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– MGT492_Fritzfromlogististosupplychainmanagement.pdf
F R O M L O G I S T I C S T O S U P P L Y C H A I N M A N A G E M E N T:
T H E P A T H F O R WA R D I N T H E H U M A N I T A R I A N S E C T O R
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
The Scope, Importance and Challenge of Humanitarian LogisticsThe Humanitarian Context
HUMANITARIAN LOGISTICS: CORE CHALLENGES
CONCLUSION: LEARNING AS THE BASIS FOR STRATEGIC CONTRIBUTION
Case Studies on Humanitarian LogisticsArticles on Humanitarian Logistics
By Anisya S. Thomas, Ph.D.Managing Director, Fritz Institute
andLaura Rock Kopczak, Ph.D.
Copyright ©2005 Fritz Institute
On December 26, 2004, the earthquake in Sumatra and the destructive Tsunami that it unleashedriveted the attention of the entire world. Each day for the first two weeks, the toll of the deadand missing crept higher and heart-wrenching stories of devastated families beamed into the livingrooms of people in every country. The response was immediate and unprecedented amounts of reliefmoney were collected.
While the drama unfolded on television, the disaster relief infrastructure at the local, national andinternational levels sprang into action. Volunteers from the affected communities began to clear thedead, and relief agencies began to provide food and shelter to those made vulnerable. Internationalrelief agencies activated their assessment teams, and supplies to provide the basic necessities to largenumbers of people across a broad geographic span were ordered and transported from locationsaround the world.
Unfortunately, disaster relief is and will continue to be a growth market. Both natural and man-madedisasters are expected to increase another five-fold over the next fifty years due to environmentaldegradation, rapid urbanization and the spread of HIV/AIDS in the developing world. According tothe Munich Reinsurance group, the real annual economic losses have been growing steadily, averagingUS$75.5 billion in the 1960's, US$138.4 billion in the 1970's, US$213.9 billion in the 1980's andUS$659.9 billion in the 1990's.
One of the notable aspects of the relief efforts following the 2004 Asian Tsunami was the publicacknowledgement of the role of logistics in effective relief. In the immediate aftermath of the Tsunami,as relief goods flooded airports and warehouses in the affected regions, aid agencies struggled to sortthrough, store and distribute the piles of supplies while disposing of those that were inappropriate. InSri Lanka, the sheer number of cargo-laden humanitarian flights overwhelmed the capacity to handlegoods at the airport. Downstream, relief agencies struggled to locate warehouses to store excess inven-tory. In India, transportation pipelines were bottlenecked. In Indonesia, the damaged infrastructurecombined with the flood of assistance from the military representatives from several countries andlarge numbers of foreign aid agencies created a coordination and logistical nightmare. As a EuropeanAmbassador at a post-Tsunami donor conference said, "We don't need a donors conference, we need alogistics conference."1 Similarly, a spokesman for Doctors Without Borders, announcing their decisionnot to accept any more money for the relief operations, said "What is needed are supply managerswithout borders: people to sort goods, identify priorities, track deliveries and direct the traffic of arelief effort in full gear."2 Humanitarian logistics, the function that is charged with ensuring the effi-cient and cost-effective flow and storage of goods and materials for the purpose of alleviating the suf-fering of vulnerable people, came of age during this Tsunami relief effort.
Our research has shown, however, that only a handful of aid agencies have prioritized the creation ofhigh-performing logistics and supply chain operations. For most aid agencies, environmental factors,such as the unpredictability of disasters and the nature of funding, have resulted in operations withhigh employee-turnover rates, fragmented technology, poorly-defined manual processes, and a lack ofinstitutional learning over time. As a result, relief operations are not as efficient and effective as theycould be and relief to beneficiaries is delayed or reduced.
1 Understanding Humanitarian Supply Chains
I N T R O D U C T I O N
1 New York Times, January 6, 2005. 2 Economist.com Global Agenda, January 5, 2005.
This paper provides background on the current state of logistics in the humanitarian environment andthe factors that have limited the evolution of knowledge and the performance of supply chains forhumanitarian relief. We consider the external pressures that aid agencies are feeling from donors, localhumanitarian organizations, governments and corporations, as well as the internal limitations that haveimpeded progress in logistics. We then recommend five strategies that together define a path forwardfor aid agencies with regards to logistics.3
The Scope, Importance and Challenge of Humanitarian Logistics
Humanitarian Logistics is defined as the process of planning, implementing and controlling the effi-cient, cost-effective flow and storage of goods and materials, as well as related information, from thepoint of origin to the point of consumption for the purpose of alleviating the suffering of vulnerablepeople. The function encompasses a range of activities, including preparedness, planning, procure-ment, transport, warehousing, tracking and tracing, and customs clearance4.
Humanitarian Logistics is central to disaster relief for several reasons. First, it is crucial to the effective-ness and speed of response for major humanitarian programs, such as health, food, shelter, water, andsanitation. Second, with procurement and transportation included in the function, it can be one of themost expensive parts of a relief effort. Third, since the logistics department handles tracking of goodsthrough the supply chain, it is often the repository of data that can be analyzed to provide post-eventlearning. Logistics data reflects all aspects of execution, from the effectiveness of suppliers and trans-portation providers, to the cost and timeliness of response, to the appropriateness of donated goodsand the management of information. Thus, it is critical to the performance of both current and futureoperations and programs.
The importance of logistics to humanitarian relief can be illustrated by the efforts of the InternationalFederation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to provide assistance to the Indian RedCross after the Gujarat earthquake. On January 26, 2001 a 7.9 Richter earthquake struck Gujarat,where 41 million people were preparing to celebrate Republic Day in India. Thousands of people werekilled, the local airport was destroyed, the infrastructure severely damaged, and very little informationwas available in the early stages of the disaster. Nonetheless, within the first 30 days of the earthquake,along with the assistance of 35 partner organizations, the International Federation of the Red Cross'sLogistics Emergency Unit arranged the delivery of 255,000 blankets, 34,000 tents, 120,000 plasticsheets, and large quantities of other items such as kitchen sets that were distributed to beneficiaries bythe Indian Red Cross. More than 300 other global, national, regional and local NGOs and UN agen-cies similarly mobilized their staffs and resources.
Thus, the supply chain for relief is the ultimate sense-and-respond supply chain. Once a disasteroccurs, an aid agency sends in a team of experts to complete an initial assessment of the extent of thedamage and the number of people affected. The assessment forms the basis for an appeal that lists spe-cific items and quantities needed to provide immediate relief to the affected populations. Emergencystocks of standard relief items are sent in from the nearest relief warehouses. Calls are made to tradi-tional government donors and the public and commitments for cash and/or in-kind donations secured.
Understanding Humanitarian Supply Chains 2
3 The views presented here are based on extensive research conducted by Fritz Institute over the past three years, including case studies, interviews andconferences with the leading humanitarian relief organizations, technology and process development with select aid agencies, and surveys conductedduring the Tsunami relief operations in South Asia.
4 The definition and tasks of logistics was based on a Fritz Institute sector-wide survey of humanitarian logisticians from headquarters and the field thatworked with a broad range of humanitarian organizations.
Suppliers and logistics providers are lined up, and the mobilization of goods from across the globebegins. When supplies arrive, local transportation, warehousing and distribution have to be organized.This is a tremendous feat to accomplish, given the remote places in which disasters tend to occur, theuniqueness of the requirements for each disaster in terms of both expertise and goods, and the factthat the disaster site is often in a state of chaos. Physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges and air-ports are often destroyed. National and local government, through which humanitarian organizationsmust often coordinate their activities, may be severely impacted, or even uprooted in the case of aconflict situation. Transport capacity may be extremely limited, or non-existent.
The Humanitarian Context
Aid agencies are the primary vehicle through which governments channel as much as $6 billion inannual aid targeted at alleviating suffering caused by natural and manmade disasters5. Relief is, unfortu-nately, a growth market: the period from 1990 to 2000 saw total humanitarian aid from governmentsdouble in real terms from approximately $2.1 billion to $5.9 billion6. In the aftermath of the Tsunami,it is estimated that the aid budget might actually have grown to $12 billion. While the largest aidagencies are global in scale, there are also many smaller regional and country-specific aid agencies.
Most global aid agencies engage in a mix of development and relief activities on a large scale7. The2004 budgets of the top 10 aid agencies exceeded $14 billion. Relief refers to the emergency food,shelter and services provided in the immediate aftermath of a natural or man-made disaster. An exam-ple of relief would be the initial 90-120 days of services provided by the various humanitarian organi-zations to assist the people affected by the Tsunami in December 2004. By contrast, developmentrefers to the longer-term aid aimed at creating self-sufficiency and sustainability of a community. Anexample of a development program would be the Area Development Programs executed by WorldVision India to feed and school children and teach women basic business skills in the slum areas out-side Chennai in southern India.
Most international aid flows from the world's wealthiest countries to relief efforts in developing coun-tries, although countries like India are now both donors and recipients of aid. Large governmentaldonors exert a strong influence over the sector, as they provide the bulk of the funding for major reliefand development activities. Prominent among these donors are the United States and the EuropeanUnion, whose contributions have represented roughly 33% and 10% of total humanitarian aid, respec-tively, in recent years. Other western European countries, Canada, Japan and Australia are also majordonors to aid agencies in the business of responding to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.In recent years, foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, individual donors and theprivate sector have also become important sources of funds for aid agencies.
The international aid agencies receiving donations from this global community fall into three cate-gories: entities operating under the United Nations' umbrella such as the World Health Organization(WHO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), international organiza-tions such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), whichoperate as a federation with country offices that are auxiliary to country governments, and global non-
5 Financing International Humanitarian Action: A Review of Key Trends, Humanitarian Policy Group briefing paper, November 2002.6 Financing International Humanitarian Action: A Review of Key Trends, Humanitarian Policy Group briefing paper, November 2002.7 For purposes of this report, the focus will be on disaster relief in the aftermath of a natural disaster or humanitarian emergency. Although we acknowledgethe critical importance of development, the dynamism and velocity of the relief scenario present specific exigencies which merit investigation.
governmental organizations (NGOs) like CARE and World Vision. NGOs also maintain countryoffices, but their offices are not affiliated with the country governments.
As Figure 1 indicates, the funding from donor governments to the populations affected by disasters inrecipient countries flows through many different types of organizations before it reaches the end bene-ficiary.
Donations from each country are channeled through the international aid agencies to local partners inthe affected countries. In most cases, it is these partners closest to the affected population and of thesame culture that provide the relief services to the affected populations.
Two main external factors impinge on the growth and operations of international humanitarian relieforganizations. First, the number of disasters and the number of simultaneous operations around theworld are increasing, stretching the existing resources of the humanitarian community. It is clear thatthe sector as a whole has to find ways to become more efficient in order to be able to respond to theneeds of ever-increasing numbers of people.
Second, donors are becoming increasingly demanding with respect to performance and impact. Withan increasing number of aid agencies, the competition for donor funding is getting more intense, anddata demonstrating impact is likely to be the differentiator. Further, donors are becoming less tolerantof obvious and expensive duplication of effort and are strongly encouraging aid agencies to collaboratearound the creation of common services. As a consequence, aid agencies have become more aware ofthe need to strategically use their resources.
Figure 1. Humanitarian Sector Funding Flows8
8 Source: DAC report on the sector.
Donor Organizations
3rd Party MilitaryService Providers
GovernmentAgencies
General PublicDonor Countries
InternationalNGOs
General Public(Recipient Countries)
Local NGOs
Recipient CountryNational Red
Cross/Red CrescentSocieties
Red Cross Movement (ICRC, InternationalFederation, donorCountry National
Societies)
A f f e c t e d P o p u l a t i o n
Donor Governments
Our research over the last four years suggests that certain common challenges face the field ofhumanitarian logistics.Lack of Recognition of the Importance of Logistics: Most humanitarian organizations have twobroad categories of activities: programs and support services. Programs refers to the front-line activitiesin relief and development, the provision of services such as food, water, shelter, sanitation, etc. Supportservices refer to the activities of the "back room", which support the front line: logistics, technology,finance, communication, human-resources, etc. Funds are usually allocated by donors to programs witha certain percentage allowed for administration, which includes support. Thus, the focus is on short-term direct relief rather than investment in systems and processes that will reduce expenses or makerelief more effective over the long-term. As a consequence, logistics and other support services maynot have adequate funding for strategic disaster preparedness, and investing in infrastructure, such asinformation systems, is discouraged.
