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Many solar energy advocates are promoting the benefits of rooftop installations, but building owners should also be aware of the risks. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels transform a roof into a worksite that must support both the equipment and a retinue of personnel who operate and maintain it. If the roof is not in a condition to support this, building owners can end up losing a lot of money.
Solar PV systems are likely to perform as promised since the systems are highly engineered and are well-proven worldwide, but other considerations should be factored into any decision to install the equipment or lease out roof space to third parties. Prospective participants in programs like Ontario's feed-in tariff (FIT) shouldn't simply focus on the returns from a 20-year contract to sell electricity without considering other possible long-term repercussions.
Some disconcerting examples can already be found. One unsuspecting building owner signed a contract to lease rooftop space for a 5% share of the annual proceeds. That also included an agreement to take responsibility for the condition of the roof and to replace the roof if necessary during the lifetime of the 20-year contract.
Roofing experts estimate the existing roof could last seven to nine years under normal conditions, but added traffic from housing the solar PV system is likely to speed up that timetable. As a result, the building owner faces the prospects of an earlier and costlier roof replacement - requiring an investment of approximately $600,000 for a high quality roof capable of supporting the solar PV systems configuration, weight and associated traffic - for a promised return of $350,000 over 20 years.
Marketers are promising paybacks of seven to nine years on solar PV installations, but adding the cost of a new roof into the package will obviously change that schedule for a return on investment. Promises of an even speedier payback should be viewed skeptically, and owners are advised to take bids from more than one vendor before making a decision.
In leasing out rooftop space, building owners should think about and contractually stipulate which party holds responsibility for issues such as added stress on the roof system, possible additional costs and/or risks of performing maintenance in close proximity to electrical equipment, and liability if roofing work causes damage to the solar installation.
Building owners should be sure to address any proposed modifications and deviations from the manufacturer's standards prior to the installation to avoid nullifying warranties. They should also be aware that roof warranties typically exclude third party damage.
Consider, too, the potential cost and logistics of decommissioning systems after the FIT contract has expired. Will the system be taken down with the same care with which it was installed? What happens to the roof should damage occur? How much pedestrian traffic can a roof that has supported a PV solar system for 20 years handle?
Ideally, building owners should write the contract so that they would receive an upfront payment to replace the roof prior to the installation of the solar equipment. Roofs that are specifically designed to accommodate solar installations can also have other economic and environmental advantages. For example, white roofs with greater reflectivity can reduce summer cooling costs due to the added layer of insulation between the existing roof and the white roof membrane.
If an existing roof is less than five years old and properly installed with good craftsmanship, upfront replacement may not be necessary, but owners should still be proactive in protecting themselves. They should always obtain an inspection and roof assessment report before and after the PV system has been installed.
This article originally appeared in the November 2010 issue of Canadian Property Management, Vol. 25, No. 7


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I love this anti-matchy-matchy photo display from Pottery Barn. Great inspiration!
I have always wanted to fill a stairway with photos... I was just talking about this at my parents' house last week and then here you put up a fabulous picture!!! I always thought everything had to match (per Martha) but I really like the way this looks! (No more excuses now, eh?)
Posted by:
Bethany |
2008.01.01 at 02:13 PM
No excuses, B.
Posted by:
erinn |
2008.01.03 at 09:57 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
wife, mama, architect, designer, blogger, real estate agent, list maker...in west chester (PA) via philly and nyc

subset: commoncrawl


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What would we do without photos? I took so many photos on our recent 20-day road trip to NYC and New England! It will take me awhile to digital scrapbook all of our trip, but here are the three pages that I have completed so far. It was an amazing trip ... one that we prayed for, saved up vacation days and the funds for. And now, we love having the photos to remember our trip with!
The highlight of our trip was spending time with our son, Lance, in NYC! Each of our five days there was just amazing ... here is a page with photos from our first day there. We met up in Chinatown!
Another highlight was our time in New Hampshire. We tried to time our trip around the fall colors, and it turned out perfect. The leaves were simply gorgeous while we were there!
Note: Most of the page templates and digital products that I use are purchased from Digital Project Life. About seven years ago I switched from paper scrapbooking, and took some online lessons from Digital Scrapper to learn how to digital scrapbook using Photoshop Elements. You can also click here for some great tutorials on the Digital Project Life website - this is a quicker way to learn than the site that I used seven years ago. I recommend using these tutorials. Also, besides being able to share my completed pages online, I also print them out at home in 8x8 inch size to fit in the albums that I purchase from Michael's.


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Stand Your Ground changes should be adopted
A bipartisan bill introduced in the Florida Senate could give some meaning to the seemingly senseless death of Trayvon Martin.
State Sens. David Simmons, an Altamonte Springs Republican whose district includes a slice of southwest Volusia, and Chris Smith, a Democrat from Fort Lauderdale, have come forward with a proposed amendment to Florida's now-famous Stand Your Ground law. This bipartisan teamwork was sparked by the death of the unarmed teenager and the trial of the man who killed him, former neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman.
The bill, SB 130, has a provision stressing that law enforcement should fully investigate cases in which the one who used deadly force invokes "stand your ground" as a defense. Also, the bill would allow bystanders injured in a stand your ground incident to sue. Perhaps most important, the bill would require guidelines and training standards for neighborhood watch programs.
The bill was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, raising hopes that the Stand Your Ground law will be adjusted to reflect the risks of armed and untrained would-be law enforcers confronting people on the street.
The potentially dangerous business of protecting the citizenry should be left mainly to professional law enforcers. Citizens certainly have a role to play in looking out for crime and helping victims. Neighborhood watch programs can be an effective tool in fighting crime, but it's worrisome when armed, untrained volunteers take to the streets and try to imitate cops.
The vast majority of neighborhood watch volunteers don't go that far. But trouble can ensue if an armed volunteer, emboldened, perhaps, by Florida's relatively relaxed gun laws, sees himself as a protector as well as a watchman.
George Zimmerman was an eager and active watch volunteer. He also toted a pistol, utilizing the state's right-to-carry laws. When he ran into a pugnacious 17-year-old one night in Sanford, tragedy resulted.
Zimmerman used a straight self-defense argument — not a stand your ground defense — and was acquitted by a jury. However, the Stand Your Ground law figured prominently in the case as a result of Sanford police investigators' consideration of the law in deciding not to charge the volunteer crime watcher. This controversial decision underlined worries that the law is inhibiting police investigations of violent incidents in which one party claims he was legally standing his ground — that is, he was confronting the threat instead of retreating from it. The old law imposed a "duty to retreat" on those facing a threat outside their homes.
I'd be leery of a full return to the duty to retreat doctrine. But I think the law should encourage people to avoid resorting to violence if possible. In 2012, the Tampa Bay Times examined 200 stand your ground cases, and found that in almost a third of those cases, the defendant who initiated the fight was not charged. That calls into question the legitimacy of self-defense claims in many stand your ground cases.
The Simmons-Smith bill wouldn't fundamentally change the law. But it would change the tone of it, and send a signal to law enforcement and crime watch volunteers that stand your ground is not a broad cover for aggressive actions.
If there is no duty to retreat, there should be a legal duty to exercise great restraint, especially when you're armed. The Simmons-Smith bill moves the state in the direction of restraint on the streets, and that's a good thing.
There isn't anything funny about the science of public opinion polling. Pollsters track our views on everything from religion to bathroom cleaners, and they're usually scrupulous about playing it straight and getting an accurate view of public attitudes.
But there is one topic that has finally brought out the jester in the pollsters: Congress. The honorable senators and representatives have fallen so low in the public's esteem that even pollsters are mocking them.
Take my congressman — please! Ba-da-ding!
An outfit called Public Policy Polling recently asked registered voters whether they approved or disapproved of the job Congress is doing. A mere 8 percent said they approved. Democrats, Republicans and Independents were all close to unanimous agreement: Congress stinks.
Once the pollsters stopped giggling about that, they evidently decided to see whether ANYTHING has a lower approval rating than Congress.
How about witches? No, witches are more popular.
Hemorrhoids? Far more popular than Congress.
An acid test of unpopularity: Does the public like the DMV and the IRS more than Congress? Yes!
In fairness to Congress, it did top Charles Manson, Vladimir Putin and Miley Cyrus.
Miley Cyrus? The public may feel that Congress does a better job of "twerking" for special interests than Miley does for TV audiences.
Mac Thrower is the opinion page editor of The News-Journal. Email him at email@example.com


