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A quick stop for the Nagoya Belgian Beer Fest!
At the beginning of Golden Week the Japan Belgian Beer Fest made it's stop in Nagoya, and after getting news from the previous night of my new employment, a little bit of celebration was in order.
3000¥ bought us a special souvineer glass and 10 tokens to buy food and drink with. Food was 2-4 coins, beers were 2-4 coins. A few stops to get more coins and we had ourselves a pretty darn good time!!!
Nearly 100 beers, Belgian Frites and sausages, cheese, live music and good friends.
Will be visiting again next year when they come through. That's for sure! 😀
End of April and the beginning of May!
Can you believe we've been here 6 months already?
Both Jennifer and I have started Japanese classes, which we attend on weekday mornings. It's a little backwards though: her classes are every day for an hour and a half. Mine are twice a day for the same amount of time. Jen works full time. I work part-time (or not at all – more on that later!) If only the schedules were switched!!!
I guess that means I just have to study harder!
In new-news: I HAVE A JOB!!!
I interviewed the other week for an 英会話 (えいかいわ – Eikaiwa) teaching position at a school near the Sakae station. I thought things went well, and later that day they called me back and offered me the position! Woohoo!!!
I'll be working two days a week teaching conversational English here, and I am really looking forward to this opportunity.
Dress clothing, ties, suits … I never thought I'd have a job like this. Guess it's all part of growing up. Weird.
Golden week (which is a week of Holidays here in Japan) was fairly low key for us two, I started shadowing classes last week and do the same this week before starting my Tuesday/Sunday classes next week and officially becoming a teacher.
Very excited for the upcoming months! A post with some more wit to it next time. Promise. ;D
See food? Yes, lots of Seafood.
One of the things that we have been able to really experience here are various types of fish and all the ways to cook, eat, prepare, and other synonyms that can contend with "make om noms." There are more grocery stores around us that I know what to do with, and if I wished to venture out into the center of the city more there are some fantastic resources there as far as eating friends of an aquatic nature are concerned.
This is just what we tend to see at one of our local grocery stores.
Taking in an afternoon.
Sometimes you just have to sit down, grab some fresh fried chicken, and watch people be accosted by pigeons outside a Buddhist temple.
Weather is turning colder, not a threat of snow at all. Every day for the past two weeks has been sunny, with only a day or two of clouds.
Xmas is an interesting holiday here. Completely secular and a day to be spent with your loved one – it's a "lover's holiday" as was explained to me. Makes sense since most of the country follows Buddhism & Shintoism. Decorations everywhere, especially in the retail areas. Seems a whole lot more inclusive to be honest.
I did hear somewhere that many kids here think its Santa's Birthday. Hehe.
So fried chicken. Pigeons. Xmas gifts. Buddhist charms and some fun plans coming up. The holiday season is sure interesting!
A visit to the Nagoya Aquarium!
As it turns out, we live in a city with a fairly substantial Aquarium near the main port. Gorgeous area, only a 320Y Subway ride from our station as well. We decided to check it out a wee bit ago and see what it had to offer. Even though I was a little under the weather I decided to chance it and see if I would still be OK even after going (which later turned out to be a mistake, was kept essentially in bed for 2 days straight after this sleeping … whoops. Lesson learned.)
I love aquariums. Absolutely love them. I used to be an avid fishkeeper myself (looking at setting one up here before the New Year as funds allow, just something small either with a single Betta splendens or some shrimp, live plants, Amano-style all that.) Keeping it under 5 gallons for sure. (Easy to move then!) I've been lucky to visit a few back home: Shed Aquarium (of course!), Baltimore Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium(Wow. Just wow.), and the Tampa Aquarium. I won't go into critique mode, but this is an impressive place – doesn't have much in the way of Freshwater specices and focuses mainly on Tropical/Subtropical & Japanese ecosystems (which makes sense) but there is, in particular one feature that actually left me nearly speechless.
Japanese Gardens and lurking danger.
National Cultural Day was on the 3rd of November, and Jen was given the day off. That's a full on excuse to go see cool stuff, so after a quick scan of the handy English-version of the Sights of Nagoya City Map we had our route, and were off.
We did stop the Toganji Temple & the Atsuta Shrine on our way to the Shirotori Gardens (白鳥庭園 – Swan Gardens) However, I'll refrain from commenting too much on the Shrines, Temples and Buddhist / Shinto religions here till I know more about them. Besides, keeping things short and sweet sound like a good idea, and I'd rather not go too into depth about everything and it gives me an excuse to write later on too. ;D
The Gardens are in a traditional Japanese Style, lots of water, lots of carefully pruned plants, very serene feel to it all. From the official English map that we were handed, here's what was written in it:
"The Shirotori Garden is a Japanese-style garden with a path running along the banks of streams and ponds. The area of the garden is approximately 3.7 hectares.
The mound at the southwestern corner of the garden represents Mt. Ontake and the stream originating from the mound, the Kiso River.
In the center of the garden lies the Seiu-tei, a couple of tea ceremony rooms.
Seiu-tei was designed after the image of a swan, or "shirotori", flying down to rest its wings.
Seiu-tei was designed after the depiction of the flow of the tides, one of the traditional aspects of Japanese gardens. The ebb and flow effect is achieved by the use of modern technology."
Fantastic … so what does it all mean?
Oh. That's pretty darn cool.
Read More…
Sub-Tropical Island Adventure Part 4: Black Pearls and Okinawan Girls
Our sub-tropical island vacation was finally winding towards the end. Only another couple days left on Ishigaki. The sunshine filled morning set a wonderful stage for the rest of the day. With Japanese-only talks all morning, both Jen and Vladamir cut out early and the three of us went on our own little adventure towards the North of the Island. Kabira Bay was calling, and even without any influence from my love of the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies, I was excited to check out what a Black Pearl looked like, without all the zombie pirate skeletons.
A visit to the bay is not complete without a glass-bottomed boat trip though! Our wonderful taxi driver even got us setup with a tour company for one of them (I wonder if he got a comission …) and within a few minutes of walking along the soft, white, sandy beach we were off to see what sorts of reefs lie just tens of meters off the shoreline.


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When you add a Report that has input controls to a Dashboard, the controls don't appear on the Dashboard until you explicitly add them, one-by-one. The controls can either be added directly to the Dashboard as a dashlet or accessed from the toolbar as a pop-up window. When the Report runs, Dashboard users provide input using the control. Data based on the user input appears in the Dashboard. For example, using the input control, you select "Mexico." The report on the dashboard shows orders from Mexican companies.
To add controls to a Dashboard as a Dashlet, complete the following steps:
In the Filters section of the Dashboard Designer, expand a folder. The available input controls for the Report/View appear.
Drag an Input Control onto the Dashboard Canvas. The input control will become a unique Dashlet.
If required, drag more controls onto the new input control Dashlet. Resize the Dashlets as needed to view all of the input controls.
Click the Save button and select Save Dashboard.
Click the Display button to preview the dashboard.
Use the options to select a value from the values list, and click the Apply button at the bottom of the Dashlet. The data displayed changes, but is not updated in the other reports.
Click to return to the Dashboard Designer.
To rename an input control or filter, complete the following steps:
In the Dashboard Designer canvas, right-click the input controls Dashlet and select Properties from the context menu. The FIlter Properties window opens:
Change the text in the Filter Label field.
Click the OK button.
To add input controls as a pop-up window, complete the following steps:
In the Dashboard Designer, click the Properties button to open the Dashboard Properties window.
Select the Show filter dashlet as pop-up option.
Click the OK button. The input controls Dashlet disappears from the Dashboard, and the Filter button appears on the toolbar. This button is also displayed to end users when viewing the Dashboard.
Hover over the Save icon and select Save Dashboard.
Click the Preview button to preview the Dashboard.
From the preview toolbar, click the Filter button to view the filter pop-up window.
Click the Apply button to apply any input control changes to the Dashboard.
Click the Filter button to close the filter pop-up window.
Click the Preview button to return to the Dashboard Designer.
Input Controls
Parameter Mapping
Adding a Hyperlink to a Chart Dashlet
Copyright Lambda Zoola™

