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Happy New Year from the Osage News
Date: Dec. 30, 2011
From the signing of the Osage Trust Case settlement after an 11-year battle, to The past year saw a lot of ups and downs for the Osage Nation, and a lot of court cases the rejection from the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the Nation's case for a Reservation, the year was packed with legal battles that captivated the Osage people.
The Osage News has compiled the front-page stories of 2011 for your review.
Osage Nation Principal Chief John Red Eagle is chosen as one of the few tribal leaders to speak with President Barack Obama at the White House during the 2010 Tribal Nations Conference. At 3:19 on Dec. 15, an email began circling the Osage Nation campus that read: "Chief Red Eagle just sent a text that he is in the White House now." Chief Red Eagle tells Obama that he would like to see the president keep his promises on settling trust cases many tribes have with the federal government.
The U.S. Court of Federal Claims rules in favor of the Osage Nation and awards in estimated damages, $310 million.
The U.S. Supreme Court decides to meet in conference on whether or not to hear the Nation's reservation-status case. The Osage Nation Chief's Office submits the final documentation to complete its land-into-trust applications for the Tulsa, Ponca City and Skiatook Osage Casinos.
The Osage Nation is slammed by winter storms Feb. 1, delivering record numbers of snowfall in all of Osage County. The Nation's offices are unable to open due to the winter storms.
The U.S. Supreme Court calls for the opinion of the Solicitor General in the Nation's reservation status case. The high court had until June to make a decision on whether or not to hear the Nation's case, which was denied a rehearing from the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Second Osage Nation Congress kills two bills that would revise the Nation's merit-based employment system, at the request of the Chief's Office. The merit system is called for in the Osage Nation Constitution.
The Osage Nation Child Care Department requests tribal funding to replace $270,000 in misspent federal funds from the Second Osage Nation Congress for the Nation's Day Care facilities. By month's end, the Osage News learns the department director (at the time), Detricia Currin, is no longer working for the Nation.
Chief Red Eagle's administration first hears of a wind farm being planned for Osage County.
The Osage News has fun on April Fool's Day and fools a majority of the Osage Nation employees when they publish that the new McDonald's in Pawhuska is shutting down due to too many Osages and not enough McDouble's.
The Osage LLC considers a $2.5 million appropriation from the Second Osage Nation Congress for The American statue project. The congress passed the appropriation for the LLC to consider April 15. Abstaining from the vote was Congressman John Free Jr. Voting "yes" were Congressmen Daniel Boone, Archie Mason, Eddy Red Eagle, Anthony Shackelford, Mark Simms and Congresswomen Shannon Edwards and Speaker Jerri Jean Branstetter. Voting "No" were Congresswoman Alice Goodfox and Congressmen Raymond Red Corn, Geoffrey Standing Bear and William "Kugee" Supernaw.
Chief Red Eagle issues a 'gag order' on the Nation's employees, instructing all the Nation's directors of programs to forward all inquiries from the Second Osage Nation Congress to Raymond Lasley, Executive Advisor of Programs.
Acting U.S. Solicitor General Neal Katyal advised the U.S. Supreme Court to not hear the Nation's reservation status case. The Nation's leaders react by filing a response June 6 to the high court and finish the paperwork for the Nation's land-into-trust applications for the Skiatook, Ponca City and Tulsa Osage Casinos.
Osage Youth help NVISION artists paint a mural on the side of the Osage Nation Language building in downtown Pawhuska. The mural, of an Osage straight dancer with the Osage orthography that spells out 'Osage Language,' draws a crowd of youth.
Osages from all over the country attend the June dances and enjoy the singing, fellowship and cultural traditions.
The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear the Nation's reservation status case. Within a week of the high court's decline, the Nation's land-into-trust applications are approved for the Skiatook, Ponca City and Tulsa Osage Casinos.
The Osage LLC formally declines the $2.5 million in appropriation from the Second Osage Nation Congress for The American statue project. The LLC said, "this project is well outside our strategic scope."
Osage elder Harry Red Eagle Jr. passes away at age 90. An uncle to Chief John Red Eagle, he was the Hominy In-Lon-Schka District's Head Committeeman and advisor for many years. He served on the Osage Tribal Council and was a veteran. A big loss for the Hominy District
Wind farm permit is considered by the Osage County Board of Adjustments and approved. Osage resident Joe Conner speaks out against the wind farm and says the turbines will alter the pristine views of the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. He also said construction of the wind turbines may also disrupt any unmarked graves of Osages who lived in the late 19th or 20th century.
The Nation's land-into-trust applications for the Skiatook, Tulsa and Ponca City Osage Casinos are approved, placing 50 acres into trust.
Osages tentatively settle with the U.S. Government for $380 million in the Osage Trust Case, leading many to believe that a final settlement number is near. Wilson Pipestem, Osage/Otoe-Missouria attorney representing the Nation, says the settlement would be the largest with a single Native American tribe in U.S. history.
Osage Nation officials from the Principal Chief's Office, the Second Osage Nation Congress and the Osage Minerals Council approve the settlement in the Osage Trust Case for $380 million and the payout date is tentatively scheduled for early December.
Osage Nation Employees protest outside of the Osage Nation Congressional Chambers for their merit-based pay increase. They are successful.
An Osage delegation travels to Washington D.C. to attend the Osage Trust Case Settlement signing Oct. 21. Made up of tribal officials and Osage citizens, the delegation visits the National Museum of the American Indian, the NMAI's Cultural Resources Center, takes a tour of the White House and visits with the Bureau of Indian Affairs about the Wind Farm planned for Osage County. A ceremonial signing of the settlement takes place at the Department of Interior headquarters.
The Osage Nation sues Wind Capital Group in federal court over their planned 94-turbine wind farm near Burbank.
Osage shareholders receive their settlement at midnight on Nov. 28. Since Osages are all over the country, many sang their praise online. New homes and new cars were bought, debts were paid off and some decided to go on vacation.
A fundraiser, hosted by Osage citizens with the help of the Nike N7 Foundation and the Notah Begay NB3 Foundation, is canceled after controversy ensues. Some Osage citizens question and attack the event on blog sites and Facebook pages. They want to know who the beneficiaries will be from the fundraiser, Osage children for a new soccer field in Pawhuska or Nike and NB3? Charging $200 a plate and $10,000 a table, the fundraiser is canceled eight days before the event, sparking outrage by the event organizers at those who questioned the event and outrage by those who planned to attend.
Osage News
Pawhuska, OK


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Council gets funding for Stamp End flood risk
Elizabeth Fish
Stamp End during the floods of 2007
Lincolnshire County Council has secured funding to help reduce the risk of flooding in Lincoln's Stamp End due to a successful bid on The Environment Agency (EA) Flood Defence Grant In Aid Scheme.
The funding for Stamp End improvements is one of eight schemes to reduce flooding in areas of Lincolnshire, totalling £500,000 provided in bid money.
Lincolnshire County Council, the City of Lincoln Council, Internal Drainage Boards, Anglian Water and the EA will be working closely to tackle the flooding risk in the east of the city.
Measures to address the issue include improving or replacing existing underground drainage pipes and outfalls.
Around 50% of the money needed to improve Stamp End will be provided thanks to the scheme.
Executive Member for Economic Development, Councillor Eddy Poll, said: "We're delighted to have received this additional funding from the Environment Agency for flood defence schemes in the county.
"By working in partnership together, we've been able to achieve more for Lincolnshire residents to help reduce the risk of flooding in their homes."
Stamp End is expected to be improved between 2012-2013, after other schemes in the county with a higher risk of flooding have been completed.
To see other areas in Lincolnshire receiving money from EA, and when they will be completed, visit the County Council's website.
Photo: Mike Peverill | Source: Lincolnshire County Council
Lincoln singer impresses at national music competition
Cheap parking deal for late Thursday shoppers
20 Mill Close, Woodhall Spa
6 Tinkermere Close, Welton
The Coach House, Gainsborough Road, Gate Burton. DN21 5BA
TO LET – Honeysuckle Cottage, Chapel Lane, Dunston

