text:
Divisible by five?
JOHNSON COUNTY– Petitioners pushing for a new way to elect county supervisors are getting closer to their goal.
According to Debra Thornton, chair of the Johnson County Republicans, members of the Committee for Fair Representation– the group that organized the petition drive– are "well on their way" to gathering the 7,619 valid signatures required to call for a public vote on the matter.
The petition calls for a public vote to determine how to elect supervisors to the five-member Johnson County board; whether to keep the current at-large system of representation or switch to district representation. The Committee for Fair Representation actually coalesced about nine months ago, Thornton said, in an effort to work toward a more equitable representation on the board of supervisors for all parts of Johnson County.
"We've had significant growth in north Liberty, Coralville, Swisher and Shueyville. But right now, because it's an open free-for-all, there are no county supervisors from any of those areas," said Thornton. "Those people don't have any real representation on the board because there's a real Iowa City-centric focus, versus a more true, traditional county focus and experience within the other urban areas."
Current supervisors Terrence Neuzil, Janelle Rettig and Rod Sullivan all live in Iowa City, and supervisor Pat Harney lives a few miles north of Iowa City. The lone Republican supervisor, John Etheredge, was elected by special election in March and was the first Republican elected to the board since 1962. Etheredge lives near Kalona.
"We think if you have five supervisors by district, divided out in equal number, there is a greater likelihood those areas (outside of Iowa City) would have stronger representation and have their ideas better communicated on the board of supervisors," Thornton said.
If the group acquires the necessary valid signatures, the county will be required to hold a public referendum with three options on the ballot; one, to elect the supervisors in the same at-large system as now; two, to elect them at-large with district residency required for the supervisor (the county would be split into five districts and the supervisor must live within the district, but the entire county would vote on the candidates regardless of a voter's residence); or three, to elect by district with district residency required of both the supervisor and the voter.
Thornton said people she and the members of the committee speak with understand the model of district representation, because it is similar to the way we elect our congressional and senatorial representatives.
"People being elected by district in the United States as a whole has been done for years, since the very beginning. Senators and congresspeople elected by district allows us to ensure in each part of the state that whoever represents that district will have a better knowledge of their constituents' wants and needs," Thornton said. In the same way, she added, the wants and needs of constituents from all parts of Johnson County would be brought to the table.
"That's appropriate. Everybody talks about it, hashes it out, and comes to a majority decision about what best for the entire county," Thornton said. "It's a traditional system we use in for a wide variety of representation, and it seems to work pretty well in most cases."
But chair of the Executive Committee of the Johnson County Democrats Mike Carberry does not agree that district representation is good for Johnson County, believing it would set up a situation of parochialism within the county that each individual supervisors would lobby for improvements to his or her own district, regardless of where the true need is.
"You'll set up more divisions within the county than harmony," Carberry said.
"Right now, there are five representatives that really do get out there into the entire county, they go to bake sales and chili suppers and pancakes breakfasts in all the small communities. But if you go to districts, are the other four supervisors going to even show up in any district other than their own?"
In addition, Carberry said, creating districts actually shrinks the voice each citizen has in expressing concerns to the board. By having supervisors elected at large, all five are responsible to every citizen in the county.
"Right now you have five people go to. If it goes to districts, you'd only have one. So when your supervisor makes a decision you disagree with, you have no recourse. You could lobby the other four board members, but they don't represent you, and if you aren't their constituent, will they even care what you think? Districts set up that sort of thinking."
At this point, it is too far off to foresee how the county would be divided into districts of equal population, but the process would likely be similar to the method used by Iowa's Legislative Services Agency to redistrict the state's legislative and congressional districts, with public hearings for citizen input on any proposed districting plans, Thornton said.
At least one person has thought about the potential ramifications of creating districts, which is guided by Iowa code. John Deeth, Data Management Chair for the Executive Committee of the Johnson County Democrats, has considered the math involved, and stated on his Internet blog that "the numbers don't add up" if Republicans are proposing district elections to increase rural representation. Because the larger urban populations of Iowa City, North Liberty and Coralville would have to be divided, there would likely remain three districts dominated by Iowa City residents and one each dominated by North Liberty and Coralville, even if they were combined with rural counterparts. (Find Deeth's blog at deeth.blogspot.com.)
Data on the Johnson County Auditor's website indicates that, of Johnson County's 57 voting precincts, only four of them contain more registered Republicans that Democrats. It's another reason Carberry thinks the district plan is not going to gain the stated purpose of increasing rural representation.
"I think that's their assumption; that if they do (elect by districts), they can either retain the seat they just gained in the last election, or they may be under the assumption that there are more Republicans in the rural areas and they would be more popular there than in the cities."
But it's a false assumption, Carberry contends, and would do the county more harm than good if the petition sets a public vote in motion.
"If this petition is successful, it's probably going to be defeated and end up costing taxpayers $75,000 for an election that is not needed," Carberry said.
Thornton maintains the district plan seems to be popular with people of both party affiliations and independent voters as well, and a public referendum is the democratic way to decide what's best for the whole.
"We have had support from a wide variety of people who have responded very positively in saying, 'this makes sense, we get it.' People understand the concept because we do many different types of election by district in the United States, it's very common and it works very well."
Members of the Committee for Fair Representation plan to call in the circulating petitions May 1 to count signatures gathered. They hope to collect at least 10,000 signatures total, but have not yet determined when they will turn over the petition to the county auditor. If the petition is successful, the special election would be held Aug. 6. To find more information about the petition, visit the Johnson County Republican website at www.jcrepublicans.org and click on "Petition Drive."


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Anyone that grew up in Oxnard, CA can testify that the area has certainly had its fair share of Lowrider activity. The Oxnard scene had a huge influence on Chris Fields who grew up there dreaming of participating in the local culture. "Oxnard Blvd and Saviers Rd. was the spot to be, and watching everyone cruising out there really influenced me into the scene," says Chris. In the early '90's Chris used to cruise around with his Compa, Robert Garcia, in his '63 convertible. It was Robert who helped Chris find the '62 that is being featured here, a discovery that was made more than eight years ago. "I had a friend that passed away who used to own a '62 and since then, the '62 Impala has been my favorite car," Robert says sincerely.
The '62's transformation began almost immediately after Chris had purchased it, but it didn't take long for him to run into problems with the build. "We tore the car down and we took it to a few different painters, but unfortunately they ended up being the wrong guys," says a frustrated Robert. "One of them started working on the car, but three years later, it was just sitting on the side of his house. I kept calling him and going over to his house to see the work but it was just evident that it wasn't going to happen." After getting fed up with the painter, Chris went by and took his car back. It was around that time when his fellow club member, Jose Barba, hooked him up with Low Lowz and More out of Rialto, CA. "It was smooth sailing after I took it in to Low Lowz and More," explains a relieved Robert.
"I tried to make the car look "gangsta" by adding the blinds; a booty kit and having it lay real low. Once I was finished, it just came naturally to me to name the car, "The Seventh Letter."
Chris would like to thank Eklips and Young K for helping him with the design of the bat switches and the knock off chips, Risky for hooking him up with OG Abel, and he'd like to send a special thanks to his wife and kids.
Tech Specs
Owner: Chris Fields
Vehicle: '62 Chevy Impala
City/State: Oxnard, CA
Club: Premier
Engine: 327 with 350-turbo transmission, Flowmaster exhaust, Thorly headers, Edelbrock 650 CFM carb, Edelbrock intake, Zoop serpentine kit, Be Cool radiator and fan, EMS hood hinges, Lokar tranny stick, Tuff Stuff starter, Interstate Battery, Taylor Wires spark plugs wires, Billet Specialties valve covers and air cleaner.
Body/Paint: Jose Garcia at Low Lowz & More of Rialto, CA used a special blend of corona cream paint on the '62. Walt Prey in Simi Valley added the fine lines, while OG Abel of OGAbel.com in Chino, CA added the mural in the molded trunk.
Interior: Brad at Low Lowz & More installed the stock seats and carpet. Dakota Digital gauges and a Billet dash cover were added along with molding the dash and the custom speaker kick panels.
Sound System: Ray, of Low Lowz & More, alongside Chris installed the Fosgate amps and Fosgate tweeters, mids and two 10″ Power Fosgate subwoofers.
Setup: Ted Wells installed two Pesco Shot Gun pumps, three Adex dumps, and six Interstate batteries at Old School Hydros in Altadena, CA. Hernan of Engrave It in Montclair, CA did all the engraving. The fully wrapped frame was completed at Low Lows & More in Rialto, CA. Other suspension modifications include molded upper and lower a-arms, a shortened rear end, 605 Steering Box, I Did It steering column, ABS electric booster and disc brakes.
Tires: OG 5.20's Premium Sportways
Wheels: 13×7″ Daytons

