text:
Offers invited as Co-op Bank sale considered under turnaround plans
13 February 2017
The board of the Co-operative Bank has hoisted a For Sale sign over the troubled lender as concerns mount over its capital position.
The bank, which has four million customers, said its ability to meet longer-term UK bank regulatory capital requirements has been hampered by low interest rates and higher than anticipated transformation and "conduct remediation" costs.
As a result, and following an annual planning review, it is "inviting offers", the bank said.
"The board is commencing a sale process, something always considered a potential outcome of the turnaround plan, alongside considering other options to build capital and meet the longer-term capital requirements applicable to all UK banks," the bank said in a statement.
Co-op Bank almost collapsed in 2013 after the discovery of a £1.5 billion black hole in its finances and it was forced into a painful debt for equity swap. As a result, the loss-making lender is now majority controlled by US hedge funds.
The bank also confirmed it will post a "significant" loss for the year to December 31 after warning in January that its common equity tier one capital ratio - an industry measure of financial strength - will fall and remain below 10% in the medium term.
Last week the Co-operative Group, which owns 20% of the bank, embarked on a top-level shake-up that will see Richard Pennycook step down as group chief executive.
The move, which will see food boss Steve Murrells take the helm, was accompanied by comments from chairman Allan Leighton, who refused to rule out pumping more money into the loss-making lender.
The bank's chairman, Dennis Holt, said: "The bank has met its Pillar 1 regulatory capital requirements continuously since 2014 and expects to continue to do so.
"At the same time, since we began work on the bank's turnaround, the board has always been clear that we would need to build capital for the future.
"We are now commencing a sale process, alongside other options.
"The bank's ethical heritage and customer proposition will be a central consideration in this."
The bank said it is also considering options other than a sale to build capital, including raising cash from new and existing investors.
It is working with advisers UBS and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
The bank's chief executive, Liam Coleman, said: "While our plan has been impacted by lower-for-longer interest rates, the costs associated with the sheer scale of the transformation and the legacy issues we faced in 2013, there is considerable potential to build the bank's retail franchise further using the strength of the brand, its reputation for strong customer service and distinctive ethical position."
The Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority said it "welcomes" actions announced by the bank.
The Co-op Group said in a statement: "We will continue to work with the bank and other investors through the process. We are focused on finding the best outcome for our members, two million of whom are bank customers, as well as the members of our shared pension scheme which is well-funded and supported by the group."
Nick Ansell/PA Wire


text:
Salman Khan's blind fan following always surprises me. I can digest that his fans can make an illogical movie "Blockbuster" but they are supporting him for committing a homicide. Homicide means killing a human being and for your information a human being was killed in Bandra incident. Even after committing this serious crime the actor (so-called founder of "Being human" organization) did not have the decency to accept it but he is putting all the blame on his driver.
More surprising and embarrassing part is the whole bollywood fraternity is supporting him. They are the same people who made touching movies on under privileged people and law manipulations. Can't they see how Salman khan tried to manipulate the witnesses? Some witnesses have also complained that they got the threat calls.
These are the lines from Times of India :
"We watch his movies, but hate him": Bakery worker (Victim)
"Stories that Salman helps poor are myth" : Victim
Initially, Abdulla had the feeling of punishing Salman for running the bakery workers lives. "But gradually I accepted the reality.He is big man, we cannot harm him," said Abdulla. (Victim)
In 2007, after the court's direction, four injured victims got compensation of Rs 3 lakh each. Abdulla said that they actually got only Rs 1.8 lakh, as each of them had paid Rs 1.2 lakh as legal charges. Abdulla said that he paid his creditors after receiving the compensation.
(May be no money was left in the "Being Human" organisation's account)
Still, you want to support him, then there is a big question mark on the India's youth mentality.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
BEMT challenge info session at AAST
The first info session was held on the Challenge of Innovation program on February 15, 2018 to encourage young people and entrepreneurs to participate in the challenge which is a part of the programs of the Nilepreneurs initiative, which is funded by the Central Bank of Egypt to support entrepreneurship in Egypt.
The info session was held at the Arab Academy for Science and Maritime Transport in Alexandria
Eng. Heba Labib, Director of the Initiative, said that this seminar is the first of a series of informational seminars to be presented by the initiative in the governorates during February and March. The youth will be accepted to participate in the challenge after submission through the website of the project to complete the process of selection and selection of viable ideas to be financially and technically supported while working to provide the machines and the possibilities available for the manufacture of these products.
Also, The initiative will be offering to establish these companies legally to be able to benefit from The other programs offered by the Nilepreneur Initiative funded by the Central Bank of Egypt.
The challenge of innovation is to encourage young entrepreneurs to set up start-ups in the local manufacturing sector for some ingredients in the feeding industries in their initial phase. This challenge is one of the European Union's projects that is being implemented through the initiative in cooperation with the European union, Egyptian Associations for Community Development and Industry the industrial sector.
To register and to joing the challenge kindly check the follwoing link;


text:
| 3rd December 2013
Base St Kilda: A Hostel Among the Night Life
Not only is St Kilda the perfect beach getaway when visiting Melbourne, Australia, it boasts a vivacious night life.
From diverse restaurants serving locally prepared entrees to dance clubs with DJs playing the top hits, St Kilda gives travelers the chance to experience the culture of the laid back beach area. And there is no better accommodation in the heart of all the fun than Base Melbourne.
The unique-style hostel is located just steps away from the beaches and a short block to restaurants, pubs, boutique shops and clubs within St Kilda.
With a range of dorm rooms to choose from, Base Melbourne offers travelers a clean, modern and fashionable place to stay while exploring Melbourne. Each room is equipped with its own private bathroom including quality shampoo and conditioner. Large floor-to-ceiling windows brighten up each room, or black-out curtains will help block the light for an uninterrupted sleep, and a few of the ensuites feature outdoor patios with great views of St Kilda.
For a more private experience, Base Melbourne offers travelers double rooms with private bathrooms inside. These ensuites feature queen-sized beds dressed in Egyptian cotton sheets and duvet cover, a TV and an electric kettle to enjoy morning coffee or afternoon tea. The rooms are spacious and comfortable to share with another person, or to enjoy on your own.
An all-you-can-eat continental breakfast is served daily at a fair price, or the hostel has a fully equipped kitchen for travelers to make and enjoy their own food. There is a TV lounge, communal area with a pool table and comfortable couches and oversized bean bags to sit back and relax inside the hostel. Base Melbourne also features air condition throughout the building and wireless Internet is available on a daily or weekly basis at a surcharge.
Base Melbourne adds to St Kilda's famous night life with a bar on site. Red Eye Bar serves daily specials on food and drinks and then turns into a real party at night. Featuring ladies night, karaoke and a nightly DJ spinning the best tracks, Red Eye Bar is a great place to hang out and have fun.
Aside from the famous party scene in St Kilda, Base Melbourne is located within walking distance to tram stops and a short tram ride into the city, or to trendy Acland or Fitzroy streets. Or for a relaxing beach holiday, the hostel is steps from the Esplanade with many bars, restaurants and ice cream kiosks along with the pristine beaches of St Kilda.
And to take advantage of water sports at the local beaches, or other fun activities around Melbourne and within Victoria, Base Melbourne provides its guests with a travel desk to book any travel arrangements necessary, or recommend activities and trips to participate in while traveling through the state. Base Melbourne's travel experts are both friendly and knowledgeable no matter what it is you are looking to do during your travels.
The 24-hour reception and strong security makes Base Melbourne a safe and accommodating place to stay for travelers. The helpful staff and fun atmosphere make this hostel a top accommodation to experience the culture and night life of Melbourne.
Travel tip shared by Ashley Curtin for Travel Dudes.


text:
Benefit Fraud occurs where a Claimant, Landlord or Third party knowingly or dishonestly provides information that they know to be false when they claim benefits, or they knowingly or dishonestly fail to notify changes in their circumstances that will affect entitlement to the support they are receiving.
The main ways that people commit Benefit Fraud are by making a false statement(s) on their Benefit claim form or by failing to report a change in their circumstances promptly.
By doing either or both of these, they may be committing a criminal offence under Social Security Legislation or other legislation such as the Fraud Act 2006.
Everyone who pays Income Tax or Council Tax is a victim and is being cheated out of other essential services by the greed of those who are not in genuine need. This type of Fraud costs the taxpayer an estimated £2 billion per year. This equates to over £70 for every taxpayer this money could be invested in essential services.


