text:
Know Before You Go: Border-crossing advice for Canadian travellers with RVs
U.S. Customs and Border Protection provides advice for Canadians travelling south with an RV
Crossing the border from Canada into the United States with a recreational vehicle is straight forward, if you know what is expected and follow the rules. But it can get complicated real fast if you are not prepared. Two guiding principles to keep your crossing smooth and simple: know before you go; and make a full declaration.
Know before you go
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has an up-to-date website that informs cross-border travellers on everything from how to prepare your documents for border crossing and what food you can take along in your RV to the requirements for your dogs travelling and what firewood is allowed.
Check here for an interactive list of particular items that are restricted when crossing the border.
How long is the wait at the border?
Download the Mr. Border smartphone app to track border-crossing delays and wait-times prior to travel to help you select the best option for your entry into the U.S.
Mr. Border for iPhone
Mr. Border for Google Play
Be patient and friendly when crossing
Jason A. Givens, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), said, "When entering the United States, it's important to know the contents of your vehicle and be prepared to declare all items. That includes food, prescription medications, gifts, currency, alcohol and a multitude of other items. Generally, no penalty or fine is assessed for prohibited items if the traveller declares them. If a traveller is unsure if an item is prohibited, they should contact the port of entry through which they plan to enter.
"Additionally, they should ensure they have the proper travel documents and have them ready when they approach the CBP officer. If travelling with a dog, be prepared to show proof of a current rabies vaccination. Travellers can also decrease the time it takes to enter the United States by entering during off-peak hours and by monitoring wait times with the Border Wait Time app. Finally, be patient and maintain a friendly disposition."
Givens highlighted the following information for Canadians travelling to the U.S.:
Travel documents: Travellers should have appropriate passports and any other associated travel documents ready when approaching a CBP officer. Find out more information about approved travel documents for entry into the U.S. as well as country-specific information at travel.state.gov. Remember to carry these documents with you—do not pack them.
Declare all items: Truthfully declare everything you are bringing from abroad including duty-free items. Many agriculture products can bring damaging pests and diseases into the country. If you have questions about what food is allowed or not allowed into the U.S., visit https://help.cbp.gov/. There is no limit to how much currency you may take in or out of the United States; however, U.S. federal law requires you to report your total currency of $10,000 or more. Travellers must declare all medicine and similar products when entering the United States. Prescription medications should be in their original containers with the doctor's prescription printed on the container.
Monitor border wait times: Download the Border Wait Time app or use the border crossings wait times website to plan your trip across the border. Also, consider crossing during off-peak times, such as between the hours of 6 and 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Most lines at the border start building in the morning and carry on through the afternoon.
Travelling with pets: Cats and dogs must be free of disease and illness when entering the United States. In addition, dog owners must be able to show proof of rabies vaccination. If crossing with a puppy, certain paperwork will need to be completed at the border for the "new addition to the family." For more information about travelling with your pet to a foreign country or bringing your pet into the U.S., visit APHIS's pet travel website.
Travelling to the United States with a recreation vehicle for part of a Canadian winter is something many of us do and the rest of us dream about. Making the crossing is straightforward when you "Know Before You Go."


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We have seen various videos of the iPhone 6 mockups being compared to a range of devices, and now we have a new one from 9 to 5 Mac's Dom Esposito, comparing a mockup of the 5.5 inch iPhone to a number of smartphones.
In the video below we can see the 5.5 inch iPhone 6 being compared to the new OnePlus One smartphone and also the new LG G3 handset, plus the iPhone 5S and a mockup of the 4.7 inch iPhone.
Apple are expected to launch the new iPhone 6 this September, the device will come in two sizes, as we mentioned above, although as yet we are not clear on the exactly resolution they will have.
There have been various rumors that they will feature a 1704 x 960 resolution, whilst other rumors have suggested a resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels.
Both models of the new iPhone 6 are expected to come with the Apple A8 processor, this is the company's second generation 64-bit mobile processor, and were are expecting the device to get more RAM than the current models.
The iPhone 6 will come with Apple iOS 8, this was announced at WWDC 2014 earlier this month, and it will also bring a range of new features to Apple's existing iPhone and iPad range.
We are looking forward to seeing what the next generation iPhone is like, it will be interesting to see if it has the same design as we have seen in the various mockups.
Source 9 to 5 Mac

subset: commoncrawl


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|22 Oct 2013
|17 Sep 2016
Leon Chiu
Fountain Valley, California
IS URL: http://www.istudio.com/leonchiu
About Me
I am a retired information system analyst and lived in California for almost 27 years. I started serious photography about ten years ago. I had been to the US Open Of Surfing photographing for several years, I stopped going because of my cataract, finally I had surgery on my cataract, make a lots of different and I can see full colors again, I start photographing again with my good sights. I did some glamour shots with models from Glamour International of San Diego, but stop because of my poor eyesight. I hope to learn more by joining Model Mayhem. I also switch my camera system from Canon to Sony. The Canon SLR is just too heavy for me, I bought a Sony NEX-5N and start shooting surfing with very good results, I hope it will be the same with models. I am interest also shooting on the beach with model with a surfboard preferably also actually surfing.


