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The IPO is the lifeblood of our stock markets; it's the vehicle that helps bring capital, liquidity and a sense of optimism to the U. S. economy. In the late 1990s, we had a market that was flush with technology-related IPOs. Today's IPO market has been a series of stops and starts compared to then, and notably tainted by highly scrutinized, extremely volatile offerings.
While there have been recent successful IPOs like Eloqua, FleetMatics, Palo Alto Networks, ServiceNow, Splunk, Workday and Yelp, the investing public and the media are still skeptical. We keep seeing headlines like "The Other Tech IPO that Just Faltered," "IPOs Remain Out of Kilter," and "Lofty Gains Lift Gloom in IPO Market." I have yet to talk to anyone who thinks much is going to change. It's unfortunate, because I believe if you step back and look from a broad perspective, the elements are in place to bring the IPO pipeline closer to what it once was. It's time to stop bashing it and look forward.
Throughout my years as a securities lawyer, investment banker and now venture capitalist, I have been intimately involved with over 100 initial public offerings. Most of them have been venture-backed companies in the technology sector. Many who have tracked my career would say I have worked on more technology IPOs than any other venture capitalist out there, with my first rodeo being with Four Phase Systems in 1975 all the way to FleetMatics, which went public in October.
I spent almost 20 years as a technology investment banker, eight of which were spent at Montgomery Securities, where I ran technology investment banking. It was there that I saw our IPO deal pipeline — at its peak — larger than Wall Street's entire venture-backed company today. I came to this stark realization only recently, when I looked at a half-page sheet of upcoming public technology offerings from all the investment banking firms. It's shocking to see. Our own deal sheet at Montgomery would always run onto a second page — and we were just one of the major firms at the time.
I am a firm believer that things can change. We can boost the pipeline of attractive offerings in today's market by looking at it as a three-legged stool so that we start to fill more pages.
Three-Legged Stool Beneath the IPO Ecosystem
I view the IPO market as a three-legged stool that needs to be supported by a specific triad of parts to stay stable. Two of the three are already in place. The first leg is represented by a huge crop of strong attractive growth companies. The second is based on a favorable regulatory environment due to the recent passage of the Jumpstart our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. The third leg involves the investment banking system, which is the leg that needs adjustment. Once the three are aligned together, I believe the market can be ripe for recovery.
Leg No. 1: An Abundance of Venture-Backed Innovative Growth Companies
From what I am seeing right now, there are an incredible number of entrepreneurs creating compelling growth companies. While there were significantly more IPOs in the 1990s, the number of private companies currently being built is about five times what it was during that time. For example, in 1991, there were 319 venture investments in the core areas of the technology we know today. In 2011, there were 1,825. Yet there are far fewer IPOs.
Today's entrepreneurs are defining massive, fast-growing markets that hardly existed 15 years ago, such as enterprise mobility, social marketing and big data analytics. They are also disrupting large established industries like travel, transportation and legal services. Compared to the 1990s, technology companies today have more sustainable, scalable models that can result in successful public companies in the long-term, where as we all know, only the strong will survive under the scrutiny of the public markets.
Companies today are vastly ahead of those I saw 20 years ago — stronger management teams, less capital intensive, bigger markets and better business models. An abundance of venture-backed innovative growth companies exists today. From this perspective, it is the best time ever. Therefore, the first leg of the stool is in full effect.
Leg No. 2: Favorable Regulatory Environment
Much of the previous regulatory clampdown (e.g., Sarbanes-Oxley and the Spitzer settlements) has been relieved under the JOBS Act. Now a smoother path exists to guide growth companies to go through the IPO process. This regulation has the potential to significantly affect the IPO process for smaller companies in a number of ways:
- Creating an IPO "on-ramp" for emerging growth companies (EGCs) with reduced SEC filing requirements
- Providing for realistic scaled disclosure, governance and accounting obligations for EGCs
- Relaxing restrictions on research analysts
- Allowing "testing of the waters"
- Allowing confidential IPO filings
Although there is now more flexibility, companies are not taking full advantage of the actions that are now allowed under the JOBS Act. While there are still some elements where the SEC needs to issue fuller guidelines, companies could be bolder and take advantage of the new laws.
Two of these areas — testing the waters and confidential IPO filings — are huge changes that companies should embrace. I'll explain.
Testing the waters offers a huge advantage to young companies trying to gain an understanding of potential market reception. Historically, a company had to rely on feedback from its lead investment bankers as to what the likely reaction of the institutional buyer would be. While the bankers offer a reasonable proxy, they are far less informative than real life dry runs with a few institutional buyers. The bankers, having sold hard to get the business, have a natural optimistic bias and a tendency to support the company's existing positioning. Testing of the waters is a terrific opportunity to explore the receptivity of the institutional buyer to the company, its positioning and target valuation. This can mitigate the risk of a disappointing or failed IPO. Amazingly, not everyone is doing this.
The confidential IPO filing is probably the most important change. Historically, EGCs were understandably concerned about showing their hand to competitors, suppliers and customers in an IPO filing unless they were quite sure that the IPO was going ahead. This created a certain caution by management teams. Now, companies can file confidentially and avoid these issues. They can get the clock rolling, work out any disclosure or accounting issues with the SEC, and only when they are ready to market the IPO do they need to show their hand. And this doesn't preclude the "dual tracking" of an IPO and an M&A exit. A company can announce that it has filed even though the contents of the filing are still confidential. Nothing wrong with having your cake and eating it, too! The confidential IPO filing is a no-brainer that should be embraced and will allow companies to file that otherwise would have been on the fence and waiting.
Leg No. 3: The Investment Banking System
And now for the area in need of the most improvement: The investment banking ecosystem, which will require some changes and adjustment to reach its full potential and further drive our IPO pipeline.
The healthy IPO market of the 1990s was in large part created by the "Four Horsemen" of the technology investment banking world: Montgomery Securities, Hambrecht & Quist, Alex Brown and Robertson Stephens. Along with the well-known "Bulge Bracket" firms, those four boutique banks drove most of the technology IPO business during that period. These firms were small, nimble and not afraid to take risks. While those specific firms no longer exist and there have been many changes to the investment banking landscape, there is still top talent at both large and boutique growth-oriented investment banks.
Those people who have the skills and knowledge to bring value to growth companies exist today, and I can think of a number of firms fully qualified to be the next "Four Horsemen." But even though we have the banks and the talent, the banking system still needs the economic incentive to get the banks more involved and motivated to bring companies public.
Currently, underwriting syndicates are being created in a way that dramatically limits the economic incentives to small firms. In the 1990s, the economics, or banking fees, were more favorably divided among the lead banks and the co-managers of the deal. In the current environment, a co-manager receives only 5 percent to 10 percent of the economics compared to 20 percent to 50 percent in the past. Therefore, most investment bankers are more incentivized to work on an M&A deal, because the fees are there. More money.
In addition, we have seen six to eight firms underwrite each of today's deals. I believe companies should hire one firm as lead and between two to four co-managers, and give all participants the economics to incentivize them to develop a great deal. We have the investment banks that can provide research and trading support, but better deal flow and attractive economics are required to make the engines run.
Finally, the banking industry needs to make adjustments in pricing strategies. During my career, I have learned that the psychology of maintaining momentum is essential to complete a successful IPO. At pricing, the perception is that you need to price at least slightly above the range or revised range to prove it was a "hot" deal. Just look at all the headlines of recent IPO pricings and you'll clearly recall who did well on day one.
Unfortunately, with some of the large IPOs that priced in 2012, the size of the deal and the price range was set too high. This has been problematic. It sets unachievable expectations and the deal becomes viewed as a failure and disappointment when it fails to meet those expectations. This is true not only for the IPO, but for a company's early future as a public company.
I believe not every deal needs to be huge and highly publicized, and changing our viewpoints toward this will help. We used to have a higher frequency of smaller-sized IPOs. In recent years, all the offerings have been viewed as either great or horrible, which creates a huge perception gap. It ultimately discourages institutional and individual investors alike from taking a position in a new IPO deal. But in the past, there was more of a bell curve and most IPOs were considered "moderately" successful and many went on to become great public companies. Today, we have a bimodal distribution.
The smallest category as we see in this chart is the "well-priced" deal, up modestly (up to 20 percent). Rather, the bigger categories are big winners or big losers.
Source: Dealogic
So what now?
While things are not going to change overnight, we can create a more fertile environment when the venture capital industry, investment banks and growth companies begin to collaborate and drive changes in the IPO ecosystem and get deals flowing again. My experience tells me it's possible. I've seen it before, and it can happen again, at an even greater scale, to become the most robust IPO market in history. We have been complaining for years that the IPO market is dead, but with a few small tweaks, it's here for the taking.
Sandy Miller is a General Partner with Institutional Venture Partners (IVP). He focuses on later-stage venture and growth equity investments in technology, Internet and digital media companies. He was recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 100 venture capitalists in the world by his inclusion in all of the Forbes Midas Lists since 2007.


