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Two years ago, the University of Houston's Moores School of Music Concert Chorale took its rich harmonies across the pond and made an instant splash on the international choir scene. Soon, the group will return to Europe to participate in France's prestigious vocal competition Floriège Vocal de Tours.
Under the direction of Betsy Cook Weber, the chorale is among nine international choirs selected for this exclusive festival. The event runs May 27 - 29 in Tours, France. The chorale will represent the United States at this event.
"We are excited to represent the university and to be the sole American choir at this event," said Betsy Cook Weber, Concert Chorale director. "Events such as this are inspirational on many levels. Students are inspired to work harder, and I am inspired to teach harder than ever before. It also gives our students confidence that their talents are on par with the best in the world."
In 2009, the Moores Concert Chorale took top honors in the chamber choir division at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales. That performance left a lasting impression on the festival's audience and helped enhance the group's international reputation.
Since 1972, Floriège Vocal de Tours has hosted the world's best vocal groups. Each year, the festival's jury selects one choir for its top prize Grand Prix of Ville de Tours. This honor is presented to the group that has consistently received high marks from judges during each stage of the competition.
"The competition will be daunting," Weber said. "Previous winners have included professional groups. The invitation alone is quite an honor for us, and we are working very hard to prepare for this event."
To reach the Grand Prix round and compete for the festival's grand prize, the UH Concert Chorale must first perform in qualifying rounds that require three works performed a capella: one composed before 1750, another composed between 1750 and 1900 and a third selection composed after 1900. Following the qualifying rounds, choirs will then be selected to participate in the event's finals, which require each group to perform a work written after 1950, a work written after 1940 by a French composer and a free choice of work from any period.
The chorale also will compete in several of the festival's sub-competitions. One of these will recognize the best performance of a world premiere composition. For this particular contest, the group will debut "The Door Ajar" written by Moores School of Music director David Ashley White.
"It is a sublime piece," Weber said. "I can't think of a better place to premiere it. David's support is very motivating for the students. It's a very special feeling when we can perform one of his works."
Houstonians can experience the Concert Chorale during its many performances on campus and around the city. At 8 p.m., March 25, members of the chorale will perform at the Cypress Creek Christian Community Center in Cypress, Texas. And at 5 p.m., March 25, the chorale teams up with Grammy nominees Ars Lyrica Houston (led by UH music professor Matthew Dirst) for a performance at Zilkha Hall in downtown Houston.
The group also will preview the selections that will be performed in France during the following concerts in Houston:
- 4 p.m., March 20 - St. Paul's United Methodist Church (5401 Fannin St.)
- 5:30 p.m., May 15 - All Saints Catholic Church (214 E. 10th St.)
- 7:30 p.m., May 16 - St. Phillip Presbyterian Church (4807 San Felipe St.)
- 7:30 p.m., May 24 - Moores Opera House at UH
The Moores Concert Chorale is UH's premiere large choral ensemble consisting of mainly junior and senior music majors. In addition to its 2009 performances in Wales, the chorale has performed before members of the Texas Music Educators Association in San Antonio in 2005 and 2008. In 2007, the group was the invited choir to perform at the national convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Miami.
The chorale is among the ensembles based within the Moores School of Music. Other award-winning groups include the Moores School Symphony Orchestra, Moores Jazz Ensemble, Moores Opera Center, Concert Women's Chorus, Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble.
The Moores School of Music offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. It serves approximately 600 students annually. Areas of study include composition, conducting, performance, theory and musicology. Its faculty consists of internationally recognized performers, composers and scholars. A majority of the school's concerts are performed in the 800-seat Moores Opera House. For more details on the Moores School of Music, visit http://www.music.uh.edu/.


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Wall Street and the Mismanagement of Software
Last week, an error in some automated high-frequency trading software from Knight Capital Group caused the program to go seriously amok, and when the cyberdust cleared, the company was left barely alive, holding the bill for almost a half-billion dollars to cover the erroneous trades. Much of the ensuing uproar has cited the incident as rationale for additional regulation and/or putting humans more directly in the decision loop. However, that argument is implicitly based on the assumption that software, or at least automated trading software, is intrinsically unreliable and cannot be trusted. Such an assumption is faulty. Reliable software is indeed possible, and people's lives and well-being depend on it every day. But it requires an appropriate combination of technology, process, and culture.
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In this specific case, the Knight software was an update that was intended to accommodate a new NYSE system, the Retail Liquidity Program that went live on August 1. Other trading companies' systems were able to cope with the new NYSE program; Knight was not so fortunate, and, in what was perhaps the most astounding part of the whole episode, it took the company 30 minutes before they shut down the program. By then, the expensive damage had been done.
It's clear that Knight's software was deployed without adequate verification. With a deadline that could not be extended, Knight had to choose between two alternatives: delaying their new system until they had a high degree of confidence in its reliability (possibly resulting in a loss of business to competitors in the interim), or deploying an incompletely verified system and hoping that any bugs would be minor. They did not choose wisely.
With a disaster of this magnitude—Knight's stock has nosedived since the incident—there is of course a lot of post mortem analysis: what went wrong, and how can it be prevented in the future.
The first question can only be answered in detail by the Knight software developers themselves, but several general observations may be made. First, the company's verification processes were clearly insufficient. This is sometimes phrased as "not enough testing" but there is more to verification than testing; for example source code analysis by humans or by automated tools to detect potential errors and vulnerabilities. Second, the process known as hazard analysis or safety analysis in other domains was not followed. Such an analysis involves planning for "what if..." scenarios: if the software fails—whether from bad code or bad data—, what is the worst that can happen? Answering such questions could have resulted in code to perform limit checks or carry out "fail soft" procedures. This would at least have shut down the program with minimal damage, rather than letting it rumble on like a software version of the sorcerer's apprentice.
The question of how to prevent such incidents in the future is more interesting. Some commentators have claimed that the underlying application in high-frequency trading (calculating trades within microseconds to take advantage of fraction-of-a-cent price differentials) is simply a bad idea that frightens investors and should be banned or heavily regulated. There are arguments on both sides of that issue, and we will leave that discussion to others. However, if such trading is permitted, then how are its risks to be mitigated?
To put things in perspective, in spite of the attention that the incident has caused, the overall system—the trading infrastructure—basically worked. Certainly Knight itself was affected, but the problem was localized: we didn't have another "flash crash." We don't know yet whether this is because we got lucky or because the "circuit breakers" in the NYSE system were sufficient, but it's clear that such an error has the potential to cause much larger problems.
What is needed is a change in the way that such critical software is developed and deployed. Safety-critical domains such as commercial avionics, where software failure could directly cause or contribute to the loss of human life, have known about this for decades. These industries have produced standards for software certification that heavily emphasize appropriate "life cycle" processes for software development, verification, and quality assurance. A "safety culture" has infused the entire industry, with hazard/safety analysis a key part of the overall process. Until the software has been certified as compliant with the standard, the plane does not fly. The result is an impressive record in practice: no human fatality on a commercial aircraft has been attributed to a software error.
High-frequency automated trading is not avionics flight control, but the aviation industry has demonstrated that safe, reliable real-time software is possible, practical, and necessary. It requires appropriate development technology and processes as well as a culture that thinks in terms of safety (or reliability) first. That is the real lesson to be learned from last week's incident. It doesn't come for free, but it certainly costs less than $440M.
Robert Dewar is the president and CEO of AdaCore. He is the principal author GNAT, the free software Ada compiler, and earlier of the Realia COBOL compiler.

subset: commoncrawl


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Is Arrow's villainous Dark Archer really any different than Arrow? Stephen Amell isn't so sure.
"I think everybody on the show is misunderstood," Amell told us. "We don't group together a bunch of people and say good guys, bad guys. Everybody is somewhere in the middle. Who's to say the Dark Archer's reason for doing what he's doing isn't as virtuous as the reason Oliver is doing what he's doing, of which we still don't know a great deal?"
Arrow Scoop: Will Oliver be able to take down The Count?
In the video below, Amell talks more about his titular character, shares some scoop about Colton Haynes' upcoming debut as Roy Harper and answers the show's most burning question: Does Oliver Queen really apply his own green makeup?
Arrow airs on Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.


text: "6. Support for development, based on mutual responsibility, and a strong partnership with developing countries, particularly in Africa, remains a cornerstone of the G8's approach. We will pursue our comprehensive approach to development aiming at sustainable outcomes. We reaffirm our commitments, including on ODA and enhancing aid effectiveness. We call on developing country governments to meet their primary responsibilities for social and economic development and good governance, in the interests of their citizens. Since the most vulnerable states have made the least progress towards the MDGs, we will place special emphasis on helping them build the foundations for peace, security and sustainable development".


