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Nadiya Hussain’s confetti birthday cake is the ultimate birthday cake, whether you’re baking for a children’s birthday party or for a grown-up. It’s super pretty but surprisingly simple to make. The pink icing is actually made with real strawberries, so you won’t have to use any food colouring to achieve this dreamy colour. The sprinkles take it to the next level. This pastel-coloured pink cake is the perfect celebration cake and you’ll make someone very, very happy with it!
- For the cake:
- 175g unsalted butter
- 175g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1tsp baking powder
- 175g caster sugar
- 3 medium eggs
- 2tbsp whole milk
- 100g brightly coloured sprinkles, plus 200g to decorate
- For the frosting:
- 75g strawberries
- 225g unsalted butter
- 375g icing sugar
Heat the oven to 180C, gas 4. Grease and line 2x18cm tins and dust the sides with flour, removing any excess.
Put the butter, flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs and milk in a mixer and mix on high speed for 2 mins. Stir in the sprinkles by hand, then divide between the tins. Bake for 25 mins until just firm to touch. Leave to cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the icing, blitz the strawberries in a food processor, then strain through a sieve, discarding the pulp. Whisk the butter with half the icing sugar, then whisk in the strawberry juice and rest of the sugar. Add a little milk if it’s too thick.
Sandwich the cakes together with ⅓ of the icing and use the rest to cover the cake. Cover the top with sprinkles.
Top tip for making Nadiya Hussain’s confetti birthday cake
cake is that it can be baked, cooled, crumbled and mixed with frosting to make cake pops for kids' parties - which are definitely easier to distribute to smaller children!


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Aerial view of Marina Bay and skyscrapers of downtown in evening at Singapore
It’s almost like a sequel to Crazy Rich Asians.
A year after the movie — set in Singapore — helped drive a record number of visitors to the city-state, the tourists are back again in full force, pushing arrivals to a new high in the third quarter.
About five million travellers came to the island between July and September, led by visitors from Greater China, which jumped 22 per cent, according to data from Singapore Tourism Board’s website. The previous quarterly record was 4.83 million set in the same period a year earlier.
First Published: Dec 01 2019 | 12:04 PM IST

domain: geography


This story first appeared in a Colorado Community Media newspaper. Support CCM’s neighborhood news. The Colorado Sun is an owner of CCM.
Testing of wastewater at the Englewood-Littleton sewage plant is finding record-high signs of COVID prevalence in the south Denver metro populace, though the number of people receiving positive COVID tests has dropped.
A Colorado researcher says the situation may indicate vaccinated people are catching the virus but not feeling sick enough to get tested.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Platte Renew, a wastewater treatment plant in Englewood that is the third largest in Colorado, has been on the front lines of helping health officials make sense of the state of the virus. The plant serves people in Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties
The plant collects daily samples of sewage produced by about 300,000 people, according to Pieter Van Ry, the site’s director. Samples are sent to various labs both in-state and outside Colorado that test for the virus’s genome, an indicator of how prevalent COVID may be in a given community.
In recent weeks, tests have shown higher amounts of COVID being detected in South Platte’s wastewater than at any other point of the pandemic. But reported cases for the area are down by about half their record peak from last winter.
About 50% of people who catch COVID will “shed (the) COVID virus in their stool,” regardless if they have symptoms, according to Rachel Jervis, an epidemiologist at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. That means wastewater surveillance can be an early indicator for how much the virus is spreading in an area.
Read more at coloradocommunitymedia.com.


Back to synthesizers and straight beats for a moment, I have been busy testing some new sounds. Heckmannufer is now on my SoundCloud page.
Although the Neuron Synthesizer was and still is a flagship synth that stood for innovation in the field of Resynthesis, it was not a commercially successful product. After the hardware version, the creators also released a software plug-in based on the same engine. The unique approach in this engine is that concrete material, such as a user’s own samples, can be fed into the engine, which then creates an abstract semantic model from it and uses its own sound-generating means to recreate the original sound. The model is rather complex and includes many parameters in both timbre and temporal development of the sound. It is interesting as an example of a bold abstraction process, transforming sound to the symbolic level, while retaining much of its information. The engine then allows the user to go beyond the more or less faithful recreation of an original sound, and work with the parameters of the model – musically the much more interesting part. The NeuronVS software part is now available for free for Mac OS.


Marmion-Rosary Concert Band
The Marmion-Rosary Wind Ensemble and Concert Band has a rich history of musical accomplishments. The band performed on the stage of Walt Disney World in Orlando in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010 Every year the band has had clinics with one of the great wind directors from around the country. The list includes H. Robert Reynolds, Malorie Thompson, James Smith, James Lambrecht, Stephen Squires, Scott Teeple, and Ivan Wansley. The band has many awards in concert competitions, solo and ensemble and marching band. In Class A competition, the band received first division ratings in its last 12 years for I.H.S.A. Large Group competitions. The band received 63 first division class A gold medals in W.S.M.A. solo and ensemble competition in 2013, as well as 40 students receiving State Gold Medals in the state competition. In addition Marmion has received three Outstanding performance awards at I.H.S.A. competition and four exemplary state soloist awards in W.S.M.A. state solo and ensemble competition. This award made those students eligible to perform at the state music convention. Marching band awards include first place awards in percussion, parade and field competition in the Marengo Settlers Day competition and Sycamore parade.


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On Sunday I went to my go-to store for apartment decoration - TJ Maxx. I picked up a few things using gift cards (thanks, Mom!). One of them was this awesome lamp, which I had seen a few weeks ago. I'm so glad they still had it!
Before I got this lamp, the area by my bed looked like this. The taller lamp is old and the shade was about ready to go - you can't see all the marks on it from this distance, but they are there! It was a flimsy piece to begin with. I think I got it at Target for $15 about five years ago. It has served its purpose!
Here is the look of the room now with the new lamp. Much improved, I think!
Seeing the new lamp in its place reminds me that it will look much better when I do a bit more decorating. The wall above the bed is sad, I know. As is the bedside table. I have plans to paint this table to match the color of the pillows as well - add that on my growing "to-do" list.
The bedside table, by the way, was tucked behind my couch before I moved it by my bed. The old lamp is now next to my couch, but the jury is still out on whether it will stay there.

domain: design


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This is a truly honest to goodness stereo amplifier. Made in Japan quality with a good sound to boot. It will drive two pairs of speakers or you can use it to biamp your speakers. Power output is a thundering 135W per channel in 8 ohms. Twin variable output in the front allows you to adjust the volume level of the speaker output but we still prefer the use of a preamp. The Yamaha has a very clean and neutral sound. Very slight coloration but generally it remained neutral and detailed.
Cosmetically, the unit looks very good. Some very minor scuff marks here and there but nothing major. Original box included but we will securely double pack this precious amp for safe shipping.

domain: hobby


Design and production of innovative targets to enhance the laser-driven acceleration is a cornerstone of the ENSURE project. In particular, an innovative target configuration, known as Double Layer Target (DLT) has been studied in details. DLTs are made of two components: a thin substrate on top of which there is a low density material, called nanofoam. In order to enhance the acceleration process, these layers must meet some specific requirements: the substrate should be as uniform as possible over an area of few squared centimeters, while its thickness should be of the order of one micron (one millionth of a meter, roughly a hundredth the width of a hair); the nanofoam, which is the key component of a DLT, should have a density (i.e. mass per unit volume) around 6 mg/cm3, i.e. a few times the density of air. Materials with such extraordinary properties can be produced in dedicated laboratories by the ENSURE team at Politecnico di Milano. First-hand production of the target materials not only comes as a necessity, but also as an opportunity: since the laser-target interaction depends on the material characteristics down to the nanometer (one billionth of a meter!) scale, acting directly on the material synthesis offers additional degrees of freedom to control and improve the acceleration process. To this end, two new laboratories – around 100 squared meters in renovated rooms at Politecnico di Milano, Campus Leonardo – have been established thanks to the ENSURE funding: the “fs-PLD Lab” and the “HiPIMS Lab”. Each laboratory has at its core a specific “deposition system”, i.e. an equipment to produce the desired materials, namely a femtosecond Pulsed Laser Deposition (fs-PLD) and a High Pulse Intensity Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS). These two labs work together to obtain a DLT target: the main task of the fs-PLD lab is to produce the low-density foam layer, while the HiPIMS is mostly used for the substrate production.
The new fs-PLD deposition system
A fs-PLD consists of a laser source and an interaction chamber. Laser pulses are sent into the interaction chamber where they ablate (i.e. remove material from) a target made of the elements one wants in the foam layer, for instance carbon. The ablated material undergoes a series of modifications that can be controlled by playing with many process parameters, such as the gas pressure inside the interaction chamber, and is then deposited (hence the name of the technique) as a low-density nanofoam layer unto a substrate. What makes this setup unique is the combination of the laser pulse characteristics and the technical features of the interaction chamber. Indeed, the laser source generates extremely short and intense pulses: time duration is 100 femtosecond (i.e. one tenth of a trillionth of a second) a hundred thousand times shorter than those used in more conventional nanosecond PLDs, while energy per pulse is relatively high (5 mJ, roughly the energy of a table tennis ball moving at 1 meter per second). In addition, the interaction chamber is equipped with a number of peculiar features, such as the possibility of hosting multiple targets or rapidly switching to a configuration where the laser pulses can be sent also toward the substrate. This option can be used to further tailor the foam properties after the deposition has taken place.
The new HiPIMS deposition system
The HiPIMS technique is the last born within the wide family of sputtering deposition systems. It has been developed at the beginning of the century to produce tough and smooth coatings for research and industrial application. The working principle of a sputter deposition is relatively simple: suitable projectiles (such as noble gas atoms) are fired towards a target made of the elements to be deposited. The impact with the projectile atoms cause the erosion, or sputtering, of the target material, which is then collected in the form of a compact, thin film. In order to be accelerated by electric fields, the projectiles atoms are made electrically charged through ionization, thus effectively creating what is known as a plasma. The peculiar characteristic of the HiPIMS technique lies in the strength of the accelerating electric fields, much stronger than in conventional magnetron sputtering systems, which results in a higher kinetic energy for the projectiles and -as a consequence- for the sputtered material. This feature, in turn, leads to more dense and compact materials with excellent mechanical properties, also in the form of an extremely thin (hundreds of nanometers, roughly the size of a flu virus) free standing film: this feature is especially important for the production of high-performance DLT.


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Stylish black And Gold Abaya with detailing on the sleeves looks elegant.
Abaya Style: Black Abaya
Fabric: Japanese Crepe + Net
Shela: Not Included
Estimate Delivery: 14-17 Days
Size: Custom made option is available, please inter your measurements under custom size.
Model: Can be customized wrap / Buttons/ or open. Just write this on Notes Under custom Size.


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Total number of Rockport stores in Nova Scotia-Canada: 1
The biggest mall in Nova Scotia with Rockport store: Halifax Shopping Centre
Rockport stores in Nova Scotia - get information about the brand Rockport and all Rockport locations in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Select Rockport store in Nova Scotia from the list below. All Rockport stores are also displayed on the map below.
300 Borough Drive, Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 4P5, Canada221 stores
1355 Kingston Road, Pickering, Ontario, Canada, L1V 1B8330 stores
25 Peel Centre Dr, Brampton, ON L6T 3R5204 stores
Unit 142, 100 Anderson Road, SE Calgary, Alberta T2J 3V1, Canada245 stores
2700 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4J9
1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, Ontario - ON L4K 5W4, Canada195 stores
1200 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, Ontario - ON K1K 3B8, Canada291 stores
6000 Boulevard de Rome #420, Brossard, QC J4Y 0B6, Canada188 stores
7275 rue Sherbrooke est, Montreal, QC, H1N 1E9368 stores
4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC V5H 4M1, Canada


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Maryland casinos gave $1.7 billion toward local education in a span of seven years. A Kansas casino gives about $1.5 million per year to help schools, teachers, students and families with back-to-school supplies, classroom supplies and scholarships. And if all goes well, the prospective Waukegan casino will give similar support to the public schools of Waukegan.
Primarily because of financial constraints imposed by outside forces, Waukegan Public Schools are struggling to equip students with 21st Century facilities, equipment and programming. Critically needed capital projects are often unfunded, including those associated with school safety and security, energy and technology. Most troubling of all, dollars needed for the classroom must be diverted to capital projects that simply can’t be postponed.
State general aid to Waukegan Public Schools went down by $44 million from 2010 to 2016, and Illinois funded Waukegan schools at an adequacy level of only 56% in Fiscal Year 2019. On top of this, the downturn in the Waukegan economy continues to impair school finances. From 2008 through 2018, Waukegan lost $378 million in the value of its tax base, and the schools’ local tax revenue (including debt) is down $5.5 million from what is was in 2008. Due to decreased property values and the loss of industry, Waukegan Public Schools received only $3,200 in local property tax funding per student in Tax Year 2018, while another Lake County school district received as much as $14,500. And over the next 10 years, the schools can raise only $4.2 million in non-referendum bonds for capital projects.
Waukegan Public Schools are joined at the hip with those who are working to revitalize Waukegan. When entrepreneurs are deciding where to set up their business, they know that many of their employees care deeply about the quality and reputation of the local schools. When businesses try to hire young people, they know that workers’ capacity to do the job depends on the quality of the local schools. And when the local economy is robust and diversified, students benefit from an increased tax base, increased opportunities for internships and jobs, and increased corporate support for school activities.
As casino operators jockey to win the privilege of operating the Waukegan casino, their written proposals should explain how they will contribute to the community, which includes Waukegan Public Schools. Perhaps they will follow the example of other casinos in supporting public schools; perhaps they will develop their own innovative approach. In any event, school district parents, students and taxpayers will be watching carefully to see how the proposed casinos will bolster the district’s ability to serve the community of Waukegan. When entrepreneurs and policy makers leverage the natural synergy between economic development and public schools, everyone wins.
Theresa Plascencia, Waukegan Public Schools superintendent

domain: politics


Metro "Fund It + Fix It" CALL to ACTION
Metro Call to Action - Metro Gets Third & Final YES to Funding! See Award picture!
Coalition for Smarter Growth Awards, April 23, 2019
The Coalition for Smarter Growth celebrated the 16th annual [Frederick & Diana] Prince Livable Communities Leadership Award with a reception on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at the Tico Restaurant, 1926 14th Street, Washington, D.C.
Former Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker was awarded with the 2019 Prince Livable Communities Leadership Award and the region's League of Women Voters (of the National Capital Area) received the 2019 Sanders-Henn Community Hero Award winner for their role in winning dedicated funding for Metro.
Pictured below are representatives of LWVNCA state Leagues, DC, MD & VA receiving the award on behalf of the Metro Fund It/Fix It (FIFI) committee.
From L to R: Deb Wake (VA), Anne Anderson (DC), LWVNCA Pres. Kathy McGuire, Elaine Apter (MD), Stewart Schwartz, CSG Exec. Director
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LEAGUE FOR YOUR HARD WORK WHICH REAPED POSITIVE RESULTS!
For More information about the Award on the CSG website click here
. For more about the Coalition for Smarter Growth: CSG website
NOW WHAT? We Have the Dedicated Funding. What Do We Do With It?
Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth on June 28th, 6:30 PM, at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies to talk about where do we go from here.
640 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20001
See Calendar for directions
A year ago, winning dedicated funding for Metro didn't seem possible. Now, the impossible happened. With funding in hand, how did we win and what do we do from here?
Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth and two expert panels to talk about how we finally won the fight for dedicated funding and what needs to happen now that Metro has the money.
Show me the money: How did we win dedicated funding and where do we go from here? Thursday, June 28, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
CLICK HERE for flyer with more information.
The Washington Post
, March 22, 2018, 9:30PM
By Robert McCartney
Metro gets third and final `yes' as Maryland commits to its full share of dedicated funding
Maryland will give Metro its full share of $167 Million a year in new, permanent funding, the governor and leaders of both legislative chambers said Thursday (March 22) putting the transit system on track to win a historic regional deal to support it.
Virginia and the District have committed to provide their share for a total of $500 Million a year in the dedicated funding that Metro says it needs for capital investments to ensure safety and reliability.
With Maryland's assent, and barring last minute glitches, the system will receive a reliable revenue stream for the first time since its trains began rolling in 1976.
Read entire article here
THE LATEST CALLS TO ACTION, VA, MD, DC
We are receiving notices and Alerts from the FIFI (Fund It/Fix It) Coalition Partners, and from our Leagues. Here are the latest (in chronological order)
- March 5, 2018 - Alert from CSG (Coalition for Smarter Growth), of which LWVNCA is a member, regarding VA Transportation bills, SB856 and HB1159 that are now in conference committee. The message is to "Tell legislators that Virginia should fund Metro at the full $154 million. . ."
for Complete Alert.
Letter to Elected officials from Fund it Fix it
Press release on LaHood WMATA Report
Metro "Fund It + Fix It" Call to Action forum
The forum was a huge success. Here are the Powerpoint presentations from the forum on Metro Funding.
WMATA Metro Funding
Council of Governments Metro Funding
We are working with a larger coalition on this issue the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
NOW TAKE ACTION
Get the facts on the issue, scroll down on this page and read some of the articles and reports on the subject.
LWVNCA Position on which we take action
"Volunteer to attend government meetings on the subject and speak to decision makers. Speak to them now!
Join the Virginia Transit Action Network
Share what you've learned with friends, family and neighbors, invite them to get active with you.
Sign the coalition petition.
Now is the time to contact your representatives in your local jurisdiction, state delegation and at the federal level to remind them of the importance of Metro to the regional economy.
Metro Report from Stakeholders
LWVNCA undertakes "Fund it + Fix It" action plan supporting Metro
National Capital Area Leagues undertake "Fund it + Fix It" action plan supporting Metro*
Some 40 years after the League of Women Voters of the National Capital Area (LWVNCA) adopted positions in support of Metro, including a dedicated source of funding for the then-new rapid transit system, it has joined with more than a dozen nonprofit organizations in backing a call for dedicated funding for the system. While a major emphasis of the original positions was to get people out of their cars, along with the need for adequate financing, the current emphasis is to obtain the funding that will allow Metro to fix the system so that it will continue to reduce traffic congestion in the DC area--while serving as the economic engine for the region.
A major impetus for action to solve Metro's funding crisis has been the recent studies and reports issued by major components of the civic structure in the region addressing both the problem and proposed solutions. These include: the Council of Governments, business groups, chief administrative officers of local jurisdictions, Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation Transit Capital Project Revenue Advisory Board as well as support from regional faith groups, the Coalition for Smarter Growth, environmental groups, etc. As the heading for a recent article by Greater Washington noted, "Almost everyone agrees WMATA needs funding." At this time (when writing), there is major anticipation of the results of a review by the LaHood Commission initiated by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and of an August 28th summit at Mt. Vernon where Governors McAuliffe (VA) and Larry Hogan (MD) and District Mayor Muriel Bowser will discuss how to fund Metro.
Not waiting for agreement on the amount of funding required to get Metro healthy and keep it that way, or the specific methods to be used to obtain the revenue, the League and other groups are moving ahead with plans to generate support for whatever plans are eventually proposed for adoption by the three WMATA jurisdictions (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia + DMV)
LWVNCA Metro Funding Action Co-Chair Edith Snyder represented the LWV in an August 18 webinar on Metro hosted by the Virginia Conservation Network in conjunction with the Coalition for Smarter Growth. "Metro 101: Building the Conservation Case for a Strong Metro System in Virginia" tied climate change to the transportation sector, underscoring the critical importance of accessible public transportation throughout the Commonwealth. Stewart Schwartz and Pete Tomao of the Coalition for Smarter Growth provided background on the connection between climate and transportation in Virginia and detailed the ways in which Metro, in particular, is currently underfunded and in dire need of repairs.
Snyder, Co-chair with Nancy Soreng of LWVNCA's committee, described for the webinar attendees the League's long-time commitment to Metro. "The League supported the system when it was first proposed and constructed, and we're not about to abandon it now," she said. Snyder noted that the League of Women Voters will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020 and that it is an organization built on grassroots advocacy.
It is this legacy that LWVNCA and its member local Leagues in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia are bringing to activities in support of the Metro funding needed to provide frequent, reliable service. In particular, the regional League is:
NOT FOR NOVA ONLY
- Hosting a forum with CSG on October 7, 2017, titled "METRO Fund It + Fix It! A Call to Action." This event will be held at NRECA, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203, from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. All Leagues in Virginia are invited to attend. The forum will feature an opening panel on Metro's history, value and economic benefits, challenges, and proposed fixes. This session will be moderated by radio station WAMU's Martin Di Caro and followed by a presentation of the "Fund It, Fix It Campaign" by LWVNCA, CSG, and other nonprofit organizations. This will lead into breakout sessions focusing on facilitated development of specific grassroots action plans for jurisdictions in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Snyder said the goal is for all attendees to leave the forum empowered and equipped to advocate for effectively funding a dependable Metro.
- Producing a fact sheet about Metro for the forum and general distribution.
- Working with CSG to create and circulate a petition to canvass and organize Metro riders who support the call for Metro funding and improved service.
- Creating candidate questions about Metro for Virginia's November 2017 state and local elections.
To access the webinar, please go to the following link: https://web.telspan.com/play/vcnva/5111-statewide-metro-transit-funding-101 and enter the password "metro101". To sign up for the forum, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/metro-fund-it-fix-it-a-call-to-action-tickets-36901682927.
LWVNCA is asking that all LWV members in Virginia support both the call for approval of a method of funding Metro's capital and operating needs and for transit throughout the Commonwealth, because all are affected by its economic, social, and environmental benefits.
- The billions of dollars of projects built near Metro generate tax revenue not only for NOVA, but Metro generates economic activity worth some $600 million per year in state income and sales taxes. What state support of local services would be affected by a state revenue shortfall due to a failing Metro? Will businesses move to other more supportive locales or not move to Virginia in the first place and how will this affect state revenues?
- How could seniors, millennials, and the disabled and low income residents lacking cars survive without Metro or other local transit?
- 65% of Virginia's population and 65% of its gross state product are located in the "urban crescent" from Hampton Roads to Richmond, Frederick to NOVA, and most of its growth is projected in the corridor. Without transit, how would these areas continue to attract the people and business to keep Virginia strong?
- With traffic congestion getting to be a problem with state-wide impact, how would greater reliance on the automobile affect Virginia's everyday living, the transportation of goods, and its environment and contribution to climate control?
- And lest we forget, how would more traffic and congestion and less Metro and other transit in Virginia affect emergency preparedness and plans?
- If Metro fails, how many Virginia jobs are lost either directly or in the construction of Metro cars and systems?
- League members Therese Martin, Edith Holmes Snyder, and Deb Wake contributed to this article.
News Articles Regarding Metro Funding
3-22-2018 WashPost Metro Gets Third and Final Yes as MD commits to full share of dedicated funding
3.10.2018 WashPost Breakthrough in Virginia on Metro Funding as Lawmakers Approve $154 Million
3.02.2018 WashPost Breakthrough in Maryland on Metro funding, as Hogan and legislature come together
2.20.2018 WashPost Hopes run high for historic Metro deals in Maryland and Virginia, but crucial details remain unresolved
12.14.2017 WaPo Top-Virginia-republican-would-help-Metro-only-with-rigorous-reforms-on-labor-costs-safety
12.5.2017 WaPo Rep-Comstocks-bill-would-give-Metro-more-federal-money-in-exchange-for-reform-board-and-controls-on-labor-costs
11.29.2017 WaPo McAuliffe-Lahood-report-on-metro-to-be-officially-released-Tuesday
11.27.2017 WaPo Maryland-reps-Brown-and-Raskin-propose-union-backed-plan-for-Metro
11.26.2017 WaPo How-Metro-can-recapture-some-of-the-value-it-creates
11.26.2017 WaPo Maryland-transportation-secretary-raises-new-objections-to-Lahood-plan-for-Metro
11.22.2017 RTD Yes-Virginia-we-need-a-functioning DC Metro
10.30.2017 WaPo Metro-budget-sees-no-fare-hikes-service-cuts-through-mid-2019-but-seeks-more-from-governments
10.28.2017 WaPo Virginia-is-betting-more-people-will-turn-to-transit-when-i-66-tolling-begins
10.25.2017 WaPo Can-new-group-of-corporate-heavyweights-succeed-with-metro-where-others-have-failed
10.23.2017 WaPo Bad-news-for-metro-riders-arcing-insulators-are-back-with-a-vengeance
10.16.2017 WaPo VA-gubernatorial-candidates-have-little-to-say-about-transportation
10.15.2017 WaPo Traffic-congestion-at-reagan-airport-sunday-linked-to-Metro-closure
10.14.2017 CETUSNEWS.com Gerry-Connolly-joins-Gov--Hogan-in-urging-ouster-of-Metro-board-chair-Jack-Evans
10.12.2017 WaPo Evans-threatens-to-block-transfer-of-metro-land-needed-for-purple-line-unless-MD-backs-board-changes
10.12.2017 WaPo Metro-to-remain-open-an-extra-hour-for-nats-game-and-wharf-opening
10.10.2017 WaPo Teleworking-may-mean-Metro's-lackluster-ridership-numbers-are-here-to-stay
10.8.2017 WaPo Opinion The-real-cause-of-Metros-troubles
10.7.2017 WMATA Metro Back 2 Good
10.6.2017 WAMU Lahood-metro-board-no-offense-time-go
10.6.2017 WaPo Lahood-defends-plan-to-scrap-metro-board: we-need-new-blood-new-thinking
10.2.2017 WTOP New-survey-reveals-Virginias-metro-riders
9.28.2017 Inside NOVA Leaders-seek-Metro-funding-education-reform-better-housing
9.28.2017 WaPo As reform ideas swirl, board chairman fears another year of scrambling to pay for Metro
9.28.2017 WAMU - Dedicated-funding-dead-metro-2018-business-leaders-shift-focus-governance-reform
9.24.2017 Washington business Journal Now-Metro-is-jumping-into-the-hq2-competition
9.20.2017 WAMU Whats-next-metro-funding
9.20.2017 WAMU What's Next for Metro Funding
9.17.2017 WaPo Metro board chairman splits with Wiedefeld, says $15.5 billion request is too conservative
9.17.2017 WaPo Metro-says-it-needs-$15.5-billion-over-10-years-and-thats-just-so-it-doesnt-get-worse
9.15.2017 WaPo Virginia-gets-more-from-metro-than-it-gives
9.11.2017 WaPo Two-weeks-after-saying-no-more-for-metro-Hogan-offers-500-million-extra-if-others-match-it
9.2.2017 WaPo Behind closed doors, region's leaders clashed sharply over Metro funding
8.28.2017 Washington Business Journal New analysis says Metro sales tax would unfairly burden poor families, suggests new tax on businesses
8.28.2017 WTOP DC mayor and Md., Va. governors meet for Metro, local issues
8.27.2017 WaPo Ahead of regional summit, left-leaning policy groups say `No' to a sales tax for Metro
8.26.2017 WaPo The District's death wish for Metro
8.25.2017 WTOP Lack of spare parts, training hinders Metro railcar maintenance: Report
8.24.2017 WaPo New dispute over cost of fixing Metro pits District against Virginia, Maryland
8.23.2017 WAMU Return Of Metro Safety Oversight To Washington Approved By Trump
8.23.2017 WAMU A New Metro Safety Commission Is Coming, Will It Be More Effective
8.13.2017 WTOP Plan to fix Metro soon to be public
8.12.2017 Frederick News Post Regional leaders will discuss Metro funding
8.11.2017 WaPo McAuliffe, Hogan and Bowser to meet Aug. 28 to try to narrow differences over Metro
8.11.2017 Loudoun Times Loudoun leaders pitch alternative Metro funding plan to rival regional sales tax proposal
7.19.2017 WTOP Metro funding fight continues with new Loudoun Co. proposal
7.7.2017 WaPo Study 'Buy America' imposes costly burdens on Metro and other transit agencies
7.6.2017 Inside NoVa Arlington Sun Gazette editorial Finances must be first step in Metro reform
6.30.2017 WaPo DMV Congress members to federal transportation officials We're fixing Metro. Now give us our money back.
6.29.2017 NYT Cuomo Declares a State of Emergency for New York City Subways
6.29.2017 WaPo For Metro, a coupon for a cup of coffee brings out the passion -- good and bad
6.27.2017 Greater, Greater Washington Almost everyone agrees WMATA needs funding
6.27.2017 WaPo Nonprofits say Metro needs dedicated funding before next fiscal year, even if gridlock delays labor, governance reforms
6.27.2017 COG RECAP At its June meeting, the TPB endorsed COG's Metro principles
6.23.2017 WAMU Metro At A Crossroads Which Way Will Riders Go
6.23.2017 WaPo With two arcing insulators and a Red Line meltdown, Metro riders wonder What did SafeTrack achieve
6.22.2017 WTOP 7 things to know about the upcoming Metro fare hikes
6.22.2017 WaPo 21 D.C.-area business groups agree on plan to fix Metro's finances, governance
6.21.2017 WTOP 5 things to know about Metro's cuts to rush-hour service, routes
6.21.2017 WTOP 6 things to know about Metro's new hours
6.21.2017 WaPo Holmes Norton to business leaders Want to save Metro Pull your strings
6.21.2017 Wash Times Metro's proposed reforms approved
6.20.2017 WaPo Metro opts for low-tech solution to track safety-- face-to-face conversations
6.18.2017 WaPo Md. lawmakers have plan to remake Metro and let each jurisdiction decide how to pay for it
6.16.2017 Coalition for Smarter Growth 4 new reports, 1 struggling Metro system
6.1.2017 WaPo Metro to launch new series of maintenance blitzes once SafeTrack ends. But don't call it SafeTrack 2.0.
5.27.2017 WaPo Slim majority of Northern Virginians favor regionwide sales tax to fund Metro
5.10.2017 WaPo Metro's new watchdog: Where there's money, there's often fraud, and if it exists, we want to find it
5.10.2017 WTOP In suggesting Metro fixes, LaHood plans to focus on consensus
5.7.2017 WaPo Grass-roots activists call for $1 billion in annual Metro funding -- and they have a plan
4.26.2017 Smarter Growth.net Regional groups respond to MWCOG report and call for dedicated funding for Metro
4.20.2017 WTOP What you need to know about Metro GM's plan to fund transit
4.19.2017 WaPo Metro GM proposes `new business model' and $500 million a year in extra funding to save D.C.-area transit agency
3.30.2017 WaPo Metro union calls for flat fares, dedicated taxes to rescue ridership and finances
3.23.2017 WaPo Virginia Gov. McAuliffe taps Ray LaHood to head panel to study Metro
3.23.2017 WaPo Metro makes it official Higher fares, reduced service coming July 1
3.21.2017 WaPo Trump budget blueprint doesn't bode well for Metro, Sen. Tim Kaine warns
3.17.2017 WTOP GOP-leaning group's analysis backs dedicated funding for Metro
3.16.2017 WaPo Trump budget plan would deal blow to Washington region's transit; Purple Line at risk
3.9.2017 GGWash.org Metro's 7000 series cars are starting to prove their worth
2.28.2017 WaPo Influential business group says Metro needs an emergency control board now
LEGACY DOCUMENTS RE: METRO AND LWVNCA


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Apologies to vegetarians, but this wonderful dish was cooked regularly by my Granny. On a Friday evening we would all arrive at Granny and Grandad’s house in Levenshulme, in Manchester and at tea time we would cram together around the small dining room table – often propped up on all sorts of improvised chairs. And then Granny would bring out this tasty pie.
It is simple, but needs to be made with love and patience. It tastes of happiness.
Ingredients for filling
1 large onion
500g of braising steak
1 pint of beef stock
Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees C (Gas mark 4). Cook onion gently in lard until translucent. Increase heat and cook meat that has been cut up into smallish pieces until nicely caramelised. Add beef stock, bay leaf, thyme and parsley, season and then transfer to oven.
Chop up carrots into small pieces and potatoes into fairly small lumps (similar size to meat pieces). After meat has cooked for 30 minutes add the carrots and potatoes to the pan. Cook for a further hour and 30 minutes or until meat is tender.
When filling is ready fill pie dish and cover with short crust pastry. Cook for a further half hour until pastry is ready.
Ingredients for pastry
220g Plain flour
50g of lard
50g of butter
Serve with red cabbage or baked beans.
After eating all go out to the pub. At least that’s what we all used to do.
Chop up and gently fry a large onion until translucent, add fresh chilli (or powder would do, but add it early on and don’t over heat). Add chopped garlic and then a chopped bell pepper and again fry but not to brownness, just to take the crispness out. Add a can of tomatoes, salt and pepper and cook very slowly.
You can also add chopped pickled jalapeno peppers and tomato sauce or a very a little sugar. You can also add chicken stock. The main thing is to taste it and neither over-cook it at the beginning nor rush the simmering – the slower and longer the better.
Towards the end add chopped fresh (the green leaves not the brown seeds) coriander (you can live without this but it really gives it the authentic Mexican feel).
This can be used as an accompaniment to tacos, tortillas or fajitas or it can be used to cover baked enchiladas. A little sugar or ketchup can help – but only a little.
Oh yes – and of course – lots of lemon or lime juice really helps.

domain: food


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NYC Will Turn 12,000 Old Parking Meters Into Bike Racks
NYC is retrofitting 12,000 old parking meters to turn them into bike racks.
Two years ago, New York City's Department of Transportation decided to transform some of the city's decommissioned parking meter poles into bike racks. In part, it was a way to help fix a new problem: when the city installed an electronic multi-meter parking system for cars, and took out the tops of the old parking meters, cyclists suddenly had fewer places to lock their bikes. Of course, those were never official bike racks, and weren't ideally suited for the task. By retrofitting the poles with new circular loops, the city created many more options for bike parking, helping solve the problem of one spot for every 30 cyclists.
After the initial trial of 200 meters was deemed a success, the city has decided to continue to retrofit the rest of the poles—12,000 in total. It's a smart idea. The city saves money on new bike racks, and makes use of something that otherwise might be torn up and thrown out. And every small step that makes biking easier, whether it's a better light or somewhere to park, helps get more bikes on the road. Other cities, from Boulder to Sacramento, are using similar designs.

domain: news


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Prime Minister Hun Sen has removed a Twitter post that attempted to connect the Cambodian opposition to a Thai politician’s failure this week to win enough parliamentary votes to become the country’s next prime minister.
Pita Limjaroenrat and his Move Forward Party fell short of the 375 votes needed to clinch power in an initial round of voting on Thursday.
Hun Sen tweeted that Pita’s setback was also “a major failure” to Cambodia’s exiled opposition activists. He was most likely referring to Sam Rainsy, the former head of the now-disbanded opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party who fled to France in 2015.
“These traitors always expected that when Pita becomes the prime minister of Thailand, they would use Thai territory to do a campaign against the Royal Government of Cambodia,” Hun Sen wrote in the tweet.
“Now the expectations of the brute opposition group have vanished like salt in water,” he said.
In May, Sam Rainsy told Radio Free Asia that if a new pro-democracy Thai government is formed, he would look into traveling to Cambodia through neighboring Thailand.
Thailand’s progressive Move Forward Party was the top vote getter in the May 14 general election. It heads a pro-democracy coalition trying to unseat an administration with deep military ties that has ruled Thailand for almost a decade.
Hun Sen has asked Thailand to arrest Sam Rainsy if he travels there. Last month, he publicly threatened to attack Sam Rainsy with a rocket launcher if he led workers from Thailand into Cambodia.
“Do not do politics that depend on somebody else,” the prime minister wrote in Thursday’s deleted tweet. “This is my goodwill message for the extremist groups.”
After it drew angry online comments, Hun Sen removed the post from Twitter.
“Absolutely ludicrous,” wrote Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch’s deputy Asia director.
Thai journalist Pravit Rojanaphruk tweeted that the 70-year-old Hun Sen is “a political dinosaur comfortable in the company of dictators.”
“When he looks at Pita, he sees the [political] liberalization & reform he fears might some day come to Cambodia,” he wrote.
Hun Sen posted another message on both Twitter and Telegram on Friday, writing that he doesn’t oppose Pita’s candidacy for prime minister.
“I respect the decision of the Thai people and I will not interfere in the internal affairs of Thailand,” he wrote. “I am ready to work with Thailand’s leader, regardless of who or which party.”
He added that Cambodian opposition activists should stop using Pita’s name – “who does not know he is being used” – to oppose the Cambodian government.
Finland-based political commentator Kim Sok said the first message made it seem like Hun Sen doesn’t understand diplomacy and politics, even though he served as Cambodia’s foreign minister during the 1980s.
“Normally, a leader of a country uses good words and avoids bad words to other countries’ politicians, especially those who win the election,” he said in an interview with Radio Free Asia on Friday.
Translated by Chandara Yang. Edited by Matt Reed.


Dimension: 3.380 Inch Length x 4.130 Inch Width x 6 Inch Height
Detailed Description: Eaton Series C 3-Pole Circuit breaker has current rating of 25 Amps and voltage rating of 600 VAC/250 VDC. Molded case Motor circuit breaker has non-aluminum line and load terminals for easy connectivity. Magnetic Motor circuit breaker has tripping range of 40 - 60 Amps. Motor circuit breaker measures 3.380 Inch x 4.130 Inch x 6 Inch. Molded case Motor circuit breaker is UL listed and CSA certified.
|Application||Commercial / Institutional Buildings / Structures - Commercial / Institutional Buildings / Structures - Other|
|Catalog Description||Series C, F-frame Motor Circuit Protector, Three-pole, NEMA size 0 starter, 600V, 250 Vdc maximum, Non-aluminum line and load terminals, 25A, 40-60A magnetic trip|
|Number Of Poles||3|
|Standard||UL Listed,CSA Certified,Contact Manufacturer|
|Type||Molded case circuit breaker accessory|


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KUHN square balers are designed with simple, yet efficient techniques that provides the capacity your baling operations require. The KUHN SB range is known for producing a perfectly square bale, combined with high output and outstanding durability. The SB range has a KUHN patented system called TWINPACT. The TWINPACT plunger technique has a lower power requirement and lends to more profitable baling operation.
These large sized square balers do need a high horsepower tractor capable of producing 500kg plus bales. By having consistently shaped bales makes it easier to handle and stack bales. This makes the bales much easier and stable to transport. This is all made possible thanks to KUHN’s POWER DENSITY system.
KUHN uses INTEGRAL ROTOR technology can be found the SB range. This intake system guarantees a huge throughput capacity at all times.
|Model||Bale height (cm)||Bale width (cm)||Bale length (cm)||PTO power requirement (hp)|
|SB 890 OC||90cm||80cm||60-300cm||120hp|
|SB 1270 X||70cm||120cm||60-300cm||130hp|
|SB 1270 X OC||70cm||120cm||60-300cm||155hp|
|SB 1290 OC||90cm||120cm||60-300cm||165hp|
|SB 1290 iD||90cm||120cm||60-300cm||180hp|
|SB 1290 iD OC||90cm||120cm||60-300cm||196hp|
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KUHN's Self-Propelled TMR Mixer wagons are used to reduce feeding times. These machines were developed to provide farmers with a compact, low height (ease of...view more
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It’s been a while since I posted / did anything blog related. Here are some quick updates and thoughts:
-I purchased two domains (FireSandy.com and FireSandyAlderson.com) shortly after the Bartolo Colon signing. Not sure what I will do with them but for now, they will forward traffic straight to The Banter.
-Over the last month, I must have heard a dozen people (Bill Simmons of Grantland and Drew Magary of Deadspin being two of them) say something along the lines of: “I hate fantasy football. It’s so frustrating, and I never win. I’m definitely going to quit.”
It's an extremely dumb argument.
Only one out of 12 teams can win fantasy football every year, just like only one of 32 teams can win the Super Bowl but no one - at least no one outside of Cleveland and Buffalo - says they are going to quit watching football because their team never wins.
Quit your whining.
-Jerry Crasnick of ESPN had this to say about Greg Maddux, “For a guy with a CPA's demeanor, he has a sense of humor that a 12-year-old would envy. Maddux is a master of strategically timed nose picking, sidling up to an unsuspecting rookie in the shower and urinating on the kid's leg.”
After pledging a fraternity in college and realizing how dumb I was, I can say with 100% certainty that if Maddux or anyone else every peed on my leg, they would be punched in the face.
-LA Dodgers GM Ned Coletti had this to say about Maddux, “He used to light guys' shoes on fire all the time. If somebody had a hot foot, 10 to 1 it was Greg who lit it."
This again highlights that Coletti has no idea how to use numbers. Saying someone is 10-1 to win something means he is much more likely not to have been the culprit.
Anyone that thinks it’s a good idea to give Coletti a blank checkbook to let him run a franchise is someone that I would love as an employer. Magic, you hiring?
-I will try to have a 2013 football wagering summary posted sometime soon. Overall, it was a positive year so can't complain too much but I'll get the official numbers on here.


Hailed as the Prince of the Saxophone, acclaimed saxophonist, Andrew Young, and his band will perform once again at the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre on Sunday 10 December.
The show is an eclectic mix of blues and rock ‘n roll, including Andrew’s unique performances of Watermelon Man, Georgia and Baker Street which have become the most requested songs of his repertoire.
Born in Liverpool, England and now residing in Vienna, Austria, Andrew performs across the globe to audiences as far afield as China and the Far East, Africa, The Caribbean and South America, and Europe.
Sharing the stage with South African artists like Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Jonathan Butler, as well as international stars like Shakatak, Shirley Bassey, Dionne Warwick, Matt Bianco and Precious Wilson Band, Andrew has captivated audiences with his melodic sounds. Andrew promises it to be an awesome show with some great music played by fantastic musicians, both local and international.
Andrew’s special guest in this Show is Rock Hall Of Fame and guitar legend Jethro Butow.


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So when I received this pattern from eBay I thought there had been some mistake and that I'd been sent someone's tracings instead of the actual pattern pieces. Until I noticed that on my other vintage patterns they stated 'Printed Pattern' and this one did not. Shock and horror. What on earth do I do with this?? Well first of all I Googled it just to be sure and yes it appears that original patterns had no printing.
I got down to tracing it and I didn't even notice that it had no printing. The perforations were a little tricky in places to see, but it was no problem at all.
This dress was an absolute breeze to make. In fact I actually made it last week and I didn't spend all that long over it
The pictures haven't come out as well as I wanted them to, but the bodice has kimono sleeves and a boat shaped neckline. I had a fair bit of re-drafting to do on the bodice because of the shoulders. In my first attempt I took almost 2 inches off the neckline, front the center, tapering it in a triangle shape down to the waist. This fit perfectly, however I forgot to amend the neckline and it was a very shallow odd looking v-shape. On my second draft I re-drew the neckline, (with a little help from my French curve) which fixed the problem. I then had to make adjustments to the skirt as I didn't have enough fabric and I also thought it would be way too big, or at least it would be for my comfort. So I also took 4 inches off the side of each skirt piece, which you cut double of.
I used some bias tape from Boyes to finish the hem. The hem looks so much sharper doing it this way rather than my usual attempt at blind stitching. I plan to wear this dress at a baby shower that I'm going to this week, which is why I'm not in the dress on the pictures.
Then, this week, I have managed to make a dress for a little person who is due to be born:
I'm not really so sure about this dress. I've never made a baby dress before and this one was free from a downloadable PDF that I found online. Don't get me wrong, it's a really cute dress pattern, but I think I made a poor fabric choice and the ribbon makes it look a bit gothic! However, it was made from scraps I had left over from another dress, so if the Mother doesn't like it she could always use it on a doll or as a duster ha ha!


Negative wrestler Masayo Tonseki grabs confidence with experience and horsepower September 28 at 12:48 a.m.
“I don’t want to hit everyone as much as possible.”
Masayo was once a hot topic as a negative wrestler from his remarks that showed a beary side at the Shin-Ten-Ryo press conference. With the mental strength he learned from his experience in the championship fight and the horsepower he had gained from his trained body, he won his first championship and ensured Oseki’s place.
A sumo wrestler without le0s.
“If I can get my own sumo, I think I’ll get some grades.”
After the first day of the tournament, Masayo, who talked flatly, did not have the image of him as a negative wrestler.
The 28-year-old Masayo was promoted to Shinsekiwaki in 2014 when he stepped on the first sumo ring in the former sumo tournament, and was promoted to Shinsekiwaki in 11 places. As a sumo wrestler who made his debut in the former sumo wrestling after Showa 33, which became a six-place system in the year, it was a speed success that entered three fingers.
It is also true that, on the other hand, a unique sense of sumo is highly evaluated, such as the softness of the upper body that receives the power of the opponent, and the strength at the end of the ring is highly evaluated, but there were many parents who pointed out the lack of things as negative “greedy wrestlers” including remarks at Shinju-Ryo and Shin-Inmaku press conference.
The first place “What I did was not a mistake”
It was the first time for me to say that such a sumo wrestler had become one of the turning points. Masayo spent about three years falling to the flat curtain from the three roles he grasped in his speed career.
I joined the championship fight until Chiakiraku in the first place, and I gave my best 13 wins in the fourth front to play against the top team, and looked back, “It was the first thing I was confident about, and I felt that what I had done so far was not a mistake.”
When I returned to Sekiwaki, I won for the first time in three roles, and in July, when I won 11 games, I experienced my second championship fight, and if I took my sumo wrestling, I was confident that I would not lose even against a high-ranking opponent.
“Pressure to come out in front”
So what is your sumo?
After that, we saw a big change in the way we took it. Up to now, Masayo, who has been conspicuously sumo wrestlers who receive the opponent’s attack with his chest from the height of his hips, has been attacking in front of him since the first place, and the president of the Japan Sumo Association, Hachikaku, said, “There is pressure to come out in front of him. The horsepower has increased.”
Masayo gave training centered on the lower body as one of the factors that increased horsepower. Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, the practice of bumping into each other was restricted, and from around May, when the summer place was canceled, “If you can’t get sumo, let’s face your body on the contrary” thorough training of the lower body using equipment to increase the instantaneous power. Masayo felt the effects of the training and became more confident, “the pressure has increased and there are fewer sumo wrestlers who are late because of their standing.”
The true value shown in the Oseki war
I’ve just picked you up. It was the late Oseki match in which Masayo, who had piled up a white star in sumo to go out from the first day and decide the game with a quick attack, showed his true value.
On the 13th day, in the match against Takakagekatsu, the power of the push will win against one of the best opponents in the active service, without lying down even one step.
On the 14th day of the match against Asanoyama, the team won the pressure on each other’s bodies and overslened Asanoyama by floating his hips.
President Hachikaku said, “We won the horsepower. I couldn’t imagine it.”
Then, he showed his strength to reverse the match at the end of the ring with Chiakiraku, who said he was “the most nervous in his sumo career” and won his first championship.
Masayo finally won the cup with the mental strength he had cultivated through many championship fights and the strength of his horsepower, which he proved by defeating both Oseki.
After the award ceremony, when asked about Oseki, whose promotion was certain, he replied, “It’s a position that takes a lot of responsibility, so I’ll leave it as if I could go up.”
However, the remark and the expression seemed to drift the style of Oseki which hidden confidence in the chest early unlike before.


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The netherlands has twelve new restaurants with a Michelin star, turns out on Monday with the publication in Amsterdam. Also there were two restaurants with two stars.
Inter Scaldes in the Zeeland place Kruiningen, De Leest in Vaassen and De Librije in Zwolle to maintain the three stars in the restaurants already had.
The number of restaurants with two stars increases from seventeen to nineteen. None of the existing tweesterrenrestaurants this year, a star is lost.
The restaurant Sabero, that in april 2018 opened its doors, got Monday two Michelin stars. It is not often that a restaurant at one time two stars.
There were twelve restaurants with one star, but there is also lost eleven. This is mainly because a number of restaurants over the past year the doors have closed. There are now 85 restaurants with one Michelin star.
In total, the Netherlands has now 107 michelin star restaurants. Last year there were 108.
Dutch chef do a lot of travelling and are open-minded
According to Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, is the number of starred restaurants since 1989, doubled. According to him, is the Netherlands, in particular because of the creativity of a fast-growing market. “Dutch chefs travel a lot and are open-minded,” he explains.
“They do a lot of international ideas and take ingredients and culinary delights from other countries. That they give with their own interpretation and a lot of creativity, a place in the Dutch kitchen. That development gives the Dutch kitchen international allure.”
These restaurants have two Michelin stars:
Pure C, Cadzand
Sabero, Roermond, The Netherlands
These restaurants got their first Michelin star:
The Millèn, Rotterdam
De Loohoeve, Schoonloo
Monarh, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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‘Michelin star opens doors to new audiences’


You can now purchase Scotload's load links and load shackles online for delivery in the UK!
8-10 Mariners Way
Isle of Wight
Tel: +44 (0) 1983 203600
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SilencerCo Barrel S&W M&P 9mm 4.75" SS 1/2"- 28 Threaded Muzzle
The only thing better than a normal pistol barrel is a threaded pistol barrel. All pistol silencers require one. SilencerCo noticed a market need for high quality pistol barrels and they stepped in to offer them. Holding to the same commitment to quality as all SilencerCo's products, the threaded barrels are tough enough to hold up under the harshest conditions. The barrels are constructed from 416R stainless steel and finished with a tough Black Nitride Finish.
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- Barrel Length: 4.75 Inches
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- Threaded Muzzle: Yes
- Threads: 1/2"-28
- Twist: 1:10"
This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. www.P65Warnings.ca.gov


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Allstate Northwest presents USO Northwest with a check for $50,000 in support of both active duty and transitioning military and their families.
Allstate Insurance is looking to fill as many as 400 positions in the Pacific Northwest. They are encouraging interested transitioning service members and military spouses go to www.allstateagent.com for more information.
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USO Northwest Continues COVID-19 Support
USO Northwest is adapting its mission to deal with the coronavirus. Supporting the troops is still our top priority. As the world stands mo…


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Embark on a cultural and flavorful adventure in Epcot’s World Showcase, where diverse cuisines and delightful drinks await. Many visitors wish to experience what it feels like to drink around the world at Epcot and create lasting memories while at it. In this guide, we’ll explore must-try drinks from Epcot’s International Pavilions, ensuring your journey is as flavorful as it is cultural.
Mexico Pavilion: Savoring the Mexican Vibes
Welcome to Mexico, a pavilion bursting with life, color, and the enchanting tunes of traditional music. La Cava del Tequila stands as a gateway to a sensory delight, offering not just drinks but a cultural immersion. The margaritas crafted here aren’t mere beverages; they are like poetic expressions of Mexico’s spirited essence. As you sip and savor, let the lively atmosphere paint a vivid picture of Mexico’s rich heritage and traditions.
Norway Pavilion: Nordic Tales and Frozen Dreams Unveiled
Transitioning to Norway, you step into a realm where fairy tales come alive, castles stand tall, and the stories of Frozen echo in the air. The journey goes beyond the attractions – it’s about embracing Nordic elegance. While exploring the pavilion, indulge in the authentic Norwegian beers; they’re like a gateway to the heart of Scandinavia. And don’t miss the Troll Kreme, a frozen concoction that transcends the boundaries of mere refreshment; it’s a sip into Norway’s magical storytelling.
China Pavilion: Sipping Tea Amidst Timeless Beauty
In the China Pavilion, a timeless blend of ancient beauty and modern allure unfolds. The Joy of Tea is more than just a stop; it’s a cultural experience. Imagine sipping on tea or trying special cocktails like the Canto Loopy – a dance of vodka and cantaloupe juice. The pavilion is not just about drinks; it’s a canvas where tradition meets modernity. As you enjoy your beverage, soak in the intricate beauty and vibrant energy that define China’s cultural richness.
Germany Pavilion: Beers, Bratwurst, and the Warmth of Tradition
As you step into the Germany Pavilion, you find yourself in a cozy town square adorned with charm. Weinkeller, an establishment where one can sample German wines and beers, provides more than drinks; it is an immersive journey into German viticulture. Their beer cart provides plenty of selection but more importantly, provides insight into German brewing traditions. Don’t forget to savor a bratwurst amidst the scenic surroundings – it’s more than a snack; it’s a taste of Germany’s warmth and hospitality.
Overall Budgeting Tips: Crafting a Seamless and Flavorful Experience
While the allure of drinks around the world captivates, let’s talk about planning a day that’s not just delightful but also mindful of your pocket. On average, the cost of indulging in the diverse array of drinks might hover around $150. But here’s a pro tip – budget around $300 per person. This not only covers the delightful drinks but also sets aside room for tasty snacks and perhaps a sit-down meal, turning your day into a well-rounded exploration of flavors and culture.
Enjoying the Scenic Beauty and Cultural Gems: Beyond the Drinks
Beyond the delightful drinks, each pavilion has a unique story to tell, woven into its architecture and ambiance. In Mexico, vibrant colors and traditional music create a festive atmosphere, offering a glimpse into the heart of the country’s cultural celebrations. Norway’s architecture and the enchanting Frozen Ever After ride immerse visitors in Nordic tales, capturing the essence of Scandinavian folklore.
China, with its blend of old and new, provides a picturesque setting, inviting guests to explore its timeless beauty. Germany’s cozy town square is more than just a backdrop; it’s a warm embrace of tradition and hospitality.
Exploring Cultural Richness Beyond Drinks
As you sip and savor, explore the unique cultural offerings in each pavilion. Visit the shops in Germany’s Weinkeller, where you can sample wines and beers. Enjoy the traditional music in Mexico and the authentic Nordic beers in Norway. Each pavilion is like a little world of its own, waiting to be discovered.
Making Memories: Capture the Moments in Each Country
Remember to capture the moments! Take photos in front of iconic landmarks, enjoy the sights, and maybe even join in the cultural activities happening in each pavilion. It’s not just about the drinks; it’s about creating lasting memories of your global journey.
To sum it up, Epcot’s World Showcase is like a big storybook with each country telling its tale. From the lively colors of Mexico to the Frozen stories in Norway, the beauty of China, and the cozy charm of Germany – each country is like a new chapter. So, when you plan your visit, think of drinking around the world at Epcot as not just a thing to do but a way to add flavor to your park adventure.


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Have you received your latest EPF @ KWSP statement of account? I remember few years back, I received my EPF @ KWSP statement by middle or end of March. But, since last year I didn't received the annual statement of account. I am sure as an EPF @ KWSP account holder, you wish to know the amount of saving you have in our retirement fund, right? Here are 2 ways how you can get your latest EFP @ KWSP account statement:
1) By printing the account statement from EPF @ KWSP Smart Kiosks. This was what me and my colleagues did. We went to the nearest Smart Kiosks and printed out the previous year and current year statement. You can find the Smart Kiosk at all EPF @ KWSP offices nationwide or some selected banks and also at National Heart Institute. Please check the complete Smart Kiosks list here.
2) By registering i-Akaun. Basically i-Akaun is an online account where EPF @ KWSP members or employees can access services offered by EPF @ KWSP. It's something like e-banking and its main purpose is to facilitate its members and employer to view and update their personal details on EPF @ KWSP matters via online. Members can also use the calculator to check their withdrawal eligibility. I registered mine earlier this month. I find that it's easier for me to monitor my EFP @ KWSP transactions. Before registering for i-Akaun, make sure you've your Activation Code and EPF number ready. You can get the Activation Code from EPF @ KWSP offices or through Smart Kiosks. Then, follow the step-by-step here.
So, if you are wondering how much you have in your EFP @ KWSP account, why not register for i-Akaun? It's convenient and save you a lot of time.

domain: finance


The brand new BBC iPlayer launched in Beta* yesterday. It now contains all the material of the old one, in a slightly different layout for each of the pages. However in addition there is a built in personal area.
The site incorporates the BBC iD system with social networking sites Facebook and Twitter. Not only can I listen and watch things on the BBC iPlayer, but I can also mark it as a recommendation. Those recommendations will then appear for all to see on my personal (private) Facebook page and personal (public) Twitter page.
If you don’t have either Facebook or Twitter, you can see my iPlayer profile page at id.bbc.co.uk/users/fredhart to see all my recommendations. I’m going to try and make sure my recommendations are not the mainstream programmes which everyone watches, but one-off/special programmes and documentaries.
So far I’ve recommended 2 Radio 2 documentaries:
- They Ain’t Heavy, They’re the Hollies – part 1 of a 2-part documentary presented by Brian Matthew.
- Let It Be – 40th Anniversary – where 6 Music presenter Guy Garvey looks at the fractious sessions that documented the end of The Beatles.
Take a look at the BBC Internet Blog posting to see more on the features in details. There’s also a press release available from the BBC Press Office, which states some rather interesting additions for the future…
Later in the summer, audiences will also be able to find links to programmes from ITV Player, 4oD, Clic, Demand Five and SeeSaw – as a result of partnership deals with public service broadcasters ITV, Channel 4, S4C and Five, and communications infrastructure and media services company Arqiva.
These “metadata partnerships” mean that audiences looking for long-form programmes from other TV services will be directed to their websites: BBC iPlayer will link and drive traffic to them, without any sharing of technology or syndication of content.
BBC Press Office
I’ll leave you to play with it yourself now.
*See the Wikipedia entry on software release life cycles for a definition of “Beta”.


The head of the Kirov traffic police have detained on the case about swindle
MOSCOW, 22 Jan — RIA Novosti. The head of traffic police across the Kirov region Alexander Plotnikov was arrested on suspicion of fraud in the implementation of the KAMAZ trucks, the damage is estimated at 837 million roubles, informs investigatory management SK on region.
“On suspicion of committing crimes stipulated by articles “fraud committed in especially large size”, “creation of criminal community and participation in it” and “excess of powers of office with causing of heavy consequences” detained the chief of UGIBDD UMVD of Russia across the Kirov region Alexander Plotnikov”, — stated in the message.
In the near future it is planned to solve a question on election to it measures of restraint.
According to investigators, the Director of “TD “Auto”, the main activity is wholesale trade of cars, has created criminal community which structure included the Director and commercial Director of “Robezniece”, as well as a number of employees of traffic police of the Kirov region.
According to investigators, from 1 January 2014 to 2 October 2017 these people “acquired 279 of Assembly kits of vehicles on the chassis “KAMAZ” corresponding to the second ecological class (the implementation for the purpose of operating in the domestic market of the Russian Federation is prohibited)”. Then, according to the Agency, they falsified passport of the cars, making them inaccurate information regarding their compliance with the fourth ecological class, and without paying the recycling fee, illegally registered them in MREO traffic police.


text:
The ChuckIt! Sport Ball Launcher is a versatile and convenient tool designed to make playing fetch with your dog easy and enjoyable. Measuring 18 inches in length, it provides an extended reach, allowing you to throw tennis balls effortlessly. This launcher enhances the throwing distance, which means more exercise for your dog and less effort for you. Its ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable and secure grip, reducing the strain on your arm during playtime. The ChuckIt! Sport Ball Launcher is compatible with standard tennis balls and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, making it an ideal addition to your dog's exercise routine.
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4. Compatibility: It's compatible with standard tennis balls, readily available in most stores.
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Why Choose ChuckIt! Sport Ball Launcher Medium 18 inch?
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The ChuckIt! Sport Ball Launcher Medium 18 inch is a must-have for dog owners who want to make fetch an enjoyable and less strenuous activity. With its extended reach and ergonomic handle, it simplifies the process of playing fetch with your dog, giving them the exercise they crave. The compatibility with standard tennis balls ensures that you can keep the fun going without hassle. Whether you're indoors or outdoors, this Ball Launcher is a fantastic tool to make sure your dog stays active and happy.

domain: pet


text:
@9 months ago with 26 notes
#philadelphia #philly #vegan
Top Ten Upscale Vegan Restaurants brought to you by SHAPE Magazine
How many have you been to? We’ve only tried Real Food Daily and Candle 79 but we’d like to try them all!
Here’s the list:
1. Blossom: NY
2. Karyn’s on Green: Chicago
3. Candle 79: NY
4. Plum Bistro: Seattle
5. Pure Food & Wine: NY
6. G-Zen: Brandford, CT.
7. Vegde: Philly
8. Real Food Daily, LA (we love this one!)
9. Millennium: SF (going to SF soon so this will be on the to try list)
10. True Bistro: Boston
It’s surprising there aren’t more Seattle options as Seattle was recently named the top city for vegetarian and vegan dining. Looks like New york is in the running! Next time you are in one of these cities make sure to add one of these restaurants on your list.
Been to True Bistro! Represent, Boston.
Definetly going to Vedge next weekend while up in Philly to scope it out. :) Hope I’m impressed and get to make it my go to fancy place once I move.


text: Matthew(i) 29 Wher is wo? wher is sorow? where is strife? where is brauling? wher are wounds without cause? wher be reed eies? 30 Euen among those that be euer at the wyne, and seke out where the best is. 31 Loke not thou vpon the wyne, how redde it is, & what a coloure it geueth in the glasse 32 It goeth downe softly, but at the laste it byteth lyke a serpent, & styngeth, as an Adder. 33 So shall thyne eyes loke vnto straunge wemen, and thyne herte shal muse vpon froward thyngs. 34 Yea thou shalt be as thoughe thou sleptest in the middest of that sea, or vpon the toppe of the mast. 35 They wounded me (shalte thou say) but it hath not hurte me, they smote me, but I felt it not. When I am well wakened, I will go to the dryncke agayne.

domain: literature


text:
2266 Hotell Fant nær Dante's House, Viser 316-330
fra US$ 141.23
Featuring free WiFi, Apartment delle Brache offers pet-friendly accommodation in Florence. Montecatini Terme is 41 km away.
The accommodation is air conditioned and features a seating area. There is ...
mer informasjon om apartment delle brache
Ponte Vecchio Penthouse offers pet-friendly accommodation in Florence, 100 metres from Ponte Vecchio. The apartment is 200 metres from Piazza della Signoria. Free WiFi is provided throughout the prope...
mer informasjon om santo stefano penthouse
fra US$ 114.07
Set in a historical building in Florence city centre, Residenza Sassetti features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, a 1-minute walk from Piazza della Repubblica square and 350 metres from ...
mer informasjon om residenza sassetti
Era Rental tilbyr panoramaleiligheter midt i Firenze, kun få meter fra Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Alle leilighetene har trebjelker i taket, terrakottagulv, klimaanlegg, gratis Wi-Fi og utsikt ...
mer informasjon om era rental apartments
fra US$ 101.85
Central location. We could walk to all the sites. Apartment was large and well equipped. It was a relatively easy walk from the station with luggage. Office for check-in was between station and apartment so easy to access. - Good location, the design of the appartment is interesting, all equipment is modern.
fra US$ 127.10
Palazzo Ruspoli is conveniently set in Florence centre, overlooking Florence Cathedral. It offers rooms with TV, minibar and work desk around 700 metres away from Santa Maria Novella Station. Wi-Fi is...
mer informasjon om palazzo ruspoli
The location is amazing. You cant get a better location in Florence for the price. -
The room is big and the location is excellent.
fra US$ 80.46
B&B Tourist House Ricci is located literally one minutes' walk from Florence's cathedral and Piazza Duomo. It offers rooms with free Wi-Fi in a historic building from the 1700s.
This family-run bed a...
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We were impressed by maps and useful information of the city given after checking in at the hotel by a hotel staff.
The hotel is few steps of walk to Duomo.
To our knowledge, there aren't many public toilets available in Florence. So, we found it very convenient to go back and forth between the hotel and tourist attractions during the day in case... hva folk sier » that we had to use toilet without waiting in the long line.
Even though the breakfast isn't included, the unlimited amount of drinking water and cup -
We were presently surprised to discover that there is a little kirchen in our room so we were able to prepare our favorite hot instant comfort food! We can be adventurous with our food but having the freedom to be just lazy and not go out to eat is also welcome to weary teavellers :-) Our room was charming! Bathroom linens were elegantly bunched together with silk crimson ribbons on top of our beds :-) Coffee is dispensed in wide array of choices in a vendo but mind you, they are not instant co
fra US$ 86.90
The Black 5 Townhouse Suite is located in the Santa Croce area of Florence’s historical centre. It offers air-conditioned rooms with a minibar with free mineral water, and free internet access.
mer informasjon om black 5 florence
People have complaints about the reception speaking English. We had no
trouble communicating with the staff, even given our limited Italian.
Also, if you want to hang out in Florence after check-out, they will
hold your luggage, which is very helpful. -
This hotel is very central and good value for money, better than the 4 star hotels we used in ... hva folk sier » Rome and Pisa. Beds very comfortable, free water in the fridge and very friendly staff.
fra US$ 57.03
Bel Duomo is run by an Italian-English family. It offers en suite rooms with free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. It is 50 metres from the Cathedral, and a 10-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella Train St...
mer informasjon om guesthouse bel duomo
Right after the booking I got an e-mail from the staff, which welcomed my booking and gave basic info about the B&B.
The B&B was easy to find, almost next to the Duomo. The B&B was on the second floor, with about 40 steps of stairs. The room with the external bathroom was basic with queen bed, TV, little table, minibar, chair, cupboard... hva folk sier » . The room also accommodated an extra bed.
The bathroom was about 5-6 metres away from the room, across the reception area.
Mandy was very nice in th -
Mandy and her staff were so very helpful. The beds were very comfortable
(and large) for Europe - Actually the most comfortable we've slept
in since beginning our European travels nearly a year ago. The location
is excellent - a short walk from the train station and right next to the
Duomo. It is an easy walk to most of the sites, and in the heart of the
beautiful city. Even so, when the windows were closed, we could not hear
any of the noise from outside. We would certainly stay here again - a
fra US$ 51.60
Domus Duomo is set in an 18th-century building just 50 metres from Florence Cathedral. The property offers free Wi-Fi, and colourful rooms facing the cathedral or Borgo San Lorenzo street. A shared ki...
mer informasjon om domus duomo
Excellent location to the church which is the main attraction in Florence. The room had a dedicated shower just down the hallway with a fabulous shower with hot water, which we looked forward to at the end of every day. -
A really nice place, we liked specially the little tour created for us in few minutes by the receptionist and the fantastic lo... hva folk sier » cation, WONDERFUL!!!
fra US$ 149.38
Ideally located 70 metres from Florence’s Ponte Vecchio bridge, Four Rooms B&B is 150 metres from Piazza della Signoria Square with the famous Uffizi Gallery. It offers free fruit, snacks and drinking...
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Apartment Cerretani 1 is a pleasant studio apartment located in the centre of Florence.
The property is in one of the streets leading to the very famous Duomo Square which is only 100 metres away. In...
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Apartment Cerretani 4 is a pleasant apartment located in the centre of Florence.
The apartment is in one of the streets leading to the very famous Duomo Square which is only a hundred metres away. In...
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Viser 316-330 av 2266 hoteller

domain: travel


September 23, 2014
Deadline Extended for 2014 DOB Codes
The New York City Council has passed legislation that postpones the effective date of the 2014 DOB Construction Codes from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
The 2014 NYC Construction Codes may be viewed here, along with various resources and training materials.
It is important to be prepared for the 2014 Construction Codes changes. If you need our assistance, please reach out to us at firstname.lastname@example.org or call us at (212) 563-6760. We’ll be glad to help.


U.S. hospitals operate with minimal to no cybersecurity programs and face a bevy of challenges from staffing to COVID pandemic-related strains. These concerns prompted healthcare leaders to press legislators for federal incentives and new mandates for base-level cybersecurity standards.
Kate Pierce, Fortified Health Security’s senior virtual information security officer, outlined the current challenges facing healthcare at the Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee on Thursday.
But failure to implement best practice security isn’t necessarily rooted in a lack of lawmakers’ understanding.
Under current regulations, healthcare delivery organizations are required to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The trouble is the Security Rule has just 42 controls, compared to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework employed by most industries — except healthcare.
And despite the minimum standards, a September 2020 CynergisTek report showed that just 76% of healthcare providers comply with the rule. These security gaps have left the industry with a heightened threat landscape, further compounded by a reliance on legacy platforms and an ever-expanding device inventory.
Awareness of the issues is at an all time high, given the daily reports of hospital outages and massive data breaches; even congressional members have been impacted.
Further, healthcare organizations were required to perform risk assessments after the implementation of the HITECH Act in 2009, Pierce explained. “So everyone is now aware of where their risks are.” But “they’re choosing to accept those risks in lieu of mostly financial reasons where they can’t afford or can’t staff their personnel to address those risks,” she added.
“Small and rural facilities are currently devastated by the pandemic with staffing shortages. They’ve seen significant increases in cost with supply chain and technical costs skyrocketing,” said Pierce. These facilities also tend to serve lower income patients, as the Medicaid population is typically higher in rural facilities.
That means hospitals, already operating in the red, then have to wait for Medicaid reimbursement for payment, which historically lags and is lower than the average cost of care. These hospitals are facing high costs, combined with some entities running 5% to 10% below budget for their facilities.
By moving to a required security model, “I believe that those recommendations and guidance will be very helpful in moving that sector to secure their environments.” Especially as the challenges facing these entities will only worsen with the continued expansion of digital health and connected devices and cybersecurity remains a second thought.
“Cybersecurity initiatives cannot be considered in isolation,” said Pierce. “Cybersecurity should be a built-in requirement for all hospitals with minimum standards, and Medicaid should be reimbursed at cost.”
This can be through hospital subsidies, in the form of grants, by increasing reimbursement for Medicaid services, or cyber incentive programs, as cybersecurity, or lack thereof, has a direct and immediate impact on patient care.
Not another framework: Senate urged to use industry guidance
That’s not to say the government needs to start from scratch on building a framework. As SC Media has extensively reported, there’s no shortage of recommendations or guidance — and much of it is freely available.
The leading recommendation from healthcare stakeholder groups is to leverage existing guidance developed “by the sector for the sector and jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services,” Greg Garcia, executive director of cyber security for the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council, told the committee.
Developed by the section 405d task group, the five-volume voluntary guidance will be updated in a few weeks as Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices 2023. Garcia added that these are developed practices of “minimum security standards all health systems should be implementing.”
“There is a glut of information security best practices out there,” said Garcia. The government just needs “to pick one because there is a lot of confusion.” HSCC advocates for the HICP, as it’s “probably the best effort at a joint government industry publication offered freely accessible to all health systems.”
But once a framework is chosen, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency needs to “follow and push that along with” the industry, he continued.
As it stands, it’s the small, rural, and other low-resourced entities that are unable to make use of available information, explained Pierce. “It’s not a priority currently because there are so many other things that are competing with it.” That, and there may or may not be the staff to put those best practices into place.
Particularly as these are just just a set of recommendations and not a requirement.
The healthcare sector also needs help ensuring there is adequate staff to execute and implement those best practices, said Dresen.
Ideally, the government would advocate or sponsor “programming to help build a cyber educated workforce,” explained Dresen. That way, there are enough qualified individuals to join these under-resourced entities to implement the best practices.
In its current state, “nearly all the staff in critical access hospitals or small facilities wear many hats,” Pierce added. “They don’t specifically focus on cybersecurity.”
Some type of workforce program, previously introduced by Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., “would be extremely useful in the context of healthcare” and give these entities the ”ability to hire people and get them implementing those best practices to support our protections,” said Dresen.
Beyond the echo chamber
The committee meeting provided insights industry stakeholders have been seeking from the government for several years. At a similar hearing in May 2022, Josh Corman, founder of the voluntary organization of security professionals I am the Cavalry, warned that “voluntary practices, where we take our time, have not proven sufficient to transcend the market failures.”
Despite warning that there simply isn’t “sufficient reach to these cyber-poor [organizations],” it wasn’t until Warner’s policy options were released in the fall that it seemed like stakeholders’ concerns were being heard. The paper mirrored Corman’s previous warning, “Congress wants action, entities must be incentivized to do so: “we need sticks and carrots.”
Christian Dameff, MD, an emergency room physician at the University of California San Diego, made similar statements in April 2022 to Congress.
Healthcare sector leaders are growing worried that federal support will continue to take time. Pierce urged the committee “to not delay any longer. “Many [hospitals] are already on the brink of closure.”
“With the competing priorities… it’s very difficult to focus on something that is not required,” said Pierce. “If I had 10 things to do today, and I knew that two of them were mandated… those are the things that I’ll focus on.” As the government continues to seek recommendations, leadership must make it an imperative to implement best practice standards.
But not “without supporting us in achieving those standards,” she concluded.
READ MORE HERE


text: Bring together a group of friends or strangers. Everyone closes their eyes and tunes in to their experience. Anyone can then offer a suggestion for what the group should pay attention to in the meditation, based on what they are aware of in the moment. 'Become aware of your hands', 'Imagine that there is no ground beneath you', 'Take a breath and feel down into your chest', etc. Everyone is invited to share suggestions, going with a natural flow, for 5-10 minutes.

domain: psychology