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In sports, everyone is a winner—some people just win better than others. Like the NFL teams who beat another team just to win the right to play that same team again. Why did they even bother?
Three of the four first-round playoff games next weekend will be re-matches of games from Week 17, somehow making the final week of the regular season even more useless than you imagined. (They aren't even rematches of good games, since some of them weren't really trying.) Sure, I guess it was exciting to see half the AFC desperately jockeying for position on the season's final day ... until the Bengals rolled over later that night, making all previous efforts null and void. After all, what did Cincinnati care? They already had a guaranteed home game six days later, so why not get a free look at their future opponent and not actually break a sweat?
So what's the solution to tanked games, superstars taking a seat, and playoff chances riding on the hope that a team halfway across the country will actually give a crap about you and play hard? The NFL needs to implement flexible scheduling. No, not moving game times to suit TV networks. Change the opponents for Week 17 to generate more appropriate (and possibly hilarious) matchups.
Why not let Houston take a shot at the Jets, while Cincinnati and New England play chicken with the 3 and 4 seeds. Since Green Bay or Arizona could have actually benefited from it, why not let one of them try to take Minnesota down a peg, instead of the Giants, who were preoccupied with calls to the Carnival Cruise reservation line. It even works at the bottom of the standings, where Detroit and St. Louis could have had a puke-off for the No. 1 pick. (With David Stern as special guest referee.) Plus, any teams looking to protect their starters can simply forfeit the last game and throw their ticket holders a pizza party instead.
Confusing? Sure. But so is studying the sweat patterns on Donovan McNabb's jersey. How cute! A little smiley face!
It will be instant replay in first round of NFL playoffs [LA Times]
No favorite in this season's NFL playoffs [Dallas Morning News]
Wes Welker's injury, 2009 NFL Playoff favorites, more Week 17 [Peter King]
* * * * *
Here's are some other winners who did not win quite as big:
John Calipari: You know that scene at the end of The Godfather (spoiler!) when Kay looks back and realizes that Michael was now the true wielder of power and had become the very thing he swore to renounce? The Kentucky-Louisville game was a lot like that, only swarthier. [ESPN, Courier-Journal]
The Ephesians: Sure, the Corinthians get tons of buzz, but a endorsement from Tim Tebow carries a lot more weight than your cousin reading a few passages at a family wedding. [Huffington Post]
Chandler Parsons: He may be a slightly less celebrated Florida Gator, but he will never let his future grandkids hear the end of this. [The Dagger]
And the Weekend Loser?: You, because you spent three whole days dreading going back to work instead of enjoying your last few hours of freedom and now here you are, back at work, and where does the time go? Sucks, doesn't it?

subset: commoncrawl


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Before the next storm, look for tree problems
When storms hit, the trees in our yards are held in the wind's sway. And sometimes swaying leads to bending, breaking and uprooting.
If we get hit with another superstorm, there may not be much we can do but watch, with fingers crossed.
But before another big storm hits, tree experts say, a pre-emptive inspection of the trees near your home might save you and your property some damage. Here are a few ideas
1. Look for flaws. "Look for splits in the tree,'' said Mark Miller, Danbury's tree warden. "Look for cracks.''
If a tree has two main sections growing out of one trunk -- what foresters call opposing leaders -- check them for a weakness at the base.
"Look at any trees that are leaning toward your house,'' said Chris Martin, state forester with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
2. Look at the leaves out now. Martin said his office has been getting calls about maple trees with green leaves still predominating, except for one section, where the leaves are already starting to turn colors.
That probably means the branch leading to those leaves has been damaged in a previous storm and it's already weakened, he said. Removing it now might keep it from being blown down when a hurricane -- be it Jane, Phoebe or Natalie -- hits.
3. Look for existing hangers. Hangers are the branches that have been broken off by previous storms and are still lodged in branches above the ground. Tree cutters call them "widow makers'' for their propensity to fall on the people underneath them.
Martin said you can see hangers now, even with the foliage still out. "If you've got a green tree, but in one area the leaves are completely brown, that could be a hanger.''
Miller also said that after a big storm hits, you should go out on your property and look for damage.
"Look up,'' he said.
4. No touching. Martin said that if any tree in your yard has branches that brush against your house you should trim those branches and keep them away from structures.
He also said if you have a long driveway lined by both trees and utility wires, it would be good to have an inspection to make sure the lines are free of branches.
5. Think about tree disease. Don Dubois of Dubois Forestry and Land Management Professionals in Brooklyn, Conn., said if you've a got a hemlock tree that's been weakened by the hemlock woolly adelgid you should think about removing it if it's a hazard to your property.
"There a lot of ash trees in western Connecticut,'' Dubois said. "You're going to have to start thinking about the emerald ash borer."
6. Be a good land steward. If you're a landowner with a large woodlot, Dubois said, the best protection against big storms is to manage that woodlot properly.
"If you go in and take out the trees in decline, the superior trees that are left will be stronger and be able to withstand a storm,'' he said.
Dubois said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has a national program --EQIP -- that can help pay for that forestry. To learn more about it, go to the program's website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip/
"Municipalities can't use it,'' said Dubois. "But if you're a company, a land trust, a private landowner, you can.''


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intermedia Design Graphics is a New Media firm located in Toronto, Canada. We specialize in providing web design services and multimedia products for our clients. We also own Nexuscom Media, a company dedicated to creating custom web graphics, Flash objects, and sounds for new media developers.


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|Creeside Charcuterie
For years, I couldn't even pronounce the word 'charcuterie', let alone understand what it meant! However now that I have aged in years, I now know that 'charcuterie' is the branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products , such as bacon, ham, sausages, terrines, galantines, pâtés, and confit. Charcuterie, which translates from the French language as 'cooked flesh', was originally intended as a way to preserve meats before the advent of refrigeration, although nowadays they are prepared for the flavours that come from the preservation process.
A couple of months ago, my local farmers market announced that there was a new exhibitor heading our way. Our market already had a great range of local producers offering fresh fruit and veg, fish and shellfish, chicken, pork, beef, lamb, venison (which some folk think is dear, but I think reasonably priced), plus a wide range of speciality breads, home baking and fudge. After a little thought, it made perfect sense that the new kid on the block was Creeside Charcuterie, owned by Sarah Redman. The missing link?
I was excited to meet with Sarah when the market came to town mainly because it fell on the same weekend that I was hosting my famous tapas night, and hope that Creeside could supply me with some cured meats. The current range of products available include various pâtés and terrines, plus an incredibly more-ish hummus. Unfortunately for me, the range doesn't include Serrano style ham or chorizo sausage (yet), so I had to make do with the delicious Shepherds Pâté which fitted in very well with my cheese and meat selection.
Here's Sarah's story;
How did you get started?
In April 2012, having sold our large commercial dairy farm and ice-cream business in Cornwall, we opted for an easier life! We bought Creeside Farm, a 200 acre farm on the banks of the River Cree in the far corner of South Ayrshire. With my background in food (former chef and ice-cream maker) and hubby busy farming Black & Belted Galloway cows & sheep, I wanted to use local produce (and eventually our own home produced meat) to create an artisan product – Creeside Charcuterie was born.
What's the best piece of business advice you could give?
You need to enjoy what you are doing, believe in your product, be resilient and prepared for lots of hard work.
Where would you like to see your business in 5 years time?
Instead of cooking in my own kitchen I would like to convert one of our farm buildings (don't tell hubby!) and be able to produce terrines, parfait and pate for the wholesale market and sell direct to farm shops, deli's and small independent shops. I would also like to have an online shop and be able to provide a postal service too.
If you could only have one of your own products, what would it be & why?
My Chicken & Pistachio Terrine – it's something a bit different, looks amazing and tastes fab. I'd serve it with some local salad leaves, homemade bread and some of our own Red Onion Marmalade.
You can invite one person (living or dead) to your last meal – Who would it be and why? …and what's on the menu?
I would invite my husband. We both run busy businesses and have a young family so find that getting quality time alone together is very rare! I really don't mind what we have to eat as long as somebody else is doing the cooking and washing up! No matter what is on the menu, we must have plenty of champagne to accompany the meal.
I've now met Sarah a few times at the market and been able to sample most of the products available. Everything that I've tasted has been full of flavour, so with myself responsible for preparing Christmas dinner this year, I think that I may have to take the easy route and order a couple of tubs of the homemade chicken liver pâté for our starter. I'm sure that my guests won't mind if I take a little shortcut when they sit down to their Christmas lunch and get a taste themselves.


