text:
Storage King Lawson has your self storage solution for Bullaburra. Our self storage centres cater for residential, commercial and industrial clientele with all storage unit sizes catered for. Our storage facility in the Bullaburra area has easy access within high security premises. We also sell a large range of boxes and packing materials to make the move easier.
Let Storage King provide you with the simple storage solution to solve all your needs. Use our expertise to help you with moving, storage, relocation and packaging in the Bullaburra area.

lowercased:
storage king lawson has your self storage solution for bullaburra. our self storage centres cater for residential, commercial and industrial clientele with all storage unit sizes catered for. our storage facility in the bullaburra area has easy access within high security premises. we also sell a large range of boxes and packing materials to make the move easier.
let storage king provide you with the simple storage solution to solve all your needs. use our expertise to help you with moving, storage, relocation and packaging in the bullaburra area.


text:
Well Spring is upon us.
This time of year is beautiful, the weather is warmer, we are able to get out and enjoy the Vitamin D from the sunshine. The flowers are bursting and the birds are singing earlier.
But for some this can be a time of the year that means suffering and sneezing. I was once one of these people. For some spring means allergies and hayfever.
Symptoms of stuffy nose, watery eyes, sneezing and possible asthma symptoms can all be correlated to spring allergies (Hayfever or Allergic Rhinitis).
Allergies can be caused from the pollens emitted in larger amounts in spring. But allergies can also be caused from dust mite or cockroach, mould spores, your pets, or even pollutants such as cigarettes and car exhaust emissions.
Allergic reactions are caused through an inflammatory response. We could liken it to a spot fire. A small spot fire may ignite and be put out quickly without too much effect on the surroundings but if that fire becomes uncontrolled and elevates into a bushfire then the surrounding areas become affected. This is similar to the effect of allergies in the body. A small inflammatory response doesn't cause many symptoms but if it becomes uncontrolled the inflammation affects all the surrounding tissues and symptoms, like runny nose and itchy eyes ensues.
The allergen has triggered and inflammatory action that is produced by the immune system. Initially when an allergen comes in contact with the mucous membranes of the body, the immune system reacts and produces Immunoglobulin E (IgE). This molecule causes the blood cells to invade and inflame the local site of allergy eg nose. The immune cells release substances to "deal" with the allergen. These substances are inflammatory and cause the symptoms eg itchy eyes and runny nose.
There are herbs, foods and remedies that can be used to control the inflammatory response without the drowsy effects that many pharmaceutical medications can cause. Many of the remedies can also help to reduce the allergic response in the future. Ensuring that you have these nutrients in your eating plan or lifestyle regime regularly can help prevent allergies from gaining a hold over you.
What can you do to control your allergies this spring?
Vitamin C is a terrific vitamin that helps to reduce the histamine release that causes the allergic symptoms. Taking a buffered Vitamin C product can help to minimise your allergic symptoms of runny nose and sneezing but taken over the season can also reduce the incidence and severity of allergic symptoms. Foods high in Vitamin C include: red capsicum, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, snowpeas, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, lemons, and limes. Use these foods daily to help bolster your Vitamin C levels.
Vitamin A is a vitamin that can be made in our bodies from betacarotene. Vitamin A protects the delicate mucous membranes that become inflamed during the allergy reaction. When these membranes are protected, the response to the allergen is reduced. Vitamin A is a vitamin that should always be used as directed by a health professional as large quantities can become toxic, however foods that are high in Betacarotene can contribute to the production of Vitamin A in the body. Foods high in Betacarotene include: egg yolk, animal liver eg cod liver oil, carrots, tomato, apricot, mango, pumpkin, sweet potato, and spinach. Many natural allergy medications contain betacrotene or Vitamin A to help protect and reduce the allergy reaction.
Onions and Garlic are great to include in your diet as these foods inhibit the inflammatory chemicals that cause the inflammation and allergic symptoms. If the smell of garlic doesn't take your fancy, then you can use pickled garlic (available from health food stores) or use red onions in your salads or cooked brown onion in your stirfry.
Herbs such as Horseradish, Stinging nettle, Eyebright, Liquorice (not the confection!), Reishi mushroom, and Perilla seed extract all work well to reduce the allergy reaction by reducing the inflammatory compounds, acting as anti-histamine, or protecting the mucous membranes and reducing the nasal secretions. At Gold Coast Integrative Wellness, we use Perilla seed extract widely and get good long term results for reducing incidence of the allergic reactions.
Herbs should always be taken after consulting a health professional, as herbs such as Liquorice is contra-indicated in people with high blood pressure.
Homeopathics such as Apis mellifica or Urtica urens can also help to reduce the symptoms such as itchy nose and sneezing.
There are many wonderful nutrients and herbs that can help to alleviate your allergies and provide you with a healthy non-drowsy spring.
Embrace your spring and live every beatuiful day to the fullest!!

lowercased:
well spring is upon us.
this time of year is beautiful, the weather is warmer, we are able to get out and enjoy the vitamin d from the sunshine. the flowers are bursting and the birds are singing earlier.
but for some this can be a time of the year that means suffering and sneezing. i was once one of these people. for some spring means allergies and hayfever.
symptoms of stuffy nose, watery eyes, sneezing and possible asthma symptoms can all be correlated to spring allergies (hayfever or allergic rhinitis).
allergies can be caused from the pollens emitted in larger amounts in spring. but allergies can also be caused from dust mite or cockroach, mould spores, your pets, or even pollutants such as cigarettes and car exhaust emissions.
allergic reactions are caused through an inflammatory response. we could liken it to a spot fire. a small spot fire may ignite and be put out quickly without too much effect on the surroundings but if that fire becomes uncontrolled and elevates into a bushfire then the surrounding areas become affected. this is similar to the effect of allergies in the body. a small inflammatory response doesn't cause many symptoms but if it becomes uncontrolled the inflammation affects all the surrounding tissues and symptoms, like runny nose and itchy eyes ensues.
the allergen has triggered and inflammatory action that is produced by the immune system. initially when an allergen comes in contact with the mucous membranes of the body, the immune system reacts and produces immunoglobulin e (ige). this molecule causes the blood cells to invade and inflame the local site of allergy eg nose. the immune cells release substances to "deal" with the allergen. these substances are inflammatory and cause the symptoms eg itchy eyes and runny nose.
there are herbs, foods and remedies that can be used to control the inflammatory response without the drowsy effects that many pharmaceutical medications can cause. many of the remedies can also help to reduce the allergic response in the future. ensuring that you have these nutrients in your eating plan or lifestyle regime regularly can help prevent allergies from gaining a hold over you.
what can you do to control your allergies this spring?
vitamin c is a terrific vitamin that helps to reduce the histamine release that causes the allergic symptoms. taking a buffered vitamin c product can help to minimise your allergic symptoms of runny nose and sneezing but taken over the season can also reduce the incidence and severity of allergic symptoms. foods high in vitamin c include: red capsicum, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, snowpeas, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, lemons, and limes. use these foods daily to help bolster your vitamin c levels.
vitamin a is a vitamin that can be made in our bodies from betacarotene. vitamin a protects the delicate mucous membranes that become inflamed during the allergy reaction. when these membranes are protected, the response to the allergen is reduced. vitamin a is a vitamin that should always be used as directed by a health professional as large quantities can become toxic, however foods that are high in betacarotene can contribute to the production of vitamin a in the body. foods high in betacarotene include: egg yolk, animal liver eg cod liver oil, carrots, tomato, apricot, mango, pumpkin, sweet potato, and spinach. many natural allergy medications contain betacrotene or vitamin a to help protect and reduce the allergy reaction.
onions and garlic are great to include in your diet as these foods inhibit the inflammatory chemicals that cause the inflammation and allergic symptoms. if the smell of garlic doesn't take your fancy, then you can use pickled garlic (available from health food stores) or use red onions in your salads or cooked brown onion in your stirfry.
herbs such as horseradish, stinging nettle, eyebright, liquorice (not the confection!), reishi mushroom, and perilla seed extract all work well to reduce the allergy reaction by reducing the inflammatory compounds, acting as anti-histamine, or protecting the mucous membranes and reducing the nasal secretions. at gold coast integrative wellness, we use perilla seed extract widely and get good long term results for reducing incidence of the allergic reactions.
herbs should always be taken after consulting a health professional, as herbs such as liquorice is contra-indicated in people with high blood pressure.
homeopathics such as apis mellifica or urtica urens can also help to reduce the symptoms such as itchy nose and sneezing.
there are many wonderful nutrients and herbs that can help to alleviate your allergies and provide you with a healthy non-drowsy spring.
embrace your spring and live every beatuiful day to the fullest!!


text: Join us November 3rd for our 5th annual Live Auction to benefit Black Mountain of Maine. Doors open at 5pm. Auction begins at 6:30. Light fare from 5:00-7:30. Last Run Pub Open & in full gear.

lowercased: join us november 3rd for our 5th annual live auction to benefit black mountain of maine. doors open at 5pm. auction begins at 6:30. light fare from 5:00-7:30. last run pub open & in full gear.


text:
AMP’s net operating earnings slumped by 12.6% to $60.4 million in the first half of the year. Its assets under management (AUM) increased 7.2% to $17.5 billion, while the AMP KiwiSaver Scheme AUM also increased 12.3%, reaching $5.2 billion.
AMP said the decline in its operating earnings was mainly driven by a reduction in experience profits, reflecting an increase in the number of claims AMP New Zealand paid to customers.
Despite this, AMP New Zealand managing director Blair Vernon is positive AMP has delivered on its commitment to New Zealanders, claiming it provided high-quality advice, products and services through its network of financial advisers.
“AMP’s solid first half performance is underpinned by what we do every day to support our 556,000 customers, particularly at claim time, and our communities more broadly,” he noted.
Over the last six months, AMP New Zealand paid $103 million to customers. It paid out $31 million in general insurance claims, $45 million in life insurance claims, $14 million in trauma claims and $13 million in income protection claims.

