Signing is an integral security feature in SMB2 since its inception. Encryption starts in SMB3 as an important security enhancement. This article reviews the security evolution of the authenticated session as well as computation of keys used in SMB 2.x through 3.1.1 dialects. It provides test vectors for key computation in SMB 3.0 and SMB 3.1.1. The samples illustrate the multichannel scenario and include step-by-step key calculation with pre-authentication integrity. Finally, the article highlights why Kerberos should be preferred over NTLMv2 whenever possible.
The security model in MS-SMB2 relies upon authenticating the client-user identity before accessing a share on the server. Once the user is authenticated, the server may mandate message signing or encryption. The server also controls access to the share based on which users, groups, or claims are authorized to have various levels of access. This blog does not discuss authorization model.
This article focuses on how MS-SMB2 achieves message integrity and confidentially for the authenticated user. We elaborate on the link as well as the distinction between the GSS-authenticated user session and the SMB2 session.
SMB2 message integrity ensures that packets are not tampered or replayed while in-flight. Signing has always been part of the SMB2 protocol since its beginning in dialect 2.0.2 (Windows Vista). SMB 3.0 (Windows 8) adds a new signing algorithm and key calculation.
Confidentiality provides secure data access over untrusted networks by preventing data inspection. SMB 3.0 introduces end-to-end encryption built in the protocol. In SMB 3.1.1 (Windows 10), the encryption algorithm can be negotiated, and the cryptographic key computation is enhanced with pre-authentication integrity.
Security considerations in the specification.
Algorithms used for each security feature for a given dialect.
Keys in SMB2 and SMB3 protocols.
Specifics of key derivation in SMB 3.0.x and 3.1.1.
Illustration of key calculation steps for multichannel.
Illustration of the (out-of-favor yet) popular NTLMv2 session key calculation.
When a new Windows version introduces a new SMB dialect, all previous dialects are mostly available for backward compatibility with older versions. Although SMBv1 dialect is still around, it is on the way of being gradually phased out.
We have been asking the world to stop using the legacy SMBv1. Recently, US-CERT issued a security bulletin advising to disable SMBv1 and move to SMB 2.x or preferably SMB 3.x.
Windows XP and Windows 2003 have SMBv1 only. As you are probably aware, Windows XP support ended on April 8, 2014. Windows Server 2003 extended support ended on July 14, 2015. These non-serviced operating systems still command some footprint and everybody has not migrated yet from Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.
It will take an industry effort to overcome some of the challenges on the deprecation path. These challenges include old printers, scanners and NAS devices.
In the following table, as in the rest of this article, we are only focusing on SMB protocols version 2 and 3 specified in MS-SMB2.
For a general discussion on SMB dialects in Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2, we encourage the reader to consult the following blog.
Windows 10 v1703 sends SMB2 Negotiate with supported dialects: 2.0.2, 2.1, 3.0, 3.0.2, 3.1.1 (i.e. Dialects array on the wire: 02 02 10 02 00 03 02 03 11 03). Windows Server 2016 responds with dialect revision: 3.1.1 (i.e. network bytes 11 03), whereas Windows 2012 R2 responds with dialect revision: 3.0.2 (i.e. 02 03), and so on for other versions.
The dialect is negotiated along with supported capabilities between the client and server (e.g. signing, encryption) among the capabilities defined in the scope of that dialect. SMB2 Negotiate is however unsigned since it occurs prior to authentication. This poses the problem of a man-in-the-middle (MITM) downgrading the dialect or tampering with the capabilities. SMB 3.0 attempted to solve this issue with a post-authentication validation of the Negotiate. SMB 3.1.1 integrated pre-authentication integrity into all the keys derived for the protocol.
All cryptographic keys used in SMB 2.x and 3.x are derived from the SessionKey. Therefore, the security of SMB 2/3 signing and encryption relies in part on the session key. This key must be unique, kept secret, and genuinely impossible to guess.
The server should choose an authentication mechanism that provides unique and randomly generated session keys to ensure the security of the signing key, encryption key, and decryption key.
The SessionKey is set to the first 16 bytes of the cryptographic key queried from the GSS protocol (e.g. Kerberos [MS-KILE], NTLM [MS-NLMP]) for this authenticated context. If the cryptographic key is less than 16 bytes, it is right-padded with zero bytes.
Extracting the session key from GSS-API is implementation-dependent. In SSPI (Microsoft's implementation of GSS-API), the session key is extracted by using QueryContextAttributes with SECPKG_ATTR_SESSION_KEY.
In NTLM security provider, the SessionKey is the ExportedSessionKey described in MS-NLMP.
NTLM is a challenge response protocol and its session key is based on password hashing that relies on weak cryptography.
NTLM does not support any modern cryptographic methods, such as AES or SHA-256. Its key derivation from the password is based on MD4 [RFC1320], DES [FIPS46-2], HMAC_MD5, and RC4.
NTLM does not use any salt. It is possible to observe a network packet trace and produce the same key if the attacker knows password, as shown in the appendix by an example of NTLMv2 session key calculation.
NTLM does not offer mutual authentication between client and server. The is no so such flag in the protocol.
The password length and complexity should be chosen carefully to mitigate brute force attacks.
At a minimum, NTLMv2 should be used, and auditing should be in place.
Despite its weakness, NTLM remains a widely-used authentication mechanism in non-domain environments.
See the following blog post for a discussion NTLM keys.
Note: Extended protection for authentication exists for NTLM over TLS. This binds the TLS session to the NTLM session. Unfortunately, SMB2 does use extended protection authentication because there is no outer authenticated session.
In Kerberos [RFC4120] security provider, the SessionKey is either the sub-session key (subkey) if it was negotiated during KRB_AP_REQ/KRB_AP_REP exchange, or the session key from the ticket if no subkey was negotiated.
When the KDC issues a service ticket, it generates a random session key. Rather than using a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG), the session key should use a truly random number generator, such as one based on measurements of random physical phenomena. See [RFC4086] for an in-depth discussion of randomness.
For the subkey, it is also strongly encouraged that any key derived by an application for subsequent use include the full key entropy derived from the KDC-generated session key carried in the ticket.
The KDC issues tickets with the strongest encryption type (etype) to protect the session key. The etype is based on configuration of what the KDC enforces and what client and server principals can support (AES256_HMAC_SHA1, AES128_HMAC_SHA1, RC4_HMAC_MD5, DES_CBC_MD5, DES_CBC_CRC).
Beyond the etype, the security of the Kerberos SessionKey is substantially strengthened if all preceding Kerberos exchanges ([RFC4120] or [MS-KILE]) that lead to the service ticket have reinforced protection. For instance, the authentication service may leverage public key cryptography to protect the initial authentication (PKInit), as specified in [RFC4556], [MS-PKCA], e.g. for smart card authentication.
In its basic form, the security of the Kerberos authentication service depends on the strength of the password used to protect it.
Signing in SMB2 and SMB3 uses their respective algorithms HMAC-SHA256 and AES-128-CMAC. SMB2/3 signing does not use GSS-API GSS_GetMIC() or GSS_GetMICEx().
Likewise, SMB 3.x encryption uses its own encryption algorithms, i.e. AES-128-CCM and AES-128-GCM as introduced earlier in this article. GSS-API GSS_Wrap() or GSS_WrapEx() are not pertinent for SMB3 encryption.
The GSS-API keys should not be confused with SMB2/3 keys, though the latter are derived from the session key. In case of NTLM authentication, NTLM has his own signing and sealing keys, which serve for GSS_GetMICEx(), GSS_VerifyMICEx(), GSS_WrapEX(), GSS_UnwrapEX(). The same remarks apply for Kerberos GSS-API keys, and Kerberos GSS functions.
SMB2 message integrity manifests on a signed session where signed packets flow from client to server. What happens to message integrity until the session is established?
On a signed session, every signed packet includes a signature that the receiver can validate. Unlike SMB1 signing which uses MD5 [RFC1321] as hashing algorithm, SMB2 uses a better hashing for signing. SMB 2.02 and SMB 2.1 use HMAC SHA-256, whereas SMB 3.0 upgrades to AES-128-CMAC for its signing.
Before signing can happen, the client and server need to negotiate signing; and the client needs authenticate first to have a SessionKey from which a SigningKey is derived (more details on this later). SMB 2.x did not have a mechanism to detect MITM downgrading of negotiated capabilities.
Dialect 3.0 implements secure dialect negotiation (SMB 3.0, 3.02) to protect against security-downgrade attacks. When SMB 3.0 is negotiated, the client must send a mandatory signed request to validate the Negotiate information. The validation occurs post-authentication and after the Tree Connect exchange.
SMB 3.1.1 introduces pre-authentication integrity which supersedes the SMB 3.0.x secure dialect negotiation.
SMB 3.1.1 pre-authentication integrity enhances protection against security-downgrade attacks by verifying the integrity of all messages preceding the session establishment. This mandatory feature protects against any tampering with Negotiate and Session Setup messages by leveraging cryptographic hashing SHA-512 [FIPS180-4]. Pre-authentication integrity also integrates a salt transmitted on the wire as part of the hash calculation. In Windows implementation, the pre-auth-integrity negotiate context has a salt of 32 bytes. The salt is randomly generated (e.g. PRNG) and not reused, otherwise it would allow surface attacks.
Prior to SMB 3.0, the 16-bytes SessionKey was the primary key.
SigningKey: Session.SigningKey is the same as Session.SessionKey.
Application's session key for an authenticated context: the client returns Session.SessionKey.
In SMB 3.x, two new keys are added to serve for encryption. The application's session key for an authenticated context has become a key on its own.
Key size: 128-bit i.e. 16 bytes each.
Session.SigningKey: Key used for signing the SMB2 messages on this session.
Channel.SigningKey: Key used for signing the SMB2 messages on this channel when session binding is used for multiple channels.
o If the session is setup with SMB2_SESSION_FLAG_BINDING, Channel.SigningKey must be generated. Both master session and binding session must be from the same security principal, i.e. same security identifier (SID).
o If SMB2_SESSION_FLAG_BINDING is not set, Channel.SigningKey is set to Session.SigningKey. Note that two security principals can still multiplex separate channels on the same connection.
Session.ApplicationKey: Key mainly queried by higher-layer applications. An example is SAMR protocol over named pipe SMB2 transport [MS-SAMR]. ApplicationKey is generated for non-binding sessions.
Session.EncryptionKey: Key used by the sender for encrypting messages. There is one encryption key for all sessions bound to a master session. This enables to send encrypted messages on any channel.
Session.DecryptionKey: Key used by the receiver for decrypting messages. Likewise, the decryption key is the same for all sessions bound to a master session. If a decrypted message contains compounded related SMB2 messages, these later must all belong to the same SessionId.
Upon authentication, SigningKey, and ApplicationKey are calculated. If encryption is supported (even if not negotiated), EncryptionKey and DecryptionKey are computed.
later in this article). SessionKey is the key derivation key (KDK), a parameter to the KDF.
Apart from the KDK input, i.e. SessionKey, the other parameters to the KDF are constants defined for each type of key. (more details in subsequent Sections).
SessionKey remains the KDF's KDK. The context parameter is no longer a constant, instead it is PreauthIntegrityHashValue (see blog "SMB 3.1.1 Pre-authentication Integrity"). The remaining parameters to the KDF are constant, but they differ from the constants used in SMB 3.0.x key derivation. (see specifics in subsequent Sections).
Ki – The SessionKey is the key derivation key (KDK), used as an input to the KDF, for SMB 3.x.
Label – the purpose of this derived key, encoded as string and length for SMB 3.x.
Context – the context information of this derived key, encoded as string and length for SMB 3.x.
L – An integer that specifies the length of the derived keying material Ko, L is 128 bits for SMB 3.x cryptographic keys. Note that L is a constant since all SMB 3.x keys are 16 bytes in length.
Ko – Keying material output from the KDF, a binary string of length L, where Ko is the leftmost L bits of KDF result.
Label and context are constants for each type of cryptographic key.
A new label is defined for each type of cryptographic key. The context is Session.PreauthIntegrityHashValue, as described in the "SMB 3.1.1 pre-authentication integrity" blog.
SMB2_SESSION_FLAG_BINDING bit is set in the Flags field of the Session Setup request.
For session binding to multiple connections (multichannel), the server needs to call GSS_Accept_sec_context for each additional channel. This requires creating a new-temporary security context to have a SessionKey and derive a SigningKey for the binding channel. Note that the session binding request must be signed with the master session's SigningKey, as described later in this article.
However, EncryptionKey, DecryptionKey, and ApplicationKey remain the same from the main channel, i.e. remain the same for all related channels.
If this is a master or binding session setup and the dialect is 3.1.1 or higher, we allocate and initialize the session's pre-authentication integrity hash value starting with the connection's pre-authentication integrity hash. We always start with the pre-authentication hash resulting from processing Negotiate on that connection.
The client side logic is summarized below.
Update Session.PreauthIntegrityHashValue with the SessionSetup request.
if it's STATUS_MORE_PROCESSING_REQUIRED, update Session.PreauthIntegrityHashValue with the response, and process subsequent session setup exchange leg.
if it's STATUS_SUCCESS, use Session.PreauthIntegrityHashValue to generate cryptographic keys, then verify the signature of the SessionSetup response.
PreauthSession.PreauthIntegrityHashValue when SMB2_SESSION_FLAG_BINDING is set.
This is important because there is no guarantee in which order session bindings will be processed. That way, each session setup processing is isolated from the other, but all use the connection's pre-authentication hash as the starting point.
For a signed message, the sender sets the Signature field and the SMB2_FLAGS_SIGNED bit in the Flags field of the SMB2 header. The sender calculates the signature as follows.
The signature is the first 16-bytes of the hash.
The signer computes the 16-byte signature by using AES-128-CMAC over the entire message, beginning with the SMB2 header with the signature field zeroed, and using the SigningKey provided. The AES-128-CMAC is specified in [RFC4493].
For dialect 3.x family, the server must sign the final SessionSetup Response. This excludes guest and anonymous sessions since there is no SigningKey available in those types of contexts.
If SMB2_SESSION_FLAG_BINDING is set in the SessionSetup, use Channel.SigningKey.
For Dialect SMB 3.x, the session binding request is signed with the master session's SigningKey.
When is the message signed?
The client and server negotiate signing by using the SecurityMode field in the SMB2 Negotiate request and response exchange. The client also communicates the SecurityMode in the SessionSetup Request.
Windows SMB 2/3 clients always set SMB2_NEGOTIATE_SIGNING_ENABLED flag in the negotiate request and Windows-based servers set it likewise in the response since they all support signing.
MS-SMB2 require all SMB 2/3 servers to implement signing, regardless of whether they set the SMB2_NEGOTIATE_SIGNING_ENABLED flag.
By default, Windows client and server have the following settings.
Signing has been required by negotiation.
The server configuration requires message signing.
NOTE: Signing cannot be required for guest or anonymous sessions as they do not have proper security context.
Existence of the signing key: SessionId field has a non-zero value, otherwise there would be no possible signing key. The exception is a guest or anonymous session, which does not have a signing key even there's a SessionId.
Signing requirement: SessionId requires signing, i.e. its Session.SigningRequired is equal to TRUE as outlined previously.
It's a TREE_CONNECT or the message belongs to an un-encrypted TreeId, i.e. its TreeConnect.EncryptData is equal to FALSE. If we are not encrypting, we begin to sign messages as soon the session is established, i.e. the signing key is available and the session requires signing.
Connection.Dialect is "3.1.1", and it's a TREE_CONNECT and SessionId is not an encrypted session, i.e. its Session.EncryptData is equal to FALSE. If 3.1.1 dialect is negotiated, the protocol requires signing or encrypting all TREE_CONNECT sent in non-guest, non-anonymous sessions. When the whole session is not encrypted, we always sign the TREE_CONNECT since all SMB2/3 servers support signing.
There is one notable exception to the "Session.SigningRequired is equal to TRUE" prerequisite. Irrespective of Session.SigningRequired, FSCTL_VALIDATE_NEGOTIATE_INFO should always be signed. Note that if Session.EncryptData is equal to TRUE, the server would not need to verify the signature of FSCTL_VALIDATE_NEGOTIATE_INFO message (see Section "Built-in signing in SMB 3.x encryption").
With SMB 2.x, the signing key is Session.SessionKey.
With SMB 3.x, the notions of multichannel and session binding introduce new rules for whichever of Session.SessionKey or Channel.SigningKey is used.
For SessionSetup request, the signing key is Session.SessionKey. For instance, the signing key for session setup request for session binding (SMB2_SESSION_FLAG_BINDING) is Session.SessionKey.
For session set up response, if the status code is NOT equal to STATUS_SUCCESS, the signing key is Session.SessionKey. If the session setup response has STATUS_SUCCESS, the signing key is Channel.SigningKey.
For any other command, the signing key is Channel.SigningKey. Note that the session can be multiplexed on multiple channels across multiple connections. Since, each channel has their signing key, the sender looks up the Channel in Session.ChannelList that matches the same connection.
When is the message encrypted in SMB 3.x?
A detailed discussion is provided in the blogs mentioned in the following sub-sections.
SMB 3.0.x client and server advertise encryption support via the SMB2_GLOBAL_CAP_ENCRYPTION capability flag during the NEGOTIATE. If encryption is enforced on the whole server, each session enables encryption by setting SMB2_SESSION_FLAG_ENCRYPT_DATA in the SessionFlags of SessionSetup response. For a per-share enabled encryption, ShareFlags of TreeConnect response includes SMB2_SHAREFLAG_ENCRYPT_DATA.
SMB 3.0 and SMB 3.0.2 support only the encryption algorithm AES-128-CCM.
SMB 3.1.1 client and server negotiate encryption support by exchanging supported cipher IDs 0x0002 (AES-128-GCM) and 0x0001 (AES-128-CCM) in SMB2_ENCRYPTION_CAPABILITIES negotiate context in the NEGOTIATE request and response.
If enabled, SessionSetup.Response.SessionFlags includes SMB2_SESSION_FLAG_ENCRYPT_DATA.
If enabled, TreeConnect.Response.ShareFlags sets SMB2_SHAREFLAG_ENCRYPT_DATA.
Server-wide encryption has precedence over share level encryption. If global encryption is enabled, you cannot selectively disable encryption for certain shares.
Keep in mind that a dynamic change of the share's EncryptData property would mean different encryption experience if existing TreeIds prior to the change remain connected. New TreeId connections after the change would reflect the new value of the share's EncryptData property. Thus, when the administrator reconfigures Share.EncryptData, is it recommended to force disconnection of all current connections to allow clients to pick the new configuration.
This is for down-level clients. See discussion on security impact in Section "Unencrypted Access: RejectUnencryptedAccess" of blog entry "SMB 3.1.1 Encryption in Windows 10".
Integrity (message authentication) is built into the algorithms used for encryption in SMB 3.x, i.e. AES-128-CCM and AES-128-GCM. These encryption algorithms incorporate the benefit of a message authentication code. Successful decryption means that SMB3 crypto processing has checked the integrity of the encrypted message. The receiver does not need to validate the signature of the inner SMB2 message itself. In general, signing the SMB2 message before encrypting it would be a waste of CPU cycles without any additional security.
SMB 3.x encryption supplants regular signing: it does not and should not turn off message signing. When SMB 3.x encryption is in use, we do not need regular signing. However, "RejectUnencryptedAccess set to FALSE" should not disable signing, i.e. does not mean bypass RequireMessageSigning. A message that is not encrypted shall be subject to the rules of regular signing.
Message integrity across an authenticated session.
Message integrity (with a stronger algorithm) across an authenticated session.
Encryption of traffic between client and server.
Session binding to multiple connections (multichannel).
All the above 3.0 dialect security features, except the validation of negotiated information.
Negotiation of encryption and integrity algorithms.
Protection of negotiation and session establishment.
This sample data should be considered "as-is". It should also be noted that examples do not replace normative protocol specifications. The reference must be [MS-SMB2].
These steps show how the SessionKey is calculated for the master session used in the SMB 3.1.1 multichannel example.
These steps show that with the knowledge of the password and a packet sniff, one can derive the NTLM SessionKey.
The steps follow MS-NLMP, compute NTLMv2 SessionKey, and verify that it matches the ExportedSessionKey.
ChallengeMessage.ServerChallenge = "0D 1D 8B A3 11 79 D0 08 "
From the NtChallengeResponse, the Response needs to match the calculated NTProofStr .
Supply all parameters to the key calculation algorithm defined in MS-NLMP.
For completeness, we also show here the computation of the remaining NTLM keys. Note those keys have no use in SMB2/3.
Check SIGNKEY() algorithm in MS-NLMP for specific details.
Check SEALKEY() algorithm in MS-NLMP for specific details.