A related challenge has to do with the fact that most decisions during a relief operation are made bythe program staff who control the budget. The assessment team sent to determine the needs of thepopulation affected by a disaster or humanitarian crisis often does not include a logistician. Based onthe assessment, the program staff determine the supplies that need to be procured in order to providerelief services, and then inform logistics that they are responsible for the immediate procurement andtransport to the field. Our survey of the largest aid agencies after the Tsunami showed that 42% of theassessment teams did not include a logistician. Since, as seen in the Tsunami response, logisticians areoften not consulted in the decision process, some of the logistics bottlenecks are not anticipated andplanned for causing unnecessary delays in delivering relief.
Lack of Professional Staff: In general, humanitarian organizations are defined by their personnel,who share a common value system based on alleviating the suffering of those affected by disasters andhumanitarian emergencies. People who choose a career in this world come from diverse and variedbackgrounds and are driven by a desire to resolve crises and do good in the world. They achievedtheir positions by trial and error and have honed their valuable skills through experience in multipledisaster theaters over several decades. However, the vast majority of people with logistics responsibili-ties do not have training in logistics. While this is changing in large multilateral organizations, thetrend toward the "professionalization" of logistics has been slow to take hold as field experience is con-sidered much more valuable than formal training in logistics.
Also, as the operations of international humanitarian organizations expand to simultaneously includemultiple geographies, organizations are struggling to find people who can manage the complex supplychains of relief. For example, in order to effectively respond to the Tsunami, 88% of large aid agenciessurveyed had to pull their most qualified staff from the ongoing humanitarian operations in Darfur.
In conjunction with Erasmus University and APICs, a widely recognized training and certification body forcommercial logistics, Fritz Institute conducted a survey of approximately 300 humanitarian logisticians atthe field, regional and headquarters levels of major humanitarian organizations. The purpose was to identi-fy existing training and certification programs and the range of logistics functions that they encompassed.Respondents to the survey (92 respondents) represented a wide variety of organizations including the UN,the Red Cross movement and international and regional NGOs from headquarters as well as the field.
H U M A N I TA R I A N L O G I S T I C S : C O R E C H A L L E N G E S
Over 90% of the respondents indicated that they felt training was directly linked to performance onthe job and that standardized training would be useful in the field. However, only 73% had access toany logistics training while 27% had no such access. For those with access, training was most often provided by co-workers on the job or by in-house training staff. However, respondents noted that jobtraining within organizations tended to be non-standardized, with the content largely dependent on thetrainer. The respondents indicated frustration with lack of consistency in training, lack of ways tomeasure the effectiveness of training, lack of funding for training, and lack of specific training inhumanitarian logistics.
Inadequate Use of Technology: Our survey of logisticians that participated in the Tsunami reliefoperations showed that only 26% of the respondents had access to any tracking and tracing software.The remainder used Excel spreadsheets or manual processes for updates and tracking of the goodsarriving in the field. Despite this, 58% stated that they received accurate and timely information ofwhat was in the pipeline!
In the private sector, supply chain technology has enabled the transformation of the logistics functionfrom a peripheral to a strategic one. By accumulating data about the supply chain, decision makershave new ways to create efficiencies. Historical data also allows greater effectiveness through thetracking of supplier performance, cycle times, inventory levels and turns, etc. In the humanitarian sec-tor however, logistics and supply chain management is still largely manual. The inability of IT staff atheadquarters to understand the imperatives of the field, the primacy of financial managers in decisionsabout software used in organizations, and the need to keep networks secure are the main reasons thathumanitarian logisticians cite as the cause of the slow evolution of IT.
Lack of Institutional Learning: The intensity of relief efforts, high turnover and the crisis-orientednature of disaster response creates an environment in which there is a lack of institutional learning.Once a crisis is dealt with, aid workers are immediately assigned to the next mission, rather than tak-ing the time needed to reflect and improve. Or they leave. Input from the organizations we inter-viewed suggested that turnover of field logistics personnel was as high as 80% annually. Thus, whilelogisticians have a remarkable track record for getting the job done under the most adverse andextreme circumstances, the lessons learned from one disaster to the next are often lost. The experienceof the occasional veteran logistician is largely tacit and difficult to communicate to the next genera-tion, nor is it transferred from one field context to another.
Limited Collaboration: With the emerging competition for funding among major relief organiza-tions, the heads of logistics tend to each fight their own battles with little collaboration. Althoughmany of them face the same challenges and know each other, or of each other, they do not often meetor talk to one another except during an actual disaster response operation. For example, we found thatseveral of them were thinking of deploying a regional warehouse structure for faster response.Coincidentally, three were actually talking with warehouse providers in the same city. Similarly, twoothers had commissioned expensive analyses to select a fleet management system and three werewrestling with the idea of a training program for field logisticians. None knew that their counterpartshad the same objectives and, therefore, there was little collaboration or resource sharing. Similarly, inthe Tsunami relief operations we found that just over half the logisticians (56%) reported working withother agencies in setting up their supply chains.
Today's underdeveloped state of logistics in the humanitarian sector is much like corporate logisticswas 20 years ago. At that time, corporate logistics suffered from underinvestment, a lack of recog-nition, and the absence of a fulfilling, professional career path for people performing the logistics func-tion. Over the last 20 years, corporate logistics has found its voice with top management. Under therubric of supply chain management, it has established itself as a core discipline whose best practicesare taught and researched at top business schools and promulgated by leading consulting firms.
In our conversations and convenings we ask logisticians from global, national and regional organiza-tions about their aspirations for themselves and their function. It is not surprising that their most sig-nificant priority is a knowledge-based field with a clear career track, collaboration with peers acrossorganizations and the ability to demonstrate the value of logistics with unambiguous measures andmetrics that tie with organizational strategy. The way for logistics to strengthen its power and be rec-ognized is by showing results and systemic improvement by clearly demonstrating over time how it iscontributing to the aid agency and responding to external pressures.
The Five Strategies
This section details five strategies we recommend for moving forward to improve humanitarian logis-tics. For each strategy we detail ways in which humanitarian logisticians can learn from each other,but also where they can draw upon the increasing interest in humanitarian logistics by academics andthe corporate sector. Figure 2 and Table 1 show the relationship between the challenges and the strategies and how each strategy addresses particular pain points. The five strategies each contribute as follows:
Creating a professional logistics community will enable humanitarian logisticians to share knowl-edge and experience on common issues and to create a consistent, powerful voice with all the stake-holders in the sector.
Investing in standardized training and certification will help build a pool of logistics professionalsthat share common processes and vocabulary, promoting professionalism and collaboration.
Focusing on metrics and performance measurement will empower logisticians to demonstrate andimprove the effectiveness of the humanitarian supply chains.
Communicating the strategic importance of logistics will enable logisticians to create awareness ofthe contribution that logistics makes and to obtain needed funding and resources.
Developing flexible technology solutions will improve responsiveness by creating visibility of thematerials pipeline and increasing the effectiveness of people and processes. Furthermore, advancedinformation systems will create the infrastructure for knowledge management, performance measure-ment and learning.
The remainder of this section discusses each of the five strategies in more detail.
T H E P AT H F O R WA R D
FIGURE 2. Development of a Path Forward
Table 1. How the Five Strategies Address the Pain Points
Creating a Professional Logistics Community
Creating a professional logistics community will provide logisticians from different organizations theopportunity to share knowledge and experience. A community of logisticians coming together consis-tently will also increase the recognition of the function.
The annual Humanitarian Logistics Conference, sponsored by Fritz Institute, has been active for 3years. Through the conference, high-level logistics managers from over 40 aid agencies haveexchanged ideas and fostered initiatives in areas of common interest such as information technology,
EXTERNAL PRESSURES• Increasing needs
• Increasing donor expectations
• Calls for accountability
PAIN POINTS• Lack of recognition• Lack of professional staff• Inadequate technology• Lack of institutional learning• Limited collaboration
THE PATH FORWARD1. Create a professional logistics
community 2. Invest in standardized training3. Focus on performance
measurement4. Communicate the strategic value
of logistics5. Develop flexible technology
Create a professionallogistics community
Invest in standardizedtraining
Focus on performancemeasurement
Strategically commu-nicate the importanceof logistics
Develop flexible tech-nology solutions
Lack of Recognition
Lack ofProfessional
InadequateTechnology
Lack ofInstitutionalLearning
Limited Collaboration
performance management, and training. This group has now expressed its desire to expand into a pro-fessional association where members will identify priorities for the field and methods to collaborativelyaddress those priorities.
A professional association can act as a clearinghouse for innovations by: 1. Engaging the skills of a network of academics, humanitarian logisticians and private sector
professionals with experience in back-room operations2. Building a repository of accumulated research and knowledge about logistics and supply
chain management in the humanitarian sector3. Creating common standards, guidelines and/or service requirements that can then be com-
municated with one voice to donors, technology partners, suppliers, and logistics service providers
Humanitarian logistics managers must work actively to make the association a useful, vital network. Inparticular, they must choose initiatives for the association to work on that are critically important.They must then invest the time and effort needed to support and gain from the initiatives while lever-aging the expertise and resources of the group. This will require more frequent, intense communicationand coordination among group members. It will also require a continual reflection about how thegroup can be used to support an individual organization's goals. This is especially true of long-term ini-tiatives, for which the group must spend the time needed to ensure that goals and direction that areestablished up front are truly in line with the needs of individual organizations.
Corporate logisticians have long participated in multiple communities of practice. The biggest and bestknown is the Council of Logistics Management (which recently changed its name to the Council ofSupply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP)), which hosts an annual educational conferencethat is attended by 5,000-7,000 people from a broad range of industries. Other examples of communi-ties of practice include academic roundtables or forums, councils led by particular logistics providers orconsulting firms, and industry-specific groups. Based on this experience, corporate logisticians cancontribute not only by sharing logistics knowledge and best practices, but also by sharing successfulapproaches to interacting as a community as well. There may also be opportunities to connect thehumanitarian logistics communities with corporate logistics communities such as CSCMP.
Academicians can also contribute by supporting the association's role as a clearinghouse for academicresearch relating to humanitarian logistics. As detailed in the Appendix9, academics have written anumber of teaching cases and articles that document and create awareness of the concerns and prac-tices of the sector, thereby increasing the visibility and understanding of the field to new audiences.
Investing in Standardized Training
It is also clear to the community of logisticians with whom we collaborate that progressive training andeventually a standardized, externally recognized certification program are needed to create a market-place of professionals able to meet the requirements of organizations in the humanitarian sector.
The benefits of a comprehensive, sector-specific logistics training and certification program are numer-ous, including:
9 The Appendix lists selected recent articles and teaching cases related to humanitarian logistics.
Understanding Humanitarian Supply Chains 10
• Improved communication and cooperation across agencies and with donors as a result of standardized catalogs, terminology and processes
• Increased career mobility and job satisfaction for logisticians in the sector• A pool of trained logisticians whose skills have been externally verified, providing agencies
and donors with greater hiring flexibility and options