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06 June, 2013 | (01 hr)
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Today's employers have access to more data than ever. But new approaches are required to understand the data in a way that reflects the full range of health and productivity approaches necessary to make the business case for health improvement.
Please join us for a free 60-minute webcast, where industry leaders will highlight data management strategies. We will cover new data sources available to employers, case studies from companies who are leading the way in population health data, and new offerings to help you understand—and act on—your organization's data.
In viewing, participants will:
- Have a better understanding of the business-relevant health outcomes and how to measure their impact on performance
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Audience: VP / Directors of: Benefits, HR, Total Rewards, Compensation, Health and Wellness
Thomas Parry, PhD
Dr. Thomas Parry is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Integrated Benefits Institute.
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Marcia Wright, PharmD is a Senior Director, Medical Affairs in Integrated Health, a Pfizer solution with responsibility for providing field-based medical support on a national basis. Marcia joined Pfizer in October 1999 as a Clinical Education Consultant with responsibility for providing ed...Full Bio
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Professional airbrush and bodypaint artist Lisa Berczel painted this bit of medical makeup for the International Make-Up Artist Trade Show in Los Angeles. Aside from some medical grade paper tape near the eye and brow blocking, this is all paint.
Berczel has also done her share of (NSFW) pop culture painting, including on a glittery Aunty Entity and a stempunk Borg.
IMATS 13 - Gray's Anatomy [Lisa Berczel via Ian Brooks]


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WHEREAS, the State Mineral Board, created and established by Act No. 93 of the 1936 Regular Legislative Session, R.S. 30:121, et seq., meets at the call of the governor pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 30:123; and
WHEREAS, the customary meeting schedule for the State Mineral Board is impracticable at times, due to holidays, special events, and/or special circumstances;
NOW THEREFORE I, KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO, Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:
SECTION 1: The regular scheduled meetings of the State Mineral Board (hereafter "Board") shall be held on the second Wednesday of each month for the granting of oil, gas, and mineral leases, and such other business as may properly come before the Board.
SECTION 2: Upon obtaining the approval of the Board, the chair of the Board is authorized to issue for the governor the call of a meeting of the Board scheduled for a date other than the second Wednesday of a month, when a meeting on the second Wednesday is impracticable because a holiday or other special event falls on that date.
SECTION 3: Upon obtaining the approval of the Board, the chair of the Board is authorized to issue for the governor the call of a meeting of the Board that is in addition to the board's monthly meeting, when special circumstances necessitate that an additional meeting be held.
SECTION 4: All departments, commissions, boards, offices, entities, agencies, and officers of the state of Louisiana, or any political subdivision thereof, are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Board in implementing the provisions of this Order.
SECTION 5: This Order is effective upon signature and shall continue in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the governor, or terminated by operation of law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the city of Baton Rouge, on this 2nd day of July, 2004.
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State


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Event Information
Date and Time
Refund Policy
Contact the organiser to request a refund.
Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.
A full day course designed for those who use ladder and stepladders in the course of their day to day work. Ideal for all trades including electricians, plumbers, tree surgeons, painters and decorators, etc.
Course Overview & Agenda
- Assess and determine when appropriate to use a ladder or stepladder
- Correctly locate and safely use ladders and stepladders
- Visually inspect ladders and stepladders for damage before and after use
- Understand the legislation and standards relating to ladders and stepladders
- Awareness of hazards in using ladders and stepladders
- Correct storage and handling of ladders and stepladders
Course Delivery
- Classroom based course with practical content delivered outside
- Assessment includes practical activities, multiple choice questions with 80% pass mark
- Delegates receive Ladder Association Certificate and Photo card ID valid for 5 years
- Half day course – minimum 4 hours
- Maximum 8 delegates
Link to the TLA Ladder & Step Ladder User Training Course on the TB Davies website.
How long is the training valid for?
The training is valid for 5 years equiping the student with the latest developments in best practice and legislation. Official Ladder Association certificates and photo-cards are usually issued within 4 weeks of completion.
Is lunch or refreshments provided?
All students have unlimited tea/coffee and mineral water available throughout the training. A buffet lunch is also provided for full day courses.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
The Training Academy provides FREE onsite parking for all students. The Lewis Road site is also on a major bus route and a short walk from Cardiff Queen Street railway station.
What do I need to wear to the event?
Please wear safety boots and warm clothes for the practical sessions in colder weather.
Do I need to bring anything to the event?
All training materials and stationary is provided. The course is a mix of practical and classroom in a modern, bright and temperature controlled environment.
What is the refund policy?
In the unfortunate circumstance that the student has to cancel or postpone a confirmed booking at any time prior to the training delivery, cancellation charges will be made as follows:
- 1-2 months 25% of rates quoted
- 2 weeks - 1 month 50% of rates quoted
- 3 working days – 2 weeks 75% of rates quoted
- 2 working days or less 100% of rates quoted
Any students who do not arrive, or who depart early will be charged at 100% of the delegate rate or rates quoted.
Date and Time
Refund Policy
Contact the organiser to request a refund.
Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.


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And frivolous japery
An invitation-only group where members of the beta can talk about stuff related to the game without spoiling it for the regular folks!
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Preparing your expenses and sales receipts for filing your taxes can be a nightmare. Do you have your company related papers filed in a shoe box? Or, are you organized and enter your information in bookkeeping software like QuickBooks or Peachtree?
Whatever your preferred method of filing your information is, you have to assemble it for the tax preparer or accountant. What do you have to give him? Here is a list of the documentation:
- Receipts for the purchase of equipment. These are your assets, and assets are depreciated over time. Various types of equipment have different rates of depreciation. Your accountant will know what those rates are, and he will be able to calculate your depreciation expense. Additionally, certain purchases of capital equipment will give you a tax credit. So it is worthwhile to have your accountant review this information.
- Payroll information is important. Providing a summary of Social Security and Medicare taxes, health benefits, if any, Federal, state and city taxes for each employee and the Treasury payments made are necessary to ascertain your payroll expenses for the year. Any payments made to independent contractors should be reported on Form 1099.
- Any draws that you have taken from the business and any estimated taxes you have paid will assist the accountant in preparing your tax liability.
- You will need to give the accountant a list of accounts receivable that have remained outstanding at the end of 2012. He may ask you about the probability of collection of these accounts and may want to indicate whether these are probable or uncollectable leading to a bad debt expense. He may also want to know whether you have "earned" the revenue you have collected in the year. This refers to the Matching Principle in accounting – if you haven't earned the revenues but have collected it, you will have an accrual on moneys collected but not earned.
- In this vein, you will also need to give the accountant a list of those accounts payable that you have not paid at the end of the year. The numbers in 4 and 5 will have an impact on your Working Capital.
- It will be necessary to also keep an eye on your inventory. How frequently do you replenish your inventory? Inventory Turnover is critical to learning whether you will need to reduce the selling price or if you will have a write-off of obsolete inventory.
- If you have entered into any contracts with vendors or suppliers and independent contractors it would be wise to provide the accountant with a copy of those contracts so that he can see any anticipated revenues or costs associated with them.
- Before providing you with the completed tax returns, the accountant will want to review them with you before finalization to make sure that he has included everything. Take this conference seriously. He should offer you advice on the conduct of your operation and indicate whether you need to do more to mitigate your tax liability or improve the way you are running your business.
By the way, if you are using a software package and your accountant uses the same program, you can provide him with a download of your files so that he can manipulate the information as he needs to. This will save him a lot of time in preparing your information and reduce your bill.


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More often than not, Web pages are made of parametric content, be it plain literals, data-driven text, or images. In ASP.NET, data-driven content is usually associated to page controls via data binding, whereas images and literals are bound to the expected language through resources. A page that needs be localizable will resolve data-driven text using a different data source or perhaps a modified binding algorithm. But what about literals?
Page resources are literals stored in an application-specific assembly and bound to a culture identifier. Based on the culture that is currently set, the ASP.NET runtime loads the proper resource assembly and fleshes out the page's interface. Each resource file is a name/value collection filled with pairs of IDs and values. To localize a resource file, you keep the ID intact and just translate the text or, more in general, the HTML markup. Visual Studio 2008 provides ad hoc visual tools for the job. The resource file uses a particular naming convention to refer to the culture ID. If resources.resx is the file with the default text, then resources.XXX.resx is the name of the file with values for the XXX culture. For example, resources.fr.resx contains French resources, and so on. You can have as many resource files as required with no limitation at all.
Each resource file needs be compiled to an assembly to be usable at runtime. In ASP.NET 1.x, as a developer you had to create satellite resource assemblies manually using a command line tool. Starting with version 2.0, ASP.NET can create resource assemblies automatically, parsing and compiling any resource files found in two special folders -- App_LocalResources and App_GlobalResources.
As you can see, starting with ASP.NET 2.0 resources are split in two categories --l ocal and global.
A local resource is a resource file specific to a page. A simple naming convention binds the file to the page. If the page is named sample.aspx, its corresponding resource file is sample.aspx.resx. To be precise, this resource file is language neutral and has no culture defined. To create a resource assembly for a specific culture -- say, Italian --y ou need to name the resource file as follows: sample.aspx.it.resx. Generally, the it string should be replaced with any other equivalent string that identifies a culture, such as "fr" for French or "en" for English. You place page-specific assemblies in a folder named App_LocalResources located at the same level of the page in the server-side filesystem. The folder may group multiple resource files for each ASPX page found in the parent folder. Here's the syntax you use to reference a local resource:
<asp:Label runat="server" id="Label1" meta:resourcekey="Label1" />
The idea is that you associate each control in the page with localizable text with a resource key. The resource key is a string that conventionally contains the control ID. It only needs be a unique string, but binding it to the control ID greatly simplifies things. In the RESX file, you then add a bunch of entries in the form: resourceKey.PropertyName. For example, an entry named Label1.Text will automatically provide value for the Text property of the control bound to the specified resource key. In the resource file, you can set as many control properties as you need.
Global resources, on the other hand, are resources defined in a single place -- the App_GlobalResources folder -- and visible to all pages in the application. Global and local resources can be used simultaneously in the same page with no conflicts at all. A global resource consists of a unique name and a value. The syntax to reference a global value is different. It requires the use of the $Resources function.
<asp:Label runat="server" ID="Label1" Text="<%$ Resources:MyApp, App_Title %>" />
The $Resources function is resolved at compile time and, in the example, will set the Text property to the value of the App_Title entry in the current resource file.
Both local and global resources are driven by the culture set on the page which is a parameter you programmatically control through Culture and UICulture page properties.