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Ilia Alshanetsky has posted the announcement about the release of the latest Release Candidate for the upcoming PHP 5.2.x series - PHP 5.2.1 RC3.
Since the last release, there are over 20 different bug fixes resolving some annoying engine issues such as the tempval leak inside foreach(). We do not anticipate any regressions to be introduced by this RC, but I would still like to ask everyone to take a few minutes and test it against their code base. If you come across any issues please report them at http://bugs.php.net/.
You can download these latest files here:


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Wednesday, December 02, 2020
Israel asks court to approve forcible transfer of entire Bedouin community
The Palestine Monitor
- September 26, 2017
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The Israeli government has asked the Supreme Court to approve plans to demolish an entire Palestinian Bedouin community. The government said the demolition should take place by mid-2018.
This would be the first time an entire Palestinian community is demolished since 1967. Khan al-Ahmar, home to 173 people, is located in Area C – the 60 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli control. The Israeli government considers the community's presence there illegal, and has issued demolition orders for all of its structures earlier this year.
The village is home to one of 20 Jahalin Bedouin communities at risk of expulsion due to Israeli settlement expansion in this area, strategically located between East Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim, the West Bank's largest settlement. Known as E1, an Israeli construction plan for this area has been frozen since 2009, following international outrage. The communities are made up of 2,300 Palestine refugees who were originally displaced by Israel in the 1950s.
Plans for this area, critics have argued, are aimed at linking Ma'ale Adumim to Jerusalem, therefore breaking the territorial contiguity of a prospective Palestinian state – and jeopardising the feasilibity of a two-state solution.
Abu Khamis, the mukhtar of Khan al-Ahmar, knows that his community has become a symbol of the Palestinian struggle to remain in their lands.
"There's proof this community has been here since 1967. We are only the first piece of the puzzle in the bigger picture," Abu Khamis told Palestine Monitor. "If they relocate this community, they will relocate all other communities in the area," he said, adding that he believes international pressure can help postpone the transfer – a strategy that has worked over the years, while leaving the community in a constant state of insecurity.
Residents of the nearby settlement of Kfar Adumim, together with the pro-settler organisation Regavim, have been filing petitions to evict the residents of Khan al-Ahmar and demolish its primary school - which serves 174 pupils from the village and five neighbouring communities - since 2009. Regavim, which is involved in other high-profile demolition cases in the West Bank, such as the village of Susyia in the South Hebron Hills, declares its mission to be "ensur[ing] responsible, legal, accountable & environmentally friendly use of Israel's national lands and the return of the rule of law to all areas", as stated on its website. The fourth and last petition was filed in 2016.
Unlike on previous occasions, the community's lawyer, Shlomo Lecker, is concerned that this time the court will accept the State's answer when asked to provide an alternative for residents. Israel plans to relocate them to lands near the Palestinian town of Abu Dis, in an area known as Jabal West.
"It's a symbolic act to please the right-wing," Lecker said, speaking at a meeting with representatives of NGOs and diplomatic missions last week.
Rghts groups have opposed these plans.
"While the government argues that the residents of Khan al-Ahmar will receive alternative housing, they will in fact be evacuated against their will for the benefit of settlers, and placed above the garbage dump in Abu Dis," said a statement from Israeli anti-settlement NGO Peace Now after the government submitted its answer to the Supreme Court on the settlers' petition on Monday. "This type of forceful evacuation of protected persons constitutes a severe violation of international humanitarian law."
"It appears that the forceful displacement of the residents of Khan al-Ahmar is a form of "compensation" for his right wing supporters for the upcoming evacuation of the Illegal outpost of Derech Ha'Avot, following a High Court ruling," the statement added.
B'Tselem said Israel was asking the High Court for "permission for commit a war crime."
"No sanctimonious language about a 'planning, proprietary and realistic' alternate, or 'time to prepare' can erase the disgrace or hide the facts: the destruction of Khan al-Ahmar means the forcible transfer of protected persons, and forcible transfer is a war crime," said Hagai El-Ad, B'Tselem's executive director.
Abu Khamis told Palestine Monitor that voluntarily moving to the proposed location is not an option, and that the community will continue to fight to stay.
Meanwhile, children at the "tyre school" nearby are taking a break and playing outside the classroooms. The school, which stands out as the only real building in the village with its painted mud walls – the rest are makeshift structures made of wood and corrugated iron – provides a safe space for children to play as well as study in this isolated desert community. Despite its location just off a highway a few kilometres from Jerusalem, the only road that leads to the village is an unpaved, winding track.
"Students here, some of them from nearby villages, know the school is at risk," said Halimeh Zahalka, the school's headteacher. "They keep asking their teachers whether they will continue coming to the area if the school is demolished."
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Transfer songs from your iPod or iPhone to your Mac or PC. And videos, podcasts, ringtones, books, photos, contacts, and texts too.
Transfer music, and everything else, from your iPod or iPhone to your Mac or PC. If you've lost the media collection on your computer, you can easily restore all the contents from your device using iRip 2 and its syncing assistant.
iRip 2 is not just for music. Transfer playlists, movies, TV shows, podcasts, ringtones, audiobooks, iBooks, and photos to your computer. Copy individual items or entire media libraries over to iTunes, or your desktop for easy archiving.
New in iRip 2.1, you can view and save contacts and text message conversations from your connected iPhone. Track down that important text and retrieve a phone number, all without leaving your desktop.
iRip 2 is not just for media transfer and recovery, it also lets you browse and preview the contents of your iPod or iPhone. Play music or view your photos and videos right off your device. iRip 2 is a desktop-sized window to your iPod or iPhone.
iRip 2 was designed with convenience in mind. Music and other media are copied directly into iTunes without the need to manually import files. iTunes-specific metadata such as play counts and purchase dates are also transferred over.
*iRip 2 for Mac requires Mac OS X v10.6 or later.


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Auto Publishers Price Starting at
*Based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your atual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid only) and other factors.VIEW OUR INVENTORY
Compact; efficient; versatile and full of new technology
The 2013 Ford Escape is a brand-new vehicle. Gone are the truck-like proportions and feel; now replaced by a modern functional and compact design hailing the new Escape as a truly global vehicle. Though still considered a small SUV, a much greater emphasis has been put on efficiency and clever design features than on previous models. The Escape is available with three engine choices and comes standard with front wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available with the more powerful engines.


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Named scholarships
When it comes to earning a college degree, the greatest obstacle can be funding.
For this reason, The University of Akron is pleased for the opportunity each year to assist talented, deserving students achieve their dreams, thanks to more than 1,300 named scholarships established through the kindness and generosity of thousands of UA alumni and friends, corporations, and foundations.
Scholarships truly are the best way to ensure that today's students persist to graduation. Scholarships allow students to enroll full time and remain focused on their studies; they also reduce drop-out rates, decrease the stress of student loans, and shorten the road to graduation.
The need for scholarships grows each year, however, as students continue to face an increased financial burden in pursuit of a college degree. In fact, 94 percent of today's baccalaureate students borrow to pay for college – versus just 45 percent in 1993. Across the country, the average college-related debt for borrowers in the class of 2016 was $37,172; for Ohio students, that figure was $30,239.
If you are interested in making a significant contribution to student success, please consider a gift to the MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND MOVING FORWARD scholarship campaign, which is the University's most important initiative. You may also establish a named scholarship at The University of Akron, which can be created to honor a living person, in memory of a loved one, or to contribute to the growth of an area of study.
To learn more, please contact the Department of Development at 330-972-7238.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
This is not the page to apply for scholarships.
Students who want to apply for scholarships should visit the scholarship page on the Financial Aid site.
The Department of Development does not accept applications for or distribute scholarships. Scholarships are distributed through the University's Office of Student Financial Aid.
Search for a Named Scholarship
McMorrow, Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Nursing Scholarship
The Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. McMorrow Nursing Scholarship was established in 1988 to provide assistance to either undergraduate or graduate nursing students. Qualifying recipients must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of at least 2.50 at the undergraduate level and 3.00 at the graduate level. Selection of the recipient(s) is determined by the College of Nursing Student Affairs Committee, and recommendation is made to the dean. The first award was made in fall 1988.


