On June 4, 2020, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved the awarding of $79M to 17 Bike/Ped related projects throughout the county. Included in the list of project awards were two segments of the Junipero Serra Trail: $1.9M for the East segment and $4.2 for the central segment running from Wolfe Road to De Anza. The trail will generally run inside the sound wall of Hwy 280 from Mary Avenue to Vallco Parkway. The design phase – which was started in February of this year – is scheduled for completion by April 2021. For more information, see the city’s project plans and detailed status at Junipero Serra Trail.
- Simple tricks to help you walk better July 13, 2020
- Trail Review – Zinfandel Trail July 13, 2020
- New Streetlight Banners Made by Students Encourage Walking and Biking July 13, 2020
- City Staff confirm Regnart Trail and McClellan Lanes will ease parking at Civic Center July 13, 2020
- California has best state support for walking, biking and physical activity July 2, 2020


A Niger Delta socio-political group, the South-South Legacy Group, on Wednesday, condemned the violence and killings that have trailed the #EndSARS protest in the region and other states across the country, and declared the ugly incidents as unacceptable.
The group, which activities focus on continued peaceful co-existence, growth and development of states in the South-South region and the country, threw its weight behind the peaceful protests and the actualisation of the five-point demand of the organisers.
In a statement endorsed by Osagie Aiguobasinwin and Hon. Camilus Okosun, in Benin, the South-South Legacy Group regretted the inability of the organisers of the protest to quickly accept the response of the Federal Government to their demands before hoodlums highjacked the peaceful protest and unleashed terror on Edo State on Monday.
“There is no denying the fact that the state of the nation, politically and economically does not put smiles on the faces of the people at this point in time which may have justified the upward review of the 5-point demands to accommodate issues like light and fuel pump price, corruption, among many others, the group noted.
It however, lamented that the point that the organisers might have left out for consideration “is the inability to quickly know that for the Federal Government to have quickly acceded to their demands, is an indication for dialogue, even when the peaceful protest is still ongoing.”
“It is more heart breaking and unacceptable to us as a people for anyone to turn the rein of terror against our people. We will not accept this and Edo, as well as the other South-South states’ people both at home, across Nigeria and in Diaspora should stand up in unison to condemn the criminal invasion, destruction and setting ablaze of five police stations in Benin”, the group maintained.
“We should stand up to condemn the invasion of the two correctional facilities in Benin as well as releasing of inmates into the society. These hoodlums made away with ammunition and other firearms. You will want to ask for what intention would it be put into if not for criminality,” it queried.
Besides, it added “that the actions of the miscreants who hid under the aegis of #ENDSARS protest on Monday in Benin City is unacceptable, barbaric, lawless, inhumane, and a far cry from the reason, principle and philosophy of the #ENDSARS agitation.”
The group while urging the security agencies to support Edo and other South-South states to checkmate the activities of hoodlums and commended the Edo State Government for declaring a curfew and urged the government to enforcement the curfew.


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When Steven Gerrard confirmed five players had been removed from the Rangers squad after a Covid breach, there was a collective groan from most supporters.
Rangers are flying right now with the 54-time Scottish champions four wins away from claiming the club’s first league title in a decade.
After finishing second for the second time in as many seasons, there was a sense that the club would have to be brave and daring in the transfer market last summer.
And the Gers did not disappoint, signing the likes of Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun, Jermain Defoe, Cedric Itten, Jon McLaughlin, Kemar Roofe and Bongani Zungu, before bringing in Nnamdi Ofoborh, Jack Simpson and Scott Wright in the latest transfer window.
With Gerrard’s side 15 points clear of Celtic, the club should be brimming with a sense of belief, yet they have been brought crashing back down to earth after two of the aforementioned players breached coronavirus protocols.
Another one was Nathan Patterson, who has been a fringe player for the Gers this season and was briefly linked with a loan move away from Ibrox in January.
Patterson has shown glimpses of his quality during his limited time with the first team since breaking through the academy ranks.
And although he has since been relegated to the fringes of Gerrard’s squad this season, his temporary absence will still leave Rangers short at right-back.
James Tavernier is the club’s only other recognised player in that position and at 29, is arguably Gerrard’s most trusted lieutenant, having started every Premiership game so far this season with 11 goals and 10 assists to show for his 29 starts.
Unfortunately for Gerrard, however, Tavernier was forced off in the first half of the 4-3 win over Antwerp and this has posed some awkward questions for Ross Wilson and co, as it has left the right flank looking rather vulnerable. Patterson could still prove to be a fine player, but Rangers clearly need reinforcements in the summer.
And so it is baffling that they didn’t bolster an area where they evidently lack depth, as they failed to add a single player in this position. Beyond Tavernier, Rangers currently do not have another reliable right-back near the peak of their game. Now they will have to cling to the hope that he hasn’t suffered a long-term injury or at the very least one that will have a significant impact on his performance levels between now and the end of the season.
AND in other Rangers news, Rangers receive James Tavernier injury boost before Antwerp Europa League clash…

domain: sports


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Top 5 Games that Paid Big Money at PlayOjo this October 2019
PlayOjo has consistently served the Australia market having its innovative take on casino promotions and bonus campaigns. Aside from its standard free spins and welcome bonus, this casino owned and operated by Skill on Net Ltd the Kickers and the Ojo Specials, a assortment of premium and innovative promotions. But significantly more than the bonuses, PlayOjo scores big when it comes to high-paying casino games. And for October, the PlayOjo games didn't disappoint as it provides players with the very best winning opportunities. This month, the management has announced the most notable games on the platform that rewarded players with the largest instant wins and jackpots. Described below are the top-paying games at PlayOjo for October 2019.
Book of Dead by Play n’ GO
Book of Dead is merely one of many top five games paying a lot of money at PlayOjo. This slot from Play n’ Go takes an ancient Egyptian theme with a touch of rich pagan mythology. The slot reels are made with Egyptian pharaoh’s tomb carved walls. In terms of free spins, Book of Dead offers players up to 50 free spins. The symbols to watch out for will be the Horus, Anubis, Osiris, and Rich Wilde giving players 5000 coins max. At PlayOjo, the full total payout made upon this slot has already reached £5, 691, 470 at the end of October.
Starburst by NetEnt
NetEnt’s Starburst is bursting with the interstellar theme and has a total PlayOjo payout of £3, 721, 004. The animated cosmos back ground makes this slot more enticing and simple to play. With an RTP of 96%, you won't ever get wrong with Starburst. It’s expected this casino game will continue steadily to become among PlayOjo’s top games this November and December.
London Roulette and Blackjack by Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming takes pride in its all-time favorite Blackjack and London Roulette. Last October, these games paid £3, 028, 368 and £2, 816, 408 respectively at PlayOjo. Blackjack by Evolution offers endless possibilities of winning while giving players endless entertainment. This is probably one of the most played table games at PlayOjo. London Roulette is another casino game that promises players with extra huge prizes to win. It’s a live dealer game which allows you to connect to the dealer.
Big Time Gaming’s Bonanza
Included in the PlayOjo list of high-paying games for October is Bonanza by Big Time Gaming. This 6-reel gold mine themed slot has improved since its introduction with the clear presence of cascading and horizontal reels helping players to accomplish more winning combos. For symbols, you can depend on the letters J, K and A and high-paying stuff like emerald, sapphire, ruby, and amethyst. Last October, this game at PlayOjo rewarded players with £2, 096, 122!
PlayOjo means business with regards to games for AU players. And the month of October is one particular times that help establish PlayOjo as a top destination thanks to the news of massive wins from popular slots.
Written for tobjl.info by Adiela de Bruyn on 24-11-2019

domain: entertainment


The Hyundai Motor Company, the South Korean automobile manufacturer, said Wednesday that it would voluntarily recall more than 320,000 cars to correct a possible deficiency in their brakes.
The recall includes all 1986 and some 1987 models of the company's Excel car, a total of 310,584 vehicles. It also includes some 1987 models of the Precis, a car Hyundai supplies to Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, a total of 10,483 vehicles.
The company said the affected models' brakes had not met Federal standards for brake fading, the tendency for brake performance to deteriorate when brakes are applied repeatedly and rapidly.
Hyundai said it would notify owners by mail and direct them to dealers, who are to refit the cars with semi-metallic pads on the front disc brakes. These resist overheating more effectively than the pads with which the cars were originally equipped.


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John Lumpkin, ’73 BMS, ’74 MD, is the recipient of this year’s Feinberg Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award, presented annually to recognize an alumnus or alumna whose outstanding professional achievements bring honor to the medical school and merit special recognition.
Browsing: Sara Neuner
The medical school’s 18-month-long self-study process, part of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education’s accreditation process, kicked off last week.
The 9th annual Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences Training Day brought together a group of more than 100 scientists and students across departments and programs to showcase research collaborations.
Students, residents, faculty and staff recently traveled to Philadelphia to attend the Student National Medical Association annual conference for current and future underrepresented minority medical students.
Students, residents, faculty and staff recently traveled to San Francisco to attend the Student National Medical Association annual conference for current and future underrepresented minority medical students.
A recent seminar explored the topic of innovation in medical education and the role of mastery learning in training of the next generation of physicians.
Quentin Youmans, MD, a second-year resident in internal medicine, received the Leadership Award, and Elsy Compres, a second-year medical student, received the Minority Scholars Award from the American Medical Association Foundation.
Jeffrey Barsuk, ’99 MD, ’02 GME, ’10 MS, professor of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine and of Medical Education, was recently recognized for his innovative research into simulation-based mastery learning.
Feinberg medical students recently traveled to Atlanta, participating in the Student National Medical Association’s annual Medical Education Conference, in order to support health equity efforts and to help recruit a diverse student body.

domain: news


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Andrew Norfolk: another libel defeat
Norfolk has been trading on his exposure of so-called grooming gangs in the South Yorkshire town of Rotherham for some time, maybe for too long. When he brought Times readers the now infamous “Muslim fostering” story, only to see it fall apart within a few days, he might have been expected to stop and think. But that thought would have been misplaced: Norfolk emerged from the fiasco more determined than ever.they got it wrong.
As Press Gazette admitted last January, “The Times has apologised and paid damages to an imam who questioned the Conservative leadership candidates about Islamophobia during a televised BBC debate in June … The Times wrongly claimed Patel had blamed Israel for the 2003 murder of a British police officer by a terror suspect in Manchester”.
Sadly, once more he got it wrong. After another Muslim bashing article in August last year, Sultan Choudhury complained to IPSO and began a defamation action after the Times gave readers the impression that Choudhury had a relaxed attitude to Female Genital Mutilation. Saracens Solicitors has carried a statement on the affair.
John Witherow, editor, The Times
As Professor Brian Cathcart has observed in an article for Byline Times, “the dogged loyalty of The Times newspaper to the anti-Muslim reporting of its chief reporter Andrew Norfolk is proving expensive”. Hacks have been sacked for less. But under the editorship of John Witherow, Norfolk is free to carry on smearing. Maybe this is not a coincidence.

domain: politics


OLDE PARK is one of, if not the MOST PREMIER Communities in all of Mt Pleasant. As One of the LAST AVAILABLE LOTS , SEA DOG CIRCLE has a community park fronting the lot creating a natural buffer. This Estate Size lot is .43 acre, that calls for a Grand Stately Home and design is in the works for a 5 Bedroom Home, with POOL and CABANA. Olde Park is a well appointed neighborhood that is connected to I'on just off of Scenic Mathis Ferry Rd. MINUTES from Downtown Charleston and the Beaches. Olde Park offers you the ability to be a MEMBER of CREEK CLUB Boat Landing/Dock. I'ON has several restaurants and shops just a short Golf Cart or bike ride away. Also, listed as proposed construction. Plans are subject to change and ARB approval.
Listing courtesy of Atlantic Properties Of The Lowcountry.