The craft beer movement swelled to new heights this year with the governor signing into law what's become known as the "pint bill," which allows customers to buy and drink up to 48 ounces of fresh suds while on a brewery tour. The legislation paved the way for more entrepreneurship among craft brewers. Across the state, the number of breweries is expected to double, according to a USA Today report, and in Charleston, Frothy Beard and Freehouse joined COAST, Holy City, Westbrook, and Palmetto in supplying us with local specialties. Then there's the glut of beer-centric tap houses with Craftsmen, Bohemian Bull, and Bay Street Biergarten opening to big crowds, and Edmund's Oast slated to open in January 2014. Drink up.
In related news, the 2009 state law change that differentiates between manufacturers of liquor and microdistilleries (a licensing fee difference of $45,000) encouraged a wave of new spirit-makers in Charleston. Joining Firefly this year has been High Wire Distilling Co. and the Striped Pig. The Charleston Distilling Co. should also be open for business soon on King Street. These new distilleries are carving out a niche in the locavore world, making farm-to-shaker spirits that use local grain, sugar cane, and sorghum, which pair nicely with local artisanal mixers made by Bittermilk and Jack Rudy. These distilleries are open for tours too, so you can stop by for a sip and an eye-opening look into the distilling process.
Upper King Street, once an outpost of downtown, has become the center of all things. Restaurants and bars are thriving, as evidenced by late-night crowds and long lines. Several hotels are also going up in the area, which explains why the city went ahead and addressed the throngs of revelers by passing a controversial late-night ordinance. The new regulations require bars that get more than 35 percent of their revenue from alcohol sales to staff more security, monitor parking areas, and clear patrons from the area within 30 minutes of closing. It also created a mayor-appointed Late-Night Entertainment Establishment Review Committee to vet all new business applications for bars. Since being made law in July, no major snafus have arisen, and council will revisit the law in the next few weeks to assess its impact. In related news, over in Cannonborough-Elliotborough, residents have begun rallying to prevent future bars from staying open past 11 p.m. We have a hunch the new late-night zone will soon be found on Morrison Drive.
Last April, a fire broke out in the early morning hours on the upper floor of 213 E. Bay St. It quickly spread to the roof and damaged the façade of the century-old building. Nobody was hurt, but it did put four bars out of business — Light, Squeeze, the Brick, and Speakeasy. Fundraisers were organized, temporary employment was found, and rebuilding has been slow. Matt Quillen, owner of the Brick, had hoped to reopen before 2014, but those hopes were dashed back in September as workers had to replace the entire roof before rebuilding could begin inside.
It wasn't two weeks after the 2013 Charleston Wine + Food Festival ended that founding director Angel Postell threw in the food-and-wine-stained towel, announcing her resignation to the board. Her tenure saw the festival evolve from a celebuchef-obsessed small-town affair to a national event that focused on the importance of Lowcountry foodways and celebrated Southern food. Many considered 2013 perhaps the best fest yet. After her departure, Postell returned to public relations, and the festival zeroed in on three potential replacements, two of whom had no hospitality experience and one of whom ran Euphoria, Greenville's wine and food festival. Fortunately, the one with experience running an actual food festival was hired and is relocating to Charleston to take over. You won't see Gillian Trimboli-Zettler's imprint much on 2014, since it's been programmed and managed by interim director Rick Jerue, but you can bet everyone will be watching her closely to see how she manages in 2015.
The Post and Courier has been shaking things up since Bill Hawkins retired at the end of 2012. New publisher P.J. Browning hired Mitch Pugh as editor, and the duo has been making significant changes and improvements to the South's oldest daily newspaper. One big change has been recognizing the importance of the food scene in Charleston by hiring a full-time, nationally known food reporter and critic. Hanna Raskin arrived to town from the Seattle Weekly in August and has single-handedly made the P&C restaurant reviews a must-read. She's been "Raskin' Around" town so much, we're starting to get pissed at all the scoops she's getting. Good thing for us, her blog is nigh impossible to find behind the paywall on the P&C site.
You know, the Pig was never a clean, well-lighted place. It always felt a little frowsy, a little behind the times. But the produce guy always greeted us with a smile, and the manager always helped bag our groceries (in paper bags, of course). Our joke motto for the Pig used to be: "Piggly Wiggly, we make the choice so you don't have to" because they had a severe lack of options on the shelves. But over the years, they stocked up on unusual, local items that you could find only at the Pig. And we always appreciated the big bins of green peanuts, the 30-pound bags of Blue Ribbon Rice, and the smoked pork necks. They were also a reliable supporter of locally made specialty products, from benne seeds to Big Ed's Heirloom Barbecue Sauce. So when Piggly Wiggly Carolina announced this fall that it was selling some stores off to Bi-Lo and Harris Teeter, we all felt defeated, as if a piece of our Southern heritage had just gone extinct and we didn't even know it was endangered. We barely got a chance to say goodbye.
First it was Jestine's. One random August afternoon, Dana Berlin Strange shut the doors on her popular Meeting Street meat-and-three in the middle of lunch service. Apparently it was time to remodel. Days later, she told Channel 5, "I'm a woman," when they questioned the sudden closure. The restaurant eventually reopened in October, but it soon received a negative review in the Post and Courier. Of course, that didn't keep the tourists away; the perpetual line around the block quickly reformed. Another dramatic public closing was that of the Green Door and Big John's Tavern. Cory Burke from Roti Rolls had opened the Green Door last year, finding a quirky little spot to serve up his quirky food in a space within Big John's. When the managers of Big John's — nephew's of the building's owner — were ready to get out of the bar business, they tapped Burke to take over. But not so fast, said the building owner Ryan Condon, who bought Big John's from the original owner John Cannady. His nephews may have been managing the place, but they didn't have the right to sell it. One day, the locks were changed, Burke was out, and John Adamson of the Rarebit was announcing his partnership with Condon to renovate and reopen the popular watering hole.
Karalee Nielsen and Tim Mink were a dynamic partnership at the REV restaurant group for years (Taco Boy, Closed for Business, Poe's, Moza). She was the locally connected, passionate firebrand, pushing her company to connect with the community and make a difference. He was the quiet Brit who you didn't see too much of. In 2013, that partnership dissolved and Nielsen and Mink headed off into different directions. While they retain their stakes in previous ventures, both are planning new restaurants. Nielsen is partnering with Buff Ross and her mentor Lily Lai from Seattle to open Lee Lee's Hot Kitchen on the outskirts of the planned Horizon development. She has also acquired the old Granville's space to open the Park Cafe. Meanwhile, Mink has found a new young gun to partner with in Brooks Reitz. The former manager of the Ordinary and the creator of Jack Rudy Tonic will be working with Mink to open a fried chicken and fish joint along with a cafe on upper Upper King Street.
We joked that the top food story of the year could be "Sean Brock gets a haircut" because the interest in this guy is unrelenting. But we have to say, he rarely gets attention for insignificant stuff. We didn't think he could get any bigger, but this year, Brock starred in the Anthony Bourdain-produced The Mind of a Chef on PBS and was instrumental in bringing Cook It Raw to town. He's working on an elite international stage, and Charleston's food community has been grateful to him for sharing the spotlight. With Cook It Raw came important food media, chefs from across the globe, and a warm and fuzzy feeling for the locals, who were proud to showcase their unique culinary heritage to such luminaries.