subset: commoncrawl


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Watch Hamed's Story
Hamed is a 21 year old boy from Afghanistan.
A victim of war.
He was forced to leave his country to make the terrifying journey to safety in Europe.
His mother, father and 4-year-old sister didn't make it.
Hamed carried on with his 12 year old brother and 14 year old cousin, in the hope of being near to his aunt and other family in the UK.
Somehow, after months of struggle, he made it.
Devastatingly he was separated from his brother and cousin, who are still living in the Jungle in Calais, alone.
After ten months of life in the UK with long-term volunteer and friend Sophie, two weeks ago he was unexpectedly detained and served deportation papers.
He was due to be deported last Thursday from Gatwick airport. A flight which is likely to have brought him closer to his death at the hands of the Taliban.
My brother Nils, Sophie and another volunteer Martin booked themselves on the flight, while we set about promoting a petition, raising awareness and doing everything we could to fight against this breach of human rights.
Our efforts worked.
Hamed was not deported, but he remains in a detention centre / prison by the Gatwick runway, in limbo.
Disorientated and petrified, he is on suicide watch. His future is uncertain.
How can we do this to victims of war?
This is his story…
Film by www.finlayohara.com
To donate to his legal fees and for him to be released on bail and go home to Sophie and her family, follow this link:


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On The Prowl – BPM Krew
August 28, 2013
So let's talk music… Oh but not just music – a live band. Is there anything more fun than taking in a live performance? Yes, taking in a live performance of all your favourite hits mashed up! Our dear and talented friend Karuna of Tigerfly Design & Photography – who designed our logo and is the … More On The Prowl – BPM Krew


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For drivers who dare to defy expectations, the INFINITI Q70 combines graceful elegance and innovative technology unlike any other full-size luxury sedan. Designed to move, inspire, and empower your drive — the Q70 is powered by your choice of a standard 330-horsepower V6 or an optional 420-horsepower V8 engine along with available INFINITI Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. Dramatic curves, a signature double-arch grille, and a sculpted hood highlight the instantly-recognizable appearance of the Q70.
Inviting and luxurious, the opulent interior of the INFINITI Q70 features a space that's custom-tailored to suit the needs of even your most discerning passengers. Surround yourself with premium appointments including leather-appointed seating and Japanese Ash wood accents. Giving you the ultimate in confidence and peace of mind behind the wheel, an available ProACTIVE Package includes advanced driver-assistive technologies including Backup Collision Intervention, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, and more to help you stay prepared for the unexpected.
— The Car Connection
— Kelley Blue Book
Stunning proportions and a striking silhouette combine to give the INFINITI Q70 a confident appearance from all angles. When equipped with the optional Sport Package, the Q70 receives split 5-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels which maximize feedback along with response and handling. Optional Sport Brakes work to slow the immense power of the Q70. Its Front-Midship platform reduces body roll by providing a near equal front-to-rear balance. Powerful LED headlamps illuminate the road ahead while providing a stylish complement to the front fascia.
Standard power for the Q70 comes from an invigorating 330-horsepower V6 paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Searching for more performance? The Q70 can be optioned with an available 5.6-liter V6 which cranks out a muscular 420 horsepower. All trims are available with INFINITI Intelligent All-Wheel Drive for surefootedness across the entire spectrum of road conditions.
Equally as tech-savvy as it is decadent — the cabin of the INFINITI Q70 features an exceptional space that immediately rewards you with craftsman-worthy materials. Passenger space is maximized throughout thanks to its wide stance and gracefully-arching roofline. With the available Sport Package, you'll have your choice of either Graphite or Stone Sport leather-appointed front seats featuring circulating cooling and heating functions to immerse you in total comfort.
An optional 16-speaker Bose® Studio Surround® sound system delivers crisp, precise sound and is compatible with iPhone, iPod, USB memory sticks, and Bluetooth® device. It includes a total of 16 speakers with 2 mounted on the shoulders of each front seat to submerge you in complete audio bliss. Select the Q70 Premium Select Edition to receive semi-aniline leather seating, unique Aluminum weave trim, and premium soft-touch surfaces throughout the interior.
When you drive an INFINITI Q70, you'll have access to groundbreaking safety innovations which help you anticipate the road ahead. A standard Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD) provides visual and audible warnings to help you navigate congested parking lots with confidence. The optional, world's first Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention® Systems help alert you to vehicles detected in the blind spot area and then guides your Q70 safely back towards the center of your lane. Available Predictive Forward Collision Warning's response can also help you avoid a collision. Other available technologies include Distance Control Assist, Backup Collision Intervention, Brake Assist with Preview, and Forward Emergency Braking. Few full-size luxury sedans prioritize the safety of your and your passengers quite like the INFINITI Q70.
*Price is Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). MSRP excluding destination charge, tax, title, license and options. Dealer sets actual price.
**2019 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions – use for comparison only.
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3833 Morse Road • Columbus, OH 43219Get Directions
Open Today! Sales: 9am-5pm
Open Today! Service: 7:30am-5:30pm
Open Today! Parts: 7:30am-5:30pm
Phone: 866-638-1057http://maps.google.com/?q=3833%20Morse%20Road%2C%20Ohio%20United%20States%20Loading%20Map...%2C%20Columbus%2C%20OH%2043219


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We're Screaming for Melt-in-Your-Mouth Ice Cream!
August is literally the ice cream month. If you missed the ticket for the summer's biggest food event - Museum of Ice Cream, don't be sad! Melt Bakery is your local ice cream sandwich shop which located right at the Lower East Side!
In honor of National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, we met Julian Plyter, cofounder of Melt Bakery, who has been in the food business for the last decade - transitioning from personnel manager to culinary chef to ice cream sandwich shop owner! With an eye for ice cream sandwiches and all things sugary, Julian combined forces with business partner Kareem Hamandy to create Melt. Find out what this iconic ice cream sandwich shop has planned for this magical day with us!
Melt's Ice Cream, Melt in Your Mouth.
We were really stumped on what we should name our company. We asked a whole bunch of friends, and I believe a young mom suggested "Melt": it was a play on the idea that ice cream will melt, but also captures the savory part too like how it melts in your mouth. Once we heard it, we knew we were on to something.
From Street Cart to Brick and Mortar, It's Been Six Years!
Melt Bakery has grown steadily since 2010 from a street cart, and it has been really cool to see the process. It used to be just me, and now its a business with 40+ employees. As we grow, we continue to remain committed to our self-propelled theology that everything is made by ourselves. Rather than add machinery, I've added more people.
Every Flavor Has Its Story.
As far as the sandwiches go, I initially chose the things that seem to go well together. For instance, peanut butter and banana is an easy combination, and we called that the Elvis because that was [Elvis Presley's] favorite kind of sandwich. The Big Deb is a riff on the Little Debbie oatmeal cream pies, it's a essentially oatmeal cookies with vanilla ice cream. Thick mint is a riff on Girl Scout thin mint cookies, but a little thicker. Morticia is a homage to the first lady of the Addams family because it's a little elegant and black, with almonds.
My Mom Is My Biggest Inspiration.
My mom is my biggest inspiration. She's an ice cream-eating inspiration to everyone. She's a size 0, but she'll eat ice cream before dinner to make sure that she fills up on dessert. It's endlessly enjoyable for me to know that my work is pleasing her because she is such a big, big inspiration to me. She was the one who taught me how to make these sandwiches, most particularly the chocolate chip walnut cookie. The recipe is actually hers!
Celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day with Our New Flavors!
We're launching two new flavors - RICO = Coconut Cookies + Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, and S'MOST = Graham Cracker Cookies + Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream on National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!! Stop by our cart at Washington Square Park on this day, we're giving $1 off all day to celebrate!


