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Parma and Beyond: a trip outside the city walls
In Parma, beauty and flavor go hand in hand. The extraordinary flavors of the city's local food products are a reflection of an area rich in history, art and tradition. A visit to Parma can easily become an experience of a lifetime.
There are many possible ways to visit Parma and the Parma countryside. We have put together a number of thematic tours built to satisfy a wide range of interests, from visits to Romanesque churches and stops on the ancient Via Francigena, to royal castles and Renaissance cities, like Sabbioneta, located on the left bank of the Po River, just a few miles from Parma.
You can also go on a musical history tour and visit Giuseppe Verdi's favorite sites. Discover a land with a strong personality, history and European way of life. You will fall in love at first site. We are sure of it.


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Getting the web analytics job that you want..
Web Analytics is a growing tribe in India. Here's a page you should bookmark if you are keen to know the latest jobs in web analytics in India.
Also came across a nice post on advancing your web analytics career.
Check it out – it's also got stuff on how to be political and how to make motivated reasoning your friend !

subset: commoncrawl


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The hairdresser spoke NO english and I showed her a picture of the cut I wanted:
Needless to say, pixie cut was not the finished result, but more so boy cut.
This doesn't have anything to do with 'bad' haircuts, but it's still good solid advice.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: I will NEVER pull an ANTM hair crisis breakdown and truthfully, it's just hair. It'll grow back!
Here's to a refreshing Tuesday!


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Agbon: The post election petrol price increase (2)
Continued from yesterday
THE SURE-P is the IMF inspired political tool for organizing the Nigerian ruling stakeholders. It represents the largest transfer of cash from the pockets of the Nigerian masses to the bank accounts of the cabal since independence. Under the programme, the monies extracted from the Nigerian masses are shared amongst the FGN, the State Governments, the Local Governments, the National Assembly and the Judiciary. SURE-P pays off all the governing institutions of the ruling class. According to SURE-P, "The total projected subsidy savings per annum is N1.3 trillion, out of which N633 billion accrues to Federal Government, N349 billion to State Governments, N269 billion to Local Governments and N49 billion to Special Transfers to the Judiciary and the National Assembly in compliance with the Appropriation Act." The FGN put the disbursement of its share of SURE-P under the Christopher Kolade Committee. The Kolade Committee is to ensure that SURE-P federal programmes such as maternal child health, public works, mass transit, east-West Road, Roads and bridges, railway and secretariat services were successfully executed. The Kolade committee began work with a lot of fanfare. However, it was not long before the contradictions in the sharing formula intensified the disagreement amongst the ruling stakeholders. The State Governments opposed the direct deduction of subsidy funds from the states budgetary allocations at source. They accused the FGN of giving SURE-P contracts to only the supporters and cronies of the Presidency. The FGN accused the State Governments of giving their share of SURE-P funds to the political cronies of the individual state governors through the State Implementation Committee (SIC). The FGN paid the petrol cabal the sum of N1.3 trillion in 2012. When the Presidency requested an additional N161.6 billion for subsidy payment in 2012, the state governors protested vigorously. They took the FGN to Court. The relationships between the FGN and the State Governments became increasingly antagonistic in 2012-13.
The renewed efforts of the FGN in 2014 were announced by the Presidency at the Lagos Nigeria Summit. The FGN maintained that "we cannot continue to waste resources meant for a greater number of Nigerians to subsidize the affluent middle class who are the main beneficiaries". The next step was to get the state finance commissioners to approve the complete removal of 'subsidy'. The Accountant Generals and Commissioners of Finance in all states in Nigeria (including the FCT) belong to the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). You probably never heard of this committee or thought about how their decisions affect the price of your garri or okada transport. The FMF organized this committee to approve the increase of PMS prices to N140/litre in April 2014. The FAAC recommendations were then sent to the Presidency for approval by the Federal Executive Council. The recommendations were also forwarded to the FMPR for inclusion in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The National Assembly plans to ratify and enact the PIB with its new subsidy removal clauses in April 2015. The FGN planned IMF inspired 2015 post-election PMS price increase will be backed by political and legislative force. Speaking to newsmen in May 2014, the IMF Senior Resident Representative/Mission Chief in Nigeria, Mr. Williams Rogers, supported the FGN efforts on subsidy removal. He said that subsidy removal is necessary for planned savings in recurrent spending and public sector reforms (reduced government wage bill by workers layoff and fixed wages).
The State Governments still refuse to cooperate with the FGN. On December 8, 2014 the Supreme Court began hearing on the case of the State Governors against the FGN method of deducting "fuel subsidy" funds from oil proceeds before payment into the Federation Account. The State Governors want the Supreme Court to declare the NNPC practice of deducting "fuel subsidy" funds from oil proceeds before payment into the Federation Account unconstitutional. They also want an account of all "fuel subsidy" deductions made from the Federation Account from 2007 to 2014. Given that the Judiciary is a direct recipient of funds from SURE-P and the Supreme Court will materially benefit from any decision that it takes, justice will probably not be served. But then, there is no honour amongst thieves. Irrespective of the outcome of the case, the FGN plans to use the verdict as one of its building blocks for defending the planned price increase.
On December 18, 2014, the FGN presented a 2015 budget proposal with a 245.53 billion naira subsidy request to the National Assembly. This amounts to 37.37 million litres a day of imported PMS at a N18/litre "subsidy". It implies no PMS will be produced internally by Nigerian refineries and NNPC will pay nothing for its 445000 barrel per day domestic allocation. The FGN has refused to reduce PMS prices, until two days ago. The FMF declared that "It's only when our crude oil price for Bonny Light falls below this level ($60 per barrel) that we can now talk about the issue of bringing down any pump price." The FGN hopes that the Supreme Court decision and the enactment of the PIB by the National Assembly after the election would help her impose higher than international PMS prices on the Nigerian populace. Currently, the IMF is intensifying its pressure on the FGN to increased prices after the 2015 election to the PPPRA Expected Open Market Price (EOMP) of N115.1/litre ($0.685/litre). The Nigerian oil unions and civil society are demanding a reduction in PMS prices.
If we want to stop the FGN from increasing PMS prices to N115/litre after the 2015 election, our demand must be clear, direct and simple. We should demand N65/litre for PMS. Not a kobo more. Furthermore, we should organize Plan B. We must be prepared for alternative actions if the leadership (union or civil society) capitulates on our demand for N65/litre or are arrested as the struggle unfolds. We should organize Plan C for when the FGN sends the Nigerian Army and Police to take over our streets and democratic spaces in order to force the increased price on us. We must make petrol subsidy the most important issue in the upcoming 2015 election. Each electoral candidate must be forced to take a position on fuel subsidy. The repeated questions for each candidate in the 2015 elections must be: Are you for subsidy removal/fuel price increase or are you not? Are you for the N65/litre or are you not? Will you dismantle the corrupt petrol cabal or will you not? Are you for the Nigerian people or are you for the Cabal? Yes or No? This is our path to victory.
• Concluded
• Dr Agbon, a former Chairman, University of Ibadan Branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities, resides in the United States.
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Friday, April 22, 2011
Species of the Day: Bell's Hingeback Tortoise
Scientific Name: Kinixys belliana
Family: Testudinidae
Adult size: 7 to 8 1/2 inches; 2 to 4 pounds
Range: Central and southern Africa from southern Senegal to Mozambique and the eastern corner of South Africa. Introduced in northern Madagascar
Habitat: Moist woodlands to dry savannah grasslands
The Bell's hingeback tortoise has become quite a popular species in captivity, unfortunately the vast majority of specimens available for sale are imported and wild-caught animals have proven difficult to establish in captivity, making for very few captive breeders of these tortoises. So called for the hinge in the rear third of the carapace, it is the smaller of the African tortoises, with adults measuring up to 8 1/2 inches and weighing in at up to 4 pounds. Adult males have a much longer tail than females. The preferred habitat of a Bell's tortoise is savannah and grasslands, although they can sometimes be found in moister forests. As these areas may exhibit strong seasonal changes in precipitation and temperatures, the activity of the tortoises may be restricted to particular times of the year. In South Africa, for example, the Bell's hingeback may become during the cool winter months of May through September. Such seasonal patterns are likely important for the fertility and life-span of the species.
A healthy hingeback should feel heavy and solid; a tortoise that feels hollow or light is likely dehydrated and malnourished. Hingebacks may be very shy so patience and gentle handling is necessary to allow inspection of the head and limbs. They eyes should be open and clear, or should open within seconds of being picked up. Eyes that are swollen or sealed shut may indicate dehydration or conjunctivitis; the nostrils should also be clear. Any nasal discharge should raise suspicion of a possible respiratory infection. Because most will be wild-caught specimens, Bell's hingebacks are often highly parasitized and as such, should have its feces evaluated by a veterinarian and put on a good de-parasitizing program. Hingebacks often need prolonged and repeated treatments to completely eradicate parasite infestations. The skin should be thoroughly inspected for ticks, mites, swellings or lacerations. The shell may have a variety of injuries, some of which may be old and healed and others being active areas for infection. If possible the tortoises mouth should be opened and the tongue and palate should be inspected for lesions and signs of infection. Of all the areas indicative of the tortoises health, appetite is most important. A healthy tortoise should have a huge appetite and eagerly accept pretty much anything offered.
After acquisition, hingebacks may take weeks or even months to become acclimated. It is best to house new hingebacks in simple setups; aquariums or plastic tubs work very well, and should be at least four times the length and twice as wide as the length of the animal. A simple substrate such as paper towel and newspaper is best, and a hide box should be provided for security. Basking spot temperatures should range fro 85 to 95 degrees during the day and be allowed to fall between 70 and 80 at night. UV light will also be of benefit to the proper growth and health of the tortoise. Bell's hingebacks seem most active and have fewer eye and respiratory ailments if kept between 60 to 90% humidity, which can be maintained with misting the enclosure.
The natural diet of the Bell's hingebacks includes both plant and animal matter such as fallen fruits, grasses, snails and other invertebrates. New tortoises often accept strawberries, cantaloupe and earthworms as their first food items. It may take several weeks for a new arrival to begin eating regularly. Fresh water should be provided at all times in a water dish big enough for the tortoise to soak in. Once the tortoise is accepting one or two food items regularly, it should be gradually converted to a more varied diet. By thoroughly mixing new foods with previously accepted items, even stubborn specimens can be encouraged to eat them. A complete diet for a Bell's hingeback should include high-calcium, leafy greens such as dandelion, clover, escarole, chicory, kale, etc.; a good fiber source such as lawn clippings (no pesticides), alfalfa or timothy hay; a variety of fruits and vegetables, and animal protein such as earthworms and other insects. A powdered calcium supplement should be applied to the food everyday, and a powdered multivitamin once a week.
Once established on a good diet and free of parasites, Bell's hingebacks may be set up in a more naturalistic environment. If kept in groups, several hide boxes will be needed. A mixture of soil and bark mulch is visually appealing as a substrate, and the tortoises will enjoy burrowing in it. The substrate should be changed weekly. Take care that feeding stations should be set up to where there will be no accidental ingestion of the substrate. Alternatively and preferentially, outdoor enclosures may be used if you live in temperate climates. It must be appropriately built as Bell's hingebacks are great climbers and burrowers. When outdoors the tortoises are most active during the dawn and dusk hours, retreating to shady areas during the hot parts of the day. The only mid-day activity has been seen after or during spring rainfalls.
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The girls each got a letter from the Obamas yesterday.
It reads, "Welcome to the world! We know the great joy your proud family must feel, and we are pleased to join in celebrating your arrival. As you grow and learn, we hope you are blessed with rich experiences, unwavering love, and tremendous opportunity. May you always dream big dreams. Sincerely Barack & Michelle Obama"


