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Sometimes, there is a lasting good when someone passes.
Heath Ledger entertained and enlightened me. Mostly he enlightened.
As we near the end of this year, we often think about the rich and famous who have enlightened or entertained us. I am thinking about Heath Ledger and Tim Russert: both enlightened me much more than they entertained.
And both have a lasting legacy in my mind….
Cocaine is a "party drug" right? You want it after you've been thinking and drinking.
But that is really bad thinking.
Heath Ledger's legacy is not "Brokeback Mountain" or "The Patriot" or family and children and happy memories.
Sadly, Actor Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of six drugs — painkillers and sedatives. "Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylaminediazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine," said the medical examiner's spokeswoman.
This sent me on a months long journey to discover the impact of mixing so many dangerous drugs.
The results were frightening but probably completely predictable: most medical doctors say the risk of mixing so many dangerous drugs if frightening to the extreme. Even mixing a few can be and often is deadly.
"If you come in on alprazolam (Xanax) I know what to do. If you come in using Xanax and alcohol and Ambien you have created a very difficult dilemma for me. How much, when, what have you eaten? If you come in with various types of drugs in you; you create, sometimes, a gordian knot the physician is ill euipped to deal with."
That's a quote from one of many M.D.s we interviewed. All had experience dealing with people who had ingested several drugs over time.
"There is just no good outcome to mixing drugs. Your friend Heath Ledger is the epitome of that," said a doctor to me.
A friend of mine, already addicted to alcohol and cocaine, was recently hospitalized. While there, a doctor prescribed oxycodone and hydrocodone. We moved him to another facility after consulting other medical professionals.
And treatment, once one is hooked, will be frightening, prolonged and painful.
"If you can just get me to rehab I'll be O.K."
We've heard that time and again. Rehab is not nirvana — the state of being free from suffering. Rehab is often just a way-station.
Getting clean and sober takes time, effort, commitment and sometimes, a lot of money.
But it is worth it. If one achieves lasting recovery.
The alternative is death while you are still young. You'll miss the party completely.
Lots of Hollywood types and entertainers have been dealing with drugs. This should put us all on notice that drugs and alcohol are life threatening. Just this year we've seen Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears, Ryan O'Neil and many others in trouble with drugs.
So we write this as a caution as we all prepare to "celebrate" Christmas and New Years. Don't mix drugs during the holidays: or at any other time.
Dangerous drug combos pose risk for elderly
Substance Abuse In America: Treatment Rarely A "Cure"
Lasting Legacy: Tim Russert Made Me Think
Video at CNN:
John E. Carey
Peace and Freedom
There is a huge likelihood that a teenager you know shares these following things with Heath Ledger and Britney Spears: Vicodin, Oxycontin and Xanax and the belief that since doctors prescribed these they are OK to use.
But what few grasp is this: doctors are not saints. Several told us that they prescribe drugs quickly so they can get to the next patient faster.
Add to this people who mix drugs, take more than is prescribed, mix drugs with alcohol, mix drugs without the primary care physician's knowdge and "doctor shop."
You end up with addiction, other illnesses and death.
Sadly, Heath Ledger's Dad knows this too well.
"While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy," he said.
Intervention is that course of action that stops an abuser or an addict dead in their tracks — before death knoks on their door.
If you know someone who needs care due to drug (including alcohol) addiction or abuse: take action. Show your love by causing an intervention.
You'll regret looking the other way for the rest of your life.
Drug Abuse, Drug Overdose Killed Heath Ledger
Drug Abuse Usually Starts At Home
Singer Amy Winehouse: Court Ordered Rehab
Nationwide Imminent Danger Alert – Super Bowl Weekend Dangers
Heath Ledger, President Bush, The Addicted and Our Medical Professionals
Addicts Neglected, Over-Medicated Despite Vast System of "Care"

subset: commoncrawl


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I believe there is a difference between the function of the cells in the nervous system and the brain it self, I am not sure if I agree with considering the cells in my hand that are sensitive to heat as part of the brain.danieLion wrote:HI Rui Sousa,Rui Sousa wrote:I see the brain as the rupa that supports the sixth sense, in the same way the ear, with all its mechanics, supports earing.
Our brains extend throughout our bodies via the nervous system. Sensations depend upon nervous sensations. Therefore, the brain extends throughout the sense organs. Therefore, the "brain as rupa" 'supports' all the components of vinnana, not just mano. In other words, according to dependent origination, with vinnana as condition, nama-rupa arises, not the reverse, as you imply.
Kind regards,
I was talking about the mechanics of the senses, not about dependent origination. I don't see how dependent origination relates to this subject.