Formalizing knowledge will overcome, to some extent, the lack of institutional knowledge that occursbecause of high employee turnover, by capturing and disseminating knowledge in an organized way.To the extent that the various multinational aid agencies face similar logistics tasks and similar chal-lenges, it seems natural to approach knowledge management through a community of practice.Common training and the use of tools like e-learning would open up the possibility of creating a cadre of logisticians in the field, and so promote standardized logistics practices and in-country logistics capacity.
The logisticians who have participated in Fritz Institute's Humanitarian Logistics Conference haveembarked on an initiative to create and implement a certification program in humanitarian logistics.The group has identified the following topics as relevant to all international aid agencies: managing ahumanitarian response, humanitarian supply chains, procurement, warehousing and inventory manage-ment, transport, fleet management and import/export procedures.
This is an ideal area in which to collaborate with corporate and academic partners, who have alreadyestablished formalized logistics training programs within their companies and at universities. By work-ing together, the community can leverage previous development of course content, as well as deliveryprocesses, to the greatest extent possible, while customizing as needed for the humanitarian sector.Corporate logisticians and academics may also take on the training itself, by hosting e-classroom ses-sions on their servers and by providing live trainers. Last, academics may help by developing trainingmaterials unique to humanitarian logistics. Electronic technology providers may develop unique deliv-ery mechanisms that work well in remote areas and at or near response sites.
Metrics and Performance Measurement
In general, humanitarian relief organizations have focused on "getting the job done" and have put littleeffort into performance measurement other than reporting to donors on the amount of relief and usageof funds for a given relief operation. Furthermore, learning has been approached on an ad-hoc basis,through post-operation evaluations, rather than through a structured process of continuous improve-ment, as has been used successfully in the corporate sector since the 1980's. The transformation oflogistics from a peripheral function to a strategic one in the private sector can be traced back to thetime when logisticians began to be able to measure and communicate their value. The Plan-Do-Check-Act improvement process that is commonly used in the private sector could be quite useful whenapplied to humanitarian logistics.
As backbone information systems are implemented, aid agencies will have the capability to measureperformance across operations and to use measurement information in the same ways that informationis used in the corporate world. If the use of metrics is leveraged, aid agencies will be able to:
•Use actual performance as input into future operational plans•Identify and eliminate causes of performance breakdowns
11 Understanding Humanitarian Supply Chains
• Use analysis of current performance to inform continuous improvement of processes• Use actual data to strengthen voice with donors, suppliers and logistics service providers• Report performance to donors and the media to enhance the reputation and image of logis-
tics and of the aid agency
Since aid agencies execute their work as a series of projects (operations), performance measurementbest practices from corporations that also operate in project-based environments could be examined asstarting points for developing performance measurement at aid agencies. In any case, work must bedone to create measurement across relief projects (operations).
Academia has broad literature and much experience with performance measurement, project manage-ment and continuous improvement. Academics could partner with corporations and aid agencies tohelp tailor corporate approaches to the humanitarian environment.
Communicating the Strategic Importance of Logistics
Having created an organizational environment in which performance is measured, knowledge is builtand kept, systemic improvement occurs rapidly, and communities share and leverage their capabilities,logistics managers must take their story to all stakeholders – donors, their own organizations, corpo-rate partners and the media – regularly and with pride. This will allow the logistics organization toshowcase its contribution and garner continued support and resources to further develop and improve.
Within an individual aid agency, Logistics must update the logistics team, the operations managers andtop management regularly about its performance and the initiatives that it is taking to improve per-formance. Logistics must position its initiatives within the context of what other aid agencies aredoing. This will demonstrate to top management that Logistics is taking advantage of all availableideas and technology and is setting the organization up to compete against other aid agencies basedon a competitive advantage in logistics.
Similarly, the logistics community in the aid sector must find ways to paint a picture for donors andthe public demonstrating how timeliness and cost-effectiveness of relief delivery is improving overtime, insuring that donations are well-spent. Logistics must detail how improvement initiatives havetranslated to increases in efficiency, so that donors become increasingly motivated to fund not onlyoperations, but improvement initiatives as well.
Agencies should use communication strategies that highlight success stories. This may be donethrough internal presentations or through written articles and case studies that engage the media oracademic world. The recent issue of Forced Migration Review10 that focused on humanitarian logisticshighlighted the importance of logistics and presented many vivid examples that illustrated the role oflogistics in speed and effectiveness of response. It also showcased how aid agencies were using post-event learning to shape debate about allocation of resources to logistics.
The private sector can help the humanitarian logisticians communicate the importance of logistics bysponsoring and participating in joint conferences. Humanitarian logisticians can use these venues asways to explore new approaches and find examples to convey to their own management the strategicpotential of logistics. The participation of academics can also be crucial in validating the value of
10 Forced Migration Review 18, September 2003.
logistics through the publication of articles and case studies.
Developing Flexible Technology Solutions
Humanitarian relief organizations have a common need for integrated information technology (IT)solutions that support procurement, distribution through a pipeline, tracking and tracing of goods andfunds, flexible and robust reporting, and connectivity in the field. Procurement involves global sourc-ing, drop shipment, using commercial transportation and third-party logistics firms, chartering aircraftor procuring local transportation such as mules and donkeys, tracking shipments, and monitoringprices for commodities around the world. The IFRC/ ICRC catalog of relief items includes 6,000 itemsfrom cranial drills for surgery at disaster sites to plastic sheeting for shelter. The UNICEF warehouse inCopenhagen includes an inventory of US$22 million in relief supplies at any given time; these suppliesare procured from over 1,000 vendors worldwide.
Despite the complexity of humanitarian logistics, manual processes still dominate and IT resources thatcould enhance information availability, reporting and learning are often not effectively leveraged.Some of the deficiencies of current systems include:
• Data must be written out onto multiple forms and keyed into multiple spreadsheets• Budget control is inadequate; funds may be misspent as a result• Usage of funds is not tracked to the extent that donors have requested• Procurement procedures are difficult to enforce; integrity is lacking• Tracking and tracing of shipments is done manually using spreadsheets• There is no central database of history on prices paid, transit times, or quantities
received/purchased• Reports are done manually, therefore little reporting and performance analysis is performed,
other than reporting to donors on quantities of relief items delivered for a given operation
Developing flexible technology solutions will improve responsiveness by creating visibility of thematerials pipeline and increasing the effectiveness of people and processes.
Furthermore, advanced information systems will create the infrastructure for knowledge management,performance measurement and learning. Information systems can be used to provide online catalogsfor correspondence and communication with suppliers and other partners, for performance measure-ment based on transaction history, and as a basis for collaboration.
While existing ERP and track and trace information systems may not be directly used for humanitarianrelief, many individual transactions and operational processes do carry over directly. Previous workdone by the corporate sector to standardize transaction, processes, and information systems may behelpful to the humanitarian community. Approaches to specifying, developing, implementing andmeasuring the performance of information systems also carry over. Thus, corporate logisticians and ITprofessionals may contribute by sharing experience and best practices, and by donating time to manag-ing development of information systems for the humanitarian context. Corporate IT professionals mayalso share their experiences with communications technology used in remote areas with minimal infra-structure.
C O N C L U S I O N
Learning as the Basis for Strategic Contribution
Humanitarian logistics has the opportunity to increase its contribution to disaster relief and to be rec-ognized for that contribution by implementing initiatives in the areas of knowledge management,technology, measurement, community, and positioning. While moving relief items to disaster sites willcontinue to be an important role for logistics, the strategic focus must be on providing timely informa-tion, analyzing that information to garner insight as to how to improve operations, and learning inter-nally and with others. Establishing a community that shares and invests jointly in advancing the fieldcan leverage each logistician's efforts many-fold. It is through these two mechanisms of informationand community that humanitarian logistics can find its voice and create its future, rather than limititself to responding to the present.
Case Studies on Humanitarian Logistics
Managing Information in Humanitarian Crises: The UNJLC Website, Rolando M. Tomasini & Luk Van Wassenhove(April 2005)Can Heroes be Efficient?, Laura R. Kopczak & M. Eric Johnson (October 2004)The TPG-WFP Partnership II – Learning How To Dance, Ramina Samii & Luk Van Wassenhove (April 2004)Genetically Modified Food Donations and the Cost of Neutrality: Logistics Response to the 2002 Food Crisis in Southern Africa,Rolando M. Tomasini & Luk Van Wassenhove (March 2004)Moving the World: The TPG-WFP Partnership I – Looking for a Partner, Rolando M. Tomasini & Luk Van Wassenhove(February 2004)Coordinating Disaster Logistics after El Salvador's Earthquakes, Rolando M. Tomasini & Luk Van Wassenhove(October 2003) Logistics: Moving the Seeds of a Brighter Future (UNJLC's Second Year in Afghanistan), Ramina Samii & Luk VanWassenhove (September 2003)The United Nations Joint Logistical Center: The Afghanistan Crisis, Ramina Samii & Luk Van Wassenhove (May 2003)The United Nations Joint Logistical Center: The Genesis of a Humanitarian Relief Coordination Platform, Ramina Samii & LukVan Wassenhove (April 2003)Choreographer of Disaster Management: Preparing for Tomorrow's Disaster, Ramina Samii & Luk Van Wassenhove (2002)Choreographer of Disaster Management: The Gujarat Earthquake, Ramina Samii & Luk Van Wassenhove (2002)
Articles on Humanitarian Logistics
Forced Migration Review 18:Why Logistics?, Anisya Thomas (September 2003)The Academic Side of Commercial Logistics and the Importance of this Special Issue, Ricardo Ernst (September 2003)Humanitarian Logistics: Context and Challenges, Lars Gustavsson (September 2003)A Logistician's Plea, John Rickard (September 2003)Towards Improved Logistics: Challenges and Questions for Logisticians and Managers, Donald Chaikin (September 2003)UN Joint Logistics Centre: A Coordinated Response to Common Humanitarian Logistics Concerns, David B Kaatrud,Ramina Samii and Luk Van Wassenhove (September 2003)The Central Role of Supply Chain Management at IFRC, Bernard Chomilier, Ramina Samii and Luk VanWassenhove (September 2003)The World Food Programme: Augmenting Logistics, Peter Scott Bowden (September 2003)Logistics Under Pressure: UNICEF's Back to School Programme in Afghanistan, Paul Molinaro and Sandie Blanchet(September 2003)Coordination in the Great Lakes, George Fenton (September 2003)Lean Logistics: Delivering Food to Northern Ugandan IDPs, Margaret Vikki and Erling BratheimFood Aid Logistics and the Southern Africa Emergency, Jon Bennett, (September 2003)The Humanitarian Use of the Military, Rupert Wieloch (September 2003)Marrying Logistics and Technology for Effective Relief, H. Wally Lee and Marc Zbinden (September 2003)Humanitarian Mapping, Rupert Douglas-Bate (September 2003)Complex Emergency-Complex Finance, Guy Hovey and Diana Landsman (September 2003)
Forced Migration Review 22, Logistics Training: Necessity or Luxury, Anisya Thomas and MitsukoMizushima (January 2005)Asia-Pacific Development Review, Humanitarian Logistics: Matching Recognition with Responsibility, AnisyaThomas (June 2005)International Aid and Trade Review, Elevating Humanitarian Logistics, Anisya Thomas (January 2004)Forced Migration Review 21, Leveraging Private Expertise for Humanitarian Supply Chains, Anisya Thomas,(September 2004)
Fritz Institute
Fritz Institute addresses complex challenges in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to vulnerablepeople around the world by collaborating with the private and academic sectors to mobilize expertise,technology and resources. For additional information visit www.fritzinstitute.org.
Anisya S. Thomas, Ph.D.
A respected scholar, Dr. Thomas directs the global operations of Fritz Institute and its charge tostrengthen the infrastructures of humanitarian relief organizations. Her experiences in Asia, Europeand the U.S. have enabled her to delve into the dynamic social, economic and operational issues ofhumanitarian relief. An experienced consultant in strategic management, she also served as the co-founder and president of Tradami Logistics. Previously, Dr. Thomas was an associate professor ofstrategic management and international business at the Ryder College of Business Administration atFlorida International University and a visiting professor at the Stockholm School of Economics.
Laura Rock Kopczak, Ph.D.
Dr. Kopczak maintains an active consulting practice on Supply Chain Management, a field of businessin which she has over twenty years of experience. Until recently, she worked as a professor atStanford University and as co-director of the Stanford Global Supply Chain Management Forum. Dr.Kopczak has lived overseas in Japan and France and has taught in Switzerland, the Netherlands andHong Kong. Previous to working in academia, she worked ten years for Hewlett-Packard Company.
Eskorte luksus sex i haugesund – knuller sexfim | eskorte horten dating stavanger
– Handout and Rubric Innovation, Six Sigma & Sustainability