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My son and I had Star Trek: Generations on in the background while he was using his DS and I was catching up on last Friday's movie bloghop, when I finally got to comment on Squid's entry. I had forgotten about his Animated Trek project. My son and I had a little bit of time still before his Odyssey of the Mind meeting, so I decided to throw this week's episode on the screen.
Star Trek played a HUGE role in my life right up until about the turn of the century. The animated series was a part when I was young but I had only seen the two episodes considered "cannon" as an adult and that was about 20 years ago.
In this episode, which was the third of the animated series, the Enterprise must contend with a massive space cloud that eats planets, now targeting a Federation colony of over 82 million.
I had dismissed the animated series a little while back. If the episodes are all as strong as this one, perhaps it will join Star Trek Voyager and Enterprise in my son's and my Trek television rotation. I thought the story was strong, the animation was acceptable, and the voice work top notch.


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Product Description
The Quickstep Perspective 4 Homage Oak Natural Oiled Planks is one of the more unusual design sin the collection. Offering a stunning antique finish, this floor is perfect for those seeking something different from the norm. Dark tones mix with light to create a perfect contrasting design and the distressed look adds an air of elegance to the room. This makes it an especially good choice for the more traditional style home.
You won't just be impressed with the look of this stunning floor; it also comes with some pretty cool features. For example, the manufacturer has added scratchguard technology along with a great sealed resin surface. This contributes to the remarkable 25-year guarantee supplied with the floor. You'll also benefit from the Uniclic installation system which is patented by Quickstep. So no matter how much, or how little experience you have, you should find this a breeze to install.
Interested to learn more about the features and benefits of the Quickstep Perspective 4 Homage Oak Natural Oiled Planks? Contact us today and our friendly team will be happy to assist.
Product Details
- Plank Width156mm
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(Click for video linked to a searchable transcript of this Mad Money segment)
Jim Cramer believes that individual investors can beat the market. That is, he thinks by holding between 5 and 10 stocks and then actively managing those positions, individual investors can do better than the market broadly.
Of course, actively managing positions isn't easy: it involves significant research, something Cramer calls homework.
"The most important element of homework is going over the earnings reports, and not just the earnings release, you have to actually listen to or read the transcripts of the quarterly conference calls," Cramer said. Also, homework involves understanding the sector, parsing through SEC filings, reading news stories and following Street research.
"If you don't have the time or the inclination to do the individual stock research, this strategy won't work," Cramer explained.


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2. Brochure
5. Curriculum
6. Prices
Course Overview
In a world where data is abundant, leveraging machines to learn valuable patterns from structured data can be extremely powerful. In this course, we will explore the basics of machine learning, discussing concepts like regression, classification, model evaluation metrics, overfitting, variance versus bias, linear regression, ensemble methods, model selection, and hyperparameter optimization.
Come away with a strong understanding of the core concepts in machine learning and the ability to efficiently train and benchmark accurate predictive models.
Gain hands-on practice with powerful packages like scikit-learn, building complex ETL pipelines to handle data in a variety of formats and techniques, developing models with tools like feature unions and pipelines that allow them to reuse existing models and reduce duplicate work, and practicing tricks like parallelization to speed up prototyping and development.
Mini Project: Working with a real data sets students will take restaurant reviews and, based on various characteristics, build predictive models to predict the restaurant's score.
Meet Your Instructors
Michael Li has worked as a data scientist (Foursquare, A16Z), quant (D.E. Shaw, J.P. Morgan), and a rocket scientist (NASA). He did his PhD at Princeton as a Hertz fellow and read Part III Maths at Cambridge as a Marshall scholar.
Francesco Mosconi is a Data Scientist at Catalit. Previously, he was the Chief Data Officer at Spire, a next-generation wearables company, a co-founder at Axelera, and an application engineer at Roche. He received a joint PhD from Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI) and Università degli Studi di Padova (Padua, Italy).
Ariel M'ndange-Pfupfu studied physics at Stanford and got an engineering PhD from Northwestern. Since joining The Data Incubator as a Data Scientist in Residence, he's worked on a variety of data science and software engineering projects, as well as curriculum development and instruction.
Robert Schroll is a Data Scientist in residence at The Data Incubator and has been a key contributor to a variety of open source software development and data science projects. He received his PhD from the University of Chicago in computational physics and his undergraduate degree from Maryland.
$2995 Silver Package: The full 3 day course, including breakfast, lunch & networking drinks
$3295 Gold Package: The full 3 day course, including breakfast, lunch & networking drinks | Access to presentations from the latest Machine Learning Innovation Summit from the Innovation Enterprise
$3595 Full Access: The full 3 day course, including breakfast, lunch & networking drinks | Annual Subscription to Big Data & Analytics channels via ieOnDemand.com | 4000+ hours of on-demand presentations & case studies | 40hrs of new content added monthly
Corporate Bookings: We offer generously discounted rates for team bookings, please email firstname.lastname@example.com
The Data Incubators fellowship Data Science was named as on of the "15 Things That Are Harder To Get Into Than Harvard" by Business Insider
About The Data Incubator
The Data Incubator is a Cornell-funded data science training organization. They run an 8-week fellowship that was selected by Business Insider as one of 15 competitive programs in the US with more competitive admissions than Harvard. The Data Incubator was founded in 2014 in New York City by Michael Li, a former Data Scientist at local-mobile-social startup Foursquare and Andreessen Horowitz & Rocket Scientist at NASA. A variety of innovative companies partner with The Data Incubator for their hiring and training needs, including LinkedIn, Genentech, Capital One, Pfizer, and many others.