text:
By Tim Stacey
The Christian Socialism is rooted in the belief that policy is built on a relational basis; getting people of different backgrounds in a room together, to find and work towards a common good. With this in mind, the CSM Parallel Policy Review was put together as an experiment in democratising the policy making process. We used methods inspired by community development to get our members thinking about what the good life consists of, and what theoretical and material obstacles stand in the way of our collectively achieving the good life.
Having contacted members and invited them to the Labour Party offices, we started off with blue-sky thinking. Members were split into groups of four, and were handed an A3 sheet, which had been split into four sections, as set out below:
Members spent fifteen minutes on each section: first working out what THE GOOD LIFE consisted of; then discussing the WORLD AS IT IS, seeking to understand what political, social and economic problems stood in the way of our collectively achieving the good life; then discussing THE WORLD AS IT COULD BE; and finally, working out what OBSTACLES stood between the WORLD AS IT IS and the WORLD AS IT COULD BE. Below is what they came up with:
The next step was to send selected members away to work on each of these projects. At the next meeting, we would critically assess the work done, and then send members away for another draft. Drafts were then approved by the CSM Officers. Final drafts are enclosed within. At this stage, each paper should be considered as a discussion piece and as the opinion of the author alone. They vary in approach and style, reflecting our desire to give everybody a chance. Having been considered by CSM members, we are opening them up to Labour members and the wider public. Drafts will also be sent to Your Britain. The next step is to put the papers to review by the CSM Executive, at which stage those approved will be taken forward as CSM Policy.
So why read these now? As the reader will discover on even a quick review, the work represents careful, considered and well researched discussion of some of the most important topics of today. As a collection, it acts as an exemplar of the talent and dedication of our members. They therefore highlight to all organisations, the importance of involving their members in policy decisions, not simply morally speaking, but as a matter of effectively using their full potential.
Malcolm Tory explains why a Christian Socialist perspective confounds means testing, which should be replaced with universal credit. He gives his backing especially to the controversial idea of a citizens' income.
Steve Bonnick's piece on housing takes an interesting approach, not putting forward a Christian perspective overtly, but instead putting forward what he regards as social problems. He creates an important link between housing an employment: there are houses where there are no jobs, and there are jobs where there are no houses.
Starting with the Christian principle of non-coercion, Paul Scivier discusses monopolies. He suggests that whether state or corporate, monopolies can be unresponsive. But he also discusses monopolies of power within organisations, and like others pushes for mutualisation.
Cornelius Harding is similarly interested in mutualisation. Following CSM Director Andy Flannagan, Harding revisits the Jubilee Laws of the Old Testament. He links the Jubilee Laws to contemporary notions of human capital, and he uses their combined wisdom to suggest a change in tax law to encourage employee ownership.
Anna Towsend reflects on a Christian approach to immigration, stressing a number of principles and offering a number of pathways.
From Jubilee to Employee-Ownership
By Cornelius Harding
Capitalism is shaped by the rules and licences set by the state. Through these rules, regulations, and licences private companies are protected and allowed to develop within a market environment. Or in other words no state - no market, the so called 'free' market is dependent on the state. So to an extent the unfairness of the current free market can be blamed on those who do nothing to change its parameters i.e. the government.
If Labour is serious about creating responsible capitalism it has to change the parameters of the market itself. The first thing the Labour party should address is how human capital is rewarded within the market. Economists know there are two types of capital put into a business - financial and human. Financial capital comes in the form of investment by owners or loans from banks, whereas Human capital comes from the joint efforts put in by the workforce. Human capital can be increased in various ways from the growth of the workforce, to improving productivity through changing working patterns, to training the workforce to improve skill set. Ultimately the human capital is owned and generated by the efforts of the workforce alone, whereas financial capital is owned by the owners of the business or the responsibility in the case of debt finance is shared between them and the state (publicly limited companies). The owners of financial capital are financially rewarded according to their ownership share of the company in terms of profit dividends but human capital receives no reward, no share of the pie, even though it is vital for the profitability and success of the company. This is the issue which needs to be dealt with.
To make sure human capital is properly recognised Labour may wish to give the 'workforce' shares in the company itself. There are essentially two ways of doing this: 1 is to give individual workers shares in the company they work for, and the second is to give 'the workforce(present day only)' a share in the company. Giving individual workers shares could be done based on wage level, length of time at the company etc. but is ultimately an arbitrary decision as someone can invest much more into a company in terms of profit value and be paid much less, be there far less time etc., also as soon as they leave the company they would become financial capital owners rather than human capital owners. In order to give a sustainable way of ensuring human capital is recognised, the workforce as a whole (only present) would own shares in the company with votes cast in decision making for the company according to proportions of the ballot of the workforce who agreed/disagreed etc.
In order to understand the biblical reasons why human capital is to be rewarded, I think it is useful to look at both Engels and Deuteronomy, to get an understanding of how biblical principles apply today.
The slave is sold once and for all; the proletarian must sell himself daily and hourly.
The individual slave, property of one master, is assured an existence, however miserable it may be, because of the master's interest. The individual proletarian, property as it were of the entire bourgeois class which buys his labor only when someone has need of it, has no secure existence. This existence is assured only to the class as a whole.
The slave is outside competition; the proletarian is in it and experiences all its vagaries
Deuteronomy 15:12-15
New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
Freeing servants
12 If any of your people – Hebrew men or women – sell themselves to you and serve you for six years, in the seventh year you must let them go free. 13 And when you release them, do not send them away empty-handed. 14 Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing-floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
18 Do not consider it a hardship to set your servant free, because their service to you these six years has been worth twice as much as that of a hired hand. And the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do.
(People would "sell themselves" to repay debt - this was limited to 7 years)
In the modern day the "proletariat" (waged workers with low or no capital) are dependent on wages in order to survive, in the same way as slaves were dependent on there masters, and indeed as Engels suggests whereas slave owners were given responsibility to sustain and care for there slaves, a proletarian must sell himself daily and is in and "experiences all its vagaries" of competition.
When we look as Christians at Deuteronomy 15:12-15,18 we can get bogged down in a discussion about slavery in the old testament without focusing on the principles given. The first being that to be made dependent on another as is the case in slavery is not what God had intended. Indeed to rule a slave cruelly is an affront to God as God acted to free the Israelites from slavery (dependency) in setting them free from Egypt, instead slaves should be treated like hired hands (i.e. with respect) Leviticus 25:39-43, and to allow people to fall into such poverty was wrong in and of itself Leviticus 25:35-37 " "'If anyone from your country becomes too poor to support himself, help him to live among you as you would a stranger or foreigner. Do not charge him any interest on money you loan to him, but respect your God; let the poor live among you. Don't lend him money for interest, and don't try to make a profit from the food he buys.'"
Principle number 1: Poverty means dependency - dependency becomes slavery (through debt). Dependency and slavery are not what God desires
The next thing we should identify is that no one is to be held in a dependent or enslaved situation for an extended period of time, the Jubilee laws stated that debt was to be wiped out every 7 years (or every Jubilee). So the next thing we learn is that God wants to set those free who are enslaved.
Principle number 2: God is a God of freedom, he wants to free us from that which binds us, including that which financially binds us.
What we finally learn is that God wants to give everyone freedom not only from debt but to prosper and so after 7 years they are not only set free but they are to be given liberally from the flock, the threshing-floor and the winepress. These three things would make up the fruits of Labour with the wealth of a man often dependent on the size of his flock. So by giving up some of his flock the slave was being given, an income and some wealth to sustain him - his stake in society was being re-established and his dependency on others was being wiped out. This is the same principal that farm animals are given away in the developing world today.
Principle 3: God wants to give everyone a stake, and self-respecting, place in society
And underpinning it all is that it shouldn't be considered a hardship to give up some of the wealth and income of the Debt owner but they should be pleased in fulfilling what the Lord has required of them.
If we apply this to understandings of Human Capital - workers are not meant to be treated dishonourably as simply tools to be used but to be respected and rewarded with wealth and income for what they do to sustain them in the future. Whether or not a simple share in the company for workers goes far enough in giving them the freedom (through joint say in the companies decisions) and rewards (through dividends) goes far enough is questionable. But the current situation of dependency and the current treatment of workers through the eyes of a slave owner who sees his slaves simply as possessions to be used, there worth no more than that given to them by the outcome of the work there master (company) gives them is unacceptable to the Lord.
This relates to the tax system because the rewarding of workers through shares would replace corporation and business tax (profit taxes) and then the financial rewards of employees and owners would be taxed in the same way through a Unitary Income Tax so capital gains (off of financial capital and human capital) would be counted alongside income and taxed as one lump sum.
Please read the Unitary Income Tax document.
Means Testing or Citizens' Income?
By Malcolm Torry
For Jesus, no-one was outside the invitation to participate in the Kingdom of God, and he modeled that invitation in his own ministry and in his teaching. In the parable of the vineyard owner (Matthew 20:1-16) he promised an equal reward for all, and he invited his disciples to freely give because they had freely received (Matthew 10:8).
The Labour Party has throughout its history exhibited two consistent themes: that everyone shares a fundamental human equality, and that the worker should receive his or her just reward. Both of these themes echo the Christian Scriptures; and the Party has given expression to these two themes in such universal provision as the NHS, and in such attempts to achieve a just reward for labour as the National Minimum Wage.
This suggests that the Labour Party's tax and benefits policy should treat everyone the same, should contain universal provisions, and should ensure that workers should benefit financially from their labour.
So what's wrong with means-testing?
Means-testing divides society in two: 1. those subject to demeaning intrusion by officials (who need to know who they're living with, how much their spouse earns, etc), and 2. those not subject to such stigmatising intrusion. This is no way to express our fundamental human equality. Means-tested benefits are withdrawn as earnings rise, meaning that many households receive only 15p for every extra £1 of earnings, and for some households this is as low as 5p (that is, they suffer marginal deduction rates of 85% or 95%). This is no way to provide a fair reward for work, especially when we consider that the most wealthy in our society recently achieved a reduction in their highest Income Tax rate from 50% to 45%. Universal provisions such as Child Benefit are cheap to administer, they contribute to social cohesion, and it is no problem that the wealthy receive it because they're paying far more in tax than they receive in Child Benefit. Means-testing is as far from universal provision as it's possible to get.
The problems that people on means-tested benefits face are regularly discussed in Members of Parliaments' surgeries, so they know the problems. So why isn't there more open debate about both the problems and about possible solutions? Is it because benefits look a bit complicated and Shadow Ministers and MPs don't want to reveal their ignorance?
An attempt to solve the problem
'Universal Credit' is an attempt to solve the problem of high marginal deduction rates, but it will be complex to administer, it will still be withdrawn at 65% (meaning that households receiving it will receive 35p or less for every additional £1 they earn), and it will still require demeaning intrusion in relation to personal relationships and other personal circumstances.
Obstacles to finding and enacting a solution are our apparent psychological need to deprive the poor of as much money as possible, and the short-termism of our political process. Major reform of our tax and benefits system would require more than a single parliament, so major reform is never attempted.
A solution
The Labour Party has a solution to the problem which would be electorally popular: a benefits system modelled on the National Health Service. The NHS is free at the point of use, it contributes to social equality and social cohesion, and nobody will ever find themselves impoverished by having to pay for healthcare. Trumpeting these colossal advantages of a universal health service is the first part of the solution to the problem of means-testing.
The second part would be to increase the value of the universal Child Benefit. For many families with children, Child Benefit is the only secure income. Earnings and means-tested benefits are both unpredictable, but Child Benefit is not. Increasing Child Benefit and reducing means-tested benefits would reduce marginal deduction rates and would thus improve employment incentives. And it would be electorally popular.
The third part would be to establish a Citizen's Pension. Steve Webb, Minister of State for Pensions, understands that our state pension system, with its complex contributory and means-tested elements, discourages people from saving for their old age because other retirement income reduces state pension provision. The Minister has proposed a nonwithdrawable Single Tier State Pension: but payment will still depend on contribution conditions being met, and any shortfall will still be met by a means-tested addition. A true Citizen's Pension – adequate, universal, unconditional and nonwithdrawable – would encourage people to save for their old age (because the state pension would no longer be reduced by the level of other retirement income) and it would be electorally popular.
Once an increased Child Benefit and a Citizen's Pension were embedded, the next stages would be an unconditional and nonwithdrawable income for young people to support them through education and training, and an unconditional and nonwithdrawable income for older workers to ease them out of the labour market and into their Citizen's Pension, paid for by reducing tax allowances and other benefits. And finally the gap could be filled for working age adults. The result would be a Citizen's Income – an unconditional and nonwithdrawable income for every citizen, paid for by reducing tax allowances and contributory and means-tested benefits. The outcome would be substantially increased employment incentives, individual freedom, and social cohesion.
