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Contract negotiations between the Ramona Unified School District and its teachers union continued Monday, again without success, officials from both sides said.
Representatives from the district and the Ramona Teachers Association met for about three hours, Superintendent Robert Graeff said.
Ramona Teachers Association President Donna Braye-Romero said the group has organized a rally for Tuesday, April 16, before the 7 p.m. school board meeting at the district office, 720 Ninth St.
The two sides have been negotiating for about 18 months. The district has sought compensation cuts — through pay reductions, furlough days, benefits contributions, or a combination — from all employees to reduce costs and remain solvent. Three-year contract agreements that included compensation cuts were approved for management and classified employees last year.
Talks with the teachers union hit a wall in October, when impasse was declared. Subsequent mediation failed. A state-supervised fact-finding panel heard evidence from the district and the union Feb. 27. The panel's report, with recommendations and findings, was delivered April 8.
The district will present the fact-finding report to the public, as required by law, at the board meeting tonight.
The teachers union released the fact-finding report to its members Thursday, and posted on its website the document, a dissenting opinion from the panel's California Teachers Association representative, and its own presentation.
In a news release, the union said the majority of its members support their bargaining team's recommendation to accept a 4.4 percent pay cut through six furlough days, in addition to a 15 percent contribution to health and welfare benefits. The district now pays 100 percent of health and welfare benefits for teachers. Braye-Romero said a strike vote is possible if the district imposes additional cuts.


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If you follow this link: http://www.carters.ca/pub/bulletin/chur ... chlb09.htm you'll see the list of requirements for any denomination to be recognized.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else would be on board for getting recognized in Canada so that Pastafarians can officiate weddings and hold their own religious ceremonies. For anyone too lazy to check the link above here's the list of requirements:
Code: Select all
1. Appointment and Dismissal of Clergy: Please supply us with the by-laws or rules of your denomination, which clearly sets out how your clergy members are appointed and dismissed.
2. A copy of your denomination's rites and usages respecting solemnization of marriage. An actual copy of your marriage ceremony is required.5
3. A copy of the form of worship, namely actions or practices of displaying reverence or veneration paid to a being or power regarded as supernatural or divine displayed by appropriate acts, rites and ceremonies.
4. A registration package for each clergy is required to include:
i) a completed application;
ii) a copy of your ordination or proof of appointment;
iii) a letter of authorization from the governing official of your denomination permitting you to solemnize marriages according to that denomination's rites and usages.
5. A letter signed by three board members stating who will be the governing official for the denomination. The governing official will be responsible for keeping the records of all clergy registered under the denomination and report to the Registrar General any changes in status or addresses of clergy registered under their denomination.
6. A certified copy of the incorporation papers for your denomination is required. This will reflect the date and place of incorporation or founding of the religious body. A copy of your registration as a charity with Revenue Canada is also required.
7. A statement is required which reflects information about the congregation you will be serving. Please show the name and location of the church, and the number of members and adherents showing the extent and continuous growth. Include evidence that would indicate the length of time the denomination has been functioning inside or outside of Ontario.
8. A statement showing the organizational structure of your denomination explaining the procedure by which your governing official would be appointed or relieved of jurisdictional authority.
9. Signatures and addresses of at least 25 members of the denomination, excluding clergy and their families, petitioning us to register the denomination.

subset: commoncrawl


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As more and more of the industry recognize personal training as a viable revenue stream, we aspire to develop efficient and prudent systems. As you develop your systems, picture your perfect personal training team. What does it look like? What characteristics do your trainers have? What is the perception of my team from the community within and around my facility? The following are some common variables found in the best Personal Training Systems:
An Entrance Screening Program
Not just a formal interview, this program should challenge the potential trainers, create value in the acceptance to the team, and filter out candidates that would end up wasting your valuable time and resources. It may be hard to believe, but making it more difficult to come on board can be your top recruiting tool. You must have the perception of value. No longer should you say, "I'm trying to hire a new trainer." You want trainers saying, "I'm trying to get hired by club X."
Finding qualified trainers can be a constant struggle. If your entrance program is structured correctly, it can prove to be your greatest asset in the development of strong personal trainers. In addition to an interview, the program should incorporate components that establish minimum qualification levels, such as a tryout and a basic training exam; a proposed business plan, which helps to alleviate the acclimation period; and a written record of anticipated work habits.
In no way, though, is the program intended to intimidate or belittle a potential candidate. As this may be the first time these trainers are asked to undertake a formal entrance screening, you should provide as much encouragement and direction to help the candidates through the process.
A Rewarding Pay Structure
Consider the platinum rule when talking pay. Good compensation will lead to a thriving and motivated work force. Good training systems structure training payouts so that the harder the trainer works and the more revenue they earn the more they can take home in their paychecks. Flat rate payout plans don't produce the type of capitalistic environments that lead to continued success for many companies. Two tips here: don't be afraid to educate the trainers as to the cost associated with running your program and plan your expected net within your pay structure.
The Delivery of a Consistent Quality Product
This is an absolute must if you plan to be in business longer than a few months. Clubs with weak educational foundations will find an increased need to conduct excessive prospecting to continually acquire new clients. The best systems base their programs on education. Be relentless, firm, and feasible. There are many creative and exciting ways to provide ongoing training knowledge to your group. A program without continued stimulus will go stale fast. You should link your compensation plan to educational levels and promote career paths for the team. You need the type of trainers that pride themselves on their capabilities. And your members deserve the kind of valued service they're charged for. Education will keep your trainers from over promising and under delivering.
A Comprehensive Revenue Tracking System
No one likes to use the word steal. I like to refer to trainers taking payments under the table as permanently borrowing. Whether you know it or not, odds are you're losing training dollars to theft. This is one of the hottest topics in the industry. Out of all the systems I've researched the best include the following variables;
- Checks and balances between the trainer and the acceptance of revenue. Trainers should sign the agreements and your front desk should enter the revenue and agreement information into your cash drawer.
- Training logs must be kept current and in open view.
- Training agreements for each client must be kept with the training log.
- Every client should sign before each session.
- There can be no exceptions.
Remember a lock is only there to keep an honest man out. The human element always plays a factor in the verification of revenue.
A Formal Assessment
A formal assessment. There is no better way to quantify your training business than with an assessment. Assessments serve many purposes; they overcome objections, create need, demonstrate professionalism and provide the opportunity to redirect trainers during the selling process. They should be utilized in the same manner as a sales consultant uses a profile card during a quest tour.
Your club should offer initial assessments to every new member as part of their membership. Looking at the industry averages, approximately 12 percent of new club members will work with a personal trainer. So as fitness professionals we should be very concerned with the majority (88 percent) that chose not to get involved with a trainer. Members must walk away from their initial personal trainer contact with a positive and worthwhile experience. Good assessment plans will re-involve those members with follow-up visits and offer the chance to sell personal training at a later date. I take a lot of pride in our assessment and view it as our fingerprint to the industry.
Of course the best system is the one that works. In my experience I find that most systems work as long as you follow the game plan. I hope that you find these tips helpful and wish you the best of luck in your future training endeavors.
Kevin Laferriere is the fitness director for Lifestyle Family Fitness and has been in the health club industry for 13-plus years. He can be reached at [email protected].


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As far as I understand, the snapshots made by
btrfs subvolume snapshot are writable by default and are visible at a certain path under the mountpoint of your btrfs volume.
How to setup the system so that there is a gurantee during the normal operation of the system that nothing is written to the snapshot? But without making it invisible to the users (i.e., it should remain accessible for reading by any users with respect to their permissions).
(For now, I've just
chmod og-rwx /.snapshots where my snapshots are mapped to. But that doesn't fulfill the second of my wishes, and also the guarantee is not strong enough: a process with root's rights could spoil something there.)
Does one need to do some tricks with
mount to achieve this goal?


text:
0 zł the delivery is FREE if you choose:
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It should be delivered:
within 2-3 working days (in Poland)
within 4-6 working days (in Europe)
within 6-7 working days (in USA & Canada)
Surely you realize that holiday and long weekend deliveries take a little bit longer than usual, and we appreciate your patience :)
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Hi guys,
Another day, another fishing trip for me! Told you guys when I first came around that I do A LOT of fishing, and around here we are in the midst of prime-time for many species. Most of the species are hungry or spawning, and the Lakes and river water temps are hovering around 55 degrees. Today was a record setting day for me today, not in fish size (I wish!) but rather in numbers. I usually read the local fishing reports published every Friday by the NYDEC (New York Department of Conservation). I was actually supposed to go out to Great Valley and fish for various species, but those plans got canceled. My father called to see if I wanted to fish a few spots along Lake Erie or the Niagara River. I checked the reports and found that Yellow Perch were being taken in abundance at many spots along the river, along with Smallmouth Bass. Top baits were Emerald Shiners. We stopped at the local bait shop and picked up a bucket full of shiners, in which I attached my aerator to so they would not die quickly. Took three set-ups with me for different situations and quick rig changing, but I would find that all I needed really was my light tackle setup, which is a 7' Eagle Claw Light Action Spinning Rod, Pflueger President spinning reel spooled with 6lb Sufix Braid, 18" 6lb Berkely Fluorocarbon leader, #6 hook, and a 1/4 Egg sinker on a 3-way swivel. Here are a few shots of the Upper Niagara River from where we were fishing off Squaw Island:
Now, as I said today was a day of records, and talk about using the right bait! I got a hit almost right away, but lightly, and pulled up a decent Yellow Perch. I told my dad to change his rig and put a sinker on so the shiner gets down quickly, and any little bump, line jump, anything that feels odd, set the hook because they are inhaling the shiners. Basically, a drop-shot rig. Here are two decent Yellow Perch I had caught:
After all was said and done, between the two of us we caught at least 60 (yes, you read that right!) Yellow Perch, large and small. Now, I normally practice very strict catch and release, but we were catching so many I figured what the heck, lets keep a few to fry up for a change. So, we kept some bigger ones from there on in, and I ended up bringing 6 nice sized Yellow Perch home. Here they are on the stringer, sorry the pic is kind of dark:
...and here is tonight's dinner, fryin up in butter with pepper and lemon. Delish!
So yeah, we had a good day. I have never caught so many Yellow Perch before, or as fast and furious. Literally every cast yielded a perch, large or small. It was as simple as pitch, let sink, tighten, wait for a light bump, set hook. We demolished them today!! 60+ Yellow Perch!!!!
(See Stanley? Can't see the bait! Told ya I usually remember to take it out first! LOL!!)