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amp’s net operating earnings slumped by 12.6% to $60.4 million in the first half of the year. its assets under management (aum) increased 7.2% to $17.5 billion, while the amp kiwisaver scheme aum also increased 12.3%, reaching $5.2 billion.
amp said the decline in its operating earnings was mainly driven by a reduction in experience profits, reflecting an increase in the number of claims amp new zealand paid to customers.
despite this, amp new zealand managing director blair vernon is positive amp has delivered on its commitment to new zealanders, claiming it provided high-quality advice, products and services through its network of financial advisers.
“amp’s solid first half performance is underpinned by what we do every day to support our 556,000 customers, particularly at claim time, and our communities more broadly,” he noted.
over the last six months, amp new zealand paid $103 million to customers. it paid out $31 million in general insurance claims, $45 million in life insurance claims, $14 million in trauma claims and $13 million in income protection claims.


text:
Should Investors Take a Look at Makita?
Japanese power tool manufacturer Makita (MKTAY) brings a reputation for producing quality products into its battle for global tool sales against U.S. company Stanley Black & Decker (SWK). Investors should not worry about the somewhat strange ticker symbol for the Makita shares trading as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR); the stock provides solid, if cyclical value.
Makita is best known for its hand power tools, and those tools generated more than 70 percent of the company's sales. The balance of sales is split between garden and household power products and replacement parts sales. Europe is Makita's biggest market, with 42.5 percent of sales in the latest fiscal year. Japan provided 17 percent of sales and North America accounted for just 13.6 percent. The rest of Asia, South America, Africa, and the Middle East produced the remaining 27 percent. Makita is truly a global company, headquartered in Japan.
The company's results were affected by the economic slowdown and reduction in construction activity. Total revenues declined for the fiscal years of 2009 and 2010 before rebounding in fiscal year 2011, which ended in March. Annual revenues increased by 11 percent over the previous year and net income per share grew by 34 percent.
The first quarter of Makita's fiscal 2012 saw revenues increase by 17 percent and net income per share jumped by 56 percent. A portion of the strong growth numbers is due to the effects of the earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan in the spring. The company has forecast second quarter revenue and income growth in a 12 percent to 15 percent range.
Makita is not followed by Wall Street and just 3 percent of the company shares are held by U.S. institutional investors. However, the stock has produced significantly better historical performance than rival Black & Decker.
At the time this article was written, MKTAY was up 14 percent from the previous year and SWK was down by the same amount. Over a three year period Makita had outperformed its rival 60 percent to 6 percent. Past results do not predict the future, but that performance is something to think about.
The company reports next on Oct. 31.

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should investors take a look at makita?
japanese power tool manufacturer makita (mktay) brings a reputation for producing quality products into its battle for global tool sales against u.s. company stanley black & decker (swk). investors should not worry about the somewhat strange ticker symbol for the makita shares trading as an american depositary receipt (adr); the stock provides solid, if cyclical value.
makita is best known for its hand power tools, and those tools generated more than 70 percent of the company's sales. the balance of sales is split between garden and household power products and replacement parts sales. europe is makita's biggest market, with 42.5 percent of sales in the latest fiscal year. japan provided 17 percent of sales and north america accounted for just 13.6 percent. the rest of asia, south america, africa, and the middle east produced the remaining 27 percent. makita is truly a global company, headquartered in japan.
the company's results were affected by the economic slowdown and reduction in construction activity. total revenues declined for the fiscal years of 2009 and 2010 before rebounding in fiscal year 2011, which ended in march. annual revenues increased by 11 percent over the previous year and net income per share grew by 34 percent.
the first quarter of makita's fiscal 2012 saw revenues increase by 17 percent and net income per share jumped by 56 percent. a portion of the strong growth numbers is due to the effects of the earthquake and tsunami which hit japan in the spring. the company has forecast second quarter revenue and income growth in a 12 percent to 15 percent range.
makita is not followed by wall street and just 3 percent of the company shares are held by u.s. institutional investors. however, the stock has produced significantly better historical performance than rival black & decker.
at the time this article was written, mktay was up 14 percent from the previous year and swk was down by the same amount. over a three year period makita had outperformed its rival 60 percent to 6 percent. past results do not predict the future, but that performance is something to think about.
the company reports next on oct. 31.


text:
McClintock’s case did not originally include CEC as the religious instruction provider at his daughter’s school was Life in Focus Trust.
But CEC said McClintock was implicitly challenging the rights of Boards of Trustees to exercise their discretion to allow voluntary religious education in state schools.
CEC provides religious education programmes to 667 state primary schools in New Zealand by 2582 Christian religious education teachers.
Justice Thomas said it would be “disingenuous” to suggest Boards of Trustees would not take notice if McClintock was successful in his declaration.
Justice Thomas referred to CEC as a religious education provider in her decision.
However, under the Education Act CEC was a religious instruction provider.
Religious education is part of a school’s curriculum and taught during school hours by registered teachers.
Under the act, religious instruction is not part of the curriculum and is taught while the school is closed.
CEC spokeswoman Debra Hunt said the religious instruction provider was “really pleased” with the judgment.
There was no doubt CEC would be affected by the decision, Hunt said.
CEC’s programmes had undergone some significant changes during the past 20 years, including the way it trained teachers and the material it taught.
Teachers were now trained to tell students the material was based on what Christians believed, rather than state beliefs as fact, Hunt said.
Increasingly, CEC was teaching Christian classes in schools that also had volunteers from other religious groups teaching students about their religion, Hunt said.
McClintock said he was disappointed at the High Court decision as it meant CEC would try and confuse the situation.
Secular Education Network (SEN) spokesman David Hines said CEC’s inclusion meant the case would become more complicated and costly.
However, it was a good opportunity to have CEC’s claims and teaching material assessed by experts and the court, Hines said.
McClintock is also seeking compensation for damages from Red Beach School but Justice Thomas said CEC was unable to seek costs as part of the case.
Meanwhile, SEN had been in mediation with the Ministry of Education through the Human Rights Commission.
Did God Write the Story You Didn’t Want?

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mcclintock’s case did not originally include cec as the religious instruction provider at his daughter’s school was life in focus trust.
but cec said mcclintock was implicitly challenging the rights of boards of trustees to exercise their discretion to allow voluntary religious education in state schools.
cec provides religious education programmes to 667 state primary schools in new zealand by 2582 christian religious education teachers.
justice thomas said it would be “disingenuous” to suggest boards of trustees would not take notice if mcclintock was successful in his declaration.
justice thomas referred to cec as a religious education provider in her decision.
however, under the education act cec was a religious instruction provider.
religious education is part of a school’s curriculum and taught during school hours by registered teachers.
under the act, religious instruction is not part of the curriculum and is taught while the school is closed.
cec spokeswoman debra hunt said the religious instruction provider was “really pleased” with the judgment.
there was no doubt cec would be affected by the decision, hunt said.
cec’s programmes had undergone some significant changes during the past 20 years, including the way it trained teachers and the material it taught.
teachers were now trained to tell students the material was based on what christians believed, rather than state beliefs as fact, hunt said.
increasingly, cec was teaching christian classes in schools that also had volunteers from other religious groups teaching students about their religion, hunt said.
mcclintock said he was disappointed at the high court decision as it meant cec would try and confuse the situation.
secular education network (sen) spokesman david hines said cec’s inclusion meant the case would become more complicated and costly.
however, it was a good opportunity to have cec’s claims and teaching material assessed by experts and the court, hines said.
mcclintock is also seeking compensation for damages from red beach school but justice thomas said cec was unable to seek costs as part of the case.
meanwhile, sen had been in mediation with the ministry of education through the human rights commission.
did god write the story you didn’t want?


