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Posts Tagged 'Arctic ice increase'
One cool summer increased Arctic ice by 30% – another indicator of the coming ice age?
A new paper in Nature geoscience confirms that the "cool" summer of 2013 increased Arctic ice volume by a third. It increased again in 2014 by 25%. Two cool summers have increased Arctic ice volume by 1.33 x 1.25 = 1.41 (41%).
The authors claim that this indicates that Arctic sea ice may be more resilient than has been previously considered, but I would suggest that this also indicates something much more significant. It suggests to me that the conditions needed to trigger a little ice age (lasting 3 – 5 decades) are not so difficult to conceive of. With low solar activity, a few cool summers and a volcanic eruption or two would more than suffice. Even the long term shift from the current interglacial and back to glacial conditions (where interglacials last for 10 -20 millenia and glacial periods last even longer) could also probably be triggered by a few key events occurring together.
It is worth noting that for the last few years, ice cover in the Antarctic has been higher than it is has ever been since records began. The Arctic ice cover reached a very low level in 2012 but has rebounded quite strongly. Arctic ice levels are at the same level as in the 1980s.
By constantly rewriting historical data, the global warming orthodoxy try to show that every year is warmer than the artificially cooled past. Raw data shows no such warming. Satellite records show no such warming. It is only data sets where raw data is recalculated every year by very dodgy algorithms to give a calculated value for "global temperature" that warming shows up.
Global climatic changes must also show up as local weather. And this has been a miserable summer so far. June was colder and wetter – as perceived – than usual and July is proving to be colder and wetter than I have any memory of. My personal empirical observations would suggest that the shift into another little ice age has started.
Increased Arctic sea ice volume after anomalously low melting in 2013
Abstract: ……. Between autumn 2010 and 2012, there was a 14% reduction in Arctic sea ice volume, in keeping with the long-term decline in extent. However, we observe 33% and 25% more ice in autumn 2013 and 2014, respectively, relative to the 2010–2012 seasonal mean, which offset earlier losses. This increase was caused by the retention of thick sea ice northwest of Greenland during 2013 which, in turn, was associated with a 5% drop in the number of days on which melting occurred—conditions more typical of the late 1990s. In contrast, springtime Arctic sea ice volume has remained stable. The sharp increase in sea ice volume after just one cool summer suggests that Arctic sea ice may be more resilient than has been previously considered.
Even the BBC which is religiously fanatic (only exceeded by The Guardian) in its adherence to global warming orthodoxy, has been compelled to report the increase in Arctic ice. But of course they continue to deny that real data in conflict with model expectations can invalidate the models predicting man-made global warming:
The volume of Arctic sea ice increased by around a third after an unusually cool summer in 2013. Researchers say the growth continued in 2014 and more than compensated for losses recorded in the three previous years. The scientists involved believe changes in summer temperatures have greater impacts on ice than thought.
Why do they have to then add pure rubbish?
But they say 2013 was a one-off and that climate change will continue to shrink the ice in the decades ahead.
Tags:Arctic ice increase, Little Ice Age
Posted in Alarmism, Arctic, Climate | 1 Comment »
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Unicorns were real
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Claville es una localidad y comuna francesa situada en la región de Alta Normandía, departamento de Eure, en el distrito de Évreux y cantón de Évreux-Ouest.

Demografía

Administración

Entidades intercomunales
Claville está integrada en la Communauté de communes du Pays de Conches. Además forma parte de diversos sindicatos intercomunales para la prestación de diversos servicios públicos:

 S.A.E.P d'Evreux ouest .
 Syndicat des CES du secteur scolaire d'Evreux (SICOSSE) .
 Syndicat de ramassage scolaire de Claville Caugé .
 Syndicat de l'électricité et du gaz de l'Eure (SIEGE) .

Riesgos
La prefectura del departamento de Eure incluye la comuna en la previsión de riesgos mayores por:
 Presencia de cavidades subterráneas. Se conocen al menos doce cavidades, a las que hay que añadir al menos media docena más cuya localización es sólo aproximada, una de ellas próxima por el este al núcleo de población.
 Riesgos derivados del transporte de mercancías peligrosas por la carretera N13.

Lugares y monumentos
 Iglesia de Saint-Martin, inscrita en el inventario de monumentos históricos.
 Place de l'Église y place de Banes, sitios clasificados.

Véase también
 Comunas de Eure
 Antiguas comunas de Eure

Referencias

Enlaces externos
 Claville en el sitio web del Institut géographique national (en francés)
 Claville en el sitio web del INSEE (en francés)
 Claville en el sitio web de Quid (en francés)
 Situación de Claville en un mapa de Francia y de comunas limítrofes (en francés)
 Plano de Claville en Mapquest (en inglés)
 Ministerio del Interior de Francia - Resultados de las elecciones municipales (en francés)
 Prefectura de Eure (en francés)

Localidades de Eure

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Aurora borealis cluster earrings w/Swarovski elements. Rainbow. Sterling silver.
Aurora borealis crystal bracelet made w/ Swarovski elements. Sterling silver.
Aurora borealis small teardrop earrings w/Swarovski elements. Sterling silver.
Aurora borealis stud earrings made with swarovski elements & sterling silver.
Baroque crystal blue earrings made w/ Swarovski Elements. Big. Sterling silver 925.
Bee and turquoise necklace. Fine and sterling silver. Handmade.
Bee, dragonfly, flower and leaf necklace. Fine and sterling silver. Handmade.
Black agate cluster earrings. Small. 4 stones. Sterling silver 925. Handmade.
Black onyx and silver bracelet. Chunky, faceted.
Black onyx and silver bracelet. Fine / sterling silver. Designer handmade.


We have not officially started with the summer and already arrive us small strokes for the next autumn-winter 2013 / 2014. In theory these collections come in September but today, we bring you a preview of Designer Ana Locking for the upcoming season.
One of the key creators in men's fashion of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid launches new online store with a preview of their sweatshirts. Advance Edition we try to open mouths so we can not resist them would fall into temptation?
In this exclusive preview We have three different models. The first, McGUFFIN H1 stands out for the use of neoprene that contrasts with the floral print that is present in the entire collection. If we didn't have associated this pattern to the cold, it is time, as we can see, change it.
We also have this with whole sleeves in black color. Being sincere, despite that a my I love all that Ana Locking, for my style shocked me a little the rear of this Sweatshirt perhaps for not being accustomed to the time zipper. Do you pass the same?
The last, which coincidentally (only incidentally) coincides with what the cheapest, is which I liked more. It looks much more sporty and casual. This excess of print can soften it with basic trousers or depending on the occasion, with a pair of jeans.
Ana Locking It has opened this new online store with these products, we will wait to see what will surprise us coming soon.


