text:
The so called ethnic orthodox, Greeks, Russians, OCA and Antiochians to name a few, continue to ignore this Canonically established Orthodox Church on the excuse that Archbishop Aftimios married contrary to the canons and that the marriage caused the end of this Church.
This claim is completely false!
In 1933 Abp Ofiesh Archbishop Ofiesh married. This is not denied. What is denied is all the lies put out about this Church by so called clergy of the Antiochian and other Churches who wish to appear better than us and more orthodox. If anything, their lies prove them to be unchristian. They have proven our case by their own writings on the internet Orthodoxwiki pages.
They are afraid of us! We attempted to put up our own page on Orthodoxwiki to respond to their lies and they immediately took the page down because they stated we are not Orthodox! We will disprove their lies and show how their Metropolitan and Patriarch have also been party to the same, or very similar, act that they continue to attack us about. If we are guilty so are they! They cannot have it both ways! If their bishops can ignore or waive a canon they must accept the same for Archbishop Aftimios Ofiesh of blessed memory!
1927 - THEOCACNA was canonically established
Other than our mother church no other orthodox jurisdiction worked with us from 1927 on. Now they seem to claim they knew in advance that the Archbishop would violate a canon at some date.
1928 - THEOCACNA incorporated
1929 - The Greek Archbishop, Alexander, told Aftimios that he, not Aftimios, was over all Orthodox in America. There was no canonical basis for such a claim thus creating the Schism in American Orthodox. This Schism continues today within America
During this timeline no one but our Mother Church worked with us and they slowly turned their backs on this Church.
1933 - Archbishop Ofiesh Married
Bishop Sophronius congratulated Abp. Ofiesh on his wedding
Bishops Joseph and Ignatius (Auxiliary) stated that the Canon on married bishops was a European and Asiatic canon that had no bearing on the American Church - indicating this Church had not adopted this Canon.
The Book "The Orthodox Church - 455 Questions and Answers states" Not all Churches adopted the Canon on Married bishops...
and it goes on to say "The canon on married bishops is an Administrative canon that can be changed at anytime.
1966 - Archbishop Ofiesh reposed
1995 - New synod seated with the approval of Marian Ofiesh
2000 - Mariam Ofiesh reposed
2007 - Abp. Ofiesh declared a Martyr
The authors of Orthodoxwiki make numerous untrue and undoumented statements about Abp. Ofiesh and this Church.
They state Abp. Ofiesh deposed himself, retired, and more but have no evidence this in fact occured.
Provably false! Since this Church never adopted the canon on married bishops and since no tribunal was even called or formal charges laid against Abp. Ofiesh during his lifetime it appears he committed no crime against the canons.
They state this Church ceased to exist. These SCOBA clergy claim the canons were violated, the Archbishop was deposed - all claims made by priests against a canonical bishop that violate the canons by insulting (the memory of) a bishop. Priests cannot lay such charges against a canonical bishop. We continued to exist both legally and morally.
This Church continues today as the same Canonically established church we were in 1927. Some call us the 1995 church or a copy of the original church. All false claims - efforts to save face by these so called ethnic clergy who by their acts in fact have repeatedly violated the canons.
We are the same Church that was chartered in 1927
We are the same Church Abp. Ofiesh incorporated in 1928
The widow of Abp. Ofiesh sat on the Church corporate board of directors until 1999
We are Orthodox, more so than the ethnic or SCOBA juristictions who would like to do away with this Church and hide the truth.
We acknowledge above that Abp. Ofiesh did marry in 1933 but he did not depose himself or retire according to Mariam Ofiesh and Orthodoxwiki who publish many statements that contradict other statements.
The only canon that may have been violated was the canon that states a deacon may not remarry and remain an active deacon if this canon also includes priests and bishops. If this is allowed the Bishop shall be deposed.
Abp. Ofiesh was not a deacon. He was a bishop who stated "God told me to marry" and he did the "Will of God". No one in authority in 1933 or during is lifetime stated he violated a canon, called a tribunal or acted to remove him.
It would seem these orthodoxwiki writers (clergy) prefer this double standard -
They act as if it is OK to claim a long dead bishop violated the canons and deposed himself and caused the demise of his Church... but they ignore the fact that their Metropolitan and Patriarch seem to have suported and allowed a similar act to occur within their own church by allowing a priest to remarry and remain active in the ministry. Their Church did adopt the canon on married bishops and the canon on what happens to a bishop who allows a deacon, or maybe someone in a higher office depending on how they intrepret this canon, to remarry and remain a clergyman. It would appear that if the canons can be waived or ignored today that claims Abp. Ofiesh did anything wrong in 1933 are proven false by this same authority used by the Patriarch of Antioch and the Antiochian Metropolitan.
We wonder if this truth might cause them any embarrasment since they either offer a double standard as to what others do and what they ignore within their own church or they just want to attack others and their claims are proven false and unchristian.
Be it known that the North American Holy Synod does hereby proclaim on this the 8th day of March 2009 that The American Orthodox Patriarchate; The Holy Eastern Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in North America; is the one True Holy Orthodox Church not in Schism and with Sacramental Authority in North America.
What would St. Paul say if he could see the direction and influence of the Orthodox Churches today? Would he rebuke them as he might also rebuke us for our tolerance of the many schisms and divisions that invoke the name of Christ and Orthodoxy. Us because we remained silent for so many years allowing this to continue quietly.
St. Paul struggled towards the unity of the Church he helped establish. He strived to unite the Church and to prevent unbearable burdens from falling on the people. According to the example of St. Paul, truth and Church unity are preserved synodically. Unity is "not" just an internal matter of the Church but is linked with the unity of all mankind. The Church does not exist for herself but for all mankind.
Since the historic Orthodox jurisdictions are in Schism with their own canons we must expand from being the American Church to being the Orthodox Church worldwide. We must encourage our missions to expand and to grow. They must one day cover the earth!
At the same time we must be open to reconciliation whenever and wherever it occurs with the schismatic Orthodox. In the meantime we cannot be idle! We must work and grow!
In the whole world we, the American Orthodox Catholic Church - THEOCACNA are the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church who faithfully obey's Orthodox canons and traditions without prejudice or greed. We are the poor relation to the worldwide ethnic Orthodox who over 80 years ago violated the "Sacred and Divine" canons for their foothold in the New World. Our mother Church and sister Churches then acted contrary to Orthodox Canons and traditions and attempted to destroy this canonical Holy Orthodox Church and to defame and disrespect the first canonical Archbishop and synod of this Church.
The other Orthodox jurisdictions usually claim unity in faith and sacraments which has led them down the path of schism... according to the canons they claim to follow.
True unity cannot exist until this schism is ended.
A note of correction.
Archbishop Aftimios Ofiesh headed this Church until his death in 1966.
Bishop Sophronius did not head this Church at anytime and he did not attempt to suspend his Archbishop contrary to the canons as orthodoxwiki claims.
Bishop Ignatius, an Auxiliary bishop, left this Church in June 1933, was consecrating as an Archbishop of the Holy Orthodox Church in America, an independent and non-canonical jurisdiction, and by 1943 was a pastor of a Community Church in Vermont. He died in 1947 as pastor of that Community Church.
Note of interest:
If, as orthodoxwiki claims, Sophronius excommunicated Ignatius in Oct 1934 any acts after that date by Ignatius were invalid by the 2 different actions.
a. Leaving the Church in 1934 caused Ignatius to lose all authority to act (no sacramental authority) and
b. His later ordination of Alexander Tyler Turner would have been invalid because of "a" above and by the "claimed" excommunication Sophronius issued against him. Thus, any Holy Orders by Ignatius would have been non-existant and the Antiochians would have needed to re-ordain (du novo) Turner to the priesthood when he entered the Antiochian Church. That is unknown but doubtful.
If Scoba recognized us could or would that change Turners status?


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Hallo People,
Hope you are well na kila kitu sawa. Prohabo is doing an experiment and we want your opinion about this Duo.
Mmoja toka Tanzania ChidiBeenz (King Kong) and Off course Nonini (Raprenuer), should this two guys do an Album Together. Remember Chidibenz featured Nonini on his single Get Down. Now Nonini has returned the favour and Featured Chidibenz on a brand new track from his latest album dubbed (Mdundo za Kibiashara). Sample the new single called Zipizoo and let me now what you think about this duo.
New Month New Music! Video is following the single release. LEGGOOO.....