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Zaha seals late point for Palace
Wilfried Zaha snatched a point for new manager Neil Warnock as Crystal Palace emerged from a six-goal thriller at Newcastle with something to show for their efforts.
Zaha, on loan at the Eagles from Manchester United, struck five minutes into stoppage time at the end of a dramatic encounter at St James' Park just as is looked as though the Magpies had secured their first Barclays Premier League win of the season.
He and Newcastle counterpart Rolando Aarons lit up a nail-biting conclusion to the game with fine cameos after Daryl Janmaat and Aarons had cancelled out earlier efforts from Dwight Gayle and Jason Puncheon.
Wilfried Zaha earned a point for Crystal Palace
Mike Williamson's 88th-minute finish - his first goal for five years - looked to have secured the points, but Zaha dashed the home side's hopes in front of owner Mike Ashley and a crowd of 49,226.
Having failed to score in either of their first two league games and won in the Capital One Cup at Gillingham by virtue of John Egan's own goal, Alan Pardew knew victory against Palace was a must if he was to convince the club's fans that his new-look side have enough attacking threat.
But whatever his game-plans was, it was blown out of the water within 30 seconds as Gayle handed Warnock the perfect start to his reign, pouncing on the rebound after goalkeeper Tim Krul could only turn Marouane Chamakh's shot on to a post and blasting into the roof of the net.
The visitors, who were also looking for their first three-point haul of the campaign, predictably retreated deep inside their own half as the shocked Magpies started the process of fighting their way back into the game.
In a frustrating passage of play, the home side dominated possession, but simply could not find a cutting edge as lone striker Emmanuel Riviere was well-marshalled by the Palace rearguard, which repelled a series of insipid set-piece deliveries from Remy Cabella and Jack Colback with little difficulty.
Warnock's men might have increased their lead when the recalled Puncheon, whose infamous spat with his new manager appeared to have been forgotten, fired just over after a rare break.
However, as the half wore on, Newcastle started to make an impression, with Janmaat heading wide from a Cabella corner and Moussa Sissoko drilling inches past a post after enterprising set-up play by Siem de Jong and Riviere.
But the equaliser finally arrived seven minutes before the break from an unexpected source, and courtesy of a slice of good fortune.
Riviere laid off Cabella's ball into the box and it eventually fell to Janmaat, whose initial effort pinballed between defenders before the ball sat up nicely for him to stab past keeper Julian Speroni with the help of a deflection off defender Damien Delaney.
The Magpies had an opportunity to go in ahead at the break when Cabella squared a free-kick to Colback on the stroke of half-time, but the midfielder failed to celebrate his call-up to the England squad in style when he spooned his effort high over.
There is little doubt Pardew will have exhorted his troops to raise the tempo on their return, but in the event, they started just as sloppily and were made to pay once again.
Yannick Bolasie was allowed to pick up possession wide on the left and square for Puncheon, who controlled neatly before sending a volley across Krul and into the far corner.
Newcastle were almost caught out once again with 57 minutes gone when full-back Martin Kelly exploited the space left by opposite number Janmaat as he pushed forward to surge down the left before cutting inside and testing Krul from distance with a rasping drive.
But it took a good save by Speroni to deny Yoan Gouffran a 62nd-minute equaliser after De Jong had combined with Riviere to allow Colback to feed the Frenchman.
Pardew introduced Aarons in a bid to add much-needed invention, but it was fellow newcomer Zaha who almost extended his side's lead 18 minutes from time when he waltzed through the home defence before seeing his effort blocked by Krul.
But Aarons did make a swift impact two minutes later when he stooped to head home a second equaliser at the far post after Cabella's left-wing corner had been flicked on.
Zaha was proving to be a serious nuisance and he perhaps should have scored nine minutes from time when he blazed wide of the far post after Krul had parried his first attempt.
Williamson must have thought he had won it when he tapped home from close range after Aarons' audacious effort had come back off a post, but Zaha finally got it right to ensure it finished all square.
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Often imitated, never duplicated, the WHL's Calgary Hitmen's annual Teddy Bear Toss is the best spectacle in junior hockey, and it's for a good cause. Fans bring stuffed animals to the game, and upon the Hitmen's first goal, they're hurled onto the ice in an orgiastic torrent of plush. The bears are then donated to local hospitals and charities.
Yesterday was the 18th installment of the toss, and fans didn't have to wait long. Ukrainian Pavlo Padakin tapped the puck in at 13:27 in the first, and down came the bears.
"I didn't think it was like this ... not emotional," said the Calgary Hitmen's first-year winger, smiling.
"I thought maybe a couple bears. Not so much. But when they started to fall down, I said, 'Oh my god, what do I need to do?' I couldn't skate to the bench because all the ice was (covered) in bears."
The finally tally was 21,534 bears collected, pushing the total to more than 213,000 since 1999. Below, a video taken from the stands and run through some sort of weird filter to make it look like snow.
[Calgary Herald, via Puck Daddy]


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A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is relatively well distributed year-round in many areas with this climate, while others may see a marked reduction in wintry precipitation and even a wintertime drought. Snowfall, regardless of average seasonal totals, occurs in all areas with a humid continental climate and in many such places is more common than rain during the height of winter. In places with sufficient wintertime precipitation, the snow cover is often deep. Most summer rainfall occurs during thunderstorms and a very occasional tropical system. Though humidity levels are often high in locations with humid continental climates, it is important to note that the "humid" designation does not mean that the humidity levels are necessarily high, but that the climate is not dry enough to be classified as semi-arid or arid.
The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfa". (Hot Summer Continental Climate).
The average temperature for the year in Glenview is 50.6°F (10.3°C). The warmest month, on average, is July with an average temperature of 74.1°F (23.4°C). The coolest month on average is January, with an average temperature of 24.9°F (-3.9°C).
The highest recorded temperature in Glenview is 104.0°F (40°C), which was recorded in June. The lowest recorded temperature in Glenview is -24.0°F (-31.1°C), which was recorded in January.
The average amount of precipitation for the year in Glenview is 37.9" (962.7 mm). The month with the most precipitation on average is August with 4.6" (116.8 mm) of precipitation. The month with the least precipitation on average is January with an average of 1.8" (45.7 mm). There are an average of 128.4 days of precipitation, with the most precipitation occurring in November with 12.3 days and the least precipitation occurring in February with 8.1 days.
In Glenview, there's an average of 38.2" of snow (0 cm). The month with the most snow is January, with 11.9" of snow (30.2 cm).


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To ensure consistent source code in Compiz, the coding style from the existing code should be used in all patches and plug-ins.
The coding style used in Compiz is very similar to what's used in the X server.
Command line for calling the Indent program to format a source code file with settings close to the Compiz coding style:
indent -psl -saf -sai -saw -sob -i4 -bbo -bls -lp -di1 -pcs -bs -cs -bl -bli0 -cdb -sc -bad -bap -l78
However, David noted that this doesn't not produce the exact style:
The style in compiz is slightly different though. Function parameters are aligned and I usually align function parameter names and variable names too. I also cuddle up { in switch statements. Camel caps are used and I'm pretty strict with keeping all lines less than 80 columns wide. No extra whitespaces are allowed. Camel caps are not used for gtk code, like in gtk-window-decorator.c, underscores are used here to match gtk and cairo.
Names formed from multiple words are written in Camel``Caps in Compiz core and its plugins. This is just to match the style of Xlib and OpenGL functions.


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The Defense Department's mobile computing plans call for incorporating a variety of mobile platforms, a spokesman said, contrary to a recent report that DOD was moving entirely to iOS devices.
Earlier this week, the website Electronista, citing unnamed sources, reported that the Defense Department would be ordering over 650,000 iOS devices to replace all of its current devices, "following conclusion of the sequester."
That figure is actually slightly higher than the number of mobile devices the DOD has – just over 600,000 – many of which were probably bought within the last year. And the report was contrary to the Commercial Mobile Device Implementation Plan recently released by DOD. The plan covers strategy and capability goals, but it doesn't single out any one device either for inclusion or exclusion. Many of the pilot programs that DOD considered to help form the plan used different devices from different manufacturers, including at least one, U.S. Special Operations Command's program, that specifically used BlackBerry devices.
DOD spokesman Lt. Col. Damian Pickart, in response to the report, said the plan signifies inclusion of BlackBerry devices. "The department is aware of recent reporting that asserts it is 'dropping' BlackBerry," Pickart said. "This reporting is in error. The department recently released its mobility strategy and supporting implementation plan, which clarifies we are moving towards a mobile management capability that supports a variety of devices, to include BlackBerry. As clarified in the recent release of our Commercial Mobile Device Implementation Plan, we are working towards establishing a multi-vendor environment in support of DOD mobility strategy."
Pickart said the department is developing a "mobile device management capability and application store to support approximately 100,000 multivendor devices by February 2014." Of the over 600,000 devices being used in either operational or pilot environments, 470,000 are BlackBerrys, 41,000 are Apple iOS devices and 8,700 run the Android OS, he said.
BlackBerry also issued a statement saying DOD was testing its new BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 and the BlackBerry Z10 smart phone. "We are currently working with the Defense Information Systems Agency and anticipate Security Technical Implementation Guides and Security Requirement Guide approval for the BlackBerry Device Service, BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry PlayBook by early April," the company said.
Electronista is sticking by its original story and its source, despite DOD statements that "it is not from an official DOD source," according to a report in ComputerWorld.
Meanwhile, across the pond, BlackBerry also had to fend off reports that it had failed government security testing in the United Kingdom. The Guardian's website reported that the CESG (originally Communications-Electronics Security Group), the U.K. national authority for information assurance, had rejected the BlackBerry 10 software in the new Z10 handset.
This was determined to be in error, as CESG quickly released a statement saying, "Discussions with BlackBerry are ongoing about the use of the BlackBerry 10 platform in government. We have not yet performed an evaluation of the security of the platform, but we expect to be issuing Platform Guidance in the summer."
BlackBerry agreed completely in its official statement: "Media reports alleging that BlackBerry 10 has been 'rejected' for U.K. government use are both false and misleading."
The Guardian has since retracted the original story.
About the Author
Greg Crowe is a former GCN staff writer who covered mobile technology.
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I'm pleased and proud to announce the upcoming officially licensed SNK Book: NEOGEO: A VISUAL HISTORY ネオジオ〜目で楽しむ軌跡〜
For a good while now I've been working with Bitmap Books (@bitmap_books) to produce a book that documents the official history of the Neo-Geo focusing in particular on the design and art of SNK/Neo-Geo.
I've not been working on this alone, two respected members of this forum, Massimiliano (Massi) and NeoTurfmasta have also been key contributors and their input has been invaluable many thanks guys.
For those of you who haven't heard of Bitmap Books, Sam Dyer has produced a number of quality high quality publications notably on the Commodore 64, Super Famicom and very recently the NES/Famicom: a visual compendium. His work and design is of such a high standard, SNK were happy based on an initial concept pack to trust Sam to create a product which is befitting of the Neo-Geo.
In keeping with other Bitmap Books, this will be in hardback form however the quality has been lifted even higher to ensure this really is the ultimate Neo-Geo book.
It will feature an initial history section and then move on to game art, concept works, box art, advertising and stunning high quality photos of SNK hardware and the software. The book will conclude with interviews from key personnel at SNK - Yasuyuki Oda, Tatsuhiko Kanaoka (Falcoon) and Hideki Asanaka (Sha-V) and a round table interview with Massi, Brian and I.
The book will be A4 format and will be available in both standard edition and a collectors edition which will come in a metallic gold slipcase.
We expect the book to be available for pre-order in May 2017 with a publication data of Summer 2017.
Announcement notice here: http://eepurl.com/cCq7Vj
Im sure there will be a lot of interest in this book worldwide. I will be online for the next few hours and will aim to answer any questions.
Many thanks,


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Filter results
Antibiotics for pets
Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria. They don't help with infections caused by other bugs such as viruses.
Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) poisoning
Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is a very common poison in dogs and cats. It's a very toxic substance so even a small amount can do a lot of damage to several vital organs.
Arthritis in cats
Arthritis (osteoarthritis) is a very common condition that causes painful, swollen joints and makes moving around uncomfortable.
Aural Haematoma in cats
An aural haematoma is a blood blister that forms inside the ear flap when a blood vessel bursts. They often form because your cat has been shaking their head or scratching their ear.
A cat's claws and teeth are covered in bacteria, if they bite or scratch each other it's very likely that an infection will develop.


