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Biomass plant nearly finished, but issues remain
Correction: The energy firms behind the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center sold a biomass plant in Austin, Texas, to Southern Company. The Gainesville biomass plant has not been sold to Southern Company. An earlier version of this article stated otherwise. Also, the current electric fuel adjustment charge for Gainesville Regional Utilties is 5.1 cents per kilowatt-hour, and GRU officials have said that rate would rise to approximately 7.5 cents when the biomass plant comes online without the fuel levelization fund or other steps to limit rate increases.
After two years, an estimated 1.6 million hours and as many as 700 workers on site at the peak of construction, the Gainesville biomass plant off U.S. 441 is 85 percent complete.
Its boiler is taller than the Seagle Building — the tallest in downtown Gainesville — but even more visually dramatic are the conveyor arms that stretch like some super-sized water slide.
Later this year, those conveyors will begin carrying wood debris that will be burned to generate electrical power to feed into the Gainesville Regional Utilities system.
The 100-megawatt plant will be ready to feed power into the GRU grid by September, said Al Morales, the chief financial officer with the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center.
Construction nears completion as electric rate increases loom, a legal battle between the city and GREC unfolds and organized opposition continues in the midst of a city election cycle that includes a race for mayor.
Sister plant idle
In Texas, a sister biomass plant — a 100-megawatt station initially proposed by the same energy firms that formed GREC before being sold to Southern Company — sits idle. The city of Austin, which has a 20-year contract to purchase all the plant's output, has decided the electricity is too expensive to purchase, even as the city continues to pay the fixed operating costs associated with the plant, according to the Austin American-Statesman newspaper.
On Thursday, the Austin City Council unanimously voted to move toward establishing an independent board with utility expertise to oversee Austin Energy, a move predicated in part by a recent rate increase and the biomass plant, according to the American-Statesman.
Locally, state Rep. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, is considering filing legislation that would require a referendum of all GRU customers, including those in the unincorporated county, to determine if the governance of GRU should be moved to an independent board. Perry said he has submitted potential legislation but has not made a final decision on whether he will formally file it.
"This is not specifically to do with the biomass plant," Perry said. "What I'm looking at is the fairness of the way it is structured now."
Efforts to hold down rates
Meanwhile, GRU continues to pursue ways, including some that have stirred opposition of their own, to hold down electric rate increases when the biomass plant comes online on Oct. 1.
GRU's goal is to limit rate increases to residential users to $10.56 per 1,000 kilowatt hours, on top of the $127.67 per 1,000 kWh they pay now. The current rate is the fifth highest of the state's 33 public utilities for that usage level, according to the most recent monthly report from the Florida Municipal Electric Association.
When the City Commission approved the biomass contract in May 2009, officials said they hoped additional steps could limit the rate increase to $6.10 a month.
But natural gas prices dropped, and cap and trade legislation and a requirement for Florida utilities to have a renewable energy portfolio never materialized. Against that backdrop, Gainesville so far has been unable to find a wholesale buyer for electricity from the biomass plant. The initial plan was to sell half the output for 10 years.
Now, $10.56 per 1,000 kWh is no longer a projected high-end rate increase that the city will work down from. It's now the rate increase they hope to hit.
$103 million annual cost
With City Commission budget hearings coming in the summer, GRU has to mitigate several million dollars in biomass-related costs in order to hit its target rate increase. GRU General Manager Bob Hunzinger said he feels the utility will reach the target.
"We're still comfortable with the $10.56 or the penny per kilowatt-hour," he said.
The biomass plant's estimated annual cost to GRU customers is $103 million — $70 million in annual fixed costs that the city will pay GREC and $33 million in discretionary and fuel-related costs if the plant is running.
GRU's focus is the $70 million in fixed costs the city will pay even if the plant is idle. Two plans once considered to limit rate increases — negotiations with GREC on a prepay agreement and the sale of wholesale power — have not been successful.
Another option GRU identified — adding no additional capacity to the solar feed-in tariff program — did not gain traction with the City Commission.
The commission voted 6-1, with Todd Chase in dissent, to add projects to the feed-in tariff program, which pays a premium for solar-generated electricity.
Target proves elusive
So where does GRU stand currently?
The decision to let a contract to purchase power from Progress Energy expire will mean $12 million in savings. A bond refinancing that will lower the utility's annual debt payments for the first several years the plant is online — but increase debt payments down the road — will save $10 million to $13 million, Hunzinger said.
A rate increase of $10.56 per 1,000 kWh would generate about $20 million annually. Hunzinger said that leaves the city with $25 million to $28 million to address annually in order to pay for the $70 million in fixed costs for the biomass plant.
Other steps in the mix could mitigate about $18 million annually, he said. They include putting GRU cash set aside for capital projects instead toward debt payments and a hotly debated decision to build up a fuel levelization fund now in the range of $23 million. Instead of lowering electric rates when the utility's fuel costs declined, the city has held them steady to build up that fund.
In some months, the impact of that plan on a customer's bill has been above the $10.56-per-1,000 kWh target rate increase.
In October, for instance, it was almost $15 per 1,000 kWh.
During a Jan. 9 workshop held to settle a lawsuit over the biomass contract, Hunzinger said that, without this fuel levelization fund, a customer's monthly fuel adjustment charge would rise from the current 5.1 cents per kilowatt-hour to about 7.5 when biomass comes online — if the city took no other steps to mitigate. At 1,000 kWh usage, that would, without other steps to limit rate increases, mean a monthly impact in the range of $24.
For the past five months, the City Attorney's Office has been working on a legal opinion regarding the fuel adjustment charge and this fuel levelization fund. Commissioners requested the legal opinion in response to allegations the utility has been overcharging customers.
At this point, Hunzinger said the utility still has to address about $7 million to $10 million of the annual $70 million in fixed costs in order to hit the target rate increase. Some steps toward that could include a reduction in the transfer of GRU revenues to the city's general fund.
Long-term impact debated
Chase, who has been outspoken in concerns over the financial impact of the biomass plant, also opposes some of the steps the city has taken to limit rate impacts.
He said he is concerned that steps such as bond refinancing and the use of capital project monies in the utility plant improvement fund to limit rate impacts in the short term could have long-term negative effects on the utility's finances and bond rating.
"The important thing to me is not whether we hit $10.56," Chase said. "It's how we hit it and how long we can sustain it … The next five to 10 years on this thing is very worrisome to me."
Commissioner Lauren Poe said he is holding off on making projections on the rate increases associated with biomass until budget meetings for next fiscal year begin.
"It's really premature right now to make any sort of determination on what rates will be," Poe said. "Management has very direct guidance from the commission to limit the rate impact, and that is what they are working on now."
Meanwhile, GREC officials have indicated no interest in voluntary negotiation of the contract.
Morales said it would "oversimplify" the situation to say the company could enter such talks when equity investors and lenders put nearly $500 million toward the plant based on the contract's terms.
In response to calls from some for GRU to attempt to terminate the contract, Morales said Gainesville has made legally binding commitments and that "walking away from commitments would have negative consequences."


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Stockholm for kids guided tour
Visit the Junibacken children's museum and Skansen open-air museum on Stockholm for kids tour where you can take the story train and have fun.
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Tom Tits Experiment science center entrance ticket
Dive deep into a mix of creativity and knowledge and have fun with your whole family at Tom Tits Experiment science center.
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Popular experiences in Stockholm
Backstage tour of Q21 in Vienna
Book your backstage tour of Q21 and discover the creative space of the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna!
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Seacoast view and Monte Carlo group tour from Nice
Enjoy the seacoast view of the french riviera and its most famous villages and towns, thanks to this group tour
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Cyprus Go As You Please Private Taxi Tour
Create your own tour on this eight-hour day out in Cyprus. You call the shots here – whether it be visiting the main sights or venturing further to find the hidden gems – it's totally up to you. Choose between visiting Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos, Nicosia or the Troodos Mountains. Hassle-free sightseeing – exactly the way you want it.
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Odyssey brunch cruise in Washington DC
Book now to admire the Washington DC skyline while on board a wonderful 2-hour brunch cruise on the Potomac River!
Barcelona continually tops Europe's city break charts – it's a buzzing metropolis with the power to bowl any visitor over. Discover Poble Espanyol, Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas, Plaça Espanya and Montjuïc and more. You'll start at Poble Espanyol, famous for its replicated buildings from over 15 areas of Spain. And don't forget the Sagrada Familia, a church resembling a wave-worn sandcastle – a legacy of legendary local architect Antoni Gaudi.There's time for a stroll along the pedestrianised Las Ramblas and to visit La Boqueria indoor market. A panoramic drive through Plaça Espanya and over Montjuïc Mountain, with its bird's-eye views of the city and waterfront, round off the day.
Otranto Half-day Tour from Salento Ionian Coast
Lauded as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, Otranto delivers on great views and a fascinating past. Spend a few hours here soaking up the scenery, shopping in the market, or losing yourself in the maze-like medieval centre. A must-see is the Romanesque cathedral, famous for its ornate mosaic floor.
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You'll get a close-up look at the Dominican countryside on this thrilling off-road adventure. Riding a low-slung buggy, you'll drive through winding rural dirt tracks all the way to the famous Domitai Cave Park and visit a typical Dominican home to learn how the locals make cocoa and coffee. There'll be a swim stop at a cave with a natural pool, too.This Terracross safari is geared for mud-splattered, high-octane fun. But that's not all. Your expert local guide will bring you to villages and an organic co-op ranch. Here, you'll learn all about coconut oil, sugarcane, coffee and chocolate as well as the unique Dominican chocolate tea. And you'll get to taste a few of them, too, along with the national tipple, mamajuana.You'll also get to swim in a cenote, too. These rocky sinkholes with clear, fresh water are a joy to swim in. And as Domitai Park is a private venue, there are fewer crowds and vendors than at other cenotes.
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Desert experience - private Wahiba sands full-day tour
Get a real desert experience by 4WD vehicle driving across the rugged terrain to find the nomads with camels and a Bedouin home in the middle of the desert.
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Sawgrass Recreation Park admission ticket
Take a 30-minute airboat ride discovering wildlife at the Sawgrass Recreation Park. Book now on Musement!
Backhoe Loader excavator experience in Las Vegas
Experience 90-minutes of the Backhoe Loader, a tractor, an excavator and loader all in one powerhouse package.