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Arjuna Ranatunga claims that the 2011 India-Sri Lanka World Cup Final was Fixed
Home » Cricket » Arjuna Ranatunga claims that the 2011 India-Sri Lanka World Cup Final was Fixed
Utkarsh Bhatla
In what comes across as a clear publicity stunt, Arjuna Ranatunga has claimed that the India-Sri Lanka 2011 World Cup final was fixed, and has also demanded an immediate enquiry into it.
Ranatunga's comments are a rebuttal to Sangakkara wanting an inspection of the authorities who sanctioned and planned Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan in 2009.
Also Read: Gautam Gambhir reveals dressing room conversations during the 2011 World Cup final
"If Mr. Sangakkara wants an inquiry into the tour of Pakistan then they should have one. But I think we should also inquire what happened to the Sri Lanka Team during the 2011 World Cup final. I think this is something that the Sports Minister should look into rather than concentrating on fitness issues," Ranatunga said
Ranatunga was part of the commentary team during the final and felt exasperated with Sri Lanka's performance in the second innings.
Sangakkara has said that he wants a proper investigation regarding the scheduling of the tour.
The Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by masked gunmen during the second test match, forcing the Sri Lankan team to withdraw from the tour. Five Sri Lankan players, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana suffered injuries and were traumatised after the attack.
Also Read: Virender Sehwag had threatened to pull out of the 2011 World Cup
"The ministers who are talking now need to make sure their actions speak louder than their words. The time has come now for these players to confess on what happened and the investigations to be done. I cannot reveal what happened on that day, but I would someday reveal the truth with proof. So, I think we should hold an inquiry into this matter. I was on the panel of commentators during this World Cup final, and I was really disappointed with Sri Lanka's performance," he added.
Ranatunga's comments don't seem to have any depth, and it is clearly an instance of people coming up with 'obnoxious arguments' in order to take the focus away from the matter at hand.
India won the 2011 World Cup by 4 wickets, with MS Dhoni finishing it off with one of the most iconic sixes in cricketing history.
Tags Arjun Ranatunga Cricket India Kumar Sangakkara MS Dhoni Sri Lanka Yuvraj Singh
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Change is scary. Whether you're changing your diet, your relationship status, or your job, there's always uncertainty and risk involved in leaving the unknown and trying something new. At the same time, change is a necessary part of growth—and a staple of most modern successful professional paths.
Though switching careers is encouraged now more than ever, you shouldn't turn in your two-week's notice and try something new without thought. Since changing careers, as with changing anything, inherently involves risk, it helps to have a few secret weapons up your sleeve to successfully ease you through the transition. We've gathered five of the best here, from upping your online presence game to giving yourself some financial leeway.
Utilizing even just one of these secret weapons will get you ahead of the game before you take the leap. But try all five and you may just guarantee a career switch success.
Begin with the end in mind is a common piece of advice—and with good reason! A clear vision of your end goal and how you plan to get there allows you to accurately anticipate what this move is going to take. Plus, seeing the shiny new career at the end of the tunnel will help you survive any bumps in the road along the way.
What do you actually want? Be as specific as possible! Try to go beyond "a career in advertising," for instance, and get clear on the type of environment you'd like to work in, the different projects you'd be excited to take on, and the way you'd like to feel around your manager and colleagues.
Why do you want it? Simon Sinek's advice to "start with why" extends to more than just entrepreneurs. It's solid advice for anyone who is looking to make a big change. Get clear on why it is you want to switch careers—if you're just burnt out at your current job, perhaps, maybe it's not a whole new career that you need, but simply a new role (or some time off!).
And if you're sitting there thinking, "I don't know what I want to do, I just know I don't want to do this!" you have options, too. Your first step is to get clear (or, at least, clearer) on exactly what it is that you would like to do next. This can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn't need to be! Remember that you don't have to figure out the rest of your life right now; just plan for the step you want to take next. A few ideas to get you started: consider what you do like about your current work, think about the things you do for fun, and ask yourself what you'd like to learn to do or do more of—now, brainstorm the jobs or industries where those overlap!
By getting clear and making a plan, you'll be more confident in your decision and in the next steps you need to take to successfully make the switch.
Once you know where you're headed, you need to make sure other people know that, too—by changing the way you present yourself to the world. Think about it: If you're in finance and looking to move into writing, but all of your tweets and LinkedIn posts are about financial news, nobody is going to immediately think you'd be the right fit for a writing job.
That's why your next secret weapon is an online brand that's targeted to your new industry. There are so many affordable ways to build a presence online—from creating a personal website to writing guest blogs for industry publications, you have a unique opportunity to bill yourself as a thought leader in a new space, with a small investment of your time and money.
Don't just slap up a new professional bio and call it a day, though. Really consider the field and the connections you're targeting as you build (or update) your online presence. What do they want and need to know about you to take you seriously as you make this career shift? What topics are they interested in that you can weigh in on? What pictures will best convey your personality and the appropriate level of professionalism?
Start by setting up a personal website that acts as your home base, covering your background, your experience, your interests, your thoughts on the industry (this is where a blog can come in handy!), and links to other places people can find you on the internet, such as LinkedIn and Twitter (then make sure to update those, too, and start sharing content relevant to your target role). Squarespace has quickly become known for its intuitiveness and user experience as a website-building platform, and you can set up your own Cover Page (a one-page site) in just minutes!
It might be helpful to return to your vision and action plan, too. As you update your online persona, integrate some of the answers to your big questions on your website and throughout your content: What do you want? Why do you want it? What are you willing to do to get it?
Each online platform offers you an opportunity to frame yourself in a new light for a new career.
You've got a clear vision for career switch success and an online persona to prove it, so you know what you need and you're showing off what you've got. Now it's time to ask for help.
Reach out to the people in your network—your peers, your mentors, and any connections in the industry you'd like to transition into—and let them know about your plan to change careers. Don't discount close friends and family, either! You can and should send an email to your nearest and dearest, updating them on your career shift and asking for their support and connections.
Don't have contacts in your desired field yet? Go out and meet them! Do some research on the industry you want to move into—do they have clubs or events they frequent? What blogs and magazines do they read? Are there certain people who are clearly thought leaders? Do as they do—and find ways to meet them! Whether it's buying a ticket for the next industry conference, emailing an influencer in the industry to connect, or setting up an informational interview with someone who does what you want to do, you can start building the new network you want now.
With every request, be very specific about the help that you need—whether it be an introduction, more information, or a heads up on any relevant opportunities. Personalize each email you send, and give each recipient all of the background information they'll need to support your request. Remember, they're doing you a favor, so make this process as simple for them as possible.
Finally, take time to research the top recruiters in your desired industry and reach out to them on LinkedIn. Let them know that you're interested in making a move and you would love to stay in touch if any relevant opportunities become available. Again, show them that you've done your homework and be specific about the role you're looking for—telling them you want any job in engineering or at Facebook just won't cut it.
It's always a good idea to have a little financial breathing room, but it's especially helpful when you're hoping to traverse a whole new career path. The reality of starting fresh in a brand-new industry is that, well, you may just have to start fresh. It's very possible that you'll need to take a lower-level role (and the accompanying pay cut) or be out of work for a period of time. That being the case, it's helpful to plan ahead financially, too.
Update Your Budget: It's time to take a look at your budget, and see where you might start cutting back. Look for new ways to trim regular expenses, or consider what you might be willing to forego (at least temporarily) while you start to save up.
Send More to Savings: If you're not already, now's a great time to start setting aside some of your income for a nest egg. Use the extra savings from your new budget, or have a little more of your paycheck deposited directly into your savings account each month.
Start a Side Hustle: Try taking on extra projects, particularly if they're in your new field of interest—you'll develop more of the requisite skills while making a little extra cash!
Hopefully, you won't have to touch any of this extra money, but if you find yourself in a situation where you need to fall back on extra finances, you'll be so glad that you planned ahead.
The reality of changing careers is that it's risky—and not always easy. Again, there are a lot of unknown scenarios (all which you've planned for, of course): You may have to start at the bottom, you may take a pay cut, you may be told you're overqualified (or not qualified at all!).
It's a journey that will likely require a lot of hard work, patience, and humility, but it's important to remember that the best opportunities come to those with patience and persistence. You have planned and prepared for this next step; after all of that hard work, don't give up on your new dream just before it comes true.
Keep your spirits high and your eyes focused on your end goal. Remember, you started out with the end in mind, telling yourself why you wanted this new opportunity: Be persistent in your pursuit of it and you'll undoubtedly get there.
Photo of hopeful woman courtesy of Jamie Grill / Getty Images.
Jenna Arak is a soulful storyteller. She shows women how to use the written word to share their story: to teach, to connect, to have an impact on the people who need to read about who they are, what they've done, and what they do—because through reading one another's stories, all of our lives will be changed for the better. Jenna's mission is to encourage women to follow their dreams, build upon their strengths, and bring new, interesting, and innovative ideas into the world through storytelling. She is also a copywriter, an editor, and a denizen of any bookstore's self-help section. Her writing has been featured on Salon, Thought Catalog, The Everygirl, The Muse, Darling Magazine, Career Contessa, and more. She lives and writes in Pasadena. You can learn more about her work and her writing at jennaarak.com.
Squarespace is a website publishing platform that allows anyone to easily create professional blogs, pages, portfolios, and galleries without touching a line of code. The completely inclusive, all-in-one service provides content management, hosting, domains, social integrations, e-commerce, and 24-hour customer support. Start your 14-day free trial today and use offer code THEMUSE for 10% off your subscription.


CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming officials are moving ahead with new standards to help ensure that coal-mining companies are able to cover the cost of reclaiming any mines that close down.
The state Environmental Quality Council has approved new regulations that limit companies' ability to self-bond.
Wyoming Public Radio reports the measure is headed to Republican Gov. Mark Gordon to consider and possibly approve.
Self-bonding enables companies to rely on the strength of their balance sheets to assert they are able to cover all reclamation costs. Approved companies don't have to set aside bond money to cover those potential costs.
Wyoming's new regulations would factor in a company's credit rating in allowing a company to self-bond.
The issue has come up amid the recent bankruptcies of several companies that mine coal in Wyoming.


The duet sensation: Les Paul and Mary Ford!
Les Paul's famous "The Log" solidbody guitar (made from a 4x4) with detachable wings.
Close up detail of The Log.
George Benson stops by the weekly Les Paul show to jam.
Two famous Pauls get together for some fun.
At the 1999 TEC Awards, Les Paul Award recipient Sting receives a custom Gibson guitar. Shown here is engineer/producer George Massenburg, TEC's Karen Dunn, Sting, Les Paul and TEC's Hillel Resner.
Les lays down a hot solo at NYC's Iridium during his 85th birthday performance in 2000.