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Tech Talk – Which 7″ tablet is right for you?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
7″ tablets have stormed the market. There's the iPad Mini, the Kindle Fire HD, the Nexus 7 and more. But which one should you get? Listen as Mr. Noobie, owner of noobie.com, and Roy Choi, managing editor of TechnoBuffalo, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular 7″ tablets to help you decide which one is right for you.
Be sure not to miss our weekly roundup of the latest technology news as well as Mr. Noobie's question and answer session. This week Mr. Noobie discusses what you can do with a computer that keeps freezing up and when you will pay for data on your iPad and when you won't.
In our featured product segment, Mr. Noobie talks about a conference call service that breaks down the barriers usually associated with land-based conference calling.


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"Travels with Gulliver" is a match-3 game that follows Sedona and the members of her book club as their luxury yacht travels the world in the path of Gulliver. Their charming story takes some unexpected turns, including a bit of romance and a bit of mystery. The adaptation of Gulliver's Travels "Voyage to Lilliput" relates the classic story in easy-to-read installments. You'll get your passport stamped in exotic ports and piece together local scenes to earn postcards. Well-crafted game play, lush artwork and a spectacular original soundtrack make "Travels with Gulliver" a trip to remember.
System Requirements:
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista/7
Pentium 1,2 GHz CPU
DirectX 8
Hard Drive: 50 MB


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Clenbuterol weight loss before and after, bulking and cutting steroid cycle
Clenbuterol weight loss before and after, bulking and cutting steroid cycle - Buy anabolic steroids online
Clenbuterol weight loss before and after
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Hogeschool van Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam hit in cyberattack
Emerce reports (translation):
Unknown third parties have gained access to the ICT environments of the Hogeschool van Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam, the Security and Operations Center has found.
Measures are taken to limit the consequences and to ensure that education and research can proceed as undisturbed as possible.
The schools have disabled several systems as a precaution.
Read more on Emerce.
h/t, @Chum1ng0, who is probably chuckling somewhere because once again, he makes me deal with translators.


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Sometimes bad ideas take root and grow. That's what appears to be happening now with a seemingly simply idea that might, in fact, create a more dangerous environment for public school students in Texas.
The bad idea in question now is being put forward by Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa, a Democrat who represents Austin in the state Legislature. She has argued for years that charter schools should not be allowed to exclude students with discipline histories from admission. And now she is introducing legislation and gaining support to repeal the law that allows charters to exclude such students.
The problem is that while charters are public schools, they don't have the same resources or facilities as traditional public schools. So repealing this law would compel schools to grant these students admission to campuses where there aren't facilities to best serve them.
Let's get some facts on the table. When the Legislature created public charter schools, they were exempted from some of the rules public schools must follow if those rules required dedicated physical space. This exemption is based on the facts that the Legislature did not fund buildings or facilities for charter schools, and charter schools do not get any local tax money to fund buildings.
School districts, on the other hand, are funded by local taxpayers to create alternative programs in separate facilities for students who have discipline issues and even to fund the education of students who are in county-run juvenile detention centers.
When a student with a discipline issue wants to enroll in a traditional public school, that district has the option of putting that student in its alternative program — away from other students. Districts aren't forced to put violent students in the classroom with other children.
Charter schools are allowed to determine whether or not they can accommodate students with discipline histories because these students often need to be removed from the classroom and placed in a separate setting away from other children.
Forcing charter schools to take students with violent backgrounds, without providing the corresponding funding for separate facilities, would undercut student safety.
Last school year, 76,000 students in traditional public schools were removed from their classrooms for violent, very serious, or criminal behavior, including assault with a deadly weapon on other students and teachers, sexual assault against other students and teachers, buying or selling drugs, arson, attempted murder, and aggravated robbery.
Aggravated robbery happened at 41 traditional public schools last year. It happened on zero charter campuses. "Indecency with a child" happened on 78 traditional public school campuses last year. It happened on zero charter campuses. Aggravated assault of a district employee happened on 53 traditional public school campuses last year. It happened on one charter campus. Gang violence: 95 traditional public school campuses, one charter campus. Guns: 168 traditional public school campuses, five charter campuses.
The fact that charter schools have the option to determine whether they have the right facilities to educate violent students on their campuses is not a bug in the system, it is a feature. Children are safer on Texas charter school campuses because of it.
Students with serious discipline issues deserve to be educated, deserve to be able to attend public school, and they deserve access to resources that can help turn their lives around — and most of them do. The way to make sure that happens is not to put other students at risk; it is to ensure that students who need special help get it.
Some charter schools are stepping up and creating their own alternative programs even though they are not receiving funding to do so. Learning from their success will provide a model for how charter schools can continue to excel at preparing challenged students for success in career and in life.
Hinojosa once wrote: "Students cannot learn, imagine and create when they are afraid." Indeed. That's something this Legislature should consider before passing Hinojosa's bill.
Starlee Coleman is a mother and the CEO of the Texas Charter Schools Association.