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Celebrities speak out on gun violence
The stars feature in a new public service announcement against gun violence for Demand a Plan after the Sandy Hook shootings
FILM, television and music stars, including Jeremy Renner, Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce, have recorded a hard-hitting video urging action on gun control following the Newtown school massacre.
Julianne Moore, Jamie Foxx, Selena Gomez and Chris Rock also appear in the video, backing a Demand a Plan campaign which notably seeks a ban on assault weapons, as well as criminal background checks for every gun sold in the US.
"Columbine. Virginia Tech. Tucson. Aurora. Fort Hood. Oak Creek. Newtown. Newtown. Newtown," they intone in the black-and-white video, taking turns to list the names of America's worst gun massacres of recent years.
"How many more? How many more colleges? How many more classes? How many more movie theatres? How many more houses of faith? How many more shopping malls?" they add.
The video, also featuring Ellen DeGeneres, Jon Hamm, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston and Conan O'Brien, appears on the website of the campaign, which claims 750 mayors and 750,000 people support its demand "that President Obama and Congress step forward with a plan to end gun violence".
"For the children of Sandy Hook," says Beyonce, referring to the primary school in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gunman slaughtered 20 young children and six adults last Friday, in one of America's worst gun massacres.
The Demand a Plan campaign calls for criminal background checks to be required for every gun sold in the US; assault weapons and high-capacity magazines to be banned; and that gun trafficking be made a federal crime.
"Our efforts cannot bring back the 20 innocent children murdered in Newtown ... or the 34 people murdered with guns every day in America. But we can prevent future tragedies by passing common sense legislation," it says.
The video can be seen at www.demandaplan.org.
Obama this week appointed Vice President Joe Biden to head a task force charged with framing proposals within a month to stem a rash of US gun violence.
Earlier, the National Rifle Association, breaking a week-long silence after the Newtown massacre, called for armed police to be deployed in every school in the country.
"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," it said.
Originally published asCelebs speak out in gun control video


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Lead Software Engineer (Java/.NET)
Who we are
Zühlke is a service provider for innovation projects. We develop financially successful products, services and business models for today's digital world – from coming up with the initial idea through to the implementation and operation. We can achieve this by drawing on the experience of over 1000 in-house experts and of more than 10.000 successful projects.
Zühlke Serbia is an attractive employer that offers challenging career opportunities for skilled, highly motivated software engineers. Within the Zühlke Group, we position ourselves as a center of expertise for distributed, agile software development. Together with colleagues in Switzerland, Germany, the UK, Austria, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bulgaria we work on challenging software projects involving the latest technologies and variety of known practices.
We are currently looking for highly motivated Lead Software Engineer to join our Belgrade office.
Our offering
Successful candidates will have an opportunity to benefit from:
- Ability to work with most technically gifted people in our industry
- Training package (dedicated working days - approx. 5 % of your time and a matching financial budget)
- Clear career path and defined personal goals with achievement based career prospects
- Permanent contract with competitive salary
- Opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and clients across the Zühlke Group
Your skills
You should have a technical related degree and/or equivalent professional qualification, communicative and open-minded personality and be fluent in English (both written and spoken).
Additionally, we are looking for software engineer who:
- has more than 8 years of stable professional experience in software development (Java or .NET)
- has continuously developed through career and can assess new technologies and trends correctly
- developed and implemented architectures for complex systems
- aware of actual effects of own architectural decisions on the code level
- can oversee progress of development team to ensure consistency with initial design
- provide technical guidance and coaching to engineers
- ensure software meets all requirements of quality, security, extensibility, etc.
- ideally, had experience with larger application environments and enterprise architecture
- broad technology skills: familiar with enterprise technologies, mobile and desktop clients, application servers, and relational and NoSQL databases and know how to integrate with systems outside of your primary interest. In addition, you know paradigms like SOA and BPM and technologies such as REST, Web services and messaging.
- team player, customer oriented and interested in innovative topics
- develop IT architecture of innovative software solutions
- you will perform evaluation of existing architectures and be consulted about strategic technological topics
- you will be responsible for technical management of teams - from the kick-off to rollout - and work in close cooperation with project management.
What we ask of all our engineers is to
- show analytical, yet innovative mindset and the desire to challenge conventional thinking
- collaborate closely with colleagues in creating modern web, mobile or desktop applications
- show analytical and methodical approach for solving complex problems
- apply Scrum and agile practices in your daily work
- create quality solutions through application of good coding and testing practices
Deadline for applications: 14.03.2019.


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hi all,
i took my headlight assembly apart in order to replace the reflector, and i failed to take a picture of how the springs were oriented. also, the previous owner did not have a gasket, he just used electrical tape, so i got a new gasket along with the reflector.
but now i can't get the thing attached back onto the headlight bucket. i had to gently pry with a screw-driver to get the assembly off the bucket, but when i try to force it back on with the heel of my hand, one or two of the springs pop off inside, and it never does seat.
what am i doing wrong? i have pictures of the gasket and the springs at this link if anybody would please have a look and let me know if i have them oriented correctly:
thanks in advance for your time and advice,