subset: commoncrawl


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Embraer ERJ 195
A Brazilian princess
Embraer ERJ 195
Her first long flight will be her only Atlantic crossing: An expert team of pilots and technicians flew a freshly purchased Embraer 195 regional jet from Brazil to Munich, Germany, to join the Lufthansa Cityline fleet. A log of an unusual trip on board a brand-new passenger plane
Day 1: Thurday, July 19
Cruising altitude: 31000 feet; speed: 150 knots; 17:45 UTC
"The angle of attack is 12 degrees," confirms Captain Christof Kemény. The empty passenger jet climbs steeply. If we go any slower the plane will stall. The yokes start to judder loudly. This is the warning signal that the experienced training pilot has been expecting. "We're not exactly flying by the book," he says with an easy grin. Other tests involve switching the engines off and on while in the air, aborting takeoff while traveling at groundspeeds of 70 knots – and nearly stalling the plane over the Atlantic some 200 miles east of Brazil. "We are pushing the airplane to the limit, technically, to see if it can right itself each time. We also want to check that the plane gives the pilot the support it is designed to provide," Kemény explains, bringing the plane back to a normal position. All is suddenly quiet in the cockpit. The crew exchange satisfied glances and tick the right boxes on the checklist. It's time for the next exercise.
Only two days ago, Captain Kemény arrived in Brazil as a passenger on board flight LH504 from Germany. He is part of a seven-person team of Lufthansa specialists entrusted with accepting delivery of and flying back to Munich a brand-new jet that Lufthansa ordered from Embraer for the Lufthansa CityLine fleet. The Brazilian aircraft maker builds the short- and medium- haul jets at its factory in São José dos Campos, nearly an hour and a half by car from São Paulo. The jet has already passed an array of ground tests and is ready to be put through its paces in the air during what will be its fourth flight ever. An area of airspace has been specially cordoned off. The crew has carefully planned each maneuver and has often practiced in the simulator; only a handful of staff hold the necessary qualifications. These tests are all part of the package when Lufthansa agrees to buy a new airplane. "I want to be 100-percent certain that each system in every aircraft I hand over to my colleagues is in perfect working order," says Kemény. He executes the maneuvers that the three engineers on board need to test. Four hours later, Kemény and the Embraer test pilot Cassio Oliveira land the jet safely back at the Embraer airfield. There are still 70 items open – small glitches that Embraer must rectify before Lufthansa can accept delivery of the airplane. This kind of thing is standard procedure throughout the airline industry.
Day 2: Friday, July 20
Embraer factory, Customer Office #9
Everyone is waiting – technical fleet manager Christian Heinen, avionics technician Richard Stollenwerk, aircraft engineer Karsten Schliemann, and Peter Kessenich, the man responsible for quality control, airworthiness and technical documentation. Notebooks, bags of potato chips, cables and soft drink cans clutter up the conference table. Down in the hangar, the E195 stands gleaming beneath the spotlights, always within view thanks to a large office window. Thick fog made this morning's second scheduled test, or "shakedown," flight impossible, it has to be postponed until the afternoon. During the shakedown flight, the experts check whether the irregularities noted the day before have been put right. The test flight experts are among the most experienced in their field and responsible for ensuring that the new plane complies with all of Lufthansa's standards. Every day their list of queries grows longer, and the checking process can take hours. Even dates have to be rigorously checked. "We have to be able to rule out the possibility of computer errors recurring on odd or even-numbered calendar dates," explains Heinen.
The nickname "Brazilian princess" suits the graceful airplane down to the ground. There's nothing heavy or chunky about this sporty jet, which joined the Lufthansa fleet as a sort of dowry when Lufthansa and SWISS were joined. Back then, some pilots irreverantly called the cutting-edge aircraft a "flying laptop" with too much technology, too many automated processes, and too little scope for human control. But the arranged marriage grew into a loving partnership. The head-up display and other advanced technical aids make the Embraer safe and reliable to fly – often by hand – and have won pilots over completely. Right now, though, this plane still belongs to the manufacturer. On the tail, its German registration is as yet concealed beneath layers of black film – and the head-up display is causing problems for the fleet manager and his team. "A horizontal line keeps slipping on the right. That's no good," Heinen explains. The component will have to be replaced. But not until Monday; weekends are sacred in Brazil, just like in Germany. The number of open items is now 80.
Day 3: Monday, July 23
The lobby of a hotel situated near a freeway interchange
Copilot Gregor Winkler has only just arrived by plane from Frankfurt. Already, he will have to tell his wife that he will return somewhat later than expected. Winkler was originally scheduled to fly the new Embraer back to Germany with Captain Kemény on Tuesday, but that's out of the question now. The green line on the head-up display isn't positioned properly, and there are 43 other items still open. Fleet manager Heinen and Captain Kemény decide to postpone the flight to the following day: Wednesday. Gregor Winkler reaches for his smartphone.
Day 4: Tuesday, July 24
In the Embraer hangar, 14:10 local time
The E195 is jacked up and suspended above the hangar floor. The landing gears drop from the flaps without actuating the hydraulic systems, just as they should. The plane passes this particular test with flying colors. Nonetheless, 26 items still to be remedied. The flight to Germany is postponed once more. "Spending half their life in vain, pilots wait to board their plane," quotes Gregor Winkler.
Day 5: Wednesday, July 25
Customer Office #9, 2nd floor
Only nine items are still open, but the crew is growing optimistic. In the past eight days, Kessenich has had to number 1430 components and enter them in an Excel chart. The quality controller has made spot checks on hundreds of registered items and created a "CV file" for the plane. Over its upcoming decades of service, this CV will be used to check, verify and document for posterity every incidence of damage and every maintenance cycle. Kessenich is all set to fly home to his native Cologne. Rudolf Bach, on the other hand, has just called the airline to postpone the scheduled flight he had booked for that afternoon. The Lufthansa representative is in charge of the financial side of the purchase. The all-clear finally comes in the evening: Every problem has been remedied. Bach calls Citibank in New York and prepares the money transfer.
Day 6: Thursday, July 26
Customer Office #9, 10:54 local time, at the conference table
Christian Heinen, Rudolf Bach and Embraer representative Marc Thomas Ahlgrimm sign the purchase contract and the acceptance certificate in triplicate – in blue ballpoint ink, which is the only valid kind. Two and a half hours ago, Lufthansa transfered a sum in the high, two-digit millions to Embraer. The Brazilian registration is rubbed off and the new German code D-AEBR emerges from beneath the black film. When you buy an aircraft as opposed to a car, the first full tank of fuel is always free; that's 12,800 kilos of kerosene. The lifeboats and life jackets on board are only on loan and will later be returned to Brazil. The Germans have brought their own first-aid kit with them. Each member of the team carries his own baggage on board, the Brazilian and German engineers embrace. "We worked closely together and learned a lot from each other," says Heinen. "Mutual trust is a tremendously important factor in a project of this kind. Embraer was quite exemplary." Once the new plane is up in air, copilot Gregor Winkler tips its wings in a farewell wave.
Recife International Airport, North Brazil, 17:34 UTC
Layover at Aeroporto do Recife: Instead of what will soon be 120 passengers, four technicians step onto the tarmac, squinting in the sunshine on the blistering hot asphalt. The kerosene tank is filled to the brim for the long flight across the Atlantic. The crew walks through passport control and customs in a separate area, where Captain Kemény is waved into an office and greeted with a warm handshake. This is his ninth delivery flight, and he knows the people here. One of the officals fills out some forms and receipts. Instead of a computer, a large fan hums in the corner. Kemény uses his company credit card to pay the landing and takeoff fees of 5,244 reais – nearly 2,000 euros.
20:16 UTC, 41,000 feet above the equator
The sky is bathed in a warm orange glow and the sun sets as though on cue as flight LH9940 crosses the equator. The sound track to Apollo 13 blares from the cabin speakers; in the aisle, Captain Kemény holds a short speech. The men in the cockpit toast each other with soft drinks, while in the cabin, the engineers busy themselves with in-flight service. A short pillow fight is followed by a round of foil-wrapped cheese sandwiches. Some of the engineers press their cell phone cameras to the windows, others play patience on their laptop or watch a TV crime episode from the media center. The tension of the past few days begins to seep away. The pilots test the technicians' patience by reciting traditional German Christmas rhymes and fleet manager Heinen responds with a ribald rhyme. "It was a pleasant and uneventful flight," says aircraft engineer Karsten Schliemann. No open items anymore.
Day 7: Friday, July 27
Touchdown in Gran Canaria, 0:36 UTC
It's late at night when, tired but happy, the crew heads for bed at Resort H10 on Playa Meloneras. The pilots have to take their prescribed 12-hour rest and the jet needs refueling. After breakfast, it's back to the airport – no time out for this team. Captain Kemény points the jet northward toward Toulouse, flies over Geneva and Lake Constance and arrives in Munich at 18:30 local time. Home at last, the plane touches down gently after completing the 6,079 miles of the longest journey she will ever make.


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OTTAWA — The federal government is set to double the funding for the Own the Podium program — which has been credited for Canada's golden performance during the Vancouver Olympics, CTV reports.
This week's federal budget has earmarked $22 million for the winter sports portion, doubling the budget from the current $11 million, the news organization said.
Canada won a record-setting 14 gold medals during the 2010 Games.