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President Paul Biya has declared that a special status will be put in place in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon to maintain the specificities of the regions.
In an interview granted Tuesday November 12th 2019 in Paris France, president Paul Biya noted that a special status will be granted the regions but they still remain "within the unity of the nation" and its territorial integrity.
To the president of Cameroon, cultural differences between the majority French speaking and the minority English speaking made the situation "delicate" but efforts are in place to resolve the problem.
He also recognized the differences between the educational and judicial systems of English and French speaking Cameroon.
This is the Head of State's first official comment on a recommendation taken during the national dialogue in Yaounde last month.
Political commentators still think the declaration of a special status for the Anglophone regions of Cameroon by President Paul Biya is a window dressing, given that the contents of the special status have not been defined.
President Paul Biya is attending a conference on Peace in Paris France on invitation of President Emmanuel Macron.


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Another 16-Pound Bass Recorded in Florida
Bob McNally 05.12.17
Another monster Florida largemouth bass has been caught, this fish the second 16-pounder this spring.
On March 27, 2017, Larry Wesley of Daytona Beach caught a 16-pound, 10-ounce behemoth from Lake Cherry, one of the 11 lakes in the Clermont Chain. Wesley, age 62, is a dedicated bass angler with plenty of big ones to his credit, but this fish was one of a lifetime.
Wesley, who does radio commentary on Bethune-Cookman football, took a photo of the fish and weighed it on digital scales. Wesley says the bass was 29 inches long with a 21-inch girth and a tail that spanned 9 inches across. He kept the fish and took it to a taxidermist.
Unfortunately, Wesley's bass was not photographed on the scale, thus disqualifying it for a Florida's TrophyCatch award.
Earlier this year on March 19, 19-year-old college student Dominic Montalto from Estero, Florida caught a 16-pound, 12-ounce largemouth in a residential pond near his home. He contacted the FWC, which verified the pre-spawn catch with a massive girth. It is the largest bass caught in the five-year history of the TrophyCatch program, and it is just 8 ounces short of tying Bill O'Berry's official Florida state record of 17.27 pounds, which he caught in an unnamed private lake in Polk County in 1986.


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When the temperature isn't high enough, drafts wouldn't be of any help to let you relax inside your ... [...]
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Welcome to my world where finding optimism and opportunity in every situation is the norm. If you found this post, chances are, you're feeling a little lost, trying to find yourself or looking to learn something new – you're on a mission to find a more genuine version of yourself.
The plethora of self help resources seems never ending, it's overwhelming actually… I've read lots of books and blogs, watched videos, attended seminars, seen therapists and worked with coaches…my biggest take away from all of it…
Nothing changes if your not willing to take accountability and ownership of your own development.
What does that mean? It means you can spend thousand on therapists, coaches, books, etc. but until you learn to take positive action from the moments that test your will, endurance and resilience, you will not see the changes you want to see.
My intention is to share stories of my life that have shaped who I am, built my resilience and pushed me into a space of continuous learning and development. My hope is that just one person reading this will find resolve, comfort and maybe some tips on how to take the most sour situations and find some sweetness to sip on.


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Now playing
Although Baz Luhrmann's lavish return to the big screen after a seven-year absence covers a large part of the Australian Outback, it's engorged with a sincere appreciation of classic Hollywood spectacle. He aims simultaneously for a love story, a Western saga, a WWII docudrama and an Aboriginal history lesson, which makes for a whole lot of movie to take in at once. Some may find it too much, but Luhrmann's work is meaty with entertainment and gorgeous to behold, between the natural scenery and co-stars Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Grade: B
The new Disney animated movie looks great, and its tale of a dog TV actor (John Travolta) who believes he's a superhero traveling cross-country to find his "person" (Miley Cyrus) is full of action. But it's actually a newfound buddy, fat trailer-park hamster Rhino (voiced by animator Mark Walton), who steals almost all the laughs in the film, along with a couple of story-pitching pigeons. As for the dog star, the slow, painful awakening to his utter normalcy involves physical punishment that one-ups Bambi's mother in the area of animated animal cruelty for dramatic effect. Grade: B-
"Four Christmases"
This tale of a happily unmarried couple (Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn) forced to give up their tropical holiday vacation and spend Christmas with each of their divorced parents is an agreeable addition to the holiday genre, even if it's not destined to become a classic. In typical date-movie form, some of the gags are targeted exclusively at men or women, and the couple's story plays out a little too predictably. But Vaughn and Witherspoon have a comfortable chemistry, while the supporting cast is full of great heavyweights (Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek) and nice surprises (cameos by Dwight Yoakam and A Christmas Story's Peter Billingsley). Grade: B-
British veteran Mike Leigh isn't really thought of as a feel-good-movie kind of guy, but he makes up for it with his character study of ebulliently positive 30-year-old schoolteacher Poppy (an extraordinary Sally Hawkins). Her outfits may be loud and her first impression is ditzy, but Poppy's truly remarkable, as much for her willed optimism as the effect it has on others like her sad, hateful driving instructor (Eddie Marsan). Though there's some strong apprehension created by their scenes together, in the end, you'll be sharing Poppy's infectious grin. Grade: A
In his film about the life of assassination victim Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in the U.S., director Gus Van Sant creates not only a heartfelt tribute to a devoted gay rights leader, but an up-close look at the rise of San Francisco's gay subculture and a resonating message movie. The result feels timely and fresh, even to those familiar with the tragic story, with Sean Penn toning down his usual overacting to play Milk as a joyful, slightly flamboyant and completely charming politician. Grade: A
"Quantum of Solace"
In his second outing as James Bond, Daniel Craig's hard face and physique serve the spy's newly consuming anger well, with Judi Dench's M distilling a fear chaser after discovering that a shadowy global crime operation has gotten very close to her. Based in such primal emotions and an in-your-face aesthetic from director Marc Forster, Quantum has the capacity to hit on a visceral level, especially in the opening and closing action scenes. But its immersion in darkness keeps the story from cohering and, sadly, French film star Mathieu Amalric is underutilized as Bond's new nemesis. Grade: B-
"Rachel Getting Married"
Director Jonathan Demme adopts handheld camerawork and natural lighting, while star Anne Hathaway takes on bad hair and a damaged, ragingly narcissistic character, for this intense view of a deep family wound reopened by a weekend wedding. Unwelcome distraction comes from the more exhausting parts of her performance and a forced feeling of multiculturalism throughout. If you can tune out that loudness, you'll find a touching statement about punishing the ones you love, made in a style that's right for the material. Grade: B
"Role Models"
If you're not a fan of live-action medieval role-playing, you might want to steer clear of David Wain's comedy about a couple of slackers (Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott) who end up as mentors in a Big Brothers-like program in a community service plea bargain. Most of the laughs come from the early, pre-mentoring scenes, but there's plenty that's not funny, including jokes about one boy's obsession with breasts and bad language and the other's all-consuming mock swordplay habit. Grade: C
"Transporter 3"
Making his U.S. debut, French director Olivier Megaton jumps on the Transporter formula of intricate conspiracy plot for the sake of insane car stunts and bone-breaking fights that often leave star Jason Statham shirtless. While those stunts and car chases are undeniably cool, Megaton's style is so frenetic, at times the only tool the viewer has to make sense of things is the predicable fact that whichever blur is doling out the biggest whomping must be Statham. Grade: C
Playing tortured-yet-hunky vampire Edward in the first movie adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's hugely popular teen-romance novels, Robert Pattinson has been christened as the Tiger Beat model for a new generation. Fortunately, he isn't a bad actor either, even when he and his excellent co-star Kristen Stewart are forced into simple, slightly cheesy dialogue exchanges. Meyer's emphasis on forbidden vampire-human relations and the associated teen angst reveals a heart that's more romantic than horror-minded, and her output can sometimes resemble bad poetry. But director Catherine Hardwicke mostly triumphs over the material, turning it into a realistic portrayal of the messiness of young love. Grade: B