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Self Discovery in a Journey: The Kingdom by the Sea
Literature 5 Pages
A literary tradition in cross-cultural discourse
Guideline Questions #2
The Kingdom by the Sea
(Pages 131-187)
1.) Once, publically, Bill Bryson admirably conceded that he was not necessarily an authentic traveller, but a tourist, while alternatively pointing to Paul Theroux as the genuine article. In The Kingdom by the Sea, Theroux precedes Bryson by fifteen years in circumambulating the British coastline, how would you measure Bryson's comment that Theroux is actually a traveler, in lieu of a tourist? How does the nature of their journeys differ or overlap?
2.) In Teignmouth, while bemusedly absorbing a community theatre production, what elements of British cultural and social customs and mores does the American reveal?
3.) A couple of years ago, in an interview in The Atlantic, Theroux charged that, "if you're a travel writer you have to stick to facts." How does Theroux attempt to rhetorically express in his writing that he is staying loyal to empirical facts?
4.) While trampling through Cornwall, how does Theroux describe Cornish hospitality? What does he say about Cornish nationalism that is reflective of nationalism in general? What illuminating exchange does Theroux provide of his fellow South African transplants?
5.) At one point of his journey, Theroux mulls, "to be anonymous and traveling in an interesting place is an intoxication." (Theroux p. 120) What does he mean by this and would you agree? While at another juncture, he comes to the conclusion, "All travelers are optimists . . . Travel itself was a sort of optimism in action." (Theroux p. 130) Would you agree with this sentiment?
6.) Eschewing the rich cultural heritage of Britain through its museums and the material vestiges of aristocracy like its castles, how does Theroux employ the Butlin Holiday Camp to undermine myopic stereotypes recycled in previous American travel literature on Britian?
7.) In light of a coherent, homogenous and sanitary vignette of British culture and society reproduced by a long bibliographic list of American travelers documenting their experiences, Theroux breaks down this neatly framed sterile portraiture of Britain by metaphorically alluding his journey as a discovery of nation, culture and its people deeply fragmented. How does the theme of fractured division play out in his travels thus far?
8.) What immediate distinction does he learn when entering Wales and like his British counterparts, what does Theroux connect poverty with when entering Wales? What sentiment does Theroux voice that will be constantly echoed later by Bryson?
9.) Unlike the Cornish nationalists, how are the Welsh nationalists different?
10.) What was "the strange encounter" that "took place at the Hotel Harlech"? Is this evidence of Theroux as a genuine traveler?
11.) What are the Welsh cultural perceptions of the English?
12.) The second colleague of his profession that Theroux meets in his Britannic tour is Jan Morris. What is illuminating and engaging about the meeting of these two professional travel writers recorded in one of their own actual travel book? What does their discussion fabricate about the concept of Welsh national identity and cultural traits?
Title: Self Discovery In A Journey: The Kingdom By The Sea
Style: MLA
The book is a written account of a journey by the author around Britain. The journey took place in 1982 and lasted for about three months. He started his journey in London and took a train to Margate which is on the English coast. He travels clockwise around the coastline of Britain. He travels by train and reaches Cape Wrath in the north. His journey comes to an end at Southend. He travels in the year of Prince William birth and the Falkland's war. This paper discusses how this journey enables the author to discover and redefine himself.
The journey taken by the author is a journey of self discovery since the author decides to be different. The author decides not to go to China like everyone else. He also decides not to write about Africa or the Arabs as other authors are doing. The author decides to be different. He, therefore, set foot in Britain after eleven years. He decides to explore the lands he had only heard about such as Begnar Rogis and Porlock. Here, the author can be viewed as trying to explore his desires and curiosities which will eventually lead to self discovery. He had read a lot about Britain in books. Though a lot had been written about Britain, he still wanted to see the place.
Advantages to a Person...
Literature 12 Pages
Medieval and Renaissan...
Goodman vs. Evil


Congratulations to Alayna Daws – West Forsyth HS, for winning the Zone 3 Oratorical Contest on March 16th! Alayna will be going on to the Area Contest on April 6th. Good luck, Alayna – we're so proud of you!


The Annapolis Business Association is considering merging with Main Streets Annapolis (a City funded and managed program) to form a single business entity. On September 1, they are asking all members to participate in the vote to merge. The reasoning for the merger was explained in an email distributed to members earlier today.
On September 1 at 6 PM the Annapolis Business Association will be hosting a general membership meeting for a very important vote. As you may have heard, the ABA has been in discussions to merge with the Main Streets Annapolis Program to form a new organization, The Annapolis Partnership. On September 1, we will bring this merger to the general membership for a vote. The board felt it was important for the members to make the final decision because, after all, it is your organization.
Why are we proposing a merger? Last year, the ABA was part of a group of organizations that hired a consultant to ask Annapolis businesses what they wanted or needed in order to be successful. The number one answer was a single voice for the business community – one organization they can turn to for representation and as a resource. So, we set out to create an organization that would represent the entire city's business districts.
Additionally, although the ABA has been successful in promoting events and helping bring additional business to Annapolis through events like Midnight Madness and Restaurant Week, and positively affected city council legislation, we have come to realize that we need an executive director to manage the day-to-day operations. Our board members have served as volunteers by attending meetings with city personnel, testifying for city council, organizing events, marketing our events, soliciting sponsors, organizing the holiday decorations, recruiting members and countless other tasks. If we can hire a professional to manage these operations, then the board can focus on developing new programs to assist our members with growing their businesses. The Main Streets Annapolis Program has successfully lobbied the city council for some seed money to afford an executive director in the current fiscal year budget. Together, with MAP, we will able to afford this new executive director and be eligible to apply for grants, while continuing to manage our successful programs.
How will The Annapolis Partnership be organized? We plan to have a board of directors that includes seats from each business region in the City of Annapolis, including Main Street, Dock Street, Maryland Avenue/State Circle, Arts & Entertainment District, Inner West Street, Upper West Street, West Annapolis, Design District, Forest Drive, Eastport, as well as a resident, Mayor's representative, commercial property owner, St. John's College, US Naval Academy and Historic Annapolis Foundation. This kind of representation will show that the businesses in this city are a unified front. Prior to the meeting, we will share the mission statement, strategic goals, value statement, and bylaws via e-mail to our members.
Why are we doing this now? With the holiday season around the corner and then Restaurant Week soon thereafter, the Executive Director will have plenty to do and we can use this time of year to brand the new organization.
Who can vote? All paying members have the ability to cast a vote, so please mark your calendar today so you are sure to attend on September 1. The meeting will be held in the second floor lounge at Stan and Joe's on West Street.


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GBC- CSR- HIV/AIDS- Malaria- TB- Abbott- Dole-
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Program Advancements – Company Awards Gala
On June 13, the Global Business Coalition (GBC) gave awards to eight companies. Abbott won the 'national action' award for it's partnership with the Government of Tanzania improving the country's health system to advance HIV testing and treatment. The company recently lowered the price on the key AIDS drug Kaletra by 55 percent in low- and mid- income countries.
The GBC also acknowledged several companies, including Dole for it's Stanfilco subsidiary work in the Philippines. The company trained a thousand people to implement the Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (TB-DOTS), a program that calls for making complete and quality anti-TB drugs available (among other elements.)
For more information and to become involved – http://www.businessfightsaids.org/.


Lasts longer in electronic devices.
Used mainly for security applications such as car remotes.
Primary usage is for keyless entry. Lasts longer than alkaline.
Designed for electronic applications which may require high rate pulses such as remotes and cameras. Cell is eight No. LR932 batteries in series in a battery stack. 65 mAH. Carded.
Plastic label jacket. 1.5 volt, 25 mA continuous drain at rated capacity. Operating temperature 0 to 130 degrees F. 1,000 mAH. Carded.
Size replaces 544, PX28A, 4LR44 and V4034PX. 6 volt, 150 mAh. Cell is four No. A76 batteries in series with a metal jacket. 150 mAH. Carded.
Lasts longer than alkaline in electronic devices.
Plastic label jacket. Delivers longer-lasting, more powerful performance for demanding, high-tech devices such as MP3 players, portable CD players, digital cameras, hand-held electronic games, and other digital devices. Up to 80 percent capacity remaining after 7 years of storage. 1.5 volt, 25 mA continuous drain at rated capacity. Operating temperature 0 to 130 degrees F. 625 MAH. Carded.