text:
How To Sell Twitter To Your Boss (And Yourself)
Why You Need To Sell Twitter To Your Boss
Your boss (or executives) stand between you and your organization using Twitter. Before you can get your boss to buy-in – you need to arm yourself with the facts.
Ask any professional or business owner why they use Twitter and you will get many different answers. Here are a few ways people are using Twitter.
Distribute Company Info
Every organization has information they need to get out to the public, employees, stockholders, or constituents. These include press releases, memos, news items, etc. Twitter is a great mechanism to use for these short, informal alerts.
Get feedback
Twitter can be used as a feedback loop for your organization. It is great for asking for comments and responses from clients, customers, and prospects in real time.
Search the current conversation
Twitter is a giant public text conversation. The text is short, concise, and searchable. When you have the power to search what millions of people are talking about right now, you wield power for your organization's marketing and communication efforts.
Twitter automatically lists the current top trending topics on your main page. You can scan over these and begin to see trends and how they catch on with Twitter users.
Search your industry or competitors
You can bet that other businesses and organizations are harnessing the power of Twitter. Because of Twitter's powerful real-time search features, you are able to keep track of your industry including your competitors. Also you can search for product announcements, company news, and key leaders in your industry.
What The Heck Is Twitter Anyway?
Twitter is sort of like a hammer
Much like a hammer, Twitter is a tool. It is an online tool for posting short messages (140 characters in length) to the internet. That's it. Nothing more – nothing less.
But like any tool, Twitter can be used for various purposes. The same hammer can be used to hang a picture in your living room or build a house. The tool itself is neutral. It is inanimate.
Twitter is the same way. It can be used to keep in touch with friends or family, get on-the-ground breaking news from reporters, or be used to market products and services.
Watch a short video: What Is Twitter?
But Twitter is more than a tool – it's a platform for leadership.
For the smart PR professional or marketer, Twitter is a PLATFORM that gets your ideas and thoughts to the world. Much like Oprah uses television to reach her audience or Stephen Covey uses books, you can use Twitter to become a thought leader in your industry. This is powerful.
Twitter Is A Distribution Platform
Simply put – Twitter allows you to DISTRIBUTE information to people who follow you. This information can be links, resources, tips, ideas, questions, etc.
Twitter Is A Discussion Platform
But Twitter is also a feedback platform. You can get response, in real time from those who you are connected to online.
How You Can Sell Twitter To Your Boss
You must first sell to yourself
It goes without saying, that you must first realize the power of Twitter before you can boast the virtues to others. Spend the time absorbing the benefits. Understand Twitter and its power for yourself.
Twitter is where the people are. That's worth repeating. Twitter is WHERE the PEOPLE are. If your business reaches out to people – then this is the platform you need to be using.
Show your boss metrics (keep score and show the points)
Metrics are key to showing your boss the value of Twitter and social media. There are many tools that you can use to track Twitter click through rates – and online mentions.
Imagine having a superpower that allows you to listen when people talk about you behind your back. It is possible. Twitter Search will allow you to do just that. It is easy to work up searches that show your boss what people are already saying about your business or industry. People are most likely talking about you or your industry. Show your boss the data.
Highlight some key organizations who are using Twitter
There is nothing like good old competition that will motivate bosses at any level. Show your boss the competition and how they are using Twitter. Search for competitors and industry leaders. They are out there. Your boss won't be able to resist.
Show your boss how people are engaged with online media
Don't forget – social media is more about engagement than numbers. You may launch your official company Twitter and end up with low numbers at first. But, keep in mind, the people who are visiting may tend to be targeted and more valuable. Plus when your audience is engaged, they end up becoming long-term readers and customers.
It is important to explain this to your executives. Success in online social media takes time and investment. Your biggest role as "social media champion" for your organization is to educate those around you. They may not understand the power and value of social media like you do.
You need to give them statistics, examples, case studies, and proof that social media is not a waste of time. In fact, in the current economic climate, social media may end up saving many businesses who can't afford to advertise like they once did. Who knows – maybe you'll be the hero who took some risk and saved your company. That's worth a raise and promotion – right?
Consider risking your job for the sake of your career
If all of the above suggestions fail and your boss won't budge, consider risking your job for the sake of your career. Most likely if your boss is that opposed to Twitter and social media, then he/she has no clue about how it works. So you can probably get away with posting to Twitter and they will never know. At the same time, you will be building up your company and your own career in the process. It is risky – but what good things in life don't involve some risk?
Joel Mark Witt is a producer, author, and speaker who consults with businesses and nonprofits on how to use social media in marketing and communications. He is also the Publisher of Folk Media and author of 21 Days To Twitter Leadership Send him an eMail: joelmarkwitt (at) folkmedia.org or follow him on Twitter.
Get the book "21 Days To Twitter Leadership" The Step-By-Step Guide To Get Twitter Followers And Position Yourself As The Leader In Your Industry In Less Than 10 Minutes Per Day.
*Hammer Photo By Darren Hester
*Tightrope Photo By frankh
Tags: boss, executives, how to, marketing, Social Media 101, Twitter


text:
Copperas Cove
Ogletree Gap Preserve
Just off U.S. Highway 190 on the west side of Copperas Cove, and now a city park with a full-service pavillion, Ogletree Gap was once the Marston Ogletree Ranch, and eventually became the original townsite. The stone structure in the park served not only as the home of Marston Ogletree and his family, but it was once a stagecoach stop and the city's first post office.
Pioneer Cemetery
Located just south of U.S. 190 near the terminus of the South Park jogging trail. Serves as the resting place of several of the town's founders including Jesse Clements, who donated land for the first school in Copperas Cove.
Mayborn Planetarium & Space Theater
Visit the Mayborn Planetarium and Space Theater, on the campus of Central Texas College in Killeen Texas, and immerse yourself in a state-of-the-art experience like no other.
Embark on an imaginary journey through time and space. The Minolta star projector and automated suite of laser and special effect projectors accurately simulate astronomical phenomena from throughout the known universe on the 60-foot Planetarium dome. Sky shows are followed by a live star talk, a guided tour of the current evening sky.
Experience a unique and artistic mix of light, color and sound. Laser Light Shows combine eye-popping 3D graphics, pure laser-generated colors, and 15 thousand watts of digitally reproduced sound to bring your favorite music to life. Treat yourself to the most impressive motion picture available. Presented on a dome-shaped screen, more than twice as large as traditional movie screens. Large Format Films transport visitors from the depths of the world's oceans to the depths of space.
South Park
Located off of FM 3046 in SW Copperas Cove. Houses a swimming pool, volleyball courts, soccer fields and a jogging trail.
Old Downtown Copperas Cove
An area of several city blocks with Avenue E and Main Street as its center. The historic downtown area of Copperas Cove since the late 1880s. It became the center of business activity in Copperas Cove with the coming of the railroad. Many of the original buildings still exist.
The Allin House
The Allin House, located at 401 N. Main, was built in 1913 by the first mayor of Copperas Cove, Jouett Allin. This historical landmark provides a great meeting place for weddings, receptions, and showers. It is limited to groups of 25 or less and adult activities. Jouett and Emma Allin built their first home in 1913 after Jouett was elected mayor. They inherited the land from Emma's mother. The house was among the most prominent homes in Copperas Cove, and still displays four corner fireplaces, as well as a native-stone foundation. In 1953, the house was sold to family and was later purchased by the City in 1986. The Allin House was restored and designated as a Texas Historical Landmark in 1998.
Jouett and Emma Allin had married and settled in Copperas Cove in 1890. In addition to Jouett's mayoral service, he was a banker, landowner, and involved in several fraternal organizations including local Masonic lodges. Emma Barker Allin was an attorney and school teacher, and was a well known church, civic, and social leader. The Allins are currently interred in the Copperas Cove Municipal Cemetery.
City Park
Located on FM 1113 about 2 miles northwest of Old Downtown Copperas Cove, City Park was developed over several years on donated land. A large public swimming pool, several baseball and softball fields, two fishing ponds, an outdoor amphitheater, several shaded picnic areas, two basketball courts, several soccer fields and the Copperas Cove Civic Center are located there.
Santa Fe Parking Lot
Donated to the city by the Santa Fe Railroad, this public parking area was once adjacent to the site of the original Copperas Cove depot. A monument to the city's pioneer past stands there.
1st Cavalry Association
Located on N. Main Street, this organization coordinates activities and communcations for veterans of the 1st Cavalry Division.
Library/Fire Department Complex
Located near the intersection of S. Main Street and Robertson Ave., these buildings serve as the nerve center of Copperas Cove.
City Hall
Relocated to 914 South Main Street in 2013.
Area History
The City of Copperas Cove is located in southern Coryell County, adjacent to Fort Hood at the intersection of U.S. Highway 190 and Farm Road 116, twenty-four miles southwest of Gatesville.
From the Handbook of Texas Online (edited for brevity):
Copperas Cove, once spelled Coperas Cove, began in the 1870s as a rural community centered around a small store about two miles southwest of the present townsite. Late that decade residents of the area applied for a post office under the name Cove, but postal authorities rejected the name because a Texas post office by that name already existed. The name Coperas Cove was then submitted, inspired by the mineral taste of the water in a nearby spring. The Coperas Cove post office was established in March 1879 with Marsden Ogletree as postmaster.
A feeder route of the Chisholm Trail passed through Coperas Cove, making the cattle industry of primary importance to the local economy. When the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railway built its track across the southern corner of Coryell County in 1882, residents of Coperas Cove moved their community two miles to the northeast in order to take better advantage of the rail service. By 1884 the town had a steam gristmill-cotton gin, five general stores, a hotel, and 150 residents. By the mid-1890s the population had risen to 300, and residents had voted to form their own school district. Although cattle production continued to be important to the local economy, area farmers began to devote more of their resources to the production of cotton, small grains, and feed crops, and by 1900 farming was the dominant occupation.
The spelling of the community's name was officially changed in 1901; at that time Copperas Cove had an opera house, three hotels, and a variety of businesses. A local private bank opened in 1906. By the time residents elected their first mayor in 1913, the population had grown to 600. The number of residents continued to increase through the 1920s, to a high of 650 in 1929. Copperas Cove began to decline with the onset of the Great Depression in the early 1930s. The local bank failed, several businesses closed, and many people left to look for work in other areas. By the 1940s only 356 residents remained.
Copperas Cove received a much-needed boost in the early 1940s, when the United States government chose southeastern Coryell and northwestern Bell counties as the site for Camp Hood, a new military training center. By 1950 when Fort Hood opened, the community had grown to 1,052 residents, and the city limit was extended southwest into Lampasas County. The population was estimated at 4,567 in 1960, at 10,818 in 1970, and at 19,469 in 1980. Most of the new residents were either attracted by the job opportunities associated with Fort Hood or chose to remain in the area after retirement from the military. By 1990 Copperas Cove had several manufacturing establishments, a wide variety of businesses, a hospital, and a population of 24,079.
Copperas Cove boasts some of the best eateries this side of the Brazos. International cuisines offered represent every corner of the globe – from Mexican to Chinese, Szechwan to German, Greek to Italian and (of course!) good old-fashioned chicken fried steak. Nationally known restaurants combine with delicious local finds throughout the area – we're certain you'll find what you're craving!
Here's a sampling of the delightful eateries in and around Copperas Cove:
- Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 2525 E. Highway 190 Copperas Cove 254-518-3001
- Arby's
- Bella Sera
- Black Meg 43, 1504 E. Hwy 190 Copperas Cove 254-542-2643
- Bush's Chicken – Cove 2, 112 W Hwy 190 Copperas Cove 254-547-0273
- C & H Hawaiian Grill, 105 East Avenue E Copperas Cove 254-238-8485
- Candy Outfitters, 185 W Hwy 190 Suite 1 Copperas Cove 254-833-3649
- Chick-fil-A Copperas Cove, 202 Robert Griffin III Blvd. Copperas Cove 254-542-1411
- Chick-fil-A at Killeen
- Domino's Pizza, 2127 E. Hwy. 190, Suite C Copperas Cove 254-547-7566
- Giovanni's Italian Restaurant, 115 W Hwy 190 Copperas Cove 254-518-2227
- Grill Daddy's, 308 E. Ave. D Copperas Cove 254-577-5228
- Kempner Brick Oven (Eifehaus LLC)
- Lil Tex Restaurant, 502 South Main Street Copperas Cove 254-542-6677
- McDonald's, 1418 E. Hwy 190 Copperas Cove 254-547-8212
- Nami Japanese Restaurant
- Panda Express, 208 Robert Griffin III Dr. Copperas Cove 254-518-8222
- Pizza Hut
- Schlotzsky's Deli- Copperas Cove, 80 Cove Terrace Copperas Cove 254-542-1107
- Seoul Garden
- Subway, 128 W. Hwy 190 Copperas Cove 254-542-7827
- Szechuan Chinese Restaurant
- Taqueria El Mexicano Grill #7
- Thai-Filipino Cuisine
- Waffle Cone LLC, 508 Cove Terrace Copperas Cove 254-547-0420
- We Deliver Cove, 254-423-4043
- Wendy's (Central Texas)
- Whataburger, 3006 East Hwy 190 Copperas Cove
- Wingstop, 3010 E. Hwy 190, #260 Copperas Cove 254-547-9464
- Yaghi's Pizzeria, 3010 E Hwy 190 Suite 106 Copperas Cove 254-542-5500
Recreation & Entertainment
The Copperas Cove Parks and Recreation Dept. runs everything from tee-ball to water aerobics.
Located in the Turkey Creek Activity Center, 1408 Golf Course Road, the center is the site for low-impact aerobics classes and "Tuesday Night Out" adult activities. The department also sponsors an annual NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick contest. Other activities include a major league soccer camp, a summer track team, a swim team, and softball league play for adults. City sponsored aquatics programs include lessons, senior swim times, and an "aqua trim" water aerobics program. Sports information is available by calling 547-9247. Parks and Recreation events are outlined on an information hotline, 254-554-7271.
Copperas Cove City Park is the gem in the Parks and Recreation crown. Located on FM 1113 (1200 W. Avenue B) west of the downtown area, City Park is home to six ball fields, soccer fields, a sand volleyball court, a pool, two basketball courts, a recreational vehicle park with full hook-ups, several picnic areas, and a fishing pond. Parks and Recreation provides and maintains the fields for the Copperas Cove Youth Recreation Council who runs the baseball and softball programs for youths ages four through eighteen. Registration for softball, open to girls between 9 and 14, starts in February with games beginning in April and running through June. Youth baseball, for children 9 through 14 follows basically the same schedule, as does tee ball for kids 4 though 8, and coach-pitch ball for kids 6 through 8.
There are also many sports and activities offered through the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. Call the YMCA at 254-547-7181 or the Boys and Girls Club at 254-547-5578 for more details.
On any given weekend in Copperas Cove, you will see numerous cyclists and runners who visit Copperas Cove to train for bicycle and foot races on our farm to market and county roads. Cove is in the middle of miles of scenic, well-maintained, traffic-free paved roads.
The Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce offers 25 bicycle or running routes ranging in distance from 10 miles to 100 miles, loops that start or end in the Copperas Cove area.
Looking to hit the links in or around Copperas Cove? Check out Golfing in the area on our golf page.
Where community celebrations are concerned, Copperas Cove takes a back seat to no other city. Folks here enjoy quality family entertainment and have created events to make sure the good times roll on throughout the year.
Each spring – on the third weekend in May – the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau presents the Annual Rabbit Fest. Held in City Park, this 4 day festival features a top-quality carnival, dozens of food booths, kiddie land, petting zoo, car show, Wild West shows, and arts and crafts vendors. There is also live entertainment throughout the fest on an open-air stage. Visit Rabbit Fest Online at www.rabbitfest.com.
In the fall is the Gallop or Trot at the Gap, a 5K, chip-timed race sponsored by Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce. The route takes racers through the city park and the gentle rolling hills in Copperas Cove's residential area.
But wait — we have more! Close out the fall season with this community favorite: Hold on to your souls as you travel past ghosts, demons, witches and who knows what else … in the creepy backdrop of Ogletree Gap Park, ride on a hay filled trailer through thrills and chills. Experience all the excitement of the Annual Spook Spectacular.
Finishing up the year in style is the Copperas Cove Downtown Association's annual Krist Kindl Markt holiday bazaar. The association opens the downtown area to dozens of vendor booths that offer visitors a wide variety of gift ideas and a plethora of seasonal food items in an outdoor setting. The bazaar runs Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday on the first full weekend of December. Saturday is highlighted by the annual Chamber of Commerce Children's Christmas Parade, marking the first official appearance of Santa Claus in the Copperas Cove area.
Hills of Cove Golf Course
Our PGA Pro, Davis Dewald. heads up the activities at the Hills of Cove Municipal Golf course, the city's ever-improving 18-hole course, featuring a pro-shop, full-service restaurant, and a very challenging back nine-hole area. A lighted driving range lets golfers keep their swings.
Mike Chandler, Golf Course Manager
1408 Golf Course Rd. Copperas Cove, TX 76522
Tel: (254) 547-2606
Hours of Operation: Mon – Sun Dark to Dark
Hills of Cove Golf Course is an 18-hole facility owned and operated by the City of Copperas Cove. The original 9 was built in 1972 and was recently expanded to 18 holes with an additional 9 holes that wind their way through the rolling terrain of Northeast Copperas Cove. The course is a par 71 with 5 scenic and challenging par 3's with the shortest being 130 yards and the longest able to play 230 yards.
Hills of Cove is open 7 days a week and tee times are accepted. Golfers can make tee times up to 7 days ahead by calling 254-547-2606. With the expansion to 18 holes, the facilities and services were upgraded as well. Hills of Cove offers a teaching professional, a full service pro shop, lighted driving range, snack bar, and a fleet of 40 carts.
So, whether you want to play a quiet round of golf with friends, have a great lunch, or set up a tournament, Hills of Cove Golf Course can take care of your needs.
Junior Golf Academy
The Hills of Cove Junior Golf Academy helps juniors experience a game of a lifetime. The Academy features instruction in all phases of the game of golf. The Junior School focuses on the entry level to the avid junior player, helping juniors develop as golfers and individuals while stressing the importance of honesty, integrity, etiquette, history and excitement that is the game of golf.
Camps include instruction of full swing, short swing, putting and chipping, rules and etiquette.
Copperas Cove has plenty to offer shoppers throughout the city. Merchants who tend the many locally-owned businesses give shopping a friendly atmosphere.
A wide variety of retail establishments and specialty shops offer products to meet everyday needs as well as gift-giving occasions.
The Kris-Kindl Markt, held annually in December, heralds the Holiday Season with a treasure-trove of gifts. Rabbit Fest, held annually in May brings over 75 artisans to City Park boasting a variety of wares.