Will there be objections to the idea of Citizen's Income? Yes: the following:
A Citizen's Income would be too expensive. That surely depends on the particular scheme. A Citizen's Income paid for by reducing tax allowances and means-tested and contributory benefits could be established without additional public expenditure.
We should not pay people to do nothing. But we are doing that already, and the way we do it is discouraging people from increasing their earned income.
Rich people do not need it. They pay more in tax than they would receive in Citizen's Income, and the low administrative costs of universal benefits mean that it is more efficient to give everyone a Citizen's Income than not to do so.
A Citizen's Income would discourage people from seeking employment. Precisely the opposite. Someone on means-tested benefits faces two barriers to seeking employment, or increasing the number of hours for which they are employed: 1. the withdrawal of benefits means that they might receive only 15p, or in some cases 5p, for every extra £1 that they earn (and, when Universal Credit is implemented, they might receive only 35p for every extra £1 of earnings); 2. the uncertainty of not knowing a) whether they will spend several weeks without benefits while benefits are recalculated, and b) how much benefit they will receive.
A Citizen's Income would never be withdrawn, so anyone taking a job, or increasing their number of hours of employment, would keep all of their additional earnings apart from the tax paid on it; and their Citizen's Income would be entirely secure.
It is today's system that discourages people from seeking employment. A Citizen's Income would provide a greater employment incentive than people experience today; and it would reduce the chaos that households experience when someone's labour market status changes. This means that with a Citizen's Income people are more, not less, likely to seek employment.
As the Labour Party's Social Justice Commission suggested in 1994, the Labour Party ought to consider a Citizen's Income as a serious policy option. We now live in the kind of social and economic context that the Commission believed would make such consideration essential. Not only that, but the policy changes required to reach a Citizen's Income are entirely feasible and would be as electorally popular as the National Health Service.
It really is time that we started talking about the problems associated with our largely means-tested benefits system; it is time to look at alternative policy options; and it is time to look seriously at a Citizen's Income, and at the steps needed to establish one.
A book is now available to enable anyone interested in the Citizen's Income route to benefits reform to study the arguments:
Money for Everyone: Why we need a Citizen's Income, by Malcolm Torry. It is on sale at a launch discount from the Policy Press at www.policypress.co.uk/display.asp?K=9781447311256
What might a Christian Socialist approach to immigration policy look like?
By Anna Townsend
Migration on a global scale is a reality at the start of the 21st Century. Yet though the phenomena is global it affects local communities and individuals enormously.
The concepts and ideals of Nations (Deuteronomy 2:1-5, 8-9, Acts 17:26), Borders (Numbers 34:1-12) and Home or a place to belong to (Numbers 33:53-54,Deuteronomy 3:12-20, 12:1) are each designed by God and are all important to Him. Migration is also intended to be planned and timely (Jeremiah 8:7). God promises to bless people when they are in the place intended for them (Judges 18:10). Migration is therefore not wrong, but if our policies and practices demean people to the status of roaming migrants in search of work at any cost, that is wrong. Migration needs to be managed and planned so that the benefits to all involved are optimised and the costs and risks minimised.
In an ideal world the push factors of immigration would be eliminated, poverty in developing and middle income countries would not create economic migrants. Persecution and violence would not drive people to seek asylum. Migration would be a choice rather than escape. It therefore needs to tie in with development policy. Furthermore, immigrants should be able to bring their entire dependent family with them in cases where they are forced to migrate; they should no longer be driven to make tough choices between safety and family because of poverty and violence.
Immigrants with skills that the UK needs should be welcomed and valued. Hospitality rather than just respect from a distance. It is bIblical, to welcome the stranger (Exodus 22:21, Leviticus 19:34, Job 29:16, 31:32). This needs to outwork in housing policy as too often landlords exploit migrant workers. Similarly medical care and access to the NHS should be foundational.
Diaspora communities ought to be supported to help development in their home countries particularly now that remittances exceed Aid flows. The World Bank is currently pursuing diaspora as agents of development. For futher information see KNOMAD http://www.knomad.org/ which is a World Bank initiative that aims to: generate and synthesize knowledge on migration issues for countries, and provide technical assistance and capacity building to sending and receiving countries for the implementation of pilot projects, evaluation of migration policies, and data collection.
On a more practical level integration services, such as English lessons, need to be provided to all freely or at minimal cost (evidence shows that lessons are valued more highly if paid for) and accessibly (i.e. near to where migrant communites are located)
Government needs to acknowledge that community integration is difficult and takes time. Most people are prone to homophilly, i.e. they are friends with people like themselves. Strong support including funding and grants, together with expertise from universities, should be offered to initiatives that show success at integrating communities. The church is leading the way with regards to integration and the Church of England has developed principles for working with migrant communities http://www.churchofengland.org/our-views/home-and-community-affairs/community-urban-affairs/asylum-and-immigration.aspx. These are: Christians believe that all people are created equal in dignity, made in the image of God, as Christians, we fully accept our obligations as citizens of the countries in which we live…[but] do not attribute absolute value to the rights and privileges of nationality and citizenship, Christians affirm that people moving from one part of the world to another contribute their gifts and valuable qualities…to the country where they come to live, and Christian belief in a personal God states good relationships as the foundation of community cohesion.
Additionally government must recognize that parts of the UK feel very crowded and therefore there is a requirement to carefully manage migration. The Home office needs to be properly funded and resourced not only so it does a good job and backlogs are reduced, but also so Labour is able to prove it can be trusted on immigration. Dealing with immigration and asylum cases in a timely manner is part of welcoming a person to this country and demonstrating they are valued.
By Steve Bonnick
There is a very serious problem with UK housing, more particularly house building:
- The UK has a rising population
- Far too few new homes are being built
- There is a mismatch of housing and jobs. There are empty houses but in places with no jobs. Where the economy is more buoyant there are not enough houses.
- Some housing is in very poor condition and overcrowded.
- The mismatch between supply and demand is causing house price rises in some places and falls elsewhere. Thus in some regions buying a house is becoming increasingly difficult, whilst elsewhere many face negative equity.
Present and recent governments have been fixated on house ownership and building private houses. (Admittedly home ownership did fall 2001 - 2011 from 69% to 64%.)
36% of homes are currently rented and this was split equally in 2011 between private and social renting. (18% each). The trend for private renting is increasing and social renting falling, from a high in 1981 of 31% to the current 18%.
Over the last decade the average new house starts pa are
2004 - 2008 225k
2008 - 2012 128k
Of these, private house starts are 196k and 96k respectively. Thus there are only about 30k housing association / local authority house starts pa. Renting a home at an affordable price with long-term tenure is becoming an impossible dream for many.
I suggest three lines of attack to the problem. Admittedly though the housing crisis is very hard to dent let alone completely solve.
- Encourage more jobs out of the SE of England. A huge issue in itself.
- Central government financial inducements to local authorities in areas of real housing shortage to build themselves or encourage via housing associations public sector house building. (I am not enough of an expert on the mechanics for this). An increase in house building would be a boost to the economy and particularly employment. It therefore should also be tied to apprenticeships for young people as well.
- Clamp down on overcrowding / illegal private renting (ie sheds with beds). One idea that appears to work is to force all landlords to pay a registration fee. The local authority should then use this fee to fund the employment of inspectors.
How could more house building be funded?
- A tax on empty properties
- All public sector house sale receipts to be ring fenced back into house building
- A specific mansion tax to be earmarked and ring fenced for public sector house building
- Even if the decline of public renting was reversed this year by an increase in public house building, the positive benefits would take a long time to come through. In the short term how should the few public house projects on fair rents be allocated?
- Where in the country precisely should house building be encouraged?
- What should be done if it was discovered that there was a housing shortage in area xxxx but the local residents of that community were voting against more housing? (How do you balance national and local democracy?)
- How do you prevent a situation whereby those in council / socially rented housing have won the gold medal and those in private renting are in an inferior position? Does public sector housing prevent geographic mobility?
Monopolies – State or Corporate?
By Paul Scivier
As Christians on the Left, our first loyalty should be to the One in whom we believe and follow, who never coerced anyone into accepting Him. That is the principle which should guide our thinking about society and our relations with others.
As it says in the Acts of the Apostles- "At the time of Pentecost, all those trusting in Jesus stayed together and had everything in common. In fact they sold their property and possessions and distributed the proceeds to all who were in need."
This was 2000 years before the probable founder of mutualism, Joseph-Pierre Proudhon, famously said his (misquoted) phrase that "property is theft" (actually he said "It is theft when it is related to a landowner or capitalist whose ownership is derived from conquest or exploitation").
Our Faith is based on our free will in accepting and following our Liberator Jesus, and our Churches are free voluntary associations, which people choose to join.
In Trades Unions, members freely join and associate together. As we call for a mutual society, both the Labour Party itself and affiliate Trade Unions should also look at their structures to ensure they are not mirror images of either state industries or private corporations. That means ensuring members decide on policy by individual ballot and where its funds are allocated (as UNISON unlike many other union does with both its Political Fund and its Affiliated Fund).
Whilst we have collective roots and are collective organisations, we should not forget that collectives are made up of individuals, and too often in the past "block" voting has allowed the pretense that members agreed a policy when in reality they hadn't.
The Co-operative Party has, since its formation in 1917 championed the free voluntary association of individuals collectively combining to work together for the common good, not private profit. The Labour 2010 manifesto included 24 Co-operative Party policies, including the re-mutualizing of Northern Rock, and plans to convert English Heritage, British Waterways and the BBC into co-operatively owned mutuals. They also called for mutually run rail franchises, housing and football clubs. Whilst they have called for co-operative owned schools, there is no reason why we could not support the idea of faith based co-operative schools. Perhaps there is some common ground that could be pursued together.
Whilst appearing to be different, the rise of the centralized state and the centralized corporation has created a system in which the two are organizationally connected.
The state actually allows capitalism to exist, through the privileges, licenses, franchises and tax breaks corporations get, resulting often in monopoly power. Major corporations influence, lobby and buy their way into deciding government policy. As a result, the so-called free market could not exist without the state.
Perhaps its time for a new (yet old) approach - not to nationalize or privatize, but mutualize!
Does this mean there is no role for the state? No, the State has a role to enable the mutualizing of society - and by this we do not mean the so-called mutualizing the conservatives are promoting - which is privatization by another name. No, mutuals are by definition meant to be co-operative enterprises.
Labour should encourage a diversity of models, ranging from employee owned co-operatives, partnerships, family businesses and self managed owner/operators leading to a mutualist society. In time perhaps existing corporations cold be converted to mutuals?
Mutualism could lead to an anti-capitalist freed market, with power decentralized, and a true fair trade system, in its widest sense. To ensure the majority do not become a tyranny, minority interests would be protected by the enabling state.
As disputes can occur, even in democratic organisations, trades unions, and other advocacy groups would still be a vital part of the employment process.
Currently many small businesses have been financially crippled by the greed of the banking system.
As Christians we should be mindful of our scripture in regard to its teaching about interest on loans. For example, Nehemiah 5 v 10/11 " we must stop charging interest"; Psalm 15 v5 " one who doesn't lend money with gain in mind...will live together with the Lord"; also Ezekiel 18 v 8 " he who worships the Lord... doesn't charge those poor people, who borrow from him, interest or keep the profit".
We should support the idea of eliminating interest on credit through a bank of exchange, possibly a Peoples Free Credit Mutual Bank, that would loan finance to small enterprises, at no, or minimal cost, (just to cover administration).
Are some monopolies natural monopolies? Clearly when it comes to Water, Electricity, Gas and Cable services, only one provider can supply the infrastructure to the home or business. However, we have multiple providers of the service through that infrastructure.
Some will recall the old gas and electricity boards and how the public often viewed them, as being non-responsive. However, we have all experienced the recent privatized providers, whom have varied, complicated tariffs, and prices continue to climb.
Could mutually owned, ethically sourced utilities, provide a choice, without being reliant on the profit motive, and could that model be replicated elsewhere?
As we look at an ideal, we recognise the reality of where we are, and the many obstacles in the way to the ideal. However there are real opportunities for greater mutualism in our governance, infrastructures and supply chains. Big companies do exist and will continue to exist in the foreseeable future, therefore tax and tax transparency is vital so that companies like "Google" (whose motto is "do no evil"...but pay no tax in the UK) really work for the common good. The state does have a role here, but regulating bodies also need to be as transparent and accountable as the organisations they regulate.
We can remain as we are and continue to privatise our public services. We could re- nationalize key industry like the railways. Or we could determine another way that isn"t reliant on shareholders( who aren"t balloted when their funds go to political parties!), and isn't reliant on the state and civil servants( who are not directly accountable)), or we could go back to our roots as a labour movement, and seek to empower ourselves, by living as our Creator designed, that is to work in mutual harmony, co-operatively, reaching consensus on decisions and certainly not charging interest on loans.
It's our choice!