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Experts > Ronn Torossian
Ronn Torossian's Top Book Recommendations
Want to know what books Ronn Torossian recommends on their reading list? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Ronn Torossian's favorite book recommendations of all time.
Reputation Rules
Strategies for Building Your Company's Most Valuable Asset
Daniel Diermeier | 4.06
Leverage your company's most important asset!
"Diermeier draws on extensive research and illustrates these insights with rich case studies from a variety of industries. He shows how to integrate reputation management deeply into the culture and structure of companies. I expect "Reputation Rules" to set the standard for years to come."
--Philip Kotler, S.C. Johnson & Son Distinguished Professor of International Marketing, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
""Reputation Rules" [provides a] 'sixth sense' for both reputational risks and... more
""Reputation Rules" [provides a] 'sixth sense' for both reputational risks and opportunities. I highly recommend the book."
--Samuel Allen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deere & Company
"Diermeier provides important insights for managing reputation and turning challenges into opportunities. The lessons will become an essential component of a manager's repertoire."
--David Baron, David S. and Ann M. Barlow Professor of Political Economy and Strategy, Emeritus, Stanford Graduate School of Business
""Reputation Rules" breaks new ground in what has until now been an elusive challenge for companies and consultants alike. An exquisite compendium of navigational tools. . . . This is a game-changing book to be sure."
--Harlan A. Loeb, Executive Vice President, Director of U.S. Crisis and Issues Management, Edelman
"Daniel Diermeier has continuously caught the attention of the business world with insightful and compelling facts that should once again challenge our thinking and actions. In today's fast-changing business environment, values and reputation are the foundation, and Daniel presents sound reasoning and experience as to why they are so important."
--Jeff Stratton, Executive Vice President and Chief Restaurant Officer, McDonald's Corporation
"Any examination of how much-loved companies can forfeit people's affections needs to start with the realisation of how few much-loved companies there are. Businesses are more often the villains, as Daniel Diermeier of Northwestern University's Kellogg management school points out in his insightful new book Reputation Rules."
--Michael Skapinker, "Financial Times"
In our lightning-fast digital age, a company can face humiliation and possibly even ruin within seconds of a negative tweet or blog post. Over the last year companies such as BP, Goldman Sachs, and Toyota have experienced serious blows to their images that could have had reduced impact if their leaders had implemented reputation management into their business strategy and culture.
There is no one in either the corporate or academic sphere with greater expertise in the area of corporate reputation than Dr. Daniel Diermeier. An award-winning professor at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Dr. Diermeier has blazed a path in understanding the significance of reputation management and demonstrating how a company can create a program so powerful that it can help turn a potential public disgrace into a public image success story.
"Reputation Rules" is a landmark work bringing to light Dr. Diermeier's groundbreaking insights in this critical area. He offers the frameworks, strategies, and processes for changing your company's focus as quickly as the world is changing around you. He touches on all of the reputational issues that need to be managed from a strategic level, describing how to: Overcome direct challenges from influential activist and political forces Manage corporate scandals, including executive compensation Use external, seemingly unrelated events to boost reputation Build a reputation management process into everyday operations
In addition, Dr. Diermeier provides case studies of Shell's confrontation with Greenpeace, Mercedes's recovery from the Moose crisis, AIG's executive bonus fallout, Wal-Mart's reputation-building response to Hurricane Katrina, and numerous other scenarios illustrating what works and what doesn't when it comes to reputation management.
Brimming with keen insights and lucid examples, "Reputation Rules" is a guidepost for your organization's future--and a salve for crisis management. less
Recommended by Ronn Torossian, and 1 others.
Ronn TorossianDiermeier, a professor from the Kellogg School of Management, examines and explores how a company can "face humiliation and possibly even ruin within seconds of a negative tweet or blog post." As a crisis communications veteran, I am fascinated by his analysis and tactics on reputation. (Source)
Christopher Buckley | 4.07
"The perfect antidote to the 1990s. Buy yourself a pack of Camels, a cocktail shaker, and a nine-millimeter assault weapon. Read this. Then laugh."
—P.J. O'Rourke
The hero of Christopher Buckley's wickedly funny novel is Nick Naylor, chief spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies. Nick likes his job. In the neo-puritanical nineties, it is a challenge to defend the rights of smokers and a privilege to promote their liberty. Sure, it hurts a little when you're compared to Nazi war criminals, but Nick says he's just doing what it takes to pay the mortgage and put his... more
The hero of Christopher Buckley's wickedly funny novel is Nick Naylor, chief spokesman for the Academy of Tobacco Studies. Nick likes his job. In the neo-puritanical nineties, it is a challenge to defend the rights of smokers and a privilege to promote their liberty. Sure, it hurts a little when you're compared to Nazi war criminals, but Nick says he's just doing what it takes to pay the mortgage and put his son through Washington's elite private school St. Euchanasius. (His critics call this the yuppie Nuremberg defense: "I was only paying ze mortgage!")
Nick can handle the pressure from the anti-smoking zealots, but he is less certain about his new boss, BR, who questions whether Nick seeks inspiration and solace from two sympathetic souls who work for the firearms and alcohol lobbies. They call themselves the Merchants of Death. Together, they bemoan the plight of the sin lobbyist and argue over who has the most deadly job.
Under pressure to produce results, Nick goes on a PR offensive, turning appearances on Oprah and Larry King Live into national events. But Nick's heightened notoriety makes him a target for someone who wants to prove just how hazardous smoking can be. If Nick isn't careful, he's going to be stubbed out.
Christopher Buckley is a master of political and social satire. His novel will cause wheezing fits of laughter. less
Ronn TorossianWhile the title is more recognized for the movie, it is the book that provides the greatest perspective and strategic insight. Buckley provides an inimitable window into the development and creation of narratives, and how imperative it is for industries and brands to understand how to shape them. (Source)
How to Turn the Power of the Press to Your Advantage
Michael S. Sitrick | 3.73
Mike Wallace calls. What do you do? Put him on hold and call Michael Sitrick. more
Mike Wallace calls. What do you do? Put him on hold and call Michael Sitrick. less
Ronn TorossianWritten by the founder of a major crisis PR firm, the book is an insider's guide into the world of crisis communications. It's a crisis PR handbook! (Source)
Crystallizing Public Opinion
Edward Bernays | 4.16
In Crystallizing Public Opinion, Edward Bernays helped to create the fundamental concepts of public relations. Topics he discusses include:
- The roles of a public relations counsel and their importance to organizations.
- Herd mentality, how people's reasons for doing things is not always rational and how to use these factors to your benefit.
- Identifying the best time and medium to communicate with certain groups of people.
- How to determine what information to deliver. more
- How to determine what information to deliver. less
Ronn TorossianCrystallizing Public Opinion was written by the Godfather of PR. Bernays combined crowd psychology with the psychoanalytical ideas of his uncle, Sigmund Freud, to become the first thinker to explain how PR could thrive by managing public opinion. It's truly incredible how poignant his insights and analysis remain in popular culture. (Source)
Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations
Ronn Torossian | 3.80
It is essential that businesses know how to communicate quickly, often preemptively, and effectively to survive—and at a cost that is far lower than comparable marketing and ad campaigns. The first book by the owner of a top 50 PR agency, For Immediate Release, Ronn Torossian reveals how public relations can do just that—while also defining brands; helping companies and individuals court the press or avoid it; growing business without alienating loyal customers; resolving crises quickly; and improving first page results on the most powerful search engine in the world (Google).
For Immediate Release will show you how to:
Frame the debate and control the conversation
Use new and old media in tandem to find your audiences and create highly personal, relevant impressions tailored for them
Promote the interests of your brand or business; deter or potentially stop what is not in your interest
Build on great press, and avoid or minimize bad press
Ensure the first thing people see about your business or brand during an Internet search is exactly what you want them to see
Handle a crisis in the most effective and efficient manner
See the positive difference effective PR makes through compelling case studies—Louis Vuitton, Fubu, BP, Toyota, Philip Stein, Zappos, and interviews with experts including Dr. Keith Ablow, political strategists Frank Luntz, Roger Stone and Hank Sheinkopf, and many others—and your own business.
Recommended by Daymond John, Ronn Torossian, David A. Steinberg, and 3 others.
Daymond JohnTorossian's For Immediate Release is a fearless, bold, clear, honest, and practical look at how PR shapes minds, ideas, and businesses. It is required reading for any business or brand interested in making an impact in today's 24/7 media world. (Source)
Ronn TorossianMy PR book has become a staple within the industry, as well as required reading for many college courses throughout the country. The book details how valuable public relations is - how public relations can define brands; help companies and individuals court the press or avoid it; grow business; resolve crises quickly; improve search results on Google and so many other things. Effective PR makes... (Source)
David A. SteinbergTorossian's insights into the PR business were enormously helpful to me as an entrepreneur. With Ronn's help we grew a start up into the #1 spot on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in the US, and was able to take it public with greater than a billion dollar market cap. Ronn continues to help me today as a principal in the private equity business. For Immediate Release should be... (Source)
Confessions of an Advertising Man
David Ogilvy, Sir Alan Parker | 4.29
A new edition of the timeless business classic featured on Mad Men—as fresh and relevant now as the day it was written
"We admire people who work hard, who are objective and thorough. We detest office politicians, toadies, bullies, and pompous asses. We abhor ruthlessness. The way up our ladder is open to everybody. In promoting people to top jobs, we are influenced as much by their character as anything else." —David Ogilvy
David Ogilvy was considered the "father of advertising" and a creative genius by many of the biggest... more
David Ogilvy was considered the "father of advertising" and a creative genius by many of the biggest global brands. First published in 1963, this seminal book revolutionized the world of advertising and became a bible for the 1960s ad generation. It also became an international bestseller, translated into 14 languages. Fizzing with Ogilvy's pioneering ideas and inspirational philosophy, it covers not only advertising, but also people management, corporate ethics, and office politics, and forms an essential blueprint for good practice in business. less
Recommended by Rory Sutherland, Ronn Torossian, Ola Olusoga, and 6 others.
Rory Sutherland@GuruAnaerobic Love it. His best book. (Source)
Ronn TorossianConsidering the overlap of similarities between PR and advertising, it is vital to learn from such legends as Ogilvy. His concepts, tactics, and techniques and are a must-read for not only those in marketing and PR but business in general. (Source)
Ola OlusogaFor business, I've read Influence by Robert Cialdini 3 times, and Traction by Gabriel Weinberg twice, so if number of times read indicates favor, then those are it. There are a whole bunch of others, like The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman, Confession of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy, The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss, and Running Lean by Ash Maurya, that I've also enjoyed and recommend to... (Source)
The No Asshole Rule
Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't
Robert I. Sutton | 4.02
The definitive guide to working with -- and surviving -- bullies, creeps, jerks, tyrants, tormentors, despots, backstabbers, egomaniacs, and all the other assholes who do their best to destroy you at work.
"What an asshole!"
How many times have you said that about someone at work? You're not alone! In this groundbreaking book, Stanford University professor Robert I. Sutton builds on his acclaimed Harvard Business Review article to show you the best ways to deal with assholes...and why they can be so destructive to your company. Practical, compassionate, and in... more
How many times have you said that about someone at work? You're not alone! In this groundbreaking book, Stanford University professor Robert I. Sutton builds on his acclaimed Harvard Business Review article to show you the best ways to deal with assholes...and why they can be so destructive to your company. Practical, compassionate, and in places downright funny, this guide offers:
Strategies on how to pinpoint and eliminate negative influences for good
Illuminating case histories from major organizations
A self-diagnostic test and a program to identify and keep your own "inner jerk" from coming out
The No Asshole Rule is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Business Week bestseller. less
Recommended by Ronn Torossian, Mark Hertling, Jessica Pryce-Jones, and 3 others.
Ronn TorossianPR is notoriously a hard industry to succeed in. And as an entrepreneur, it's really hard - and sometimes you have to make decisions that are not always easy but best for the company. A great book — necessary reading for everyone at 5WPR — is the great business book, The No Asshole Rule. The book's theory, while seemingly obvious, is quite difficult to adhere to for many people – learn to cut... (Source)
Mark Hertling@Strike_Williams Dealing with toxic leaders is a challenge, each is different w different motivations...they usually fly under their bosses radar. Much longer conversation than we can have here...but check out this great book: "The No Asshole Rule". (Source)
Jessica Pryce-JonesI love this book, because while work is about trying to make a context in which everybody can thrive, and continuously building up trust, you also have to dismantle distrust. You have to do the two things at the same time, in my view. You walk into any school and if they say, 'We don't have any bullies,' my thought is you're just not looking hard enough. There's always going to be distrust,... (Source)
Dale Carnegie | 4.40
You can go after the job you want—and get it!
You can take the job you have—and improve it!
You can take any situation—and make it work for you!
Dale Carnegie's rock-solid, time-tested advice has carried countless people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives. One of the most groundbreaking and timeless bestsellers of all time, How to Win Friends & Influence People will teach you:
-Six ways to make people like you
-Twelve ways to win people to your way of thinking
-Nine ways to change people without arousing... more
-Nine ways to change people without arousing resentment
And much more! Achieve your maximum potential—a must-read for the twenty-first century with more than 15 million copies sold! less
Recommended by Dustin Moskovitz, Scott Adams, Daymond John, and 61 others.
Dustin MoskovitzSeek to be understood. (Source)
Scott Adams[Scott Adams recommends this book on his "Persuasion Reading List."] (Source)
Daymond JohnI love all the Dale Carnegie books. (Source)
Read Full Book Summary Buy on Amazon
Don't have time to read Ronn Torossian's favorite books? Read Shortform summaries.