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The nation's most famous national park offers views most families only see in picture books.
Yellowstone National Park is busy with more than 3 million visitors annually. Spanning 2.2 millions acres across Wyoming's northwest corner, the majority arrive in summer, yet for most families, summer's the only time they can visit, so don't let the prospect of crowds deter you. Ninety percent of visitors stray less than one mile from their cars, and it takes very little effort to escape the hordes. Try a hike to get away from the main road (few visitors hike), and visit popular sights at off-peak times of day.
Perhaps most importantly, book your accommodation early — several months in advance for camping and even earlier for motels. But call the park even if you're not ahead of the game. You might get lucky. The lodging/camping staff are helpful, and they're happy to help you plan your visit.
Wondering how to prioritize? Here are some of our family's highlights:
Horseback Riding:
Rides are available for one or two hours in length in the Mammoth, Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon regions. Yellowstone horse riding became a family affair for us — including my eager 8-year-old son who'd never ridden before.
Norris Geyser Basin:
Yellowstone contains the world's largest concentration of geysers, and you don't have to visit Old Faithful to appreciate the underground cauldron. Norris is reputed to be the hottest geyser basin in North America, and offers an enjoyable mile-long boardwalk to stroll around Porcelain Basin where you'll see hissing steam vents, hot pools and small geysers. Be sure to hold your little one's hand so he doesn't misstep!
Mount Washburn Lookout:
Mount Washburn offers an easy six-mile, round-trip hike on a gravel trail that even our 8-year-old hiked with little complaint (and we saw younger visitors on the trail). The trail terminates at a large lookout that offers a 360-degree overlook of the park as well as on-site rangers to answer questions. Highlight: panoramic views, sighting bighorn sheep and carpets of wildflowers.
Uncle Tom's Trail:
This trail, featuring 328 steps down to a viewing platform for the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone" and a thundering waterfall, turned out to be a family favorite. Because the viewing platform is small, I recommend an early morning visit to beat the crowds. Back at the top, walk the canyon rim along the paved one-mile path to Artist Point for stunning views of the waterfall and canyon. Few people seem to know about the trail — we encountered fewer than five along the way.
Old Faithful:
We couldn't miss Old Faithful, although my kids decided it was overrated (I didn't). Old Faithful's eruptions are predictable, about every 90 minutes — hence, the name — and there's no avoiding the crowds. But while you're there, don't miss walking the boardwalks of the surrounding thermal area, which turned out to be more interesting to my kids. Old Faithful Inn's lobby, with a 75-foot high ceiling and a massive stone fireplace, is also a must-visit. Not only is it a stunning building, the inn is one of the largest log structures in existence.
We allotted three-and-a-half days for the park, but if you're traveling with younger children, consider allowing more time or picking an area of interest to avoid too much driving. Yellowstone is big, and animal viewing traffic jams can extend travel time considerably.
Reservations & trip planning:
Park fee: $25 per vehicle
(7-day entry to Yellowstone and Grand Teton)


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This application is the audio complement to the PHALLAINA Fresco installation, officially selected as part of the 2016 Angoulême International Comics Festival. The Fresco will also be presented during several key events.Available in French and English, this application accompanies you while you walk along the length of this original fresco drawn by Marietta Ren, 115 meters long for 1,10 meters high.With Live Fresco: Phallaina, immerse-yourself into the world of the Phallainas and discover their story along the lines of these original and unique drawings.USER GUIDE1/ Once close to the fresco, launch the application, plug in your headphones or earphones and stand upon the marker.2/ Press the "GO" button and let the story carry you away.PLEASE NOTE:
In order to broaden the experience, please download the free PHALLAINA application, an original digital scrolling graphic novel by Marietta Ren, from which this fresco stems.
Also please note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.


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Ann Marie "Jade" Bryan's documentary On and Off Stage: The Bruce Hlibok Story, featuring Ronen's original score, will be screening at the Joe Papp Public Theater on November 8th and 9th at 5:30PM. A reception will follow the screenings. Tickets are tax deductable, and cost $75 for Friday and $50 for Saturday, with limited income tickets available for Saturday. The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street, but you must RSVP to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Ronen also recently completed the score for Broadcast Quality, a satirical film by Aaron Raskin of Harbinger Productions. Ronen previously worked with Aaron on The Autobiography of Red and is very excited about both films as they begin to make the festival rounds!
Congratulations to David Elson whose film The Signal Game will screen at the Takoma Park Film Festival in Takoma Park, MD. This romantic comedy features a jazzy score that Ronen composed in the Fall of 2001.
Also, make sure to tune into Making the Band on MTV, starring Sean "P.Diddy" Combs, this season. The producers have licensed some of Ronen's original hip hop tracks to be used on the show!


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So! The herd has spoken! We are going to the zoo!
Now I just have to find out a good date to do it when the weather is appropriate...
So with our funding I should logically take 33 people. That is... if I mathed out the moneybox right.
But I think there is a discount for large groups. But I don't know this for sure. But how this will work is that there will be a first come first serve list.
The people who helped with the table get priority. So if it fills up, and one of the table folk want to join. The last person on the list is (regrettably) not going to be able to get in free. But I think we will be okay with our 33 people.
You also have to give me a definitive yes or no answer if you are joining on the zoo trip. No "maybe"s allowed!
I will most likely buy the tickets beforehand. After I get a definitive body count.
I would like to ask everyone who comes to please bring a personal bag to prepare yourself for being outside all day so you may want to bring the following:
- sunscreen
- water
- umbrella
- food
- water
- hat
- and did I forget to mention water?
And whatever other things I can't think of at this moment in time that might be a good idea to bring with you in the summer heat.


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31 March 2017
EPA Rejects Petition to Require Testing of Brominated Flame Retardant, Will Re-examine Emissions Standards for Cars
The EPA has rejected a petition filed by various consumer and environmental groups under section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act that would have required testing to be conducted by manufacturers (including importers) and processors of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). This chemical has the highest production volume of any brominated frame retardant and is extensively used in consumer products, including children's products.
While the EPA agreed with the petitioners that the manufacture, distribution in commerce, processing, use or disposal of TBBPA may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under TSCA section 4(a)(1)(A), it determined that the petitioners did not demonstrate, for each exposure pathway and hazard endpoint presented in the petition, that the existing information and experience available to the EPA are insufficient to reasonably determine or predict the effects on health or the environment from manufacture, distribution in commerce, processing, use or disposal of TBBPA (or any combination of such activities), nor that the specific testing they identified is necessary to develop such information.
Separately, the EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation have announced their intention to re-examine a rule issued by the Obama administration that finalised standards to increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty lorries by model year 2025. The EPA must determine by 1 April 2018 whether these standards, which have been described by EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt as "costly for automakers and the American people," are appropriate and seek public comment if it believes the final determination issued by the previous administration is not realistic.


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What does everyone reakon the top 5 things to do in Cairns are? I've already got scuba diving in the great barrier reef down!!
that's another question - we'll already have our padi licences by the time we go out to cairns, so is it quite easy just to hire out equipment and a boat out there?
thanks!!! anna x


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Hi Everyone,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday.
Today I wanted to share with you one of the
beautiful stamps from the Art-Kure collection, Britain In Bloom.
This wonderful large stamp is called Wysteria.
The size of this stamp is 2 1/2 x 5.
I wanted it to be a bit bigger so I stamped it out on
white card stock and scanned it into the computer.
I wanted to show you the beautiful detail of this stamp.
Also to show you that when you purchase these stamps, there is no
limit to what you can do. Make them bigger, or smaller if you wish.
After the scan, I printed it out on an iridescent piece of
white card stock and colored it in with my
Then shaded around the edges with
with the Ink Blending Tool.
To give it a little 3-D effect, I added some flower soft to the petals.
I cut the stamp out, and mounted it on some
black and white contrasting card stock. Then added a few
pearls and butterflies.
I wanted the person to know just what I was feeling.
" I Miss You "
says it all...
Here is the card I came up with today.
I hope you like it!
To see all the great products I used today, stop by the
and check it out.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
And have a scrappy day.