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Celle 2-Piece Living Room Set Light Brown Sofa & Loveseat
Create an inviting space with modern elegance with a living room set from the Celle collection. The richly detailed upholstery comes in a popular light grey linen-like fabric. Deep button tufting adds to the sophistication of these pieces, contrasting the clean lines of the frame. The antique bronze nailhead trim provides additional visual detail on the frame of the arms. Four round bolster pillows are included to achieve this look of modern sophistication.
Attention: Prop 65 Information
- Set includes: One (1) sofa and one (1) loveseat
- Materials: Solid wood and linen-like fabric
- Fabric color: Light grey
- Finish color: Light brown
- Assembly required: Yes
- Upholstery: Linen-like fabric
- Assembly type: KD legs
- This collection features a classic design that is timeless and easy to accommodate into any home
- Bolster pillows complete the sophisticated look and are included with each piece
- Seat and back are adorned with deep tufting and antique bronze nail heads
- Fully encased wooden frame
- Solid wood trim and legs
- Cushions seat: Attached; Cushions back: Tight back
- Pocket coiled springs: Spring base construction for comfort and durability
- Sinuous spring base: Allows for sleek and sturdy construction
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- Accent pillows included: 2 with sofa, 2 with loveseat
|Sofa Overall Dimension (Inch):
|89.75" W x 34.25" D x 29.5" H
|Sofa Seat Depth (Inch):
|Sofa Seat Height (Inch):
|Loveseat Overall Dimension (Inch):
|63.5" W x 34.25" D x 29.5" H
|Loveseat Seat Depth (Inch):
|Loveseat Seat Height (Inch):
|Light grey and Light Brown
|Solid wood and linen-like fabric
|Sofa Weight (lbs):
|Loveseat Weight (lbs):
|Package Includes:
|1x Sofa, 1x Loveseat
Download Assembly Sheet of Sofa


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Fertility Treatments Pose Risk of Pediatric Cancers
Fertility Treatments Pose Risk of Pediatric Cancers
April 25, 2017
Medical Research, Press Releases
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers have found that babies born from mothers who underwent fertility treatments are at increased risk of developing many types of pediatric cancers and tumors (neoplasms).
According to the American Cancer Society, the most common pediatric neoplasms are leukemia, brain and spinal cord tumors, neuroblastomas, Wilms tumors, and lymphoma, including both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin.
The study, published in the March issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, was a population-based cohort analysis of babies born between 1991 and 2013 at Soroka University Medical Center in Beer-Sheva, Israel, with follow-up to age 18.
"In Israel, all fertility interventions, which include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and ovulation induction (OI), are fully covered by insurance, enabling citizens of all backgrounds access to these treatments," says Prof. Eyal Sheiner, M.D., Ph.D., vice dean of the BGU Faculty of Health Sciences (FOHS), member of its Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a physician at Soroka.
Of the 242,187 newborn infants in the study, 237,863 (98.3 percent) were conceived spontaneously; 2,603 (1.1 percent) were conceived after in vitro fertilization, and 1,721 (0.7 percent) were conceived after ovulation induction treatments.
During the follow-up period of approximately 10.6 years, 1,498 neoplasms (0.6 percent) were diagnosed. The incidence rate for neoplasms was highest among children either after IVF (1.5/1000) and somewhat lower for OI births (1.0/1000) as compared to that of naturally conceived children (.59/1000).
"The research concludes that the association between IVF and total pediatric neoplasms and malignancies is significant," Prof. Sheiner says. "With increasing numbers of offspring conceived after fertility treatments, it is important to follow up on their health."
Other researchers who participated in the study include Prof. Tamar Weinstock, Prof. Ilana Shoham-Vardi and Ruslan Sergienko, BGU Department of Public Health; Dr. Daniella Landau, BGU Department of Pediatrics; Drs. Ari Harlev and Asnat Walfisch, BGU Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Dr. Idit Segal, Israel Ministry of Health.
About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision: creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. As Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) celebrates its 50th birthday this year, AABGU imagines a future that goes beyond the walls of academia. It is a future where BGU invents a new world and inspires a vision for a stronger Israel and its next generation of leaders. Together with supporters, AABGU will help the University foster excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the communities of the Negev for the next 50 years and beyond.
Media Contact:
Andrew Lavin
A. Lavin Communications


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It really seems as if Republicans don't think the things they say and do are recorded. It's as though they only live in the moment and history ceases to exist. Because if they realize the things they say and do are recorded they would know that we could throw what they've said and done back in their faces, like with what is about to happen.
You see, Republicans are hellbent in making sure President Obama doesn't nominate anyone to become the next Supreme Court Justice of the United States after the passing of Justice Antonin Scalia. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell even went so far as to say, "The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president." And don't forget Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley insisting we wait until next year to fill the vacant seat. He said:
"The fact of the matter is that it's been standard practice over the last nearly 80 years that Supreme Court nominees are not nominated and confirmed during a presidential election year. Given the huge divide in the country, and the fact that this president, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda, it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court justice."
However, what both these Republicans fail to realize, alongside all the other conservatives and conservative pundits who share this opinion, is that it is the president's constitutional duty to nominate a new Justice so that order and balance is held within all three branches of government. It is also not their place to say that he can't. Truth is, they don't want him to, because they're terrified of who he might pick to replace the ultra-conservative Scalia.
Here's the thing about history, though — it will come back to bite you when you least expect it, and prove that you may, in fact, be a huge hypocrite. Here are some quotes from back when former President George W. Bush was trying to get a vote on his nominees. And you may recognize a couple of the names:
"Because of the unprecedented obstruction of our Democratic colleagues, the Republican conference intends to restore the principle that, regardless of party, any President's judicial nominees, after full debate, deserve a simple up -or -down vote." – Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) (5/19/05)
"I hope that by the end of this session of Congress, my colleagues will give the President's qualified nominees what they, and all current and future nominees deserve: the opportunity to have a fair up-or-down vote on the floor of the Senate on their nomination. For the sake of the Senate, the nation, and our independent judiciary, I hope that these partisans will not launch more filibusters, but from what I've heard today, I won't hold my breath." – Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) (3/26/04)
"The bottom line has to be that the president has the right to get a vote, an up-or-down vote, on his nominees." – Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) (11/10/04)
"Let's debate the nominees and give our advice and consent. It is a simple 'yea' or 'nay,' when called to the altar to vote. Filibustering a nominee into oblivion is misguided warfare and the wrong way for a minority party to leverage influence in the Senate. Threatening to grind legislative activity to a standstill if they do not get their way is like being a bully on the school yard playground. Let's do our jobs. Nothing is nuclear about asking the full Senate to take an up-or-down vote on judicial nominees. It is the way the Senate has operated for 214 years." – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) (5/23/05)
"But denying these patriotic Americans, of both parties, who seek to serve this country an up-or-down vote is simply not fair, and it certainly was not the intention of our Founding Fathers when they designed and created this very institution." – Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) (4/20/05)
"Every nominee deserves a prompt up-or-down vote on the Senate floor." – Dick Cheney (5/10/04)
And if this truly how all these men felt at the moment, then they should still feel that way now. They should abide by the constitution, allowing President Obama to make his picks, as well as give him an up-or-down vote on who he decides would be the best fit. Only reasonable, right? You know, since it's their idea.
Featured image: Flickr