text:
The BBC annouce Mary, Mel and Sue's Surprise Party for Christmas
The BBC have confirmed that Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins are to be reunited on BBC One for a very special programme from BBC Studios to air this Christmas.
For one exceptional group of people in South Wales, Christmas has come early. In an area that's experienced some tough times, Mary, Mel and Sue will sprinkle their festive magic on its residents, who, despite their setbacks have pulled together to open a community centre. With their local school and post office closing, the centre has become a lifeline for young children and elderly pensioners alike, providing everything from regular hot meals to weekly bingo. It's the beating heart of the community, but both the centre and the amazing volunteers keeping it afloat, are deserving of some serious festive cheer.
Usually, the volunteers at the centre try and make Christmas as special as possible, but this year, they're in for the shock of their lives, as Mary, Mel and Sue will surprise them with the most magnificent Christmas party the town has ever seen.
Mary, along with a gang of local helpers, will create a spectacular traditional Christmas dinner, while Mel and Sue will rally the troops and stage a magical back drop to the party, as well as give the centre a face lift, leaving a legacy for the community which will last for years to come.
Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content says: "What a lovely chance for BBC One to help bring a community together and give something back to some incredible volunteers this Christmas, especially when the surprise party is organised by Mary, Mel and Sue!"
David Brindley, Head of Commissioning, Popular Factual and Factual Entertainment says: "What could be a more joyful Christmas treat than reuniting the brilliant Mary, Mel and Sue around such a heart-warming, important event? I can't wait to see the reaction of the community they're surprising, as our trio shine a light on those who have gone the extra mile to make life a little easier for their neighbours."
Mary, Mel and Sue's Surprise Party will air as part of the BBC's Christmas lineup.
Labels: BBC1, Christmas, entertainment, food, TV NEWS