subset: commoncrawl


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By Kelly Slater
Photography by Brian Bowen Smith | December 1, 2011 | People
Embroidered sheath dress, Oscar de la Renta ($5,490). Neiman Marcus, 390 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 786-999-1000. Bubble hinge bangles in red sapphire ($1,700), pavé oval flower Deco ring ($960), hinged cuff with multicolor pavé sapphires ($4,700), M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza. Neiman Marcus, SEE ABOVE. Resin tabletop cuff in gold with teal glitter-washed water snake, Kara by Kara Ross ($240). Neiman Marcus, SEE ABOVE. Etna tourmaline ring with diamonds and tsavorite garnets set in 18k white gold (price on request), Krafla earrings with round and baguette-cut diamonds, aquamarines, and 18k white gold (price on request), Van Cleef & Arpels. Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-866-0899. 18k gold Paraiba tourmaline and gray diamond ring, Vram for Gray Gallery ($32,550). Patent peep-toe pumps, Giuseppe Zanotti (price on request). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-868-0133
Marisa Miller and Kelly Slater are beautiful bookends to a certain iconic all-American ideal. Slater, the laconic and breezily talented surfer with chiseled abs, is from the Sunshine State, and Miller, the longhaired, sports-loving tomboy, is from California. They happen to be friends, bonded by a love of surfing and the ocean. In fact, the pair met at a surfing competition in Fiji that Slater sponsored, in which Miller took second place. "She was riding a short board. I was very impressed by that," says Slater.
|Wool top with embroidered detail ($745), faille Seta skirt ($1,190), plaid pumps ($595), glass charmed bracelet ($250), Miu Miu. Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-993-2300. Super Nature yellow-gold multicolor enamel ring, Solange Azagury-Partridge ($18,200).
Both, though, are hardly haplessly lucky. Slater is to pro surfing what Michael Jordan is to basketball, and successfully turned his household name status into a platform for environmental stewardship. Miller, meanwhile, has transitioned from Victoria's Secret angel and Sports Illustrated cover star to entrepreneur and philanthropist. On a recent afternoon, they connected to catch up on their adventures.
KELLY SLATER: I know you're athletic—I've seen you surf. You've said you're a tomboy, yet you're also an icon of feminine beauty. How did that happen?
MARISA MILLER: I have two younger sisters, and I'm really close to my dad, so I would kind of be the pseudo-son and throw the football around with him and watch sports. We had horses, and we didn't have cable TV, so our life was completely outside. I took wood shop. I didn't know what being pretty was. My sophomore year in high school, I played volleyball, and they made you wear those ridiculous uniforms that look like a huge bikini brief. It was super-embarrassing. There was this rumor going around that I had a "good body," and I didn't even know what that meant! My parents were just like, "Oh, it just means you're really healthy and you're strong!"
KS: So you're a straight-up hippie then?
MM: My parents definitely were hippies. They lived out of their truck the first six months they were married, and all they did was surf. So I definitely had those tendencies, because that was just how I was raised.
KS: Did you ever think you'd end up leading such a glamorous lifestyle?
MM: I would watch my mom get ready and we would play dress-up, but I was never really a girly-girl. So when I started modeling, it was kind of cool—it gave me a reason to explore that side of myself.
KS: Let's change gears a little. How do you stay in shape? Personally, it's hard for me because I don't like to do a whole lot of other stuff besides surfing.
MM: Going to the gym can be pretty monotonous. I felt like I was getting a little too skinny, so I stopped doing so much cardio and started practicing Pilates and working more on strength training and toning. My lifestyle is pretty active, as well. I surf, I stand-up paddle-board, and I have a puppy now, so I'm always on walks and runs with her.
|Bouclé top ($360) and skirt ($540), Prada. Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., 305-864-9111. Crystal bracelet, Miu Miu ($450). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-993-2300. Bolster necklaces, Atelier Swarovski by Christopher Kane ($540 each), Appolon ring, Swarovski ($300). 734 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305-538-4877. 18k rose-gold amethyst and tsavorite ring, Pomellato ($9,250). Bal Harbour Shops, 305-866-1225. Pastelle necklace in crystal, metal, and epoxy resin, Tom Binns ($1,865). The Webster, 1220 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-674-7899. Patent pumps, Christian Louboutin ($625). 155 NE 40th St., Miami, 305-576-6820
KS: You mentioned paddle-boarding—you just released your own line of boards, right?
MM: I started demo-ing some boards for Surftech, and I felt that we needed a new design for women. I was frustrated that I needed a guy to carry my board down to the beach. So we made one that's lighter but still stable. They thought, For a girl, do we put a pink flower on it? I really wanted to do a black one, and they thought I was crazy. After the orders came in, it was 70 percent for the black [boards], so I was like, Yes! Told you guys! Not every girl wants pink!
KS: You have a pretty casual style, but what are your go-to designers when you feel like dressing up?
MM: As far as red-carpet style, I love Dolce & Gabbana, because their dresses don't take away from the women who wear them. They're really focused on tailoring and fitting the body right, nothing too crazy. They're timeless, they fit great, and you always feel really sexy when you wear one.
KS: I don't.
MM: They don't fit your body well?
KS: No, not very well. I just feel goofy.
MM: Yeah, I could see that! Then, on my personal time, I love Alexander Wang and Rag & Bone.
KS: You've been working with the USO [United Service Organizations]. How did you get involved there?
MM: The USO has probably been one of the most rewarding and touching things I've been involved in. I would get a lot of letters from guys overseas asking for pictures, or even wives asking for pictures to send their husbands. So that was eye-opening to me. I would get to meet remarkable people, like a girl with a brand-new baby whose husband had been stationed in Afghanistan since before the birth. That's real heavy stuff. It's so important to remember not only what the service members are doing, but also how their families are sacrificing, as well.
KS: I just feel goofy.It's definitely very humbling to see that kind of commitment. You've also been helping out organizations fighting breast cancer. How did that come about?
MM: I work with the Young Survival Coalition, which is a group that supports and educates women under 40 who get breast cancer. I was just floored hearing about some of this stuff, because oftentimes when women get cancer in their 20s and 30s, it's much more aggressive. I also help raise awareness about skin cancer. Young girls would approach me, and it was so obvious they were using tanning beds and frying. Being the beach bum that I am and having that kind of image, I felt like it was really important that I got the word out there that I don't do that.
KS: I just feel goofy. That's a cause that's important to me, as well. My father died of cancer in 2002, and it caused me to read up on all sorts of research. It's just baffling. But the healthier you keep yourself, and the stronger you build up your body from inside out, the less chance there is that you're going to get cancer.
MM: Yeah, and as girls, I worry about all the products we use to get ready. My mom and sisters and I did a full beauty makeover and threw out all the crap. Now in my personal life, it's all-natural, organic versions, and the same goes for household cleaning products and food.
|Ruby Crash dress, Mary Katrantzou ($4,903). Neiman Marcus, 390 San Lorenzo Ave., Coral Gables, 786-999-1000. 18k gold and crystal necklace ($5,075), Psychedelic ring in 18k gold and yellow crystal ($2,660), Baccarat. Neiman Marcus, see above. Futuristic Deco bangle ($2,345), two bubble hinge bangles in red sapphire ($1,700 each), M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza. Neiman Marcus, see above. Louvre resin cuffs ($240 each), Isharya. Kiliwatch Miami, 3818 NE Second Ave., 305-576-0013. Tabletop skin inlay cuff in gold with python ($295), narrow section cuff in gold with python ($290), Kara by Kara Ross. Neiman Marcus, see above. Zodiac Scorpio silver black-cherry ring ($1,980), Cosmic Eye yellow-gold multi and enamel ring ($32,800), Cherub yellow-gold red ring ($10,900), Solange Azagury-Partridge. Peep-toe shoes, Christian Louboutin ($1,345). 155 NE 40th St., Miami, 305-576-6820;
KS: Let's talk about Miami. You've spent quite a lot of time there.
MM: When I began working for Victoria's Secret, they were shooting a lot in Miami. I was there every week, and finally I just decided to stay because I didn't want to fly back and forth from California every week. There are waves there—not huge, but the water's warm.
KS: Yeah, Miami's pretty crazy. The joke in my family is that my brother [Sean] knows everyone, everywhere. So one time my friends and I couldn't get into this club. Finally [the guy at] the door pointed at me and said, "Are you Slater? I know your brother. Come on in!"
MM: [Miami] was a really fun place to be, especially at that time in my life. I was living it up. I had my skateboard, and I used to ride it over to Mynt Lounge, on Collins, and the DJ would put my skateboard behind the booth. I still see some of those people now and then, and they remember me.
KS: You're shooting a movie called R.I.P.D., with Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon, and Jeff Bridges. What's that about?
MM: Yeah, I'm super pumped. They're all cops in the underworld, and they're dead. When they have to go to Earth, I play Jeff's avatar. So it was kind of a crazy experience, because I had to have his inflections, the way he talked and everything.
KS: Cool. You should get [Bridges] out on the water! He likes to surf.
MM: Yeah, that's awesome. It gives us something to talk about.
KS: Here's a final question—I actually think about this a lot, because of how technology has changed surfing: Which era would you have loved to have been born into?
MM: Well, I'm a huge rock fan, and if I could have seen Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix in person, that would have been pretty amazing. But other than that, I'm totally happy to be right where I am.
Styling by Tanya Gill for Icon House/iconhouse.com; Hair by Lorenzo Martin for Cloutier Remix using L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin hairspray; Makeup by Terri Apanasewicz for Cloutier Remix using Amazing Cosmetics


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by Drew
The 1974 Harley Davidson Golf Cart for sale is a gas powered 74 3B model that runs great!
The cart just needs a starter belt and for the seats to be reupholstered to bring it up to top speed!
Other than the starter belt (a very cheap part) it just needs a bath and some cosmetic care.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to HARLEY DAVIDSON GOLF CART.