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|Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange
previous taxon |
next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
Annual or perennial herb, often rhizomed, often of wet open places, generally monoecious; roots fibrous, hairy
Stem generally 3-sided
Leaves often 3-ranked; sheath generally closed; ligule generally 0; blade (0) various, parallel-veined
Inflorescence: spikelets variously clustered; flowers generally sessile in axil of flower bract
Flower small, generally wind-pollinated; perianth 0 or bristle-like; stamens generally 3, anthers attached at base, 4-chambered; ovary superior, 1-chambered, 1-ovuled, style 23-branched
Fruit: achene, generally 3-sided
Genera in family: ± 110 genera, 3600 species: worldwide, especially temp
Reference: [Tucker 1987 J Arnold Arbor 68:361445]
Difficult: taxa differ in technical characters of inflorescence and fruit.
Perennial, cespitose or from rhizomes, generally monoecious
Stem generally sharply 3-angled, generally solid
Leaves 3-ranked, generally glabrous except generally scabrous on midrib, margin; sheath closed, back (blade side of stem) green, ribbed, front generally thin, translucent, forming generally U-shaped mouth at top
Inflorescence: spikelets generally severalmany, arrayed in raceme, panicle, or head-like cluster, each 1many-flowered, generally subtended by a spikelet bract
Flowers unisexual, each subtended by 1 flower bract; perianth 0
Staminate flower: stamens generally 3
Pistillate flower enclosed by perigynium (sac-like bract); perigynium body 23-sided or round, wall generally delicate; perigynium beak tip open, often notched; style 1, generally deciduous, stigmas 24, exserted
Fruit 24-sided
Etymology: (Latin: cutter, from sharp leaf and stem edges)
Reference: [Standley 1985 Syst Bot Monogr 7:1106]
Fully mature perigynia needed for identification, so are described under "FR" (long-persistent perigynia are often atypical); perigynium "front" faces spikelet axis; "fruit" refers to achene body (excluding beak). "Shredding" lower leaf sheath fronts become a network or fringe of veins; some others shred longitudinally only. Difficult because of many species and minute key characters; longer key statements and descriptions are designed to enhance both ease and probability of correct identification. Group descriptions are assumed in specific descriptions
Horticultural information: Many species especially those with rhizomes are INVASIVE. This is one of the most effective genera for knitting moist or wet soil.
(Group 9)
Leaf: blade 1.54 mm wide
Inflorescence dense, 1020 mm, green to light brown; axis ± erect; spikelets ± indistinct; lowest 23 spikelet bracts ascending, >> inflorescence, generally < 1.8 mm wide, leaf-like, base expanded ± around stem; pistillate flower bract < perigynium, often short-awned
Fruit: perigynium appressed to ascending, 2.84.8 mm, 0.81.8 mm wide, lanceolate or narrowly ovate, ± stalked, green to light brown, flat margin including wing 0.10.2 mm wide, veins weak, < 8 on back, 04 on front, beak tip generally cylindric, unwinged and entire for > 0.4 mm, generally green above, very tip white, 2.12.5 mm to fruit top; fruit 1.11.7 mm, 0.71.1 mm wide
Ecology: Common. Seasonally moist meadows, marshes
Elevation: 1003200 m.
Bioregional distribution: Klamath Ranges, North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, Modoc Plateau, White and Inyo Mountains
Distribution outside California: w N.America
Intergrades with C. unilateralis
Horticultural information: TRY.


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Simulator GolfName: Simulator GolfDate: March 22, 2019Time: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM EDTEvent Description:Whether you are looking to play a casual round of golf with some friends or looking to join a league, Loudon Country Club has just what you are looking for with their indoor virtual golf simulator. Come play on one of the 30+ featured courses from all over the world and keep your swing warm throughout the cold months!The Fall Simulator League will be starting the week of November 5th-11th, and running until the week of December 17th-23rd. There will be Each team, of two players, will have a week to fit in their round of 9 holes at the scheduled weekly course. The weeks will run from Monday through Sunday, and at the end of the 7 weeks there will be prizes for the top teams. This league has a $35 league fee per person that will be going towards the end of league prizes.The Winter Simulator League will run in the similar fashion, with the teams having a week, running Monday through Sunday, to fit in their round. This league will be 12 weeks, running from the start of January through March. Exact start and end dates will be determined in the upcoming weeks. This league will also have prizes for the top teams, as well as an end of season banquet. Since this league has prizes and banquet it is a $50 league fee per person.We will normally be open Monday- Friday from 8am-9pm and Saturday & Sunday from 7am-9pm. Tee times run by the hour (8-9, 9-10, etc.) and on average it takes two players an hour to get through 9 holes. Tee times must be made to play on the simulator. The cost to play on the simulator is $35/hour Monday-Friday before 4pm, then after 4pm and on the weekends it is $40/hour. This cost is just per hour, not per person or per number of holes.
If you have any more questions or would like to sign up for the league, you can contact us via email (email@example.com) or call us at (603) 783-3372 ext. 1.


text:
Thankfully, past performance is no guarantee of future results. It's just about the only solace Bill Gross (left) can take from the ongoing exodus PIMCO is experiencing.
Morningstar estimates that net outflow for the PIMCO Total Return Fund alone for August was $7.7 billion, or 2.9% of the $262 billion in assets it held at the end of July.
Total assets in the mutual fund, the world's largest, at the end of August were $251 billion. Estimated year-to-date outflows are $23.3 billion, or 8.2% of year-end 2012 assets.
However, these figures do not include investment losses suffered by the fund. When factored in, Bloomberg puts total losses at 14% in just the past four months.
During that time, investors redeemed $26.4 billion. The fund lost 3.9% this year, trailing 86% of peers, according to data compiled by the news service.
Tough stuff for the fund, which has been hit hard by incorrect Treasury bets and recent news of tapering by the Fed. The missteps have allowed smaller rivals like DoubleLine's Jeff Gundlach to gain ground.
Douglas Hodge, chief operating officer of PIMCO, recently blamed the financial media, in part, for the bond behemoth's recent woes.
"In the aftermath of the financial crisis, the media — which play a large role in setting the tone of the markets and the psyche of investors — went from being cheerleaders for bonds, stressing their virtues and role in maintaining a diversified portfolio, to romancing the notion that bonds are riskier than stocks," Hodge said in a commentary posted to the firm's website on Aug. 27.


text:
Results tagged ' Baseball America Rookie of the Year Award '
Hellboy Might Need a Handyman
I can imagine that Tampa Bay Rays rookie Jeremy Hellickson will have a special carpentry project to complete in the near future. I can definitely imagine a particular DIY (do-it-yourself) project to be penciled in bold letters on the Hellboy's off-season "Honey-Do" list.
I can visualize him now peering over expansive pile of timber with the same intensity and commitment he showed 29 times during 2011 as he took the mound. Bet he is even wearing a Rays game day cap on his head, with a pencil fashioned behind his ear. Just like sheriff Brody needed a "Bigger boat", Hellboy is definitely going to be in the market for a trophy case addition soon.
Recently Tampa Bay Rays rookie starter Jeremy Hellickson got the fantastic news back home in Des Moines, Iowa that he had been selected as the 2011 Baseball America M L B Rookie of the Year. Joining the ranks of Baseball America past R O Y winners such as Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols (2001), Diamondbacks SP Brandon Webb (2003), Tigers SP Justin Verlander (2006), Brewers OF Ryan Braun (2007), Tigers, Cubs C Geovany Soto (2008) and Giants C Buster Posey (2010).
Major League Baseball and the Baseball Writers Association of America (B B W A A) will not officially announce their respective National League or American League Rookie of the Year Award winners until November 14th but history is definitely tilted Hellboy's way as 8 out of the last 11 M L B seasons, the Baseball America R O Y selection also heard his name announced as their respective league's R O Y award winner in mid-November.
Hellboy also ended the National League's 4-year grip on the award and Hellickson became not only the first pitcher to stake claim to the award, but also the first American League player to win the honor since Detroit Tigers rookie SP Justin Verlander back in 2006. This same Baseball America MLB Rookie of the Year honor eluded former Rays standouts Rocco Baldelli, Carl Crawford, Joe Kennedy, Rolando Arroyo, plus current stars 3B Evan Longoria and SP David Price. Interesting enough, former Rays 3B/DH Eric Hinske (2002) and SP Hideo Nomo (1995) won the same award, but not as Rays.
Amazing that Hellickson in his first full MLB season posted a .210 opponents batting average, which ranked 3rd in the MLB behind possible Cy Young candidates Verlander and Los Angeles Dodger hurler Clayton Kershaw. Didn't hurt that the young Rays starter saved his best for later in the 2011 season as Hellboy bolstered a 2.64 ERA from the All-Star break to the end of the 2011 season, plus garnered a coveted American League Divisional Series pitching assignment.
Hellickson is definitely another reason to feel optimistic coming into the Spring of 2012 when he will not only have another year under his belt, but possibly possess even a few more tweaks to his pitching arsenal. With that in mind, maybe there should be a tweak to Hellickson's DIY project plans, possibly re-configuring his carpentry plans to include an addition to his home. Got a feeling this is the first wave of many shiny pieces of MLB acknowledgment that Hellboy will receive in his career.
If you need help Jeremy, I am pretty good with a tape measure and a circular saw.