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The world's most popular Air Max gets reinvented in the Nike Air Max 90 Ultra 2.0 Flyknit Women's Shoe, with a lighter and softer-than-ever feel thanks to flexible Flyknit and Ultra 2.0 cushioning.
Flexible Fit
Lightweight Flyknit combines areas of stretch, support and breathability where you need them most for an ultra-comfortable fit.
Ultralight Cushioning
The Ultra 2.0 midsole is designed with dual-density foam for plush cushioning and support while reducing the shoe's overall weight. Added rubber sections on the outsole provide durability.
More Details
Air Max 90 Origins
Nike's revolutionary Air-Sole unit made its way into Nike footwear in 1978. In 1987, the Nike Air Max 1 debuted with visible air in its heel, allowing fans more than just the feel of Air-Sole comfort—suddenly they could see it. Three years later, the Nike Air Max 90 let them see even more of it, arriving with a visible air window that was bigger than its predecessor. It hit the shelves sporting a fiery shade of red that set the sneaker world ablaze and became a Nike staple.
Flyknit OriginsNike Flyknit technology was inspired by feedback from runners seeking a shoe with the snug (and virtually unnoticed) fit of a sock. Nike embarked on a four-year mission with teams of programmers, engineers and designers to create the technology needed to make the knit upper with static properties for structure and durability. Then the precise placement of support, flexibility and breathability—all in one layer—was refined. The result is a featherweight, formfitting and virtually seamless upper. This unprecedented precision maximizes performance while reducing the material waste of traditional cut and sew by an average of 60%. The equivalent of six recycled plastic bottles are used in every pair of Flyknit shoes, saving millions of pounds of material from reaching landfills.
Regular Price: £120.00
Special Price £68.04
Regular Price: £99.95
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Regular Price: £84.95
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Regular Price: £179.95
Special Price £80.17