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Al Nahil Intl Clinic has a well-developed emergency department which has been catering to various medical emergencies by appropriate triaging, resuscitation and stabilization.
Al Nahil Intl Clinic has a full-fledged pharmacy department with professionally trained pharmacist. In comply with the Ministry of Health guidelines and NHRA standards, all medicines are keep in the correct environmental conditions. All medicine allowed by the Ministry of Health are available here except cosmetics.
A unique aspect of AI Nahil service is its Home Visits for the ailing patients. The medical Centre has been providing home visit service. Service of a general doctor and staff nurse would be available for this.
This department is a fully functional unit with latest technology and high end machines which committed to provide facilities for investigations such as X-Ray, Ultrasound, Special X-Ray, etc. Our team of highly qualified specialist Radiologist, skilled technicians and other support staff work round the clock with passion and dedication. The department include state-of-the-art digital X-Ray machines, and USG equipment from world leaders in medical equipment. Report generation is fully computerized and is available immediately. Modern diagnostic digital X-ray equipment with full range of facilities for plain and contrast studies, Ultrasound unit with multi frequency probes for diagnostic and interventional procedures.
The Laboratory Department which is situated in the Basement of the Clinic is equipped with state of the art technology to perform routine and intricate lab investigations. More than 1000 tests are performed round the clock with the help of sophisticated instruments and professionally trained personnel. The laboratory has fully automated analysers in biochemistry, hormones, haematology, and serology.
The clinical biochemistry has state of art automated analyser such as COBAS INTEGRA 400 PLUS, and VITROS 350 which brings down the reporting time to below 40 minutes. Other ultra-modern equipment which are used in the lab are COBAS E 411, SYSMEX XS 500, SYSMEX KX -21 N, ELECSYS 2010, VDICHEM-7000, OLYMPUS CH 20 MICROSCOPE, and so on. Laboratory offers a comprehensive range of laboratory tests for diagnosis, management and prevention of a wide variety of diseases. Report generation is fully computerized and is available immediately.


Erin Brown scored 16 points in the second half against Albany.
ALBANY, N.Y.—UMBC juniors Erin Brown (Bethesda, Md./Walt Whitman) and Michelle Kurowski (Hicksville, N.Y./Hicksville) each scored 16 points in the second half to lead the UMBC women's basketball team (12-9, 6-2 AE) to a 59-53 come-from-behind victory at America East rival Albany (11-9, 4-3 AE) Wednesday afternoon at the Great Danes' SEFCU Arena. The win is the third straight for the Retrievers.
Albany led by 16 points, 35-19, with 16:14 left, but the Retrievers outscored the Great Danes, 40-18, the rest of the way.
After a missed free throw, sophomore guard Kristin Coles (Charles Town, W.Va./Notre Dame Academy/American) secured the offensive rebound and dished it to Kurowski, who sank a 3-pointer and sparked a 12-0 UMBC capped by a triple by Brown that cut the deficit to four points, 35-31, with 13:16 to go. The Retrievers made six of eight field goals during that stretch, with both misses resulting in offensive boards, and they forced three Albany turnovers with two steals by Coles and another by Kurowski.
Albany regained a nine-point advantage less than three minutes later, but every time the Great Danes appeared to take control, Brown knocked down a 3-pointer to swing momentum back in the Retrievers' favor.
Kurowski scored seven straight points during another 10-0 run to put UMBC on top, 53-50, with 4:27 remaining, its first lead since 20 seconds into the game. But Albany guard Ebone Henry grabbed an offensive rebound on the Great Danes' next possession and drained a 3-pointer to tie the game two minutes later.
But Brown put the Retrievers' back on top for good with a jumper with 1:22 left, and Kurowski knocked down four straight free throws to seal the victory.
Albany took an early 13-5 lead, then held UMBC without a field goal for eight minutes before freshman guard Raven Gerald (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) sank a 3-pointer with 3:54 remaining in the first half. But the Great Danes scored six of the final seven points of the period to take a 29-17 lead into halftime.
Brown, the America East Player of the Game, led the Retrievers with 19 points on five 3-pointers, matching her career high, while Kurowski poured in 18 to go along with five assists and three steals. Junior center Topé Obajolu (Randallstown, Md./Archbishop Carroll) added 11 points and three blocks. The trio combined for 40 of UMBC's 42 second-half points. Senior forward Meghan Colabella (Upper Montclair, N.J./Montclair) pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and added seven points and two blocks.
Henry scored game-high 23 points with four 3-pointers to earn her team's Player of the Game honor. She made all six of Albany's second-half field goals and had 17 points in the period. Forward Julie Forster tallied 15 points and eight rebounds, and she was 9-for-9 from the foul line.
It was truly a tale of two halves for UMBC, who made just five of 16 field goal attempts in the first half but shot 52 percent (13-for-25) in the second and finished at 43.9 percent for the game. Conversely, the Great Danes made just six of 29 attempts (20.7 percent) in the second period after shooting 46.2 percent in the first and finished at 32.7 percent overall.
Albany held a 34-30 edge on the boards, with 17 offensive rebounds leading to 16 points.
The Retrievers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 29, when they host America East rival Stony Brook at 2 p.m.
Notes: At 6-2, UMBC is off to its best start ever in its eight-year tenure in the America East Conference… At 12-9, the Retrievers are three-games over .500 for the first time since Jan. 31, 2009… UMBC has won three straight games for the third time this season… Kurowski moved into ninth place on UMBC's all-time scoring list with 1,129 career points.


talkcontract | Forget the Coffee, Open Auto CAD!
Forget the Coffee, Open Auto CAD!
One of the most important parts of design education is the opportunity to get hands-on experience working with professional design. Bridgette Aliberti, a student at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design, set sights high by contacting one of the best—Morgan Design Associates.
Although new interns are often pegged as coffee-getters, paper-filers, and copy-makers, Aliberti sure doesn't fit that description. When she began her work at Morgan Design Associates, she was given the title of "designer" as opposed to "intern," giving her the rare opportunity to work side-by-side with William Morgan himself. For the next three months, she played a key role in designing a prototype "store of the future" for a national retail chain, which will be presented and considered for commission this fall.
This extraordinary opportunity didn't only please Aliberti. Dean of Design + Applied Arts and Chair of the Interior Design Department, Lauren Pillote expressed how thrilled she was with Aliberti's internship. "This level of involvement in a project is rare and allows young designers to experience their future professions from a perspective that cannot be reproduced in the classroom," she says. More importantly, William Morgan was incredibly impressed with Aliberti's contribution to the project, commending her for her computer skills, knowledge of AutoCAD, and her design aesthetic.
Coming from a design student's point of view, Aliberti's internship is a dream come true. As Dean Pillote explains, there are some things that a student cannot experience in a classroom. Working so closely with a design professional on a major project is an invaluable opportunity.
What types of internships does your firm offer? How much responsibility are you willing to give a design student in the name of education?
Wow, what a great story! It's fantastic that Bridgette had such a valuable experience at Morgan Design Associates.
Here at SmithGroup, we try and do the same – rather than inviting them to warm a chair, we include our interns on project teams and listen to their ideas, since we understand how valuable their contributions are. Depending on the stage of the project when they arrive, they might contribute to the design, participate in a charette, attend a client meeting or visit a construction site – and sometimes all of the above! We treat them like employees, not like students who are temporarily helping out. Not only will they get more out of it by actually doing things, but we get to learn from them in so many ways over the course of their internships. The day in May when our interns arrive is always a happy one in our offices!
Congrats Bridgette! You're a chip off the old block. Go get'em girl!