text:
Bluebee Pals® entertain with game apps!
Busy Shapes helps children improve their ability to handle simple objects through a series of puzzles, in which they must change simple shapes and place them in proper holes. Along the way, the app responds to each child’s actions with positive guidance and motivation. Plus, the app’s digital exploratory playground regularly refreshes with different objects, which keeps children interested and engaged.Are you a parent in search of an innovative way to sharpen your child’s reasoning skills and awaken their intelligence, as they immerse themselves in an amazing and evolving digital exploratory playground? Then you’ll love Busy Shapes designed for children from 2 years old!
Play and collect fast and frantic minigames in Bikini’s Bottom’s biggest adventure yet – SpongeBob’s Game Frenzy! Tap, draw, tilt, shake, drag and scrub your way through hilarious classic SpongeBob Squarepants moments to save Bikini Bottom.
The app features video of Elmo and a selection of faceless muppets waiting to be customized. Kids can choose from a good number of eyes, noses, horns, hats, etc., and make a muppet all their own. The created muppets will the interact and play with Elmo in real video footage.
Wheels of the Bus is an interactive version of the children’s classic song brought to life on either the iPhone, the iPod Touch, or iPad. In addition to hearing the song sung in 5 languages, kids can participate in the action by touching the device’s screen to make the bus roll along the road, open the doors to the bus, and even make the windshield wipers go “Swish.” Parents and kids familiar with the song will delight in the new verses introduced here.
The Lorax Garden is a colorful and easy gardening sim for young kids that is tied to Dr. Seuss’s book, The Lorax. Like the book, the game carries a strong environmental message about humanity’s impact on nature. Considering recent world event, the game and its backstory are likely to elicit questions from kids. Parents should also be aware that if your mobile device has an associated email address, kids will be able to send email postcards of their created gardens.
Deskplorers “Pirates” (Episode Two) HD is a fun app that blends storytelling, games, and learning, and is a stand-alone, pirate-themed episode of a larger series. There’s some pirate-themed violence, but it’s cartoony. There are several other themes in development as well as completed episodes, and Episode Zero is available to be downloaded for free from the iTunes store. The game has three profiles for the family with more than one child, as well as a parents section that explains how the game works.
Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition is a bundled version of different versions of the console classic. The game features plenty of new modes, but they’re all basic variations on the familiar quarter-gobbler. There’s no multiplayer mode, so parents don’t need to worry about children talking to strangers. Players can share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.
This is a faithful adaptation of the original Ms. Pac-Man arcade game from the 1980s. It is a maze game. For those who grew up playing it, it is just as simple and/or challenging as you remember it, but it will cost you far fewer quarters.
This mobile-app adaptation of the classic PAC-MAN arcade game is very faithful to the original. Players using an iOS device can share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional.

lowercased:
bluebee pals® entertain with game apps!
busy shapes helps children improve their ability to handle simple objects through a series of puzzles, in which they must change simple shapes and place them in proper holes. along the way, the app responds to each child’s actions with positive guidance and motivation. plus, the app’s digital exploratory playground regularly refreshes with different objects, which keeps children interested and engaged.are you a parent in search of an innovative way to sharpen your child’s reasoning skills and awaken their intelligence, as they immerse themselves in an amazing and evolving digital exploratory playground? then you’ll love busy shapes designed for children from 2 years old!
play and collect fast and frantic minigames in bikini’s bottom’s biggest adventure yet – spongebob’s game frenzy! tap, draw, tilt, shake, drag and scrub your way through hilarious classic spongebob squarepants moments to save bikini bottom.
the app features video of elmo and a selection of faceless muppets waiting to be customized. kids can choose from a good number of eyes, noses, horns, hats, etc., and make a muppet all their own. the created muppets will the interact and play with elmo in real video footage.
wheels of the bus is an interactive version of the children’s classic song brought to life on either the iphone, the ipod touch, or ipad. in addition to hearing the song sung in 5 languages, kids can participate in the action by touching the device’s screen to make the bus roll along the road, open the doors to the bus, and even make the windshield wipers go “swish.” parents and kids familiar with the song will delight in the new verses introduced here.
the lorax garden is a colorful and easy gardening sim for young kids that is tied to dr. seuss’s book, the lorax. like the book, the game carries a strong environmental message about humanity’s impact on nature. considering recent world event, the game and its backstory are likely to elicit questions from kids. parents should also be aware that if your mobile device has an associated email address, kids will be able to send email postcards of their created gardens.
deskplorers “pirates” (episode two) hd is a fun app that blends storytelling, games, and learning, and is a stand-alone, pirate-themed episode of a larger series. there’s some pirate-themed violence, but it’s cartoony. there are several other themes in development as well as completed episodes, and episode zero is available to be downloaded for free from the itunes store. the game has three profiles for the family with more than one child, as well as a parents section that explains how the game works.
frogger: hyper arcade edition is a bundled version of different versions of the console classic. the game features plenty of new modes, but they’re all basic variations on the familiar quarter-gobbler. there’s no multiplayer mode, so parents don’t need to worry about children talking to strangers. players can share high scores via the game center social network, but participation is optional.
this is a faithful adaptation of the original ms. pac-man arcade game from the 1980s. it is a maze game. for those who grew up playing it, it is just as simple and/or challenging as you remember it, but it will cost you far fewer quarters.
this mobile-app adaptation of the classic pac-man arcade game is very faithful to the original. players using an ios device can share high scores via the game center social network, but participation is optional.


text:
The Configuration Compliance homepage provides an executive view into policies, CIs, tests, and test results, helping security staff pinpoint areas of concern quickly. Configuration Compliance significance charts can be added, as needed. You can also return Configuration Compliance-related information using the global search feature.
In each chart, you can point to any part of a chart (bar, pie, data point) to view general data specific to that part of the chart. If you click any part of a report, a list opens to provide detailed information.
Note: Anyone can view the dashboard. Anyone in the sn_vulc.write or sn_vulc.admin role can create and edit a dashboard. Only sn_vulc.admin can delete a dashboard.
Test Results by Compliance Donut Displays the number of open tests that have passed or failed.
Polices Number Number of policies with failed test results.
Tests Number Number of tests with failed test results.
Hosts Number Number of hosts with failed test results.
Failed Test Results by Criticality Donut Displays the number of failed tests by risk score.
Failed Test Results by Technology Donut Displays models with failed tests.
Failed Test Results by Category Bar Displays categories with the most failed test results.
Risk Score Distribution Bar Displays the number of failed test results by risk score.
Test Result Groups Chart Displays Test Result Groups by state and criticality.

lowercased:
the configuration compliance homepage provides an executive view into policies, cis, tests, and test results, helping security staff pinpoint areas of concern quickly. configuration compliance significance charts can be added, as needed. you can also return configuration compliance-related information using the global search feature.
in each chart, you can point to any part of a chart (bar, pie, data point) to view general data specific to that part of the chart. if you click any part of a report, a list opens to provide detailed information.
note: anyone can view the dashboard. anyone in the sn_vulc.write or sn_vulc.admin role can create and edit a dashboard. only sn_vulc.admin can delete a dashboard.
test results by compliance donut displays the number of open tests that have passed or failed.
polices number number of policies with failed test results.
tests number number of tests with failed test results.
hosts number number of hosts with failed test results.
failed test results by criticality donut displays the number of failed tests by risk score.
failed test results by technology donut displays models with failed tests.
failed test results by category bar displays categories with the most failed test results.
risk score distribution bar displays the number of failed test results by risk score.
test result groups chart displays test result groups by state and criticality.


text: Check it out for yourself! You can gather Yellow Modern Office Chair guide and read the latest Yellow Desk Chair is Stylish and Unique. in here.

lowercased: check it out for yourself! you can gather yellow modern office chair guide and read the latest yellow desk chair is stylish and unique. in here.


text:
Cite as: Armstrong, Edward M.; US NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory > Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (2010). NAVOCEANO Multichannel sea surface temperature 2.2km data (MCSST) for 100W - 45E and 90N - 70S, from NOAA-16 AVHRR/2 over the EU-RDAC area (Medspiration) for 2005-02-08 (NCEI Accession 0004980). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0004980. Accessed [date].
2010-12-20T20:05:26Z - NCEI Accession 0004980 v1.1 was published.

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cite as: armstrong, edward m.; us nasa/jet propulsion laboratory > physical oceanography distributed active archive center (2010). navoceano multichannel sea surface temperature 2.2km data (mcsst) for 100w - 45e and 90n - 70s, from noaa-16 avhrr/2 over the eu-rdac area (medspiration) for 2005-02-08 (ncei accession 0004980). [indicate subset used]. noaa national centers for environmental information. dataset. https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0004980. accessed [date].
2010-12-20t20:05:26z - ncei accession 0004980 v1.1 was published.


text:
We're ready to record our 2nd album and to make it sound as amazing as we imagine we need your help. Make dreams reality!
We have about 50 songs now and only 10 were released on our debut album in 2010. Since that album was released our sound and style has been boiled down to the purest form of gravy there can possibly be. Help us share our music with the world, get ready for some GREAT Gravy!
It's easy, and quick! Just click the big green button that says "BACK THIS PROJECT" located on this page then follow the simple steps. It's less than 2 minutes to complete the entire process.
Be a part of this album. We can't do it without you guys! If you have any questions check out the FAQs below.
Good Gravy @ The Belly Up. Aspen, Colorado. "Outlaw Man"
A risk and challenge that could occur during the making of our new album would be production delays. If this happens we will push the release date back only if its absolutely necessary.
A digital download of the album before it’s released.
Signed hard copy of the album + digital download of the album before it’s released.
Special edition T-shirt + Signed hard copy of the album + Stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.
Custom songbook with full sheet music, lyrics and guitar chords for all of the songs on the album, behind the scenes photos, and hand signed + Special edition T-shirt + Signed hard copy of the album + Stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.
We will Cover a song of your choice and play it at a show of your choice + Custom songbook with full sheet music, lyrics and guitar chords for all of the songs on the album, behind the scenes photos, and hand signed + Special edition T-shirt + Signed hard copy of the album + Stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.
Lifetime Guest List Spot + We will Cover a song of your choice and play it at a show of your choice + Custom songbook with full sheet music, lyrics and guitar chords for all of the songs on the album, behind the scenes photos, and hand signed + Special edition T-shirt + Signed hard copy of the album + Stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.
We will play at your house for your friends and family, company party, what ever the event may be. If the event is more than 4 hours from Ft. Collins, CO, gas money and sleeping arrangements must be covered for the band(please allow time for scheduling) + Lifetime Guest List Spot + We will Cover a song of your choice and play it at a show of your choice + Custom songbook with full sheet music, lyrics and guitar chords for all of the songs on the album, behind the scenes photos, and hand signed + Special edition T-shirt + Signed hard copy of the album + Stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.