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Last week the TES ran a story based on some research by Tom Richmond [PDF] comparing the A-Level value added scores of independent schools and state schools.
In the story, the average value added score for the 10 highest attaining independent schools was given as 0.19, and for the 10 highest attaining non-selective state schools 0.26[1]. Hence the headline that 'top comps beat independents'.
The report went further and compared the top 20 and top 50 schools of each type with similar results.
It also showed that there are some state schools where students achieve results on a par with (or even better than) their peers in independent schools despite starting from a lower base of prior attainment at Key Stage 4.
But can other comparisons between independent schools and state schools be drawn and what do they show?
The top 10 schools
Tom's analysis was based on published Department for Education performance indicators, which can be downloaded from this link.
For the purpose of his comparisons, highest attaining means achieving the highest average point score (APS) per A-Level entry, not the highest A-Level value added score.
First of all, the 10 highest attaining independent schools:
And now the top 10 highest attaining non-selective state schools (although arguably all sixth forms are selective to some extent):
In the final columns of the tables above, I have included the expected APS per A-Level entry implied by the school's actual APS and value added score. In other words, the APS that corresponds with a value added score of 0[2].
These range from 45 points (half-way between grade B and grade A) to 52 points (just above grade A) among the independent schools, whereas they range from 33 points (above grade C) to 43 points (above grade B) among the state schools.
The expected scores take account of student prior attainment (at Key Stage 4) and the A-Level subjects they studied (as some subjects are graded more severely than others).
So by comparing the 10 highest-attaining state schools and 10 highest-attaining independent schools we are not comparing like-with-like.
We just do not know how a state school would perform with an intake with such high prior attainment as one of the 10 independent schools listed.
A school's value added score tells you how it performed with the intake it had, not how it would perform with any other intake.
Comparing schools with similar expected results
So, what if we do a different comparison?
What if we compare schools with expected scores between 33.4 and 42.8 (the lowest and highest values among the state schools listed above)? That is, schools expected to achieve broadly similar results, taking into account the prior attainment of their students and the A-Level subjects those students study.
Well, this shows that the independent schools achieve slightly higher value-added scores.
2016 A-Level value added scores, schools with an expected APS per entry between 33.4 and 42.8
In fact, very similar results are produced when the state schools are matched to independent schools on the basis of expected A-Level results, number of students, mean number of A-Levels per student and whether or not the school is in London.
At the risk of being a killjoy, it seems that independent schools do tend to achieve slightly higher value added scores than state schools where expected results are similar.
It is undeniably the case that there are some comprehensives achieving results on a par with (or even better than) some independents despite students starting from a lower base of KS4 attainment (as some of the later analysis in Tom's report shows).
For example, students at all 11 state schools in the table below achieved at least a quarter of a grade above expectation in 2016.
It might be possible to quantify the impact of taking A-Levels at a top comprehensive (however defined) compared to an independent school, but the analysis would have to take place at student-level.
As we could not (ethically) randomise the allocation of students to schools it would be a case of making some assumptions and using observational data to compare a group of top comprehensive students with a group of independent school students who were similar in terms of prior attainment and observed characteristics.
But even then, any conclusions would have caveats.
Want to stay up-to-date with the latest research from Education Datalab? Sign up to our mailing list to get notifications about new blogposts, or to receive our half-termly newsletter.
1. This appears to be a simple average of the 10 schools' VA scores. I calculate the average to be 0.23 when weighting by the number of A-Level entries
2. Technically, we would need to know the actual APS per entry of students included in the VA measure to calculate this. Some students will not be included in VA calculations due to not being assessed at KS4 in England.


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Donald Trump's stock market boasts run into a rude reality
At a White House press conference last week, Donald Trump brought up one of his favorite talking points as proof that his presidency has been a success.
"The stock market is at an all-time high," he boasted. "Think of that – over 50 percent since my election. Fifty percent. People – the 401(k)s – and they have 401(k)s, and they were dying with them for years. Now they're so happy."
Yesterday, as the major U.S. indexes dropped sharply for the second straight day, the president fielded a reporter's question on this, and was content to keep bragging.
Q: Mr. President, you have talked a little bit about the markets. The markets are down again, today. How long do you think this correction, which you said was coming anyway, is expected to last?
TRUMP: Well, we're still up 40 percent for the period of time. So, I mean, the markets are way up over what they were.
Part of the problem is that the president is throwing around bogus numbers that he appears to have simply made up. As CNBC's John Harwood noted late yesterday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 26% from Trump's first day in office through yesterday's close. That's obviously not close to the gains the president has pointed to, and it's also short of the 38% increase we saw over a comparable period in Barack Obama's presidency.
Making matters slightly worse, the bulk of those gains came last year. Looking exclusively at 2018, the DJIA is only up about 1% after factoring in this week's losses.
And just to twist the knife a bit, it's worth emphasizing that Trump's own actions – his trade war with China, his aggressive public criticisms of the Federal Reserve – have likely contributed to the latest market losses.
But the real political problem was the president tying his fortunes to Wall Street in the first place.
As we discussed nearly a year ago, Trump has long seen the markets as a real-time barometer of his record. When Wall Street does well, it meant he's doing well. When stocks values look good, it meant the value of his presidency looks good.
This was always unwise. Not only are there important differences between the stock market and the economy, but Trump, ignoring warnings, apparently worked from the assumption that the major indexes only move in one direction.
Circling back to our previous coverage, I think it's important not to respond to market dips in lazy, partisan ways. In the Obama era, Trump and his allies used to respond to even modest drops on Wall Street as proof that the Democratic White House was failing.
The line of argument proved to be ridiculous, not only because the stock market's performance over the course of Obama's presidency was very strong, but also because blaming short-term Wall Street trends on the White House is always unwise.
The trouble, however, is that Trump has gone out of his way to take credit for stock market gains. It apparently never occurred to him that would mean taking responsibility when stock values started to decline.
Jay Carney, one of the Obama-era White House press secretaries, noted a while back that it's a "good time to recall that in the previous administration, we NEVER boasted about the stock market – even though the Dow more than doubled on Obama's watch – because we knew two things: 1) the stock market is not the economy; and 2) if you claim the rise, you own the fall."