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Trade News
Murray Hill and New Providence, New Jersey, USA, 16 April 2013 - BMW Manufacturing's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, has more than doubled its fleet of material handling equipment using hydrogen fueling systems provided by Linde North America. The 4.0 million square foot production facility now powers its entire hydrogen-fuel cell fleet of more than 230 units to service the plant's production and logistics functions, making it one of the largest fuel cell forklift sites in the world.
Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, one of the world's largest hydrogen energy producers and a leader in developing alternative fuel technologies. BMW Manufacturing Co. is a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich, Germany and is the global producer of the BMW X3 and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupe.
In 2010, Linde supplied a hydrogen fueling system with six indoor dispenser stations to support more than 100 pieces of material handling equipment operating inside BMW's plant. The expansion more than doubled their fleet by adding two new higher-throughput compressors, new storage tubes and distribution piping, and eight new hydrogen dispensers. To date, there have been over 200,000 successful hydrogen fuelings at the site.
The lifts and trucks deliver process parts to assembly machines throughout the plant. The lead acid batteries that formerly powered lifts and trucks were replaced with hydrogen fuel cells from Latham, N.Y.-based Plug Power Inc., the leading provider of hydrogen based fuel cells in the material handling market. With over 3,500 units deployed in revenue generating service, Plug Power has supplied the largest motive fuel cell fleet in the world.
Mike Beckman, vice president of Linde's U.S Hydrogen Fueling team, said, "Linde is proud that BMW displayed the confidence in Linde to supply the hydrogen fueling systems for its expansion program. It proves that our technology can help advance sustainability and lower emissions while also helpi ng to improve the bottom line. Hydrogen already is one of the most promising alternative fuels. Because of the way it is produced, the hydrogen we supply to BMW is truly green, with only a small carbon footprint incurred during shipping." The hydrogen is a by-product of a sodium chlorate plant which Linde purifies, compresses and liquefies using electricity produced from renewable hydropower. "BMW's ongoing commitment to clean production is evident in our recent expansion of our hydrogen fuel cell program," said Duncan Seaman, BMW Group, Head of Market Operations, Americas. "We appreciate Linde's partnership in supporting the expansion, making our entire operation more sustainable." BMW is able to boost productivity in two ways: Refueling these trucks with hydrogen using Linde's equipment takes an operator less than three minutes, compared with 15-20 minutes to change out a battery. Also, fuel cells do not degrade over time, as do lead-acid batteries when they begin losing their charge toward the end of a shift. BMW also is able to reduce its total electricity demand, since no battery recharging is required, and eliminate the environmental disposal costs for lead acid batteries.
Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power, said, "We are pleased BMW has selected Linde as the hydrogen provider at their new manufacturing facility. We are also thrilled to work alongside Linde, a leader in the safe production, handling and supply of hydrogen and it makes sense they would be chosen to work with BMW to help them achieve their sustainability goals."
Linde is a leading supplier of hydrogen fueling systems, having equipped over 80 stations in 15 countries. In the U.S., Linde has supplied stations for fork lift trucks at distribution centers for large retail, soft drink and food service companies.
BMW is using Linde's Ionic Compressor fueling system, which is also being used extensively in Europe for cars and buses. "Linde is a technology company, not just a hydrogen supplier. It is nice to see that our fueling solution has allowed BMW to achieve significant benefits from choosing hydrogen as a reliable and clean fuel for their production facility," Beckman said.
About The Linde Group
The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 62,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn (USD 19.9 bn). The strategy of the Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
Under the "Clean Technology by Linde" label, the company offers a wide range of products and technologies that help to render renewable energy sources financially viable, and significantly slow down the depletion of fossil resources or reduce the level of CO2 emitted. This ranges from specialty gases for solar module manufacturing, industrial – scale CO2 separation and application technologies to alternative fuels and energy carriers such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen. For more information, go to http://www.linde.com/cleantechnology.
Further information:
Amy Ficon
Linde corporate communications
Phone +1-908-771-1491
E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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One of the main things I wanted to see at the Sea Otter Classic this year was DVO Suspension's new Emerald Inverted downhill fork. I've been seeing photos of it on Facebook for a while but Sea Otter was my first chance to see it in person. I can now report that the DVO Emerald is just as sexy in the flesh (so to speak) as it is on Facebook. It definitely looks like a polished, finished product and I dig the green anno finish on the uppers – a color DVO chose because it stands out so well from other mountain bike suspension products.
If you haven't heard of DVO yet or you don't know where they come from, they're a new suspension company started by the former management and key ex-employees from Marzocchi USA. The Emerald is their first project, although they're also working on a rear shock called the Jade.
The DVO Emerald Inverted fork has an open-bath air spring design with 36mm stanchions and 42mm tapered upper tubes (these would be the "lowers" in a non-inverted fork). It uses "off-the-top" negative air spring preload to fine-tune the initial part of the stroke for improved traction. The right fork leg has an adjuster for high and low speed compression on the bottom, and a rebound adjustment dial on the top. There's an air cap on the top of the left fork leg, where the air spring is located. The Emerald has forged crowns and the lower crown is hollow to save weight. The wheel is mounted to forged magnesium dropouts with a 20mm axle. DVO also made the fork easy to service with an easy access cartridge that can be removed without messing with the fork oil. They weren't specific about the weight of the Emerald, but they said it weighs "about" 3100 grams. That's a bit more than claimed weights for the top-of-the line RockShox, Fox, Marzocchi and Manitou DH forks. But if the Emerald works better, maybe the weight doesn't matter so much.
Why an inverted fork? The whole point of suspension is to isolate mass from trail inputs, smoothing the ride and providing better traction and control. The more mass you can suspend, the better the ride will be. Turning the fork upside down suspends more weight, giving you even better control – in theory, anyway. The tradeoff is – or at least is supposed to be – less stiffness. However, Bryson Martin, the man in charge at DVO, told me he thinks a bit of fork flex can be a good thing. Since high-end carbon fiber rims and frames are so much stiffer now, he believes a little more flex in the fork is a benefit. There is precedent for that idea, too. Back in the early nineties, motorcycle roadracing technology improved very quickly resulting in super sticky tires and stiff chassis. That combination produced horrific highside crashes when the tires broke traction. The solution was to re-introduce some flex into the motorcycle chassis to give the tires a bit of breathing room. Similarly, Bryson says the flex in the Emerald adds a little give that makes it a more compliant over big, square-edged hits and that should mean a smoother, more controlled ride.
One interesting innovation DVO has made with the Emerald is a combination stanchion protector / arch that adds torsional stiffness to keep the fork from twisting. They call it the Carbon Torsion Arch (CTA) and it feels very light and stiff in the hand. How much it improves the ride is impossible for me to say since I didn't actually get to try the fork. It is a one-of-a kind feature though and could give the Emerald a real edge over the Manitou Dorado, the one other upside down fork currently on the market.
I'm not sure when we'll get a chance to try out the Emerald, although I am planning a trip to Southern California where DVO is located. So maybe I'll get to check it out soon. I don't think very many people besides DVO insiders have ridden it yet. Cedric Gracia is on the DVO team and picked up his fork at Sea Otter. He rode his 29er trail bike in the Sea Otter DH so he didn't race the Emerald fork but he did go out for some photos and video with it. You can see that DVO-produced promo video below.
The DVO Emerald Inverted fork is scheduled to be available late this summer. DVO hasn't set a price yet but they say it will be in line with the Fox 40 and other high-end downhill forks. For more information on the Emerald Inverted and other DVO Suspension products, please visit their Web site:


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Rome, Italy, Feb 3, 2014 / 08:07 pm MT ().- As part of an "ad limina" visit to Rome last week, Austrian Bishop Andreas Laun said that although many seek to take it into their own hands, the Church belongs to Christ as does all of its teachings.
"In Austria we have a lot of 'lay-initiatives'" that support same-sex marriage, "birth control, priestly ordination of women" and Communion for remarried divorced Catholics, Bishop Laun told CNA Jan. 30 interview.
"All of those groups think, that they are 'the' Church but have obviously not been to Holy Mass in a while, since then they would have noticed that it is 'his' Church," he said.
Bishop Laun is the auxiliary bishop of Salzburg, a well-known city in Austria, and was present in Rome last week for the Austrian Bishops' "ad limina," in which residential diocesan bishops and certain prelates with territorial jurisdiction meet with the Pope and report on the state of their dioceses or prelature.
During their meeting with Pope Francis, the pontiff told the bishops that despite the challenge of a declining number of Catholics in the country, the trend "should not find us inactive, but should encourage our efforts for the new evangelization that is always needed."
On the importance of the Church's mission of evangelization, especially to those who are far from God, the Pope emphasized that "An important area of our work as shepherds is the family."
"The Church's concern for the family begins with good preparation and proper accompaniment of the bride and groom, as well as a faithful and clear presentation of Church doctrine on marriage and the family," he said.
Referring to those who seek to change the Church's doctrine on issues such as marriage and the reception of Communion by divorced and re-married Catholics, Bishop Laun noted that the Church is "not mine, not yours," but "his Church – that is: the Lord, Jesus Christ – he is the Lord of the Church."
"He is the head," the bishop repeated, rather than those who believe that they need "to restructure the Church."
Drawing attention to the heavy media coverage this issue has received, Bishop Laun emphasized that "the media brings this topic up way too much," and that "even Church-men and Bishops sometimes bring these topics back up, as if they are up for discussion; they behave as stirred by the media."
Recalling a recent article he wrote, the bishop recounted the story of a woman he met in this situation as a remarried divorced Catholic who first "sought for excuses to justify her position over and over again to silence her conscience."
But today, the bishop explained, "she says: the Churches' position is absolutely correct. It hurts, but the Church does the right thing."
"It would be totally false to argue with mercy, since it does not fit," he continued, adding that "she had learned to go to Communion with crossed arms over her chest and receive the blessing, which was an immense help, she said."
Bishop Laun recalled that the woman told him that to do this "was good for her," and that "that the Church remained firm."
"The Church is not called to change reality; she does not have the power," observed the bishop, explaining that "we are faced with a situation in which someone did something which is clearly against the commandments of God, but still wants to be in communion with Jesus Christ."
"How is that supposed to work?" he asked, noting that this "is a contradiction in terms" and that "we need to be prudent in this question and not tie it to the topic of mercy – as unfortunately Cardinals have in the past."
Mercy is "a totally different topic," he stressed, adding that "doctors can also not be merciful, by denying sickness. They need to address and heal it, not deny it."
Among the other topics discussed with the Pope, Bishop Laun revealed that he has made two suggestions to the pontiff, for a World Youth Day and World Family Day, as well as a Eucharistic Congress.
Jan Bentz contributed to this report.
Tags: Divorce, Fidelity, Catholic teaching
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User Reviews
Reviews From Other Years
1999 Ford F-250 Reviews
Built Ford Tough
Performance aspect of this truck is great all around, the 5.4 L V8 has enought horse power and torque to pull just about anything, acceleration is quick and smooth, handles surprisingly well for a lar... Read More
Nice truck, 21 MPG and 280 HP engine. Love the look and the fact it has backseats although a little small. Short bed is short but plenty of room for me. Good towing power and a blast to drive. Rice ... Read More
1998 Ford F-250 Reviews
Great Truck To Own
5.4 V8 So its got power to go, Towing capable to take a camper and bikes anywhere. Positracktion is a plus both tires spin instead of just one. Not the greatest on gas but not the worst on gas. Add... Read More
1997 Ford F-250 Reviews
Nice Ride
its got a great diesel eng and 4x4 works awesome, auto tranny is great all around perfect truck. I have towed lots of thing with my f-250 ford and never had any troubles out of it, the 7.3 powerstroke... Read More
Fanrastic Pulling Vehicle
overall the vehicle is I good vehicle it pulls and hauls everything I want it to do it is a great utility vehicle it takes me off road and it gets me through heavy snow with ease overall I love owning... Read More
1996 Ford F-250 Reviews
Does Everything It Was Designed To
Top of the line work truck from the 90s. 7.3 was the best deisel ever built bullet proof and pulls like a train. Simple truck that's easy to drive with good visibility. Got a ton of character and simp... Read More
Great For Its Purpose. Built To Haul Loads/pull Trailers,or Equipment.
More work than I wanted. I Like the longevity of a Diesel engine but not real happy with all the extra money spent on fuel and repairs as I'm not really a mechanic type and unfamiliar with Diesel eng... Read More
1995 Ford F-250 Reviews
Awesome 7.3l Powerstroke
Overall, I really like this truck. I LOVE the smell of diesel! Works great for what I bought it for (to pull a travel trailer), and I do the maintenence myself, which helps on the cost. Could have use... Read More
Good Work Truck
Well, its been good so far, had a few issues with it but the cost to repair was pretty affordable so far. once i resolve all the issues with it i am sure it will be a great truck again! Read More