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Endless Ocean is the physical embodiment of Nintendo's "blue ocean" strategy; a game that appears to be targeted directly at people who don't play games. Unlike most traditional video games, Endless Ocean doesn't have much in the way of goals or challenges, and those that it does have can be ignored. And therein lies the appeal of the game.
A scuba-diving simulator in which the player can travel around and explore at his or her own pace—with few exceptions—Endless Ocean is one of the more relaxing games on the market. None of the animals offer any kind of danger, and aside from a few equipment upgrades, the entire ocean is available to be explored almost from the very beginning.
The soundtrack is made up of soothing Enya-inspired vocal tracks, which add a great deal to the subdued atmosphere. Surprisingly, the game also features some rather impressive visuals. While the out-of-the-water scenes could have been ripped from an early Dreamcast game—complete with stiff character animations and jittery shadows—as soon as you hit the water, the game looks beautiful. The aquatic life animates smoothly and the environments enjoy a high level of detail, especially when the camera is zoomed in.
Unfortunately, there are also a number of niggling flaws that could potentially turn off the fickle casual audience. For one thing, the controls are not as intuitive as they should be. While swimming is fairly straightforward, other actions, such as training dolphins, are clunky and don't always work. The camera also has a habit of turning you around when targeting a fast moving animal or swimming through an enclosed space, and since many of the environments look very similar, this can get you off-track fairly quickly.
But because of the noncompetitive nature of the game, these problems are made much less frustrating then they would be if they were encountered in another title. Whether or not you will like Endless Ocean really depends on what you expect from it. If you go in expecting a goal-driven, traditional game you will of course be disappointed. But if you go in looking for an experience, one that allows you to catalogue sea life and explore the depths of the ocean at your leisure, you will be in for a treat.


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The Brunch Boat
- Durée: 2 Heures (environ)
- Code produit: PNKEZP
We've teamed up with Capital Cruises and 365 Things Austin to bring you another year of #TheBrunchBoat!
Enjoy all-local, all-complimentary food and beverages on board, complete with a DJ and Photo Booth. The Brunch Boat provides the perfect opportunity to support local businesses while taking in the best view of Austin's skyline and is great for birthdays, bachelor/ette groups, and other special events (... and/or just a great excuse for locals to have a #SundayFunday)!
Grab your crew and join us on board!!
What's Included on Every Brunch Boat
2-hours cruise on on Lady Bird Lake (in the middle of downtown Austin). The boat has a gorgeous open upper deck, an enclosed lower deck, air conditioning/heating, and bathrooms. It's ideal for taking in our beautiful skyline and snapping amazing pics!
Our Resident DJ, DJ Neema from Bat City Beats, on the upper deck laying it down! He gladly takes requests and does shout-outs for our special guests! So tell him what you want, what you really really want ;)
Ice Cold Waterloo Sparkling Water and High Brew Coffee
Deep Eddy Vodka Bloody Marys with Bloody Revolution Bloody Mary Mix
Dulce Vida Tequila Cocktails
Rotating Cider from Austin Eastciders
Local beer from Twisted X Brewing
Pizza from VIA 313
Breakfast Taco from One Taco
A Photo Booth on the lower deck to help capture memories! #TheBrunchBoat
BYOB of your favorite beverages is permitted (though not necessary)!
Additional Details
Boarding begins at 11:45 AM at Capital Cruises' dock (208 Barton Springs Rd.)
We'll depart at 12:00 PM sharp - please don't be late!
We recommend grabbing a drink at the YETI BARRR beforehand - they validate an hour of parking in the Hyatt Regency Austin's parking lot!
You do not need a printed confirmation, we will check you in electronically using your ID.
Full trip details including a parking guide, your ATC guide's name an number are sent out via email the Friday before your cruise - please check your email!
This Event is 21+ Only
Follow Austin Tour Company on Facebook and Instagram for frequent updates and giveaways!
HAVE FUN, and please drink responsibly!
Weather & Cancellation Policy
As locals know, our weather can be very unpredictable! If we must cancel a Brunch Boat due to weather, we will notify all guests at 8:00 AM on the day of the boat and we will refund or transfer all reservations.
Refund and Reschedule Requests will be honored if made 72 hours or more before the departure date/time of the boat (i.e 11:30 on Thursdays). Ticket transfers/Name changes are always permitted.


text:
For a decade, Los Angeles has banned testing its shelter animals for potential aggression lest it condemn adoptable pets to death.
Now Animal Services once again wants to assess the behavior of its dogs and cats, while overturning a department policy against so-called temperament testing.
The Animal Services Commission is slated to consider the controversial proposal Dec. 11 during a special meeting at East Valley shelter in Van Nuys.
"We need animal temperament testing, because the shelters need to develop a way of predicting behavior if that animal leaves the shelter," said Phyllis Daugherty, of Animal Issues Movement, who supports the assessment proposal. "The city of L.A. must have a behavior standard to protect the residents and protect the animals from any dangerous behavior.
"Any dogs with immediate aggressive behavior should not be adopted out."
Such support is rare in a city that has spurned three proposals since 2003 to systematically test its shelter dogs and cats.
Proponents of animal behavior assessments say they have helped boost adoptions by up to 60 percent at more than 150 humane societies and city shelters coast to coast.
Assessed animals' traits are better known, they say, making for better family pets that are returned less often as unsuitable.
Critics, who dub it temperament testing, say it's not scientific, not fair to frightened kennel dogs and cats, and not suitable for big city shelters whose resources have been strained by budget cuts.
They add such tests help target otherwise friendly pets for euthanasia – then let managers at shelters with no-kill mandates like Los Angeles cook their books by dubbing such animals "unadoptable."
In Los Angeles nearly half the shelter dogs are pit bulls, known for their aggression. The city took in 57,000 dogs and cats in 2011-12, and euthanized nearly 22,000. The city does not, however, keep separate records for euthanized animals deemed unadoptable.
"My dogs and cats couldn't survive that program," said Michael Bell, an animal welfare activist in Encino, who doesn't support temperament testing. "They will not accurately reflect the dogs' personality. It just won't happen."
At the center of the current controversy lies a proposal by Animal Services General Manager Brenda Barnette to set up a pilot animal behavior assessment program at one of six city animal shelters.
The assessments – after which cats and dogs get labeled with such traits as "couch potato" or "busy bee" – are part of a matchmaking service linking pets with potential adopters.
The two programs, created by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, would be offered at no cost to the city.
Barnette urged city officials and L.A.'s strident animal welfare community to keep an open mind about what could significantly help shelter animals and residents.
"We have the opportunity now," Barnette said of the ASPCA programs. "We have made real strides to get animals out into homes. … I think we need this in one of our shelters, to see what we can learn.
"The assessment does certain things: Is it a real active, or slow dog? Is it forceful, or mouthy? If so, they just need more training."
The SAFER program, twice rejected by the Animal Services Commission as part of broader rescue proposals, evaluates potential future aggression in dogs.
A shelter animal technician would be paired with a trained volunteer to perform a videotaped behavior assessment. Each dog is measured on how well it reacts to people, touch, sound, toys, food and other dogs.
The procedure takes 10 minutes, according to the ASPCA, though one county shelter reported it took twice that.
Its founders say SAFER doesn't test temperament, but assesses observed behavior in dogs in relation to an animal's known history. Though established to assess aggression, there is no category for "vicious dog."
Instead, there is a "canine-" or "feline-ality" assessment, which categorized pets based on playfulness, energy, motivation and drive. A shelter dog, say, may be listed as "life of a party," and get its own color tag.
A second ASPCA Meet Your Match program asks potential adopters 19 questions about their home, lifestyle and expectations.
Shelter dogs are then matched with prospective families.
"The shelters are full. Dogs in L.A. are being killed every day. It's unfortunate," said Emily Weiss, vice president of research and development for the New York-based ASPACA, who founded the SAFER and Meet Your Match programs. "The goal is to get (them) out of the shelter."
Critics say the program, which depends on city workers and trained volunteers, won't work in a large shelter system like Los Angeles. That said, it's currently used in municipal shelters in New York, Spokane, Wash., and Sonoma County, Calif.
Riverside County, whose three shelters take in 50,000 animals a year, loved the SAFER program, but let it go after it was forced to lay off half its staff.
At its peak, it employed a behavior assessment team of up to seven full-time workers taking up to 20 minutes to measure each dog.
"It was successful," John Welsh, spokesman for Riverside County Animal Services. "We were able to assess whether some dogs were adoptable, with a little social motivation.
"The SAFER assessment could also clearly define a dog we see as too vicious, too aggressive, to adopt. A dog like that would be a candidate for euthanasia, based on the assessment."
Laura Beth Heisen, a former Animal Services commissioner, said she was fired after she led a successful campaign to oppose temperament testing in Los Angeles. Her criticism: the validity and reliability of the assessments and the potential cost to Animal Services.
She cited a 2006 Cornell University study that found 41 percent of dogs that passed a temperament test later exhibited signs of lunging, growling, snapping or biting after they were adopted.
She also estimated the SAFER/Meet Your Match program, if adopted citywide, could cost $1 million a year in shelter staff time.
"The public can see what animal is adoptable or not," Heisen said. "If they see a snarling pit bull, they'll move on. The public isn't stupid."
Bobby Dorafshar, a longtime animal rescuer who owns two dog hotels, said he doesn't believe crowded animal shelters are the right environment to assess behavior.
"I'm absolutely against it," Dorafshar, of New Leash on Life in Woodland Hills, said of the proposal. "They don't have the quality people, and not enough time to test the dogs."
Consumers, however, were eager to see a program that would help them match their canine desires with a dog they could take home.
Elio Bernal went to the West Valley shelter recently to look for a golden or Labrador retriever.
Amid the Chatsworth shelter were rows of more than 200 barking dogs, with little information on their cages other than a name, breed, and whether it was spayed or neutered.
When asked about a potential SAFER and Meet Your Match, he said it sounded great.
"I think it would be helpful to people," said Bernal, 18, of Panorama City, who had his eye on one pooch prospect. "We don't know how the dogs act.
"More information: it's better for people to pick a dog."