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For 30 years, the Cargo Distribution Centre in Bremen has delivered excellence – as an investment location and a logistics hub. Opened in the mid-1980s, it was Germany's first 'freight village' and broke new ground in freight transportation. Today more than 150 companies employing approximately 8,000 people are based at the site. It covers an area of around 500 hectares and now offers four different options for transporting freight. The site has optimum transport links to road, rail and water, and is extending its range of services to include air freight, thanks to its proximity to Bremen City Airport. Bremen's Cargo Distribution Centre is also the only terminal for integrated road-rail transport in Germany that operates purely within the private sector.
The Cargo Distribution Centre in Bremen has an impressive track record in various rankings. A study of the top 20 cargo distribution centres in Germany conducted by the German Association for Cargo Distribution Centres (DGG) in 2012 ranked Bremen first. This opinion was shared by the Munich-based logistics property specialist Logivest and the Fraunhofer Working Group for Supply Chain Services in Nuremberg, whose joint study LoGe 2015: The most successful logistics hubs in Germany also ranked the Bremen centre first. Bremen's Cargo Distribution Centre is leading the way in Europe, too. It has been in first place since 2020.
A fundamental strength of the Cargo Distribution Centre in Bremen is its geographical location. It is situated at the heart of the North Range ports and offers direct links to the ports in Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven. Its location is strategically important for inland transport. The 281 autobahn makes the centre even more accessible. As well as improving the flow of traffic, it links Bremen directly to the JadeWeserPort via the B6 and A28/A29 and from 2021 will also connect the A1 and A27. The direct link to the A27 will save time and money and be advantageous for container traffic to Bremerhaven. Work on the new section of motorway is expected to begin in mid- to late 2016.
In addition to being home to Europe's largest high-bay warehouse and to global players in logistics, the Cargo Distribution Centre in Bremen attracts transport businesses, service providers and logistics companies, as well as the industrial enterprises and retailers that take advantage of their services. In 2014 the Cargo Distribution Centre offered 1,308,100 square metres of logistics space, exceeding the 1.3 million mark for the first time. In 2015 this increased to 1,376,100 square metres according to our real-estate market report.
High-quality plots of varying sizes are available at the Cargo Distribution Centre for companies looking to relocate or establish operations. There are currently just under 40 hectares of fully serviced, ready-to-build sites available at moderate prices.
The Cargo Distribution Centre is not your average industrial estate. Any chances to forge partnerships between resident companies are taken if they result in synergies or cost benefits. This important task is managed by the Cargo Distribution Centre Development Agency (GVZe), which serves as an initiator and facilitator for business collaborations.
The work done by the GVZe – from collaborations in training to negotiations with telecommunications providers – is unparalleled among German cargo distribution centres.
In future, the Bremen Cargo Distribution Centre will work in partnership with the deepwater JadeWeser port in Wilhelmshaven, adding yet another string to its bow. However, the core focus of the Cargo Distribution Centre will continue to be on integrated transport. Its integrated road-rail station, which has six full-length platforms and an annual carrying capacity of 230,000 containers, is ideal for intermodal freight transport.
More information on the Bremen Cargo Distribution Centre is available from F. W. Nennecke, tel: +49 (0)421 960 0245, firstname.lastname@example.com. Your contact for logistics is Jörg Kautzner, tel: +49 (0)421 361-32172, firstname.lastname@example.com.
Andreas Gerber
acquisition and projects
Team leader Bremeninvest
As a Hanseatic metropolis, international trade is in the blood of the people of Bremen. From here, companies control their worldwide destiny, import and export goods from the most remote corners - we present 10 of themLearn more
The colours of the local football team are not the only thing that's green about Bremen, as you'll see when you take a stroll around its parks and open spaces. A look at the statistics shows that Bremen is the greenest city in Germany.Learn more
David Zhou first came to Bremen seven years ago. The Corona crisis has given the lighting manufacturer undreamt-of tailwind - and virtually swept his warehouse empty. This is not the only reason why he feels right at home in Bremen.Learn more
Bremen is known in China as one of the world's major ports. But that's just one of the factors attracting Chinese companies to our Hanseatic city.Learn more
Our colleague in Turkey, Erol Tüfekci, has prepared a video – set against the impressive skyscraper skyline of Izmir's modern Bayrakli district – in which he describes how Bremeninvest helps companies with their business in Germany.See more on Youtube
How is Turkey handling the coronavirus crisis? And why is Istanbul attracting investment of nearly US$ 2 billion from Silicon Valley?Learn more
Bremen and Taiwan share a long-standing friendship. The Hanseatic city has been in close contact with the Asian island for more than 30 years. New opportunities in Far Eastern markets are opening up for Bremen-based companies despite the coronavirus crisis.Learn more
What is the effect of brexite for companies? This question is answered by Anja Markmann, responsible for customs and foreign trade law at the Bremen Chamber of Commerce.Learn more
What makes Vietnam – a socialist state – so interesting to western companies? In this edition of our country newsletter for Vietnam we seek to answer this question, and we also report on the country's most exciting start-ups.Learn more
The new Silk Road is China's gigantic infrastructure project. Small and medium sized European companies can profit from it - a new network will help them. We talked to the initiators.Learn more
Becks and Melitta may be high-profile brands, but international food and beverage companies also manufacture lots of other products in Bremen and Bremerhaven. Here are ten examples.Learn more
The state of Bremen covers 420 square kilometres and is home to around 670,000 people. Almost 22,000 companies provide more than 325,000 jobs. Below, we introduce some of the strong sectors that that make Bremen such an excellent business location.learn more
Bremen's ports are the engine that drives economic activity throughout the region. But do you know which goods arrive and depart, and where? We have taken a look around the eight port complexes in Bremen.Learn more
Bremen's economy relies on logistics, whether road, sea, or rail. But do you know how many goods arrive in Bremen every year? Or how tall the tower would be if all the shipping containers in Bremerhaven were stacked on top of each other? We have crunched the numbers.Learn more
For a long time, import duties prevented producers from selling anything other than raw beans to Europe. Bremerhaven entrepreneur Felix Ahlers supports a Cooperative which covers the entire value chain and has created 120 jobs in Ethiopia.Learn more
Bremen-based start-up cellumation has already won various awards for its invention, but now the company is really taking off. It has developed a new conveyor system called Celluveyor, whose modular construction makes it significantly more flexible and means it requires less space than conventional systems.Learn more
Bremen without logistics – inconceivable! But what do the more than 1,000 companies that make up the sector actually do? We introduce ten logistics firms.Learn more
Logistics is the backbone of the German economy. There are few places where this is more obvious than in Bremen and Bremerhaven, which is why companies are keen to base themselves here.Learn more
Companies that are largely unknown but are market leaders in their field – those are hidden champions. Which of these twelve hidden champions from Bremen do you know?More about Bremens Hidden Champions
The ESA Business Incubation Centre (BIC) Northern Germany is a new beacon project for the aerospace sector in Bremen.Learn more
It is anything but everyday that a Libyan comes to Bremen to found a company here. But Tamim Fannoush has good reasons to choose the Hanseatic city as the starting point for his European business. And they are not only economic in nature.Learn more
In January 2018, WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH opened an office in Ho Chi Minh City. Bremen was the first federal state with its own representative office in Vietnam. Manuel Kühn, WFB Project Manager International Settlement, explains in an interview why this proved to be a really good idea.Learn more
Bremen: Down-to-earth, yet always ready to surprise you. An attractive place to live, a city through which we can move easily and without stress. People from different cities and countries tell us why they fell in love with Bremen and have made their lives here.Learn more
A company founder lives for his or her idea – no distance is too far and no obstacle too high. Four foreign entrepreneurs in Bremen share their passion for their vision.to the international founders
Jiani Chen recently moved to Bremen. The energetic young Chinese woman founded the start-up App CN in the Hanseatic city and is now looking to kick-start her international business. She loves things about Bremen that many locals would take for granted.Learn more
Sometimes you have to learn from other people's mistakes and trust your instincts. That is what Muhammad-Farhan Aslam believed when he took over his father's business. And it turned out to be one of many good decisions that he made.Learn more
AI, machine learning, neural networks – the topic of artificial intelligence is full of jargon. We provide some simple definitions to guide you.Learn more about neural networks
Bremen-based Flyline can look back on two decades of success and expansion. The British Airways (BA) subsidiary began as a call centre with a 30-strong workforce. Today, Flyline employs around 400 people at Bremen airport.Learn more
Many companies fail to choose the right approach when it comes to trademarks and Intellectual property right protection in general, according to Bremen lawyer Dr Eckhard Ratjen – not just in Germany, but also particularly when entering markets in other countries. But with the right strategy, many problems can be avoided from the outset.Learn more
Almost half of all coffee beans imported into Germany pass through Bremen's ports. Coffee roasters such as Lloyd Caffee and Cross Coffee have helped to cement the image of Bremen as Germany's coffee capital.Learn more
Bremen is Germany's sixth-largest industrial hub in terms of revenue. Whether the sector is aerospace, food, automotive, shipping or steel production, Bremen has always been a major player.Learn more
At her company Sabine Grimm Yacht & Interior Design, the passionate sailor from Hastedt, Bremen, offers 65,000 fabric samples – to the delight of yacht designers from all over the world who can find many rarities in Grimm's treasure trove of textiles.Learn more
Bremen is expanding. Several construction projects will reshape the city centre. The 2018 Bremen property market report – an overview of office, logistics and retail properties, and of investment market trends – confirms that the city is an attractive location for investors and developers.Property Market Report
Europe's largest terminal for breakbulk and heavy-lift cargo is located in Neustadt port. After Antwerp, Bremen's ports are the second most important transshipment hub in Europe for forestry products, steel products and machinery. The federal state of Bremen is preparing for the future in a highly competitive market.a tough one
To the south of Bremerhaven, plans are taking shape for a new business and industrial park that will fulfil strict sustainability criteria. Situated on what is known as the Luneplate, a site close to the largest nature conservation area in the state of Bremen, the park is set to become the home of companies operating in the green economy.more about the new industrial park
Global commerce would be impossible without shipping, and wind farms at sea are indispensable for energy provision on land. Yet maritime transport systems and infrastructure are exposed to a wide range of risks. The German Aerospace Centre's (DLR) new institute in Bremerhaven aims to identify these risks and work with businesses to develop safeguards.more about the institute
We don't normally get to see Littelfuse's products. And yet there's hardly any electronic device that doesn't require components from this global market leader. The European headquarters of the US firm are located in Bremen. And they're far more than just a sales office.To the European headquarters
Our city centre is evolving. Bremen is creating affordable and desirable residential areas, offices and retail space. The city is set to get a more modern look thanks to projects near the main train station, in new districts and right by the river.To the projects
Good ideas may be rare, but imitators are easy to find. Which makes it all the more important to secure patents for new inventions. Bremen-based InnoWi helps companies and the research community to register new patents, and is also on hand to provide advice and access to funding.From the idea to the patent
Exciting times in Überseestadt, Bremen's New Harbour District. Large parts of the old 400 metre long Schuppen 3 building are to be demolished to make way for a new quarter featuring a mix of apartments, offices, retail units and services. And there is a good reason why it will be called EuropaQuartier.Learn more
It was a cold February evening when Paramjit Kohli first came to Bremen from India – and he loved it immediately. Read on to find out why he founded a company here and what lessons he has learned over the past year.To his story
Stathis Stasinopoulos built his first bike so that he could get to and from work in Athens more easily. At the time, he could not have imagined that his idea would see him set up his own business in Bremen. We visited the entrepreneurial engineer in his new workshop in the north of Bremen.Learn more
Fish fingers have been made in Bremerhaven for almost 60 years. Over this period, they have withstood all food trends and are more popular today than ever before. On average, each German consumer eats 24 of them a year. And they were probably made in Bremerhaven, the fish finger capital.Learn more
The construction of the complex new EcoMaT research and technology centre at Airport-Stadt Bremen is at an advanced stage. Prospective tenants include Airbus and Testia, as well as a number of leading medium-sized businesses and scientific institutions. After the topping-out ceremony, work will get under way on the interior of the building.Learn more
The depths of the ocean remain one of the last great mysteries on Earth. What is the precise composition of the seafloor? What flora and fauna inhabit it? Where has the delicate balance of the ecosystem been seriously disrupted? We still don't have complete answers to any of these questions, but four young scientists from Bremen are aiming to change that.Learn more
Bremeninvest is currently managing the fifth construction phase at Bremen Industrial Park, scheduled for completion in 2020, and has already taken reservations from several companies. Businesses that have already relocated here are investing in their growth and their future.Learn more
Bremen has the right location to suit any company, from the logistics sector at the Cargo Distribution Center (GVZ) to research institutes at the Technology Park and international companies at Bremen Airport-Stadt. Or perhaps you are looking for more of a mix of sectors to stimulate creativity? We can show you the right business park to suit your needs.Find your match
On the south side of the Europahafen, it's full steam ahead for a new urban development showpiece – the Überseeinsel peninsula. Formerly the business premises of Kellogg's, this 15-hectare pocket of land now has investment backing from Europa Immobilien GmbH, represented by Dr Klaus Meier. In our interview, he talks about opportunities, challenges, and visions for the future for the Überseeinsel.Learn more
Unloading shipping containers requires manual work, which is pretty unusual in the automated and digitalised world of logistics. But a Bremen-based research project aims to change all this with its IRiS robot.to the container roboter
The Bremen Hansalinie Industrial Estate is ideally situated for businesses in the automotive industry, located in the immediate vicinity of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen just off the A1 autobahn. But it also offers a number of benefits for service providers, trading companies and the skilled trades. If you want to set up business here, you need to act quickly.Learn more
Artificial intelligence isn't just a matter of computer programming. It's a challenging question: how can a robot successfully deal with real, unpredictable surroundings? For 30 years, solutions to this problem have been developed at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). This Bremen-based facility has been so successful that its employees are now founding their own company.Learn more
In April 2018, Team Beverage AG moved its headquarters from Wildeshausen in Lower Saxony to Bremen. The company provides services to the drinks industry in wholesale, retail and the catering and convenience sectors. Now, its success story is set to continue at Bremen Airport-Stadt with the relocation of its head office and 90 or so employees.Learn more
Huong Thi Hoang is the new voice of Bremen's economic development agency in Vietnam. The country has one of the world's fastest growing economies and is extremely popular with international investors. Now, Hoang visited Bremen for the first time – and had a big surprise right on her first day.Learn more
Tizz & Tonic: Two sisters from Canada are producing and selling sustainable and organic underwear in the centre of Bremen. But what was it that attracted them to Bremen? We caught up with the two well-travelled fashion designers to find out.Learn more
Bremen Airport-Stadt is an international transport hub and a centre of excellence for the aerospace industry and for research and learning. It occupies a leading position among Germany's airport locations. Here are ten benefits that Bremen Airport-Stadt offers.Learn more
Hard facts take top priority when it comes to the choice of location for international or domestic businesses. But the faster we feel comfortable outside the workplace in the everyday routines and culture of a foreign country, the sooner we feel at home. In addition to trade, science – and of course its port, Bremen has plenty to offer when it comes to quality of life.Learn more
