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A trio of U.S. senators is protesting a U.S. Treasury Department proposal that they contend could seriously hamper the growing trade in agricultural products between the United States and Cuba.
One of the trio, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., has threatened to put a hold on any new Treasury Department nominees that come before the Senate if the department's Office of Foreign Assets Control goes ahead with plans to require payment in advance of shipment on sales to Cuba.
After nearly 40 years of economic sanctions against Cuba, Congress passed the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act that made sales of food products legal on a cash-in-advance basis in 2000. Since then, Cuba has become the United States 21st largest agricultural export market.
But administration officials have continued to try to impose new barriers on trade with Cuba, claiming that exports help prop up the regime of dictator Fidel Castro.
"Moving to obstruct lawful trade after three years of it functioning without incident takes this administration's dangerous obsession with Cuba to a whole new level," said Baucus. "I will not sit idly by if the Treasury Department attempts to rewrite legislation Congress intended to facilitate trade with Cuba. I am prepared to hold up the next significant Treasury Department nominee until this gets resolved."
The proposed change in the regulations governing food sales to Cuba would clarify the Treasury Department's interpretation of food sales to Cuba on a cash in advance basis, according to a statement by Baucus.
Since 2001, U.S. businesses have delivered some $800 million in ag products to the island, receiving payment in advance of delivery. Last month, Treasury, State and Agriculture department officials met to discuss a proposed clarification of the payment in advance requirement that would require buyers to pay in advance of shipment, a new condition at which Cuba's import agency, Alimport, may balk.
In a Nov. 23rd letter to Treasury Secretary John Snow, Baucus joined Sens. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., in noting that "OFAC's mission is to enforce sanctions in place against Cuba, not to regulate or interfere in lawful commerce between the United States and Cuba.
"Since the TSRA law expressly codified the right of U.S producers to sell food and medicine to Cuba, any attempts by OFAC to inhibit such sales must necessarily be interpreted as a conscious and intentional decision by OFAC to flout the will of Congress," the senators wrote.
"Moreover, given that your other, far more important mission is to help root out the international sources of terrorist financing, we must express our outrage and profound disappointment that you appear to be choosing a course of action that will most likely create an additional burden — and thus a greater drain — on your agency resources. We consider this irresponsible and indefensible."
Earlier this year, Baucus criticized a Treasury report showing that the equivalent of 21 full-time OFAC employees are allocated to enforcing the Cuba travel ban, while only 16 are allocated to the search for Al-Qaeda's financial sources of support.


text:
of degrees
& programs
Fall: March 1
Applications are processed shortly after the deadline date. Applications are evaluated by the Program Director and members of the Master of Journalism Committee, which is composed of faculty in the program.
Number Required: 2
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence.
No specific courses are required for admission, but a professional background is highly recommended.
All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate baccalaureate degree at Temple University.
The Statement of Goals should be approximately 500-1,000 words and should include the following elements: your interest in Temple's program; your research goals; your focus in the program; and your talents and achievements.
The GRE is required. A score in the 65-75% range on the verbal and quantitative sections is expected.
Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted:
620 paper-based, 260 computer-based, or 105 internet-based.
A resume is required.
Professional, published articles or papers are preferred as a writing sample.
Graduate credits from an accredited institution may be
transferred into the M.J. program but must be a "B" or better
in order to transfer. The maximum number of credits a student
may transfer is 8.
Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 40
Required Courses:
JPRA 5001: Contemporary Issues in Journalism
JPRA 5002: News Reporting
JPRA 5003: News Editing
JPRA 5004: Computer Assisted Reporting and Research
JPRA 5005: Communication Law
Internship: No internship is required.
Language Examination: No language examination is required.
Students must pass an examination in three fields of study. Students have a week to complete three questions submitted by faculty members in separate fields. Students must have a 3.0 overall grade point average to graduate.
Comprehensive Exam:
The purpose of the comprehensive examination is to demonstrate competence in three areas of study in the Master of Journalism Program. Students request three major professors to submit three separate questions for the exam. Students have a week to complete it. Students must take Communication Law or Communication History as one area of the exam, but may choose two other areas from subjects studied. The examination is taken during or after the last semester of work.
The graduate faculty in the Master of Journalism Program participate based on the student's choice and that of the M.J. Director. The graduate faculty members who write the questions also evaluate the answers. Each examination is evaluated by two faculty members, each voting to pass or fail the student. If the members are not in agreement, a third faculty member reads and evaluates the examination and determines the outcome. The student must answer every question on the examination in order to be evaluated. Students must successfully pass all questions on the exam in order to qualify as satisfactorily completing the requirement. Comprehensive examinations are administered at various times during the year.
Master of Journalism Program
316 Annenberg Hall
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Dolores Stanley
Program Director:
Edward Trayes, Ph.D.
Graduate Chairperson:
Andrew Mendelson, Ph.D.
The Master of Journalism Program provides both introductory and advanced study for students who wish to begin or advance their careers in news and information, including broadcast and print reporters, magazine editors and writers, media managers, and those working in online news and information. Students receive instruction from award-winning media practitioners from the Philadelphia region and have the opportunity to study under a well-regarded faculty at a Research I institution. Students may find many freelance and internship opportunities in the nation's fourth largest media market.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 4 years
Main Campus, Center City
Courses are primarily offered at the well-equipped and professional facility of Temple University Center City (TUCC) campus, a location across from the Philadelphia City Hall and appropriate for a professional news training program. Some classes are also offered on Main campus, 15 minutes away by subway, bus, or automobile. Parking is available at both sites.
Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).
Master of Journalism Program
316 Annenberg Hall
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122
The program encourages interdisciplinary coursework for students who may find appropriate coursework in areas outside the Master of Journalism Program. Students are encouraged to select courses from other university departments if those courses are appropriate to the student's career goals.
Not applicable.
M.J. students may participate in the London Program offered by the School of Communications and Theater in the Summer and Fall semesters.
The Master of Journalism Program at Temple University is the only one of its kind in the state and one of just a handful of programs in the United States. The program is proud that it provides professional training within a University liberal arts context appropriate for individuals who seek to be leaders in their field.
Not applicable.
Coursework is offered in the following areas: news reporting for print, broadcast, and online distribution; magazine writing; news and magazine management; law and ethics; communication history; and specialized classes in sports writing, documentary photography, electronic information gathering, computer-assisted reporting, Web design, and other areas.
The program is dedicated to training professional practitioners in mass media, newspaper and broadcast reporters, magazine writers, and professionals in emerging fields such as Web design and the Internet. The program also emphasizes critical thinking, ethical concerns, historical context, and the development of specialized knowledge bases.
Non-matriculated students may apply up to 4 credits to the program requirements with the permission of the Master of Journalism Program Director and/or the Master of Journalism Committee. Non-matriculated students may choose to take JPRA 5001: Contemporary Issues in Journalism and JPRA 5002: News Reporting on a space-available basis.
The program offers limited Teaching and/or Research Assistantships. Applications for the assistantships should be made at the time of application. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis that includes consideration of, among other things, GRE scores. Assistantships carry a stipend and full-tuition remission (up to 9 credits each semester). Applications should include a statement of experience, areas of interest, and future goals; transcripts; and a curriculum vitae.
Updated 5.20.09