text:
Rayven Justice - Hit Or Nah (Remix) ft. Keyshia Cole & French Montana
- Artist: Rayven Justice
- Track: Hit Or Nah (Remix)
- Feat. Keyshia Cole, French Montana
- Producer: JMG
- Album: None (Promo Single)
Back in February, we brought you the remix for Rayven Justice's Hit Or Nah, which added French Montana to the JMG-produced, radio-ready club banger. Still supporting the single, the R&B buzzmaker is back with another reworking of the effort, which now features the vocal talents of Keyshia Cole in addition to French.


text:
The quest of a war-widow for the truth about her husband's death during World War II serves as the backbone for this film, which portrays the Japanese militarism of that time and the attitudes which gave rise to it. Though the government labelled her husband as a deserter, his widow does not believe it, and every day she makes a trip to the war reparations office until she finally tracks down four men who knew her husband in his last days. They tell a harrowing story of the breakdown of humanity at the...more
All Under the Flag of the Rising Sun cast + crew photos
Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
Copyright © 2020 FANDANGO MOVIES.


text:
CapeCodOnline.com – The Massachusetts Maritime Academy website was hacked twice Monday in a cyber-attack that appeared to stem from an Islamic extremist group, campus officials said.
Rear Adm. Richard Gurnon, president of the Buzzards Bay university, said a group known as the Moroccan Islamic Union-Mail is believed to be responsible for both hacks, the first of which redirected students and staff to a website showing a photograph of an American soldier's grave, with audio of a man speaking in Arabic.
Staff members alerted the academy to the hack at about 1:30 p.m. after trying to access their email, only to be sent to the website showing the soldier's grave above Arabic text.
Gurnon said the hack lasted for about an hour until staff members were able to plug holes in the academy's system, preventing students and staff from being redirected to the website. But at about 9 p.m., Gurnon said, the same group attacked the homepage, shutting it down overnight and preventing students from finishing their homework assignments online.
Gurnon confirmed that the group did not access any personnel data or information from the academy's business office. He suspected that the group was seeking publicity based on the mistaken belief that the academy has a military affiliation.
"It appears the people targeting the academy saw kids in uniform, assumed we were military and did this attack saying the military will die in the deserts of Iraq," Gurnon said.
Do you think Islamic extremist groups have board meetings? If so heads are going to roll at the Moroccan Islamic Union-Mail's headquarters when the bosses get wind of this. I can't imagine that mistaking a merchant marine academy for a military target is going to go over well. Islamic extremists aren't exactly known for their high levels of tolerance for subordinates who waste extremist time and resources.
The poor IT guy at the Moroccan Islamic Union-Mail, he thought he was destined for 70 virgins in heaven but instead he was probably demoted to printing out "death to America" handbills in the copy room for all of eternity.Facebook: The Real Cape
Twitter: Hippie - Insane Tony
More Articles From The Real Cape:


text:
Background and aim: Saffron possesses a lot of medical applications in traditional medicine. One of its properties is ultraviolet (UV) light absorption. The aim of this study was preparation, determination of properties and investigating sun protevtive effects of nanoliposomes containing saffron extract and safranal, a substance existing in saffron.
Methods: Nanoliposomal hydroalcoholic extract of saffron stigma in concentrations 2%, 4%, 8% and nanoliposomal safranal in concentrations 0.25% , 0.5% and 1% were prepared. Standard lotion of homosalate 8% was used according to FDA standards for sun protection factor (SPF) determination and assessment of accuracy of the method. SPFs of substances were calculated in vitro by diluted solvent method using Mansur, et al equation and absorptiometry.
Results: SPf of Nanoliposomal saffron 8% extract was significantly higher than standard sunscreen homosalate with similar concentration. SPFs of safranal (1% and 0.5%) component of saffron were significantly higher than the standard sunscreen homosalate 8%.
Conclusion: Saffron can act as a sunscreen. Safranal existing in saffron is much more sun protective than standard substance, homosalate 8%. Thus , the safranal existing in saffron may have significant sun protective effect in low concentration if encapsulated in liposome.