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Woodzer necesitaba un nuevo diseño de botón o icono y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 29 diseños de 14 diseñadores freelance.
TestSenz is a web based application for managing the software test and defect tracking process.
The icon will be part of an web based application used by software engineering and quality assurance staff.
I require a single icon for addition to the TestSenz application. The application uses a desktop metaphor in the browser window, with various areas of the application functionality being accessed through a set of icons that appear on the application desktop (similar in fashion to the use of desktop icons in most modern OS GUIs). Currently there are six such icons and I now need a seventh one.
The icon I need will provide access to the defect/bug tracking facilities of the application and the icon should be designed to reflect this. In addition the new icon has to fit in with the existing set (I've attached a JPEG with the existing icons to this brief to facilitate this). As you can see from the attached image the existing icons have a 3D feel to them and I'd like all entries to maintain this. The end product will need to be delivered as a GIF of dimensions 48x48, so it needs to look good at that size.
If you have any further questions in relation to the requirements please let me know.


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Download free mobile apps for communication. Get the most out of your mobile by downloading mobile softwares free. With the help of communication software apps free you can connect with your friends and family, talk to them on free Skype for mobile application, free IM applications and other free mobile calling software.
Displaying 631 to 635 out of 635 Mobile Softwares in Communication Category


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I was talking with a friend a couple of days ago, and he mentioned how much he hated the Iraq War. By his way of seeing things, nothing could justify the loss of young American lives over there. It's an old stance that I've heard from other friends before. Often I don't get to respond, because people "don't want to get into politics" even though they've spelled out their misguided beliefs. Well, all you guys started this discussion, and at last I get to have my say… Here's why we were right to go to war with Iraq:
- Saddam did have WMDs. But hey, what's 550 tons of enrichable uranium between friends? (Forget about enriching it! Just make terror warheads and launch them into Israel… You'll volunteer for the cleanup team right?) And then there's the tiny issue of Saddam being just 12 to 18 months away from a nuke once the UN inspectors stopped meddling in this "non-issue". And Saddam's head nuclear scientist even wrote a book about his work.
- Saddam was a genocidal maniac who used WMDs against his own people.
- Think of Saddam giving the raspberry to 17 UN resolutions.
- Hussein started a war with Iran that cost roughly 250,000 casualties and achieved nothing. (He used WMDs there too.) Yeah, he was a swell influence in a very volatile region .
- The Butcher of Baghdad tried to kill the President of the United States. (Bush Senior)
- If you think he didn't bury stuff out in the desert, you obviously haven't seen this picture.
- Iraq routinely tried to kill American pilots as they patrolled the "No-Fly Zone". (All we were trying to do was stop the butcher from slaughtering the Kurds in the north.)
- Saddam brutally raped Kuwait. (If you don't know the details on that one… You're way out of the loop.)
- And then there's the little issue of his barbaric environmental terrorism which caused global repercussions.
- His successors (sons) were perhaps more savage than he was. (How is that even possible?)
- He harbored terrorists including Abu Nidal.
- He funded terrorism against our ally Israel.
But tell you what my liberal friends… Take all of the above barbarism, psychotic lust for power, regional and global destabilization, and just throw it all right out the window. Forget about terrorists. Forget about scuds lobbed into Israel…. Forget all that stuff…
If for no other reason, the fact that the war in Iraq is just is explained by two simple things – one sentence from JFK and a single photograph of a brave people starved for freedom and liberty. The quote:
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
And the picture:
And if you can't understand the concept behind that quote, that photo, modern Germany, Japan, Italy, and even today's Iraq, the core value of selfless decency is lost upon you.
There… Now I don't want to "get into politics".
Alan Speakman


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Here is the Cybersecurity disclosure guidance being provided by the Division of Corporate Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The good part is they don't require disclosure that could act as a "roadmap" to infiltrate the registrant's network security. And, in case you didn't know your loss exposure, they provided a non-exhaustive list including, 1) repair and remediation costs, 2) incentives to repair relationships with customer or other business partners, 3) increased security protection and training, 4) lost revenue directly from downtime, and lost customers/prospects, 5) liability and other litigation costs, 6) reputational damage with customers and investors, and, 7) financial statement hits (warranty liability, product returns, capitalization of software costs, inventory write-downs.)
As for actual disclosure, the guidance points to specific forms (Form 6-K or Form 8-K to disclose the costs and other consequences of material cyber incidents – see Item 5(a) of Form F-3 and Item 11(a) of Form S-3) and they remind registrants of the materiality clauses (Securities Act Rule 408, Exchange Act Rule 12b-20, and Exchange Act Rule 14a-9) and the "substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor (note, not reasonable tech geek) would consider it important in making an investment decision or if the information would significantly alter the total mix of information made available."
The "materiality" issue is still developing in Canada, and (no surprise) there are conflicting decisions and hotly debated arguments. Here is a recent Ontario Securities Commission case that draws some light on the subject (and here is an older one.)
Issuers do not have present risks "that could apply to any issuer or any offering."
The key concern is that disclosure decisions must consider "risk" not just loss or actual incidents or threatened attacks. However, as will all disclosure advice, "boilerplate" language will be looked on unfavourably. Registrants need to evaluate their cybersecurity risk considering prior incidents, potential for reoccurrence, experience of competitors and other industry participants, magnitude of potential loss, and adequacy of loss control activities.
A further disclosure requirement is discussion regarding the effectiveness of policies, procedures and controls surrounding cyber incidents and the disclosure process itself.
Cyber Risk is a very new and developing field. Therefore, available guidance is not very specific. This risk will have to be treated like every other business risk. There are good insurance companies and good insurance products available to accept risk transfer of some, but not all, potential cyber losses. But, like every other specialty line of insurance, there is no standard or regulated policy wording or premium calculation. And, to make things more challenging, cybersecurity insurance policies can be of a rare breed of hybrid "first party" and "third party" coverage, with potential for "claims-made" and "occurrence" responses.
Greg Shields is a D&O, Professional Liability, CyberRisk, Employment Practices Liability, Fiduciary Liability, Crime insurance specialist and a Partner at the University and Dundas (Toronto) branch of Mitchell Sandham Insurance Services. He can be reached at email@example.com, 416-862-5626, or Skype at risk.first.
CAUTION: This article does not constitute a legal opinion or insurance advice and must not be construed as such. It is important to always consult a registered and truly independent insurance broker and a lawyer who is a member of the Bar or Law Society of the relevant jurisdiction with regard to this material before making any insurance or legal decisions. All material is copyrighted by Mitchell Sandham Inc. and may not be reproduced in any form for commercial purposes without the express written consent of Mitchell Sandham Inc. Anyone seeking to link this document from any external website must receive the consent of Mitchell Sandham Inc. by sending an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Diagnosis of all bullous conditions is based on three measures:
- Clinical features – appearance of lesions, erosions and blisters, Nikolsky sign, presence or absence of scarring and distribution of lesions.
- Biopsy of skin or mucous membrane, with characteristic histological features.
- Direct and indirect immunofluorescence – detection of autoantibodies either in a biopsy specimen (direct) or in the patient's serum (indirect). Indirect (circulating) antibodies are helpful in confirming the diagnosis. The enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) is helpful for diagnosis, particularly if the immunofluorescence studies are negative, and to differentiate PV from PF; in the future newer more specific ELISAs hold promise as a prognostic indicator.
The following investigations are also recommended during disease assessment and management:
- Full blood count and differential
- Blood urea and electrolytes
- Liver function tests
- Blood glucose
- Antinuclear antibody (differential of pemphigus erythematosus)
- Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) levels (if azathioprine is to be used)
- Chest X-ray
- Urinalysis
- Blood pressure
- Bone density scan (early in the course of treatment is recommended, and repeated periodically)
- G6PD and reticulocytes if dapsone is to be used
- Opthalmologic exam