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The student lute range has allowed students and universities who can't afford to own a historic based instrument and provides a suitable alternative to the mass produced lutes seen online. Some factory made lutes tend to be constructed like oud's which are heavier with un-authentic oud barring and a basic unauthentic rose. The student lute range allows you to have a luthier-made instrument which is a suitable alternative to the mass produced lutes online, in some cases cheaper than the 'pro' range offered by one retailer.. Budding lute players may say they don't care if the body shape and barring is authentic but some have a string action which needs remedial work, as commonly remarked about on by lute teachers, makers and online lute shoppers. Conversions are then required costing more money to make a soundboard closer to the original barring, listen to a converted oud lute Watch an interview with the maker, who originally learnt how to make one at school, with help from teachers and a professional lute maker, inspiring the need for affordable lutes which are enjoyable to play and new audiences to enjoy.
Hire lutes are also available for beginners or musicians/composers to try out new instruments for as long as required, and explore the vast printed resources of tablature for many different types of lutes from renaissance to late baroque.
The student lutes are made with less ribs and materials that are slightly less expensive but this has minimal effect on reducing the overall cost, but the real cost reduction is made by a lower rate of pay while working on these instruments to help get you on the lute-ladder, usually such customers return to order more decorative instruments. Construction time isn't reduced too much, only by less ribs, simpler rose design (but still nice looking like the Hans Frei C34), and quick drying varnish.
It's important your first instrument does not put you off playing altogether so great care is taken over the 'set up' and attention to detail, suitably low action but not too low and adequate space for the plucking hand (right or left handed instruments are made) All wood is sourced from specialist suppliers of quality soundboards and quarter-sawn kiln dried woods and eco-friendly bog Oak is encouraged as a suitable black wood replacement for ebony
The most popular student lute is the Hans Frei C34 student lute in g' at 61 cm, there are some are some 'student lutes' made by oud making companies but these are not the same shape/design as the original instrument in the museum, thus likely not to be authentic construction inside too.
The Student Chitarrone was created to make the Chitarrone/Theorbo more accessable to existing lute players who desire to play continuo and solo without spending a small fortune. The cost has been reduced considerably by making the back out of 17 ribs rather than 51! Lutenist Alex McCartney ordered a student Chitarrone and a 10/11crs Frei after, here them at Veterum Musica. The rose is the same as the original however, a simpler one can be ordered, and the soundboard has a protective ebony edging as does the extended neck. The fingerboard has the usual student simple join without points. This instrument can be made as a folding theorbo as was the Sellas E547 Student theorbo in 2014.hear here!Oxford Graduate Lutenist/Scholar Richard MacKenzie was the first to order the folding theorbo as well as many of these student lutes, his first was a renaissance lute made in 2004, and heared in his ensemble Mascherata, also on Renaissance Fm click!
The smallest theorbo is based on a surviving soundboard by Pietro Railich is offered at the lowest possible price. Other instruments include a student Mandolino; Mandore/Gallichon; Archlute;Baroque guitar and Romantic guitar, if you are interested in ordering one of these then that may influence priority at when they will be made
The intention is to get more people playing by offering a wide variety of affordable, luthier-made, quality instruments so get playing!


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Category : General Advice
Tuesday, September 2. 2014
I often see young beautiful girls in my practice who are suffering from a disfiguring condition called "PCO". Most are not aware that they have PCO.
This condition can have a range of severities and manifest itself very differently in various patients. Signs and symptoms can be:
mild mid-cycle pain and
excessive bleeding or
very aggressive Acne
and excessive hair and a host of other hormonal problems.
I make sure to refer my patients to their GYN for hormonal workup and an Ultrasound exam.
Birth control pills are very helpful in resetting their endocrine system.
Aggressive acne is treated with topical and oral medications and excess hair is permanently removed using Diode laser hair removal (Ligh Sheer).


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Universal Brotherhood presents
[Religious/Puja]Universal Congregation
|Sunday, May 20 2018
|12:00-1:30 pm
|Community Room
2215 11th Avenue South
Minneapolis Minnesota 55404 [Map] [Directions]
Please email directions.
|God has blessed man with a human life and redemption of soul is only possible in this incarnation. Soul has to realize Super Soul for liberation from shackles of birth and death. But man does not value it and is indulging in violence. All this is due to ignorance of his real self. Ego is the greatest enemy of man and ignorance is its reason. Our real self is the soul, whether we are Christian, Sikh, Muslim or Hindu, black or white. The soul is a constituent of the Over Soul which is above all such distinctions. Since we are disunited from God, we are disunited from each other. For forging human unity, we have to be united with God. There are man-made differences based on religion, caste and races which have alienated man from man. These differences can be eliminated on realizing the Truth (Father God) that God has created all humans as equal and alike belonging to His vast family. The Holy Messengers never taught to hate anyone but to love and own all. When God dwells in all and permeates the whole universe there should be no alienation. Man has been created in the image of God and there is a divinity in each of us which needs to be kindled. It remains dormant for being devoid of truth and clouded by vices. Our real nature is 'Sat, chit, Ananda' (Truth, Consciousness & bliss). Oblivious of its true abode i.e. God Almighty the poor soul stands lost in rituals, when actually it craves for Ananda (bliss) alone, which it can attain only by being in communion with Parmananda (Supreme Bliss-God) otherwise it stays joyless with all material comforts and luxuries. We must constantly strive to realize our real nature that comes with God knowledge and Self- realization. On realizing his real self, man perceives himself in others and begins to love his fellow men. As God is love and ultimate source of virtues man has to be an embodiment of love reflecting human virtues. Holy beings taught man how to conduct himself as a true human. The Sant Nirankari Mission popularly known as Universal Brotherhood emphasizes that Formless Almighty God can be known and the soul can be aligned with the Super Soul by the benevolence of True Master, Satguru Mata Savinder Hardev Ji Maharaj. By imparting knowledge and realization of God, the Mission is fulfilling the vital lacuna in God's worship of laying whole stress on the '"names" without realizing the "named" the real entity behind the "names. The need of the hour is that no time should be lost in finding a True Master or a God-realized personage who can establish a holy communion. To know more about the Mission you are cordially invited to join a spiritual congregation of enlightened beings on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm at 1515 Park Avenue south Minneapolis, MN 55404.For any question or concern please contact the undersigned or Rev. Anoop Kumar at 612-987-6216. Thanks. Humbly, Rajinder Arora 612-987-1028
Important Note from Localfiles: Though we try our best to provide accurate information, we urge you to check details before attending an event. Localfiles is not responsible for any changes or cancellations of the events.
|Modify | Delete | Report a problem with this entry | Go Back | Last Updated: 05/15/18


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It's almost Thanksgiving and soon families across the country will be gathering around tables piled high with ungodly amounts of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie.
Thanksgiving is meant to be a joyful holiday spent with family, friends, and those we love, but things don't always go as planned.
Sometimes Uncle John shows up with a black eye, or Aunt Sue chokes on a turkey bone. There are all sorts of family dynamics to navigate and topics of conversation to avoid at the dinner table. And there's Cousin Maude's sweet potato casserole that everyone hates, but must be consumed because, well, Maude, is a sensitive woman and you don't want her crying at the table.
Yes, Thanksgiving is wonderful but it can also be downright uncomfortable—and the folks at the wildly popular site Awkward Family Photos have put together a collection of photos that celebrates the awkwardness of it all.
Looking for a holiday gift for that pet lover? Wrap up a copy of the new book Awkward Family Pet Photos, a hilarious tribute to the unbreakable and sometimes uncomfortable bond between people and their pets.