text:
25 More Minutes
Today's commute had three of us in attendance. And the 43 degree windchill led to a discussion on dressing appropriately. After several years of bike commuting, I've gotten a lot better at choosing the best attire to stay warm/cool in the right/wrong temperatures. Recent commutes have had me in shorts and a t-shirt. But today's was a long pants, light gloves and jacket kind of day.
I told Justin and Neil (the other commuters today), that even when I dress poorly, I just recite the mantra in my head, "25 more mintes... 25 more minutes..." With a commute that's less than 30 minutes, no matter how uncomfortable I am, I only have to endure it for less than 25 more minutes. I can pretty much make it through anything for 25 minutes. It keeps me motivated and hopefully I only have to learn that lesson once (or twice :)).
Get out there.
surly cross check
No comments:
Post a Comment
Newer Post
Older Post
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Call-in Information:
Dial In Number: +1-309-946-5100
Participant Access Code: 341340
1. Approve notes of last meeting
Other Business:
2. 1300+ email provided by INCTR has been entered and tested in Constant Contact. Anil has all the material from Andrea. He will put that in next two days on Constant Contact in consultation with Dianne, send a test mailing to all OERC EC members, and receipt of their approval send it out.
Notes from the Meeting
- Gerry said that oerc.merlot.org is now been created and available.
- Aaron mentioned about Julia Royall, chief of international programs at National Library of Medicine as a good person to contact about funding from NIH for OERC.


text:
Protect Edgeley Park
Protect Edgeley Park
This petition made change with 4,491 supporters!
On June 19th Stockport MBC published a notice of a property purchase.
The reason for urgency states: " The matter is urgent because the sale of the property is operating to a timetable outside of the control of the Council and the deadline by which an unconditional offer must be made is prior to the next programmed meeting. The reason that the decision cannot reasonably be delayed is that if the Council cannot make an unconditional offer, the property will be sold to another party and this is directly against the social and economic interests of the borough of Stockport, and potentially the community in which the property is situated."
The Manchester Evening News linked this potential purchase to Stockport County football club's home ground, Edgeley Park, on June 20th highlighting the extraordinary meeting of the Council's Executive to be held on Wednesday 24th June.
We call on Stockport Council to do everything in their power to stop the third party 'developers' from gaining ownership, even if it means purchasing the ground themselves. The club is a community asset and it should not be left at the hands of 'developers' who have the intention of removing SCFC from their home and knocking down the ground.
This petition is a message to all councillors that the people of Stockport will not stand by and watch one of the towns most iconic landmarks become rubble. Edgeley Park = Stockport County
Trending petitions
Today: Jack is counting on you
Jack Isherwood needs your help with "Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council: Protect Edgeley Park". Join Jack and 4,490 supporters today.
Today: Jack is counting on you
Jack Isherwood needs your help with "Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council: Protect Edgeley Park". Join Jack and 4,490 supporters today.


text:
Milo's waxed cotton clutch bags are handcrafted in Brighton and come in three useful sizes. This small version makes a great toiletries or make-up bag and fits perfectly into the larger bags.
Milo's Waxed Cotton Travel Bag
Milo's Waxed Cotton Travel Bag
Introducing Milo's waxed cotton travel bag as part of our very own range of utility style unisex clutch bags! These bags come in three sizes; small, medium and huge! This small version is intended as a make-up/travel bag to fit travel sized products, cosmetics or trinkets and valuables that need to be kept safe inside a larger bag.
Made in Brighton from hard-wearing British waxed cotton.
Fully lined.
Measurements: W25 x H15cm.
Available in black and olive.
Additional information
Black, Olive
There are no reviews yet.


text:
Return to Warwick Castle..
25 Jul 2009 Leave a comment
in Personal
Jadis Clip
23 Jul 2009 Leave a comment
in Music
Ok so by popular request, here is a short clip from the concert to whet your appetites…!
>>—> Trelawney
Jadis Garden Gig 2001
22 Jul 2009 Leave a comment
in Music
I'm pretty excited today…my latest effort – hot from the Trelawney work-shed – ta-da!!
After several days of painstaking work, I'm delighted to say I've managed to convert and enhance some old camcorder footage that I took at the Jadis Garden Gig 2001.
For those who know, these gigs were the stuff of prog-rock legend (at least in my book!). The chance to see your favourite band play .. in their back-garden in the middle of the New Forest – and to meet/toast the guys in person. Life was good back in them days…
First I have to say that it was really cool of the guys to allow me to film them back then – so I'm doing the honourable thing to first ask their permission to show the footage here (or to host/use themselves as they wish), but I will upload a few screenshots to give you a taste…
Note: These are screen-shots of the video – not links to the video (..yet)!
Not bad for dodgy 8 year old camcorder footage? – Well I'm pleased to say that the sound quality came out pretty well too!
Thank you guys – for many years of pleasurable listening (and my humble attempts to learn the guitar parts!)
>>—> Trelawney
Office 2010 The Movie
12 Jul 2009 1 Comment
in Humour
>>—> Trelawney
"Draw me a sheep!"
02 Jul 2009 Leave a comment
in Personal
"What makes the desert beautiful," says the little prince, "is that somewhere it hides a well."
- "I am very fond of sunsets. Come, let us go look at a sunset… "
- "Men have forgotten this truth," said the fox. "But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."
- Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to have to explain things to them always and forever.
- "Were you so sad, then?" I asked, "on the day of the forty-four sunsets?" But the little prince made no reply.
- Here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; What is essential is invisible to the eye."
>>—> Trelawney


text:
Activists seek comprehensive food security
Describing the amended version of the National Food Security Bill presented in parliament May 2 as "inadequate and making a mockery of food security", the Right to Food Campaign - an umbrella of NGOs - demanded amendments in the bill after a debate in parliament.
"The bill provides extremely limited food entitlements, is piecemeal and is nowhere close to providing food security. It makes no provisions for production of food or for support of small and marginal farmers who are food producers," said Harsh Mander, a member of the campaign.
"Over 230 million people in India live in starvation and every second Indian child is malnourished. This bill is severely flawed and hardly provides any answers about food security," added Mander, also a special commissioner to the Supreme Court.
According to the activists, the major drawbacks which plague the bill include absence of a definite time-frame for implementing the scheme, lack of a strong grievance redress mechanism and entry of private contractors in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
"Excluding 33 percent of the population from its ambit is glaring and gives a big scope of barring a large section of the poor population. The scheme should be universally applicable," said Kavita Srivastava of the campaign.
The activists are planning a massive movement in Delhi seeking proper amendments to the bill.


text:
Aeron Media Driver
The Aeron Media Driver is a separate process that provides buffers of data for Aeron to process from various transmission media. It decouples the means of data transmission from protocol processing.
Microservices require the driver to operate with Aeron. The Aeron Media Driver is not deployed as a separate package. It is included as a part of each microservice that have to work with the Aeron. The Aeron Media Driver executable is located inside the StatServer Data Provider directory (microservices/StatServerDataProvider/aeron-driver/bin/) or inside the Formula Processor directory (microservices/FormulaProcessor/aeron-driver/bin/). Despite the fact that the driver is a part of each service, only one driver instance is required for each host.
The Aeron Media Driver is implemented in Java and requires Java version 1.8.0 or newer.
How to Run Aeron Media Driver
To run the Aeron Media Driver as a foreground process, use the script provided with the driver. The script uses the default configuration for the driver.
Run as a Service on Windows
To create a Windows service, perform the following steps:
[+] Steps for release 9.0.001+
Run as a Service on Linux
Create a separate systemd service configuration file for the Aeron Media Driver service.
For example, create systemd service configuration file /etc/systemd/system/pulse-aeron-media-driver.service with the following content:
- 9.0.001+ release:
- [Unit]
- Description=Pulse Aeron Media Driver
- [Service]
- ExecStart=/path/to/installation/aeron-driver/bin/aeron-driver
- [Install]
- WantedBy=multi-user.target
- 9.0.000 release:
- [Unit]
- Description=Pulse Aeron Media Driver
- [Service]
- ExecStart=/path/to/installation/run-aeron-driver
- [Install]
- WantedBy=multi-user.target
You can use systemctl(1) to manage these services. Type man systemctl for more information.
Comment on this article:
blog comments powered by Disqus


text:
Grassy oasis attracts students at Cornell (Photo gallery)
Mini indoor lawns are luring students at Cornell University, with four buildings getting their own turf lounge areas.
The university's Department of Design and Environmental Analysis decided to add sections of turf in the lobbies of two of the school libraries, as well as in two other buildings. Potted plants and comfy chairs have been placed around the grass, to encourage students to lounge in the grassy oasis during stressful finals week.
Senior Ryan Allen-Parrot and junior Gilad Meron installed the projects, along with a "small army of people working with them," said Eveline Ferretti, the library's public programs and communications administrator.
"Being in touch with nature helps people be calmer, and they feel refreshed and productive," Ferretti said. "The library is the perfect place for it."
Meron first installed a lawn in Mann Library in the fall, noting that "it's great to see people willing to lay down in the grass and just relax there. The main goal is really to make people happy."
There's really something about the instant gratification of walking barefoot on a soft lawn that is unlike no other experience. And the Cornell students aren't immune to this, as evidenced in the photo gallery and video.
If you want to learn how to create your own indoor sod furniture or lawn, Cornell has provided info on its website.
Topics: Landscaping
Teena Hammond Teena Hammond has published more than 2,000 articles in People and W magazines, Women's Wear Daily, and in dozens of newspapers and books. She also wrote a home improvement, remodeling and decor column that ran in Gannett newspapers nationwide. She's interested in all things green and would love to hear from you with your story ideas.
Sponsored Links:


text:
Fort Ukulele
I walked along a remote beach toward a driftwood fort that I had constructed over a period of weeks some months ago. It was sturdy, built in the dunes above the tidal fray, and it had withstood storms and 70 mile-hour gusts. It would last all spring, summer and fall and delight those who got off the grid and found this secret beach and its geological wonders.
I reached the fort, the sun was going down, and I looked up at my creation.
There was a man sitting outside the fort on one of the support logs! He was strumming a ukulele and it wasn't a toy store model, but the real deal.
I hailed a hello. He said he was waiting for a friend who was walking on the beach. He was here to rest. A few days ago he had nearly died in a hospital from a heart condition, but miracle drugs resuscitated him, and here he was strumming a ukulele in front of my fort! I asked if he would compose a song about driftwood forts. He said he would. I'd probably never hear it, but that didn't matter because I knew I had just commissioned the first song in the history of world music about driftwood forts written on ukulele!
I said goodbye and he went to work. I heard a couple chords and then the ocean drowned out that sound as I continued on my way.


