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A former Conservative council candidate who defected to Ukip last year and then stood for the Eurosceptic's in the Borough elections has flip-flopped again and rejoined the party he previously described as "out of touch" and "too far to the left."
Michael Read had been a life long member of the Conservative party and has previously stood for the blues as a candidate in Eastleigh Central ward but in January 2014 Read resigned from the Conservatives and wrote to David Cameron saying:
"There is no future in flip-flopping."
At the time, one local Tory told Eastleigh News that he thought the Conservatives were "better off without Read" and in an interview with this website Read had explained that his Mormon beliefs meant that he could not accept the legalisation of same sex marriage.
But in a blog post yesterday, the retired schoolteacher wrote:
"A few months ago I realised how incredibly dangerous it would be to split the Conservative vote in the General Election so I rejoined the party to which I had belonged since the age of 18, as a Young Conservative.
"I am really terrified of a left-wing grouping that could destroy all the work the Coalition has done to rebuild the economy over the last five years."
Michael Read stood as a Ukip candidate in Chandler's Ford East last May.
During the general election campaign David Cameron has appealed to former party supporters who had drifted to Ukip to 'come home' to the Conservatives.
John Edwards, who is the chairman of Ukip's Winchester and Chandler's Ford branch had welcomed Read 14 months ago but said today that he "wasn't surprised" that Michael Read had returned to the Tories.
"After a while, I felt that maybe he had followed his heart and not his head when he joined Ukip.
"He is a decent man and I wish him well."


text: " "Daniel Redwood is the troubadour of the animal rights movement. He puts their plight, and their liberation, to music in a way that we can sing along until the world catches up that all creatures deserve compassion." ~VICTORIA MORAN, author, Main Street Vegan "As the vegan movement gathers momentum, creativity and passion are blending to uplift and transform our culture. This is especially evident in Daniel Redwood's album, Songs for Animals, People, and the Earth. With heart-touching lyrics and seasoned musicianship, these songs are soulful anthems to an awakening consciousness of kindness for all living beings. Music has long been recognized for its power to stir feelings and galvanize social change, and this album goes a long way toward capturing and expressing the essence of the vegan movement's ethos of compassion. A perfect gift for animal lovers of all kinds." ~WILL TUTTLE, Ph.D., author, The World Peace Diet, recipient of the Courage of Conscience Award "The peace movement has Phil Ochs and Pete Seeger; the animal rights movement has Daniel Redwood, whose songs of justice for animals are deeply moving and inspiring. I love this album and can't wait for the next one." ~BRUCE FRIEDRICH, Executive Director, Good Food Institute "Daniel Redwood's music is beautiful, moving and exhilarating, lyrical and liberating. It will make you sing, cry, dance and shout for joy -- and for justice -- all at once. Rise Up (Make This Moment Last) -- the last great song on this amazing album -- says it all. Daniel's music is a lasting treasure to cherish and share for the animal people of the earth." ~KAREN DAVIS, Ph.D., President, United Poultry Concerns "Songs for Animals, People and the Earth is one of the most beautiful and inspiring albums I have listened to in a very, very long time. Every phrase, every song, every message is an absolutely beautiful reminder of the beauty, sensitivity, compassion and caring each of us carries within us. The album, the music, its words, the sound of gentleness and sensitivity of Daniel's voice truly captures what the animal protection, rescue, sanctuary, vegan and rights movements are all about. The music and words not only inspire but also heal the wounds, frustrations, and pain each of us feel in our uphill efforts to make the world a more just and compassionate place for all our precious fellow beings. I am so very thankful to Daniel for his amazingly beautiful gift, to us, to them, to the world. His music and words truly nourish my soul, as I know they will the millions who have not as yet heard it. The animal protection movement, the earth, our fellow beings and I are truly in his debt." ~ELLIOT KATZ, D.V.M., Founder, Guardian, and President Emeritus, In Defense of Animals "I find these songs at once moving and inspiring. Daniel Redwood's passion and compassion shine through in every line." ~MELANIE JOY, Ph.D., author, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows "With Songs for Animals, People and the Earth, singer, songwriter and guitarist Daniel Redwood proves beyond a doubt that Samuel Goldwyn was wrong when he said, "If you want to send a message, call Western Union." The songs, including both original compositions and tunes by musical icons like Pete Seeger and B. J. Leiderman of National Public Radio fame, carry a powerful message of compassion for our planet and all who live on it. But they are first-rate entertainment. So take that, Mr. Goldwyn. Daniel Redwood is a gifted musician who makes the most of his gifts on this CD. If you like folk-pop, or even if—like me—you usually don't, this is one not to miss. It hits all the right notes." ~NORM PHELPS, author, Changing the Game: Why the Battle for Animal Liberation is So Hard, and How We Can Win It "With the power and eloquence to transform hearts and minds on behalf of farm animals, Daniel Redwood sings deeply moving anthems for the animal rights movement. I highly recommend this album." ~GENE BAUR, President and Co-Founder of Farm Sanctuary "With his newly released CD, Songs for Animals, People & the Earth, Daniel Redwood masterfully synthesizes immensely beautiful music with the critically important message that we need to stop raising, slaughtering, and eating animals. Through these songs, Daniel conveys the painful reality of our current food choices as they involve animals in an artistic and inspiring manner that expresses vision and hope. For instance, in "Choose a New Story," Daniel moves the listener as he adeptly broadens the topic beyond simply factory farming to include the effect we have on our planet and the all the life we share it with. I find this CD inspiring and encourage everyone to listen to the powerful message and then share it with others. Positive change for a healthier and more peaceful planet is the key to our survival, and it begins with changing our food choices to purely plant-based systems. Although disconnects abound, these songs provide promise. As Daniel sings, "...when you make the connection, the truth will set you free..." ~ DR. RICHARD OPPENLANDER, author, Comfortably Unaware: Global Depletion and Food Choice Responsibility "This beautiful music and poignant lyrics are enough to melt anyone's heart. Daniel has an exquisite sensitivity that comes through in every turn of phrase." ~NEAL BARNARD, M.D., President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, author, Power Foods for the Brain and Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes "Singing from the heart, Daniel Redwood lends his voice to animals with thoughtful lyrics that inspire compassion. His music offers melodies, along with a powerful message, that everyone can enjoy." ~ERICA MEIER, Executive Director, Compassion Over Killing "Daniel Redwood's friendly voice and charming lyrics will entertain listeners while cultivating compassion." ~JONATHAN BALCOMBE, author, The Exultant Ark and Second Nature: The Inner Lives of Animals "In Songs for Animals, People and the Earth, Daniel Redwood provides an inspiring and compassionate soundtrack for the animals and people who love them. The moving lyrics and music come from the heart and the power of his message lifts the soul. Thank you, Daniel, for being such a beautiful voice for animals." ~ROBIN ROBERTSON, author, Vegan Planet and many others "How nice it is to hear songs so well-produced, with a wide choice of instrumentation and a full-bodied sound. Daniel Redwood has mastered a number of very different genres, which is pretty damn impressive in one album. I appreciate his wit and his earnestness in equal measure. It's always tricky writing songs about animal rights without it sounding (a) preachy; (b) treacly; (c) maudlin; or (d) self-righteous. These songs deftly avoid these traps." ~MARTIN ROWE, Co-founder, Lantern Books, and author, The Way of Compassion "This music is such a gift to all sacred life. The animals of earth have been singing to us for centuries. Now Daniel Redwood is singing to them and for them. The universal language of music has the power to elevate global consciousness and to help create the gentle, nonviolent, vegan world we want to share with all living beings. This transformative and heartfelt album is surely one of the most powerful tools we have to open people's hearts so that together we can sing a new song of peace for all and finally end the devastating war on animals. Please share these songs with everyone you know." ~JUDY CARMAN, author, Peace to All Beings: Veggie Soup for the Chicken's Soul, and co-author, The Missing Peace: The Hidden Power of Our Kinship with Animals, and Co-founder (with Will Tuttle) of the Circle of Compassion "

subset: commoncrawl


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Easy, economical, and natural -- home remedies provide relief for many conditions. Unfortunately, tinnitus isn't one of them. This ringing-in-the-ears problem is best treated professionally, according to Audiologist Dr. Susan Rogan, Susan Rogan Hearing, who practices in Westmont and LaGrange Park.
"Tinnitus is a medical condition that may be the result of hearing loss. Before trying any over-the-counter or unconventional solutions, sufferers should be professionally evaluated and tested."
The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) agrees, adding, "There are several well-established therapies for patients struggling with severe, chronic tinnitus. The primary objective for tinnitus treatment options is to lower the perceived burden of tinnitus, allowing the patient to live a more comfortable, unencumbered life.
"There is currently no scientifically proven cure for most cases of chronic tinnitus. There are however excellent tools to help patients manage their condition. Successful tinnitus management may require overlapping layers of treatment."
The ATA recommends hearing aids, sound therapies, behavior therapies, and medications to address the stress, anxiety, and depression that tinnitus often provokes. "Sound masking can cover the sound of tinnitus, while more advanced therapies" can offer stronger relief.
Audiologists can help sufferers explore their options. Experimental procedures are being studied, including "deep brain stimulation" and implanting electrodes into the brain's surface.
While applying castor oil compresses over the afflicted ears isn't recommended, other natural comfort measures may offer some relief, including stress-relieving massages, yoga, meditation, and exercise. Using a "white noise" sound machine to generate soothing nature sounds may distract the brain from focusing on unwanted sounds during sleep. Journaling may be helpful to detect triggers that lead to tinnitus episodes.
Susan Rogan Hearing : 319 W. Ogden Avenue, Westmont, IL 60559 : 630.969.1677; and 419 N. La Grange Road, La Grange Park, IL 60526 : 708.588.0155 : www.susanroganhearing.com.