When my laptop comes out of sleep, I have to typically wait about 90-120 seconds before my network (wireless or NIC card) 'wakes up'.
During that time, I see my wireless connection with 'limited access' which means no access.
Eventually the wireless wakes up and connects, even if I have an ethernet cable plugged in and even when I am running on wall power.
In order to use the NIC, I have to disconnect from all my saved wireless profiles and then it is finally connected as a means of last resort.
I want to be able to wake immediately and connect directly to the NIC connection.
- Dell Latitude E5510 w/8GB RAM
- Windows 7 Ultimate
- Broadcom NetXTreme Gigabit Ethernet
- Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN


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Pier Shops at Caesars Atlantic City Sold at Auction
The Pier Shops at Caesars Atlantic City was auctioned
off in late October at a foreclosure sale. The luxury dining, shopping and entertainment center was intended to add some glamour and glitz to Atlantic City and was sold for $25 million.
The Pier Shops opened in 2006, at the height of the Atlantic City casino market. The resort had been enduring lost market share and plunging revenue ever since.
The sale became necessary after Taubman Centers Inc.,the former owner, defaulted on its mortgage. The mall developer owed almost $150 million, but the mortgage was canceled as part of the sale.
Lenders bought the complex for $25 million plus $1. The lenders are expected to continue operating the Pier Shops while looking for a new buyer.
Retailers at the Pier Shops include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Tiffany & Co. and Hugo Boss. There are also several restaurants.

domain: economics


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Increasing Your Fees
Billing Innovation Toolbox
Help for Moving Beyond the Billable Hour
On the Web
You’ll find articles and other information on fees and rate setting at these URLs:
Books from the ABA Law Practice Management Section
These volumes provide valuable, practical information on fee setting:
• Billing Innovations: New Win-Win Ways to End Hourly Billing by Richard C. Reed. 1996.
• The Essential Formbook: Comprehensive Management Tools for Lawyers—Vol. II: Fees, Billing and Collection by Gary A. Munneke and Anthony E. Davis. 2001.
• Flying Solo: A Survival Guide for the Solo Lawyer, 3rd edition, edited by Jeffrey R. Simmons. 2001.
• How to Draft Bills Clients Rush to Pay by J. Harris Morgan with Julie M. Tamminen. 1995.
• How to Get and Keep Good Clients, 2nd edition, by Jay G Foonberg. 1990.
• How to Start and Build a Law Practice, 4th edition, by Jay G Foonberg. 1999.
• Strengthening Your Firm: Strategies for Success, edited by Arthur G. Greene. 1997.
• Win-Win Billing Strategies: Alternatives that Satisfy Your Client and You, edited by Richard C. Reed. 1992.
• "Task-Based Billing and Other Fee Arrangements for the New Millennium." Course materials from the ABA Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law’s 2001 Annual Meeting program. Available on CD-ROM, these in-depth papers focus on measuring law firm performance, managing outside counsel relationships, and the history and background of task-based billing, plus fee-arrangement proposal documents.

domain: library


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Toxins and Drug Discovery (Toxinology)
Page Count463 Pages
About the e-Book
Toxins and Drug Discovery (Toxinology) Pdf
This volume deals mainly with the specialized aspect of toxins and drug discovery. Man has been using natural resources especially plants to treat diseases from very early times in history of mankind. Although many drugs derived from plants and microbes have been discovered and being used in clinical practice, not many drugs have been developed from venoms and toxins although many laboratories worldwide are actively working on it. This volume describe some of the recent developments in this research area, such as snake venoms, conotoxins , bioinformatics in drug discovery from peptide toxins.
Download e-Book Pdf
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If You feel that this book is belong to you and you want to unpublish it, Please Contact us .
Musculoskeletal Imaging Handbook: A Guide for Primary Practitioners
Oxford American Handbook of Neurology

domain: medical


Unable to present his annual State of the Nation address before the National Assembly on Jan. 10 as required by law, President Daniel Ortega instead emailed the enormous document to lawmakers and the press last week in an effort to comply with the constitutional mandate.
National Assembly lawmakers, who were still bickering earlier this month and unable to convene the day that Ortega was scheduled to give his address, were punished for their truancy by waking up Jan. 11 to find Ortega s entire 464-page State of the Nation report, complete with a 145-page social perspective appendix, crammed into their e-mail in-boxes.
By comparison, former President Enrique Bolaños final State of the Nation address in 2006 was a more manageable 6 pages long.
The few lawmakers who actually opened Ortega s email noticed two things right away. First, the report was apparently prepared by Ortega s private secretary for political affairs, U.S. citizen Paul Oquist, who signed off on the cover letter.
And secondly, the entire first section of the report read more like an academic lecture on the state of global capitalism rather than any attempt to analyze Nicaraguan affairs in 2008.
Nicaragua, in fact, was barely mentioned in the first 40 pages of the report, which focused entirely on Wall Street s financial crisis. The economic analysis is so loaded with Wall Street financial terminology Collaterized Debt Obligation, Credit Default Swaps and Exchange Traded Funds that many of the terms didn t even translate into Spanish, let alone Nicaragua s economic realty.
Despite the sloggy introduction, the focus on the global financial crisis served two greater causes in Ortega s report: first, it helped the Sandinista government to blame Nicaragua s problems on external factors; and secondly, it justified Ortega s call for a new model to replace the capitalist, neoliberal model, which the government report calls immoral.
The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity came to power Jan. 10, 2007 with a proposal to replace the socio-economic model of neoliberal, global capitalism with an equitable development model of Citizen Power, Ortega s State of the Nation report reads. It wasn t necessary for the system to collapse to know neoliberalism s harmful affects on development and poor people. Sixteen years of neoliberal government policies in Nicaragua demonstrated that this socio-economic model was not conducive to development or poverty reduction.
On the contrary, it concentrated wealth and income.
The State of the Nation report went on to laud the Bolivarian Alternative for Our Americas (ALBA), the Venezuelan-propped socialist cooperation agreement that forms the cornerstone of Ortega s alternative model for Nicaragua.
ALBA recognizes the asymmetries between the levels of development in different countries and produces complements and compensations to achieve a development whose top priority is the union of Latin America and the Caribbean to overcome poverty in the name of solidarity and equality, the report reads.
The Sandinista government also provided some concrete examples of how ALBA helped Nicaragua survive a difficult year in 2008, especially in terms of cooperation in energy and oil.
The report noted that Nicaragua, which two years ago was facing a massive energy shortage, in 2008 increased its energy output thanks to Venezuelan aid by 120 megawatts, and this year is scheduled to increase by an additional 160 megawatts of power.
The government also said favorable terms of payment for Venezuelan oil saved Nicaragua $375 million in expenses last year and allowed the government to maintain transportation subsidies from May through December.
ALBA is already a reality as a regional economy and has allowed Nicaragua to avoid the volatility of prices due to speculation of neoliberal global capital finance in 2007-2008, the report reads.
Ortega s report also notes that its alternative food-distribution network has benefited 270,000 poor families across Nicaragua. Managed by state food bank ENABAS and the controversial Councils of Citizen Power (CPCs), the program sells rice, beans, corn, and cooking oil in some 2,700 neighborhood stores across the country.
The opposition, however, complains the CPC-managed neighborhood markets use state resources to benefit only Sandinista supporters, while denying other poor people similar discounts.
Some of the claims made in the report are slightly more dubious, such as listingthe Venezuelan oil refinery with the capacity for 150,000 barrels a day as an example of the solidarity under ALBA. To date, the refinery has not been built and the project has been put on hold while Venezuela revises the financing.
Another questionable achievement listed in the government report is Nicaragua s official recognition of the breakaway Georgian republics of Abjasia and South Ossetia a decision that drew some heat from the United States and other countries. Nicaragua was the only country in the world other than Russia to recognize those republics.
Some of the numbers presented by the government are also questionable, such as the claim that unemployment dropped for the second consecutive year, to 6.1 percent in 2008, at a time when the private sector is reporting the loss of some 19,000 jobs in the textile sector.
For the most part, however, the content of Ortega s 2008 State of the Nation report which dedicates some 400 pages to listing all its accomplishments without any meaningful impact analysis remains mostly unknown outside of the circle of people who wrote it.
The Nica Times this week tried to get reaction from several lawmakers from various opposition political parties, as well as independent analysts, but nobody was familiar with the report.
Lawmaker Enrique Sáenz, head of the Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS), said his party still hadn t had a chance to review the hefty document. Enrique Quinoñez, of the Liberal Constitutional Party (PLC), admitted he hasn t read it. And independent lawmaker Jamileth Bonilla said she was trying to print it out, but hadn t yet had a chance to look at that book.
Even veteran policy analysts were baffled when asked to opine on the State of the Nation report.
I haven t even heard about it. Where can I find it? Can you send it to me? said analyst Cirilo Otero.
This shows how difficult it is and how little information is available from this government in all areas: electoral, economic, health and education, the analyst added.n
Selected Accomplishments From 2008 State of Nation
Illiteracy has dropped from 35% in January 2007, to 7.5% at end of 2008. Goal is to eradicate illiteracy by July 19, 2009.
School dropout rate has dropped from 13% in 2006, to 6% in 2008, and enrollment is up 13%.
Consultations, which are now free, were up 34% in 2007 and 11% in 2008.
Access to prescription drugs increased 50% in 2007 and 27.7% in 2008.
Water and Sewage
Access to drinking water in urban areas has increased from 65% in 2006, to 77% in 2008.
1,276 new houses built in 2008.
6,987 new employers are paying into the social security system, covering 156.154 new workers in 2008.
15,912 children reintegrated into their biological homes, or substitute homes or temporary shelters.
2,500 youth living on the street were trained to work and encouraged to study; 1,125 youth reinserted into schools.
Reforested 22,079 hectares of land.
Economy grew 3.2% in 2008, and exports reached $1.5 billion, up 25% from 2007. Free trade exports were $1.2 billion, up 10% from 2007.
International reserves up 2% in 2008 to $1.12 billion.
Bank deposits up 7% to $49 billion.
Tax collection up 17% to $750 million in 2008.
Customs up 16% to $407 million.
Gov t expenses on social spending, poverty reduction increased 20.8% (for health, education, energy, water, etc.).
140,010 producers benefited from 82,625 quintales of seeds, up 48% from last year.
19,709 families benefited from Zero Hunger program, up 56% from the year before.
20,174 women trained, up 854% from 2007, 29% of women received credit to start businesses under USURA-Zero.