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|Tall California Man
59-year-old SugarDaddy
(Next birthday in 4 months & 2 weeks) Gemini
Northern California, CA, United States
Seeking SugarBaby 18 - 45
Personal Details
|About Me:
I'm looking for someone I can spoil on an occasional but hopefully ongoing basis. Discretion required, I'm married. I very much enjoy the company of an intelligent, outgoing, attractive woman to share fine dining, laughter, conversation, and yes, close passionate moments.
Again to be straightforward, I am looking for the classic sugar daddy/sugar babe, NSA, part time relationship i.e. a man who enjoys the company of a beautiful, sophisticated, sexy woman where the the relationship is understood by both of us. Quite simply I would like to meet a girl who is willing to be an occasional companion (with mutual benefits for both of us.)
I am 6'6" tall, 245 lbs and I do not look like Quasimodo so you will not be embarrassed to be seen in public with me. If I have still kept your interest, please let me know how I can contact you and let's meet.
What I'm Looking For
Warm, outgoing, companion who understands my situation and realizes our meetings may be sporadic.
Looking For


text:
Skuldtech and AB Science announce the identification of new predictive markers for pancreatic cancer survival associated with masitinib treatment
Regulatory News:
Skuldtech, a genomic and pharmacogenomic company specialized in developing diagnostic tests, and AB Science (NYSE Euronext – FR0010557264 – AB), a pharmaceutical company specialized in developing tyrosine kinase inhibitors, announce the discovery of a new set of blood markers predictive of a higher survival rate in pancreatic cancer patients. Skuldtech and AB Science plan to exploit these new markers for commercialization of a future companion test associated with masitinib, a molecule developed by AB science for treating pancreatic cancer.
Based on Skuldtech's technological approach associating gene sequencing with the company's proprietary bioinformatics tools and gene profiling studies (transcriptome), these findings were made during a phase III clinical trial focusing on pancreatic cancer and managed by AB Science. The purpose of the phase III study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of a new treatment combining masitinib and gemcitabine as compared with the current standard pancreatic cancer treatment of gemcitabine only. From a simple drop of blood, Skuldtech and AB Science were able to identify specific markers – transcriptomic markers – that can distinguish between the different populations treated during the phase III study and select the predictive markers for pancreatic cancer survival associated with masitinib treatment.
Developed based on these predictive markers for survival, this diagnostic tool is of significant interest to clinicians as they will be able to characterize from a simple blood sample which patients are the most likely to benefit from this treatment. Established using highly specialized diagnostic tests, patient stratification could be integrated into future solutions by healthcare systems, which will have the benefit of managing treatment costs more effectively.
These predictive markers for survival associated with masitinib treatment and identified in this phase III clinical trial are the joint property of AB Science and Skuldtech. Patents have been filed to protect the markers, which are also associated with the masitinib Marketing Authorization Application already filed with regulatory authorities by AB Science. When masitinib obtains market authorization for treating pancreatic cancer, AB Science will retain 100% of the rights related to masitinib.
"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that new biological markers have been discovered during a phase III clinical trial. These markers are both specific to the drug being developed and associated with positive patient response," said Didier Ritter, CEO, Skuldtech. "Faced with the "patent cliff" and a challenging economic context, the pharmaceutical industry is seeking new solutions for achieving successful phase III clinical trials, and also new vectors for growth. The concept of personalized medicine or personalization of treatments therefore represents a source of hope both for patients and the medical industry."
About pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis. The survival rate after 5 years is only 5%. The incidence of this cancer represents about 110,000 new cases per year in industrialized countries. Today, diagnostics are performed using imaging and biological tests from biopsies. Gemcitabine is the main treatment at this time. The median overall survival time is 6.9 months.
About masitinib and AB Science
Masitinib is a new orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets mast cells, important cells for immunity, as well as a limited number of kinases that play key roles in various cancers. Through its activity of inhibiting certain kinases that are essential in some oncogenic processes, masitinib may have an effect on tumor regression, alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
Masitinib received Orphan Drug designation in the treatment of pancreatic cancer from both the FDA and EMA (European Medicines Agency). Masitinib is a molecule developed by AB Science, a pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and commercialization of new therapies targeting the unmet medical needs of patients with cancer and other serious diseases, including inflammatory diseases and central nervous system diseases.
For more information: www.ab-science.com
About Skuldtech
Skuldtech is an innovative biotechnology company specialized in the discovery of new biological markers and the development of new diagnostic tests. Biomarkers identified and selected by the company's scientific team are derived from its technology platform. The technology platform associates high-throughput sequencing, quantitative RT-PCR, and proprietary bioinformatics and biostatistics programs and is the result of 13 years of development and technical expertise in analyzing gene expression. Leveraging its unique scientific expertise analyzing gene expression in blood cells and whole blood, Skuldtech focuses personalized medicine and the development of companion and patient stratification tests to meet the increasing need for new treatments that are better adapted to patient profiles. Founded in 1999, Skuldtech is located at the Montpellier Biopôle campus in Montpellier, France. The company is a member of the Euromediag/Eurobiomed, Cancéropole Grand Sud Ouest (Cancer Centre of Southwest France) and Biomeridies clusters.
For more information: www.skuldtech.com
Media and analyst contacts
AB Science
Laurent GUY, +33 1 4720 0014


text:
who needs Yoda when you have Yvonne :)
Before Sex and the City popularized the concept, I knew my close friends were like family members. Many of my friendships now have a decade or two of history… some even more.
Yvonne is one of my oldest friends. She is one of those women who could rule the world… with time left over to have a hobby 🙂 (Women should rule the world of course – but we'll leave that topic for future posts 😉
We met in the first month of our university education so I didn't have the frame of reference yet to fully appreciate how impressive she was. I do remember I was a little intimidated by her. She didn't act like she was 18. She was so much more confident and pulled together than the rest of us.
We have now been friends for 31 years and counting… what is really incredible about the friendship is that we have lived in the same city for maybe 2 years of the 31… I blame her for my penchant for long distance dating 🙂
There have been many moments that have added glue to our bond but one of the first happened long ago, in our early twenties. She had a summer job in Lethbridge. I had a summer job in Calgary. So one weekend I went down to visit her. It ended up being a pretty interesting weekend… mostly because I lost her for a while and was the first person in Canada to understand some random Scottish soccer player with a wild Glaswegian accent. Hey, I loved Bill Forsyth films – and I didn't need the subtitles! So by the time I got reconnected with Yvonne I was trying to make sure my new Scottish boyfriend wasn't going to pick a fight with one of her male friends for talking to me…
But I digress… even though the Scottish soccer player falling madly in love with me just because I could traverse his thick accent is a good story, the memorable part for me was hanging out with Yvonne… and her declaration at the end, "it was so great to see you. I have met some people this summer but they don't really KNOW me. You have been to my hometown, you have met my parents, we dated brothers from the same tiny small town in Manitoba (and we both had a girl crush on their much cooler sister)…
She taught me the true net worth of your life is the sum total of the relationships and the people in it. It's the people who know you and participate in your life – in the good times and the bad – that give your life meaning.


text:
Posting ID : A1068538083
Date Posted : 2015-08-19
Category : Heavy Equipment By Owner
Display counter for sale. Perfect for small store, boutique or salon.
Asking $150.00 OBO
It's in good condition I just don't have a need for it contact me by email or phone.. No texts at this time


text:
Two bag-snatchers got far more than they bargained for after successfully grabbing a girl's bag in Poipet town on Sunday.
Police said the duo had made their move as a girl crossed a city street.
Unfortunately for them, the street was thick with passersby, who quickly encircled them and dished out a heaping helping of mob justice.
Witnesses said it was only the arrival of police that kept the duo from meeting an untimely end at the hands of the crowd.
Koh Santepheap


text:
The United Hockey Union is a group of junior ice hockey leagues bound together by their Amateur Athletic Union certification in the United States. There are leagues operating outside of the sanctioning of USA Hockey.
Although the WSHL became the first junior league to join the AAU in 2011, the UHU only became possible in 2012 when the NSHL and MWJHL joined.
For the 2015-16 season the Western States Hockey League was announced as being elevated to Tier-II status.
On September 5, 2016, the organization announced that a Tier-I (free to play) league was being formed for the 2017-18 season. Link to article announcing formaton of the league. The proposed Central 1 Hockey League was then postponed and eventually never launched.
Member Leagues (Junior)Edit
- Western States Hockey League (WSHL) (2011-Present)
- Canadian Premier Junior Hockey League (CPJHL) (2016-Present)
Member Leagues (Collegiate)Edit
- National Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) formerly known as the National Association of Intercollegiate Hockey (2010-2013) and Collegiate Ice Hockey Association (2013-2014) (joined in July 2014) 20 teams arranged into 4 divisions with their own national championship
Former Member LeaguesEdit
- Midwest Junior Hockey League (MWJHL) (2012-2015) league withdrew when league members joined United States Premier Hockey League.
- Canadian Independent Junior Hockey League (July 2014-September 2014) league folded without playing a game
- Northern States Junior Hockey League (NSHL) (2012-September 10, 2014) withdrew when league was taken over by North American Hockey League and the league was renamed the North American 3 Eastern Hockey League
- Canadian International Hockey League (May 2014- November 10, 2014) withdrew over dispute involving insurance coverage in Canada and territorial expansion into the United States
- National College Prospects Hockey League (NCPHL) (2016-2017)
- Tropical Elite Junior Hockey League (announced as joining in 2012; but league didn't play)
- World United Hockey League (WUHL) league joined AAU on November 13, 2014 after member teams withdrew from Canadian International Hockey League to form own league. League disbanded after 2014-15 season
- 2013 Idaho Jr. Steelheads (WSHL)
- 2014 El Paso Rhinos (WSHL)


text:
Mail Call
"This is to the individual in the East End of town who calls the SPCA for all the stray animals. I hope someone calls for your cat that you allow to stray all over the neighborhood. Maybe you'll know the feeling when your animal is missing - again."
"Yes, Mail Call. To the person that said they are not going to take a bath until everybody is voted out of office. Well, most people in Hagerstown don't take baths so you're really not sacrificing very much anyway."
"To the caller who's not going to take a bath, brush his teeth, shave or change his underwear until everyone of the County Commissioners are voted out of office. Well, isn't that election in November? Please don't walk around in my neighborhood."


text:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/01/12/pentagon-2-us-navy-boats-held-iran-but-returned/78697686/Apparently they think it's a good thing to tangle with the US Navy? Last week shooting missiles near an Air Craft Carrier Group with little warning... now taking prisoners.Trying to test Obama - it seems
Taking prisoners? Did you read the article? It stated that they were having engine trouble and drifted into Iranian waters and that the vessel and personnel would be released.
Two Navy boats, one disabled, simply do NOT drift into Iranian waters. Sorry, but I cry bullshlt. If one was disabled, the other would TOW it to safety. There's a LOT more to this story. But don't worry. John Kerry is negotiating with the Iranians. We're in good hands. When it's all said and done, Iran will keep the two boats, the 10 sailors will be converted to Islam and live the rest of their lives in Iran, and for this wonderful deal we will only owe the Iranians an aircraft carrier, four B2 bombers, and Oregon. Wake the fvck up, people!!!!!!
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_IRAN_US_NAVY_BOATS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-01-12-16-04-56Well huh I guess some people were making a big deal over nothing.And people here claim I'm over the top?Take a friggen pill dude.
Ten of our sailors in the hands of Iranians IS A BIG DEAL, jackass.It should NOT have happened.
Good news it appears the sailors and their crafts have been released.Maybe the new moderate president has better control over the radical clerics after all!
Well since I need to come up with an over the top reply I'll just say that in the case I described above would happen with any of the current Republican candidates at the helm, they would declare it an act of war and immediately nuke Moscow.