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Cleveland defense end Myles Garrett ripped off Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph's helmet and hit him with it in the head in the final seconds as the Browns' 21-7 win over the Steelers on Thursday night ended with a wild brawl between the rivals.
Garrett faces a likely suspension for his actions, and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will likely be disciplined for kicking Garrett in the head.
Players from both sidelines spilled on the field during the wild melee, which began after Garrett wrestled Rudolph to the ground after he threw the ball on a meaningless play. Garrett, Pouncey and Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi were ejected.
Before the ugly ending, Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes and scored on a 1-yard plunge as Cleveland held on to defeat the banged-up Steelers for just the fourth time in 10 years and improved to 2-0 in the AFC North for the first time.
The Browns (4-6) have won two in a row after dropping four straight, a skid that put first-year coach Freddie Kitchens' job in jeopardy.
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL said Thursday that 11 teams have committed to attending Colin Kaepernick's workout in Atlanta this weekend and that more teams are expected to attend the former NFL quarterback's audition.
The league also announced that two former NFL head coaches will be in attendance: Hue Jackson, who will lead the drills, and Joe Philbin.
The NFL said it will send video of the workout and interview to all 32 of its teams, including head coaches and general managers.
The teams that have RSVP'd so far are: the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The state board that oversees Louisiana's Superdome approved a contract Thursday for the first phase of a $450 million renovation of the 44-year-old New Orleans landmark that became a symbol of the city's rebirth following Hurricane Katrina.
The unanimous vote by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District was to approve a $53 million contract for initial work on the stadium upgrade.
The renovations will be the most extensive since 2005, when the dome became a last-resort haven for thousands of Hurricane Katrina's victims despite being heavily damaged. The upgrade is seen as a key element in getting a new long-term commitment from the Saints to keep the NFL franchise in New Orleans, and to attract future Super Bowls and other major events.
The state is to cover $90 million of the project cost. The Saints are to put up $150 million and the district is to pay $210 million.
NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout has overcome injury and tragedy to win his third AL MVP Award.
Trout got 17 of 30 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed Thursday night. Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros was second with the other 13 first-place votes. That duo combined for all the first- and second-place votes.
Trout had season-ending foot surgery in September. The outfielder played just 134 games but still set a career high with 45 homers. He batted .291, led the majors with a .438 on-base percentage and drove in 104 runs.
The 28-year-old shined even following the death of close friend and teammate Tyler Skaggs on July 1.
Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger beat out the Milwaukee Brewers' Christian Yelich to win NL MVP.
Bellinger got 19 of 30 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America revealed Thursday night. Yelich got 10 first-place votes, and Washington's Anthony Rendon got one while finishing third.
The 24-year-old Bellinger and his loose, left-handed swing launched 47 home runs with a .305 average, 115 RBIs and a 1.035 OPS.
He was the best player on the NL's top team in the regular season, propelling Los Angeles to 106 wins.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Pitcher Jake Odorizzi accepted a $17.8 million qualifying offer to stay with the Minnesota Twins and first baseman José Abreu took the same amount to remain with the Chicago White Sox as general managers headed home following their four-day annual meeting.
Using the threat to accept San Francisco's offer, reliever Will Smith became the first of the 168 free agents to switch teams, agreeing Thursday to a $40 million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves.
Just 10 free agents received the offers on Nov. 4, and their former teams will receive draft-pick compensation if they sign elsewhere. Players who did not accept included pitchers Gerrit Cole (Houston), Stephen Strasburg (Washington), Zack Wheeler (New York Mets) and Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco) along with third basemen Anthony Rendon (Washington) and Josh Donaldson (Atlanta) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (St. Louis).
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Freshman James Wiseman has withdrawn his lawsuit against the NCAA and Memphis, and the university has declared him ineligible while officials work to resolve the case.
The university announced Wiseman's decision Thursday morning.
Memphis says it supports Wiseman's decision and believes it's in the best interest of both the freshman and the Tigers' basketball team to resolve his eligibility status through the NCAA process.
The university says it is immediately applying for Wiseman to be reinstated. Until then, Wiseman will be held out of games but can practice with the No. 13 Tigers (2-1).
Memphis says the NCAA is fully aware of "the unique nature and challenges" in this case and will give a fair decision.
Wiseman played in Memphis' first three games, two after obtaining a temporary restraining order Nov. 8 allowing him to play.
NEW YORK (AP) — Carmelo Anthony is getting another shot in the NBA.
The 10-time All-Star is returning to the league with the Portland Trail Blazers, a person with knowledge of the details said Thursday.
Anthony hasn't played since a short stint with the Houston Rockets ended a little more than a year ago after just 10 games. But the Blazers hope there is still enough game left in the 35-year-old forward to help them overcome a 4-8 start.
Anthony's deal with Portland was confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it has not been announced. It was first reported by ESPN.com, which said that Anthony would join the team on its upcoming road trip.
Anthony is a three-time Olympic gold medalist but struggled at the end of his recent stops in Oklahoma City and Houston following 6 ½ seasons in New York.
—By AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Penguins star Sidney Crosby will be out at least six weeks after what the team said was a successful core muscle injury repair Thursday.
General manager Jim Rutherford says the procedure was performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia.
The 32-year-old Crosby leads the team in scoring with five goals and 12 assists in 17 games despite dealing with a sports hernia since training camp.
The two-time MVP left a 3-2 shootout win over Chicago on Nov. 9 in the third period. He got tangled up with Blackhawks defenseman Erik Gustafsson and moments later took a shot from Gustafsson that smacked off his right foot.
Robert Mathis of Alabama A&M, Erik Williams of Central State University and coach Joe Taylor have been selected for induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
Quarterback Earl Harvey of North Carolina Central, defensive back James Hunter of Grambling State and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Commissioner Dennis Thomas round out the class.
The induction ceremony will be held Feb. 22 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Mark Esper has opened the door for athletes at the nation's military academies to play professional sports after they graduate, and delay their active-duty service.
Esper signed a memo last Friday laying out the new guidelines, which says the athletes must get approval from the defense secretary, and it requires them to eventually fulfill their military obligation or repay the costs of their education.
The memo, obtained by The Associated Press, came at the insistence of President Donald Trump, who directed the Pentagon in June to come up with a way to allow athletes to play professional sports immediately upon graduation. Trump gave the Pentagon four months to develop the new policy.
Allowing athletes to delay service has been a hotly debated issue. The Obama administration put a policy in place allowing some athletes to go to the pros and defer their military service.
HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR and NBC Sports are set to launch a new streaming service that will include exclusive motorsports events and an extensive library of archived documentaries and films.
TrackPass will offer more motorsports options, including the ARCA Menards Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, as well as NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series practice and qualifying sessions for its half of the schedule. TrackPass also will expand its coverage of IMSA.
TrackPass is part of the NBC Sports Gold service and is expected to debut in December.
LONDON (AP) — The rights to broadcast Champions League games in Britain have been retained by BT Sport for another three seasons in a deal worth more than $1.5 billion, The Associated Press has learned.
The telecommunications company will continue to show every game live and air highlights in the 2021-2024 rights cycle as the competition's only British broadcaster, a person familiar with the three-year deal said Thursday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the deal ahead of an official announcement.
—By AP Global Soccer Writer Rob Harris.
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