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If you look at this bands history, they actually formed before The Rolling Stones. However, their 1st album came out in 1965, after the Stones 1st.
Anyway, these guys are still going strong in The Netherlands, constantly selling out shows. They had a hiatus year in 2000. Other than that, they have never stopped. More than can be said about most bands.
They released another new studio album this year, titled (ahem) Tit's 'N Ass. The music is unmistakably Golden Earring.
Give them a spin. They deserve the recognition.
A few tunes (of many) that come to mind are, 'She Flies On Strange Wings', 'Going To The Run', '(Kill me) Ce Soir', 'The Devil Made Me Do It', 'Pouring My Heart Out', and 'I Can't Sleep Without You'.
Thanks. Hope you consider it.
Golden Earring. Rock's best kept secret. Should now be told!!
Dan Lynch


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Today I'm excited to be able to share with you a look into the U.S. national Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign for 2014. A heads up to those who may not know, every April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and NSVRC provides free tools and materials to support the incredible SAAM activism that happens across the country. By January of 2014 resources will be shared with the world on our website and through our mailing list. (You can contact firstname.lastname@example.com if you'd like to be added to our SAAM mailing list).
From January through April we actively highlight, share and promote SAAM and prevention activities on our website, blogs, and social networks. Really, we do this throughout the year, but it gets a whole lots tealer for SAAM. FYI, teal is the color that traditionally symbolizes SAAM (but we encourage you to break out the whole crayon box and forget the lines on the page when it comes to activism).
Coming soon
Back to SAAM 2014! Each year our resources tend to center around a theme chosen with insight from conversations with and trends in the field. In the past the themes have corresponded to specific populations like college campuses, or themes have related to concepts like engaging bystanders and sexual violence in the workplace. For the past two years we've talked about healthy sexuality, and it's been a positive splash in our prevention work. Healthy sexuality is an approach to sexual violence prevention that provides individuals and communities with information and skills to express sexuality in positive, life-enriching ways. In 2012 SAAM resources covered healthy sexuality 101, and in 2013 round two focused specifically on child development. For SAAM 2014 we are very excited to be offering our third and final installment of the "It's time to talk about it" healthy sexuality campaigns, and this year the campaign focuses on healthy sexuality and young people.
SAAM 2014 theme: Healthy sexuality & young people
It's time... to talk about it! Your voice. Our future. Prevent sexual violence.
The upcoming campaign will provide tools on healthy adolescent sexuality and engaging youth. This April, use your voice to impact our future. Everyone has a role to play, and we are excited to share tools to promote a healthy foundation for relationships, health and sexual violence prevention. Along the way to April be sure to stayed tuned on the blog for updates. It's never too early to get excited for April, prevention and resources in English and Spanish.
Be sure to share your thoughts with us too! Leave a comment below to let us know what you think about this year's campaign theme.


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1 Is my personal information safe?
We only retain the information you provide us with when you register or place an order, such as your name and address. We DO NOT store or have access to your bank card details which are all dealt with by Barclaycard. We will not trade, sell or rent your personal information to any third party. We treat your privacy seriously and will not contact you using the details you have provided unless it concerns the order you have made or if you have opted to receive our newsletter. For more information regarding the security of your personal information please see our Privacy Policy.
2 Is it safe to use my credit or debit card on your website?
Our website uses industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to provide the encryption of your personal information. This protects the information being passed between your computer and ours. Please note, we do not retain your card details and all transactions using our website are made directly with our secure payment provider.
3 How do I find the costume I want?
If you know the costume you want, for example "Batman", then simply enter that into the search bar, which is located on the top right hand corner and hit search. This will bring up all our costumes linked to Batman.
If you want a Licensed costume from Rubies, then simply click on Rubies before choosing between the Ladies' or Mens' and then look through all the great licensed costumes. These are also displayed under the generic themes i.e. Dreamgirlz or Pirate.
If you just know the theme you want, for example 20's – 30's, then go to the menu on the left hand side of the page and select Ladies' or Mens', then click on the appropriate category. This will show you all the costumes relevant to that theme.
Remember if you don't see exactly what you are looking for or it's not in your size, contact us by phone or email, we're here to help!
4 What happens if an item is out of stock?
Our website should only show products in sizes that are available from our stock. If you order something which is out of stock we will contact you via phone or email to let you know when it will be back in stock, offer you an alternative or if you wish provide you with a full refund. We appreciate this can be frustrating and we do all we can to prevent it from happening but if it does we generally offer you a discount code for future use as a way of saying sorry!
5 How do I place an order on your website?
Once you have found that costume you have been looking for:
Check to see if it's made in the size you want by referring to the Manufacturer's Size Guide just below the description on that costume's page. Now you know the size you need, check to see if it's in stock by opening up the size drop down menu under Product Options. If it's shown on this menu it's available so click the green "Add to Basket" which takes you to the page showing your shopping cart. Here you can add any of the suggested accessories or if you wish you can continue shopping simply by selecting a category or searching again. Any time you wish to return to your shopping cart simply click on the word "Cart" in the top right corner.
The Cart page allows you to select the shipping you want, it automatically defaults to the standard UK Express £2.99, but you can select the delivery option you require. It also allows you to add any discount code you may have, simply by typing it in the "Offer Code" and hitting the orange "Apply" button. This then automatically deducts the discount from your total when you checkout.
You can also empty your cart and start again if you want to.
Once you have finished shopping click on the "Checkout" tab which takes you to the signing in page where, if this is your first time shopping with us, you can create your account. This makes future shopping trips easier and allows you to review your orders and wish list amongst other things.
Step 2 is the delivery address page where you confirm your address or enter an alternative one. If you're using your billing address just click on "Continue to next step 3" under billing address. If you wish to have it delivered somewhere else, just complete the new address section and click on "Submit".
Step 3 is Payment details, where if you have a discount code but haven't entered it yet you can. It is also the final chance to check your order before placing it, so please check the contents and shipping are correct. If you're happy with your order then click on next which places your order with us and takes you to the secure Barclaycard payment page where you enter your card details etc.
6 Do you deliver to outside the UK?
Yes. At the moment we deliver to some countries outside the UK please check the drop down menu to select your country. If it is not shown there please contact us for availability and price. Unfortunately due to our business insurance we are unable to sell to the USA.
7 Can I purchase a costume for someone else and have it sent to them?
Yes, all you need to do is provide an alternative billing address when you reach step 2 (see Q5 above). Please note in order to prevent credit card fraud we may contact you and ask for further identity information.
8 A costume I bought is now cheaper; can I get a refund of the price difference?
Fancy Dress Forever reserves the right to change, alter or amend their prices at any time without prior notice. We always try and provide you with the best value possible, but if the price of a costume is reduced after an order is made, we cannot refund the difference. If the price of an item is decreased or indeed increased on our website the listed price at the time of sale is the final price.
9 How do I know which size to choose?
Each costume has its own page where you will find a description and a size chart based on information provided by the manufacturer. We will also add notes if we are aware of any further size guidance.
10 What if the costume does not fit?
We do supply a size guide for each costume to assist you in finding the most appropriate size. However, should you find your costume does not fit, we will be happy to exchange the costume for a different size (P&P at the customers expense) or refund you the cost of the costume. Please read our Returns Policy for full details.
11 What are the washing instructions for my costume?
Our costumes are made from a variety of materials, sometimes more than one and usually feature printed or embossed emblems etc on them, so cleaning them with care is important. Wherever possible we pass on the cleaning instructions provided by the manufacturer, where these are not available we suggest you take the costume to dry cleaners and ask their advice. For hygienic reasons we are unable to refund a costume that has been worn, even when it has been cleaned.
12 What if the product is faulty?
Please contact our customer services team via email : firstname.lastname@example.com. or by phone on 01245 226021 and let us know what the problem is. Please read our Returns Policy for full details.
13 My card payment is being rejected online?
Please don't worry this simply means that some of the information you are inputting is either incorrect or missing. Please make sure all the mandatory fields are filled in correctly and if you are still having problems just contact our customer services team on 01245 226021 or by email: email@example.com and we will call you back.
14 Can I cancel an order?
If you have not gone beyond step 3 and paid for your order then you can cancel it simply by clicking on "Cart" to return you to your cart page and then "Empty Shopping Cart".
If you have paid for the goods and then wish to cancel you should contact us immediately and if the order has not been shipped we will cancel it and offer a full refund. We do our best to have a very quick turn around between order and dispatch and once the order has been shipped we cannot cancel it. If you do not want the costume you will need to let us know and return it in line with our returns policy.
15 The order confirmation email I should have received hasn't arrived?
Please check your junk mail folder as with some providers such as Hotmail this is where they end up! If you still haven't received one let us know and will send you another.


text: In areas where there is a high amount of mechanized traffic, TMI's offset double ribbed PVC can be used to ensure that the strip door remains clearer, longer. The ribs on the PVC serve as the primary point of impact on the door so that when forklifts pass through, the ribs absorb the shock, keeping the PVC clear. Additionally, the ribs serve as a thermal barrier, creating pockets of air that provide added layers of insulation. TMI's standard offset double ribbed PVC reduces drag as objects pass through and ensures that the strips do not stick together. These strips can be used in indoor and outdoor applications and will remain effective in temperatures ranging from 0°F to 150°F.