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Dear Abby
DEAR ABBY: My 14-year-old son, "Nils," recently joined a sport he really enjoys. His stepdad and I are at every practice, helping the coaches and coaching my son along.
Nils recently commented to me that he would like it if his father could come and see him practice. I took it upon myself, as I usually do, to call my ex, "John," and suggest he make an appearance because it would make our son happy.
My husband, who has been a wonderful stepdad to Nils for 13 years now, told me I should leave it alone. He said if John was a "real" father, he would just show up without being asked.
When things like this happen, should I leave it alone, or should I ask John to be involved more than he tries to be? I tell my ex about all of our son's activities and sometimes he just doesn't show. -- TRYING TO BE A GOOD MOM
DEAR TRYING: Not knowing your former husband, I can't guess his reason for not coming to your son's practices, particularly if he said he was going to attend. John may be irresponsible, or he may have unforeseen scheduling conflicts. By telling him about your son's activities and letting him know his presence is wanted, you have done your job as a conscientious mother. At 14, Nils is old enough to also call his father and invite him. The rest is up to your ex.
DEAR ABBY: In reference to the letter from the man who was constantly setting off "gaydar" alarms in females (March 10), I would like to share my experience.
I dated and then married a man who incorrectly set off MY "gaydar." It had nothing to do with his mannerisms, his speech or appearance. It was his extreme personal insecurity regarding dating and making friends. In addition, "Mr. Not-Gay" could neither read nor write, which caused even more emotional insecurity. After we had been married 10 years he became physically disabled and we had to move. No one in our new city took him for gay, even without me and without a wedding ring on him. He divorced me at 62 because the 30-something home-care aides looked better, but that's another story. -- MARCIA IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR MARCIA: I hope you will write again and tell us the rest of the story, as I'm sure I'm not the only person who would be interested in reading it. I agree that individuals who are uncomfortable with themselves sometimes emit vibes that make others uncomfortable because I have experienced it. But this subject does highlight the absurdity of gay stereotypes. Because a man is slight, soft-spoken and a meticulous dresser does not mean he is gay, any more than it means a man who is fat, sloppy and loud is straight.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.


text:
Kennedy Doesn't Like to Watch
The Court just issued its first party-line, 5-4 opinion of the term, staying the broadcast of the Prop. 8 trial underway in California to federal courthouses in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Brooklyn, and Pasadena.* Read SCOTUSBlog's write-up and download the opinion here.
The majority paints its decision in procedural terms, though I find it difficult to believe that the vote would break down similarly if the potentially broadcasted case's substance was, say, tax evasion. In such a case containing no hyper-charged political pretext, we could have very well seen a nearly-unanimous vote one way or the other.
Also, note Sotomayor's vote with the dissent. If Souter's distaste for Supreme Courtroom cameras extended on down to the district court level, perhaps he would have voted with the majority, lending the decision a modicum of integrity.
Finally, I am intrigued as to whether this opinion says anything about Kennedy's potential vote should (when, really) Perry v. Schwarzenegger comes up to the Court. While one can be fairly certain that the other eight justices voted their policy preferences for Perry's underlying issue, something tells me that Kennedy remains eminently swingable.
On the other hand, Kennedy's vote with the majority today could mirror his abortion jurisprudence. That is, just as he upheld abortion rights in Casey only to limit its reach in Gonzales v. Carhart, so too could marriage exist beyond the bounds of Kennedy's gay rights rulings.
*Thanks to commenter Mark for correcting my original statement that the Court stayed the YouTube broadcast. They didn't. But the Court's temporary stay may be the functional equivalent of a permanent stay on all broadcasting, writes Linda Hirschman for NPR/The Nation:
As a technical matter, the temporary stay is only good until the Court addresses a formal appeal for a permanent stay. But the standard for extending the temporary stay includes the requirement that the court thinks a majority of its members would vote in favor of making the stay permanent. So this 5-4 division looks like the ball game.
3 Responses
Actually, the majority opinion — at page 7 — specifically defers addressing whether Internet broadcasting (such as on YouTube) would be appropriate: "We do not address other aspects of that order, such as those related to the broadcast of court proceedings on the Internet, as this may be premature." The opinion bans only the "live streaming of court proceedings to other federal courthouses," because that is all the California district court permitted.
[…] smacked down a challenge to the amendment in 1997. Second, Justice Kennedy, who may or may not be favorable to gay rights when it comes to marriage, is absolutely and unequivocally against […]
[…] Kennedy might not have liked to watch this case at first, but he will most certainly enjoy being in the center of the action once Perry v. Schwarzenegger gets to the Court.. A jurisprudence of rights as opposed to identities appeals to Justice Kennedy, whether or not American society has caught up to his ideal. And as opposed to his more conservative brethren, he sees rights as robust vessels rather than narrow privileges. For this reason, Walker's Due Process analysis broadly reading the right of marriage will be Kennedy's reasoning of choice, while we can count on Scalia to see such a robust reading as leading, at the very least, to unions between all consenting adults no matter how many or how closely related. […]


text: imageedit_7_8967390339 Join Us & Get Exclusive OffersReceive Free Gift On Your First order I will never give away, trade or sell your email address. You can unsubscribe at any time. Post navigationPrevious post: imageedit_7_8967390339 Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment Name * Email * Website Notify me of new posts by email.


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Dishonored came out two years ago. So, you'd be forgiven for forgetting how splendid Arkane's Victorian stealth game looked. But, thanks to the glory of screenshots done up in 4K, you can marvel at the design of Dishonored all over again.
The thing about bumping up the resolution of a game like Dishonored is that you can better appreciate all the little details that make its gameworld feel like it has a history. Yeah, the characters' faces don't look as amazing as the environments in these shots but it's the space you're moving through that creates so much of the mood in games like this.
[via Reddit]


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(RENEWAL) Annual maintenance for SQL Assistant Professional Edition 1-user license
Annual support and maintenance for SQL Assistant Professional Edition 1-user license. Use this item to renew annual support and maintenance for existing licenses. The support and maintenance covers technical support for up to 5 accidents, bug fixes, and all upgrades during the maintenance term, including free upgrades to new major versions and significant maintenance releases.
- You can renew your license maintenance at any time prior to the maintenance expiration date. The new maintenance term starts from the end day of the current maintenance term.
- The maintenance renewals cannot be applied to already expired maintenance. To reinstate an expired maintanence, you would need to purchase a license upgrade.
- Price: $79.03
Related Item(s):
Tags: sql, database, assistant, maintenance


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Oksana Grigorieva's Newest Lawyer Angry at Mel Gibson, TMZ
Oksana's Newest Lawyer Angry at Mel, TMZ
Oksana Grigorieva's latest addition to her legal team is lashing out after our story yesterday -- that Oksana has had at least 39 lawyers working for her in her legal war with Mel Gibson -- claiming Mel has an armada of lawyers and others trying to stomp Oksana down.
Lisa Bloom claims "Mel has a fleet of highly aggressive law firms fighting her at every turn, including one which calls itself a '450+ lawyer business litigation firm -- the largest in the United States devoted solely to business litigation.'"
Although the current war is over custody, support and alleged crimes and not business litigation, Bloom adds, "This is only one of at least four known major law firms behind the scenes, as well as publicists, marketers, and public relations agencies." Bloom says, "Oksana is a single mother of two who's gone into debt fighting for simple justice."
TMZ broke the story ... at least 18 of Oksana's lawyers have submitted bills to the court totaling more than $1 million, and they've asked the judge to make Mel foot the bill.
Bloom says Oksana has had only "a handful" of different law firms in this case, adding, "Though occasionally other lawyers in their firms may have pitched in." Bloom says, "It is totally false to say she's had 39 lawyers." We have listed all 39 lawyers -- Bloom has not said which of the 39 she believes were not working on the case.
to read Lisa Bloom's full statement.
Waiting for your permission to load the comments.


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Property Details
Mount Pleasant VE
1105 189 NATIONAL Ave, Vancouver East, British Columbia, V6A 4L8, Ca
Panoramic views overlooking False Creek, North Shore Mountains and Mt Baker from this stunning soutwest corner suite at the Sussex built by Bosa. This open concept floor plan feels much larger than it's size with almost 1000 sq ft of living space. Large open kitchen with raised granite bar and countertops, beech cabinets and full size appliances make this kitchen perfect for any chef. Expansive windows surround your living and dining rooms perfect for entertaining. Spend summer nights on your private, covered patio overlooking the garden and water. Steps to the Olympic Village, Main Streetand Yaletown this location just keeps getting better. Pets and Rental welcome. 2 side by side parking and storage included.
Clothes Washer/Dryer/Fridge/Stove/DW, Disposal - Waste, Drapes/Window Coverings, Garage Door Opener, Microwave
Bike Room, Elevator, Exercise Centre, In Suite Laundry
Listing Provided By
Century 21 In Town Realty
Copyright and Disclaimer
The data relating to real estate on this web site comes in part from the MLS Reciprocity program of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLSR logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. Copyright 2019 by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board, BC Northern Real Estate Board, and Kootenay Real Estate Board. All Rights Reserved.
- Adam Knight
- 604-916-9940
- 604-916-9940
- email@example.com
- VPG Realty
- #159 - 1233 Lynn Valley Road
- North Vancouver , BC


text: The Catalan ceramicist Xavier Mañosa has collaborated with Berlin-based design duo Hande Akçayli and Murat Koçyigit of Mashallah on this collection of handcrafted pendant lamps for the Spanish manufacturer Marset. Called 'Pleat Box', the series has been developed following an idea of translating a 'digitally designed crease in a piece of cloth' into a ceramic material. (more…)