Home to 19,500 on-campus students, several research institutes and high-tech companies, parks, hotels, restaurants, cafés and the Universum Bremen science centre, the technology park in Bremen is one of Germany's most successful. So what is the secret behind its 30 years of success?Learn more
Shipbuilding is a key sector of Bremen's maritime economy. Bremen and Bremerhaven are home to prestigious international suppliers as well as innovative young companies. We present 13 companies involved in shipbuilding from all stages of the process chain.Learn more
Chinese honey has come a long way – and in January 2018, ten containers full arrived in Bremerhaven from China. But is it actually organic? It certainly is – Lin Zhao, managing director of Dewin, works closely with laboratories in Bremen to confirm the quality of his honey. The proximity to these laboratories was a deciding factor in his choice of location for his business.Learn more
Wind energy, geophysics, translation, design and communication – we portray five diverse women, who have successful careers and shared their fascinating stories with us. What is their industry and working life like? What motivates them? Why Bremen?Learn more
The production line hardly ever stops at the second-largest Mercedes Benz plant in the world. Thousands of components have to be delivered to the right place at the right time – there is no room for errors or delays. LOREL Logistik GmbH undertakes a huge logistics operation every day to ensure that everything runs like clockwork.Learn more
You are or want to become self-employed – but you do not know where to start? In this video, we show you how the Unternehmensservice Bremen helps you to deal with official approval procedures, forms and funding.Learn more
When it comes to Brexit it's not about a hard-fought international contest to attract relocating businesses; it's about coming together to manage the change, says Andreas Gerber of Bremeninvest in our interview.Learn more
Bremeninvest has announced the opening of a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City in the hope of pushing up trade cooperation in Vietnam. The agency operates as a link between the German state of Bremen and Vietnam in two-way trade and business activities.Read more at "Vietnam Economic Times"
Fatih Özdemir has furniture made in Turkey and sells it to customers mainly in Africa and the Middle East. In theory, he could run his business from anywhere in the world, but there are good reasons why he chose to relocate to Bremen and found Brefeo Hanse GmbH.Learn more
Savannah's economic developers have done their homework: in their search for German partner cities for trade and cooperation, they have put Bremen at the top of their list. During a visit to Bremen, the city's representatives explained why the relationship with Bremen and Bremerhaven is so important to them.Learn more
Bremen-based company Home & Marine works in a sector that generates huge interest, but is often shrouded in secrecy – it builds complex entertainment systems for mega-yachts. The company is reluctant to speak about customers and orders, but since it was founded just over 25 years ago, Home & Marine has worked on more than 100 yachts.Learn more
Investors are increasingly looking to Bremen. For three years in a row, the city has registered record-breaking levels of domestic and foreign investment. Bremeninvest's 2017 real estate report shows what makes Bremen such an attractive location for investors.Learn more
There is a buoyant mood among investors and project developers with regard to Bremen's real estate market, which has seen a record take-up of office space and the lowest vacancy rate for ten years. Bremeninvest's 2017 real estate report shows how construction activity, occupancy rate and prices are developing in Bremen's office property market.Learn more
Dr Zareer Dadachanji was not going to wait around for Brexit to happen, and has held a German passport since the beginning of the year. He firmly believes that Brexit has no plus points. He and his wife have chosen to locate their new business – Model Quant Solutions – in Bremen, despite the fact that the company's customers are mainly based in the UK.Learn more
Low property prices and a good infrastructure – logistics real estate in Bremen is the sort of thing many investors dream of. But anyone wanting to take advantage needs to be quick, because vacant spaces are getting increasingly rare, as the 2017 real estate report from Bremeninvest shows.Learn more
Quinoa is already very popular, but hardly anyone in Europe is familiar with purple corn powder. Peruvian Alejandro Leon has founded a company in Bremen, Albrecht und R GmbH, through which he imports and export fruits and vegetables from South America, and he is a firm believer in the health benefits of eating purple corn.Learn more
Space technologies have advanced greatly in recent years, leading to increasing demands from the business and research sectors. To meet these requirements, Bremen University now offers unique master's degrees in Space Engineering and Space Sciences and Technologies.Learn more
Buoyant mood thanks to record take-up rate, encouraging market trends and strong occupancy levels. The 2017 Bremen property market report shows once again that the city is an attractive location for investors and developers.Learn more
Formula Student is a world-wide competition for self-built racing cars, with the season's final race held at Hockenheim. A Bremen-based team has been taking part in the competition with an electric racing car since 2013, and their ambitious goal is to break into the top ten.Learn more
If astronauts want to get all the way to Mars one day, they'll need food supplies for the journey. Part of the solution could be to grow their own grains and bake bread themselves. Bremen start-up Bake in Space is on the verge of making this vision a reality.Learn more
Is this what sales assistants of the future will look like? Bremen start-up company Blackout Technologies develops software based on artificial intelligence, unlike any other software in Europe. Before long, we'll be greeted by their robot Pepper in shops, at trade fairs or even in care homes. We visited Bremen's robot lab to find out more.Learn more
Stathis Stasinopoulos was unable to find the perfect folding bicycle for his commute to work across Athens. So he developed his own. The bike, called 'Folding Project', is lightweight and comfortable and folds up in five seconds. This has given Stasinopoulos an unexpected new direction in life.Learn more
The research alliance ROBEX is sending robots up active volcanoes and down into the deepest and darkest seas. Working across disciplines, the 120 scientists of the 16 institutes involved are breaking new ground on this project. They have been eagerly waiting to find out what has happened to the TRAMPER diving robot, which has been exploring the deep seas around Spitsbergen for a year. Now they are ready to bring it back.Learn more
A growing number of companies are becoming more aware of their social and environmental footprint, and are looking for ways to act with greater environmental and social responsibility. Germany's north-west is set to become the national centre for social entrepreneurship in logistics. A new platform is under development and the first round of events is being planned to achieve this goal.Learn more
This new master's degree at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences prepares students for the future and offers them excellent job prospects.Learn more
As both Airbus and Mercedes already know, when it comes to infrastructure and commercial property, businesses should look to Germany's north-west. To Bremen, to be more precise. The Hanseatic city boasts the following five locational factors.Learn more
BLG Logistics Group is a major player in logistics with 18,000 employees. It established the Digilab in Bremen as a core element of its digitalisation. The company's premises are reminiscent of start-ups in Silicon Valley, and there are good reasons for that.Learn more
Irina Lucke has been at the helm of WAB since December 2016. We talked about her role in the german-wide trade association and the challenges that an ever-changing business and regulatory environment poses for the international wind energy industry.Learn more
In June 2016, the UK voted in favour of Brexit, and the exit negotiations are currently in progress. Which industry sectors in Bremen will be particularly hit, and what effect will Brexit have on the Hanseatic city?Learn more
FabLab Bremen invites visitors to learn about new manufacturing technologies and try their hand at everything from laser cutters to printing and programming. Digital technology enthusiasts of all ages and programmers of all abilities are welcome here. And it is not long before they can put what they have learnt to good use.Learn more
Bremen's sweetest side is made of chocolate. No matter whether it's milk or dark chocolate, nougat or marzipan. Take a walk around Bremen and taste it.More on Bremen Blog
The founders of Mac Panther Materials, two brothers from Bremen, produce an open-cell metal foam for use in a number of different applications. Its secret lies in the production process that is based on a brilliant and yet simple idea.Learn more
An engine under the bonnet drives the wheels – this is the configuration that has been powering cars for over a hundred years. However, wheel hub motors – i.e. motors in the hub of the wheel, not under the bonnet – promise many advantages. Electric drive systems make this possible.Learn more
The digital revolution has reached every branch of industry. Many of the technological trends associated with the Industrial Internet of Things originated in Silicon Valley. Rene van den Hoevel, managing director of the German American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco, and Christoph Ranze, managing director of encoway GmbH and executive board member of the association bremen digitalmedia, explain why it is not only large corporations who should be looking closely at the epicentre of technological advancement.Learn more
In the space of just a few years, the maritime city of Bremerhaven has developed into a service centre for the seafaring and shipbuilding industry. At the centre of it all is the company German Dry Docks, whose managing director, Guido Försterling, has already heralded the era of 'seafaring 4.0'.Learn more
Bionics is the application of forms and functions found in nature to technology. Marine biologist Dr Christian Hamm and his team of researchers in Bremerhaven are leading figures in this field thanks to ELiSE. They are particularly interested in the tiny, yet incredibly complex, diatoms – nature's experts in lightweight construction.Learn more
A new process has been attracting attention in the food industry. Developed by the Bremerhaven Institute for Food Technology and Bioprocess Engineering, the new method enables deep frozen fish to be defrosted in record time. And the fish tastes as fresh as the day it was caught.Learn more
For over 15 years, Jacobs University in Bremen has attracted young, talented individuals from all over the world. Students from 106 countries make up a community that contributes to academic achievement and produces graduates that are highly sought after by companies.Learn more
Fiona Moore is originally from Burton-on-Trent, near Birmingham, and now works as a freelance translator in Bremen. She fell in love with Bremen in her early twenties. That was back in 2000, but 17 years later she is still as enchanted by the city as she was on the first day. She tells us about settling in Bremen, about her family and about being fortunate to have found a home in here.Learn more
Photography studios, workshops and professional kitchens are rarely fully occupied round the clock. So why not let others share them? The german start-up Craftspace brings together providers of production spaces with entrepreneurs, small business owners and artists on a single online platform. It's an arrangement that benefits everyone.Learn more
It's an adventure playground for kids, an idyllic sanctuary for couples, and a quiet retreat for those looking to escape from stress – from joggers and Nordic walkers to lovers of nature and culture, the Bürgerpark in the centre of Bremen has something for everyone. For the last 150 years, this protected heritage site in the centre of Bremen has relied solely on the support of donations to keep it open and well-maintained.Learn more
A great deal of manual labour goes into aircraft construction. Despite this – or perhaps even because of it – Airbus is changing its approach to make increased use of digital technologies. It's also researching the applications of new manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing. And not a moment too soon, as Airbus' site manager in Bremen, Dr André Walter, explains in our interview.Learn more
GeoSea, a subsidiary of the Belgian DEME group, is helping to construct of some of the largest offshore wind farms in the German North Sea – and in Bremen, the company has found the ideal location to carry out its work.Learn more
Art, design and people with disabilities make up the fascinating focus of the work of two young designers from Bremen. Working together with employees from community-based workshops, they develop and improve on designs for handmade products – and are continually thrilled by the potential they see in their co-designers.Learn more
Companies wishing to access the European market should be careful about their choice of location. Brexit could result in significantly higher financial and tax burdens for UK-based companies. Under these circumstances, setting up a base on the continent might be a better option. Find out what challenges companies will be facing.Learn more
Environmentally friendly manufacturing and ethical standards are the principles on which the fair trade clothing sector is based. Leela Cotton, a successful German-Turkish textile company, produces clothes for children and adults that are not only stylish, but also make a positive contribution to the environment in the way they are manufactured.Learn more
Why have so many IT companies chosen to establish themselves in Bremen? We asked five key business figures and researchers from various organisations to tell us what makes the city such an attractive location for the IT sector.Learn more
3D imaging with millimetre accuracy for underwater industrial activities and deep sea exploration – company founder Jakob Schwendner has a very clear goal. The first prototype of a camera with brand new sensor technology was built in Canada and presented to industry professionals at the Ocean Business conference in Southampton, United Kingdom, in April.Learn more
The Bremen Hansalinie Industrial Estate is a successful business park that is currently undergoing expansion. Several major logistics companies have based themselves here, developing increasingly sophisticated processes that aim to optimise just-in-sequence production for the automotive industry.Learn more
Of all the states in Germany, Bremen has the highest density of major research institutions in relation to its population – a fact that also benefits those who study there. It offers a range of international education opportunities for prospective academics with strong practical relevance and research activities that span a diverse range of fields.Learn more
Weatherproof displays for transport services, and screens that don't produce glare in bright sunlight – these are just some of the devices provided by AlfaNet Computer und Electronic Handels GmbH, a Bremen-based company founded nearly 25 years ago by Thomas Lie.Learn more
They came, they saw, they marvelled – Chinese business people in Bremen visited the Mercedes-Benz plant and were surprised to find that an automotive manufacturer with a vast robot workforce was also Bremen's largest employer, with just under 13,000 (human) employees. But where do they all work?Learn more
Three continents, four countries, and Bremen at the centre of it all – a start-up could hardly be more international. The young entrepreneurs Ahmed Cheema and Stefan Kuzmanovski want to make sustainable manufacturing and the use of ethically sourced materials standard practice.Learn more
Lighter, more bespoke and more intricate: for companies open to new ideas in manufacturing and construction, metal parts produced by 3D printers present an economic alternative to conventional die cutting, rolling and milling. Leading the way is Materialise, a company with its own metal printing plant in Bremen.Learn more
Bremen has been twinned with the city of Dalian in north-eastern China since 1985. Find out more about the similarities and connections that the two port cities share.Learn more
Up to now, cricket has been very much a niche sport in Germany. But that is changing. In Bremen, a woman is calling the shots in this male-dominated sport – with great success. Her men's team are the 2016 German cricket champions.Learn more
Wearables and smart glasses provide hands-free digital information. A visit at the headquarter of the global market leader for Industrial Wearable Computing, Ubimax in Bremen.Learn more
In 2016, companies invested a combined total of €229 million in the federal state of Bremen. Where do these investors hail from, how many jobs have they created, and what is their line of business? Our infographics provide an overview.Learn more
How will the UK's impending exit from the EU affect the logistics sector? Günther Hörbst, Managing Director of the Via Bremen Foundation, on the economic links between the United Kingdom and the EULearn more
The Chinese designer Haoyu Li combines his German design degree with Chinese business acumen. Now he is opening a design office in Bremen, with the aim of making it easier for Chinese products to enter the German market, and to bring German brands to China.Learn more
Keen to remain in Bremen? Then why not combine residency status with self-employment? Manuel Kühn from Bremeninvest's welcome service knows all about how a start-up could allow British citizens to beat Brexit and kill two birds with one stone.Learn more
From initial idea to successful move. Andreas Gerber, who heads up the international relocation team at Bremeninvest, knows what international companies need to do to set up a business in Bremen. Here he tells us about the most important steps on the ...Learn more
BLG LOGISTICS GROUP AG & Co. KG's AutoTerminal in Bremerhaven is a record-breaking automotive hub. Every year, the terminal handles some 2.3 million vehicles. But that's not all.Learn more
Going it alone is rarely an easy option. Co-working enables entrepreneurs to work in a shared space and experience the benefits and synergies that come with this. There are nine co-working spaces in Bremen – which one is right for you?Learn more