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Thanks to Mildred Maupin for providing this newspaper clipping!
©1999--present year by Sandra N. Ratledge. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any reproduction or inclusion of this website's contents in publication whether online or in print is prohibited. Do NOT copy photographs and upload on Find a Grave or any other internet websites, blogs, attach to family trees, or print in publications. Do NOT copy stories, articles, documents, sketches, anecdotes, letters, obituaries, content data, etc. and attach to family trees or upload on other websites of any kind.
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TORONTO – Sears Canada isn't interested in stocking high-priced runway styles and lavish decor because it's not what middle-class shoppers want to buy, chief executive Douglas Campbell says.
While other stores such as Hudson's Bay have added posh new brands in pursuit of well-heeled shoppers, Campbell said Canadians are smarter with their money and expectations that high-end retailers will find huge success here are misguided.
"That market is not as large as people think," he said on Thursday following the company's annual meeting.
"I don't believe we're going to inspire our core customer with a $150 butter dish in our home decor department."
After touring Sears stores across the country Campbell said he reached a few conclusions about where Sears fits best, and he'll put those insights into action while he attempts to turn the ship on its struggling sales figures.
He said the company has a clearly defined market appealing to middle-class families who are "pragmatic and generally frugal" with their shopping habits.
Whether those customers return to Sears department stores in droves remains to be seen.
Campbell spoke to a small group of investors at Sears Canada's annual meeting, his first since taking the leadership role last fall. The event was hosted at the company's headquarters in downtown Toronto, a few floors above the empty department store that Sears occupied several months ago.
Sears Canada is in the midst of a three-year turnaround plan that intensified when the company began a more aggressive reduction of staff aimed at lowering expenses.
Over the past year, Sears Canada has sold leases to some of its most prominent locations, many of which will reopen as upscale Nordstrom department stores within the next two years.
Luxury merchandise has become a bigger priority at other retailers too.
Hudson's Bay is bringing Saks Fifth Avenue to Canada and expanding the labels it carries, while Holt Renfrew is opening more stores in the Toronto area.
However, outside the major cities, fashion priorities are different, and that's something Campbell said he saw when he visited places like St. John's, N.L., which is Sears Canada's biggest store by sales volume.
"Our guy isn't going to wear pink denim or green khakis," he said. "Maybe if they get an edgy guy, he'll wear navy blue."
Just a year ago, Sears Canada was trying on a different look, one that strived to appeal to more trendy customers, under the leadership of then-CEO Calvin McDonald. When McDonald abruptly left the company last year, Sears Canada reverted to business approach that was more "inclusive" than "exclusive," as Campbell calls it.
"(Our customers) may not be as fashion forward as we thought they were going to be," he said.
"That's a minor shift in terms of merchandise that we're purchasing, not a major trajectory shift in how we're driving the business."
Sears Canada's disappointing financial performance has been exacerbated by stiff competition across the retail sector.
During the annual meeting, Campbell outlined several ways he aims to boost flagging sales, which weakened 10 per cent in the most recent quarter.
Since January, the company has announced it will chop 2,200 employees from its payroll, on top of thousands more that it laid off last year. The retailer is trying to reduce costs and improve its overall business. Last year, the company made a similar round of cuts that has lowered its overall employee count to around 20,000 people.
Sears Canada also plans to invest $30 million over the next two or three years. The money will go towards a new inventory management system to replace infrastructure that has fallen behind many of its competitors.
The new technology will provide a clearer picture of what's on shelves at each store, while the company also has other plans underway to enhance its website for a better online shopping experience.
"This is not rocket science, but it's things we need to invest to make sure we have table stakes," Campbell said.
"Investments in planning, allocation and infrastructure … is not something a company that's going out of business does."
While Campbell focuses on what's inside his stores, other questions persist about whether Sears Canada will look for other ways to generate cash.
Last December, shareholders benefited from the sale of several leases when the company paid out a hefty dividend of $5 per share.
Nearly half a billion dollars of that went back to its largest shareholders, U.S. parent company Sears Holdings Corp. (Nasdaq:SHLD) and financier Edward Lampert, who together own 88.8 per cent of Sears Canada.
"We're always open to opportunities to unlock real estate value when something presents itself that makes sense," Campbell said after the annual meeting.
"There's no asset sales that we're actively engaged in now."
— Follow @dj_friend on Twitter.