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B.J. Novak Joins Michael Keaton in McDonald's Founder Biopic (Exclusive)
The movie reteams Novak with the director who directed him 'Saving Mr. Banks.'
B.J. Novak is reteaming with John Lee Hancock, joining the cast of the director's latest drama, The Founder.
Michael Keaton is starring in the movie, which details the rise of the McDonald's fast-food empire, portraying McDonald's exec Ray Kroc.
Laura Dern and Nick Offerman are among those on the roll call in true story of how Kroc, a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to wrest the company away from the brothers and created a billion-dollar empire.
Novak will play a rising McDonald's exec who is Kroc's protege.
Novak, who is best known for his work as actor-writer-director-executive producer on TV's The Office, previously worked with Hancock on Disney's Saving Mr. Banks. Other credits include Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom.
Novak is also the author of two books, One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories and The Book With No Pictures, the latter of which has spent 23 weeks as a No. 1 New York Times best seller.
He is repped by CAA, Price Management and Ziffren Brittenham.


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A few years back, this postcard caught my eye in an antique store. While I don't frequent antique stores on a regular basis, occasionally I'll wander in... and am always drawn to the postcards. There's something about the stories that each one of them carries from another time or place. This little gem was no exception.
Aside from the charming design that initially caught my attention, I happened to turn it over and find this phrase: "Please don't show this to no one." The front is signed by a girl (woman?) named Alma. When I hold this postcard, I can't help but wonder, what was Alma's story? Who was the subject of her affections? Did she ever have the nerve to give it to him? If so, did he keep the postcard for years and years? And how did Alma's secret end up stuffed in a box in an Antique store in Dearborn, Michigan? And then in an ironic twist of fate, posted on a blog and available for the world to read... or at least the five or six of you who read this? (I love you, mom!)
There's a certain charm in holding a letter that was once held by another that's lost in an e-mail. I'm a strong believer that the power of the handwritten note is alive and well. That perhaps they are even more cherished now than ever before, because it's so much easier to type a message and click "send." Guilty as charged.
A year or so back, I resolved to write one note a day to someone with an encouraging word or a little "hello." This was ambitious, I know. And you can probably guess how long that lasted before my common sense got the better of me. But maybe one note a month is more realistic. That's twelve possible cards that could one day end up in a little store somewhere, in the hands of some other paper lover who might get some crazy idea to do the same thing.
P.S. At the end of this blog is a large version of Alma's postcard (blank) for you to send to your sweetheart!


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Worldhotels Celebrates Multiple Wins Across Asia Pacific Portfolio
Worldhotels announces remarkable achievements across its Asia Pacific portfolio as member hotels attain multiple top honours from prominent industry leaders, including the International Hotel Awards, Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) NSW Awards, Golden Dragon Awards, Hong Kong Business High Flyers Awards and the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards.One World Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Consistently regarded as one of the leading hotels in Malaysia, One World Hotel Kuala Lumpur impresses with dual wins at the International Hotel Awards 2014/15, receiving 5-star awards inthe categories of Hotel Renovation/Refurbishment and Convention Hotel for Malaysiain the Asia Pacificregion.
The best hotels from 47 countries competed to achieve one or more highly-coveted International Hotel Awards, where each entry was subject to extensive scrutiny. These accolades are a testament to One World Hotel's unrivalled world-class meeting and conference facilities, with over 5,000 square metres of event space including the Imperial Ballroom that seats up to 2,000 guests.
Recently refurbished to exceptional standards are the hotel's 438 accommodations, each boasting luxurious comfort and a distinctively elegant ambience. Adjoined to the award-winning 1 Utama Shopping Centre, the hotel is situated in the heart of Petaling Jaya business district, 20 minutes from downtown Kuala Lumpur.
In addition, One World Hotel has earned four nominations at the World Travel Awards 2015, including Asia's Leading Conference Hotels and World's Leading Meetings & Conference Hotels.
The Star Event Centre (Astral Tower & Residences and The Darling), Australia
The Star Event Centre bagged two major industry awards amidst stiff competition at the annual Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) NSW Awards in March, namely the Best Specialty Event Venue in New South Wales (NSW) and the Best Technical & Creative Production – In-house AV Services team.
Since its inception, the event centre's dedicated team and top-notch technical capabilities have played host to major events including the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, the World Business Forum and a raft of A-list celebrities including Coldplay, Ricky Martin, Alicia Keys and One Direction.
An $870 million re-development transformed The Star into Sydney's premium leisure and entertainment destination including two of the city's most luxurious hotels, Astral Tower & Residences and The Darling – both member properties of Worldhotels. A place of entertainment and action, the former offers 480 superbly-appointed rooms, award-winning restaurants and New South Wales'only casino, while The Darling's171 lovingly-detailed units feature floor-to-ceiling harbour views, complete with white tea and eucalyptus-scented infinity pool and a 16-room luxury day spa.
Furama Resort Danang, Vietnam
Vietnam's prestigious Golden Dragon Awards (GDA) has bestowed the Excellent Enterprise Award on Furama Resort Danang, marking the hotel's sixth award from the GDA.
Held on 21st March 2015, The 14th Golden Dragon Awards honoured the top foreign-invested enterprises that have made notable contributions to Vietnam's economic development and exceptional achievements in branding, service and management excellence. Winners were selected based on votes by readers of Vietnam Economic Times (VET) magazine and administered by an organising board comprising high-ranking officials from key public agencies under stringent criteria.
Consistently voted Vietnam's top resort, Furama Resort Danang rests on the ivory sands of "China Beach" – listed in Forbes Magazine as one of the world's most luxurious beaches. A convenient gateway to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Hoi An and Hue, and the Danang Airport, the 198-unit resort provides an idyllic retreat in an inimitable setting. It is also a regular port of call for royalty, dignitaries, movie stars and business leaders.
Lan Kwai Fong @ Kau U Fong, Hong Kong
Renowned for its exquisitely appointed rooms and exemplary service standards, Lan Kwai Fong @ Kau U Fong was recently accorded theOutstanding Enterprise in Boutique Hotel by theHong Kong Business High Flyers Awards 2014.
The hotel was among four hotel properties to earn coveted awards, out of 23 winners at this year's event. Lan Kwai Fong @ Kau U Fong is also a proud nominee of the World Travel Awards 2015 in the Asia's Leading Boutique Hotel category.
This innovation-led boutique hotel enjoys close proximity to the financial and commercial district, moments from the MTR stations, Macau Ferry Terminal and Airport Express. Chic interiors and distinctive Oriental touches extend into its 162 guest rooms and suites. To enrich stay experience, ipod docking stations and Handy phones are provided to guests for unlimited 3G Internet access and international calling to selected countries.
Ambassador Hotel Hsinchu, Taiwan
An aristocratic landmark in the heart of "The Windy City", Ambassador Hotel Hsinchu was recognised by TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards 2015 as one of the Top 25 Hotels, beating more than 1,300 hotels in the Taiwan category and being one of only two hotels in Hsinchu to make the top 25 list.
In its 13th year, the Travellers' Choice Awards identifies the most outstanding properties worldwide. Winners are determined based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions covering more than 650,000 hotels globally and collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travellers.
Located next to a bustling shopping district, the Ambassador Hotel offers convenient access for Hsinchu's business and leisure visitors, with the city's Railway Station only minutes away and the Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park within 15 minutes of travel.
The five-star hotel features 257 supremely comfortable guest rooms, Internet connectivity, seven multifunctional meeting spaces and a grand ballroom that accommodates up to 1,000 guests, plus a wide selection of restaurants inspired by global tastes.
Other member hotels achieving similar results include:
Cambodia's Top 25 Hotels – Sokha Angkor Resort, Siem Reap
Philippines' Top 25 Hotels – Hotel Luna, Vigan City
South Korea's Top 25 Luxury Hotels – Lotte Hotel Seoul – Downtown and
Lotte Hotel World – Gangnam
South Korea's Top 25 Hotels for Service – Lotte Hotel Seoul – Downtown and
Lotte Hotel World – Gangnam
Vietnam's Top 25 Luxury Hotels – Worldhotel Amiana Nha Trang
"The hospitality industry is notoriously competitive and as such, the levels of expertise and quality required to achieve one of these highly prestigious awards signifying international standards is extremely significant," remarks Roland Jegge, Executive Vice President Worldhotels Asia Pacific.
"We are incredibly delighted by our member hotels' showing at these distinguished award programmes. These achievements further cement Worldhotels' brand philosophy of curating the most distinctive hotels for today's travellers who thrive on discovery. Having our member hotels recognised for their excellence is such great affirmation from valued consumers and industry partners alike – and we express heartfelt appreciation for that," adds Jegge.