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Saturday, 26 January 2013
Snow At Last
Last night 25th January, we had some real snow at last. Here's a couple of videos
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Bike Ride
Been for my first bike ride for over 12 months - 'Round the Block'. Very short, but that was the idea. I need to simply get a feel for the bike again first of all over the first couple of weeks or so. The weather's not all that good at present so if I'm looking for dry days I'll have to go when I can. Just looking out of the window it's beginning to snow, very lightly. Minimum preparation time is the order of the day. Bike clips and helmet on and GO!
Anyway, I've got over the threshold on this day 2
Anyway, I've got over the threshold on this day 2
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Starting Again - Again
I haven't run or done any exercise at all for coming up to 4 months now because my foot just 'went'. Having to be on it way too much after the injury made it a lot worse. It was getting better but last night it just 'went' again. So, I've put new ordinary peddles on my bike so that I can just sit on it and ride. Other than a pair of bicycle clips to keep my trouser legs out of the chain and my hard hat on I don't need any other special gear.
I'm missing the exercise and the fresh air so badly. Maybe it's not the best time to start cycling again with snow forecast for early next week but, so what, I have to start somewhere some time. It's driving me nuts being so sedentary.
I went to the doc's with my foot, much good that was. So I'm still hobbling walking Alfie, who we've got back at the mo and just getting around. But at least I can push my bike peddles without much pain at all. So it'll be around the block for a couple of weeks to get the feel of it in my body, head and heart before I venture further or begin to push myself to get a bit of this weight off that I've acquired in my forced idleness.
So, here we go.........
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text: btdt Posted November 8, 2014 from the book "Medication Madness" caused by non psych drugs... he has a few pages in the book dedicated to these drugs pages 21 -26 I will list them. Antibiotic Madness - Levaquin a family of drugs called quinolones knon to cause severe emotional reactions increased pressure on the brain psychosis more in the book. Accutane Depression Suicide and other psych disturbances Tamiflu Madness disturbances to consciousness could be any psych reaction Reberton antiviral... hazardous to the brain Keppra Rage - anticonvulsant "aggression agitation anger anxiety apathy depersonalization depression emotional lability hositliy ect... Due to spellbinding patients do not report these effects tot he doctor...same with all these drugs Steroid Psychosis ugh... Ditropan - paranoia agitation hallucinations confusion ect. Drug groups that cause problems antiphychotics stimulants sedatives antianxiety anticonvulsants cardiovascular antiinflammatory intiinfctive agents hormones chemotherapy drugs and miscellaneous others. Note to self look up ever drug before it goes into you mouth. I like this site http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/hp.asp but I don't stop there I always search psych symptoms and the drug... for instance effexor and deression or psychosis ect. Just trying to keep you safe peace 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


text:
Anti-Slip Wool Booties
Size: Ideal for babies from 6 to 9 Â months.
These super-cute booties have a bear motif and include ant-slip pods on the bottom.
Perfect for those who cannot wait to walk, crawl and start bumping and stumbling into everything, anything or anybody!
Size: Ideal for babies from 6 to 9 Â months.
Material: 100% Wool.
All our products are handmade from the highest quality materials, respecting fair trade and eco-friendly practices.


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text:
Well here it is a Xmas runner.. oh if only it was as easy to make as it is to draw and colour. Such is life but here is one colour version for a Xmas runner. I realise that many people like other colours these days for Xmas but it is impossible to present every version.
Xmas in Australia happens in Summer and that is also when much of our fruit rippen. Unfortunately we live in a fruit fly area and these 'darling' little fellows decimate just about every piece of fruit that hasn't been sprayed, even if the fruit is picked while still green. This year my husband decided however that he wasn't going to spray the fruit fly every two weeks. After some web surfing he discovered that many home gardeners now bag the fruit to keep off the fruit fly. Yesterday his parcel arrived from China, amazing how much cheaper it is than buying locally, only $16/100 including postage. In the $2 shop they are usually 2 for $3.
So here is a photo of my husband 'bagging' his peaches. And here is a close up of two of his apricots inside the bag. He has bagged our apricot tree, peach tree and also the maqui berry bush, lucky he keeps all trees trimmed to under 2m :) The berries have been bagged in a hope of preventing the parrots from feasting on them. Our garden is a veritable paradise for animals.
We used to have a blue tongue lizard until last year and he was wonderful for keeping out slugs and snails out of his strawberry plot. Unfortunately for some reason last year he disappeared and so it seems as though this year we will have to look into something... anyone have a blue tongue they want relocated?
Everyone has their favourite animals and he works hard to preserve his fruit and vegetables...except from Thumper... an escapee from the local caravan park. Amazing isn't it considering Thumper only eats the youngest and best shoots.... I would include a photo but he hops away at the slightest sound..... the guilty always run away:)