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Dover man charged in theft of rifle
POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office arrested a Dover Plains man on a charge of grand larceny in connection with a stolen rifle from the Town of Wappinger.
The theft was reported in late October with the Scott Sweeney, 39, of Dover Plains being identified as a potential suspect. He is accused of stealing the rifle and then selling it to another person.
Sweeney was arrested on November 21 and the rifle was recovered by detectives. He charged with felony grand larceny and sent to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.
Third generation Rolison seeks public office
Child abuse unit arrests sexual predator
Salem sentenced to sixty days in slammer for DWI conviction
Mother of girl who allegedly urged her to fight with another student is arrested
Common Council continues redistricting delays; criticized by commission chairman

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Anmatjere Local Authority meeting will be held at the Central Desert Delivery Office on Wednesday, 11 October 2017 at 2.00pm.
For more information please contact Peter van Heusden, Council Services Manager, on 8956 9933 or at peter.vanheusden@centraldesert.nt.gov.au.
Alternatively you can contact the Governance Team on 8958 9500.


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Spook Rock: Ghostbusters (1984)
Ray Parker, Jr., before 1984, was known mostly for R & B/pop crossovers like "You Can't Change That" & "A Woman Needs Love", recorded as "Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio". In 1984, Parker cemented his status in pop culture with the theme to "Ghostbusters", which would turn out to be his most successful hit, period. Parker hasn't been heard from much since then, though.
As you can see in clips from the movie, interspersed in the video, Slimer was introduced in the movie, leading to his (its?) becoming the team mascot in the subsequent cartoon series, The Real Ghostbusters (1986-91). The video features cameos not only by the film's stars (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, & Harold Ramis), but also by the likes of Chevy Chase, Irene Cara, John Candy, Carly Simon, Peter Falk, Danny DeVito, George Wendt (Cheers), and Al Franken, who back then looked suspiciously like he might have been separated at birth from Rick Moranis (who appeared in the movie as lawyer Louis Tully).
Labels: Musical Interlude, Spook Rock
magicdog said...
I'd never heard of Ray Parker, Jr. until this song came out.
My sister, cousin and I went to see GB in theatres back in the day and thought it was great! The video came out on MTV and we raved at the cameos from the cast memebers as well as the other celebs! We all screamed, the "Ghostbusters!" refrain whenever the video came on!!
Shotly after the song became a hit, MTV started pushing Parker's other songs like, "(I'm In Love With) The Other Woman" and "You Can't Change That". At the time I thought they were follow up songs of his, until I learned they were old releases.
hobbyfan said...
Well, you have to remember that Empty-V was late to the party in terms of showcasing R & B artists, so any pre-'84 material from Parker languished in the vaults until "Ghostbusters" hit.
Spook Rock: Thriller (1982)
Spook Rock: The Legend of Wooley Swamp (1981)
Dunce Cap Award: Tim Larsen
Spook Rock: Don't Drink the Water (1998)
Spook Rock: Everlasting Love (1989)
Weasel of the Week: Jace Lankow
The Panic Season has begun
Pete Rugolo (1915-2011)
Maybe he should start reading the papers.......
Rockin' Funnies: Bedrock Anthem (1993)
And, then, there were two: World Series 2011
Spook Rock: Dancing With Myself (1981)
How to price yourself out of the market in one eas...
Celebrity Rock: People Like Us (1986)
Worst. Raw. Ever. (10-10-11)
Musical Interlude: I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock & ...
Spook Rock: Men In Black (1997)
Al Davis (1929-2011)
Baseball's 2011 Final Four is set
The Dunce Cap Award: Hank Williams, Jr.
Weasel of the Week: "John Doe"
Charles Napier (1936-2011)
Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
Spook Rock: Somebody's Watching Me (1985)
Monday Night Raw: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly, 1...
Classic TV: The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961)
Spook Rock: Superstition (1986)
Weasel of the Week: Stuart Snyder
"Friday Night Lights" comes to Troy High