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Qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix proved to be one of the most exciting Saturday sessions of the season so far as, contrary to some predictions post-practice, we were treated to a three-time fight at the front of the field.
Lewis Hamilton ultimately furthered his case to be deemed the greatest qualifier in Formula 1 history by charging to his 79th career pole, with his lap of 1m36.015s stunning the paddock. Hamilton used the word "magic" profusely in his post-qualifying media commitments, while Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff called the lap "surreal".
Singapore #3 - Safety Car
Hamilton edged out Red Bull's Max Verstappen by three-tenths of a second, with the Red Bull driver being hamstrung by a recurring engine braking issue, with a late cut out costing him his final flyer in Q3. Sebastian Vettel was down in third for Ferrari, six-tenths off Hamilton, but said he didn't think his title rival's pole time was unbeatable.
It was a really exciting fight for pole - yet it is one that all three teams had to be careful in negotiating through their tyre tactics as all were left short on sets heading into qualifying, nearly resulting in some shock casualties.
The Hypersoft tyre - in use for only the third time this season - had been the quicker tyre through practice (naturally), with the delta between the two compounds across one lap being great enough to suggest it would be a mighty risk to try and qualifying on the Ultrasofts, even if that would offer greater benefits in terms of strategy in the race.
Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull all entered qualifying lacking enough sets to do two runs in each stage with fresh Hypersofts, meaning they had to take a risk somewhere.
Mercedes was the first to roll the dice in Q1, sending both Hamilton and teammate Valtteri Bottas out on Ultrasofts. Neither went particularly quickly on their first runs, but Mercedes did not pit them, cut their losses and fit a set of Hypersofts, knowing it only had four sets to get through qualifying. Both drivers improved on their second push laps late in the long stint they did, ending up 12th and 14th respectively, Bottas ahead of Hamilton. The championship leader was just 0.241 seconds away from a shock Q1 exit.
"I definitely was a little bit concerned," Hamilton conceded after the session. "But we were aware that we came here with the wrong tyre strategy, in the sense that others had more Hypers than us, so we needed to get rid of a Soft in P3 I think it was.
"We believed that in order to give ourselves two Hypersofts to Q2 and Q3, that's the tyre we went out on. Of course we definitely didn't expect to be the pace that we were, but the pace, the delta between the tyres was even bigger once we got to qualifying. I couldn't go quicker, so it was definitely a little bit nervous."
"My friend [Sauber team boss Frederic] Vasseur sent me a text message and said: You know what the difference is between an idiot and a genius? Two-tenths!" Wolff added after the session.
"I think that summarises it pretty well. We were thinking of splitting the strategy between the two cars and running one on the ultras and the other one on the hypers [in Q2] but it was immediately clear that none of the front running teams would have the pace to go through."
Alas, Mercedes had managed to get both its cars through, putting Hamilton and Bottas onto the regular tyre running for Q2 and Q3, affording them both the chance to do two runs in each session on the Hypersofts, given setting Ultrasofts as the starting tyre was out of the question. Hamilton blitzed his final effort to take one of the most convincing pole positions of his career.
Red Bull was also able to put itself in the frame to do the same, also having only four sets of Hypersofts for qualifying. The team arguably took the least-stressful approach, sending Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen out early on Hypersofts in Q1 so they could post a quick enough time to get through to the next session without needing to run again. Both duly delivered before using the same play in Q2: get out early, set a quick enough time, then save tyres. The biggest risk was that the initial runs either time around would not be quick enough, but the team ensured it was always on the right compound.
While both Wolff and Hamilton doubted it was possible to get through Q2 on Ultrasofts and secure the purple-ringed compound for the start, Ferrari decided to roll the dice and give it a go. Vettel and teammate Kimi Raikkonen may have made it through Q1 on a single set of Hypersofts, keeping the same tyres from their early laps for the final runs, but the team still (like Red Bull) needed to save another set to give itself two fresh ones for Q3.
So instead of doing an early run on Hypersofts as Red Bull did, Ferrari tried the Ultrasofts. And the drawbacks were immediately clear. Vettel was down in P10 after a mistake, 1.6 seconds off Verstappen's P1 time, while Raikkonen abandoned his effort completely. Both were told to box with the intention of switching to the Hypersofts, giving them both an all-or-nothing effort in the closing stages of Q2.
Vettel did protest the call, though. "I tell you, I have more than half a second [to find]," he told Ferrari over the radio, as well as complaining that his outlap had been too slow. Ferrari would not have any of it, though, not wishing to risk the call backfiring.
Vettel moved onto the Hypersofts and, with Raikkonen, ensured his passage to Q3. Had he found the half a second he claimed was in his Ultrasofts, he would have sat P8 in the classification for Q2.
The move perhaps had the act of breaking both Vettel and Raikkonen's rhythm. Instead of finding more and more grip from session to session, going faster and faster, in relative terms, the Ultrasofts run in Q2 was a step back.
Vettel had a face like thunder in the post-qualifying press conference, offering brief answers one would more expect from his Finnish colleague. For the second qualifying session in a row, his hopes of pole had been dashed.
"It was clear what we tried to do, it didn't work, but I think overall qualifying for us today wasn't as smooth as it should've been," Vettel said.
"Difficult to get a rhythm, difficult to get a feel for the car, and in the end, the gap is quite big. I'm not worried about the gap, because I don't think that shows how strong we are, but it's just disappointing obviously today that we didn't get the maximum out of our package.
"I think Lewis had a really good lap, so congrats to him for the lap, I'm sure it was a good one - but I don't think it was unbeatable."
Was there a lack of trust from Ferrari towards Vettel to perfect his final run on the Ultrasofts in Q2? Or did they prefer to err on the side of caution? Regardless, could it cost the team tomorrow?
Pirelli's prediction for the fastest strategy is a one-stopper, going from the Ultrasofts to Softs. However, this is out of the question for all of the top 10, starting on Hypersofts. While they can complete a one-stop, also moving onto Softs, their earlier pit visits mean they are likely to drop back into traffic. Had Vettel been able to battle through on Ultrasofts, he would have been able to run the optimum strategy in the race.
Qualifying in Singapore could easily have resulted in some big shocks. In the end, we were treated to a masterclass from Hamilton at the front of the pack. Red Bull will certainly feel it is in the hunt after Verstappen's stunning charge, with the Dutchman even going as far to label it as the best qualifying of his F1 career.
But Ferrari will be the team kicking itself tonight. It looked to be its qualifying to lose after FP3 - and lose it, it did. It's another blow in the title race that is fast reaching a crescendo.
Two-tenths may have been the difference between being a genius and being an idiot, but what a crucial two-tenths they could prove come the end of the season.


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When you hear someone mention salsa sauce you immediately think of warm tortilla chips being served next to a serving of guacamole while sitting at a great Mexican Restaurant, or you remember the commercial about salsa sauce being from New York City. Well now salsa sauce is becoming totally different from the traditional tomato based sauce we are familiar with.
With original ties to Spain, salsa is slowly making its way to the table in some nontraditional ways. It is being served on hot dogs and burgers and being added to different gravies and stews for a hint of Mexican flavor. It also makes a great marinade for meats and various types of fish. Salsa sauce comes in a variety of heat levels that range from mild to extremely hot. The heat of the sauce is determined by the type of pepper that is used. The more mild salsa sauce uses chilies while the hot versions use Habanero or Jalapeno peppers, or Ghost or Serrano chillies. These different hot sauces are enjoyed around the globe.
The ingredients for salsa sauce is quite simple. Fresh ripe tomatoes are the key ingredient. Cilantro, garlic, red onion,salt and pepper, lime and whatever type of pepper or chili you desire is also added. All these ingredients are mixed together until it forms a sauce. It can be a thin sauce or chunky. It all depends on how long the ingredients are mixed together. In addition to the basic ingredients, these sauces have incorporated different items that gives a myriad of different flavors. You can now get sweet salsa as well as savory salsa. Some sweet salsa incorporate pineapples and mangoes while the savory salsa sauces uses black beans and paprika. Corn is another item added to these sauces to create a diversity of flavors. There is a green sauce made from green tomatoes that is just as delicious as the red sauce. Mint has also been an ingredient added to salsa as well as ginger.
So the transformation of the salsa sauce is becoming more popular as various chefs and connoisseurs of great food go beyond tradition and experience flavors that are totally unique.