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Illinois professor yelled slurs, spat on black woman, prosecutors allege – New York Post
An Illinois professor is facing hate crime charges for yelling racial slurs and spitting in the face of a woman because he "does not like black people," prosecutors said.
Alberto Friedmann, whose LinkedIn profile identifies him as a professor at the National University of Health Sciences, was charged Sunday with aggravated assault and a hate crime in the alleged Sept. 7 incident outside an Oak Park grocery store, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Prosecutors said Freidmann, 53, of Oak Park, started yelling and honking in his Jaguar stopped behind the woman, who was parked outside a Jewel-Osco with her 7-year-old daughter.
He then got out of his car while allegedly hurling racial slurs and slammed the woman's car door shut and spit in her face — saying he did so "because he does not like black people," according to Assistant State's Attorney Lindsay Ruedig.
The woman's mother came out of the grocery store and heard the slurs. She also saw Friedmann allegedly spit at her daughter, authorities said. The woman hopped out of her car to get the man's license plate, prompting him to allegedly accelerate toward her, but she wasn't struck, Ruedig said.
But Friedmann's Jaguar hit the woman's car twice, prosecutors said. Witnesses intervened in the confrontation when he got out of his car a second time and he was later arrested, the Tribune reported.
Store surveillance video captured the incident, but prosecutors didn't specify Sunday what could be seen or heard on the footage.
The incident happened outside this Jewel Osco in Oak Park, IL.
An attorney for Friedmann denied that he used any racial slurs during the encounter.
"It's our position that it's fabricated that he used any such language," attorney John McNamara told a judge. "He's a minority himself. He's a child of immigrants. This is completely outside of his nature."
McNamara said Friedmann has a doctorate in kinesiology, exercise science and neurology and currently teaches neurokinesiology at the National University of Health Sciences.
Friedmann's name, however, was not listed among its faculty members on the university's website. in A message seeking comment from the school in Lombard was not immediately returned early Tuesday.
Friedmann's LinkedIn profile identifies him as a professor at the National University of Health Sciences. He previously served as a faculty member at Indiana State University, the profile shows.
A judge ordered Friedman be released on $2,500 bail while barring him from contacting the woman or witnesses. She also said she "couldn't ignore" that the alleged incident took place in front of the woman's young child, the Tribune reported.
Friedmann is reportedly due back in court on Wednesday.
Gabby Petito autopsy: Coroner faces challenges in determining time, cause of death, says forensic pathologist – Fox News
More Americans identify as evangelical after the Trump years