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Teach Your Baby Math
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This book provides parents with a simple and clear daily program for teaching small children mathematics. As is the case with reading, mathematics is not an academic body of knowledge but rather another language in which to think and reason. The authors show clearly just how easy it is to teach a young child the reality of quantity and the simple truth behind the symbols we use in mathematics.
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Cord Techniques
Learn basic beading and jewelry making techniques and create fabulous personal adornments! Follow our simple, step-by-step cord techniques and tutorials to learn how to tie an adjustable knot, make macrame knots and bracelets, cord end techniques, create tassels, soutache, kumihimo and more! Each technique page has a list of materials and tools needed, plus helpful tips and tricks!


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Charter: Certificate Service Review Working Group
Final Report
Ann West
Group Leader (Chair)
Christopher Bongaarts, University of Minnesota
Working Group Flywheel: Paul Caskey, Internet2
The mission of the Certificate Service Review Working Group is to review and provide input on matters pertaining to the next generation InCommon Certificate Service. This group will represent the InCommon community and will serve as the advice and consent function for directions pertaining to the next generation service.
Membership in the Working Group is open to a limited number of interested parties. Members join the Working Group by expressing an interest to participate to either the chair or the Program Manager for Community Trust (email@example.com).
The chair of the Working Group is appointed by the InCommon Program Manager for Community Trust. The chair is responsible for keeping the InCommon Steering and Technical Advisory Committees informed regarding the Working Group's status.
- Address short-term tactical issues
- Review/approve revised domain activation process
- Address the issue of the base domain and wildcarded base domain being treated separately?
- Identify any issues around offering a private CA option
- Community survey
- List of desired features for the 'next-generation' InCommon Certificate Service
- Gap analysis between new features and existing service
- Recommendations for next steps
Expected End Date
The working group is expected to complete all deliverables by 6/30/2016.
WG Resources Page (restrictred to WG members)
See Also


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Assurance IQ, LLC a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc. matches buyers with products such as life and health insurance and auto insurance, enabling them to make purchases online or through an agent. Neither Prudential Financial, Inc. nor Assurance IQ offers, underwrites, or administers health plans or health insurance policies.
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Securities products and services are offered through: Pruco Securities, LLC and Prudential Investment Management Services, LLC, both members SIPC Opens in new window and located in Newark, NJ, or Prudential Annuities Distributors, Inc., located in Shelton, CT. All are Prudential Financial Opens in new windowStatement of Financial Condition PDF opens in new window for Prudential Investment Management Services, LLC.
Insurance and/or annuities are issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Life Insurance Company (except in NY and/or NJ), Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey (in NY and/or NJ), and Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation (PALAC). Each is a Prudential Financial company located in Newark, NJ (main office), except for PALAC which is located in Shelton, CT (main office), and each is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations.
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Prudential, the Prudential logo, the Rock Symbol and Bring Your Challenges are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide.
Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated with Prudential plc, which is headquartered in the United Kingdom.
Pruco Life Insurance Company, an Arizona company - California COA # 3637. The Prudential Insurance Company of America - California COA # 1179. Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company - California COA # 08003. The Prudential Life Insurance Company of America Newark, NJ.
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|Brewster, NY
|High School:
|Club Team:
2011-12: Finished fourth in the 400 IM at the Northeast Conference Championships with a time of 4:30.70...Swam a 5:02.71 in the 500 yard freestyle at the NEC Championships for sixth place...Swam the 200 yard butterfly at the NEC Championships placing 11th with a time of 2:12.87...Placed third in the 200 yard freestyle at UNH with a time of 10:41.27...Also finished third in the 200 yard butterfly at the Blue Devil Duals posting a time of 2:15.69.
2010-11: Placed third in the 1,650 freestyle and fourth in the 400 IM at the NEC Championships…Finished ninth in the 500 free.
2009-10: Placed third in the 500 freestyle at the NEC Championships…Finished seventh in the 400 IM…Contributed to first place 800 free relay team.
Before Central: O'Kelly swam at Brewster High and will work in the freestyle events, but also add depth to the individual medley in 2009-10.