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eBay kicked off a promotion for buyers of used auto parts, but it's only good for items sold by five sellers specified in the terms.
The promotion offers buyers a $25 discount on purchases of at least $150 (warranties and protection plans excluded). The coupon does not apply to auction-style listings or purchases made through the Best Offer feature.
eBay sent an email to buyers on May 31st with the subject line, "Take an extra $25 off select used auto parts." Clicking through to the terms on the eBay website, it explains the coupon "PARTS2SAVE" applies only to purchases from the following five sellers:
The promotion runs through June 14, 2021. Be sure to read the full terms for details and restrictions.


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When most people take the step to start rehab, they are usually quite physically out-of-shape. Tai Chi offers a gentle and effective way to begin regaining fitness. This low-impact activity is perfect for anybody regardless of their current level of physical fitness and can go a long way to improving strength, flexibility, balance and the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Tai Chi is most commonly known as "meditation in motion" and can be a great choice for people who find it difficult to get into meditation immediately upon sitting down. When Tai Chi is practiced regularly, it can help to improve your general level of mindfulness while improving overall health and wellbeing.
Get a Consultation Right Now!Call: 844-222-8808
We are a group of professional and experienced psychologists and psychiatrists
Get a free, confidential consultation


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Bioplastics, a possible future
Supporting upcycling is one of the possibilities for giving plastic a second life, but it's not the only way to address its impacts. Integrating bioplastics into design projects is equally, if not in some ways more important.
Eco-conscious plastic
In the over sixty years since their arrival on the productive scene, plastic materials have changed enormously. We often refer to them in the singular – plastic – when in reality this scenario is populated by many different formulas that vary in terms of their origin and performance, and that are in constant evolution. In this shifting universe, "bio" versions of traditional high-performance plastics, i.e. derived from renewable rather than fossil-based sources, such as so-called Green Polyethylene and bio-polyester (PET), are proliferating. However, these are neither biodegradable nor compostable.
The good news is that, while it may seem like an oxymoron given the state of our oceans, today even plastics can be eco-conscious. In recent years, biodegradable and compostable types have been developed and perfected, reaching levels of performance that make them suitable even for specialised uses. Amongst these some are still fossil fuel-based, such as polybutylene succinate (PBS): biodegradable and compostable, it's derived from bacterial fermentation and its properties allow it to be employed for uses normally reserved for non-biodegradable plastics. Finally, there are biodegradable compounds that, instead of being derived from corn or potatoes (which, if used in massive quantities could cause imbalances in land use), are based on carbon, like Italian-developed polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), created by Lux-on by capturing atmospheric CO2.
Designing bioplastics for the production of durable goods is the aim of companies such as Crafting Plastics!, a European design studio based in Berlin, Germany and Bratislava, Slovakia. Its team spent six years developing Nuatan, a patented new-generation plastic that is based on 100 per cent renewable raw materials and is also completely biodegradable, which the studio uses to create high value-added products. The high-performance material is the result of a longterm interdisciplinary collaboration between Crafting Plastics!, the Slovak University of Technology and Panara, a Slovenian company initially specialised in polyethylene film. Since 2006, Panara has been investing in bioplastics and produces several types based on PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate, a biodegradable plastic made naturally with bacteria), PLA (polylactic acid, a polymer derived from biomasses) or biodegradable and compostable polyester.
Composed entirely of plant-based biopolymers made of PLA and PHB obtained from natural sources like corn or potato starch, Nuatan can resist to temperatures of over 100°C and has a programmable lifespan ranging from one to fifty years, depending on the mixture. When put into an industrial composter, the material biodegrades in water, CO2 and biomass. The second generation currently being developed will also biodegrade in domestic composts, soil and ocean water. The new material can be injection moulded and 3D printed, or "blown" like traditional plastics. It was developed and fine-tuned with the precise aim of accelerating the transition to a circular economy, optimising the lifecycle from the moment of production all the way to the final dismantling of various products, including consumer electronics.
Plasticiet is a plastic construction material that differs in appearance depending on the waste that's used to make it (rigid or soft plastics) and is reminiscent of stone composites, such as terrazzo and reconstituted marble
What about recyclability? Important steps are also being made in this field: an Italian startup, Direct 3D, has perfected and patented a special extrusion head that allows for 3D printing from granules, powder or mixed shavings, rather than just classic filaments. This paves the way for using recycled plastics even in small-volume productions.
Also, on a larger scale, Dow Chemical, one of the world's principle plastic manufacturers, recently announced that it has developed a way of using recycled plastic in the production of alternative asphalt. And in the Netherlands the Plastic Road project is currently being tested on cycling lanes in Rotterdam, with the aim of creating roads that integrate cabling and water distribution systems entirely from plastic waste recovered from the oceans and diverted from incineration plants.
Hence, the challenge is open.
Source: lifegate.com


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By Andreas Ferencz, Head of PU
Composites Resins, Henkel.
Henkel has given more details of the physical and processing properties of the polyurethane matrix resin it has developed for resin transfer moulding (RTM).
Henkel believes that this process will speed the production of composite components in the automotive industry with resins that can cure in one minute.