subset: commoncrawl


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Comprehensive election preview for area municipal races.
Although the filing period is months away, local incumbents and elections officials are getting their minds set for this year�s municipal elections.
Every election has something special about it, and 2013�s race will be no exception in Lenoir County�s three municipalities.
In Kinston, nonpartisan elections will be held for the first time, meaning there will be no primary, and voters will not see a party affiliation beside the candidates� names when they go into the voting booth.
The change from partisan elections comes from five years of residents� petition drives, a 2008 referendum and a legal battle that almost went to the U.S. Supreme Court.
�I believe this race will be run on individual merit, not party affiliation. � Anyone who wants to file can file,� said John Nix of Kinston, who made an unsuccessful run for the Kinston City Council as an unaffiliated candidate in 2011.
Nix, who said he plans to run again for council this year, was also the lead petitioner in the citizen lawsuit, Nix v. Holder, to have Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act declared unconstitutional � Section 5 is the part of the law which requires the U.S. Justice Department to preclear jurisdictions with a history of voter discrimination before any election changes are made.
The DOJ rejected � but later approved � the voter referendum in favor of nonpartisan elections. Justice officials argued in 2009 nonpartisan elections would discriminate against black voters in Kinston but reversed their decision when the town emerged from the 2011 elections with a majority-black City Council.
The nonpartisan quest began with former N.C. Rep. Stephen LaRoque, but he dropped his name from the lawsuit after he was federally indicted last summer.
�I don�t know what kind of candidates (nonpartisan elections) will produce but it will be an awesome opportunity,� Nix said.
Lenoir County Elections Director Dana King said nonpartisan elections means there will not be a primary, or a runoff election even if the votes are close.
Voters will be instructed to pick based on the number of seats which are available, such as voting for two in the Kinston council race since two seats are contested, or voting for one in the Kinston mayoral race.
The top vote-getter(s) in each field will be the winners.
�There will be no chance of a runoff,� King said. �If they only win by one or two (votes), whoever wins, wins.�
Jimmy Cochran, chairman of the Lenoir County Democratic Party, said party officials will meet this week to discuss a number of topics, including the municipal elections.
Cochran said he expected, regarding nonpartisan elections, that �people will vote on people they know, people they know about, what they�ve done.�
He said, in a community as small as Kinston, voters will know the candidates and which way they lean politically, even if they do not list their party affiliation.
�I think, even in a nonpartisan race, people will know who they�re voting for,� he said.
Lenoir County GOP Chairwoman Michele Nix favored nonpartisan elections �because that�s what the people of Kinstonvoted for.�
She said people want the same things � safe schools, jobs � regardless of political affiliation, but each political party has different methods of reaching those goals.
�If we ran on the issues, rather than party labels, I think we�d accomplish a lot more,� Nix continued.
Michele and John Nix are married, and she said the party could still endorse her husband�s campaign, since he is a registered Republican.
�I would support him as a spouse and we would support him as a party,� she said.
In Kinston, the Republican Mayor B.J. Murphy will be up for re-election, as well as Democratic City Councilmen Bobby Merritt and Robbie Swinson.
None of the three men confirmed if they will be running again, though.
�Jessica and I have had this as one of our top prayer requests for the last three to six months and we simply aren�t ready to make a decision or announcement,� Murphy said, referring to his wife. �And since filing is not until July we don�t feel rushed to make that decision.�
If Murphy were to run again, it would be his third time. He made an unsuccessful bid against then-Mayor O.A. �Buddy� Ritch Jr. in 2005, and edged out a victory in a three-man race in 2009 to become Kinston�s youngest modern mayor at age 29, and first Republican mayor since Reconstruction.
Murphy, now 32, said whether one or several people file for the office this year �it will have zero bearing on the decision we make for our family and this community.�
Murphy also said he had been a �major proponent� of nonpartisan elections for six to eight years.
�Two-thirds of the voters wanted it and this year they�re going to get it,� he said. �My political position matches what two-thirds of the community really wants.�
Merritt, who won his first term on the five-member City Council in 2009, said he had not fully determined if he would run again.
�I am pretty sure I will be running,� he said. �I wouldn�t say, �100 percent,� but I�m pretty sure I will be running.�
He added: �I�ve enjoyed it and I think we�ve accomplished a lot and I think we�re on the right path � I think 2013 is going to be a good year and I think Kinston�s got a lot going for it.�
Merritt said nonpartisan elections wouldn�t be an issue for him.
�When you�re in a small community, it should be that way,� he said. �You vote for the person, you don�t vote for the party.�
Swinson, who has served two terms since being elected to the council in 2005, was hospitalized for several days in late November after suffering a heart attack.
Swinson, who is in his early 40s, said his health will factor into whether he runs again.
�That�s a major factor in my decision but I�m still weighing the options and seeing how things are going to go,� he said.
He did not expect nonpartisan elections would have a major impact on voter turnout or the number of candidates who file this year.
�I think it�s going to be normal business,� he said. �I don�t think it�s going to be a drastic change in the turnout or the numbers.�
La Grange and Pink Hill, the county�s other two municipalities, will also see races for seats on their town boards this year.
In La Grange, the seats of incumbent Town Council members David Holmes, Veronica �Nicky� Lee and Bobby Wooten will be contested.
In Pink Hill, the seats of town board members Marion Mitchell and Mike Hill will be contested.
In prior elections, the Pink Hill mayor and all board members have run for re-election every four years, but this will be the first year town races are staggered in two-year cycles, with two of the town board members running one cycle and the mayor and third town board member running during the other.
The ballot initiative to stagger elections � the result of legislative action by LaRoque � passed with nearly 70 percent of the local vote in 2011.
�The good thing about having staggered elections is, you don�t lose some of the momentum and the experience in what could be a clean sweep of the elected body,� Murphy said.
Election dates 2013:
July 5 � candidate filing begins at noon
July 19 � candidate filing ends at noon
Nov. 5 � Election Day
Source: Dana King, Lenoir County elections director
The following seats will be up for election:
Mayor B.J. Murphy
City Councilman Bobby Merritt
City Councilman Robbie Swinson
La Grange:
Town Councilman David Holmes
Town Councilwoman Veronica �Nicky� Lee
Town Councilman Bobby Wooten
Pink Hill:
Town board member Mike Hill
Town board member Marion Mitchell
Source: Dana King, Lenoir County elections director
David Anderson can be reached at 252-559-1077 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter at DavidFreePress.


text:
"Sex Confessions" is a series featuring your naughtiest bedroom secrets and fantasies. Some will sound familiar, others may give you ideas, some will turn you on, and some are dark and twisted. You might want to sit down for this.
Some people do really bad things and feel terrible about them. Others not so much. Like 40-something-year-old Kimberly* for example. She had sex with her husband's best friend Lou*. Actually, she has been for around six months and she continues to have sex with him all behind her husband's back. But both she and Lou feel as if this should be no big deal because the husband made it clear he has no interest in having sex with her. I'm handing it over to Kimberly to explain.
My husband Rick* is a great man. We have one adult child who is away at school. But Rick doesn't want to have sex with me anymore. Actually, he can't. He's been having erectile issues and he doesn't want to take anything for it, so he essentially gave up. He basically told me that I should do what I need to do and just promise not to leave him.
This didn't sit well with me. I tried to get him to at least be intimate with me and that I didn't care if he couldn't get it up to have sex. I told him there were other ways we could be sexual and it would still be loving and romantic. But the fact that he couldn't get an erection just made him sad and depressed. So that stopped. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal -- this no having sex. I've never been a really sexual person anyway and figured I'd just masturbate once in a while and that would be that. But then Lou happened. Lou is Rick's best friend. He knew about Rick's issue. And one day he talked to me about it. It ended up with us kissing passionately and having sex while Rick was at the store.
At first I felt terrible about it. But then I thought this was the perfect situation. Dysfunctional, of course. I didn't want to be with Lou like I'm with Rick. But I do need sex ... well, intimacy really. And Rick wasn't interested in giving that to me. But this whole situation is complicated. And I don't like lying to my husband. I just don't know what to do but am starting to feel guilty about it. I almost think Rick would be okay with it but if he knew at the beginning. It's been six months since Lou and I first hooked up and I'm thinking it may be time to tell him.
What do you think Kimberly should do? How should she tell her husband? Do you think she should stop having sex with Lou?
*Names have been changed.
Image via AngelsWings/Flickr


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Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC announced today its services are now available in Dubai. The company has signed an exclusive 25-year master franchise agreement with Prime Realty Ltd. to develop the Sotheby's International Realty brand throughout the United Arab Emirates.
The firm will conduct business as Dubai Sotheby's International Realty, with Billy Rautenbach as managing director and Eric Roche as director of international sales and development. The office will be located at Emaar Boulevard Plaza, Tower One, Suite 2601, next to the Burj Khalifa.
Madison-based Realogy is the parent company of Sotheby's.


text:
Compost Buckets Under the Countertop: 4 Examples
Composting kitchen scraps reduces material waste, but this way of collecting the scraps also reduces time and energy waste. With a built-in receptacle flush with the countertop, it's so easy to just sweep kitchen scraps right in.
We read about this idea at a discussion on GardenWeb and then went looking for examples. Above are a few of the installations we found.
Do you have a built-in compost receptacle? Or even just one for garbage? We're loving the idea of simply pushing kitchen waste across the counter to a chute where it's all collected.
Related: Do You Compost Your Kitchen Waste?
(Images: Freelance Kitchen Design, CasaSugar, Domino July/August 2006, Greenopolis)