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text:
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A young candidate campaigns in Iowa, New Hampshire and other politically influential states after setting his sights on the White House
President Pennybaker. By Kate Feiffer. Illustrated by Diane Goode. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, 32 pp., $16.99. Ages 3 and up.
By Janice Harayda
It's probably safe to say that many adults would find it easier explain to young children how babies are made than how U.S. presidents are made. Libraries and bookstores abound with good picture books on conception, pregnancy and birth. But how many show the importance of putting up posters, taking part in debates and campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire?
Most authors seem to assume that presidential campaigns are too complex a topic for young children and that they may write only about elections that occur in school or neighborhood settings. These writers may be giving too little credit to their potential audience. Child psychologists tell us that children are aware of changes in their environment even if they don't understand them. So they'll notice if campaign signs are sprouting on lawns, Dad is wearing a shiny red-white-and-blue lapel button, or Mom is spending a lot of time on the telephone asking people she doesn't know for money.
Kate Feiffer and Diane Goode cast a national election in terms young children can understand in President Pennybaker, the story of a boy who sets his sights on the White House after his father's edicts convince him that life is unfair and that he can bring about his own form of social justice. Luke does many things that adult candidates do: He sets up a campaign office, puts up posters and solicits contributions. And as he travels to politically important states like Iowa and New Hampshire, he makes promises he'll never be able to keep. Campaigning as the candidate of the Birthday Party, Luke vows that under his administration kids will get to eat cake and open gifts every day. After winning by a landslide, he realizes that he's in over his head and resigns after a week on the job, leaving Oval Office to his hand-picked vice-president — his dog, Lily.
Goode leavens Feiffer's somewhat abrupt ending with entertaining watercolors that set President Pennybaker mostly in the early 20th century — when voters tooled around in Model Ts – except for a few anachronisms such as television sets and a female governor of California. Her pictures also suggest some of the comedy in Luke's serious motive for seeking the White House. In real life, when children ask their elders why people run for president, the adults tend to fall back on bromides like, "They want to make the world a better place." That explanation is far too dull and abstract for many children. Luke's rationale for his candidacy is likely to be much more appealing to its intended audience: Life is not fair. What 4- or 5-year old couldn't relate that?
Best line/picture: All of Goode's pictures show her flair for retro details, but Bruce Springsteen fans may especially like the page that shows Luke campaigning on "on the beach at the Jersey shore" in what looks like old Asbury Park.
Worst line/picture: Anachronisms such as the television set are clearly intentional and often amusing but weren't essential to the story.
Recommendation? A good choice for parents who want to explain to young children why Dad starts swearing every time he sees a certain candidate on television. This book may especially interest schools and libraries in the places where Luke campaigns or whose elected officials are mentioned in it — the cities of Detroit, Cincinnati, New York and Washington, D.C., and the states of Iowa, Maine, Kansas, Colorado, California, New Jersey and New Hampshire.
Editor: Paula Wiseman
Published: August 2008 www.katefeiffer.com and www.dianegoode.com. Feiffer is a Massachusetts filmmaker who also wrote Henry the Dog With No Tail, illustrated by Jules Feiffer. Goode is a New Jersey artist who won a Caldecott Honor for her art for Cynthia Rylant's When I Was Young in the Mountains and also illustrated Mind Your Manners, a guide to table manners for young children www.oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2006/12/23/.
Furthermore: Click here to read about other new children's books about elections, including Rosemary Wells's Otto Runs for President www.oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/.
Reviews of books for children or teenagers appear every Saturday on One-Minute Book Reviews. To avoid missing these reviews, please bookmark this site or subscribe to the RSS feed.
© 2008 Janice Harayda. All rights reserved.


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Holmes: Unanswered questions
The cover of Rolling Stone asked a question by combining a compelling photo – Dzhokhar Tsarnaev looking young, handsome, sensitive, mysterious – with a bold headline: Bomber. How did a kid who looked like this commit an atrocity like that? The report inside, the product of months of interviews with people who knew Tsarnaev and his family, tries to provide answers.
A lot of people don't seem to like the question. Politicians have denounced the cover. Convenience store magnates have refused to sell the magazine. Some journalists who should know better have piled on. The media controversy machine has, as usual, fanned the flames.
"He's evil," people scowl. That's all anyone needs to know. Really?
There's a distinct lack of curiosity about what happened April 15 and in the days that followed, even here in the Boston area. We live in an age where feelings are more important than facts. The weeks since the Marathon bombing have been filled with self-pity and self-celebration. We've been mourning the victims, praising the police and first responders, and cheering the recovery of the survivors, all the while patting ourselves on the back for being "Boston Strong."
We haven't been asking questions.
What questions? Let me suggest a dozen:
1. Why were the warnings from Russian intelligence services about Tamerlan Tsarnaev not heeded? This is about the only question Congress has asked, without producing a satisfactory answer.
2. Why was the entire city of Boston shut down on a weekday when all indications pointed to the wounded suspect on several towns to the west? Were state officials working through a contingency plan or making it up as they went along?
3. An MBTA police officer gravely wounded at the Thursday night shootout in Watertown has been denouncing Rolling Stone this week. Witnesses say he was a victim of friendly fire, felled by another officer's bullet in a one-sided firefight against the lightly-armed Tsarnaev brothers. Is that true?
4. In a second friendly fire incident, officers fired at a black SUV filled with officers rushing to the scene. A windshield was smashed, but no one was hurt. Is this the kind of inter-agency coordination and disciplined police work officials have bragged about?
5. With hundreds of well-trained police surrounding the brothers – I imagine the scene where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are hemmed in by the entire Bolivian army – how did Dzhokhar manage to escape?
6. Minutes later, police had the car the brothers had ridden in, and a pool of blood, presumably from Dzhokhar, who had dumped the carjacked SUV and escaped on foot. Why couldn't police dogs follow his scent?
7. Under what authority did police order a lockdown and warrantless house-by-house searches in Watertown? Were those searches legal?
8. Dzhokhar was hiding in a covered boat within the perimeter of the most intense manhunt in state history, but police didn't look for him there. How did they miss the boat?
9. Why did police fire dozens of rounds at the boat? Dzhokhar, it turns out, was unarmed, and everyone says they wanted to capture him alive. Who gave the order to fire?
10. Why wasn't Tamerlan Tsarnaev interviewed in connection with the 2011 triple murder in Waltham? The New York Times reported July 10 that friends of the victims told police and investigators from the Middlesex DA's office Tamerlan was a regular visitor at the apartment where the slaying took place and had been acting suspiciously, but the police never questioned him.
11. Ibrogim Todashev, a friend of Tamerlan, was shot and killed by an FBI agent who was interviewing him in his Orlando apartment May 22, reportedly about the Waltham slaying. Press reports say Todashev was unarmed and was shot while two Mass. State Police officers had left the room. The FBI refuses to provide details. What happened and why?
12. What went wrong, what went right, and what can we learn from the way this crisis was handled? More to the point: Is anyone trying to answer these questions?
As near as I can tell, the answer to the last question is "no." There may be reviews done within agencies, the Middlesex County district attorney told me, but she know of no one putting together the big picture. Considering the number of law enforcement agencies involved – a colleague counted at least a dozen on the scene in Watertown – you'd think the need for a broader review of lessons learned would be obvious.
It took an act of Congress to create the 9/11 Commission, which spent a year drawing lessons from a previous terrorist attack, but I hear no one in Massachusetts suggesting anything like that effort. We're too busy with our feelings – sympathy for the victims, outrage at Rolling Stone – to worry about unanswered questions.
Rick Holmes, opinion editor for the Daily News, blogs at Holmes & Co. (http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/holmesandco). He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Wood sign | One cat short of crazy.
Handmade wooden sign, One cat short of crazy.
The wooden sign is painted (or tinted), when you choose a color, it will be the background color. You have the choice between a finish with regular edges, an aged edge finish with rounded corners and sanded edges (see example photos), or finish with a frame. Please take a look at the options to see the color choices or send me a message, so we can work together to find the perfect color choice for you!
Color perception may differ due to lighting and screen resolutions.
All signs are varnished, but to maintain their appearance, it is recommended not to expose them to aggressive elements.
Our signs are made of real wood or Russian birch and individually hand painted. We do not use MDF or vinyl ...
We do not cover the natural defects of the wood as it gives the rustic character that we are looking for our signs.
A hook is already installed at the back of the sign, ready to be hung.
If you want another size or color other than white, black or dyed, please send me a message, so we can work together to find the perfect color choice for you!
Our goal is 100% satisfaction of your purchase. If for some reason you are not satisfied, we will do our best to arrange this. Help us by reading the descriptions of products, their sizes, and take note of the general conditions of sale. Do not hesitate to contact us for any questions and wishes. Check your contact details before finalizing your order.
Thank you for visiting Old Shack Signs, looking forward to working with you!