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Icon disappeared form fields and selecting value from dropdown forced by Ctrl+F2 does not work aymor
I have been using F-Secure Key for quite some time, but recently it stopped working correctly on Windows 8.1. I am experiencing these issues (using Internet Explorer, but same happens with Chrome):
1. The Key icon pointing to dropdown list with entries does not show in any field anymore.
2. When I press Ctrl+F2, the dropdown selection with passwords appears, but it is not under the field where it used to be, but it appears randomly somewhere in the middle of my screen.
3. When I select value from the list, nothing is filled into the field within browser. Simply nothing happens.
I would like to resolve these three issues. I have some other weird observations which might help to find the root cause. Behavior is different depending on application used. Notepad can be used as a reference as it seems to work correctly (didn't work before, but started working after reinstall of F-Secure).
Call dropdown list with Ctrl+F2 and Click on item in the list
- Editbox in IE: does nothing
- Notepad: deletes whatever text was within notepad file before, fills my username and sends Tab key
- Microsoft Word: does nothing
Call list with Ctrl+F2 and Shift+Click on item in the list
- Editbox in IE: fills username
- Notepad: fills username
- Microsoft Word: fills username twice with no space in between
Call list with Ctrl+F2 and Ctrl+Click on item in the list
- Editbox in IE: fills password
- Notepad: fills password
- Microsoft Word: sometimes does nothing, sometimes fills first letter or first few letters of password, sometimes fills entire password+some first few letters from password again attempting to fill password twice - it seems really random as I always use same password
Call list with Ctrl+F2 and Shift+Ctrl+Click on item in the list
- Editbox in IE: fills username and password both within the same field without any space in between and probably sends Enter key as I get wrong password error afterwards
- Notepad: fills username, then Enter key, then password and Enter key again
- Microsoft Word: fills random number of first letters from string consisting of username filled twice, then next line and random number of first letters from password twice
For now I use workaround with Shift+Click and Ctrl+Click, but I have to call dropdown list twice once for username field and once for password field, but this is really painful especially when I use tablet and I need to scroll the list with tiny scrollbar and my huge finger
I will welcome any solution suggestion. Thanks in advance for your help.
Sorry for my reply.
I can just to think about one of points around, but.. it's probably can not be related with your situation... just because.. you have experience.. when "hotkeys" for fill.. work there.
Anyway - part of description can be repeated.. if your browsers launched with administrators rights (as example) under account with UAC (as example). It's mean will be different rights for F-Secure Key and for Browser. And Key not able to fill anything.
But with my experience.... if it's related with current point.... "CTRL+F2" + "any of fill-keys"... should be not work too (?!).
OR maybe there have any software, which can to create some kind of "protection" for browsers?! Any tools like MBAE, EMET or something same. Anyway - maybe it's something specific for Windows 8.1 and there should be response from F-Secure Key team;
If with other part of applications (just because it's looks like work normally) can be all OK!? Maybe there indeed can be something specific.
For example... not sure about Microsoft Word (?), but with WordPad will be same experience for me too.
And it's from first versions of Key. All other behavior also related with my experience or with design of Key (I mean - Notepad design and design of fill-actions).
With WordPad's strange-view of filling... also was some dreams around.
Probably I stopped on point.. that it's can be related with two "clipboards" history... and Key filling both of them. And it will be double-filling, which can be "close to random" view of filling. I stop thought about it... some months ago... when created steps and some kind of "visible" reason of "why it's happened"... and forget about it. Now.. with brief trying to re-get "point, which I think can be a reason"... maybe I already forget the point.
Sorry for my reply again.
Hi Ukko,
Thanks for your response, I gave me several ideas on what to try.
First of all, I tried to run the browser as an administrator and I confirm that nothing is filled into fields in this case, not even with Ctrl or Shift combinations. So having different rights does not seem to be the root cause as the impact is different.
I also tried to disable all "protection" tools and antivirus, but there is still no difference.
What I also tested is that I have the same experience with any browser field, also the editor on this website where I am posting this reply. So I tend to think that this might be somehow related to .NET framework or some other core component which is reused by both browsers (IE and Chrome) to handle content in edit box. So I will try to uninstall recent Windows updates related to .NET framework to see if it helps.
Thanks for alll the suggestions.


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Resurgent pound bounces higher as manufacturing productivity figures impress
Sterling performed strongly at the end of last week as traders were impressed with better-than-expected manufacturing figures, as well as the sturdy credit figures from the day before. All this took place against a backdrop of weaker data from the Eurozone and renewed fears over a trade war breaking out after the US government slapped hefty tariffs on metals imports from a number of big economic players, including China and the EU. Thursday's strong data from the Eurozone and US failed to suppress GBP against EUR and USD, but economic weakness and risk worries elsewhere allowed it to clock up gains against other majors. Sterling is mostly flat this morning, with one exception. GBP/EUR is virtually unmoved.
What's been happening? Markets had already priced in the risk premium associated with the ousting of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, so when it happened on Friday afternoon the effect on EUR exchange rates was limited. At the same time, news that Italy's two biggest parties, the Five Star Movement and League, had managed to agree on a coalition eased market worries about another possible Italian election. That said, any positive sentiment towards EUR was cancelled out by an underwhelming set of PMIs across the bloc. Further woe came in the form of hefty US large tariffs being imposed on EU exports of aluminium and steel, which drew a strong response from critics who questioned why the US was targeting 'allies' in its protectionist measures. These EUR negatives allowed Sterling to rise, translating into a 0.6% gain by the end of Friday trade. On the US front, a strong set of employment and labour market figures did not translate into increased demand for USD, with USD/EUR only rising slightly on the news. Non-farm payroll figures shot up far beyond expectations to 223k, against forecasts of 188k and smashing the previous month's 159k. In other news, the pound shot up by 0.8% against the New Zealand dollar as investors continued to flee NZD on risk sentiment grounds. There were also general market worries that the New Zealand economy was demonstrating signs of weakness. The pound also did well against the Australian dollar, rising by 0.5% on Friday on a general lack of data from the Australian economy, and surging risk aversion on trade war fears. This morning, however, the pound has fallen back against the Australian Dollar as a solid set of economic stats, including higher-than-expected company gross operating profits and an uptick in retail sales, bolstered the currency.
What's coming up? Looking ahead, the pound is likely to react to this morning's PMI construction figures, which are forecast to show a slight fall from 52.5 in April to 52.0 in May. Tonight's like-for-like retail sales are also expected to show a fall of 0.8%, although this would be an improvement on the previous figure's fall of 4.2%.