lowercased:
we're ready to record our 2nd album and to make it sound as amazing as we imagine we need your help. make dreams reality!
we have about 50 songs now and only 10 were released on our debut album in 2010. since that album was released our sound and style has been boiled down to the purest form of gravy there can possibly be. help us share our music with the world, get ready for some great gravy!
it's easy, and quick! just click the big green button that says "back this project" located on this page then follow the simple steps. it's less than 2 minutes to complete the entire process.
be a part of this album. we can't do it without you guys! if you have any questions check out the faqs below.
good gravy @ the belly up. aspen, colorado. "outlaw man"
a risk and challenge that could occur during the making of our new album would be production delays. if this happens we will push the release date back only if its absolutely necessary.
a digital download of the album before it’s released.
signed hard copy of the album + digital download of the album before it’s released.
special edition t-shirt + signed hard copy of the album + stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.
custom songbook with full sheet music, lyrics and guitar chords for all of the songs on the album, behind the scenes photos, and hand signed + special edition t-shirt + signed hard copy of the album + stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.
we will cover a song of your choice and play it at a show of your choice + custom songbook with full sheet music, lyrics and guitar chords for all of the songs on the album, behind the scenes photos, and hand signed + special edition t-shirt + signed hard copy of the album + stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.
lifetime guest list spot + we will cover a song of your choice and play it at a show of your choice + custom songbook with full sheet music, lyrics and guitar chords for all of the songs on the album, behind the scenes photos, and hand signed + special edition t-shirt + signed hard copy of the album + stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.
we will play at your house for your friends and family, company party, what ever the event may be. if the event is more than 4 hours from ft. collins, co, gas money and sleeping arrangements must be covered for the band(please allow time for scheduling) + lifetime guest list spot + we will cover a song of your choice and play it at a show of your choice + custom songbook with full sheet music, lyrics and guitar chords for all of the songs on the album, behind the scenes photos, and hand signed + special edition t-shirt + signed hard copy of the album + stickers + digital download of the album before it’s released.


text:
A knock on his office door had his head jolting up. Calling out for whoever it was to come in Zachary ensured nothing of his current project was visible.
Her. The woman that had burrowed into his every thought, fantasy, and even into his dreams each night. Chandra Devons. Alluring, mysterious, and a contradiction of details. She was his latest focus, mainly because while they’d talked a lot, it was never about anything important. She’d given him enough about her past that he felt she was sharing, but never too much. Any time he’d tried to find out about her time before C&M she’d deftly, and too easily deflected the conversation a different direction.
Which had raised an internal alarm for him. And promptly led him to try and figure out who she was. Which in turn had run him into a gigantic, impenetrable road block. That was where Hank came into the picture. Hank was a former hacker, hired on by the FBI to keep other hackers out, and to do the things most of the agents couldn’t even dream of. Sifting through thousands of pieces of information to find one little lead.
Hank was very good at his job, unless he went up against another C&M employee. But that was an entirely different story, and one that Zach actually found pretty amusing.
“What’s on here?” he asked, lifting his violet gaze to meet Hank’s nearly black one.
Damn, not what Zach needed to hear to get his curiosity to lay off. All it did was make him want to bolt out of the building, race home, and use his personal laptop to find out what Hank had found.

lowercased:
a knock on his office door had his head jolting up. calling out for whoever it was to come in zachary ensured nothing of his current project was visible.
her. the woman that had burrowed into his every thought, fantasy, and even into his dreams each night. chandra devons. alluring, mysterious, and a contradiction of details. she was his latest focus, mainly because while they’d talked a lot, it was never about anything important. she’d given him enough about her past that he felt she was sharing, but never too much. any time he’d tried to find out about her time before c&m she’d deftly, and too easily deflected the conversation a different direction.
which had raised an internal alarm for him. and promptly led him to try and figure out who she was. which in turn had run him into a gigantic, impenetrable road block. that was where hank came into the picture. hank was a former hacker, hired on by the fbi to keep other hackers out, and to do the things most of the agents couldn’t even dream of. sifting through thousands of pieces of information to find one little lead.
hank was very good at his job, unless he went up against another c&m employee. but that was an entirely different story, and one that zach actually found pretty amusing.
“what’s on here?” he asked, lifting his violet gaze to meet hank’s nearly black one.
damn, not what zach needed to hear to get his curiosity to lay off. all it did was make him want to bolt out of the building, race home, and use his personal laptop to find out what hank had found.


text:
Former Studio 54 alumnus and owner of Ethyl’s Alcohol & Food, Gerard Renny and XM Studio 54 Radio’s The Marc & Myra Show invite you to the Official Studio 54 Reunion After party.
Immediately following the taping of a town hall event at Sirius XM Studios, Studio 54 alumni will gather to celebrate at Ethyl’s with a special performance by Randy Jones, the original cowboy of the Village People – performing the anthem Y.M.C.A.
Doors will be open to the public at 10p.m. with DJ Ronnie Magri spinning Studio 54 classics.
As space is limited, press RSVP to [email protected].
Ethyl’s Alcohol and Food is located at 1629 2nd Avenue between East 84th and 85th streets, New York, NY 10028. 212-300-4132.

lowercased:
former studio 54 alumnus and owner of ethyl’s alcohol & food, gerard renny and xm studio 54 radio’s the marc & myra show invite you to the official studio 54 reunion after party.
immediately following the taping of a town hall event at sirius xm studios, studio 54 alumni will gather to celebrate at ethyl’s with a special performance by randy jones, the original cowboy of the village people – performing the anthem y.m.c.a.
doors will be open to the public at 10p.m. with dj ronnie magri spinning studio 54 classics.
as space is limited, press rsvp to [email protected].
ethyl’s alcohol and food is located at 1629 2nd avenue between east 84th and 85th streets, new york, ny 10028. 212-300-4132.


text:
Bubbles, bubbles, everywhere bubbles. There is a lot of talk about bubbles among commentators and central bankers. One of the most common bubble fears is a fear of a bubble in the US bond market (just take a look at this recent “bond bubble”-story). Generally I am very skeptical about all kinds of bubble fears and that also goes for the fear of a bubble in the US bond market.
The general bond bubble story more or less assumes that quantitative easing from the Federal Reserve and other central banks has pushed down bond yields to artificially low levels and once QE is over the bond bubble will burst, bond yield will spike dramatically and send the US economy back into a major recession.
Should we fear this? Not really in my mind and I will try to show that in this blog post.
So I decided to do a little exercise: what 10-year interest rate would make sense given the CBO projection of unemployment and inflation over the next decade?
… I decided to use the simplified Mankiw rule, which puts the same coefficient on core CPI inflation and unemployment. That is, it says that the Fed funds rate is a linear function of core CPI inflation minus the unemployment rate.
Krugman is basically using the Mankiw rule to forecast the Fed funds rate 10 years ahead and then he compared this forecast with the 10-year US government bond yield. It turned out that the 10-year yield was pretty well in line with the forecasted path for Fed Funds rates. I will now show that that is still the case.
I have recently been playing a bit with the Mankiw rule (see here and here) so it is only natural to re-do Krugman’s small “experiment”.
Krugman is using CBO’s projections for core PCE inflation and unemployment. I will do the same (see the latest CBO forecast here) thing, but I will also use the FOMC’s recent projections (see here) for the same variables. I plug these projections into the Mankiw rule that I recently estimated. This gives us two forecasts for the Fed funds future rate for the coming 10-years. The graph below shows the two “forecasts”.
Both forecasts (or maybe we should say simulations) point to interest rate hikes from the Fed in coming years. The forecast based on FOMC projections for unemployment and core inflation is a bit more “aggressive” in the rate hiking cycle than the Mankiw rule based on the CBO forecasts for the same variables.
The reason for this is primarily that the FOMC members expect unemployment to drop faster than forecasted by the CBO. Both the FOMC and CBO expects inflation to gradually increase to 2% over the coming 4 years.
The rule based on the FOMC projections indicates that the Fed funds target rate should be close to 3% in the “long run” (after 2018), while the CBO based rule is indicating a Fed funds rate around 2.6% i the long run. This difference is due to the FOMC expects unemployment at 5.0% in the long run, while the CBO expects unemployment at 5.5% in the long run.
I should stress that this is not my forecasts for the Fed funds rate as such, but rather an illustration of how we should expect the Fed’s policy rate to development over the coming 10 years if the Mankiw rule in general holds and we use the FOMC and CBO’s macroeconomic forecasts as input in this rule.
We can now use these “predictions” to construct a (quasi) yield curve. Not to make things overly complicated (and spending to much time calculating the stuff…) I have simply constructed the “yield curve” by saying that “forecast” for for example the 2-year yield is simply the average of the predicted of the Fed funds rate in 2014 and 2015. Similarly the 5-yield is the average of the forecasted policy rate for 2014-2019. Hence, I disregard compounded interest and coupon payments.
The graph below shows the actual US yield curve compared with the two quasi-yield curve based on the two Mankiw rule based predictions for the Fed funds rate in the coming 10 years.
First of all we see that the FOMC curve and CBO curve are considerably “higher” than the actual yield curve for the next couple of years. This should not be a surprise given the fact that we already know that forecasts based on the Mankiw rule is too “hawkish” compared to the actual Fed policy in 2014. Hence, the “predicted” rate for 2014 is 75-100bp too high. The reason for this is among other things that the simple Mankiw rule does not take into account “discouraged worker”-effects on the labour market, which seems to have been a a major problem in the past 5-6 years. Furthermore, the rule ignores that the Fed over the past 5-6 years more or less consistently has undershot it’s 2% inflation target. I have discussed these factors in my previous post.
These factors mean that we should probably pushed down the “rate path” in the next couple of years and that means that the yield curve does not look to be too “low” for 2-year or 5-years (very broadly speaking).
Second, we see that if we look at the 10-year yield we see that it is more or less exactly where the FOMC curve “predict” it to be (around 2.6%). We can of course not directly compare the two as I have not taken compounded interest and coupon payments into account (which would push the FOMC curve up), but on the other hand we should also remember that the Mankiw rule is too “hawkish” for the “early period” (which should push the FOMC curve down along the curve).
I believe that the discussion above shows that US bond yields pretty well reflect realistic expectations to Federal Reserve policy over the coming decade given the FOMC’s and the CBO’s expectations for US unemployment and core inflation and it is therefore hard in my view to justify the claim that there is a bubble in the US bond market. That of course does not mean that yields cannot go up. They very likely will if FOMC’s and CBO’s expectations particularly for the US labour market are correct.
And the bond market might of course also be 50bp wrong is one or the other direction, but I find it very hard to see why US bond yields should suddenly spike 200 or 300bp as some of doomsayers are claiming.
And finally I should stress that this is not investment advice and I am not making any recommendations to sell or buy US Treasury bonds and the market might go in whatever direction.
Instead my point here is to argue that policy makers – the Fed – should not be overly concerned that quantitative easing has caused a bond bubble. It has not. If anything bond yields are this low because the Fed has not eased monetary policy enough rather than too much.