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Online Chat
Transcript of Monday's online chat:
Brian Anderson: Hey everyone, glad to be here with you … let's get started.
cfjjr: Considering the changes that the Astros and Cardinals have made to their rotations, do you feel, like I do, that the Brewers have the best starting rotation of any team in the NL Central?
Anderson: I do — talented and deep. Pitching always reigns, so from what I've seen and what I've heard, I love the arms Ned Yost has at his disposal. So far, everyone is healthy as well.
dan1092: What is your prediction for the 2007 brewers?
Anderson: How about World Series champions?
chisoxenvy: What do you think will be the biggest difference working in the bigs vs. the Minors?
Anderson: Per diem! Game is the same, timing, rhythm, etc. Bigger crowds make it easier to feel the energy. Certainly more eyes on you!
Loomis: Brian, welcome to Wisconsin! What's your thought on the third base situation? Is a Craig Counsell/Tony Graffanino platoon the best option or should Ryan Braun be given a chance to win the job?
Anderson: Both, for now. I'm all for youth getting a chance and Braun looks great. But it's already a youthful infield and Counsell/Graffanino are proven commodities. Too early to tell, but the vets get early favor.
JJ7Hardy07: What do you think will come about with the left field situation?
Anderson: Geoff Jenkins.
JJ7Hardy07: Just wondering what position you played while in college?
Anderson: Catcher.
zzzmanwitz: What player not on the expected starting roster do you feel will have the greatest impact on the Brewers this season?
Anderson: How about Corey Koskie? Assuming he's not ready to start by Opening Day. He's going through a tough time, I'm rooting for him to return and be healthy.
ronbelliard10: Who did you idolize growing up? Who is your current favorite player and/or Brewer?
Anderson: 'Donnie Ballgame' [Don Mattingly]. No favorites. You gotta love 'em all the same, right?
theacc1: What do you think will happen to Jenkins as far as his request to start?
Anderson: I think he'll start but it's way too early. As far as his request? I think it's good that he expects to start. I think it's good that everyone expects to start. That's why they call Ned's job "manager." He'll manage on and off the field.
wrmnyc: Do you anticipate that the outfield will surprise the fans with some good production?
Anderson: Oh yeah, Bill Hall can flat out swing it. Jenkins has been an All-Star and I saw Corey Hart hit one on top of the grass berm today during the intrasquad game. Plus, competition factor. Big at-bats for all of those guys.
badgerabh3: Glad to see you with the Brew Crew following your dreams. Now that the Buckethead Brigade was officially cancelled, are you and Bill Schroeder planning on having another section like it this year? It was a great time.
Anderson: I heard about the BB, sorry about that. Nothing attached to the announcers will start up. It's not about us, it's about you. And, I can report there is another widget in the works as we speak … at least after this post!
bhall52: What do you think about our bullpen situation?
Anderson: Love the 'pen … power arms! For balance, Brian Shouse might as well be two pitchers in one.
madisonian: Welcome to the Brewers. We're sure you'll love Wisconsin as much as the rest of us do in no time. What's the buzz about you and Bill doing more games than in the past?
Anderson: Yep, 125 on FSN North, and 15 on WMLW TV 41, plus webcasts. It's a good thing.
regent89: What is your philosophy on looking at the TV monitor while doing play-by-play?
Anderson: Look at the monitor between pitches. Don't take your eye off the ball when it's in play.
CrasMack: What has the team done in the offseason to fix the bullpen that has blown so many late leads in the past two seasons?
Anderson: Trust: Francisco Cordero for a full season, Derrick Turnbow returns, Jose Capellan more experience.
regent89: I know you are a music fan, has anyone filled you in on what Summerfest is all about?
Anderson: Oh, believe it, but the Crew is on the road so I'll be looking for updates. Anxious to see the rundown for Summerfest.
bhall52: Do you think Turnbow will get turned around this year, and how does he look so far?
Anderson: Yes and good. It's Spring Training, everyone looks good so far.
CrasMack: A young group of infielders resulted in a lot of errors last year. How improved will they be this season?
Anderson: I think much improved. Experience means a lot and the return of J.J. Hardy will make a difference. I think Hall will be excellent in center field and Jenkins might be the best defensive left fielder in the National League. So defense will be much improved.
gumbyr: Will there be a webcast for all or most Spring Training games?
Anderson: Yes, indeed. Webcasts start up Thursday, 2 p.m. CT from Maryvale Baseball Park. We'll be taking e-mail's as well during the game. Send to email@example.com.
comeonbrewcrew: As a long-time Brewers fan I'm very excited about the prospects for this year's team. Who do you think will step up and possibly even overachieve on this year's team? My guesses are Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart.
Anderson: Good call on both!
Loomis: Have you had a chance to work much will Bill Schroeder yet? What are your impressions of him as a color analyst?
Anderson: Not yet, other than the fake game we did during the audition. We hit it off right away and I'm going to enjoy working with him. We've talked quite often over the last two months and he's been outstanding. He certainly knows his stuff.
madisonian: We have veteran catchers this year. How important do you think they will be to team morale and chemistry?
Anderson: Ah, you know it all starts with the "tools of brilliance!" Winning builds morale!
bradhasbrouck: I've predicted that the Twins and Brewers will meet in the World Series. But do you think that'll happen?
Anderson: I've got the Crew in six.
Dustin: Are you a people's broadcaster or a player's broadcaster, meaning do you relate more to the fans' perspective or the players'?
Anderson: Great question! A little of both. Most players are (or were) fans, too. I hope to earn respect from both camps. In my experience, as long as your fair and informed, then available, all should be well.
regent89: I'm looking so forward to spring and baseball! How are you feeling on your MLB debut? Excited? Nervous?
Anderson: A great time of year! I can't wait to get started. I've been working for this gig my entire life. I've got some butterflies but they are the good kind and I feel like I'm ready.
Anderson: Thanks everyone, time to wrap up. Check out the webcasts beginning Thursday, 2 p.m. CT at brewers.com.


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A Web developer has demonstrated a simple-to-execute exploit that allows websites to surreptitiously bombard visitors' storage devices with gigabytes of junk data.
As its name suggests, FillDisk.com loads an almost unlimited amount of data onto hard drives of people who access the site. It requires no user interaction and works with the Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Apple Safari browsers. It adds 1GB of data every 16 seconds on a MacBook Pro Retina equipped with a solid state drive, according to Feross Aboukhadijeh, the Web developer and computer science grad student who created the proof-of-concept site.
FillDisk.com manipulates the Web Storage standard included in the HTML5 specification. This standard is designed to make websites easier to use by allowing them to store data on visitors' hard drives. The functionality can be useful when end users are filling out long forms; if the browser crashes before the form has been completed, the data that's already been entered will be available when the person visits the site later. The creators of the standard specifically warn that browser developers should take steps to ensure websites can't abuse the feature by writing unlimited amounts of data.
Indeed, Chrome, IE, and Safari limit the amount of data that can be downloaded, but the restriction is placed on subdomains rather than the upper-level domain to which they belong. FillDisk.com works by directing subdomains such as 1.filldisk.com, 2.filldisk.com, and so on to each send the maximum amount allowed. Of the browsers Aboukhadijeh tested, only Mozilla Firefox capped the download amount. The exploit is simple to implement. Additional details are here and the source code is here.
To be fair to the developers of the affected browsers, the exploit doesn't appear to expose private data or permit the remote execution of malicious code. Compared to many vulnerabilities, the weakness abused by FillDisk.com seems minor. Still, it's not hard to imagine someone e-mailing malicious links to a large number of people just to get a rise. In addition to filling up the receivers' hard drives with data, the exploit can cause some versions of Chrome to crash.
Chrome developers responding to Aboukhadijeh's bug report seemed to agree that the behavior isn't ideal. "There is a SHOULD recommendation in the HTML specification suggesting that UAs guard against this behavior," one wrote. "Firefox seems to implement this, we do not."