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Intelligent Design Peer-ReviewedQUESTION: Are there any intelligent design peer-reviewed publications?
In the early years of the intelligent design movement, its detractors claimed a lack of publication was evidence of the theory's poor scientific value. Especially important to those who oppose the movement was the lack of intelligent design peer-reviewed publications. It was often claimed that this was the best proof that the scientific community did not accept the intelligent design movement (also known as "ID") as real science.
Most books and magazines review and edit the material printed, but do not necessarily have experts in the topic critique it. Peer-reviewed publications, however, are read thoroughly by qualified experts in the topical field, and those experts can choose to approve or reject the work for publication. When a paper or thesis is published by a peer-reviewed process, it bears at least a superficial mark of approval. It is a sign that the reviewers, who have knowledge of the subject, find nothing overtly incorrect, improper, or illogical in the work.
Recently, however, there have been several intelligent design peer-reviewed articles and studies published. A good number of these have been published in lesser-known or less prestigious circles, and quite a few have been published by overtly pro-design groups. Still, intelligent design peer-reviewed work is beginning to appear in more respected and established publications. A recent example, published in the "Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington," caused a controversy that demonstrated considerable hypocrisy.
The article is titled "The Origin of Biological Information and the Higher Taxonomic Categories." The conclusion of the article, in brief, is that design explains things that natural selection cannot. Proceedings is a peer-reviewed publication. According to the then-editor, the three reviewers were all faculty members of respected universities and research institutions. The editor also stated that, while the reviewers did not agree with the conclusions, they found nothing scientifically invalid in the reasoning.
This example of an intelligent design peer-reviewed article was not embraced by the naturalistic crowd, but condemned. Proceedings was attacked for publishing an article of "substandard science." Pro-evolutionists once claimed that a lack of intelligent design peer-reviewed work was due to a lack of credibility. Once such articles are published, however, they seem to question the entire peer-review process. Essentially, those who are entrenched into naturalistic thinking will only support peer review if it agrees with them. Many in the scientific community have made a plea for rational thinking, saying that no theory should be beyond questioning and any logical arguments must be considered. These pleas have mostly fallen on deaf ears.
Intelligent design peer-reviewed publications are difficult to find. However, they do exist and are gradually becoming more common. The resistance should not be mistaken, however. When controversial new ideas are put forward in science, the intellectual community tends to react with anger and stubbornness, regardless of the quality of the research. This is known as "opposition to new paradigms." As with other controversies, this opposition has been fed by political fires. Evolutionists are quick to label those who produce intelligent design peer-reviewed literature as "creationists," "religious nuts," or "pretend scientists." The fact that intelligent design uses entirely natural and secular arguments does nothing to deter evolutionists from using these labels. This type of rhetoric causes scientists and laymen alike to form opinions about the intelligent design movement long before they know anything about it.
Intelligent design peer-reviewed publications are becoming more common. There are many objective studies that have been done which point towards design theory. Scientists are beginning to admit that they often interpret data assuming that an established theory is true, and assume other results are in error. Once they look at them without that assumption, they often see supporting evidence for something else. Many pro-ID works have been referenced in other publications, usually positively. It may take time for the paradigm to shift, but eventually evolutionists will have to stop being angry at the conclusions and face up to the science behind them.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? - We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.
What is your response?
Yes, today I am deciding to follow Jesus
Yes, I am already a follower of Jesus
I still have questions
What is your response?
Yes, today I am deciding to follow Jesus
Yes, I am already a follower of Jesus
I still have questions


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Working Paper No. 857
Published: January 2, 2011, revised February 22, March 2, May 20, August 11 and August 19, 2011Pages: 41Keywords: Corporate control; Corporate governance; Corporatism; Entrepreneurship; Ownership policy; Ownership structure; Swedish modelJEL-codes: M13; N24; O38; P16
Published version
The Swedish Corporate Control Model: Convergence, Persistence or Decline?
Magnus Henrekson and Ulf Jakobsson
This paper explores the effects of deregulation and globalization on the dominant mode of corporate governance in Swedish public firms. The effects are multidimensional—the direction of change in corporate governance cannot be determined by simply examining whether a convergence towards the Anglo-Saxon model is occurring. Dispersed ownership with management control has not proven to be a viable model of corporate governance for Swedish listed companies. Instead, the control models with the most rapid growth in the most recent decades are found outside the stock market, notably private equity and foreign ownership. After a major revival of the Swedish stock market its importance for the Swedish economy is again in decline. Instead of adjustments in pertinent institutions and practices to ensure effectiveness of the corporate governance of Swedish public firms under these new conditions, a great deal of endogenous adjustment of the ownership structure has taken place.
Ph: +46 (0)8 665 firstname.lastname@example.com
Elgar Companion to
Martin Ljunge, IFN, is the author of a chapter, "Trust promotes health: addressing reverse causality by studying children of immigrants", in a new book edited by Sherman Folland and Eric Nauenberg. The cutting edge of research is presented, covering the ever-expanding social capital field.
About the book
To present ongoing research informal brown-bag seminars are held on Mondays at 11:30 am. This is an opportunity for IFN researchers to test ideas and results.
Academically oriented seminars are most of the time held on Wednesdays at 10 am. At these events researchers from IFN and other institutions present their research.
In addition, IFN organizes seminars open to the public. Topics for these are derived from the IFN research.
Research Institute of Industrial Economics, Grevgatan 34 - 2 fl, Box 55665, SE-102 15 Stockholm, Sweden | Phone: +46-(0)8-665 45 00 | firstname.lastname@example.com


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Biography of Aung San Suu Kyi:
Aung San Suu Kyi AC born 19 June 1945 in Rangoon is a pro-democracy activist and leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma. She is a noted prisoner of conscience and advocate of nonviolent resistance. Recently she was released by the Burmese military and now campaigns for the National League for Democracy in Burma.
"It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it." – Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi was the third child in her family. Her name is derived from three relatives; "Aung San" from her father, "Kyi" from her mother and "Suu" from her grandmother. Suu Kyi won the Rafto Prize and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. In 1992 she was awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru peace prize by the Government of India for her peaceful and non-violent struggle under a military dictatorship. She is currently under detention, with the Burmese junta repeatedly extending her detention. According to the results of the 1990 general election, Suu Kyi earned the right to be Prime Minister, as leader of the winning National League for Democracy party, but her detention by the military junta prevented her from assuming that role.
"We have faith in the power to change what needs to be changed but we are under no illusion that the transition from dictatorship to liberal democracy will be easy, or that democratic government will mean the end of all our problems."
She is frequently called Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; Daw is not part of her name, but an honorific similar to madam for older, revered women, literally meaning "aunt". Strictly speaking, her given name is equivalent to her full name, but it is acceptable to refer to her as "Ms. Suu Kyi" or Dr. Suu Kyi, since those syllables serve to distinguish her from her father, General Aung San, who is considered to be the father of modern-day Burma. The U2 album All That You Can't Leave Behind was banned in Burma because one of the songs (Walk On) was written about her struggle and how, even when the government threatened her, she "walked on" the other way.
In 2012, she was released from house arrest and has travelled around the world speaking up for democracy in Burma. In the summer of 2012, she received an honorary doctorate from Oxford University. (Aung San Suu Kyi studied PPE at St Hugh's College, Oxford University)


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Saturday, October 18, 2008
Gizmo socks!
Here are some of the socks that I purchased at the expo today!! I love Gizmo socks!!! They are made with Cool Max, so can be used as performance socks... but, I just like to wear them! They make me smile!
The Detroit Free Press folks decided to get rid of the usual champion chip this year. We are now going to be using a disposable chip. I hope that the champion chip will not be obsolete as I received my own personal chip for Xmas last year.
I should head off to bed so that I will be well rested for tomorrow! I dislike getting up early for races... maybe races should start around noonish?
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Surprise, Surprise
Posted in Daily Focus on Wednesday, February 12, 2014
"And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power" (Ephesians 1:19).
One thing you know for sure as a homeschooling parent is that you can never be sure what your children are going to say or do. Every day holds a surprise or two that makes teaching your children anything but boring. At least, that's what I reminded myself as I walked into my son's room one day. Always the practical joker, my son had made a look-a-like mannequin with his clothes and placed it in the middle of his bed. With the mannequin's back facing the door, I thought it was really my son sitting on his bed studying until I touched its body and the head rolled off the bed. If someone had visited our home and walked in the door at that moment, he would have heard me scream and thought our homeschooling family was crazy. For me, it was just another day of laughing with my children and enjoying their creative imaginations.
As a Christian, walking with the Lord is never boring either. The disciples discovered that fact as they followed Jesus on Earth. They saw Christ control the wind, heal the diseased and lame, feed the multitudes, and even bring people back to life from the dead. The disciples learned that Jesus was capable of anything, and they were continually surprised at His unlimited, mighty power.
What surprises does God have for your family today? He knows the homeschooling day that lies ahead and has already orchestrated divine encounters and blessings just for you. Your challenge is seeking His wisdom and obediently leading your children into that divine plan. What an awesome adventure you'll experience as you learn to expectantly follow the Lord! "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).
Father, You are life itself, and without You there is no meaning or purpose. Thank You for the many surprise blessings You give each day that reveal what a loving God You are. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(2 comments)
Each day these devotions really hit home for me. I am a homeschooling mother of five with one one the way. Homeschooling isn't often seen as a good thing here in the North East but Daily Focus reminds me that God doesn't see things as others do. Daily I press on for the mark of the High calling. These devotionals, with a focus on the Homeschooling family certainly help encourage me to keep my focus on the Lord. May we not grow weary in well Doing!.
AMEN. Thank you Jesus for ALL of our Blessings!