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In the midst of a rapidly worsening situation in Iraq, and the worst storm to hit Western Europe in years, all of the British media has been aflutter about the Shilpa Shetty incident on the reality TV show Big Brother.
Columnists in England rightly point out that Jane Goody's outbursts are not an isolated incident, but serve as a harsh reminder of the racism so widely prevalent in English society. A quick perusal of the comments posted by angry users on blogs and news sites speak volumes of the racism heaped on the Irish, South Asians and East Europeans on a daily basis.
Even though racism of any kind is completely inexcusable, there are three reasons why India should not respond to this incident and escalate it on the world stage.
Firstly, the incident did not take place on the floor of the United Nations or at a summit of the World Trade Organization. It took place on the sets of a TV show expressly designed to bring out the worst in people (to put matters in perspective, the argument between Ms. Shetty and Ms. Goody was triggered off by a discussion that focused on the number of cubes of chicken stock that should be used for good cooking).
The most preliminary research conducted into the history of the show will reveal that Big Brother has been marred by a history of racism and sexism. Most recently, an incident involving forced sexual assault had even forced the Australian Prime Minister John Howard to get involved.
One can only hope that Ms Shetty conducted the necessary research and entered the studio fully prepared for incidents of such a nature. During these difficult times, she needs to fall back on this historical perspective for strength (along with a comforting memory of the check that awaits her at the end of this show). She does not need the Indian government.
Secondly, as India asserts its presence as a global power on the world stage, it would do well to steer clear from the ills that have plagued Western societies. As has been proven by a number of incidents in America and Europe, being offended and stifling open dialogue does not eliminate racism. It merely bottles up angry thoughts and emotions that have no opportunity to interact with more sensible persuasions, thereby denying them any opportunity to be amenable to change.
India's history of encouraging open dialogue is a proud one. Ours is not a democracy that has flourished in an era of post-colonial independence. India's history of public debate stretches back to the days of Emperor Ashoka and Akbar who held events and court sessions for this express purpose. If Ms Goody and some other English people do think that Indians undercook our meals, we shouldn't snatch away the Indian menu from their tables. It would be more fitting to serve them a meal of sambar and rice, and show them the error of their perceptions!
We have a Parliament and a Prime Minister, but at heart we are not a Western style democracy, and it would behoove us not to be offended.
Lastly, this incident should serve as a wake up call for all of India. We are living in an era, where we take great pride in paying lip service to Gandhi -- or at least the teachings outlined in Lage Raho Munnabhai, the biggest blockbuster of 2006.
Both Gandhiji and Munnabhai would strongly encourage us to indulge in some self-introspection before pointing fingers at the world. Imagine if our country was sealed off in a glass cage for the next twelve weeks, and each of our actions be examined under a magnifying glass.
Wouldn't we still make fun of the dark skinned South Indians? Wouldn't some of us have a thing or two to say about lower caste people taking water from a common washbasin? Would we still not prevent Africans from entering some of the supposedly coolest bars and restaurants in South Bombay?
This is a time to put matters in perspective. It is a time to look at the ills affecting our society and push for change. But it is definitely not a time for anger.
Or maybe, it is a time for acceptance.
It is indeed a sad reflection our society, where the wisest words about the realities of racism might not have been mouthed by our platitude hugging leaders or self righteous "experts", but by a puppet on a Broadway show.
If we all could just admit
That we are racist a little bit,
Even though we all know
That it's wrong,
Maybe it would help us
Get along.
For now, like this wise puppet in Avenue Q, maybe that's a good approach to take.
Arun Krishnan describes himself as a dark-skinned South Indian. His thoughts (and the most popular Indian podcast on iTunes) can be found at http://www.cuttingchai.com


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Hello ladies,
Sorry for being kinda of mia but a lot of things have changed in my life, so I apologize and hope things get better and I guess I´ll have less time than before but let´s see how things works. GLAM AFFAIR is also at Skin Fair and romy skin has a ton of add-ons for you custom your skin, plus LOUD MOUTH appliers yay. TRUTH and KATAT0NIK are both available at Collabor 88, which theme is about working girls I just loove. Enjoy my working lotd!
eyes Ikon Destiny Eyes - Dew
skin Glam Affair Romy skin - Base ( Artic ) + Brow 02 F + Freckles & Moles 02 for Skin Fair sim 1 *NEW*
mouth Loud Mouth Alli
hands Slink Avatar Enhancement Hands - Casual -*
feet Slink Womens Medium Barefeet (Rigged)
dress & tie Katat0nik (blush) Working Girl Dress for C88 *NEW*
shoes Blah (My Lace-Up Ankle Pumps Nude)
pose Marukin classic le petit princess (Valencia Southard)
Tp to Collabor88
xoxo Druuna
Many thanks to Truth, Aida, Kat & Hoshi <3


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Rohani Seeks Rapprochement
By Stephen Lendman
On September 19, Iranian President Hassan Rohani addressed Americans and US officials directly. He did so responsibly.
His Washington Post op-ed headlined "Why Iran seeks constructive engagement." More on that below.
America and Iran are polar opposites. Obama represents the worst of rogue governance. Hypocrisy substitutes for democracy. War on humanity is official policy. Peace is verboten.
In contrast, Iranian President Hassan Rohani combines diplomacy, political acumen and scholarship. He's known as the "Diplomat Sheikh." He earned master's and doctoral law degrees.
He urges peace and reconciliation. He promises "government of hope and prudence." He pledges "constructive interaction with the world."
According to former US national security officials Flynt and Hillary Leverett:
Rohani's election "presents Washington with an opportunity" for long rebuffed rapprochement. Doing so requires "accept(ing) the Islamic Republic as an enduring entity representing legitimate national interests."
Since its 1979 revolution, Washington wrongfully declared it "an illegitimate order." Dirty war followed.
It includes harsh sanctions, sabotage, subversion, cyber attacks, assassinations, saber rattling, falsified IAEA hype, ad nauseam warmongering, manipulated to fail P5+1 talks, and inflammatory demonizing rhetoric.
It's long past time these practices ended. Rohani reached out responsibly. He's severely challenged. He faces long odds.
Obama spurns peace and reconciliation. He wants Iranian sovereignty destroyed. He maintains a military option to do so.
He told ABC News:
"I think what the Iranians understand is that the nuclear issue is a far larger issue for us than the chemical weapons issue, that the threat against Israel that a nuclear Iran poses is much closer to our core interests."
Tehran "shouldnt draw a lesson that we haven't struck (Syria) to think that we won't strike Iran," he added.
Rohani is polar opposite. His "prudence and hope" agenda "gained a broad, popular mandate," he said. Iranians support him.
They do so for good reason. His domestic and international affairs approach endorses change. They see it "as long overdue," said Rohani.
"Im committed to fulfilling my promises to my people, including my pledge to engage in constructive interaction with the world," he stressed.
He deserves to be taken seriously. His inaugural address promised responsible leadership.
"The Iran that (its enemies) predicted would be dragged into internal dispute and face a chasm between the system and the people according to their plans created a great epic and disappointed (them) through the vibrant participation of people from all walks of life," he said.
Iranians expect leaders to create stability, allay their concerns, and resolve problems responsibly, he added.
"I believe that the power of the government lies in strengthening popular support and fulfilling the pledges made to the people. This commitment requires loyalty and honesty with the people."
The electoral outcome "was not the result of a chasm between the people and the ruling system since the Iranian people chose a person as president who had serious responsibilities for years in the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran."
"The election demonstrated the Iranian people's pursuit of dignity."
"The orientation of the administration is toward saving Irans economy, interacting with the world constructively, and reviving morality."
"We will take new steps for the elevation of the status of the Iranian people, while serving national interests, and for the removal of the sanctions."
Rohani's WaPo op-ed said "(t)he world has changed. International politics is no longer a zero-sum game but a multi-dimensional arena where cooperation and competition often occur simultaneously."
"Gone is the age of blood feuds. World leaders are expected to lead in turning threats into opportunities."
"The international community faces many challenges in this new world - terrorism, extremism, foreign military interference, drug trafficking, cybercrime and cultural encroachment - all within a framework that has emphasized hard power and the use of brute force."
"We must pay attention to the complexities of the issues at hand to solve them."
"Enter my definition of constructive engagement. In a world where global politics is no longer a zero-sum game, it is - or should be - counterintuitive to pursue one's interests without considering the interests of others."
"A constructive approach to diplomacy doesn't mean relinquishing one's rights."
"It means engaging with one's counterparts, on the basis of equal footing and mutual respect, to address shared concerns and achieve shared objectives."
"In other words, win-win outcomes are not just favorable but also achievable. A zero-sum, Cold War mentality leads to everyone's loss."
Unilateralism often overshadows constructive approaches, he added. "Security is pursued at the expense of the insecurity of others, with disastrous consequences."
"The unilateral approach, which glorifies brute force and breeds violence, is clearly incapable of solving issues we all face, such as terrorism and extremism."
"My approach to foreign policy seeks to resolve these issues by addressing their underlying causes. We must work together to end the unhealthy rivalries and interferences that fuel violence and drive us apart."
"We must also pay attention to the issue of identity as a key driver of tension in, and beyond, the Middle East."
"I am committed to confronting our common challenges via a two-pronged approach."
"First, we must join hands to constructively work toward national dialogue."
"Second, we must address the broader, overarching injustices and rivalries that fuel violence and tensions." Doing so must work for "win-win solutions," he stressed.
"Rather than focusing on how to prevent things from getting worse, we need to think - and talk - about how to make things better."
"To do that, we all need to muster the courage to start conveying what we want - clearly, concisely and sincerely - and to back it up with the political will to take necessary action."
"This is the essence of my approach to constructive interaction." He urged world leaders to pursue "prudent engagement." He prioritizes "constructive dialogue."
February 11, 2014 marks the 35th anniversary of Iran's 1979 revolution. It ended a generation of repressive Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi rule. Decades of US hostility followed.
It includes multiple rounds of harsh sanctions. They have no legitimacy. Imposing them violates international law.
At issue is harming Iran's economy. Washington wants Tehran politically isolated. It wants ordinary Iranians suffering most.
Imposing harshness hopes to turn them against their government. It's been tried many times before. It never works.
Iranians aren't fooled. They know Washington and Israel are Tehran's main enemies. They deplore peace, equity and justice.
They're imperial partners. They threaten humanity. They violate international law. They do so with impunity.
They prioritize war. They commit high crimes against peace repeatedly. They want pro-Western subservient governments replacing independent ones.
War is their option of choice. Unchallenged world dominance is sought.
Iran threatens no one. It hasn't attacked another nation in centuries. It's pursuing constructive engagement. It remains to be seen what follows.
Washington prioritizes advancing its imperium. Permanent war is policy. America and Israel threaten humanity. Iranian sovereignty is targeted for destruction.
On September 18, NBC interviewed Rohani. He vowed never to develop nuclear weapons.
"We have time and again said that under no circumstances would we seek any weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, nor will we ever," he stressed.
Netanyahu reacted with derision. "Let us not be fooled by the Iranian president's words of deception," he said.
"The Iranians are creating media spin in order to keep the centrifuges spinning."
"The test is not in Rouhani's words, but in the deeds of the Iranian regime, which continues to vigorously pursue its nuclear program at the same time that Rouhani grants interviews."
US National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said:
"The world has heard a lot from President Rohani's administration about its desire to improve the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran's relations with the international community, and President Obama believes we should test that assertion."
"We hope that this new Iranian government will engage substantively in order to reach a diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community's concerns about Iran's nuclear program."
So-called concern is red herring cover for long planned regime change. Washington knows Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. So does Israel. They pretend otherwise.
No change in policy is likely. Expect Rohani's best efforts to be spurned. Expect Assad to fair no better.
Israel wants regional rivals removed. America seeks unchallenged global dominance. Waging war on Syria and Iran may follow. Peace for our time remains a convenient illusion.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.
It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
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Samuel Arbesman, "Overcomplicated: Technology at the Limits of Comprehension"
ISBN: 1591847761 | 2016 | EPUB | 256 pages | 455 KB
The acclaimed author of The Half-Life of Facts explains the challenges of overly complex technology.
On July 8th, 2015, something weird happened. The NYSE computers went down and trading was suspended for several hours. The culprit wasn't hackers or a rogue algorithm. It was just… a glitch. And it's just the beginning.
Technological complexity is no trivial matter. While a few hours of suspended trading may not have had lasting impact on the markets, imagine the damage that could result from a breakdown of our air traffic control systems, or earthquake warning systems. We need a new way to think about technology, and we need it fast.
In Overcomplicated, complexity scientist Samuel Arbesman argues that we've reached a new era: a time when our technological systems have become too complex and interconnected for us to fully understand or predict.
From our machines and software to our legal frameworks and urban infrastructure, Arbesman explores the forces that lead us to continue to make systems more complicated and more incomprehensible, despite our best efforts to make them simpler. He goes on to identify a new framework for thinking about (and planning within) complex systems.
We must abandon the idea that we will understand the rules, and instead become field biologists for technology–relying on description and observation to uncover facts about how a system might work.
Whether you work in business, finance, science, or IT, or you simply own a smart phone, Overcomplicated offers valuable insight on how to adapt to the complex age we are living in.