Nearly three months before a new edition begins, SAGSE Buenos Aires organizers announce that the online registration to attend the show is now live. The trade show specially tailored for the gambling industry in Latin America will take place on September 11-13 at Centro Costa Salguero in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event will bring together major operators, manufacturers, suppliers, regulators, and other industry professionals from the Latin American region and the rest of the world.
The online registration system can be accessed on the event's website or directly through this link. Early registration allows visitors to obtain their provisory badges, to avoid lines at the entrance, and access the exhibition more quickly. Admittance to the show is restricted to gaming professionals only and has no charge for them.
SAGSE Buenos Aires promises to be one more time a varied and comprehensive showcase meeting point for the industry, where manufacturers of live and online gaming, and software developers will exhibit, together with regulators and many other services and products providers for the sector. Some confirmed exhibitors so far include: BCM, BELATRA LATINOAMERICANA, BETCONSTRUCT, BMM INTERNATIONAL, BYA GROUP, CAOLAB, CAOLBA, DAYCO GAMING S.A, ED ROBERTS, EGT, EURO GAMES TECHNOLOGY, FACALQA, GLI – GAMING LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, GOODY GROUP, IGT – INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY, INSTITUTO PROVINCIAL DE JUEGOS Y CASINOS MENDOZA, JCM GLOBAL, LOTERIA DE LA CIUDAD DE BUENOS AIRES S.E, MALTA GAMING AUTHORITY, MERKUR GAMING, MOHIO GAMING, NOVOMATIC ARGENTINA, PAMPA GAMING, PERMAQUIM, QUINEL, SIQ LJUBLJANA, STANLEYBET, STRUCTURA CAPITAL, TECHNO GAMING S.A, WIN SYSTEMS, ZITRO, among others.
The recommendation sent out by SAGSE organizes for all visitors is that for this edition it is necessary to make hotel reservations early enough – the advice takes into account the busy general event agenda for this year in the city of Buenos Aires.
In an attempt to accompany this situation, SAGSE is offering in partnership with top-level hotels preferential rates for visitors attending the show. Partner hotels include Alvear Icon Hotel & Residences, Alvear Palace Hotel, Dazzler & Esplendor Hotels (Wyndham Hotel Group), and Recoleta Grand. For reservations, visitors and exhibitors can visit SAGSE's website, Official Hotels tab.