lowercased:
bubbles, bubbles, everywhere bubbles. there is a lot of talk about bubbles among commentators and central bankers. one of the most common bubble fears is a fear of a bubble in the us bond market (just take a look at this recent “bond bubble”-story). generally i am very skeptical about all kinds of bubble fears and that also goes for the fear of a bubble in the us bond market.
the general bond bubble story more or less assumes that quantitative easing from the federal reserve and other central banks has pushed down bond yields to artificially low levels and once qe is over the bond bubble will burst, bond yield will spike dramatically and send the us economy back into a major recession.
should we fear this? not really in my mind and i will try to show that in this blog post.
so i decided to do a little exercise: what 10-year interest rate would make sense given the cbo projection of unemployment and inflation over the next decade?
… i decided to use the simplified mankiw rule, which puts the same coefficient on core cpi inflation and unemployment. that is, it says that the fed funds rate is a linear function of core cpi inflation minus the unemployment rate.
krugman is basically using the mankiw rule to forecast the fed funds rate 10 years ahead and then he compared this forecast with the 10-year us government bond yield. it turned out that the 10-year yield was pretty well in line with the forecasted path for fed funds rates. i will now show that that is still the case.
i have recently been playing a bit with the mankiw rule (see here and here) so it is only natural to re-do krugman’s small “experiment”.
krugman is using cbo’s projections for core pce inflation and unemployment. i will do the same (see the latest cbo forecast here) thing, but i will also use the fomc’s recent projections (see here) for the same variables. i plug these projections into the mankiw rule that i recently estimated. this gives us two forecasts for the fed funds future rate for the coming 10-years. the graph below shows the two “forecasts”.
both forecasts (or maybe we should say simulations) point to interest rate hikes from the fed in coming years. the forecast based on fomc projections for unemployment and core inflation is a bit more “aggressive” in the rate hiking cycle than the mankiw rule based on the cbo forecasts for the same variables.
the reason for this is primarily that the fomc members expect unemployment to drop faster than forecasted by the cbo. both the fomc and cbo expects inflation to gradually increase to 2% over the coming 4 years.
the rule based on the fomc projections indicates that the fed funds target rate should be close to 3% in the “long run” (after 2018), while the cbo based rule is indicating a fed funds rate around 2.6% i the long run. this difference is due to the fomc expects unemployment at 5.0% in the long run, while the cbo expects unemployment at 5.5% in the long run.
i should stress that this is not my forecasts for the fed funds rate as such, but rather an illustration of how we should expect the fed’s policy rate to development over the coming 10 years if the mankiw rule in general holds and we use the fomc and cbo’s macroeconomic forecasts as input in this rule.
we can now use these “predictions” to construct a (quasi) yield curve. not to make things overly complicated (and spending to much time calculating the stuff…) i have simply constructed the “yield curve” by saying that “forecast” for for example the 2-year yield is simply the average of the predicted of the fed funds rate in 2014 and 2015. similarly the 5-yield is the average of the forecasted policy rate for 2014-2019. hence, i disregard compounded interest and coupon payments.
the graph below shows the actual us yield curve compared with the two quasi-yield curve based on the two mankiw rule based predictions for the fed funds rate in the coming 10 years.
first of all we see that the fomc curve and cbo curve are considerably “higher” than the actual yield curve for the next couple of years. this should not be a surprise given the fact that we already know that forecasts based on the mankiw rule is too “hawkish” compared to the actual fed policy in 2014. hence, the “predicted” rate for 2014 is 75-100bp too high. the reason for this is among other things that the simple mankiw rule does not take into account “discouraged worker”-effects on the labour market, which seems to have been a a major problem in the past 5-6 years. furthermore, the rule ignores that the fed over the past 5-6 years more or less consistently has undershot it’s 2% inflation target. i have discussed these factors in my previous post.
these factors mean that we should probably pushed down the “rate path” in the next couple of years and that means that the yield curve does not look to be too “low” for 2-year or 5-years (very broadly speaking).
second, we see that if we look at the 10-year yield we see that it is more or less exactly where the fomc curve “predict” it to be (around 2.6%). we can of course not directly compare the two as i have not taken compounded interest and coupon payments into account (which would push the fomc curve up), but on the other hand we should also remember that the mankiw rule is too “hawkish” for the “early period” (which should push the fomc curve down along the curve).
i believe that the discussion above shows that us bond yields pretty well reflect realistic expectations to federal reserve policy over the coming decade given the fomc’s and the cbo’s expectations for us unemployment and core inflation and it is therefore hard in my view to justify the claim that there is a bubble in the us bond market. that of course does not mean that yields cannot go up. they very likely will if fomc’s and cbo’s expectations particularly for the us labour market are correct.
and the bond market might of course also be 50bp wrong is one or the other direction, but i find it very hard to see why us bond yields should suddenly spike 200 or 300bp as some of doomsayers are claiming.
and finally i should stress that this is not investment advice and i am not making any recommendations to sell or buy us treasury bonds and the market might go in whatever direction.
instead my point here is to argue that policy makers – the fed – should not be overly concerned that quantitative easing has caused a bond bubble. it has not. if anything bond yields are this low because the fed has not eased monetary policy enough rather than too much.