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What's New
Bug fixes
Icon changes
App Description
Forget the shooters ever! Extremely beautiful defense shooter "VenomBlast" is back!
Defend planet and survive from the desperate battle against the mutants by controlling varied weapons and featured fighters!
VanomBlast is fantastic bullet heaven shooter about human's struggle against the mutants appearing duet to Zapa Ray caused by an inundation of radioactivity waste that humans have caused.
The hero's solitary battle to return the mutant insects to the nature is spreading out on the splendid and beautiful screen.
▶ Features
■ A variety of unique methods and tones of bullets
- More than 100 kinds of mutants and waves of bullets fill the screen.
■ Beautiful graphics and great sound effect
- Explore colorful and gorgeous environments during playing from 10 fantastic stages and unique character designs
■ Customizing and updating fighter
- Unlock three unique fighters and enhance your gear with equipment and items
■ Easy controls
- Optimized controls for iPhone and iPad
■ Note that this version is only for iPad
★Keep up with the latest Pictosoft for updates, events, and more!★
* Like us: http://www.facebook.com/pictosoft.global
* Follow us: http://www.twitter.com/pictosoft
App Changes
- June 13, 2014 Initial release


text:
Tough Mudder 5K Bristol - Clifton Down - Friday 18, May 2018
Tough Mudder UK
Your event has been migrated from Eventbrite.com to Active.com. You will receive a new event ticket in early 2018 and you will need to follow these steps to upgrade your ticket or to purchase parking. Parking is generally available about 6-8 weeks before your event:
1. Visit Active.com, click "Sign Up," and enter the email used to register. If you already have an Active.com account, you will be asked to enter a password. If you haven't set one up yet, you will be asked to continue to set up an account.
2. Search your inbox for email@example.com
3. Follow the instructions at the bottom of the email to claim your registration
4. After claiming your registration, click "Purchase Merchandise" to add Parking to your order.
If you are trying to purchase a new participant registration, visit toughmudder.com/events
Please contact email@example.com for troubleshooting support.
Tough Mudder events are teamwork based obstacle courses designed to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, over three million inspiring participants worldwide to date, and more than £2.5 Million raised for Help for Heroes, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.
In order to purchase these tickets in installments, you'll need an Eventbrite account. Log in or sign up for a free account to continue.


text:
Hometown: White Plains, N.Y
Hometown: White Plains, N.Y
Car Club Affiliation: Monroe County Cruisers
Color: Black
Pet name for car: Baby
What's Under the Hood: LS-7 427 ci small block
Mileage: 32,000
Value: $80,000, now $50,000
Origin: Long Island, N.Y.
Other rides: Nissan Maxima S, Nissan Titan SL
Special features: Racing-derived lightweight technology, 505 hp, six-speed manual transmission, aluminum body, 18x9.5-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels with 275/35ZR18 tires in front, 19x12-inch cast-spun aluminum wheels with 325/30ZR19 tires in rear, Delphi four-channel ABS system, K&N fresh-air induction system, MGW shifter, after-market exhaust system with high-flow cats.
Favorite place to cruise: Jane's Ice Cream, Trolly Shop, Pocono Raceway and Mosier's
Favorite cruise music: '60s and '70s
Your dream car: 1941 Willys with a 426 old-school Hemi
What bugs you about other drivers: Tailgaters and people who drive slow in the left lane
On which make and model did you learn to drive: 1961 Chevy Impala
A short story about your car, or its history if any: After going through many cars, I found this one and took her out for a ride. It was like love at first drive.


text:
A prestigious and very successful High Frequency Tradiing Hedge Fund based in the heart of London is looking for a PhD C++ Quant Developer to join their Simulation Team.
You will focus on development of a highly sophisticated Low Latency trading infrastructure, to implement strategies and really drive the best performance. Working in direct collaboration with the Quant/ Trading teams will offer great exposure to complex Statistical Arbitrage strategies.
Skills required:
- Experience writing C++ on Windows or Linux
- PhD from a leading University in Computer Science or related subject
- Real passion for technology and ability to work in a highly collaborative environment
Candidates from outside are always welcomed to apply, however you must possess a real passion towards the interception of technology within finance. You will be working closely with researchers from both equities and futures teams. This is an opportunity to really work for the business, in a technically stimulating environment, where you will be highly rewarded!
Apply now, or direct any questions to Natalie Glick on 0207 372 7526, or email email@example.com


text:
Visual Basic for Excel Tutorial | Using Excel Funcations | InfiniteSkills
Want all our free Visual Basic for Excel Training Videos? Download our free iPad app at : http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/video-training-courses-from/id418130423?mt=8 More videos from the full Visual Basic for Excel course can be seen here: http://www.infiniteskills.com/training/learning-visual-basic-for-microsoft-excel.html A series of tutorials that are aimed towards the beginner to learning Visual Basic for Excel. This is just a short extract from the full 12 hour course, if you wish to see more of these free lessons, visit our main website.
Length: 08:22


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Hutchison, McGowan win spots in Blue Jays rotation
DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Drew Hutchison and Dustin McGowan have won spots in the Toronto Blue Jays' rotation.
Manager John Gibbons announced the news before Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees.
Hutchison will pitch in the Blue Jays' second regular-season game Tuesday at Tampa Bay. McGowan beat out several other fifth-starter contenders and is lined up to pitch the home opener against the Yankees on April 4.
McGowan has pitched in just 30 big league games, including 25 relief appearances last season, since right shoulder surgery in July 2008.
"He was one of the top up-and-coming pitchers here in this organization a few years ago," Gibbons said. "It's pretty amazing in my mind that he's come back this far. We're going to run with it and see where it takes us."
McGowan will pitch in a simulated game Sunday, the final step in what he even thought was a long-shot bid to open the year as a starter.
"Excited," McGowan said. "I always had the resolve. There's no quit in my blood. I worked hard to get back. It paid off."
R.A. Dickey will be the starter on opening day on Monday against the Rays. After Hutchison, Mark Buehrle and Brandon Morrow will start the final two games of the four-game series with Tampa Bay.
Left-hander J.A. Happ, who was in the mix for the final rotation spot, will start the season on the disabled list with back tightness.
Gibbons said other starting candidates, Todd Redmond, Esmil Rogers and Jeremy Jeffress, will work out of the bullpen.
Also, Josh Thole beat out Erik Kratz for the backup catcher role. Thole will catch his former New York Mets teammate, the knuckleballing Dickey.


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Barriers Hamper Small Businesses
By Chairman Sam Graves, Rep. Steve Chabot and Rep. Scott Tipton
May 21, 2013
Although we've seen signs of a slowly improving economy, we must remember that our nation's potential is far better than this. Despite the improved unemployment rate, there is a combination of data points that is cause for concern.
April's 165,000-job gain is slower than previous months, and the underemployment rate — which includes those who have stopped looking or settled for part-time work — is a high 13.9 percent. April's labor force participation rate, like March's, remained at 63.3 percent, its lowest level since 1979. If the labor force participation rate had not declined from 2009, the unemployment rate would be 10.9 percent instead of 7.5 percent.
To address our sluggish economy, Washington should focus on creating a better environment for private-sector job growth and removing barriers for businesses, especially small businesses, to grow and create jobs. Part of this focus should include helping small businesses enter the trade marketplace.
May is World Trade Month, an appropriate time to evaluate how strong our nation's trade agenda is proceeding. Although 96 percent of the total business market exists outside the United States, only 1 percent of small businesses currently export. The Department of Commerce has concluded that many small and medium-size businesses could sharply boost exports by entering new markets. There is great potential here.
Small businesses play an important role in our economy, and they should play a more important role in the U.S. trade strategy. In 2012, total U.S. exports reached $2.2 trillion, which is nearly 14 percent of the gross domestic product. Those exports helped support nearly 10 million jobs, including about 4 million small-business jobs.
Engaging the export market provides great return on the investment for small companies. A United States International Trade Commission survey found that exporting small and medium-size manufacturers in 2009 had more than twice the total revenue of their non-exporting counterparts. And they experienced revenue growth of 37 percent from 2005 to 2009, while total revenue declined by 7 percent for non-exporting small and medium-size manufacturers over the same period.
Last week, we introduced three pieces of legislation to increase small-business exports, all at no cost to the taxpayer. These bills are aimed at reducing some of the key barriers and obstacles faced by small-business exporters.
The Export Coordination Act, sponsored by Rep. Sam Graves, will establish stronger congressional oversight and coordination of the federal export promotion agencies through the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee. The Government Accountability Office has found that strengthening interagency coordination will help reduce agency duplication and increase the quality of services provided to small exporters. Currently, there are more than 20 federal agencies that provide some or all of the steps in the export process, and many small businesses do not know where to go for the information relevant to their needs.
The State Trade Coordination Act, sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot, would establish the framework to ensure that federal and state trade agencies work in unison to assist their local exporters. And increased coordination and education will help more small businesses access the tools they need to export. Currently, there is no process in place that coordinates the resources of the states with the federal government. The State Trade Coordination Act will increase the cooperation of relevant support offices, resulting in more efficient delivery of services for small businesses.
The TRADE for Small Businesses and Jobs Act, sponsored by Rep. Scott Tipton, would direct trade agencies to monitor and collect up-to-date information on changes to tariff and nontariff laws, regulations and practices and display them in a clear and easy to read format. Understanding foreign regulations is a key barrier for small exporters.
Although a substantial amount of the world's consumers exists outside the U.S., many small firms do not have the resources and personnel to take advantage of export opportunities. Small businesses make up about 34 percent of those total export dollars, but the greatest barrier to them doing more is a confusing, duplicative trade system.
Removing barriers and simplifying the trade process should be part of Congress's bipartisan strategy to improve the overall economy. The Small Business Committee is focused on identifying common-sense solutions to reduce the barriers for small-business exporters at no cost to taxpayers. This legislation is exactly the right step in that direction.
Read the article online HERE.