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Philip Marsden speaks about competition enforcement in online markets
Speech given by CMA Inquiry Chair, Philip Marsden, at the 11th Baltic Competition Conference in Vilnius.
Exercising choice: some reflections on competition enforcement in online markets
It is a pleasure to be participating in such a robust exchange of views, particularly with respect to how competition authorities should assess and address anti-competitive activity in online markets. First, a word about my role at the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) (*). My remarks here today are personal, as I am not involved directly in investigating online enforcement matters. That crucial role falls on the executive, and the case teams. I chair case decision groups (CDGs) in antitrust cases, as well as phase 2 merger and market inquiries and regulatory appeals, and participate in case management panels in criminal cases. My remarks today therefore are more akin to observations, based on some years of comparative research into vertical restraints, our recent experience with these practices in the online world, and my own thinking on what might be important in assessing them.
Online markets are a major CMA priority. Their development is fundamental to cross-border and global trade. Online information and search tools help consumers identify and compare competitive offers. Online platforms, devices, and mobile payments facilitate e-commerce. All of this improves consumer choice and empowerment while helping new entrants, particularly disruptive innovators who challenge traditional business models and markets, thereby increasing competition and economic growth. This is not just so much rhetoric, though; it is almost everyone's reality.
For example, competition law conferences these days often focus on online restraints. My remarks today do too, but sometimes the discussion seems a bit removed, and focuses a bit too much on the restraint itself, what it restricts (active or passive sales), whether it is offline or online, and necessarily its impact on the interaction between firms. I would like to suggest that we also think more from the consumers' perspective, and consider the shopper 'journey' (if that isn't too much of a woolly marketing metaphor). To consumers, online and offline aren't really separate. Many shopping journeys do take place purely along one of those channels; but increasingly the line is blurring. As we all readily experience, some shoppers start searching in the real world, then go online to comparison shop, and then make the purchase; some go the other way; and some consumers start online, dip into a shop and pop back online again. Some even go online while in-store, comparison shop with other bricks or clicks outlets, then show these rival offers at check-out, which stores can then match or better, or lose that custom. To the consumer then, online and offline options are merging; and firms are experiencing this too, moving towards providing service in both channels to meet growing customer expectation.
When online activity enables businesses to be more responsive to consumer demand, we see markets improve directly, leading to better products and services, and more personalisation of the offer to consumers. Markets thus operate more efficiently for both consumers and businesses – through better targeting of spending and greater optimisation of resources. To my mind, these developments make it even more important to look at the facts of each market, rather than just the route to market. Similarly, in assessing business practices, we need to have a view on how a potentially anti-competitive restraint might affect this market environment, rather than on the particular form of 'restraint' that is used.
One of the CMA's 5 strategic goals is to extend the frontiers of competition, looking at new markets and new business models and responding appropriately, and of course, online commerce is a big part of that. The UK already has the world's most internet-dependent economy, with online-related activity worth £118 billion a year, or 8.3% of GDP: more than twice the average among G20 countries. However, while bringing significant benefits for consumers, businesses and markets, there are also risks that we need to understand better. That is why the CMA is working on a research project to identify sectors of the economy where online commerce is developing more slowly than might be expected, and why. If this is because of misleading conduct or anti-competitive business practices, then consumer protection and competition authorities need to act, and act quickly.
Consumer risks
Alongside the huge benefits that the internet provides for consumers in terms of improved information and choice, new sources of consumer detriment are emerging. For example, fake reviews, undisclosed commercial blogging, complex tariff structures, misleading or skewed search results, drip pricing, concealed recurring payments, and complex bundling can all harm consumers' interests and distort competition. Problems may be even worse in markets characterised by information asymmetries, consumer biases (including to inertia) or vulnerability.
We need to act quickly to protect consumers and we need to act comprehensively, recognising that the online world is international. We also need to act so consumers do not lose trust in online markets themselves, so that internet-based trade can continue to flourish and offer them the information and confidence they need to exercise effective choice.
Our work on online and app-based games is a good example of this, building on the success of one of our predecessor organisations, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). As this online market developed, a range of harmful practices were raising concerns, playing in particular on children's inherent inexperience, vulnerability or credulity – such as hiding the real-world cost of items needed to progress, or imposing unfair pressure to purchase in order to care for online pets. Consultation with industry and other authorities secured consensus on a set of principles that would work across borders – ie as e-commerce does – which was successful in addressing harmful conduct.
Competition risks
Just as the internet facilitates increased competition, some firms in 'bricks and mortar' industries may seek to protect their positions, particularly by preventing or restricting online business models and competition. For example, the internet intensifies price competition, which some firms will want to limit. They may just be trying to protect their margins, or they may say they need to restrict price competition online so they can continue to compete on non-price elements such as service and presentation in-store. Incumbents might use other techniques to block entry or innovation by online rivals, limiting the use of platforms or online sales channels. They might defend their conduct using efficiency-based arguments based on limiting free-riding, improving service, or protecting brand signalling of quality. These can be legitimate concerns, and sometimes the firms are quite frank and say they are simply protecting what most consumers still choose to use: bricks-and-mortar sales outlets. Difficult questions of balancing efficiency, exclusivity and exclusion have arisen in such cases in traditional markets and they continue to do so when assessing restraints of online commerce.
While some forms of misleading consumer practices are new or repackaged – once identified it is relatively clear that they are harmful. As I mentioned, the question then is how to act quickly and comprehensively enough to protect consumers. With anti-competitive conduct, there are added challenges. A particular online restraint might look familiar to those we encounter in traditional distribution channels, but it is no less controversial for that. There are very different schools of thought regarding vertical restraints and price and non-price abuses of a dominant position – whether in the online world or not. Competition authorities from different market traditions and with different policies, priorities and responsibilities tend to differ in approach. The cross-border and even global reach of some practices, the speed with which they proliferate, and the inevitable balancing required in assessing some forms of anti-competitive conduct makes timely and comprehensive enforcement more difficult. This makes it even more important that we work together and learn from each other to get it right in our own particular cases.
This is why we have made sure that another 2 of the CMA's strategic goals – refocusing our consumer protection work and delivering effective enforcement – are both being accomplished with a strong emphasis on online markets and noting enforcement approaches in other jurisdictions. This includes significant work to understand how new technologies are changing the ways in which markets work and when and how competition enforcement should be adapted and used to ensure that anti-competitive conduct is deterred.
To contribute to that process, I would like to discuss some practices, and enforcement approaches, pose some questions, and then conclude with a suggestion on how one might approach such practices.
Price floors and price channels
Resale price maintenance (RPM) and internet minimum advertised pricing (IMAP) act to set a price floor, one generally, the other online. The concerns with price restrictions are obvious to any competition authority. That is why there is such a suspicion of these practices, and why the burden tends to shift relatively swiftly to the firm imposing RPM or IMAP to try to justify the conduct, usually based on the efficiency arguments I mentioned earlier, relating to preventing free-riding and thereby ensuring quality and service.
Direct or indirect price-fixing is obviously one of the most serious competition law infringements, and we often receive complaints about RPM – including in an online context. The CMA treats allegations of RPM very seriously as an 'object' infringement, because it has such a high potential for restricting competition, and consumers may end up paying more than is necessary. Of course, the analysis of RPM and indeed the legislative framework expressly provides opportunities for firms to present evidence of offsetting benefits. One of the crucial questions, in my view though, involves the choices available to consumers and what they themselves value. Can consumers who don't value service still shop around, or are they faced with one price practically everywhere?
Online markets span borders and many firms' distribution practices are regional or even global. Nevertheless, even when items can be purchased online, most retail markets remain national and different enforcement approaches to RPM exist. In some jurisdictions, there are well-known changes from per se prohibition to an effects-based analysis. Other authorities look for evidence of an agreement, coercion and monitoring. There are also some authorities who don't require proof of all of these elements. Should case law recognise that there may be more subtle techniques of pressuring retailers, than actual coercion? Should one look at the evidence in the particular case and identify whether the pressure exerted resulted in a retailer not making its own independent choice on price?
What if anything could we do about these different approaches and issues? As enforcers we are already 'learning by doing' and communicating with another as we do. Sharing experience and analysis on cases won't necessarily lead to convergence though, and it is not obvious that convergence is required just because a practice is online. Online markets can still vary country by country due to levels of e-commerce, market structures, language issues and local preferences or biases. I'm not sure how a common approach to verticals in the online world would be any easier to forge than in the real world. In addition, we can't leave every case with an online – and hence typically cross-border element – to the European Commission; resources are limited everywhere and even more complaints might not be taken forward. In many cases anyway a national competition authority may be particularly best placed. I think this holds in particular for the UK mobility scooters IMAP cases that I will discuss shortly. So do we try to learn which approach is most suited to addressing RPM with online aspects? I'm not sure this is possible to identify either. After all, different authorities have different priorities, investigative methods and different economic priors about such conduct. What I think is most important though is the evidence in each particular case.
You may have seen that the CMA recently decided to close its RPM investigation involving a sports bra manufacturer and 3 UK department stores. This was because, after a thorough review of the evidence, including written and oral representations from the parties, the CDG – which I chaired – concluded that there were no grounds for action in that case. I believe that this shows that the new collective decision-making model and governance processes introduced in 2012 are working well – CDGs provide a fresh pair of eyes in CA98 cases and help us deliver robust decisions at pace. It remains the case that the CMA treats allegations of RPM very seriously. Direct or indirect price-fixing is among one of the most serious infringements of competition law and RPM is a practice that features frequently in complaints to the CMA, including in the online context.
IMAP and online sales bans
The CMA has concerns about the use of internet minimum advertised prices and other vertical restraints that prohibit the advertising of any prices online, or ban online sales outright. In 2 cases prioritised for their impact both on vulnerable consumers and on online commerce as well as their precedential and deterrent value, the OFT found separate infringements by 2 manufacturers of mobility scooters and a number of their respective retailers. Specifically, one firm had banned online sales and the advertising of prices online, while another prohibited online advertising of prices below its own recommended retail prices.
As restrictions on consumer choice go, such practices could not be more obvious. They reduce price transparency and significantly increase search costs for consumers, of particular concern when the internet is important for search and consumers face high search costs due to their circumstances. Here, by definition these types of scooters tend to be sold to consumers who find it difficult to visit bricks and mortar stores, which were few and far between. Most obviously though, IMAP restrictions soften intra-brand competition, reduce discounting and can mean higher prices for consumers. It has to be said though that online cases can raise difficult issues: while the OFT found in these cases that the restrictions had as their obvious consequence the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition, through our casework and own research/analysis we are still working to understand the range of scenarios in which such practices will be harmful.
Price channels
Dual pricing restrictions raise similar issues. Setting a higher price for online sales may be seen as a way of restricting passive sales. This may, then, limit the geographic trading area of the dealer, which can be regarded as a restriction of the territory into which, or the customers to whom a dealer may sell his goods. How these practices affect competition and consumer choice in individual cases needs to be considered. IMAP and dual pricing can come in different forms, including restricting online discounts. Therefore, depending on the practice, theories of harm that arise with RPM and its case law may also apply.
Price ceilings and platforms
Restraints that set price ceilings are more tricky for an authority to assess, because on their face they promise some form of 'Best Price Guarantee', a boon for consumers one would think, allowing them to focus on the non-price aspects of the product that they want, sure that they will get a great deal. This would initially seem all the more helpful when implemented through an online platform that quickly allows providers to make offers that buyers can compare and choose from easily. In some cases, however, this can lead to a softening of competition, with the ceiling becoming a floor. In some cases, perhaps something like RPM is what is actually operating, and firms are only able to offer the Best Price Guarantee because they 'know' no one will undercut them. Or perhaps the mechanism itself is acting to dissuade entry of lower-priced products, since that important distinguishing element has effectively been removed. This can operate to soften price/commission competition on the platforms, and any resulting increased costs of sales may be passed through by third party sellers to consumers.
Price parity and price relativity agreements have come up in a number of antitrust cases. In relation to Amazon's price parity requirement for third party sellers listing products on Amazon Marketplace, for example, there were parallel Article 101 cases being run by the OFT and by Germany's Bundeskartellamt. This demonstrates the ongoing concerns that competition authorities have about retail most-favoured nation clauses (MFNs), and their potential to soften price competition between platforms and exclude new entrants – reducing consumer choice. The OFT was 'minded to close' the case after Amazon indicated that it would – essentially - remove the parity clause from its contracts. It's notable that Amazon didn't just remove parity in the countries where the competition authorities were taking cases, but across the EU.