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There are a lot of needy families in our community of the Sunshine Coast. This need is especially noticeable at Christmas. I really appreciate the efforts of the Elves Club in helping to give families food and gifts at this time--they provide the makings of a full turkey dinner, presents, and hope.
I am pleased to help them in this endeavour and so, once again, would like to help by offering some fitness classes and personal training services in exchange for donations to this very worthy cause.
Please join us for Group Strength Training or HIIT Classes from November 17 through the 28th for a cash or food donation to the Elves Club.
You may also book a 60 minute introductory or tune-up personal training appointment during those weeks (at The Garage in Gibsons) for a minimum donation of $40 (and any non-perishable food items) -- 50% will go to the Elves Club. If you're interested in further personal training I'll give you a bonus of 10% off any future sessions you book as a personal Thank You!
I hope you take this opportunity to give to the Elves Club while you get started on a fitness program or enhance your current routine--and watch for chances to try yoga, pilates and other fitness classes all over the Sunshine Coast in conjunction with this campaign!
Please email email@example.com or call 604-886-3114 to ensure your spot in class or to book your personal training appointment--all appointments are first-come and cannot be reserved without your prior payment via credit card, cheque or cash.
Verna Chan
The Garage - Personal Training and Fitness Classes
Helping You Get Fit For Life
Sunday, November 02, 2014
No comments:
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Before you know it the little ghouls and goblins will be knocking on the door begging for a trick or a treat. I'll take the treat any day as I do not like fishing toilet paper out of my trees for the next week or better.
I try to keep a few non-food goodies in my basket just in case there is someone who can not have candy - those will be coming soon on my blog but for today I have a card that I made that will be going out to a few scrapping friends that live away from me and to a few special people like my small nieces and nephews.
So that is what I will share with you today is my card. The card is so easy and fast. It only took about 10 to 15 minutes to make several of them.
I stamped the pumpkin image with a stamp and then colored it in using Copic Markers, cut the square, and square scallop with Spellbinder Dies. I used QuicKutz Aquarius Font and a 4x4 Spiderweb Die that had the spider on it. Add a little dye to the edges and white gel pen for accents and you have a card. Easy as pie.
Don't forget to sent a few people a Halloween greeting and make it special by whipping up a few cards.
Happy Scrappin ! ! !
Friday, September 18, 2009
1 comment:
Great card. Love your ideas :)
Gwen DeBok
- September 21, 2009 at 9:09 PM
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Kaspersky Lab has announced that a new cyber surveillance virus has been found in the Middle East that can spy on banking transactions and steal login information for social networking sites, email and instant messaging, according to a leading computer security firm,.
Dubbed Gauss, the virus may also be capable of attacking critical infrastructure. The Moscow-based firm said it found Gauss had infected more than 2,500 personal computers, the bulk of them in Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories. Targets included Lebanon's BlomBank, ByblosBank and Credit Libanais, as well as Citigroup's Citibank and eBay's PayPalonline payment system.
Officials with the three Lebanese banks said they were unaware of the virus. PayPal spokesman Anuj Nayar said the company was investigating the matter but was not aware of any increase in "rogue activity" as a result of Gauss. A Citibank spokeswoman declined to comment.
Kaspersky Lab would not speculate on who was behind Gauss, but said the virus was connected to Stuxnet and two other related cyber espionage tools, Flame and Duqu.
According to Kaspersky Lab, Gauss can also steal internet browser passwords and other data and send information about system configurations.
Modules in the virus have internal names that Kaspersky Lab researchers believe were chosen to pay homage to famous mathematicians and philosophers, including Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss, Kurt Godel and Joseph-Louis Lagrange.
Kaspersky Lab said it called the virus Gauss because that is the name of the most important module, which implements its data-stealing capabilities.
Gauss also contains a module known as "Godel" that may include a Stuxnet-like weapon for attacking industrial control systems. Stuxnet, discovered in 2010, was used to attack computers that controlled the centrifuges at a uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, Iran.
Godel copies a compressed, encrypted programme onto USB drives. That programme will only decompress and activate when it comes in contact with a targeted system.
A United Nations agency that advises countries on protecting infrastructure plans to send an alert on the mysterious code.


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I used Table 8 (test reliability) as the foundation for the test reliability engine (Table 9). The whole point of doing so was to provide a means of seeing the interactions when marks (Item scores of 1 and 0) are changed in a row or a column.
I removed the six most left columns from Table 8 as they are not needed after verifying the ANOVA table data in the previous post. The ANOVA Between Row and Count values (yellow) are converted from the normal Between Row and Count values.
The first thing I noticed was that rounding errors are no longer a problem with everything on one Excel worksheet. The results on Table 9 have been edited into prior posts.
Test reliability is calculated with the KR20 and Cronbach's alpha (0.29) as shown on Table 6. Table 9 contains an explained ANOVA table for between rows (student scores).
The second thing I learned was that sorting 1's and 0's in item columns so that all 1's were at the top of the column and all 0's were at the bottom produced a marked change in test reliability. This did not change item difficulty.
Any item with all 1's in one group and all 0's in another is set for maximum discrimination. Increasing discrimination increases test reliability because increasing discrimination increases the variation within student scores.
This makes sense. A test that accurately groups those who know and those who do not know is more reliable than one in which the marks scored 1 and 0 are mixed in a Guttman table.
Download TREngine for MAC and PC: TREngine.xls or TREngine.xlsm and save, or run in your browser. (When it does not work, some helpful information is frequently offered by the operating system.)
Deleting an item and replacing it to find which items contribute the most, or the least, to test reliability has been automated. Select the item number (ITEM #) in the bottom row of Table 9. Then click the Toggle button for your results. Click the Toggle button again to restore the item before selecting another item.
A scatter chart from all 21 single item deletions indicates that difficulty is not the primary factor in test reliability. Deleting the two most negative discriminating items increased test reliability the most. Deleting the most discriminating item decreased test reliability the most. The Spearman-Brown prediction formula estimated that a test reliability of 0.28 would be expected, after decreasing the number of items from 21 to 20, when doing the deletions. The test reliability for all 21 items was 0.29.
The third thing I learned was that a 22 by 21 matrix is very unstable. I could only detect this with all four of the discussed statistics on one active Excel sheet. Changing a single mark from right to wrong or wrong to right in over 25 cells resulted in a range of change from 0.29 to a low of 0.21 to a high of 0.36 in test reliability. Cells around the edge of the cell field seemed to be the most sensitive. This range in sensitivity, suggests there is more information in this matrix than just harvesting variation with the Mean SS or Variance. Winsteps harvests unexpectedness from the matrix.
Table 9 combines four education statistics (count, average, standard deviation, and test reliability). It clearly shows that the more items on the test (the more Variance summed) and the more discriminating the items, the higher the test reliability. Table 9 also provides an easy way to explore ALL of the effects of changing an item or even a single mark. I could not have finished the last post without using it. Understanding is having relationships in mind. Table 9 dynamically relates facts, which in the traditional case, are usually presented in isolation.
[To use the Test Reliability Engine for other combinations than a 22 by 21 table requires adjusting the central cell field and the values of N for student and item. Then drag active cells over any new similar cells when you enlarge the cell field. You may need to do additional tweaking. The percent Student Score Mean and Item Difficulty Mean must be identical.
To reduce the cell field, use "Clear Contents" on the excess columns and rows on the right and lower sides of the cell field. Include the six cells that calculate SS that are below items and to the right of students scores. Then manually reset the number of students and items. You may need additional tweaking. The percent Student Score Mean and Item Difficulty Mean must be identical.]
A password is used to prevent unwanted changes to occur. The password is "PUP522".
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Free software to help you and your students experience and understand how to break out from traditional multiple choice (TMC) to Knowledge and Judgment Scoring (KJS) (tricycle to bicycle):