text:
The Lower Rio Grande Valley is famous for its spring migration: during the peak times of mid-April to mid-May ... Fall birding isn't quite as predictable but it can still be exciting!
Amazing to us living in North America, a large continent, is the extensive information the small island of Great Britain has about its birds. We use rough estimates, but in Britain they have much more detailed information, and so the population of each bird species is known.
Does a wall keep migrants and smugglers out of the US, or does it keep farmers and nature tourists inside the wall and away from legitimately accessing lands along the Rio Grande? Everyone has an opinion. If you want to stir up an argument, just ask anyone for opinions on the border wall.
Birders visit the Valley from mid-October to mid-May. They seem to avoid summer months. My theory is that they prefer to bird in the cold northern latitudes when the big thaw is in place while it is fun to be in the woods and on the water without snow and ice. Some folks do visit the Valley to bird the summer months, but only a few smart people.
Migration - Still Great In May!
Because May is such a prime migration month in northern states, most folks think that "the show is over" in the Valley by the end of April. Not so! In fact, if you check John Arvin's excellent Birds of the South Texas Brushlands, you'll see that the peak times for most of the warblers is mid-April through mid-May, and the flycatchers come through primarily during the entire month of May!
I was going about the yard routine with our chickens, goose, and vegetable garden on a warm spring morning, when I felt as if I was being watched, causing me to look up. There, about ten yards from me was a pair of Black-bellied Whistling-ducks.
Some birds have a great affinity for water. They forage for aquatic life, they wade in it, and they live around it. A friend, Neil Gunnar Berg, recently took some great photos of water birds, and wrote about his experience in his blog "1410 Oakwood". With his permission we share his work here.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley boasts many specialty birds, and we are blessed with many birders who come from all over the world to see our special birds! But among the larger group of "general" birders, there are those who will make a special effort to come all the way down to see a "mega-rarity" - an avian visitor from Mexico that they desire to add to their North American (aka "ABA") list!
Not a bird, but a wild cat, larger than a house cat, but generally smaller than a Bobcat. Ocelots have long tails and rounded (Mickey Mouse) ears. They play a valuable role in our South Texas wild lands.
What rare birds are around? Where can we find them? Generally that is the first question we hear from birders visiting the Valley. After that subject has been exhausted the next subject is "Any good restaurants in the area?"
November is a big month in the Valley for birders because it offers really great birding, and that is why the 22 year old Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is held in early November annually.
It started at 9 am yesterday. Charlie, my daughter's pseudonym, photographed a kettle of hawks moving south east over Alamo. We counted 200 hawks in that kettle.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) isn't just a hotbed of unique birds for the United States, but for butterflies (and other critters) as well! Just as birders flock to the Valley in hopes of seeing lifers and rarities, the same holds true for butterfly watchers who come in search of Mexican butterflies that reach the northern limits of their range here in south Texas, but also in hopes of that rare stray that may wander across the border!
Some folks work in the fields, on roofs, in construction and garden in the summer here in the Valley. Other folks drive or fly in to bird watch. I respect everyone who has to work outdoors in the sun in three digit heat because they have to do that to earn a living. Birders do it for fun.
There's great birding in the Lower Rio Grande Valley any time of year, but there's no denying that "summer vacation time" is slow, primarily due to the oppressive heat and humidity!
The lure of birding the Lower Rio Grande Valley is strong. It amazes us, but really should not, that birders from so many countries hear about the Valley and make their way here, binoculars and cameras in hand.
After a great start to the tour, birding very full days, we were up early next morning, following back roads from Refugio to Rockport, stopping at wetlands to see Mottled Duck, Black-necked Stilt and Teal. We stopped on a busy road where the group wandered along peering through binoculars and scopes, bird watching.
It may have occurred before today, but if it did, I don't know about it ... a birding tour of South Texas by a tour group from Germany. We have the privilege of hosting this tour for a remarkable group of birders who all speak German.
How would I describe a typical bird-guiding day in the Lower Rio Grande Valley? Fabulous! Client birders ... everyone is different, and everyone has a unique list of target birds, whether it's their first time to the Valley and everything is new, or it's a seasoned hard-core birder who hops a plane to see that one bird that will put them over 700 species for North America ABA list area!
Texas leads the United States and Canada in birding. Our state has some 640 species on record. That count is governed by the Texas Bird Records Committee, a group of experts who are very careful before recognizing a new species to add to the state list.
No doubt many Valley residents already have heard of the top Valley birding hot spots, twenty to thirty of them. At the head of the list is Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, with 2,088 acres, just south of Alamo, along several miles of the winding Rio Grande encircling two sides of the refuge. It was the first National Wildlife Refuge in the Valley, having been purchased in 1943.
Mary Beth Stowe works for Alamo Inn B&B, Gear & Tours as a birding guide. She gets out birding regularly, and last weekend she and a birder friend visited these special areas at Delta Lake, Hargill, and Brushline Road.
The 22nd annual birding festival (2015) will be held in Harlingen, at the Harlingen Municipal Complex at Fair Park, with events from Thursday, November 5 through Sunday, November 8.
My own favorite time is November and December. For one thing it is cool and I feel the call to go hiking. Better than that, the fall migrants are moving through, and winter birds are showing up for their stay in the Valley.
The Valley has great native trees, which I call money trees, that attract 540 species of wonderful wild birds which in turn attract Birders from across the U.S. and around the world.
So where can we find money trees and the fantastic Valley birds they attract? Almost anywhere in the Valley, including in our yards. In addition, the Valley has a network of great birding destinations, woodland parks, sanctuaries, and refuges, that include wetlands and grasslands, and are set up for the comfort of birds. They also attract birders. We call these great places "birding hot spots".
If I had a money tree, unfurling green dollars on each branch, would I nurture it, and help it grow to produce more and more green dollars? You bet I would. Most folks would be thrilled to have a green money tree growing in their yard.
Imagine digging clay out of the sticky Valley earth and fashioning it into large bricks, laying these in the sun to dry, and then building your dream home with them. Certainly the cost of materials would be low, but what would it look like, and would it last? Could clay mud like this withstand Valley wind, rain, and drought?
Creeping up behind a reclining bright green spring mesquite, I raised binoculars and stared into the brown, scaly face of Big Mama, a huge alligator, reclined at the edge of the pond.
The Valley Spotlight gratefully acknowledges the support that Keith Hackland has shown through advertising and as a contributing writer since our beginnings in 2014. Thank You Keith!

lowercased:
the lower rio grande valley is famous for its spring migration: during the peak times of mid-april to mid-may ... fall birding isn't quite as predictable but it can still be exciting!
amazing to us living in north america, a large continent, is the extensive information the small island of great britain has about its birds. we use rough estimates, but in britain they have much more detailed information, and so the population of each bird species is known.
does a wall keep migrants and smugglers out of the us, or does it keep farmers and nature tourists inside the wall and away from legitimately accessing lands along the rio grande? everyone has an opinion. if you want to stir up an argument, just ask anyone for opinions on the border wall.
birders visit the valley from mid-october to mid-may. they seem to avoid summer months. my theory is that they prefer to bird in the cold northern latitudes when the big thaw is in place while it is fun to be in the woods and on the water without snow and ice. some folks do visit the valley to bird the summer months, but only a few smart people.
migration - still great in may!
because may is such a prime migration month in northern states, most folks think that "the show is over" in the valley by the end of april. not so! in fact, if you check john arvin's excellent birds of the south texas brushlands, you'll see that the peak times for most of the warblers is mid-april through mid-may, and the flycatchers come through primarily during the entire month of may!
i was going about the yard routine with our chickens, goose, and vegetable garden on a warm spring morning, when i felt as if i was being watched, causing me to look up. there, about ten yards from me was a pair of black-bellied whistling-ducks.
some birds have a great affinity for water. they forage for aquatic life, they wade in it, and they live around it. a friend, neil gunnar berg, recently took some great photos of water birds, and wrote about his experience in his blog "1410 oakwood". with his permission we share his work here.
the lower rio grande valley boasts many specialty birds, and we are blessed with many birders who come from all over the world to see our special birds! but among the larger group of "general" birders, there are those who will make a special effort to come all the way down to see a "mega-rarity" - an avian visitor from mexico that they desire to add to their north american (aka "aba") list!
not a bird, but a wild cat, larger than a house cat, but generally smaller than a bobcat. ocelots have long tails and rounded (mickey mouse) ears. they play a valuable role in our south texas wild lands.
what rare birds are around? where can we find them? generally that is the first question we hear from birders visiting the valley. after that subject has been exhausted the next subject is "any good restaurants in the area?"
november is a big month in the valley for birders because it offers really great birding, and that is why the 22 year old rio grande valley birding festival is held in early november annually.
it started at 9 am yesterday. charlie, my daughter's pseudonym, photographed a kettle of hawks moving south east over alamo. we counted 200 hawks in that kettle.
the lower rio grande valley (lrgv) isn't just a hotbed of unique birds for the united states, but for butterflies (and other critters) as well! just as birders flock to the valley in hopes of seeing lifers and rarities, the same holds true for butterfly watchers who come in search of mexican butterflies that reach the northern limits of their range here in south texas, but also in hopes of that rare stray that may wander across the border!
some folks work in the fields, on roofs, in construction and garden in the summer here in the valley. other folks drive or fly in to bird watch. i respect everyone who has to work outdoors in the sun in three digit heat because they have to do that to earn a living. birders do it for fun.
there's great birding in the lower rio grande valley any time of year, but there's no denying that "summer vacation time" is slow, primarily due to the oppressive heat and humidity!
the lure of birding the lower rio grande valley is strong. it amazes us, but really should not, that birders from so many countries hear about the valley and make their way here, binoculars and cameras in hand.
after a great start to the tour, birding very full days, we were up early next morning, following back roads from refugio to rockport, stopping at wetlands to see mottled duck, black-necked stilt and teal. we stopped on a busy road where the group wandered along peering through binoculars and scopes, bird watching.
it may have occurred before today, but if it did, i don't know about it ... a birding tour of south texas by a tour group from germany. we have the privilege of hosting this tour for a remarkable group of birders who all speak german.
how would i describe a typical bird-guiding day in the lower rio grande valley? fabulous! client birders ... everyone is different, and everyone has a unique list of target birds, whether it's their first time to the valley and everything is new, or it's a seasoned hard-core birder who hops a plane to see that one bird that will put them over 700 species for north america aba list area!
texas leads the united states and canada in birding. our state has some 640 species on record. that count is governed by the texas bird records committee, a group of experts who are very careful before recognizing a new species to add to the state list.
no doubt many valley residents already have heard of the top valley birding hot spots, twenty to thirty of them. at the head of the list is santa ana national wildlife refuge, with 2,088 acres, just south of alamo, along several miles of the winding rio grande encircling two sides of the refuge. it was the first national wildlife refuge in the valley, having been purchased in 1943.
mary beth stowe works for alamo inn b&b, gear & tours as a birding guide. she gets out birding regularly, and last weekend she and a birder friend visited these special areas at delta lake, hargill, and brushline road.
the 22nd annual birding festival (2015) will be held in harlingen, at the harlingen municipal complex at fair park, with events from thursday, november 5 through sunday, november 8.
my own favorite time is november and december. for one thing it is cool and i feel the call to go hiking. better than that, the fall migrants are moving through, and winter birds are showing up for their stay in the valley.
the valley has great native trees, which i call money trees, that attract 540 species of wonderful wild birds which in turn attract birders from across the u.s. and around the world.
so where can we find money trees and the fantastic valley birds they attract? almost anywhere in the valley, including in our yards. in addition, the valley has a network of great birding destinations, woodland parks, sanctuaries, and refuges, that include wetlands and grasslands, and are set up for the comfort of birds. they also attract birders. we call these great places "birding hot spots".
if i had a money tree, unfurling green dollars on each branch, would i nurture it, and help it grow to produce more and more green dollars? you bet i would. most folks would be thrilled to have a green money tree growing in their yard.
imagine digging clay out of the sticky valley earth and fashioning it into large bricks, laying these in the sun to dry, and then building your dream home with them. certainly the cost of materials would be low, but what would it look like, and would it last? could clay mud like this withstand valley wind, rain, and drought?
creeping up behind a reclining bright green spring mesquite, i raised binoculars and stared into the brown, scaly face of big mama, a huge alligator, reclined at the edge of the pond.
the valley spotlight gratefully acknowledges the support that keith hackland has shown through advertising and as a contributing writer since our beginnings in 2014. thank you keith!