It is also worthwhile pointing out that retail MFNs were also examined by the CMA in the somewhat different context of a market inquiry – in the recently concluded private motor insurance market investigation. Whilst different from enforcement action brought via a CA98 antitrust case, nevertheless, it is interesting to note that the inquiry group differentiated between narrow MFNs (between price comparison websites and insurance providers' own websites) and wide MFNs (between different price comparison websites or between other sales channels, such as telesales). The CMA viewed the latter as problematic and sought an end to clauses that restrict a motor insurer's ability to price its products differently on different channels, and expects this to lead to greater competition among price comparison websites in the private motor insurance market.
Preventing selective distributors from selling through platforms
Manufacturers of branded goods naturally want to protect their image, which they may argue may be undermined by sales through a third party platform. However, in considering restrictions on platform sales, there are different approaches in different jurisdictions, with some authorities doubting both the need for such brand protection and any efficiencies arising from such platform bans. Some find it difficult to see platform bans as indispensable, and press firms for other means of achieving the same aim. As a member of the European Competition Network we work closely with other authorities to understand the approaches they are taking in this area. Learning from each other is one thing, but suggesting that authorities adopt a similar approach to practices about which there is widely different opinion is not likely to be successful. Each case will depend on facts and on the evidence put to the relevant national competition authority in the context of its market. The CMA applies its prioritisation principles in a manner which considers the work of other European authorities, and we have seen directly how some national investigations may lead to pan-European changes to the manner in which companies' distribution systems are set up – particularly in relation to online sales. We are also carrying out research to understand more about both the effect of certain restraints in an online world and the enforcement approaches of our colleagues in other jurisdictions.
There are many other practices I could mention – access to platforms, online-targeted advertising, personalised pricing and the controversial differences of opinion about search rankings. However, I'd like to use my remaining time to make one final observation, and one small suggestion.
New wine, old bottles, and telling the difference
One question that naturally arises is how online practices should be reviewed. Are they themselves so novel that traditional analytical approaches seem outdated and inappropriate? I don't think so. First of all, and to a very large extent, anti-competitive practices online are just new wine in old bottles, and should not be allowed to fool anyone, least of all, enforcers. There is nothing particularly novel about pricing restraints, for example. If an authority or court analyses such restraints as object infringements when they occur in traditional markets, then this will be appropriate when firms practise them online. The same rationale applies for practices that have tended to be subject to effects-based analysis. Naturally, while each case needs to be assessed on its facts and its relevant context, there is no reason to change approach just because the practice goes online.
What about truly novel online practices though, ones that have not been seen before in traditional markets and which are not currently addressed by case law? First, it is difficult to say that anything we have seen so far is truly novel – price parity arrangements, minimum advertised pricing, discriminatory pricing, even denial of access to platforms all have predecessors offline. But what if something comes along that is truly novel? Does this mean that an object approach is inappropriate? Should an authority be required to prove that the practice is net harmful using a full effects-based analysis? No, on both counts. I think this sort of stricture on authorities would be too much, and would be particularly inappropriate in fast-moving online markets. Depending on the restraint, an object approach can still be the most appropriate enforcement approach. There are some limits though, and again not surprisingly these are the same that apply to enforcement approaches in the real world.
To my mind, if any practice is to be investigated as an object infringement then this should only occur when the practice is anti-competitive by its very nature. Such practices are those that have such a high potential for harm to competition that actual effects do not need to be proven. They include certain types of behaviour (such as price fixing and market sharing) that experience has shown are likely to produce negative effects on the market.
A novel practice, by definition, is one about which we have no experience. But authorities facing a novel practice can still approach it as an object infringement if they can show how it is inherently anti-competitive. In such situations, because the practice is new, case decisions should explain in what respect the restraint in question reveals the requisite harm in order to be characterised as a restriction by object. This may even be relatively brief, depending on the restraint and the facts, but it should exist. This allows the law to evolve and keep up with changing business practices, and provides companies with an explanation of why these practices are being characterised in this manner, thus ensuring that authorities are less likely to be accused of 'stretching the object box'.
Exercising choice
Despite my remarks focusing almost exclusively on forms of online pricing restraints, some of you may have noticed that in describing these practices I also noted how they limit consumer choice. What I'd like to explore now, is whether this adds anything? My final point today then, is to suggest that it does, very much.
Some might say that focusing on choice can't make much difference. After all, doesn't every restraint of competition, every merger even, also restrict choice? I think there is something deeper going on than that, and competition authorities should take more note of impacts on consumer choice. Price is one factor, and a big one, but we all know that competition takes place over a range of factors, including quality, that appeal to consumers. Individuals value different things, and providers tailor their products accordingly. They do so due to the exercise of consumer choice. Consumer choice is the mechanism that actually drives competition, and yields efficient markets. It is not actually price, quality, or any other factor of the product itself that is determinative. It is the process – call it discovery, call it exchange, call it competition – but fundamental to that is consumers exercising their choice. That is what is at the heart of even the most rigid Chicago School efficient markets hypothesis. I think that we should all pay more attention to ensuring that consumers can exercise their choices effectively, particularly in online markets. Doing so would not make us think all that differently, but we would be – like consumers using the internet – markedly better informed.
Choice is a mechanism and it operates by consumers identifying competing offers, comparing them, and selecting their product based on the elements that they value, be it price, convenience, quality or whatever. Competition is not like some battle between rivals who then 'win' a territory or town; nor is it entirely like a race where one competitor beats another to 'win' a medal and the cheers of the crowd. Consumers have some say, and a crucial role in the process, and the winner is the firm that produces the kinds of products that best fit what the consumer values, and so chooses. Competition involves an interaction not only between rivals, but also among the rivals and the consumer. In a well-functioning market, active consumers exert pressure on firms to improve their product. Reasonably well-informed, confident, largely rational consumers exercising choice activates competition among firms. Exercising such effective choice ensures that consumers are more likely to receive the products they need, and are less likely to receive shoddy goods or services.
Is this a trivial observation? Is it empty rhetoric? Or is it a different form of substantive analysis from that currently undertaken at competition authorities? Your choice, but my answer is: none of the above.
It is not a trivial observation, because focusing a bit more on how choice is exercised means we better appreciate the actual mechanism at play in competition. It is not empty rhetoric, because focusing on how choice is exercised (and restricted) better informs our analysis. We find more relevant ways of looking at markets by ensuring we view them as the consumer does. I mentioned at the start of my remarks how shopper journeys increasingly flow back and forth between online and traditional markets, often in an iterative process through search and comparison shopping. As authorities responsible for protecting and promoting competition, our analysis should take into account the information and options that firms and technology make available to consumers, their routes to market, and how they make their choices. This is merely better observation and analysis and has to help better inform us about what consumers would do with or absent a particular restraint. Where would they go, what would they buy? Or how would rivals respond? Some of this thinking is of course already embedded in substitutability analysis and market definition, but it can have more of a role, particularly in analysing online activity.
For example, the UK communications regulator Ofcom has commissioned a number of studies of online markets, often with a heavy behavioural element, developing the understanding and evidence to underpin future enforcement. For example, it wants to understand why consumers are likely to trust some websites for online purchases and not others; when they are willing to make payments online; how the presence of online retailers' high street, physical outlets makes a difference to consumers' willingness to purchase; and how they respond to other users' ratings and reviews. They also look into how behaviour changes with 'digital literacy', age and other relevant indicators. Improving our understanding of how consumers make choices is an essential element of this, and our understanding of this needs to get ahead of that of those online players whose actions, intentional or not, are manipulating consumers in harmful ways.
Similarly, some competition authorities – including the CMA – are considering how behavioural economics can help better understand how consumers make decisions (ie choose). Looking more at how choice operates is something that can actually be surveyed and examined. (And to those who want something more definable or operational than 'choice', I'd note that existing concepts of 'competition' or 'competition on the merits' are also actually surprisingly vague, and there is markedly little agreement on what they even mean. Perhaps focusing on how choice operates can help.)
So we ask of consumers: do they have a choice – how informed is it – can they exercise their choice? What is helping or hindering that exercise? Is the restraint necessary? Why? What is its purpose? How does that impact on consumer choice? And of course, is the restraint of choice net harmful? This is not a choice standard replacing an efficiency standard, but being built more into – and informing – one. So enforcers and courts can better appreciate the dynamic between providers and customers and better choose whether and how to intervene.
In suggesting that we look more at the exercises of consumer choice, am I recommending a substantive change in approach? I am not. A few years ago a nice debate occurred between Robert Lande and Neil Averitt on the one hand, and Joshua Wright and Judge Douglas Ginsberg on the other. The former were recommending a consumer choice standard as a new substantive approach in antitrust law, particularly for the assessment of non-price restraints. The latter opposed it, saying that it would undermine welfare analysis, and put efficient business conduct under suspicion in the pursuit of an amorphous populist non-economic goal. I'm not suggesting the same change as Lande and Averitt's, but simply a renewed recognition of and concern for the mechanism of choice at the heart of market transactions. It is not even such a great 'renewal' at that. In the UK, we have looked at practices that deny choice in many cases from local bus routes to global pharmaceutical companies. In markets work in particular, we have identified consumer difficulties in exercising choice as warranting serious examination, whether in personal current accounts, cash ISAs, dentistry, private health care, payment protection insurance and statutory audit. In advocacy to government about public service markets we have argued for empowering consumers through added choice tools. A concern for the exercise of choice is not new in other jurisdictions either. Spencer Waller has identified a greater focus on choice in US case law, particularly in high-tech industries. In Europe, Paul Nihoul has identified a steady flow of concern with choice in most of the competition cases under Article 102. Former FTC Commissioner Tom Rosch asked whether focusing more on choice would help bring US and EU approaches closer together?
So, the debate isn't new, but is what I'm suggesting troublesome? Does more concern for how choice is exercised lead us inevitably to start thinking about numbers of rivals? No. It is not about numbers of rivals, it is about how consumers exercise a choice among rival offerings. More rivals or more choice doesn't necessarily lead to a better exercise of that mechanism. Indeed, too much choice can lead to no choice at all, as people get swamped with too much information, and just shut down. Indeed there are examples (most recently with respect to some financial services markets) where increased competition leads to bad results: a lack of effective competitive constraint at best and at worst a race to the bottom, with firms providing ever more risky products.
My suggestion is not about choice itself; it is about its exercise. I do not view every reduction of choice as a problem, nor every increase in choice as a solution. I am just suggesting that in assessing alleged restraints we make sure we are aware of what really affects consumers' interaction in the market. My focus is tightly on consumers and their ability to exercise their choice or not, depending on what restraint is being imposed in the market.
So to be clear: I am not arguing for choice, per se. I am not arguing for variety in itself. I am not arguing that smaller less efficient firms be protected from larger rivals simply for the sake of differing offerings. I can think of plenty of examples where a merger or arrangement leads to efficient outcomes at the expense of variety. Competition may increase even when choice is reduced. Competition law and policy isn't about plurality: we are not the Choice in Markets Authority, after all. We protect and promote competition and markets, and in doing so all I'm saying is that we should be alert to how consumers make choices, not about choice itself. (Obviously, a necessary requirement for exercising choice is having some choice in the first place, but that is provided by entrepreneurs, not us.) We should just be more alert to how choices are made, or restricted, among competing offerings. And vertical restraints and abusive conduct are a key part of that, particularly in the online world.
I hope that a more informed process of analysis will lead to even better outcomes. I would like more direct recognition of how practices are affecting how consumers exercise choice, particularly online. If e-commerce is opening markets, improving and facilitating choice, and thereby empowering consumers, then we need to make sure that this continues, and is not restricted. If there are significant and artificial restrictions on consumers' ability to choose effectively, then we need to analyse them closely. Incumbents who fear competition and seek to protect their existing business models at the expense of consumer choice should tread carefully.
To achieve good consumer outcomes and drive effective competition in markets, consumers need to be willing to access information about the various offers available, assess this information to identify the goods and services that provide the best value and quality, and act upon this assessment by choosing or switching to their preferred supplier.
Authorities should be prepared to intervene quickly and comprehensively when breaches of consumer law are distorting the information consumers need to be able to choose. Competition authorities should be equally prepared to intervene when breaches of competition law are significantly and artificially preventing consumers from exercising effective choice.
I hope some of my questions and this small suggestion stimulates discussion and further research in this area, and I look forward to working with you to continue to achieve the right results for consumers, for businesses and for markets in these difficult but important online cases.
(*) My thanks to colleagues at the CMA for stimulating discussions, particularly Louis Christofides, Antonia Horrocks, Mark Dungworth, Gaucho Rasmussen, Amanda Partridge, Hugh Mullan, Simon Constantine, Borbala Szathmary, Natalie Timan, Joseph Downie, Andrew Pickering and Helen Fleming.