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"Loving isn't weak"
Known for playing tough woman, action star Michelle Rodríguez talks about strong mothers, inner calm and discovering her earnest side.
Ms. Rodríguez, Moviegoers associate you with action movies such as Avatar, Machete Kills and the series of The Fast and the Furious films, not complex dramas like your new film, Widows. Why haven't you made movies like that before?
I felt there was never truly an openness to understanding what a woman was really feeling, even in independent productions. This girl would get her heart broken, that one would be really sad because she had cancer or a boy didn't like her anymore, and it was just all these male views of what a woman was going through. So I didn't want to do that, my ego was too big.
What do you mean?
I didn't want to sit around crying in a film that insists on misunderstanding what it means to be a woman. I wanted to do stuff where I get to have fun. There was nothing that really intrigued me, nothing I would go back to the independent world for. Even when Steve McQueen approached me with the Widows project, I hesitated.
Because the role was the epitome of what I find uncomfortable about this kind of femininity, a woman who has kids very young and relies on a guy who is completely unreliable. I thought to myself: She's a schmuck! How stupid could you be to put yourself in that situation! But then I realized this was what happened to my mother and I can't very well call her a schmuck, so I started asking myself why it felt so uncomfortable and saying to myself, you need to discover this. Who better to do this with than Steve, an artist who is in tune with both his masculine and feminine side?
Wouldn't you have preferred a woman director?
No, because I could tell that he was the kind of guy who valued the psychological process of finding yourself and figuring things out. That's the beginning of understanding the feminine experience. I say that from the perspective of a tomboy, a girl who has pretty much been masculine most of her life, which is why I started doing action films. I found freedom in that space because I felt it was a place where nobody tries to manipulate or own you. With the exception of the strong women who raised me, I have spent most of my life surrounded by guys.
You often mention them, your mother and grandmother. What did you learn from them?
The ability to take pain. To just take it and move on, knowing what was important in a given situation. I wouldn't say that's a male quality. Being able to take the storm of unreliable men and the storm of unpredictable situations and fight for what's important, the kids, the family, the home unit, that's the true force of femininity.
Why are women better at this than men?
Because what drives them is community. It's not about me, me, me. And that is, I think, the strength that I have always appreciated in women, but the reason that I have always gravitated toward men is that my ego wanted to be free. It was very selfish and I lived it most of my life, but now I am ready for and open to other things.
What happened?
Well, I think I opened myself up to understanding that femininity isn't a weakness. That loving unconditionally isn't weak, it's beautiful, and you can find a comfort zone where you draw your lines of respect and integrity gracefully, instead of having this kind of shut-down, macho attitude. I think I no longer have to defend myself with all the armor I have been wearing for so many years. I'm done with the swords, I've put them down.
I think there's an animal inside of me that sometimes wants to come out
That sounds very conciliatory, even spiritual …
I pretty much raised myself, came from nothing. It's tough to survive in this world without an education if you don't have a spiritual backbone, I think. The conviction that I will never stop growing, that I always want to keep learning, will always stay curious and never think that I have found the answer to anything, has kept me open-hearted and open-minded and jovial enough to survive without becoming bitter.
So, is this the end of a wild, partygirl era?
Let's put it this way: I think there's an animal inside of me that sometimes wants to come out. And I think that I shouldn't be embarrassed about this but should embrace her and just realize that she can't be there all the time. Now that I am getting older, I am trying to take command of the ship without all those animalistic, crazy aspects of myself pretty much taking over my life.
It's not just you that have changed, Hollywood is changing too. Are you optimistic about the future with regard to diversity and equal rights?
For me, the good thing is to be able to find solidarity with other women. Going out there and marching with over 250,000 women in Washington was just one of the most powerful things that I have ever felt in my life. Seeing a bunch of amazing, open-minded men at the sides of most of those women, old and young, I felt that here's a generation that understands that teamwork is going to be necessary to solve a lot of the issues facing us because otherwise, no one is going to survive. It's going to be the rich in space if that's the case.
You sometimes make music videos. Do you have a favorite?
I like the Lenny Kravitz song "If I Could Fall in Love" from the movie Blue Crush. That was fun to make. I love the beach and I loved that film. There should be more girl beach movies, just saying. Maybe I should write one.


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WASHINGTON — The number of U.S. children with autism has surged to one in 68, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Thursday, a 30 percent increase since the agency estimated just two years ago that one child in 88 suffered from the disorder.
WASHINGTON — The number of U.S. children with autism has surged to one in 68, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Thursday, a 30 percent increase since the agency estimated just two years ago that one child in 88 suffered from the disorder.
The new estimate, based on a review of records in 2010 for 8-year-olds in 11 states, also showed a marked increase in the number of children with higher IQs who fall somewhere on the autism spectrum and a wide range of results depending on where a child lives. Only one child in 175 was diagnosed with autism in Alabama, while one in 45 was found to have the disorder in New Jersey.
The information was reported in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
"It could be that doctors are getting better at identifying these children, there could be a growing number of children with high intelligence [who are autistic], or it could be both," Coleen Boyle, director of the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, said in a telephone news conference.
As in previous reports, the diagnosis is much more common in boys (one in 42) than girls (one in 189), and much more frequently found in whites than blacks or Hispanics. Boyle said the racial disparity is most likely due to better reporting of the disorder in whites.
Children with the most extreme form of autism are withdrawn, speak little, avoid eye contact and engage in repetitive actions. Milder forms, such as Asperger's syndrome, are now considered to fall along the autism spectrum. In the past, children with Asperger's, for example, might have been considered peculiar and abnormal but not suffering from a disorder.
The CDC said it would be announcing a new initiative to encourage parents to have young children screened for autism in their early years and to ensure children are given the support they need. Officials said most children are not diagnosed until they are at least 4 years old, though identification is possible as early as 2. Any parent who has concerns about how a child plays, learns, speaks, acts or moves should seek an assessment, officials said.
Autism treatment requires time and patience. Medical expenses for children with autism are six times as high as those for children without the disorder. Behavioral therapy, often delivered one-on-one, can cost as much as $60,000 per year.
Liz Feld, president of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, said in a statement that the disorder is "a pressing public health crisis that must be prioritized at the national level. We need a comprehensive strategy that includes the research community, policymakers, educators, and caregivers coming together to address our community's needs across the lifespan."


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It's a 3-man skate to Olympic gold.
Reigning Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko of Russia won the men's short program at the Vancouver Olympics by a razor thin margin on Tuesday, with American Evan Lysacek and Daisuke Takahashi of Japan also positioned for a gold run heading into Thursday's free skate.
Margins between the three competitors were so small they may as well be tied. Plushenko's 90.85 points beat world champion Lysacek by .55, with Takahashi .60 behind the leader, according to NBCOlympics.com.
"Easy? That's competition and it is never going to be easy," Plushenko said. "If somebody says today, 'I am not nervous' or 'I skate easy,' or 'I am not tired,' I don't believe him."
- GALLERY: Olympic Wipeouts
- GALLERY: Great Vancouver Moments in Photos
- GALLERY: Best Olympic Bodies
The breakaway sets up a compelling free skate Thursday evening. Among the competitors are four world champions including Plushenko, who came out of retirement to try and become the first man to win back-to-back gold medals since Dick Button in 1952.
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
He set the tone with a majestic program almost worthy of beating his world record from last month's European championships.
While Turin silver medalist Stephane Lambiel and former world champion Brian Joubert of France weren't up to the challenge, Lysacek and Takahashi made it clear they're not about to hand over that second gold to Plushenko.
The U.S.'s best hope for taking top prize, Lysacek, was pumping his fists before he even began his final spin. When his music finished, he threw back his head and then dropped to his knees, sliding across the ice as he buried his head in his hands. He got up pumping his fists, looking a bit dazed by what he had done as he saluted the crowd.
"I usually don't lose it like that," Lysacek said later, The Washington Post reported. "There was just so much to deal with today. I wasn't particularly nervous, but I just really felt the pressure."
Three-time U.S. champion Johnny Weir delivered an impassioned performance and his 82.10 sixth place finish reportedly drew boos from the crowd.
U.S. champion Jeremy Abbott landed in the15th spot.