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The dust still hasn't fully settled from the 2010 census, particularly in terms of the redistricting fights going on around the country. One particular battle which is taking on a serious sense of urgency is happening in Texas, (Perry v. Perez) and this week it was tossed into the lap of the United States Supreme Court. This is a pretty complex story, because the date for the Texas primary is fast approaching (and moving) and the case still isn't settled as to what the map will be which accommodates the 4 new congressional seats they picked up as their population expanded.
Texas did create a new district map which was signed off on by Rick Perry. But because they fall under the restrictions of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) the map can not be implemented until it receives "preclearance" through either a federal court or the Department of Justice to ensure that it is "free of racial and ethnic discrimination." Texas sent their new map to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to request preclearance, but at the same time, private plaintiffs brought suit in Texas saying the map discriminated on the basis of race.
As I said, it gets very complex from there, but at The Atlantic, Garret Epps offers a long, detailed, and understandable review of the current status. He also explains why the Supremes might choose to toss the case back to the lower courts rather than weigh in on a messy fight over the status of the VRA.
The federal government, which argued that the Texas plan deserved no deference but that the District Court plan was flawed, was represented by Deputy Solicitor General Sri Srinavasan. "The fundamental flaw with Texas's approach is that it directly inverts the burden established by the Voting Rights Act," he told the Court. Section 5 says that in this context, the burden should be on the state.
The latter point may offer the Court a way out of the case. All three attorneys agreed that the Court could remand the case to the District Court with instructions to use the state's plan as a basis for a new map — but without deference to the state, in fact, with the burden of proof on Texas to show the each aspect of the plan does not violate § 2. This seems to be Justice Kennedy's preference — and Justice Kennedy's preferences have a certain whiff of law.
If Texas does not bear that burden as to any part, the District Court could redraw that part. That might require another delay in the Texas primary; but Texas has the earliest congressional and legislative primaries in the country, and there is time to reschedule. In the meantime, the D.C. District Court might resolve the preclearance question, simplifying everybody's life.
Whether the Court takes that route may tell us a lot about what its members have in mind to do when § 5–and with it, the future of minority participation in American politics — are squarely before it at last.
The biggest takeaway for us on this one may be whether or not the court even agrees to debate this, rather than the final shape of the map in Texas. Tossing it back to
the D.C. District Court the District Court in Texas could be taken as a sign that the status quo under the VRA sits well enough with the SCOTUS and they want the process followed as usual, even if it means another delay for Texas. But if they take up the question of whether or not a legitimate challenge exists to allow Texas to move forward, it could open up a very messy can of worms indeed.
EDIT: (Jazz) Incorrectly suggested the case could be tossed back to the D.C. court. Should have read "the District Court in Texas." Corrected.


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Maragato wedding
Easter week
Church of San Francisco
Cathedral of Santa María in Astorga and the Episcopal Palace
- Автономное сообщество: Castilla y Leon
- Провинция / Остров: León
Путь святого Иакова, первый «Европейский культурный маршрут» и объект Всемирного наследия. Подробнее
The capital of the county of Maragatería in the province of León offers a rich medieval legacy, the result of its location at the crossroads of: the Pilgrim's Road to Santiago de Compostela and the Ruta de la Plata (Silver Road). Its walled town preserves churches, convents and hospitals which take travellers back to the purest tradition of the Pilgrim's Road. Another outstanding feature in the town's streets is a culminating work by the Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí: the Bishop's Palace. Astorga is, also, a good opportunity for enjoying the rich cuisine of this area.
Astorga stands at the confluence of two important Spanish routes which in past times were pilgrims' itineraries. The older of the two, the Silver Route, dates from Roman times. This itinerary (Gijón-Seville) was the route used to transport the metal extracted from the mines in the north of the peninsula to the shipping ports in the south. During the Middle Ages it was used by Arab and Christian troops at the time of the conquest and the reconquest. This excellent communications route throughout the centuries then became the way for pilgrims heading for Santiago de Compostela. The Way of Saint James, the Jacobean route that has been declared a part of our World Heritage by the UNESCO, also runs through Astorga. This was part of a series of paths that criss-crossed Europe and northern Spain on the way to Santiago de Compostela, a holy city by virtue of being the site of the tomb of Saint James the Apostle. The historic quarter of this town in Galicia is also a World Heritage Site. Asturica Augustea Astorga, the old Asturica Augustea was established under the Roman empire. Most of the archaeological findings dating from that historical period can be visited on the Roman Route, a circuit featuring interesting Roman ruins including sections of the basilica, thermal baths, mansions and part of the sewerage system. The Puerta del Sol gate gives access onto the walled enclosure, in which the most important monument is the cathedral. Work on the current building started in the 15th century and continued until the 17th century. This is the reason its layout has Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements, in addition to works by master craftsmen from various different periods. The initial plans were by Gil de Hontañón, whereas the High Altar was designed by Gaspar Becerra. The Baroque carving of La Inmaculada is the work of the master sculptor Gregorio Fernández, and there is also a Romanesque sculpture of the Virgin of La Antigua, in addition to a silver chest belonging to Alfonso III the Great, a work of outstanding craftsmanship. Other important religious buildings with Baroque plasterwork include the churches of San Andrés, Santa Clara and San Bartolomé. In the past, this series of buildings also included pilgrims' hospitals. Travellers today can learn more about this tradition in the Pilgrims' Museum, housed in the Episcopal Palace. This neo-Gothic building is the work of the Modernist master Antonio Gaudí. Another notable monument is the city's 17th-century Baroque Town Hall with its majestic facade the work of Manuel de la Lastra, and which can be seen in the Plaza Mayor square. Two towers flank an attractive continuous balcony with wrought ironwork and a steeple supported by flying buttresses. Colasa and Perico –the most popular 'maragatos' (the name for the local inhabitants) in Astorga– strike the hours on a large bronze bell. The tour of this town in León can be continued in the Synagogue Gardens, the Aljibe Park and the Chocolate Museum. Another excellent option is to make a stop in any of the restaurants in the centre of town to sample the region's traditional dishes. The exceptional quality of the pulses from León can be savoured in dishes like 'cocido maragato' (chickpea stew), which here is served in the reverse order from in other parts of Spain. Diners begin with the meat, chorizo and dumplings, and end with the chickpeas, cabbage and soup. 'Cecina' (cured dried smoked beef), 'botillo' (cooked smoked pork sausage meat), 'empanada' (savoury filled pastry) from El Bierzo, cod and trout are some of the other delicious options. Pippin apples, cherries, pears, peppers and chestnuts are also found as ingredients in the local recipes. A favourite desert is the typical sweet pastries known as 'mantecadas' from Astorga. The recommended wines are from the El Bierzo Designation of Origin. All León From Astorga, you shouldn't miss a trip to León, a stop on the Way of Saint James and the capital of the province. Its main architectural treasures are the cathedral, the basilica of San Isidoro and the Hospital of San Marcos (today a Parador hotel). You'll find the best selection of León's culinary fare in the El Húmedo quarter, a maze of narrow streets where the 'tapas' (small portions served with your drink) are a foretaste of some of the more elaborate dishes. Castrillo de los Polvazares, declared a National Monument, is a genuine showcase of 'maragato' culture. Cobbled streets lead past stately houses with vast doorways in the typical tradition of León. The nearby Sierra de Teleno is an area on the banks of the Duerna river where you can spot stags and badgers, and is an ideal place for nature lovers. In the villages of Rabanal del Camino, Foncebadón and Quintanilla de Somoza you'll have the opportunity to rediscover some ancient trades and customs. Continuing on along the Jacobean route will bring you to Ponferrada and Villafranca del Bierzo. Carracedo is home to the monastery of Santa María, declared a National Monument; Compludo is an opportunity to see a mediaeval blacksmithy; and Carucedo is a good place to start the climb up to Las Médulas. These reddish-coloured mountains are ancient Roman gold mines that have been declared a World Heritage site by the UNESCO for both their scenic and historic value.
Места, которые стоит посетить, в: Astorga
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text:
Comet ISON: Seven Things to Know About Comets main content.
by AMNH on
On Thursday, November 28, Comet ISON is slated to travel just 750,000 miles from the Sun—its perihelion, or closest approach to the Sun.
Discovered only in late 2012, comet ISON has been exciting from the start. Astronomers surmised immediately, "Oh, this could be big," says Denton Ebel, chair of the Division of Physical Sciences, since "ISON was very bright and active even while it was in the outer solar system." Dr. Ebel works on samples from NASA's Stardust mission, which collected dust from Comet Wild2 and returned it to Earth.
Comet ISON wouldn't be visible from Earth for a time as it slingshot around the Sun, and observers are getting excited to have it come back into view from Earth in mid-December.
[Update: But that was not to be. "I have a note on my calendar for today—December 13—to 'view comet ISON,'" says Dr. Ebel. "But I guess that's not happening."
Why not? Many comets fragment as they encounter the intense heat and gravity of the Sun, and while at first skywatchers thought comet ISON might have survived the trip, it appears to have not. "It probably both fragmented and, basically, sublimed—that is, the ices became vaporized," says Dr. Ebel. Indeed, the comet appears to have broken up almost completely even before it reached its closest approach to the Sun, according to observers from NASA and elsewhere.]
Need a refresher course on comets? Here are seven things to know about these exciting but enigmatic Sun-orbiting space objects.
1. Like asteroids, comets are likely remnants of the formation of the solar system about 4.6 billion years ago.
2. Comets' main components are rock, ices, and dust.
3. Comets orbit the Sun.
As they near the Sun, they develop a coma—a thin cloud of gas that forms directly from ice by "sublimation," explains Ebel. They also develop two tails—one of dust, which can be millions of miles long, and one of ionized (electrically charges) gases. It's the coma and the tails that can make comets such spectacular night-sky sightings.
4. While most asteroids orbit in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, comets come from farther away.
Short-period comets—those with orbits that last less than 200 years—originate in the Kuiper Belt. (Many dwarf planets, including Pluto, also reside in the Kuiper Belt.) Long-period comets, and some that will never return, like comet ISON, likely come from the more distant Oort cloud, which is thought to extend almost a light year from the Sun.
5. The Oort Cloud is hypothetical at this point.
Spacecraft have not traveled there; the Voyager spacecraft, for instance, have only gone to 16 light-hours from the Sun, and astronomers cannot observe it directly—but in 1950 astronomer Jan Oort hypothesized that such an area must exist. This isn't as far-fetched as it may sound. In 1951, astronomer Gerard Kuiper hypothesized the Kuiper Belt, and it was only in 1992 that the first confirmed Kuiper Belt object was discovered.
6. Comets from the Oort Cloud only rarely enter the inner solar system.
"That's fortunate," says Ebel, because comets can be big (ISON is over 1 kilometer in size) and fast," and potentially dangerous to Earth. As comets near Earth, they travel much faster than asteroids do, sometimes approaching 100 times the speed of sound on Earth—because they all obey Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
7. There is still a lot to learn about comets.
"We know that comets are made of rock and ice," explains Denton Ebel, "but we don't know the proportions of each or their internal structure." And that's why it's hard to predict how a comet will react as it nears the heat of the Sun. Some may be densely packed, while others may be, says Ebel, "like Swiss cheese!" Researchers are trying to learn more, however. After 2015, the unmanned New Horizons mission will enter the Kuiper Belt, in part to learn more about comets.
Learn more about the work of Dr. Ebel in a video.