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Steve Palmer: Continued economic growth in China is considered to be one if the largest factors that can positively impact the mining sector in particular and resource commodity prices in general. Recent economic data points to an increase in Chinese growth in 2014. And strong growth in the European and North American economies is expected for 2014. Simply put, periods of accelerating global growth create higher demand for commodities, so commodity prices typically do well during a boom and this translates into higher expectations for stock prices. Industrial growth, of course, increases the demand for energy resources, in general, as does the increase in popular consumerism brought about by new wealth created by industrial growth. Oil and gas remain very good bets.
Resource commodities are looking stronger day by day. In recent weeks, the energy sub-index in the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has broken out of its two-year trading range. {See chart below.] The TSX Composite index has broken out of its previous range. The major U.S. indices are hitting new highs. Canadian indices weighted toward resources have lagged over the last two years, but now they are starting to outperform. Typically, in a market cycle, resource stocks outperform during the second half of a bull market cycle, and that is what we should start to see.
TSX Energy Index One-Month Chart
[Source: Yahhoo Finance. Current as of the date of the interview, 10/25/13]
TMR: Your AlphaNorth Partners Fund currently has about 3% of its funds in precious metals, 15% in metals, 11% in energy, 15% in life sciences and the bulk, 56%, in technology. How did you arrive at these weightings?
SP: These weightings are not set by top-down analysis. We do a lot of bottom-up work, and the relative weights are also a function of the opportunities presented to us from a risk-reward point of view. We do not totally disregard sector weightings, but we invest within a wide band in that regard. The AlphaNorth Partners Fund strives for a diversified portfolio in resources and technology and life science companies. The goal is to reduce the volatility and enhance returns over the long term. In 2011, for example, we reduced the weight in resources because the risk-reward at that time favored non-resource investments.
We have always had exposure to both technology and resource stocks, but we did increase our weight in technology names in lieu of resource names. Right now, our portfolio is skewed toward the non-resource names by 70%. Non-resource names, it must be said, are working out much better than the junior resource companies in the portfolio, year-to-date.
TMR: Why are the junior resource companies lagging the techs?
SP: Investor sentiment is still quite negative on junior resources. Gold has not been doing well this year. Retail investors are doing well with the big blue chip U.S. companies, which keep hitting new highs, and also with fixed income products. Investors have also turned to technology and life science companies, which have performed well in 2013. We think those areas and U.S. large caps will start to underperform going forward.
TMR: What is the outlook for uranium?
SP: Uranium should trend higher over the long term because, inevitably, Japan will have to restart its nuclear program. It is costing Japanese industry tens of millions of dollars a day to burn natural gas in lieu of using energy generated by nuclear reactors. In addition, a couple of new reactors will be built in the United Kingdom. And the Chinese government has aggressive plans to expand its nuclear program. Uranium is not nearly as volatile or as liquid a market as natural gas or oil. Investors are waiting for a catalyst before moving back into uranium stocks in a meaningful way, and, unfortunately, there is not much in the way of good news at the moment. Uranium needs either a strong price uptick or clear evidence that China or Japan is strongly committed to supporting the resurgence of nuclear energy before potential investors start buying.
TMR: What is the current outlook for graphite mining?
SP: A few graphite companies are doing extremely well in the market. Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. (ZEN: TSX.V) is the star performer. Its stock recently rocketed from $0.25 to $5. Zenyatta has discovered a unique graphite deposit in Ontario. It can refine the material to very high purity at very low cost. And it is now drilling to define the size of the resource. A preliminary economic assessment should be released within a few months.
TMR: What do you look for in a graphite mining firm?
SP: The size of a firm's deposits is not the main element that makes any mining operation economic. There are a lot of deposits around the world, but many of them are not economic. Grade is the big factor, alongside the direction of the underlying commodity price. For instance, there is a graphite company called Canada Carbon Inc. (CCB:TSX.V), located near Montreal. Its location is near infrastructure, the deposit is very high grade and the company has demonstrated that it can refine very pure graphite that it can potentially sell at a large premium. Because the mine is close to the surface and adjacent to infrastructure, it could prove to be a highly profitable venture.
Mason Graphite Inc. (LLG:TSX.V) has a good project in Quebec. Mason is run by a very experienced team that has been getting good drill results. It will release a new resource update shortly that should significantly increase the size of the resource.
TMR: What about alternative fuels, specifically solar, which is taking off right now?
SP: Solar makes more and more sense. In the early days of solar, it needed to be heavily subsidized to compete with other forms of energy, but technological advances have really brought down the cost. The price of oil is shooting up, while the cost of producing solar is declining. Solar energy is now very competitive with fossil fuel-based energy.
TMR: Can U.S. energy independence lead to a thriving gas exploration bull market?
SP: I doubt that there is really such a thing as U.S. energy independence in the near term. New technologies like horizontal drilling have boosted production significantly in North America, but, conversely, the traditional drilling sector there is tapping out. Typically, the fracked wells are experiencing high decline rates. The oil sands are the major source of new production for the future.
TMR: Are the oil sands going to give out at some point, too?
SP: There is a lot of reserve in the oil sands, but tapping them economically requires high price levels. I am not saying that we need significantly higher price levels than we have today, but the breakeven point for the oil sands is creeping higher. We need additional pipeline capacity. Clearly, the U.S. is not going to achieve energy independence if there aren't enough pipelines to transport the oil.
TMR: What juniors do you like in oil and gas?
SP: I am not focusing on the domestic producers right now because most do not have significant upside. I look for companies with more growth potential, such as Mart Resources Inc. (MMT:TSX.V) in Nigeria. Mart is getting very significant results at the wellhead. Its stock is currently depressed, because it reached its pipeline capacity. But in 2014, the company plans to access a new pipeline constructed by Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDS.A:NYSE; RDS.B:NYSE).
TMR: Are there any other oil and gas juniors that you like?
SP: There are a couple of Canadian firms that we do like. Pinecrest Energy Inc. (PRY:TSX.V) has not moved as much as some of the other domestic names. It has a huge amount of tax pools that shelter it from paying any taxes during the foreseeable future. These tax pools could be a very valuable asset to the company that acquires Pinecrest. In the last few weeks, over 5 million shares have been purchased by Pinecrest insiders, which is always a sign of good things to come. Stay tuned.
TMR: Where is Pinecrest located?
SP: Its production is in Western Canada, which is, as I said, a mature basin. In order to ramp up production in a mature basin, a firm needs to innovate with new technology. Horizontal drilling and fracking technologies have allowed production to be sustained at reasonable levels. But in a mature basin where you have hundreds of companies punching thousands of wells every year, the marginal cost of production keeps rising.
TMR: Your private investment firm, AlphaNorth, has posted some remarkable annual returns and some not-so-remarkable annual returns since its inception in 2007. To what do you attribute this volatility?
SP: Investing in small caps and, particularly, investing in the junior resource asset space is a highly volatile practice by definition. But over the longer term, small-cap equities are the best-performing asset class. Our return for the AlphaNorth Partners Fund since inception is over 130%, and the TSX Venture has declined by 65% during that period of time. We tell our investors that the monthly returns may be volatile, but if you have a longer-term time horizon, as in five years or more, the returns should continue to be very strong.
The bulk of the Partners Fund's return emanates from long-term investments, not from shorting stocks. Obviously, going long, a stock can go up 10 or 20 times from the purchase price. But with shorting, an investor can only make a maximum profit of 100%, while risking an unlimited loss. The risk-reward ratio for shorting is often not favorable. However, we do short company-specific names from time to time and we use exchange-traded funds to get short exposure when the market is overvalued or we believe it is due for a technical correction. During the past year, we have shorted minimally, because the risk-reward has been highly skewed to the upside, in our opinion.
TMR: It is good talking to you again, Steve.
SP: My pleasure.
Steve Palmer is a founding Partner, president and chief investment officer of AlphaNorth Asset Management and currently manages the AlphaNorth Partners Fund, AlphaNorth Growth Fund and the AlphaNorth Resource Fund. Prior to founding AlphaNorth in 2007, Palmer was employed as vice president at one of the world's largest financial institutions, where he managed equity assets of approximately CA$350M. Palmer managed a pooled fund, which focused on Canadian small-capitalization companies, from its inception to August 2007, achieving returns that were ranked No. 1 in performance by a major fund ranking service in its small-cap, pooled-fund category. He also managed a large-cap fund, which ranked in the first quartile of performance among other Canadian equity pooled funds. Palmer earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Western Ontario and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
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1) Peter Byrne conducted this interview for The Mining Report and provides services to The Mining Report as an independent contractor. He or his family own shares of the following companies mentioned in this interview: None.
2) The following companies mentioned in the interview are sponsors of The Mining Report: Mason Graphite Inc. and Mart Resources Inc. and Royal Dutch Shell Plc. Streetwise Reports does not accept stock in exchange for its services or as sponsorship payment.
3) Steve Palmer: I or my family may own shares of the companies mentioned in this interview. I personally am or my family is paid by the following companies mentioned in this interview: None. Funds managed by AlphaNorth may hold positions in the companies mentioned in this interview: Mart Resources Inc., Pinecrest Energy Inc., Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. and Mason Graphite Inc. I was not paid by Streetwise Reports for participating in this interview. Comments and opinions expressed are my own comments and opinions. I had the opportunity to review the interview for accuracy as of the date of the interview and am responsible for the content of the interview.
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Ganesh Chaturthi (IAST: Ganesa Chaturthi), additionally referred to as Vinayaka Chaturthi (Vinayaka Chaturthī) or Vinayaka Chavithi (Vināyaka Chavithī) is that the Hindu pageant that reveres god Ganapati. It is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period) of Bhaadrapada month which generally falls within the months of August or Gregorian calendar month of the Indian calendar.
It is aforementioned that on today's age} Lord Shiva gave an elephant head to his son Ganapati and declared Lord Ganapati as superior to any or all the gods and different gods blessed him with several boons.
Ganesh Utsav may be a ten-day pageant that starts on Ganesha Chaturthi on Shukla Paksha Chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period) of Bhaadrapada month and ends on Anant Chaturdashi i.e; on Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period) of a similar month of the lunisolar calendar.
The pageant is marked with the installation of Ganapati clay idols in camera in homes, or in public on elaborate pandals (temporary stages). Observations embody intonation of sacred writing hymns and Hindu texts like Ganesha Upanishad, prayers and vrat (fasting). Offerings and prasadam from the daily prayers, that are distributed from the pandal to the community, embody sweets like modaka believed to be a favourite of the elephant-headed god.
The pageant ends on the tenth day once a beginner, whereby the idol is carried during a public procession with music and cluster intonation, then immersed during a near body of water like a watercourse or ocean. In city alone, around 150,000 statues are immersed annually. thenceforth the clay idol dissolves and Ganapati is believed to come back to Mount Kailash to Annapurna and Shiva.
The pageant celebrates Lord Ganapati because the God of recent Beginnings and therefore the Remover of Obstacles furthermore because the god of knowledge and intelligence and is determined throughout India, particularly within the states like geographic area, Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh and is sometimes celebrated in camera reception in states like Madras, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Ganesha Chaturthi is additionally determined in an Asian country and by the Hindu diaspora elsewhere like within the island.
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text: Rosemary Wells (b. 1942) is a bestselling children's book author and illustrator. Born in New York City, Wells was raised in New Jersey. She grew up in a theatre family. Her mother was a ballet dancer and her father was an actor-playwright. "We had a houseful of wonderful books. Reading stories aloud was as much a part of my childhood as the air I breathed," Wells recalls. Wells attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Since 1968, Wells has published more than 120 books, including seven novels. In her picture books, she pairs her delightful illustrations with humorous, and emotionally adept themes. Among her bestselling picture book titles are Voyage to the Bunny Planet, My Very First Mother Goose, and Read to Your Bunny. She is best known for the Max and Ruby series, which depicts the adventures of sibling bunnies. In addition to her picture books, Wells has written several historical fiction and mystery/suspense novels for young adults. She has won countless awards, such as the Parents' Choice Foundation Award and multiple School Library Journal Best Book of the Year awards.