text:
Heading L » Laboratories - Medical
Heading M » Medical Laboratories
Related Listings:
Lakeside Lab
Lakeside Lab
W & W Concrete & Dirt Work
Lakeside Physicians
Woolery Construction
Please enter your phone number and click "Send" to receive the listing details by SMS. For numbers outside the US, please enter the country code, for e.g. +91. If you do not receive a message, your phone number might be registered in the Do Not Disturb Registry.
For numbers outside the US please enter the country code.
Please enter your phone number and click "Call" to call the listing owner.
For numbers outside the US please enter the country code.
1101 Water's Edge Drive
Granbury, Texas 76048
Optical Goods and Retail, Optometrists
Granbury, Texas 76048
Roofing, Re-Roofing, and Repair
3316 East Highway 377
Granbury, Texas 76049
Real Estate
1310 Paluxy Road
Granbury, Texas 76048
Medical Care Hospital
5718 Hondo Drive
Granbury, Texas 76049
Roofing - Windows - Insulation - Patio Covers


text:
Question: Our neighbour has recently been playing their piano for hours every day. Is this a breach of the peaceful enjoyment bylaw and how can we make this stop?
Answer: Fortunately, the strata manager has issued a notice to comply with the peaceful enjoyment bylaw as the owners corporation should be enforcing the by-laws.
Fortunately, the strata manager has issued a notice to comply with the peaceful enjoyment bylaw as the owners corporation should be enforcing the by-laws. Now that the alleged breaches have continued, the Owners Corporation should make application to the Tribunal for monetary penalties with penalty units ranging from 10-20 penalty units equating to $1,100 – $2,200. Alternatively, you may apply for Mediation followed with an Application to NCAT.
Based on the case law, it would seem that the amount of piano practice sought by the owner and the stated deleterious effects on your daughter would likely be excessive and amount to nuisance and/or breach of by-law 1.
In one case, the Tribunal was asked to make Orders to require that the piano playing Lot must close all windows and doors whilst the piano is being played, restrict the hours, duration and volume in which the piano can be played and also that soundproof material be installed before the piano is played.
For the full question and our detailed response, visit the original publication at Look Up Strata. Do you have a question relating to your property or development? Contact us!
Please note that this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.


text:
Does he like you test?
20 Questions - Developed by: AshtonTheGayGod - Developed on: - 22.976 taken
Comments (11)
Evry1 at school thnk we datin bt NO.I rly LV Mayenziwe Madi(Choco boy) nd he knows nd he also lv me bt he's shy 2 tl me.
So i go to TAFE instead of high school because i was bullied and i met this guy. He soon found out i liked him and said that he doesn't want to 💗 me over because he's always touching me (Non-sexually) and hugging me and just flirting with me. He's like that to every girl. I guess you can say he's a boy but he's really nice and i don't know what to do because i don't want to make the first move and make him think he's me over... :(
Sry Venessa is what i meant not Vennessa
Congrats Vennessa i am 90% sure the hot guy that sits nxt to me in class likes me and his friends told me that he does!!
I AM bombed to know tat he might lyk me
my ex is with my best friend and i still like my ex and my best friend knows that!! but he really likes me and my friends call me a 💗and say that i flirt with him BUT I DONT!! my love life is coplicated and my other ex is my bffttve (best f-ing friend till the very end) ex and my crush knows i like him he always txts me that question and i love when he tickles me and i searched it up and guys do that when they arent able to touch you should i tell my best friend to break up with him or should i wait for it to happen naturally?
Hamish is going to take me out on a date at cambell park at invrell
'He's probably developing feelings for you 'I'm happy with the result of the test
good luck ladies!!!!
Chances are that he likes you! According to your answers, he seems to show many signs of liking you! Time to wrap it up and run the last lap of the race before he is your boyfriend
He did kinda admit it but didnt say i like\love yo or anything more like hinted or SAID OUT LOUD SOMETHING IN CLASS
He did kinda admit it but didnt say i like\love yo or anything more like hinted or SAID OUT LOUD SOMETHING IN CLASS
OMG!!! I got maybe. (happy dance)


text:
It's a Dam Shame: A Community Defends its Home (Social Justice Workshop Series)To register, please visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sjworkshopsLunch provided.Winner of the 2012 Goldman Environmental Prize, and fresh from her appearance as a keynote speaker at the Earth Day celebration on the National Mall in Washington, Kenyan-born activist Ikal Angelei will discuss her fight against a mega-dam that threatens her remote community on the shores of Kenya's Lake Turkana. Ikal Angelei is a 31-year-old Kenyan born activist and Executive Director of Friends of Lake Turkana. Through her organization, she works to defend land and natural resource rights of poor and marginalized people, and advocate for their inclusion in governance and decision-making about development of territory. She has been recognized internationally for her organization's courageous fight against the Gibe III Dam, which would have cut off water supply for a half million farmers, herders and fisherman, forever altering her community's way of life. Angelei brought together Lake Turkana's divided and marginalized indigenous communities to fight against the mounting environmental and social implications of the Gibe III Dam. Ikal Angelei holds a Master's in Public Policy from the Department of Political Science at SUNY Stony Brook, and a Bachelor's degree from University of Nairobi. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. Born in Kitale and raised in the violent region of the Lake Turkana Basin, Ikal Angelei was taught at a tender age to protect herself amid ethnic conflict between the indigenous communities of Kenya and Ethiopia. Please join us as Ikal discusses her experience as a young environmental and social justice activist. We are pleased to present this event in partnership with the American Jewish World Service.
2012 Goldman Environmental Prize Winner Ikal Angelei in Conversation (Social Justice Workshop Series)
- This event has passed.


text:
Learn Mandarin Online from Teachers and Students
Sort by:
Beginner Mandarin Chinese Lesson: We are going to learn how to say spatial words or direction words… Thomas Doherty Jan 18, 2017 152 views
We believe that practicing Chinese is important and it should be interesting.
So we created a friendly community to share the best resources and advice for free.
Sign up below so that you can discuss and practice your Chinese with Native Speakers, Teachers & other learners.
© 2020 Learn Chinese Online at Study More Chinese, created by Brandon. Contact us for links & advertising.
StudyMoreChinese on Facebook | Twitter  | Google Plus  | LinkedIN Powered by


text:
Trojans to Face Seraphs in Nightcap Game of South Amboy Opening Weekend Showcase
St. Thomas Aquinas second year head coach, Bob Turco talks in a huddle with his Trojans during a pre-season tri-scrimmage versus Bordentown and Immaculata back in December 2018. Aquinas will be taking on Mater Dei Prep in the nightcap game of the 2019 Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase this coming opening weekend.
SOUTH AMBOY, NJ—Recently, GMC Hoops learned from Tom Reilly of the Friends of South Amboy and the Raritan Bay Summer League that St. Thomas Aquinas, formerly Bishop Ahr, will take on Mater Dei Prep of Middletown in the nightcap game of this coming season's Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase opening weekend.
Both teams will feature top talent, and players that play for the NJ Panthers AAU program. Quadry Adams of St. Thomas Aquinas, who just received his 13th D1 offer from Towson University in Maryland and is now the 11th ranked player in New Jersey according to Jay Gomes of NJ Hoops. Trojan Teammate Derrick Grant just received his 2nd offer from Southern New Hampshire University.
Peter Gorman, a South Amboy native, and younger brother of former Cardinal McCarrick hoops player, Charlie Gorman, also plays for the NJ Panthers, and will lead a Mater Dei Prep squad looking to return to prominence after a couple coaching changes in the past two years. Gorman has already received an offer from Curry College in Massachusetts, where recent South River graduate, and hoops standout, Zac Rafano will be going to in the fall.
St. Thomas Aquinas, led by former Monroe and Notre Dame head coach, Bob Turco, who will be entering his second year at the school, has reached the GMCT quarterfinals in each of the past three years, and was ranked at the top of Middlesex County in several media polls late this past season. Aquinas will be looking to go further than that this year, and not only make its first GMCT Final Four appearance since 2011, but also win its third MCT/GMCT Boys Basketball crown all time, and first since 1992.
The Trojans made a big step forward in state playoff competition by defeating Donovan Catholic of Toms River in the opening round of the 2019 Non-Public A South State Tournament. It was the first time since 1981 when Aquinas defeated neighborhood rival, St. Joseph's in that year's state playoffs, that the Trojans won a state tourney game. St. Thomas Aquinas also won its first division title since winning the GMC Blue in 2012. In addition to Adams and Grant, the Trojans also have several other talented players.
Zayon Marsh, who transferred in from Roselle Catholic at mid-season in 2018-19 is a solid big, who can not only rebound, block shots, and score down low, but also does a superb job of sharing the basketball. Samar Abdullah, who will be entering his sophomore year at the school has shown some of his potential. Jonathan Wyatt, the younger brother of St. Joseph's football standout, Nate Wyatt, has also come in from Central Jersey College Prep Charter in Somerset, and brings plenty of talent and ability. Recent addition, Jaquan Harris, who transferred in from the Patrick School, is expected to be a huge difference maker for Aquinas as well.
St. Thomas Aquinas finished 21-7 overall this past season including an unblemished 12-0 in GMC Blue play. It was the best season at the school since it last won the GMCT in 1992 under coach Bill Leahy, and led by the likes of Anthony Rosa, Greg Fowler, and Darren Nicholas among others. The Trojans had reached the GMCT semifinals the year before in 1991, but lost to eventual tourney runner up, St. Joseph's. Mater Dei was 13-10 this past season including a 10-2 in Shore Conference Class B Central play with the only two division losses coming at the hands of TOC Champion, Ranney.
The Seraphs still managed to win its opening round game over Doane Academy of Burlington County in the 2019 Non-Public B South State Tournament, but then lost to Rutgers Prep in the quarterfinals. In 2017-18, Mater Dei reached the Championship Game of the Shore Conference Tournament under former head coach Ben Gamble before falling to rival Ranney. The Seraphs also lost to the Panthers in the semifinals of the 2018 Non-Public B South State Tourney as well, and finished 23-6 overall.
Under Gamble, Mater Dei compiled a record of 74-12 overall including a 39-3 mark in the Shore Conference's Class B Central Division. The Seraphs also made three straight Shore Conference Tourney Final appearances and won two titles in 2016 and 2017. The school also reached the Non-Public B South semifinals twice. The last time Mater Dei participated in the Friends of South Amboy Showcase was in 2015 when Gamble, who had coached at McCarrick the year before, was in his first season at MDP. The Seraphs rolled past Perth Amboy Tech, 65-26 in that game.
The two schools also feature athletic directors with GMC roots. Jerry Smith, who recently took over the AD position at Aquinas after Mike Wolfthal stepped down at the end of June, was AD at St. Joseph's from 2004 to 2017, and helped lead the Falcons to new heights in high school sports not only in the GMC, but in New Jersey as well. Smith also previously coached at J.F. Kennedy, Woodbridge, and Piscataway Tech. Mater Dei Prep's athletic department is currently led by Rob Eriksen, who had previously worked in the same capacity at Old Bridge High School several years ago.
This past season, the Aquinas and Mater Dei were scheduled to play on January 19th, but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather. The Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase has been run at South Amboy Middle-High School every year since 2012. The first year of the showcase raised money in response to Superstorm Sandy, which left a number of South Amboy residents in need of assistance. Since then, the showcase has raised funds for South Amboy residents who have suffered from serious illness. The event is MC'd by WCTC's own Bert Baron, and has many raffles with prizes to help raise money.
GMC Hoops has been coming to the event each of the past seven years, and has even covered the whole day of games like it did this past year. We plan to be there and cover at least some of the action including this exciting game. Schedule of the whole day's set of games will be posted soon.


