Jack Benedict gets his hands on the final beam for the $28 million Hampton Inn & Suites on the Medical Mile. Third Coast Development sees the hotel as just the beginning for development along the Michigan Street Corridor. Courtesy Third Coast Development
“For the Michigan Street Corridor … 2015 will be the line in the sand. It’s when the trees get planted.”
Max Benedict said it confidently, a smile on his face. Last month, Benedict, a principal at Grand Rapids-based Third Coast Development, placed his infant son Jack’s hand on the final beam set in place for Third Coast’s$28 million Hampton Inn & Suites hotel.
The hotel, along with its award-winning Mid Towne Village project, will continue to anchor Third Coast’s presence on the corridor. For Benedict, it was a moment that carried the intoxicating gravitas that occurs when business goals and personal dreams converge.
When it’s completed, the five-story, 90,000-square-foot hotel, which is being co-managed by Third Coast with Mount Pleasant-based Lodgco Management, will feature 142 rooms and a three-level parking garage for 200 cars.
Located east of the center of the Medical Mile and just north of Michigan Street, at 425 Dudley Place NE, the hotel, which was designed by Grand Rapids-based Integrated Architecture and is being built by Grand Rapids-based Pioneer Construction, is tentatively expected to open Sept. 1 of this year.
It’s just one of many plans Benedict and his partners at Third Coast have for the Michigan Street Corridor this year. In fact, the Michigan Street Corridor Association recently appointed Benedict secretary of its executive board. His role will be to lead the process of applying for a Community Involvement District/Business Improvement District for the corridor, after a recent study deemed it a feasible district for a CID/BID.
The Michigan Street Corridor Association defines the area as bound by Bostwick Avenue to the west, Plymouth Avenue to the east, the Ford Freeway to the north and Fulton Street to the south.
The CID is what the MSCA is currently working to get approved, Benedict said.
“We just put out our notice of public hearing, so there’s 60 days, and then in March we’re going to have a public hearing on it held at the City High School — that’s the next biggest hurdle. Then it goes to city commission for approval and then we’ll be establishing just the CID portion of it this summer,” he said.
“That will allow us … for that corridor, for the participating parcels, to collect that tax increment. So we’d be setting the baseline here this year and then, as property taxes increase, we’d be able to take that increase and determine amongst ourselves how we’d like to spend it.”
That initial amount isn’t forecast to be very much, Benedict said, but whatever comes in would be prioritized on branding the Michigan Street Corridor, similar to what the Uptown District did with East Hills and Eastown, he said: bike racks, banners on light poles and advertising.
But the new hotel is what’s really key.
“The thing that’s really interesting and exciting about our district more so than others — not to pooh-pooh anyone else, but in places like Eastown, for example, I don’t want to say never, but they’re not going to get a $30 million hotel plopped down in the middle of Eastown, for a whole bunch of reasons. We actually have that going in,” he said.
“Not only is it this, but you’ve got our other apartment buildings that are going up at Michigan and Union. You’ve got Derek Coppess at 616 (Development) doing his. All of this is going to be (after) the baseline is set.”
Michigan Street is the street that never seems to sleep. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., “you’ve got the biggest employer in West Michigan based there,” Benedict said, referring to Spectrum Health. After 5 p.m., the street has earned the nickname of “Bar Row.” That’s the magic of an “arterial street” — one that goes through the heart of the city, he said.
And this is all without mentioning what development does for taxes and property values in the area, said David Levitt, principal and co-founder at Third Coast.
“The other thing we’re really excited about as business and building owners in the area … when these buildings that are being built now roll off, you’re talking about a very large amount of money. The tax increment the hotel alone is going to create is about $300,000 in today’s dollars. So 15 years forward, it might be half a million just from that one building,” Levitt said.
“When you’re talking about the types of money that are going to be available in this corridor, different from all the other corridors, it’s a fairly significant amount of money to be invested in really cool things in that area, which really I think helps toward this notion of the Michigan Street Corridor being that second destination, the complementary destination to downtown.”
Part of the reason this arterial street is needed is because the downtown area is losing its middle-class housing, Levitt said. With the median annual income in Grand Rapids at about $39,000, it’s not always easy to find a place near downtown to live, he said. There’s a big gap in housing costs that is creating issues of affordability.
“You’re either up here in the $2.10 per foot/per month range — very often plus parking. Or if you’re in the income-restricted stuff based on federal programs and guidelines … those rates are sort of in the $1 range. Well, what happens if you can’t afford the $2.10 per foot and you make too much money to qualify for the $1 range? Where do you go?” Levitt said.
“What we think is cool, healthy and consistent with how other cities have grown … (is that) by creating this second place, we can hit that mid-range income. And (since) not everybody can afford that either, we’re looking at income restrictions for the corridor. We think that would be a healthy thing.”
One reason for the growth of corridors is to accommodate those who want affordable housing that is close enough to be part of the vibe of downtown. The Michigan Street Corridor could help develop the community in a way that people can live close enough to the downtown to contribute to and enjoy the city’s energy.
Corridors drive the development of the city, Levitt said.
“You can’t just have two classes of housing. You can’t have housing for the rich and housing for the poor and nothing in the middle. You have to have that ‘aspirational’ housing, or the whole thing collapses … and everyone moves out to the suburbs,” he said.
“But those who want to be in the city need a place to be. And there needs to be housing and amenities for people of all income ranges, not just lots of disposable income or none.”
As for the city, things are looking strong for Grand Rapids, Levitt said. There is demand for more development, and the biggest issue facing the business community now is balancing the supply/demand, Levitt said.
Not all of the sectors are back yet, but they likely will be soon, he said.
“Office is not back. Office is clearly the weak spot. I don’t know when or how that wave rides,” he said. “I think what we’re seeing is there’s a lot of demand for housing, mixed-use retail, and there’s industrial, but the pricing for industrial isn’t high enough yet to spur new development.”


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The magic of travelling, exposing oneself to new cultures and experiences, can be a powerful experience for many people. At the same time, when travelling you can often witness the impact that this industry has on the culture and environment of many nations, which poses a problem for the conscious traveller. Is there a way to engage in this industry with ethics and integrity? Sustainable tourism is a growing industry about which there’s much to learn. Let these books inspire you to change the way you travel.
1) Overbooked: The Exploding Business Of Travel And Tourism By Elizabeth Becker
Elizabeth Becker exposes the dark side of travel in this journalistic takedown of a problematic industry. Beginning with the explosion of international travel that resulted at the end of the Cold War, Overbooked reveals the power of an industry that employs one in every twelve people around the world and the capacity of that industry to do huge damage. Becker’s book is itself a world tour as it explores the impact of tourism on everywhere from Angkor Wat to Costa Rica and explores the wide-ranging implications of global travel.
2) Taking Responsibility For Tourism By Harold Goodwin
As a professor at Leeds and Manchester, Harold Goodwin literally wrote the book on sustainable tourism and you’re about to read it. Goodwin is one of the most esteemed voices in this industry and although Taking Responsibility has a more academic tone it’s still an exceptionally valuable read for those with either a personal or professional interest in responsible travel.
Activists, travellers, academics and policy makers will all learn something from this informative tome. Over the course of the book Goodwin builds a compelling argument that tourism needs to be developed with sustainability and responsible practices at their heart, and that ultimately tourism can be a source of good in the world. As a counter narrative to exploitative tourism, Goodwin is both persuasive and inspiring.
3) Going Local: Experiences And Encounters On The Road By Nicholas Kontis
Nicholas Kontis’s 2016 book is written with a deep understanding of what modern travellers seek on their journey. For those who pursue sustainable tourism an experience of historic sites or bucket-list activities isn’t sufficient without a sense that the experience is authentic – that there is a genuine interaction with another culture taking place. With this in mind, Kontis’s account of his travelling experience is appealing to a modern reader as he speaks sensitively of his incredible travels.
“Inspirational accounts of globe-trotting adventure that will set off the wanderlust in anyone’s heart,” says Crystal Devries, travel writer at Uktopwriters and OXEssays “but what’s more is that Kontis explores the economic and environmental impact of those adventures with a highly conscious and informed tone. On his travels he immersed himself in other countries, abandoning western conceits and anyone seeking authentic experiences across the globe will learn from this practice.”
4) Sustainable Tourism On A Finite Planet By Megan Epler Wood
As founder of The International Ecotourism Society, Megan Epler Wood knows a few things about sustainable travel and her book begins with the simple premise that resources on our planet are finite and we must find ways to preserve them. Lucia Jacobson, sustainability expert at Big Assignments and Revieweal tells how “Wood explores tourism from an angle that prioritises the environment, and as such leaves cultural impact relatively unexplored. The book is nevertheless engaging and highlights the importance of sustainable environmental practices in international travel.”
5) Sustainable Escapes By Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet have been creating valuable travel guides for decades and their contribution to sustainable tourism comes in their book Sustainable Escapes. This book contains 180 environmentally sound trips to give you itchy feet, each of which has been examined in-depth and signed off by Lonely Planet journalists. Whether you’re actively planning a trip or just enjoying the daydreaming, the eco-lodges and wildlife tours contained within its pages will inspire you to change the way you travel and promote sustainability through your own tourism practices in the future.
Sustainability is increasingly important in a world of dwindling resources and whether it’s the Amazon jungle or the Saudi desert every landscape is being impacted by tourism. These five engaging books will inspire your next trip and change the way you think about travel. Bon voyage!
Katherine Rundell is a writer at Best Essay Services and Top Writing Services websites. She’s an explorer at heart and loves an adventure that prioritises sustainability and ethical travel. She also works as a tutor at Top Canadian Writers service.

domain: travel


text:
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domain: design


text:
Here's a look at the key takeaways from Tuesday's pro-day action.
Arizona: Hill helps his stock
Big draw:WR Austin Hill
Don't forget: OL Mickey Baucus
Notable attendees:12 NFL teams sent at least one representative.
The skinny:Not much information got out of Tucson with a pro day that was closed to media members and fans, but NFL Media analyst Gil Brandt reported that Hill ran a 4.57 40-yard dash and had a good positional workout. Hill posted impressive numbers in college and has quality tape, so a good day on the turf might have boosted his stock.
Harvard: Hodges stands out during drills
Big draw:LB Zack Hodges
Don't forget:OL Nicholas Easton
Notable attendees:Over a dozen teams had a representative on hand.
The skinny:Hodges was the big name that brought scouts out to the Crimson's indoor facility, and he did not disappoint, putting in a terrific agility workout. He stood on several of his numbers from the combine but did post a short-shuttle time that was nearly one-tenth of a second better than what he ran in Indy.
Kansas State: Mueller shows off versatility
Big draw:WR Tyler Lockett
Don't forget:OL B.J. Finney
Notable attendees:The Chiefs, Giants, Colts and Eagles were among the 20 or so teams that had a representative in the Little Apple.
The skinny:Lockett stand on his quality time in the 40-yard dash at the combine, and not surprisingly, he looked good during drills, showing off good change of direction and great hands. DE Ryan Mueller showed off his versatility Tuesday, going through drills as a defensive end, linebacker and fullback while posting a good 40-yard-dash time for a 245-pounder. Finney also put in great work on the field, and NFL Media analyst Gil Brandt called him a Day 1 starter.
Kent State: Pierce draws plenty of interest
Big draw:TE Casey Pierce
Don't forget:RB Trayion Durham
Notable attendees:In-state teams such as the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals were among the 20 or so scouts to stop by.
The skinny:Only a handful of prospects worked out at the Golden Flashes pro day, but that didn't limit the numbers of scouts who stopped by to catch Pierce's workout. He tested in just about everything and put up solid numbers a 6-foot-4 tight end. Pierce also said he was happy with his performance in drills.
UAB: Players take to Samford to show off for scouts
Big draw:WR J.J. Nelson
Don't forget:CB Jimmy Jean
Notable attendees:Plenty of scouts from over 20 teams stopped by to see the former Blazers players.
The skinny:With their football program disbanded, UAB players made the short drive to Samford to show off their skills for scouts along with a half-dozen other small school prospects. Nelson stood on his 4.28 in the 40 from the combine, which was the fastest mark in Indy this year. Times for other prospects were probably slower than expected anyway, given the damp conditions.
UCLA: Hundley flashes arm talent
Big draw:QB Brett Hundley
Don't forget:LB Eric Kendricks
Notable attendees:28 teams sent at least one coach or scout, while the Seattle Seahawks sent two defensive coaches and the Tennessee Titans had a multi-scout delegation.
The skinny:Hundley's arm looked very good. He fired darts all over the field and missed on just three passes -- a wide pass in the end zone and two long fade routes. He mostly worked in the pocket on passes but occasionally threw on the run and actually looked better going to his left than to his right. Kendricks moved swiftly during linebacker drills, as did DE/OLB Owa Odighizuwa, whose stock is rising quickly. Also notable was defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy, who looked slimmer since the combine and went through a few reps in pass protection drills as an offensive lineman.
Also in action on Tuesday:Akron, Army, Monmouth, Samford, Tennessee State.
On deck for Wednesday:Alabama, Central Arkansas, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Emporia State, Louisville, Marshall, Oklahoma, Rice, Rutgers, South Florida, USC, Wisconsin.

domain: sports


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This is our Photo Guide about Hyeres on the French Riviera.
Why this Photo Guide Series?
When I started this SageOnEarth adventure, I was looking for a way to use my numerous photos. I only wanted to display them in a gallery on the internet so that they were easy to see by me first, my family, my friends. If the whole SageOnEarth adventure as lead us far beyond the point of a photo gallery, I like to have that little space available on this website, just to share my shots, my vision of a place, only to remember that in the beginning, this was all about photography.
I have written several posts about Hyeres and its surroundings: 15 places in Hyeres on French Riviera, 3 Visit ideas for the city of Hyeres on French Riviera, or also the very close town of St Tropez: A day visit in St Tropez, South of France.
For now, as usual, let’s enjoy images because a single picture is worth a thousand words, so I believe I have written enough here!
It’s a visual walk in the city during Christmas time that you will discover in a little less than 60 images. The idea here is to discover a city in the South, of which we think summer and heat but during the winter time. You’ll see that it doesn’t keep it from being welcoming and heartwarming! I also wanted to play with this special winter sun in the narrow streets, and the game between light and shadow. You’ll even notice the beautifully wrought irons on the windows and a seek for details of the inhabitants.
Our addresses advice
You’ll find our favourite places here:

domain: artistic


Uranium Royalty aims to provide an alternative funding source for uranium companies who face challenging equity and debt markets, Scott Melbye, president and CEO of Uranium Royalty told Kitco News at the PDAC conference in Toronto.
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Hum Saath Saath Hai! Maasi Karisma Kapoor celebrates with new daddy Saif Ali Khan after Kareena's delivery
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Must Watch Deleted scenes from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil featuring Fawad Khan Anushka Sharma Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
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domain: celebrity


text:
Costing systems enable firms to determine product costs in relation to the revenue generated. Traditional absorption costing and activity-based costing (ABC) techniques are the two commonly used costing systems in the manufacturing sector. The two systems differ in the way they assign the cost of production. The purpose of this report is to critically compare and contrast the two costing techniques.
Full Costing Techniques
The full costing technique is also referred to as absorption costing. Absorption costing ensures that all costs incurred during manufacturing are recovered by the products manufactured. To achieve this, both direct and indirect labor costs and fixed and variable costs are used to ascertain the cost of a product. The system involves identification and accurate assessment of all incurred costs. This is followed by a classification of costs into cost categories. All direct costs are then assigned to the production output while indirect costs are allocated to individual service departments. Production support service costs are then reallocated to production departments. This procedure is followed by the accurate establishment of an overhead rate. Finally, all overhead costs (direct and indirect) are recovered from each product.
The absorption costing system consists of three types of cost. The first type is job order costing which entails the assignment of costs to batches or lots of products. The second type of absorption costing is the process costing which involves the systematic assignment of costs to the product. The third type is activity-based costing which involves assigning costs to the products on the basis of cost centers data.
Determination of a product cost under absorption costing technique entails consideration of both variable and fixed costs. Products are directly charged variable costs such as direct labor and materials under the full costing technique. Various products manufactured at a certain period of time are apportioned fixed costs on an arbitrary basis. This means that cost determination under full costing takes into account all costs: fixed and variable costs. The method treats both variable and fixed costs as product costs. The unit cost does not take into account the level of operation for the period considered. The interest of managers who use this technique is to ensure that each product recovers all costs incurred for its production and retains something in the form of profit. This ensures that a reasonable profit is made on the investment. The recovery of full costs influences profitability under this method. Therefore, data presentation for net profit involves the deduction of fixed overheads. The full costing technique allows a firm to conform to GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) requirements when preparing external financial reports. In the US, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 requires firms to file income tax returns using absorption costing. The main purpose of full costing techniques is cost control. The technique is, however, likely to result in faulty pricing of products. Moreover, positive net operating income might be reported even before the breakeven point is attained.
Traditional Absorption Costing and Activity Based Costing Techniques
Traditional costing emerged around 1870-1920. It entails the assignment of manufacturing overhead on the basis of broad cost drivers. Cost driver refers to any factor of production that has a direct impact on product cost. Cost drivers in the manufacturing sector may include direct material hours, direct labor hours and machine hours. Traditional costing initially allocates overhead costs to service and production departments. This is followed by reassigning service department costs to the production department. Overhead costs in traditional costing are usually pooled into cost centers. Thus, cost departments are essential for a firm.
The traditional absorption costing assumes that manufacturing overhead is driven by the volume metric. As a consequence of using broad cost drivers, cause and effect are not reflected by the traditional absorption costing. This implies that different activities performed in a specified duration of time differ in terms of their costs. The result of this variation is that cost targets may be lower especially when the activities involved are complex. On the other hand, cost targets involving simple activities are likely to be overcoated. Traditional costing is thus suitable in cases where overhead costs form a lower percentage of total costs and where the product range is narrow. This shows that one has to control the activities that incur costs first before controlling co

domain: finance


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Posted: Feb 17 2009, 05:55 PM
42% Armaments Designer
Member No.: 156
Joined: 14-August 07
SeG-3 Self-Loading Rifle - The United Kingdom of Antigr
Statistics (M/7, Antigran Service)
Class: Battle Rifle
Length, Overall: 98.4cm
Length, Barrel: 48cm
Weight, Loaded: 4.39kg
Cartridge: 6.5x49mm Antigran Krag
Operation: H&K Roller-Delayed Blowback
Magazine Options: 15/30-Round Box Magazine
Effective Range: 600 metres
Sights: Rear: Antigran-Pattern Partridge-Type Rifle Sight Front: Post in Tunnel
The Royal Army Ordnance Commision was approached early in the year 1954 to design a semi-automatic weapon to replace the Antigran M/4 through M/13 Krag-Jørgensen rifles and the small number of more modern stop-gap SKS semi-automatics then in service. The requirement was simple - a semi-automatic rifle of no excessive weight using whatever technical innovations were available at the time. The project was to become the SeG-3. The weapon was made by the then-independent Sergey-Roksholm Armament Systems, the primary manufacturer of the rifle throughout the world.
Today, the rifle is in use in several areas of the globe, mainly in Antigran forces. The rifle is still standard-issue for many naval, about half of all marine, as well as many air force field units, and is the standard training rifle for all forces. It is also to be found on parade with the King Crown Guard on royal duty, embassy guardsmen, and generally as a ceremonial rifle. It is also commonly seen by the Royal Antigran Customs & Excise as a standard-issue weapon, the force the most prominent of it's type in the world and the only law-enforcment agency in Antigr to be issued with rifles as standard. Interest has been shown by many foreign militaries and large export orders amounting to a million or so examples have been recieved, and even as an old rifle, it is still used very widely, and while outdated, still capable. It is one of few rifles to have remained so capable for so long.
The SeG-3, in Antigran service, uses the brass-cased traditional 6.5x49mm Antigran Krag round, developed in 1894 for the Antigran Krag-Jørgensen bolt-action rifles. It uses nitrocellulose powder as propellant, and available with a Jacketed Hollow Point, Ballistic Capped (Known as JHPBC), an Armour-Piercing round (AP), and the most common Full Metal Jacket round, known simply as BALL. Developed in the aforementioned year by a consortium of companies and institutions, it was given the simple suffix 'Antigran Krag' and is still in widespread and standard service use today. While considered slightly underpowered as a rifle round, this allowed it to remain in use in service rifles until today, Antigr having no indigenous truly intermediate rifle round, doctrine focusing on battle rifles and accurate burst-fire and 'double-tapping'. It has a double-base propellant of 53% Nitrocellulose (Propellant), 33% Nitroglycerin (Propellant), 9% Polyester Adipate (Plasticiser), 4% Rosin (Binder), 2% Ethyl Acetate (Binder), 1.6% N-nitrosodiphenylamine (Stabiliser), 1.1% Potassium Nitrate (Flash reducer), 1% Bismuth Antimonide (De-copperiser), 0.8% Graphite (Lubricant), and 0.5% Calcium Carbonate (Acid Neutraliser). Tracer variants of all rounds have been developed and all are used, with the military suffix -T. 6.5mm rounds have very high ballistic coefficients, the highest for this round being 0.555 from the 160-grain armour-piercing bullet.
Feed, Firing, & Safety
The feed options are limited to straight box magazines with a capacity of 15 rounds, more commonly the latter. Antigran-only rifles have magazine blocks compatible with the curved 30-round magazines as used in the various Bren-esque LMGs, although these are rarely seen. Export versions have differing recievers to prevent use of these. Antigran weapons are said to be almost as reliable as an Kalashnikov or a dog, although in a more sophisticated manner.
As such, the magazines - all double-stacked - are wider at the back than at the front, a simple feature that greatly reduces stoppages. In 1984, the magazines were made available with translucent plastic manufacture to be able to see how many rounds remain, but these are uncommon.
Magazine change is done in the following manner: (1) Magazine catch is pressed an magazine drops out. (2) Fresh magazine is inserted. (3) Slide is operated. This sequence must be performed in the said manner, there are no variations. The ejection port, to contribute to reliability, will close upon firing of the last round and stay closed until required to eject a fresh round or manually pulled open. The trigger is of the pressure-point variety, which enables a certain amount of free play before the trigger meets definite resistance and fires. However, there are definite noticeable 'stages', just like the focus ability on modern digital cameras by half-pressing the shutter button.
The safety, which blocks both striker and trigger, is on a slide on the upper portion of the stock's pistol grip, behind the trigger with simple pictograms.
The trigger pull is adjustable by a flush-fitting, easy-to-miss vertically-mounted screw just behind the magazine release. Adjusting this screw would likely cause the magazine release to be pressed, a safety feature as adjusting the trigger system may cause the weapon to go off. The pull is adjustable from 910g (~2lbs) to 3200g (~7lbs), with 1100g the factory preset, which is roughly 2.4lbs.
Bolt & Breech
The weapon utilises the Heckler and Koch Roller-Delayed Blowback bolt system, common in Antigran rifles, but far rarer elsewhere. The bolt is weighted to improve reliability. While the project was for a time as an automatic rifle, this was dropped because a high RoF was not thought important in a weapon with a severely limited feed. The bolt, as with the rest of the weapon, has machined dust/dirt grooves, as well as being equipped with a bolt hook for holding the ejection port open. In modern rifles, the breech is lined on the inside with chromium to increase the service life. The weapon is odd in that it is cocked by means of a slide. The H&K bolt is copied directly under license from the German company's G3 rifle and has numerous advantages, these being;
(1) The advantages of the simple inertia bolt are retained, in particular the fact that only the pre-determined distribution of momentum and the area of the gas force curve throughout the time are of importance for the recoil velocity of the bolt. this provides very good adaptability to all types of ammunition of the same caliber, bullet weight and velocity without the same adjusting elements in order to compensate for the shape of the gas force curve,
(2) It has low extraction velocity, practical for the cartridge case and ejection reliability,
(3) The movement sequence of the bolt assembly and the receiver follows the gas pressure sequence without any delay, making the weapon stable and highly predictable with no 'sudden impacts',
(4) The bolt does not make any rotating or tilting movements when opening or closing, again helping stability,
(5) The bolt parts are arranged symetrically to the axis of the bore. The roller contact poins are only at a small lateral distance from the axis of the bore,
(6) The sequence of the reaction force is uniform and without distinct peaks of force, and
(7) Because the cartridge case pushes and does not have to be pulled, extractor strain is limited to ejection.
Points 3-6 contribute to a very accurate rifle. A disadvantage to the system is a high manufacture cost, as it has very fine tolerances and is highly sensitive to changes in ammunition. The slide is complicated not only in it's unusual operation but also that a mechanism has been fitted to ensure that the slide does not move with the bolt operation and is inanimate in all but charging the rifle.
While an old rifle, provision for accessories was adequate for the time. A bayonet can be attached under the barrel engaging a small concealed clip at the forewardmost portion of the handguard. The highest part of the rear sight unit is designed to hold part of a telescopic sight, and there is a large attachment point under the weapon for a folding pivoting bipod. Almost the entire cleaning kit is housed in the upper part of the stock. This consists of a cleaning rod, multiple fodders, pull-through, brush tips, cloth, and a multipurpose tool for opening and accessing parts of the gun. Housed securely in the bottom of the pistol grip part of the stock is a metal container with multipurpose cleaning and lubricant oil.
Construction & The Barrel
All main components of the gun that are in steel is of the cold-forged variety, for simplicity in manufacture and rigidity. Otherwise, the handguard and 'C-Stock', plus all of the major furniture parts of the weapon, are wooden. No Antigran version has a composite stock. The barrel is, as mentioned above, of cold-forged steel with the cost-cutting feature of polygonal sectioning instead of traditional rifling. It is equipped with dust/dirt grooves and is thick, designed to give between 13,000 to 15,000 rounds of barrel life.
The barrel can be fairly quickly unscrewed, and if hot the aforementioned multitool can act as a handle to avoid human contact. The weapon is held together with screws mainly of the same size, all compatible with the screwdriver in Antigran-Pattern Swiss Army Knives. The rifle breaks down into the following major components, although can be stripped further;
- Stock, 2 Parts
- Return Spring
- Trigger Mechanism
- Gas Tube
- Barrel and Mechanism Covers, Various
As standard, the sights consist of the front and rear units. The former is a unique Antigran-Pattern Partridge-Type Rifle Sight on a tangent ramp with hundred-metre increments to six hundred metres, and is like an enhanced pistol sight. It is also available with a ladder sight. The front unit is a post-in-tunnel and these combined make a quick to use but fairly accurate sight system, an illustration of which is given below. The red dot represents the target, and the weapon is correctly aimed.
Figure 1. The Antigran-Pattern Partridge Rifle Sight and Post in Tunnel combination. The SeG-3 is not represented.
- M/3. Final Prototype/Early Version. This has a standard ladder sight and lacks most safeties. These are rare, most having been converted.
- M/7. Current Version. Mostly with modern sights and all the above written features, shorter by ten centimetres. Oddly, this makes them shorter than the SeG-4s that replaced them.
- M/7 Reservist Rifle. This designation implies usage rather than design modifications and the title is fairly self-explanatory.
- Sniper 'Accurised' (SeG-3M) With various bipods and telescopic sights. Usually found with cheekpad, these are the standard lighter sniper rifles of the Royal Antigran Army.
- Automatic Rifle (SeG-3T) Heavily modified for automatic fire, these rifles are a rare but an effective modification, with 30-round magazines as standard and with a 400rpm rate of fire. Most common in the Royal Marines.
Figure 2. SeG-3M Sniper Rifle.
Although the no-DMR rule still applies, an exception has been made in Antigr's strict weapon export policy and this rifle is available for full export. 6.5mm Antigran rounds come in crates of 1000 rounds at USD100 per.
The rifle itself is only exported in standard configuration in the 6.5mm chambering for USD445 per.
DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALLIES OR FRIENDS OF THE STATE. PLEASE KEEP A RECORD OF THE SALES RECEIPT AND REQUEST.
Why am I the only one not quoted anywhere?
God Save the Queen


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My baby girl is 1 month old. I am having a really tough time both physically and mentally. I hope you can help me out. At around 3 weeks, my baby started having gas trouble. I gave gripe water as per guidance from my parents. When I searched on the internet, I found that it is bad for baby. So, I stopped and consulted my pediatrician for gas problem. She just had gas trouble. She never used to cry and she used to sleep really well. One of my relatives said that this is colic pain and hence we told the same to the pediatrician. He suggested Colpep drops after breastfeed. One week we gave this, rather than improving the things only got worse. Again, he suggested Neopeptine along with Colpep. I gave both for two days, but still no improvement and now I stopped all medicines as I feel before giving medicines she was really fine and slept well. But, she is having lots of gas now and struggling to sleep properly. Most of the time she is awake and if we put her down, she will start crying. If we lift her and keep in hands or shoulder, then she is quiet. I feel bad if I am responsible for making her health worse. Nowadays, she is not at all sleeping during night and we have to try hard to put her to sleep. Please help me.
We gave her gripe water, Colpep and Neopeptine. Is her health getting affected due to giving all these? She is making 10 to 12 wet clothes and some poop every time while releasing gas. Initially, she used to poop a lot and of good quantity. Now, it is considerably reduced. Also, I observed that while giving Neopeptine she had very watery foul smelling poop like foam. Now, she is having normal poop, but it is very foamy. Is foamy poop normal? Also, I breastfeed her every 2 hours and at night she sleeps 5 to 6 hours with in between feeding. I am not sure if she is fine and healthy as nowadays there are lots of change compared to before and I feel all this is because of medicines. Please help me out.
Welcome to icliniq.com.
You seem to be going through a lot of stress with your child. Please calm down. All these phenomena are completely normal till the age of 6 months in every child. I believe this must be your first child and that is why all the confusion.
Warning signs in a child are,
Important things to take care in every child are as follows:
So, your child is apparently normal as per your history and the torture you have gone through. Please take care of yourself as your stress will lead to lesser production of milk, which will eventually affect the child.
Normal child.Treatment plan:
You can use the following medicines as required with the consent of your pediatrician.
1. Colicaid (Simethicone) for abdominal pain.
2. Nasoclear nasal drops (Sodium chloride) for nasal discharge.
For further information consult a paediatrician online.---> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/paediatrician
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Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
For more information consult a child health specialist online ... Read fullCan medicines cause sudden weight gain during pregnancy?
.. read and understood your problem. The increase in weight may be due to difference in clothing or other things, but if it is true increase then water is accumulating in her body. Does she have swelling of feet? Under such a condition, salt intake ... Read fullWhat can cause weight gain, sweating and tiredness?
.. having symptoms of hypothyroidism and the reports too are suggesting the same. I recommend you to start tablet Eltroxin (Levothyroxine) 50 mcg every morning in empty stomach and repeat TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) after two months. Revert bac... Read full
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Home / Homewares / Decorative Accessories / Ornaments / Multi Splat Wall Art
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GREENVILLE – Greenville City Council reorganized at its regular meeting on Tuesday. According to Council President John Burkett, council elects a new president pro temp and appoints members to committees every two years due to the election cycle of when ward seats and at-large seats are filled.
Doug Schmidt, the longest tenured councilman, was elected to serve as president pro temp and will fill the president’s seat when the president is absent or is required to fill the seat of the mayor.
Councilmen Clarence Godwin and Doug Wright will represent the city on the Greenville Community Improvement Corporation. Dori Howdieshell will serve on the Community Action Partnership and Council on Aging boards. Jeff Whitaker will serve on the Main Street Greenville, Darke County Visitors Bureau and Architectural Review boards. Leon Rogers and Howdieshell volunteered to serve on the Volunteer Firefighters Dependent Fund board.
Council’s committees were also announced (listed as chairman, vice-chairman and member): Finance – Schmidt, Whitaker, Rogers; Law – Rogers, Matt Staugler, Howdieshell; Safety – Wright, Rogers, Godwin; Utilities – Godwin, Wright Staugler; Personnel and Public Relations – Whitaker, Howdieshell, Wright; Zoning, Planning & Governmental Relations – Howdieshell, Godwin, Schmidt; Miscellaneous Affairs and Priority Needs – Staugler, Schmidt, Whitaker.
Safety Service Director Curt Garrison shared with the council the city has preliminary approval on an $800,000 Ohio Public Works Grant to continue the reconstruction of Ohio Street. The city recently completed the South Ohio Street project and is now looking to move northward. The funds would allow a total street reclamation, and the addition of sidewalks and a 10-foot bike lane from Martin Street to north of the VFW Post 7262. The city won’t get final approval on the grant until the state approves its budget in July. Because of the extensive work needed and cost, Garrison believes it will take the city many years to continue the project all the way to Fourth Street.
Garrison informed council members he has spoken with the company responsible for installing street lights on North Broadway. The company expects to begin work in March.
At Garrison’s suggestion, council will hold a work session in February to discuss upcoming projects, including the sidewalk proposal that was approved by council.


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The Chicago Bears announced the inactives for tonight’s game, with one surprising name missing from the list.
In case you didn’t notice, franchise-tagged WR Alshon Jeffery is going to apparently test his hamstring during pregame warm ups and maybe give it a go for a series or two.
The Broncos will be without four starters on defense, which should lead to some early opportunities for the Bears’ starters.
Bobby Massie and Charles Leno are breathing a sigh of relief right now, as neither of the Broncos’ top two pass rushers will be pressuring Jay Cutler tonight.
Remember to check out our LIVE BLOG all night for news, notes and instant analysis of tonight’s game.


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Here’s how I make Oyster Stew. Shuck the oysters. Reserve the juice. Try to keep the shell out of it. Melt 1/2 stick of butter and stir the oysters and juice in the hot butter until they curl.
recipe of the week
Oh my goodness! Let’s eat some shrimp! Yum! This recipe is great, because you can make it ahead and enjoy for several days.
Now that fall is nearly here, it’s time to think about hearty soups. Every Southern cook should know how to make she-crab soup.
This recipe is not for those healthy liars. When you see bacon grease, don’t run! Only eat this once a year. Just kidding! You can buy purchase a bag of croutons to save time with this recipe.
This traditional Tuscan dish calls for fried chicken.

domain: food


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Students lack reading comprehension skills worldwide. Reading comprehension is the ability for a student to be able to understand what they have read. It is an important skill that is taught beginning in elementary school and is an ongoing process throughout education. When students are not able to comprehend what they have read, it presents a major problem in being able to develop this skill for mastery to advance from one grade level to the next.
Students, who lack reading comprehension skills, struggle throughout their education. For these students, teachers and parents need the following skills in order for them to become successful readers: patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and perseverance. By combining these skills and by using a variety of textbooks, library books, audio books, computer programs, and games will help them improve their reading comprehension skills. In addition, by giving these students authentic positive praise encourages them to achieve their goals of becoming successful readers.
To improve students’ reading comprehension skills and achieve academic success overall, they need to practice by doing the following: preview, question, read aloud, reflect, discuss, and review. These students need to access prior knowledge, what they already know, prior to reading. They need to ask and answer questions about what they are reading: who, what, where, when, why, and how. Students also need to talk about what they are reading: the beginning, the middle, the end, including summarizing. By doing this on a daily basis and consistently, this will help in improving and mastering these skills. Please be sure to click on the educational links below for additional assistance and reading comprehension worksheets.

domain: library


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Many women struggle with urinary incontinence. It’s uncomfortable and embarrassing. And worse, it’s linked with other health problems. Women can become dehydrated when they limit fluids to avoid leakage. They can also become socially isolated and depressed.
“Women stay home due to fear of not being able to find a bathroom close by, or fear having an accident in public,” says Salpi Salibian, director of program development for Hoag Hospital’s Pelvic Health Program in California.

domain: sociology


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LAU showcased at Wharton School of Business MENA Conference
Academic Executive Director of the LAU New York Academic Center takes part in “MENA Emerging: Resilience Amidst Uncertainty” conference.
Lina Beydoun, academic executive director of the LAU New York Academic Center, joined prominent practitioners, thought leaders, academics and entrepreneurs at the Wharton School of Business in a discussion about the latest developments and trends in fields like energy, entrepreneurship, real estate, and healthcare.
The event that took place earlier this month was entitled, “MENA Emerging: Resilience Amidst Uncertainty.”
Beydoun was invited to speak in a panel on “Youth and Employment.” She touted the region’s prospects, stating that vast numbers of young people coming into adulthood will mean an unprecedented talent pool to create and innovate.
While the MENA region continues to show staggering youth unemployment rates, experts say a lack of education is not the issue. Instead, they highlight various other factors that include a competitive job market where youth lack the skills in demand― often referred to as a “skills mismatch”― an over-reliance on family connections to get jobs, and a lack of opportunities in a thriving private sector, to name a few.
Along with other American universities in the region such as AUB and AUC, LAU is paving way for youth employment and working to bridge that skills mismatch.
“It’s a mistake to constantly associate the youth bulge with unemployment,” said Beydoun. “When you have a large youth population, there’s a huge potential for creativity and entrepreneurship. If that talent can be put to use, with the support of local governments, then the youth bulge could be seen as a positive factor rather than a negative one,” she explained. “In Lebanon for example, if the government supports social entrepreneurship, youth could provide the answer to solving many of the country’s entrenched infrastructure problems, such as waste disposal, electricity shortages, Internet bandwidth and more.”
According to a recent study by the Adnan Kassar School of Business, 78% of its graduates were employed after graduation.
However, said Beydoun, prospects for youth employment across the MENA region are handicapped by a glaring gender gap ― 13 of the 15 countries with the lowest rates of women participating in their labor force are in the MENA region, according to the 2015 Global Gender Gap Report ― and the current economic and political turmoil which, accompanied by the recent decline in oil prices, has deterred international investors.
Organized entirely by Wharton students, the conference provided a glimpse of the prospects for the region from those who are deeply involved in the local economic, political, and social systems.
LAU alumnus Christian Oussi Jr. (B.S. ’11) is currently an M.B.A. student at Wharton, and helped organize the event. “I felt it was important for people to know what the region is about, to be aware of its diversity and to learn about the values that people stand for and which are being misrepresented in the media and are being hijacked by certain fringe groups,” he said. “I wanted to give a better image of what MENA stands for.”
Speakers echoed that positive note, and were united in the belief that the current instability is laying the groundwork for future positive transformation.
The 150 participants included students from leading U.S. universities, including Penn, Columbia, Duke, George Washington, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Penn State, who plan to connect their careers to the region.

domain: news


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By: Dr. David Rabiner
Academic problems are extremely common in children with ADHD and often the issue that leads to referral for an ADHD evaluation. Unfortunately, the significant academic struggles that many children with ADHD experience can undermine their long-term success in areas that extend far beyond formal schooling.
Given these facts, an important question is whether long-term academic functioning in youth with ADHD improves with treatment? Because this is such a fundamentally important question, and Read the rest of this entry »
Vision training: Mobile app improved pilots’ vision (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association):
“Military pilots (and other test subjects) have improved their vision after a few weeks of training with a new application for mobile devices—an application now available to the public.
The technology has helped dedicated users reverse age-related vision loss, and to help younger Read the rest of this entry »
AARP just released a very interesting brain health research study based on 1,200 online interviews conducted in August 2014. Key findings include:
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important to all consumers (99% find it at least somewhat important). Brain health is the second most important component in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, after heart health (37% find brain health most important while 51% find heart health most important). Younger consumers Read the rest of this entry »
Makers of Jungle Rangers Computer Game for Kids Settle FTC Charges that They Deceived Consumers with Baseless “Brain Training” Claims (Federal Trade Commission):
“A Texas company and its officers must stop making unsubstantiated claims that their computer game, Jungle Rangers, permanently improves children’s focus, memory, attention, behavior, and school performance, including for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), under a Federal Trade Commission settlement Read the rest of this entry »
Telehealth vendor seized opportunity from Kaiser strike (HealthCare Dive):
“When Kaiser’s mental health workers went on strike to protest what they claim is Kaiser’s policy of understaffing their facilities in order to boost their profits, it left a void for the thousands of patients who relied on Kaiser’s staff for mental health services. Acting as a real-time testimony to the power of telehealth Read the rest of this entry »
Brain teaser: Please consider Linda, a 31-year-old woman, single and bright. When she was a student, in high school and in college too, she was deeply involved in social justice issues, and also participated in environmental protests. Which is more probable about Linda’s occupation today? Read the rest of this entry »
By: Greater Good Magazine
Research says mindfulness works for individuals. But does it work in the bottom-line-driven workplace, or is it just a frivolous feel-good program?
This is the question tackled in a growing number of studies. Here are three ways, based on recent studies, that cultivating moment-to-moment awareness might improve workplaces.
Meditation might build self-confidence in leaders
A.D. Amar and colleagues at the University of Westminster measured the self-perception of leadership skills among a sample of senior managers in Read the rest of this entry »


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Who or what are your influences?
My creations are influenced by all Mediterranean motifs… from a small forgotten carved stone to the opulence of covered mosaic walls. The floors, the walls, the juxtaposition of patterns…
What inspires you? From the Middle East? Around the world?
I focus on the power of Mediterranean design, because I found that if you look closely you will see that that the end, the world is all connected by design, and a Middle Eastern signature can be found in many places. Mediterranean people have been traveling around the globe for thousands of years, and have been inspired by the design they found as well.
Tell us a bit about your production process: where do you produce? What materials do you work with?
We are a family owned company. Charbel Raphael, my partner and brother, handles the production. Our primary objective is to have a refined product with a perfect finish. We mainly produce our silicone, PVC, tins, and porcelain in China. We also produce some of our products in Europe and France, like the wood items the tea boxes and trays and the stationary items.
How long have you been in business? When did you start?
We have been in business since 2000, and we started expanding worldwide in 2007/2008.
Why did you decide to become a designer?
Since I was a young child, I wanted to be a designer and create things. But becoming a designer was so far beyond what I could fathom. I graduated with a Masters in advertising, but it wasn’t at all what I wanted to do! I eventually pursued a Master in Fine Arts, and the combination of these opposing degrees, lead me to become a designer…. the thing I always dreamed of being!
Describe a typical day in the studio.
The best days in the studio are the days when I start early in the morning, when I can work and feel that the day is long ahead of me. I always check my emails, try to answer as soon as I can, and tackle this chore before plunging into my designs and creation. I usually focus on one project at a time, and very rarely do I work on different projects simultaneously. A design idea starts in my head but it frequently, changes direction upon working it out on paper. When a design gets stuck in its process I stop, let it rest for a while, and take on something else before coming back and finishing.
Who is your favorite Middle Eastern designer and why?
My favorite designers are the ones who keep their own spirit and especially their own identity.
Where did you study? Train? Work?
I started with a master’s degree in Advertising from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA), then I travelled to the US where I earned another MFA at the museum of Fine Arts in Boston and Tufts University, with a focus on Sculpture and Museum Studies. These This contrast between these two degrees is what shaped the thinking that led me to what I’m doing now.
How would you describe your work in three adjectives?
Exciting, whimsical and eloquent.
Anything you would like to add?
I am fortunate to be doing what I am doing. I am happy to be glorifying my roots and making the aesthetic universal.
With contribution from Hala A. Malak.


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domain: history


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The Long Run: Women and Retirement
For women, retirement strategy is a long race. It’s helpful to know the route.
Have A Question About This Topic?
Taking your Social Security benefits at the right time may help maximize your benefit.
Sustain financial well-being or create wealth through these actions.
A change in your mindset during retirement may drive changes to your portfolio.

domain: economics


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Google map as home page
I’m considering beginning a new WordPress.com travel photo blog with a map of the travels as the home page. And, hopefully, clickable locations on the map which will take the user to the narrative and photos for that location.
Is there a map capability in WordPress.com that makes that possible? Perhaps using Google maps?
Or must I work on that blog in WordPress.org? And, if so, is there an easy way to find information on just how to do that?
Thanks in advance for any help.
That is NOT going to be easy no matter what platform you attempt it on. My personal recommendation would be to use CommunityWalk maps overlaid over Google Maps, on WordPress.org (since CommunityWalk maps aren’t supported here).
You COULD do it more simply, but with more work, by building up the map using small blocks, like a jigsaw puzzle, and on the small block that contains the spot you want to link to a page, make that block image a clickable link. Am I explaining this adequately? The coding for that is simple, but first you have to make the BIG image and then break it down into all the smaller blocks and upload them and set them in order.
thanks for the reply, rc. I was afraid of that. Since I posted my original comment, I’ve done a bit more research and have come to the same conclusion. Just hoped I might be missing some obviously easy solution.
I’m obviously trying to decide whether to do it in WordPress.org or not. And this gives me a bit of impetus to shift this particular website over there. I’ll take alook at CommunityWalk maps just to see how they might work.
The topic ‘Google map as home page’ is closed to new replies.

domain: geography


text: my name is gabi and i am a bridezilla.they say that is the first step in the recovery process, to admit it.so here i am, admiting it. i am a bridezilla.ok, ok, maybe not a full blown bridezilla, but i can name a couple people out there who would identify me as a bridezilla (mom, dad, maybe even my own groom).i didn't want this to be me, i didn't want to be the bride who cared about what type of printing she would use on her invitations or who cared who came to her bridal parties, but i think i might be.i'll be the first to say it, it is hard. it is hard to not care, especially when all you see out there are wedding blogs, magazines and Pinterest posts about flowers, dresses, invitations, and decor. And well, you want it all.after all, you want your day to be picture worthy--to be remembered.but i am realizing a few things-i am realizing that this wedding day is more than just about flowers, lights, music, linens and chairs. I would even go as far as to say this day is more than just about me and my groom.this day. well this day, is about me and Cameron honoring God, thanking God for his goodness in bringing us together, and displaying God and His sacrificial love.again, i will admit--this is hard. especially when you like all things pretty (and expensive), when you are a bit OCD, super indecisive or when you are a people pleaser.but each time i get worked up about something small, or get in a fight with my mom, or am disappointed about something wedding related, i hear a small whisper.. "this, none of this, is about you...it isn't even about you and Cameron becoming Mr. and Mrs. Groganbut this, this it is about how your love for each other and your marriage after the wedding day will be a picture of the gospel for all to see." so here i am, a bride(zilla), who is beyond excited to get married to one heck of a loving man, who accepts me as i am. everyday i want to let him know how wonderful he is and how excited i am to see how the Lord will continue to work in our lives, in our family.here i am, fighting against my human self who wants everything so perfect for my wedding day. but here i am allowing the Spirit to take over, because my God is greater and because He wants nothing more to be the center of our marriage.here i am, asking for forgiveness when i am difficult and lose sight of the big picture.and here i am giving thanks to my mom and dad for sacrificing more than i can imagine.to my mom, who i know i have hurt in this process, i am sorry. i know i will never be able completely articulate it, but i am unbelievably grateful for you-and not just for what you have done for me in this process, but thankful for all that you have taught me--to always be a fighter, to never give up despite the disappointments life throws at you, and to love and care for all. thank you.to my dad, the only man in my life for the last 28 years. i know you are sacrificing a lot for this whole thing to come to life, but i hope that you see it as a celebration of your girl entering life with a man who will take care of her in the same way you would, and for that, i hope it is worth it. we've taken a lot of walks together, papa--walks to the classroom, walks to the softball field, walks in the mall, walks on El Malecon, but the most important walk, will be the one we take down the aisle on December 5th.here i am giving thanks for my brother, my family and friends.to my brother, the other man in my life who protects and wants the best for me. i hope you know i will be taken care of. i know you have great things coming your way, and i can't wait to see all of them come to fruition.to my family, each one of you has played a vital role in my life. from my cousins, to my aunts, to my late grandmother-each one has built me up and brought me so much joy. when i am with you, i feel like my true self, living in the spirit.to my friends, who are loyal and who i love so much. thank you for being there for me and listening to all that i have to say. i don't deserve you all.finally, here i am praising God for bringing me Cameron. you've turned my world upside down, in the best way possible. i can't wait to start my life with you--to grow, to learn, to laugh, to see the world, to run the race with endurance that God has set before us...as husband and wife.

domain: literature


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Paediatrics & Child Health Division
The Paediatrics & Child Health Division (PCHD) is a Division of the RACP that represents and connects Paediatric Fellows and trainees in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand through its Council, committees and special interest groups.
Learn more about the role of the Paediatrics & Child Health Division.
Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Committee
Aotearoa New Zealand Committees
Chapter of Community Child Health Committee
Paediatric Policy & Advocacy Committee
Paediatric Research Committee
PCHD Education Committee


November 16, 2019
Public Safety Headquarters
3849 Cartwright Rd
Missouri City, TX 77459
11th Annual Operation Thanksgiving - Stuff the Squad Car and Fire Truck
Saturday, November 16, 2019
The men and women of the Missouri City Police and Fire Department need your help to stuff 11 squad cars and 2 fire trucks with non-perishable food items that will be donated to local area food pantries to help those in need during the holidays.
For more information call, Sgt. Russell D’Oench at 281-403-5819 or Officer Ellis Williams at 281-403-5816.


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Career Termination Issues Among Elite Athletes : The Studies
Finding some good Career Termination Issues Among Elite Athletes-related studies? Here are they.
The reactions of sport career terminations
A research about the reactions of sport career terminations has been carried out in four countries. In these papers, it was found that two-thirds of athletes terminate their sport careers due to performance decrements, specifically age and injury. Furthermore, almost half of athletes terminate their careers because they have chosen to stop competing for the same reasons.
How Elite Athletes Fail to Invest Their Time Wisely in Their Careers
A review about elite athletes revealed that some of them often fail to invest their time wisely in their careers and neglect developing good career decision-making skills. The study found that these athletes have difficulty taking necessary steps in order to find a career they enjoy and which will benefit them in the long term.
The Effects of Involuntary Athletic Career Termination on Psychological distress
An analysis about involuntary athletic career termination found that many athletes face psychological distress after the termination from their professional careers. The study found that many athletes feel like they have lost something important in their lives, and that their career has ended abruptly.
The Termination Model Used in the Czech Republic: A Success Story
An article about the termination model used in the Czech Republic reveals that it is a common and effective way to end an athletic career. The study participants stated that this model helped them to focus on their personal goals and allow themselves time to Heal. The termination model did not cause any major resentment or sadness amongst the athletes, as it allowed them to become more content with their lives.
The Retired Athlete Experience: A Comprehensive glance
A paper about the career termination experiences of Iranian retired athletes has been conducted in order to get a better understanding for what is behind their decision to retire.106 former champions who had been retired within the past 10 years were studied. Results showed that retirement can be difficult for athletes, as many reasons contribute. Some variables that influenced adaptation were stated as follows: difficulty with finances, political instability, and press attention.
The Upside of Elite Athlete Poor Planning
A study about professional athletes shows that they often lack the necessary skills to make successful career decisions. The study found that participants had difficulty anticipating potential outcomes and making informed decisions. The results suggest that elite athletes should focus more on developing instrumental skills, such as market research and decision analysis, in order to ensure their long-term success.
Exit: An Assessment of Athletes' Resilience and Strategies for Transitioning Out of Sport
A journal about sports career transitions in Europe found that many athletes face denial and isolation after retirement, which leads them to become disturbed and revolt against their teams and positions. The study found that many athletes face difficult decisions about retirement, such as whether to withdraw from the sport or continue playing but with a different attitude.
Some Factors Contributing to Elite Athlete's Career Decision Making
An article about elite athletes found that some factors influence career decision making among these athletes. These factors include their competition level, mental Tough love and support can leavevulnerable to misfortune in one's sport, new sources of motivation and intensity (e.g., media attention) beyond what might be available at home or in the community. Elite athletes often use external resources to supplement or fuel internal motivation. Department of Athletics USA.
Dual Status and Lack of Recognition of Elite Student-Athlete's Status: International View
A study about dual-career through the elite university student-athletes shows that there is a difference in the recognition of the student-athlete's status and availability of dual programmes and services. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dual phenomena through the international student-s views.
Elite Sport Retireters' Transitioning More Productively
An article about retired elite sport athletes in New Zealand found that many of them faceadjustments when parting ways with the sport. One intervention was developed to help these athletes adapt, but it is limited in research. Another intervention is being developed to help Elite Sport Retireters Transition More Productively.


The Supreme Court said on Monday it will weigh in on the limits of whistleblower protections that are part of Obama-era Dodd-Frank financial reform law — potentially weakening protections for people who report wrongdoing in corporate America. The high court will hear Digital Realty Trust Inc.’s case against Paul Somers, an executive fired by the...
NYS Entity Status
NYS Filing Date
MAY 22, 2014
NYS DOS ID#
NYS Entity Type
DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION
2014 - 1045 REALTY ASSOCIATES INC
Around the Web
- Supreme Court to hear case that may muffle whistleblowers
By Kevin Dugan - Tuesday Jun 27, 2017
- Get ready for 'spring cleaning' in foreclosures
By email@example.com (MarketWatch.com) - Thursday Dec 11, 2014
RealtyTrac sees foreclosures at pre-recession levels early next year, and banks gearing up for some "spring cleaning."
- The Latest: Iran-Iraq quake death toll reaches 445
Monday Nov 13, 2017
The Latest on a powerful earthquake near the Iran-Iraq border that has killed more than 400 people (all times local): 10:45 p.m. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency is reporting that 445 people were killed and 7,370 injured in the Sunday earthquake along the Iran-Iraq border.
- Retailers Experiment With a New Philosophy: Smaller Is Better
By TIFFANY HSU - Saturday Nov 18, 2017
Department stores and other retailers struggling to beat back e-commerce are taking cues from online start-ups by experimenting with small showrooms.
- Tech Giants, Once Seen as Saviors, Are Now Viewed as Threats
By DAVID STREITFELD - Thursday Oct 12, 2017
American tech companies positioned themselves as entities that brought positive change by connecting people and spreading information. Perceptions are shifting.
- Ryder Trucks Launches Campaign With 'Inc.'
Tuesday Sep 19, 2017
"The campaign underscores how truck owners are essentially dumping cash all over America's highways from all the hidden costs required in maintaining a private fleet," Ryder's Karen Jones tells"Marketing Daily."


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Ghana (Zenith University College) Zenith University College Holds Its 8th Congregation!
The 16th December, 2017 was a remarkable and sensational day for the institution as it marked its 8th graduation ceremony at the Zenith University College auditorium, behind trade fair centre, La-Accra, where 241 students were awarded Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the faculties of Law, and Business.
Proud parents whose overwhelming excitement for this day was barely concealed by the fabulous attires they arrayed, were in attendance. For most of them, this day marked a dream come through; a story to be told for generations to come. Lecturers, friends, students and alumni of the Class of 2017 were not left out of the celebrations as they joined to crown four years of hard work, growth and successes that these graduates achieved in their years at ZUC.
Other guests of Honor included the Chairman of Council, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, the President of Zenith University College in the person of Alhaji Dr. Gibrine Adam, The Rector of the institution, Mr. Stephen Takyi-Asiedu, and affiliate institute (University of Cape Coast), represented by its Vice Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Rosemond Boahene. 218 members of the class were awarded Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in Accounting, Business Information Systems, Financial Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Human Resource Management, Business Management, and Marketing. 23 members of the class further received Masters of Business Administration degrees in Banking and Finance, General Management, and Human Resource Management.
The joy felt by students as their names were called to be awarded was contagious, it reverberated in the auditorium marking the end of four years, eight semesters, and multiple counts of late night readings and exceptional early morning lectures. It is no doubt indeed that the class of 2017 is potently enriched with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to effect greater good worldwide, and Zenith University College is proud to have successfully groomed these set of achievers.


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This crochet shawl for flamenco is a true work of art, handmade using traditional techniques. Each stitch reflects the skill and dedication of expert craftsmen.
With crochet, each stitch becomes an artistic expression, allowing the creation of elaborate and detailed designs. Crocheted shawls are remarkable for their delicacy and softness, as well as their intricate patterns and embroidery.
The fringe fringe, of the highest quality, adds a touch of elegance and distinction to this unique piece. It offers exquisite fluidity and movement in every turn and every step of the flamenco dance.

domain: hobby


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Skillet Italian Sausage & Peppers with Penne ~ this comforting italian sausage and pepper penne pasta is cooked in one skillet and comes together in 30 minutes or less for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Jo Mama's World Famous Spaghetti - I added a bit more wine (took out some of the water) and a little bit more brown sugar. Also pulsed the browned Italian sausage in a food processor for a finer dice. Great sauce!
Summertime Spaghetti Sauce Recipe -My husband and I look forward to this flavorful sauce when our tomatoes become so abundant and we need to use them up...or even just when they're ripe and at their peak. —Kay Kaepp, Coldwater, MI
BAKED SPAGHETTI ~ Even children who are suspicious about "mixed" foods such as casseroles will dig into this baked beauty with relish. Chances are this will become a family favorite, so next time, try making it with ground turkey instead of ground beef!


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Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT)
Collaborative Program with Competitive Enrollment
Prepare to work in a hospital or clinical laboratory by mastering lab procedures in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and hematology that are used to assess patient health and diagnose disease. If you’re already a certified practicing phlebotomist, with an eye to the future, this program is the logical next step in your career path. The MLT curriculum emphasizes mathematical and scientific concepts utilized in specimen collection, lab testing and procedures and quality assurance.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician
Medical Laboratory Technology A.A.S Degree (A45420)
The Medical Laboratory Technology program is offered in collaboration with Southwestern Community College. Students can take general education courses at Mitchell and take MLT-prefix courses online through Southwestern, which awards the MLT degree. This collaboration is geared to the certified practicing phlebotomist.
Students must complete the application process at both Mitchell Community College and Southwestern.
The Medical Laboratory Technology program typically has more applicants than available space. Competitive enrollment programs may have different application deadlines and requirement
The Medical Laboratory Technology program at Southwestern Community College is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Contact information: NAACLS, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119. Phone: (847) 939-3597 or (773) 714-8880, fax (773) 714-8886. Website: www.naacls.org
Mary Marks, Program Coordinator


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We love California! This print was inspired by a sheet music cover from 1913, back when California was the land of railroad barons and cowboys. Nostalgic and sweet, it strikes the right note for everyone who loves the Golden State.
- 1 print
- Printed 8-color UltraChrome K3 inks on...


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What is the matter with South Africa?
The promised fruits of ending apartheid have not materialized and there appears to be no clear path out of generalized political and economic malaise.
I: The sick man of Southern Africa
It is fair to say that South African democracy has not lived up to the dreams of the 1994 transition that ousted the abhorrent apartheid regime. Next year’s 30th anniversary of the end of apartheid will come at a time of generalized economic and political malaise. Growth has stagnated (see comparative trends below), hobbled by failing infrastructure, wasted human capital (in a moribund education system), entrenched inequality (worse today than in 1994), and the dearth of new policy ideas. The current global inflationary pressures are further depressing real incomes.
The human toll of economic stagnation is evident in high unemployment rates (32.9%, much higher for youth), a deceleration of improvements in life expectancy, increasing political polarization, and a tattered social fabric.
Meanwhile, the people in charge seem to be out of ideas. The country’s political decay has exacerbated the myriad problems associated with economic stagnation. The once illustrious African National Congress (ANC) has lost its shine. The party of Madiba is now synonymous with the worst forms of corruption and ineptitude.
Eskom, the public utility that supplies 90% of the country’s power, is perhaps the best illustration of the economic consequences of political decay under ANC. To deliver on its mandate, Eskom needs to invest in power generation, regularly maintain power plants and the grid system, and ensure that it recovers enough revenue to stay in the black. All three goals are currently being hampered by politics. Intra-ANC fights over kickbacks have stalled the process of adding 3000MW in new capacity. Poor cash management limits Eskom to only half of its maintenance budget. And just last week President Cyril Ramaphosa urged Eskom to suspend tariff hikes, while addressing an ANC provincial conference.
The economy and regular South Africans are paying dearly for these political failures:
Rolling power cuts in South Africa are severely impacting the country’s growth and increasing the risk of recession. The economic costs associated with electricity outages—known as load-shedding—have reduced GDP by 1 to 1.3 percent annually since 2007, estimates Quinten Bertenshaw, executive director of ETM Analytics. Had load-shedding never occurred, he estimates the country’s economy could be 17 percent larger than it is today. Economists have estimated losses of between 1.5 billion rand and 4 billion rand (about $87 million to $232 million) per day.
It is no wonder that South Africans are generally dissatisfied with both the ANC and their system of government. Whether at the national, provincial, or local levels, political institutions are simply not delivering. More than 66% of respondents surveyed in 2021 indicated a lack of satisfaction with democracy. Party affiliation has declined precipitously as well — largely reflecting the toxicity of the ANC brand (see figures below).
These trends suggest ongoing erosion of both regime legitimacy and the associational foundations of democratic government. They are also most likely to worsen. While the ANC is broken beyond repair and has lost the ability to effectively govern, it still has “liberation” momentum and will likely keep winning majorities in the national legislature or serve as the senior partner in coalition governments. That means South Africans are condemned to endure many more years of a slow-burning political decay and degradation of ever more sectors of public life and institutions.
The lumbering presidency of Cyril Ramaphosa (once touted as a the astute businessman with the ideas and connections to implement real structural economic reforms) is proof positive that the ANC cannot reform itself. Nearly every party insider that can rise to power is tainted, while strong barriers exist against fast-rising outsiders. The party is also divided and includes a cacophony of interest groups that gum up any chance of decisive policymaking.
The claim here is not that things have gotten worse since the end of apartheid. They have not. Rather, it is that the end of apartheid has yet to deliver on its promises. Everyone knows that the abhorrent apartheid regime was as corrupt as they come. Furthermore, it is relatively easier for an autocratic government regime to look “efficient” when it coerces more than 80% of the population and labor force in the service of a tiny racial minority. The ANC’s job is much harder since it has to attend not only to the pressing economic and social needs of the country, but also the demands of mass politics.
II: Is redistribution the answer?
As noted above, one of the challenges to growth in South Africa is entrenched (racial) inequality, much of it due to the twin legacies of colonialism and apartheid. Understandably, there have been calls since 1994 for a structural reorganization of the economy - including through redistribution - in order to expand the menu of economic opportunities available to Black South Africans. Prominent examples of such efforts include the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and land redistribution programs.
Both programs have largely failed. BEE created Black millionaires without expanding the Black middle class. It also fueled the inefficient corruption that continues to plague sector procurement. Land redistribution also failed. Most reasonable people would agree that South Africa must redistribute its land. For symbolic, political, and economic reasons, it is unconscionable that a small minority that historically acquired land through violent dispossession should own nearly three quarters of agricultural land (forget the standard racist scaremongering). Yet government efforts to redistribute land have been excruciatingly slow (democracies are bad at redistribution, even in highly unequal societies).
It is also not clear whether land redistribution to households is the answer. There is little to show for the US$706m spend purchasing land for redistribution — with the effort creating just over 7000 permanent jobs. The results from the land redistribution efforts give reason to reconsider the merits of ruralization of the workforce via household land allocation. South Africa is already 68% urban (and growing), which makes urban mass job creation a more promising channel through which to improve welfare. In any case, despite publishing elaborate plans for agricultural reforms as a mechanism for broad-based poverty reduction, the ANC has yet to walk the walk. According to a 2019 evaluation of the ANC’s 2006 Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS):
The majority (54%) of PLAS beneficiaries did not produce anything substantial during the previous financial year, indicating that PLAS has not been having the desired impact. A shortcoming in beneficiary selection is therefore evident. More than half (±54%) of all beneficiaries were judged as having a limited chance of achieving commercial success. Only about 4% of beneficiaries selected to date were scored as having a good capability rating, or a high chance of achieving commercial success, whilst approximately 7% of PLAS farms are currently operating at a commercial scale, by beneficiaries with a fair or a good capability rating.
III: Potential options for economic rejuvenation
The structural challenges weighing down South Africa’s economy and politics are almost insurmountable. It is hard to imagine any paths to real change as long as the ANC is in power. As currently organized, the party serves as a well-oiled agent of complacency that is very adept at propping up the largely unreconstructed apartheid economy (albeit with newly ascendant Black elites) while also placating specific organized interest groups and vote-getting machines.
Two potential opportunities might help rejuvenate the South African economy before the ANC loses power. The promise in these two options is that, by growing the economic pie, they would attract few distributive fights among the entrenched interest groups within the ANC.
Becoming the gateway to Africa:
After succeeding Madiba, Thabo Mbeki had the grand idea (“African Renaissance”) of making the South African economy the gateway to Africa. While Mbeki failed, South Africa still has the chance to become a bigger economic actor across Africa. From finance to engineering and construction to trade facilitation to value addition for critical minerals to being a source of manufactured goods, the South African economy still has the chance to establish itself as the economic leader of the region. Positioning the economy as the gateway to Africa would necessarily require an aggressive industrial policy that forces South African firms to serve foreign markets. Serving the African market (and beyond) would create more jobs and help arrest the steady decline of labor share in industry.
However, becoming a bigger economic player in Africa will require less navel-gazing by Pretoria and more willingness to step up and act like a regional hegemon that can be relied on not just within SADC, but the entire region. From the perspective of South Africans, it is a travesty that the country sat on its hands as peer economies moved into the region to establish trade ties.
Consider Türkiye, an economy that not long ago was the same size as South Africa. Over the last decade, Turkish firms have muscled their way into African markets with the support of their government which helped establish joint business councils with at least 45 countries. Between 2003 and 2021 trade increased almost sevenfold to $34.5b — more than twice the level of South Africa’s trade with the rest of the Continent. Türkiye can now boast of almost $78b in projects, the most prominent of which include a section of Tanzania’s new railway and much of Somalia’s reconstruction.
South Africa should challenge itself to take on Türkiye and China in competing for markets and projects across the region.
Deregulating the informal economy
Joining the “formal” sector of the economy comes with regulation and taxes. In South Africa, the regulatory regime tends to be quite onerous and targeted at firms with big margins and large compliance departments (with good reason). However, the same regulation stifles the informal sector — especially considering the yawning gap (productivity, scale, profits, etc) between the “formal” and “informal” sectors in South Africa. It is therefore worrying that the labor share of the informal sector has been declining even as unemployment/under-employment increases. To give those who cannot be part of the “formal” economy a chance, Pretoria should deregulate the “informal” sector and see it as a laboratory for growing future “formal” firms and a safety valve in the face of an ever more sclerotic “formal” sector.
As long as the government provides sufficient protections for workers and consumers, there is not reason to fetishize formalization-as-regulation-and-taxation as an end in itself. Comparable economies like Brazil, Bangladesh, and Nigeria have larger “informal” sectors while exhibiting a lot more dynamism that South Africa. Instead of expecting the entire economy to operate as one, the government should accept that it is at best running two completely different economies — one high-income and another lower middle-income. The former economy can afford much of the regulatory burden, while the latter requires maximum regulatory flexibility and innovation in order to grow and absorb the share of the labor force not in the formal sector.
To a non-cynical observer, Cyril Ramaphosa’s elevation to the presidency was supposed to be the beginning of South Africa’s structural transformation. He was not Jacob Zuma. He was a wealthy businessman who, having the trust of the economic elite and markets, would midwife real change without unnecessary degradation of property rights. He was not a flamethrower and would actually be interested in the business of governing.
Yet as he prepares for reelection next year, Ramaphosa has so far not met expectations. He lacks the political skills needed to amass and spend power within the ANC. Instead of changing the party, it has made him in its image. His victory at party elections last year notwithstanding, there is little indication that his second term will be any different from the first. Many people around him (including within the apex National Executive Committee) continue to be stalked by accusations of corruption.
Given the ANC’s inability to elevate outsider leaders, there is a very narrow chance that it can reform itself let alone the country’s economy. Which is to stay that the South African economy and its politics will continue to deteriorate unless the ANC loses power or is forced to form a coalition government with an evenly matched minority party. That is, of course, unless it can somehow see the wisdom of robustly trading with African economies (and beyond) and deregulating its “informal” sector to spur job creation.
Nice article. If you titled your chart axes and chart titles it might be easier to read.
It has been said that the ANC stopped the white led economic gravy train of apartheid only long enough for the whites to get off and the ANC to get on.