text: Waterway Funding Bill May Pass This Year October 3, 2013 11:43 PM Tweet TAGS: Marketing, Overseas December 18, 2014 By Boyce Thompson AgWeb Email The legislation would be a shot in the arm for U.S. grain exports Despite the current debt-limit imbroglio on Capitol Hill, proponents of legislation authorizing new waterway projects, and repair and maintenance on the existing lock and dam system, believe they have a good chance of getting a bill passed this year. After the dispute concludes, Congress will be looking for ways to demonstrate that it can do business in a bi-partisan fashion. That makes the waterways bill, which passed the Senate on an 83-14 vote, and came out of a House committee on a voice vote, a prime candidate. "The water bill could become a success story," said Jim Wiesemeyer, senior vice president of Informa Economics, speaking at the Waterways Symposium in Memphis. "Congress will need one." Farmers have a lot at stake in passage of the bill. The American Farm Bureau Federation, which supports the bill, estimates that more than 60% of U.S. grain exports travel over the inland waterway. Former Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), who is working with the industry to get the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 passed, congratulated attendees for agreeing to pay higher diesel taxes to support project funding in the bill. Few industry groups, she said, offer concessions to get legislation passed. Conference speakers highlighted the importance of the nation's inland waterway and ports as critical to U.S. grain exports. Last year's worries over low water levels due to the drought and rock formations that impeded barge traffic created concern among foreign importers of U.S. grain, said Ken Eriksen, senior vice president, Informa Economics. Foreign buyers questioned whether the situation could be permanent. "People around the world wondered whether they could get their grain," said Eriksen. "They went elsewhere for their corn. When something like this happens, [demand] never returns to where it was before. We have to assure customers that our infrastructure is adequate." The nation's inland waterways and ports, an inexpensive mode of transportation, create an international advantage for U.S. grain exporters. But problems with an aging water infrastructure -- especially old locks that break down—raise costs unexpectedly. "When you have consistent [waterway] failures happening across the country, that's not good for the economy," said Nick Akins, president and CEO of American Electric Power, which ships coal over inland waterways to generate electricity. "The lower Algiers lock has been out for a few days. We are losing more than $1 million due to that." Akins rattled off several other closures in recent months that add unexpectedly to shipping costs and create delivery uncertainties. Earlier this year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shut down a series of locks along the Mississippi when flood waters breached lock gates. Slowdowns could be a major problem this year, because of late planting, which has compressed the schedule for shipping corn and soybeans to foreign buyers. This comes at a time when the U.S. faces increased competition from foreign grain sources, said Chris Stringer, a senior merchant for CHS, Inc., a major grain exporter. High corn prices in the U.S., he said, have "encouraged the rest of the world to grow corn," resulting in lost market share. "The U.S. can get its share back. We still have the best, most competitive export system. But it will take some time." The waterways bill would help by shortening the time required to study and fund new projects. It deauthorizes $12 billion in old, inactive projects, and offsets them with the authorization of new projects. The House bill authorizes specific projects, whereas the Senate bill leaves project designation up to the Secretary of the Army. Barge operators have proposed an increase (6 to 9 cents) in the tax they pay on diesel fuel to Inland Waterways Trust Fund , which helps funds projects. The House bill doesn't include the provision, which House leaders say needs to originate in the Ways and Means Committee. The industry fears that without the tax increase many projects will be delayed by decades. The bills would reduce the Inland Waterways Trust Fund's share of the Olmsted Lock and Dam project to 25%, instead of the current 50%. The project has been beset by delays and cost overruns. And both bills require that a higher percentage of expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund actually go to operate and maintain the facilities. Back to news