text:
The last month has been very kind to Rihanna.
Barring that whole Grammy fiasco, the songstress – who celebrated her 29th birthday on February 20th – kicked the month off by learning her latest single, ‘Love on the Brain,’ was officially certified platinum. As if that’s not enough, this week the song ascended to the top 10 of the Hot 100. The upward move not only granted her third trip into the tally’s upper dectet from the ‘Anti’ project alone, but it also came as a historic achievement for her (whose Hot 100 resume knows few equals).
In fact, proof of this comes just 1 year after she broke King of Pop Michael Jackson‘s Hot 100 #1s record , she’s now unseated his record-setting top 10’s record.
Rihanna’s ‘Love on the Brain,’ which moved to #8 this week, comes as her 30th top 10 hit on the Hot 100. Moving her past Michael Jackson’s 29 career top 10 hits, Rih becomes the first and only artist of color to have amassed at least 30 entries into the Hot 100’s top 10.
As if tugging at the King of Pop’s Billboard throne wasn’t enough, the accomplishment also snatches a title from Queen of Pop Madonna.

lowercased:
the last month has been very kind to rihanna.
barring that whole grammy fiasco, the songstress – who celebrated her 29th birthday on february 20th – kicked the month off by learning her latest single, ‘love on the brain,’ was officially certified platinum. as if that’s not enough, this week the song ascended to the top 10 of the hot 100. the upward move not only granted her third trip into the tally’s upper dectet from the ‘anti’ project alone, but it also came as a historic achievement for her (whose hot 100 resume knows few equals).
in fact, proof of this comes just 1 year after she broke king of pop michael jackson‘s hot 100 #1s record , she’s now unseated his record-setting top 10’s record.
rihanna’s ‘love on the brain,’ which moved to #8 this week, comes as her 30th top 10 hit on the hot 100. moving her past michael jackson’s 29 career top 10 hits, rih becomes the first and only artist of color to have amassed at least 30 entries into the hot 100’s top 10.
as if tugging at the king of pop’s billboard throne wasn’t enough, the accomplishment also snatches a title from queen of pop madonna.


text:
The century goal hero is currently out injured and back in light training, so maybe he’s not getting his fill of banter with the full squad.
The picture has Scott Brown’s face photoshopped onto former footballer Carlos Valderrama who was well known for his massive hair back in the day.
We think it suits Broony!
Leigh and Scott have both been on the sidelines as of late with injuries.
There are rumours Brown could be back for Thursday’s tie against Leipzig but we will find out more when Brendan Rodgers provides an update later today.
Leigh still doesn’t have a proper timetable for a return, shaking off a calf injury and proceeding with a new fitness regime to get him in the best shape before he’ll be back for Celtic.
Leigh, Musta paid a visit to your hair consultant to end up looking like that !!!

lowercased:
the century goal hero is currently out injured and back in light training, so maybe he’s not getting his fill of banter with the full squad.
the picture has scott brown’s face photoshopped onto former footballer carlos valderrama who was well known for his massive hair back in the day.
we think it suits broony!
leigh and scott have both been on the sidelines as of late with injuries.
there are rumours brown could be back for thursday’s tie against leipzig but we will find out more when brendan rodgers provides an update later today.
leigh still doesn’t have a proper timetable for a return, shaking off a calf injury and proceeding with a new fitness regime to get him in the best shape before he’ll be back for celtic.
leigh, musta paid a visit to your hair consultant to end up looking like that !!!


text:
Haggling in shops, markets or restaurants is not an accepted practice. At hotels and for services like tours and activities, you can ask proprietors if they can cut you a better deal, but generally set prices won’t be altered.
Many grocery and convenience stores, airports, and bus, train and ferry stations have ATMs. Most are linked to international networks, the most common being Cirrus, Plus, Star and Maestro.
Most ATMs also spit out cash if you use a major credit card. This method tends to be more expensive because, in addition to a service fee, you'll be charged interest immediately (in other words, there's no interest-free period as with purchases). For exact fees, check with your own bank or credit card company.
Visitors heading to Canada's more remote regions (such as Newfoundland) won't find an abundance of ATMs, so it is wise to cash up beforehand.
Scotiabank, common throughout Canada, is part of the Global ATM Alliance. If your home bank is a member, fees may be less if you withdraw from Scotiabank ATMs.
Most Canadians don't carry large amounts of cash for everyday use, relying instead on credit and debit cards. Still, carrying some cash, say $100 or less, comes in handy when making small purchases. In some cases, cash is necessary to pay for rural B&Bs and shuttle vans; inquire in advance to avoid surprises. Shops and businesses rarely accept personal checks.
Major credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa and American Express are widely accepted in Canada, except in remote, rural communities, where cash is king. You'll find it difficult or impossible to rent a car, book a room or order tickets over the phone without having a piece of plastic. Note that some credit card companies charge a 'transaction fee' (around 3% of whatever you purchased); check with your provider to avoid surprises.
Traveler's checks are becoming more and more obsolete. Traveler's checks issued in Canadian dollars are generally treated like cash by businesses; those in most other currencies must be exchanged for Canadian dollars at a bank or foreign currency office. The most common issuers are American Express, MasterCard and Visa.
All prices quoted are in Canadian dollars ($), unless stated otherwise.
Canadian coins come in 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), $1 (loonie) and $2 (toonie or twoonie) denominations. The gold-colored loonie features the loon, a common Canadian waterbird, while the two-toned toonie is decorated with a polar bear. Canada phased out its 1¢ (penny) coin in 2012.
Paper currency comes in $5 (blue), $10 (purple), $20 (green) and $50 (red) denominations. The $100 (brown) and larger bills are less common. The newest bills in circulation – which have enhanced security features – are actually a polymer-based material; they feel more like plastic than paper.
The Canadian dollar has seen fluctuations over the last decade, though since 2007 it has tracked quite closely to the US dollar.
For changing money in the larger cities, currency exchange offices may offer better conditions than banks.

lowercased:
haggling in shops, markets or restaurants is not an accepted practice. at hotels and for services like tours and activities, you can ask proprietors if they can cut you a better deal, but generally set prices won’t be altered.
many grocery and convenience stores, airports, and bus, train and ferry stations have atms. most are linked to international networks, the most common being cirrus, plus, star and maestro.
most atms also spit out cash if you use a major credit card. this method tends to be more expensive because, in addition to a service fee, you'll be charged interest immediately (in other words, there's no interest-free period as with purchases). for exact fees, check with your own bank or credit card company.
visitors heading to canada's more remote regions (such as newfoundland) won't find an abundance of atms, so it is wise to cash up beforehand.
scotiabank, common throughout canada, is part of the global atm alliance. if your home bank is a member, fees may be less if you withdraw from scotiabank atms.
most canadians don't carry large amounts of cash for everyday use, relying instead on credit and debit cards. still, carrying some cash, say $100 or less, comes in handy when making small purchases. in some cases, cash is necessary to pay for rural b&bs and shuttle vans; inquire in advance to avoid surprises. shops and businesses rarely accept personal checks.
major credit cards such as mastercard, visa and american express are widely accepted in canada, except in remote, rural communities, where cash is king. you'll find it difficult or impossible to rent a car, book a room or order tickets over the phone without having a piece of plastic. note that some credit card companies charge a 'transaction fee' (around 3% of whatever you purchased); check with your provider to avoid surprises.
traveler's checks are becoming more and more obsolete. traveler's checks issued in canadian dollars are generally treated like cash by businesses; those in most other currencies must be exchanged for canadian dollars at a bank or foreign currency office. the most common issuers are american express, mastercard and visa.
all prices quoted are in canadian dollars ($), unless stated otherwise.
canadian coins come in 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), $1 (loonie) and $2 (toonie or twoonie) denominations. the gold-colored loonie features the loon, a common canadian waterbird, while the two-toned toonie is decorated with a polar bear. canada phased out its 1¢ (penny) coin in 2012.
paper currency comes in $5 (blue), $10 (purple), $20 (green) and $50 (red) denominations. the $100 (brown) and larger bills are less common. the newest bills in circulation – which have enhanced security features – are actually a polymer-based material; they feel more like plastic than paper.
the canadian dollar has seen fluctuations over the last decade, though since 2007 it has tracked quite closely to the us dollar.
for changing money in the larger cities, currency exchange offices may offer better conditions than banks.