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Facts about the Bible
In the whole Bible, the word "girl" only appears once.
There is no mention of Eve eating an apple.
"Bible" comes from the Greek word biblionmeaning "book".
In a 1631edition, the 7th commandment read: "Thou shalt commit adultery." Charles I, king at the time, was horrified and he recalled all 1,000 copies, as well as fining the printers £3,000.
In Job 39:25 there is the phrase "Ha, ha!"
In 1272, a handwritten copy of the Bible cost £33.
There are handwritten copies of the Bible so small they can fit into a walnut shell.


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The Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers have finalized a deal to acquire land in Carson, Calif., on which to build a stadium the two teams will share.
The city of Carson, Calif., completed a complex deal Tuesday to acquire a large parcel of land on the site of a former landfill that would be used to build a stadium shared by the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers, according to the Associated Press.
An entity controlled by the city of Carson acquired 157 acres of the land from Carson Marketplace, the company that owned it. An additional 11 acres, believed to be used for parking, were acquired by a new company created by the Chargers and Raiders.
If the proposed stadium is not built, the city would retain control of the land, Chargers lawyer Mark Fabiani said, according to the AP.
The Chargers' stadium taskforce announced plans Monday for a $1.1 billion stadium outside San Diego. The plans for a new Raiders stadium in Oakland are nearly dead, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday.
• Patriots will not appeal NFL's Deflategate punishment
The two teams presented updated plans for the proposed shared stadium last month, estimating the cost at $1.7 billion.
Former San Francisco 49ers executive Carmen Policy, who had been out of the NFL since 2004, said Monday that the Chargers and Raiders have hired him to advocate for the Carson proposal.
"It's exciting to bring me back to the NFL environment," he told Sports Business Journal's Daniel Kaplan. "My goal is to make sure Carson is presented in the best possible light and put the two teams in a position to be in total compliance with the league."
Policy is expected to speak with NFL owners this week at their meetings in San Francisco, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Raiders owner Mark Davis said he wants to stay in Oakland, and said he had no interest in a potential move to St. Louis if Oakland and Los Angeles doesn't work out.
Mark Davis said he has $500M to give on a $900M potential stadium in Oakland. Describes a funding gap.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 19, 2015
- Dan Gartland


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Modern Square Dancing
Something Old, Something New
Country Barns, haystacks, fiddle music, and farmers in overalls; that's the image most people have of Square Dancing. Those people are always surprised when they see how our National Dance has come of age. Today's dancers move to modern music, they meet in air-conditioned schools and recreation department halls, and they come from all walks of life. A pleasant mix of Classic Rock, Top 40, Country, Latin, and "Oldies" is used at most Square Dances today. Dancers might be promenading to "Pink Cadillac" one minute, and circling to "You Are My Sunshine" the next. In short, everyone can find their favorite music at a Square Dance today.
Just as the music is a blend of styles, so are the dancers, with everyone from company presidents to unemployed, and from student to retired, all having a good time together. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you do, just that you like having a good time with friendly people. There are square dance clubs on many college campuses around the country, and on many military bases, here and abroad. Single dancers dance together at Single Square Dance clubs in many cities. Square Dancing has often been described as "Fun and Friendship Set to Music". What better place for singles to meet each other for a relaxing evening of fun? No matter where you travel, here or abroad, you are never a stranger at a square dance club.
Today's Square Dancing is a combination, and evolution, of the folk dances of many parts of Europe. The Morris dancers of early England are the first ancestors. These dancers were groups of six men who danced various, vigorous patterns. From the Morris dances came the English Country Dance, performed on the lawns by great circles of many couples. A significant variation of the Country Dance was the "Longwayes for as many as will", which was performed in line formation. Another ancestor of today's dance is the French Court Dance, or Branle. The Court Dance was performed in great ballrooms, by elaborately dressed couples. They danced in great circles, much like the English Country Dance, only with greater flourishes and whirls.
As these dances moved to the French country side, the more robust moves of the English dances, particularly the Longwayes, were incorporated. This modified court dance had one couple after another dance the same figure over and over, a format which should be familiar to all Square Dancers today. The French are also responsible for the Contre (or Contra) Dance, performed in two facing, or counter, lines of dancers. The Cotillion (meaning great petticoat) also came from the French dancing masters. These two dances evolved into the Great Quadrille, performed by four couples in a four sided set. The Quadrilles also used a prompter, the ancestor of today's callers, to announce the next set.
The settling of America began in the New England and Virginia-Carolina areas. Dancing didn't follow too quickly, due to the Puritanical influence. It wasn't until the early 1700's that any dancing surfaced. The "New England" dance was a hybrid of the English Country dancing and the French Court dances, soon evolving into a form of the Quadrille. The most common chorus then, as now, was ... Allemande Left and Right and Left Grand!
Paralleling the evolution of the New England Dance was the dance of the early settlers of the Virginia-Carolinas area, the Appalachian Mountain Dance. This was a vigorous, fast dance, much like the English Morris dance. A variation was the Running Set, or Big Circle Dance. The first couple would go to the second couple and execute a figure, then proceed to the next, and so on around the circle. This Running Set had a "prompter" too, who called the figures from within the set. As the country grew and expanded, the Quadrilles of New England merged with the Appalachian Mountain dances, forming the basis for today's Square Dancing.
Square Dancing has changed a lot since Colonial times. Gone are the fiddlers and live bands, replaced by sophisticated sound systems and recorded music. The barns and fields have given way to modern air-conditioned halls, with larger dances being held in Hotel Ballrooms and major municipal convention centers. Weekly dances at local Square Dance clubs average 50 to 150 dancers, with special weekend dances being attended by 200 to 2000 dancers. A "National" festival is held in a different city each June, and is usually attended by over 10,000 dancers. The number of Single Square Dancers is growing every year. There is a National Single's Dance-A-Rama held every Labor Day weekend, and usually attended by 700 to 1000 single square dancers. Each year that dance also visits a new city.
Round Dancing is another important part of many Square Dance clubs. "Rounds" are very much like ballroom dances. The dancers, in couples, dance in a circle, hence the name Round Dancing. The movements are similar to ballroom dancing steps, with Waltz, Cha-Cha, Fox-trot, Swing, Two-step, and other rhythms being used. A Cuer, much like a caller, prompts the dancers as they glide across the floor.
While the dancing has seen many changes throughout the years, one thing has remained constant, the fun and fellowship. Each year, usually in September, Square Dance clubs throughout the world invite new dancers to join them. Groups are formed for the "beginners", where they can have fun while learning the movements the callers will call. After dancing a few months with other beginners, the new dancers will progress, or graduate, to where they can dance comfortably with others throughout the world. For more information on Square Dancing, contact your local Parks & Recreation, or find your closest club online. Many clubs have websites and Facebook pages. Check the "Links" page above for some listings.


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The World Alliance of YMCAs, based in Geneva, has issued a 3,000-word report concluding that "the one-sided nature of the conflict demands that the YMCA take the side of the oppressed Palestinian people."
The YMCA report declares that Israel is "killing people without provocation," and using "massive force against unarmed protestors and completely innocent people, mainly women, the elderly, and children." The report refers to "many youth who are silenced by death only because they chose to protest against their occupation and the violation of their human dignity day in and day out."
The YMCA report further cites "biased and one-sided media reporting on the crisis, which left the Palestinian side generally outraged."
Palestinian violence against Jews was mentioned nowhere in the text of the YMCA report.
The YMCA report is based on a 5-day fact-finding trip in November 2000 "coordinated and sponsored by the World Alliance of YMCAs to express its solidarity with the Palestinians and to develop a new global YMCA strategy in addressing the question of Palestine."
The report says:
"We heard many heart-wrenching stories, and feel compelled to highlight a few of these, simply because they were so shocking. Further, they serve to highlight the all-pervasive tactics of intimidation and intent to bring the Palestinian people into submission.
"We heard about a vicious and savage attack by settlers on three elderly women, 75, 72, and 65 years of age, while they were picking olives in fields close to an Israeli settlement in Nablus... The settlers arrived in a group and the women were beaten with iron rods until one was killed and the other two severely injured."
During the trip, YMCA international representatives visited YMCA facilities in east Jerusalem and Gaza, and met with Palestinian officials, Palestinian Legislative Council members, the Red Crescent Society, and Moslem and Christian religious leaders.
When asked why they did not visit any Jewish communities or meet with Jewish leaders, YMCA responded by saying, "The recent report was based on the visit of an international team who for reasons of time and circumstances did not also visit Israel."
The report invokes Christian ideals as the force behind its campaign:
"The international YMCA community has to take firm and coordinated action along with churches and other concerned people as a matter of urgency. The one-sided nature of the conflict demands that the YMCA take the side of the oppressed Palestinian people. Our Christian obligations require that we work to seek justice so that genuine peace is served."
The YMCA report calls for intensive worldwide promotion of Palestinian positions, including "acknowledging the right of return of all refugees." These goals are to be achieved through YMCA-sponsored speaking tours, information packets, e-mail campaigns, a film documentary, lobbying efforts, and an "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People."
YMCA representatives in the U.S. and Canada sought to distance themselves from the provocative report.
The YMCA's astonishingly biased report represents a grave error in judgment from an organization which has built its reputation and fairness and brotherhood. It behooves every peace-loving individual to demand that the YMCA retract it's condemnation, and rectify the damage with a fact-finding visit to Jewish individuals communities in Israel who have been beleaguered by Palestinian violence and terror.
See the YMCA report online:
Complain to the YMCA at:
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Fax: +41-22-849-5110
Sign a petition protesting the YMCA report:


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A proposal for global change research with the following objectives was prepared and submitted to the Inter-American Institute for Global Research (IAI) :
- Search for evidence of global change in Andean permafrost
- Study the structure and composition of cryogenic mesoforms
- Identify regional and bihemispherical palaeoclimatic evidence of permafrost.
- Investigate the relation between cryogenic subsoils and discharge of mountain rivers
From time to time, the Canadan Organizing Committee for the 7th International Conference on Permafrost June 1998) will use this column in Frozen Ground to present background information on the conference program and on the conference site, the City of Yellowknife, NWT. This is the first of these reports.
Yellowknife—the site of the 7th International Conference on Permafrost—is a bustling city of 17,000 situated on the shores of Great Slave Lake, in the southern part of the Northwest Territories of Canada. At latitude 62'28' north, it is about 960 km (600 miles) north of Edmonton (the site of the 3rd International Conference on Permafrost in 1978) and 440 km (275 miles) south of the Arctic Circle. The highway from Edmonton, opened through to Yellowknife in 1960, crosses the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence by means of a ferry in summer and an ice-bridge in winter. The road is open year round except for periods of a few weeks at the time of break-up and freeze-up of the river ice cover each spring and fall. The road distance from Edmonton is 1530 km (950 miles).
The Project, Research on Changes in Cryosphere Dynamics in China (second stage) has begun. It includes the following subjects:
- Monitoring of cryosphere and information systems in China
- Cryosphere on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and a model of its response to global climate change (1:4,000,000), supported by GIS
- A model for predicting the engineering geocryological conditions along the Qinghai-Tibet highway (1:500,000), supported by GIS
- A model for predicting the response of cryosphere to climate change in the Urumqi River basin (1:50,000), supported by GIS
- Present processes of the active layer in the permafrost region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
- Effect of climate change on the environmental engineering-geological conditions of permafrost
A long-term monitoring program called Zackenberg Basic was started in 1995 by the Danish Polar Center, in cooperation with scientists from the Institute of Geography, the Institute of Zoology and the Institute of Botany, University of Copenhagen. Zackenberg (74°28'N, 20°34'W) is located in the southern part of the world's largest national park, the National Park in North and East Greenland. Zackenberg Basic has as its primary goal the collection of data on a wide variety of physical and biological parameters from the High Arctic ecosystem. Part of Zackenberg Basic is the GeoBasis Programme, in which permafrost and periglacial processes are being monitored in a 600-km2 water catchment area. The study area is located in the zone of continuous permafrost. A climate station is logging air temperature and humidity, precipitation, UV-A and UV-B, net radiation and soil temperature at 10 depths from 0 to 150 cm (in the active layer and upper permafrost) every hour and wind velocity and direction every 10 minutes.
The National Frost Committee of the Finnish Geotechnical Society is engaged in a national research project, "The foundation and pavement structures of roads." The goal is to develop a practical procedure for the frost design of roads in Finland. The program, intended to last six years, has just started and is based on national laboratory and field investigations. It is in contact with the U.S. Strategic Highway Research Program LTPP projects.
Submitted by Eero Slunga
The paleopermafrost modeling program continues with a drillhole in western France, undertaken by the participating agencies: CNRS, French Geological Survey, Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées, and the National Agency for Nuclear Wastes. Comparison with field evidence is underway in Normandy (CNRS, Caen) and in Aquitaine (Institut du Quaternaire, Bordeaux).
The paleopermafrost data will be published as a CLIMEX Map at the end of this year under the direction of Jean Dercourt, President of the Commission for the Geological Map of the World (CGMW). Efforts will be made to incorporate additional information from the European Group of Climate Modeling for the Last Glaciation.
The principal results of the Geoscientific Spitsbergen Expedition 1990-92 have now been published, mainly in Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie,N.F., Suppl.-Bd. 97, 1994. Several papers are of special interest to the permafrost community: patterned ground in the inner Woodfjord area (D. Thannheiser et al.), chemical weathering in high-arctic soils (W.D. Blümel et al.), recent fluvial sediment budgets in glacial and periglacial environments (D. Barsch et al.), the Late Quaternary glaciation history and landscape development (W.D. Blümel et al.), the glacial history (G. Furrer), glaciology and glacial gemorphology (L. King et al.), and evolution and age of shorelines along Woodfjord (H. Brückner et al.). Further work by this large group of polar geographers is focused on syntheses of the chronological results and studies on actual geomorphological processes in the permafrost environment of a catchment area at Liefdefiord, NW Spitsbergen. The development of a geoecological model for this catchment is planned. In addition, permafrost research is done by several geographical working groups, especially at the universities of Giessen, Heidelberg and Regensburg.
In January 1996, the Fourth Symposium on Joint Siberian Permafrost Studies Between Japan and Russia was held at Sapporo. At the meeting, attended by 60 participants, 30 papers were given dealing with the results of the previous summer's field program. In addition to papers, V.N. Konishchev, Moscow State University, visiting professor at the Institute of Low Temperature Science, presented a special report on the genesis and occurrence of the Edoma ice complex in Siberia. The proceedings of this meeting have been published and are available from the convener of the meeting, Masami Fukuda.
The Laboratory of Geocryology of the International Center of Geoecology of Mountain Countries in Arid Regions (ICGM) carried out studies on monitoring of permafrost and the thermal regime of the active layer in northern Tien Shan. The laboratory continued to study cryogenic processes, movement of solifluction, rock glaciers, frost heave on the thufur area, and the mapping of permafrost and associated phenomena in the Zailiisky Alatau Range. In 1996 the monograph Geocryological Conditions of the Tien-Shan and Pamirs by A.P. Gorbunov, E.V. Seversky and S.N. Titkov was prepared for publication.
The Mongolian National Permafrost Association is pleased to acknowledge its membership in the International Permafrost Association. Mongolian geocryologists express their appreciation to the IPA Council and its officers.
In 1995, geocryologial field work was carried out on the Khan Khentei protected area, an area of more than 12,000 km² that embraces the Khentei Mountains. As a result of these and previous studies, maps at 1:500,000 of permafrost, seasonal freezing and thawing ground, and the distribution of cryogenic processes and phenomena have been prepared by N. Sharkhuu, D. Tumurbaatar and R. Lomborenchen. According to these maps, large parts of the territory are characterized by continuous permafrost with an average thickness between 50 and 200 m. Average depths of seasonal thaw are 1 to 3 m. There is widespread occurrence of surface icings and stone polygons. Permafrost aggradation associated with climatic change and hydrogeological conditions is observed at several sites.
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ROCKY GAP, MD – If there's one design goal General Motors is trying to reach with its new 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks, it's for these vehicles to be more "intuitive" for drivers.
"It's about developing a truck that anticipates the needs of the driver; that conforms to the driver's style of operation, rather than the other way around," Mark Cieslak, chief engineer for GM's full-size trucks, told FleetOwner at a ride-and-drive event being held here for both pickup truck lines.
He pointed to a new optional integrated exhaust brake system on the 2011 HD (Heavy Duty) Silverado and Sierra models as an example. For trucks equipped with the optional 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine and Allison 1000 automatic 6-speed transmission, the exhaust brake delivers the correct amount of braking to assist in vehicle control, regardless of vehicle load.
When the exhaust brake is engaged in cruise mode, it helps the cruise control system maintain desired vehicle speed when travelling downhill. That keeps the driver from having to apply the brakes and exit cruise control to maintain speed and reduces brake pad wear.
"This takes the burden away from the driver of getting the vehicle to behave the way they want it to behave," Cieslak said. "It's about giving them design features that both increase their confidence and comfort while driving."
Gary Arvan, Duramax chief engineer, added that such intuitive design elements on the Silverado and Sierra trucks are largely focused on beefing up vehicle safety and ease-of-use by the driver.
"We're trying to make driving as 'uneventful' as possible, with drivers less fatigued at the end of a work day," he told FleetOwner.
For example, take exhaust "grade braking," again a byproduct of the Duramax engine/Allison transmission optional package. Arvan noted it's a "smart system" that varies the amount of brakes needed for the vehicle, load and grade, with smooth and quiet engagement that enhances the driver's feeling of control.
Another intuitive feature is a trailer sway-control system that automatically senses conditions of trailer sway and intervenes with braking and/or reduced engine power to bring the trailer under control and keep it on its intended path. The system will use electric trailer brakes when a trailer is plugged into the standard wiring harness of the truck and its performance requires no input from the driver, according to GM.
Hill start assist is yet another example. This system automatically engages when sensors detect the vehicle is on grade of about 5% or greater. It holds the brakes for about 1.5 seconds or until the gas pedal is pressed, preventing rollback. GM said it's particularly effective when towing, as it gives the driver time to switch from the brake pedal to the acceleration pedal without rolling.
Almost all of these features result from the use of more complex algorithms within software systems, which more closely connect the many disparate major components of today's pickups, noted Cieslak.
"The evolution of the knowledge transfer into truck systems over the last few years has just been amazing," he said. "As these many technologies mature, we're going to keep applying them to improve a wide range of vehicle functionality, from safety to fuel economy and performance."