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Our Wine
Tulbagh was originally a relatively small, white wine producing region. It was regarded by many as the lesser cousin to the more established areas of Stellenbosch and Paarl. All that changed on September 29th 1969 when an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale virtually levelled the town. It was rebuilt in the faithful style you see today and with its rebirth came a new determination in the people of the town.
Fast forward to 1999 when Dave (Manley) Jordan along with some of the other local producers established the very first of the new farms to plant red wine grapes.
Today Tulbagh is no longer in the shadows. It has become highly regarded, in South Africa and abroad, emerging as a wonderful boutique region, one producing some of the most significant red wines in the Cape.
Meet Our Winemaker
The young and ambitious Joshua Van Blommestein has been newly appointed as Manley Wine Lodge Estate Wine's new winemaker.
Joshua, although still relatively new to the industry is joining Manley Wine Lodge with two years under his belt working as assistant winemaker to Dewaldt Heyns, Cellar Master of Saronsberg Wine Cellar and member of the prestigious Cape Wine Makers Guild. During his time spent at Saronsberg Joshua was taught the importance of attention to detail and meticulously working with one's hands when it came to the harvesting and preparation of the grapes right down to the actual wine making process.
Joshua brings with him a passion for red wine with Shiraz being one of his favorites. Joshua says "Shiraz is an elegant wine and one we can have fun within the wine making process."
Joshua studied at Elsenberg College, the oldest wine college in the Western Cape, where he obtained a degree in Oenology and Viticulture. During his studies, he was given the opportunity to travel the wine regions of France and experience the wine culture and historical harvesting and wine making process in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone.
Joshua is a passionate and enthusiastic young winemaker with a love for red wine and the Tulbagh region. He says "I am looking forward to creating the 2020 vintages and putting the Manley Estate Wine's on the map."
Manley Wine Lodge is thrilled to have Joshua on the team and are looking forward to fantastic 2020 vintages as well as all the changes he has planned.
Manley has its own unique terroir, with very old shale soil that is perfect for red wine production. Because of this soil, our yield is somewhat lower than that of other cellars in the region as we get smaller berries, but our grapes tend to have thicker skin with a higher concentration of flavour.
Our sorting process is three-fold: it starts in the vineyard, where the undeveloped bunches and berries are cut down in the 'green harvest'. Later the harvested bunches are sorted, leaving only the grapes, which are sorted again to remove small, green berries, as well as any with bird damage.
Fermentation happens between 23 and 25 degrees Celcius, in open tanks with four pump overs a day. The berries are pressed to a low yield per ton for best quality.
We mature our wines in French oak barrels for around 15-22 months and release the finished product for sale about two years after harvest. While they are very popular at this stage, our wines will continue to mature and improve for at least another 10 years – if you can wait that long!
The grapes are usually harvested between February and April – a great time to stay with us and help out with the wine making!
Wine Tastings
We present wine tastings over weekends, on Saturdays between 10h00 and 15h00, and Sundays between 11h00 and 14h00. The wines can be paired with handmade chocolates which have been specially designed for us by Moniki to enhance and enrich the tasting experience. Our wines are on sale at the Estate all week long, and can also be purchased online.


