, such as Alexander's, were the first of their kind to appear in the borough. During the early 1900s, many Italian, Russian, and Jewish immigrants settled in the Melrose neighborhood. By the 1940s, the original German presence had declined, but the problem of overpopulation was rising.
Further immigration and urbanization led to an influx of Puerto Ricans and African Americans. In the 1950s, the city responded by allocating funding for the building of low-income housing projects. In the 1960s and 70s, Melrose fell into an economic decline, but it has recently enjoyed a significant commercial rebirth due to the completion of a new civic center, police station, and housing.
Located on Courtlandt Avenue between East 153rd and 156th Streets, this playground lies adjacent to the Melrose housing projects, for which it was created as a recreational facility. The Board of Estimate approved its construction in 1953, and the park was opened as Melrose Playground on June 4, 1954 with basketball, handball, shuffleboard, and paddle tennis courts, see-saws, slides, swings, a sand pit, and a wading pool.
In 1998, the site was significantly improved with funds from Council Member Pedro Espada. While many parts of the playground were renovated, most visible was the addition of new play equipment and swings. Honey locust (Geditsia triacanthos), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), and sweet gum (Liquidambar spp.) trees are dispersed inside and outside the playground, adding to its attractiveness. On May 5, 1999, Commissioner Stern renamed the park the Mayaro Playground.


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09 January 2013 | News | By BioSpectrum Bureau
The new office currently employs three people, with plans to hire an additional nine employees by 2016
Singapore: ReproCELL, a Japanese stem cell technology company, has opened the company's first branch and US office in Boston. ReproCELL is the third Japanese life sciences company to have expanded into Massachusetts in the past six months, following Scivax and Human Metabolon Technologies.
The new office currently employs three people, with plans to hire an additional nine employees by 2016. "The US market is the most important for ReproCELL to enter in order to foster our growth – we estimate that the US market is 20 to 50 times larger than that of Japan," said Mr Takashi Masai, COO, ReproCELL USA. "Massachusetts is the perfect place to start our business in the US because of its high concentration of top-level customers for both of our business lines. In addition, the Commonwealth provides access to the network of biotech professionals and support from government partners, such as the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC)."
Founded in 2003, ReproCELL is the only Japanese human embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-related company. ReproCELL offers human iPS/ES cell culture media and the world's first commercialized human iPS cell derived cardiomyocyte, dopaminergic neuron, cholinergic neuron, Alzheimer's disease model neuron and hepatocyte.
In October, the company was included on the "Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Japan" list. "Thanks to our growth strategy of investing in education, innovation and infrastructure, including our 10-year, $1-billion Life Sciences Initiative, Massachusetts continues to lead the world in life sciences," said
Governor Deval Patrick. "I congratulate ReproCELL, and appreciate the company's commitment to growing in Massachusetts."
"I am so proud to welcome the innovative, Japanese stem cell company ReproCELL to Massachusetts," said Massachusetts House Speaker Robert A DeLeo, who met with representatives of ReproCELL at the BIO International Convention in June. "As Massachusetts moves forward and begins to emerge from this economic downturn, we are focusing our efforts on bringing new jobs and making our Commonwealth more competitive through passing ground-breaking economic development legislation and leading the nation in health care cost containment. ReproCELL's expansion into Massachusetts paves the way for other innovative companies and start-ups to find a home in Massachusetts."
"ReproCELL is a welcome addition to the life science cluster in Massachusetts," said Japanese Consul General Akira Muto. "ReproCELL's technology shows the strength of Japanese innovation by enabling groundbreaking biological research to take place, such as Dr Shinya Yamanaka's Nobel Prize winning work with iPS cells, and will provide positive economic benefits to both Massachusetts and Japan."