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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EMCOR Group Inc. $84.99 $.36 .43%
EMCOR Group, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2016 Results
Thursday, February 23, 2017 7:30:00 AM ET
EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME ) today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
For the fourth quarter of 2016, net income from continuing operations attributable to EMCOR was $42.2 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared to $50.4 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2015. Excluding an impairment charge detailed below, non-GAAP net income from continuing operations was $43.7 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2016. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2016 totaled $1.95 billion, an increase of 9.7%, compared to $1.78 billion in the fourth quarter 2015.
Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $74.5 million, or 3.8% of revenues, compared to operating income of $84.1 million, or 4.7% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2015. Included in the operating income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was an impairment charge of $2.4 million. Excluding this impairment charge, non-GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of 2016 was $76.9 million, or 3.9% of revenues. Included in both GAAP and non-GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was a $20.5 million project loss associated with a contract dispute on a completed project within our U.S. Mechanical Construction segment.
Please see the attached tables for a reconciliation of non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income from continuing operations and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to the comparable GAAP figures.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2016 fourth quarter were $194.9 million, or 10.0% of revenues, compared to $168.5 million, or 9.5% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Backlog as of December 31, 2016 was $3.90 billion, an increase of 3.5% from $3.77 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2015. Total domestic backlog grew $107.3 million year-over-year and backlog in our U.K. Building Services segment increased $24.4 million. Year-over-year growth in backlog in our U.S. Mechanical Construction and U.S. Electrical Construction segments more than offset declines in our U.S. Building Services and U.S. Industrial Services segments. From an end-market perspective, backlog growth in the commercial, healthcare, industrial and water & wastewater markets was partially offset by declines in the institutional, transportation and hospitality sectors.
Tony Guzzi, President and Chief Executive Officer of EMCOR, commented, "The Company delivered record revenues and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the 2016 full-year period, with growth of 12% and 14%, respectively, excluding transaction expenses and an impairment charge. This was driven by double-digit revenue growth in our combined U.S. businesses, with strong operating income contributions from our U.S. Electrical Construction segment and our U.S. Industrial Services segment and bottom-line growth from our U.K. business. We are particularly pleased with these results given the obstacles that were presented throughout the year, including the losses incurred from several large scale projects in both of our U.S. Construction segments, with respect to which we are seeking recovery."
Mr. Guzzi added, "In the quarter, our U.S. Electrical Construction segment, a standout in the quarter, delivered a 111% increase in operating income, with over 200 basis points of operating margin expansion. While revenues increased 9.4% in our U.S. Mechanical Construction segment for the quarter, this revenue growth unfortunately did not lead to a corresponding increase in segment profitability. This was due to the execution of a fast-paced process facility project that resulted in a $20.5 million loss due to a contract dispute at the completion of our work. Our U.S. Building Services segment reported an exceptional quarter, with operating income increasing by 35% on a 120 basis point margin expansion, driven by strong performance in its mobile mechanical services operations. Our U.S. Industrial Services segment's operating income was essentially flat for the quarter; however, for the year, revenues and operating income increased close to 16% and 38%, respectively, on the strength of a significant field services capital project. Lastly, our U.K. segment was able to expand operating margins by 70 basis points in the quarter."
Revenues for the 2016 full-year period increased 12.4% to $7.55 billion, compared to $6.72 billion for the 2015 full-year period. Net income from continuing operations attributable to EMCOR for the 2016 full-year period was $185.1 million, or $3.02 per diluted share, compared to $172.3 million, or $2.72 per diluted share, in the prior year. Excluding transaction expenses and the impairment charge recorded in the fourth quarter, non-GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to EMCOR in the 2016 full-year period was $188.9 million, or $3.09 per diluted share.
Operating income for the 2016 full-year period was $308.5 million, or 4.1% of revenues, compared to $287.1 million, or 4.3% of revenues, in the 2015 full-year period. Included in operating income for the 2016 full-year period were $3.8 million of transaction expenses related to the Ardent acquisition and a $2.4 million impairment charge. Excluding the aforementioned expenses, non-GAAP operating income in the 2016 full-year period was $314.7 million, or 4.2% of revenues.
For the 2016 full-year period, selling, general and administrative expenses were $725.5 million, or 9.6% of revenues, compared to $656.6 million, or 9.8% of revenues, in the 2015 full-year period.
Based on the favorable backlog mix and assuming continued improvement in market conditions, EMCOR expects full-year 2017 revenues to be between $7.5 billion and $7.6 billion, and full-year 2017 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to be in the range of $3.10 to $3.50.
Mr. Guzzi concluded, "After a solid 2016, we are encouraged by our prospects as we look to 2017 and beyond. Our backlog continues to expand despite record revenues, and we are especially pleased with the strong pipeline in our U.S. Construction segments. We remain optimistic that the non-residential construction market will continue to improve in 2017, and we are well positioned to capture our share of the market. Our healthy balance sheet continues to provide us with the flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions while returning capital to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends."
EMCOR Group, Inc. is a Fortune 500 leader in mechanical and electrical construction services, industrial and energy infrastructure and building services. This press release and other press releases may be viewed at the Company's website at www.emcorgroup.com.
EMCOR Group's fourth quarter conference call will be available live via internet broadcast today, Thursday, February 23, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The live call may be accessed through the Company's website at www.emcorgroup.com.
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Any such comments are based upon information available to EMCOR management and its perception thereof, as of this date, and EMCOR assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding market opportunities, market share growth, gross profit, backlog mix, projects with varying profit margins, and selling, general and administrative expenses. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Accordingly these statements are no guarantee of future performance. Such risk and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, adverse effects of general economic conditions, changes in the political environment, changes in the specific markets for EMCOR's services, adverse business conditions, availability of adequate levels of surety bonding, increased competition, unfavorable labor productivity and mix of business. Certain of the risks and factors associated with EMCOR's business are also discussed in the Company's 2016 Form 10-K and in other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All these risks and factors should be taken into account in evaluating any forward-looking statements.
EMCOR GROUP, INC.
(In thousands, except share and per share information)
For the three months ended                                                                                For the twelve months
December 31,                                                                                ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016                                    2015                                                       2016                                                       2015
-------------------------------------                     ---------------------------------------                     -------------------------------------                     ---------------------------------------
Revenues                                                                                $ 1,949,964                                                 $ 1,777,826                                               $ 7,551,524                                                 $ 6,718,726
Cost of sales                                                                                1,677,995                                1,525,205                              6,513,662                                5,774,247
------------------------------------                      --------------------------------------                      ------------------------------------                      --------------------------------------
Gross profit                                                                                271,969                                                     252,621                                                 1,037,862                                                     944,479
Selling, general and administrative expenses                                                                       194,884                                                     168,456                                                   725,538                                                     656,573
Restructuring expenses                                                                                167                                                          82                                                     1,438                                                         824
Impairment loss on identifiable intangible assets                                                                    2,428                           --                                  2,428                           --
Operating income                                                                                74,490                                                      84,083                                                   308,458                                                     287,082
Interest expense                                                                                (3,654 )                                                    (2,282 )                                                 (12,627 )                                                    (8,932 )
Interest income                                                                                145                                      158                                    663                                      673
Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                                               70,981                                                      81,959                                                   296,494                                                     278,823
Income tax provision                                                                                28,536                                   31,584                                111,199                                  106,256
Income from continuing operations                                                                                42,445                                                      50,375                                                   185,295                                                     172,567
(Loss) income from discontinued operation, net of income taxes                                                      (1,558 )                                                       679                                 (3,142 )                                                       (60 )
Net income including noncontrolling interests                                                                       40,887                                                      51,054                                                   182,153                                                     172,507
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests                                                      (211 )                                                        12                                   (218 )                                                      (221 )
Net income attributable to EMCOR Group, Inc.                                                                   $    40,676                              $    51,066                            $   181,935                              $   172,286
===== ========= ====================                      ======= ========= ====================                      ===== ========= ====================                      ======= ========= ====================
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
From continuing operations                                                                                $      0.70                              $      0.81                            $      3.05                              $      2.74
From discontinued operation                                                                                $     (0.03 )                                               $      0.01                            $     (0.05 )                                               $     (0.00 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic                                                                                60,479,635                                                  62,398,915                                                60,769,808                                                  62,789,120
Diluted                                                                                60,956,004                                                  62,909,269                                                61,206,792                                                  63,307,512
Dividends declared per common share                                                                            $      0.08                              $      0.08                            $      0.32                              $      0.32
December 31,                                           December 31,
2016                                                   2015
---------------------------------                        ------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                $   464,617                                                    $              486,831
Accounts receivable, net                                                                                1,495,431                                                                 1,359,862
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted                                                        130,697                                                                   117,734
Inventories                                                                                37,426                                                                    37,545
Prepaid expenses and other                                                                                82,676                                                 64,140
-----------------------------------                      --------------------------------
Total current assets                                                                                2,210,847                                                                 2,066,112
Investments, notes and other long-term receivables                                                                         8,792                                                                     8,359
Property, plant & equipment, net                                                                                127,951                                                                   122,018
Goodwill                                                                                979,628                                                                   843,170
Identifiable intangible assets, net                                                                                487,398                                                                   472,834
Other assets                                                                                79,554                                                 30,164
Total assets                                                                                $ 3,894,170                                 $            3,542,657
==== ========= ====================                      ========== ====================
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations                                                   $    15,030                                                    $               17,541
Accounts payable                                                                                501,213                                                                   488,251
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted                                                        489,242                                                                   429,235
Accrued payroll and benefits                                                                                310,514                                                                   268,033
Other accrued expenses and liabilities                                                                                195,775                                                209,361
Total current liabilities                                                                                1,511,774                                                                 1,412,421
Borrowings under revolving credit facility                                                                               125,000                                                            --
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations                                                                             283,296                                                                   297,559
Other long-term obligations                                                                                436,158                                                352,621
Total liabilities                                                                                2,356,228                                              2,062,601
Total EMCOR Group, Inc. stockholders' equity                                                1,537,089                                                                 1,476,711
Noncontrolling interests                                                                                853                                                  3,345
Total equity                                                                                1,537,942                                              1,480,056
Total liabilities and equity                                                                                $ 3,894,170                                 $            3,542,657
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
2016                                                      2015
-------------------------------------                     -------------------------------------