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St. Michael defeating Satan. Renata Sedmakova / Shutterstock Old Scratch is back in the news.…
Devil is working hard on securing end times
To most of the world, Pope Francis is the pope of the poor, foe of unrestrained free-market capitalism, reformer engaged in shaking up the Roman Curia, ecclesiological innovator committed to consultation, collegiality and decentralization in the governance of the Church.
Francis is all that, but he's also more — something his image as a social activist and agent of structural change might not lead you to expect.
In short, this pope is a believer in the end times who's convinced they aren't merely coming but are, in a sense, already being played out before our eyes. This, likewise, is someone who believes the devil is real and perceives a demonic hand at work in current events.
For example: The Vatican summary of his weekday homily Nov. 28 quotes him as saying: "The devil pushes us to be unfaithful to the Lord. Sometimes he pushes hard."
Francis went on to add that this is more than just individual temptation. Scripture, he pointed out, "speaks to us about a universal temptation, about a universal trial, about the time when … the whole of the Lord's creation will be faced with this choice between God and evil, God and the prince of the world."
That time, he made clear, is now.
Cautious, optimistic
That said, it's important to realize nothing Pope Francis has said lends support to sweaty-palms predictions that the end of the world is imminent. On the contrary, much that the pope has said and done seems to reflect the assumption that Church and world will both be around for a long time.
He's no fan either of so-called private revelations and speaks disparagingly of them in section 70 of his recent apostolic exhortation on evangelization, Evangelii Gaudium ("The Joy of the Gospel"), which may not bode well for Medjugorje, the place in Bosnia where apparitions of the Blessed Virgin supposedly began in 1981 and are said to continue.
A Vatican commission recently completed its study of the Medjugorje events and passed it on to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which will make a recommendation to the pope. Meanwhile, the congregation's prefect, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, told U.S. bishops in November not to allow Church-sponsored events featuring the Medjugorje "seers."
While no one can be sure what Pope Francis will do, he said Nov. 14 that Mary is "not a postmaster … sending out messages every day."
Devil at work
It's a different story with the end times and the devil. The pope makes no bones about accepting the reality of both.
Regarding the end times — the era preceding the Second Coming of Christ, the last judgment and the end of the world — several themes stand out in his thinking. One is that this will be a time when the Church and Christians are persecuted.
In his Nov. 28 homily, he spoke of the present as a period of "general apostasy." Mighty forces anxious to keep God from being worshipped seek to convince Christians to take a "reasonable and peaceful road" by obeying "worldly powers" bent on reducing religion to "a private matter," he said.
Describing the ensuing persecution of the Church as "a calamity," the pope said: "It will appear to be the triumph of the prince of this world, the defeat of God. It will seem as though he has taken over the world [and become] master of the world." As for the persecuted Christians, he added, they are "a prophetic sign of what will happen to everyone."
Lest there be any doubt, Pope Francis emphasizes that the persecution of religion he envisages will involve the shedding of blood. In his Nov. 18 homily, he cited the Old Testament Book of Maccabees, which tells of the martyrdom of faithful Jews and cautioned today's believers against subscribing to an "adolescent progressivism" that encourages the abandonment of faith.
"Do you think there are no human sacrifices today?" he asked rhetorically. "There are many, many of them. And there are laws that protect them."
This apparently means laws that protect the sacrifices, not those who are sacrificed. Legalized abortion comes to mind.
'A prophecy'
It was in this context that Francis — in a reference that caught the attention of people who understood it — spoke of "Lord of the World," calling it "almost … a prophecy."
Published a century ago, "Lord of the World" is a novel by Robert Hugh Benson, son of an archbishop of Canterbury who converted to Catholicism, became a priest and wrote works of fiction and popular devotion.
The novel is probably Benson's best known book. It's a futuristic end-times story depicting a radically secularized society whose authoritarian regime controls its mostly willing subjects by providing them with a feel-good environment where religion and traditional morality are systematically excluded.
The "Lord" of this world of the not-so-distant future is a mysterious figure who, as the story unfolds, grows more and more recognizable as the Antichrist whom the Bible foretells as precursor of the end times. The tale concludes on the plains outside Nazareth where the Antichrist and his followers are preparing to exterminate the last believers led by the last pope.
Beginning of the end?
Francis evidently thinks at least some end-times events are already taking place. But that's not new. "With God's coming into history," he said, "we are already in the last times" — and could be for a long while to come.
However that may be, on May 4 he said Christianity is more persecuted today than at the start. "So many Christian communities are persecuted around the globe," he said. "More so now than in the early times … Why? Because the spirit of the world hates."
This is to say that persecution is the work of the devil of whose existence he is no less certain. In an Oct. 15 homily he declared: "The demon is shrewd: He is never cast out forever, this will only happen on the last day."
The pope then offered his analysis of "the devil's strategy," putting these words in the mouth of the devil himself: "You become a Christian, go forward in your faith, and I will leave you alone … But then, once you have grown accustomed to it, are no longer watchful and feel secure, I will return."
Pretty clearly, Francis thinks the devil is back today. Considering the state of the world — and also in some ways the state of the Church — many people would agree.
Russell Shaw is an OSV contributing editor.


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Last weekend I took myself off to Soho to do chocolate cake research for the same illustration project.
I did manage to get a sketch out of it before I was compelled to eat it. It was melting under the table lamp. What else could I do? Next I headed to Francois Payard's new patisserie.


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Catholica Collection
This collection makes available digital content of Catholic materials including books, journals, papers, and manuscripts dealing with the Roman Catholic Church in general, and in particular works created or published in the Americas. Much of the digitalized content will come from physical works made available from our Digital Partners. Digitization Status: Ongoing.


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Boxing News sits at the heart of the boxing scene. We want to share with you our passion by guiding you through the world of boxing, share our ringside seats and experiences, to listen to your opinions as we form our own, and to retain the integrity and excitement that seduces boxing fans around the world.
Boxing News was founded in 1909 by original editor John Murray as, simply, Boxing. Murray had been a regular contributor to Health & Strength magazine and convinced its owner, Bill Berry (later Lord Camrose) to launch a weekly magazine dedicated solely to boxing. It is believed Murray had been inspired by Jack Johnson beating Tommy Burns to become the first black World heavyweight champion. In his first editorial, Murray stated, "Boxing will stand for good clean sport. Its success of failure is in the hands of those who believe in sport of this character. Our energies will be devoted to giving the best paper that time, thought and money can devise." When circulation began to decline in the depression days of the late 20s, the name of the magazine was changed to Boxing, Racing and Football. In October 1931, the paper was sold to a syndicate of London sportsmen, who installed Sydney Rushton, a long-time London fight reporter, as the new editor. The layout changed, the page size was increased and Rushton proved less popular than Murray. The paper was again put up for sale and, while waiting for a buyer, the old features were reinstated and there was no official Editor. Another set of sportsmen bought the paper and Godfrey Williams was named editor. He attempted to run Boxing as a newspaper, cutting popular features and reducing news stories down to the shortest possible length. The circulation quickly dropped to its lowest ever.
Billy Masters, a city printer and huge boxing fan, saved the paper, appointing W.H. Millier as the new editor. He completely reinvigorated the magazine, helped in no small measure by its first colour cover. In 1935, Millier departed and the owner replaced him with Sydney Ackland, who had previously worked as John Murray's assistant editor and had been taught by him. World War II brought many changes as first Sydney, then replacement Stanley Nelson, contributed to the war effort. Murray made a popular comeback as editor but ill health forced him to step down in 1941. Gilbert Odd took over until the building housing the paper was destroyed by the enemy. Odd was then called up for national service and both Masters and Murray served further terms. Now with the new name of Boxing News, the paper was bought by Australian publicist Vivian Brodzky and former promoter Sydney Hulls. Northern sports writer Bert Callis was the new editor. Odd took over for a second term upon Callis' retirement. Odd implemented the tradition of reporting the results and fighters' weights for every single fight in the country. When Odd quit to write books, he was succeeded by Jack Wilson and then Tim Riley. When Brodzky died, Boxing News was sold twice in quick succession, and Graham Houston became editor in 1971, immediately broadening the range of coverage, especially in North America. Houston left in 1977 to work on morning newspapers in Canada. This prompted the appointment of perhaps BN's greatest Editor of recent years, Harry Mullan. Circulation increased exponentially during the Mullan years, which doubled as a time of great change in the boxing world. Most notable new developments were the proliferation of 'world' titles and the increase in the number of major British promoters. Mullan was fiercely principled and tremendously well respected in the boxing fraternity. When Mullan left in October 1996, he was given this glowing tribute from then BN Publisher Peter Kravitz: "His writing stands comparison with the Lieblings, Hausers and Mailers of this century of boxing." Assistant Editor Claude Abrams succeeded Mullan in November 1996. Boxing News was redesigned and switched to a full-colour format and become more extensive in content. In March 1999 the paper went to A3 size before reverting to A4, and increasing in size to 48 pages (from 24) in September 2005. The magazine remained the main trade paper in Britain. Abrams left BN – after 22 years – in December 2009, just three months after the publication celebrated its centenary, and was succeeded as editor by Tris Dixon.
Tris left the magazine in December 2014, with Matt Christie taking over as editor.