text:
One-woman band Darkher's video "Ghost Tears"
West Yorkshire-based band Darkher, released the video "Ghost Tears". The song was appeared on the EP "The Kingdom Field".
Darkher is a dark folk/gothic band, formed by Jayn H Wissenberg (vocals, guitar, production).
"The Kingdom Field" track listing:
- Ghost Tears
- Hung
- Foregone
- The Kingdom Field


text:
Camper On A Budget: 3 Cheap Coleman Fuel Substitutes To Save Money
Fire – it is considered to be one of man's greatest discoveries, fueling the path of our evolution. Over time, man has engineered this substance to his will, creating tools to quickly ignite a flame and fuel to keep it going.
Spending time camping outdoors has once again become a popular activity for people to get away from daily life, so many companies have come up with tools and products to help campers.
A highly used outdoor product is Coleman Fuel, which is used for camping stoves and lanterns. But what is it, and are there Coleman fuel substitute?
Today, we're going to look at some alternatives that you can use other than Coleman Fuel when you need to keep a fire going while camping – because that stuff isn't cheap!
What Is Coleman Fuel?
Coleman Fuel was developed in the early 1950's as motor fuel for small lawnmowers, outboard motors, and as an industrial cleaning agent.
It is a petroleum naphtha product derived from natural gas or distilled oil, coal tar, or peat, and has other chemicals mixed into it such as cyclohexane, nonane, octane, heptane, and pentane.
The fuel has a refined purity and high heat output so it ignites easily and doesn't give off any black smoke or toxic fumes the way that regular gas or kerosene does, which is why it has become a go-to choice for campers.
Coleman fuel isn't cheap, however, so people have tried to look for more cost-efficient substitutes to use on their camping lanterns and stoves. Here are some alternatives you can try that are more price-friendly than Coleman Fuel.
Substitute #1: Naphtha/white Gas
If your stove or lantern runs on Coleman Fuel, it should also run on white gas.
Naphtha or white gas is the generic name of Coleman Fuel and a few other types of fuel, such as pure gasoline. You can purchase naphtha/white gas from hardware stores or through Amazon.
TIP: Buy white gas in the smallest container available because once it is opened, it will start to degrade. Using degraded fuel can cause your appliances to clog.
White gas is either made from natural gas, or distilled from oil, coal, tar, or peat (which is partially decayed vegetation). This type of gas burns cleaner than the other options, and is the easiest to use because it puts out a high level of heat.
White gas doesn't have as many additives compared to other alternatives like kerosene,so less clogging will happen in your appliances' fuel line, allowing your appliances to last longer.
In addition, when white gas burns, it doesn't give off black smoke or toxic fumes because it burns clean.
White gas is best used within a few months once it is opened and can be stored for around two years. On the other hand, an unopened container of white gas can be stored for up to five to seven years.
Substitute #2: Unleaded Gasoline
Unleaded gasoline performs very similarly to Coleman Fuel and you can use it on lanterns and stoves that run on liquid fuel.
It costs about $2.15 per gallon compared to Coleman Fuel, which costs around $91 per gallon on Amazon, making it a more economical choice. It is also very easy to find since it is available pretty much wherever you are.
The problem with unleaded gas is that when it burns, it creates a buildup of varnish that will most likely clog the tubes of your generator over prolonged use.
This means that you'll have to clean your appliances often, or replace them sooner than you would hope for.
Sometimes, burning unleaded gasoline also creates black smoke and foul smelling fumes because it doesn't burn as clean as white gas.
Substitute #3: Kerosene
Another inexpensive and easy to find fuel substitute you can use is kerosene, which is a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons distilled through high temperature. Sometimes, it is also referred to as paraffin oil.
However, kerosene is dirty compared to naphtha and unleaded gasoline; it smells really bad, and is a bit more difficult to ignite. Just like unleaded gasoline, it can clog up your appliances since it burns dirty.
Using kerosene as an alternative requires a little bit more preparation as well. This is because it has a high flash point, which is a fancy way of saying that the temperature needs to be a lot higher before it becomes a flammable vapor.
The kerosene must pass through some form of preheated generator tube in order for it to ignite and be used in your lanterns or stoves.
To preheat the generator, you need to create a cup that can fit your lantern, then you have to burn raw fuel underneath it. Another option is to convert your lantern so it can run on kerosene.
But why go through all this trouble just to use kerosene instead of Coleman Fuel? Well, Coleman Fuel costs $21 on Amazon for a 32-ounce can. But with $20, you can get 128 ounces of kerosene, so your savings are huge.
Finding Coleman Fuel substitute aren't that difficult because these three substitutes are basically available anywhere. You can find them in any of your local hardware stores or purchase them through Amazon.
While each substitute has its own characteristics (both positive and negative), the take back from all of this is that you get to save significant amounts of money – which is something I'm pretty sure we all want to do.
Just remember that before looking at the alternatives for your outdoor appliances, check the user manual first because it may have a warning there that tells you what type of fuel you can and can't use, so just be careful.
If you enjoyed this list, feel free to share it with your friends. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to leave them in the comments below. And as always, have a great adventure!


text:
Should You Get Counseling Before Marriage?
June is such a big wedding month, and so many couples are going to head down the aisle to (hopefully) wedded bliss. Divorce rates have actually been falling over the years in Michigan, according to data at the CDC. That may have a lot to do with delayed marriages, a better... READ MORE


text:
Work Style
We offer a friendly, open culture which values intellectual curiosity and the exchange of knowledge. Spontaneous project discussions and morning stand-ups give team members the opportunity to discuss new ideas. With the resources and infrastructure of a large technology firm, we can run experiments at scale.
Our annual Hack Week enables developers to take time out of their normal projects to work on building a prototype of something a bit different.
Work social
Throughout the year, there are a variety of informal social events, including Ultimate Frisbee, Cycling Club (with obligatory pub pit stops and BBQs), Wine Tasting, and team get-togethers. Thursday afternoon tea and cake (and occasional pizza) is a popular tradition in our Refectory, along with our hotly-contested charity bake-offs. We hold a range of firm-wide events throughout the year with families invited to get to know each other outside the office setting, including an evening at the circus, a team challenge at the Crystal Maze, and BBQ garden parties. We also hold an Annual Conference for all team members to attend in Switzerland (with skiing on the side).
Team members are encouraged to continue their professional development, both externally where appropriate, and through regular in-house lectures, presentations and training sessions.


text:
Wicomico Middle Means Success
Congratulations to Wicomico Middle School teacher Donna Hott as one of the winners in Hertrich's Cash for Class contest!
Hott and Wi Middle were awarded $300 by Hertrich Salisbury General Manager Steve Ball to purchase 30 yoga mats to practice mindfulness in the classroom.
Way to go Ms. Hott!
Click the link and WATCH the video of the big surprise!https://youtu.be/HPriwGrA_gs


text:
Discover the 'Spirit of London' at Madame Tussauds – SAVE 17%
Save 38% when booking two iconic London family attractions: The London Eye and Tower Bridge tickets.
Soar above the capital's skyline during the ultimate sightseeing experience.
Shop safely here We make sure that shopping with us is 100% secure with:
About Us | Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Site Map | Affiliates | FAQs | Privacy Policy | Price Guarantee | Print Voucher | Blog


text: Contact us todayWe're always ready to talk about fitness and wellbeing with you. Get in touch with us now for help or advice. Name Please enter your name. Email Please enter a valid email. Your Message Please enter a message. Send Message Sent! Message failed. Please try again. 07502 669148