Cash flows - operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests                                                                        $ 182,153                                                 $ 172,507
Depreciation and amortization                                                                                38,881                                                    36,294
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets                                                                          40,908                                                    37,895
Deferred income taxes                                                                                (8,108 )                                                 (10,300 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation                                                                       (2,546 )                                                  (1,663 )
Equity income from unconsolidated entities                                                                              (1,569 )                                                  (2,883 )
Other non-cash items                                                                                17,789                                                    11,932
Distributions from unconsolidated entities                                                                               1,247                                                     3,352
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effect of                                                    (4,194 )                                                  19,532
businesses acquired
--------------  --------------------                      --------------  --------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                              264,561                                266,666
------------------------------------                      ------------------------------------
Cash flows - investing activities:
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired                                                         (232,947 )                                                 (28,195 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                                                      2,023                                                     3,847
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                                                              (39,648 )                                                 (35,460 )
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities and joint                                                           (99 )                                          --
Net cash used in investing activities                                                                                (270,671 )                                                 (59,808 )
Cash flows - financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving credit facility                                                                                220,000                                            --
Repayments of revolving credit facility                                                                                (95,000 )                                          --
Borrowings from long-term debt                                                                                400,000                                            --
Repayments of long-term debt and debt issuance costs                                                                  (417,990 )                                                 (17,514 )
Repayments of capital lease obligations                                                                                (1,384 )                                                  (2,737 )
Dividends paid to stockholders                                                                                (19,454 )                                                 (20,095 )
Repurchase of common stock                                                                                (94,221 )                                                (104,330 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                                                741                                                     3,836
Payments to satisfy minimum tax withholding                                                                             (4,225 )                                                  (3,866 )
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan                                                              4,814                                                     4,223
Payments for contingent consideration arrangements                                                              --                                                      (403 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interests                                                                               (2,710 )                                                 (10,250 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation                                                               --                                  1,663
Net cash used in financing activities                                                                                (9,429 )                                                (149,473 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                                            (6,675 )                                                  (2,610 )
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                                       (22,214 )                                                  54,775
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                                                         486,831                                432,056
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                                           $ 464,617                              $ 486,831
======= ======= ====================                      ======= ======= ====================
SEGMENT INFORMATION
For the three months ended
2016                                2015
------------------------------------                     --------------------------------
Revenues from unrelated entities:
United States electrical construction and facilities services                                              $   476,929                                                    $              357,557
United States mechanical construction and facilities services                                                  722,245                                                                   660,212
United States building services                                                                                438,539                                                                   435,870
United States industrial services                                                                              237,251                                                222,246
Total United States operations                                                                               1,874,964                                                                 1,675,885
United Kingdom building services                                                                                75,000                                                101,941
Total worldwide operations                                                                                $ 1,949,964                                 $            1,777,826
For the twelve months ended
United States electrical construction and facilities services                                              $ 1,704,403                                                    $            1,367,142
United States mechanical construction and facilities services                                                2,661,763                                                                 2,312,763
United States building services                                                                              1,791,787                                                                 1,739,259
United States industrial services                                                                            1,067,315                                                922,085
United Kingdom building services                                                                               326,256                                                377,477
2016                                 2015
---------------------------------                     -------------------------------------
Operating income (loss):
United States electrical construction and facilities services                                             $  31,116                                                 $  14,746
United States mechanical construction and facilities services                                                32,238                                                    58,497
United States building services                                                                              21,009                                                    15,588
United States industrial services                                                                            11,245                                 11,881
--------------------------------                      ------------------------------------
Total United States operations                                                                               95,608                                                   100,712
United Kingdom building services                                                                              2,786                                                     3,064
Corporate administration                                                                                (21,309 )                                                 (19,611 )
Restructuring expenses                                                                                (167 )                                                     (82 )
Impairment loss on identifiable intangible assets                                                            (2,428 )                                          --
Total worldwide operations                                                                                74,490                                                    84,083
Other corporate items:
Interest expense                                                                                (3,654 )                                                  (2,282 )
Interest income                                                                                145                                    158
Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                                     $  70,981                              $  81,959
=== ======= ====================                      ======= ======= ====================
2016                                                    2015
United States electrical construction and facilities services                                             $ 101,761                                                 $  82,225
United States mechanical construction and facilities services                                               133,742                                                   138,688
Total United States operations                                                                              389,118                                                   347,914
United Kingdom building services                                                                             11,946                                                    11,634
Restructuring expenses                                                                                (1,438 )                                                    (824 )
Total worldwide operations                                                                                308,458                                                   287,082
Interest expense                                                                                (12,627 )                                                  (8,932 )
Income from continuing operations before income taxes                                                     $ 296,494                              $ 278,823
EMCOR GROUP, INC. RECONCILIATION OF 2016 AND 2015 OPERATING INCOME (In thousands) (Unaudited)
In our press release, we provide actual 2016 and 2015 fourth quarter and year-to-date December 31, 2016 and 2015 operating income. The following table provides a reconciliation between 2016 and 2015 operating income based on non-GAAP measures to the most direct comparable GAAP measures.
For the three months ended                                                                                For the twelve months ended
December 31,                                                                                December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016                                   2015                                                     2016                             2015
-------------------------------------                     -------------------------------------                     ----------------------------------                     -----------------------------
GAAP operating income                                                                                $  74,490                                                 $  84,083                                              $ 308,458                                                 $              287,082
Transaction expenses related to the acquisition of Ardent                                                       --                                            --                                                  3,838                                                         --
Impairment loss on identifiable intangible assets                                                                        2,428                         --                               2,428                                      --
------------------------------------                      ------------------------------------                      ---------------------------------                      -----------------------------
Non-GAAP operating income, excluding Ardent transaction expenses and                                                 $  76,918                              $  84,083                           $ 314,724                              $              287,082
impairment loss on identifiable intangible assets
======= ======= ====================                      ======= ======= ====================                      ==== ======= ====================                      ======= ====================
EMCOR GROUP, INC. RECONCILIATION OF 2016 AND 2015 NET INCOME (In thousands) (Unaudited)
In our press release, we provide actual 2016 and 2015 fourth quarter and year-to-date December 31, 2016 and 2015 net income from continuing operations attributable to EMCOR Group, Inc. The following table provides a reconciliation between 2016 and 2015 net income from continuing operations attributable to EMCOR Group, Inc. based on non-GAAP measures to the most direct comparable GAAP measures.
For the three months ended December 31,                                                                        For the twelve months ended December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                            --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016                                   2015                                                      2016                              2015
-------------------------------------                     -------------------------------------                     ------------------------------------                     -----------------------------
GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to EMCOR                                                     $  42,234                                                 $  50,387                                                $ 185,077                                                 $              172,346
Group, Inc. (1)
Transaction expenses related to the acquisition of Ardent (2)                                                   --                                            --                                                    2,328                                                         --
Impairment loss on identifiable intangible assets (3)                                                                    1,473                         --                                 1,473                                      --
------------------------------------                      ------------------------------------                      -----------------------------------                      -----------------------------
Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations attributable to EMCOR                                                 $  43,707                              $  50,387                             $ 188,878                              $              172,346
Group, Inc., excluding Ardent transaction expenses and impairment
loss on identifiable intangible assets
======= ======= ====================                      ======= ======= ====================                      ====== ======= ====================                      ======= ====================
(1) Amount is income from continuing operations less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest. (2) Amount is net of tax effect of $1.5 million in the 2016 year-to-date period. (3) Amount is net of tax effect of $1.0 million in the 2016 quarter and year-to-date periods.
EMCOR GROUP, INC. RECONCILIATION OF 2016 AND 2015 DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE FIGURES (Unaudited)
In our press release, we provide actual 2016 and 2015 fourth quarter and year-to-date December 31, 2016 and 2015 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. The following table provides a reconciliation between 2016 and 2015 EPS based on non-GAAP measures to the most direct comparable GAAP measures.
For the three months ended December 31,                                                                       For the twelve months ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016                                   2015                                                     2016                              2015
-------------------------------------                     -------------------------------------                     -----------------------------------                     -----------------------------
GAAP diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations                                                 $    0.69                                                 $    0.80                                                $   3.02                                                 $                 2.72
Transaction expenses related to the acquisition of Ardent (1)                                                --                                            --                                                    0.04                                                         --
Impairment loss on identifiable intangible assets (2)                                                                  0.02                                            --                                                    0.02                                                         --
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per common share from continuing                                                        $    0.72                              $    0.80                             $   3.09                              $                 2.72
operations, excluding Ardent transaction expenses and impairment
======= ======= ====================                      ======= ======= ====================                      ====== ====== ====================                      ======= ====================
(1) Amount is net of tax effect of $1.5 million in the 2016 year-to-date period. (2) Amount is net of tax effect of $1.0 million in the 2016 quarter and year-to-date periods.
SOURCE: EMCOR Group, Inc.
R. Kevin Matz, 203-849-7938
FTI Consulting, Inc.
Effie Veres, 212-850-5600
LAK Public Relations, Inc.
Lisa Linden, 212-575-4545
Mollie Fullington, 917-346-6123