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Todd Rokita & Tony Cárdenas
Compare the voting records of Todd Rokita and Tony Cárdenas in 2017-18.
Todd Rokita
Represented Indiana's 4th Congressional District. This was his 4th term in the House.
Tony Cárdenas
Represented California's 29th Congressional District. This was his 3rd term in the House.
Todd Rokita and Tony Cárdenas are from different parties and disagreed on 68 percent of votes in the 115th Congress (2017-18).
But they didn't always disagree. Out of 1086 votes in the 115th Congress, they agreed on 348 votes, including 8 major votes.
Sept. 6, 2017 — Providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendments to H.R. 601, with an amendment.
July 25, 2017 — Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act
Dec. 20, 2018 — Shiloh National Military Park Boundary Adjustment and Parker's Crossroads Battlefield Designation Act
July 25, 2018 — VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership Performance Act
July 24, 2018 — Protect Medical Innovation Act
July 23, 2018 — Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act
July 23, 2018 — National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act
July 10, 2018 — Options Markets Stability Act
July 10, 2018 — Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act
June 26, 2018 — Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act
June 26, 2018 — Prevention of Private Information Dissemination Act of 2017
June 25, 2018 — Cooperate with Law Enforcement Agencies and Watch Act of 2018
June 25, 2018 — Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act
June 19, 2018 — Stop Excessive Narcotics in our Retirement Communities Protection Act of 2018
June 19, 2018 — Securing Opioids and Unused Narcotics with Deliberate Disposal and Packaging Act of 2018
June 13, 2018 — Improving the Federal Response to Families Impacted by Substance Use Disorder Act
June 13, 2018 — Assisting States' Implementation of Plans of Safe Care Act
June 12, 2018 — Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act
June 12, 2018 — Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act
On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment
June 6, 2018 — Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Authorization Act of 2018
June 6, 2018 — Water Resources Development Act of 2018
May 23, 2018 — McGovern of Massachusetts Amendment No. 10
May 21, 2018 — Veterans Opioid Abuse Prevention Act
May 21, 2018 — Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2018
May 21, 2018 — Servicemembers Improved Transition through Reforms for Ensuring Progress Act
May 18, 2018 — Russell of Oklahoma Amendment No. 17
May 16, 2018 — Black Hills National Cemetery Boundary Expansion Act
May 15, 2018 — Expressing the sense of the United States House of Representatives that Congress and the President should empower the creation of police and community alliances designed to enhance and improve communication and collaboration between members of the law enforcment community and the public they serve
May 15, 2018 — To amend the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to provide additional resources to State and local prosecutors, and for other purposes
May 15, 2018 — Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act
May 10, 2018 — Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act
April 27, 2018 — FAA Reauthorization Act
April 26, 2018 — Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act
April 26, 2018 — Rohrabacher of California Part A Amendment No. 60
April 24, 2018 — Innovators to Entrepreneurs Act of 2018
April 24, 2018 — Recognizing and supporting the efforts of the United Bid Committee to bring the 2026 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup competition to Canada, Mexico, and the United States
April 18, 2018 — Justice for Victims of IRS Scams and Identity Theft Act of 2018
April 18, 2018 — Taxpayer First Act
April 18, 2018 — 21st Century IRS Act
April 17, 2018 — Protecting Children from Identity Theft Act
April 16, 2018 — To designate a National Memorial to Fallen Educators at the National Teachers Hall of Fame in Emporia, Kansas
April 16, 2018 — Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act
April 10, 2018 — Combat Online Predators Act
April 10, 2018 — End Banking for Human Traffickers Act of 2018
March 22, 2018 — Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2018
March 22, 2018 — Strengthening Aviation Security Act of 2018
March 22, 2018 — Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act 2018
March 22, 2018 — Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act of 2018
March 19, 2018 — Kennedy--King National Commemorative Site Act
March 19, 2018 — To update the map of, and modify the maximum acreage available for inclusion in, the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
March 13, 2018 — Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2017
March 5, 2018 — To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 99 Macombs Place in New York, New York, as the "Tuskegee Airman Post Office Building"
March 5, 2018 — To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 13683 James Madison Highway in Palmyra, Virginia, as the "U.S. Navy Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby Post Office"
Feb. 27, 2018 — Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act
Feb. 26, 2018 — Action for Dental Health Act of 2017
Feb. 26, 2018 — Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2017
Feb. 14, 2018 — Calling on the Department of Defense, other elements of the Federal Government, and foreign governments to intensify efforts to investigate, recover, and identify all missing and unaccounted-for personnel of the United States
Feb. 14, 2018 — Hamas Human Shields Prevention Act
Feb. 13, 2018 — To extend the Generalized System of Preferences and to make technical changes to the competitive need limitations provision of the program
Feb. 13, 2018 — Lexington VA Health Care System
Feb. 7, 2018 — Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act of 2017
Feb. 7, 2018 — War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act
Feb. 6, 2018 — Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2017
Feb. 5, 2018 — Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018
On Motion to Fix the Convening Time
Jan. 18, 2018 — Global Health Innovation Act of 2017
Jan. 17, 2018 — Expanding Investment Opportunities Act
Jan. 17, 2018 — Connolly of Virginia Part A Amendment No. 2
Jan. 17, 2018 — Family Self-Sufficiency Act
Jan. 16, 2018 — Alex Diekmann Peak Designation Act of 2017
Jan. 16, 2018 — Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act of 2018
Jan. 11, 2018 — Counter Terrorist Network Act
Jan. 10, 2018 — DHS Overseas Personnel Enhancement Act of 2017
Jan. 9, 2018 — Screening and Vetting Passenger Exchange Act
Jan. 9, 2018 — Post-Caliphate Threat Assessment Act of 2017
Jan. 9, 2018 — Supporting the rights of the people of Iran to free expression, condemning the Iranian regime for its crackdown on legitimate protests, and for other purposes
Dec. 21, 2017 — No Human Trafficking on Our Roads Act
Dec. 21, 2017 — Jobs for Our Heroes Act
Dec. 20, 2017 — United States and Israel Space Cooperation Act
Dec. 19, 2017 — Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act
Dec. 19, 2017 — Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act
Dec. 19, 2017 — Women in Aerospace Education Act
Dec. 18, 2017 — Keep America's Refuges Operational Act
Dec. 18, 2017 — STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act
Dec. 13, 2017 — Iranian Leadership Asset Transparency Act
Dec. 11, 2017 — Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017
Dec. 11, 2017 — Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2017
Dec. 7, 2017 — Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2017
Dec. 7, 2017 — Expressing concern and condemnation over the political, economic, social, and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela
Dec. 6, 2017 — Condemning ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya and calling for an end to the attacks in and an immediate restoration of humanitarian access to the state of Rakhine in Burma
Dec. 6, 2017 — Enhancing Veteran Care Act
Dec. 5, 2017 — Secret Service Recruitment and Retention Act of 2017
Nov. 30, 2017 — Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act
Nov. 28, 2017 — Fowler and Boskoff Peaks Designation Act
Nov. 15, 2017 — To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 520 Carter Street in Fairview, Illinois, as the "Sgt. Douglas J. Riney Post Office"
Nov. 15, 2017 — To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 430 Main Street in Clermont, Georgia, as the "Zachary Addington Post Office"
Nov. 15, 2017 — Connected Government Act
Nov. 13, 2017 — Federal Acquisition Savings Act of 2017
Nov. 13, 2017 — Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to United States policy towards Yemen, and for other purposes
Nov. 8, 2017 — Veterans Fair Debt Notice Act of 2017
Nov. 8, 2017 — Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017
Nov. 8, 2017 — Veterans Crisis Line Study Act of 2017
Nov. 6, 2017 — VA Management Alignment Act
Nov. 6, 2017 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, and for other purposes
Nov. 1, 2017 — Encouraging Public Offerings Act
Oct. 26, 2017 — Iran Ballistic Missiles and International Sanctions Enforcement Act
Oct. 24, 2017 — Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions Act
Oct. 24, 2017 — International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act
Oct. 23, 2017 — Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act
Oct. 23, 2017 — C-TPAT Reauthorization Act
Oct. 12, 2017 — Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017
Oct. 11, 2017 — FITARA Enhancement Act of 2017
Oct. 11, 2017 — To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 324 West Saint Louis Street in Pacific, Missouri, as the "Specialist Jeffrey L. White, Jr. Post Office"
Oct. 10, 2017 — To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 25 New Chardon Street Lobby in Boston, Massachusetts, as the "John Fitzgerald Kennedy Post Office"
Oct. 10, 2017 — To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4514 Williamson Trail in Liberty, Pennsylvania, as the "Staff Sergeant Ryan Scott Ostrom Post Office"
Oct. 3, 2017 — To reauthorize the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, and for other purposes
Oct. 2, 2017 — Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park Redesignation Act
Oct. 2, 2017 — Udall Park Land Exchange Completion Act
Sept. 27, 2017 — Recognizing that for 50 years the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has worked toward stability, prosperity, and peace in Southeast Asia
Sept. 25, 2017 — North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act
Sept. 14, 2017 — Joint Counterterrorism Awareness Workshop Series Act
Sept. 14, 2017 — Making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes
Sept. 14, 2017 — Jackson Lee of Texas Amendment No. 223
Sept. 13, 2017 — Norman of South Carolina Amendment No. 77
Sept. 12, 2017 — Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Boundary Modification Act
Sept. 7, 2017 — Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico Amendment No. 31
Sept. 5, 2017 — To direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to allow certain issuers to be exempt from registration requirements, and for other purposes
Sept. 5, 2017 — Financial Stability Oversight Council Insurance Member Continuity Act
July 28, 2017 — Department of Veterans Affairs Bonus Transparency Act
July 27, 2017 — Nadler of New York Part B Amendment No. 38
July 24, 2017 — Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act
July 18, 2017 — To amend the Federal Power Act with respect to the criteria and process to qualify as a qualifying conduit hydropower facility
July 17, 2017 — Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia to a enter into a compact relating to the establishment of the Washington Metrorail Satefy Commission
July 17, 2017 — Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia to amend the Washington Area Transit Regulation Compact
July 17, 2017 — Sergeant Joseph George Kusick VA Community Living Center
July 14, 2017 — McGovern of Massachusetts Amendment No. 43
July 12, 2017 — Medical Controlled Substances Transportation Act
July 11, 2017 — To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 44 acres of land in Martinez, California, and for other purposes
July 11, 2017 — To authorize, direct, facilitate, and expedite the transfer of administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land, and for other purposes
June 28, 2017 — Robert Emmet Park Act
June 27, 2017 — To authorize the expansion of an existing hydroelectric project, and for other purposes
June 27, 2017 — Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act
June 27, 2017 — Solemnly reaffirming the commitment of the United States to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's principle of collective defense as enumerated in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty
June 26, 2017 — Active Duty Voluntary Acquisition of Necessary Credentials for Employment (ADVANCE) Act
June 26, 2017 — Veterans Expanded Trucking Opportunities Act of 2017
June 23, 2017 — Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act
June 23, 2017 — Krishnamoorthi of Illinois Amendment No. 4
June 20, 2017 — Reducing Unnecessary Barriers for Relative Foster Parents Act
June 20, 2017 — Improving Services for Older Youth in Foster Care Act
June 12, 2017 — J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Hydropower Extension Act
June 12, 2017 — To extend a project of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission involving the Cannonsville Dam
June 6, 2017 — Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Manchester, United Kingdom, on May 22, 2017, expressing heartfelt condolences, and reaffirming unwavering support for the special relationship between our peoples and nations in the wake of these attacks
June 6, 2017 — Condemning the violence against peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador's residence on May 16, 2017, and calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and measures to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future
May 25, 2017 — Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act of 2017
May 24, 2017 — VA Scheduling Accountability Act
May 24, 2017 — PRIVATE Act
May 23, 2017 — Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017
May 18, 2017 — Honoring Hometown Heroes Act
May 17, 2017 — Removing Outdated Restrictions to Allow for Job Growth Act
May 16, 2017 — Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act of 2017
May 4, 2017 — Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act
May 3, 2017 — To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act concerning the statute of limitations for actions to recover disaster or emergency assistance payments, and for other purposes
May 3, 2017 — Disaster Declaration Improvement Act
May 2, 2017 — FEMA Accountability, Modernization and Transparency Act of 2017
May 1, 2017 — Follow the Rules Act
May 1, 2017 — Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act
May 1, 2017 — Fair Access to Investment Research Act of 2017
April 27, 2017 — Fannie and Freddie Open Records Act of 2017
April 27, 2017 — To repeal the rule issued by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration entitled "Metropolitan Planning Organization Coordination and Planning Area Reform"
April 25, 2017 — Aviation Employee Screening and Security Enhancement Act of 2017
April 25, 2017 — Relating to efforts to respond to the famine in South Sudan
April 6, 2017 — Supporting America's Innovators Act
April 3, 2017 — North Korea State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act of 2017
April 3, 2017 — Condemning North Korea's development of multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles, and for other purposes
March 24, 2017 — Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Innovation Act
March 22, 2017 — Securing our Agriculture and Food Act
March 21, 2017 — Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Corrections Act of 2017
March 20, 2017 — DHS Acquisition Authorities Act of 2017
March 20, 2017 — DHS Multiyear Acquisition Strategy Act of 2017
March 20, 2017 — Reducing DHS Acquisition Cost Growth Act
March 17, 2017 — To improve the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to hire and retain physicians and other employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes
March 17, 2017 — Hanabusa of Hawaii Part B Amendment No. 11
March 15, 2017 — To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to amend the Definite Plan Report for the Seedskadee Project to enable the use of the active capacity of the Fontenelle Reservoir
March 15, 2017 — Arbuckle Project Maintenance Complex and District Office Conveyance Act of 2017
March 7, 2017 — To name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Pago Pago, American Samoa, the Faleomavaega Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin VA Clinic
Feb. 28, 2017 — DeSaulnier of California Amendment No. 2
Feb. 27, 2017 — To facilitate the addition of park administration at the Coltsville National Historical Park, and for other purposes
Feb. 27, 2017 — Mount Hood Cooper Spur Land Exchange Clarification Act
Feb. 13, 2017 — BRAVE Act
Feb. 13, 2017 — HIRE Vets Act
Feb. 6, 2017 — Bolts Ditch Access and Use Act
Jan. 30, 2017 — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act of 2017
Jan. 30, 2017 — To remove the sunset provision of section 203 of Public Law 105-384 and for other purposes
Jan. 23, 2017 — Kari's Law Act
Jan. 23, 2017 — Anti-Spoofing Act
Jan. 12, 2017 — SEC Regulatory Accountability Act
Jan. 11, 2017 — Tested Ability to Leverage Exceptional National Talent Act
Jan. 9, 2017 — Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act of 2017
Jan. 9, 2017 — Improving Access to Maternity Care Act