Please join us for a fun afternoon benefiting the Marysville Boys & Girls Club. You are invited to don your Seahawks apparel and enjoy an exciting silent auction & lunch while watching the Seahawks battle the Raiders in London. We will also be having a fund a need and other activities during the game! Food being catered by Bleachers at Cedarcrest Golf Course! $50 per person and with your purchase of a ticket, you will be entered into a drawing to win a 2007 Custom Painted Seahawks Dodge Charger R/T!!!


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The Body of Sex Approach
Campus Education
We were incredibly lucky to come across Sarah Byrden's work and her approach with The Body of Sex. Becasue we work so closely with young people, we felt a responsibility to inlcude sex-education in our Wellness Curriculum. In addition, our organization was experiencing sexual assault within it's student body and we felt ill-equipped to create an effective curriculum around sex and consent that we could integrate within our programs. We researched many options and possibilities and Sarah's work was by far the best we could find. Sarah created materials for us to use with our students that were powerful, disarming, effective, holistic and better than we ever imagined. Her materials were empowerfing and reliveing to our instructors becasue they didn't require them to become experts in sex or consent, but allowed them to champion this essential conversation. I recommend The Body of Sex wholeheartedly.
Scott Burnett, Pacific Discoveries Gap Year Program
I used the Body of Sex Digital Curriclum when issues with unhealthy masculinity arose in our group. The boys in our group didn't recognize or believe this was an issue, but after listening to Sarah's recordings, they realized how deeply engrained those ideas were, how they were connected to sex and consent and and how they had to do with everything. The recordings were super helpful- it was like having another facilitator step into the room, and Instead of needing to be the expert, I was able to bring in powerful material and then have a powerful discussion.
Jeff Wagner, Where There Be Dragons
The sense of calm in the room [during your lecture] was incredible considering some of those women were physically sick due to trauma in the 24 hours preceding your talk – I could not be more thankful.
Colorado College Administrator
I just want to thank you so much for coming and speaking. I am sure you can tell from the turn out and the sincerity with which my peers speak, but people my age (especially women) are really craving these kinds of conversations, especially with strong, adult women role models. I think you bring a certain literacy and vocabulary to the table to speak about these kind of issues that is important in itself just to begin having these dialogues, and secondly, for naming and identifying the very real experiences of sexual trauma, frustration, and insecurities women face here.
Student, Wesleyan University
You may or may not be surprised that most people in that room have probably never heard that they can be sexually empowered without having sex or that sex is beautiful. There is truly such a need for female empowerment, sexually and otherwise, and your words really made an impact for a lot of folks in the room. I know they did for me. Thank you.
I was deeply inspired by your talk and feel that you have a real, world-changing movement building. I think your outlook will provide the much searched for solution to issues of sexual culture on college campuses, and I hope that your voice will touch the lives of so many more.
One of your points that I found particularly relevant was about listening to your innermost voice and trusting that it will lead you in the right direction. Particularly when it comes to romantic relationships, I know that there have been many times where social pressures and the desire to fit in have drowned out that voice inside me. Your talk helped validate my instincts, which I hope will allow me to make better choices for me in the future.
It was a truly powerful seminar and your message really resonated with a lot of happenings and conversations on campus.
So much of what you said resonated deeply with me and came at a point in my life in which I badly needed to hear it.
Please know that [your work] has already made an impact in so many people's lives.
Student, Middlebury College
One of the biggest things that I got out of your talks was [about] the emotional connection..[that it] makes the relationship better physically and that is not something that men are ever told …And even if it is for one night, the ability to feel comfortable and have a deeper connection than just sexual intercourse is not something that men are told about, but that was definitely something valuable about your workshop.
Male Athlete, Amherst College
That was an amazing moment for me.. when you describe what it's like to be a man and express your sexuality. And how we're taught to behave in a very limited and certain way. I was able to self-reflect and learn that, "wow, she's right about that, that's exactly what it's like!" I was actually kind of stunned, because I was like, how is she speaking to the male experience but she personally hasn't possibly lived through this?
One of the best parts about what Sarah brought to CC: finally, a real person who wants to talk honestly and openly about the potentials and dangers of sex and sexuality, and is not bound to a strict code or rule book. It's safe to say that sexual assault and sexual encounters that are not 100% consensual and satisfying to both parties can be found in any college campus or small community…
Naya Hermann, Colorado College
I walked away from your all-female talk being absolutely blown away – by you, your poise, your openness, your ideas, what you shared and how. I felt so welcomed and whole in your workshop…Thank you so much for the work that you are doing… it's so important, I wish everyone at my school, every teenager, every human could be in those workshops…
I just want to say thank you SO much for coming to Middlebury to speak with all of us young individuals about sex, pleasure, and loving yourself. I think your work is extremely integral in empowering all individuals, regardless of gender, to take ownership of their body and really explore and enjoy it.
I was actually speechless leaving your talk….your talk really gave me a refresher on what it means to be a woman- and that is SO empowering. You were able to paint sex and sexuality in a positive light, encouraging conversation around a topic that, as you mention, is incredibly misrepresented in society. This is why your work is so important and should spread because it is essentially the Language Arts of sexuality.
I left your talk today brimming with emotion because over the course of an hour, I walked myself through every jarring, uncomfortable, wonderful or confusing sexual encounter I've ever had and managed to do something that I'd never even considered an option: forgive myself.
I experienced an inward compassion that I'd never allowed, where I acknowledged how important those negative sexual feelings were and suggested that there was a reason for them other than me being broken.
I'm not, nor have I ever been, broken.
When I decided to come to your talk today, it was mostly to ask how, as a feminist, I could ever enjoy sex again.
I left with the understanding, and the tools, to know that I can enjoy sex, not again, but, more likely, for the first time.
As I was processing all you said and how my view of sex, sexuality, pleasure, etc. was completely altered. When I talked to my boyfriend I found myself explaining that, although I am a woman, I literally know NOTHING about [my own anatomy] – I get the general idea of it's parts/shapes but when I am to reflect on it, I realized how little I actually knew. And
I feel so, so alive talking about this stuff. It's like the language I needed so badly. I'd love to find a way to learn more/continue this healing exploration of sexuality. I feel like the hour with you brought me to the cusp of learning this language, and I don't want to stop.
Having Sarah around me has helped me regain whatever confidence I lost, and then some. She radiates love and confidence and has inspired me to love every inch of myself physically and mentally. Sarah is so great at making the people around her feel loved.
18-year-old female
She just cares, and that is the best medicine.
18-year-old male
Sarah, It is because of you that I could care less about how I look. It is because of you that I have a new fire inside of me.
Something about the concepts she introduced soothed a part of me that had been agitated for a long time. Growing up in a society that looks on sex with shame and embarrassment, I never really knew how to appreciate sex, though clearly it's something that should be appreciated. [After your workshop] I feel more comfortable, aware, and empowered as a living creature, and I'm excited to continue developing my awareness in this realm.
JC- Male student
She has helped me to feel confident in this body that I have so frequently called ugly.
Sarah Byrden has a way of making you feel safe just by being present. She is one of the most inspirational and admirable people I have ever met. She has shown me the kind of person I hope to someday become.
I always felt safe with Sarah. She is so grounded and down to earth and she made me feel so comfortable.