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By most people's standards, Warren Erhart's first foray into the world of food service was fairly tame, even formulaic: the young Erhart worked at McDonald's as a teen.
Putting in long hours at the famous Golden Arches to make some extra pocket money was hardly unique. In fact, working at any restaurant is somewhat ubiquitous for young people, says Erhart. Twenty-two per cent of Canadians' first jobs are in food service, so it's an experience shared by many, he notes.
While that may be, the comparison ends there. Unlike most Canadians, Erhart's early experience led him to a career in the food service business, and a steady climb to head one of Canada's leading West Coast restaurant brands: White Spot and Triple O's. He has now been with White Spot Hospitality for more than two decades, most of which has been spent in the position of President and CEO.
Erhart's restaurant career got its start when he accepted a position at The Keg after completing his studies in commerce and hotel restaurant management, and he honed many of his food service business skills while working at the famous steakhouse chain. "I spent 15 years with The Keg in various capacities, which gave me an excellent opportunity to really understand a lot of the disciplines within the organization," says Erhart.
The company's visionary founder, George Tidball, instilled in Erhart the importance of the guest experience, a critical lesson he carries with him to this day. "George understood that it was all about the guest," he says. "He was a great mentor to me and a lot of other people in the restaurant industry, and that really paved the way for me."
Erhart wore a number of different hats at The Keg. He was a multi-unit area partner in southern Ontario when fate intervened in the early '90s, and he was offered a position with White Spot on the West Coast. Eager to move back to B.C., where he had attended school, Erhart packed his bags and booked a flight to Vancouver.
Top job
Erhart began his work at White Spot as a Division General Manager. However, the company soon restructured, offloading its ancillary businesses, including a commissary, catering company, and rights to Kentucky Fried Chicken. This boded well for Erhart, who was appointed the company's new President and CEO, a move largely driven by its renewed focus on its namesake White Spot brand. "With my background and experience in full service restaurants, it was fortunate timing," says Erhart of his quick rise up the corporate ladder. "It was about being at the right place at the right time."
The new President embarked on a major rehaul of the popular White Spot brand, refashioning it into a more premium family casual restaurant concept from what was basically a coffee shop. That said, it wasn't just any coffee shop. The brand had an exceptionally long history, and a fiercely loyal following in B.C. It was in 1928 that the first White Spot restaurant was opened on Granville Street in Vancouver by a gentleman named Nat Bailey. A budding restaurateur, Bailey had earlier operated a travelling lunch counter out of his 1918 Model T. His bricks-and-mortar restaurant was a success from the get-go.
Erhart knew he had to tread carefully when reshaping such an iconic, historic brand. "We didn't want to throw out the baby with the bathwater," he says. Similarly, he realized the time had come to refine and update the White Spot concept, and there was no turning back. "One of the biggest challenges was being strong enough to understand that you can't be all things to all people. Along the way, we upset some folks, but we had to keep persevering. The data was there to support our decision," notes Erhart.
An executive chef was brought on board to improve and expand the menu beyond the usual fast-food burgers and fish and chips. Also introduced were full bars with house cocktails, VQA wines, and craft beers. The branding was modernized, and the restaurant's interior design and staff uniforms refashioned. "The goal was to create a more ambient atmosphere with quality food offerings, and we succeeded. We moved from a coffee shop format to a vibrant family casual restaurant," he says. "It took three to five years before we reached our goal, and it's something we can all feel proud of."
Erhart likens the transformation to an "ongoing revolution," noting that a business needs to constantly evolve and improve to be successful. He points to the company's more recent investment in new technology to streamline its system and modernize its operations. White Spot uses the "smart kitchen" to coordinate cooking times, and regularly mines data from online guest reviews and surveys to guide its menu choices. The company also has an online learning management system to supplement staff training. "We're not an industry known for using a lot of technology, but that's changed," says Erhart. "It's a very competitive business, and we always have to find ways to remain relevant."
The franchise
The White Spot CEO was part of the team that first franchised the brand in 1992, and today there are 40 franchised locations in Canada, as well as 26 corporate stores, with all but one restaurant located in B.C. (the other is in Alberta). It also has a successful fast casual hamburger chain called Triple O's, with 67 Triple O's franchises now on its roster, including eight in Asia. The company moved into the region to target its growing Canadian-expat market. Today, its three most successful locations are in Hong Kong. Combined, the company's restaurants served in excess of 17 million guests last year.
While both brands are principally situated in their home province of B.C., White Spot is eyeing the Prairie Provinces as a logical point of expansion. They are also looking to increase White Spot's hotel business. The company has opened a number of White Spot restaurants in mid-range hotels, including Sheraton Four Points, Best Western, Coast Hotel, and Holiday Inn Express, which benefit from its strength in all three dayparts: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
When signing on new talent, Erhart looks for people who can work with the White Spot business model and, more importantly, who have a passion for the restaurant business and its guests. "The success of our brand starts off with it being a people story," says Erhart. "We partner with the best, then you train [franchisees and staff] the best, expect the best, and create an environment where individuals can do a great job. That's the strength of our brand."
In today's world of quick career switches and short-lived company loyalty, Erhart's climb up a dedicated career ladder in a chosen industry is a bit of an anomaly. It speaks to his determination, as well as his passion for the restaurant business, which has only grown with the years. "I'm very blessed to find a career that I love," says Erhart. "It's an industry where no two days are alike, and I still really enjoy the energy."
That said, it's not every food service professional that bears the responsibility of running a restaurant nearing its 90th anniversary. Not only has Erhart proven himself up to the task, he's also paved the way for more successful years ahead.
"When you work for a brand that represents such a love affair in the province, you feel a strong sense of responsibility to make sure that things are around for another 90 years," reflects Erhart. "I feel that responsibility, and I thrive on the fact that this brand is important to people."
Learn more about White Spot franchise opportunities
By Roma Ihnatowycz