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Tigers Complete Day One of SIUE Double Tree Invitational
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Tennessee State women's golf team is in eighth place after day one of the SIUE Double Tree Invitational. The ten-team field played under sunny skies with a slight breeze. The morning was just below 50 to start the round, but the temperatures would rise, ranging in the low-mid 70's on the Par-72, 6,070 yard Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville, Ill.
The Tigers used scores from freshman Erica Edwards and sophomores Kelly Merkel, Sarah Needleman and Laura Bremer. TSU posted a 65-over, 353 and is 13 strokes behind seventh place IPFW. Lipscomb leads the pack with a 33-over, 321.
"I thought the scores did not represent our play," head coach Parrish McGrath said. "We hit some good shots and made the right call when needed. The team was very composed even when the scores were not there. I see us maturing as a team with each outing."
Edwards leads the way for TSU and is in a tie for 12th with five other golfers at 10-over, 82. The freshman is just six strokes behind Valparaiso's Erika Pfaender who shot a first round best 4-over, 76.
Edwards started play on the No. 10 tee box and proceeded to card 40 through the back nine and closed out with a 42 over the front half of the course. Edwards caught a few bad breaks along the way despite hitting 11 fairways and nine greens. The freshman made up-and-downs to save par on three and 17, as well as another to salvage bogey on the par-5, 4th.
Edwards needed 34 putts on the day, including a 4-footer on the par-5, 13th for birdie. The Murfreesboro product recorded the second best play on the par-5's by playing Even and had the third highest amount of pars over the first 18-holes with nine.
Amelia Dap carded the second best round with an 85, but the Tigers were unable to use her score as she is playing as an individual. Despite opening play on the 18th with a par, Dap started a little slow before finding her stroke with her 3-wood. On the 13th, Dap hit her third shot from 100-yards out to three feet of the pin. The red-shirt sophomore would tap in for birdie, and along with Edwards, would combine for two of the six birdies for the round on 13.
The Murfreesboro native recorded the third best play on par-3's during the first round at Even par. Dap is currently in 24th place in a field of 60.
Merkel marked the second lowest scoring round for the Tigers with an 89. The second-year golfer converted up-and-downs on holes three, six and 17 to save par. On the day, Merkel hit seven fairways and five greens in regulation.
Bremer and Needleman each entered the clubhouse at 91. Bremer could only find five fairways and five greens, but was able to average two putts per hole. On the par-4, 5th, the sophomore transfer stuck her second shot less than a foot from the hole from 70-yards out. Bremer would tap in to record her lone birdie of the round.
Needleman would strike the ball well throughout the first round and hit 11 fairways. The sophomore struggled a bit on the green needing 39 putts on Monday. On the tough and hilly par-4, 10th, Needleman sank a seven foot putt to save par.
Freshman Natalie Spicer shot a non-scoring 98 on Monday morning. Spicer was strong off the tee box finding 11 of 14 fairways, but was only able to hit four greens. The Springfield native was able to convert on two up-and-downs and used just 37 putts on the day.
The final round of 18-holes is scheduled for Tuesday morning with an 8:00am shotgun start.


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Alex & Sierra Share Album Name, Cover + Track Listing [PHOTO + VIDEOS]by Mandi Salerno | PopCrush
The wait is almost over! Alex & Sierra are one step closer to dropping their debut album.
Over the weekend the 'X Factor' winners revealed the album cover and track listing for their premiere LP, due out later this year. The cover for 'It's About Us' features the duo in profile, sitting in a vintage car with their names emblazoned above them.
In true Alex & Sierra fashion, they put together cute Instagram videos to reveal the album's 13-song track list, which includes their first single 'Scarecrow.' If the album title is taken literally, then some of these track choices are pretty interesting!
Last week the singer-songwriters debuted the whimsical video for 'Scarecrow,' and just days later announced tour dates opening for Colbie Caillat and separate dates with Train. This indie-pop couple is making their way up in the music world!
'It's About Us' will be available for preorder starting Tuesday, July 15.


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Linda Greenhouse, the New York Times contributing op-ed writer, joins fellow Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen for a deep dive into this moment of extraordinary transition in American journalism.
Just a few years ago, writes Greenhouse in her new book, Just a Journalist, the mainstream press was wrestling with whether labeling waterboarding as torture violated important norms of neutrality and objectivity. Now, major American newspapers regularly call the president of the United States a liar. Clearly, something has changed as the old rules of "balance" and "two sides to every story" have lost their grip. Is the change for the better? Will it last?
For decades, Linda Greenhouse covered the US Supreme Court for The New York Times. Get her perspective on these issues and more, as she and Quindlen explore questions about the role journalists can and should play as citizens, even as participants, in the world around them.
Recorded on November 15, 2017 at the 92nd Street Y.


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Neurogaming: What's Neuroscience and Ethics Got To Do With It? - Exploring Ethics
Date: 12/23/2013; 85 minutes
Steven Hyman, the founding president of the International Neuroethics Society and Harvard professor, leads an extraordinary discussion on rapid advances in brain research and the social implications of merging neuroscience and video game development with panelists C. Shawn Green of the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Adam Gazzaley of UC San Francisco and game developer Jonathon Blow. This event is presented by the Center for Ethics in Science and Technology in San Diego. (#25114)
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Central Kerala
Earth : Asia : South Asia : India : Southern India : Kerala : Central Kerala
Central Kerala covers 3 districts located middle of Kerala state. Central Kerala was part of erstwhile Kingdom of Kochi. Today its one of the most leading economic powerhouse of Kerala with several industries and trading firms located. The 3 districts that form Central Kerala are Ernakulam, Thrissur and Palakkad. The most important city in this region is Kochi (commercial capital of Kerala) and Thrissur (cultural capital of Kerala).
Other destinations[edit]
Central Kerala was once cradle of Imperial Chera civilization established in 300 BC with the Great Cheras establishing their capital at Muziris (today's Kodungallur- 40 kms from Kochi). At height of Chera glory, they established an empire reaching till Ganges in North India. Chera's capital city- Muziris (as known in Greek literature) was one of the largest seaports in Ancient world with regular trading with Greeks, Roman, Mesopotamian and Chinese civilizations. With the decline of Chera powers by mid 11th century, choking of Muziris port due to Great floods of Periyar, the Central Kerala turned into boiling pot of various social and political turmoils. The Chera Dynasty was replaced by Kochi Kingdom with its capital at newly formed Kochi City which has covers the entire Central Kerala. The trading relations with West and Arabs helped Europeans to come into Kochi and formed a major political power in Kerala. By 18th century, British dominated the political power, as elsewhere in India.
British influence over Kochi Kingdom brought several strong British institutions to this area. When Kochi Kingdom merged with India in 1949, this area came under new state of Thiru-Kochi (Travancore-Kochi). The area was renamed as a zone when Kerala State was formed in 1957.
Today its a major economic center with several industries located here. Along with this, Central Kerala is famous for its varied cultural potpourri, several famed festivals, tourists places and agricultural areas.
As elsewhere, Malayalam is the native language. 3 dialects of Malayalam language is spoken here. While in Kochi one can feel the strong influence of Portuguese and Dutch language in local dialects, its more of Sanskritic Malayalam spoken in Thrissur area with lot of poetic expressions. Whereas being bordering with Tamil Nadu, the Malayalam spoken in Palakkad has lot of Tamil influence.
Tamil is widely understood and spoken in Palakkad, whereas English and Hindi is popular in Kochi and Thrissur. Arabic also understood in few pockets of Thrissur where Muslims are in majority like Chavakkad etc.
Get in[edit]
By Air[edit]
By Train[edit]
Most of the trains bound to Kerala have various stops in many places in Central Kerala. Major stations are
By Road[edit]
National Highway 47, 17 passes through this stretch
Get around[edit]
See[edit][add listing]
Chottanikkara Temple[edit]
It is the most important Temple among the 393 shrines spread over 3 Districts of Kerala and coming under the administration of Cochin Devaswom Board. The Divine Mother known as Rajarajeswari (Adiparasakthi) is worshipped here in three forms Saraswathy in the morning, Lakshmi at noon and Durga in the evening. There is an Idol of Mahavishnu on the same pedestal and so the Deity is called Ammenarayana, Devinarayana, Lakshminarayana and Bhadrenarayana also. Along with Lakshmi & Narayana there are idols of Brahma, Siva, Ganapathi (Ganesh), Subramanya and Sastha on the same pedestal.
Apart from the main deity, the temple complex consists of Kizhukkavu Bhagavathy temple, temples for Sastha, Siva, Ganapathi, Nagas and other Upa-Devas. The pleasant atmosphere in the temple give mental peace and harmony to devotees.
Do[edit][add listing]
Makom Thozhal (worship on the Makom day) is the most important festival of the temple which is celebrated in the month of Kumbham. (Feb / March) It is believed that Bhagavathy in her full attire gave darsan to Vilwamangalam Swamiyar on the Makom day and appears on the same day every year for giving darsan to the devotees in her special appearance. The Bhadrakaali at Kizhukkavu is believed to exorcise evil spirit from devotees, after conducting bhajanam.
Buy[edit][add listing]
Eat[edit][add listing]
Due to its strong trade relations, central Kerala's cuisine is a blend of many influences, particularly English, Portuguese, Chinese, and Japanese. Seafood is very popular, as well as freshwater fish from Kerala's rivers and backwaters. Prawn and squid are considered essential for most celebrations and festive occasions. Vegetarian entrees are also widely available, though the emphasis remains on seafood.
Drink[edit][add listing]
Sleep[edit][add listing]
Stay safe[edit]
Get out[edit]