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The name of the city of Akre is derived from the Kurdish word agir, meaning fire. During the annual Newroz, or Kurdish New Year, celebrations on March 20, locals with torches descend from the mountains surrounding the town.
Thanks to this tradition, as well as a large fireworks show put on each year, the city is known as the capital of Newroz.
During the Newroz holidays officially held from March 21-23, people in Kurdistan and abroad dress in colorful clothes, jump over fires, and gather for picnics.
Happy Kurdish New Year, 2724 to all Kurds in Kurdistan and those who live abroad, and to all other nations who celebrate Newroz. May the New Year bring more peace and prosperity to all.— Masoud Barzani (@masoud_barzani) March 20, 2024
“Happy Kurdish New Year, 2724 to all Kurds in Kurdistan and those who live abroad, and to all other nations who celebrate Newroz,” Kurdistan Democratic Party President Masoud Barzani said in a post on X on March 20. “May the New Year bring more peace and prosperity to all.”
This year, Newroz in Akre will be a bit different, since people are fasting due to the holy month of Ramadan.
The Newroz festivities in Akre this year will commence after people break their fast and partake in their evening iftar meal. “After iftar, the Newroz fires will be lit,” said Ghafour Rajab Ghafour, the owner of the traditional Kurdish restaurant Xanedan in Akre.
“The preparations for this year’s Newroz are significant, since Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the many other diplomats are participating in Akre’s Newroz. There will be a massive festival at the mountaintop. It will be amazing this year,” he told Kurdistan Chronicle.
بە وێنە؛ ئامادەکاریی بەردەوامی خەڵکی ئاکرێ بۆ نەورۆزی ئەمساڵ؛ کە بڕیارە سەرۆکی حکومەتی هەرێمی کوردستان و خەڵکی بیانی بەشداری تیادا بکەن. pic.twitter.com/qkh0Xz01w8— KRG Dept. of Media & Information (@DMI_KRG) March 17, 2024
Shamal Hashim, the head of the Zerki volunteer group that will carry torches during the celebration, says there are around 2,500 torches being prepared this year.
“There are eight groups who carry the torches; they are all volunteers. I am part of one of those groups. There are going to be fireworks and nice scenery, and we have prepared 15,000-20,000 fireworks.”
“This year, Newroz will be different from other years, because Prime Minister Barzani will participate, and a lot of foreign guests will come to Akre,” he told Kurdistan Chronicle.
The holiday has been preceded by heavy rainfall in the Kurdistan Region. In Duhok, at least two civilians were killed in flash floods.
However, the Newroz organizers say that the celebrations will continue despite the rain. “The weather is good now,” Ghafour said. “From 1:00 pm through the afternoon, we are expecting good weather.”
Read More: Ancient Town Emerges as a Center for Tourism
Tariq Aqrawi, the former Ambassador of Iraq to Austria and a prominent figure in Akre, previously told Kurdistan Chronicle that the Newroz celebrations are of special importance to the city. During the oppressive rule of the Ba’ath regime, “young people went to the mountains and celebrated secretly.”
However, after the establishment of a no-fly zone by Western coalition partners in 1991 to safeguard the Kurds from Saddam Hussein’s regime, the subsequent free elections in the Kurdistan Region and the formation of the KRG in 1992 transformed the way that Newroz was celebrated in Akre.
“After 1992, it became very free,” Ambassador Aqrawi said. “It became a very big celebration, unlike other towns, with torches in the mountains. Just as people call Sulaymaniyah the capital of culture, we call Akre the capital of Newroz because it is really special.”


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Sammy Johnson recently dropped his single "Do You" this year and it continues to win over the ears of many. This song is the perfect combination of soul and chill. It might be the coolest sad song you'll ever here. If you haven't seen the visuals for "Do You" here it is:
Whether you're chilling at home or going out with your friends here's the playlist to help you get into the swing of things. Forget your playlist, enjoy ours!
Cheers to the weekend!
Throw it back to 2013 and that's when Sammy Johnson dropped his EP Prelude. This EP features timeless bangers such as "Give Me All" featuring the legend Fiji, "Give Me All" featuring Tree Vaifale, and more
Fast forward, Sammy has now released Lion Roar Album and several successful and very catchy singles! Find Sammy's work on iTunes here
Forget your playlist and enjoy these throwback hits by Sammy Johnson:
It's Wednesday! A.K.A. HUMP DAY:
Wednesday, regarded as the midpoint of a typical working week
Forget your playlist and listen to ours! Here is our hump day playlist featuring our top picks and some of our artists to help you get through the rest of the week:
This week’s Tuesday feature perfectly showcases Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds and their latest single “No Matter What.” Stemming from South Bay, Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds are back by very popular demand! Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds will be going on their Spread The Seed Spring Tour starting April 20th.
Dates and Tickets to their Spread The Seed Spring Tour below:

domain: artistic


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Trypsin inhibitors, antinutrients or bioactive compounds? A mini review
Trypsin inhibitors are proteins found in plant-based foods, mainly legumes and cereals. They have traditionally been described as anti-nutrients since their consumption leads to lower protein digestibility along with pancreatic hypertrophy. Given the problems which can arise, there are various technologies used in food processing which help reduce trypsin inhibitors to safe levels. It has also been described that trypsin inhibitors can be related with beneficial effects for human health. The present review seeks to evaluate the evidence about trypsin inhibitors’ health benefits in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

domain: biology


text: Objective: We aimed to gain more insight into the pathomechanisms of metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), by comparing magnitude and direction of diffusion between patients and controls at diagnosis and during follow-up. Methods: Four late-infantile, 16 juvenile and 8 adult onset MLD patients [of which 13 considered eligible for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT)] and 47 controls were examined using diffusion tensor imaging. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) were quantified and compared between groups using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). Diffusion measures were determined for normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), corpus callosum, thalamus (all based on subject-wise segmentation), and pyramidal tracts, determined with probabilistic tractography. Measures were compared between HCT-eligible patients, non-eligible patients and controls using general linear model and nonparametric permutation analyses (randomise) for TBSS data, considering family-wise error corrected p OpenSPiltSPi 0.05 significant. Results: Throughout white matter (WM), FA was decreased and MD and RD increased in both patient groups compared to controls, while AD was decreased in NAWM and corpus callosum. In the thalamus, no differences in FA were observed, but all diffusivities were increased in both patient groups. Differences were most pronounced between controls and patients non-eligible for HCT. Longitudinally (median follow-up 3.9 years), diffusion measures remained relatively stable for HCT-treated patients, but were progressively abnormal for non-eligible patients. Interpretation: The observed diffusion measures confirm that brain microstructure is changed in MLD, reflecting different pathological processes including loss of myelin and sulfatide accumulation. The observation of both increased and decreased AD probably reflects a balance between myelin and axonal loss vs. intracellular sulfatide storage in macrophages, depending on region and disease stage.

domain: literature


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The 19th century paintings and photographs of Keene Valley inspired artists to seek out the depicted images of Nature and experience it for themselves. A number of years ago I fell under the same spell when I looked at the artistic interpretations of the High Peaks as seen from the Ausable Lakes.
Seneca Ray Stoddard (1844-1917) made many photographs of those lakes, including at least two of the view of Gothics and Sawteeth, with and without people. In the version with the boats, the people float within the reflections of the mountains. Stoddard’s guidebook, The Adirondacks: Illustrated, published in 1873 and was reprinted for many years, attracting more visitors to the Adirondacks.
Among the paintings that had intrigued me was Upper Ausable by Albany native Homer Dodge Martin (1836- 1897). He spent the summers of the 1860s sketching in the Adirondacks, Catskills and White Mountains and returned to his studio in New York City to create oil paintings from his sketches.
I wanted to see those mountains portrayed by Stoddard and Martin, looming over the quiet lake, and have the opportunity to create my own visual story of that juxtaposition. So I jumped at an invitation in 2003 to accompany a friend, Pat Quinn, for several days at Inlet Camp on Upper Ausable Lake. I returned with Pat to the same painting spot in 2004. Last week, as I was hanging some of the paintings from those trips at Corscaden Art Barn in Keene Valley, I was inspired to do a little research about historic access to the iconic view.
Robin Pell’s essay on Keene Valley artists in Two Adirondack Hamlets in History: Keene and Keene Valley, provides a lot of details about the lives of the many artists who flocked to the area in the second half of the 19th century. Some artists climbed mountains, but most painted the mountains from the valley or painted the Ausable River and the many falls in the area. Pell singles out the Ausable Lakes as favorite locations. He writes “Practically every artist made the seven-mile trek by trail and boat from the Beede House (which was on the site of today’s Ausable Club) via the lower lake to the upper lake where local guides maintained rough camps built around lean-tos.” Eventually painters Roger Roswell Shurtleff and Alexander Wyant built camps near the Lower Lake outlet that drew more artists and visitors.
To reach our destination of Inlet Camp we paddled the full extent of both the Lower and Upper lakes with a portage in between. When we arrived, the hoped for view was blocked by clouds, but still inspired a painting.
When the sky cleared the next day we were able to understand Martin’s artistic choices, but the lake had none of the calm surface in Stoddard’s photo.
Martin maintained the undulations of the ridgelines while exaggerating their height. The artistic choice helps convey the way that the mountain looms over the lake. Gothics and Pyramid on the left have not been exaggerated as much and appear less prominent. Perhaps he wanted to keep the focus on the irregularly shaped Sawteeth and at the same time push the larger mountains further back in space by reducing their relative height.
I took out my large rolled up canvas and attached it to an unfolded piece of foamcore. I chose to focus on a narrower section of the mountain range. The dramatic slides of Gothics and Pyramid could then be set against the echoing shapes of sky and clouds. I limited the proportion of water to make serve as a base for the sculpture of the mountains. The warm late afternoon light filled the valley beyond the ridge. The late evening light allowed me to play with the intersecting shapes of the shadows and sunlit slopes.
Thirty of Anne Diggory’s paintings of the Keene Valley area, including the ones in this article, are on display through July 23 at the Corscaden Art Barn, just south of the town.
Illustrations, from above: photo of the view from near Inlet Camp (Anne Diggory); Seneca Ray Stoddard, Upper Au Sable from Inlet, c. 1887; Upper Ausable Lake by Homer Dodge Martin 1868 (Smithsonian Institution); Ausable View: Covered, 5×7” acrylic on canvas by Anne Diggory; Freshness of Morning, 19.5×28.5”, acrylic on canvas by Anne Diggory.