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Delivery within 5 working days in mainland France for € 6.50. Delivery is free for any order over € 50, valid only in mainland France.
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The creation of a jewel is the search for the balance between infinite demands: to combine sense of innovation and accessibility, to combine solidity and daring, to look after the aesthetics and to preserve the comfort, to make sure to renew oneself without losing oneself. .... Always inspired by the innovative spirit of our founder Michel Quinioux, we commit ourselves to more and more creativity, in the spirit of the times, and in the respect of the know-how and our heritage to value materials and sublimate all women that inspire us.


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Here come the holidays, and with them the pressure of presents. The instinct to give is noble, but the question of what to give can paralyze. So can lack of time, funds or imagination.
Simple, homemade gifts from the heart can put genuine spirit back into crazed consumer holidays. When you make gifts, you'll spend less time at overcrowded malls and enjoy more time at home with your loved ones during the holidays.
You don't need Martha Stewart's DNA to make the following five affordable and welcome gifts.
Flower bulbs: Fresh life in the dead of winter
Paperwhite narcissus, amaryllis and hyacinth bulbs are easy to force into blooms and make beautiful, living and growing gifts. Purchase bulbs at a garden center. For a charmingly simple gift, give a single bulb in a small pot. Or buy enough bulbs to fill a container of choice.
You can force bulbs — in other words, make them bloom indoors during the winter — in soil, rocks or water. If using soil, you'll want a container with some drainage holes and a saucer. If you're using rocks, you might choose a tallish glass vase that will help support flowers and foliage as the bulb grows. Or look for special bulb-forcing glasses that support a single bulb, allowing roots to dangle into water.
If your recipient is a gardener who might already have a container, or if you're shipping your gift, simply give bulbs and include growing instructions for good measure. If directions aren't available where you purchase the bulbs, find directions online and print on festive paper.
Body scrubs: From the kitchen to the bathroom
Body scrubs help exfoliate winter-dry skin. Handmade scrubs can include ingredients that nourish skin, the body's largest organ. Whip up concoctions of coconut oil and sugar, white cornmeal and lavender buds, oatmeal and honey or other easy combinations in the kitchen. Experiment with ratios, depending on your personal preferences for consistency. You can find recipes online.
Package body scrubs in repurposed plastic or glass jars, adding labels with ingredients — just in case your loved one has an allergy you don't know about. Add basic instructions for use so recipients don't spread the scrub on their toast.
Homemade treats: Alternatives to sugar plums
Homemade treats rate high with people who have everything or don't want more tchotchkes collecting dust. They can satisfy a sweet tooth while providing more nutrition than frosted sugar cookies or fudge. Healthy treats find favor with skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts, people with children constantly clamoring for snacks or anybody on the run. And isn't that just about everybody these days?
Some treats are simple enough that kids or grandkids can help make them. Stuff pitted dates with halved walnuts, whole almonds or other nuts. Buy dried figs and dip them in melted dark chocolate. If you want to get fancy, purchase tiny cupcake papers to hold your treats.
It's easy to bake up a batch of granola:
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar (or less)
1/3 cup fruit jam (strawberry or apricot work well)
3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup nuts
1 cup raisins or other dried fruit
1 cup seeds (sunflower, sesame or pumpkin are nice)
1 cup coconut
NOTE: Vary ingredients to taste.
Cook butter, sugar and jam together in a small pan until smooth. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Pour sauce over dried ingredients. Toss well. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 325 degrees, stirring every 10 minutes. Spread mixture on paper towels to cool.
For decadence, after granola cools, add dark chocolate or holiday colored M&Ms.
Present homemade treats in tins that will keep food fresh and also leave your loved one with a reusable container.
DIY stationery: Letter perfect for card-carrying romantics
In the digital age, snail mail still fits the bill for special correspondence. Card-carrying romantics on your list will have fun making stationary. They might even create a real thank-you card in return.
At a paper specialty shop or an art supply store, select sheets of paper and envelopes in various sizes, colors and patterns. Add an ink pad and rubber stamp with a design reflecting the interests of your recipient. Toss in commemorative postage stamps or stickers in keeping with your theme or color scheme. A stick of sealing wax will melt hearts with nostalgia.
Present the stationary supplies in a decorative box. For an extra endearing touch, write a heartfelt note on one of the sheets and seal it with a kiss.
Bath salts: An antidote to winter weariness
Winter is an ideal time for warm baths, and scented Epsom salts add to the experience. Making bath salts can be as easy as adding essential oils to Epsom salts. Various oils have different properties. Try lavender for relaxation, eucalyptus for cold or congestion relief or ylang ylang as an aphrodisiac. Pine or spruce fragrances bring to mind fresh Christmas trees. There's no end to the combinations you can make by experimenting with exotic custom blends such as patchouli and tangerine.
To make bath salts, purchase Epsom salts at a pharmacy, grocery or warehouse store. Buy quality organic essential oils at a health food store or online. Add about 30 drops of essential oils per 2 cups of bath salts. Stir oils into salt crystals. Seal the package and allow the oils to permeate the salts.
Repackage your homemade bath salts in glass apothecary jars and attach a small wood or metal scoop. Or put scented salts in zipper-top plastic bags. To label, use an permanent marker to write on a sticker or a square of contact paper. Or, on the back of a holiday card, list ingredients and write a greeting.
We all know it's better to give and to receive thoughtful gifts that don't tax our environment, budget or mental health. To give a homemade gift is to receive a feeling of joy.
Colleen Smith is the author of "Glass Halo" and "Laid-Back Skier." She writes from Denver, Colo.
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Joint(redirected from bleeders' joint)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia.
Describing anything in which two or more persons hold equal rights and responsibilities. For example, every account holder may use the funds in a joint account (though not always independently from the other holders), and each owner is equally liable for a jointly-held property.
Farlex Financial Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All Rights Reserved


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Dietary Reference Intake
Topic Overview
Dietary Reference Intake is a term for a set of nutrient intake recommendations for healthy people. They include the average daily level that nearly all healthy people should take to meet the nutrient requirements. They also include the maximum level a healthy person could take of a nutrient before it could cause a health problem. These are known as the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL).
A third recommendation sometimes used is called Adequate Intake (AI). This is used only when there isn't enough information about a nutrient to set a Recommended Dietary Allowance. Adequate Intake is a level that is assumed to provide enough of that nutrient.
The RDA, UL, and AI are issued by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, an independent nonprofit scientific body. They release reports periodically to update the recommendations based on all of the latest data.
For example, in 2011, new recommendations were released by the Institute of Medicine for vitamin D and calcium. footnote 1 They included AI, RDA, and UL levels for different age groups, genders, and for pregnant or lactating women. The experts who wrote the recommendations looked at the national data on what people eat, what levels of the nutrients are in the blood, and all the available data published about calcium and vitamin D. They examined how much vitamin D and calcium people are getting, how much is needed for optimal health, and how much is too much.
Are you getting enough calcium and vitamin D?
You might also be wondering about the Daily Value, or DV, which is found on the Nutrition Facts label of any packaged food or drink. The DV helps you understand the nutrient content of food. For example, the DV for calcium is 1,000 mg. If one serving of a food contains 200 mg of calcium, the label would say that it contains a DV of 20% for calcium. In other words, one serving gives you 20% of the daily value for calcium. If you add up the DVs of calcium you eat throughout the day, you'll have a general idea of how much calcium you got that day. Compare that to your RDA for calcium, based on your age and gender. Then you'll know if your calcium intake was enough or even if it was too much, which might be a concern if you not only eat enough calcium but also take a calcium supplement.
Related Information
Current as of: August 22, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Rhonda O'Brien MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
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Current as of: August 22, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Rhonda O'Brien MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator


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Right vs. Wrong: A call to arms against liberal situation ethics
Pat Cunningham
Every once in a while, I read something (HERE, for example) to the effect that one of the big problems in American society is the liberal notion of situational ethics.
This notion is based on the theory that the difference between right and wrong depends on the circumstances. That theory inevitably gives rise to cases in which presumably good and respectable people casually wink at immoral and even illegal activities.
If this trend disturbs you, as well it should, it's high time that you fight against it. Failure to do so will only make you as guilty as ...