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Standing a little self-consciously with her arms wrapped around her "LinuxChix" t-shirt, Banks talked about what it's like to be a teen black girl who codes, and all the presumptions that come with that description. The talk was only ten minutes long, but Banks found a wonderful way to build a structure into the speech that turned those ten minutes into a complete story.
She began with pictures and descriptions of her physical self and her home, asking the audience to consider their initial impressions of her from those descriptions. But then she fleshed out that image by describing a girl with parents who encouraged her early forays into tech, a girl who began to take on her own coding projects, and finally a girl who expanded her interests into things like cheerleading and track and field. Throughout the talk, she paused to ask the audience to again take stock of her with this new information in mind. Finally, it was lines like this that flew around Twitter and tech blogs just minutes after she left the stage: "What you see on the outside looking at me, and what I see on the outside looking at you, is not really what you are. Join me in being an undefinable you."
What can you learn from this famous speech--with hopefully more to come!--by Banks?
- Watch what your body language is telling the audience. Banks' body language makes it clear that she is a little nervous up on stage, which is understandable at any age. She and other speakers can benefit from watching video of their speeches, to look for things like swaying and crossed arms. These elements of body language may convey a different message to your audience than the one coming out of your mouth, and even TED speakers can benefit from watching their talks with the sound off to spot these motions.
- You're more fluent when you speak about what you know. It's interesting that Banks' body and vocal language become less hesitant when she starts talking about how she learned programming languages like Ruby, or talking about the sites she's developed for some of her clients. These are clearly the items in her speech that she is most knowledgeable and most passionate about, and those parts of her speech are the strongest and most fluent. When you're preparing for or deciding on the topic for a speech, consider what you know the best, and think about whether and how you could include that in your talk.
- Don't be afraid to mix humor with serious themes. Banks' talk doesn't shy away from the racism, sexism and ageism that she can sense as a black girl in the tech world. But another part of being an "undefinable me," which she conveys so well with her upbeat speech, is expressing herself in as many different ways as she chooses. If a 13-year old girl wants to finish her talk with a slide of a popular Shia LaBeouf Internet meme, there's no one who can stand in her way.
Need more coaching on how to be a better panel moderator? Order the new ebook The Eloquent Woman's Guide to Moderating Panels. At just $3.99 and available in many formats, it's a great back-pocket coach to take on stage with you in your smartphone or tablet. Find more tips on public speaking on The Eloquent Woman blog.


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KETs Observatory
The KETs Observatory aims to provide EU and national policy makers, and business stakeholders with quantitative and qualitative information on the industrial deployment of Key Enabling Technologies both within the EU and in comparison to other world regions (East Asia and North America)
KETs Technology Centre
This web tool allows small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other stakeholders to identify technological service centres active in the field of KETs. These centres can help SMEs to speed up the commercialization of their innovation ideas by providing services such as help with prototyping, testing, upscaling, first production and product validation. For each centre, an SME contact person has been designated and their contact details are provided.


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meadow wrote:i can't believe you've never heard of Bloody Mary! holy shit! i was scared of her growing up. eep!!!
to bea honest I was more scared of what was getting put in the vodka
A Bloody Mary is a cocktail containing vodka, tomato juice, and usually other spices or flavorings such as Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, beef consomme or bouillon, horseradish, celery or celery salt, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice. It does not under any condition ever contain egg, scorpions or fecal matter.
CLICK on the thumbnail above to see the full sized picture
I mean, why would ya!!!!