If you are coming from colder climates, arriving in Phuket at this time of year is quite a shock to the system. But surely, that's one of the reasons for coming! Yes, it IS hot here, yes you WILL get sunburn if you lie on the beach at midday. Even for us semi-locals, the heat is sometimes a bit too much, something best avoided. It's been hot today, and a bit hazy. Maybe was some rain somewhere in the evening - it got windy for 20 minutes and a few drops fell on our house.. somewhere else probably had a bit more rain and thunder.


I have never been a great airplane passenger. I prefer to be on the ground. Now that I have learned about Aerotoxic Syndrome, a heath issue not in the public domain, I have a new concern.
There have been plenty of calls to action by those directly impacted on a daily basis — flight attendants and pilots. They are the most gravely affected by the exposure to toxic chemicals in confined spaces.
The average air traveler remains clueless.
Judith Anderson, an Industrial Hygienist with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, laid out the basic issues for me. The scariest piece of the whole equation is that the toxins being ingested by pilots can result in "cognitive deficits," thereby putting the safety of the whole plane in jeopardy.
Explained in the simplest way, cabin air originates from outside air. At high elevations, the air needs to be compressed and heated, and this is accomplished by a design that has the air going through the wing engines. The only plane not using this procedure is the Boeing 787.
"Pilots are breathing bleed air, and pilot error can come from exposure to oil fumes and carbon monoxide in their air," Anderson explained. I asked Anderson what steps the FAA was taking to rectify the situation. "This issue was recognized by the FAA as a flight safety concern back in 2004," she replied. In December 2003, Congress ordered the FAA to fund research into the problem. They did, but neglected to act on any of the report's recommendations. Anderson said, "In February 2012, Congress again ordered the FAA to fund research." Yet, Anderson maintains that the FAA "barely touched the Congressionally-mandated research into filter and sensor options," asserting it didn't have funds to research the health impact. "In effect, the FAA justified its inaction by claiming to have only received 18 oil fume reports from airlines over ten years, even though this is patently untrue," Anderson noted.
When private tests were conducted by news media outlets, including 60 Minutes and CNN, swabs were taken of aircraft cabin surfaces and the ventilation systems. What was found was "residue of engine oil," TCP, and other neurotoxins that come from heated oil fumes.
Since airlines do not self-monitor and the FAA has been negligent, contaminated air goes unreported. Passengers remain unaware of what they are potentially being exposed to.
"Aviation's biggest cover-up" is how former British Airways Captain turned filmmaker, Tristan Loraine, labeled the situation. "I have been doing this [speaking out] for 15 years because I think it's a breech of human rights and an ongoing health and flight safety issue that must be resolved." Loraine is representative of the point of view of his fellow pilots — many who can no longer fly due to health issues.
Loraine has made three documentaries on the topic, and has another, Aerotoxic, in development. He sent me articles and links from the British media to drive home his point.


text:
Icefall (Paperback)
By Gillian Philip
Strident Publishing Limited, 9781905537150, 416pp.
Mass Market Paperbound (11/5/2020)
Death stalks Seth MacGregor's clan in their otherworld exile. Kate NicNiven is close to ultimate victory, and she is determined that nothing will keep her from it. Not even the thing that took her soul: the horror that lurks in the sea caves. But Kate still needs Seth's son Rory, and his power over the Veil. And she'll go to any lengths to get him. Seth's own soul is rotting from the wound inflicted by Kate, and survival for his loved ones seems all he can hope for. But might a mortal threat to his brother's daughter force him to return to his own world to challenge Kate? And will Rory go with him? Because Rory suspects there's a darkness trapped in the Veil, a darkness that wants to get out. But only one Sithe knows how near it is to getting its way: Seth's bound lover, the witch Finn. Nobody gets forever, but some are willing to try....
From critically acclaimed author Gillian Philip, Icefall is the final installment in the Rebel Angels series.
GILLIAN PHILIP was born in Glasgow, lived for twelve years in Barbados, and now lives in the north of Scotland with her husband, twin children, three dogs, two sociopathic cats, a slayer hamster, three chickens, and a lot of nervous fish.


On 27 November, Italian MEP Isabella De Monte (S&D) organised the event "The challenges of European Journalism", taking as an example the recent problems of Italian journalism, such as politicians' attempts to undermine public media credibility and the difficult economic situation of Italian journalists and media, to discuss about the more widespread attacks to free press throughout Europe. An issue that has to be addressed right now before the European elections with disinformation on the rise said De Monte.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) was represented by its director Renate Schroeder, participating together with Raffaele Lorusso, general secretary of the affiliate Federazione Nazionale della Stampa Italiana (FNSI), Carlo Verna, President of the Ordine of Journalists (Chamber of Journalists), MEP Cecile Kyenge (S&D), Carlo Muscatello, the president of of Friuli Venezia Giulia Assostampa, and Cristiano Degano, president of Friuli Venezia Giulia Association Journalists. Giulio Garau , journalist from Trieste, moderated the debate.
"There is a problem of press freedom in Italy. Today we are witnessing an attempt to marginalise information from those who not only insulted journalists heavily, but also put on the agenda measures damaging the press and in particular the smaller media companies; beyond that a shameful attempt to exploit precarious journalists, a sort of "uberization" in the sector," stated Raffaele Lorusso. He stressed the importance of proper remuneration of journalists as a sine qua non for quality journalism in a democratic state.
"Three thousand jobs have been lost in the last five years. Today, of the 15000 journalists employed in Italy, around 7000 benefit from social security funds. The tendency to cut labour costs continues at an unprecedented speech. The 188 million euro allocated by prior governments to the one in office were entirely used by publishing companies to carry out their restructuring processes through early retirement and solidarity contracts", said Lorusso.
Renate Schroeder showed that the Italian case is not isolated in Europe. According to her, it is important to reflect on what can be done at European level, and what has already been advocated by the European Parliament by adopting initiatives on media freedom, on whistleblowers and on strengthening authors' rights by giving them fair remuneration in digital media.
The discussion focused on professional journalism, importance of minority media, of training in innovation and ethics, and the role played by new technologies, including the dominance of Internet providers and their exploitation of advertisement revenue.
MEP Isabella De Monte in her concluding remarks said that there is no time to lose and more has to be done to secure the sustainability of the media and of journalism. "The European Parliament is the place of democracy and in our view democracy is based on good information; we cannot thus allow any threats to free press. This is happening in various ways, from skipping press conferences to denigrating or discrediting journalists by damaging their credibility. We must absolutely counter the current attacks to the press because it is in the interest of citizens who have the right to be informed," she underlined.


text:
Q: System Reboot while installing applications using DSC scripts I have two MSI's that behave differently when installed using DSC scripts.
Both are VC++ applications.
One of the application, after the installation is complete, requests for a reboot, while the other does not.
I have cross verified both vdproj files of these applications.
Neither of the vdproj file has a REBOOT property that could cause a reboot.
I'm wondering what could be the cause of a reboot?

A: I don't believe this is a symptom of DSC.  I believe it may be the dependencies of each dll.  If you see, the question "Why is Windows Installer prompting for a reboot?" on this blog: MSDN Blog on Installer, you'll see the answer, "Windows Installer may prompt for a reboot if it installs over a file that is in use or the package explicitly requests that the installer reboot."
The also give you triage steps in this article.  Lastly, to triage, I'd manually run installers on the VM (independently from DSC).  To see if you can mimic the behavior.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: How to pass existing SqlConnection to multiple ObjectContexts I'm passing a SqlConnection to a function. Multiple object contexts are created in each function. I would like to use the single SqlConnection that I passed for all the object contexts somehow so that I will be able to use it under single Transaction scope without turning the distributed transaction service on.
This is the sample code:
public bool InsertObjects<T>(TransactionScope transaction, SqlConnection sqlConnection, IEnumerable<T> objectsToInsert)
{
using (EntityConnection conn = GetEntityConnection())
    {
        Type objectContextType;
        ObjectContext objectContext = (ObjectContext) Activator.CreateInstance(objectContextType, new object[] {conn});

        //Some code using the objectContext

    }
}

A: This doesn't seem like a good approach. Why are you doing this? To make this work you will have to:

*

*Use the same connection string for all contexts = same database

*Use the same metadata (mapping) for all contexts or pass a separate metadata set for each context

*The connection must be closed until all contexts are created if any context or operation opens the connection, a next context creation will fail

So unless you are using some complex database where mapping was divided into multiple EDMXs this whole concept is wrong. One operation on one database = one unit of work = one context = one connection. In your case it looks like you want to do this with single entity type - WHY?
Moreover passing own collection to object contexts will not allow contexts to handle the connection in the optimal way (releasing it when they don't need it).