domain: geography


Even Jerry Stiller isn’t certain what the Costanza family’s roots are.
The actor who portrayed Frank Costanza on “Seinfeld” joked that he never knew whether his character’s family was Italian or Jewish in a funny statement that he provided to be read at a gala held by the Museum of the Jewish People in New York City on Monday.
“It was never really clear if the Costanzas were Jewish or Italian or what they were,” Stiller said in the statement. “Jason, Estelle and I were given the name Costanza, which sounds Italian, but there were episodes where I cooked Jewish food and ate knishes and kasha varnishkes in bed. When people asked me about this I would simply say it was because we were a Jewish family in the Witness Protection Program.”
Jason Alexander starred as his son, George Constanza, on the show, while Estelle Harris played Stiller’s character’s wife, Estelle Costanza.


2011 Mobile World Congress: ooVoo unveils HD and iPhone app
Mobile World Congress in Barcelona was more than just tapas and bullfights. ooVoo CEO Philippe Schwartz provided a live demo of the application – making ooVoo the first video chat provider to make multi-point video calling on both Windows OS and iOS devices a reality. And, since ooVoo users can make mobile video calls over 3G, 4G, and WiFi, this means ooVoo is officially connecting more people on more devices, more of the time than any other video chat service. Using the iTouch, Philippe was able to demonstrate a live chat simultaneously connecting people on PC, Mac, and Android-based smartphones. Check out some of our reviews on the Chip Chick blog, as well as a live interview with Philippe on InformationWeek. The official release date for the iPhone/iTouch app and mobile-compatible desktop Mac software is early April.
We also showcased the first HD multi-point video chat – live at the Qualcomm booth, leveraging Qualcomm Incorporated’s Snapdragon MDP. This partnership in technology is especially ideal for video chat on tablets – delivering a video experience that is four times the video resolution of anything else in market.


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So as a writer, I know that writer’s block can become a great enemy. It’s a giant indestructible wall that takes some time to dismantle (unless you’re lucky and your wall is made of wood and you can burn it down!). While you’re suffering
the mental blankness or anxiety while staring at blank paper (or screen), you might want to try a few writing prompts just to keep you writing. Responding to prompts might not tare down the wall, but it might put a dent in it. I personally like writing responses to prompts while in a writer’s block phase because it keeps me at least writing something. I might write up something that’s complete junk, but at least I thought about something and then put pen to paper! So I’m just leaving you with a few prompts you might want to try out to flex those writing muscles and maybe do some battle practicing against that writer’s block wall!
Prompt #1: Write in an opposite gender’s voice.
I usually write in first person as a girl, so I’ve been trying to switch over to a male voice to try it out. It’s really hard to nail the switch when I’m so comfortable with writing from a girl’s point of view, but the challenge really helps me think and write a lot more to perfect the voice. With this prompt you don’t necessarily have to write as a girl if your a boy or vice-versa. It’s more like writing in the gender voice that you’re not as comfortable with.
Prompt #2: Take a cliche phrase and work it into you’re piece in a new way.
Just recently I was given a prompt to write something off of the phrase “If Walls Could Talk…,” a cliche line. I was asked to write the phrase somewhere in my piece of work and to see what the phrase inspired me to write about. I know a lot of people stray from cliche phrases, but sometimes they jump start your writing into creative and new ideas. Sometimes you begin to rework the phrase or find a new meaning to add to it. I recommend sitting down and seeing what inspiration you can draw from a cliche or commonly used phrase. Challenge yourself to rethink it’s meaning or find a way to make the cliche work in your writing so that it might not actually be cliche anymore. Maybe just see where the phrase takes you and drop it out later. Either way, this prompt definitely helped me to start writing something.
Prompt #3: Take a book closest to you and fan through the pages. Pick a page and close your eyes. Then point your finger to a line in the book. Write something containing that sentence or based off that sentence.
I’m sure this prompt has been explained before, but I always find this prompt fun and interesting. I love see what I can come up with from a random line in a book. Sometimes the sentences surprise you! I took a sentence from a textbook that I would never have paid that much attention to before this prompt. When I wrote something based off of the sentence, it was really interesting what meanings, stories, and images that came about from the ordinary (but really not ordinary) sentence. I would try doing this prompt with some book that is unexpected like a text book, biography, or maybe even a manual if you are feeling adventurous!
Hope these helped! Happy Writing!
Are you currently experiencing writer’s block? What are some of your favorite prompts? How do you beat writer’s block?
Crash Through Writer’s Block (or make a small crack!) | PopCrunchBoom16 August 2012 at 2:13 pm
[…] As we’re fast approaching the end of summer, now’s the time to rush in some extra writing before the busyness of fall comes upon us and we’re trying to squeeze in a minute or two for writing. But if you’re like me you might be suffering some form of writer’s block or writer’s burnout. Personally, when I can’t seem to put pen to paper (fingers to keyboard) I like to have a writing assignment. An assignment takes away the pressure of having to use all my imagination and wit to come up with an idea or plan. So on that note I thought I’d leave you with a few more writing challenges that hopefully will jump start your writing juices! (For my first three challenges check out this post here.) […]
theRibz29 February 2012 at 12:21 am
Whenever I have a writer’s block, I open a file called BIO on my desktop and start writing off pieces of my life. I started the file a few months ago, where I started talking about significant incidents of my life, and the text went on and on to become some sort of a biography. If I don’t get inspiration from the world, I get it from my own past. It’s not going to become an autobiography project or anything, or at least I’m not planning it, but it helps me get my muscles moving. When I finish, I usually have a lot to write about. It especially helps with characterization.
Sometimes I listen to some music, and imagine the events that lead the singer to sing that particular song, and a story comes into place.
NicoleLynn1 March 2012 at 4:22 pm
I think events in one’s life have a real impact on one’s writing. I know I personally have inspirations from my life that appear in my work when I’m writing. I also like to listen to music for inspiration as well! Thanks for sharing!
Fiercely Yours28 February 2012 at 10:44 pm
Good prompts– I go for walks and listen to the voices in my head– as scary as that may sound.
NicoleLynn28 February 2012 at 11:51 pm
Walks are nice and hey whatever works, works!


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That's according to a recent list of the top 100 highest-paid athletes released by Sportico, which had heavyweight champion Fury at No.14. Canelo Alvarez is the only fighter to be ranked above 'The Gypsy King' in the list, as he earned $89million for the year.
Fury's rank comes after he earned over $18million for his first heavyweight title defence against Deontay Wilder last October. That payday likely increased significantly after the Brit also earned a share of the 600,000 pay-per-view sales.
Last month, Fury knocked out Dillian Whyte and subsequently announced his retirement from boxing. If Fury is serious about calling it quits, he went out on a considerable payday after pocketing over $30million for his brutal knockout of 'The Bodysnatcher'.
Do you think Tyson Fury will fight again? Let us know in the comments section below
Pay-per-view sales for Fury vs Whyte haven't been officially released yet. Sportico have Fury earning $63million in winnings and $6million in endorsements for the past year, taking his total up to a massive $69million.
UFC star McGregor, who topped last year's list, has only fought once in the past year. The former two-weight champion broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in their trilogy last July, but earned a guaranteed $20million payday for the fight.
McGregor was ranked at No.22 on the list and made an additional $12million in earnings for the year. That likely came from his fight with Poirier selling a reported 1.8 million pay-per-view buys, the second most in promotional history.
McGregor also earned $20million in endorsements for the past year, likely from his shares in TIDL Sport spray and Proper 12 whiskey. McGregor sold to his majority stake of the whiskey brand to Proximo Spirits last year, but still owns part of the label.
YouTube star turned boxer Paul was ranked No.45 after earning $30million in winnings for his respective fights. 'The Problem Child' was guaranteed a $2million purse when he partnered with Showtime to face ex-UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley last August.
He was also given a percentage of the reported 500,000 pay-per-view sales, meaning his payday likely crept into the eight figure mark for the fight.
For his rematch with Woodley four months later, Paul was guaranteed a similar amount to their first fight but likely made less overall after the fight struggled to sell on pay-per-view.