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Posts from 30th December 2001
Dec 01
quicksilver shapeshifter
quicksilver shapeshifter is a great-looking new music weblog by ILM regular Mel W. Too early to make any kind of overview of what she'll be talking about but a look at her top 50 2001 LPs will give you some idea of the range.
And while I sorted out the archives
And while I sorted out the archives, I made myself a tape!
Freaky Trigger Archives
Freaky Trigger Archives: before we get onto all that, though, here is a sorted-out FT Archive. There'd been snarl-ups in the archiving of some of the restored pieces, so stuff like Sterling's Hannah Marcus review (complete with awful editorial typo!!) weren't indexed. Now they are so you can explore.
And for an extra New Year treat we've resurrected four favourite archive pieces – 1981 vs 2000, my review of Godspeed You Black Emperor!, my review of Foreigner, and by POPULAR DEMAND the notorious 'Why I Hate Indie Kids'.


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New players can claim the casino's unique 50% cashback offer on their first deposit. To qualify, your first deposit will need to be at least €50. Play however you want. If you win, great! If not, send an email to promotion[email protected]elticcasino.com with the subject line "50% Cash Back". If the promotions department finds that you had a net loss, you'll get half of your losses back as a bonus. Then, just play the bonus through 35x on inside bets in live roulette or slots before requesting a withdrawal.
How to Play Baccarat
If you have never played baccarat before, don't worry - it's a simple game with great odds. The object is to predict whether the "Player" or the "Banker" hand will be closer to 9 (or to bet that there will be a tie). Standard decks of cards are used. Tens and face cards having a value of 0, and if one side's total goes over 10, the count goes back to 0. After all players have placed their bets, the dealer will deal 2 cards out to the Player side and 2 to the Banker side.
If either side has a total of either 8 or 9, it is declared a "natural" and gameplay stops.
If the Player hand has a total between 0 and 5, it will receive a third card. Then, the Banker will either draw or stay depending on its current total and the third card the Player received as shown on a chart.
If the Player hand has a total of either 6 or 7, it will stay. Then, the Banker will draw if its total is between 0 and 5 and stay on 6 or 7.
At the end of the round, the higher side is declared the winner. Both sides pay 1:1, with Banker wins costing a 5% commission due to the Banker's slightly better odds. In the event of a draw, bets on either Player or Banker will be returned, and Tie bets will pay 8:1.
The best strategy in baccarat is to simply bet Banker every hand since it has the best return. Avoid betting on the tie: its house edge of over 14% will likely drain your bankroll rapidly.


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A Humble Venture: Sagada Roast
Early this month, I started Sagada Roast. And I think it is doing pretty well.
I see Sagada Roast as a supplier of coffee and other highland produce to restaurants, offices and other establishments in the metropolitan area.
My childhood friend, Lanban, is helping me ship the coffee packs. And I hope everything will be doing just fine in the coming days.
I envision it to weekly bring freshly-roasted coffee beans to homes and commercial establishments. This afternoon I publicly announced on Facebook that establishments may request for a sample pack from me.
One friend is supporting me with this venture. In return I am supporting her expansion. Soon, the both of us will open a shop in Sagada that sells factory overruns and other essentials in the cold highlands.
If you want to support me with this venture, please email me at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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|low graphics version | feedback | help
|You are in: UK
Friday, 8 September, 2000, 10:22 GMT 11:22 UK
Leo meets world leaders
Three-month-old Leo Blair has entered the world of international politics, meeting US President Bill Clinton and French President Jacques Chirac at the UN summit in New York.
Leo was with his mother Cherie when President Clinton decided to introduce himself during a break in proceedings.
The world's most powerful man whisked Leo down two flights of stairs in the Waldorf Astoria hotel to meet the French president.
Mrs Blair relented to pleas from the Clinton family for the president to be allowed to see little Leo.
He had just finished a meeting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council which had been discussing issues like the reform of the global organisation's peacekeeping role.
'A fantastic baby'
Mr Chirac then met the newest member of the Blair family, picking him up and cradling him in his arms.
The Blairs were showing Leo off at the end of the United Nations' Millennium Summit in New York.
No photographs were allowed for publication of either president with Leo.
The Blairs are highly protective of their children's privacy and recently threatened to pull out of a traditional pre-holiday photoshoot after some papers published pictures of baby Leo at his christening.
Mr Blair had earlier told millions of Americans watching breakfast TV Leo was "a fantastic baby" who was regularly sleeping through the night.
See also:
07 Sep 00 | Americas
UN promises to boost peacekeeping
22 May 00 | UK
Blair devotes time to baby Leo
26 May 00 | UK Politics
Leo comes before world heads
01 Jul 00 | UK
Schoolkids scoop Leo picture
30 Jul 00 | UK Politics
Blair's photo complaint defended
31 Jul 00 | UK Politics
Blair cancels holiday photo-shoot
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During these uncertain times, how can we help?
See below to participate in our Impact Sector survey, access our COVID-19 Resource Hub, and explore our growing directory of COVID-19-specific and virtual volunteering opportunities.
We perceive that a good community theater must assume certain minimum responsibilities for the purpose of expanding and enriching theatrical activity in the United States. These responsibilities fall into three overlapping areas: 1. Responsibility to the theater itself as an organization; 2. Responsibility to the people who work in and for the theater; 3. Responsibility to the larger community which sustains and supports the theater. We provide student scholarships and contributions to various philanthropies within Lake County, IL.
We declare the Kirk Players have a responsibility toward the community from which we derive our artistic and material existence. We will seek to identify that community which supports us and to discover that community's desires, tastes, needs, and deficiencies - not to be shaped by the community but to lead the community to broaden its cultural horizons. We will work cooperatively with other community organizations to improve and enrich the cultural climate of the community we serve. We will seek to develop audiences beyond our original clientele, recognizing the various potential publics in children, the aging, and the disadvantaged and supplying new and different kinds of services for them.
Do you work for this organization?
Request administrator status and update its information!