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|View Poll Results: Madoka Magica - Total Series Rating
|Perfect 10
|9 out of 10 : Excellent
|8 out of 10 : Very Good
|7 out of 10 : Good
|6 out of 10 : Average
|5 out of 10 : Below Average
|4 out of 10 : Poor
|3 out of 10 : Bad
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad
|1 out of 10 : Painful
|Voters: 304. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2011-05-04, 21:14
|Link #41
Dansa med oss
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Near Cincinnati, OH, but actually in Kentucky
Age: 30
It certainly wasn't perfect, despite what it says next to the 10/10 rating I gave it. I work off of a five-point system on my blog, and as a rule I just scale up by doubling it. My criteria for a 5/5 is basically 'any problems it had were not severe enough to reduce enjoyment,' which describes my impression of the show pretty accurately. It was executed so well even in the areas where it could have easily stumbled that the pacing issues a few parts had weren't a big deal to me. The last bit of Kyouko's character development was a tad rushed, but it still worked; I just felt like I'd skipped a page of manga by accident. Overall the characterization was quite good.
I'm curious about what problems Vexx had with the plot, though. I thought the storytelling was easily the best part of the show.
|2011-05-04, 21:31
|Link #43
Dansa med oss
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Near Cincinnati, OH, but actually in Kentucky
Age: 30
I wouldn't call it a "guilty pleasure," I think it's legitimately good. I'd classify the trashy shoujo manga I occasionally enjoy as "guilty pleasures." Madoka is an entirely different thing to me.
|2011-05-04, 21:39
|Link #44
Senior Member
While I have recently focused mainly on its flaws (as I see them, anyway), this anime does do many, many things very well.
Gen, Shinbou, and Kajura are a splendid team that really compliment each other well, I think.
I'd love to see this trio do something together again.
|2011-05-04, 22:29
|Link #45
Monarch of Rughzenhaide
What's important when determining whether a piece of work is truly deserving of a "masterpiece" rating is if the majority of people who have seen it, deserves it does. Another thing that is also important is not not cross-rate between different entertainment mediums - that is, we should always rate anime against anime and not anime against TV series for example. Reason being is that the vast majority of anime are B-grade material and your average anime pales in quality compared to an average movie or TV series. Arguably, to be further exact, you should only compare within genres and not rate cross-genres - it isn't really fair to compare a science fiction space drama to a slice of life comedy for example.
In relation to Madoka, if we compare this to other magical girl anime, it is without a doubt the best of its genre in the last decade. Is it better/more impactful than Nanoha? Most likely. Will it be better/more impactful than magical girl classics such as Sailor Moon (1st season) and Cardcaptor Sakura? At least the very least it's only merely debatable, but I would say probably not. Do I think Sailor moon, Cardcaptor Sakura or Madoka is unworthy to be labelled "masterpieces"? Certainly not. Granted, my personal enjoyment for these 3 animes would not amount to a 10/10 rating, but that's because every person is biased in some form of another as each person has their own version of what is "ideal" piece of literary work would pan out like. Not to mention, people have preference for certain genres, characters, actors, art/music etc. will all factor in a person's subjective view of what is an masterpiece.
In my opinion, the same view should be taken towards other critically acclaimed anime such as Akira, Evangelion, Death Note, Code Geass etc. Notice that all these series have one thing in common, the number of fans GREATLY exceeds the number of critics, that it makes critics almost insignificant. Compare this to "popular" series such as Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, K-on, Lucky Star, anything produced by KyoAni. Here, the critics are more significant, but on the whole they are well received amongst the majority of the population. Based on this, the former is not unworthy of "masterpiece" ratings, but it will be questionable to label any of the latter as "masterpieces". Madoka falls within the former, as the number of haters for this series is pretty much insignificant.
It should also be noted that it's very hard to be creative or influential in this current era and in the future than the past. There are more literary works being produced now then ever before, and nearly every genre has been established, whilst in the past, genres were being created. Instead, what we are seeing now are meshes between genres, meshes between norms and tropes and that in itself is being labelled as being creative in this current era. Hence, that needs to be considered when deciding whether something should be labelled a masterpiece or not. Some people go even further and argue that we shouldn't compare literary works between different eras. Whilst Madoka might look damn impressive compared to a classic like Sailor Moon, Madoka already had a head-start because the magical girl genre is already well established by the time it was created.
TL;DR version: Although subjectively Madoka may not be viewed as a masterpiece (10/10), it is not unworthy to objectively view it as a masterpiece.
|2011-05-05, 08:42
|Link #46
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Detroit, MI
Well I really liked this. I'm a big fan of the mahou shoujo genre, and I think this was a pretty unique take on things. Homura was awesomesauce. I had the opportunity to watch this show from the beginning more than once, and it was pretty cool all the little things they added in that you don't get unless you're on a 2nd run through.
|2011-05-05, 10:22
|Link #47
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
I gave this one a nine overall. Triple R has already pointed out and debated to death any issues I had with the series, and while I didn't find them to be nearly as detracting as he implied them to be, they were a bit detracting nonetheless. I probably could have given this a ten since those problems didn't really hamper my overall enjoyment of the series, and that is indeed the purpose of this review. But I'm the type of person who doesn't notice the flaws in things all that easily, so if the flaws in question are glaring enough that I noticed them on my first watch, I typically feel it's safe to condemn them a little bit. Thus, a nine will have to do it for me.
|2011-05-05, 19:36
|Link #49
Guess what time it is?
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Age: 33
I tend to rank based on the "consumer review" scale, which is to say that I don't concern myself with "perfection". I've seen plenty of shows that I can't find a single thing wrong with, but I wouldn't give them a 10, because there are just better shows out there. I did give this show a 10, but it wasn't because I didn't have any issues with the story. I just don't score it like a test, where I ding the show a point for everything it does that I don't like.
Which is just my long-winded and self-important way of explaining that I gave it a 10 because i can recommend it without any reservation, even if there was stuff that I could gripe about.
|2011-05-05, 19:44
|Link #50
Senior Member
I like to approach anime ranks from a "literary critique" perspective (only broadening it to account for the importance of visuals and audio, of course), but a "consumer review" is just as valid a way of approaching it, I have to admit.
And yeah, I will say that from a "consumer review" perspective, Madoka deserves whatever the top grade is.
|2011-05-05, 21:20
|Link #51
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Austria
A rating, such as 10/10, implies such an evaluation. The source of weighing flaws against merits in this case is me, since this is my vote, expressing my "overall series impressions". If I were to guess a sort of abstract or statistical distribution, I'd distort the poll results by pre-empting them. Or in other words, I'm not going to vote less than 10, because I know that others will do so, and the show is thus not "objectively" perfect.
On to "perfect". As I said, I don't take rating terribly seriously, but I'm a bit of a nit-picker, and to me - nitpickingly speaking - a "perfect" score makes no sense. Nothing ever is perfect. In an earlier post, you say that flaws make a show "not perfect". I agree, but not in the sense that absence of flaws makes a perfect. Philosophically speaking, I'm a relativist, which means perfection, too, describes a relation. A perfect fit, if you will. For example, a flawless sponge won't help you drive a nail into the wall. Even a seriously flawed hammer will be better.
Now a "fit" is easy to see where there is an obvious purpose. Art doesn't have that. How, for example, do you evaluate Kyubey's introduction of entropy. Many viewers had a wtf-reaction, but I sat there, thinking of course. I certainly didn't expect that, but many things I've been seeing suddenly made sense, such as the winding down of a wish into dispair. Entropy serves as a nice model of how the Incubator's see emotion. The whole magic system, now technologically harvested magic, suddenly made sense to me. And after seeing the ending, it makes even more sense with the "victory of hope". (Personally, I don't much like the conclusion, but I think it fits well with the rest of the show. Here, I am in the odd position where I find something that I think fits harder to forgive than something that I think doesn't.) But if you construe the show differently, then maybe you won't think the entropy concept makes sense. And who - then - is right? (Personally, I operate on a charity principle: All things being equal, I chose the interpretation that makes for the better show.)
As to the two flaws you mention:
1) Kyouko's conversion. I agree that this hints at a flaw, but it's not - I think - so much a character inconsistancy as it is a pacing issue. Kyouko's character, in general, has been pretty rushed. I'm also not happy with the one-shot exposition of the backstory. Too much to take in a short time. I think, her actions do make sense, but the show doesn't give you enough time and emphasis to properly appreciate it.
2) Junko's behaviour in the ending. Here, I flat out disagree with you. I thought, that how Junko was handled in the last two episodes was the best thing about these episodes. (I've talked about it elsewhere, and I know you read the post since you replied. No encore here. )
(Aside: Your posts made me realise that I need to re-watch 5cm per Second, as I didn't quite get it all the first time round.)
I honestly think that Madoka is among the best anime I've ever seen. (Last season had, IMO, two master pieces: Madoka and Hourou Musuko. The last thing before that I'd have put that lable on would have been Durarara!!!. This season? Wait and see.)
|2011-05-06, 02:27
|Link #52
Twilight lander
As to enthropy thing... I've never been bothered with it. Whether such an explanation works in reality or not is of not that much concern, seeing as Madokaverse already sports some things whose existence in reality is questionable to say the least. That's fiction for you. The whole "for the sake of the universe" thing just played its part in painting Kyuubey's morality blue and orange, and giving a plausible reason for aliens to be involved without stooping to alien invasion/galactic wars stuff (Urobuchi could have easily pulled off something like Animorphs, but I'm glad he didn't). After all, Kyuubey is not an alien to make the story cooler and more sci-fi; AFAIU he's an alien to emphasize that he's, well, alien to humans and their views on good and evil.
|2011-05-07, 04:51
|Link #53
Segmentation fault
Join Date: Mar 2011
it took me great lengths procrastinating to write a credible overall impression. i hope to finally sort out my thoughts, but emotion still run high inside of me. i don't intend to give a coherent and very detailed analysis since a previous lot might already explained it better than i do.
tl;dr: 100+/10. since it's not among the choices, i will select the highest available.
---=== [ general impression ] ===---
---=== [ story, writing, and plot devices ] ===---
---=== [ animation quality ] ===---
---=== [ voice acting ] ===---
---=== [ soundtrack ] ===---
---=== [ enjoyment ] ===---
this series will definitely change the way you look at life.
Last edited by kaigan; 2011-05-07 at 05:13.
|2011-05-08, 09:50
|Link #55
Twilight lander
|2011-05-08, 12:04
|Link #56
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
I usually just reserve my 10/10 vote after the BD/DVD retouches but for this one I'll just go ahead and give it a 10. Really enjoyed this series a lot and it was a blast reading all the speculations and reactions to this show.
|2011-05-08, 12:59
|Link #57
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: UK
Age: 27
Stop what?
Last edited by Haak; 2011-05-09 at 01:16.
|2011-05-09, 05:23
|Link #58
Segmentation fault
Join Date: Mar 2011
|2011-05-09, 05:52
|Link #59
Guy on the Couch
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Australia
After finishing the series, I must say it's one of the best Mahou Shoujo's I've seen in a long time, Top 20 for me. The premise and story was certainly unique and engaging, if unoriginal and a bit simple. As such the premise of magical powers coming from wishes for benefits and regrets on story and character development feels simple on paper as a neat idea. However the way the premise is presented is surprisingly good in depth and even feels a bit thought provoking as well, a good thing I must say. Homura's wish for example with the "time skip moments" made the story even more compelling as well and left me wondering what are the limitations of such wishes can be. Ending left me bittersweet but in a good and logical way that the story premise unwraps and paces itself nice enough all the way to the end. Actionwise, it's also very solid in fluidity with variety in magical powers and angles.
That's not to say the series is perfect though. Although, I did feel that without set limitations on wishes, the story premise itself with wishes granted for power did feel a bit far fetched at times and the drama under character conflicts... well it was convincing and I was pretty moved in emotion for the characters but I did feel sometimes it was bit too much and it got a bit tedious on me at times. Also, there is a bit of character development lacking for me as we are only presented with few hints on why certain characters made their wish as well as few hints and small simple descriptions about their actual background themselves.
As for everything else, again, awesome artistic animation for me even if the characters do feel a bit too moe-ish for my taste. Soundtrack is great, if unremarkable and voice acting is spot on. Definitely well worth watching thanks to the artistic persentation along with an engaging and unique, if simple premise for powers to boot for the Mahou Shoujo genre. It's certainly one of the better Mahou Shoujo's around, one of my favourites now and definitely worth checking out if you're looking for something unique, easy to get into or just a fan of this type of stuff.
9/10 for me.
|2011-05-09, 06:52
|Link #60
Part-Time TTK & Master
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Iwakawa base and Chaldea
Age: 38
Your arguments are understandable and I accept well your reasons, while himself on the other hand... well a casual would be more looking at him foaming, flailing his arms and digging in his heels than hearing what he have to say.
|madoka magica
|Thread Tools