text:
I just had my offer on a house accepted last week and I'm equal parts excited and terrified. Because I'm weird and superstitious I talk about the house that I have a prospective offer on as my "potential home" – nothing is final until I reach closing day! In the post I talk about my search for a house, and what's to come in the future.
Why a house? Why now?
My main motivation is that the features I require from a living space have expanded greatly – and the cost for those features in an apartment is just not what I'm willing to pay to a landlord anymore. My non-negotiables for an apartment – covered parking, in-unit laundry, central air, – those items would start me off at around $1200/mo for an apartment. That $1200 isn't even for prime locations either – downtown and stuff near Lake Michigan will run you closer to $1500/mo for a one-bedroom. And your girl doesn't do studios, even in the fancy new builds.
So I started tentatively looking in about November. And when I say tentative, I essentially mean looking at Zillow. It wasn't until February that I reached out to a real estate agent and got pre-approved through a local credit union. I toured seven houses before my offer was accepted on my dream home!
My accepted offer
The house that I'm hoping to live in is a cape cod built in the 1920s (P.S – the subreddit r/centuryhomes has been such a stress reliever in easing my potential woes of owning a 100 year old house). I'll be in the city limits of Milwaukee, neighboring one of the more popular suburbs (Wauwatosa).
Even when I made the offer, I knew the house was going to need some work done. My accepted offer was just under $100,000 and comps in the neighborhood are going for $120k+ these days. The last owners did a lot of nice-to-have cosmetics updates, but it will ultimately be on me to take care of the bigger ticket items. Some pertinent projects for the near future include regrading the yard to promote drainage and repairing loose stairs. Luckily, other projects can be put off for at least a couple of years.
Fears of the future
I do worry a bit about my safety, being that I will be a single homeowner. At this point in time, I'm not very handy and I'm preemptively annoyed at the prospect of having to take care of repairs by myself or calling in a professional. I only say "annoyed" because all I've ever known is a life where I call up a maintenance team and minor stuff is fixed for free! (free meaning already priced into my rent)
Other notes on the experience
The 'starter home' market is CRAZY – even here in Wisconsin! In my neck of the woods, I'm talking in the $150k range and under – which generally can get you 3BD/2BA in the city limits. Yes that may be very cheap to you – checking my midwestern privilege (/s). Mortgages are just so attractive now that rates are so low. I can only hope that all of these new homeowners went with fixed rates and not ARMs. I know that my credit union has 5/1 ARMs at 3% for first time homebuyers who only have to put 5% down, I only imagine that banks and CUs are offering similar products throughout the country.
That's it for now! Once I have signed on the dotted line and everything is official, I plan on making another post a few months into homeownership. I welcome any and all tips on being a first time homeowner, and even horror stories to adequately prepare me for the road ahead. Thanks for reading.


text:
Paradise Alley / Stars in the Back Yard (1962)
"Everything in life is an illusion."
Response to Peary's Review:
Redeeming Qualities and Moments:
Must See?
Posted on July 22nd, 2009 by admin
Filed under: Response Reviews
4 Responses to "Paradise Alley / Stars in the Back Yard (1962)"
There is much truth in the assessment here of 'Paradise Alley'.
However, it is by no means a "crowning achievement". And not a must. For a film to be must-see, it needs to be much more than merely interesting for some esoteric reason – or, in this case, admirable because it is the last statement of an early auteur in indie films. A must-see needs to have at least one kinetic quality about it that a film fanatic will benefit from. And 'PA' doesn't have that.
It certainly has its heart in the right place. I'll give it that.
And it gets better as it goes along. If it weren't for the fact that I was watching as part of this 'project', I'd have easily thrown in the towel after 10 or 15 minutes. Painfully amateurish stuff on all counts. About halfway-through though, the film gains momentum – even though it's never really all that good. From that point, at least, it's somewhat watchable and even a little enjoyable, mostly as its overall theme crystallizes. The film does finally have a lovely message.
As noted, the acting is rather poor – but the film is bolstered by the known pros already mentioned (esp. Windsor – and Hamilton who, at one point, becomes almost coquettish!) – as well as Cyril Delevanti (as the grandfather) and William Schallert (who actually gives a surprisingly earnest performance).
I think this may be a classic example of how we differ (slightly) in our take on what makes a film "must see" or not — I tend to privilege films that are "interesting for some esoteric reason" because I like being familiar with the dusty corners of the film world. I certainly don't always enjoy what I see when following this path, and much of it IS creaky, but I feel richer for the experience nonetheless; I don't necessarily need to leave a film feeling like it's enriched me or moved me in any particular way to feel that it's worthy viewing (once). Indeed, there's a part of my film fanatic personality that likes "having seen" films almost as much as I like "seeing films"…
Most film fanatics have their own 'rules' for must-see flicks. For me personally, a must-see film, much more often than not, does need to have at least one element that leaves me "enriched" when I leave it – or at least one that is likely to make me want to come back to it at a later date. That same element will make me want to tell others about the film or maybe watch it with them.
I know there have been films I have not liked (sometimes at all) that I nevertheless, for some reason, am glad I've seen. But, yeah, I'm a bit more rigid when calling something must-see.
One of the things I like about Peary is that he's usually generous (without being soft-headed) in his reviews and doesn't feel the need to show-off his critical credentials by being needlessly mean. However his comments that Haas was a "bad" director and this film is "harmless" I find a rare lapse from that standard.
Hugo Haas certainly made some bad films (like 'Night of the Quarter Moon' – although it was well-intentioned on race by the standards of its time). So did other directors who worked in the lower depths of Hollywood and don't get called "bad filmmakers" (try watching some bad films of Edgar Ulmer or Joseph H. Lewis!).
I suspect Peary hadn't seen some of Haas's better films, especially 'The Other Woman' and 'Born to be Loved'. He doesn't list or mention them – but lists some of his lesser films. One thing that's particularly clear linking 'Paradise Alley' to 'The Other Woman' is how reflexive Haas's films could be – and how they were a commentary on the art of filmmaking (and especially his efforts to make art films with low-budget philistine producers). In that sense, Peary misses that Haas was a true modernist. Peary also misses Haas's sympathy for the outsiders and the marginalised that is one of his consistent themes.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.


text:
I'm in shock. I have no words. Watch this. I need to know what kind of happy pills that guy's been taking.
the diva hand. will it get big? like he says so? whatever the hell hogwobbin means?
his "music video"
also he does very beautiful notes like he says so. hes doing a show in london!!!!!?
This irritates me so much but his laugh and some of his facial expressions remind me of a female actress… I swear it's a character from Sabrina The Teenage Witch.
his facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PhatGayKiD
his youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/PhatGayKiD
no one cares
OMG i ACTUALLY WATCHED A VID!! WTF IS WRONG WITH HIM!!! Im gay and I hate gays like him. whats with all that"mhhmmmhh" and the slap thing?
what does this have to do with actual drama?
wtf is with ur fucking scarf like buy some new clothes ffs
Wow.. This is just.. so.. grong; in many ways. He tries so hard to be a Perez Hilton wannabe. Please find a psychologist, fat faggot.
he's trying to be like Brandon Hilton
I think he's trying to be like Brandon Hilton
he's funny
Hes a good actor
Fat gay chris farley, imo
It's obviously a joke, people get so worked up over nothing.
biggest faggot, evar.
wendy williams.
HEZ SO SEXii
Brandon Hilton, July 18, 2010, 10:51 pm:
he's trying to be like Brandon Hilton
John, July 18, 2010, 10:52 pm:
I think he's trying to be like Brandon Hilton
ugly fat gay bitch…


text:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is keen to work with the banking sector in Sri Lanka and is exploring opportunities in private and public banking sectors, a senior ADB official said.
"We have a lot of opportunities to support the private sector in Sri Lanka and enable them to grow; by providing debt, equity guarantees, and capacity building projects," Director Private Sector Financial Institutions Division, ADB, Christine A. Engstrom told the Sunday Observer. Talking about the ADB's interests in private sector funding in Sri Lanka, she said the bank already has some experience, working with the banking sector in Sri Lanka, especially with DFCC Bank and HNB.
Some of the work the ADB has done in the banking sector include capacity building and infrastructure development activities.
In Sri Lanka, the ADB started negotiating with the Hatton National Bank to invest USD 50 million, taking a stake of up to 9.9 percent of the bank's ordinary voting shares.
Engstrom said that the negotiations are still on and that they are still interested in this deal. Sunday Observer learns that the Sri Lanka government too is keen to see ADB playing a major role in the local banking sector as it is a value addition to the sector.
"The government also wants to support the HNB/ADB discussions and finally to see the transaction is successful," the official said. Overall, ADB has set an ambitious target of scaling up total assistance for the private sector to 50% of OCR (ordinary capital resources) financing by 2020, under its Strategy 2020 Plan.
This target included both direct private sector operations, which included ADB's equity investment, non-sovereign lending and guarantees to private sector companies, as well as private sector development activities. Engstrom said that Sri Lanka's banking sector is vibrant.
"HNB is only one of the banks we are interested in. We are open to other proposals as well," she told the Sunday Observer on the sidelines of the Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of the ADB in Yokohama early May.
She added that ADB is building on private sector operations in member countries.
"Our message is pretty simple - the ADB is there to provide value addition through funding, debt funding as well as equity support."


text:
1959 Gibson GA-18 Explorer - Tube-amp
1959 Gibson GA-18 Explorer - Tube-amp
1959 Gibson GA-18 "Tweed" Explorer amp, ...fully tube-driven incl. tremolo. Great sound, tremelo can be controled by footswitch, which is stored in the back of the cabinet. Layout and sound is pretty similar to the Fender Deluxe, for a friction of the price! This amp can real good clean-sounds but if you turn Vol behind 4-5, it will distort easiely. Original 10" Jensen speaker. All original except some changed caps and 3-plong cord, very good condition for its age.
Techn. details:
- 1959 Gibson GA-18 Explorer - Tube-amp
- Tweed covered wood cabinet,
- Brown frontgrill,
- Modell: GA-18, 110V
- 1x 10" Jensen speaker P10R (220-0935 = 35th week 1959)
- Serialnr.: 110831
- Tubes: 2x 12AX7, 2x 6V6, 1x 5Y3,
- Inputs: Instruments 1, 2, 3,
- Controls: Volumen/Tone/Trem-Depth/Trem-Frequency,
- Footswitch for tremolo included.
Art.Nr.: Vi59GiAmpExGA18_110831


text:
The link you clicked on may be broken or an internal erros may have been occourred.
Sign up to receive the latest offers
This website use cookies and similar technologies to improve the site and to provide customised content and advertising. By using this site, you agree to this use. To learn
more, including how to change your cookie settings, please view our Cookie Policy.