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Restoration of native plant communities: an examination of seed limitation and microsite limitation in the Garry oak ecosystem.
Reagan, Karen
MetadataShow full item record
The Garry oak ecosystem is one of the most highly degraded ecosystems in North America due to fragmentation, development, and conversion to incompatible uses, with less than three percent of the ecosystem dominated by native plants (Noss 1995; Crawford and Hall 1997). Despite recognition of the dire state of the ecosystem, the best path toward recovery has been unclear. The research in this dissertation addresses questions fundamental to the restoration of the Garry oak ecosystem. We ask (1) are the native plant species commonly used for restoration of this ecosystem more seed limited or more microsite limited (Chapter 1); (2) which common restoration treatments provide the best opportunity for recruitment when seed is added (Chapter 2); and (3) what is the best way to determine the success of a restoration experiment that includes both seed addition and adaptive management techniques (Chapter 3)?
- Biology [165]


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Program Description
Advances in science have provided us with unprecedented opportunities to understand life at the microscopic and atomic level and have helped us to understand both the microscopic and macroscopic level of our world and how we influence it.
Students in our Bachelor of Science in Biology program receive a broad-based, rigorous education in many areas of biology that are increasingly important and relevant to our world today. These include environmental biology and protection, ecosystems management and species conservation, physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, health research, immunology, and teaching.
Our program aims to encapsulate the best of both theoretical as well as practical instruction. It seeks to:
- provide students with an integrated knowledge of contemporary principles and applications of biology that will prepare them for advanced degrees and careers in teaching, research, consulting and business
- provide a high-quality, laboratory-rich learning environment where students will learn proper laboratory protocols, plan and conduct experiments in various areas of biology, practice the scientific method, analyze data, and reach logical and reasonable conclusions
- provide opportunities for interested and qualified students to participate in meaningful research projects of their own under the guidance of the biology faculty
- provide pre-professional education and training for students who wish to pursue careers in related fields such as medicine, genetic engineering, biotechnology and research
- maintain a dynamic curriculum that reflects the needs of a changing world
- foster motivation and opportunities for lifelong learning
We sincerely believe that upon graduation from our program, our students will be able to:
- participate effectively in practical, experience-based learning, through conferences, field experiences, workshops and independent research projects
- apply technologies and become proficient in the use of modern instrumentation
- identify and carry out thoughtful approaches to biology-related problems, including ethical issues and biological threats to the environment
- define simple research tasks, carry them out and use appropriate statistical analysis in the treatment of data
- develop competence in critical thinking, communications, teamwork, information technology and adaptation to change
- produce written and oral reports in the style most commonly used in scientific literature
- demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of various molecular, cell and ecological techniques, instruments, and equipment
Apart from pursuing graduate work at some of the leading universities around the world, our graduates have found success in a wide variety of fields including: genetic and immunology research; human genetics counseling; agriculture; horticulture; soil science; marine aquaculture; fisheries; forestry; science education and teaching at all levels; scientific journalism; veterinary medicine; drug and biotechnology; ecosystems management; conservation law enforcement; bioinformatics database companies; pharmaceutical sales and production; university and hospital research centers; natural history museums; nature parks and zoological gardens; government wildlife management; centers for disease control; epidemiology; virology; food testing; public health; and medical and blood testing laboratories.
About the School
American University of Sharjah is an independent, not-for-profit coeducational institution, based consciously upon American institutions of higher education. The university is a leading comprehensive ... Read More


text:
Today, we launched group chats on Jalopnik.
Here's a quick overview the differences between the old discussion system and group chats:
The discussion following the story is curated by the author of the post. If the author engages a reader by replying to or recommending a comment, then all replies from that user will appear in the discussion highlights.
Below the discussion highlights, there's a section called "Other groups" which includes other popular discussions on the post. Click into a group to view that particular user's discussion highlights. You can view all replies to the main story, sorted by oldest first, by clicking "All replies on this post."
We're continuing to make improvements as we roll out group chats to more of Kinja. Please give us your feedback below.


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A very important issue to the high tech industry, the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, was approved by the Senate last week, but faces an uncertain future in the House. This agreement is good for the technology industry and deserves to be passed. Thanks to folks like Senator Feinstein who voted in favor in the Senate and hope that members of both parties in the House see the light.
A good story in the Washington Post speaks of political dynamics.
Also, a great website resource is www.uscafta.org


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At this second, are we will nonetheless feeling for his plight of getting to go undercover? Most likely not. Still, let's stick with the plot even though this CEO has it terribly great and the producers of the show certainly want you to know it. He is, following all, a CEO and you are not. Well, maybe you are. My assumption is most Americans aren't in the place of CEO.
East Vail is at the foot of the Gore Range. This part of Vail is initial location you arrive to when getting into Vail. Not only are there hotels europe there, but you can also discover Vail condo rentals and solitary family members houses with seasonal rentals, providing you the community really feel. And you also have the same kind of simple accessibility to the rest of Vail and the chair lifts are by way of totally free bus services.
Under the Royal Mile is a different world, where homes and streets have been preserved in St Marys Close because medieval times in the city. Its a very different experience and even a small frightening at occasions.
The Easter Carnival Pageant of Jamaica started in 1990. It begins each yr at Beach Jouvert on Easter Sunday before daybreak and goes until late at evening. The entire cavalcade ends with the Road March performed by men in colorful uniforms. Calypso and Reggae are the locals' preferred kind of music, different bands perform it.
Rambling and wild, Hampstead Heath is another genuine gem in summer time time. Just north of the centre, you can get misplaced on Hampstead Heath among the trees and hills. Most individuals come here for the view from the leading of Box Hill, where the entire metropolis lies sprawling prior to you, but the very best parts of the heath are the more concealed and selcuded areas that give the impact that you're anywhere other than in the midst of a giant metropolis. The previous-fashioned and chic Hampstead Village is also nicely worth a wander later on as there are some top course pubs with gardens and patios, alongside quaint retailers and cafes.
There are several locations to remain in the city match for the households. Bars and eateries are open up extra hours for the vacationers. For the comfort of vacationers, many airways provide inexpensive flights throughout this time period.
You can promote it on buy promote sections of forums, auction websites or ask a publication owner to mention it in his newsletter and you'll break up the amount. After creating a little bit you might be in a position to make one to two sites a day which can be a very good flip money company. The elegance of this is there is no customer assistance and you just create and resell websites.
With that stated, the Hooter's supervisor who produced his female workers scarf food down like pigs falls completely below that category. How this guy wasn't fired was a major flaw I just can't get more than when it comes to Undercover Manager. Maybe the CEO couldn't fire him because he operates or functions at an independent franchise? In either situation, not every light bulb is quite as vibrant. That was perhaps the most compelling moment on the tv display so much simply because somebody just totally disregarded the fact he was becoming filmed and went over the top chauvinistic on us. That might be one of the few moments exactly where we noticed what the average work place can be like. A second of truth on CBS Undercover Manager, however incorrect it might be.


text: In this episode of Hairstory, Rose shows how to create a fun glamorous and rockin up style you can wear anywhere! Big thanks to the gorgeous model Casey Lynn! Check out all Roses episodes of Hairstory right here on rosehuggett.com, and subscribe to www.coraltv.ca to see all the fabulous shows from all the ladies of Coral!


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Solvency II in focus - Unintended consequences and how regulation encourages short-term thinking in insurance
This week we serialise a study, published recently by Clear Path Analysis, on Solvency II regulations and their impact on asset managers and insurers.
This week we serialise a study, published recently by Clear Path Analysis, on Solvency II regulations and their impact on asset managers and insurers.
The full report is available at https://www.clearpathanalysis.com/reports/solvency-ii-the-global-dimension-2012/
In the first extract, below, The International Centre for Financial Regulation's CEO Barbara Ridpath, argues "The unintended consequences of complying with Solvency II may actually be a less than optimal use of the insurance industry's funds in the interest of longer term European prosperity."
Striking the right balance is difficult in almost all endeavors where there are multiple objectives involved.
Insurance regulation provides a very clear example of this. Competing objectives among insurance shareholders, insurance policyholders, regulators, legislators, and consumers create a tension within the industry.
In addition in the life insurance industry, there is an intergenerational tension: how to balance the promises made to today's pensioners without depriving future generations of wealth?
Such tension, put to good use, can optimise outcomes for all stakeholders. However, in certain circumstances, due to events, or even inadvertently, some objectives strongly outweigh others, causing the balancing of objectives to skew.
This article will argue that the combination of the desire for financial stability occasioned by the financial crisis, together with a primacy of the solvency objective among regulators, and the value that accounting standards place on the market value of many insurance investments, have all encouraged short-term thinking within the profession.
It will argue that such short term thinking is in no one's long term interest.