text: With Yodha astrology and horoscope PRO app, you will get a personal astrologer and all-in-one astrology can offer - love predictions, horoscopes, birth chart readings, zodiac signs compatibility and more... Once you get the app, all of it will be right in your pocket. How does it work? - Download the astrology app - Fill in birth details - Ask a question - Let an astrologer read your birth chart to find the answer - Get your personal prediction - Ask more questions as needed What extras will you get? - Horoscope updates for planetary alignment changes - Gifts, offers, promotional bonuses - Professional customer care Why do people like the PRO version of the app? - Premium service from senior astrologers - Daily doses of inspirations from thoughts of the day - Earning free credits - The extended length of a question - Booking a personal astrologer What questions can you ask? Love, Relationship, Family, Money, Career, Education, Business - all aspects of your life are affected by ongoing changes in celestial objects of the Universe. To get some ideas, check out a few examples: - When will I get married? - When and where will I fall in love? - Is there anyone loving me secretly? What does love horoscope say? - Am I on the right path according to astrology map? What is in my life horoscope? - Why did we break up last year? What was the compatibility score? - Will it be good for me if I get back with my Ex? - Can I have some insight as to what my daily horoscope holds for me today? - Am I going to be in a new relationship soon? - Are horoscope signs always correct about personality? I act more like a different zodiac sign! - According to my horoscope chart, what type of books should I read now? - Is it a good idea to go on a date tomorrow with…? What is in my daily love horoscope? - Am I going to pass my math exam test tomorrow? Please check my daily academic horoscope. - What does my birth chart show about my love relationship? What can I do to improve it? - Will I get a sudden fortune or lottery luck? Can you make a finance horoscope? - I feel really heartbroken. What should I do? - What do my love horoscope and birth chart hold for me in 2018? - What Vedic zodiac sign I have? I heard that zodiac horoscope signs are different in Vedic astrology. - Does my astrology chart indicate anything about realizing my life purpose? - It is not easy for me to concentrate on studying process. What is my education horoscope for the year 2018? - Will I get a promotion at work in 2018 according to my career horoscope and fortune? - Is it a good idea to accept a new job offer now? What is in my work horoscope? - What is my family horoscope? How many kids will I have in my life? Are Vedic zodiac signs different? In Vedic astrology, 12 zodiac signs known as horoscope signs have similar names to Western astrology: Taurus, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Pisces, Virgo, Leo, Libra, Gemini, Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, Aquarius, but calculated and used in a bit different way. Vedic astrologers make horoscope readings based on a deep multi-factor analysis of a birth chart, zodiac signs and relevant surroundings similar to psychic readings to predict the future events before they happen. Weekly / monthly "Astrologer Selection" and "Extended Message Length" subscriptions are available. The price and currency will vary by type and location. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period at the rate of selected plan. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Terms: http://yodha.us/terms Privacy Policy: http://yodha.us/privacy


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When skyrocketing food prices triggered riots in more than a dozen countries from Haiti to Egypt earlier this year, investors committed to pursuing social justice weren't sure what to do.
"It's hard to figure out who to blame for the food crisis," says Lloyd Kurtz, principal at Nelson Capital Management, a private money-management firm in Palo Alto, Calif., via e-mail from Malaysia. "Social investment has been most influential when there was an actor that could be identified – e.g., the tobacco companies, the South African apartheid regime, etc. But the causes of the global food crisis are multifaceted.… That's probably why you haven't seen a coherent response from the social-investment community."
But some social investors are trying to find ways to tackle a crisis that has pushed an estimated 130 million people into hunger. In June, the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility launched an initiative to tackle food-related issues and propose investing guidelines for the 275 institutional investors in its membership. The project aims to encourage sustainable agriculture worldwide.
Meanwhile, socially responsible (SR) mutual funds are in fact-finding mode. Oxfam America, an antipoverty group, has recently been discussing the food crisis with SR fund staffers.
"A lot of [SR funds] are interested in the issue, but have not yet found the grounds on which they're going to engage different private sector actors who could have an influence, either positively or negatively, on the food crisis," says Rohit Mohani, senior campaigns adviser for Oxfam America.
Relief agencies have long emphasized the need for public-policy measures to alleviate hunger. But because the current crisis bears the private sector's fingerprints on several fronts, food-security experts are offering insights to help investors advance solutions – and avoid compounding problems.
"The mobilization of capital for agricultural growth, especially in the small-farm economy, definitely cannot come only from the public sector," says Joachim von Braun, director general of the International Food Policy Research Institute, a food-security think tank in Washington, D.C. "So the private sector has a very important role to play in order to mitigate and overcome the current food crisis."
To make a positive difference, some food-policy analysts say people need to consider how their investments affect four areas: commodity prices, indigenous farming, biofuel development, and funding and logistical assistance for feeding programs.
The problem with commodities
Multiple factors help explain why the world in the past 18 months saw such stunning developments as a doubling in wheat prices and tripling in rice prices, according to Olivier De Schutter, United Nations' special rapporteur on the right to food. He says climate change, for instance, and a crippling drought in Australia played roles. But speculation in commodity markets, driven in part by investors seeking havens from slumping stocks, has, in his view, contributed heavily to hunger by pushing food prices out of reach for tens of millions.
"This has been a serious factor aggravating the crisis," Mr. De Schutter says.
Concerned investors need to know, De Schutter says, that small farmers in developing nations are seldom the beneficiaries of spikes in agricultural commodity prices. He plans to report next month to the UN Human Rights Council that retailers and global agribusiness firms have benefited disproportionately from recent price hikes. For his part, Mr. von Braun urges social investors to shun commodity futures trading and instead provide "what small-farm agriculture really needs, [which] is long-term investment."
Reaching out to small farmers
Microfinance investing, through an agency such as Kiva.org or Accion International, can put capital in the hands of small farmers in developing nations. This approach helps poor nations feed themselves as they preserve their agricultural resources, says Monica Marshall, deputy director of private sector partnerships for the World Food Program, the food-aid agency of the United Nations. Accredited investors (those worth more than $1 million or earning more than $200,000 per year) have additional options, such as bankrolling farmer cooperatives in Africa and Latin America through Root Capital in Cambridge, Mass. Rates paid on capital vary in microfinance, but returns seldom outpace today's inflation rates.
Investors can also support indigenous farmers, von Braun says, by helping make drought-resistant seeds and effective fertilizers available at prices they can afford.
Using good-quality seeds, he says, is essential to boost crop yields by as much as 400 percent on a parcel of land. But such seed technology is routinely under patent and made available to international agribusinesses at premium prices.
"One issue here is whether relatively small farmers can now afford the higher cost that goes with this new technology being in the private domain," says Erik Thorbecke, a food economist at Cornell University and author of "The Impact of Globalization on the World's Poor." Seedmakers, he says, should perhaps emulate "pharmaceutical companies that charge very high fees for AIDS medicines or drugs but are willing to provide them at lower rates to the poor."
Making seeds available by donation, as Monsanto has done in Malawi, or at affordable prices may, in von Braun's view, offer a promising model. It's one, he says, for investors to consider encouraging among a variety of agricultural supply companies that aspire to grow their international markets.
In terms of investing in the production of biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol, the advice from food-security experts is to be wary.
"Ethically motivated investors should stay away from grain- and oilseed-based biofuels because these biofuels by now are the cause of about one-third of the overall increase in food prices," von Braun says. In select cases, he says, development of certain biofuels can be justified, but "the large-scale investment in Europe and North America has been extremely damaging to world food security."
Some social investors are already reflecting experts' advice in their practices. For instance, Trillium Asset Management, a private money-management firm with an SR focus, wasn't buying stock in ethanol producers even when they seemed to hold great promise in 2005 and 2006, and it's not buying their stock now. Even so, the firm isn't sure how it might put a dent in the global food crisis.
"Via the tools that we wield most effectively (screening, shareholder engagement, proxy voting), we haven't found one that would allow us to have a direct, broad impact on hunger alleviation," writes Shelley Alpern, director of social research and advocacy, in an e-mail.
Workers on the food-crisis front lines are nevertheless convinced that private-sector efforts can and should have an impact. Several companies have won kudos, for instance, by offering both logistical and financial support when agencies linked to the World Food Program jump into action. Ms. Marshall credits the Dutch shipping company TNT, for instance, with supplying not just donations but also planes, trucks, drivers, and logistical expertise when needed in executing particular feeding operations.
What social investors will do to tackle the food crisis remains an open question. But observers expect to see increasingly proactive measures in the years ahead.
"As an issue, [the food crisis] is kind of built for social investment," says David Wood, director of the Institute for Responsible Investment at Boston College. "It clearly has ethical implications for how we evaluate what business does, and it has important financial considerations for long-term returns.… We haven't seen as much activism on this as we will see. If one were to predict future trends, this will be a big one."