text:
Using Marilyn Waring's book The Labor of Women: Counting For Nothing as a starting point, in this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the history of Labor Day, the need for a deeper appreciation of the role of women in society and how Feminists and their supporters can support the on-going efforts begun at the Washington DC Women's March.
Includes a deconstruction of the Radical Right's branding of themselves as Conservatives in the Republican Party, a call to action for a re-defining of the role of the American Vice-President & personal reflections on The Pussy Hat Project.
This podcast is a part of the on-going series 'American Buddhism' exploring current events from a modern Buddhist Centralist perspective with Professor Robert AF Thurman.
Special thanks to this week's podcast sponsor Sacred Stream Foundation. To learn more about their work & their 'Man Of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of Tibet's Dalai Lama' Graphic Novel West Coast book tour with Robert Thurman this September please visit: www.sacredstream.org.
To watch + listen to more recordings of past events with Robert AF Thurman please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. Learn about joining the Tibet House US Membership Community with a monthly tax-deductible donation by visiting: www.tibethouse.us.
Full Access starts at $2 a month.
The song 'Dancing Ling' by Tenzin Choegyal from the album 'Heart Sutra' (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist's permission, all rights reserved.
Podcast Extra
To watch more videos on Labor Day + Women by Robert AF Thurman and friends please visit the Tibet House US YouTube Channel!
Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet
Why the "life story" of the Dalai Lama? It is a story of one man taking on an empire, calling for truth, peace, and justice for his Tibetan people. Here, in full color for the …


text:
Transcript from the 'Grenfell Never Again' event at Labour Party Conference.
I will always defend firefighters on the ground from being blamed for what happened on the 14th June 2017. Being invited to speak at the Grenfell Never Again event hosted by the Fire Brigade Union at the Labour Party Conference was humbling and a privilege. Following some requests, I'm publishing a (slightly edited) transcript of what I said.
Thanks to Matt Wrack and Emma Dent Coad (MP) for sharing your wisdom and to Kevin McGuire for chairing.
Introduction and a short story…
I am very humbled to be on this panel and want to thank the Fire Brigades Union for the invitation.
By way of introduction … Professionally I partner organisations in high hazard industries to create the leadership capabilities and culture to prevent catastrophic events. From 2011 to 2014 my husband and I rented a beautiful apartment on the 21st floor of Grenfell Tower. We fell in love with high rise living – with the views and community – and in 2014 purchased an apartment in Trellick Tower. Our view is of Grenfell. On the 14th June 2017 we watched it burn, 7 of our former neighbours died. As I watched the fire, I vowed to ensure we learned and to bring the thinking of high hazard industries to the Grenfell conversation.
Let me start by telling you a short story… During the Public Inquiry's questioning of the firefighters, I was deeply upset by the amount of hindsight bias in the questioning.
"There is almost no human action or decision that cannot be made to look flawed and less sensible in the misleading light of hindsight. It is essential that the critic should keep himself constantly aware of that fact".Hidden, 1989, Chairman of the Clapham Junction railway investigation
Feeling helpless, I rang the bell at the Kensington fire station, a box of Golborne Road's famous Portuguese custards tarts in hand… I shoved the box into the hands of the firefighter who opened the door, mumbled something about how upset I was and that I was thinking of them, gave him a hug and left…
I don't really have the words to express this but I do want you to know that the Grenfell firefighters will always have my heart, my solidarity and my deepest gratitude.
The question…
The question I've been asked to speak to is – what actions must the government take to make buildings safe and ensure that a fire like the Grenfell Tower tragedy never happens again… From my perspective there are 4 actions that are currently not getting enough attention.
- Ensuring that the Inquiries recommendations are implemented and effective
- Creating a transparent national register of fire and safety risks
- Resourcing fixing safety critical issues
- Transforming how we think and lead.
Implement Recommendations
In all honesty, history tells us we will not learn from Grenfell and we need to confront this learning disability. The dangers of external fire spread were discussed in Parliament almost 20 years before Grenfell.
- We didn't learn from the death of Alexander Linton's in 1999 in Garnock Court.
- We didn't learn from the deaths of firefighters Michael Miller and Jeff Wornham in Harrow Court in 2005.
- We didn't learn from the seven deaths in Lakanal House in 2009.
What makes us think we will learn from the 72 deaths at Grenfell?
A 2017 Institute for Government publication revealed that there is no process for ensuring recommendations from Inquiries or Inquests are either implemented or effective. Since 1990, there have been 68 public inquiries in the UK, and only 6 of these had full scrutiny to hold the government to account for what it did with the recommendations. Up to 2017, 639 million had been spent on the inquiries and yet there is no process in place to ensure recommendations implemented or effective!
So fundamentally, at a national level our 'investigation system' spends a lot of money coming up with recommendations, the sitting government can then either accept or reject them as they please, and there is no oversight or accountability process for ensuring that recommendations are either implemented or effective.
If we're serious about preventing another Grenfell we need to establish an independent body to oversee the implementation and effectiveness of recommendations made by public inquiries and inquests and we need to start this with the Grenfell Inquiry.
Create a national safety risk register
Grenfell was not an isolated incident. It has revealed fatal failings in the housing and construction industry, in our understanding of risk and particularly the nature of low probability, high consequence events and severe failings in both regulations & regulators. Our buildings are full of materials whose risks are not known or understood. From cladding, to fire doors, to ventilation systems, to wet & dry risers, to missing or incorrectly installed fire breaks …
We are not building safe buildings and don't appear to have been doing so for decades.
- A siloed and simplistic focus on cladding will not prevent the next Grenfell.
- An ostrich mentality hoping that luck will continue to play out as it has at Crewe, Barking, Worcester and Hackney will not prevent the next Grenfell.
- Another green or white paper or consultation will not prevent the next Grenfell.
- Another group of siloed industry and government experts talking behind closed doors will not prevent the next Grenfell.
Without confronting and owning how bad things are as the starting point, we stand no chance of preventing the next Grenfell.
It is absolutely inexcusable that 2 ½ years down the line we have not created a transparent national register of fire safety risks. How can we possibly hope to correct things if we don't have oversight of what there is to correct?
Arguments against transparency rest in an outdated paternalistic notion that somehow residents or the public cannot cope with the truth. We have to stop infantilising people – they are not the problem; they are integral to the solution. Would you want to live in a building without knowing the risks you were facing?
The second action the government must take is creating a transparent national register of safety critical risks. This should start with the data from fire risk assessments in High Rise Buildings.
Confront Resourcing
We need to figure out how to pay for putting things right. There is currently only government funding available for ACM cladding and I'm hearing reports of it being difficult to access. One large housing group estimates the costs of making its buildings safe at 6.9 billion. How to resource correcting things needs to be confronted.
It is predictable that large amounts of money will be spent in law courts which will take years to resolve. The very people in the building and construction industry who contributed to the problems we have will make a profit out of fixing things. An unfair burden will be placed on leaseholders and taxpayers.
Surely the insurance industry, central and local government, the building and construction industry and affected residents could find creative ways of funding repairs and ensure money goes towards fixing things rather than to lawyers or to the bottom line of large corporations that contributed to the problem in the first place.
We cannot expect fast paced change without confronting how it will be paid for. The government must find a way to resource mitigating and correcting historical failings. The solution must not place an unfair burden on leaseholders and taxpayers.
Transform how we lead.
Much attention is given to technical or structural solutions e.g. sprinklers, alarms, regulations. These are critical but we must understand that technical solutions alone will never prevent another Grenfell.
Perhaps an additional consequence of the complex socio technical world we live in is that we should stop relying on official Inquiries to tell us the 'root cause', we should stop relying on the expertise of lawyers closeted in rooms for years to tell us what went wrong. We should start holding a mirror up to ourselves and start asking some uncomfortable questions about our own leadership, the culture we are creating and operating in and the agendas and biases influencing our decision making.Gill Kernick & Martin Stanley: Learning from Grenfell – Preventing the next black swan event: Bennet Institute for Public Policy; Cambridge University
Perhaps then we will begin to learn…
- Unless we understand the complexity of risk and particularly low probability high consequence risk, we will not prevent another Grenfell
- Unless we understand that human error is normal and that to rely on the lack of error to keep us safe is magical thinking, we will not prevent another Grenfell
- Unless we understand that in the complex world we live in, the expertise of those at the front line, of residents and the public is key to safe outcomes, we will not prevent another Grenfell.
- Unless we move from a blame to a learning narrative, we will not prevent another Grenfell.
These are all challenges of leadership. We need to engage and enquire into the kind of leadership that will prevent another Grenfell.
- We need to learn how to collaborate.
- We need to learn how to listen to diverse views.
- We need to learn how to engage in authentic enquiry.
We need to learn how to lead. Without transforming our leadership, we will not prevent another Grenfell.
I remember doing an interview for the Today Program just after the fire and talking about their being a choice in how we responded. Either the response would entrench existing views and divides, or it would create a new narrative. Of unity and togetherness. Of humanity.
There are two pictures I have in my head.
- The mass of outpouring of love and support in the days after Grenfell. You'd walk down and not be able to move. People of every race, creed, age, all coming together in love and solidarity.
- And the other one of the burning of the Grenfell effigy.
We cannot let this second picture win.
Ultimately Grenfell has entrenched existing views rather than enabled a new narrative. A narrative of love of unity and humanity. For me, this is the biggest failing of Grenfell and this is a failure of leadership, and we are all culpable. This last week has shown political leaders from all parties displaying behaviours opposed to learning and enquiry, to humanity and compassion, to listening and decency. We stand no chance of preventing the next Grenfell without fundamentally altering how our political leaders behave. Without fundamentally transforming how we lead. And this needs to start with looking in the mirror before pointing fingers at others.
The fourth action, for all politicians, is to look long and hard in the mirror and confront how their leadership (or more accurately lack of it) has contributed to Grenfell. Without transforming how our politicians lead we stand no chance of preventing another Grenfell.
Thank you …
The following is a LinkedIn thread where as part of my preparation I asked what I should say. It has some useful ideas. Two stood out to me:
Grenfell was a human tragedy and yet that seems to be getting lost amongst all the product and process oriented discussions. I know from personal experience and my research just how important and necessary it is to put the public at the heart if service design. So, my plea, is to demand a human and humane revolution in how we manage risk. Use the best experts and expertise to support, and not bypass, the public. They are an asset and not a liability.David Wales
When good people do nothing bad things happenRav de Silva
Some useful links
The FBU published it's booklet : The Grenfell Tower fire: a crime of profit and deregulation. It has incredibly useful information about the context and multiple failed opportunities to learn.
The following is a short article about the broader discussion at the event.