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Looking for our responsibly sourced white goose down? Try our Down Pillow
- MicronOne Allergen & Pest Free pillow shell
- Down-like Cooling Gel Fiber
- Hypoallergenic (dust mite + allergy resistant)
- Single Ply Long-staple 100% Cotton 280 Thread Count Percale weave pillow protector shell with hidden zipper
- White satin piping
- Breathable
- 30 Day Sleep Guarantee
- Best Pillow for Side/Back Sleepers
- Made in Turkey
Free U.S. Shipping
On all orders, even the little ones
Free Returns
You don't snooze, we lose
Financing Available
Make easy monthly payments. No hidden fees
MicronOne® technology is the only material that is scientifically proven to block out all bed bugs and micro-toxins down to one micron.
Dust-mite Free
Due to MicronOne®, rest assure that you won't be sharing your pillow with any dust mites.
Our Fabric undergoes rigorous cleaning and testing from a third party to ensure it's free of chemicals and irritants.
Bed Bug Free
Due to MicronOne®, rest assure that you won't be sharing your pillow with any bed bugs.
Water Resistant
Using water resistant technology for this pillow shell ensures that those late night drinks in bed won't ruin your Pillow.
Chemical Free
We do not use any harsh chemicals in any of our product or dye.
Down-like Cooling Fiber Gel
The perfect down-like fill to use for your Pillow. We came up with our exclusive gel fiber fill which feels & performs just like down
Our FIl undergoes rigorous cleaning and testing from a third party to ensure it's free of chemicals and irritants.
100% Cotton
We use only the finest 100% Cotton for all our Cotton Products. Cotton is known to be extremely absorbent, soft and durable.
We chose a breathable fabric which allows for airflow between the fabric and fill.
Single Ply Long Staple
Single-ply yarn produces the finest, strongest threads. It can only be spun from long-staple cotton, and results in light, soft, yet extremely long-lasting fabric.
Ready To Order, But Still have Questions?
How long can I expect my pillow to last?
As a rule of thumb, you should replace your synthetic-filled pillows about every two years, however, check out our care instructions on how to keep your Pillow Guy Down Alternative Pillow lasting fresh and longer. A good way to test to see if it's time for a new pillow is by folding your pillow in half and put a shoe on top (maybe clean it first) If the shoe flips off, your pillow is good.
How soon will my pillow be shipped after I place an order?
Pillow Guy is a vertically integrated company, which means we control the process from production all the way until we ship out the product. We have on own warehouse located in near Los Angeles, CA where we ship your bedding from. All orders received before 9am PST will be shipped out same day so depending on where you live it can take anywhere from 2-5 business day to receive your bedding.
What if I am unhappy with my purchase?
Although we really doubt that you'll be unhappy with Pillow Guy products, we understand that bedding does boil down to personal preference so we won't make it uncomfortable at all when it comes to returns. If for any reason at all you'd like to return (you actually don't even need to give us a reason) within 30 days of purchase, all you have to do is email email@example.com or call us at 1.844.745.5694 and we'll email you a prepaid return shipping labels. You will receive a full refund once we receive the product back at our warehouse.
Are these pillows really as good as everyone says?
Ummm YES! We've spend hundreds of hours of R&D and actual live human testing to make sure these are really amazing pillows, not just quality but comfort. We challenge you to try them risk free today. If you're not totally satisfied, ship them back within 30 days and you'll receive a full refund.
Customer Reviews
This is the best pillow I've ever slept on. Have slept good since getting this pillow.
Pillow and Weighted blanket has been a game changer to sleeping habits!!
I went from using 2 pillows that I constantly had to fluff, to just this one. Might buy a 2nd one just for max comfort.
I decided to treat myself and I'm so glad that I did. It was so good, I just ordered two new pillows for the guestroom. Unsurpassed quality, quick shipping, and so much joy every night. Keep up the good work.
Sleeping better, not waking up multiple times a night. Love it!


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- About Port Colborne
- Accommodations
- Getting Here
- Leisure & Attractions
- Library
- Museum
- Roselawn Centre
- Shopping & Dining
- Sugarloaf Marina
- Things to do...
- Travel Guides and Brochures
- FAQs
- Contact Us
Popular Shots
Shopping & Dining
Good treasures and great food await you!
The City of Port Colborne provides an abundance of opportunity for both shoppers and diners alike. Visitors from the United States will find incredible value too. Read more about currency exchange and sales tax rebates below.
You'll find a decent selection of antiques & collectables stores, galleries, greenhouses & nurseries, gift shops, clothing & fashion stores, and shopping plazas.
Looking for that special something? Take a stroll down Historic West Street and through Old Humberstone and enjoy our diverse selection of charming boutiques! On Friday mornings join the locals for the Farmers' Market at the Market Square and enjoy the sights and smells of a traditional Farmers Market.
We invite you to visit Port Colborne and enjoy the wonderful experiences that await you.
Visit our Business Directory to search for specific types of stores.
Go out to eat in Port Colborne! Whether you are in the mood for a gourmet meal in an intimate heritage dining room, fresh seafood at a breezy outdoor café, or a cool ice cream cone from one of Canada's original Dairy Queen's, you can find a delicious meal or a tasty treat to satisfy every taste.
If nightlife is on the menu, you will see our pubs come alive in the evening with great music, friendship and cheer. Downtown our licensed establishments cater to your comfort with hospitable surroundings that make for a memorable evening. Make new friends with our engaging citizens or enjoy good times with old friends. It's your choice...
Your table is waiting for you ….. In Port!
Visit our Restaurant Directory to view your dining options.
Currency Exchange
Visitors to Canada should use Canadian funds. Currently the US dollar enjoys a high premium in Canada. Rates of exchange vary from establishment to establishment.
As there are no laws enforcing the rate of exchange on foreign currency, it is wise to change money at a bank or reputable currency exchange. Currency exchange offices are conveniently located at most travel centres at the US/Ontario border, they offer a good rate of exchange and are open daily. A good rate of exchange is also offered at the currency exchanges at our international airports and at all financial institutions.Banks are generally open 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Thursday; to 6:00pm on Fridays. There are a number of financial institutions in Port Colborne's Downtown Business District.
Sales Tax Rebates
An 8% provincial sales tax (PST) applies to most purchases. An additional 5% federal goods and services tax (GST) applies to most purchases of goods and services.
In April, 2007, the Government of Canada cancelled the Visitor Rebate Program, which reimbursed GST paid by individuals on accommodations and goods purchased while in Canada on holidays. It has been replaced with the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program, which reimburses GST paid for certain goods, services, and accommodations in Canada while the visitor is in Canada with a registered tour operator or at a registered convention. Please consult with your tour operator or convention organizer to discuss eligibility for this program.


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Steven Spielberg's alien invasion show Falling Skies will show off the alien invaders in the opening moments of the first episode, judging from footage we saw at Wondercon.
We saw four clips from the first couple episodes of Falling Skies, and they showcased post-apocalyptic drama, huge explosions and stunts, and even some teen romance. It certainly looked like it could be a fun ride. Spoilers ahead...
So we learned quite a bit more of the backdrop of Falling Skies, from the clips we watched and the Q&A during the panel. The show takes place six months after the start of the alien invasion – which began with an electro-magnetic pulse that took out everything with a transistor. The aliens wiped out our military and our cities, and now they're taking all of the teenagers alive so they can implant weird mind-control devices into the backs of their necks and make them into a workforce.
In the clips we watched, we glimpsed both the fight against the aliens and the ways in which the civilians try to carry on their lives. The aliens are Skitters – six-limbed giant bugs with tusks and mandibles – and they also have mechs, which are two-limbed walkers that may be robots or just vehicles. In the battle scenes we witnessed, the only light comes from the aliens – they have search lights, they have lasers which fry people instantly. The humans have guns and, in one case, a jury-rigged truck, but they're mostly fumbling in the darkness and the smoke, running from the light.
In one scene, we saw Noah Wyle's character and his son (Drew Roy) on a botched mission which leads to them running for their lives, as a barricade falls. And as the barricade falls, we learn that Boston itself may have just fallen to the aliens. And in another scene, Wyle and company lead a raid to try and get back some of the teenagers that have been kidnapped and enslaved by the aliens – but it goes horribly wrong.
Meanwhile, we also saw Wyle's younger son drawing crayon drawings of the alien attack (as seen in some of the trailers) and working through his feelings. We got to see Moon Bloodgood's pediatrician character trying to do triage and treat a bunch of wounded adults. (She asks Wyle what they're going to do next, and he says, "Retreat, regroup, return, revenge.") And we see Wyle's older son having a tender moment with one of his several love interests in the show's first season.
Here's a brief clip that was just released online:
Click to view
A big theme in the Q&A was the idea that the resistance fighters in the show are ordinary people, mothers and fathers and kids, who are struggling to become a fighting force. They have to put aside their differences, and even work with ex-criminals, to get the job done.
One of the show's producers, former Lost writer Melinda Hsu Taylor, explained just how this series will be different from the "magical island" romp. For one thing, the characters don't have any secret pasts – they're pretty much exactly who they seem to be, and the mysteries are about the aliens. For another, there will be no flashbacks whatsoever.
Another touchpoint for this show: the movie Saving Private Ryan. The show's pilot was written by Robert Rodat, who wrote Private Ryan, and the show has a similar feeling – it focuses on a handful of characters who are taking part in the fight without knowing the big picture or any grand strategy. The main difference between Private Ryan and Falling Skies, of course, is that the Allies did have a plan to defeat the Axis – and the humans in Falling Skies are hopelessly outclassed against the superior alien forces.