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Job Location: Chhattisgarh
Last Date To Apply :- 12 November 2015
Here the educational qualification and other eligibilities for the job.
Post Name : Veterinary Assistant Surgeon
Educational Qualification: Chhattisgarh
Candidates must pass the following examination. The candidates must produce the original certificates during the final selection. Initially, the photo copies of the original marksheets need to be changed along with the application form.
No of Post : 104
Age Limit(in yrs) :
Candidates who are appearing for this post should have the age of 21 as on 28 Year
There will be relaxations for the OBC, SC and ST candidates as per the government rules and regulations.
Pay Scale
The selected candidates will be eligible for a pay scale of around Rs 15000 to Rs 40000 Per Month.
They will also enjoy other government facilities as per the rules.
Application Fee : 200 /- Rs
Mode of Selection :
The selection will be on the basis of a written Test & Interview. The written test will be based on aptitude test covering the following subjects. The selected candidates in the written test will be called for an interview. The selected candidates will be informed about the date and venue of interview by post.
N.B. All information given above is only for general information. We are not the official authority. We are just re-publishing the ad for the benefits of the candidates. For exact information, we request the candidates the visit the respective web sites of the government bodies.
For more details, please visit: http://www.psc.cg.gov.in


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Spelling, Garth reunite on new show
Tori Spelling can crack Jennie Garth up.
When thinking of an upcoming scene from their new ABC Family sitcom, "Mystery Girls," now airing Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET, Garth giggles at the memory of Spelling going for it, making a funny face and using a strange voice.
That's just one reason the two like to work together.
"I feel safe doing some, like, goofy, crazy face and voice because it's my friend. I know she's gonna be there to support my efforts," explained Spelling in a recent interview.
"She knows I love it," added Garth, who readily admits she's the first to break character in a scene.
Unless you skipped the 1990s, you know they were co-stars on one of the most popular TV shows of that era, "Beverly Hills, 90210," about teens living in the exclusive Southern California zip code.
It went off the air after 10 seasons in 2000 but Spelling and Garth have remained friends. They even briefly reprised their roles for the CW's "90210" reboot. Spelling guest starred on a couple of episodes. Garth appeared on the first two seasons.
They never expected to work together full time again, but Spelling came up with the premise and it all fell into place.
On "Mystery Girls," Garth and Spelling play former co-stars of a hit '90s detective TV show of the same name.
They've gone their separate ways, until a crime occurs, and the witness will only talk to them. From this, they end up opening a detective agency.
Both actresses also serve as executive producers. They have their hand in the show's look, wardrobe and "every little thing," said Spelling.
They chose to do a sitcom because, "it's more fun than doing a drama," said Garth.
"The schedule, the hours. We both have a lot of kids so it's like banker's hours compared to doing an episodic show like an hour-long drama or something."
For Spelling, having a sitcom was a career goal.
"I did the best I could on '90210.' Like I tried to make Donna funny. I was in a drama. Everyone else was great at drama but I was like, 'I think I'm better at comedy so how can I interject comedy here and there?' and so Donna was kind of goofy and I did things here and there but I was always, this is harder for me. I wish I could do comedy."
The gig also comes at a good time for Spelling's personal life. Her recent marriage struggles with actor Dean McDermott have been documented both in the press and on the Lifetime docu-series, "True Tori." On that, cameras followed Spelling in the aftermath of learning her husband had an affair and he subsequently went to rehab.
Spelling says it's undecided whether there will be more "True Tori."
"It was something that I needed to do. ... I don't know what the future holds," she said.
With all the rumors swirling around her personal life, she felt it was best to document what was happening on camera: "It was the best vehicle to tell my truth." Still, putting her personal problems on display can seem strange to some.
To that Spelling says, "It was something I needed to do so don't feel bad."


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Unclean Hands
Posted by The Situationist Staff on December 14, 2008
The Economist has an interesting story on how washing one's hands makes a person more likely to tolerate unethical behavior. We excerpt the story below.
* * *
A study just published in Psychological Science by Simone Schnall of the University of Plymouth and her colleagues shows that washing with soap and water makes people view unethical activities as more acceptable and reasonable than they would if they had not washed themselves.
Dr Schnall's study was inspired by some previous work of her own. She had found that when feelings of disgust are instilled in them beforehand, people make decisions which are more ethical than would otherwise be expected. She speculates that the reason for this is that feeling morally unclean (ie, disgusted) leads to feelings of moral wrongness and thus triggers increased ethical behaviour by instilling a desire to right the wrong. However, as the cleanliness and purification rituals found in many religions suggest, physical cleanliness, too, is linked to moral behaviour, so she decided to investigate this as well.
* * *
For the rest of the story, click here. To read the Schnall study, click here.
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This entry was posted on December 14, 2008 at 12:01 am and is filed under Life, Social Psychology. Tagged: Simone Schnall, washing hands. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