text:
The Life You Save Could Be Your Own
Apr 29 at 12:12am by admin
Seventeen-year old Brittanee couldn't have predicted that the GPS tracker located in her cell phone would become a crucial piece of evidence in a police investigation. But when she disappeared on April 25, 2009, authorities used the signal to determine her last known location, giving them a starting point for investigation. While the search continues nearly one year later, still, investigators say that evolving GPS tracking technology has been key as they seek to discover what happened to the missing girl.
No one likes to consider the possibility of a son or daughter going missing, but unsolved disappearances occur every year. While the GPS tracker in Brittanee's cell phone did provide aid to investigators, cell phone GPS tracking can be uncertain since cell phone towers tend to be less concentrated in remote areas, causing signals to drop. Parents who want a more dependable way to keep tabs on their kids can find what they're looking for in a wearable GPS tracking device. Personal safety trackers have gotten progressively smaller and easier to conceal, so that if a kidnapping does occur, the perpetrator is less likely to discover and remove the device.
Clipped onto clothing or carried in a purse or backpack, the GPS tracking device will send a signal at intervals to a computer receiving device, enabling parents to check in on their children or teens at any time throughout the day. Many models also come equipped with perimeter alerts, allowing parents to designate "safe" areas. If the wearer crosses the perimeter, the GPS tracking device will send an alert to the parent's email or cell phone.
People who live alone or who must travel at night frequently should also consider purchasing a tracking device and asking a trusted friend or family member to check in on them from time to time. If they do become a target for foul play, investigators can locate them and send help much more quickly with the information provided by a GPS tracking device than would be possible without one.
While Brittanee's friends and family still hope for closure to her story, doubts remain as to whether the exact occurrences will ever be fully known. By taking the initiative to purchase GPS trackers for themselves and their families, parents can give themselves peace of mind in knowing that they've done everything in their power to keep them safe.
Stepping Up the Pace
Individual sports enthusiasts can seem a little obsessed to the average couch potato. Runners carry gadgets to monitor heart rate, keep track of pace, determine routes, and analyze performance. Then they go home and enter all the information into a spreadsheet so they can refer to it later when they blog about their goals and share accomplishments on Facebook. True exercise devotees, however, believe that it's important to watch performance every day in order to gauge readiness for that next 10K or marathon. That's why GPS tracking companies have developed tracking devices specifically geared toward monitoring exercise capacity and accomplishments.
A GPS tracking device such as Nokia's Sports Tracker or the Garmin Forerunner watch can perform all the functions that traditionally required five or six gadgets strapped to the wrist, clipped to the waistband, or hung around the neck, and can also let friends and family members know where the wearer is at any given time. The best trackers monitor speed, distance, pace, and heart rate in addition to location and some can also store data for comparison purposes. Athletes in many different sports have come to rely on the technology, including runners, bikers, skiers, and windsurfers.
Sporting events use GPS tracking for non-athletic purposes as well. This year's Super Bowl incorporated highly publicized tracking capabilities to monitor the location of players and vehicles en route to the game, as did the Winter Olympics. Fleet tracking enabled security personnel to keep closer tabs on the athletes and their vehicles with the goal of preventing potential terrorist activity or even petty theft.
While most people will never be an athlete at the Olympics or the Super Bowl, they can still benefit from GPS tracking. Even those who don't run five miles every day can keep track of their exercise progress with a GPS. Beginning exercisers who just want to know how far they've walked can use a simple tracker to monitor location and view a printout of recorded activity throughout the day. Those who want more detailed information can purchase one of the specialized watches that offer physical exertion information in order to compare performance on any given day with progress over time.
Sports enthusiasts, people exercising to lose weight, and people who just like being outdoors can all benefit from the technology GPS tracking brings to their activity of choice. Simply strap on your watch, step up your pace, and let your tracker do the rest.
Breaking the Addiction
Much has been made of the ability of GPS tracking units to monitor paroled criminals or to help convict suspected criminals by pinpointing their location at a given time. Lawyers handling drug cases, for instance, can use GPS tracking devices placed in a suspect's car to follow that suspect to suppliers, making the apprehension of the entire drug ring possible. Now, a new study being conducted by David Epstein of the National Institute on Drug Abuse seeks to attack the problem from the other direction by determining whether GPS tracking data can help drug users break their addictions.
The study follows 25 heroin addicts by giving them GPS tracking devices and asking the participants to answer questions sent to them via PDAs to determine where they are when they use drugs. Each participant must sign a consent form in order to be involved in the program. Epstein hopes to determine how environment plays a role in addictions and to use that information to help addicts break the cycle of addiction.
GPS tracking devices can give much more information than simple location. They can also record how long a person stays in one place, what direction he is currently traveling in, and the speed at which he is moving. All of this information can prove vital when trying to determine how a person's location influences the actions he takes. By transmitting location data every 25 meters or every 25 minutes if the carrier is standing still, the GPS unit may indicate whether a person always relapses in the same neighborhood. If so, that information could be used to help recovering addicts better plan their movements in order to avoid pitfalls.
Drug addiction has long been considered a neurological disorder, and Epstein's study does not seek to displace that idea. If his findings conclude that relapses often occur in particular types of neighborhoods, the GPS tracking devices his participants carry could be a jumping off point for helping not only drug addicts, but also recovering alcoholics to avoid places that could cause them to relapse.
The war on drugs continues to fight battles for the health and well-being of countless drug users and those at risk for using drugs. With the help of GPS tracking, significant strides may be made toward creating a program that helps recovering drug addicts take control of their lives by making choices that will increase their chances of success.
Law and Order and GPS Tracking
The outcome of a courtroom trial usually depends on which side has the majority of hard evidence to support the case they are trying to make. The prosecution may be able to make a logical case against the defendant, but without physical evidence, conviction is nearly impossible. As GPS tracking systems have become more prevalent over the last few years, more and more lawyers have begun to introduce data from the devices as evidence to prove a person's location at a given point in time, which can either support or contradict witness testimony.
In one well-known case, William Jackson was convicted of murdering his daughter, Valiree, and was sentenced to 55 years in prison, primarily due to the evidence gleaned from a GPS tracking device in his truck. The data gleaned from the device showed that, although the man denied visiting the location where the body was found, he had in fact been very close by. The case was appealed, but the conviction was upheld since officers had obtained a search warrant before gathering data from the tracking device.
As GPS tracking evidence becomes more common in lawsuits, more and more cases will depend on the data availability. This also means that rules for admissibility will need to be defined more clearly. For instance, in order for GPS data to be considered evidence for or against a person's involvement in a particular situation, council must demonstrate that the person in question was carrying that GPS tracking unit. In some states, a warrant must be obtained in order to track someone or to use data gathered from an already present tracking device. GPS tracking units can provide very specific data, but unless that data can legally be connected to a particular person in a material way, it may not bring about the desired result.
Cases that can benefit from GPS tracking evidence vary widely. A person accused of a crime can use GPS tracking evidence to show that he or she was elsewhere at the time; a drug ring might be apprehended by means of a GPS device placed in a suspected vehicle; family courts might use GPS devices to monitor placement exchanges and behavioral issues such as unsafe driving or drinking while driving in order to decide child custody cases.
Despite the privacy concerns that have surfaced regarding GPS admissibility in court, legal use of GPS tracking can help convict criminals that might otherwise go free. Although the lives of people like Valiree Jackson can never be reclaimed, GPS tracking can help protect others from encountering the same fate.
Scientists Track Dolphins with GPS
Apr 4 at 12:12am by admin
by Greg Bartlett / guest author
After an unprecedented rescue of 11 dolphins stranded in the Wellfleet peninsula's mud flats near Boston, MA, scientists associated with the New England Aquarium have placed GPS trackers on the freed mammals to ensure their safe return to the ocean. Experts say that after such a traumatic experience, dolphins will require some time to recover before they venture back into open sea. Causes for such a stranding are still difficult to determine, but current theories point to confused echo-location, which occurs more frequently in areas of higher human activity. But for now, the rescued dolphins are swimming cautiously within Cape Cod Bay, though rescuers are hoping that they resume normal activity soon.
The use of GPS tracking systems to monitor marine life has increased rapidly in recent years, thanks to advances in accuracy and miniaturization. For scientists working on limited grant funds, the improved affordability doesn't hurt, either. Commercially available GPS trackers can be outfitted to collars which can be comfortably placed around larger marine life. The technology is temporary and may be removed after scientists are sure the animal is safe, or when a particular research project is complete. Some trackers are small enough to be placed internally, though the cost and complication of such a method makes it unpopular.
Back in 2008, rescuers in Australia performed a similar operation to the one in Wellfleet. After a pod of pilot whales was rescued from a beach in Tasmania, scientists placed GPS trackers on several to ensure their safe return to sea. The GPS trackers provided clear location data to those shadowing the whales, giving them peace of mind about the whales' safety, as well as valuable insight into their behavior.
The opportunity to study marine life is also certainly an appealing feature of GPS trackers. Earlier this year, researchers at the Hatfield Marine Science Center made some interesting discoveries regarding the behavior of sperm whales while tracking them with GPS technology. Location data provided by the trackers seemed to show the whales cooperating to herd in groups of squid. The whales would take turns covering the different positions of a 3D perimeter—effectively creating an inescapable ball where squid would be trapped until eaten. Simply no other tracking technology would have been able to gather this data. Non-GPS solutions may have altered the sperm whales' behavior or not given the scientists the flexibility and mobility they required.
GPS Tracking and Employee Accountability
Employer surveillance of company employees has long been a source of debate in the corporate community. Advances in technology provide many options for employer monitoring, but some types may be a violation of employee privacy, or have other inherent disadvantages. How do you balance privacy rights with the company's need to make sure employees are behaving ethically on the job? What is acceptable and legal, and what crosses the line?
While questions of legality still loom over e-mail, recorders, cameras, and phones surveillance, GPS tracking devices are generally considered legal and reasonable (read about a case of GPS tracking and what the administrative law judge decided). This type of device might be particularly useful to companies or small businesses that require employees to make deliveries or trips without managerial supervision. While honesty is expected in employees in every type of work, sometimes the temptations inherent in delivery or travel style jobs may be too strong for even your best employees.
Statistics show that over the past three years, 33% of employees admit to stealing from the company, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce blames 30% of failures in business on theft by employees. There is an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure—and one of the best ways to prevent dishonesty in traveling/delivering employees is to implement a GPS tracking device in the company vehicles. This is also a way to prevent uncomfortable confrontations and loss of profits in your business. Simply knowing that this device is present may help employees to think twice about "that one little errand only a little bit out of the way," and may help keep them honest about travel log reports.
There are two types of GPS systems—active and passive. Both systems utilize satellites that orbit in outer space. Generally, groupings of three of these satellites compile data about the latitude and longitude of the individual/vehicle/object wearing the receiver. An active GPS tracking system allows you to download information to the internet or a mobile device for constant surveillance. A passive GPS tracking device is more of a record of what occurred (where the vehicle went, where it stopped, etc.). Depending on the way your company operates, either system would provide valuable accountability and prevention for employee theft whether it is a pizza delivery route or delivering more valuable products.
Should Offenders be Tracked with a GPS Locator?
Criminals are out on the streets. Should you be upset? Maybe, maybe not—it may be a part of future experiments utilizing a GPS locator. The economic debate in California continues to rage, and one possible solution on the table is releasing prisoners.
Incarcerating offenders can be a costly endeavor—in 2007-2008, the proposed budget for corrections in California was $4,061,703,000. According to the Newsletter of the Federal Courts, the costs of correction/incarceration are as follows: for imprisonment: $63.51 daily (per person); for community correction centers, $52.29 daily (per person); and for supervision by probation offers, $9.61 daily (per person). The annual cost for incarcerating an individual in a prison is $23, 183.69. In 2006 alone, $68,747,203,000.00 was spent on correctional facilities, and according to available information, those who are held because they cannot afford bail cost $9 billion per year in housing.
GPS tracking for criminals can cost between $8 and $12 per day. That would be between $2920 and $4380 per person per year, a tremendous savings. An important part of this debate is how GPS tracking actually works. A system of 24 satellites orbits in outer space, working in groups of twos or threes (almost always in groups of threes) to determine the latitude and longitude of the receiver on earth. The receiver can be attached to a person or vehicle. Active systems offer moment-by-moment tracking, while passive systems are a historical log of events. Active systems would be the choice for criminal tracking.
The specific components for criminal tracking usually include a receiver worn on the ankle. According to information on the Heartland Institute website, there is also a removable tracking unit that records violations when communication with the non-removable anklet is cut. While this option is the perfect solution as far as saving money is concerned, there are also other important issues at stake.
Does merely tracking a criminal keep society safe? If we are only tracking petty thieves and non-violent offenders, are the savings worth the risk? If our goal is "punishing" the offender, does GPS tracking really meet the need? What is the motivation for the offender to be on "good behavior" while being monitored? For one thing, the risk of incarceration may not be worth the temptation—possibly one hope of proponents of GPS tracking. Weighing through the issues (both advantage and disadvantages) may take some time, but hopefully as the technology continues to advance, safe and effective means of both cutting expense and securing safety can be achieved through GPS tracking devices.
Greg Bartlett is a guest author who specializes in writing about GPS technology and has earned two master's degrees.
GPS Tracking Integral to Amanda's Bill
On Thursday, March 18th, the Kentucky State Senate passed its version of a bill that would allow judges to mandate the wearing of GPS tracking devices by domestic violence offenders. Named after Amanda Ross, a domestic abuse victim murdered outside of her home in September 2009, the bill represents an amalgamation of tools for civil and criminal courts in preventing repeat offenses by those who violate the terms of a restraining order.
Some criticize the Senate version of the bill for being too soft, since it only allows judges to place GPS tracking systems on those who violate a protection order issued by the court. The previous version, passed by the House, gave judges the opportunity to track any offender named in the order. The revised bill also places limitations on the use of the data from the GPS trackers. Law enforcement would need a warrant before accessing the tracking information.
But while Amanda's family, who in September began pushing for this bill to become law, says they are not entirely pleased with the current version, this is nonetheless an acknowledgement of the need to employ technology to protect victims of abuse.
At least a dozen other states have passed similar laws, and the results of employing GPS trackers have been dramatic. Towns in Massachusetts, Indiana, and Colorado that have GPS tracking programs in place have seen huge reductions in domestic violence.
However, a simple GPS tracker is not enough, and most lawmakers realize this. Those who drafted Amanda's Bill included an extensive array of non-technical tools which would provide greater safety for those at risk of abuse. Given the power to choose whether a GPS tracker would be appropriate for a particular offender, a judge could access a variety of databases to search out prior histories and other resources. On the enforcement side, police officers in the state would be required to attend training about domestic violence every few years. Other officials involved in domestic violence cases would also be given greater procedural guidance in terms of how to inform and counsel potential victims.
GPS tracking remains a valuable tool for law enforcement and the courts. The technology has improved in recent years, and real-time tracking now allows for near-instantaneous delivery of location data in most parts of the country. How officials gather and distribute that information, however, will determine the continuing safety of those scarred by violence.
Greg Batlett is a guest author who specializes in writing about GPS technology and has earned two master's degrees.