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Court appearance set for boy accused of setting Lewiston blaze
75 displaced by fire
A court appearance has been scheduled for the 12-year-old boy accused of setting Monday's massive blaze in Lewiston.
The fire destroyed three buildings and displaced 75 people.
Click here for photos from the fire.
Investigators announced on Thursday that the boy had been arrested and charged with three counts of arson. They said he did allude to a motive, but investigators would not say what the motive was.
The boy is scheduled to appear in Lewiston District Court on Monday at 1 p.m.
Investigators said the boy started the fire near a back porch at 105 Blake St. Monday afternoon.
Two of the three buildings destroyed by the fire have been torn down.
Cleanup crews are now dealing with asbestos in the shingles that once covered the apartment buildings.
The debris will be trucked to a landfill in Old Town.
Melissa Heikkinen spent several nights at the Super 8 Motel, thanks to the American Red Cross. Now, she and her fiance have found a new apartment and plan to move in this weekend. She's spent some time, however, thinking about the sentimental things that were lost in the fire.
"My high school ring -- the last thing my mom got me before she died. I was the only one of six kids to graduate, so that's gone. I can never replace that," said Heikkinen.


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Mike Florio have a look at whether players will be permitted to go out of their 2020 year, why they ought to have the ability to take time to make this choice and what's going to occur if players do determine. #NBCSports Number ProFootballTalk #NFL
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Florio: Players should Have the Ability to determine of NFL season anytime | Pro Football Talk | NBC Sports


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JMRC CRA Result 2017 announced at www.jmrc.gov.in website. JMRC Result, Cut Off, Merit List, & Interview Date 2017 Released Official Website at www.jmrc.gov.in. JMRC CRA Result 2017: Hello Aspirants!!! Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation conducted examination for recruit of c9 Posts in various centers throughout India. Now all the candidates are eagerly waiting for JMRC CRA Results 2017. For that reason here we are with you to give the complete information about release date of JMRC CRA results 2017.
JMRC CRA Exam Results 2017 at www.jmrc.gov.in:
The JMRC CRA Scorecard 2017 contains the marks of the candidate obtained in the online examination/Written Examination. In addition to this, it will display the Govt jobs sectional marks as well as overall marks of the candidates achieved in the online examination/Written Examination. Candidates can download their CRA Scorecard 2017 JMRC with the release of the results. So Candidates should stay in tuned with the official website in order to obtain their JMRC CRA Result Cut off Marks 2017.
|JMRC CRA Exam 2017 Quick Summary
|Name of Authority:
|Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation
|Official Website:
|Result Published Date:
|No of Posts:
|Various Posts
|Name of the Posts:
|Selection Procedure:
|Written Exam, Interview
|Exam Date:
|Result Status:
Steps to download JMRC CRA Result 2017
- Candidates who want to download JMRC CRA Result 2017 must visit the official website www.jmrc.gov.in
- Find the JMRC CRA Result 2017 Link
- Aspirants Use Registration Number/Roll Number, Password/Date of Birth for downloading the Result.
- Now your JMRC CRA Result 2017 will be displayed.
- Download and Save your Result.
- Take Print out for Future Reference.
JMRC CRA Result 2017: Click Here
JMRC CRA Merit List 2017:
The JMRC Recruitment 2017 has released its notification. The board has a total of various vacancies for the post of CRA. So, a huge number of applicants had applied for this post. However, candidates had to meet eligibility criteria, age limit. The mode of application was online. Cut off marks is the base marks and it is a minimum mark a candidate must score to qualify for further rounds.
Cutoff Details 2017 JMRC CRA:
CRA Result 2017 is provided only to aspirants attended the exams. And, it is the board who prepares the JMRC CRA Exam Results 2017 and the list is displayed clear with the name of the candidate without any ambiguity. Based on the performance in the exams the candidates can view the marks scored in each section.
Result Published Date for JMRC 04:
Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation has issued a notification for the recruitment of JMRC Vacancy at Various posts. Interested candidates may apply by Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation. .It is time to say goodbye to all of your worried because if you are chosen for this CRA in the JMRC. Candidates can download their CRA Scorecard 2017 JMRC with the release of the results.
Download JMRC CRA Merit List 2017
Who are searching for JMRC CRA Exam Result 2017, also check merit list & cut off from www.jmrc.gov.in Website. Soon after completing an exam, candidates become so impatient about their result that they start finding it on the internet, so we thought to give all of them some needful information about the JMRC CRA 217 Result.
Result Date for JMRC CRA Exam 2017
Get JMRC CRA Exam Marks here!!! The JMRC Written Exam held on 31.05.2017. Those aspirants who will participate in this examination for getting job in this organization on CRA Post they may check JMRC CRA Result 2017


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Imagine opening your mailbox to a hand addressed envelope. In a world of emails and text messages choosing, preparing and sending a good old fashioned greeting card by good old fashioned snail mail with a stamp on it is just as delightful as receiving one. Here's to sharing the delight and adding a spot of joy to our friends' and families' mailboxes…
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Two former derivatives traders at Investec have lost a case against their former employer over £6.3 million in unpaid bonuses.
UK High Court Judge Mr Justice Leggatt today dismissed Andrew Brogden and Robert Reid's claim against their former employer, ordering them to pay costs. He denied leave to appeal the ruling.
Brogden and Reid, previously head and deputy head of structured equity derivatives, respectively, at Investec, had claimed the bank failed to honour an unwritten bonus agreement for the 2010/2011 financial year.
David Van Der Walt, chief executive of Investec in London, said in a statement: "We are delighted with this result. Investec had to take a stand in this matter, we had to do the right thing by our shareholders and our dedicated employees. This was a baseless claim, and an unwarranted attack on our institution, our culture and values.
"The judge had rejected the claims in their entirety and found that we operate a fair and rational bonus system which rewards those who generate returns for our stakeholders and clients."
Mr Justice Leggatt called the explanations for the claimants lack of evidence "fanciful", according to documents citing the ruling, adding that Brogden's account of events "does not stand a moment's serious scrutiny" and that the "claimants own evidence does not support the case".
Doyle Clayton Solicitors, representing Brogden and Reid, declined to comment.
The case began at the UK's High Court in mid-July.
The pair said they joined Investec from Santander in 2007 on the understanding that their bonuses would be calculated using a so-called 'economic value added' (EVA) formula that would not reference their desk's profit and loss figure.
Brogden and Reid each received bonuses in excess of £1 million during their first few years at the bank - they were £6.2 million and £3.8 million at highest point in 2007/08 - according to court documents. However, the figures dropped to discretionary sums of £150,000 and £100,000 in the year 2010/11, when Investec said its structured equity derivatives desk operated at a loss.
In their amended points of claim form, Brogden and Reid alleged that Investec either made a "genuine" mistake in calculating EVA for that year, or deliberately did not calculate as agreed. The pair claimed that Investec calculated EVA for their desk to be (minus) -£8.7 million for the financial year 2010/11, while Brogden calculated figures based on EVA to the sum of £37.1 million.
Investec denied that there was a verbal agreement with Brogden and Reid prior to their employment that their bonuses would be calculated using a separate EVA formula and not be tied to profit and loss.
During the trial Mr Justice Leggatt disputed the argument that the acronym EVA was a common term used in financial markets and pointed to the dangers of operating each desk as a separate silo. "What it shows is that you can't run an organisation as if it is a collection of independent businesses," he said in court last week.


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All Items : Head Vases : Pre 1980 item #1060239 (stock #M-9919)
Everyday Things
Marked as Relpo 5598. It is 7 1/2 inches in height. There are no chips, cracks, breaks or rough rims. There is some loss to the finish. The previous owner has tried to touch up loss to the nose. There is some stray manufacturing spots of paint. The price reflects the condition. Additional photos by email. I need your zip code to calculate the postage.
All Items : Head Vases : Pre 1960 item #498786 (stock #M-5708)
Everyday Things
Marked USA 810. 6 1/2" in height and 4 1/4" in width. Please look at photo carefully to see a fired-in dark dot on the hand. They are smooth and appear to be in the finish. There is an area on the rim base that I am not sure of what it is, because it doesn't appear to be damage. I will provide a close-up photo of this area, as well as any area of concern. One tiny flake on the rim of the vase area. I need your zip code to calculate the postage.