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There are numerous businesses and communities which have membership organizations. It might be small, with only a handful of people, or extremely large, having more than 50,000 members.
Tracking all of the activities can make your head swirl. You need to check out renewals, contact details, participants, and even subscription fees. It's plenty of work to keep track of these things.
That is where Wild Apricot comes in. It's one of the most famous membership management softwares that can help you record and track. Not only that, it has email marketing features and it can even help you build your site.
In this guide, you'll learn if Wild Apricot is exactly what you've been on the lookout for.
Before you continue, you may want to watch this video by Capterra on YouTube that gives a quick review. Afterward, you will want to read the rest of the article for a more comprehensive review of Wild Apricot.
What is Wild Apricot? Wild Apricot Single Site Login
Wild Apricot is a Canadian software company that caters to small to medium-sized membership organizations. In 2017, they have been acquired by Personify, a Constituent Management and Engagement platform.
It's focused on keeping track of members so that nonprofit organizations and clubs can bill them for events and dues. It's also utilised to inform them about these notifications.
It's designed to be the solution to build and manage a membership-based site by encouraging different applications. It's built-in financial reporting and email marketing tools.
Who can use Wild Apricot?
Anyone can use the software. But it's specifically designed for anyone who is searching for a software that can help them run like a membership-based entity, particularly non-profit organizations, associations, and clubs.
There are many ways to run Wild Apricot using its features. They also have a setup wizard that could help their users navigate the software with ease. You can also contact their coaches if you require assistance.
What are the features?
Wild Apricot offers features that can be accessed by every member, irrespective of their membership level. Navigating these objectives is easy since you can do it from the dashboard; From building your site to handling and creating events, you will be able to keep track of everything.To give you an idea what Wild Apricot can offer, here are a few of the software's features.
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Website Builder
Wild Apricot has a website and hosting features done through AWS. They provide templates and drag and drop editors that will help you create your own website.
This is beneficial if you do not have any experience making your own website or if you do not have enough budget to hire an expert. It's also great for those who are working under a time constraint.
You can even create your own templates, apart from the customizable themes and templates that are available.You can even apply the customized layouts as a theme and set it as your template. And to avoid confusion, your editing page will offer a green highlight to the changes that you've made to your work.
If you're using a free account, you get a free subdomain generated with the email address you registered when you signed up. You'll need to avail for a paid membership account if you want to make your own domain name.
Online Store Builder
Apart from building sites, they also offer other features such as the online shop and app builder.
With the online store, you can sell both digital and physical goods. You can set up the costs, discounts, and other bargains.
For physical products, you can send them straight to Wild Apricot so that they can handle the distribution procedure. They'll monitor the process payments and inventory. However, you'll be the one to manage the logistics.
For now, the only downside for their online store builder is that you can not add shipping calculation tools or options to adjust the costs for certain product variants.
Membership Information Storage
Members will be able to access their profiles to update any changes. This will be in sync in real time across the site and the mobile app.
You'll be able to access the information since it's stored in a cloud database. The data is searchable and you can even use it to make membership levels and renewals customizable, to make the process easier.
If you are switching from a different management service, you don't need to worry about your old membership database. Wild Apricot will enable you to import your existing database into the software.
You can even create a member's directory with your database so other members can look at other subscriber's profiles. Wild Apricot Single Site Login
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Wild Apricot Payments and Donations
Wild Apricot can also handle online shop and member payments. Their payment gateway is easy and simple to use. All you will need to do is create an account with AffiniPay, which is their payment processor. For the buyers, they will just need to enter their card details so their orders can be processed right away.
On top of that, site owners won't be charged contract fees or setup fees. Though they charge processing fees, it's pretty competitive, having only 2.9% and an additional $0.30 for every trade.
Take note, however, that the processor is available only to the Canadian and American Wild Apricot clients. Furthermore, the processing fees can be different based on where you're. There are international processing fees for members who are based in different countries.
Since Wild Apricot was mainly made for nonprofit associations, Wild Apricot included a donations feature. You may add a donation button and have a widget for the donation drive objectives and progress. The database of the contributions you received is also exported.
Email Marketing
Emails are still a great, of not, one of the best way to keep in contact with your members. Wild Apricot enables you to send newsletters, invoices, reminders, and even occasion invitations through their email templates and features.
If you prefer to start your work using a blank canvas, Wild Apricot also gives you that option. If you're worried it will look generic, you can customize the templates using their drag and drop editor.
You can also segment your mailing list. You may use your member's database for targeting campaigns and to manage other tasks such as confirmations, reminders, or account upgrades.
If you're looking for metrics, Wild Apricot includes open trackers and analytical reports to make the most out of the feature.
Even if you're using a free plan, your email address will be the same as your subdomain. Should you upgrade to a paid plan, you can create a customized domain for your website and for your email.
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Event Management
To help you manage your members before and during events, you can make and share calendar invites for your upcoming events. You could also use this to set up registration forms, process payments, and even waitlists.
Wild Apricot Pricing and Plans
Wild Apricot includes a free plan where you can have up to 50 members. If you've got more than that, you will need to upgrade.
In general, Wild Apricot has 7 plans to select from. You can pay it annually or every 2 years.
The price of the plan is based on the amount of maximum members that you can have. As you increase the number of members, so does your price. For starters, their Personal Plan can accommodate up to 100 members for $40 per month. The maximum amount of members Wild Apricot can hold is 50,000. This falls under the Global Plan, which costs $600 per month.
If you Pre-pay for 1 year, you'll able to save 10%. Another payment scheme is to cover 2 years ahead, which makes it possible to save 15%.
They offer competitive prices considering that these include email management and website hosting. They also provide a free trial for their paid plans. Wild Apricot Single Site Login
Pros and Cons
Before continuing on to the last section, we'll summarize the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing Wild Apricot to help you decide.
Here are the Pros and Cons:
Includes templates
Tons of videos and tutorials
Offers flexibility for associations, clubs, and nonprofits
Offers a free plan
Each paid plan has a free trial
User interface is a bit confusing
No membership ID on the system
Payment gateway is limited to clients from the USA and Canada.
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Final Thoughts
If you're searching for a platform that can help you manage your membership-based website, Wild Apricot is recommended. It was created to be used by membership organizations and associations, so the prices are not too high. They even provide a free plan and a free trial on their paid plans.
However, if you are intending to use this for handling your business, it may be best to look for a different platform. If you are really curious, though, it would not hurt to use their free trial.
It is still able to execute well even if it wasn't made for businesses You can use it to sell online classes, but you will need a link that will lead them to an external site. For businesses with a lot of events, this is a great platform to operate and implement event management strategies.
Overall, Wild Apricot is a fantastic platform, particularly for organizations and associations. It gets the job done without being too expensive. If that's not enough to convince you, you could always use their free trial to see for yourself.
FAQ Wild Apricot Single Site Login
Are there any system requirements?
Your resolution screen should have at least a width of 1280 pixels for the software to work efficiently.
Can it work on any browser?
Wild Apricot works in a lot of browsers. For best results, use either Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
Are there any tutorials to browse the software?
Yes. Wild Apricot offers many videos to help you get started. Just go to their site for a list of the webinars and tutorials.
How long does the free trial last?
Wild Apricot offers a 30-day free trial for their paid plans.
Are there any additional costs?
Wild Apricot doesn't have extra transaction fees. You get all the features whether you picked the paid or free plan. The only time you will pay for additional costs is when you opt for a third party payment provider for your online shop.


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One of a kind. The Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center.
"Where do you go if you or your loved one has diabetes, to get the very best care for you and your family; to be the closest to the work that's developing the cure? With the Berrie Center, our research, our laboratories are right here—so advances are translated to the patient as rapidly as possible. For thousands of patients, the Berrie Center is that place."Robin S. Goland, MD
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On Saturday, the High Court of Ireland refused to grant a provisional arrest warrant for Edward Snowden, citing an inadequately written request from the United States. The judgment appears to have been published publicly for the first time on Monday.
The NSA leaker remains holed up in a Moscow airport, and he has filed a flurry of asylum requests. This includes paperwork with Ireland—but Irish authorities have said that Snowden can only be considered if he arrives in Ireland. In recent days, Snowden has been granted asylum in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Bolivia.
Justice Colm Mac Eochaidh outlined the four primary elements of the Extradition Act of 1965 between Ireland and the United States. This document details that the extradition request must include the circumstances of the alleged crimes, when such offenses are alleged to have been committed, where they are alleged to have been committed, and the alleged degree of involvement of the suspect.
The Irish justice cited specifically that he is satisfied with the American details concerning the first and fourth points, but he still has problems with precisely when and where Snowden's crimes are alleged to have taken place:
The difficulty with this is that we have a timeframe within which Mr. Snowden was definitely in the United States of America and that is between March 2013 and May 19, 2013. Thereafter, Mr. Snowden, on the information available to this court, was outside of the United States of America. I am told that he was in Japan and in Hong Kong.
It is of note that the offences with which Mr. Snowden is charged relate, not to the publication of the information, but to its unauthorized disclosure. The question for this court is whether the request for the provisional warrant tells this court where the unauthorized disclosure took place. It seems to me that there are a number of possibilities.
(i) That the information was disclosed in the United States of America;
(ii) That the disclosure took place in Japan some time on or after May 19, 2013 or in Hong Kong some time after May 20, 2013.
The question of where the offense took place is not a minor detail but is a matter which could have very serious consequences in any further stage that might be reached in an extradition process. That is because if it is the case that the offenses took place outside of the territory of the United States of America, the question will arise as to whether there is extraterritorial effect in respect of the US offenses, but more importantly, whether the Irish equivalent offenses have an extraterritorial effect or aspect to them. There would need to be sufficient similarity between the two offenses in order for there to be an extradition. That is a matter that is not before the court now and is of no concern. I am simply referring to that as to why I think it is important that the place where the commission of the offences be indicated.
My conclusion in this matter is that the request made on July 5, 2013 by the United States of America through its Embassy in Dublin fails to indicate the place where any of the offenses took place.
Therefore, I am compelled to refuse the application by the United States of America for a provisional Arrest Warrant in respect of Mr. Edward J. Snowden.
However, Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter said in a statement that there is nothing to prevent the US from making a second application to the courts in Dublin with respect to Snowden.
"The determination of the court does not in any way prevent a fresh application being made for a provisional arrest warrant, taking into account the findings of the court," he wrote. "It should be noted that what the court in its judgment today addressed was the issuing of an arrest warrant on the basis of specific information rather than a determination as to whether an individual should or should not be extradited."


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Diamonds Are Forever
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|"James Bond 7"
|007 once again battles his nemesis Blofeld, this time in Las Vegas. Bond must prevent the implementation of a plot to destroy Washington through the use of a space-orbiting laser. Fabulous stunts include Bond's wild drive through the streets of Vegas in a '71 Mach 1. Connery returned to play Bond in this film after being offered the then record-setting salary of $1 million.
|Directed by:
|Guy Hamilton
|Albert R. Broccoli, United Artists Harry Saltzman
|Sean Connery, Jill St. John, Charles Gray, Bruce Cabot, Jimmy Dean, Lana Wood, Bruce Glover, Putter Smith, Norman Burton, Joseph Furst, Bernard Lee, Desmond Llewelyn, Laurence Naismith, Leonard Barr, Lois Maxwell, Margaret Lacey, Joe Robinson, Donna Garrat, Trina Parks


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March 21, 2014
The blog is written by Ilona Bray, a Nolo editor and co-author of Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home. Ilona Bray is a former attorney, now author and editor at Nolo. She has co-authored many popular Nolo real estate titles, including Selling a House in a Tough Market and First-Time Landlord. In her spare time, she enjoys walking the hidden paths in her neighborhood and visiting weekend open houses.