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The political pitfalls of trade agreements
Excerpted from a speech presented to the American Agricultural Economic Association annual meetings, August 1993.
Published October 1, 1993 | October 1993 issue
Excerpted from a speech presented to the American Agricultural Economic Association annual meetings, August 1993.
The primary message I would like to leave with you is that these are perilous and risky days in international trade and trade policy. All around the world, more open markets are threatened by political and economic instability.
In Europe, a deep recession continues. The collapse of the European currency relationships reflects the weakness of the French, British and Italian governments, and the European Community's (EC) unwillingness to grant market access to the sputtering regimes in Eastern Europe is a mirror image of its callous disregard for the atrocities in Bosnia. In the Far East, Japan's LDP party is crumbling, and its economy is still in a deflationary phase.
In Latin America, the newly emerging export oriented states of Chile, Argentina and Brazil await the outcome of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), seeking a signal over whether the United States will behave toward it as Western Europe has behaved toward the East, denying market access, and with it, growth. ...
Political survival in a small, flat, unhappy place: the congressional district
The importance of trade to the global, and thus the American, economy is not news, but politicians in the largest trading nation in the world periodically forget this news and its role in job creation. The level of understanding is reflected in the following, widely held fallacy: "Trade is good; imports are bad," a view held especially in the U.S. Congress.
This can be explained by the congressional world view. In many ways, members of Congress view the world as small and flat and full of unhappiness. The boundaries of most immediate relevance run to the end of their district or, for senators, their state. At the point where their voters become somebody else's, the world stops. That which is of concern to their district constituents is of concern to them. The "national interest" and "international affairs," while often speechified about, are essentially secondary. This adds up to the old adage that "all politics is local."
In my short stints working for and with the Congress, I have also observed a second general rule of political survival. On any issue the political survivor asks two questions in strict order. First: "who gets hurt or is made unhappy as a result of this action?" Second, and only second, "who gets helped?" This has been summarized aptly as "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Putting this together with the local focus I mentioned and you get two fundamental theorems of political survival analogous to the two fundamental theorems of welfare economics.
1st Theorem of Political Survival: Serve all unhappy constituent groups first if you want to save your seat.
2nd Theorem: An unhappy constituent group can be made less unhappy with appropriate transfers from outside the district.
The first theorem is the "local politics" theorem; the second might be called the "disaster relief," or "supporting" theorem. Proofs are discussed below.
Enter trade in the macroeconomy
Trade, in this context, is good or bad depending on whether it hurts or makes unhappy any constituents. Under Theorem 1, the successful politician will attend first to these "losers," as economists indelicately call them. If trade helps some constituents even more than it hurts, this is good, but still secondary to dealing with the hurt. The political proof is simple: A voter helped by trade will be thankful and might vote for its advocate; but it is difficult for a member of Congress to take full credit for the trade that made them happy.
However, a voter hurt by trade (he who loses his job) is much more likely, if not certain, to vote against an advocate of more open trade. This might not seem like a tight proof, but it's good enough for most politicians when losers from trade show up in their districts, and leads directly to the "trade is good, imports are bad" fallacy.
The first theorem is very bad news for advocates of trade liberalization if the process leads to losers. Paradoxically, this is especially true if these losers are distributed widely. In fact, it would be preferable to have them concentrated in a single congressional district.
The second theorem is a possible reprieve. If enough transfers can be brought to the unhappy losers, then a member of Congress can describe himself as a "disaster reliever." However, even the second theorem can turn ugly if relief is spelled protection. Protection of a local industry is also a form of transfer from outside the district, primarily from consumers to the protected industry in question.
In short, U.S. politics makes for rough sledding for advocates of trade liberalization. However, the huge U.S. budget deficit creates an argument for expanded trade as one of the only "ways out" for politicians seeking a program of job creation. [At this moment during his speech, Runge displayed charts that showed, among other things, that U.S. exports and imports have grown over the past decade.] Some estimates suggest that without export growth, the recent (and perhaps continuing) recession would have been almost twice as deep.
This export growth suggests (to me) that trade growth has made many fewer people unhappy than happy: They have kept their jobs. Trade has also created a pool of resources which can be transferred to "losers." Moreover, in a certain sense trade growth leads to market-based transfers to the U.S. economy from the rest of the world, outside of anyone's congressional district. So an argument can be made for liberalization which is not entirely incompatible with the two theorems of political survival, especially if budget deficits foreclose other types of transfer spending.
Let me now relate these comments to the two most important theaters of trade policy: NAFTA and GATT.
NAFTA: The State of Play
Will NAFTA cost the United States jobs?
The response to this question is based on numerous estimates of the employment impacts of NAFTA in different sectors, which have been reinforced by a recent Congressional Budget Office study. First, because the U.S. economy is very large in comparison with Mexico's (with national income roughly 25 times as great), the impact of tariff reductions under NAFTA on the United States will be positive but small relative to Mexico.
A second general finding is that NAFTA will contribute to a process of North American trade growth that is already under way and to which the current government of Mexico is committed; to the extent that Mexico grows more rapidly and dynamically under NAFTA, its role as an importer of U.S. exports, and generator of future U.S. jobs, will grow accordingly.
Third, NAFTA's impacts on wage levels in Mexico will be positive, while those in the United States are barely (although positively) affected. A 1992 University of Michigan study concludes that "the narrowing of the wage gap is not accomplished at the expense of U.S. workers." Not too much unhappiness, despite wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Fourth, the impacts of trade expansion with Mexico will be positively related to employment growth not only in multinational companies but in smaller U.S. businesses which have accounted for most job gains since 1988. In agriculture, the major beneficiaries will be corn, soybeans and oilseeds such as sunflowers, wheat, pork, poultry and beef, and dairy products such as cheese and butter. Even in the sugar industry, it is possible that Mexico will remain a sizable net importer.
What impacts will NAFTA have on environmental and labor standards, and on environmental quality and working conditions on both sides of the border?
This largely depends on how certain side-agreements, currently under negotiation, are developed to confront the serious environmental and labor issues that NAFTA poses. While the side-agreements will determine the outcome, it is clear that without them, NAFTA will face significant opposition. And if NAFTA fails, not only will the United States and Mexico forego employment gains, it will be much less likely that Mexico will make progress on environmental and labor issues.
Most of the criticisms of NAFTA on environmental grounds project that it will make existing environmental problems worse. Yet without NAFTA, it is doubtful that these problems would have received the attention they have, or that Mexico and the United States would have committed themselves to environmental improvements. In this sense, while NAFTA may lead to trade patterns with negative environmental effects, it also has created an opportunity to influence Mexico's environmental policies, and to address these effects more openly than ever before. And if it succeeds in generating economic and income growth of the sort projected in Mexico, it can help create the wherewithal to expand remedial environmental efforts.
It is noteworthy that one of the sectors in which small U.S. companies are leading global competitors is in environmental technologies, such as wastewater treatment. To the extent that an environmental side-agreement to NAFTA encourages further diffusion of these technologies, the United States will be a beneficiary.
Ironically, if NAFTA is defeated (on environmental or other grounds), a major opportunity for environmental improvements may have been lost. Environmental opponents of NAFTA, if they persist in urging its defeat rather than marshaling support for additional safeguards, will thus lose an important lever for change. The recent ruling in favor of an environmental impact assessment (EIS), in my view, is aimed at defeating NAFTA more than at protecting the environment.
Change is clearly necessary. Existing environmental problems in the border region are especially grave in the maquiladora industries where both government and industry have made insufficient investments in water treatment and hazardous waste disposal facilities. In addition to concerns of a Mexican pollution haven, other environmental issues have arisen as NAFTA was negotiated. These include pesticide residues on imported crops and increased levels of air pollution and more toxic spills due to higher levels of traffic.
... Labor standards are the subject of the second side-agreement negotiations. Organized labor has maintained that NAFTA will create incentives for manufacturing to move where wages are lower. Like environmental issues, the labor side-agreement has come to the fore largely because of the NAFTA discussions.
The results of a University of Michigan study suggest that rather than creating additional downward pressure on U.S. wages, the primary impact of NAFTA will be to raise Mexican wages, perhaps by as much as 9 percent, without lowering those in the United States. This will reduce the incentive of U.S. firms to seek lower wage levels by relocating to Mexico. A labor side-agreement, like its environmental counterpart, can help to raise occupational, health and safety standards to U.S. levels, and compel U.S. firms to adopt similar standards in both countries. But neither process is likely without the opportunities and incentives created by NAFTA.
What are the risks of "import surges" under the current agreement, especially for sugar producers, and can safeguards be developed which continue to protect the sugar industry?
The third side-agreement under discussion revolves around possible increases in imports from Mexico in commodities currently protected at the border. The most important is sugar.
Currently, Mexican sugar consumption outpaces production, ranking among the highest levels in the world, at 102 pounds per capita. Population growth and economic recovery have shifted Mexico from net exporter to major net importer status, with a large share of imports coming from the United States as refined sugar under the U.S. re-export program, which allows U.S. refiners to import world market sugar and re-export the refined product. Total U.S. sugar exports to Mexico (including both beet and cane) were 219,000 metric tons in 1991, 38 percent of total U.S. exports. Total U.S. imports from Mexico were 7,800 metric tons, less than 1 percent of total U.S. imports of 1.613 million tons, which are restricted under tariff rate quotas.
The concern of the U.S. sugar industry is that new investment in Mexican sugar production, together with imports of high-fructose-corn-syrup (HFCS) for use in food processing (especially soft drinks), will free up sugar for export to the United States. It is held that U.S. producers will be inadequately protected under NAFTA from such import surges if and when Mexico reverts to net exporter status because of provisions granting market access for sugar to the United States after six years.
These fears are reinforced by excess production of sugar in the United States in response to government subsidies. In the 1993 crop year, beginning Oct. 1, 1992, sugar beet production is up 12 percent. This is the reason that the sugar industry has requested an additional side-agreement to safeguard it from such surges. While such surges are hypothetically possible, a study tour conducted by the American Farm Bureau concluded that "Scenarios can be developed in which Mexico has sizable exports, but there are equally plausible scenarios that leave Mexico a major net importer of sugar."
What if NAFTA fails?
Much of the debate over NAFTA focuses on the impacts if it passes (with or without side-agreements). Relatively little attention has been given to the opposite question: What if NAFTA fails? Four possible impacts deserve careful consideration.
First, because the impacts of NAFTA are proportionately much greater for Mexico than for the United States and Minnesota, failure will also bear much more heavily on the Mexican economy and people. The consequences of failure will be counterproductive not only for economic growth and development in Mexico, but in Latin America generally. ...
Second, these job and income losses will contribute to greater political and economic instability in Mexico and Latin America, which will in turn provoke additional illegal migration of Mexican and Latin workers to U.S. markets. Half of the population of Mexico is 20 years of age or younger.
Third, NAFTA failure will almost certainly end U.S. interest in environmental problems in Mexico; even if an interest persists, both the leverage and the wherewithal to confront these problems will have been lost. ...
Fourth, labor standards are unlikely to be addressed either; since wages in Mexico will remain depressed, the incentive to move factories south to Mexico will continue and could even accelerate, since the narrowing of the wage gap predicted under NAFTA will not occur.
Given these consequences of failure, the package of the NAFTA already concluded and the side-agreements being negotiated are more attractive than the alternative of a failed agreement.
GATT: The State of Play
What would a GATT deal contain?
First there are market-opening measures like tariff concessions, the traditional business of the GATT. Second, there are agreements which seek to strengthen the rules of the GATT. Into this category can be put stronger anti-dumping and subsidies rules but also trade in textiles —which has been subject to a negotiated market-sharing arrangement in the GATT for the past 20 years—and trade in agriculture which has been subject to loose and partly ineffective GATT rules.
The third element in the package are agreements on new sectors of economic activity not previously covered by GATT—notably, trade in services and trade-related aspects of intellectual property protection. Finally, there are understandings on institutional matters; in particular, improvements to the dispute-settlement system and the establishment of a new multilateral trade organization.
... Finally, as everyone knows, the ultimate solution in GATT is a political one, and will require political will. This returns me to my original emphasis on political survival, and the two theorems that drive our own system. But, as I have suggested, there are still ways to win the day politically, if NAFTA and GATT are shown to be means to an end: that end is job creation, and the transfer of resources to the largest trading economy in the world. That economy is ours.
Runge is professor, Center for International Food and Agricultural Policy, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota.
Philip Vande Kamp provided research assistance.