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By Bill Poehler, Statesman Journal
A decade before Kiera Gabaldon was a college All-American wrestler, she was an elementary school student competing in a male sport.
When a high school near her home in Salem held a wrestling camp, she went. Among the other participants was a high school girl who had made a name for herself as a wrestler.
Gabaldon didn’t approve.
“When I was younger I had the same mindset boys did: Girls shouldn’t be here, not realizing what I was,” said Gabaldon, now a sophomore at Warner Pacific.
The 10-year-old version of Gabaldon matched up with that comparatively sized high school girl in the practice room, took her down with ease and threw her around the room.
“Wrestling with (her) and beating up on her, I’m like, is that wrestling like a girl?” Gabaldon said. “I don’t want to wrestle like a girl.
“Obviously, that mindset has changed. It’s something to be proud of to wrestle like a girl today, but back then it wasn’t. I guess I was ashamed of myself as a kid to be a women’s wrestler.”
Rest of the Story at http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/05/28/womens-wrestling-experiencing-exponential-growth/84501908/
Male, female athletes of the year named
By Ken Buday, Havelock News
The Havelock High School Rams Booster Club honored senior athletes at its annual banquet last week. And, the club also gave away a new car.
Michele Parker was outside her house when the phone call came that she had won the club’s car raffle. Her ticket was pulled of the 1,104 purchased for a chance to win the Ford Fiesta donated by Riverside Ford in Havelock.
“I never win anything,” she said after driving to the Havelock Tourist and Event Center to claim her prize. “I’m still in shock. It’s wild.”
Parker said the car would become her son Jacob’s vehicle. He is a rising senior at Havelock High and a member of the football team.
The booster club event celebrated the accomplishments of Havelock High senior athletes.
State wrestling champion Tanner Stamper-Smith was named the Male Athlete of the Year. He also received the James Johnson Trophy as the top wrestler in Eastern North Carolina from the Takedown Report wrestling website.
Dominique Martinez, a standout in soccer and also a member of the basketball team, was named the Female Athlete of the Year.
Other specialty awards included Cameron Gumbel as the Joe Hailey Sports Award winner, Alyssa Crowe as the Hoyt Hayes Memorial Scholarship winner and Martin Parada as the Andy Maness Manager of the Year winner.
Gumbel was also recognized as the athlete with the highest grade point average, and booster club member Kelly Webster received the Volunteer of the Year award from the club.
Rest of story at http://www.havenews.com/sports/20160608/havelock-booster-club-celebrates-seniors-gives-away-car
“Alma College Athletic Director Steven Rackley announced today (Monday, June 20, 2016) that Jeremiah Tobias has been named the head coach of the Scots’ wrestling program. Tobias, who has served as the associate head coach since May 2011, replaces Todd Hibbs, who resigned after five years at the helm of the program. Tobias becomes the seventh head coach in the history of the program, which resumed competition in 2011 after being dormant for 27 years.”
State Champion Harrison Campbell to be given the ‘Roy Heverly Award’ for the top Underclassmen in Eastern North Carolina.
Harrison Campbell, the 120 lbs. State Champion from West Brunswick High School, will be presented the 14th Roy Heverly Award as the top underclassman scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina. In his final match of the season he defeated
Phil Daub of Enka, who was the state champ at 106 last season, by a strong 8-3 margin. Harrison was the only wrestler in the finals to defeat a defending state champ in 3A. Harrison also led his team to a 5th place finish in the team scoring.
Other notable wins this season include Harrison beat State Champ S. Crumby from SE Guilford at the Tiger Classic. Harrison won his 100th match at the State Duals and he has 108 wins in 3 years. His only loss this year was to State Champion Bradley Wanovich of Jack Britt in overtime at the Jack Britt Tourney. He finished the high school season with a 42 win 1 loss record in his first season in North Carolina after moving from Pennsylvania.
Harrison also recently won the NC USA Freestyle and Greco State Championships and this qualifies him for the North Carolina team to go to the USA Nationals this July in Fargo North Dakota. He defeated Essco Walker in the finals of Freestyle.
‘Roy Heverly Award’ winners
2016 Harrison Campbell of West Brunswick
2015 Blaine Mainz of Jacksonville
2014 Joe Sculthorpe of Topsail
2013 Matteson Correll of Topsail
2012 Nick Quillen of Rosewood and Tyler Ross of Jacksonville
2011 Jake Smith of Havelock
2010 Marquin Hill of Washington
2009 Ryan Blackwell of Croatan
2008 Charlie Millea of Havelock
2007 Frank Hickman of Wilmington Laney
2006 Sean O’Laker of Croatan
2005 Eddie Sawyer of Currituck Co.
2004 Brian Lashomb of Currituck Co.
2003 Raymond Jordan of New Bern,
The award is named in honor of former state champion Roy Heverly, a 4 time state medallist at West Carteret and three time All-American at The University of North Carolina-Pembroke. The TakeDown Report, an on-line publication promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina, sponsors these Awards. “These awards recognize the most successful wrestlers in the area each year.” Fleming noted, “It encourages the young men from the teams in the eastern part of the state with another opportunity for others to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top wrestler,” he added. The TDR also ranks wrestlers in a TDR Top 12 List that is displayed on the TDR Blog page. The TDR is in its’ 19th year of involvement and publicity of amateur wrestling in North Carolina. Contact the TDR at email@example.com, (252) 883-3311 & https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/
Saravia, Campbell made adjustments for state titles, All-Area wrestling honors
By Tim Hower
Published: Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 12:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 6:37 p.m.
Every high school wrestler enters the season with the same goal, but only a few actually experience the thrill of standing atop the podium at the state championships. Laney’s Kevin Saravia and West Brunswick’s Harrison Campbell both suffered midseason losses that ultimately helped pave the way for a state title. Their accomplishments made it impossible to choose a single StarNews All-Area wrestler of the year.
Tough tourney refocused Saravia
Kevin Saravia just chalked it up to a bad day. It ended up being a blessing in disguise.
Everything was going great as the calendar turned to 2016. Saravia had avenged his only loss of the season to win the 113-pound division at the WRAL Invitational and, after a pair of convincing victories, the Laney junior was into the semifinals at the Holy Angels Tournament in Charlotte.
That’s when things fell apart.
Saravia was pinned by Davie’s Hunter Smith before dropping his next two matches in the consolation bracket. The sixth-place finish was a disappointing way to start the new year.
“I got beat by two guys who I had beaten by tech fall before,” Saravia said. “It just wasn’t my day.”
Luckily for Saravia, his coach understood the ebbs and flows of a season.
“We just tried to keep things in perspective,” said Laney coach Dan Willis. “Every kid is going to have one — if not two — downsides to their season where they’re not wrestling their best or whatever it may be. He was pretty upset, pretty devastated to lose three matches in the same weekend.
“I just told him it was good it happened then rather than at the state tournament. Some kids will listen to you, but for some it goes in one ear and out the other. Kevin is very coachable.” Rest of the story at http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20160331/PREPS/160339957
Have had the great exciting pleasure of visiting the Hall of Fall just twice. Once when at the 1992 NCAA Championships with Dale Jobe. Had planned to visit again in 2006 (after the Championships) but I missed my ride. Then visited last summer as the highlight of our week long venture into history by being the first visitors of the week with my wife, Monika. It was great! Yet she dragged me away after a visit of just three hours.
BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING | JUNE 03, 2016, 11:23 P.M. (ET)
The Hall of Fame Class of 2016 poses together on Friday night, in the new John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame had a fantastic 40th birthday party, with the grand re-opening in its Stillwater, Okla. location to kick off the 40th Honors weekend.
After months of construction and years of planning, the renovated facility was opened to the public for the first time during the annual unveiling of the plaques for its Class of 2016 inductees.
The Hall of Fame plaques for Distinguished Members Brandon Slay, Carlton Haselrig, William B. Harlow and the late Dick Wilson were unveiled, as well as the special award winners during the annual Friday night social. A large crowd of family, friends and wrestling supporters came out to help christen the new Hall of Fame facility, which went through a complete $3.5 million complete renovation and upgrade.
“What a special occasion it is for the Class of 2016 to get to christen the new facility,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. “What a facility it is. No doubt about it. The Board of Governors and the Governors Associates are the leaders along with the staff here that really make this place rock. What a great job they do.”
Chairman of the Board of Governors Terry Schockley praised the Board of Governors, the Governors Associates and the leaders from 37 Hall of Fame state chapters who were in attendance during this special occasion. “I’d like to recognize three people who have helped us navigate the way through this construction. They were the brains behind the day-to-day work. The folks spent countless hours and attended to all the details of the construction. Without them, we wouldn’t have gotten it don,e” said Shockley, who presented special awards to Board of Governors members Bob Buckley and Tom Talbot and Hall of Fame staff member Krista Graff.
Buckley gave the attendees a summary of how the construction and redesign process were completed.
The emcee for the plaque presentation, Order of Merit winner Sandy Stevens, led the guests to new areas of the Hall of Fame where the honorees will be recognized.
The Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award winner Katie Brock and Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner Mark Hall II were recognized and saw their displays in the High School Excellence Award section of the new interactive zone of the Hall.