text:
import {Meteor} from 'meteor/meteor';
import {check} from 'meteor/check';
import {CryptoJS} from 'meteor/jparker:crypto-core';
import {_} from 'lodash';

import {getMasterKey} from '../utilities';

export const EncryptionService = {
    config: {
        saltLength: 128,
        masterKeyLength: 256
    },
    /**
     * Setup the user keychain needed to encrypt data smoothly
     *
     * @param password
     * @param callback
     * @returns {{}}
     */
    setupUserKeychain({password}, callback) {
        // Generate 128 bits salt
        const salt = this.generateKey({size: this.config.saltLength});
        // Generate 512 bits password-based key
        const key = this.generatePasswordBasedKey({password, salt});
        // Get password validator and encryption key from the pbk above
        const passwordValidatorAndKey = this.splitKeyInHalf({key});
        // Generate a master key which will be used to encrypt every data stored
        // (AES-256 requires 256 bits key)
        const masterKey = this.generateKey({size: this.config.masterKeyLength});

        const keychain = {};
        // Store data in database
        keychain.salt = salt;
        keychain.passwordValidator = passwordValidatorAndKey.passwordValidator;
        // Store encrypted master key using pbk's MSB key
        keychain.masterKey = this.encrypt({text: masterKey, key: passwordValidatorAndKey.key});

        if (callback && _.isFunction(callback)) {
            // Call asynchronous callback function with the :keychain as parameter
            callback(keychain);
        }
    },
    /**
     * Decrypt user's master key using his password
     *
     * @param password
     * @param callback
     */
    decryptMasterPassword({password}, callback) {
        check(callback, Function);

        const keychain = Meteor.user().keychain;
        const pbk = this.generatePasswordBasedKey({password, salt: keychain.salt});
        const {passwordValidator, key} = this.splitKeyInHalf({key: pbk});
        if (keychain.passwordValidator !== passwordValidator) {
            callback(new Error("Password validators don't match"));
            return;
        }

        const masterKey = this.decrypt({cipherText: keychain.masterKey, key: key});
        callback(null, {masterKey});
    },
    encryptPassword({password, iv}) {
        const masterKey = getMasterKey();
        if (!masterKey) {
            throw new Meteor.Error('not-possible', 'Cannot encrypt password without the master key');
        }

        return this.encrypt({text: password, key: masterKey, iv});
    },
    decryptPassword({encryptedPassword, iv}) {
        const masterKey = getMasterKey();
        if (!masterKey) {
            throw new Meteor.Error('not-possible', 'Cannot decrypt password without the master key');
        }

        return this.decrypt({cipherText: encryptedPassword, key: masterKey, iv});
    },
    /**
     * Wrapper for AES encrypt function
     *
     * @param text
     * @param key
     * @param iv
     * @returns {string|*}
     */
    encrypt({text, key, iv = ''}) {
        return CryptoJS.AES.encrypt(text, key, {iv: iv}).toString();
    },
    /**
     * Wrapper for AES decrypt function
     *
     * @param cipherText
     * @param key
     * @param iv
     * @returns {string|*}
     */
    decrypt({cipherText, key, iv = ''}) {
        return CryptoJS.AES.decrypt(cipherText, key, {iv: iv}).toString(CryptoJS.enc.Utf8);
    },
    /**
     * Get password validator (LSB) and encryption key (MSB) from password based key.
     *
     * @param key
     * @returns {{key: (string|*), passwordValidator: (string|*)}}
     */
    splitKeyInHalf({key}) {
        check(key, String);
        const half = key.length / 2;

        return {
            key: key.substr(0, half),
            passwordValidator: key.substr(half)
        };
    },
    /**
     * Generate 512 bits password-based key from user {password} and {salt}
     *
     * @param password
     * @param salt
     * @returns {string}
     */
    generatePasswordBasedKey({password, salt}) {
        check(password, String);
        check(salt, String);

        return CryptoJS.EvpKDF(password, salt, {keySize: 512 / 32, iterations: 1000}).toString();
    },
    /**
     * Return {size} bits length key
     *
     * @param size
     * @returns {string}
     */
    generateKey({size}) {
        check(size, Number);

        return CryptoJS.lib.WordArray.random(size / 8).toString();
    }
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


NVIDIA CEO and co-founder Jen-Hsun Huang in GTC conference announce lots of content, GTX Titan X, Autopilot Drive PX system and the latest NVIDIA odd is the launch of a whole – DIGITS DevBox, of course, this bad boy is for the professional developers and for scientific research, with a four-way GTX Titan X SLI , priced at $15,000 and will be available in the market from May.
NVIDIA's DIGITS DevBox computer is mainly for deep learning research, the performance is very strong, it is equipped with four GTX Titan X graphics card, single graphics floating point performance is 7 TFLOPS, four cards is 28TFLOPS, in the future there may be extended to eight cards.
This NVIDIA PC will apparently corporate with OEM vendors, but still we don't know who is it specifically, but the chassis is Corsair Air 540.
This system is not only worth four GTX Titan X graphics, it is actually a pre-DIGITS packages, including Caffe (the popular framework used by many data scientists and researchers), Theano, Torch and supports GPU acceleration and cuDNN 2.0, NVIDIA's robust GPU-accelerated deep learning library.
In order to attract professionals, NVIDIA also provide a set of data as a comparison: Training AlexNet can be completed in only 13 hours with the DIGITS DevBox, compared to over 2 days with the best single GPU PC, or over a month with a CPU-only system.
Time is money, my friends.


text:
This repository is a **camo**uflage **gen**erator. The code is originally from Ulf Åström in PHP. You can find
his applet here: [http://www.happyponyland.net](http://www.happyponyland.net). I simply updated
and wrote his code in Python instead of PHP.

**WARNING**  *The code only works with Python3 for the moment!*  **WARNING**

## How to use

Here is a very simple example how to use the generator:

```[python]
import camogen

parameters = {'width': 700, 'height': 700, 'polygon_size': 400, 'color_bleed': 0,
              'colors': ['#668F46', '#4A6B3A', '#145000', '#003022']}

image = camogen.generate(parameters)
```
The parameter `image` corresponds to the object `Image` from the package `PIL`.

### Parameters

The parameters given is a python dictionary. The following parameters are mandatory:

| Parameter    | Types        |  Explanation                                                                                |
| ------------ | ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| width        | Int          | Width of the image (Minimum value: 0)                                                                 |
| height       | Int          | Height of the image (Minim value: 0)                                                                  |
| polygon_size | Int          | Minimum perimeter of a polygon (Minimum value: 0)                                                     |
| color_bleed  | Int          | Bleeding of the colors, *i.e.* number of neighbouring polygons with the same color (Minimum value: 0) |
| colors       | list[String] | List of all the colors. Colors have to be a Hex String. (Minimum size: 1)                             |
| max_depth    | Int          | (**Optional**) Maximum depth for creating the polygons. (Default value: 15)                           |

The next set of parameters adds spots on the camouflage. In the dictionary, you have to add these parameters with the key
`spots`. If you want to add spots, all these parameters are mandatory:

| Parameter          | Types |  Explanation                                                                                |
| ------------------ | ----- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| amount             | Int   | Number of spots (Minimum value: 0)                                                            |
| radius             | dict  | Dictionary with the min and max radius (Example: `{'min': 0, 'max': 10}`), Minimum values: 0) |
| sampling_variation | Int   | Variation for the sampling, *i.e.* how far it goes looking for the color for the spot.  |

The next set of parameters pixelizes the camouflage. In the dictionary, you have to add these parameters with the key
`pixelize`. If you want to pixelize the camouflage, all these parameters are mandatory:

| Parameter          | Types |  Explanation                                                                                |
| ------------------ | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| amount             | float | Percentage of pixelization (Between 0 and 1)                                                       |
| sampling_variation | Int   | Variation for the sampling, *i.e.* how far it goes looking for the color for the spot.             |
| density            | dict  | Density of the pixels, *i.e.* inverse of the size of the pixels. (Example: `{'x': 100, 'y': 200}`) |

You can find examples how to generate some camouflage in the file `examples.py`

## Examples

#### Green Blots
![Green Blots](./images/green_blots.png)

#### Mighty Swede
![Mighty Swede](./images/mighty_swede.png)

#### Vodka
![Vodka](./images/vodka.png)

#### Maple Warrior
![Maple Warrior](./images/maple_warrior.png)

#### Desert
![Desert](./images/desert.png)

#### Desert 2
![Desert 2](./images/desert2.png)

#### Klosterschwester
![Klosterschwester](./images/klosterschwester.png)

## Contacts

If you have questions about the generation of this patterns, you should ask Ulf Åström. He wrote the original code. You
can find his contact page here: [http://www.happyponyland.net/contact.php](http://www.happyponyland.net/contact.php)

If you have questions about the Python code or if you want to improve it, you can always submit an issue or a PR. You can
also contact me using my email adress: [gael.lederrey@epfl.ch](mailto:gael.lederrey@epfl.ch)


text:
Safety to None
Action/Adventure, Documentary
Every February, four dozen athletes are invited to Alaska to undertake a journey which will challenge their bodies and minds, their wills to succeed, and their wills to live.
The Iditarod Trail Invitational is the world's longest, toughest and most remote ultra marathon, challenging competitors to journey 1000 miles across the Alaskan tundra on bike, foot, or ski. More people summit Everest in an afternoon than have made it from Anchorage to Nome on a bicycle.
But this year twenty-six racers will attempt the full 1000 miles of the Iditarod Trail.