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The 'dumb' money is not so dumbJanuary 29, 2013: 12:46 PM ET
By Lee Munson
There is a feeling out there by some in the financial media that small-time investors are getting back into the stock market at the worst possible time. They -- or 'them' -- think this is entirely predictable and repeatable mistake.
I get it: "them" are smart and 'you people' only make mistakes.
Let's look at what's really going on.
First things first: Who said this is the worst possible time to invest? It seems pretty good to me. The Federal Reserve's QE3 is still doing its thing, pushing investors to take more risk. Corporate profits are 35% higher than their peak during the last cycle. More people are getting jobs. Homes are selling at higher prices. Valuations seem okay.
So really, some say it's the wrong time only because stock prices are higher than they were last year. The thinking is that you shouldn't invest now because you could have bought stocks for less six months ago. That's not much of a reason.
Yes, people should have managed their risk more effectively going into the 2008 meltdown. Yes, they sold at the wrong time. Yes, they realized they had no plan while standing on the ledge. You would back off too if you realized you didn't do your homework and were totally screwed
Let me give you some 'advice'. I don't care if you were stupid and switched to cash because of last year's fiscal cliff nonsense – no judgments from me. I don't care if you freaked out and dumped money in bonds funds over the past few years – you did well and got paid.
I do care that you move forward today. Don't let armchair financial journalists get you off your dime. I am a professional wealth manager for everyday multi-millionaires, and a few rich people too. I am putting fresh cash to work today.
Related: Are we in the last stage of the bull market?
Here is how.
Get a financial plan. I do them all the time. The trick is to match the portfolio with the plan. The plan will dictate what you need to do. Stop asking inane questions like 'is this right time to blah, blah, blah'. It is always the right time to have a balanced, risk-managed portfolio that is hand tailored to your needs. Do you need to be fully invested in the stock market or in cash? How does that further your financial goals? A real plan will tell you what kind of risk and return you need to take to meet your financial goals. This way, you never guess how much you should have in stocks or bonds or Ponzi schemes -- your plan does the work for you.
You can still watch the news and be addicted to financial blogs. It's simply fun to watch the world through the manic lens of media. I know, I am part of the problem. Just remember that your portfolio should have the parental locks you would assign a 4-year old. This way you can avoid liberals or conservatives in our politically driven markets to sway your opinion. Don't' you want to tell everyone to piss off? I know I do.
Lee Munson is the founder and CIO of Portfolio, LLC. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely his.


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April Tastings
Spring is here, and we're waiting for the sakura (cherry blossoms) to bloom. Ohanami is the Japanese tradition of viewing and cherishing the sakura with friends and families, but without sake, an integral part of the tradition, ohanami wouldn't be as enjoyable.
At SAKAYA, we have the perfect sake for all occasions. Pick up some nihonshu for your ohanami or for whatever your Spring celebration.
To introduce you to some options to choose from, herewith is our April in-store tastings schedule….
Friday, April 3, 2009, from 6 to 8PM
Takasago Shuzo Sake Tasting
Taisetsu Junmai Ginjo & Ginga Shizuku "Divine Droplets" Junmai Daiginjo
Saturday, April 11, 2009, from 3 to 6PM
Masumi Arabashiri Junmai Ginjo Spring Namazake Tasting
Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 3 to 6PM
Azumaichi Junmai & Junmai Ginjo Tasting
Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 3 to 6PM
Amanoto Tokubetsu Junmai Nama/non-Nama Tasting


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Small Plant News: Volume 3, Number 11
|Small Plant News Archive Page. This is an archive page. No new content is being added. While these newsletters remain available for reference purposes, the documents do not reflect changes to Agency policy that may have been instituted since the newsletters were published. Also note that resources and websites mentioned in older issues may have moved or may no longer be available. Points of contact for various initiatives may have changed.
In This Issue:
- Controlling Listeria in Processing and Retail Environments, Part I: Sanitation
- Learn the Public Health Facts About Listeria monocytogenes
- Food Safety Resources
- Commonly Asked Questions & Answers
- FSIS and Oklahoma State Team Up to Provide Assistance to a Start-Up Establishment
Controlling Listeria in Processing and Retail Environments, Part I: Sanitation
By Beth McKew
Listeria monocytogenes is a very troublesome bacterium for consumers, industry, and government regulators alike. It's found in the air, soil, and water and can easily get on food and grow under conditions that would be nearly impossible for other foodborne pathogens. To help address your concerns with this pathogen, Small Plant News is publishing this two-part series on controlling Listeria in the processing and retail environments. This part discusses the role that effective sanitation can serve in combating Listeria.
If you're involved in the production of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat or poultry products, you're all too familiar with Listeria monocytogenes. But did you know that if your plant slices RTE deli meats, then you're producing a category of product that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has determined to be among the most "at risk" for Listeria monocytogenes in post-lethality exposed RTE products?
Other categories of high-risk meat and poultry products include hot dogs, deli salads, patés, and meat spreads. However, it's the deli meats exposed to the environment after the lethality step that are of greatest concern to small plants and retail establishments due to the nature of the equipment and the processing environment in which they're handled.
In addition to compliance with 9 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 430.4, "Control of Listeria monocytogenes in post-lethality exposed ready-to-eat products," there are precautions that you can take that will reduce the likelihood that your products will contribute to this serious public health risk. Insanitation, cross contamination, and inadequate temperature control have been identified as the most frequent contributors to the contamination, spread, and growth of foodborne pathogens in processing or retail establishments.
In order to evaluate your sanitation program and procedures critically, you must consider the variety of ways that Listeria monocytogenes makes its way into the processing environment and the ways that it's spread throughout that same environment. A thorough understanding of this will help you as you evaluate your plant's sanitation program.
(Caption) CFR 430.4(b) sets out three alternatives that establishments producing post-lethality exposed RTE product are to choose from in order to meet the requirements of 9 CFR 430.4(a). (USDA photo)
Here are some basic facts to keep in mind when dealing with this bacterium:
- Raw food products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, which is considered an adulterant only on RTE products that are post-lethality exposed, before they arrive at your plant or processing area.
- The environment is loaded with microorganisms, including Listeria monocytogenes, which is found in soil, water, and air.
- Customers, vendors, or anyone entering your establishment may bring Listeria monocytogenes inside with them, or may further distribute it within the plant environment and onto food.
- Equipment, if improperly cleaned, may contaminate otherwise safe food products every time the food comes in contact with the equipment surface.
- Employees can be vectors for transference of Listeria monocytogenes from product to product as well as throughout the plant environment and onto food.
The importance of sanitation in controlling Listeria monocytogenes cannot be overstated. Inadequate cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces, including equipment, as well as non-food contact surfaces may allow the bacterium to grow and thrive inside your plant. Also of concern are bacteria allowed to grow in the presence of food particles and other debris, forming a "biofilm," an invisible slime-like layer which may prevent sanitizers from reaching bacteria, and may also break off and transfer Listeria monocytogenes to other food or food contact surfaces.
A thorough cleaning and sanitizing schedule should be developed and implemented. A sanitation program is of no use if it does not run as developed. And no sanitation system will work without proper training of the employees who are expected to follow the sanitation program. Additionally, keeping detailed records will help you to assess if the program is being implemented as designed and identify areas of the program needing additional improvement.
Scratched or damaged equipment provides a very favorable environment for bacteria and biofilms. Once the equipment surface is no longer smooth, it provides harborage sites for bacteria, shielding them from sanitizers. Damaged equipment parts should be replaced. And when you purchase new equipment, consider how easy it will be to clean.
Additionally, a properly trained employee cannot clean areas that he or she cannot access. When setting up equipment, make sure that employees can access all the areas of the plant that they need in order to clean properly and thoroughly.
Listeria monocytogenes is quite a hearty bacterium and will survive and grow if left untouched. Your sanitation plan should take into account common "hiding spots," such as drains, fans in display cases, slicers, hollow rollers, utensils, and packaging equipment.
Both food contact and non-food contact surfaces may harbor Listeria monocytogenes. Be familiar with the manufacturer's specifications on any and all cleaners and sanitizers that you use. Also, be aware that a cleaner may or may not be suited for all equipment or residue types, and that sanitizers are only effective on visibly clean surfaces. Sanitizing a dirty surface is not effective. Follow directions that come with your cleaning compound regarding concentration and application time, proper storage, and/or temperatures in which to use the product.
Well designed and implemented sanitation controls will decrease the likelihood that Listeria monocytogenes will enter, grow, and spread within your retail or processing environment. A successful sanitation strategy, combined with attention to cross contamination issues and temperature controls will help protect consumers as well as your business.
(Part II of Controlling Listeria in Processing and Retail Establishments, which focuses on preventing cross contamination, will be in the next issue of Small Plant News.)
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Learn the Public Health Facts About Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes is an important public health problem in the United States. Older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems are those most commonly affected. Individuals become infected with Listeria monocytogenes by ingesting the bacterium, which is prevalent in the environment in air, soil, and water and can contaminate both vegetables and animals.
Although listeriosis is not the most common foodborne illness, it has the highest death rate. In the United States, an estimated 2,500 persons become seriously ill with listeriosis each year. Of these, 500 die.
Listeria monocytogenes is killed by pasteurization and cooking; however, in certain ready-to-eat foods, such as hot dogs and deli meats, contamination may occur after cooking, but before packaging. These products are classified as ready-to-eat because consumers usually do not reheat the products to a high enough temperature to kill Listeria monocytogenes, putting them at risk for Listeria infection, or listeriosis, if the pathogen is present.
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Food Safety Resources
By Sally Fernandez
FSIS offers some very helpful resources on Listeria monocytogenes to aid you in your efforts to control this bacterium in your operations. Although other Agency resources may have some information on Listeria, these five publications are devoted especially to the topic:
- "Implementation of a Post-Packaging Heat Treatment to Reduce Listeria monocytogenes on Ready-to-Eat Meat Products for Very Small and Small Establishments" - booklet and DVD;
- "FSIS Listeria monocytogenes Workshop" - workbook and DVD;
- "Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Retail Establishments" - booklet and DVD;
- "Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Small Meat and Poultry Establishments" - booklet and DVD; and
- " Listeria Guidelines for Industry."
These resources contain a wealth of information on dealing with Listeria, including controlling it in ready-to-eat (RTE) products, checklists for performing a risk assessment of Listeria contamination in your facility, and examples of practices that have been used successfully by other meat and poultry-producing establishments to prevent the occurrence of this pathogen in their RTE products.
To request these free resources or any other FSIS food safety resource, contact the Small Plant Help Desk at (877) 374-7435, or fax the order form on our Food Safety Resource brochure to (202) 690-6519. You may also complete the online order form on our Web site www.fsis.usda.gov/Science/HACCP_Resources_order_Form/index.asp .
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Commonly Asked Questions & Answers
Q. What commonly used ingredient may be designated as "flavors," "flavorings," "flavoring," or "flavor"?
A. Spices, spice extractives, essential oils, oleoresins, onion powder, garlic powder, celery powder, onion juice, and garlic juice. Spices, oleoresin, essential oils, and spice extractives are listed in 21 CFR 172.510, 182.10, 182.20, 182.40, 182.50, and 184.
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FSIS and Oklahoma State Team Up to Provide Assistance to a Start-Up Establishment
By Ardith Alford, FSIS Frontline Supervisor, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nestled in Cherokee County near Tahlequah, OK, is a very unique federally inspected, small poultry slaughter/processing plant that gives much of the credit for their existence to the assistance provided to them through FSIS' small plant outreach activities.
DARP, Inc., (Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program) performs traditional poultry slaughter techniques to produce hand-processed, all-natural, locally grown, free-range poultry products that provide the necessary revenue to support the recovery program. All employees staffing the plant are participants in the program.
Having no prior experience in either poultry slaughter/processing or in the regulatory requirements governing these activities, DARP, Inc., required extensive assistance in developing everything from the ground up. They received this assistance through Jacob Nelson at Oklahoma State University's Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center (FAPC).
Nelson willingly took on the challenge of assisting DARP, Inc. He helped them navigate the maze of regulatory challenges, from the application for the grant of inspection to developing their food safety systems to include Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point and Standard Sanitation Operation Procedures plans and recordkeeping systems, sampling plans, training programs, labeling requirements, etc.
"Part of the mission of the FAPC is to deliver technical and business information to agricultural processing industries in Oklahoma," stated Nelson. The FAPC already has established solid working relationships with regulatory agencies, especially when assisting new start-up businesses comply with current policies and regulations.
"The process of bringing DARP into regulatory compliance was very efficient," said Nelson. As with most start-up processors, the learning curve for DARP personnel to become familiar with all the processes needed to comply with meat processing regulations was understandably steep.
"I think having both USDA-FSIS and FAPC present during the development of their programs made the process less overwhelming for DARP," said Bryan Hostick, plant manager of DARP, Inc. "To put one word on his help — crucial. I don't believe we could have done it without him," added Hostick referring to Nelson's assistance.
For more information on the various kinds of small plant outreach initiatives and tools FSIS offers, contact the Small Plant Help Desk at 1-877-FSISHelp (877-374-7435).
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Small Plant NEWS
Editor: Keith Payne
Production: Joan Lindenberger, Sally Fernandez
Design: Gordon Wilson
Contact: Small Plant News, USDA/FSIS, Aerospace Building, 3rd Floor-Room 405, 14th and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250. 1-800-336-3747
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Teen dies after falling through ice on Oxford pond
Warden Service: 17-year-old was checking beaver traps
The Maine Warden Service said a teenage trapper died after falling through ice while checking his beaver traps.
The victim was Joshua Wardwell, 17, of Oxford, who was checking traps on Chapman Pond when he fell through thin ice on Wednesday, Cpl. John MacDonald of the Maine Warden Service said in a release.
Wardwell's 15-year-old girlfriend witnessed the incident from shore and immediately notified emergency medical services around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Oxford and Paris police, as well as the Oxford Fire Department and EMS responded after it was reported, MacDonald said.
The Oxford Fire Department was able to remove Wardwell from the ice, and life-saving measures were started. Wardwell was taken to Stevens Memorial Hospital in Norway, where he was pronounced dead, MacDonald said.
"The Maine Warden Service reminds everyone that thin ice conditions are now present," MacDonald said. "People must use extreme caution when attempting to access any body of water where ice is present. Be certain to check the ice thickness before venturing out onto the ice. Ice thickness guidelines can be found on our website at mainegamewarden.com."