A: A better solution would be a connection pool.
Create a connection object in object, connect with pooling options on.
The next time you connect it will check to see if an connection is still active and use it.
If there is no connection it will make one.
Here is a guide on how you use connection pools


text:
May Twenty Six
Legorific
The sole purpose of our family road trip was LEGOS. We were racing from Pennsylvania to Connecticut to get to the Grand Opening of a LEGO store. The entire gregorific crew was on board.
Mr. Gregorific kind of, sort of, "likes" LEGOS. He collects them and stores them in pristine condition; he builds sets with the kids; he pieces together retired sets brick by brick; and he sells them on ebay. Much of the time he is able to buy low and sell high and in that way pay for his *ahem* hobby. Any LEGO store opening tantalizes him because there are free gifts, bonus buys, and special, exclusive, promotional sets.
Somehow, he convinced us all to go to Connecticut with him, mostly by calling it a quest. Who can resist being a part of a quest? No Gregor can.
The road trip started very smoothly, aside from the LEGO movie CD being played on repeat. (I was voted down. *Every time.*) Two hours in, I realized that the second seat passengers had inhaled all of the snacks meant for the whole trip--but no biggie--we make plenty of stops.
In the Gregor car, the passenger parent is always The Enforcer, and the driving parent is The One Who Shall Be Obeyed. (And thoroughly spoiled.) I was passenger on this trip. I had a good book, and a good back up book. All was well.
Until...driving parent got twitchy.
As each state ticked by, I noticed Mr. Gregorific checking his watch more and more. He began squirming in his seat, driving faster and faster, and resisting our famously frequent pit stops. Something was definitely changing. Every mile we got closer to the store, the deeper Mr. Gregorific's LEGO love took root, until I suspect it dominated everything else.
Once we crossed into Connecticut, our destination state, Mr. Gregorific was like a runner in the final leg of a race: sweaty, nerves frayed, eyes only on the finish line.
Suddenly, he panted out, "I'm thirsty."
In fact, he was looking parched, was totally speeding, and had begun to mumble worries about not making it in time to receive the free mini-store sets, given to the first 300 customers.
As a good passenger parent, I reacted quickly to his dire circumstances.
I hollered back to the kiddos: Driver needs hydration!
Gregor 3 relayed the plea: Water! Water for the driver!
Gregor 4 replied in desperation: Can't reach water!
I reassured him: Hang in there. It's going to be okay.
Mr. Gregorific: Makes exaggerated dry throat, choking noises. (Much like a man stranded in the desert.)
Gregor 3: Can I unbuckle? Is this an emergency?
Mr. and Mrs. Gregorific (AKA Gregor 1 and 2) in unison: No!
Gregor 4: If I could just…
Mr. Gregorific: Attach an extender brick?
And that is when I began to have my doubts about Mr. Gregorific's love of LEGOS. Perhaps the obsession had gone too far.
The scenario in the car continued in the form of a long, gaping silence.
I finally spoke: You know she's not a LEGO figurine, right? *more silence*
Mr. Gregorific: "Of course, I was joking…" (weak laughter) "Maybe I'll just drink this." (Picks up half-full bottle of COKE that was in the cup holder all along.)
I blasted the car with a primo skeptical look. Alas, it went wasted, because Mr. Gregorific had handed a LEGO catalog to the back seat, grandly informing them that he would buy any set they wanted when we arrived.
Some time later…
We reach our destination!
Mr. Gregorific tries to pick up eight and ten year old Gregorific crew members to get them out of the car. Much like you would move small plastic toy bodies around. His claim? He forgot how old they were, "in the excitement."
We sprinted into the Connecticut mall, hoping to be among the first 300. There was already a long line! In the line, there was a marked lack of women and girls. The majority of customers were men wearing jeans and worn t-shirts emblazoned with LEGO humor. It is unclear to me if the t-shirts were intentionally ironic or not, but if you have a quipy LEGO t-shirt, I guess this is the place to wear it. (Mr. Gregorific was wearing his.) Also in line were a good amount of pre-teen boys. You could taste the excitement in the air, a distinct flavor of fresh plastic and single-minded geekiness.
Mr. Gregorific arranged our placement in the long line: adult, kid, adult pattern. He would not let us rearrange, exclaiming, "This is the optimal configuration!"
In the store, it was chaos. I froze like a non-Lego loving deer in headlights. Mr. Gregorific loaded my arms with boxes, led me to the line, handed me a credit card, and spun me to face the register. Then he did the same with the entire gregorific crew, down to our eight year old, who had to make her own purchase in order to receive the maximum amount of freebies.
It took a while to place all the bags in the car. Mr. Gregorific wanted to set the bags in so that they fit neatly like puzzle pieces. Or like…
We were starving when we finally arrived at our hotel. Spending ridiculous amounts of money on plastic bricks will do that to you. Mr. Gregorific gave us some LEGO sets "to tide us over" and then he went back to the mall to purchase more. Believe it.
In the hotel room, we looked at each other and then at the LEGO sets.
Does he know we can't eat these? I asked the room at large. No answer. Odd.
Then I see that each Gregor kidlet was already busy unpacking a LEGO set. Tide them over, indeed. They began to assemble marvels like a LEGO Ice Cream Truck that turns into a jet. Gregor blood runs thick.
I shrugged and called room service, so glad to have a good book.
Eventually, Mr. Gregorific returned. (The mall closed.) He tucked the kids in, made sure they each had their snuggle animals, adjusted the blinds and lights to their particular preferences, and arranged the covers just the way each kid likes. He knows this routine very well. He then sang each of their bedtime songs (personalized versions of Smooth Criminal and La Bamba) and read to them…out of the Encyclopedia of LEGOS (Minifigures: Year by Year/A Visual History). After everything/one was in its place, each piece snapped into the correct spot, we finally went to sleep. Even my dreams were made of LEGOS.
The next day was a similar design. He positioned us in line in the same formation, we fought the same zealous crowds, and we made even more purchases for Mr. Gregorific.
Then, when the serious business was done (quest = fulfilled), we went to the mall's huge, open area, where a giant, life-sized HULK was being constructed. The Legorific fans were using green Lego bricks to make bigger green Lego bricks to make…you get the picture.
Brick after brick was put together. The LEGO crowd had a unique kind of focus. Everyone had their heads bent, very little conversation was transpiring. Occasionally someone would look up with an intent expression and very glazed eyes. I swear they had no idea where they were, only that they would keep snapping brick after brick together, working on a goal, anticipating the satisfaction of the final product, even if it was a giant, green monster in the middle of a mall.
A green monster that would be broken down and transported to the next store opening mere hours after completion. It was only me who saw it that way. This was a dream, a shared Lego project, a massive undertaking, something they would always remember.
I will admit, there was a magic in the air while these strangers clamored toward the same goal. Enjoying a colossal undertaking like putting together a life-sized Hulk seems intrinsic to the hobby. I have noticed this through the years as Mr. Gregorific buys and assembles bigger and bigger LEGO sets, the last one being the third largest available, The London Bridge with 4000 pieces. He has his eyes set on the Taj Mahal, and then the Death Star. His ranking system seems to be determined by number of pieces.
The Hulk was surreal. He grew out of nothing and ended up towering over the little LEGO lovers, making them look like the toys.
Which brings me back to the niggling suspicion I had for the whole trip. When Mr. Gregorific sets off on a LEGO journey, he begins to see everything LEGO. I suspect my head begins to look yellow and square-ish in his eyes. I sense he wants to snap us into position and trust we will stay there.
On our drive home, I wondered if he was seeing the highway as a series of interlocking gray bricks. Did he consider the pit stops and snack breaks to be steps in the instructions for this set? Was this whole adventure in a box with a label and total number of pieces? Was the age range Gregor 1 to Gregor 4? What was the suggested assembly time? Two days, seven hours?
The farther away from the Grand Opening we got, the more we returned to our normal, non-plastic selves. The fire in the big and little Gregor eyes dimmed. Talk turned to things non-LEGO, such as the weather, our dog, and *gasp* other toys. The girls unearthed the paper dolls we had packed and we even switched the CD.
Wait for it…to the Frozen soundtrack.
If we all see the world through our own lenses, I'm glad Mr. Gregorific's are yellow-hued and come with a sense of fun. And I'm lucky he is fine with mine being letters and words and paragraphs, always looping around and returning to the story of our life together.
Everything I see becomes a...,