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A guide to the energy industry technical safety regulatory framework administered by Building and Energy.
License Search Form If the search form has not loaded here, please follow this direct link to the search form .
This application form is used to apply for a variable speed drives permit.
This application form is used to apply for an imaging equipment permit.
This application form is used to apply for a university technician's electrical worker's permit.


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First Electric Trucks In The US Not From Tesla
by Jared Rosenholtz Trucks / Comments
American carmaker beaten to the punch.
Last year, Tesla announced its first ever all-electric semi truck, which offer serious levels of power and a driving range of up to 500 miles. The announcement was enough to convince companies to place orders, from companies like UPS, but we still don't know when the semi-truck will actually be available to purchase.
While these companies wait for Tesla to deliver the production version of the truck, Daimler (parent company of Mercedes-Benz) already revealed two electric Freightliners of its own and has just delivered the first example to its first customer, Penske Truck Leasing, in the United States.
The two trucks are not scheduled to go on sale until 2021 but Penske has just taken delivery of its first Freightliner eM2 in Los Angeles, where it will be tested in the real world for two years. With a massive 325 kWh battery, Daimler says the Freightliner eM2 develops 480 horsepower and an estimated range of 230 miles. Like the Tesla semi, this electric truck is ideal for local and last-mile deliveries. With any sort of electric vehicle, charging is a huge concern. Daimler claims the Freightliner eM2 can be charged to 80% capacity in just 60 minutes, resulting in a range of around 180 miles.
Why The Land Rover Defender Is The Best Off-Roader You Can Buy Right Now
In 2019, Penske will take delivery of 20 fully electric trucks from Daimler, split evenly between this medium-duty eM2 and the larger eCascadia, which uses a 550 kWh battery pack to provide 730 hp and a range of up to 250 miles. So while Tesla continues to make bold claims about its electric semi trucks, Daimler is actually delivering.
"Penske is honored to be the first company to put this new medium-duty electric truck into service," said Brian Hard, President and CEO of Penske Truck Leasing. "I commend and thank Roger Nielsen and his team at Daimler Trucks North America for their outstanding collaboration and spirit of co-creation with us over the last nine months to bring this innovative technology to market. Penske is committed to providing the most effective vehicle technologies to our customers and driving innovation and sustainability when it comes to mobility."
Tags: #Mercedes-Benz #Electric Vehicles #Trucks
2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC First Drive Review: Bright Spark
We take to Norwegian roads in the first production all-electric Mercedes.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow First Drive Review: Hey Mercedes, Take Me To Mars!
Thomas Geiger gives his impressions from behind the wheel of the futuristic Mercedes EQ Silver Arrow.


Using free weights is a time tested method of improving fitness. Weight can be adjusted to the individual's needs, for maximum workout effectiveness. Although they can be dangerous to someone using them by themselves, they have been proven to work. As long as you are using the proper technique, you can improve your fitness with free weights.
Think outside the box when it comes to your weight loss and fitness goals. Instead of doing the same boring things like running, walking, push ups, etc. try something fun. Why not take a dance class? There are tons of fun classes you can take that will whip you into shape.
Are you more informed when it comes to fitness? Do you have a new routine or do you have a better routine now? Can you now use a plan that works for you? Do you know how to do things properly? With any luck, the tips above should have created better answers.


Most of the time I've spent in Sri Lanka has been in the centre of the country.
For some reason, on my first trip here I was drawn much more to the rolling tea plantations around Nuwara Eliya; the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa; the famous rock of Sigiriya; and the gathering of elephants in Kaudulla National Park.
I have been through the highlands and the mountains twice, seeing different aspects.
Sri Lanka is an island, mapped by a border of coast, yet I've basically ignored most of what the shoreline offers. A quick stop at Galle and a night at Negombo is all I've seen – and I am the first to admit they were just cursory glances.
It is only at the end of my trip that I can start to see a bit more of the coastline that is helping to swell a growing tide of tourism.
A two night stay at the brand new luxury hotel Cape Weligama on the south coast gives me a chance to get out and walk… and walk… until I can walk no more.
I trace the shore for hours before turning around and walking back for hours more. Along the sand, across rocks, through shallow waters, on the road, through grassy gardens I go.
It's a grey day with a sky threatening a storm, but I don't mind.
Along the way, I pass plenty of local Sri Lankans and most give me a smile or a wave. Waves all around me.
When I get up on the road, tuk tuk drivers stop and call out… although they're obviously hoping for some business, not just a reciprocal smile.
Near a small rocky point, a man comes up to me with some kind of crayfish that he's caught. He just wants to show them off and encourages me to take a photo of him with them.
When I'm done he climbs back onto the rocks and throws the animals into the water. He was just catching them for fun but wants to make sure they live to be caught again another day.
I make a friend along the way. A sandy dog with one of those faces that makes it look like it's always smiling.
The dog – let's call it 'Sandy' – has a red collar which makes me think it might have an owner but a limp on one back leg that makes me think it might have run into some trouble.
Sandy comes with me for about an hour, happily following along without seemingly wanting anything in return.
When I sit on some rocks for a rest, it curls up next to me and I give it a good pat. When some other (collarless) dogs run up and start to cause some trouble, I chase them off.
Sandy probably could have defended itself but I feel like I have a duty of care – we have formed such a close bond so quickly.
Sandy disappears at some point, nowhere to be seen when I turn around after taking a couple of photos. Perhaps we've come too far from home. But we never said goodbye.
It's not a straight stretch of beach and there are new and striking textures around every corner.
I love the waves crashing on rocks, the rolling patches of sand, the beautiful greenery that grows almost to the shore, the paths cut into small cliffs, and the rivers that meet the ocean.
One of the reasons the shore is still so striking is because there has been little development here. There are some large hotels but they are generally set up on headlands or slightly back from the beach itself.
Much of the accommodation along this stretch, at least, is small guesthouse style aimed at backpackers and surfers – family-run businesses often out of the family home.
I like the mood it creates, a friendly and less-touristy feel to the more popular parts of the country but where you can choose between the most luxurious or the most simple just a short walk from each other.
I won't be writing too much more from this trip to Sri Lanka – I've covered most of the experiences on the blog by now. But this is not the end of the reporting I want to do in this country.
There's much more for me to see along the coast, huge national parks I missed, and a relatively undeveloped north to explore. I will be back to Sri Lanka, I have no doubt. Perhaps much sooner than I expect.
Some countries you visit really leave an impression – you arrive as a tourist but leave as an ambassador. For me, Sri Lanka is one of those places. See you again soon.
Where should you stay around Mirissa?
There are a few great hostels in Mirissa but the most popular one is Mirissa Beach Hostel.For an affordable and friendly guesthouse with a great breakfast, have a look at Era Holiday House.
If you are interested in boutique villas right near the beach, then IMAGINE Villa Hotel is a fantastic option.For a splurge, the accommodation and service at Cape Weligama is incredible!
Time Travel Turtle was a guest of Cape Weligama but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.
So wonderful to see such an undeveloped shoreline. I did have to make a double take at the first photograph of the fisherman up a pole though – it really looks like he's checking his mobile and these days that wouldn't surprise me.
Beautiful photos, especially the ones of the fishermen on stilts. Looks like a gorgeous coastline.
Stunning, moody photos. I will be soon visiting the country for an extended stay – looking forward to it.
I was in Tallala for a yoga retreat 2 years ago – a beautiful part of the world.
I hope that Sri Lanka can maintain its cultures and traditions as it attracts more and more tourists.


Great idea.Like the multi usage of the gear.
I must thank you all for participating in this competition. Very creative and skillfully done pieces of art.
tumas: good repair of the broken piece. Good use of PS technique. I would just sharpen a little some areas.
Helly: simple and effective. I don't know what machine the assembly is it from, but seems to be functional. Good work.
Ray Griffiths: I feel bad for the farmer. That rain is going to make some damage. Creative work.
Zenonas: Your creativity has no limits. A little more attention to cleaning the BG and this would have been perfect. However, we all know you are the winner here, CONGRATULATION!
Hania: Great use of PS, I really like the attention to details and the subtle way you made use of the element in the PS This sample image. Second place, just because I couldn't have 2 winners.
#15 incult(Marius Caragea): Thanks, Marius!
Congrats on your win zen!
#17 Helly(Helly and Graham Horrocks): Thanks, Helly!
#18 Hania(Anna Franek): Thanks, Hania!