All of the other honorees were recognized in the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors, which was moved to the entire other end of the Hall of Fame footprint from where it was in the past.
The displays for the special award winners were unveiled along with the recipients, including the Distinguished Official Marcia Haise, the Order of Merit winner Ron Good, the Medal of Courage winner Randy Bortles and the Outstanding American Joseph Galli, Jr.
The four Distinguished Members were also presented with their plaques. Brandon Slay and William Harlow were there for their ceremony. Carlton Haselrig was not able to attend tonight, and had his uncle in his place, but Haselrig will be here on Saturday for the Banquet. The late Dick Wilson was represented by his son Bruce Wilson. Many pictures were taken of the plaque ceremonies, but even more were taken of the new Hall of Fame facility and its many new features, as the wrestling community had their first chance to celebrate the modernization of the sport’s shrine. The induction ceremony will be held Saturday night at OSU Student Union, starting at 6 p.m. with a reception in French Lounge, followed by the 40th Honors Banquet in Student Union Ballroom.
Tanner Stamper-Smith awarded James Johnson Trophy as top wrestler in eastern North Carolina
State Champion Tanner Stamper-Smith of Havelock High School was presented the 16th Annual James Johnson Award as the best scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina in 2016. The award is named in honor of three time national champion James Johnson. Tanner will sign with Northwestern College in Iowa to continue his wrestling in the NAIA level.
Tanner was the state champion at 160 lbs. in his senior year with 60 victories and just one loss. Tanner was a Regional Runner-up and State Qualifier as a freshmen, he was a 12th seed at regionals in spite of not being a regular starter until the second half of the season. His sophomore year he moved to Okinawa, Japan and was the Far East Champion, which is their version of the State Championships, with a 25-0 record. He moved back to NC his junior year and was 25-3 before suffering a season ending injury in the semifinals of the Tiger Holiday Classic. He rehabbed and trained as soon as the doctor cleared him late spring of 2015. He spent all Summer and Fall traveling to tournaments in and out of state. He finished his high school career with a record of 119 wins and just 12 losses.
Other Tournament Championships include 2016 Regionals, 2016 Conference, 2015 WRAL Champion, 2x Placer, 2015 Tiger Holiday Classic Runner-Up, 2X Placer, 2x Beach Brawl, 2x Swiss Bear and 2x Beast of the East Champion. Notable wins this season over out of state medalists include Dalton Simpson of Dorman, SC, a 2X Runner-Up, 4X Placer, Jacob Plunkett of Cave Springs, VA, (Runner-Up, 3X Placer), Garrett Tingen of Fauquier, VA, (2X State Champion) and William Sorey of Oscar Smith, VA, (5th Place, 3X VA qualifier). Notable wins over state wide competitors include Josh Walker of Newton Conover, (2A Runner-Up, 2x Placer), Camden Bergey of Chapel Hill, (3A Runner Up, 2X SQ), Tyler Spurling of East Gaston, (3X Placer, 4X SQ), Thomas Flitz of Piedmont, (2X 3rd place States) and Hunter Queen of Northwood, (3A Runner-Up, 2X Placer, 3X SQ).
In the eastern North Carolina TDR coverage area Tanner showed his dominance by twice defeating Connor Hughes of First Flight, (2A State Champion, 2X Placer), Ethan Bridges of Croatan, (2015 4th Place, 4X SQ), Michael Nelson of West Brunswick, (2X SQ), Alexander Henderson of Rocky Mount, (2X SQ) and Dalton Hill of New Bern, (3rd Place Finisher, 4X SQ).
Previous award winners were Joe Mondragon (2015) of Ashley H.S. De’Andre Jones (2014) of New Bern, Alex Bray (2013) of Croatan, Jon Wiley (2012) of South Brunswick, Marquin Hill (2011) of Washington H.S., Branden Lietz (2010) of J.H. Rose, Mamour Camara (2009) of Louisburg, Anthony Rogers (2008) of Knightdale, Ngu Tran (2007) of C.B. Aycock, Victor Hojillo (2006) of West Carteret, Raymond Jordan (2004) of New Bern, Shaun Sheffield (2003) of Havelock, David Pelsang (2005), and Paris Dottery (2002) of White Oak.
The TakeDown Report promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina and sponsors the Award. “The award is to recognize the most successful wrestler in the area each year.” Fleming noted, “It encourages the young men from the teams in the eastern part of the state with an opportunity to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top notch wrestler,” he added. The TakeDown Report is in its’ 19th year of operations in North Carolina encouraging media coverage of the sport. Contact the TDR at firstname.lastname@example.org.
James Johnson started wrestling in his junior year for D.H. Conley High School in Greenville with Milt Sherman as his coach. James was Coney’s 1st state champion in any sport in 1976. He was North Carolina’s 1st Eastern Junior National Champion in 1975 and North Carolina’s 1st Junior Nationals All-American with 3rd in 1976. He went on to start four years at the University of Kentucky. He is now a sports consultant and coach for the Phoenix-based Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club. He also specializes in developing unique training for people of all fitness levels with a broad background in public speaking, sports training techniques, and health and fitness. He was inducted as an “Outstanding American” in the North Carolina State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was a coach for the U.S.A. Olympic Greco-Roman team in London.
Before developing James Johnson, Inc., James served as a Public Relations/ Community Speaker for Sunkist worldwide. He was on the USA National Wrestling team for 12 years, winning 3 National Championships, USA Athlete of the Year, AIM Christian Athlete of the Year, Olympic Team Alternate, and numerous accolades worldwide. He has been an Ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee, USA wrestling and The Sunkist Kids Wrestling organization for over 16 years. More at http://jjchamp3x.com/.
The 2016 TDR Big Award wrestlers have been determined. More complete information and stats will be presented in subsequent postings.
The Lee Carroll Award will be presented to Kaleb Taylor (285) of Rosewood.
The Roy Heverly Award to Harrison Campbell (120) of West Brunswick and
The Michael Stokes Award to Wilson Smith (126) of Rocky Mount and
The James Johnson Award to Tanner Stamper-Smith (160) of Havelock.
Details to be posted later.
We believe this to be up to date including wins in the 2015-2016 season.
After 2016 Season Active DI – Top 35 (at least 105 wins)
- J Robinson (Minnesota) 440
- Gary Taylor (Rider) 429
- John Smith (Oklahoma State) 382
- CarlAdams (Boston Univ.) 326 – retired prior to 2016 season
- Tom Borelli (Central Mich.) 307
- Craig Turnbull (West Virginia) 287 – retired prior to 2015 season
- Duane Goldman (Indiana) 281
- Rob Koll (Cornell) 266
- Jim Zalesky (Oregon St./Iowa) 250
9tied Bruce Haberli (New York University) 250
- Brian Smith (Missouri) 239
- Tom Ryan (Ohio St./Hofstra) 233
12tied Mark Manning (Nebraska/Nor.Iowa) 233
- Barry Davis (Wisconsin) 220
- Joe McFarland (Michigan/Indiana) 219
- Tim Flynn (Edinboro) 206
- Joel Greenlee (Ohio U.) 202 passes 200
- Tom Brands (Iowa/Va.Tech) 196 moves up one spot
- Tom Minkel (Mich. St./Cent. Mich) 187
- Pat Santoro (Lehigh/ Maryland) 161
- Jim Andrassy (Kent State) 158
- Cael Sanderson (Penn St./Iowa St.) 142 moved up 3 spots
22.tied Kevin Dresser (Virginia Tech) 142 moved up 3 spots
- Scott Goodale (Rutgers Univ.) 141 moved up 3 spots
- Pat Poplizio (N.C. State/SUNY ) 139 moved up 6 spots
- Steve Martin (Old Dominion) 137
- Rob Hjerling (Citadel) 134
- Steve Garland (Virginia Univ.) 132
- Jay Weiss (Harvard) 125
- Dan Wirnsberger (Bucknell/Bloomsburg) 123
- Kerry McCoy (Maryland/Stanford) 122
- Greg Randall (Boise State) 120
- Mark Cody (Oklahoma/American) 113
- D. Mock (Univ. North Carolina) 108 – retired prior to 2016 season
- John Stutzman (Bloomsburg/Buffalo) 106
The following are the top 50 Active (and recent retirees) College Coaches by the most career dual meet wins. Over the upcoming weeks we will publish the top coaches in each division and other categories as the stats are updated.
After 2015-’16 Season Active – Top 50 (at least 170 wins) Overall-All-Levels
1. Pat Pecora (Pitt-Johnstown) 555 – II (3rd – All Time)
2. Bill Racich (Ursinus College) 514 – III
3. Ned McGinley (King’s College) 448 – III
4. J Robinson (Minnesota) 440 – I
5. Gary Taylor (Rider) 429 – I
6. David James (Cent. Okla.) 396 – II
7. John Smith (Oklahoma State) 382 – I
8. Roger Crebs (Lycoming College) 362 – III
9. Tom Borelli (Central Michigan) 353 – I
10. Mike Denney (UNO-Maryville) 338 – II
11. Don Murray (SUNY-Brockport) 329 – III
12. Carl Adams (Boston Univ.) 326 – I retired/team discontinued
13. Kerry Volkmann (John Carroll) 304 – IIIretired before’15-16 season
14. Ron Beaschler (Ohio Northern) 298 – III
15. Bruce Haberli (New York Univ./Manhattan) 292 – I/III
16. Duane Goldman (Indiana Univ.) 281 – I
17. Lonnie Morris (Johnson & Wales) 281 – III
18. Jim Makovsky (Minn. St.-Mankato/Valley City St.) 276 – II
19. Rob Koll (Cornell) 266 – I
20. Dave Pacheo (Sacramento City College) 260 – CaCC
21. Pat Whitcomb (North Idaho Jr. Coll.) 250 – Juco
22. Jim Zalesky (Oregon St./Iowa) 250 – I
23. Dave Mitchell (Luther College) 250 – III
24. Brian Smith (Missouri) 239 – I
25. Randy Steward (Loras College) 235 – III
26. Tom Ryan (Ohio St./Hofstra) 233 – I
27. Mark Manning (Nebraska/Nor.Iowa) 233 – I
28. Robin Ersland (Minot St./Cent. Miss. Etc.) 229 – II
29. Martin Nichols (Ithaca College) 225 – III +
30. Barry Davis (Wisconsin) 220-– I
31. Joe McFarland (Michigan/Indiana) 219– I
32. Jay Jones (Rhode Island College) 217 – III
33. Marc Bauer (Nebraska-Kearney) 215 – II
34. Steve Costanzo (St. Cloud St./Dana Coll.) 213 – II/NAIA
35. Mike Duroe (Cornell Coll./Nor. Mich.) 208 – III/I
36. Tim Flynn (Edinboro St.) 206 – I
37. Mike Ritchey (Southern Oregon State) 204 – NAIA
38. Joel Greenlee (Ohio Univ.) 202 – I
39. Jon Laudenslager (Wilkes Univ.) 202 – III
40. Tom Brands (Iowa, Va. Tech) 196 – I
41. Drew Black (Wesleyan / Phoenix Coll.) 192 – III/Juco (inc.)
42. John Oostendorp (Coe College) 192 – III
43. Jason Valek (Newberry) 191 – II
44. Brad Bruhn (SUNY-Cortland) 190– III
45. Tom Minkel (Mich. St./Cent. Mich.) 187– I
46. Don Henry (Gannon Univ.) 183 – II
47. Frank Romano (Notre Dame College/Kent St.) 178 – NAIA/I
48. Mike Machholz (Missouri Valley) 175 – NAIA
49. Robert Fisher (Kutztown Univ.) 175 – II
50. Johnny Johnson (Wisc.-Stevens Point) 174 – III