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Nonfiction doesn't have to be mean NonFun! Award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney has spent her career creating engaging nonfiction for kids and now she's sharing her secrets with you.
In this 45-minute presentation from Picture Book Summit 2015, Andrea shares where she gets her ideas and how she takes them from history lesson to engaging stories for young readers through word choice and creative point of views.
You'll never look at nonfiction the same again after Andrea shares her writing process and reads some of her best work.
Your Instructor
Andrea Davis Pinkney is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of many books for children and young adults, including picture books, novels, works of historical fiction and nonfiction.
She is the author of several notable titles, including the novels Bird in a Box and the forthcoming With the Might of Angels, a book in the Dear America series. Andrea has also written the illustrated books Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down, a Parents' Choice Award winner; Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride, a 2010 Jane Addams Honor Book and School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; the Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, Let it Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters, which also won the Carter G. Woodson Award for historical works for young people; Duke Ellington, a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor Book; and Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation, a featured selection on Oprah and Friends radio.
Additionally, Andrea is a publishing executive, who has held key positions at several publishing companies. She was named one of the "25 Most Influential Black Women in Business" by The Network Journal, a publication for Black professionals, and was selected as one of the "25 Most Influential People in Our Children's Lives" by Children's Health Magazine.
Andrea lives in New York City with her husband and frequent collaborator, award-winning illustrator Brian Pinkney, and their two children.


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Anikó Zöld painter. She was born in Budapest in 9th February, 1942. She studied at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts. Her masters were János Kmetty and Géza Fónyi. She takes part in the art colony of Sopron, Hajdúság and Szentendre. She has had solo exhibitions in several galleries in Budapest and in Győr and Germany. She regulerly takes part in group exhibitions, her works have shown in Paris, Mexico, Venice and Carrara.
Some works by her are kept in public collections.


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ACA Backs Time Warner Cable's "Get Tough" Campaign
Time Warner Cable, which has yet to strike a new carriage deal with News Corp. for the latter's TV stations and cable nets, last week launched a public relations campaign to try to get subscribers on its side generally in its negotiations for program carriage. The American Cable Association Monday added its support for the campaign, saying Time Warner Cable was also fighting for its smaller and mid-sized cable operator members.
Saying "no more" to what it argues are unchecked price increases it must sometimes pass along to customers, Time Warner Cable asked subscribers to weigh in at a new Website on whether the operator should "roll over" or "get tough."
"We're just one company," says Time Warner Cable, "but there are millions of you. Together, we just might be able to make a difference in what America pays for its favorite entertainment."
The American Cable Association, which has made fighting retransmission consent fee hikes a priority, said it supported the campaign.
"Small cable operators and their customers, who cannot afford to engage in hand-to-hand combat with price-gouging media conglomerates, applaud Time Warner Cable's efforts to 'Get Tough' with programmers in hopes that some modicum of reasonableness will return to the market as a result," said ACA President Matt Polka in a statement.
ACA is concerned both by increases in station retransmission consent fees and cable channel bundling deals it says forces its members, and by extension their customers, to pay for channels they don't watch.
For their part, broadcasters have argued they are simply trying to get full value for their TV station signals--broadcast network programming is the most-watched programming on cable--while attempting to build a dual-revenue model that will help them weather the sea changes of new competition and the economic meltdown,
ACA has called for a government investigation into the retransmission consent regime and what they say is abuse of market power.
"The notion that ACA and Time Warner are suddenly concerned about high cable rates is simply not credible, given the cable industry's history of raising rates four to six times the annual rate of inflation," said National Association of Broadcasters spokesman Dennis Wharton. "The ultimate irony is that according to SNL Kagan, Time Warner is paying its own cable network TNT as much as $1.00 per cable subscriber per month in retransmission consent fees. That's four times more compensation than local broadcasters affiliated with the major networks are receiving for the most -atched programs in television that include the Super Bowl, '60 Minutes,' 'American Idol' and 'Lost.'"
The television industry's top news stories, analysis and blogs of the day.
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Remote Controller Description
EVO's remote controller supports live video downlink and aircraft remote control functions without the need of a mobile app. The aircraft has an unobstructed range of up to 7km if conditions are good. The video downlink system and aircraft remote control system operate at 2.4GHz or 900MHz (user selectable). The 3.3-inch OLED screen located on the remote controller displays live video feed, battery level, GPS signals, ight speed, etc.