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Are you available for a 4.0 USTA league out of Oxnard Tennis Center?
hey do u want to play some tennis this week? please text me at 805-2845438 chester
Cool, thanks Graham.
Text me when you plan on playing singles, or need a doubles partner.
I live near the Castillo/Cabrillo ocean courts, but there's other courts I'll drive to also..
Dustin 805.458.6561
tomorrow monday I can´t play with you. I have injures in my hand and I can´t take my raquets. When I recovered, I will write you to play. Sorry.
Un saludo.
Hey Graham --
I'm good tomorrow after 5:30pm at the high school if you're into it. Otherwise there are many more possibilities after that... Courts get jammed up at that time?
Hello Graham:
Thanks for your message and friend request--I'd be happy to play sometime (though FYI I'm a beginner and several years out of practice). I've played at Municipal a few times. Evenings and weekends are best. 415-407-4272
hey Graham,
I normally play in Pershing park, I'm pretty much free too. I'll let you know when I'm ready to play coz I hurt my back last Saturday and its still hurting until now. I really down to play. Probably this coming weekend I should be able to play.
I work in carpinteria and live in ojai, so I can usually hit anytime after work. There are usually like 2 days a week I have ultimate frisbee, and softball, but the other 3 days are open, let me know when you'd want to hit and we can set something up.
Hey Graham,
Greetings. This is Mack Henry, here. Yeah man, lets hit sometime in upper Libbey. I'm moderate player, 3.5 or so, have played with Brody several times. Just played yesterday with this guy from country of Wales- great match. Anyways, I live right downtown Ojai behind Libbey Park off Montgomery. Give me a buzz at 805-509-8107. Cheers...
Hey Graham,
I am playing with a few friends today at the UCSB courts. I played varsity tennis at San Marcos High School. Let me know if you would like to play any evening this week or the weekend.
© 2020 Created by Mark / The Mayor. Powered by


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The right tire choice can help preserve soil, save time for irrigators
Towering frames and water-flowing nozzles are the most obvious components of a center-pivot irrigation system. But manufacturers say giving attention to the dirty work of irrigation tires can help farmers reduce compaction and provide long-lasting operation with minimal maintenance cost.
"They don't go flat, they don't get stuck and they don't leave ruts near as bad as what your rubber tires do," says Chris Meng, inside sales representative for Lake Mills, Wis.-based Mach II Company, which manufactures plastic tires for pivot systems. "They do leave a small track because the rubber tires have angled tread and push the dirt out the sides. The tread on our tires is basically straight across and paddles the dirt back under."
Farmers should invest in tires that will puncture less and last longer in order to reduce in-field maintenance, Meng says.
"That's a great benefit to farmers if the corn's … feet high," agrees Kacie Morris, marketing manager for Gothenburg, Neb.-based Dawson Tire and Wheel, which branded it's own Vortexx and RhinoGator brands of irrigation tires. "They don't have to slog into the middle of the field to change the tire."
Differences in design. Soil type, rutting concerns and ply needs should be a part of the discussion between farmers and tire dealers, Morris says. Dawson Tire sells a variety of tires—their RhinoGator and Vortexx, as well as Goodyear, Titan and Firestone tires.
Vortexx tires are made of rubber, while RhinoGator tires are composed of renewable plastic made from corn. RhinoGator tires are waterproof, carry a UV protection package that is the longest available in the plastics industry and are lime green color. The tires can be installed alongside rubber tires on a pivot using standard equipment.
Mach II tires are made of a polyethylene from Dow Chemical Company that resists getting stuck in the mud, Meng says. They also contain a UV inhibitor of UV12 that is intended to enhance durability, extending their expected lifespan to seven years or more.
RhinoGator tires come with a three-year warranty but are expected to last longer, Morris says.
Cost factors. The cost of irrigation tires depends on size and manufacturer, among other factors. Imported rubber tires generally cost less than those made in the U.S., but U.S.-built tires are generally superior, Morris says. The company's most popular tire size is 11.2" wide and 38" tall.
Eleven sizes comprise the Mach II lineup, and tires range from $350 to $700 each, depending on whether rims are needed as well, Meng says. More than 30,000 Mach II center-pivot tires are in operation in fields across the U.S., and between 150 and 200 dealers carry the brand along with four stocking distributors.
Demand for the tires is high: sales have tripled since Seljan Company acquired Mach II in January 2010, Meng adds.
Other factors that keep tire maintenance time reasonable include following manufacturers' torque settings and running the same tire style on the irrigation tower. Unlike tires on a truck or a piece of machinery, Mach II tires don't need to be rotated because they are plastic and bi-directional.
Rubber tires are pressurized according to manufacturers' specifications before being shipped from Dawson Tire, Morris says. Tire shipments come with the appropriate pressure settings so farmers can inflate them to the proper level if they lose air in transit.
Ultimately, personal preference is an important factor in choosing an irrigation tire, Morris says.
You can e-mail Nate Birt at [email protected].