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SaportaReport is excited to announce the Coca-Cola Company as our newest platinum sponsor. The Coca-Cola Company strives to better our communities, people, environment and planet by working together. The company is focused on improving inclusivity and racial equality as well as working to become a “world without waste.” SaportaReport is grateful for Coca-Cola’s continuous support in civic journalism.
“Our company is proud to support Maria Saporta and her team at SaportaReport. They provide an essential service in covering the news and culture of our great city. Maria brings decades of knowledge, perspective and, most importantly, a deep love for Atlanta.” – Bea Perez, Chief Communications, Sustainability & Strategic Partnerships Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
It is very refreshing to see a coalition between thought leaders and power Brokers of Atlanta. I would like to know more about the various groups they were talking about , when they meet and how we as citizens of this city can learned more about the Atlanta way and restore the vision that has made our city such an amazing global magnet for the entire planet


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Tonkatsu - pork cutlet from Japan
Delicious baked crispy chicken sandwich recipe with garlic mayo sauce, in Japan we call this Chicken Katsu Sando.
We love to explore with our tastebuds, so let's take them on a sandwich journey around the world.
Kaki fry are Japanese breaded and deep fried oysters served with lemon, tartar sauce or tonkatsu sauce. It's in season late autumn through winter.
Delicious Chicken Katsu Onigirazu made with healthy baked chicken katsu, tonkatsu sauce, mustard, steamed rice, and thinly sliced cabbage.
Chicken Teriyaki Step- by-step guide cartoon
This week we changed our passwords, became more charismatic, returned used items, and made some real homemade ramen.

domain: food


The government has also allowed a wheat consignment headed for Egypt (File)
The Centre today said it has decided to allow shipments of wheat consignments, which were registered with customs authority before the ban on wheat exports came into force last week.
"It has been decided that wherever wheat consignments have been handed over to Customs for examination and have been registered into their systems on or prior to May 13, such consignments would be allowed to be exported," the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.
Following a request by the Egyptian government, the Centre has also allowed a wheat consignment headed for Egypt, which was already under loading at the Kandla port, the statement said.
The move also comes against the backdrop of reports that thousands of trucks carrying wheat were in the queue outside some ports due to the sudden announcement of the wheat export ban.
The government had earlier banned the wheat exports on May 13 as part of its steps to control the spike in prices at home.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification, saying that the government had taken the decision "in order to manage the overall food security of the country and to support the needs of the neighbouring and other vulnerable countries".
The notification further said that the restrictions would not apply in cases where prior commitments have been made by private traders through a 'Letter of Credit', as well as in situations where permission is granted by the government to other countries to meet their food security needs.
Besides, the government will allow exports on requests from other countries, it said.
According to the Commerce Ministry, the order served three main purposes - to ensure India's food security and check inflation, help other countries facing food deficit, and maintain India's reliability as a supplier.
"The order also aimed to provide a clear direction to the wheat market to prevent hoarding of wheat supplies," the ministry said.


Douglas High beats Carson twice on walk offs
MINDEN — A pair of seventh inning rallies were the difference Saturday when the Douglas Tigers walked off with a Northern 4A softball doubleheader sweep against Carson.
Bailey Walters slugged a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift Douglas to a 10-8 win in game one. The second game saw more drama when freshman Kendal Moore hit her first home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning and Kettja Bennett ended it with a two-run single as the Tigers rallied for a 7-6 playoff-clinching win.
Douglas (8-12 league, 10-21 overall) earned the tie-breaker advantage over the Senators and secured the No. 7 seed into the region tournament this week in Reno. Carson (8-12, 9-21) is still headed to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. Carson will open in the region tournament on Thursday against league champion Reed at Bishop Manogue High.
Amanda Hoffman pitched the final 2.2 innings of the opener and came back with a complete game performance in the second game to earn both wins.
Carson had its opportunities in both games. The Senators were up 3-0 and sophomore pitcher Jailene Salciedo was working on a two-hitter through four innings in game two, and the Senators scored three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 6-3 lead.
And in game one, the Senators were unable to hang on after they scored six runs in the fifth inning to take an 8-5 lead. Douglas answered with two run in the bottom of the fifth, sparked by Kylie Swan’s RBI double and an infield hit that drove in another run. Alyssa Smokey blasted a home run to tie the score at 8-all in the sixth. Then Swan singled and scored when Walters hit her second homer of the game, a shot over the right field fence to close out the game.
Game two saw the Senators score three runs on five hits, all after two outs in the top of the seventh. Kassidy Cooley drove a single off the fence in right field, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored to break the 3-all tie when Faith Bigelow lofted a single over second base. Camiell Simpson lined a two-strike pitch into center field for another RBI single and Kailee Luschar slapped a single to left field to extend the lead.
The Senators had the bases loaded, however, they were unable to do any more damage when Hoffman retired the side on a strikeout.
Douglas responded in the bottom half of the inning. It all started when Moore, hitting No. 9 in the order, went the opposite way on a shot over the right field fence. Hoffman and Mackenzie Brixey reached base on back-to-back errors and Smokey loaded the bases on an infield hit that was stopped by a diving effort from Nicole Brown at second base. Next up, Casey Peck got down 0-2 on the early count, fouled off two pitches and lined a single into left field to make it 6-5. And then Bennett ended the game when she hit a full-count single down the first base line to drive Brixey and Smokey home.
Salciedo blasted a two-run homer over the center field fence in the fifth inning to give Carson a 3-0 lead. She also pitched the distance and allowed seven runs (two earned) on nine hits.


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The newest recipient of Microsoft’s FPS Boost is Dark Souls 3. The game will now run at 60FPS on the Xbox Series X/S consoles, thanks to an apparently unique process that Microsoft put together specifically for the game. That’s the good news — the bad news is that the game is still stuck at its launch resolution, though if you already own the game on Xbox and just want the visual boost, it might not matter as much to you.
FPS Boost, as the name would suggest, increases the framerate of slightly older games so they’ll look good on the new consoles. For a game like Dark Souls, where timing is everything, a high framerate is very essential. The game was originally launched at 30FPS, so this is an upgrade that has long been desired by fans. It was playable on the Xbox Series consoles at the time of their launch thanks to their near-universal backward compatibility.
Ordinarily, Microsoft doesn’t roll out FPS Boost to individual games — it usually announces it for a large swath of games, such as when it added the feature to 13 EA titles in April. However, Dark Souls 3 apparently needed special attention. Jason Ronald, Xbox director of product management, said on Twitter: “This required a brand new technique, unique to Dark Souls 3, to enable 60 FPS on Xbox Series X|S.” He didn’t elaborate on what that technique was.
It’s not all good news for the Dark Souls fans, however. The game is still locked at a 900p resolution, hardly the 4K the console is capable of supporting. Note that the game is also playable in 60FPS on the PS4 Pro and PS5 and runs at a 1080p resolution. As Digital Foundry noted in its breakdown of Dark Souls 3’s FPS Boost, this means the game can run at 60FPS on higher resolutions, just not apparently on Xbox consoles.
Source: Digital Foundry


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October brings beautiful fall weather and perfect opportunities for enjoying beer in the company of friends. Beer has experienced a renaissance in Knoxville and across the country with events like the recent Knoxville Brewer's Jam celebrating the craft of brewers. Home brewing has also become a popular activity for beer aficionados who want to create their own favorite beverages. Our collection includes a number of titles for home brewers, casual fans, and connoisseurs.
More than a grand, delicious meal, Thanksgiving offers us a pause in the daily fray to deepen into ourselves and to appreciate our family and friends. In honor of the holiday, here are some titles on gratitude, contentment, and spiritual journeys:
Every month, the Library is invited to share great book recommendations on Mornings at Fox. See this month's selections.


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Vilsbiburg, 11.12.2019 (PresseBox) – From 10 – 16 November, Flottweg SE participated simultaneously in two major trade fairs. Agritechnica 2019 in Hanover and BrauBeviale 2019 in Nuremberg. Flottweg presented its new solutions with great success at the most important trade fairs in the respective industries.
Livestock farmers, agricultural consortia and farm outfitters are looking for new economical and environmentally friendly ways to process pig and cattle manure. Above all, the phosphate and nitrogen content is problematic when it comes to storage, transport and further processing of the liquid manure.
For the first time ever, Flottweg exhibited its mobile liquid manure separation system „MoRoPlant 20“ at Agritechnica 2019. It separates liquid manure into solids and process water before storage. Thanks to the MoRoPlant 20, farms are provided with natural fertilizer on the one hand and process water for irrigation on the other. The Flottweg SE project manager, Anton Brunner, was very pleased with the high number of visitors: „The great interest shown by the many visitors confirms a great potential for liquid manure separation. We are completely satisfied with the results of Agritechnia 2019.“
The summary of BrauBeviale 2019 in Nuremberg was also very positive. With 1,088 exhibitors and around 40,000 visitors, BrauBeviale is the world’s most important trade fair for capital goods in the beverage industry. Flottweg presented its process, which minimizes beer loss in the cold area of the brewery. This ensures customers a previously unattainable cost saving in the area of cold hopping.
Unternehmen: Flottweg SE
Den Originalartikel finden Sie auf www.pressebox.de

domain: agronomy


Mutilated Body of Young Girl Found with Hands Tied and Private Parts Cut-off (Photo)
Police in Mmakaunyane, North West South Africa are still battling to identify a young woman who was found murdered and her private part cut off.
SA Police spokesperson, Constable Thembi Nowathe said police are asking the public’s help in identifying the woman whose body was found in a dense bush last Thursday.
“Her naked body was discovered next to a graveyard, and her genitals were cut out. The body was found lying face down with her hands tied from behind with cable ties.
“We have checked various police stations around Tshwane to see if there are cases of missing people fitting her description, but without luck,” said Nowathe.
“The age of the young woman is unknown, but it looks like she was between 17 and 21 years,” she said.
Nowathe said she was wearing a blue T-shirt with Arizona 66 printed on it. “Her blue Carvela shoes were found near a stream. Anyone who can assist in identifying this person may contact the Dube police.”
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SIS/MA '11, Comparative and Regional Studies (Africa)
"Too often, an accurate assessment of pertinent issues from the perspective of Africans who live day to day with the impact of governmental and international policy decisions is lacking," Ohagwu observes. To that end, she used her Graduate Research Award to travel to Nigeria to fill in the gaps: to gauge the attitude of Nigerian citizens toward governmental performance, especially given the upcoming April 2011 election. Her history in Nigeria includes working as a volunteer research associate for a workshop with the University of Oxford's Center for Research in Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity while previously studying in the country, a B.S. from the University of Ibadan, and a current position as an Africa Officer with the U.S. Department of State, in the Office of International Religious Freedom, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
During her trip to Nigeria, Ohagwu administered questionnaires to Nigerian youths, asking them about their views on the effectiveness of the previous elections, the pervasiveness of democracy, and the potential for reform during the then-upcoming elections. Her thesis assumes "that free and fair elections produce accountability within regimes, which will in turn lead to progressive economic policy initiatives that positively impact human development."

domain: sociology


16/03/2001 It's the battle of the century, a biblical clash of Big Business against The Little People. Or, if you prefer, the Forces Of Laura Norder against the swarming Pirates of the Net. Whichever way you see it, the fact is that the music industry has declared war on its customers and they on it. The battleground: Napster. The weapons: writs and lists versus new software and, it seems, the inherent inability of yer average stude to spell Madonna correctly in the first place. Don't know why they're bothering with Pig Latin. As of today, Napster has managed to unshare around half of its most popular files, causing much disgruntlement among the populace. One reports getting a letter from Mrs Roy Orbison telling them off for sharing Mr Roy's work, so the automated legal threat machine is clearly working well (just what the lawyers wanted -- the general applications of this are unbounded). But those who've used Napster to pad out their enormous collections of obscure artists remain unmoved: as one told me "If I could buy this stuff, I would, and if I can't, who's going to block it?". Quite. One thing's for sure -- this will spawn a thousand MBA theses. Get in early if you want to look cool.