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Chapter 9. Editing Your Drawing with Basic Tools
Erasing objects
Copying and moving objects
Rotating objects
Scaling objects
Using the CHANGE command
Selecting objects
Customizing object-selection features
No drawing project is ever completed without changes. You make changes in a drawing for many reasons. Some editing processes are simply part of the drawing process, such as copying an object instead of drawing it a second time from scratch. Other types of editing involve making changes to many objects at once, such as moving an entire section of a drawing to make room for additional objects. You often also need to erase, move, rotate, and resize objects.
Editing a Drawing
Making changes to a drawing is called editing. In order to edit an object, you need to select it. AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT offer numerous techniques for selecting objects. In this chapter, I cover basic editing commands as well as most of the ways to select objects. The rest of the 2D editing commands, as well as additional selection and editing methods — grips, the Properties palette, selection filters, and groups — are covered in the next chapter.
Most of the editing commands are on the Modify toolbar or in the 2D Draw control panel of the Dashboard. (If the Modify toolbar is not displayed, right-click any toolbar button and choose Modify from the toolbar list. To display the Dashboard, choose Tools
Start the ...
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Cappella Coffee House welcomes all
Cappella Coffee House is a quiet comfy spot to have a conversation, read a book or tap away at the laptop computer. Here you can sink into a soft comfy chair to nurse a hot or cold drink and unwind.
Sheldon Logan, former manager of Café 210 in Visalia, brought his food and beverage business talents along with his strong Christian faith to downtown Exeter and together with his wife, Kathy, bought the place one year ago this month. Sheldon likes to say Cappella's is "a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus," though a casual visitor can't tell this from any other café except for a large cross on the wall that's part of the décor. Sheldon says any one — and every one — is welcome regardless of faith. The coffee shop is not affiliated with any particular church or denomination.
"We're not trying to convert anybody. We're about showing people God's love. That's us in a nutshell," Sheldon said.
The shop features many coffee creations, cold drinks, fresh pastries, salads and sandwiches. Every item is available at any time of the day.
The coffee beans come from a local roaster and are ground at Cappella's into espresso (double or quad), dark French (bold), morning rush (medium bold or decaf), Logan's blend (sugar and spice), house (light roast), cinnamon hazelnut, heavenly chocolate, tea, latte, cappuccino, mocha and more. Smoothies, sodas and milk shakes are available take the edge off the valley heat. Beverages are in the 2 to $5 range.
A favorite among diners is the breakfast burrito made of bacon, egg, cheese and chipotle pesto sauce for just under $6. Sandwiches served with choice of couscous or chips are $6-8. Also popular is the apple walnut chicken salad that sells for $8 or $9 depending on size. It comes with apples, walnuts and craisins tossed in balsamic dressing and topped with feta cheese.
The Logans buy batter from a top-notch source: Edna's Bakery in San Luis Obispo, and bake it into pastries each morning right on site at Cappella's. Ingredients are purchased as close to home as possible and the smoothies are made of all-natural fruit.
The coffee house has spacious seating for 42, and a separate meeting room for 23 more. Tuesday mornings you'll find Sheldon in that room hosting a Christian men's group that "gets real" about faith, as he puts it.
Sheldon handles day-to-day coffee house operations while Kathy schedules local artists to play for customers at "Cappella Unplugged" on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This music s just one more way the Logans make it easy for customers to sit back, relax and enjoy the day.
Cappella Coffee House is at 132 N. "E" St. in Exeter. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. Call 592-6300 to place orders. Delivery is available to downtown Exeter locations.


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Samsung Introduces Its First Wireless Audio Speaker System
Samsung announced today its entry into the multi-room wireless audio market with their Shape M7 (WAM750) system. The triangular Shape speakers contain the electronics to permit music in any room via Wi-Fi or one-to-one pairing to a Smartphone/tablet with Bluetooth. It can also do double duty as a soundbar. All the details after the jump.
The amplifier, electronics, and speaker drivers are all self contained within the M7. A Samsung app permits control of functions via a Smartphone or tablet (iOS or Andriod). Users can access their own music libraries or services including Amazon Cloud Player, Pandora, Rhapsody, Tunein Radio and more. With multiple speakers you can play different music in different rooms or the same music throughout your home.
Samsung has taken direct aim at Sonos, the multi-room audio market leader pricing the Shape M7 at $399.99, the same as the Sonos Play:5 . Like the Play:5 Samsung permits two units in a single room for stereo separation. Mounting options include horizontal or vertical placement, as well as a wall mounting with its $49.99 bracket. The Shape M7 is available in black or white.
Best Selling Soundbars and 5.1 Surround Systems
The Shape can also serve double duty as a wireless soundbar using its built-in Bluetooth connectivity with 2013 Samsung HDTV (series F6300 and higher). Other make and model HDTVs can be utilized via an analog audio cable attached M7's analog audio jack.
Multi-room connection requires the use of the Samsung Hub (WAM250; $49.99) via an Ethernet cable to your router.
Sound Quality
We were impressed by the Shape's smooth, balanced tone, tight bass and its wide dynamic range. The Shape uses a lightweight foam core woofer for fast response, two midrange speakers and twin silk domes tweeters. The Shape M7 and accessories will be available at Samsung retailers on October 13th.
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1 Comment
How would you compare the quality and functionality of the Samsung M7 and its' software to the Sonos system?
We did not have much interaction with the software and some functions were still being tweaked. We are requesting a review sample so we can take it for a spin.
HD Guru
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FAIRFIELD — With the arrival of warmer weather and summer, Chief Christopher Lyddy and the Fairfield Police Department wish to remind residents of important safety tips for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.
Fatal Bicycle Crash Under Investigation in Arlington
ARLINGTON – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Arlington Chief of Police Julie Flaherty have confirmed the investigation into a fatal bicycle crash that occurred last night in Arlington.
Ipswich Police Investigating Fatal Crash Involving Bicyclist
Chief Paul Nikas reports that the Ipswich Police Department is investigating after a bicyclist died from injuries he suffered when he was struck by a SUV Tuesday night.
Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Announce Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Campaign
MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Interim Chief Todd Fitzgerald reports that the Manchester Police Department is participating in a statewide effort to improve traffic safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Bedford Woman Dies After Suffering Serious Injuries While Riding Bicycle
BEDFORD, N.H. — Chief John J. Bryfonski reports the bicyclist involved in a crash last month has died from her injuries.
Groveland Police Respond to Motor Vehicle Crash Involving Bicyclist
GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey Gillen reports that the Groveland Police Department responded to a motor vehicle crash involving a bicyclist last night.
Chelmsford Police Investigating Motor Vehicle Crash Involving Bicyclist
CHELMSFORD — Chief James M. Spinney reports that the Chelmsford Police Department is investigating a motor vehicle crash this morning involving a bicyclist who was traveling on the bike path.
East Bridgewater Police Investigating Hit and Run Crash Involving Bicyclist
EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen reports that the East Bridgewater Police Department is investigating a hit and run motor vehicle crash involving a bicyclist that occurred last night. Police are asking for the public's assistance identifying the car involved.
Bedford Police Receive Grant to Enhance Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety
BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno announces that the Bedford Police Department will be improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety in town through a grant administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Highway Safety Division.
Bedford Police and Fire Respond to Bicyclist Struck by Motor Vehicle
BEDFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT Robert Bongiorno Chief of Police 2 Mudge Way Bedford, MA 01730 BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT David Grunes, Fire Chief 55 Great Road Bedford, MA 01730 For Immediate Release Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 Contact: John Guilfoil Phone: 781-533-9398 Email: email@example.com Bedford Police and Fire Respond to Bicyclist Struck by Vehicle BEDFORD — The Bedford […]