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Terms associated with politically liberal groups such as "Emerge" and "ACORN" were used by U.S. tax agents to flag applicants seeking tax-exemption for added scrutiny, according to internal IRS documents released by Democrats on Tuesday.
The memos, training materials and other materials are the latest salvo in a controversy that erupted in May over Internal Revenue Service scrutiny and delays of applications from Tea Party groups and other conservative organizations.
A May 14 report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) critical of IRS practices led to the removal of top IRS officials along with FBI and congressional investigations.
Since then, Democrats have accused TIGTA of unfairly focusing on Tea Party-related groups in its report, while failing to look for liberal terms. TIGTA has since expanded its review to such groups.
The internal IRS documents made public on Tuesday include the word "Emerge," a term used by some Democratic-leaning groups, and "ACORN," an acronym for a liberal community activism group no longer in business.
One documents says applicants associated with ACORN should be elevated to a Washington IRS official, Chip Hull, who was also helping review Tea Party applications.
"This new information should put a nail in the coffin of the Republican claims that the IRS's actions were politically motivated or were targeted at only one side of the political spectrum," said Representative Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the House oversight panel probing the matter.
Republicans said the search terms only proved that the IRS was going after known "bad actors," not a broad swath of conservative groups like the Tea Party-linked entities. Before it closed, ACORN was accused of irregularities in its voter registration drives.
Republicans also said the use of the terms did not suggest the liberal groups suffered excessive delays in the handling of their applications, as spelled out in the original TIGTA report.
A spokesman for Darrell Issa, the top Republican investigating the matter as head of the House oversight committee, said the case of "Emerge" was a special one because they were approved and then had their tax-exempt status later revoked.
"How many times have congressional Democrats now tried to declare the IRS targeting investigation over?" said Frederick Hill, a spokesman for Issa. "An application for tax-exempt status from an Emerge America affiliate was originally approved before the IRS concluded the organization was overtly training candidates for the Democratic Party."
The IRS struggles with determining tax-exempt status for groups seeking to qualify as a "social welfare organization" under 501(c)(4) of the tax code, which allows a vague amount of political activity.
Separately on Tuesday, another Democratic Representative Chris Van Hollen said he would file a lawsuit against the Treasury Department and the IRS to force the agency to clarify its rules.
The lawsuit, which also will be filed consumer groups, challenges IRS regulations adopted in 1959 that govern eligibility for tax-exempt status under 501(c)(4).
The IRS regulations say groups can qualify if they "primarily" engage in social welfare activities.
But the original Revenue Act of 1913 states that such groups should operate "exclusively" for the promotion of social welfare goals, as opposed to political activity.
Democrats and other critics say confusion about the law has made it impossible for the IRS to properly vet applicants for tax-exemption.


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Classification Review – Terms of Reference
January 26, 2011 by Paul
The government is currently inviting submissions on the Terms of Reference for the Australian Law Reform Commission to conduct their review of the whole classification system. This has obvious impacts on the R18+ discussion – and I suspect they'll be getting rather a lot of submissions on that – but what I realised from reading their proposed terms of reference was that the impact of some of these changes on say a small festival trying to develop an iPhone app hadn't really been addressed. There's talk of media and children and industry but not an awful lot on the practice of just making things, so as someone who runs a small festival – and encourages people to just make things – I figured it was worth supplying something.
This is my very first draft, and I've never written anything like this, so I figured it would be useful to a) crowdsource it and b) provide a template for anyone else who runs a festival or small organisation to make a submission too. Please comment if you think there's something I should add or take out, and feel free to copy & paste whatever you want. I'll update it as we go and submit my version on Friday.
In looking at the review of the classification system, in particular the potential introduction of new classification structures for application software distributed via mobile phones, it is important to consider not only the impact on "a strong content and distribution industry in Australia" and "the size of the industries that generate potentially classifiable content and potential for growth", but the wider cultural sector who have already been using these new technologies in innovative ways and who could be seriously affected by increased regulatory burden. For some small-scale developers, there may be an option to simply not distribute their content in Australia, but for some applications such as not-for-profits or festivals, location is incredibly significant. In particular, I would point to the following as being potentially affected:
Independent publishers using applications to distribute locally created or relevant content
Festivals developing applications that support and extend their experience
Independent game developers
Art galleries or museums developing interactive tours or delivering supplemental material through a phone application
Musicians building an online community accessed through their audience's mobile phone
Artists extending both their work and the connection to their audience through interactive projects
Any classification system that increases the regulatory or financial burden on these areas would significantly alter the cultural sector's ability and willingness to engage and develop new technology. In developing the terms of reference and the subsequent changes to the classification system, I would encourage the commission to consider the impact on not only the scale of "a strong content and distribution industry" but on the wider creative uses and potential applications of these technologies as well.
Co-director, Freeplay Independent Games Festival.
Categories Ramblings Tags Australian Law Reform Commission, Classification Review, Terms of Reference Leave a comment Post navigation
My thoughts on the R18+ discussion
Arts and creative industries


Sports betting decline has occurred rapidly during the past 2-3 years. As it's said that there's a fall after every rise and vice-versa, same has been the situation with online sports betting. Betting as being a profession had a great surge in the late 18th century, entire 19th century and even throughout the Twentieth century. But, in the 21st century, it has declined rapidly. During the early Nineteenth century, there seemed to be a fantastic buzz around the profession as there is made for every new thing.
So, lots of people tried it out and liked it. As a result of positive reviews, many more people joined the profession and consequently became richer. In the late 19th and early bet-to-win.com Last century, because of increased profits a host of additional people got drawn to the profession and thus its base reached the pinnacle by the end of 20th century.
However, numerous factors can be viewed as accountable for causing its decline. The first and foremost in the list would be the implementation of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. This act was issued by the Act of Congress of the American government. Due to the successful implementation of this act, people gambling on various sports to earn profits could possibly be arrested and detained. Fearing this, many people in America withdrew themselves from the profession. This resulted in a general decline in the investments in this field, as America happens to be the hub of betting activities.
Adopting the American model, many countries on the globe passed and implemented such acts to reduce the amount of bettors. This has contributed to the decline of the sport as with quantity of investors reduced, the entire capital generated by the sport has declined and thus has forced out other bettors from various areas of the world, since they did not earn just as much as they could. This has also enabled the former low level betting systems to rise due to the lack of competition.
Because of the reduced number of bettors, various betting sites now cannot earn profits and also have gone bankrupt or closed down. This has further depleted the number of bettors since the beginners now cannot find decent and profit promising betting sites. Another component that has led to decline of the profession may be that the interest generated from the sport when it was new has faded away because it got old. Now, people have got more interesting professions to train and these also promise them good profits. This has been a significant component in the decline of online sports betting..
But, as it's said, there is a morning after every night, sports betting enthusiasts must be hoping that this phrase proves itself true and also the profession might rise smashing the previous records.