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Chocolate lovers beware: 'clean' spread may be addictive
Darien native's nutty chocolate product popular at smaller markets like Aux Delices
Sasha Lewis has always loved chocolate.
In 2012, when she was pregnant with her second child, she craved the rich, creamy decadence of chocolate spreads like Nutella, but looked askance at some of the less-savory ingredients.
Her husband, Trent, a Darien native, had trained in the food business, working in Italian restaurants through high school and college. The couple wondered if it was possible to create a product that tasted extravagant enough to be a dessert, but boasted better quality and sustainability.
"It would be a pregnancy craving, but in the back of my mind, I had this little voice that said, 'Is it too much to ask to have an honest product that tastes delicious?' " Sasha said. "Nothing I could find had that clean profile."
So in 2013, after nearly a year of tinkering in their Norwalk kitchen, Sasha and Trent created Barefoot & Chocolate, a spread that hewed closely to the familiar chocolate-and-nut combination of Nutella. The difference, the Lewises said, was in the quality and quantity. Their original recipe was developed by personal preference, leaning more heavily on cocoa and nuts as the main flavors that the customer tastes, rather than sugar and oil.
Nutella's rebirth
Though European in origin, chocolate spreads have been catching on quickly with Americans. The products are expected to grow at an annual rate of 7 percent in the U.S. from 2013 to 2018, according to Euromonitor, a market research provider.
Nutella, developed by the Italian chocolate manufacturer Ferrero in the 1940s and sold in the U.S. in 1969, still claims a lion's share of that market, with a nearly 70 percent value share in 2013. Its resurgent popularity has a lot to do with generational nostalgia, said Frank Dell, president of Dellmart, a management consulting firm in Stamford.
"It's the adults who had it as kids giving it to their kids now," Dell said. "People have found Nutella again."
Imported from Belgium
For new competitors, sourcing quality and cost-effective U.S. ingredients can prove challenging, as was the case with Barefoot & Chocolate's founders. After nearly a year of fruitless searching for a domestic manufacturer, Barefoot & Chocolate went abroad, to Belgium, where the products are made and shipped back to the Lewises every few months. The ingredients are fair trade, non-GMO (genetically modified organism) certified and mostly organic, designations that were important to the Lewises.
"You're taking something you know people enjoy and making it better," Sasha said.
So far, the company has made significant inroads. They are in 200 stores across the country and will soon be expanding to others in California and Texas. At Palmer's Market in Darien, Barefoot & Chocolate's two flavors, Hazelnut Chocolate and Almond Coconut Chocolate, have been on the shelves for nearly a year -- right next to Nutella. Priced at $9.59, it's been selling slowly so far, said Greg Palmer, one of the market's owners.
Whole Foods also stocks the brand, in an aisle with about half a dozen other chocolate and nut spreads. Although the natural grocery chain doesn't carry Nutella, the new, smaller brands often take longer to catch on with customers, said assistant grocery team leader David Gonzalez.
Gourmet-shop presence
Overcrowded supermarket shelves may make it difficult for less recognized brands to get a foothold. In smaller gourmet shops like Aux Delices in lower Fairfield County, the brand has done better. Debra Ponzek, the store's owner, said she snapped up the brand for her shelves soon after it launched in 2013.
Since then, it's been a strong seller, Ponzek said, particularly in her stores in Greenwich and Riverside. Tasting of the product, held in-store, tend to go over well with customers.
"It's something that will always get people back," Ponzek said.
Unlike large supermarkets, Aux Delices stores have limited shelf space, so she chooses her products carefully, keeping her "discerning" shoppers in mind.
"It's a challenge to get into supermarkets as a gourmet food product, but it helps if you get into the right stores and have a great product," Ponzek said. "Their product is great, it sells very well here. A lot of people see it. We're able to display it more prominently."
`Chocolate fix'
Food is a lifelong, unifying passion for Trent and Sasha. She is a native of Bombay (aka Mumbai), and spent childhood summers in the same part of India where Barefoot & Chocolate's organic sugar is grown. Trent was born and raised in Darien, working at Chuck's Steak House in town while still in school. The couple met through their jobs in financial services, an industry Sasha still works in. When Trent was laid off from his post in finance 18 months ago, he took full-time management of Barefoot & Chocolate. The business has grown alongside their family, which includes a 4-year-old son and 10-month-old daughter.
"I'd be lying if I said it was easy," Sasha said. "I'm doing what a lot of women do, juggling a job and a new business and two children. I'm incredibly lucky that I have a very supportive husband. We love food; we love what we do."
At home, Barefoot & Chocolate products find their way into the family's demanding schedule, albeit in a casual, spontaneous way. Though Trent is an accomplished cook, most of the time the chocolate spreads are eaten on pancakes and toast, or straight out of the jar with a spoon "as a chocolate fix," Trent said. They're intended to be a treat rather than a health food, though with more protein than other mainstream chocolate spreads, he noted.
"Everyone is trying to do the same mundane thing, to be Nutella," Trent said. "Why be Nutella?"


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AMSOIL Dealer alaska » Entries tagged with "Amsoil gear lubes"
AMSOIL Long Life gear lube 75W-90 guaranteed 500.000 miles
June 28th, 2011 | Add a Comment
Specifically engineered for extended drain intervals up to 500,000 miles as set by equipment manufacturers for over-the-road trucks and heavy equipment. Provides long life in passenger cars and trucks. Protects against wear and improves equipment life. Excellent "All Season" summer and winter performance. Outperforms all conventional gear oils. Compatible with most limited-slip differentials. BUY WHOLESALE WHEN YOU BECOME A DEALER AMSOIL DEALER APPLICATION AND SEE ALL THE WAYS YOU CAN MAKE MONEY WITH AMSOIL AMSOIL INCOME OPPORTUNITIES PRODUCT … Read entire article »
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AlaskaSynthetics.com is an authorized Amsoil dealer and we know exactly why and how AMSOIL synthetic motor oil will increase the performance and longevity of your vehicles and equipment and save you money, plus provide increased fuel economy. I am here to answer any of your vehicle or lubrication related questions with an accurate and specific answer and specialize in all makes and models of vehicles.
My name is Rob please call me if your interested in buying Amsoil or need any question answered. My number is 1-907-301-0450. Please Feel Free to call me anytime.
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Wirefly makes it easy to compare and find the best business internet providers in Saint Michael, PA. In today's world, any company who wishes to succeed will not be able to do so without having a solid internet connection. Even a company that doesn't use their internet connection as their number one way of doing business will still need to have a reliable one. Employees of the company will need an internet connection in order to communicate back and forth. Customers will also use the internet to ask questions of the business, as this is the easiest way for most people to communicate. They will be able to leave a message for employees to get back to them later. An employee would have to be present all the time to respond, unlike a typical phone call. Wirefly can help businesses compare the various internet service providers in Saint Michael, PA find a reliable and quality internet connection.
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In the past 20 years, there has been an evolution in the options available for internet connectivity. The advancement in technology has facilitated this evolution. It is the right time for businesses in Saint Michael, PA that have been using a single option to explore other options. It is unwise to stick with your outdated internet provider because you might be missing out on the opportunity for a major upgrade. However, you should remember that each option has its own few setbacks that are unique. One of the limitations is availability. Some internet options are very efficient. The only problem is that they have a limited distribution network. Therefore, it is necessary for you to thoroughly research on the options that are available in your area before making your final decision. The common internet options available are fiber optics, cable, DSL, satellite, fixed wireless, and T1.
Most business ISPs in Saint Michael, PA provide internet connectivity and other services as a package. Thus, it is wise to find an internet firm that offers the full package. Some of the services that you should expect are business web hosting, business phone service, and email. A combination of these services will assist you in saving a lot of money. Clients get to enjoy full service for internet connectivity from their providers. The providers are responsible for service and support because they have the professionals to handle the task. Thus, you will save money that would have been used to hire an expert in-house. You will also reduce your operational costs.
It is important to look for an internet provider that offers consultative services to your business. Their experts will be able to determine the specific needs of your enterprise. The ISP will let you know about things that will increase the efficiency of the business. For example, they may propose that you upgrade your existing technology. The best ISP providers in Saint Michael, PA advise their clients on the bandwidth that they require. They calculate the amount based on the number of employees and devices in use in the company. They may also suggest that your business should adopt remote management of devices.
ISPs in Saint Michael, PA usually offer various internet bundles based on the maximum speed of the internet connection. Bundles with slower speeds have low prices, but they may set back the business' operations. ISPs usually offer various internet packages based on the maximum speed of the internet connection. Therefore, it is important to choose an internet package that caters for peak internet usage so as to ensure there is good connectivity when internet activity is at its peak.
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No matter how plentiful or scarce your options for business internet providers in Saint Michael, PA, you still need to carefully analyze your options to choose the best provider for your business. You want to get the most for your money. Don't sign a contract with an ISP that can't keep up with the times. As the internet evolves and changes, a business' needs will as well. Find out if your ISP is prepared to meet your changing needs. The right provider will be ready to change and evolve with the rest.
The switch from IPv4 to IPv6 is a great example of technology evolving rapidly. IPv6 offers IP addresses that are unlimited in number, allowing for devices that can access the internet to have unique IP addresses. This will make the internet easier to configure but will also cost significantly less for a business to connect to the internet. Is your ISP ready for these changes? Changes that will allow you to lower your costs? These issues are important to consider. Remember, this simple inquiry can help you save money and increase efficiency and productivity. What do you have to lose? Enter your zip code into Wirefly's comprehensive search and compare program now to see how modern business internet in Saint Michael, PA can change the way your company functions with just a single click.
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text:
Oprah Winfrey is opening her talk show's 24th season with a flourish. One week of programs include a Chicago block party with the Black Eyed Peas, an exclusive Whitney Houston interview, her first Dr. Phil visit in seven years and a trip to New York.
It's hard to remember when it seemed more important.
Winfrey is still the queen of daytime television, but the aura of invincibility is gone. The average viewership for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" slipped under 7 million last season, down 7 percent from the year before, according to Nielsen Media Research. One week during the July rerun season, the show had its lowest ratings since its 1985 debut.
There are many possible explanations for the fade, including some over which Winfrey has no control. Ratings declines are common with so many choices and demands on time, particularly during the day. It's even rarer for programs that have been on the air as long as Winfrey's to grow.
And it's not just her. "Live with Regis and Kelly" had the same 7 percent decline last season. Shows with Jerry Springer, Maury Povich and Martha Stewart all had double-digit declines.
Yet Winfrey has also alienated some of her audience, particularly in more conservative parts of the country, said Janice Peck, author of the book "Age of Oprah" and a University of Colorado professor.
By endorsing Barack Obama and campaigning for him, she shucked her apolitical image. Winfrey's book club selection of Eckhart Tolle's New Age religion book "A New Earth" angered some conservative Christians — even though Winfrey's producer said Winfrey was careful not to push Tolle's views on viewers through the television show.
Winfrey's buoyant encouragement of her audience, telling them that their possibilities are limitless, may no longer resonate in tough economic times, Peck said.
The professor said few of her college students talk about Winfrey. They seem more interested in Ellen DeGeneres or Tyra Banks. As the just-named fourth judge for "American Idol," DeGeneres is in line for a burst of attention this year.
"They see Oprah as kind of like who their mom likes," she said. "This is not a good sign for her."
Sheri Salata, executive producer, acknowledges "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is trying to deal with the delicate issue of attracting young viewers while not alienating longtime fans. Notice how the block party carefully followed a performance by the Black Eyed Peas with one by James Taylor.
It was the first time the show actively used social networks, drawing a crowd of 21,000 people in part through alerts on Twitter and Facebook, she said.
"You can't be oblivious to the decline in ratings," said Bill Carroll, expert in the syndication market for Katz Television. "Even if it is the dominant show, you have to look at what the value is. I am sure that the people around her are aware of the trends or the perception of trends."
Salata said the show is trying hard to make an impact with the season opening, although it does that every year.
"When you've been on the air for 24 years, our greatest challenge as producers is what are we going to do now that hasn't been done before? How do we take it up a notch?" she said.
Big interview "gets" like Houston or Erin Andrews, the sportscaster who was secretly videotaped nude, are important. The show will also do a "Mad Men" inspired episode where everyone, from the audience to Winfrey, is dressed in early 1960s style, she said.
"We have a real commitment to our viewers to do shows that will make their lives better, and that's not something we take lightly," she said.
It's worth remembering that Winfrey still has the most-watched talk show by a wide margin, more than two million viewers over "Dr. Phil." But downticks in its ratings have an impact beyond her: most stations use her show to give a big audience lead-in to their local news. NBC used to argue that ABC's "World News" got a ratings boost because Winfrey's show was on many ABC stations, even though it was two hours before the network news.
How things go this fall will affect an important decision: Winfrey is signed to do her show through September 2011, and has promised an answer by the end of the year on whether she'll renew her contract.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Oprah Winfrey
PLAY IT NOW: Inside Oprah Winfrey's Whitney Houston Interview, Part II (September 10, 2009)
PLAY IT NOW: Access Extended: Oprah Excited Over Whitney Houston
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Oprah Winfrey - TV - American Idol - Tyra Banks - Twitter