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Alif, Lam, Meem. wrote:u no … or do u
4GETing has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.
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For the first time, I am going to have to pack a lunch for my daughter this year where the teachers won't heat up food for her. (I know, I've been spoiled.) So I'm soliciting advice: what are the best thermos-type containers for lunchboxes? She's just a preschooler, so she doesn't have a huge appetite. I'm supposed to try to send milk, too! Help!
Meanwhile, here are some great lunchbox ideas in addition to the prepackaged goodies we shared last week.
Homemade Spaghetti-Os with Sliced Franks are a great, homemade alternative to the canned version. This recipe freezes easily, so make a big batch and freeze in small portions. Then heat one portion the morning you're packing the lunchbox and put in a thermos container to keep warm until lunchtime.
Likewise, these Toddler Thai Noodles, with kid-friendly peanut-butter sauce, freeze well. This is an excellent meal for kids with dairy intolerance or allergies. And to make it gluten-free, simply use rice or a gluten-free pasta.
If you don't want to send a hot meal, these Ham and Cheese Muffins might fit the bill! They have protein and dairy all wrapped up in a whole wheat muffin for small hands. I've even added a little pureed corn for a vegetable component. My kids won't eat corn kernels … but I don't mind hiding a little nutrition now and then.
Homemade granola bars are a good way to think outside the sandwich box for lunchtime. Some of our favorites are these Crunchy Granola Bars, Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chips bars, and Chocolate Coconut Oat Bars.
What do you like to pack in your kids' lunches?


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"Weird Al" Yankovic debuted the music video for his first single from his upcoming album, Mandatory Fun, on Monday, and, in anticipation of the record's release, the 54-year-old celeb will be sharing eight new videos over the next eight days.
The first of which is a parody of Pharrell's hit jam "Happy" and has been cleverly renamed "Tacky" in an effort to poke fun at the tackiest folks in our society with a little help from Aisha Tyler, Margaret Cho, Eric Stonestreet, Kristen Schaal and Jack Black, who are all featured in the clip.
Among the tacky offenses highlighted in the tune? "Wear my Ed Hardy shirt with florescent orange pants," Stonestreet lip-syncs. "Got my new resume, it's printed in Comic Sans!"
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
WATCH: This Video of a Congressman Dancing to Pharrell's "Happy" Will Make You, Well, Happy!
"43 bumper stickers and a YOLO license plate, bring along my coupon book whenever I'm on a date," Black adds. "Practice my twerking skills at the DMV, took the whole bowl of restaurant mints because they said they're free."
The track also calls out the sandals-with-socks wearers and the live-tweeters in addition to the over-Instagrammers and the notorious name-droppers. Oh, and did we mention Jack Black twerks? Yeah, that happens.
The second music video, "Word Crimes" was released Tuesday and it might just be better than the first. Yankovic parodied Robin Thicke's hit "Blurred Lines" in order to educate his fans on the proper use of "less" versus "fewer" and also addressed common grammar gaffes.
"Like 'I could care less,' that means you do care (at least a little)," Yankovic says. "Don't be a moran! You'd better slow down and use the right pronoun, show the world you're no clown."
PHOTOS: Musicians performing live on stage
Yankovic's latest record, which comes three years after his previous album, will also feature parodies of Miley Cyrus, Lorde and Iggy Azalea.
On a mobile device? Watch "Word Crimes" here.


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Learn about
When the crimes involved in these cases actually occur in the City, they should be investigated and reported in the usual manner. However, in many such cases, the location of the actual crime may be in another state, or even in another country. This leaves a citizen with few practical options regarding generating a police report with which to correct erroneous credit reports arising out of criminal frauds. Needless to say, this can be extremely frustrating.
The Colorado Attorney General has encouraged local law enforcement agencies of this state to assist citizens in making these case reports, so that the citizen can repair damage done to his or her credit, regardless of where the crime has occurred. With the passing of the new Identity Theft statute and a change in reporting guidelines in July of 2006, the Colorado Springs Police Department has changed the way it handles cases that occur in another jurisdiction.
When a person who lives in Colorado Springs is victimized by a suspect from another jurisdiction, the Colorado Springs Police department will take a police report for the victim as a courtesy. This will be done to assist the individual with documenting the incident for credit reporting purposes. This can be done through a call for service request by the individual who is a victim.
It is important that individuals reporting these out of jurisdiction offenses be aware that the Department is accepting the reports as a courtesy, and that no investigation or other official action will be undertaken by CSPD. The individual does have the option to also attempt to contact the law enforcement agency where the offense occurred to pursue any further action regarding the incident.
Additional information can be found at these links:
ID Theft - What to do if you are a victim of identity theft
Social Security Administration - When someone misues your number
FDIC - A crook has drained your account - who pays?
USDOJ - Identity Theft and Fraud
ID Theft Web Site The site has information on minimizing your risk, what to do if you are a victim, how to file a complaint, what the laws are and much more!
Robo de Identidad: Algo malo puede pasarle a su buen nombre
Sharing Your personal Information: It's YOUR Choice
Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email: Where to Go To "Just Say NO"
Trans Union
Innovis Consumer Assistance