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RVT.com, a leading Internet classifieds ad site, is reporting that its RV shopper traffic rose 32.4% to 9.2 million in 2012 compared with one year prior, and that RV shoppers visiting the site from mobile devices increased by more than 267%.
According to a press release, RVT.com also reported that the number of iPad visits – whether coming to the website directly or through the RVT.com iPad app – increased by 425% from 189,541 visits in 2011 to 995,684 visits in 2012.
"The work we've done in the past couple of years in SEO, website enhancement and mobile app and site development has paid off in a significant jump in RV consumer traffic to RVT.com," said Shawn Friesen, RVT.com vice president. "All the online tools we've provided to RV dealers and sellers to help them reach customers online – including Google Search plus Facebook and our mobile website and apps for the iPad and iPhone are resulting in record breaking lead generation and ultimately sales."
Visits to RVT.com's related websites also jumped in 2012, with visits to RVTowables.com up 45% and visits to RVMotorized.com up 130% in 2012 over the prior year.
Currently, RVT.com showcases 60,000 new and used RVs for sale. For more information, visit http://www.RVT.com.


text:
Related Items
Trending Stories
U.S. Soccer Veterans Day Letter
As people across the United States celebrate Veterans Day and recognize the service of the men and women of the Armed Forces, U.S. Soccer and the Men's National Team have the privilege of representing our country in a place which holds special significance to generations of Americans. Here in France, as in places all around the world, the bravery, courage, and commitment of thousands of American veterans is memorialized as a reminder of the sacrifice made by so many.
Wearing the colors of the United States is a source of great pride for all our National Teams. It is an opportunity and an obligation to represent those who wear a uniform of far greater importance.
On this day, we honor the dedication and service of those who sacrifice personally in defense of our nation and the values for which it stands. To the veterans of the U.S. military and their families, we join all Americans in offering our respect, our appreciation and our gratitude.
Yours in soccer,
U.S. Soccer


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Did anyone see this on the ESPN scroller (where it shows "What's Next"):
Did anyone see this on the ESPN scroller (where it shows "What's Next"):
Tomlin: Let's unleash hell and "mop the floor" with the competition.
Photoshop job or what?
That was on live TV. Aftwards, Chris Berman apologized for the image and didn't know how it happened.
I think some smart ass that has WAY to much access to that scroller did it on purpose. I'm sure the person responsible will get fired for this.
Tomlin: Let's unleash hell and "mop the floor" with the competition.
Shows how bush-league ESPN is.
In unfortunate typo, ESPN touts Ben Roethlisberger's 'drink and drunk' style
By [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/author/jay-busbee/"]Jay Busbee[/URL] | [URL="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/"]Shutdown Corner[/URL] – 21 hours ago
(Via Larry Brown Sports)We live in a text-and-information-heavy sports society, so it's not surprising that every now and then a typo slips through. But some missteps are more unfortunate than others, as with the mistake on ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown" involving an assessment of Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. (Graphic via[URL="http://larrybrownsports.com/blunder/ben-roethlisberger-drink-drunk/161941"] Larry Brown Sports.[/URL])
As you can see on the ticker at right, someone gave Big Ben the description of "drink and drunk." It was, in all likelihood, a misspelling of "dink and dunk," referring to Roethlisberger's quick-hit, short-pass style.
Unfortunately, Roethlisberger also has a bit of a history with alcohol, including "excessive consumption," in the words of commissioner Roger Goodell, in an incident that led to a four-game suspension in 2010.
Later in the evening, ESPN host Chris Berman apologized for the mistake. "Earlier in the show we had a graphic error in the rundown," he said. "We apologize for the mistake. Not sure how it happened. It won't happen again."
Now, we won't speculate on whether this was a joke that ended up backfiring (probably) or a case of someone not proofreading their work (awfully coincidental). It is awfully easy to get words out in front of an entire country without a ton of editorial oversight (like this: Go [URL="http://www.tribeathletics.com/"]William & Mary Tribe[/URL]!), so we can see how this kind of mistake could be made. We're betting there will be a bit more ticker oversight from now on.
Molon labe
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell
American metal pimped by asiansteel
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you 1. Jesus Christ, 2.The American G.I., One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.


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More than 1 million Colorado voters could go trick-or-treating wearing "I voted" stickers tonight, Secretary of State Scott Gessler announced Wednesday afternoon.
Gesssler said that reports from the state's 64 county clerks showed that 1,150,608 Coloradans had either returned their completed mail ballots or voted in person at early-voting polling places by Tuesday night.
That included 77,643 ballots cast by Boulder County voters and 51,308 by Weld County voters, according to Gessler's Wednesday afternoon report.
The Boulder County Clerk and Recorder's Office posted a slightly smaller turnout on its website Wednesday morning — two fewer votes than the secretary of state's Wednesday afternoon report. Boulder County reported that it had gotten 69,014 completed mail ballots back by Tuesday night, while another 8,627 voters had cast ballots in person at the county's early-voting polling places.
On a statewide basis, Republicans are voting early or returning their filled-out mail ballots in somewhat higher numbers than Democrats, according to the Secretary of State's Office. As of that office's Wednesday afternoon report, ballots had been cast: 439,269 registered Republicans; 404,870 registered Democrats; 295,122 voters unaffiliated with any political party; 6,077 Libertarians; 2,260 Green Party voters; 1,810 American Constitution Party voters; and 1,290 Americans Elect Party members.
The votes cast at that point in Weld County, according to the Secretary of State's Office, included: 22,789 Republicans; 14,299 voters unaffiliated with any party; 13,745 Democrats; 217 Libertarians; 113 American Constitution Party members; 79 Americans Elect Party voters; and 66 Green Party voters.
The Secretary of State's tally from Boulder County included: 38,672 votes cast by registered Democrats; 21,669 by unaffiliated voters; 16,440 by Republicans; 418 by Libertarians; 294 by Green Party members; 94 by Americans Elect Party voters; and 56 by American Constitution Party voters.


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The Portuguese has outlined his intention to see out his current contract at the Santiago Bernabeu but refused to rule out moving on afterwards, with rumours abound that he could make a sensational comeback to his previous team, whom he will face in the Champions League knockout stages.
Gill is realistic, however, telling Sky Sports News: "He is a brilliant player but he is contracted for the next two-and-a-half years at Madrid.
|Cristiano Ronaldo is 11/4 with PaddyPower to win the Ballon d'Or in 2013
Ronaldo scored 117 goals for United over six years at the club, having joined from boyhood side Sporting Lisbon in 2003.