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Crack mainland policewoman Do Do Cheng is given a top secret assignment: go to Hong Kong and look after the safety of an old Mr. Chien, a member of the Communist Party's Central Committee. So, Do Do finds herself in a plane, accompanyied by her regular sidekick Cheung. There is a ragin storm and the plane is forced to make an emergency landing in Taiwan. Trying to hide their identity, the duo plays games with the Taiwan police; and they don't necessarily make themselves popular. However, Do Do's intelligence and good looks does turn the head of Taiwan policeman Yung… (Joy Sales)
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photo 1 of 70
Tatsuya Kawajiri
TRAINING: I don't really change my training schedule because of the opponent. I train striking, grappling, MMA, and physical strength. All well-balanced, and I'm getting stronger every day.
When and why did you start training for fighting? In 1997, I went to see the K-1 GP at the Tokyo Dome. The ticket I bought was the cheapest, all the way in the back, farthest from the ring. From there, I watched Ernest Hoost vs Francisco Filho and even from where I was, far away from the ring, I still felt this tremendous sense of tension. Then, I thought to myself, "wow, kakutougi (combat sports) is awesome". Then, I wanted to do kakutougi too.
What ranks and titles have you held? Shooto 155-pound champion
Do you have any heroes? Hayato "Mach" Sakurai and Kazushi Sakuraba. Those two have been my heroes from a long time ago.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? When I signed that UFC contract I was so excited that I couldn't sleep well that night.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I graduated from Chuo Gakuin University.
What was your job before you started fighting? I started MMA after high school so I really never held a full-time job. Well, let's correct this. I have always been a full-time pro MMA fighter. Does this sound good? (Laughs)
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I played baseball in elementary school and junior high school. In high school I did track and field (800 meter run). I had no prior kakutougi experience. But in amateur Shooto I did win the Amateur Shooto Eastern Japan Open tournament at 155 lbs (1999)
Specific accomplishments in pro competition? Won Rookie of the Year in Shooto, 2002, and won Shooto 155 lbs world title in 2004.
Favorite grappling technique: Ground and pound
Favorite striking technique: Ground and pound
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- 1.Smooth Criminal
- 2.I Stand Alone
- 3.The Humbling River
- 4.Holy Diver
- 5.Enter Sandman
- 6.It's My Life
- 7.Highway To Hell
- 8.Uprising
- 9.The Fight Song
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I was watching "The Colbert Report" last night and I heard about a program called "Jesus…Continue
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Chris Dodds has not received any gifts yet
In these trying times, it's important to remember the four great religious truths in the world:
1. Muslims don't recognize Jews as god's chosen people.
2. Jews don't recognize Christ as the messiah.
3. Protestants don't recognize the pope as the leader of the Christian world.
4. Baptists don't recognize each other at either Hooters or the liquor store.
Hi Chris. In answer to your question in the comments try Autism, Asperger's and Atheism and ATHEISTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS DEPENDENTS.
Welcome to the busy group "Origins".
Pleased to have you with us.
Welcome, Chris! Glad you could join us. :D Looking for friends to hang out with? Hey, you've come to the right place.
Please consider joining a group to meet people and talk about anything that's on your mind, Hang With Friends.
Posted on February 21, 2013 at 6:30pm 3 Comments 0 Likes
I posted a discussion on Atheist News earlier today about the Oklahoma House Education Committee passing a Creationist bill, but it's not just evolution that the religious legislators want to eradicate from the science curriculum. It's also physical science, escpeically physical science as it pertains to things like climate change and stem cell research.
For this, Creationsts have developed a new strategy, marketing these bills as defending the "academic freedom" of students and…
Posted on January 1, 2013 at 6:11pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Please consider donating to American Atheists Fair Tax Legal Fund, a lawsuit filed by American Atheists against the IRS challenging the tax exempt status of religious institutions.
Posted on December 15, 2012 at 11:19am 1 Comment 0 Likes
I'm not going to be using the Newtwon Shooting as a means of trying to promote some anti-theist agenda on this post, nor will I be scolding anyone who does use the tragedy to try and promote their own agenda here.
Although I don't personally know any of the children who were lost yesterday, I am deeply saddened, perhaps more than someone who didn't personally know any of the victims would normally be.
Although I have no children of my own, my cousins have their own children…Continue
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:02pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
First, let met start this post by sending my thoughts and condolences to those whose lives have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Now, let's get to the actual post. If you're anything like me, I'm so sorry. Also, you might be getting a little ticked off about the election. Ticked off enough to bother others with this stupid blog post. It's almost like it's…Continue
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DIXON – For every day she worked at City Hall in 2010, ex-Comptroller Rita Crundwell stole an average of $37,478.52.
Further, of the more than $55 million in city funds she deposited into her secret bank account over two decades, only $1.338 million actually went back to the city for expenses.
She spent the rest – nearly $54 million – building up her world renowned horse breeding business, traveling around the country for horse shows, renovating several homes, and buying expensive jewelry.
She also "turned a blind eye" to the fact that the city faced severe financial hardship and was forced to reduce the services it provided to citizens, according to federal prosecutors.
Those details, along with an itemized list of what – and a timeline of how much – Crundwell stole between 1991 and 2012, were contained in court documents filed Thursday.
Prosecutors pointed to those numbers, and other factors, in asking a judge to consider a harsher sentence for Crundwell at her Feb. 14 sentencing hearing.
Click here to see how much federal prosecutors say Crundwell stole from the city each year.
Crundwell pleaded guilty in November to a single count of federal wire fraud.
She faces a maximum 20-year sentence. She also will be ordered to pay full restitution to the city, which local and federal officials have acknowledged is unlikely.
The U.S. Marshals Service already has raised about $11 million from the sale of her properties, horses, and other items.
That money, minus costs, will be returned to the city once the case is resolved.
An 'egregious' act
Prosecutors say Crundwell faces 15 years and 8 months to 19 years and 7 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines.
The defense maintains Crundwell faces 12 years and 7 months to 15 years and 8 months under those same guidelines.
Prosecutors cannot ask for anything higher than 20 years, under federal guidelines. Crundwell must serve 85 percent of the sentence.
In federal court, sentences are determined using guidelines that consider the defendant's criminal history and an offense level based on the nature of the crime.
The sentence also takes into account other factors, such as the seriousness of the offense or whether it will adequately deter future criminal acts.
The federal probation department, which completed a pre-sentence report on Crundwell, determined that she faces about 13 years to nearly 16 years.
In their 15-page motion filed Thursday, prosecutors said that Crundwell's theft caused "non-monetary" harm, such as significant disruption of governmental functions and the loss of confidence in the city's officials.
Prosecutors wrote that day after day for more than 20 years, Crundwell continued to work with city employees and interact with the public while she stole millions of dollars in taxpayers' money.
"[Crundwell]'s conduct in continuing to take millions of dollars from the City of Dixon to support her living of this lavish lifestyle while she knew the City of Dixon was in dire financial straits was especially egregious," prosecutors wrote.
While Crundwell did not have a criminal record, prosecutors say that she engaged in "an ongoing and continuous course of criminal conduct" for more than 20 years before her arrest on April 17 at City Hall.
Assistant United States Attorney Joe Pedersen declined Friday to say what sentence range he would ask for at the hearing.
As of Friday, the defense had not filed a response to the government's motion.
By the numbers
According to the documents:
Crundwell, then in high school, started working in the finance department in 1970 and was appointed comptroller/treasurer in 1983.
On Dec. 18, 1990, she opened the RSCDA account (Reserve Capital Development Account) at First Bank South, now known as Fifth Third Bank.
Also that year, Crundwell started her horse-breeding business, RC Quarter Horses, LLC. At the time of her arrest, she owned more than 400 quarter horses.
In January 1991, she began transferring city money into the RSCDA account for her personal use.
She stole more than $181,000 that year. Meanwhile, the city had to cut $3,200 from the police department budget, $1,000 from the street light account, $3,000 from traffic lights, and $11,500 from the street department.
While the city cut, Crundwell bought herself diamond stud earrings and other jewelry for $3,000, and a 28-foot Suncruiser Pontoon boat for $18,728.
Year by year, Crundwell's theft increased significantly.
On average, Crundwell stole $2.5 million a year over more than 20 years. More than $49 million of the money came from the city's capital development fund, and the rest came from various other city funds.
Among higher amounts taken in any one year was more than $5.6 million in 2008.
That's the year she spent $425,000 to pay off the balance of a motor home that she had bought the year before. She later traded that in to buy a $2.1 million luxury motor home, which she used to travel the country for various horse shows.
That same year, former Commissioner Roy Bridgeman reported that the budget had a $1.2 million deficit and that budgets or staff had to be cut.
The city also had to postpone an $80,000 maintenance project at the wastewater treatment facility, which included sandblasting and repainting of the screw pump to prevent rusting.
That project was completed in August, but the delay of the project made the price jump from $80,000 to more than $400,000.
In 2010, when Crundwell also stole more than $5.6 million, she paid nearly $455,000 to build a new home on Dutch Road and $271,750 to completely renovate her vacation home in Englewood, Fla.
The city's deficit was at $3.74 million that year, working cash was down to almost zero, and there was "a lot of juggling" of funds to meet payrolls.
Crundwell took elaborate steps to hide the fraud by creating hundreds of phony invoices between 2001 and 2012, supposedly from the Illinois Department of Transportation, to justify the withdrawls from the capital development fund.
In September 2009, Crundwell transferred $350,000 in city funds to the RSCDA account to buy her horse, Pizzazzy Lady.
She submitted fake invoices for the same amount, purportedly to pay for a sewer project completed by the state, according to the documents.


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The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has overturned the 2008 verdict of an East Texas jury that would have resulted in a ban on sales of the Nintendo Gamecube controller, Wavebird, and Classic Controller due to patent infringement.
In 2006, Anascape Ltd. took Nintendo and Microsoft to court over the technology used to implement analog sticks in each company's controllers. Anascape claimed both companies infringed on its existing patent. While Microsoft settled with the company out of court, Nintendo took the fight to the Eastern Texas District Court...
..and lost.
The court found in favor of Anascape, finding that the Gamecube controller, its wireless cousin the Wavebird, and the Wii Classic Controller did infringe on the patent, while the Wii remote and nunchuck controllers did not. Nintendo was ordered to pay $21 million is damages, and a ban was ordered on the sale of the offending peripherals.
The ban was put on hold while Nintendo appealed on a federal level, and now Nintendo has won that appeal.
"In 2008, the jury determined that the Wii Remote and Nunchuck did not infringe," said Nintendo of America General Counsel Rick Flamm. "Today the Federal Circuit's ruling confirmed that none of Nintendo's controllers infringe. We appreciate that our position has been vindicated."
So you can all take your Wavebirds, Gamecube controllers, and Wii Classic Controllers out of your wall safes. Our nightmare is finally over, or something.