Get ready to celebrate in creative style with your family! Be it Diwali Decoration, House Warming, Family Reunion or a gathering of friends and family - these creations are sure to give your home a welcoming glow.
Create festive themed awesome 3 feet toran, a wonderful peacock pop-up card, decorative gift box, 3 elegant floating lights, 3 dangling gift tags and a 9 piece beautiful rangoli!
Quill On brings to you a fun filled creative do-it-yourself kit to help brighten up your celebrations! Be it Diwali decoration, home décor for a special gathering or just a creative project to gift to a loved one – this Quilling Kit has it all. Follow the easy quilling instructions and templates to make some spectacular designs or use the Quilling Tools and Quilling Paper with you creative imagination and make a design of your choice!
The Super Quiller helps you make coils in a jiffy, so that you can spend more time creating the fun projects. The Super Quiller is World's 1st automated multifunction quilling tool and you can do more and more with it even after your festive quilling projects. You can even consider buying the attachments like the Crimping Buddy and Beading Buddy (Launching Soon).
Based on the technique of quilling the kit comes with 6 project supplies to create a peacock themed pop-card, 9 piece quilling rangoli, 3 feet long glittering toran, 3 elegant quilling diyas, a decorative gift box and 3 dangling gift tags. Each project comes with detailed pictorial instructions and templates to help you create these wonderful crafts!
Using the board helps us make the coils in the perfect size! There is a special quilling glue bottle to help you apply glue in small quantities and in the exact location to help make the projects in a neat and easy manner.
This quilling kit comes with 1400 Quilling strips in 14 different colours. It even has 600 special golden edge strips and 400 10 mm strips. Even after completing these projects, you will be left with large number of strips to create designs from your imagination.
So what are you waiting for? Order now and get ready to Quill, Create and Celebrate with your very own Festive Delight! Happy Quilling!


Washington, Aug 9: Lawyers for US President Donald Trump said they have responded to the latest proposal from special counsel Robert Mueller over a potential interview with the president as part of the wide-ranging Russia probe.
"We have responded in writing to the latest proposal from Office of Special Counsel regarding the request to interview the President," Trump's lawyer Jay Sekulow said in a statement on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.
"It is not appropriate, at this time, to comment publicly about the content of that response."
Mueller's team has questions for Trump over the firing of FBI Director James Comey last year and his public criticism of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who rescued himself from the Russia investigation against the president's wishes.


We also provide a picnic service for your clients or workers that we will deliver to the site or places indicated (we also carry out a picking service) All picnics are delivered in an individual recyclable bag.
We combine different gourmet options with sandwiches, sandwiches and salads that we make daily and handmade at Cuina Justa so that the result is a balanced meal proposal for any moment of the day and anywhere.
We combine different gourmet options with sandwiches, sandwiches and salads, which we make daily and handmade at Justa Cuisine so that the result is a balanced meal proposal for any moment of the day and anywhere.
We can also make custom proposals.