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California Underground
The core exhibit
displayed extraordinary photographs of the five "realms" defined by the
processes of cave formation: fire and ice, solution and decoration,
surf and shore, wind and rain, and slip and slide. Images by such
acclaimed cave photographers as Peter and Ann Bosted and Dave Bunnell,
along with others, and 3-dimensional photographs by Dick LaForge,
depict the different types of caves in California, illustrate cave
ecology, and reveal how, why and where caves are formed. The Junior
Speleologists section included interactive exhibits and such physical
experiences as feeling through a completely dark cave, squeeze boxes,
demonstrations of how animals are adapted to living in caves, and a
special activity area on bats.


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Perpetual Paris Calendar by Little Brown Pen
Tanya's charming Parisian-inspired bedroom featured yesterday left us longing for more inspiration from the City of Lights. This ingenious perpetual calendar by little brown pen made from beautiful photographs of typography in Paris could help us imagine we are traipsing through the streets of Europe instead of holed up and freezing in New England.
The calendar is completely customizable — it's composed of 49 individual photographs and comes with clips for assembling them — and would easily double as large-scale wall art. The set is $49 and available from little brown pen's website and etsy shop. Check out their blog post to read about the calendar's creation and see a video demonstration of how it is put together.
Apartment Therapy supports our readers with carefully chosen product recommendations to improve life at home. You support us through our independently chosen links, many of which earn us a commission.


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So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.—1 Corinthians 3:7-8
"Dear Lord, I refuse henceforth to compete with any of Thy servants. They have congregations larger than mine. So be it. I rejoice in their success. They have greater gifts. Very well. That is not in their power nor in mine. I am humbly grateful for their greater gifts and my smaller ones. I only pray that I may use to Thy glory such modest gifts as I possess. I will not compare myself with any, nor try to build up my self-esteem by noting where I may excel one or another in Thy holy work. I herewith make a blanket disavowal of all intrinsic worth. I am but an unprofitable servant. I gladly go to the foot of the class and own myself the least of Thy people. If I err in my self judgment and actually underestimate myself I do not want to know it. I purpose to pray for others and to rejoice in their prosperity as if it were my own. And indeed it is my own if it is Thine own, for what is Thine is mine, and while one plants and another waters it is Thou alone that giveth the increase." The Price of Neglect, 104-105.
Reprinted from Tozer on Christian Leadership by A.W. Tozer, copyright © 2001 by Zur Ltd. Used by permission of WingSpread Publishers, a division of Zur Ltd.
Tozer on Christian Leadership is protected by copyright and may not be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, translated, transmitted or distributed in any way.
Tozer on Christian Leadership was compiled by Ron Eggert.


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Don't care about size.
Used for portraits mainly, 95% of the time. So zoom is not important. Low light performance is very important. Quality hd video is also important, because it will also double as primary camcorder.
Prefer a good "auto thinker", but want controls available to learn. Image stabilization is desired.
Budget is very flexible.
Already have a canon powershot G12, and usually have best luck on auto or scene modes. Kind of prefer canon and Nikon brands.
Looking for a black Friday deal!
But doesn't have to be on bf sale.


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About the Program
USA Racquetball has created a certification program targeted toward developing and certifying potential instructors for health clubs, fitness centers, schools and universities. The course provides essential information for conducting successful group teaching clinics. Four of the nation's premier instructors, prepare and execute this elite program. Fran Davis, Connie Martin, Tom Travers and Jim Winterton possess over 120 of years' collective experience in teaching, training, and coaching racquetball as well as in programming instructional clinics and events. The coaching element of the program follows continuing education guidelines of the United States Olympic Committee Coaching Program, and all elements of this new, innovative and exciting approach will prepare potential instructors to provide top quality professional instruction.
Course objectives include: conveying precise knowledge, skills and abilities required to teach racquetball efficiently; developing a clear comprehension and proficiency of the 10 Benchmarks of Instruction necessary to teach and train students; delivering an avenue for continuing education and advancement to assist qualified instructors in maintaining current informational skills; providing an evaluation process that facilitates consistency and quality control for instructional programs across the nation; and developing a high level of competence and confidence relative to primary instructional techniques.
The curriculum begins with a preview CD that illustrates the 10 Benchmarks of Instruction. The program features a review and application of these core principles and also a review of doubles play. Also incorporated is a skills verification test of the five modules and the 10 benchmarks. (The modules are strategy, stroke mechanics, beginner and advanced theories, physiology/nutrition and on-court instruction.) Once certified, instructors will receive continuing education via online classes and other support materials. Upon certification, each student will be assigned a mentor who will be available for monthly conference calls to address updated instructional techniques and provide advice and input.
The course will enable students to achieve one of three levels of instructor: Instructor, Professional Instructor and Master Instructor. In addition to this core offering, there will be additional courses available to focus on Coaching, Clinics and Programming. This new program is being designed to maximize the use of modern technology to provide instructional and analytical tools and support continuing education.
The site is divided into three categories--Coach Education--information that is available to the recreational player and password protected information for USAR-IP members only: On-line modules and links--these are on-line tests available to instructors to help maintain their education and certfication: Clinics and Camps- a listing of any camp or clinic hosted by any USAR-IP certfied instructor. As this new and exciting program reaches its final stage of development, look for additional information on the USA Racquetball home page, in eNewsletters and in Racquetball magazine.
Why USAR Instructors and Coaches Program
Our certification is for three years, not a lifetime.
We offer 5 million dollars in liability coverage.
We have safe sport education, important in this era of coaching scandals.
We offer online certification, rendering the old weekend of certification courses obsolete.
We have a vast library of education, including the latest USOC strength training education.
We offer a mentoring program, with nationally known coaches.
We have an entry level coaching course for members who want to coach.
We have ongoing educational courses to keep up with the game.
We have a programming program for creating revenue streams in clubs.
We are the only recognized instructional program in the USA. If another instructor from any certification other than the USAR-IP was ever challenged in court, the credentials are not recognized by the USOC or USA Racquetball.
We also certify clinicians who conduct camps and clinics so our consumers are protected.
What is the difference between membership and certification?
Membership provides the opportunity to be connected with the USAR-IP program and receive continually updated information. It provides access to all on-line services. Certification recognizes you as qualified to teach racquetball at a designated level. All certified instructors must be members of USAR-IP.
Why will there be a re-certification?
In order to maintain highly qualified instructors, our insurance carrier recommended that we implement a method for education to ensure instructors are kept up-to-date with the newest teaching techniques. The new program will provide continual online education classes and re-certification every three years (online or in person). The online courses are slated to begin very soon.
Importance of Maintaining Certification
Can you imagine going into a health club to take a spin class or a group exercise class and the instructor is NOT certified? There is a difference between maintaining your membership and maintaining your certification, you want to do BOTH! A membership allows you access to the USA-RIP website which offers valuable information and videos on how to teach racquetball as well as how to make money teaching racquetball. A certification gives you what a membership gives you PLUS you will receive Liability Insurance coverage for yourself up to $2 million per occurrence.
Here's how it works -- You go through a certification course the first time to obtain your certification which ALSO INCLUDES your membership for the 1st year. Each year thereafter you will be able to renew your membership by paying a 1 year fee of $95. If you pass your certification course and become certified your certification will be good for 3 years and at the end of the 3 year period you will need to re-certify on line or in person, your choice.
Why be certified and why maintain your certification?
Can you imagine going to a yoga class or karate class and the instructor has not had any education for 10 years? That is a problem with permanent certification. If there is no ongoing education our profession loses credibility. The importance of maintaining your certification up until this point has been twofold. Cutting Edge Continuing Education and Liability. Just recently though, USAR and some major health club chains as well as the privately owned smaller health clubs are starting to work together to bring their racquetball programs at their facilities up to the SAME level as Group Exercise, Personal Training, Swimming Instructors, Basketball and Cycling. In order to be able to work at a health club in any of the above programs as an instructor or trainer the club REQUIRES that you MUST be certified in your appropriate sport or position to work at the club…no ands, ifs or bouts about it, NO EXCEPTIONS due to their insurance policies.
Racquetball is on the road to being NO DIFFERENT making this the third reason of the importance of maintaining your certification…you will be REQUIRED by the clubs to be USA-RIP certified as KEEPING that certification UP TO DATE.
What is the On-Line Continuing Education Program?
Now that you are certified why not STAY CONNECTED through our "On –Line Continuing Education Program?" We will bring to you the latest and greatest information on how to teach and make money teaching via the web PLUS each and every one of the certified instructors will be assigned a Master Clinician. Jim Winterton, Tom Travers or Fran Davis. You will be able to have access to them throughout the year to assist you in Becoming the BEST Teacher's you Can Be.
ALL of this….Cutting Edge Information, Liability, On-Line Continuing Education and working with one of the Master Instructors is part of USA-RIP. Currently all three of us are charging teachers to consult on junior programs, leagues, college coaching, and teaching lessons. You will have access to us as mentors and that will be INCLUDED in your membership.
For more information or assistance with the Instructor Program, contact USA Racquetball at email@example.com - (719) 635-5396
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is USA Racquetball creating a new program?
A: Those who administrate and govern a sport must continually re-evaluate and re-invent as needs dictate. USA Racquetball, as the National Governing Body under the USOC, takes its responsibility very seriously to make modern instructional methods available and utilize technology, with the desired end result being supremely qualified instructors who will take the sport into the next generation.
Q. As a USAR-IP instructor, am I covered for insurance liability while I am conducting lessons/clinics. Will the new USAR program include insurance coverage?
A. Yes, it will. insurance is provided and financed by USAR. The new program will contain all benefits and coverage.
Q. When will the details of the new instructor certification program be made available, and how much will it cost to get certified?
A. Information is available here on this website along with updates as programs are introduced.
Levels of Certification
Definition: A clinician is someone who has achieved national recognition through a very high level of play, or coaching. As such, they have the highest rating in the USA Racquetball Instructor's Program, and may have their camps sanctioned.
Master Professional
USA Racquetball Instructor's Program and USA Coaching Development team. Credentials must include national recognition as instructors, USA National team coaching, Elite camp instruction. Currently, Jim Winterton, Fran Davis , and Tom Travers are the only Master Professional Instructors.
Elite Instructor- Level 3
Someone that has attained a high level of coaching status and is someone that offers instruction in large group settings. This Level 3 Instructor has attained a professional or high open playing status at some point in their careers. They must participate in online educational requirements and ongoing mentoring with a master professional.
Advanced Instructor- Level 2
Someone that has achieved an advanced teaching certification and completed the Live Practical Course. Advanced Instructors must participate in online educational requirements and ongoing mentoring with a Master Professional.
Basic Instructor- Level 1
Someone that has taken the USAR‐IP test and certification, and is participating in online education courses.
Certification Requirements and Costs
$120.00 – Level 1 Certification Course which includes course/course manual/certification. Certification is good for a three-year period.
$220.00 – Level 2 or 3 Certification Course which includes course/course manual/certification plus live clinic, hitting test, lesson plans, practical clinic and video analysis. Certification is good for a three-year period.
$75.00 - Membership is $75.00 per year. Members are allowed access to all instructional materials, conference calls with mentors etc.
The Benefits include:
Class A Level Insurance approved by the USOC which INCLUDES sexual harassment coverage.
Continuing On-Line Education which includes video instruction (available soon).
On-Going Mentoring with one of the Master Professionals.
Endorsed by the IRT and WPRO.
You MUST be a current USA Racquetball member to participate. If you are not a member of USA Racquetball you must become a USA Racquetball member to participate in this course. You may join/renew your USA Racquetball membership on the first day of the Certification Course, or join today online at Join USA Racquetball. Click the link below to join USA Racquetball.
The Four-Part Test includes:
Lectures, Discussions and Team Building
Written and Practical Test
Hitting Test
Demonstration of Drills to Students
Video Analysis
Teaching a Lesson and Lesson Plans