REDWOOD CITY, CA – September 17, 2013 – TechLeads Online by Salesify was presented with a Bronze Stevie® Award in the New Product or Service of the Year – Software – Business or Competitive Intelligence Software or Solution category in The 11th Annual American Business Awards last night.
Nicknamed the Steviesfor the Greek word for "crowned," the trophies were presented to winners during a gala banquet on Monday, September 16 at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco. More than 250 nominees and their guests attended.
This year's American Business Awards were presented at two awards events. Awards for marketing, customer service, human resources, and other disciplines were announced in Chicago in June. Last night's event focused on the technology and new product awards categories.


eMaps is a much faster map service for PowerPC Macs. It is basically Google Maps coded for PowerPC so it runs much smoother and takes a lot less time to load. Which is a much more enjoyable experience than using normal Google Maps on a PPC Mac. It's also only about 500kb.


text:
Darren Young Net Worth
How much is Darren Young Worth?
in Richest Athletes › Wrestlers
Darren Young Net Worth:
Darren Young net worth: Darren Young is an American professional wrestler who has a net worth of $2 million. Darren Young was born in Union, New Jersey in November 1983. He now wrestles under his real name Fred Rosser. Darren Young wrestled on the independent circuit from 2002 to 2004 including for Chaotic Wrestling, Easter Coast Wrestling Association, National Wrestling Alliance, and more. He joined the WWE in 2005 and competed in Florida Championship Wrestled and NXT from 2005 to 2010. Young joined the WWE main roster as a part of the group The Nexus from 2010 to 2011 before going back to NXT from 2011 to 2012. He was a member of The Prime Time Players with Titus O'Neil. From 2012 to 2014 and competed as a singles wrestler from 2014 to 2015. Young reunited as The Prime Time Players from 2015 to 2016 and competed as Bob Backlund's protégé from 2016 to 2017. He held the WWE Tag Team Championship with Titus O'Neil. In 2013 he became the first professional wrestler to publicly come out while being signed to a major promotion.
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Date of Birth: Nov 2, 1983 (37 years old)
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Do It Yourself Christmas Forums > Software > Hinkle's Lighting Sequencer > Hls bug reports fixes > Rebuild error HELP!
View Full Version : Rebuild error HELP!
I just started using HLS again and have downloaded and set up the new version.
I downloaded the preview and assigned all the channels. I assigned the work group for the channels I was working with .
I made some effects to see if everything is working and the effects would not play in the preview.
Rebuild will always fail if not run in admin mode.
Right click on the HLS icon --- select run as admin --- then rebuild will do its thing.
Run as admin did it .
Now it will not play back on the channels I designated to be non rgb multible strings treated as one . My thoughts were this should light up the same drawn element with more than one channel assigned to it. Is that correct? I run Red, Green, and White incan strings together on my mega tree and several other areas of the display.
Also, is there a way to assign bulk channels to a custom element? I drew a small sleigh and assigned each block in the display to the same element.
Fixed It ! Converted all the multi channels to RGB.
I did get the preview to work correctly with the multiple channels but it seems my Mega tree disappeared in the process.
If I open the preview all the elements are there assigned and will work if I hit the show button for each channel but if I play it in a sequence the preview with the black outlines of the channels, it isn't on the picture and will not play. I deleted the mega tree entirely, rebuilt it in a slightly different spot on the preview picture and it will only show 1 pixel dot on the playing preview screen but still shows the entire tree and all channels in the configuration preview screen. I also tried to load a new picture and name it differently add a mega tree assign the channels and tried to play that and the same 1 pixel dot showed and nothing else. any suggestion?
It sounds like you built the tree but did not map the lights on the tree to specific Preview Groups and Channels.
This process tells HLS what channels to map to which light.
I looked at the mapping and it seems to be correct. I can make a tree with dumb RGB and it works fine. I can also make a multiple mega string and it works fine but when I use the multiple option on the mega tree it will not show the tree on the preview screen but it does show the tree in red and it will turn green when clicking the show on the preview setup screen. For now I over laid three single mega trees and made them dumb RGB and it will work. It just seems like the multiple option will not work with a mega tree setup.
Right click on a cell in your pixel plane, choose "Add HLS Custom Pixelplane Effect", then "Assign Channels to Pixels". Ensure you have assigned all channels to pixels.
What are you attempting to do.
You should not be overlaying in HLS.
I am trying to create a mega tree that has red, green and white incan strings into one mega tree in the preview.
when I create the tree and add the channels for dumb RGB it works fine. If I take the same tree an add the multiple strand treated as one option the tree disappears from the playback preview but remains on the build preview. I have several other elements that I drew with the line and triangle that work fine it just will not work with the mega tree. I used the settings 24 channel , 50 light strings, force non pixel, name it, create tree, OK . The box comes up to add the channels click the channel, click multiple strings treated as one , add the 2 additional channel then OK. When I complete the tree and click show it will show each channel correctly, but if you play the sequence which I put information in to turn on the lights nothing happens and the tree does not show up in black like the rest of the items in the play preview screen. Hope this helps. I actually made three trees just a little different size and placed the over each other not quite an overlay. that works also.
I use single color LED strings. I use mega-strings on my tree --- R+G+B+W.
May I make a suggestion --- if you imported a sequence from Vixen --- go thru a RGB conversion and turn those three single color channels into a single dumb RGB string.
You will save channels in the editor and make life much easier.
Sequence as if you have a dumb RGB string instead of three ican strings.
If you ask for a secondary color --- you will just just two strings being activated. If you just do single color R - G - B --- you can control their intensity levels also.


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Eloisa Quetzal Aguirre
Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary
July 9, 2022 – January 12, 2023
Eloisa Quetzal Aguirre, age 6 months, of Bakersfield, California passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023. A funeral service for Eloisa will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Aguirre family.
In Memory Of Eloisa Quetzal Aguirre
9101 Kern Canyon Road
FLOWERS Receive


Noticed dot sourced files were loading slowly in WMF5 on Windows 7. This issue does not happen with WMF4.
Created test.ps1 with the content "hello".
Calling .\test.ps1 takes anywhere from 2-8 seconds to call this file.
After uninstalling WMF5, the command runs instantly. I'm not sure how to further track what is causing this performance issue. I have noticed McAfee shows the WMI service as (would be blocked) if the rule was active when running the command on WMF4 or WMF5. This may be an issue caused from antivirus.
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How to create PSDrive using credentials?