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Publication Info.
Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
Techno-Press (테크노프레스)
2287-528X(pISSN)
Construction/Transportation > Design/Analysis for Facilities
The "Advances in Aircraft and Spacecraft Science" aims at the valuable source of information and excellent publication channel for the global community of aeronautics and space vehicles. The journal publishes the high quality papers in the areas of much related to aeronautics and space vehicles. Airplanes, helicopters, launchers, satellites, space-payloads are of interest for this journal that cover the whole involved disciplines, such as; - Structures - Materials - Fluid Dynamics - Propulsion - Flight Mechanics in air and in space - Aeronautical and Space Systems - Space exploration
KSCI SCOPUS
Spacecraft vibration testing: Benefits and potential issues
Kolaini, Ali R.;Tsuha, Walter;Fernandez, Juan P. 165
https://doi.org/10.12989/aas.2018.5.2.165 KSCI
Jet Propulsion Laboratory has traditionally performed system level vibration testing of flight spacecraft. There have been many discussions in the aerospace community for more than a decade about spacecraft vibration testing benefits or lack thereof. The benefits and potential issues of fully assembled flight spacecraft vibration testing are discussed herein. The following specific topics are discussed: spacecraft screening test to uncover workmanship problems for launch dynamics environments, force- and moment-limited vibration testing, potential issues with structural frequency identification using base shake test data, and failures related to vibration shaker testing and ways to prevent them.
Transient testing from LV / SC coupled analysis by new shock synthesis
Girard, Alain;Cavro, Etienne;Dupuis, Paul-Eric 177
This paper deals with the idea to replace the usual high-level sine sweep test on shaker at system level, very severe, by a low level one completed by a transient test in the same configuration, in order to be more representative of the real environment, thus limiting over testing and improving the payload comfort. The problem of the transient test specification is first discussed. The proposed solution is to derive from LV/SC coupled analyses a shock response spectrum corresponding to two damping ratios. Then, the question of adequate shock synthesis is tackled. A new method with a given spectrum is considered for better potential and accuracy than the usual wavelets. A campaign on the Intespace bi-shaker devoted to system level showed its capability to perform the resulting test with one spectrum. First investigations to extend this approach to two spectra are in progress.
Sine sweep effect on specimen modal parameters characterization
Roy, Nicolas;Violin, Maxime;Cavro, Etienne 187
The sine sweep base excitation test campaign is a major milestone in the process of mechanical qualification of space structures. The objectives of these vibration tests are to qualify the specimen with respect to the dynamic environment induced by the launcher and to demonstrate that the spacecraft FE model is sufficiently well correlated with the test specimen. Dynamic qualification constraints lead to performing base excitation sine tests using a sine sweep over a prescribed frequency range such that at each frequency the response levels at all accelerometers, load cells and strain gages is the same as the steady state response. However, in practice steady state conditions are not always satisfied. If the sweep rate is too high the response levels will be affected by the presence of transients which in turn will have a direct effect on the estimation of modal parameters. A study funded by ESA and AIRBUS D&S was recently carried out in order to investigate the influence of sine sweep rates in actual test conditions. This paper presents the results of this study along with recommendations concerning the choice of methods.
Modelling and simulation of a closed-loop electrodynamic shaker and test structure model for spacecraft vibration testing
Waimer, Steffen;Manzato, Simone;Peeters, Bart;Wagner, Mark;Guillaume, Patrick 205
During launch a spacecraft is subjected to a variety of dynamical loads transmitted through the launcher to spacecraft interface or air-born transmission excitations in the acoustic pressure field inside the fairing. As a result, spacecraft are tested on ground to ensure and demonstrate the global integrity of the structure against these loads, to screen the flight hardware for quality of workmanship and to validate mathematical models. This paper addresses the numerical modelling and simulation of the low frequency sine and random vibration tests performed on electrodynamic shaker facilities to comprise the mechanical-borne transmission loads through the launcher to spacecraft interface. Consequently, the paper reviews techniques and methodologies to derive a reliable and representative coupled virtual vibration testing simulation environment based on experimental data. These technologies are explored with the main objectives to ensure a stable, reliable and accurate control while testing. As a result, the use of the derived simulation models in combination with the added value of improved control and signal processing algorithms can lead to a safer and smoother vibration test control of the entire environmental test campaign.
Feasibility study of the beating cancellation during the satellite vibration test
Bettacchioli, Alain 225
The difficulties of satellite vibration testing are due to the commonly expressed qualification requirements being incompatible with the limited performance of the entire controlled system (satellite + interface + shaker + controller). Two features cause the problem: firstly, the main satellite modes (i.e., the first structural mode and the high and low tank modes) are very weakly damped; secondly, the controller is just too basic to achieve the expected performance in such cases. The combination of these two issues results in oscillations around the notching levels and high amplitude beating immediately after the mode. The beating overshoots are a major risk source because they can result in the test being aborted if the qualification upper limit is exceeded. Although the abort is, in itself, a safety measure protecting the tested satellite, it increases the risk of structural fatigue, firstly because the abort threshold has been already reached, and secondly, because the test must restart at the same close-resonance frequency and remain there until the qualification level is reached and the sweep frequency can continue. The beat minimum relates only to small successive frequency ranges in which the qualification level is not reached. Although they are less problematic because they do not cause an inadvertent test shutdown, such situations inevitably result in waiver requests from the client. A controlled-system analysis indicates an operating principle that cannot provide sufficient stability: the drive calculation (which controls the process) simply multiplies the frequency reference (usually called cola) and a function of the following setpoint, the ratio between the amplitude already reached and the previous setpoint, and the compression factor. This function value changes at each cola interval, but it never takes into account the sensor signal phase. Because of these limitations, we firstly examined whether it was possible to empirically determine, using a series of tests with a very simple dummy, a controller setting process that significantly improves the results. As the attempt failed, we have performed simulations seeking an optimum adjustment by finding the Least Mean Square of the difference between the reference and response signal. The simulations showed a significant improvement during the notch beat and a small reduction in the beat amplitude. However, the small improvement in this process was not useful because it highlighted the need to change the reference at each cola interval, sometimes with instructions almost twice the qualification level. Another uncertainty regarding the consequences of such an approach involves the impact of differences between the estimated model (used in the simulation) and the actual system. As limitations in the current controller were identified in different approaches, we considered the feasibility of a new controller that takes into account an estimated single-input multi-output (SIMO) model. Its parameters were estimated from a very low-level throughput. Against this backdrop, we analyzed the feasibility of an LQG control in cancelling beating, and this article highlights the relevance of such an approach.
Utilizing virtual vibration tests to optimize physical endurance tests
Kihm, Frederic 239
Physical tests are performed at various stages of the development cycle of a product, from prototype validation to product qualification. Although costly, there are growing demands for qualification tests like endurance vibration testing to be more representative of the real world. At the same time there are growing demands to assess the durability of these items based on FEA simulation. In this paper, we will explain how to set up a CAE-based test and how to correlate the results with some physical measurements. Specific assumptions will be explained and some advantages of using virtual tests will be highlighted such as the reduction of the number of prototypes needed, investigations on failures, evaluation of the level of reliability via sensitivity analysis, evaluation of the margins are at the end of a successful test. This presentation will therefore focus on explaining and showing how virtual tests can enrich the exploitation of physical tests.
A virtual shaker testing experience: Modeling, computational methodology and preliminary results
Nali, Pietro;Bettacchioli, Alain;Landi, Guglielmo;Gnoffo, Marco 251
This work illustrates the progress of a TAS activity at exploring the challenges and the benefits of the Virtual Shaker Testing (VST) approach. The definition and the validation of new computational methodologies with respect to the state of the art were encouraged throughout this activity. The shaker Finite Element (FE) model in lateral configuration was built for the purpose and it was merged with the SpaceCraft (S/C) FE model, together with the S/C-Shaker adapter. FE matrices were reduced through the Craig-Bampton method. The VST transient analysis was performed in MATLAB(R) numerical computing environment. The closed-loop vibration control is accounted for and the solution is obtained through the fourth-order Runge Kutta method. The use of pre-existing built-in functions was limited by authors with the aim of tracing the impact of all the problems' parameters in the solution. Assumptions and limitations of the proposed methodology are detailed throughout this paper. Some preliminary results pertaining to the current progress of the activity are thus illustrated before the conclusions.
Static and dynamic load superposition in spacecraft structural analysis
Vaquer-Araujo, Xavier;Schottle, Florian;Kommer, Andreas;Konrad, Werner 259
In mechanical analysis of spacecraft structures situations appear where static and dynamic loads must be considered simultaneously. This could be necessary either by load definition or preloaded structures. The superposition of these environments has an impact on the load and stress distribution of the analysed structures. However, this superposition cannot be done by adding both load contributions directly. As an example, to compute equivalent Von Mises stresses, the phase information must be taken into account in the stress tensor superposition. Finite Element based frequency response solvers do not allow the calculation of superposed static and dynamic responses. A manual combination of loads in a post-processing task is required. In this paper, procedures for static and harmonic loads superposition are presented and supported by analytical and finite element-based examples. The aim of the paper is to provide evidence of the risks of using different superposition techniques. Real application examples such as preloaded mechanism structures and propulsion system tubing assemblies are provided. This study has been performed by the Structural Engineering department of Airbus Defence and Space GmbH Friedrichshafen.
Comparison of mass operator methods considering test uncertainties
Olympio, K.R.;Blender, F.;Holz, M.;Kommer, A.;Vetter, R. 277
In the space industry, structures undergo several vibration and acoustic tests in order to verify their design and give confidence that they will survive the launch and other critical in-orbit dynamic scenarios. At component level, vibration tests are conducted with the aim to reach local or global interface loads without exceeding the design loads. So, it is often necessary to control and limit the input based on a load criterion. This means the test engineer should be able to assess the interface loads, even when load cannot be measured. This paper presents various approaches to evaluate interface loads using measured accelerations and by referring to mass operators. Various methods, from curve fitting techniques to finite element-based methods are presented. The methods are compared using signals with known imperfection to identify strengths and weaknesses of each mass operator definition.


(1) Bin Laden and Zawahiri are extremely secretive and issue statements rarely and directly to the media. It would be unusual for them to write for a third-party publication, especially one put out by the Yemen-based AQAP, with which they have little or no direct ties. However, it is possible that the magazine's producers simply copied old statements they had made.
(2) The language of the magazine, such as "Make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom," reflects either a poor command of English or a light-hearted sense of self-parody. AQAP is not known for either. Awlaki, whose location in Yemen makes his participation very plausible, is a native, fluent, and very articulate English speaker. His fiery English-language sermons are not funny.
(3) The magazine includes an essay by Abu Mu'sab al-Suri. But Suri, whose connection to al-Qaeda is uncertain, has been locked up in Guantanamo--and possibly a CIA black site--since 2005. However, as with bin Laden, it is possible the magazine simply copied old statements.
(4) Analysts tell me that the magazine PDF file either does not load properly or carries a trojan virus. This is unusual because al-Qaeda and AQAP have produced and disseminated such PDF publications many times without such problems. If the report was produced by U.S. counterintelligence, or if the U.S. operatives attached the virus to the original file, would the trojan really be so easily detectable by simple, consumer-grade virus scanners? Surely U.S. counterintelligence has less detectable viruses at their disposal.
(5) The web-based "jihadi" community itself seems suspicious. The report has received little attention on web forums, especially given its apparent importance. A publication including such high-profile figures would normally receive far more attention than it has so far.
There are also reasons to doubt that the report was produced by U.S. counterintelligence, as CI officials would likely know enough to edit out these red flags. It's unclear who that leaves, but the most likely culprit could simply be mischievous, if knowledgeable, pranksters in the U.S. who wanted to disseminate a trojan virus among jihadi forum visitors. That would also explain why the document was written in English.
Of course, none of these doubts are definitive and it remains a significant possibility that the publication is authentic. Leah Farrall, an AQAP expert and former Australian counterterrorism official, expressed doubt about the publication but disputed some of the cases against its authenticity.
"The make a bomb in the kitchen of your mum is not by Awlaki. It may be an effort to play on an old series of manuals released a few years back on how to build IED's from materials in your home. Many readers would be familiar with these manuals since some sections have been translated into English before. So that by itself is not really enough to bring into question the authenticity of the document," she wrote in an email. "The addition of an al-Suri excerpt is curious, but not unexpected. AQAP ideologues have mentioned his book before. So, this is also not enough to bring into question the authenticity of the document."
It's not clear who produced this PDF and why. But there are some compelling reasons to doubt that it was produced by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula for the purpose of spreading the group's message to English speakers.


A rural town in the upper Calderdale Valley can now benefit from superfast, fibre broadband speeds thanks to Superfast West Yorkshire.
Eighteen fibre cabinets have now been installed in the picturesque town of Sowerby Bridge enabling around 5,500 homes and business to access the new technology. Further upgrades will follow in the coming months benefitting a further 980 premises.
The arrival of faster broadband brings many benefits to the community. With faster upload and downloads speeds, it makes having the whole household online, staying connected, shopping, paying bills and streaming TV even easier. Businesses can benefit too – whether it is the security of having reliable internet to work from home or the ability to compete in a global marketplace.
On average, Sowerby Bridge customers could see speed increases of between 26 to 32 mbps with a fibre connection when compared to standard broadband, although these speeds will vary for each individual property.
The town is the latest in a number of areas to be upgraded to superfast broadband as part of the multi million pound project rolling out across West Yorkshire.
Calderdale Council's Cabinet Member for Economy, Cllr Peter Caffrey, said: "The installation of superfast broadband in Sowerby Bridge will bring real benefits to the area.
Tom Keeney, BT's regional director for Yorkshire and Humber, said: "Engineers have worked hard to connect up the town – often working by floodlight overnight to avoid traffic disruption. Sowerby Bridge is one of a number of areas which previously had been beyond the reach of fibre broadband but is now connected thanks to Superfast West Yorkshire.
The Superfast West Yorkshire project has already passed the half way mark with over 40,000 properties and businesses passed to date. The project is due to complete by the end of September 2015.


SOUTH Shropshire's successful Furniture Scheme has relocated its furniture finishing workshop from the Mascall Centre to a building adjacent to its shop in Tower Street where it sells renovated furniture to the public.
Philip Dunne MP for Ludlow was on hand to officiate at the formal opening of the Furniture Scheme's latest furniture workshop at the Renaissance Centre in Tower Street in the town centre.
The workshop offers a furniture repair service for local people seeking general repairs and where it makes up oak house signs with craftsmanship from the team of professional staff and volunteers to help raise vital funds to support work with those at risk of financial and social exclusion in south Shropshire.
"I have long supported South Shropshire's Furniture Scheme based in Ludlow and now part of Wrekin Housing Group," said Mr Dunne.
"It provides an incredibly useful service for vulnerable people looking to get back on their feet in the area and this is a great way of showing to many more people in the centre of Ludlow the kind of work they can do.
James Cooper said he was delighted that the new facility has opened.
"This new bespoke service is very much part of our re-use ethos," Mr Cooper said.