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It seems fitting that my first column for The Rolla Daily News is about doing things for the first time.
It seems fitting that my first column for The Rolla Daily News is about doing things for the first time.
Earlier this month, I went ziplining and walked along a cable wire about 30 feet up in the air both for the first time in my life.
No, I was not training for a reality show or the circus. I was attending a two-day retreat with nine other people as part of this year's Leadership Phelps County class.
It's funny to think back how the complete strangers who I drove down with in a van Sept. 12 to the Republic/Springfield, Mo., area for the overnight retreat were the same ones I relied on the next day as my belay team when I completed a high rope challenge course or who I got to know very intimately when 10 of us all had to stand on a small wooden platform with no one touching the ground. (Hint, some class members had to sit on others' shoulders).
Together, we wrote the word "learn" using only strings attached to a piece of wood and marker and crossed three wooden platforms using only two different-sized wooden planks without touching the ground among other challenges.
And we all completed the tasks, each one of us. Not one of us gave up, even though no one persuaded us to complete a task. We all did it on our volition.
I was nervous driving over to the ranch that morning and I left with a feeling of such confidence that it's hard to describe.
Even Tim Eberle, the ranch facilitator, told us that we had to experience it. He couldn't teach us in a classroom that feeling we got when we completed a task.
I never thought I would go ziplining or be able to walk a wire cable up that high especially with my fear of heights, but I actually did it.
Teamwork, persistence, communication, support and having a plan or goal — these were the traits we noticed recurring as we took part in the rope challenge activities at Leadership Ranch.
Those characteristics also became apparent when we played the game, Zoom, the day before. In this game, we were each given two pictures but were not allowed to show them to our classmates. We could only describe them and had to put them in order so they told a story. It's harder than it sounds.
What's your color?
Another part of the retreat that took place closer to the ground was learning our true colors.
I am gold. What does that mean? I follow the rules. I'm traditional and responsible. I'm practical, sensible and dependable. I'm caring, concerned and cooperative. I like order and customs.
Gold people like myself love to plan and make lists. We are detail-oriented and rarely break the speed limit. We believe there is a right way to do everything. We have strong beliefs in policies, procedures and rules and are most comfortable in a formal environment.
Other colors, like orange, blue and green may perceive us as rigid or inflexible, too serious, resistant to change, system-bound, lacking imagination and predictable.
On our best days, golds are task- and structured-focused, direct but cautious, cooperative and obedient to rules. We respect authority and are dependable and reliable.
But I learned about the other colors, too, and what traits they typically have; knowing that can help me relate to them and understand their needs better.
And we have at least one of each color in our class this year, so it should make things interesting.
And as one classmate pointed out, our colors inadvertently or maybe subconsciously reflected the adjective we used to describe ourselves.
I was Punctual Paul. There was also Bubbly Beth, Daring Debbie, Portly Phil, Teaser Tracy, Defiant Dan, Brainstorming Brenda, Keeper Karen, Active Angie and Marky Mark.


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Shorbas are North Indian Style Soups.Shorbas are usually vegetables or legumes cooked together in milk/stock/water and then pureed and strained and served as a medium thick puree.Well,if any of you have more ideas/info on a shorba,do kindly share here.Because this is as far as I know about them,though I have tasted several varieties of them-dal shorba,palak shorba etc and tomato shorba being the thick cousin of SouthIndian Rasam.
When Lisa announced Indian Style Vegetarian soups,I knew I needed to try these.I tweaked Tarla Dalals Shahi Badam Shorba -avoiding and adding some veggies.To be honest I never expected it to be so flavourful as it has only one spice bayleaf apart from normal pepper,though the almonds and veggies combine to ensure their magic.
Potato: 1 big
Cabbage: chopped 1/4 cup
Green Bell Pepper: 1 small
Onion: 1 small
Almonds: 1 cup
Milk: 1 cup+
Water: 2 cups+
Butter: 2 tbsp (Can use vegetable oil)
Chop onions ,bell pepper and cabbage finely.Cube the potatoes.Dry roast almonds in a pan/kadai till lightly browned.You can do this in an oven as well.Keep aside.
Heat butter/oil in the same pan,add the chopped vegetables and saute.Once they start cooking and the raw smell goes,add little salt and pepper and 3/4th of almonds and continue cooking for a few minutes.Add milk and water needed to cook the vegetables and bayleaf and cook for a few minutes till they are tender.
Let it cool for a few minutes,then remove the bayleaf and puree in a blender adding more water/milk if needed.Strain to obtain a thick clear pale puree.Boil for a few minutes and then serve adding the remaining almonds(sliced or as such),salt and pepper as per taste and optionally with cream.
I actually went for a total of 1 cup vegetables and 1 cup almonds.You can add your choice of vegetables as well.I also added more water during the straining stage as the puree was very thick and creamy.The soup was very flavourful as the combo sure work the magic.The soup obviously is going to NoCroutons Required:Indian style soups hosted by Lisa.
The soup being full of almonds is also going to Lets Go Nuts:Almonds hosted by JZ of TastyTreats,an event started by Aquadaze of Served with Love