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Mary Medlock, Gift Shop Manager:
"I have been working for St. Joseph's for 40 years and it is the best place in the world to work. The staff here are exceptional, extraordinary and excellent. My co-workers are phenomenal employees who put every effort out to ensure that we all work together as a Team. I've found over the years that there is no "I" here. We all understand that together we achieve more. We are St. Joseph's. Recognition of the work we do on a daily basis helps us strive to go above and beyond and love the work we do. As much as possible, St. Joseph's strives to accommodate the needs of the employees. I do not feel that there are any challenges for me working at St. Joseph's that the God I serve and I cannot fix. God gives me wisdom, knowledge and understanding and I feel that my greatest reward is being able to give back to the staff here at St. Joseph's the community and the patients who come here for care."
Louis Cortes, Coordinator Trauma Injury Prevention:
"The expectation for any administration to recognize an excellent employee is taken a step further at St. Joseph's. The practice of giving a N.I.F.T.Y. (nice individual friendly thank you) award to an employee from any employee, regardless of role, acknowledges the recognition of all employees. A N.I.F.T.Y. award recipient would be recognized again as the person receives a small prize, has their name posted on a bulletin board, updated monthly and has the certificate placed in their personnel file. Our mission, vision and core values of dignity, justice, stewardship and excellence provide guidance to what is the expectation. The common visible posting of our core values throughout the organization serve as a constant reminder of the culture of St. Joseph's. The uniqueness of our Center for Education provides all employees with the necessary particular level of learning ideal for the diverse job roles. Training for new programs and software are completed in phases as not to overwhelm the employee. Support is available 24 hours from trained champions on nearly all areas throughout the organization to computerized icons with available resources just a click away.
The current changes in healthcare shadows uncertainty for most healthcare workers everywhere who may consequently be challenged and ask, "What if the hospital closes and I lose my job?" Remaining attuned to these changes is what the administration at St. Joseph's has exemplified for the last 18 years since I began working here. Indeed, change would be inevitable and the reward for working at St. Joseph's is as the organization moves forward, so does the employee. I am never stagnant and always up to the challenge, with St. Joseph's at my side I can achieve my professional goals. Often co-workers exercise reliability during times of urgency but at St. Joseph's, reliability of co-workers is seen on a day to day routine basis. Getting the job done correctly and efficiently the first time would be a goal for countless of our co-workers. The collaboration and multidisciplinary approach amid co-workers validates our exceptionality."
Christine Miller, Manager Volunteers and Visitors:
"Our values of Dignity, Justice, Excellence and Stewardship are more than just nouns, they are verbs here. Each value is put into practice in everything that we do and we take pride in having a culture that we refer to as one of Embracing Excellence. At St. Joseph's, whether it be that you're looking to advance in your career and earn a degree or improve skills in areas such as computers, customer service and more, St. Joseph's offers the support and training to assist you in reaching your goals.
As an employee for the past nine years, I can honestly say that from the moment I began working here, it felt like I became a member of the St. Joe's family rather than just an employee. We truly care about one another. The rewards of working for St. Joseph's far exceed any challenges that you may come across. St. Joseph's does a wonderful job of not only recognizing an employee's years of service, dedication and hard work at the annual Employee Service Awards banquet but also on a daily basis by affording us many opportunities and avenues, as employees, to recognize and appreciate each other's contributions. Two most frequently used and well known ways for someone to show their appreciation or to recognize an exceptional employee, is through the N.I.F.T.Y program or the monthly AWL STAR or the Employee of The Year."
Monica Maguire, Coordinator Employee Health:
"I am always given the training and tools I need to get the job done. New systems are not put in place until everyone receives extensive training. The resources here at St. Joseph's are amazing. They set the standard for other healthcare institutions to follow. The hospital here at Wayne has evolved and grown over the years, which has kept my position and day to day activities challenging. You are never bored. There is always something new to be learned or done. All the people I work with here at Wayne have a positive attitude and make coming to work a pleasant experience. Everyone here gives 100% of themselves to their patients. Management is a visible presence and easily approachable. St. Joseph's Health truly values their employees. Individuals are recognized annually for years of service. In addition, we have barbecues and ice cream socials. We are provided with as choice of superb benefits and generous BTB time. I would recommend St. Joseph's to anyone who wants to work for a great hospital with outstanding core values. St. Joseph's has never lost sight of its original mission."
Jennifer Heinl, RN, Perioperative Services:
"As a new grad, I started my career at St. Joseph's Wayne Medical Center as a Medical/Surgical nurse and then transferred to the O.R. at St. Joseph's University Medical Center two years later. Both facilities offered extensive 6 month orientations as well as guidance and preceptorship from experienced co-workers. The educational department as both facilities is exceptional and is a constant resource, no matter what stage in my career.
St. Joseph's challenges all nurses to advance their degrees and to become certified in their specialty. The hospital offers tuition reimbursement and a yearly bonus for all certified nurses. The RN Star program is a clinical ladder program where nurses conduct projects in their departments that serve the organization and in return receive a monetary reward.
The best thing about working at St. Joe's is the tight knit relationships I have made with my co-workers. My co-workers made my transition from nursing school to a demanding med/surg floor then to a busy O.R. almost flawless. They were consistently friendly, informative and supportive. Many of my co-workers turned into friends and extended family who I spend time with outside of work. On the job, my co-workers and I work together as a unit and a team supporting each other and delivering excellent patient care to our patients.
St. Joe's takes real pride in recognizing the hard work of employees. Every month, one employee is recognized in the hospital newsletter as our "Awl Star", each year one exceptional employee is recognized as the "Employee of the Year" and five nurses receive the "Nursing Excellence" award each year. Staff also takes advantage of the "NIFTY" program to give a fellow co-worker a NIFTY award for something exceptional they did.
Nursing can often be physically and emotionally draining and sometimes leaves me wondering if I'm really making a difference in patients' lives. St. Joe's believes in dignity, justice, excellence and stewardship. Unlike many hospitals in the area, we focus on providing top-of-the-line care for the poor and underserved. These values and culture of caring keep me motivated and feeling professionally fulfilled."
Lorna Rouse, Certified Nursing Assistant, St. Joseph's Nursing Home:
"My co-workers are always there to help when a situation arises. When employees do some good or go beyond the call of duty, to make residents or family members comfortable, St. Joseph's always gives NIFTYs to the workers. We value the values and cultures of employees and patients. We support each other when there are new ideas and then we are given the training required so we can work better for the good of those people we care for. I always see that we do the best we can for everybody we come in contact with. We give each other that helping hand. The workers are recognized at several different ongoing programs and this year I was a nominee at the Employee of the Year celebration."


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Hello all! I'm excited to show and tell you about the fab experience I had sewing up the new Juliette Skirt ahead of it's launch as a part of Ready to Sew's latest collection of patterns! I've pattern-tested for Raphaëlle on a number of occasions and her patterns never disappoint. It's up against some stiff competition, but I think that Juliette, a high waisted, A-line mini skirt, perfectly suited to leather or faux leather/suede, might just be my favourite Ready to Sew make yet!
|My finished Ready to Sew Juliette!
As with the previous Ready to Sew patterns I've made, the PDF pattern is layered, so you can select only your size or sizes before printing, and the instructions offer a playlist and click through tutorials to provide extra help for some of the trickier techniques. This pattern is marked as intermediate level, but if you're confident enough to try out a fair bit of topstitching then I'm sure it would be really manageable for an advanced beginner, particularly in a 'friendlier' fabric such as denim or cotton drill.
|Juliette line drawings
|Snow/sew day-ing
|Side shot
|Check that pleather/boot match!
|Close up of the pocket and topstitched detailing
- Cost and ease: It's a lot cheaper than buying the perfect piece of leather for your project, and often easier to source.
- Limiting consumption: Whilst I'm not veggie/vegan, I do err on the side of caution with when it comes to using real leather. I would feel much guiltier about a sewing fail or unworn garment if it was made using animal products.
- Best for the tests: Pleather is perfect for giving a pattern a first go to check that you're happy with the fit and style and confident in the pattern if you're up for progressing to the real deal.
|Pleather hacks - sellotape seams!
|Back view
|More back detail from an earlier snow storm-blighted picture taking attempt
|Thanks to my boyfriend for his patience in the 3 attempts it took to get these pictures!
|The new Ready to Sew Collection: Jeanne, Jim, Jamie & Juliette
Juliette is available now alongside the new Jeanne T-Shirt, Jamie Cardigan and Jim Dungarees.
See here to pick up a copy!
Stay in touch!
- Wednesday, March 21, 2018
- 10 Comments


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Rebecca began studying yoga in 1999. She has studied many types of yoga but fell in love with Baptiste because of the philosophy: Be your true Self and you can make anything in your life happen. Clear away the blocks, your own self imposed limitations, and realize your inherent happiness.
In 2008, she committed to herself at New Year's (like a resolution but not quite) that she would attend 1 teacher training that year. That commitment began a complete life overhaul that was never expected, planned or anticipated. She ended up dedicating her life to yoga, leaving her corporate job, moving back to her hometown, helping care for her ill mother (something she'd always wanted to do), allocating more time to raise her child, and finding love – as well as teaching 15 plus or minus yoga classes per week at Indigo Yoga.
She became certified in 2010 and is happier than she ever thought possible. It is this passion, this lightness of being, this clarity that she hopes to share with her students.
Rebecca continuously practices Baptiste as well as teaches this style of yoga. Her passionate desire is to help others discover what they CAN do in their lives if they just drop resistance. Many times in her classes, she has helped yogis grasp experiences they had previously deemed impossible. She loves helping people find their own power.