text:
Britney Spears: the Arkatech (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:08:59 +0300)
Britney Spears has posted a short video on her Instagram page and her look leaves much to be desired. Watch the video right now! Britney Spears can b...
Read more: Britney Spears astonishes everyone with her dancing movements
ESPN (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0800)
New York Yankees, DJ LeMahieu finalizing six-year, $90M contract ...
Second baseman DJ LeMahieu and the Yankees are finalizing a six-year, $90 million contract, sources familiar with the agreement told ESPN. LeMahieu returns ...
CBS sports.com (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0800)
Yankees and DJ LeMahieu are finalizing six-year, $90 million contract
Last season, he hit .364/.421/.590 (177 OPS+) with 10 doubles, two triples, 10 homers, 27 RBI and 41 runs in 50 games. The reigning AL batting champion led the ...
Chris Hemsworth: the Arkatech (Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:50:33 +0300)
Chris Hemsworth seems to have aged a lot, along with his brother. This can be seen from the photo of them taken three years ago. Chris Hemsworth, one...
Read more: Chris Hemsworth and his brother Liam Hemsworth have aged too much lately
Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0800)
Local philanthropist Ernie Boch Jr. leaves $2021 tip at 6 Boston ...
BOSTON (WHDH) - Six mysterious envelopes, each filled with $2,021 in cash, were left on tables in half a dozen different restaurants in and around Boston ...
WCVB Boston (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0800)
Mystery customer who dropped $2021 tips at Boston bars revealed
"It's one of the most mind-blowing things that's happened to me in 10 years of doing this."
Leonardo Dicaprio: the Arkatech (Thu, 14 Jan 2021 16:23:51 +0300)
Leonardo DiCaprio has shared sad news on his Instagram page about the tragic death of six park rangers in eastern Congo. He feels devastated… Leonar...
Read more: Leonardo DiCaprio pays tribute to six rangers killed in Virunga National Park
Forbes (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0800)
3 Reasons Why Biden Excluded Student Loan Relief From Stimulus ...
Yesterday, President-Elect Joe Biden released a sweeping $1.9 trillion stimulus proposal. No legislative language has been released as of yet, but the summary ...
The Hill (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 07:00:00 -0800)
To help student borrowers, make education debt tax deductible ...
The Biden administration should work with Congress to make all educational debt payments tax deductible, including private loans.
Jojo Siwa: the Arkatech (Thu, 14 Jan 2021 01:54:40 +0300)
Jojo Siwa has showed herself to the followers on Instagram but there is something strange about her clothes. They are not as bright as usually. Just c...
Read more: Jojo Siwa seems to be losing her money. Her clothes are so miserable!
TechRadar (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0800)
Sony Rewards PS5 stock is now sold out – here's what you needed ...
If you were looking for PS5 stock, Sony Rewards had a limited number of consoles available today.
GameSpot (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0800)
If you haven't been able to find a PS5 yet, you might be able to snag one through Sony Rewards this Friday.
Jennifer Lopez: the Arkatech (Thu, 14 Jan 2021 01:52:26 +0300)
Jennifer Lopez has finally presented the official music video to her new song "In the Morning." The way she looks pleases the eye! Jennifer Lopez is ...
Read more: Jennifer Lopez impresses everyone with her look as she releases a new official video
13WMAZ.com (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0800)
Lonestar announced as 2021 Cherry Blossom Festival concert ...
Macon's Pinkest Party is coming up in late March, but the festival is announcing who will headline the concert at Carolyn Crayton Park.
Yahoo News (Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0800)
'Cherry': Tom Holland goes dark in trailer for Russo Brothers crime ...
Britney Spears astonishes everyone with her dancing movements
Chris Hemsworth and his brother Liam Hemsworth have aged too much lately
Katie Price Plans to Put 18-Year-Old Son Harvey in a Full-Time Care ...
Katie Price's Children Have Been Her Source of Joy Amid Three ...
About Paula Mills
Paula is an international teacher & blogger, sound channeler, visionary artist, and author.
Contact me: mail@audranorth.com
© 2020 by Paula Mills


The 41st parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 41 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane.
As originally set by King Charles II of England in 1664, the point at which the 41st parallel crosses the Hudson River marks the northeastern border of New Jersey with New York. New Jersey's northern border then proceeds west to the eastern-most point of the Delaware River.


Life Structures is a Building Company with multi skilled workers. The company was launched in 2007 as a direct continuation of the former Sutherland Structures which had traded since 1995 Prior to 1995 the Director studied and worked in the Structural Design field.
We have been around under the same management for over 20 years so you can be assured we will be around for many years to come. This should give clients peace of mind that we have plenty of experience. This also means we will be there for you should something need attending-to after completion.
"Life Structures has been the building contractor on many of my professional projects, and on all of my personal renovation projects. I really cannot recommend Mark and his team highly enough. Mark's attention to detail in both preparation and construction stages is second to none, his diplomatic interpersonal skills mean there are no contentious issues, and his willingness to take on challenging briefs results in Life Structures realising some really fine work."
"I have worked with Mark Farrugia and his team on two separate projects in 2015. Mark provides attention to detail that is difficult to find in the building industry, particularly from builders. He is enthusiastic and flexible which our clients appreciate when it comes to on site specifications and variations. Nothing is too difficult for Mark, and I have found his approach to always be positive and responsive. From a consultation and cost preparation point of view, Mark offers a process to clients that address ALL their requested specifications and he does not try to 'sugar coat' the reality of the associated costs. His transparent approach is again refreshing. I look forward to referring Mark to many more of my clients in 2016 and beyond. Thank you."
"As a rookie in building my first knock down/rebuild house, there have been many things to learn along the journey. But the No. 1 important out take in having a stress free build is choosing a good builder, one that you can trust, has great communication skills and works with you. Mark and his team at Life Structures have been a great choice in these respects. We were also fortunate to have Tim Day from Life Structure as our onsite manager during the whole project who ensured things where followed through and became an invaluable day to day contact for the many things that popup during the project . These are a down to earth team that communicate well and deliver most importantly a high quality job with their workmanship. Both myself and my partner enjoyed working with them on our project and I wouldn't hesitate to use Mark and his team for any projects we embark on in the future!"
"I couldn't recommend Mark and his team at Life Structures any higher after giving them the contract to build a high-end apartment block in Bondi Beach for me. The Life Structures team are extremely professional, efficient, hard working and a polite. My project was quite challenging due to the constraints of the site on a busy intersection in Bondi Beach. However Life Structures ensured that the project came in on-time and on-budget, with the work being carried out to highest possible standards. Life Structures truly exceeded my high expectations."
"Life Structures provided a quality build with minimal stress. Mark kept us client well informed so there were no 'surprises'."


text:
JBG is season's first man of the match
Tony Scholes August 18, 2021 JBG is season's first man of the match2021-08-18T11:33:13+00:00
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson completed ninety minutes just four times during the 2020/21 season, but he's had a good pre-season and given his performance against Brighton four days ago there will be hopes he can have an injury free season.
His performance has won him both the man of the match vote and the player ratings, and he was the only player, other than the back four points, to collect points towards the Up the Clarets Player of the Year as the season kicked off.
He was a clear winner for the man of the match, polling 49% of the vote. He was followed by left-back Charlie Taylor, who secured a 17% share, and then the two central defenders James Tarkowski and Ben Mee who won 16% and 5% of the vote respectively.
In the player ratings, he won a rating of 7.10 out of 10, the only player to score more than seven for a good performance. Tarkowski was second with 6.85 and Mee third with 6.48. Taking fourth place was Matt Lowton who had a rating of 6.44 out of 10.
Therefore, the first player of the year points of the season go to Guðmundsson (10), Tarkowski (5), Mee & Taylor (3) and Lowton (1).
The next vote will be underway this Saturday following our first away game of the season at Liverpool.
49% – Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson
17% – Charlie Taylor
16% – James Tarkowski
5% – Ben Mee
3% – Matt Lowton
2% – Ashley Barnes & Nick Pope
2% – Jay Rodriguez & Ashley Westwood
1% – Jack Cork
1% – Dwight McNeil
1% – Chris Wood
7.10 – Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson
6.85 – James Tarkowski
6.48 – Ben Mee
6.44 – Matt Lowton
6.35 – Nick Pope
5.98 – Charlie Taylor
5.79 – Dwight McNeil
5.77 – Ashley Westwood
5.67 – Chris Wood
5.65 – Jack Cork
5.27 – Jay Rodriguez
4.27 – Ashley Barnes
UP THE CLARETS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
10: Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson
5: James Tarkowski
3: Ben Mee & Charlie Taylor
1: Matt Lowton
« David Jones back in football with Wrexham
No loans yet for partner club Ayr »


text:
Stop Policing the World
September 3, 2015 By Richard C. Young
The 2016 presidential election offers Americans a chance to get back on the right track regarding how America works with other countries.
The Cato Institute's website provides a foreign and defense policy mission statement that seeks to restore a principled and restrained foreign policy, calling on lessons learned from George Washington to Cold War realists like George Kennan.
In "Stop Policing the World," Cato writes:
Cato's foreign and defense policies are guided by the view that the United States is relatively secure, and so should engage the world, trade freely, and work with other countries on common concerns, but avoid trying to dominate it militarily. [Ed note: See The Power Problem by Chris Preble for more.] We should be an example of democracy and human rights, not their armed vindicator abroad. Although that view is largely absent in Washington, D.C. today, it has a rich history from George Washington to Cold War realists like George Kennan. Cato scholars aim to restore it. A principled and restrained foreign policy would keep the nation out of most foreign conflicts and be cheaper, more ethical, and less destructive of civil liberties.
This Is Not Going to Stop
The West Must Stop Intervening
Can Air Power Stop ISIS?
Boom—Your Life Changes
Victor Davis Hanson: How to Bust DC's Stronghold
How S.D. Surged in Vaccination Inoculations
The Three Best Retirement Decisions I Ever Made
California's Progressive Liberals Have Created a Monster
Escape From the City: You're Going to Like What You See
The Common Ground of Democracy is Sinking Beneath Americans' Feet
Your Life on Main Street will Never be the Same
Government Should Be Small, Laws Unobtrusive, and Men Left Alone
Gold/Silver Coins No Longer Allowed in Safe Deposit Boxes


text:
@interface CatalogViewController : ViewPagerController

@end