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HomeStatisticsSingerJackie Evancho Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics
Jackie Evancho Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics
Jackie Evancho Quick Info
Date of Birth April 9, 2000
Jackie Evancho is an American singer who rose to fame at a young age and has released multiple albums and songs like Songs from the Silver Screen, Two Hearts, Prelude to a Dream, Heavenly Christmas, Dream with Me, Someday at Christmas, The Debut, O mio babbino caro, All of the Stars, The Rains of Castamere, Lovers, Writing's on the Wall, The Lord's Prayer, Think of Me, Hallelujah (with Peter Hollens), A Mother's Prayer (with Susan Boyle), Panis angelicus, Angel, When You Wish Upon a Star, and Somewhere (with Barbra Streisand). She was included in Billboard's list of "21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Minors" in both 2011 and 2012. In 2020, she appeared as a contestant on The Masked Singer.
Jacqueline Marie Evancho
Jackie, JE
Jackie went to Pine-Richland School District public schools.
In late 2010, she shifted to cyber schooling due to her singing tours.
Then, in January 2014, Jackie resumed attending a public school.
Father – Michael Evancho (Operated a video security business until 2010)
Mother – Lisa Evancho
Siblings – Juliet (Older Sister) (Transgender; Was born Jacob), Zachary (Younger Brother), Rachel (Younger Sister)
Others – Joseph William Evancho (Paternal Grandfather), Linda M. Kapples (Paternal Grandmother)
Align Entertainment Group, LLC.
Classical crossover, pop
Vocals, violin, piano
JE Touring, Sony Masterworks, Portrait Records
Her net worth had been $4 Million according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.
Jackie Evancho at 2015 Celebrity Fight Night Italy Gala
Jackie Evancho is of Polish, Ukrainian, Slovak, and Hungarian descent on her father's side and has German and Italian roots on her mother's side.
Double-handed wave
Expressive gestures while singing
32-23-33 in or 81-58.5-84 cm
4 (US) or 36 (EU)
She has appeared in King Orthodontics commercial along with a couple of others.
In 2012, she modeled for GUESS Kids and for Justice Girls Clothing in 2014.
To help protect the animals, she was also made the ambassador for Mission: Humane.
Singing talent and releasing various albums and EPs.
Jackie is also known for finishing second in the singing contest America's Got Talent in its fifth season.
First Album
Jackie released her debut album Prelude to a Dream on November 10, 2009, independently. She was just 9 at that time.
Still, she was able to sell 4,000 copies of the album and it reached #121 at Billboard 200.
As an actress, she first appeared in She's Out of My League in 2010 as an extra. Her role was uncredited.
She then appeared in the 2012 drama thriller film The Company You Keep for her role as Isabel Grant.
She first appeared in the reality show America's Got Talent as a contestant in 2010.
Jackie Evancho Favorite Things
Food – Steak
TV Show – SpongeBob SquarePants
Film – The Last Airbender (2010), Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Home Cooked Meal – Steak, fondue nights with shrimp, chicken, and broccoli
Source – Star Tribune, Just Jared Jr.
Jackie Evancho Facts
Jackie takes interest in sewing, drawing, archery, swimming, and playing with her pets.
When Evancho saw the film version of the musical The Phantom of the Opera in 2008, she decided to opt for singing as her career choice.
In April 2008, she finished second in a local talent singing competition, Kean Idol. It is after that time that she started taking singing lessons.
During the 2008-2009 season, Jackie sang in the Children's Festival Chorus of Pittsburgh.
In the Classical Albums Artist list by Billboard, she was placed at #1 in 2011, #2 in 2012, #5 in 2013, #7 in 2014, and #4 in 2015.
Her last name is pronounced as "ee-VANK-oh."
Her little dog Maggie is her best friend. She received this dog as a gift.
She also has a pet snake which is a corn snake.
Sarah Brightman and Emmy Rossum are her professional idols.
Watching love stories (films) makes her cry.
Her dream duet has been to perform with Lady Gaga.
If Jackie could be any animal, she would like to become a puppy as they are globally loved and puppies understand their bonding with the owner.
She used to go and search for ghosts and spirits as a child but didn't find any.
She released her studio album titled The Debut on April 12, 2019, and it peaked at number #1 on both US Top Classical Crossover Albums (Billboard) chart and US Top Classical Albums (Billboard) chart and at number #23 on the US Independent Albums (Billboard) chart.
Jackie has suffered from body dysmorphia and an eating disorder in the past.
In November 2019, she was involved in a car accident and had broken her back in two places.
She returned to Instagram in November 2021 after having deactivated it for almost a year due to mental instability.
Jackie Evancho
Berrin Keklikler Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics
Antonio Cipriano Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics
Big Lurch Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics
Berna Keklikler Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics
Isabella Nakahara Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics
Michael Imperioli Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics


Abstract : In this paper, we explore the interaction space of MobiLimb, a small 5-DOF serial robotic manipulator attached to a mobile device. It (1) overcomes some limitations of mobile devices (static, passive, motionless); (2) preserves their form factor and I/O capabilities; (3) can be easily attached to or removed from the device; (4) offers additional I/O capabilities such as physical deformation and (5) can support various modular elements such as sensors, lights or shells. We illustrate its potential through three classes of applications: As a tool, MobiLimb offers tangible affordances and an expressive controller that can be manipulated to control virtual and physical objects. As a partner, it reacts expressively to users' actions to foster curiosity and engagement or assist users. As a medium, it provides rich haptic feedback such as strokes, pat and other tactile stimuli on the hand or the wrist to convey emotions during mediated multimodal communications.


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Impe is een dorp in de Belgische provincie Oost-Vlaanderen en een deelgemeente van Lede, het was een zelfstandige gemeente tot aan de gemeentelijke herindeling van 1977. Impe ligt in de Denderstreek.

Geschiedenis
In een oorkonde van Affligem uit 1164 worden reeds dorpsheren vermeld van Impe. De heerlijkheid Van der Braemt was in de 14de en 15de eeuw in het bezit van de familie Van Culsbrouc, later van de familie Loetz, van de familie De Grutere van Bieselinge en ten slotte van de familie De Joigny de Pamele.

In 1630 werd de heerlijkheid Impe, samen met die van Hofstade, door de koning als leenpand afgestaan aan de Heer van Lede, baron Willem Bette. Het bleef in het bezit van deze familie tot 1792. De laatste heer was graaf Christiaan de Lannoi en Hasselt.

Demografische ontwikkeling

Bronnen:NIS, Opm:1831 tot en met 1970=volkstellingen; 1976 = inwoneraantal op 31 december

Bezienswaardigheden
 De Sint-Dionysiuskerk, die centraal ingeplant is op het dorpsplein, is overwegend classicistisch, alleen het koor is gotisch. De kerk werd na de brand van 1582 heropgebouwd in 1608 en vergroot in 1773.
 Tegenover de kerk staat de pastorie uit eind 18de eeuw.
 Van de twee molens die Impe rijk was, blijft alleen de Riddermolen over. Aan de ene kant van de Molenbeek staat de graanmolen, aan de andere kant ziet men nog een stuk van de 17e-eeuwse olieslagmolen. De oudste vermelding van de graanmolen gaat terug tot 1430.

Natuur en landschap
Impe ligt in Zandlemig Vlaanderen op een hoogte van ongeveer 35 meter. Door Impe stroomt de Molenbeek en de Wellebeek. Een natuurgebied is het Poreibos.

Nabijgelegen kernen
Lede, Wanzele, Smetlede, Papegem, Erondegem

Plaats in Oost-Vlaanderen
Lede

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Factoring and Multiples
The greatest common factor of 10 and 35?
The greatest common factor of 10 and 35 is 5.
Q: The greatest common factor of 10 and 35?
What is the greatest common factor of 10 30 35?
whats is the greatest common factor of 10, 30, and 35
What is the highest common factor of 10 and 35?
The highest common factor (also called greatest common factor) of 10 and 35 is 5.
What is the greatest common factor and least common multiple of 10 and 35?
The Greatest Common Factor (GCF) is: 5The least common multiple of 10 and 35 is 70.
What is the greatest common factor for 10 and 35?
What is the greatest common factor of 10 35 110?
What is the greatest common factor of 10 35 and 30?
It is: 5
What is the greatest common factor of 35 and 125?
The greatest common factor of 35 and 125 is 5.The greatest common factor of the numbers 35 and 125 is 5.
What is the greatest common factor of 10 35 and 110?
The GCF of 10, 35, and 110 is 5.
What is the least common factor of 10 and 35?
-- The least common factor of any group of whole numbers is ' 1 '.-- The greatest common factor of 10 and 35 is 5 .-- The least common multiple LCM(10, 35) = 70
What is the greatest common factor of 35 and 84?
The greatest common factor (or greatest common divisor) of 35 and 84 is 7.
The greatest common factor of 35 , 45 = 5
What is the greatest common factor of 100 and 35?
The greatest common factor of 100 , 35 = 5
Greatest common factor for 5 and 35?
The Greatest Common Factor of 5 and 35 is 5.
What is the greatest common factor 35 24?
The greatest common factor of 27 and 35 is 1
What is the greatest common factor of 35 and 5?
The Greatest Common Factor of 35 and 5 is 5.
What is the greatest common factor of 10 15 50 and 35?
What is the greatest common factor of 10 and 35 and 110?
The GCF is 5.
Created By Leland Grant
Created By Carlee Ferry
Created By Willy Quitzon
How many ugs are you 50 mgs?
What is chaismata and when do they form?
Are the heads on a 98 and 99 v8 5.7L the same?
What are the three major sectors in which water use is divided?
How do you write 6.23 in division?
How do you get 10000000000 kincash?
What are two caracteristics about bormine?
Does Berkekey accept transcripts with a W on it?