text: Sorry to throw an admin question out there but I've been wondering how you guys would like to get the posts on PoP. Currently I do 15 every evening with 10 publishing right away and 5 timed to publish throughout the day from 11am-3pm. I'm wondering if you would prefer less posts published right away and have more time delayed throughout the day? Let me know what you think.


text:
Full Sail student stabbed in class with screwdriver, deputies say
Xavier Nunez arrested in attack on Winter Park campus
WINTER PARK, Fla. – A Full Sail University student was stabbed in class with a screwdriver on Thursday in what deputies are calling a hate-crime.
Xavier Nunez, 29, was arrested in the stabbing, which happened around 9 a.m. at the school located at 175 University Park Dive in Winter Park.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office said Nunez walked to the front of the room during a statistics class and yelled racial slurs before stabbing a black student in the neck with a screwdriver he had in his pocket.
The stabbing victim, Tavoris Murray, was treated at the scene and was not seriously injured, deputies said.
Deputies said no other classes were interrupted or canceled. There were about 40 students in the class when the attack occurred, deputies said.
Nunez was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and taken to jail. Deputies believe the stabbing was racially motivated because he told deputies and Murray that he hated black people.
Full Sail released a statement on Thursday, saying "Full Sail does not condone or tolerate violence or discrimination of any type. This isolated incident was diffused quickly and professionally by security and law enforcement."
Students said they're surprised to hear of the incident.
"I've never had a problem with anyone of different races here," said Aaron Roberts. "I get along with everyone here so its really crazy to hear."
According to the school's website, Full Sail, which has nearly 19,000 students and offers 40 degree programs, was founded in Ohio in 1979 and moved to Florida a year later. In 1989, the school moved to its current campus and expanded its curriculum to include entertainment and media-related areas of study.
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
Letters to the editor, Oct. 2, 2012
Chris Murphy's personal finances matter
A recent statement by Kevin Buterbaugh, a political science professor from Southern Connecticut State University, seemed to take exception to Chris Murphy and Linda McMahon focusing on each other's character and not on the issues. Really? Integrity is no longer important? Regretfully, it is rarely used. I would first like to be reassured that I can believe the candidates before I can make a decision on their platforms.
When I look at Murphy's record as to what he brings to Connecticut I cite a recent opening salvo from an article by D. Dowd Musca where he stated that if you live in Connecticut, "a little advice: Get out. Soon." He places Connecticut with a handful of other states who "are careening toward death by fiscal stupidity." Now, between him and our governor (recently in China!) where are the jobs? Where is new business? Nothing!! And they're both cut by the same political machine.
And in Murphy's private life we have a trend: "forgetting" to pay his mortgage? Neglecting to pay rent? Forgetting to pay taxes on automobiles? He's been irresponsible in putting his own house in order and he wants me to trust him with my money? Get Out!
Oh, yes, the home equity loan and the new mortgage. My background was in finance, credit and collections. If I had ordered a credit report on him and he was purchasing from my company, my terms would have been C.O.D. On what basis did Webster Bank determine he was credit worthy?
Linda McMahon is intelligent, a successful entrepreneur, and a proven job creator. Yes, Linda and her husband had filed for bankruptcy but she had already admitted that when she ran against Blumenthal. No kept secret. And they're making restitution. So we now have the accusation that she is "buying" the senate seat. Corey Bliss, her campaign manager, has rightly stated she is using her own money and, therefore, owes nothing to anyone except to her constituents. Murphy, on the other hand, is receiving monies from PAC, lobbyists, and, oh yes, unions. So, I wonder, when one receives monies from all those outside sources, can one "rent" a Congressman?
- Patricia Dupret, Torrington
Thanks for helping St. Michael's craft fair
St. Michael's 11th Annual Fete & Craft Faire enjoyed a glorious day this past Saturday. Faire-goers were treated to a wonderful array of artists and crafters, silent auction, children's activities including facepainting by Dimples the Clown, Bielski's Balloon Sculptures, a bake sale, a delicious Oktoberfest lunch and a delightful presentation of "Perseus and Medusa" by the Tanglewood Marionettes that was sponsored by Dymax Corporation of Torrington.
Proceeds of the Faire benefit the Torrington Community Kitchen and the Animal Rescue Foundation. Additionally, the Litchfield Volunteer Fire Company presented tours of two fire rescue vehicles. Special thanks for this successful event are extended by St. Michael's Episcopal Church to Dymax Corporation, Litchfield Volunteer Fire Company, Union Savings Bank, Litchfield Bancorp, Torrington Savings Bank, Colonial Florist, Litchfield Hills Nursery, Emporium Consignment, The Village Restaurant, Wine Cellar, True Value of Litchfield, Stop & Stop-Litchfield, Stop & Shop-Torrington, Bantam Market, Moscarillo's Garden Center, Litchfield Candy Company, Flora & Fauna, Dapper Dog, Kadie's Hair Design, WZBG, Litchfield County Times, Waterbury Republican-American, Register Citizen, Litchfield Public Works, Town Times, Voices, and Litchfield.bz. We are grateful and blessed for this community support.
- Jo Ann Jaacks, Litchfield
Willimantic is not
as bad as you've heard
There seems to be more negative statements about Willimantic than positive. Like, how there's drugs at every corner, or Main Street is one of the most dangerous places to go at night. You hear mocking about the "war with the frogs" from neighboring communities, continuing after many years following the whole incident. But, what most people seem to miss while driving along Main Street, is a piece of Willimantic that everybody should become interested in; the Mill Museum. Not only does the Mill Museum provide excellent replicas of the houses mill workers may have lived in, it also has a complete set up of their harsh working conditions during the nineteenth century. Through the museum's exhibits and collections, it has preserved the history of textiles, textile arts, and the textile industry as a whole, with emphasis on the experiences of the craftspeople, industrial workers, manufacturers, inventors, designers, and consumers. Although downtown Willimantic seems to have become somewhat "out-dated" and "run-down", it also homes some of the most interesting buildings most people don't even realize exist. If you get a chance to travel through Main Street of Willimantic, take time to check out the Willimantic Thread Museum, you won't regret it!
- Karli Fiala, Willimantic