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Fish Pie with celeriac and sweet potato mash
2 x 800g celeriac peeled, cut into cubes etc seasoning
2 leeks trimmed and thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons of olive oil (or 1 of coconut oil)
200ml of wheat free fish or veggie stock
2 tspn arrowroot
2 tbsp of low-fat crème fraiche
Handful of fresh flat leaf parsley chopped
200g salmon fillet chopped
220mg Coley or Pollock
100ml dry white wine
200gm celeriac
1 large sweet potato
2 egg yolks
2 tbspn grated parmesan
Place the leek and garlic into a cold pan along with the oil.
Cook slowly until just softened, add the wine and reduce by half.
Add the stock bring to a simmer.
Add the fish to the pan and cook gently for 5 minutes, then remove the fish and reserve to one side.
Bring the stock back to a simmer and then thicken with the arrowroot.
Add the crème fraiche, parsley and fish to the sauce and check the seasoning.
Prick the sweet potato with a fork and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.
Peel and dice the celeriac and boil in salted water until tender, when cooked, drain well and puree in a processor along with 2 egg yolks and the sweet potato flesh.
Place the fish into an oven proof dish and place or pipe the puree on the top.
Sprinkle with parmesan and bake in a hot oven until golden


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Case Studies
George M. Low Award Recipient
ATA is a proud recipient of the prestigious George M. Low award, NASA's premier quality
and performance award recognizing contractors for technical and business excellence.
ATA has a number of case studies detailing the successful engineering projects on which we've collaborated with clients. Browse the case studies below for examples of our breadth of skills and knowledge.
As part of NASA's unmanned planetary exploration program, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory built a next-generation rover, called the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL). The largest Mars rover yet, MSL was sent to one of the most intriguing sites there to investigate whether ancient conditions would have favored the existence of microbial life.
ATA supported Orbital ATK throughout the detailed design analysis of the X-38 DPS Forward Structural Adapter structure and provided engineering support for the static load test.
Aerojet Rocketdyne (formerly Aerojet) was contracted to design and test a new booster for NASA's Space Launch Initiative. One engine design was the Co-Optimized Booster for Reusable Applications (COBRA), a liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine designed to fire with 600,000 pounds of thrust.
Sonos approached ATA to evaluate different materials for use in a new speaker system and to assess the acoustic characteristics. ATA performed an integrated test/analysis project to predict the dynamic response of the speaker system.
OATK (formerly Orbital Sciences Corporation) develops a variety of advanced launch vehicles and satellites. ATA has supported OATK by developing structural-dynamic models and performing modal testing and analysis of most of their launch vehicles, including the Transfer Orbit Stage, Pegasus, and Taurus.
ATA was tasked with providing thermal analysis on SolAero Technologies Corp.'s (SolAero) solar array panel design that had temperature-dependent absorptivities. ATA supported SolAero by developing a necessary subroutine in Thermal Desktop® and performing the thermal analyses.
ThinKom Solutions, Inc., a provider of compact antenna solutions for aeronautical, on-the-move, and portable applications, contracted ATA to provide design and analysis support for a compact dual-band antenna system.
EaglePicher Technologies is a leading producer of batteries and energetic devices for the defense, space, and commercial industries. In particular, EaglePicher is a leading developer and supplier of lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries to satellite manufacturers.
The PanaBeam™XR2 is a 1,200 W high-performance automated washlight from Morpheus Lights for professional users in the entertainment industry. It features a combination of beam modification and motion control capabilities using a high-performance drive system.
The Titan Centaur, a high-performance upper stage for the Titan IV launch vehicle, was developed by Lockheed Martin Space Systems (LMSS) and used primarily to launch Air Force payloads. Titan IV, as the nation's largest, most powerful expendable space launch vehicle, provided primary access to space for critical national security and civil payloads and was […]
ATA is a proud recipient of the prestigious George M. Low award, NASA's premier quality
and performance award recognizing contractors for technical and business excellence.


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Hand Dipped Sugar Free Chocolate Covered Fruit Slices 6 oz bag. About 4 slices. Every week, we take fresh Sugar Free Boston Fruit Slices and hand dip them in luscious dark chocolate that happens to also be sugar free. Silky dark chocolate now blended with the light fruit flavors of the finest fruit slices produced on the planet. We are VERY proud of our creation.
Now available in Milk Dark or White Chocolate. You Choose!


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FOUR Tamil asylum-seekers have been released from police custody amid a terrorism investigation, writes Phil Miller.
The men tried to claim asylum when their international flight landed at Luton airport on Wednesday evening.
They told airport authorities they face persecution in their native Sri Lanka over "connections" to the outlawed Tamil Tigers.
The following day police at the airport said they were made aware of the men and by late Thursday evening all four had been arrested on "suspicion of membership of a proscribed organisation."
They were held in a Bedfordshire police station and released without charge on Friday.
That same day the Met Police published a press release announcing the arrests.
But it took until this afternoon for the force to announce their release without charge following repeated queries by the Morning Star.
Detectives say their enquires into the men continue.
In a separate case, a Tamil musician who was arrested by counter-terrorism police at Heathrow last month is no longer under investigation.
You can't buy a revolution, but you can help the only daily paper in Britain that's fighting for one by joining the 501 club.
Just £5 a month gives you the opportunity to win one of 17 prizes, from £25 to the £501 jackpot.
By becoming a 501 Club member you are helping the Morning Star cover its printing, distribution and staff costs — help keep our paper thriving by joining!
You can't buy a revolution, but you can help the only daily paper in Britain that's fighting for one by become a member of the People's Printing Press Society.
The Morning Star is a readers' co-operative, which means you can become an owner of the paper too by buying shares in the society.
Shares are £1 each — though unlike capitalist firms, each shareholder has an equal say. Money from shares contributes directly to keep our paper thriving.
Some union branches have taken out shares of over £500 and individuals over £100.
You can't buy a revolution, but you can help the only daily paper in Britain that's fighting for one by donating to the Fighting Fund.
The Morning Star is unique, as a lone socialist voice in a sea of corporate media. We offer a platform for those who would otherwise never be listened to, coverage of stories that would otherwise be buried.
The rich don't like us, and they don't advertise with us, so we rely on you, our readers and friends. With a regular donation to our monthly Fighting Fund, we can continue to thumb our noses at the fat cats and tell truth to power.
Donate today and make a regular contribution.