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Today is the day of Thanksgiving. And I woke up this morning with a sense of happiness, and yes, thankfulness. I love my family, I'm celebrating tonight with friends, and perhaps most significantly I was still all warm and tucked up in bed.
Then the day really began. Coco's struggling with a cold and growing up to be a very willful little guy (no idea where he gets that from!!!) so we had a tricky few hours & I was wrung out by 10:30, feeling pretty fed up with how this (& a whole load of other stuff that I won't bore you with) had ruined my happy, thankful, "I love my life" mood!
But it struck me that being thankful isn't about being happy when we're having a good day. The bible tells us to, "whatever happens, keep thanking God". It seems, being thankful is a choice. It's not a feeling. It's an action. And its not just for the sake of it, because we're told to. But because it's good for us, it actually changes things.
It's about being positive. Not the fake positive, saying "I'm fine thanks" when what I actually want to do is cry. But about, when I'm feeling miserable taking a minute to think about the good stuff in my life, instead of allowing the negatives to take over my thoughts.
And it's about acknowledging that all these good things have come from God, reinforcing my dependence on Him, and giving me faith and courage to trust Him for the things I don't yet have.
Perhaps this is easy for me to write, because the boy has gone for a nap so I have brief respite from today's immediate difficulties. And its much harder to do this whole positive, thankful thing when it feels like your problems are much bigger and won't go away. But I think the principal is the same no matter what the circumstance, even if sometimes it takes a little more perseverance.
Give it a go. Be thankful for the good stuff, and have faith that the bad stuff will get better.


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I first came across Gilbert & Sullivan operas when I was about 17 when I went to live with my aunt Dolly, who was not only a Communist, 'Nobody's red enough for me, dear!' but also a commercial artist with a lot of interesting, arty friends, including Dennis, a film cameraman. Dennis and his wife were very involved with their local G & S Opera Society. Every year, my aunt and I would go to see whichever G & S opera the society were performing.
Gilbert & Sullivan: The Savoy Operas, first published in 1926. I inherited this from Aunt Dolly and very useful it is.


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It's being called the "battle of the beards" — Paul Krugman vs. Ben Bernanke. Both are eminent (and bearded) economists: Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board; Krugman, a Nobel Prize winner and a prominent New York Times columnist. Krugman accuses Bernanke of being too timid in fighting high unemployment and slow economic growth. Bernanke calls Krugman's policy proposals "reckless." What's going on?
Beyond the rhetoric, there's a serious debate about the Federal Reserve. A decade ago, the Fed was widely seen as all-knowing and powerful. It could cushion business cycles, defuse financial crises and ensure prosperity. No more. Almost everyone thinks unemployment (8.1 percent in April) is declining too slowly. By year-end 2013, it will still be somewhere between 7 and 8.1 percent, according to top Fed officials' latest estimates.
The Fed hasn't been passive. Since late 2008, it has kept overnight interest rates just above zero. During the 2008-09 financial crisis, its emergency loans to banks and money market funds averted a broader collapse. The Fed also bought more than $2.5 trillion of Treasury bonds and mortgage-related securities in an effort to lower long-term interest rates (studies suggest a decline of 0.7 percentage points or more) and boost stock prices, as investors seek higher returns.
But these heroic exertions haven't yet ignited a robust recovery.
What we need now — and what the Fed could supply, says Krugman — is a bit more inflation. This would spur growth and job creation, he argues. The Fed now strives to keep inflation around 2 percent annually, a low level that it views as reassuring the public. Krugman wants the Fed to raise its target range to 3 to 4 percent for five years.
"You'd make borrowing more attractive. Sitting on cash would be less attractive," he says. The logic is straightforward. If prices rise 4 percent instead of 2, consumers and businesses have an incentive to buy now and avoid higher prices later. If interest rates don't increase (or increase less than inflation), then "real" rates — adjusted for inflation — fall; again, that makes borrowing more appealing.
Higher inflation would also erode the "real" value of debt. With a lighter debt burden, households and businesses would feel freer to spend. Another channel would be a cheaper dollar on foreign exchange markets, making U.S. exports less expensive and imports more expensive. (Krugman minimizes this channel, because he thinks Europe and Japan should also pursue higher inflation.)
Besides Krugman, some other economists advocate higher inflation. But not Bernanke.
Without naming Krugman, he responded at an April 25 news conference: "Does it make sense to actively seek a higher inflation rate in order to achieve . . . a slightly increased pace of reduction in the unemployment rate? The view [of top Fed policymakers] is that that would be very reckless."
Bernanke argued that the belief that the Fed keeps inflation down (what economists call the "anchoring" of inflationary expectations) tends to be self-fulfilling. If companies think inflation will stay low, they refrain from large price increases that might weaken their competitiveness. This then allows the Fed to be more aggressive in cutting interest rates to fight unemployment. If inflationary expectations shifted, as they might under Krugman's proposal, the flexibility could be lost.
Although Bernanke didn't say so, there are other reasons Krugman's policy could backfire. Consider:
●Prices might increase faster than wages, reducing workers' purchasing power and (probably) dampening spending.
●Experiencing higher inflation, consumers might become more fearful of the future and, to protect against the unknown, might increase saving and reduce spending — the opposite of what Krugman intends. This happened in the 1970s, although at higher inflation rates than Krugman proposes.
●Something similar could happen in financial markets. Investors — not knowing whether inflation would return to 2 percent and fearing it might go higher than 4 percent — might demand much higher interest rates to prevent erosion of their money. This, too, would undermine Krugman's strategy.
None of this is preordained. Krugman's theory could be right. It responds to an understandable urge to do something about the feeble recovery and the millions left without work and hope. But in this debate, I side with Bernanke. Flirting with more inflation is treacherous. If inflation expectations change, the consequences are hard to predict. The double-digit inflation in the late 1970s (peak: 13 percent) resulted from well-intended mistakes and unleashed many damaging side effects.
What we should have learned since 2008 is that the Federal Reserve can't do everything and overambitious goals guarantee disappointment. The larger lesson is that economists have exaggerated their understanding and control of the economy. People often don't act according to academic theories. There isn't a proper policy response for every need. This captures our frustration.
Read more on this debate from Opinions:
The Post's View: The Fed eases out
Lawrence H. Summers: Promoting the economic rebound


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Yama-Con Anime & Comic Convention 2021 COVID-19 Policy
- Mask/Face coverings is not required to be worn indoors however STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to be worn indoors by all attendees to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Sevierville County Tennessee and the State of Tennessee have ended the indoor mask policy. (with the exception of the 6 Tennessee country health departments that may enact their own local guidelines)
In that regard, Sevierville County has ended their indoor mask mandate and so the City of Pigeon Forge does not require masks to be worn inside. The Pigeon Forge LeConte Center (where Yama-Con is held) is a city-owned building and does not require their employees to wear masks/face coverings to be worn and it is up to each individual to wear a mask/face covering inside.
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