text:
wasteroftime - Friday 04/05/2012, 06:56
Titan - Open Casket
This thread is for people to post their statistics on the DT matchmaker
In order to participate all I ask is you play a full DT but you must use 8 cards that have the exact same star count.
For the purpose of testing the match maker it is much easier if we can keep the known variable (our average star count per hand) constant and see what happens to the dependent variable (opponent's hand star count).
You will be posting 2 things
1) the deck you are using (all 5 stars, all 4 stars, all 3 stars, all 2 star)
2) the star count of every opponent's hand you face during a DT
once we have enough data... maybe 100 samples.... we can move on and see where the data tells us to go
wasteroftime - Tuesday 08/05/2012, 23:09
Titan - Open Casket
@zoidberg in response to
You post a thread to see if something is broken and when its proven to be so you don't want to accept it,
wrong. please reread posts iv made or responses ive made to you
we are posting all these mismatches... yes A FEW are obviously broken... some are probably broken but we are uncertain.
the math doesnt fit mate... not all decks should be getting overwhelmed.... if 24 star decks are averaging 26-28 star opponents... are 26-28 star decks averaging 24 star opponents??? the average have to balance out to what people are actually using.
i am thinking there is a massive overpopulation of decks in the 32-40 star deck range....
those guys are ending up playing each other and they are seeing the balance. (some 32 star guy im sure is having issues about facing 40s i bet...)
the guys running mid star counts are getting pulled into matches vs. slightly higher starred decks.
the guys running really low star decks are facing each other and pulling down some of the mid star decks.
the mid star decks are low on opponents and end up drawing from the high star pool more often
the above is more than likely what is going on.... UR would have the stats, i wish they shared it a bit
the most affected by this is are people running 24-25 star decks. since they are now getting clobbered more often. the guys running 26 stars are having a big laugh about it since, winning matches is easier than it was in the previous system
anyway.. regarding DT zoid... you know there is a sticky in this forum right? all those "arcane" rules are in there.... everything would be 2 clicks away from that sticky.
Zoidberg1 - Tuesday 08/05/2012, 23:15
Legend - the courtyard of shadows
Well as the problem is no better here are todays numbers, I upped my deck to 26 stars to stop being over starred as much its a nothing special Sackrohm / Pussy cats deck with NOOOOO massive power cards like Guru Gaxx or Charlie.
13 - win
12 - win
17 - win
16 - win
18 (Mono La Junta including Bryon and Emeth) loss
18 - loss
18 - (Aigwon, Corvus, Dwan, Thomas) win
18 - (Bridget, Amanie, Gretchen, Rosen) loss
17 - (Gaia Noel, Hikiyousan, Lucia, Stanly) win
14 - (Dorian, Jackie Cr, Oxen, Samantha) win
17 - (Hikiyousan, Kirk, Oraya, Wee Lee) Win
18 - (Gordon, Buck, Miss Lullabee, Stanly) Win T.O.
17 - (Bloodh, Scubb, Selma, Tyd) loss
16 (Jauyta, Petra, Stella, Uranus) Loss
12 - win
17 - (Loma Noju, Sigard,Lianah Ld, Stanly) Win
17 (mono Rescue) win
15 win
15 (Inc Ambre) win
18 - (Glenn, Hefty, Herman, Oxen) Draw
18 - (Fabio, Tino, Kolos, George) Loss
18 - (inc Hugo, Askai) Loss
So my opponents averaged 16.3 stars per hand or 32.63 (Nearly 7 more than my own deck in a course of 22 matches)
So can't see a problem there the high star decks were all weak like Glenn, Hefty, Herman, and Oxen or Hikiyousan, Kirk, Oraya and Wee Lee or Bloodh, Scubb, Selma and Tyd with some of these players having win percentages above my own.
Again IT NEEDS FIXING, I don't get what is hard to understand in this scenario it doesn't work and needs to be sorted! Come on 8 opponents in 22 fights draw 18 star hands against me when I only have a 26 star medicore deck!
Zoidberg1 - Wednesday 09/05/2012, 00:07
Legend - the courtyard of shadows
I still don't get what you are hoping to achieve from this thread, we have seen plenty of evidence that the opponent selector doesn't work and more than enough to speculate what is wrong with it, all of which has been posted on the verious board in contacts to UR support etc.
If anything the oppoents selector is worse than ever, its time to either tell us what you are doing with this thread to get the opponent selector fixed or admit that you are just messing us around and wasting our time for no reason what so ever.
At no point have I said that everyone is facing higher star opponents and where you got that from is beyond me. By default there is an average deck size and this will be what people face. My issue is not and never has been facing decks 1-3 stars higher than mine (Especially if my deck is slightly "Stronger". the issue is facing blatently well over starred decks where your opponent is 4+ stars higher than you, and more specifically more tan the supposed 6 maximum
. As Ghelas has pointed out their is more than enough evidence to show this is the case. Yes some people are continuously playing lower star decks just as I am playing continuously higher star decks and this also needs sorting.
26 star decks are having it easy Yeah right see above! Shows how accurate that comment was
Where is this information saying that you shouldn't run a 24-25 star deck unless you want to play people over 32 stars all the time I have never seen that
Zoidberg1 - Wednesday 09/05/2012, 00:09
Legend - the courtyard of shadows
I really want to see these stats you claim to have on the deck sizes of what people are running, its obviously another flaw with the new system that you get mismatched for playing middle stars.
Again what are you doing with this thread?
Why did you even bother to start it, has anything even been put forward to anyone off the back of the issues its brought up?
Zoidberg1 - Wednesday 09/05/2012, 20:14
Legend - the courtyard of shadows
OK 1 last post on this as I am borred of going through the same few simple concepts that are being ignored
FACT 1: 6 stars is not the maximum difference you should face against a similar opponent (That is about 2 stars as posted by Fraggle). 6 stars is the maximum you should face if one player is great with an awesome deck and the other is aweful with a rubbish deck. There is a colosal difference
FACT 2: facing 18 star hands with a "mid star deck" is happening far to often for it to be a best 4 cards hand with lower star cards in the unseen part of the deck. Chance of drawing best 4 cards about 1 in 70. Chance of this happening 8 times in 22 matches is statistically irrelevant. Hence this is not the case and Mid star decks are therefore facing strong decks of 34-36 stars on a regular basis, which we were told would not happen. Hence the opponent selector does not work
FACT 3: we are told (By Fraggle) that the opponent selector works on values that need to be within about 0.25 to make a valid match. This is nothing like what wasteroftime keeps trying to say happens of it puts you against overpowered decks as it can't find one in the same range as you. These are completely different systems and Wasteroftime should not be trying to distract people from the problem by suggesting this is what is happening.
FACT 4: Very few people play DT's in an attempt to win them and not many people (as a % of those who enter a DT) are even trying to get into the top 150.
Zoidberg1 - Wednesday 09/05/2012, 20:20
Legend - the courtyard of shadows
All those not rying to get these top 150 places do not want to be in a situation where they are "Laughing" as every opponent has a huge star mismatch to them, I would suggest they want to have matches against roughly equal standard opponents with equal standard decks to them, whilst maybe working on the odd mission and earning a credit, just like the person who you refussed to accept wanted to play elo in DT times to take advantage of the free credit.
FACT 5: Despite my repeated requests both on this thread and in response to wasteroftimes pm's to me there is still no explanation as to what Wasteroftime is going to do with this data or how the systaem is going to be amde better. For that reason it is my opinion (Note this is opinion the fact was before the opinion) that this is just as his name would suggest a waste of time!
ghelas - Thursday 10/05/2012, 18:08
Titan - E X C A L I B U R
1) The purpose of a chair is to provide a place to sit. A chair that does not fulfill this function at random can be said to be broken. If you have a chair that you usually can't sit in, it is a broken chair, you should fix it.
2) The purpose of an umbrella is to keep the rain off your head. If your umbrella has holes in it, and so, provides the function of an umbrella only over certain parts of your head, it is a broken umbrella. You should fix it.
3) The purpose of the UR match selector is to create fair, enjoyable matches the vast majority of the time. If it does not provide that function, the math behind it is not relevant. It is broken, you should fix it.
4) The purpose of a forum moderator is to facilitate the debates, to keep them fair and civil. A moderator who uses his power and prestige to provoke senseless arguments, while largely ignoring the input of every other person on the forum, is not providing the function of a moderator. Draw your own conclusions from this.
I will be posting in one of the threads that the admins have responded to from now on in an effort to get an answer as to whether there are plans to fix the broken match selector or not.
Zoidberg1 - Thursday 10/05/2012, 21:54
Legend - the courtyard of shadows
@ Ghelas
If only everyone could be as right in all their points as you are!
That is extreamly well put in my opinion


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"This may be one of the best fantasy young adult novels to hit the shelves this year." The New Paltz Oracle
"Thief's Covenant is a fun, brisk story. I got sucked in every time I picked up the book, and the pages zipped by. This is a thoroughly entertaining novel, and one that should appeal to younger and older readers alike. Marmell doesn't condescend to the reader, and instead gives us a great fantasy novel. I'm very glad I won't have to wait too long before the second book in the series, False Covenant, is available. Very highly recommended." Civilian Reader
"Widdershins is a wonderful protagonist, she's fun, exciting, and filled with enough sarcasm to make any of her retorts quick witted and wonderful to read. But like Marmell's other books it's not just Windershins's charming personality that makes her fun to read, it's her hilarious, snarky, and sensitive sidekick Olgun that make this book such a fun read. Oh also Olgun is a god, so that certainly makes things interesting. ...I loved the book because of the fast paced action, fantastic interactions between Windershins and Olgun, and fun style of writing. Overall a great book that I'd easily recommend." Whatchamacallit Reviews
"I am so glad that my sister brought Thief's Covenant to my attention because I absolutely loved it. ...Widdershins was definitely a little crazy, but crazy in an interesting what will she do next kind of way. One of the things I liked best about her and her crazy/stubborn streak would have to be that it got her into all sorts of trouble, which meant that there was rarely any dull scenes. I know mean of me to say that I liked that her personality got her into trouble, but I did enjoy." The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia
"This is pretty much an adult fantasy novel plot with a teenaged protagonist so don't be put off by the label regardless of your age. Marmell writes a lively story." Critical Mass