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What? A Milton Bradley Controversy?
Several sources, including this Seattle radio station, are reporting – gasp! – that Milton Bradley left the Mariners mid-game last night after manager Don Wakamatsu tried to remind him that a manager runs a team and not an outfielder who keeps getting traded because he believes that the breeze he feels is actually the universe revolving around him.
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(Facepalm) sigh…. Thanks for updating us, Keith! Good grief. I hope they work something out with this guy… is there any way they could just kinda, you know… keep him on the bench for the rest of the season, or something? Send him to the minors? Send him to the theater and then move before he gets back? Yikes….
Boy, am I happy Milton Bradley is no longer an Athletic.
Dude's got major issues (and I am not just talking about Bradley) {finger pointing up}. Get over the Dan Abrams thing already.
Sorry Keith (slinking away now).
I think the bigger story coming out of Seattle is Cliff Lee's agent all but saying that Lee would rather chew on broken glass then stay there next year. What makes that situation worse is that Lee hasn't said anything about it. As much as Bradley is a head case we all knew that at the beginning. Seattle was an all or nothing team this year so the risk that came with Bradley was worth it if he produced the way he is capable if not well that's just Milton Bradley
People aren't being fooled; people wanted to dump Carlos Silva and his contract. Desperately.
For those of you that must rake Keith over the coals for what you consider to be his awful attitude, why don't you go to the Countdown web site. There is an email address there and there is someone that reads the emails. Baseball Nerd is supposed to be only about baseball–not attacking Keith for his political views.
Keith–Please show a little compassion for Milton Bradley. I know that he has a reputation that has been well deserved. But as an avid Mariner fan I've been following his story since he came to the Mariners. There is more to him than what has been written about him. May I refer you to today's Seattle Times. I have always thought that you were a very compassionate person, don't disappoint me now.
History Lover: My comment was not meant for you. I totally agree with all that you have said about Keith. I'm a big fan of Keith's but I know that he is not perfect. Who is?
Because of the garbage that has been posted on Baseball Nerd about Keith lately I felt compelled to tell people to go to Countdown's web site and email their comments there. Leave Baseball Nerd alone. I have a feeling that that is why you wrote defending Keith. Even if you are not quite a fan, please continue to come here. I'm an avid baseball fan but I've learned so much from Keith and others about the game.
Well, I appreciate Keith's passion for the sport of baseball, even though I don't share that passion. I didn't happen to grow up in a sporting family and so I missed out on the Great American Past-time. It's my loss. But a person would have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to recognize his unabashed love of the game. It?s a shame that he can?t be left alone to pursue his passion without somebody trying to politicize it.
I also respect Keith?s role as a lifelong baseball historian and his encyclopedic knowledge of the sport. If I ever had a baseball question, Keith would be my go-to guy. Frankly, I can't imagine a more stalwart or thorough researcher.
Mostly, I'm a huge fan of Keith's gift of wordsmithery, even on a subject I know little about, such as baseball. I've actually learned a lot. Keith could make the New York phone book sound fascinating! 🙂
Keith, a thousand apologies for always being wildly off topic on your blog, but this was too important to me to keep my mouth shut. Please don?t ever stop writing. On this blog or your books. I?ll keep reading as long as you keep writing! And, finally, don?t let the naysayers drag you down. People come and go, but you?re still standing. 🙂
@safeco1999, I read the article in the Seattle Times about Bradley – let's hope he really does want help. This may be his last chance in the big leagues. If he really wants it, and actually does something with that help – more power to him. If it's a ploy, then… I feel for the rest of the team. Not like they're having a stellar year so far in any case. 😦 On an unrelated note – Keith, I finally ordered "The Bullpen Gospels" and a first edition copy of "The Big Show". About time, huh? 🙂 Have a great night!
Why do I feel like the cop directing traffic by a traffic accident, saying "Move along, nothing to see here."
Keith, give us a Moyer entry!! Love the blog!


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Reports Tie Former Oakley CEO to Latest Bid for Billabong
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
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A former chief executive of Foothill Ranch-based Oakley Inc. is being tied to the latest bid for Billabong International Ltd., according to reports.
D. Scott Olivet, who succeeded Oakley founder Jim Jannard as head of the sunglasses and goggles maker in 2005, is working with Palo Alto-based private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners in its joint bid to buy Billabong International Ltd. of Australia, according to reports citing an unnamed source.
A report from The Australian newspaper said Olivet would run the company's non-Billabong brands if the Altamont/Vans proposal is accepted.
The Billabong portfolio, which includes the company's namesake brands, also counts VonZipper, Honolua, Kustom, RVCA, Element and DaKine among others.
Olivet could not be reached for comment.
He is currently executive chairman at Irvine digital still and motion camera maker Red Digital Cinema Camera Co., which was also founded by Jannard.
Olivet also serves as chairman of the board at Collective Brands Inc. and as a director on the board of Skullcandy Inc.
Billabong International, which has its Billabong USA headquarters in Irvine, said late Sunday that it received a second offer of $550.8 million from a consortium led by Altamont Capital and Greensboro, N.C.-based VF Corp.
VF is the parent of skate apparel and accessories maker Vans Inc. of Cypress, in addition to brands such as The North Face, Timberland and Reef.
VF said in a joint statement with Altamont Monday that its interest is primarily in the Billabong brand.
Meanwhile, Altamont is eyeing Billabong's other brands based on the "firm's mandate to invest in situations where it can provide strategic and operational support to build business success stories."
The Altamont/VF bid matches a December proposal that came from a consortium led by Billabong Americas President Paul Naude.


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For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
by Steve Jobs
in morning