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- WHITE PAPERS
One employee steals $20 from the cash register.
Another wastes $20 in food.
The boss may view those events differently, but to the bottom line, it's all the same: a $20 loss.
Jim Laube, a veteran restaurant operator-turned-consultant, suspects that too few operators view a food loss in basic dollars-and-cents terms. To them, food is a product sold to customers, not cash sitting on the shelves. But that's exactly what it is.
"Inventory is cash, just in a different form," said Laube, founder and operator of RestaurantOwner.com, a foodservice training and education Web site. "And having too much
The problem of excess inventory, Laube said, costs operators thousands of dollars annually in waste due to perishability, mishandling, slack portion controls or theft. On an average operator's profit-and-loss statement (P&L), that adds up to loss of at least 2 percent to 5 percent, he said.
And don't think bad inventory management is a sign of novices. Laube said experienced operators are often the worst inventory managers because they believe they know their business so well that they don't have to do a physical inventory. They then buy what they believe they need—and then add on a little extra as a safety factor. More often than not, that cushion winds up costing the restaurant money in waste.
"All of a sudden they have a lot more product than they need," Laube said about the safety factor. "I see a lot who don't even do a physical inventory—ever."
The good news, as Laube points out, is that reversing inventory-related losses isn't that difficult, but it does take the discipline to execute thorough inventories, totaling food cost regularly and purchasing wisely.
"So few realize they could make so much more money by doing simple things like that," he said.
Count it like cash
Luke Bailey, owner of the two-unit Pizza Company in Davison, Mich., is one of those who uses an inventory cushion.
"I'm a firm believer in never running out of stock; a lost sale is money out the window," said Bailey, who keeps 10 to 14 days' worth of inventory on hand. As far as scheduling a running inventory, "I usually try to do that sporadically."
Bailey calculates a monthly food cost based on a complete end-of-the-month inventory, which also is compared to the operation's P&L. "I know by second day of the following month what my key expenditures were. If I can keep 61 percent on food and payroll I'm OK."
Laube, however, believes operators like Bailey would do better than OK if they did the following:
* A weekly, thorough physical inventory
* Calculated food cost weekly
* A daily inventory of eight to 10 key food items (cheese, pepperoni, sausage)
* Keep no more than five to seven days' worth of food inventory on hand
The idea of being "so obsessive" about inventory controls bothers some operators, Laube said. But those who track the details run more profitable operations.
"I've found that larger companies, especially the chains, do a very good to great job of this," Laube said. "Those guys are serious about what they do, and they're very focused on profitability."
John Pronik, director of operations for Zabros Pizza Buffet in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., works somewhere in the middle of Bailey's and Laube's systems. He takes two running inventories a week to generate his food orders, and every two weeks he takes a complete inventory.
"(Food) is money sitting on the shelves that can be used in a lot of directions," said Pronik, who keeps five to seven days of supplies on hand. "I know that when my days of inventory increase, my food cost will increase."
To help his staff understand the need to keep inventory tight, he uses what he calls the toothpaste analogy: "When you get a full tube of toothpaste, you don't think about how much you put on the brush until you get down to a quarter of a tube. Then you're wondering how long you can make it last.
"With inventory, we want to have enough on hand that we don't have to step on the tube to get out that last bit of toothpaste. But we never want to have overstock on the shelf, either."
Laube agrees that the amount of inventory on hand influences strongly whether the staff wastes or treasures it. Even Laube admitted that, as a teen working in a fast-food restaurant, he and his coworkers wasted French fries—"We'd even have fry fights"—when the freezer was full of them. But on busy nights, when the manager would find only three cases left, "We treated them like gold. It's just human nature to attach more value to something if there's less of it around."
Count the costliest items often
A successful dinner house chain Laube once worked with kept a keen eye on its most expensive food items.
Spot inventory checks were done in full view of employees as well, which kept the staff mindful that a theft would be hard to pull off.
Bailey's a believer in such spot checks, too, but he's also tried to apply some reverse psychology to reduce theft.
"I'm more into building a deterrent factor than trying to catch them with something in their pockets. So we have an employee purchase policy and an employee charge program," he said. He also installed video surveillance cameras a few years ago. "I like to keep a close eye on things like the ribs we sell, and things like that case of cheese that can be sold to a rival pizza company."
Pronik goes a step further with the incentive strategy by tying raises and performance bonuses to food cost goals. Not only does that keep employees accountable to each other for how food is handled, it builds a healthy rivalry between the three stores he oversees; out of pride, he said, all want to have the lowest food cost.
Laube recommended operators focus on the eight to 10 most expensive items in inventory for frequent spot checks. Those should be checked at different times during the day, he said, and at irregular intervals.
Train others to do it
Once the operator has developed an inventory system, he or she should train managers or other trusted employees to do it. Finding that person isn't always easy; Laube admits it's "a gut feeling" more often than not. However, good employees typically find new challenges and responsibilities interesting.
"By following up with them and making sure it's done right, I think you can have any good employee do that and do it effectively," Laube said.
But even with the most thorough follow-up, it still might not be perfect, which is something operators need to expect, said Michelle Burt, president of one-unit Spanky's Pizza in Fremont, Mich. Burt has three long-term managers who do a great job helping her with inventory.
"There's a lot of trust there, but you always have your questions," she said. "If they're taking a pizza here and there ... I can't perfectly make sure that won't happen. But at some point you've got to let it go."
Ideally, Laube said, regular spot and weekly inventories will be compared with a P&L to render a weekly food cost—52 times a year, rather than 12. Calculating a weekly food cost allows an operator to spot problems—such as waste or theft—sooner than if they waited until the end of the month.
"When you do food cost 12 times a year, it's a nebulous concept to employees," Laube said. "But when you're doing it 52 times a year, it moves it front and center in everybody's brain. Then if food cost is four points higher this week than last week, you can ask right then, 'What happened this week? Did we have to throw out a bunch of product?' So come next week, people are a lot more attuned and focused."
Make time to take time to count
Laube said he understands operators' claims that they lack time to do inventory as thoroughly as he recommends. But he said he sometimes has to resist the urge to laugh at some of their complaints, chiefly a lack of time.
"I know what they're thinking and what they're going through, but I used to do it with plain green-bar paper and pencil; nothing fancy," Laube said.
What amazes him most, he said, is operators who spend hours toiling to boost sales a percent or two, when they could boost profits a few percentage points by doing basic inventory management.
Burt, who learned the pizza business while working her way through college to become a teacher, wishes she knew then what she does now about inventory management. She's certain she'd have made a lot more money and avoided a lot of headaches.
"As much as it seems like a pain, it's worth it," said Burt, who believes better inventory management boosted her profits by 2 percent. She now uses a POS system to help track sales for comparison with inventory sheets her husband, an accountant, created in Excel. "I knew how to make pizzas and make customers happy back then, but I needed to know how to make more money on the bottom line. No question this helps."


The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority took a safe path this week by adopting a toll increase based on a scheduled rate not adjusted for mounting Big Dig expenses.
The authority’s Board of Directors voted Thursday, Oct. 4, in favor of a 25-cent increase that did not to go beyond a 2002 scheduled amount. Mounting debts and excess costs associated with the $14.8 billion Big Dig project have the state in a pickle, which could have caused tolls to go much higher.
A turnpike spokesman told Land Line the toll increase of 25 cents for passenger vehicles – and 25 cents per axle for heavy trucks – is an “interim solution.”
“Secretary Bernard Cohen, who chairs the board, said it will require the Turnpike to find efficiencies (and) cut operating expenses by 5 percent, and by using some of the $91 million in the Pike’s cash reserves,” spokesman Mac Daniel said.
“He also said a long-range plan to restructure how transportation agencies are structured in Massachusetts will help in the future, but if that effort does not happen in the next year, another toll hike will be necessary.”
Gov. Deval Patrick made headlines this week by saying he wants to do away with the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and create a new state agency to oversee all ground transportation.
The possible consolidation would include the turnpike authority, the Massachusetts Highway Department and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The new agency also would assume control of roadways and bridges currently operated by the Department of Conservation and Massachusetts Port Authority.
The new agency would be called the Massachusetts Transportation Authority, or MassTrans for short, and the governor would appoint the new board.
Airports, railways and ports, which have their own agencies, would remain separate from MassTrans.
The governor, according to the Boston Herald, said he believes the consolidation would cut waste, avoid the need for a fuel-tax increase and lead to the refinance of $10 billion in debts to right the ship.
The Massachusetts Transportation Finance Commission reported Sept. 17 that state lawmakers need to cut $2.45 billion in costs and generate $18.73 billion in additional revenue to cancel out a projected $19 billion transportation shortfall projected during the next 20 years.
The commission recommended a fuel-tax increase of 11.5 cents from 21.5 cents to 33 cents per gallon, but Patrick’s administration believes the tax increase could be avoided.
– By David Tanner, staff writer


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Ministry reports US spy agencies' latest attempt to recruit Russian worker was on Jan 14Russian Politics & Diplomacy January 18, 21:57
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Russian Eurobonds may be floated in spring 2017 — finance ministerBusiness & Economy January 18, 19:48
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VIENNA, November 25. /TASS/. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Venezuela share their view on world oil market situation, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez said after the countries finished the talks on the situation in the oil market in Vienna.
“A separate report will be issued on their results,” a representative of the Russian oil company Rosneft said on Tuesday.
Delegations of Russia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Venezuela agreed to hold another meeting in three months, the Venezuelan foreign minister added. The participants in negotiations think current oil prices are too low, Ramirez stressed.