text: Impressively stylish and more practical than a lot of other coupés on the road, the Volkswagen Scirocco is a great pick if you're in the market for premium, sporty car that won't fail to put a smile on your face. Take a closer look at the complete range of used Volkswagen Scirocco models for sale in Fleetwood by paying a visit to our showroom today. Here at Poolfoot Motors we're proud to offer an unrivalled level of customer service and we'll always go the extra mile to help you find the right model for your needs.

lowercased: impressively stylish and more practical than a lot of other coupés on the road, the volkswagen scirocco is a great pick if you're in the market for premium, sporty car that won't fail to put a smile on your face. take a closer look at the complete range of used volkswagen scirocco models for sale in fleetwood by paying a visit to our showroom today. here at poolfoot motors we're proud to offer an unrivalled level of customer service and we'll always go the extra mile to help you find the right model for your needs.


text: Kyung-Wha Chung, an artist of passionate intensity and probing intellect, is one of the great violinists of the last 50 years. This 11-CD collection, which unites recordings made between 1978 and 2000, showcases the different facets of her art: as a concerto soloist; in works for solo violin and piano, and as a chamber musician. Also included in the box is a DVD of the Beethoven Violin Concerto, recorded in Amsterdam with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Klaus Tennstedt.

lowercased: kyung-wha chung, an artist of passionate intensity and probing intellect, is one of the great violinists of the last 50 years. this 11-cd collection, which unites recordings made between 1978 and 2000, showcases the different facets of her art: as a concerto soloist; in works for solo violin and piano, and as a chamber musician. also included in the box is a dvd of the beethoven violin concerto, recorded in amsterdam with the royal concertgebouw orchestra and klaus tennstedt.


text:
A collection of unique southwest art, decor and souvenirs.
Original paintings and prints by Arizona Artist Brenda j Schodt. Each original painting is one-of-a-kind collectible piece of art. Every ornament is initialed with her BjS signature, includes 2-piece gift box and has the option for personalization by Brenda. We are always adding new designs, so please check back often! Feel free to contact us using the information below.

lowercased:
a collection of unique southwest art, decor and souvenirs.
original paintings and prints by arizona artist brenda j schodt. each original painting is one-of-a-kind collectible piece of art. every ornament is initialed with her bjs signature, includes 2-piece gift box and has the option for personalization by brenda. we are always adding new designs, so please check back often! feel free to contact us using the information below.


text:
We have two luxury apartments which are situated in excellent locations available for holiday lettings. We pride ourselves on offering a personal service and receive excellent feedback from our guests, many of whom return year after year. Our booking process is straightforward and we send our guests a key so that they have the flexibility to arrive whenever they wish. We provide basic welcome provisions and our apartments have a Nintendo Wii, Wii games, CD’s and DVD’s.
Bredon Court is in a quiet but central location. It's close to Newquay town centre, yet only around 8 minutes' walk from Fistral Beach through a golf course. It sleeps 6 and is comprised of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge, kitchen and balcony.
Beachside, as the name suggests, is located opposite South Fistral Beach in the prestigious Pentire area of Newquay, with scenic sea views. It sleeps 6 and has accommodation comprising 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a lounge with separate kitchen, and a balcony.

lowercased:
we have two luxury apartments which are situated in excellent locations available for holiday lettings. we pride ourselves on offering a personal service and receive excellent feedback from our guests, many of whom return year after year. our booking process is straightforward and we send our guests a key so that they have the flexibility to arrive whenever they wish. we provide basic welcome provisions and our apartments have a nintendo wii, wii games, cd’s and dvd’s.
bredon court is in a quiet but central location. it's close to newquay town centre, yet only around 8 minutes' walk from fistral beach through a golf course. it sleeps 6 and is comprised of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge, kitchen and balcony.
beachside, as the name suggests, is located opposite south fistral beach in the prestigious pentire area of newquay, with scenic sea views. it sleeps 6 and has accommodation comprising 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a lounge with separate kitchen, and a balcony.


text:
This month the History Channel played a new series "The Cars That Built America". In the two-hour Part I, I played Alexander Winton, the world's fastest man, racing Henry Ford. As seen in this five-minute segment, I did all the stunt driving in the Alco Black Beast.
The Alco Black Beast makes an appearance this week on Part 1 of the History Channel's new series "The Cars that Made America". I once again play Alexander Winton racing Henry Ford.

lowercased:
this month the history channel played a new series "the cars that built america". in the two-hour part i, i played alexander winton, the world's fastest man, racing henry ford. as seen in this five-minute segment, i did all the stunt driving in the alco black beast.
the alco black beast makes an appearance this week on part 1 of the history channel's new series "the cars that made america". i once again play alexander winton racing henry ford.


text:
Visiting the award winning winery Kilikanoon. Famous for its Riesling!
Sandwiches are SO much better when hiking!
Anton resting after an exciting day!
An old lighthouse in Kingston S.E.

lowercased:
visiting the award winning winery kilikanoon. famous for its riesling!
sandwiches are so much better when hiking!
anton resting after an exciting day!
an old lighthouse in kingston s.e.


text:
Licensed professional engineering Institution’ – a professional engineering institution that has satisfied the Engineering Council’s requirements to allow them to access and submit candidates for inclusion on the National Register of professional engineers and technicians.
‘National Register’ – a secure database that is used and accessed only by authorised Engineering Council staff in order to facilitate the registration of individuals.
‘RegPlus’ – a secure online portal that is used and accessed only by authorised Engineering Council staff and authorised Licensed Professional Engineering Institution staff to allow the transfer of data, in order to facilitate registration with the Engineering Council.
Please note that the above data is submitted to us via RegPlus, by the licensed professional engineering Institution that you have chosen to apply for professional registration(s) through.
To create a record of your professional registration(s) on the National Register which includes automatically assigning a unique registration number.
To generate a certificate which confirms your registration(s) with the Engineering Council.
For statistical generation, reporting and analysis of the data held on the National Register. All reports are anonymised so that they do not contain any personal data.
To provide registration status information (e.g. active as in currently registered or inactive if the registration has lapsed) to any person or organisation (engineering organisation, regulatory authority, recipients of services, e.g. employer, client) having a legitimate need for seeking verification.
You may withdraw consent to the Engineering Council processing your personal data at any time by contacting the Engineering Council’s Data Protection representative and requesting a form. However if you withdraw your consent we would not be able to facilitate your registration(s).
The licenced professional engineering Institution(s) you are registered through.
To facilitate your professional registration(s).
This includes the ability to view in read only format data related to your professional registration(s). This data does not include your address or email address.
Other licenced professional Engineer Institutions (for a full list please refer to the Engineering Council website) To facilitate the transfer of registration from one licensed professional engineering institution to another.
The Engineering Council will continue to hold the record of your registration whether current or lapsed indefinitely. However, files containing your data received from the Licensed Professional Engineering Institution(s) you are registered through in relation to the processing activities described in 'What we use your personal data for' will retained for a period of 5 years plus the current year. After such time these files will be securely disposed of.

lowercased:
licensed professional engineering institution’ – a professional engineering institution that has satisfied the engineering council’s requirements to allow them to access and submit candidates for inclusion on the national register of professional engineers and technicians.
‘national register’ – a secure database that is used and accessed only by authorised engineering council staff in order to facilitate the registration of individuals.
‘regplus’ – a secure online portal that is used and accessed only by authorised engineering council staff and authorised licensed professional engineering institution staff to allow the transfer of data, in order to facilitate registration with the engineering council.
please note that the above data is submitted to us via regplus, by the licensed professional engineering institution that you have chosen to apply for professional registration(s) through.
to create a record of your professional registration(s) on the national register which includes automatically assigning a unique registration number.
to generate a certificate which confirms your registration(s) with the engineering council.
for statistical generation, reporting and analysis of the data held on the national register. all reports are anonymised so that they do not contain any personal data.
to provide registration status information (e.g. active as in currently registered or inactive if the registration has lapsed) to any person or organisation (engineering organisation, regulatory authority, recipients of services, e.g. employer, client) having a legitimate need for seeking verification.
you may withdraw consent to the engineering council processing your personal data at any time by contacting the engineering council’s data protection representative and requesting a form. however if you withdraw your consent we would not be able to facilitate your registration(s).
the licenced professional engineering institution(s) you are registered through.
to facilitate your professional registration(s).
this includes the ability to view in read only format data related to your professional registration(s). this data does not include your address or email address.
other licenced professional engineer institutions (for a full list please refer to the engineering council website) to facilitate the transfer of registration from one licensed professional engineering institution to another.
the engineering council will continue to hold the record of your registration whether current or lapsed indefinitely. however, files containing your data received from the licensed professional engineering institution(s) you are registered through in relation to the processing activities described in 'what we use your personal data for' will retained for a period of 5 years plus the current year. after such time these files will be securely disposed of.