text: Van Halen is a hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California in 1972. They enjoyed success from the release of their self titled debut album in 1978. As of 2007 Van Halen has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide and have had the most number one hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. During the 1980s they also had more Billboard Hot 100 hits than any other hard rock or heavy metal band. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Van Halen is the 20th best selling band/artist of all time with sales of over 56 million albums in the USA and is one of five rock bands that have had two albums sell more than 10 million copies in the USA. In 2008 they became one of the best paid acts in the world.[citation needed]


text:
By DON AINES
Staff Writer, Chambersburg
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - An increase in crime and a growing disparity in caseloads has prompted a study to determine if more magisterial districts are need in Franklin County, Pa.
John R. Walker, president judge of the 39th District of the Court of Common Pleas, instructed Court Administrator William Sheaffer to gather statistics about caseloads and populations in Franklin County's six districts earlier this year.
"Our effort is to have as much parity as we can," Sheaffer said Thursday. He said the study is in its early stages and no recommendations have been made to the judge.


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"I believe in a new kind of luxury for shoes, where chic and elegance have equal power to form and function," says Paul Andrew. True to the designer's words, these 'Rhea' flats have a timeless pointed toe and low heel for subtle lift. They have been handmade in Italy from soft black suede and are held secure by an elasticated slingback strap.
Shown here with: Mother Jeans, Reformation Dress, The Row Camisole, Mansur Gavriel Clutch, Kenneth Jay Lane Earrings, Maria Black Ring.
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text:
Actor Sean Penn has been charged with criminal battery and vandalism following a violent run-in with a paparazzo.
Penn was captured on video attacking the unnamed photographer, who was following him in Brentwood, California, October 2009. It was later broadcast on the website TMZ.com.
During the scuffle, the snapper's camera was damaged.
Penn was officially charged with the two misdemeanor counts on Friday, February 19. He faces 18 months behind bars if convicted.
The actor will be arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court on March 22.
It's not the first time Penn has been reprimanded for his violent outbursts – the 49-year-old Oscar winner was sentenced to 60 days in jail for punching a movie extra on the set of the police drama "Colors" in 1987. He was on probation at the time for punching a songwriter at a Los Angeles club.


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The Daryl and Audrey Erdman Prize honors Luther students who create, develop, and manage a successful entrepreneurial enterprise. The competition is open to all full-time Luther students regardless of major.
This year, the grand prize will be a $5000 scholarship and there will be two runner-up scholarships granted for $2500 each. See the application below for more information.


text:
For four years, Jack McBride ran the offense, scored goals, and absorbed stick checks as an attackman at Princeton. But this season, he has exchanged his black and orange jersey for the powder-blue uniforms given by North Carolina.
And with the No. 12 Tar Heels scheduled to meet the No. 20 Tigers at the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classicat M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, McBride will meet his former Princeton teammates as opponents. And he's not expecting a warm reception.
"To be honest, if anything, I think it's going to be the opposite," he said Thursday morning. "I think it's going to be a pretty heated environment. I know the kids on that team, I know the captains of that team, and I just know the competitive spirits of those guys. They need the win and we need the win. It's just going to be added emotion and fuel to fire."
McBride's senior year with the Tigers ended after just two games because of a groin injury. McBride graduated later that spring, and by Ivy League rules, he could not return to Princeton. So he elected to join North Carolina.
His former coach, Chris Bates, said everyone on the team understood McBride's dilemma.
"Jack was a big part of this program and a big personality," Bates said. "He had that decision to make, and we respected it. It was unique. He couldn't graduate and come back to Princeton. In terms of how we deal with it, it's a little bit of a subplot because it should be. He was somebody who was an important part of this program, but at the end of the day, it's Princeton vs. North Carolina and both teams are looking for a win. So that will take a backseat to what goes on ultimately at 11 a.m. on Saturday."
McBride has posted five goals and one assist in five contests (three starts) with the Tar Heels. But he acknowledged that he is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces on the field Saturday.
"It'll be fun. I still have some great friends on the other side, and it'll be pretty funny considering I used to wear that jersey and I was there for four years and I have a lot of good memories there," McBride said. "At the same time, I'm really enjoying my time at UNC. When we walk onto the field and I see them warming up for the first time, I'm sure it'll be a little weird, but when the game starts, we need this game really badly. So to be honest, it'll just be more motivation to try to get this win and end this losing streak right now."