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Your express stop for the latest news
For the record: selecting a site for the Operations and Maintenance Facility South
By Sound Transit
Sound Transit is preparing to kick off our environmental review for building the new light rail operations and maintenance facility (OMF) in the south corridor to serve our expanding light rail network, including extensions to Kent, Federal Way and Tacoma.
This is one of the two new OMFs required to realize the light rail expansions voters approved in Sound Transit 3.
Sound Transit cannot expand congestion-free light rail service without more capacity to store and maintain trains.
The agency will soon launch a process to engage the public in analyzing options for the facility.
Interest spiked last week with media coverage after the Kent City Council adopted an emergency ordinance seeking to prevent Sound Transit from considering a site at the location of a Lowe's store and the recently opened Dick's drive-in.
That site is one of at least six sites currently under consideration. More potential sites could emerge as the process continues.
Identifying a site for an OMF is always challenging because it requires at least 30 relatively flat acres that are near the light rail line, with specific site conditions often pushing the acreage requirement higher.
Sound Transit has emphasized that we are very early in the process.
There are two important steps that must be taken in determining the final location of the southern OMF.
First is a "scoping" phase in which alternative sites are evaluated. This is a three month process, and we are at the very beginning of that process.
Please sign up for project alerts to stay informed about the project as it moves into the next stages of planning.
Once the scoping phase is completed this coming May, the Sound Transit Board will decide which alternatives should be considered further as part of the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Sound Transit will solicit public comment as part of the upcoming scoping process.
Sign up for project alerts to be notified when new information is available to be commented on.
We expect to identify potentially viable sites that meet minimum requirements of size, configuration, proximity to the light rail system, and operational feasibility.
The Sound Transit Board will then consider public and agency input received during the scoping period to identify a range of reasonable alternatives to evaluate in the EIS.
The EIS will take up to a couple of years to complete and then the Board will select the site/location to be built.
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50 Cent Confirms New G-Unit Album
By Gregory Adams
50 Cent's big week kicked off with the release of his long-awaited Animal Ambition LP, but there appears to be more new music coming from the rap vet later this year. More specifically, he's getting back on the mic with his G-Unit pals for a reunion album.
The crew — 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck and Tony Yayo — had been beefing in the press even just a few months ago, with Fiddy saying back in April that the group had been "dismantled." However, a G-Unit performance at Hot 97's Summer Jam in New York over the weekend and the release of a new single called "Nah I'm Talking Bout" has apparently rebuilt momentum.
This morning (June 4), 50 Cent built up even more hype behind G-Unit's get-together by telling the morning hosts of Fox's Good Morning Philadelphia [via Rap Up] "You'll see an album by late November."
Though details on the LP are pretty slim so far, it would be the first full-length from G-Unit since their 2008 offering T.O.S. (Terminate on Sight). You can check out the group's "Nah I'm Talking Bout," a reworking of HS87's "Grindin My Whole Life" that also features Kidd Kidd, down below. The Good Morning interview is also below.
More G-Unit
G-Unit 'The Lost Flash Drive' (mixtape)
The G-Unit crew have got back together a handful of times to perform and record in recent years, but the group are now looking back to some...
G-Unit "I'm Grown" (live on 'Fallon')
50 Cent reassembled his G-Unit earlier this month to release their new EP The Beast Is G-Unit. Promoting the new batch of tracks, they stopp...
G-Unit 'The Beast Is G-Unit' (EP stream) / "I'm Grown" (video)
50 Cent has brought together the G-Unit again, with the rap collective having just dropped their new EP, The Beast Is G-Unit, today (March 3...
G-Unit "Big Body Benz" (video)
If, indeed, all 50 Cent and the rest of G-Unit wanted was a "Big Body Benz," as previously explained in the Beauty of Independence bonus tra...
G-Unit "Big Body Benz"
Next week, 50 Cent and his G-Unit crew will treat their Beauty of Independence EP to a proper physical release. The release will be expanded...


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Home Entertainment Controversial Discovery in New Mexico: Why Every School Shooting is Now Suspect (360+)
Discovery in New Mexico: Why Every School Shooting is Now Suspect (360+)
Justin Danneman
Earlier this month 11 tortured and malnourished children were found in a compound in New Mexico. Mainstream media is calling this a "Muslim extremist" compound, however as I'll explain later, it had nothing to do with Muslim extremism.
The kidnapped children were being trained to use firearms and how to tactically engage teachers and law enforcement. According to court documents, they were being trained "in preparation for future school shootings."
The body of 3-year-old Abdul-ghani Wahhaj, a severely disabled boy who has been missing since December from Jonesboro, Ga was also discovered buried in a tunnel beneath the compound. Authorities say he was kidnapped by his father, who is one of the suspects arrested, and used in a ritualistic religious ceremony intended to "cast out demonic spirits," Reuters reported.
NBC reports that the children said they were told the boy would be resurrected as Jesus and guide them on which "corrupt institutions" to attack.
Five men were initially arrested, including one by the name of Siraj Ibn Wahhaj who is the son of the controversial Muslim faith leader from Brooklyn, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who has been linked to the 1993 World Trade Center bombings. He also testified as a character witness for the notorious "blind sheikh" Omar Abdel Rahman – who was convicted in 1995 of plotting the attack.
Siraj Ibn Wahhaj is also the father of the 3-year-old child used in the exorcism.
As if all of that isn't controversial enough, this is where the story gets interesting.
Claiming the state failed to prove the suspects posed a direct threat to the community, Judge Sarah Backus ordered the suspects – Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 40, Lucas Morton, 40, Jany Leveille, 35, Hujrah Wahhaj, 37, and Subhannah Wahhaj, 35 – to be released on a $20,000 signature bond (which means they didn't have to pay). They are required to wear ankle monitors and maintain weekly contact with their attorneys and are ordered to cooperate with the New Mexico Children Youth and Families division (CYFD). One of the suspects, however, was immediately detained by ICE agents and hasn't been seen since.
What happened next even confused mainstream media. New Mexico authorities have executed a court order to destroy the encampment, including bulldozing the entrance to the tunnel where the body of Abdul-ghani Wahhaj was discovered.
If this truly was the handiwork of Muslim extremists, I ask you:
Why would authorities destroy the compound before conducting any kind of investigation? Is that not tampering with evidence and a direct obstruction of justice?
Why did authorities ignore the pleas of neighbors and property owners near the compound who had been reporting suspicious activity for several months prior to its discovery?
Why were the suspects quickly released free of charge despite the overwhelming amount of physical evidence uncovered in the compound and the massive backlash received against the decision, including the Sheriff's office, the FBI, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, as well as other state officials? It is also critical to note that 2 years ago, New Mexico voters had overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that revamped the state's bail laws and raised the legal threshold for detaining suspects before trial to make sure this type of situation does not happen.
The Likely Culprit
This seems to have all of the hallmarks of a CIA/NATO/Mossad Gladio Operation, whose existence was confirmed and admitted by the Italian government in 1990, after a judge, Felice Casson, discovered the network in the course of his investigations into right-wing terrorism. Italian prime minister Giulio Andreotti admitted Gladio's existence but tried to minimize its significance.
This is also not the first example of a Gladio style event.
What if our own government is staging mass shootings in order to strip us of our right to bear arms? It has been well argued that stricter gun laws will only affect law abiding citizens and make us less safe.
What kind of resistance can we offer if we are defenseless?
Gladio Operation
New Mexico compound
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Justin is someone who is compassionate about learning anything and everything, including ancient mythologies and history, quantum technology, blockchain, A.I., nutrition, and absolutely everything to do with outer space. "In the age of information, ignorance is a choice." Having spent most of his adult life in the financial sector, he has only recently found his calling as a writer. Deciphering truth and spreading awareness is exactly what he plans to do.
Facebook (Lifelog) Was Down Because of a Data Dump (360+)
Planes Hover Mid Air, Even Vanish. Holograms Disguising Aircraft? CERN?
Military Operations Involving Wells Fargo Followed By Outages. What is Going On? (360+)


This is the sixth in our 403(b) Crunch Time Series, the purpose of which is to help 403(b) plans get ready for the January 1, 2009 compliance deadline for the new Internal Revenue Service regulations. On Monday, Bob Toth , our guest blogger, discussed 403(b) Service Agreements: "Harmonizing" the 403(b) Plan.
Now it's my turn, and today's post is about the Timing of Depositing Employee Contributions.
So let's start with the rules before the final regulations. Hard to imagine in today's environment, but the employer actually had until the end of the year as permitted by an old 1967 IRS Ruling, Revenue Ruling 67-69. So to take the extreme example, if the employee had his or her salary reduced in January, the employer did not have to forward the contribution to the 403(b) provider until December.
Now for the first time, non-ERISA 403(b) plans will have to transfer employee money to the 403(b) plan within a strict time frame. In essence, the ERISA timing rules are effectively extended to cover all 403(b) plans. The final regulations require that plan sponsors transmit all contributions to 403(b) plans to the vendor as soon as is administratively feasible. The IRS considers that to be within 15 business days following end of month in which contributions are withheld from pay.
The earliest date on which it is administratively feasible to remit the contributions.
But what about "small plans" (those with less than 100 participants. On February 28, 2008, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that employee contributions to a "small" retirement plan (one with less that 100 participants) will be deemed to be made in compliance with the law if those amounts are deposited with the plan within 7 business days of receipt or withholding.
As with any safe harbor, of course, the seven-day safe harbor could easily become the expected standard practice. We might even expect future investigations by the Department to focus on whether contributions were forwarded within seven days, rather than attempt to determine when assets were reasonably segregable. In other words, everything outside of the safe harbor could become dangerous waters for plan sponsors.
And what happens if these time frames are not met? That's a topic for another time.
That's it for now. The afore-mentioned Bob Toth will be back next Friday to discuss Church 403(b)(9) Retirement Income Accounts.