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Living Together: How to Avoid the 5 Most Common Pitfalls
Moving in with your partner is more than just playing house. Learn how to prevent communication breakdown with these tips from relationship expert Dr. Linda Papadopoulos' What Men Say, What Women Hear.
To make living together as smooth as possible it's a good idea to identify potential trouble spots within your relationship and look at how you can cope with these situations when they occur.
Problem: Perceived insensitivity
Solution: Next time your partner says something like "I'm not ready to let you into my life to the point where we actually live together," before resorting to anger or insults, try to identify where your partner's feelings are coming from. Perhaps his last girlfriend tried to control his life the minute they swapped door keys. Maybe his father left the family home when he was very young and he is anxious that he might do the same. Resist the temptation to assume "My boyfriend won't let me move in because he is selfish" and acknowledge that these feelings are usually signs of hidden vulnerabilities or soft spots.
Problem: Biased thinking
Solution: Again, this looks at your ability to reflect on what your partner says to you. The easiest thing in the world is reacting to a comment or a situation as we immediately perceive it. But the most useful thing in the world is being able to remove yourself from the situation and obtain a far more neutral view, or even better, to be able to empathize with your partner and appreciate why he feels the way he does. In romantic relationships, misinterpretation is the biggest cause of conflict. If your partner says, "I'm going out again tonight. I'll try not to wake you when I come in," instead of hearing "I'll be late. I can't be bothered to see you," make the effort to hear the sentiments intended. He more likely means "I love living with you, but I need to maintain relationships outside of ours. However, I accept that now we live together and my actions affect you, so I will try to be as quiet as I can if it is late when I come home."
You need to look at both your partner's and your own automatic thoughts and examine them for bias. Analyze your feelings and ask yourself if they are entirely justified, or if your feelings are influenced by factors that are unrelated to your partner's words or actions.
Problem: Resolving conflict
Solution: When conflict arises, change your tactics. Typically, we go into arguments with the aim of winning. Essentially we end up in a scenario that resembles two bulls locking horns. A far more effective strategy involves changing the objective, so you and your partner aren't battling to win the argument. Instead, you are working together to reach a compromise. Resolution, not retribution, should be the goal. You need to be able to discuss these issues without trying to score points. Winning an argument brings no satisfaction if it leaves your partner destroyed and your relationship in tatters. If you don't want to move in but your partner does, don't make your aim "I must keep going until I get my way and my partner accepts that I will never move in with him." Instead your mission statement should be "I recognize that my partner and I have conflicting views on this, and we will keep discussing it until we reach a solution that addresses and fulfils both sets of needs, so we can support each other."
Problem: Inability to make shared decisions
Solution: Making tricky decisions with your partner is like practicing a sport. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. Once you and your partner get into the routine of discussing issues, recognizing each other's points of view, and deciding on a clear path of action, it will become as much a part of your relationship as your sex life or Sunday-morning pancakes.
Problem: Expecting too much
Solution: Be realistic about what living with your partner will be like. Many of the difficulties in your relationship will still be present even after you decide to move in together. Sharing a roof won't whitewash your relationship and make it perfect. That doesn't mean that you can't work through your problems, it just means that you shouldn't expect cohabiting to solve them. Otherwise, you are likely to be disappointed down the line. The aim should be to set your own realistic goals and to discuss them with your partner. It is important to consider whether your goals are similar to his or else you could run into problems as your future together progresses. Be careful not to let wishful thinking or mind-reading get in the way of effective communication of your hopes and fears for your relationship. And ensure that you communicate with your partner on how you see cohabiting working to avoid your expectations being dashed once the boxes are unpacked and the bedroom set is already on its way.
Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, author of What Men Say, What Women Hear:Bridging the Communication Gap One Conversation at a Time (Copyright © 2009 by Linda Papadopoulos), is a well-known and respected psychologist, specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). She has regular column in Cosmopolitan (UK) and is a frequent guest on talk and TV shows, including the role of expert psychologist on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club. She currently lives in London with her husband and daughter.


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You may be in need of an oxygen monitor if you work in the hospitality industry, especially in breweries and in food packaging. However if you work in a laboratory, oxygen monitoring is essential.
Inert gases and nitrogen
Inert gases and nitrogen displace oxygen in the atmosphere, meaning a gas leak can cause oxygen to drop to dangerous levels. Normal air consists of 20.9% oxygen. A drop to 10% is enough to cause loss of consciousness.
Inert gases such as neon, argon and helium, as well as nitrogen are used as carrier gases as they are nonreactive.
Reactions are often conducted under inert gases for the same reason. Liquid nitrogen is used in cryogenics and to preserve specimens.
In 2011 there was a tragic incident when a scientist was found dead in a laboratory after using liquid nitrogen to freeze blood samples.
High levels of oxygen need to be monitored too
Enriched oxygen (oxygen gas which contains more than 20.9% oxygen) is used used in procedures such as gas production and gas blending.
However, enriched oxygen increases the flammability of any combustible matter in the area, causing a potential fire risk. Even an increase of oxygen to 24% can be enough to start a fire.
Enriched oxygen can also be toxic, with high levels causing nerve and brain damage.
Why do I need an oxygen monitor?
You cannot gauge levels of oxygen in the atmosphere by smell, sight or taste alone. This means that if levels of oxygen are too high or too low, you will not know until it is too late.
An oxygen gas detector will provide audio and visual cues when levels of oxygen fall below or rise beyond an acceptable level. This will give you time to vacate the laboratory before any dangerous side effects can take hold or alternatively, trigger a ventilation system or shut down the supply of inert gases/nitrogen.
Analox Sensor Technology offer a wide range of oxygen depletion and enrichment monitors. If you would like to know more, click here to view our range or contact us today.
Founded in 1981, Analox Sensor Technology provides niche and custom gas detection solutions to industries including beverage and fast food, commercial diving and laboratories. Analox has over 325 years of collective, specialist electronics and software engineering expertise, as well as a worldwide distributor network. Contact us to see how we can provide expert gas monitoring solutions and help you achieve your goals.


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Some of the best public waterfowl hunting opportunities are found on the Department's 15 intensively-managed wetlands and these areas have draw procedures in place to allocate limited hunting opportunities. Hunters can apply online for reservations in September, as well as throughout the waterfowl season.
Only Missouri residents are allowed to enter the reservation drawings through the online system. Qualifying non-residents (i.e. non-resident students, military stationed in Missouri) are also able to enter the online reservation draws. ADA blinds can be applied for by qualifying hunters using the same online system. All hunting parties on these 15 areas are limited to four people.
Nonresident hunters can be a member of a reservation party or try their luck for an open spot in the "poor line". Nonresident hunters can also go to any open-hunting waterfowl area without a reservation at any time during the waterfowl season.
Learn what to expect at a morning draw.
Open Hunting Areas
Open hunting areas allow waterfowl hunting, without a reservation, at any time during the waterfowl season. These areas are not as intensively managed for their wetland habitat, so they can be a little more unpredictable. Waterfowl may or may not be using the area, but there's no line, and no reservation needed!
Check Places To Go for these open waterfowl areas.


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Ronnie Coleman Amino Tone
Sold out
(see below)
You'll earn Tiger Reward Points on this product!
Ronnie Coleman Amino-Tone | Anabolic Amino Acid & Metabolic Enhancer
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That "wall" will be waiting for you again though and most likely at the most inopportune time... like when chicken is on the menu, again, but all you want is something sweet. The refreshing taste of Amino-Tone will knock that craving out with no sugars while the stim-free fat loss support complex blend will crank your metabolism and keep you focused on your goal. Stay anabolic and hydrated while supporting fat loss at the same time.*
I never feared the "wall" because I knew that I had what it took to break through it and now you do too. Amino-Tone the "wall" doesn't stand a chance.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


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- Summer Camp for School Aged Children
- >
- Summer Art Camp for Kids: Terrariums (July 29 - Aug 1 from 1:00 - 3:00)
Summer Art Camp for Kids: Terrariums (July 29 - Aug 1 from 1:00 - 3:00)
Summer Art Camps for Kids are for children aged 5-12. Each camp will have a different theme. Out summer art camps offer invitations to explore, experiment, learn, play and create with a small group of children who have similar interests. This affords plenty of room to work, receive individual attention from the instructors, and to visit with fellow campers.
Morning sessions are from 10:00 - 12:00. Afternoon sessions are from 1:00 - 3:00. There is also an option for your child to pack a lunch and stay from 10:00 - 3:00 if that suits your schedule best.
Pre-registration is required to attend these camps. There will be no more than 8 participants per camp. (We reserve the right to cancel a camp if fewer than 4 children are enrolled. Let's hope that doesn't happen!)
The fee for each camp is $75 per week. If they are registered for a full day (both camps for the week plus the lunch break), the fee is $145 for the week and there is no additional fee to stay from 12:00 - 1:00.
Terrarium camp is for the child who is interested in gardening on a small scale. We will learn about the science involved in the necessary layers of substrate for a healthy, long lasting terrarium, then each camper will design a theme and decorations for their very own indoor garden.


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Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that she has requested her political archrival Farooq Abdullah to convene an All-Party Meet to protect the state's special status.
"In light of recent developments that have caused a sense of panic amongst people in J&K, I've requested Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab to convene an all party meeting. Need of the hour is to come together & forge a united response. We the people of Kashmir need to stand up as one," she said in a tweet.
However, NC vice- president Omar Abdullah responded by saying that the party was making efforts to understand the intentions of the central government for the state.
"Before calling senior leaders from other parties in J&K to discuss the current situation it's important to try to understand from the Central Govt about their intentions for the state & also how they see the situation at the moment. This is what @JKNC_ is focused on," he tweeted.
There has been utter confusion in Kashmir during the last few days after media reports that the Central government was most likely to scrap the Constitution's Article 35A that gives the state legislature the power to define the permanent residents of the state.
Social media sites are awash with rumours that the announcement to scrap Article 35A is likely to be made soon.
People are storing rations, medicines, pulses, fuel for vehicles and all other essentials in apprehension of a spell of uncertainty likely to follow the abrogation of Article 35A.
While the Governor's administration has been asking people not to heed these rumours, there is no categoric word either from New Delhi or Srinagar on the fate of the provision.