text: Elder Abuse Blog 2016 May Tips for Assessing an Assisted Living Facility Previous Post | Next Post Tips for Assessing an Assisted Living Facility Posted By Norman Taylor & Associates || 4-May-2016 Deciding that your elderly loved one should be looked after in an assisted living facility can be one of the most difficult decisions a family can face. However, if they decide that assisted living is best, they will be immediately be faced with another big decision: which facility should you choose? These facilities obviously want your business and are ready to put their best foot forward when you decide to tour their grounds. Still, there are a few tips to keep in mind when assessing these facilities and ensuring that they can best accommodate your loved one. Tip #1: Observe Residents As Much As You Can The biggest indicator of the quality of an assisted living facility is the status of their residents. As you tour, make note of their dress, their grooming, their demeanor. Do they seem comfortable? Active? Engaged? Or tired, haggard, or languishing? Either observation is indicative of the level of care the residents are receiving. Tip #2: Ask to View an Activity Assisted living facilities are responsible for providing residents activities that benefit their mood, spirit, and mental and physical health. If possible, ask to view one of these activities on your tour. Not only will you see what activities your family member might have access to, but you can also gauge the staff friendliness and attentiveness as they conduct the activity. Tip #3: Eat with Your Tour Guide If possible, ask to have lunch in the facility's cafeteria while on your tour. Nutrition is obviously important, but having quality meals served regularly is also important to the overall happiness of the residents. Partaking in the food there—and any cuisine questions you can ask your tour guide—will give you an insight into the facility's menu. Tip #4: Keep an Eye—and Nose—Out for Cleanliness As you tour a facility, keep a sharp eye open for cleanliness, not just in the common areas, but wherever you can see and smell. While one bad smell may not be enough to disqualify an entire facility, frequent bad ones and any other signs of uncleanliness may be a sign that you should look elsewhere. If you believe that your loved one has been the victim of elder neglect or abuse, then we invite you to contact us at Norman Taylor & Associates today. Since 1987, our experienced and compassionate Los Angeles elder abuse attorneys have helped client families pursue justice for the harm neglectful caretakers have inflicted. Start exploring your legal options with a dedicated legal advocate today. Use our online form to request a free case evaluation now. Categories: Elder Abuse Share Post


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The "Camera patch" patches the vulnerability we use to gain system user, and pwnmymoto will no longer work on devices with this update.
I will not be responsible for damage to your device(s) by using this exploit. Antivirus software and Play services will likely detect this as potentially
malicious. It is an exploit, deal with it or don't use it. Do not mirror these applications without my permission!
Change Log:
1.4.3 detects failed su installation (0 size su) and allows reinstallation
1.4.1 adds reliability, and fixes issues for users when improper permissions are applied to su (Preventing updates).
PwnMyMoto is a replacement for my previously released MotoRoot. PwnMyMoto exploits three vulnerabilities, to gain root access, then to gain write to system. This is a traditional root, and doesn't use any 'hackery' to maintain su access unlike MotoRoot.
First we use bug 9695860 (aka second masterkey) to gain system user, then it uses a symlink attack to gain root access. After gaining root we exploit a flaw in the bootloader, allowing us to bypass the write protection applied to system. In the process we remove stock recovery, so OTAs will not be a worry.
Install PwnMyMoto by running:
adb install -r PwnMyMoto-<version and model go here>.apk
We have two (ok more but were not going into that) boot modes. First is normal, which boots regular Android, and in this case boots with system write protected. Second is recovery mode, normally it boots recovery without write protection. Our exploit will hijack recovery bootmode and boot Android without write protection.
After running this exploit, if you boot normally /system will be write protected. If you boot to "recovery", Android will boot without write protection. If you wish to edit system, you must boot into "recovery" to do so, any changes made will stick and will work in either bootmode. My suggestion is to make your changes in "recovery" and run the device day to day in normal mode, until we are certain "recovery" mode will be 100% stable for day to day use.
The exploit will uninstall itself after successful exploitation.
To see if write protection is applied, you can run:
adb shell getprop ro.boot.write_protect
In the future we will have a replacement recovery, but at this time it is still in development. Enjoy.


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The 199 Most Donald Trump Things Donald Trump Has Ever Said
Would you vote for this man?
Politico Illustration—Getty.
48. "I play to people's fantasies. People may not always think big themselves, but they can still get very excited by those who do. That's why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular." (The Art of the Deal, 1987)
49. "Most people think small, because most people are afraid of success, afraid of making decisions, afraid of winning. And that gives people like me a great advantage." (The Art of the Deal, 1987)
50. "You want to know what total recognition is? I'll tell you how you know you've got it. When the Nigerians on the street corners who don't speak a word of English, who have no clue, who're selling watches for some guy in New Jersey—when you walk by and those guys say, 'Trump! Trump!' That's total recognition." (New Yorker, May 19, 1997)
51. "There is something crazy, hot, a phenomenon out there about me, but I'm not sure I can define it and I'm not sure I want to. How do you think 'The Apprentice' would have done if I wasn't a part of it? There are a lot of imitators now and we'll see how they'll do, but I think they'll crash and burn." (New York Times, Sept. 8, 2004)
52. "Other rich people don't do commercials because no one asks them. It's just like 'The Apprentice.' I can't tell you how many of my rich friends are dying, dying to have me put them on that show." (New York Times, Aug. 11, 2004)
53. "There's something very seductive about being a television star." (TrumpNation: The Art of Being The Donald, 2005)
54. "I can't help it that I'm a celebrity. What am I going to do, hide under a stone?" (USA Today, Feb. 27, 2004)
55. "I want a very good-looking guy to play me." (Master Apprentice, 2005)
56. "Nothing wrong with ego." (Playboy, March 1990)
57. "Show me someone without an ego, and I'll show you a loser." (Facebook, Dec. 9, 2013)
58. "One of the key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace. Good people don't go into government. I'd want to change that." (The Advocate, Feb. 15, 2000)
59. "Our leaders are stupid. They are stupid people. It's just very, very sad." (Las Vegas, April 28, 2011)
60. "I would hate to think that people blame me for the problems of the world. Yet people come to me and say, 'Why do you allow homelessness in the cities?' as if I control the situation. I am not somebody seeking office." (Playboy, March 1990)
61. "It's very possible that I could be the first presidential candidate to run and make money on it." (Fortune, April 3, 2000)
62. "I have no intention of running for President." (TIME, Sept. 14, 1987)
63. "I don't want to be President. I'm 100 percent sure. I'd change my mind only if I saw this country continue to go down the tubes." (Playboy, March 1990)
64. "Well, if I ever ran for office, I'd do better as a Democrat than as a Republican—and that's not because I'd be more liberal, because I'm conservative. But the working guy would elect me. He likes me." (Playboy, March 1990)
65. President Trump "would believe very strongly in extreme military strength. He wouldn't trust anyone. He wouldn't trust the Russians; he wouldn't trust our allies; he'd have a huge military arsenal, perfect it, understand it." (Playboy, March 1990)
66. Overseas, "we build a school, we build a road, they blow up the school, we build another school, we build another road they blow them up, we build again, in the meantime we can't get a fucking school in Brooklyn." (Las Vegas, April 28, 2011)
67. "What does it all mean when some wacko over in Syria can end the world with nuclear weapons?" (New York Times, April 8, 1984)
68. "I think if this country gets any kinder or gentler, it's literally going to cease to exist." (Playboy, March 1990)
69. "I see the values of this country in the way crime is tolerated, where the people are virtually afraid to say, 'I want the death penalty.' Well, I want it. Where has this country gone when you're not supposed to put in a grave the son of a bitch who robbed, beat, murdered and threw a 90-year-old woman off the building?" (Playboy, March 1990)
70. "I know politicians who love women who don't even want to be known for that, because they might lose the gay vote, OK?" (Playboy, March 1990)
71. "Politicians are all talk and no action." (Twitter, May 27, 2015)
72. "When you need zone changes, you're political. … You know, I'll support the Democrats, the Republicans, whatever the hell I have to support." (BuzzFeed, Feb. 13, 2014)
73. "I will tell you that our system is broken. I gave to many people. Before this, before two months ago, I was a businessman. I give to everybody. When they call, I give. And do you know what? When I need something from them two years later, three years later, I call them—they are there for me." (Republican presidential debate, Aug. 6, 2015)
74. "Power corrupts." (Playboy, March 1990)
75. "Part of the beauty of me is that I am very rich." (ABC's "Good Morning America," March 17, 2011)
76. "I'm really rich." (New York City, June 16, 2015)
77. "Look at these contracts. I get these to sign every day. I've signed hundreds of these. Here's a contract for $2.2 million. It's a building that isn't even opened yet. It's eighty-three percent sold, and nobody even knows it's there. For each contract, I need to sign twenty-two times, and if you think that's easy … You know, all the buyers want my signature. I had someone else who works for me signing, and at the closings the buyers got angry. I told myself, 'You know, these people are paying a million eight, a million seven, two million nine, four million one—for those kinds of numbers, I'll sign the fucking contract.' I understand. Fuck it. It's just more work." (New Yorker, May 19, 1997)
78. "My attitude is if somebody's willing to pay me $225,000 to make a speech, it seems stupid not to show up. You know why I'll do it? Because I don't think anyone's ever been paid that much." (New Yorker, May 19, 1997)
79. "I look very much forward to showing my financials, because they are huge." (TIME, April 14, 2011)
80. "I have a total net worth and now with the increase it will be well over $10 billion, but here total net worth of $8 billion. Net worth—not assets, not liabilities—a net worth. … I'm not doing that to brag. Because you know what? I don't have to brag. I don't have to. Believe it or not." (New York City, June 16, 2015)
81. "People say the '80s are dead, all the luxury, the extravagance. I say, 'What?' Am I supposed to change my taste because it's a new decade? That's bullshit." (Playboy, May 1997)
82. "If you don't tell people about your success, they probably won't know about it." (How to Get Rich, 2004)
83. "I know how to sell. Selling is life. You can have the greatest singer in the world, but if nobody knows who he is, he'll never have the opportunity to sing." (Sports Illustrated, Feb. 13, 1984)
84. "There are singers in the world with voices as good as Frank Sinatra's, but they're singing in their garages because no one has ever heard of them. You need to generate interest, and you need to create excitement." (The Art of the Deal, 1987)
85. "I've always felt that a lot of modern art is a con, and that the most successful painters are often better salesmen and promoters than they are artists." (The Art of the Deal, 1987)
86. "That's why the banks love me. They love my reputation." (New York Times, March 28, 2004)
87. "I really value my reputation and I don't hesitate to sue." (Village Voice, Jan. 15, 1979)