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Washington Wealth Management, an independent hybrid RIA based in San Diego, announced Tuesday that it was affiliating with LPL Financial.
WWM is a 15-advisor team that manages about $750 million in client assets. The firm works with wirehouse veterans with at least $1 million in annual revenues to provide an open architecture approach to fee- and commission-based products.
"Washington Wealth Management is focused on one overarching mission: Setting experienced wirehouse financial advisors free," Rob Bartenstein, CEO of WWM, said in a statement. "Our management team is comprised of wirehouse veterans who are each deeply committed to the success of wirehouse advisors seeking independence."
WWM will affiliate with LPL's broker-dealer platform in addition to its RIA platform.
"Affiliating with LPL Financial gives WWM a strong foundation as it continues to advance its mission for advisors and clients," Bill Morrissey (left), executive vice president of business development at LPL Financial, said in a statement. "At the same time, we believe that WWM's decision to affiliate with LPL Financial on both our broker-dealer and RIA platforms is yet another clear example how the choice and flexibility we provide with respect to financial advisor business models are highly attractive to successful producer groups with sophisticated needs."
WWM has grown client assets to $750 million from $100 million in December 2011, Bartenstein said. He noted that assets are expected to grow an additional $135 million with the recent addition of Los Angeles-based Domari Wealth Management.


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Did you eat any bread today? Maybe a sandwich at lunch? How about a beer after work? If so, you can thank the Canadian Wheat Board.
Ottawa (23 Nov. 2011) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) launched a new publication highlighting the importance of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) to Canadian farmers and to the entire country. Mowed Down: Dismantling the Canadian Wheat Board, Who will really reap the rewards outlines the many collective benefits Canadians receive through the CWB, from helping family farmers make a decent living to a reduced environmental footprint to food safety.
Mowed Down provides a history of the CWB and clearly shows how it has stood up for working farmers against big grain operators for decades. The CWB acts as a bargaining unit, representing 75,000 Western wheat and barley growers. It negotiates on their behalf the best price for their product as well as favourable storage and transportation rates to hold and deliver it. Neither a government agency, nor a crown corporation, the CWB is fully funded by farmers. The profit that it makes each year from grain sales is returned to farmers.
The CWB is a collective enterprise, and operates by what is called a "single desk" system: Western-grown wheat, durum and barley must be legally sold through the Board. The CWB doesn't set grain prices; prices are determined by supply and demand in world markets. But the sheer volume of grain that it handles through the single desk systems gives it the clout to negotiate a high selling price on behalf of its members.
Farmers are not the only ones who benefit from the good work of the CWB. A 2005 PricewaterhouseCoopers study outlined considerable economic spin-off effects, including 14,000 non-farm jobs. The Board has also played an important role in protecting consumers from the health risks of genetically modified wheat.
The Harper government has been determined to abolish the CWB for years. As early as 2006, the first Conservative private member's bill was introduced to undermine the single desk system. The bill was defeated but many more attacks on the Board followed until this fall, with a new majority government, legislation was introduced to abolish the single desk.
The only winners if the CWB is dismantled are the big, multi-national grain companies taking over the industry. Transportation costs would sky rocket. Profits would be kept by companies and local farmers would be forced to compete against each other for lower and lower prices.
The National Union is supporting the CWB in its fight to defeat this legislation and save the single desk system. There are many ways you can help:
- Download Mowed Down for further information on the CWB and Harper's agenda;
- Go to the National Farmers Union and the Canadian Wheat Board to sign letters opposing the shutdown;
- Send a letter to the Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and your own Member of Parliament; and
- Send a public letter to your local newspaper or call talk radio shows to spread the word about how damaging this legislation is to farmers and Canadians as a whole.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE