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JO - Venezuela and the US: Oddly coupled
Venezuela and the US: Oddly coupled
Sir Ronald Sanders
Sunday, October 29, 2006
The contest between Venezuela and the United States of America, as the champion of Guatemala, over a seat on the UN Security Council was much bluster. The oil relationship paints a different picture.
Sir Ronald Sanders
In a spectacle that lasted for days and several ballots in the UN General Assembly, Venezuela hotly fought Guatemala and the diplomatic network of the US for a non-permanent Security Council seat.
Usually, the regional countries, in this case Latin America and the Caribbean would decide amongst themselves on a candidate and spare the General Assembly the unpleasant task of having to decide for them.
But, neither Guatemala nor Venezuela would withdraw in the Latin American and Caribbean Group (LACG). They continued this pattern in the General Assembly after successive votes failed to deliver the necessary two-thirds majority to either of them.
Guatemala should have withdrawn from the running when it did not secure the endorsement of the LACG.The Central American country could not have wanted a clearer message from member countries of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) who are the majority in the LACG.
They said an emphatic 'no' to Guatemala on two grounds: Guatemala had been vociferous at the World Trade Organisation in derailing the preferential access to the European Union market which Caribbean countries had enjoyed for their bananas; and Guatemala continues to prosecute a claim to all of the territory of Belize (a CARICOM member state) despite many international efforts to end it.
Had Guatemala withdrawn, the LACG would have chosen a country the majority could support, possible Chile or Uruguay, and the matter would have ended there. The selected country, endorsed by Latin American and Caribbean, would have taken the UN Security Council seat automatically.Then, Venezuela entered the arena.
Over the last few years, diplomatic relations between the governments of Venezuela and the US have deteriorated as Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez struck a leftist pose, openly fostered close personal relations with Cuba's Fidel Castro, and promoted left wing political parties in a number of Latin American countries.
He has vehemently opposed the Free Trade Area of the Americas pushed by Washington and has attacked both the foreign policies of US President George W Bush, and Mr Bush personally.During a UN General Assembly speech, Mr Chavez called Mr Bush "the Devil".
Thereafter, the UN Security Council seat became the cause of an unseemly diplomatic war between Venezuela and the US as the campaigner for Guatemala.
The US set out to ensure that Venezuela would not win the seat. Chips were called in, and pressure applied. And in every count, except one, which tied, Guatemala beat Venezuela but could not attain the necessary two-thirds majority to take the seat.
President Chavez claimed his own defeat as a victory.He is reported by the Associated Press as saying that Venezuela had achieved its objective by preventing Washington's preferred candidate from winning the seat. "We have taught the Empire a lesson," he said.
This is a sad statement, for it suggests that in offering Venezuela as the Latin American and Caribbean representative on the UN Security Council, President Chavez was less concerned about the interests of the group and more concerned with giving the US a black eye.
It has to be assumed that he regarded the Security Council seat as a forum from which to continue attacks on US foreign policy, particularly over Iran and North Korea.
And, if that was the objective, it would have changed little since, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Venezuela would have had no veto powers, and in any event, on matters which challenge international peace and security, members of the Council would have been intolerant of rhetoric and grandstanding. Venezuela, in such a role, would have found itself isolated.
So, then, why was the US so determined that Venezuela should not get the Security Council seat? It has to be assumed that the powers in Washington simply decided to deny Mr Chavez another stage on which to strut his anti-Bush stuff. For, Venezuela on the Security Council poses no threat to the US or to the world order.
It is clear that just as Mr Chavez was eager to give the US a black eye, Mr Bush's foreign policy advisers were equally keen to bloody the Venezuelan president's nose.But, while in the first four months of 2006, Venezuela is reported to have sent 11.9 million barrels less of crude and petroleum products to the US than it did for the same period in 2005 when it shipped 190.1 million barrels, it still exports 68% of its oil production to the US whose refineries are geared to processing Venezuela,s heavy crude oil into usable form.
In this connection, not only does the Venezuelan economy need the US, but Mr Chavez himself needs the US market in order to pay for his domestic political programme and his regional and international efforts to secure influence through loans for oil.
Now, it is true that Mr Chavez has been busy opening markets in China and India for Venezuelan oil. Sales to China stood at 14,000 barrels a day in 2004; last year it rose to 80,000 barrels a day. But, the higher shipping costs to Asia are expensive and reduce the country's income by US$3 a barrel.
Not even the US$10 billion that China announced it will pour into Venezuelan energy and infrastructure sectors to feed its own escalating demand for energy will break Venezuelan reliance in the medium term on the US market.
The US also depends on Venezuela, which is one of its top four suppliers of oil, some months surpassing Saudi Arabia. So, all that happened at the UN - using the candidacy of Latin America and the Caribbean for a seat on the Security Council as a backdrop - is much bluster. The substance is in the oil relationship between the US and Venezuela and there they remain coupled, however, oddly.
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They came from nowhere but are seen everywhere. Those who’ve sighted them say they go somewhere. At first, they wore cotton masks. Eventually, they turned to disposable surgical masks. Several months later, they were spotted wearing N95 masks. Today, they are wearing oxygen masks just to breathe. What comes next?
A mystery with so many turns you feel like you’re in a maze, but there is a satisfactory end. Two bigger-than-life personalities matched perfectly. An unforgettable wedding that will have people talking for years. Not because of the Gaelic island setting or the $3,000 wedding cake or hell-raising pranks of the groomsmen, among other memorable sights and events. But because a murder happened during the wedding celebration. Who done it? You will eventually know, as each chapter alternates primarily among four key characters – the bride, the bridesmaid, the plus-one, the wedding planner, and the best man. A few interspersed chapters are told in the third person. The lively writing and well-developed characters make for a good read as well. Of all the weddings that have been going on this year, this is one not to miss. No RSVP needed.
Rayburn rose from the dead and donned his mask. Halloween night! Time to party with his deceased neighbors. Long time no see. He shuffles to the Chambers mausoleum, thinking how ornate it looks compared to the Drakes’ crypt from last year’s bash. The sound of bones clacking discordantly reached his ears as he entered the marble structure. Rayburn immediately recognizes Theodora, even with her mask on, who welcomes him with a request to dance.
The evening wore on with much animation as everyone had been still for so long. Suddenly, someone screeches with alarm. Quiet befalls the group as all eyes turn to Jack O’Lantern, whose mask has somehow slipped off and is dangling from one ear. In all the years they’ve held their annual gathering, they’ve never had such carelessness happen. It was one rule they’ve all agreed to – “Wear a mask and hide the decay; for today is when we can forget we’ve not passed away.” But seeing the slitted nostrils and jagged mouth jolted them to realize such visages of horror also lurk under their own masks.
Thanks to fellow blogger Lashaan, I became aware of this book trilogy written by one of the writers/directors I follow – Guillermo del Toro. With the first book published in 2009, The Strain, followed by The Fall, and ending with The Night Eternal, the series echoes what’s happening today in the context of a life-changing pandemic. However, other than the mention of mask wearing and growing absenteeism in the workplace, that’s where the similarity ends between the present reality and the story. The trilogy takes us through progressively deteriorating apocalyptic conditions with little hope for a cure to a virus that stems from biblical times. As the storyline unfolds throughout the series, we learn more about how vampirism has become mythologized. It’s a horror story full of gore, action, and imagination worthy of a triple read during these Covid times.
Eyes darting from the restaurant’s kitchen to the exit, Hobart is poised to leave before the server comes back. Timing is essential. So is nickel and diming and penny pinching. He earned the nickname, El Cheapo, for suckering his friends to pay for him until they wised up and dwindled to zero. No loss for him, as he saved time and energy by not having to scour for birthday and holiday gifts through lost and found bins in various places. Right now his goal is to dash out unnoticed. He considers changing his nickname to Dodger. It sounds more adventurous.
“The new phone book’s here… I’m a somebody now.” This hilarious quote is from Steve Martin’s character in the movie called “The Jerk.” Unlike that film, however, the new book that’s got me excited is an anthology — America’s Emerging Literary Fiction Writers: Northeast Region.
Once again, the publisher invited me to submit a short story from any of their given genres, and I chose “Lliterary.” I submitted a piece about finding true love . . . and they decided to publish it!
I encourage you to read more about my story if you’re so inclined in the matters of heart, relationships, and “homemade” meatloaf. Before I commit any more spoilers, the links below will take you to either Amazon or the publishing house’s website to purchase the book in paperback or e-book format.
May you be uplifted and inspired!
We live to love,
Love to give,
Give to live,
And the cycle goes on . . .
(Click here to read more about my last short story, published in the Massachusetts’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction).
Links to purchase the first book:
Spring fling is in swing. What’s better than having a thing with the King? Yesterday she attended a local amusement park show to hear the singer’s baritone and dance to the beat of his gyrating hips. After the show, their eyes met and held steady. A photo op with the entertainer came next and she ran to his side with arms akimbo. Her chest grazed his and sparks flew. Who knew? One thing led to another after drinks. Alyssa smooches the Polaroid photo of her posing with the Elvis Presley lookalike. His lips are at their sweetest the morning after.
Grady got grinded for grifting Godfather. Through guileful gimmicks, he burgled Godfather’s genuine gems gifted from His Graciousness. Granulated with ginger and grapes, Grady is now ground burger grade, ready for grilling to be served to Geppetto, Godfather’s German Shepherd. Gents and gals, gasp and grasp; learn this lesson well.
Greywood ponders when it’ll become driftwood.
“Ho, ho, ho!” Santa’s laugh greets those who enter the toy store. Glenn Murdoch, the shop owner’s son, has cleverly hooked up the recorded cheery greeting so it will play each time someone opens the door. Glenn is also responsible for the Christmas music that flows outdoors, as he has installed a horn to work as a speaker to funnel music from inside the adjoining hardware store to the outside. Much merriment is in the air in Olde Towne, a little place the locals sometimes refer to as “Seattle” due to it being in a different worldly dimension yet parallel to the Seattle that exists in the Pacific northwest of the good ole U.S. of A.
During the Christmas holiday season, the atmosphere in Olde Towne is akin to that in the North Pole, where elves busily build toys to get ready for distribution. Everyone in Olde Towne is baking and decorating for the holiday. With all the goodwill and high spirits, no one would ever believe the decapitation of Will’s head. Though one may argue, as did Will’s disheartened wife, that it had been due to Elmer Hadley being drunk from spirits that caused Will to lose his head.
The fateful day occurs one afternoon, when the locals are gathered outside in the town center to decorate the evergreen fir tree. Tables are spread around, replete with Christmas cookies and pitchers of eggnog, both spiked and unspiked. Elmer Hadley, the consummate tree and shrub clipper, unknowingly drinks the spiked eggnog, gulping more cups than he usually does, as his secret crush, Mary Weathers, makes him nervous. So much so that he picks up his prized sharp shears to impress her and proceeds to demonstrate his prowess. By sheer inches, he misses trimming the tall shrub next to Will and instead, cleanly, clips off Will’s head. Thinking fast as a nearby witness, Glenn immediately retrieves Will’s head and places it in the nearest icebox.
Despite Elmer’s faulty judgment, his talent as a superb clipper did result in a smooth cut. (This will later allow the town surgeon to easily stitch Will’s head back on, although the re-attachment will happen after Christmas since the surgeon is currently away for the holidays.) Meanwhile, Will works headless, though heedless, in Seattle, confident in the eventual reunion with his head. Though Olde Towne is in parallel dimension to Seattle, it operates under different rules of physics and physiques.
As for Elmer, he has sworn off eggnog for the rest of the holiday season. His polished work on Will, though most unintentional, had strangely impressed Mary, who is now sleeping well for her secret crush on Elmer is reciprocated. Who knew Elmer would make the cut?
[Based on actual figurines displayed in a winery north of Seattle]

domain: literature


An international conference to explore initiatives in affordable housing, infrastructure provision and local government finance.
9th and 10th October 2003
This event was extremely timely: all levels of Irish government and society are beginning to address the core issues of land ownership, review initiatives abroad and suggest workable mechanisms to deliver social cohesion and sustainable development in Ireland.
The problem in Ireland
Symptoms and causes. The unsustainable costs of home ownership. Homelessness and the pressures on tenants in the private rented sector. Difficulties of acquiring land for social housing. The rural – urban divide in housing quality and costs. The link between land, mortgages, money and the boom- bust property cycle. Paying for needed transport and services infrastructure.
Addressing the problem
Basic principles and overseas experience. The claim of the community on land. The land value tax model. The concept of ‘tax shift’. The experience of the Alaskan Oil and Niger Delta Funds. The ‘Dual Rate’ local tax in Philadelphia US. Using land value levies to pay for infrastructure in London. The logistics of assessing collecting land value taxes and levies.
Land tenure systems and land value taxes
Land Tenure under the Gaelic Brehon Laws. The Irish struggle for tenants rights land and redistribution in Ireland. The Scottish Land Campaign and Scottish Parliamentary Inquiry into LVT. The land value taxation Liverpool study. Community Land Companies and Trusts in the US and Britain.
Land-based solutions for Ireland
The potential of land value taxes to offer solutions to Irish problems. Financing Local Government with locally raised land taxes. Rates reform, Bonds and Levies to fund infrastructure development. Community land trusts and companies. Revenue projections with logistics. Registration of title and interest in land.
Working Groups will provide plenty opportunity for discussion and feedback.
Joshua Vincent, Executive Director of the Centre for the Study of Economics, Philadelphia, from the USA, Dave Wetzel, Vice Chair of Transport for London UK, Fred Harrison, Director of the Centre for Land Policy Studies U.K., Rob Gibson, Member of the Scottish Parliament from Scotland are only some of the stimulating and experienced overseas speakers.
Michael Punch, economist and social housing researcher and Richard Douthwaite, author and noted sustainability economist were among the speakers from Ireland.
About the Organisers
Feasta: the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability
Feasta is a member-run, public limited company and charity founded in 1998 by people who are not satisfied with the prevailing view that economic growth is an end in itself and must be fostered regardless of the social and environmental consequences.
The word feasta, means ‘going forward’ and is taken from the Irish poem ‘Kilcash’ that lamented the twin destruction of the Gaelic culture and oak forests of 17thC Ireland. Feasta believes that human society faces an even greater challenge as the end game of the current system approaches and the harsh consequences of profligate resource use and deep inequality are felt.
Feasta’s Mission is to identify the characteristics (economic, cultural and environmental) of a truly sustainable society, articulate how the necessary transition can be effected and promote the implementation of the measures required for this purpose.
It aims to spark the necessary transition to this vision by publishing the results of its research, by engaging in discussion with mainstream society, and by educating public and private sector decision-makers, professionals and academics, producers and consumers alike.
The Henry George Foundation
The Henry George Foundation is an independent economic and social justice think tank and public education group. It is dedicated to exploring and promoting the principles and approaches necessary to create a just and prosperous society and a healthy environment.
The Foundation’s primary concern is the development of sound relationships between the individual in society, our communities at large (from local to global) and our natural resources. Its focus is the root of those relationships as they manifest themselves in social science and economics.
The Foundation injects fresh and intelligent thinking into a broad range of social policy agendas. It puts forward practical and innovative solutions to seemingly intractable social problems. The Foundation aims to put people at the heart of economics.
Transcripts of lectures from the conference:
On Recovering the Sacred Income – Fred Harrison
Business problems, land solutions: the case for land and tax reform – Albert Catterall
Congestion Charges – Dave Wetzel
Note: Feasta is a forum for exchanging ideas. By posting on its site Feasta agrees that the ideas expressed by authors are worthy of consideration. However, there is no one ‘Feasta line’. The views of the article do not necessarily represent the views of all Feasta members.


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Our guide to some of the UK’s best festive fairs and, in our opinion, the best way to get there.
A nation rich in history and tradition, in spite of the cold weather, the festive season is one of the most enjoyable times of year in the UK.
Our multiculturalism and proximity to the Continent has meant that we’ve adopted a number of Europe’s Yuletide practices, including, in particular, the Christmas market.
Wreathed in the mouth-watering smells of mulled wine, roasting chestnuts and sizzling bratwurst, for many the Christmas market is one of the ultimate symbols of the season.
With quaint chalet-style shops displaying a treasure trove of festive wares, not to mention all manner of other attractions to help get you into the festive spirit, while being there is an experience not to be missed, with lengthy traffic queues and train delays, getting there can put you off going entirely.
Unless, of course, you’re travelling by helicopter.
Ideal for short distances and able to get into and out of even the smallest landing sites with ease, a helicopter charter can be the perfect choice for a hassle-free trip to visit one of the best UK Christmas markets.
And, in case, you need a little festive inspiration, here are five of the best UK Christmas markets to get you started.
16th November – 17th December
Hosted on the historic Cathedral Green, Exeter’s Christmas market boasts a variety of local, regional and international specialities, including hand-crafted souvenirs and festive delicacies.
10th November – 20th December
Manchester hosts several festive markets, but chief among them has to be the German-style fair in St Ann’s Square and the French-themed stalls along King Street. With a multitude of Yuletide trinkets and treasures in store, not to mention treats to tickle your taste buds, a visit to this city during the holiday season is an opportunity not to be missed.
16th November – 24th December
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest German market outside of Germany and Austria, offering a vast selection of traditional foods such as pretzels, schnitzels and bratwurst, washed down with glühwein, weissbeer or hot chocolate. Next door you’ll also find the Christmas Craft Fair, featuring the handiwork of local artists.
20th November – 22nd December
Boasting one of the South of England’s largest Christmas markets, the medieval city of Winchester’s festive fair offers a range of craft items and Christmas decorations. And, if the crowds get too much, head to The Square and Parchment Street nearby to peruse the independent stores, or dine in one of cafes or restaurants.
Every weekend from 25th – 17th December
It doesn’t get much more historic than this, with the Castle providing a stunning backdrop, decked in cinnamon and orange wreaths, pine trees and twinkling fairy lights. Hosted on the Cedar Lawn, overlooking the Castle, this annual Christmas Market features live music and a host of fairground rides, including a Victorian carousel.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little further afield, why not take a look at some of our favourite European Christmas market destinations.
Our team of charter elves are happy to advise on suitable options on helicopter charters to any of the best UK Christmas markets, or any other requirements you may have – make an enquiry or call +44 (0)1737 232230.Back to News

domain: travel


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An archaeological dig is underway that could uncover a lost Bishop's palace.
The dig in Ancrum in the Scottish Borders has long been believed to have been an important medieval site.
Now experts from Glasgow University are hoping to uncover a Bishop's Palace, or a stronghold of the crusading Knights of Malta. The work has been commissioned by Scottish Borders Council. Their archaeological officer said:
"One of Glasgow's bishops - Bishop de Bondington who was responsible for building Glasgow Cathedral - actually died in the village after dictating his last writ to the Pope.
"Ancrum, it seems, was at the very centre of medieval religion and politics until the Wars of Independence."
A map from the 1770s depicts a ruined building on the site, but every map thereafter shows a blank field.
Dr Bowles believes the ruins were most likely brought down around the turn of the 19th century to make way for agricultural improvement.
More top news
A look ahead at the forecast for the Border region.
ITV Border's John Ballard, author of '10 Greatest Ships of the Royal Navy', provides the context and background of the Battle of Jutland
After her mother was ran over by a car, Peter and Iona Pennington saved the life of 'Twiggy' the fawn, who they've now adopted...

domain: history


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Sure, your little one already knows the art of the couch sprawl. But toddler chairs can be a great addition to your den or playroom. Designed with your little one’s measurements in mind, toddler chairs can be colorful, portable and often have washable covers to make cleanup a snap. Here’s what to look for in a great toddler chair.
This isn’t your lumpy pull-out. A toddler sleeper couch can be a great option for toddlers to sprawl out on a lazy morning. A sleeper couch can also be a great nap or rest option for older toddlers, who may resist going into their bed in the middle of the day.
Washable slip cover offers a friendly face to add to nursery or playroom decor; kid-safe zipper keeps pillows in place. Amazon
One of the benefits of a toddler chair is its portability. Bring it out on movie night or use it as seating when you have family come to visit. Kids can also learn that it’s okay to climb on “their” chair, but not on any permanent furniture in the living room.
Lounger has hardwood frame and footrest; holds up to 90 pounds, allowing room for growth. Delta Children
Don’t worry about the mess—that’s why your toddler isn’t sitting on your armchairs just yet. Many toddler chairs are made with wipe-clean surfaces or have easy-to-unzip covers you can toss in the wash. This way, you can let kids be kids—and still keep the living room relatively mess-free.
Lounger has hardwood frame and footrest; holds up to 90 pounds, allowing room for growth. Costzon
If you’ve got multiple kids, consider a chair that provides room to grow. Look for a chair or lounger that is a mini-replica of the pieces made for adults, but at a size and budget more appropriate for kids. Not only is a child-specific chair usually more wallet-friendly, but a smaller model is great to preserve space in a child’s bedroom or playroom.

domain: design


Limerick FC have to change if they want fan engagement
This week, we here at the Limerick Leader received a letter from Sweden.
The land of IKEA, Volvo and Spotify is not normally the country we get letters from, but it was great to get it all the same.
The letter came from Limerick native Noel Sheehy.
Noel, like the rest of us, has some concerns about the future of Limerick FC as we know it.
Mr. Sheehy asked two questions.
1. Has there been any approach from Limerick FC to help them in their search of a buyer/investor?
2. Do you have any idea how much is the club available for?
To quickly answer both, no and it would be very hard to put a figure on the value of the club at this time.
The letter showed once more the level of interest there is in Limerick FC.
We can see from our paper sales on weeks of big games and also through our website, just how many people have an interest in the goings on at the ‘SuperBlues’.
The club have had a torrid few weeks, with part time football the only likely saving grace for the club as we know it.
Last week saw the possibility of the players going on strike, while the optics of the PFAI and the FAI getting involved in your club is never a good thing for potential investors.
As Cork City and Dundalk have shown in recent times, investment in the league can lead to European cash windfalls. Both clubs seem to be heading in the right direction in terms of fan engagement, management of player wages and building links with their business communities.
Are these all things that Limerick FC could do? Sure they are. The last census has Limerick City and County's population at above 190,000.
There has to be enough people in that number who would be prepared to swap their hard earned cash to support the team.
The disconnect between the club and the community is growing on a weekly basis. The transient nature of sports fans means that with each passing week, Limerick are less and less likely to gain new fans.
The troubles Limerick FC have had on the pitch can be directly linked to the uncertain times the club have faced off the pitch.
It is hard to know if openly advertising that the club was for sale was a good thing. Investors or buyers knew that if they bided their time they would ‘pick up’ the club for a cheaper price at the end of the season.
Inconsistent updating of the club's website and social media channels has also not helped the ‘passing interest fan’ from learning more about the team and when they are playing next.
The website has jumped wildly between the best updated site in the league, to going several weeks without a match report.
This is just another example of how the club has lost touch with what really matters.
For Limerick FC to move forward the Markets Field needs to be an attractive match day experience for all, while also playing host to those more 'boisterous' supporters who add some colour and atmosphere.
Modern football is an entertainment business. Limerick FC struggled this season to engage with their potential new fans, while also allowed the opening part of the season to be dominated by a poor playing surface.
Couple these items with the loss of some high profile signings and the off the field rumblings from last week and you see an organisation which is in need of a massive overhaul in ideas.
Goodwill is something that Limerick FC are always going to have. Limerick people would love nothing more than to have a soccer team in the city which played in Europe, however goodwill is nothing without cold hard cash.
That's what pays the bills.
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White House Expedites Review Process for SW Corridor
The Obama administration said Monday that it will expedite the permitting and other environmental review processes for the Southwest Corridor light-rail line.
The Southwest Corridor—a $1.25 billion proposed transit line that would run between downtown Minneapolis and Eden Prairie—is one of two projects that were selected as part of the administration’s “We Can’t Wait” initiative. The other selected project is the University Circle–Little Italy Rapid Station in Cleveland, which calls for the construction of a new a rail transit station and the relocation of an existing station.
Permitting and environmental review processes for the two projects will occur concurrently, rather than sequentially—a move that is “expected to shave several months off project schedules,” the White House said in a press release, which indicated that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration are the “coordinating agencies” for the project.
The proposed Southwest Corridor would include 15 miles of new track and 17 transit stations. It would connect near Target Field with the Hiawatha and Central Corridor light-rail routes, as well as the Northstar commuter rail line.
Metropolitan Council Chairwoman Sue Haigh said in a Monday statement that the White House’s announcement affirms that the Southwest Corridor is a “high-ranking and viable project.”
Haigh said that the construction of the transit line will generate more than 3,500 jobs, and the project will ultimately create 175 permanent jobs. She also said that the White House announcement is “especially timely” because the council expects to receive proposals on Tuesday regarding the project’s preliminary engineering, and the project’s draft environmental impact statement will be released October 12.
But the $1.25 billion Southwest Corridor project has encountered some obstacles. It was left out of the bonding bill that Governor Mark Dayton signed earlier this year, and the Metropolitan Council subsequently applied for a share of $47.5 million in unallocated state funds that were part of the bill and meant to support economic development projects.
The Southwest Corridor was one of 90 projects that applied for funding, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) gave it poor marks when recommending how the money should be allocated.
The project ultimately received $2 million in state funding—a fraction of the $14 million that Metropolitan Council sought.
To date, the project has received $47 million in commitments from the state, the Counties Transit Improvement Board, and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, in addition to the $2 million grant from DEED, Metropolitan Council spokeswoman Laura Baenen said Monday.
But the state has thus far committed only $7 million of the $125 million share it has been allocated in the funding plan. Baenen said that the Metropolitan Council will continue to seek state funding for the project.
The funding plan calls for the Counties Transit Improvement Board, which leverages taxes from several Minnesota counties to invest in transit projects, to pay $375 million, or 30 percent, and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, a government entity established to implement light rail transit in Hennepin County, to pick up the remaining $125 million.
The funding plan calls for the federal government to provide matching funds to cover the remaining 50 percent, but the council must first complete the engineering and final design phases for the project. And according to a report by the Star Tribune, the federal government is expected to make a decision on its share of funding after much of the other financing is in place.


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domain: medical


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Been Vegetarian 5 months whats wrong now?
Posted by auungbong at 12/15/2007
For the past two weeks I have been eating sweet things that I normally do not eat and have been indulging in snacks like tortilla chips, peanuts (too much) along with peanut butter and cookies. Is this a result of vitamin defincency? I have gained 5 pounds as a result of this binge and I really dont know how to stop it. I dont crave meat at all but Ive been told that I have to eat meat to maintain my calorie intake as well as my nutrients. Anyone please help, thank you!
Time to get dirty!
I have the same condition / affliction very regularly.
When my strong cravings come I sharpen my act & really focus on / follow these 7 steps.
1) stock up on a big selection of especialy wonderful fresh whole nuts & fruits, especially organic bananas & I keep them in strategic places - in my bag - next to my bed - next to my computer.
2) stock up on some extra-special salad ingredients & "graze" my way through the worst days of my craving period.
3) reach for my box of psyllium husks first thing each morning & mix just a little with very tasty juice for some easy detox.
4) jump on buses as often as I can - jumping off about 10 miles from my home & briskly walk back.
5) discuss my cravings with 1 or 2 of my most sensible vegan well-wishers.
5) take a look at my "tea shelf" & if it is looking a little bare I buy 4oz of a really excellent tea & start to drink it.
6) for a few days strictly avoid certain "friends" who regularly recommend that I eat sections of decomposing animal corpses & offer to treat me to meals.
7)have my notebook always to hand & keep some simple "body records" for a few days - how I feel at certain times of the day - body weight - what I ate & when - how long it took to come out (this requires a little toilet gazing & is much easier if you ingest some "markers" every few meals such as flax seeds / sweet corn / beetroot etc.).
I also "think of racehorses" - if I was responsible a multi-million $ racehorse I would not feed it tortilla chips, peanuts, peanut butter and cookies etc.
auungbong - "May the force be with you"
Mr. Webmaster - we need a "Preview" function badly!
"Ive been told that I have to eat meat to maintain my calorie intake as well as my nutrients"
Just to put it in perspective, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter is 94 calories and the equivalent of 1 oz of sirloin steak is about 52 calories. Sounds nuts (pun intended) that you'd need to eat meat for MORE calories? Nuts are a wonderful source of calories AND protein. That same size serving of nuts is 4 grams and the meat is almost 9 grams. The important thing to note is that over a day's time you should get plenty of protein if you are eating a variety of plant foods (especially nuts and legumes) to meet your needs. Most meat eaters way exceed their protein needs. For a person in generally good health your protein need is 0.8-1 gram per kilo of your weight.
As far as otherwise why you are eating like you are, you are normal! Lots of people go through these phases (like rafael mentioned!), it's part of life! Most of us have to watch what we eat to keep our weight healthy, at least some of the time. Also, on a side note, with the winter around, a lot of people eat more to put on that blubber layer so you may just have to be extra careful!
Thanks. I will try these 7 steps ( I was hoping for maybe 3...5 tops but 7... ehh). One question what is "box of psyllium husks ?" Also, thanks for not wanting to feed me those items (maybe the peanut butter can stay?) if I was a racehorse. Hahaha.
All my friends and everyone I affiliate with are meat eaters. They eat meat in front of me and personally I could care less what they consume but its a bother when they are constantly nagging on me to eat the right amount of protein which " only comes from animals."
I will bring a notebook with me while I look into my toilet and sketch out what I see. LOL.
Other than that, thanks for the help and advice. I might think about going to my doctor to see if I can improve my intake of foods and what foods I can try that are new and unique and fufilling. I have researched so much but apparently it is not enough.
Thanks for the quick reply back. Sadly enough, my nutrition intake has been very poor. I have been depending on Oatmeal, Yogurt and granola chunks, cake, popcorn, and more oatmeal (with raisans of course) for the past month... plus lots of apples and pineapple. I know that is why I am eating this way now. I have been feasting on peanuts and raisans way to much as well and I need to change my diet ASAP.
Maybe its time to see a nutrionist...because of my sudden change from a meat and vegetable diet to only vegetable? Ehh.
Thanks a bunch!
The only other thing I would recommend is not buying particular items when at the grocery store. I avoid buying chips and cookies. I bypassed some Vegan cookies at the store yesterday, it was hard, but I did it. The way I look at it is if it's not in my house, I can't eat it. I hope everything works out for you!
syn - peanut butter and cookies? how about peanut butter cookies? :oP
auungbong - yeah, that sounds pretty unbalanced! Lots of great recommendations here, I think you'll end up just fine. ^_^
I also like Psyllium Husks - if you buy them from an "Indian" store they can cost almost nothing as they are a standard food ingredient (in Hindi the name is "Sat Isabgol")- if you buy them from health stores / online they can cost a small fortune - I generally buy "Telephone Brand" from Indian stores - they come packed in a mainly green card box in Asia.
+ "Sat-Isabgol is derived from the seeds of plant called 'Plantaqo Ovata'. Sat-Isabgol is also known as Psyllium Husks, Sat-Isabgol, and Ispaqhula. This is an annual herb grown in Gujarat & Rajasthan States of India.
Sat-Isabgol is nothing but a filmy upper layer of Isabgol Seeds. It has a significant property of absorbing water and form a bulk mucilage. Its action is purely mechanical and its efficiancy is entirely due to the large quantity of mucilage present in the husks.
Currently Sat-Isabgol is most oftenly used as a bulk fiber in foods supplements." +
DC Vegan02/04/2008 16:21:56
It is not dangerous to change suddenly, but you may have to deal with all your instincts that tell you so. For this (purely psychological) reason, it may be best if you have a carnivorous family, to leave a year or so between giving up meat, fish, poultry, eggs, etc. Remember you will (or shoud) be eating a variety of fruits and veggies way beyond theirs, and the deprival is theirs, not yours.
It turned out that 3 well-balanced, hearty meals was the best solution for me personally.
A balanced meal for me usually consists of a mix of the following:
- GRAINcooked brown rice, quinoa, millet, buckwheat noodles, etc
- GREENS/VEGETABLEsteamed or stir fried fresh seasonal vegetable, organic when possible
- LEGUMEcooked bean, tofu, seitan, tempeh, soy or wheat-gluten veggie "meat"
- SIDES/Additionsseaweed, saukerkraut, kimchi, fresh raw salad, soup
Between meals, I would snack on dry roasted nuts, fresh fruit, and/or occasionally mildly sweetened vegan cookie.
Eating well is my key to helping me stay satisfied & healthy on a vegetarian diet.
It take conscious planning and effort!

domain: food


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Actually, “priceless” is the wrong word. These one-of-a-kind masterpieces were valued at just under $24 million.
Seven pieces in all were stolen from the Kunsthal museum in the Netherlands last year in what some have called the “heist of the century.” Yet, their final resting place will be Romania, where one of the thieves mothers allegedly burned them in an attempt to destroy this “evidence.”
And you thought O.J.’s glove was valuable.
UPI reports, “The thieves were unable to sell the paintings and [the] mother panicked after investigators searched her house in February.” The ashes “have been sent to Romania’s National Museum of History for a technical analysis” where scientists are sure to confirm that, yes, these are now completely worthless.
Possibly even more discouraging news is all the destruction went for naught. Despite her valiant efforts with a torch, her son, Radu Dogaru, was arrested and police say she faces 10 to 20 years in jail.
It just goes to show that mother doesn’t always know best.

domain: news


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For spreading Apple products support, Apple has been launched the Technical Support Forum for Chinese consumers, the iPhone maker updated its online support forums to handle the native language.
Members of the service were told they could begin localizing their apps for Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese, along with several other languages.
Both the App Store and the Mac App Store are in 155 countries with 40 languages. However, some developers we talked to expressed concern over Apple’s push for software localization, mostly citing cost concerns.
Just before the call for app localization, Apple unveiled a version of the Chinese Support Communities forum, an effort to permit local users to submit questions and provide answers written in their local language.


With Andy Murray out of the competition, Rafael Nadal’s half of the draw is looking rather unproblematic as he searches out his first US Open title.
So far Nadal has kept himself out of the spotlight with some uninspiring wins in three trouble-free rounds, but will face a stiffer test in his fellow countryman Feliciano Lopez – Nadal lost to Lopez the last time these two met in June.
Lopez is a generous 15/2 and will be fresh for the game after his third round opponent, Sergiy Stakhovsky, retired hurt in the second set with Lopez leading 4-0 and in command of the match.
Rafael Nadal is yet to hit his peak form on the hard courts this year, with many writing off his chances, he was third in the betting behind Federer and Murray until the Brit was knocked out, but is now 11/8 to triumph in Flushing Meadows.
The man from Mallorca didn’t progress further than the first round in his last two hard court tournaments but holds a 5-2 head-to-head record over Lopez and is a strong 20/1 to win.
Matches between Nadal and Lopez are usually over pretty quickly, the loser hasn’t won a set in their last six meetings, and Nadal is 4/11 to win 3-0.
Stanislav Wawrinka will be in confident mood ahead of his tie with American Sam Querrey, but Murray’s conqueror will have to face a battle with the crowd as they seek an American champion.
Both men have been in impressive form dropping just the one set over the three rounds, and both are backable at 5/6, but Querrey may just have the edge in front of his home support and is 9/2 to take the match in five sets.
Fernando Verdasco takes on David Ferrer in another all-Spanish affair and just edges favouritism at 8/11. See the full US Open tennis betting market here.


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No names. No numbers. And then they'd go their separate ways. But not all one-night stands work out that way. Sometimes they're meant to be forever.Get updates
Liz grew up devouring fairy tales and her mother's book collection (don't tell her!) that included Harold Robbins, James Clavell, and Colleen McCullough. Although she studied Journalism in college, she discovered that she preferred writing fiction and so these days, that's what she does. She writes women's fiction and romance, contemporary and historical.

domain: artistic


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Commissioned to remodel an 1840s Brooklyn brownstone for a Swedish-American family of four–Jakob Trollbäck and Lisa Smith Trollbäck and their children, August and Stina–architects Solveig Fernlund and Neil Logan transformed the first floor into the beating heart of the house. Wanting to create an open, loft-like space that contrasts with the rest of the structure’s hallways and rooms, the architects took inspiration from Mies van der Rohe’s use of built-in storage cabinets as an alternative to walls. Fernlund and Logan also solved the trickiest riddle of the room–where to place the staircase–by turning tradition on its head and building an open-tread stair at the back end of the space; their stair design, like the first floor itself, is at once low key and undeniably grand.
N.B.: The architects ran the firm Fernlund + Logan when they worked on the remodel in close collaboration with Jakob Trollbäck–it was their fourth residential project for him. They have since opened their own offices: Solveig Fernlund Design and Neil Logan Architect.
Photography by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.
Above: The wide-open kitchen revolves around a modernist picnic table and mobile-like Ingo Maurer light, the Zettel’z 5 Chandelier, clipped with pieces of paper decorated with drawings and notes. The combination of white walls, modernist wood furniture, and pale floors lend the design a Scandinavian feel.
For another indoor picnic table we’re coveting, see Architect David Chipperfield’s New Designs for e15.
Above: The table’s bench seating is inset with shaggy seating cushions. It was purchased at ABC Carpet & Home in New York.
Above: The kitchen work area features cabinets of Douglas fir laminated to multi-ply birch plywood and an elegant, wafer-thin stainless steel counter that’s also laminated to the ply. The range and hood are both Viking designs. The sink is from Italian company Alpes Inox–see our post Race-Car-Style Appliances for Compact Kitchens–and the faucet is by Bulthaup.
Above: A detail of the stainless steel countertop. A signature of the architects is to leave the striped edges of the plywood exposed.
Above: A large custom cabinet of Douglas fir laminated onto birch multi-ply sections off the kitchen from a small living room area by the entry. The kitchen side of the cabinet conceals the refrigerator and freezer as well as storage shelves behind closed doors.
Above: The cabinet knobs are custom made of Douglas fir.
Above: A Sub Zero refrigerator is tucked into the end closest to the sink.
Above: Shallow shelving designed for glassware.
Above: The front entry presents another built-in divider, a coat closet made of Douglas fir. The armchair is Hans Wegner’s 1951 classic Papa Bear Chair.
Above: The living area is used for practicing and playing music.
Above: The staircase has open risers that are made from old floor joists removed from the house and glued together to get the desired width. The open riser design allows the whole space to be light filled and oriented to the French doors. The down staircase, meanwhile, connects the first floor with the garden level of the house. The floor itself is newly installed oak that’s painted in Benjamin Moore Platinum Gray enamel. It has radiant heat and is made from best-grade wood to prevent it from warping due to the heat. For more on the subject, see Remodeling 101: Things to Know About Radiant Floor Heating.
Above: The picnic dining table is used for kids’ art projects as well as for family meals and dinner parties. French doors open the kitchen to a terrace and ground floor garden.
Above: Rising from the back of the kitchen, the stair presents a dramatic V-shaped profile.
Above: The stair has a rail that’s wrapped in Spinneybeck leather. It’s stitched in place and the seam runs on the underside where fingers are placed. It took two tries for the fabricators to get the design right.
Above: A new kitchen terrace extends over a ground floor garden patio. The long weathered table is surrounded by French Tolix chairs.
Above: A floorplan of the newly opened-up first floor shows the use of built-in cabinets as room dividers. The brownstone is 24.5 feet wide and the first floor is 980 square feet.
To see the brownstone’s attic bathroom, turn to pages 238-241 of the Remodelista book. Also check out another Fernlund + Logan project at Architect Visit: Fernlund + Logan in New York. And for more inspiration, browse our photo gallery of Scandinavian design.
Looking for more kitchen ideas? See our past Kitchen of the Week posts.
This post is an update. It originally ran on November 21, 2013, as part of our Crowd Control issue.


Product Number : D6F-05N7-000
The D6F is built for use with general-purpose devices. In particular, when using the D6F for applications with the safety requirements described below, take steps to ensure system and device safety through measures such as fail-safe designs, redundant designs, and regular inspections.
•Safety devices for ensuring safety for persons
•Transportation equipment control (such as applications to stop operation)
•Aviation and space equipment
•Nuclear power equipment
Do not use the D6F for applications in which D6F operation would directly affect human life.
Transportation equipment control
Nuclear power equipment
Reduction of Piping time by quick joint connection.
Low -flow rate of city gas and propane gas can be measured.
10 L/min and 30 L/min of Air can be measured.
Compact size of 30 × 84.6 × 30 mm (H × W × D).
Reduction of Piping Time


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Here’s the good news: There hasn’t been a case of Legionnaires’ disease diagnosed in the Bronx outbreak since August 3. And though the death total is now sadly up to 12, hundreds of cooling towers have been checked and scrubbed; the trend line in the sickness is headed downward.
That information won’t dominate the headlines, though, because the other thing that’s plunging — inexorably, it seems — is the relationship between Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio. It was difficult to imagine things improving after de Blasio’s extended blast at Cuomo last month, in which the mayor accused the governor of extracting revenge on people who dared to disagree with Cuomo. But today brought a new low, if only because public health and not just political posturing was involved.
During overlapping press conferences — Cuomo in his midtown office, de Blasio down at City Hall — the two men managed to present possibly conflicting, and certainly confusing, information about just how many Bronx buildings had newly tested positive for Legionnaires’. Two, said de Blasio. Three, said Cuomo. The city’s pair, it emerged, were inside the “impact zone.” The state’s trio were not — which de Blasio and the city health commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett, seemed to suggest made them red herrings, medically. The governor said he was unaware of what the city was proposing to do to monitor cooling towers — as the mayor was laying out his plans.
“The politicians are not the issue here,” de Blasio said. “When it comes to the health officials, they are perfectly coordinated.” Well, sort of: Cuomo’s health commissioner, Dr. David Zucker, received the state’s positive results during the governor’s press conference — and announced them publicly after leaving a phone message for Bassett, who was appearing at the City Hall briefing.
All this isn’t good for anyone, especially the anxious residents of the South Bronx neighborhoods where 113 people have been infected since early July. De Blasio deserves some credit for not criticizing Cuomo today — though the mayor broadcast his irritation by avoiding speaking the governor’s name for more than an hour. Cuomo may have scored some points by parachuting in and appearing to take charge of the Legionnaires’ crisis — though likening the outbreak to a “bad science-fiction movie” on NY1 last week wasn’t exactly calming, and the governor would have made himself look even bigger by standing next to the mayor for a few minutes. These guys don’t need to pretend to be pals again, but a show of bacteria-fighting unity wouldn’t have killed them.


FAA issued Advisory Circular 90-114 regarding usage of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology in compliance with FAR 91.225 and 91.227. These regulations require aircraft operating in certain classes of airspace to be equipped with ADS-B Out beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The circular contains guidance on compliance, including an overview of the ADS-B system, general operating procedures and performance requirements.
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Collaborative robot automatic tool changer
ATI Industrial Automation’s QC-11 automatic tool changer (ATC) is a vital component of many robotic applications and is now certified to work seamlessly with collaborative robots from Universal Robots, joining more than 150 products in the UR+ portfolio featuring plug-and-play solutions for UR cobots that help users get up and running quickly.
The QC-11 enables automatic exchange of robotic end-effectors without any manual intervention. With an ATI ATC, a robot can use multiple end-effectors in a single process. Preceding the QC-11 in the UR+ program are ATI’s Axia80 force/torque sensor and MC-10 manual tool changer.
The QC-11 is the first automated tool changer developed in the Americas to obtain UR+ certification. It was featured last week at ATI Industrial Automation’s Automation Expo held at the company’s recently expanded and renovated headquarters in Apex, North Carolina. The Expo was a unique opportunity for attendees to see this tool changer in action, witnessing its extremely high strength-to-weight ratio. When coupled, the master and tool weigh less than 0.25kg (0.55 lb), with a combined stack height of 52.4mm (2.06"). The small footprint of the robust QC-11 helps to optimize the robot payload and work envelope while supporting the maximum UR payload of 10kg (22 lb).
ATI’s patented, pneumatically actuated, fail-safe, locking mechanism provides strong, repeatable coupling under the rigors of industrial use. It also ensures that the tooling remains securely attached to the robot – even during a loss of air pressure. The QC-11 features six integrated M5 pneumatic pass-through ports. It allows for an optional, accessory mounted, M8 connector for up to eight pass-thru electrical pin connections. Users can incorporate a compatible pin-and-bushing tool stand for storage of the additional end-of-arm tools as well.


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Posts Tagged ‘Ilona Andrews’
Liviania’s review of Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, Book 5) by Ilona Andrews Urban Fantasy published by Ace 31 May 11 Magic Bleeds is an almost perfect urban fantasy novel, so husband and wife team Ilona Andrews have a lot to live up to in Magic Slays. But while Magic Slays falls short of its predecessor, [...]
Liviania’s Quick Quack Reviews of one science fiction romance and three urban fantasy novels by Cameron Haley, Ilona Andrews, Katherine Allred, and Phaedra Weldon.
Gwen’s review of Bayou Moon (The Edge, Book 2) by Ilona Andrews Fantasy romance released by Ace 28 Sep 10 Ever wonder where the term “redneck” comes from? In Texas, it has a very different meaning than in other parts of the country. No matter where you live, though, being called a redneck is not [...]
Liviania’s review of On the Edge (The Edge, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews Urban fantasy released by Ace 29 Sept 2009 You can barely take two steps in the urban fantasy pond before hearing a recommendation for Ilona Andrews (the penname of the eponymous Andrews and her husband Gordon). I recently managed to pick up [...]
Sandy M’s review of Must Love Hellhounds by Andrews, Brook, Harris, and Singh Contemporary Paranormal Romance published by Berkley Trade 1 Sep 09 I don’t read anthologies very often, but once in a while they’re a nice change of pace. I figured I’d love this one because after reading Lori Devoti’s hellhounds series, I fell [...]

domain: entertainment


Nearly seven years since the release of their well-received White Lightning EP, the wait for an album is almost over for fans of the Boorloo/Perth-based four-piece of punk rock & rollers, who themselves have been waiting after a string of bad luck saw the album’s original release date of 2019 pushed back several times.
To celebrate the album’s release, The Shakeys are bringing their live show to Lucy’s Love Shack on Saturday, October 9, playing the album in its entirety, with some tracks being performed for the first (and potentially last?) time ever! Alongside The Shakey’s frenetic live performance, punter’s will be treated to sets from Perth art-punk stalwarts Shit Narnia and garage rockers Brackets (featuring members of Surf Rabbits).
We’re pumped to have two double passes to giveaway to The Shakey’s Mob Mentality Album launch this Saturday night, October 9 at Lucy’s Love Shack.
To WIN email us here at firstname.lastname@example.org with THE SHAKEYS in the subject line and your phone number in the copy, then tag the mate you will take in the Facebook post. Don’t forget to like the X-Press Facebook page and sign up to the newsletter to be in the running!
Competition closes Friday, October 8 at 12pm. You must be a WA resident and able to attend the event on Saturday, October 9.


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EVANS — Backpackers do it. Toddlers do it.
Even feral cats do it.
So when it came to solving her midnight bathroom demands under the no-flush rules of flooded Colorado towns, Susan Stadler figured she could do it, too.
Stadler, a proudly practical homeowner on the front lines of Evans’ major flooding problems, brought her cats’ kitty litter into her own bathroom.
“I was thinking, wait a minute, the cats know what to do,” Stadler said.
She draped a bright towel over the toilet as a reminder not to use it, placed an empty bucket next to it, and 3 inches of scented litter in the bucket.
When she and her husband have to “go,” and can’t make the dark walk to one of many portable toilets set out by the town, the bucket works. And just as with the cats, the dusty bundle of resulting refuse goes into a trash bag, with no fuss and little muss.
It’s a fine solution, she said, as long as the order to put no wastewater down the drains remains in effect. In fact, with the Tuesday sun breaking through, the outdoor toilets on every block were getting “hot and high,” in Stadler’s parlance.
Stadler was an anchor of practical help on a block where neighbors traded advice and checked on each other frequently. She taught the kitty litter technique to Louis Salazar across the street, who needed it for his ailing wife.
“It’s a good idea,” Salazar said. “It bundles up and dries out and doesn’t smell.” The Salazar laundry was piling up, but they planned to drive to his sister-in-law’s in Platteville for a welcome shower.
Liquor store owner Dave Bradley ran up the hill to the town hall, or drove to Starbucks when he needed a bathroom. He spent Tuesday afternoon spraying pesticide on grass in front of his 85 Liquor to keep down post-flood flies.
At home, Bradley said, he used duct tape to clog his shower drains and took a hot shower. He took a wet-vac home in the afternoon to suck the runoff water out of the bottom of the shower and dispose of it outside.
Stadler kept a bucket of soapy, sanitizing water in one side of her kitchen sink, and a rinsing bucket in the other. She’d noticed a new plague of hornets outdoors, attracted to pools of standing water. So she set out plates of soapy water in her garden, which coated the hornets’ wings and drowned them.
Evans town officials made no solid promises about wastewater, saying they were working on temporary fixes and broader solutions. They “hoped for days,” rather than weeks, in lifting the no-flush rules for two-thirds of the city.
Down river, continuing flooding prompted even more extraordinary no-flush contingencies. Sterling’s regional hospital set up portable toilets outside, added sanitary hand gel dispensers in hallways, and shipped medical tools to Brush for sanitizing to avoid water use.
Hand-washing was still allowed for patient-care situations, said CEO Julie Klein.
Patients who couldn’t leave their rooms for porta-potties could use a commode, and their waste would be bagged in hazardous waste for special landfills. Sterling’s flooding peaked once Tuesday, but town officials warned of more potential surges later in the week.
Unofficial neighborhood captains like Stadler echoed the warnings of city officials at community-wide briefings: Breaking the no-flush rule could mean your sewage backing up in your basement, or in your neighbor’s.
“What happens uphill,” said Evans Public Works Director Fred Starr , “comes downhill.”


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Interested in how many calories are in your pet’s treats? Check out this list!
There are hundreds of commercial pet treats, but many of them are high in calories and contribute to weight gain. Here’s a list of healthy treats to feed your pet!
We offer many varieties of Royal Canin prescription pet foods. If you’re interested in the nutrition behind RC’s foods, take a look at this article.
Take a look at this guide to help you choose the right variety of Woody’s meat for your dog.

domain: pet


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Dr Brown's Home Drug Testing System
An effective prevention method to help parents deter drug use
What is Dr.Brown's drug testing system?
With Dr. Brown's you get more than a drug test, you get a "DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM", which includes, Anonymous Drug Screening, confirmation, Signs and Symptoms, evaluation, and drug-free pledges. The SYSTEM allows you to extend the benefits of drug abuse treatment and workplace testing. It empowers you to prevent and early detect substance abuse in the privacy of your home before and after treatment. Join NOW and receive the 50% New Year and founding member discount off the basic unit price of $79.99and pay only $39.99 with free S&H. See pricing and order information below.,
Be Aware. Be Safe. Be Sure. Be Anonymous.
The drug problem affects everyone, even if you don't use drugs. Today with the anonymous home drug testing system from Dr. Brown, you can make a difference. Easy to use, simple to administer, our testing system provides the most accurate, fast results you will need. In today's world, using the most accurate drug test is a necessary part of being a responsible and caring parent. Dr. Brown's is here with not only a home detection system necessary to evaluate for most drugs, but also with sensitive, informative help and support for dealing with the unexpected questions you may be asked. Get peace of mind or get started on finding solutions to prevent drug abuse.
You're not alone with Dr. Brown's Home Drug Testing System.
We specialize in testing for the eight most common types of drug abuse among children and teens today, with systems designed to detect marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, codeine, morphine, Fentynal, heroin and PCP use. Getting started with our home drug testing system is simple. Read the Drug Free Pledge with your child and have them sign the Voluntary Consent Form Dr. Brown has created with your family in mind. Evaluate your family's risk using the Signs and Symptoms Scale. Obtain a urine sample, and mail it into our Medical Certified laboratory within the handy prepaid mailer provided with the System. Go online to obtain your Anonymous results.
I really love how simple it is to use this drug testing system, its way better than what you can find in the market. Really easy to use and affordable.

domain: health


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Three-quarters of Americans are planning to go on vacation this summer but most of them won’t venture too far from home, according to the latest American Express Spending and Saving Tracker. Seventy percent of those that plan to travel will leave their passports behind and have adventures within the U.S. border.
More people than recent years will hit the road or take to the skies this summer. In the same survey in 2012, 59% of respondents planned a summer vacation. In 2013, that number rose to 69%. This year, it was up to 75%. Chalk it up to the harsh winter or an improving economy, but it seems folks are prepared to shell out more for summer vacation this year than last as well. The average amount people plan to spend, per person, was $1,246—and increase of 9% over last year.
That doesn’t mean people aren’t still looking for a bargain, though. Ninety-one percent of respondents are hunting for ways to cut costs, and 60% will make some sort of compromise to save money. Ways to save include driving instead of flying (44%), taking shorter trips (33%), finding a place to stay where they can cook their own meals instead of eating out (30%), choosing a cheaper destination (28%), and traveling during off-peak dates (24%).
How many vacations and how long
Just one vacation isn’t enough for some. On average, survey respondents said they’d take three weekend trips this summer, with many people taking off for all three major summer holidays: Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Sixty-seven percent of people said they would go away for at least one weekend this summer, versus 59% last year.
Longer vacations are in the works for many people. Sixty-nine percent of vacationers will soak up sun for at least a week, and 32% will stretch their vacation to two or more weeks.
Those vacations will largely take place near a body of water: 45% of respondents said their plans included visiting a beach, river or lake. To while away the days, 41% will spend time shopping, 32% will sightsee and visit museums and other cultural destinations, 32% will reconnect with family at a reunion, and 27% plan to visit a water park.
Although the majority of people said they’ll stay in America, 17% are planning to travel internationally, and 13% said they’ll vacation both in the U.S. and abroad this summer.
Summer vacations are a traditional time to bond with family members, and 78% of people report plans to travel with their immediate families. But 16% say they are vacationing with friends, and more than half (51%) will bring the family pet on vacation too.
The American Express Spending and Saving Tracker was conducted online between April 7 and 11. Results include responses from 1,500 adults.

domain: sociology


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The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) on Thursday morning shut down 80 chemists in Nairobi over the sell of substandard and illegal drugs.
This is following a crackdown led by Senior inspector of drugs Julius Kaluai.
Kaluai told the media that 43 people were arrested during the operation.
“This is a joint operation alongside the police and the office of the regional commissioner and we were implementing the mapping they had given us,” said Kaluai.
Those arrested were arraigned in court with 10 pleading guilty.
The 10 were fined between Ksh100,000 to Ksh280,000.
The board has now urged the general public to be extra careful on the outlets they purchase their drugs from.
To confirm that a drug store is authorised, the general public can send a message to health codes provided in the stores.
A confirmation message is then sent to their phones on whether the chemist is registered or not.
In April this year, the board shut down 86 pharmacies in Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia counties over illegal operations.
They were charged with, among others, possession of poisons and carrying on the business of a pharmacist while not registered and at premises that are not registered
During the operation, the board seized poor quality drugs worth over millions of shillings.


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If you’re based in Queensland, then you may be eligible for support payments related to the August 2021 Covid-19 outbreak.
So far the Australian government has made the following relief payments available:
‘Covid Disaster Payments’ have been made available to individuals who have been impacted by the August 2021 lockdown. The Australian government is responsible for these payments and more information can be found here.
For Sole Traders:
‘COVID-19 Business Support Grants’ are now open to small businesses that have seen a 30% reduction in turnover due to Covid-19. This grant is a one-off $1,000 for sole traders - to be eligible you can’t have employees.
What payments are available to individuals now
The ‘COVID-19 Disaster Payment’ is a payment from the Federal government to individuals affected by a declared lockdown. This is a lump sum payment to help when COVID-19 restrictions last for more than 7 days. Every 7 days is called an ‘event’ and payments can be claimed once for every event.
There are different dates for the ‘events’ depending on whether you are affected as part of Queensland.
The dates of each event for the South East Queensland, Cairns and Yarrabah locations are listed below:
Key dates for South East Queensland:
Key dates for Cairns and Yarrabah:
These dates will be adjusted as further lockdowns are announced. Most up to date dates can be found for Queensland here.
How much can I get
For the first and second events (1-7 August and 8 August in South East Queensland locations):
- If you have lost less than 20 hours work - you’ll get $450 per event
- If you have lost more than 20 hours work - you’ll get $750 per event
The disaster payment is a non taxable payment.
These amounts are only to individuals who do not receive any income support or have not received Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments.
How do I get the payment
Claims the ‘COVID-19 Disaster Payment’ can be made through your myGov account linked to your online Centrelink account.
What payments are available to sole traders now
‘COVID-19 Business Support Grants’ are now open to small businesses that have seen a 30% reduction in turnover due to Covid from the 31st of July in Southeast Queensland and from 8th of August for Cairns/Yarrabah. This grant is a one-off $1,000 for sole traders - to be eligible you cannot have employees. Applications are still not open but you can register your interest here.
If you’re a Hnry customer
If you’re a Hnry customer, then you’ll still need to claim the support payments through your myGov account.
If you have questions about how the support payments will affect you from a tax perspective, simply get in touch with the team to talk through your options!
*This article is up to date as of the 17th August, as Covid restrictions change so will this information.

domain: economics


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Língua Geral is the only publishing house in Brazil dedicated to exclusively promoting Lusophone authors. That means that in its catalog, Brazilian readers can find books from writers from Mozambique, Angola, Timor-Leste, Portugal and Brazil. The five year old company Língua Geral was created five years ago to promote the exchange between Brazil and all the countries that share the same idiom, unveiling similarities and differences between those cultures.
The founders themselves have a diverse, multicultural background; José Eduardo Agualusa is from Angola, Conceição ‘Connie’ Lopes hails form from Portugal, and Fátima Otero is Brazilian. Língua Geral is based in Rio de Janeiro and has a team of seven employees. So far, it has published 63 books. In 2010, 12 new books were released and for 2011, the goal is to publish 15 books.
Besides discovering good books from foreign authors, such as Mia Couto, Pepetela, Onkjaki and others, the publishing house is trying to export Brazilian writers abroad. “We maintain contact with Portuguese publishers, both to discover new writers from their country and sell rights to our own,” says Diogo Henriques, editor at Língua Geral. So far, the company has sold two titles by Brazilian authors –- Sobre a neblina by Christiane Tassis and Búfalo by Botika -– to publishers in Portugal.
There are several good books due to be published soon. One is a selection of short stories from the “2000 generation.” Edited by Nelson de Oliveira, the book will feature Daniel Galera, Andréa del Fuego, Carola Saavedra, Santiago Nazarian, and Veronica Stigger, among others.
Following that Língua Geral will also release a second book collection for young readers. Mamã Lusa will be dedicated to Portuguese authors, with Gonçalo M. Tavares and Inês Pedrosa opening the collection.
In addition, Língua Geral will publish Perímetro humano by poet Victor Loureiro, No silêncio de deus by Portuguese writer Patrícia Reis (already previously published by Língua Geral), Yaka by Angolan writers Pepetela, and a prose anthology of work by Fernando Pessoa.


text:
The radar installations were built by Canada and the United States during the Cold War to monitor the continent's northern frontier. The string of 63 stations stretched from Alaska to Baffin Island.
While they haven't been used in a generation, the stations were never removed.
The abandoned sites left a legacy of of debris, broken glass, tumbledown buildings, insulation, old boilers, antennas and rusty barrels. They were not only unsightly, but dangerous — many contain PCBs, heavy metals and solvents.
Treasury Board President Tony Clement was in Yellowknife on Friday to announce that all 21 sites controlled by the military have now been cleaned up. The cleanup cost $575 million over 25 years.
Another 21 sites are the responsibility of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
The DEW line sites had a major impact on northern society.
The stations, and the southerners who staffed them, were sometimes the first contact Inuit people had with the outside world.

domain: geography


text:
ATLANTA, GA – This Christmas Day, HBCU Pulse has announced a partnership with Howard University to air HBCU Pulse Radio on SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU. The news comes days before the 6th anniversary of the founding of HBCU Pulse as well as the birthday of founder and host of HBCU Pulse Radio Randall Barnes. “HBCU Pulse Radio on SiriusXM” is a 28-minute talk radio program that aims to be the premier destination for HBCU news & culture in an audio format. The partnership launches HBCU Pulse Radio, started as a podcast in 2020, into national syndication to 34 million+ subscribers.
“HBCU Pulse’s partnership with Howard University & SiriusXM for HBCU Pulse Radio will allow our brand to better cover HBCU Life, standout students & alumni as well as issues that affect our community,” said host Randall Barnes, “I look forward to covering Homecoming Season, Spring Commencement, upcoming local, state & nationwide elections and so much more with our national radio show.”
Barnes also believes that the launch of the show on SiriusXM will open the door to to HBCU Pulse Radio being syndicated on other college and commercial radio stations around the nation. He cites Sheryl Underwood Radio, Money Making Conversations With Rushion McDonald and Press Box To Press Row with Donald Ware as his inspirations for launching the show nationally and his model of success for the radio program. The three aforementioned shows also air on SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU as well as college radio stations around the nation.
“Starting with SiriusXM HBCU as our first affiliate is a great endorsement of our on-air product. I hope to engage HBCU and commercial radio stations on airing the show in any available day-parts to further extend the reach of the program.”
The show, which premieres on January 6th at 5 PM EST/4 PM CST, features Barnes alongside co-host Shelbi’ (Albany State ’21), Culture Contributor CDK On The Mic (North Carolina A&T ’21) and special guest Horatio Radio (North Carolina A&T ’20) to discuss the two biggest stories of 2022: the USC Majorette Dance Team That Sparked Outrage From HBCU Alumni and Deion Sanders Leaving Jackson State University To Become Head Coach Of University Of Colorado-Boulder. Barnes also debuts his “Randall’s Thoughts” editorial segment using Deion Sanders tenure at Jackson State to address what he calls a “dependence on celebrity culture at our HBCUs”.
SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU, operated by Howard University, is a music and talk station available on SiriusXM. A part of the SiriusXM Project Amplify, the station broadcasts programming from HBCUs around the nation highlighting the brilliance of HBCU Life. SiriusXM also allows African-American and HBCU based media companies to contribute programming to the network in syndication.
HBCU Pulse Radio on SiriusXM Channel 142 HBCU January 6th at 5 PM EST/4 PM CST and will air every Friday at the same time. The program will also re-air on Sunday afternoons at 2:30 PM EST/1:30 PM CST and Tuesday evenings at 6 PM EST/5 PM CST. A video version of the show will air on HBCU Pulse YouTube as well as HBCU Pulse TV channel 201 on the streaming service HBCU League Pass+. A podcast version of the show will also premiere every Saturday at 10 AM EST/9 AM CST on Apple Podcast, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
For affiliate relation questions or interest, please email [email protected].
For radio advertising or sponsorship inquiries, please email [email protected]
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text:
The Great Rural America Paradox
American Farm Bureau
By Bob Stallman
President, American Farm Bureau
A wise man once said that rural America has become viewed by a growing number of Americans as having a higher quality of life, not because of what it has, but rather because of what it does not have, like traffic, crime and crowds. This sentiment can be seen in the growing number of urban transplants that have made their way toward greener and more spacious pastures.
But, while many Americans equate living in the country with a simpler way of life, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that poverty in rural America is increasing, while opportunity continues to decline because of limited education, healthcare and broadband services. So, rural America being defined by what it does not have can also be a negative.
It’s the great rural America paradox.
Read Bob Stallman’s complete article…Its another good one! Worth the time.
USDA Seeks Applications for Economic Development Funding to Create Jobs In Rural Areas
USDA Office of Communications sent this bulletin at 03/05/2012 01:00 PM EST
|Release No. 0082.12|
|Jay Fletcher (202) 690-0498|
|USDA Seeks Applications for Economic Development Funding to Create Jobs In Rural Areas|
|WASHINGTON, March 5, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is seeking applications for loans and grants to help rural businesses create jobs and spur economic development. The funding is being provided under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program.
“Boosting access to capital sparks job creation and revitalizes the rural economy,” said Vilsack. “USDA works in partnership with cooperatives and utilities across America, and we intend to utilize this program to leverage federal and private investments to put rural residents to work.”
Eligible recipients are USDA rural utilities program borrowers. Those recipients pass the funds to local organizations. The funding is leveraged to create projects that retain or create jobs and upgrade public infrastructure. The maximum amount of funding for any one project is $1 million for loans and $300,000 for grants.
Organizations use REDLG funds to create jobs and improve services. For example, the Utilities District of Western Indiana received a REDLG loan and grant in 2011 to construct an elevated water storage tank and supply lines. The project will serve a technology park and two communities, creating nearly 400 jobs.
USDA plans to award up to $79 million in loan and $10 million in grants through the program. The deadline for submitting applications is the last business day of each month through September 30th of 2012. Applications must be submitted to the Rural Development state office where the project will be located. A list of these offices is available on the USDA Rural Development web site,http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html, or on page 12792 of the March 2 Federal Register, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-03-02/pdf/2012-5043.pdf.
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs and for people who want to live, work and raise their families in rural communities.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $165 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development • Hawaii State Office
Room 311, Federal Building, 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: (808) 933-8380 • Fax: (808) 933-8327 • TDD: (808) 933-8321 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov
Release No. HI-12-04
Chris J. Kanazawa, State Director (808) 933-8301
Timothy W. O’Connell, Assistant to the State Director (808) 933-8313
HILO, HI, January 20, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).
“Renewable energy development presents an enormous economic opportunity for rural America,” said Vilsack. “This funding will assist rural farmers, ranchers and business owners to build renewable energy projects, providing opportunities for new technologies, create green jobs and help America become more energy self-sufficient.”
Chris Kanazawa, Hawaii State Director for USDA Rural Development stated, “USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program is the flagship energy program that responds to Hawaii’s energy-related issues and opportunities for farmers, ranchers and small businesses. Over the past three years, the USDA Rural Development Hawaii State Office has provided $1.1 million in funding for technical assistance, energy audits, photovoltaic systems, and flex fuel pumps projects for Hawaii’s rural communities.” This is in addition to $10 million in Rural Development Business and Industry loan guarantees for biofuel and activated carbon plant projects on the Island of Hawaii.
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nation’s critical energy needs. For 2012, USDA has approximately $25.4 million budget authority available to fund REAP activities, which will support at least $12.5 million in grant and approximately $48.5 million in guaranteed loan program level awards. USDA is accepting the following applications:
§ renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications until March 30, 2012;
§ renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications on a continuous basis up to June 29, 2012;
§ renewable energy system feasibility study applications through March 30, 2012; and
§ energy audits and renewable energy development assistance applications through February 21, 2012.
More information on how to apply for funding is available in the January 20, 2012 Federal Register, pages 2948 through 2954.
This funding is an example of the many ways that USDA is helping revitalize rural economies to create opportunities for growth and prosperity, support innovative technologies, identify new markets for agricultural producers, and better utilize our nation’s natural resources.
The Obama Administration is working to promote domestic production of renewable energy to create jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, combat global warming, and build stronger rural economy. Today, Americans import just over half of our transportation fuels – down from 60 percent when President Obama took office – but we can do more to meet the President’s goal of reducing our net fuel imports by one-third by 2025. At Secretary Vilsack’s direction, USDA is working to develop the national biofuels industry producing energy from non-food sources in every region of the country. USDA is conducting and encouraging research into innovative new energy technologies and processes, helping companies build biorefineries – including the first ever commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facilities – and supporting farmers, ranchers, and businesses taking risks to pursue new opportunities in biofuels. Along with Federal partners, USDA is establishing an aviation biofuels economy, and has expedited rules and efforts to promote production and commercialization of biofuels.
USDA’s Biorefinery Assistance Program was authorized by Congress under the 2008 Farm Bill. It provides loan guarantees to capitalize on the growing opportunities in renewable energy provided by advanced biofuels. The Program is designed to assist with the commercial deployment of production technologies to produce advanced biofuels, and thereby increase the energy independence of the United States; promote resource conservation, public health, and the environment; diversify markets for agricultural and forestry products and agriculture waste material; create jobs and enhance the economic development of the rural economy.
To read more about the Administration’s renewable energy accomplishments, click here.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers, and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).