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How H.R. 2542 Ends Conservation Rules in Farm Subsidy Programs
Deal Breaker
How H.R. 2542 Ends Conservation Rules in Farm Subsidy Programs
Since 1985, agricultural lawmakers have defended payment of more than $108 billion in federal subsidies to farmers by arguing that the payments help to protect the environment. In order to receive subsidies, farmers must abide by soil and wetlands protections. This "deal" between farmers and taxpayers would be broken by the "Conservation Consolidation and Regulatory Reform Act" (H.R. 2542). As introduced by Rep. Wayne Allard (R-CO) and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), H.R. 2542 would severely, permanently and immediately weaken Federal farm conservation safeguards, though taxpayers will continue to spend billions of dollars on farm subsidies over the next 7 years or longer.
H.R. 2542 effectively repeals the conservation provisions of the 1985 and 1990 farm bills. It completely severs the link between federal farm subsidies and basic soil conservation requirements. It sets the stage for a major rollback of wetlands conservation laws. It forces federal taxpayers to become perpetual renters in order to obtain any lasting benefits from conservation spending. It shuts out the public from the oversight and enforcement of conservation programs.
In short, H.R. 2542 does to USDA conservation programs what "regulatory reform" did to health, safety and environmental standards. Not only would the bill weaken standards for soil conservation and wetlands protection, it would actually force taxpayers to subsidize soil and wetlands loss, while wasting a full decade of conservation spending.
As it is currently drafted, H.R. 2542 is silent on agriculture's main wetlands conservation program, the "swampbuster" provision of the 1985 and 1990 farm bills, which makes wetlands protection a requirement for eligibility for federal farm subsidies. A preliminary draft of the bill would have repealed swampbuster, completely severing the link between federal farm subsidies and wetlands protection. Although a repeal of swampbuster was not included in the bill as introduced, EWG expects significant weakenings of the swampbuster program during subcommittee and full committee markup of H.R. 2542.
Passage of H.R. 2542 would undermine the claim that the public is receiving any tangible benefit whatsoever from farm subsidy programs. Ironically, if H.R. 2542 removes a major justification for farm program spending, if will further undermine public suport for agricultural assistance generally. H.R. 2542 eliminates USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) as an independent agency.
- No independent voice. NRCS' technical assistance and conservation compliance roles are put under the control of farmer-elected county committees under the Consolidated Farm Services Agency (CFSA). Only farmers can be elected to these committees, and only farmers can vote. (See H.R. 2542, Sec. 101.)
- Fox in the Henhouse.Nationwide, more than 83 percent of all county committee members received farm subsidies over the past decade. Just over 8,000 county committee members were paid a total of $852 million over 10 years -- an average of more than $106,000 each. Nearly thirty-two percent of county committee executive directors (generally paid full-time staff) also received subsidies, totaling $19.9 million over 10 years. With subsidy recipients able to overrule USDA's technical decision-making, any objectivity in program administration would be lost.
Policy Review
H.R. 2542 eliminates important programs that are popular among farmers.
- Noxious weed and pest program, popular with farmers, is repealed. At a time when there is "an explosive spread of non-native weeds that may pose the most serious threat to natural biological systems in the West" (The Washington Post, November 6, 1995), H.R. 2542 repeals a popular weed and pest control program, and eliminates pest control measures as an acceptable conservation practice on CRP lands. (See H.R. 2542, Section 227.)
- Eliminates funding for USDA county committees, hiring of local technical assistants, and other measures. In a broad-brush repeal of many soil and water conservation laws, H.R. 2542 eliminates funding authority for USDA county committees, prohibits hiring of temporary technical help, and eliminates other sensible and farmer-friendly provisions of current law. (See H.R. 2542, Section 223(a).) Not only does the bill merge NRCS with CFSA, it repeals funding authorization for the main NRCS technical assistance programs for farmers.
H.R. 2542 effectively repeals USDA's soil conservation compliance program.
- A weak program gets even weaker. H.R. 2542 embodies a series of changes which will render federal soil conservation rules virtually meaningless. These rules are already poorly enforced. Nationwide, more than 60 percent of all counties reported no tracts of highly erodible land out of compliance from 1991 through 1993. Between 1986 and 1992, a total of $6.15 million nationwide in farm subsidies were withheld because of highly erodible land violations nationwide. During the same period U.S. farmers received more than $80.1 billion in direct farm subsidies -- meaning that less than one dollar out of 10,000 was withheld for soil erosion violations.
- Soil conservation violations are based on a "five-year average". H.R. 2542 establishes that USDA will consider the five-year average of crop residue before determining that a producer is not in compliance. Even a serious violation would not necessarily subject a producer to penalties, provided that the producer was complying with soil conservation laws "on average." This requirement would create a mountainous paperwork, tracking and monitoring burden for USDA. (See H.R. 2542, Sec. 402(a)(2).)
- Conservation plans may be impossible to enforce. H.R. 2542 removes the requirement that farmers document the erosion control practices implemented under a soil conservation plan. Without documentation, it would be impossible for USDA to know what conservation measures were applied to the field in previous years, to determine the average erosion rate over 5 years. (See H.R. 2542, Section 401(d)(3), 401(d)(6).)
- Benefits could be withheld only for specific fields that are in violation. Under current law, a subsidy recipient who violates soil conservation requirements jeopardizes all of his or her farm subsidies. H.R. 2542 would limit the scope of conservation compliance penalties: only those subsidies relating to a field currently in violation could be withheld. (See H.R. 2542, Sec. 405.)
- Federally-subsidized crop insurance no longer linked to soil conservation. Under current law, a soil conservation violation disqualifies a farmer from receiving federally-subsidized crop insurance from USDA. H.R. 2542 would sever the link between basic soil conservation and the USDA crop insurance program. (See H.R. 2542, Sec. 405(c).)
- Requires technically impractical measures to measure crop residue. H.R. 2542 requires that USDA account for crop residue found within the top 2 inches of soil. Measuring crop residue below the surface is technically impractical, and creates additional burdens for enforcement of the program. (See H.R. 2542, Sec. 402(a)(2).)
- Producers who "intend to comply" with their conservation plans are considered to be in compliance. Producers who make a "good-faith" effort to comply, but fail, are eligible for Federal subsidy benefits indefinitely. H.R. 2542 eliminates the one-out-of-five year current application of the policy under law and it also eliminates any reduction in benefits associated with the good-faith exemption. (See H.R. 2542, Sec. 404(a)(2).)
The farmer-elected committee members (83 percent of whom receive subsidies themselves, nationwide) who oversee the operations of the Consolidated Farm Service Agency have veto power over the judgment of the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The farmer committee members may decide that a recipient made a good-faith effort to comply with their conservation plan, even if NRCS has already determined that there was no good-faith effort.
- One-year "grace period" for violations. H.R. 2542 gives an automatic one-year "grace period" for good-faith violators to make an effort to comply with their conservation plans. (See H.R. 2542, Sec. 404(a)(2).)
- Subsidy recipients police their own violations. Under current law, USDA is required to perform annual spot-checks on a small percentage of highly erodible fields. H.R. 2542 would end random spot checks, and require USDA to accept "third party" verification of a subsidy recipient's compliance records. (See H.R. 2542, Sec. 402(a)(2).)
H.R. 2542 weakens the Conservation Reserve Program.
- Lowers erosion standards for land leaving the CRP. H.R. 2452 would lower the soil erosion standards for highly erodible land leaving the protection of the Conservation Reserve Program. The Conservation Reserve represents a $20 billion investment in soil conservation over the life of the program; farmers received nearly $13 billion in CRP payments from 1986 through 1994. (See Table 1.) In Mr. Allard's district alone, farmers will receive $820 million over the course of current CRP contracts. If land coming out of the CRP is subject to minimal erosion standards, all of the soil savings achieved at considerable taxpayer expense would be lost.
H.R. 2542 guts the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).
- Eliminates permanent protection. The WRP's permanent easements would be replaced by short-term contracts (no more than 15 years), similar to the Conservation Reserve. Short-term contracts are far more expensive in the long run than the WRP's long-term or permanent easements. Taxpayers would be forced to become perpetual renters in order to receive any lasting conservation benefits. (See H.R. 2542, Section 501.)
- Cuts funding to create new subsidies for cattle feedlots. WRP payments would stretched out over the length of 15-year contracts, rather than paid in a single lump sum. CBO estimates that this will "save" money over the 7-year budget cycle (8 years of WRP payments are outside the budget forecasting window). These and other "savings" are put into a new subsidy for cattle feedlots (see below).
H.R. 2542 creates a new subsidy program for cattle feedlots.
- Funding cuts from WRP go to new livestock subsidy program. Money "saved" from cutting the WRP is put into a new program to help livestock operations pay to clean up manure entering water bodies. (See H.R. 2542, Title III.) Cleaning up manure is an expense that should fall on the shoulders of feedlot owners, not taxpayers.
- New feedlot manure program limits enrollment. Anyone receiving cost-share payments under the Conservation Reserve, Wetlands Reserve, Water Quality Incentives Program and other programs would be ineligible to receive payments under H.R. 2542's new "Livestock Water Quality Conservation Program." (See H.R. 2542, Section 303(b).)
Table 1: Nationwide, farmers have received nearly $13 billion in Conservation Reserve Program payments since 1986
|New Jersey
|New Mexico
|New York
|North Carolina
|North Dakota
|South Carolina
|South Dakota
|West Virginia
|United States
Source: Environmental Working Group. Compiled from USDA data.