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Accessories for Denon Heos
SoundXtra's premium range of bespoke accessories for Denon Heos speakers make it easy to create your dream audio or cinema set-up. Designed in the UK; our high-quality mounts, stands and attachments are the perfect way to maximise the great sound and looks of your Denon Heos speakers. Whether you're mounting your devices on the wall, on your desk, on a stand or anywhere else – SoundXtra has a solution.
View the range


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JNTUK 3-2 Results 2018
JNTUK 3-2 Results 2018 page created for all JNTUK Students. Candidates can put an end to their search for 3-2 Semester Results of JNTU Kakinada University. Generally, JNTUK changes regulations for every three years. R16 is Present Running Regulation. While RR, R07, R10, R13 are previous Regulations. Students can also check other Year and Semester JNTUK Results on our site as we update our site Regularly. So if you are a student of JNTUK and checking for JNTUK 3-2 Semester Results 2018 of different Courses? then you need to revise this article.
For Latest Govt Jobs: Visit https://www.freshersnow.com/government-jobs-india/
You Can also See: JNTUK B.Tech B.Pharmacy 3-2 Sem R13 Syllabus
If students want to get all updates of JNTUK we suggest them to visit this page often. Candidates can find JNTUK 3-2 Results 2018 links further in this page of all regulations Courses provided by the JNTU Kakinada. To get a good score in exams students have to cover all the topics which mean candidates have to start preparation according to JNTUK 3-2 Syllabus which is released officially Released by the JNTU Kakinada University. If Candidates cannot find Syllabus they can check them on our site as we gathered all semesters Syllabus for B.Tech and B.Pharmacy, M.Tech, M.B.A, M.C.A, M.Pharmacy.
Latest JNTUK Results 2018 | Regular/Supply Examinations
JNTU Kakinada University will change the syllabus and topics along with regulations. To know more about JNTUK fast Updates that includes all Notifications and other important news students are requested to mark the page. Students can also get Revaluation/Recounting/Recorrection results Links on this page. Links Published on the page are for Reference Purposes.
JNTUK 3-2 Regular/Supply Examinations Results 2018
Students have to remember that Syllabus for courses will be different and these were designed by the Subject related professionals. For Example Pharmaceutical Technology -II, Pharm. Biotechnology, Pharmacology – II, Medicinal Chemistry – III, Regulatory Affairs, IPR & Patents, Pharmaceutical Technology –II, Pharmacology Lab, Pharm. Biotechnology Lab is subjecting for B.Pharmacy while Computer Networks, Data Warehousing and Mining, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Software Engineering, Web Technologies, Computer Networks & Network Programming Lab, Software Engineering Lab, Web Technologies Lab are subjects for B.tech CSE. Like that Subjects and topics will differ from Branch to Branch and Course to Course.
Candidates who are searching for JNTUK 3-2 Results 2018 can put an end to their search as we are arranging all the information regarding the 3-2 Semester Results 2018 of JNTU Kakinada. Candidates can find only results of JNTUK 3-2 Exams. Many students search for JNTUK 3-2 Results 2018 but they can not find a definite link and eventually Students waste their time for searching them. So to reduce Burden for students from this havoc process we are organizing all the Links related to JNTUK 3-2 Results. Students can also find result links of JNTUK 3-2 Semester Exam for both Regular and Supplementary Results 2018.
Steps to Download JNTUK 3-2 Results 2018
- Go to official Site/ Click on the link Given on this page.
- Enter Hall Ticket Number and click Submit.
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If you like this page please visit or Subscribe or Bookmark this page so that JNTUK Students won't miss any updates regarding the JNTU Updates. Students are always welcome to comment down the thoughts on this page. Please let us know if any of the Links are not working.


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UNIONTOW, PA - The #2 Central Maine Community College Mustangs won their second National Championship over the last three years by defeating #1 Villa Maria College, 85-78 on Wednesday afternoon in the Main Arena at Penn State Fayette.
CMCC jumped on the Vikings early, leading 35-16 after the first quarter. All-Tournament team members Kristen Huntress and Brooke Reynolds led the first-quarter assault, scoring nine points each with Reynolds tacking on four rebounds and three assists. She would add six more points in the second quarter to help the Mustangs take a 48-29 lead into halftime.
Villa Maria would watch their deficit balloon to 63-39 with 2:54 remaining in the third quarter before coming to life. The Vikings showed their chops as the top seed in the field by going on a 17-0 run, spearheaded by a suffocating defense that forced eight turnovers. Nina Cray paced the comeback with 10 points in the third quarter.
The teams traded baskets during the early part of the fourth quarter, before Villa Maria eventually cut the deficit to five with under a minute remaining. After a timeout, Alex Bessey, who scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, hit a three-pointer that put the game away for the Mustangs. A pair of three-pointers from USCAA Women's Division II Basketball Player of the Year Shaquana Owens with under 30 seconds left to play continued to make the game interesting until the final whistle but proved too little too late.
CMCC had five different players in double digits scoring; Reynolds (17), Huntress (17), Jordyn Reynolds (14), Bessey (12), and Natalie Thurber (10). Brooke and Jordyn Reynolds recorded double-doubles with 14 and 11 rebounds respectively. Villa Maria was led by Cray and Owens with 20 points each. Cray also added 10 rebounds.
For the Vikings, the loss caps a 25-win season – the most successful in program history. The win for the Mustangs completes a remarkable three-year stretch that has seen the program secure two National Championships and a runner-up finish.
Women's Division II Tournament MVP
Brooke Reynolds, Central Maine Community College
Women's Division II All-Tournament Team
Ineesha Hankerson, Johnson & Wales-Charlotte
Jah'Nel Oliver, Penn State Lehigh Valley
Kristen Huntress, Central Maine Community College
Nina Cray, Villa Maria College
Shaquana Owens, Villa Maria College


text: First Coyote Taken With New Benjamin Bulldog March 31, 2015 Featured, Hunting Twitter0Facebook0LinkedIn0Outdoor writer and airgun expert Tony Martins is in the books with the first coyote taken with the new Benjamin Bulldog .357 air rifle. According to Martins, who had a video camera on standby but not enough time to flip the switch, "it came in fast, slammed on the brakes and looked nervous." He wasted no time taking the shot, felling it at 57 yards. Tony also took the Bulldog out for some prairie dog hunting and despite particularly windy conditions, was successful at 44 and 61 yards.


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AT&T 4G LTE Available in Mount Vernon
Customers to benefit from nation's fastest 4G LTE network on the latest devices
Mount Vernon, Washington, April 03, 2013
AT&T* has turned on the nation's fastest 4G LTE network** in Mount Vernon, bringing customers the latest generation of wireless network technology. Watch here to see several of the benefits AT&T 4G LTE provides, including:
- Faster speeds. LTE technology is capable of delivering mobile Internet speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G***. Customers can stream, download, upload and game faster than ever before.
- Cool new devices. AT&T offers several LTE-compatible devices, including new AT&T 4G LTE smartphones and tablets.
- Faster response time. LTE technology offers lower latency, or the processing time it takes to move data through a network, such as how long it takes to start downloading a webpage or file once you've sent the request. Lower latency helps to improve services like mobile gaming, two-way video calling and telemedicine.
- More efficient use of spectrum. Wireless spectrum is a finite resource, and LTE uses spectrum more efficiently than other technologies, creating more space to carry data traffic and services and to deliver a better network experience.
AT&T is investing in its Washington communications networks, its people, and local communities. Washington is home to AT&T's Western Region Mobility Headquarters, and there are more than 4,500 AT&T employees in the state of Washington. AT&T invested more than $1.8 billion in its Washington wireless and wireline networks from 2010 through 2012, and made more than 1,250 wireless network upgrades in the state of Washington during 2012. As a result, AT&T launched 4G LTE in the greater Seattle area, Tacoma area and Pullman in the second half of 2012.
AT&T's 4G Network
AT&T's innovation and investment has resulted in the nation's largest 4G network, covering 288 million people with ultra-fast speeds and a more consistent user experience. AT&T's 4G LTE network delivers speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G, as well as multiple innovations that optimize the network for performance.
The AT&T network radio components are placed close to the antenna at most cell sites, instead of inside the base station, which helps minimize power loss between the base station and antenna and, in turn, improves the performance of its 4G LTE network. The network also is designed with its core elements distributed across the country, which helps reduce latency, or the delay when using the Internet, because your request isn't traveling as far.
Even as AT&T continues to expand its 4G LTE coverage, customers can get 4G speeds outside of 4G LTE areas on our 4G HSPA+ network, unlike competitors, where smartphone customers fall back to slower 3G technologies when outside of LTE coverage.
AT&T's focus to deliver the best possible mobile Internet experience goes beyond 4G to embrace additional connection technologies. AT&T operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network**** including more than 32,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 402,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn't count against customers' monthly wireless data plans.
Over the past five years, AT&T invested nearly $98 billion into operations. Since 2008, AT&T has invested more capital into the U.S. economy than any other public company. In a July 2012 report, the Progressive Policy Institute ranked AT&T No. 1 on its list of U.S. "Investment Heroes."