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Below you'll find the answers to our customers' most frequently asked questions. If you have further questions, please fill out the contact form below and we'll be happy to help!
What if I need to change or cancel my order?
Please email us right away using the contact form below. All orders are made to order and are currently shipping 1-4 business days after your order is placed.
Special Note: Our pieces are handcrafted and there is a possibility of slight variation between pieces.
How do I take care of my Kate and Mari pieces? Our pieces are delicate in nature and require care. We recommend you keep your earrings stored in a cool area in your Kate and Mari dust bag or your jewelry box. Using a soft cloth, you can gently clean our pieces. Keep away from liquids, perfumes as much as possible. Do not use liquid jewelry cleaners to clean costume jewelry.
Do you offer repairs? We offer free repairs within a year of purchase. Please fill out the contact form below for more info.
How and when are my earrings shipped?
USA: Our handmade items take approximately 1-4 business days to process and ship for order of 5 items or less. For orders of 6+ items please allow 1-2 weeks for processing. Please contact us should you need them by a specific date. You can also include a note in your order with your event date to ensure we know your timeline.
We ship all USA orders as USPS First Class, USPS Priority Shipping, UPS Ground or UPS 3 Day. Orders are processed Monday through Friday (Friday orders are shipped on Monday at the earliest). We ship all of our earrings in a protective duster bag and in a padded envelope or box.
International: We provide shipping to select countries via USPS. Customer is responsible for all customs and duties upon receiving your package. Please note all international orders are final sale and will be not available for returns or exchanges.
We are not responsible for packages that are lost, missing, or delivered to the incorrect address. Please ensure that your address is correct when placing your order and that you will be available to receive your order upon delivery. Shipping fees are non refundable and we are not responsible for carrier delays.
What if I typed in the wrong mailing address at checkout? Please notify us right away and we may be able to modify your address.
It's been a few days and I haven't received my order. All USA orders via ground shipping should arrive within 5 business days (after shipping) and priority shipping should arrive within 2-3 business days (after shipping). Please check your USPS or UPS tracking information and contact USPS or UPS directly for any shipping/tracking inquiries.
International orders may take 1-3 weeks for delivery after shipping and can be subject to custom delays. Once your item arrives in your home country, your package will be transferred to your local courier.
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We understand it is difficult to purchase accessories online, so please feel free to contact us and ask any questions you may have before purchasing. All returns will be charged a 15% restocking fee due to the handmade nature of all our products. Please carefully review our policies before purchasing.
Items may be exchanged or returned within 14 days of receipt (postmarked). Merchandise should be returned in its' original condition along with all original packing and invoice.
All international orders, custom orders, sale items, discounted group bridal and bridesmaids orders of 6+ items CANNOT be returned. Hair pieces and pins are FINAL SALE.
Please fill out the contact form below and label your request with your order number. We will then direct you to our returns portal for an easy and quick refund/exchange process.
I am getting married and want my bridesmaids to wear #kateandmari earrings. What should I do? We offer a special discount for bridesmaid orders of 6 pairs or more. Please email us at firstname.lastname@example.com for a custom look and pricing details. If your order doesn't require any custom changes, your discount of 30% will be automatically applied to your cart once you reach 6 or more items.
Can you create earrings in custom colors for my bridesmaids? Yes!
I want to carry Kate and Mari earrings in my store. Please send all inquiries via email to Mari Cruz: email@example.com
Flora Earrings (more colors)
Our Flora Earrings feature a three petal gold plated stud, pearl and gold plated connector and a beautiful baroque pearl. These darling earrings are perfect for brides! Measures approx 3 inches long and .5 inches wide.
Kira Floral Hoops
Our Kira Floral Hoops feature a gold plated hoop and flower stud and is adorned with mother of pearl flowers. Add Czech or Swarovski crystals for an extra special look. (Please email email@example.com for custom options) Measures approx 2.5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide.
Large Double Carved Flower Studs
Our Large Double Carved Flower Studs feature a mother of pearl stud with two carved flowers and a center Swarvoski crystal. Available in 18K gold plated sterling silver posts or clip on. Measures 1 inch in diameter.
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These sweet studs feature a four petal mother of pearl design and a center freshwater pearl. Available in 14k gold or white gold fill. Measures 1 inch. Post stud only.


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Ride-hailing apps offer new way around town
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- When Hesky Kutscher needed to get across town, he didn't call a taxi. He tapped a smartphone app called Lyft, which allows users to request car rides.
Minutes later, a black hatchback with a big fluffy, pink mustache on its grille pulled up. Kutscher hopped in the front seat and gave the driver a fist bump. Then they cruised over the hilly streets of San Francisco, chatting like neighbors until he was dropped off near Union Square.
Kutscher, who runs a medical data firm, said ride-hailing apps like Lyft -- with its whimsical mustaches -- are more convenient than cabs: "I need to get from A to B. They do it well, they do it for a good price, and the drivers are friendly."
Fed up with traditional taxis, more city dwellers are using their smartphones to request rides using GPS-enabled mobile apps that let riders and drivers find each other in real time. Ride-summoning services such as Uber, SideCar and Lyft are expanding rapidly in San Francisco, New York and other U.S. cities.
Uber allows passengers to use their smartphones to summon luxury town cars and other vehicles driven by professional drivers. Customer credit cards are charged fares based on time and distance.
Lyft and SideCar describe themselves as community "ridesharing platforms" that connect riders and drivers, who use their own vehicles. After each ride, passengers are asked for a voluntary donation based on what others paid for similar trips. The companies take a 20 percent cut.
"We started Lyft to create a system for matching up people who need a ride with people who can offer a ride," said Logan Green, co-founder of San Francisco-based Zimride, which operates Lyft.
But taxi operators say the new ride services are little more than illegal cabs that don't have permits, pay city fees or follow regulations. The upstarts are also steering business away from cab drivers, making it harder to earn a living.
"It makes for an uneven playing field," said Barry Korengold, who heads the San Francisco Cab Drivers Association. "We're not trying to stifle technology. We're saying do it in the legal way."
Uber, which launched in 2010 and offers ride services in 18 cities, has been sued by San Francisco cab drivers and Chicago car-service companies alleging unfair business. The San Francisco-based company has also run into trouble with regulators in New York, Vancouver, Boston and Washington, D.C.
The California Public Utilities Commission last year issued cease-and-desist orders and $20,000 fines to Lyft, Sidecar and Uber for operating illegally. The agency says they are "charter-party carriers of passengers" that need permits certifying their drivers are properly screened, licensed and insured.
In December, the commission agreed to evaluate the safety of the Internet-based ride services and plans to draft new rules to regulate them over the next several months. Last week, the agency reached agreements with Lyft and Uber that allows them to operate legally until the new rules are written. It's in discussions with SideCar over its operations.
"We're not trying to put them out of business, but they cannot avoid the basics of public safety," said Frank Lindh, the commission's general counsel.
Lyft and SideCar say they're not charter-party carriers, but ridesharing platforms. They say they shouldn't be regulated like taxis or limos because rides are prearranged, payments are voluntary and the firms don't own the vehicles or employ the drivers.
"Existing regulations have not caught up with the technology," said Sunil Paul, CEO of SideCar, which launched a year ago in San Francisco and is preparing to expand to 15 other cities. "This is a new medium, and a new medium needs a new set of rules."
Lyft and Sidecar say they have measures to ensure passenger safety. They interview drivers, check driving records, conduct criminal background checks and inspect vehicles. Drivers use their own insurance, but both companies provide additional coverage up to $1 million.
Other cities and states are also figuring out how to regulate the new transportation apps. The International Association of Transportation Regulators is working on guidelines for regulations that, if adopted, could restrict the upstarts.
Internet-based ride-hailing apps should be regulated, but regulators must be careful not to quash innovation in a transportation sector, said Daniel Sperling, director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis.
Sperling believes technology can reduce congestion, pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions by making transportation more efficient and convenient, allowing more people to live without personal cars.
"This is the first wave of what we hope will be a whole series of innovative companies and technologies that will transform transportation as we know it," Sperling said.
Lyft launched in San Francisco in June and began offering rides in Los Angeles on Thursday. It's cultivated a playful image with its pink mustaches and fist-bump ice-breakers. Users sign up with their Facebook accounts.
To maintain safety and quality, both Lyft and SideCar ask passengers and drivers to rate each other after each ride. Too many low ratings, and they're booted from the network.
Both services have attracted a diverse group of drivers. Lyft drivers include PhD students who need a break from writing dissertations, preschool teachers looking for adult conversation and artists seeking to earn extra money, said Green.
San Francisco State University student Shelby Stone, 23, drives her black Volkswagen Rabbit for Lyft four or five days a week to help pay car expenses and other bills.
"I have a blast with Lyft," Stone said after dropping off passenger Kutscher by Union Square. "All day long I'm meeting new people and getting to know the city of San Francisco."