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All the games will be played on 3G artificial grass pitches, so trainers and/or football boots are sufficient and shin pads are required/ No metal studs. If any participants entering the Easter Tournament have any medical restrictions could you please let us know prior to the competition?
Please ensure completed forms before 5pm on Friday 23rd March to guarantee a place.
Payment for the tournament can be made over the phone by calling 01642 282128 or please make cheques payable to MFC Foundation and post to Alex Dore, MFC Foundation, Herlingshaw Centre, South Bank, TS69AE.
If you require any further details or have any questions please contact Alex on 01642 282128.
We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your applications!
Full Schedule can be found here


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|03 Sep 2012
Windows 7 installer unable to create/locate new system partition
I have been trying to install windows 7 on my hd and initially started with ubuntu on partition 1 then resized partition to leave unallocated space for windows 7.
Now I am installing windows 7 from cd and can't get past 'where do you want to install Windows' page because of error stated in title.
I've tried having unallocated space, a ntfs partition, and now have completely wiped the hd of ubuntu's partitions to clean install windows 7. None of the attempts have gotten me past the location of install page.
What can I do to get windows 7?
|My System Specs
|03 Sep 2012
Hello rdevoe, welcome to Seven Forums!
Have you done a real wipe or did you just format Grub.
It is also very useful before starting the Windows installation process to correct for disk format errors of many kinds, to include over-writing the Linux / Grub boot loader, that is known to cause serious issues when installing Windows to a HDD / SSD that has had Grub as a loader in the past; also to correct installation errors when clean installing Windows 7 to a space that originally contained Windows XP.
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
|My System Specs
|03 Sep 2012
I cleaned the hd, that is all I have done. How do you completely override the linux boot loader besides the clean command?
|My System Specs
|03 Sep 2012
Clean command is sufficient.
Do you have an EFI BIOS? It requires special installation steps if you don't remove the EFI Boot Disk from BIOS Boot order and enable Legacy BIOS if it's an avaialable choice.
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums
If not then wipe again and format an NTFS Primary partition to mark Active following step 2.2 in SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation.
Is there a newer BIOS update? If not reset the BIOS to defaults, set SATA controller to AHCI, HD first to boot, trigger installer using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key. Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS
Where did you get Win7? How is the disk burned and how is it to be activated?
|My System Specs
|04 Sep 2012
In some instances simply using the clean only is not sufficient to over-write the Grub loader you must use the clean all command instead, have a look at Step One of this tutorial for information on the process.
SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
|My System Specs
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Hi all. I know this is a 'common' problem. I've just spend the last 3 hours scouring web sites on this issue, but the solutions suggested so far haven't worked, or it may be that the one thing I'm leaving out is actually required. I have the Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit Upgrade. I also have a GRUB...
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Last night after 8 hours of toil, I finally completed a clean install using a usb drive on my asus ux32vd using the brand new SSD drive I had just bought. The reason it took so long was I kept getting this error -> "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system...
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text: Some **** on an underground train took my 40GB iPod Photo. Not impressed at all. Was with the girlfriend at the time so i must have been caught off-guard. ****. Need to call the insurance company (who'll probably try get off covering me when i know Im covered) and tell me they'll give me a 5G 30GB iPod. Problem is, I need more than 30GB and, the 5G iPod's don't do FireWire. Boy am I ****ed off. Furthermore, my Grandfather passed away from a Stroke in Iraq. Not having a good weekend. On top of that, the repair job on my car (when a truck went into the back of me) is a pile of *****. Need to call the same insurance company and have a rant. This during my final year of University with Job applications, assignments and my final year project. Not having a good year. No wonder my hair's falling out!


text:
We are ALL excited around here...We are getting ready to learn about Naaman. I love this story for so many reasons.
We will focus on the HISTORY of this story. The facts that Elisha, GOD'S prophet, was performing miracles. We will look at how Naaman refused to do something so simple...because, he wanted something more dramatic. We will then talk about the need to OBEY ALL of GOD'S COMMANDS...no matter how "STRANGE" we might think the commands are.
I wanted a "different" type of VISUAL AID for this story...So, I decided to make a "PUPPET STAGE" of a sort. I used an old shoe box. I just cut a slot in the top...so that I can move the people around as I tell the story.
I used clip art from the cool clip collection. I did manipulate a few of them...cutting out things I did not need...attaching heads to different bodies...a copier works magic for this...LOTS of clipping and cutting...but, it works. I glued them to craft sticks/tongue depressors so that I have a "handle" to move them around with.
I think this will be a FUN way of telling this story.
I know the KIDDOS will love having the ability to move these people around inside the "STAGE."
I felt Isaiah 55:9 would make a wonderful Memory Verse to be used with this lesson. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." We will sing this verse to the tune: "If you're happy and you know it..."
We will add this word to our Word Wall. I want the KIDDOS to know how BAD LEPROSY is and since we do not hear much about LEPROSY (except in Bible Lessons) I wanted to make sure they understand that it was a HORRIBLE disease.
I had a bunch of these FRY CUPS...so, I decided to use them....because, they were FREE!!!! I copied the WAVES onto blue cardstock. The blue water will be painted with the pudding. I like painting MUD out of pudding. It makes the MUD look without completely covering up the original color of the BLUE PAPER. (I used this method of painting MUD when I taught the story of the PRODIGAL SON...and the KIDDOS LOVED painting with the pudding. And is smells better than paint.) I just add a little bit of pudding mix and water...GREAT for finger painting. Then each of the KIDDOS will color their own NAMMAN. On one side he has leprosy....on the other side he does NOT have leprosy. This will enable the KIDDOS to be able to dip him SEVEN times and give their stick a twist and he will be cleansed!!
I used an exacto knife to cut a slit in the bottom of the fry cup so, the KIDDOS can slip their Naaman down into the "water."
We will also be singing a song abour the story of Naaman. I like singing songs that go along with the lesson....In my opinion it reinforces the story and helps the KIDDOS remember the lesson.
As a review game we will be DIPPING Naaman Seven times in the "River Jordan." Each of the "waves" is a thin pocket...This took me a bit to figure out how to make..but, I love how it turned out!!!
I laminated a small Naaman....that will move up the river as he is dipped. The KIDDOS will get to dip Naaman---by answering questions from the lesson. I have strategically place a "cleaned" Naaman inside the last wave/pocket. I will make sure to pull him out after the last dip.
When Naaman obeyed HE WAS CLEAN!!!!
Next week the KIDDOS will be making this project. They will color the "River Jordan," color the two sided Naaman and then place him in the slot....then then can dip him seven times.
I realize the KIDDOS activities are similar to each other...BUT, they seem to WORK BEST for this lesson.
I am excited about this lesson...I have always LOVED the story of Naaman. I am praying that the children get the AWE effect...after all, Naaman was CLEANSED of his DEATH SENTENCE....and we can be too!!!! All Naaman had to do was OBEY GOD...and ALL we have to do is OBEY GOD!!!


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The Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 ("the Act") provides that the Legal Aid Board ("the Board") may establish and maintain a panel of solicitors who are willing to provide legal aid and advice to persons who are in receipt of legal services. The Board has maintains a panel of solicitors on a pilot basis who are willing to provide services to persons who have been granted a legal aid certificate by the Board for the purpose of advice and representation in relation to certain cases on foot of the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended). The panel is to be known as the "Pilot Child Care Panel". The pilot is operative in Co Donegal and is now being extended to include cases in the Counties of Wexford and Dublin.
The Pilot Child Care Panel is operative in Co. Donegal, Wexford and Dublin.
There are no plans at present to extend the panel to cover other areas. However, the matter is kept under review and if and when new applications are being accepted the website will be updated accordingly to this effect.
In limited circumstances a solicitor may deem it necessary to engage Counsel to carry out some of the work. Where this is the case the Board will not be liable for Counsel's fees unless the solicitor first seeks, and receives, authorisation from the Board to engage Counsel
The Scheme shall apply in relation to persons who have been granted legal aid certificates issued for by the Board for representation in the District Court for certain cases on foot of the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended). If a legally aided client wishes to appeal the District Court Order to the Circuit Court, an application for an amendment to the certificate may be made to the Private Practitioner Unit.
Persons seeking legal services make their applications at law centres. In the event that an applicant is granted a legal aid certificate for a child care matter the Board may refer the person to the Pilot Child Care Panel to select a solicitor from the Pilot Child Care Panel to act on their behalf. Legal services cannot be provided under the Scheme without a valid legal aid certificate.
There shall be a standard scale of fees payable per case to solicitors/firms on the Pilot Child Care Panel for the provision of serivces.
The Claim Form shall be the document whereby the solicitor shall be entitled to claim the appropriate fee and any authorised outlay.


text:
Sindy apparel to hit the High Street
The licensing programme for doll brand Sindy is continuing to build, with Bulldog bringing on board Poetic Gem for a new apparel line.
The new deal comes hot on the heels of Diablo Skinz signing up to produce a range of Sindy-branded skins for mobile phones, laptops and tablets.
Bulldog is now looking to add to the programme further, targeting sectors that tie in with Sindy's position in the fashion world, such as perfume, accessories, jewellery and footwear.
"To have signed an apparel deal for a brand that has such a significant position in the fashion sector is the perfect licensing debut for Sindy," said Rob Corney, Bulldog MD. "With Diablo Skinz also coming on board this represents the beginning of what will be a significant programme."