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The informational blog for Michael Meserve, Vice President, Western Region, Council of Prison Locals
Friday, December 20, 2013
AFGE Week in Review: Dec. 20, 2013 - AFGE Members Urged to Nominate Outstanding Co-workers for Service to America Medals
Dec. 20, 2013
AFGE Members Urged to Nominate Outstanding Co-workers for Service to America Medals
Federal Employee Morale Hits All Time Low, Thanks to Congress
EPA Faced Biggest Drop in Employee Morale
Senate Approves Budget Agreement
AFGE Urges Immediate Passage of Legislation Granting Pay Raise to Blue-Collar Federal Workers
Nearly 50% of Feds Eligible to Telework in 2012
AFGE Members Urged to Nominate Outstanding Co-workers for Service to America Medals (Sammies):
AFGE National President
J. David Cox Sr.
is encouraging AFGE members to participate in the 2014 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals by nominating talented co-workers who are AFGE members and whose high-impact accomplishments and professional contributions are a testament to the important work of the federal government. The prestigious
Sammie awards
– the Oscars of public service – recognize federal employees in eight categories: Federal Employee of the Year, Call to Service, Career Achievement, Citizen Services, Homeland Security, Management Excellence, National Security and International Affairs, and Science and Environment. Past winners include federal employees with high-impact accomplishments in protecting the environment, defending the homeland, caring for veterans, curing diseases, making scientific discoveries, responding to natural disasters, etc. Nominations, open until Jan. 17, 2014, can be submitted by anybody familiar with the nominee's work except for the nominee.
"We know that AFGE members' work affects everyone in this country and around the world every day, but we need to make sure our work is recognized in a major way and at the highest level," said NP Cox, who sat on the 2013 Service to America Medals Selection Committee. "We need people to understand that our work directly contributes to America's security and prosperity and that a strong federal career workforce is vital to the country's well-being and her future."
All medal categories are open to both individual and team nominations. Finalists will be announced in late spring. Click
for eligibility requirements and
to submit a nomination.
Federal Employee Morale Hits All Time Low, Thanks to Congress:
Three years of pay freezes, furloughs and Congress' policies favoring spending cuts over economic growth continue to take a toll on federal employee morale, which this year hit a record low. A
released this week by the Partnership for Public Service, "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government," says 57.8% of federal employees are satisfied in their jobs – the lowest it's been since the survey began in 2003. Last year job satisfaction was 60.8% compared to 65% in 2010. Besides the budget cuts that have resulted in hiring freezes, cutbacks in employee training and other reductions that have impaired service delivery to the public at many agencies, new federal employees also are being required to pay substantially more toward their retirement to help pay down the U.S. deficit.
"Politicians have been telling federal employees for years that they're not worth receiving a fair wage, that their jobs aren't worth funding, that the services they deliver to the American people aren't as important as continuing to subsidize Wall Street corporations with lucrative tax breaks," AFGE National President
J. David Cox Sr.
said. "Should it come as any surprise that federal employees feel devalued, dispirited and discouraged? Federal employees join the government to serve their country and give back to the community, but some politicians have turned them into the enemy and made them the scapegoat for all of the country's problems."
EPA Faced Biggest Drop in Employee Morale:
Of all the large agencies surveyed in the Partnership's Best Places to Work, the Environmental Protection Agency sat on top of the list of agencies with the biggest drop in employee morale – a decrease of 8.3 points to a score of 59.3. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s employee satisfaction score fell by 10.8 points – the largest decline among mid-size agencies. The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board had the biggest decline among small agencies, a whopping 33.4 points.
Meanwhile, NASA remains on top of the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government list for large agencies. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was ranked first among mid-size agencies while the Surface Transportation Board took home top honors for small agencies.
Senate Approves Budget Agreement:
The Senate on Wednesday voted 64-36 to approve a budget agreement brokered by House Budget Committee Chairman
Paul Ryan
and his Senate counterpart
Patty Murray
. The budget deal, which was approved by the House last week, partially repeals sequestration for two years – $45 billion in 2014 and $20 billion in 2015. It requires federal employees hired after Dec. 31, 2013 to pay an additional 1.3% toward their pensions for a total of 4.4%. The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program also will add a 'self plus one' option for couples with no kids. Current federal employees are not required to contribute more to their pensions.
AFGE Urges Immediate Passage of Legislation Granting Pay Raise to Blue-Collar Federal Workers:
AFGE is calling on Congress to pass legislation granting the government's blue-collar workers the same pay raise other employees are receiving in January. White-collar employees in the government's General Schedule pay system will receive a 1 percent pay raise in January, ending an unprecedented three-year pay freeze. However, Congress must pass separate legislation to extend this pay raise to blue-collar workers under the Wage Grade pay system. Rep.
Matt Cartwright
of Pennsylvania introduced legislation in November that would provide Wage Grade employees the same pay raise General Schedule employees are receiving in January. This legislation has the bipartisan support of more than 20 representatives, but the House adjourned for the year without taking up the bill.
"Without immediate action by Congress, more than 200,000 employees at our military bases, veterans' hospitals, federal prisons and other worksites will be denied the modest pay raise being given to all other federal workers," AFGE National President
J. David Cox Sr.
said. "Congress must take immediate action once the legislative session resumes in January to rectify this inequitable situation."
Nearly 50% of Feds Eligible to Telework in 2012:
More federal employees were eligible to telework in 2012, according to a new report by the Office of Personnel Management. In 2011, 684,589 federal employees, or 32% of the workforce, were eligible to telework. The number went up to 1,020,034 in 2012, or 47% of federal employees. The number of telework agreements between agencies and employees also went up by 84% from 144,851 in 2011 to 267,227 in 2012.
The number of employees who teleworked in September 2012 went up to 209,192, compared to 168,558 in September 2011. More teleworkers – 32% v. 27% – were able to telework three or more days per week in 2012 compared to 2011. OPM finds that agencies used telework to maintain productivity during an emergency such as a weather event. Teleworkers are more likely to report higher job satisfaction than non-teleworkers. With turnover cost running between 90% and 200% of an employee's annual gross salary, "the strong relationship between telework and decreased turnover intentions in 2012 support the cost benefits of telework," the report finds.
"Ultimately, we want agencies to use telework strategically to drive results: ensuring continuity of operations, reducing management costs, improving our employees' ability to balance their work and life commitments, and increasing accountability for achieving individual work results," OPM Director
Katherine Archuleta
said. "The report shows that a growing number of agencies do use telework as a strategic tool."
The 2013 Status of Telework in the Federal Government report looked at telework in 90 agencies between September 2011 and September 2012
This Week's Essay:
In an
titled The Financial Crisis: Why Have No High-Level Executives Been Prosecuted?,
Jed S. Rakoff
, a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, questions the government's reluctance to pursue fraud cases against high-level banking executives that led to the financial crisis in 2008. Rakoff argues that the Justice Department has failed to perform its duties of investigating and prosecuting those executives even though the stated opinion of many government agencies asked to look into the issue, including the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, is that the financial crisis was indeed a product of intentional fraud. While acknowledging the difficulty of proving the high-level executives' criminal intent, Rakoff argues that the department should make use of the "willful blindness" doctrine, which is well-established in criminal law and consistently approved by the Supreme Court. Rakoff also finds the department's "too big to jail" excuse – the fact that prosecuting these financial institutions could impact the national economy –unconvincing. He argues that the department should prosecute individual CEOs instead of the entire companies as prosecuting the institution itself is not fair to innocent employees and shareholders.
Rakoff offers three possible factors that influence the government's reluctance to pursue the cases: 1) the prosecutors had other priorities, faced with budget limitations, and had little experience in investigating and prosecuting sophisticated financial frauds. 2) the government and Congress had a part in creating the conditions that helped allow frauds to take place, such as the repeal of the Glass-Steagall act, which prohibited commercial banks from engaging in the investment business. And 3) prosecutors have shifted from prosecuting individual executives to prosecuting companies – a practice that Rakoff argues is not the best way to prevent future wrong doing as prosecuting companies often results in a settlement – internal control measures that "are often little more than window-dressing."
"I do not claim that the financial crisis that is still causing so many of us so much pain and despondency was the product, in whole or in part, of fraudulent misconduct," Rakoff writes. "But if it was—as various governmental authorities have asserted it was—then the failure of the government to bring to justice those responsible for such colossal fraud bespeaks weaknesses in our prosecutorial system that need to be addressed."
This Week in Labor History:
Dec. 20, 1970 – The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) takes effect today.
This Week's Tweet:
2013's top 5 wins for workers
This Week's Interview:
AFGE Legislative Representative
Marilyn Park
appeared on The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann to discuss the Ryan/Murray budget deal. Watch her excellent interview
This Week's Video:
Scientists Discover One of The Greatest Contributing Factors to Happiness
. And it turns out to be just a simple action – just in time for the holidays.
This Week's Holiday Gift:
Looking for a stocking stuffer? How about this awesome
MMT Coloring Book
Stephanie Kelton
, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Inside Government:
Tune in now
to AFGE's "Inside Government" as the union's president looks ahead to 2014. The show, which originally aired on Friday, Dec. 20, is now available on demand.
AFGE National President
J. David Cox Sr.
outlined the union's 2014 agenda and discussed the impact of sequestration and the government lockout on federal employees. Cox also analyzed the Budget Conference Committee deal, which will require federal employees hired after 2013 to contribute more to their pensions.
Eric Young
, president of AFGE's Council of Prison Locals, then detailed the work environment inside the Bureau of Prisons, dangers facing federal correctional officers and efforts to collaborate with other AFGE councils to strengthen the union.
Lastly, AFGE Department of Veterans Affairs Local 2778 Vice President
John Adams
discussed sequestration's impact on VA research and concerns about contracting out at the agency. Adams also shed light on the positive impact federal employees have on their communities and local economies.
Listen LIVE on Fridays at 10 a.m. ET on 1500 AM WFED in the D.C. area or online at FederalNewsRadio.com. For more information, please visit InsideGovernmentRadio.com.
Quote of the Week:
Max Stier
, Partnership for Public Service president and CEO, on his organization's latest federal employee job satisfaction report:
"There is no doubt the three-year pay freeze, furloughs, budget cuts, ad hoc hiring freezes and continued uncertainty are taking their toll on federal workers. What it really means is that agencies aren't positioned to successfully meet the needs of the American people."
***Happy Holidays, everyone! AFGE Week in Review will return after New Year's***
American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO 80 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 | Tel. (202) 737-8700 | Fax (202) 639-6492 |
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Michael Meserve, WXRVP
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