text:
Trump Boasts About 'Strong' Relationship With Embattled Brazilian President
President Donald Trump boasted about his "strong" relationship with scandal-plagued Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Friday, after cancelling plans to reinstate steel tariffs on the country.
Americans' Positive Views on the Economy Could Help Trump in 2020: Poll
More than 75 percent of respondents told CNN that economic conditions were either "very good" or "somewhat good," the largest share since 2001.
Fuel Lobby Praises Trump's USMCA Trade Deal
House overwhelmingly approved the agreement which updates the NAFTA trade deal the president had long disparaged.
Trump's new trade deal USMCA will hurt smaller farmers, says rural group
The National Family Farm Coalition says the trade deal with Mexico and Canada will not help smaller producers.
What Boris Johnson's Stunning U.K. Election Win Means for Donald Trump
Pledging to "get Brexit done," and secure a U.S.-U.K. trade deal, the Conservative party leader won a huge victory in the general election.
Pelosi Holds Press Conference Touting Revised Trade Agreemement
Democrats brought one of Trump's main legislative priorities to the finish line just as party leaders are working to highlight allegations of abuse of power.
U.S. Companies Turn to Brexit Britain for Increased Trade, Surveys Show
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Conservative allies have touted a free-trade agreement with the U.S. as a solution to Britain's expected post-Brexit economic woes.
Trump Wrong for Saying Brexit Will Prevent U.S. Trade Deal, Says U.K. PM
In an interview with Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, Trump claimed that "certain aspects" of the current Brexit deal will prevent the U.K. from striking a trade deal with the U.S.
Trump's North America Trade Deal Will Give U.S. Companies Confidence
Congress can't end the China trade war or turn back the clock on Syria, but at least it can cement trade ties with Canada and Mexico by passing USMCA.
Russia-Africa Summit: How Putin Is Challenging the U.S. And China
Putin will welcome dozens of African leaders to the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Wednesday for the start of a two-day event.
Export-Import Bank Is Crucial to America's Ability to Compete With China
The EXIM Bank can level the playing field for U.S. businesses, help them be more competitive and ultimately help them create more U.S. jobs.
How Trump's New EU Tariff Will Impact Whisky Drinkers and Producers
Following a 15-year dispute between the U.S. and the EU, the WTO approved a measure that will impose a pricey new tariff on all Irish and Scotch single-malt whiskies as well as a slew of other European products.
US Adds 136,000 Jobs in September as Jobless Rate Hits 50-Year Low
"Job growth remains on its slowing trend even as labor markets continue to get tighter. While wages dropped slightly, finding qualified workers is likely to get more difficult," Gad Levanon wrote.
Mike Pompeo Smiles as Protester in Italy Hands Him a Block of Cheese
Pompeo was shaking hands with the Italian Prime Minister when a protester approached with a block of Parmigiano Reggiano.
China Rejects Trump Trade Criticism, Says He Must Be Aware of 'Bullying'
Trump has taken issues with China's World Trade Organization status as a "developing nation," as it allows Beijing preferential rules on tariffs.
Obama Chief Economist: Trump's Tariffs a 'Giant Tax on American Consumers'
President Donald Trump's tariffs on China are borne almost entirely by American consumers, the evidence shows.
Fox Expert: Investors Don't Think China Trade Deal Coming 'Anytime Soon'
"When the smoke is clear, when there is a sense of calm, the market will react to what's really going on in our economy," Charles Payne said.
Farmers Confront Agriculture Secretary; 'We Are Not Starting to Do Great'
Last week, Trump threatened to slap tariffs on $300 billion more Chinese imports. China responded by halting all imports of U.S. agricultural goods.
Japan-South Korea Feud Explained: Why Are they at Loggerheads?
The current trade dispute between Asia's second and fourth largest economies has its roots in grievances dating from World War Two.
Donald Trump Vows Tougher China Stance 'If and When I Win' 2020 Election
Trump declared that his trade war was undermining Chinese economic growth, and threatened more pain for Beijing after 2020.
Donald Trump 'Cannot Accept Reality' of Trade War, Chinese Media Says
China announced this week that its quarterly economic growth had dipped to the lowest level since 1992.
Trump Is Engaged in a 'Low Intensity Trade War' With India, Analyst Says
President Donald Trump warned India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi about "unacceptable" trade tariffs ahead of their G20 summit meeting in Osaka, Japan.
Trump Tariffs Could Spike 2019 Holiday Shopping Prices for Americans
"Consumers could see higher prices for TVs, cell phones, [laptops], cameras, cookware, stemware, instruments, clothing, shoes, toys, strollers, and much more," Aronhalt said.
Republicans Hopeful Trump Will Strike Deal with Mexico, Avoid Tariffs
With top officials from the U.S. and Mexico meeting in an attempt to avoid the tariffs, some Senate Republicans believe a deal will be reached and economic heartache avoided.
Trump Calls Mexico an 'Abuser,' Says He'll Tax Companies to Bring Jobs Back
"Our many companies and jobs that have been foolishly allowed to move South of the Border, will be brought back into the United States through taxation (Tariffs)," the president wrote.
Republicans Warn Trump: Mexican Tariffs Will 'Jeopardize Passage' of USMCA
The trade deal requires approval of Congress, meaning Trump still needs to win over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before the measure can pass—something tariffs with Mexico won't help. Now, even Republicans are expressing doubts.
Chinese Media Hint at Rare Earths Export Limits: What Would Be Impacted?
"We remind the U.S. not to underestimate China's ability to defend its rights to development and to remember not to blame anyone for not warning them," the Communist Party's paper warned.
U.S. Imports From Vietnam Soar as Chinese Factories Simply Move Countries
American imports from Vietnam rose 40.2 percent in the first three months of the year.
Farmer Says He Still Hasn't Received Money From Last Farm Bailout
"These farmers are going to end in bankruptcy, and committing suicide and losing their farms and they're still talking about supporting the president," the president of the National Black Farmers Association said.
Donald Trump Is Misjudging China, Former Morgan Stanley Asia Chairman Says
"They're not going to change their system, and I think a lot of hard-liners in the Trump administration are looking for them to do that," said Stephen Roach, a veteran Wall Street analyst.


These unusual structures are often described as looking like chimneys because of their cylindrical shape and large, round hole in the center. I've always thought they look more like tiny volcanoes built by mud erupting from crater-like holes. Either way, no other animal produces such unique mud structures in Ohio.
Native burrowing crayfish in Ohio belong to one of two genera in the family Cambaridae: Cambarus and Fallicambarus. However, last season, we discovered a non-native crayfish belonging to the same family burrowing in the southwest part of the state: the Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii).
This crayfish is also called the Louisiana crayfish which provides a clue to its origin. Its native range extends throughout the southeastern United States including Louisiana where it's collected or "farmed" to become the main ingredient in crawfish etouffee. As mouthwatering as that may sound, this highly aggressive non-native has the potential to push-out our non-natives. Indeed, my first clue that we were dealing with a different crayfish last season came in the form of observing much higher densities of mud chimneys per square foot compared with what we typically see with our native species.
Experts divide crayfish "land-lobsters" into three general categories: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary, based on the crayfish's life style. However, one size does not fit all; some crayfish don't fit neatly into just one of the three categories.
All crayfish are capable of burrowing; even those that live in streams (Tertiary). However, these crayfish only produce rudimentary burrows such as a groove beneath rocks to accommodate a hideout. Secondary burrowers produce more structured excavations, often in stream banks. But their burrows usually involve just a simple single-chambered tunnel from which the crayfish scuttle forth to take a swim.
Primary burrowers are the true excavators. Their burrows may include multiple chambers and their tunnels often extend deep into the soil far from streams. Of course, they must reach groundwater because all crayfish breathe with gills. This is why we usually find their burrows in poorly drained soil such as in or near drainage ditches.
The life-style of primary burrowers is supported by a number of evolutionary adaptions. Their claws (singular = chela; plural = chelae) are modified for digging. Their abdomens are often smaller than their more aquatic cousins because they don't need powerful swimming muscles. They have bigger gills to support sauntering about on land at night in search of food. The omnivorous crayfish will chow down on both plant and animal food, living or dead. You may find them several feet from their subterranean abodes if you use a flashlight and practice a little stealth.
The crayfish throw soft mud up around their exit holes as they excavate the soil. If you look closely, you may see scrapes and groves made by its chelae in the fresh mud. These chimney-like structures may eventually tower 3 - 8" above the soil surface.
Unfortunately, the mud chimneys can present a real hazard to mowing. Hitting a sun dried brick-hard crayfish chimney with a mower dulls mower blades, blasts out clay-shrapnel, and sends up huge clouds of dust … often accompanied by a stream of expletives. This makes burrowing crayfish a serious nuisance pest for turfgrass managers.
Red swamp crayfish are generally considered Primary burrowers; however they can also behave as Secondary and even Tertiary burrowers; they can thrive fully immersed in water. This crayfish's changeable life-style reflects environmental conditions encountered in the Deep South. During the winter and spring, low-lying land is often flooded meaning it's good to be able to survive in a true aquatic environment. But the water often dries up during the heat of the summer which selects for crayfish that can burrow down to groundwater. This crayfish's switch-hitting life-style provides considerable survival benefits which is one reason it can proliferate in wide ranging habitats.
There is little that can be done to directly control this non-native as well as our native terrestrial "mud bugs." DO NOT pour toxic materials down the holes to kill the crayfish because the burrows extend down to ground water; the chemicals could contaminate both well and spring water. Successful management of these sometimes bothersome crustaceans should focus on two strategies: physically reducing the high profile of the mud chimneys by stomping them down before the mud dries; and habitat modification by enhancing drainage in areas with high crayfish activity. Patience is also a virtue because burrowing crayfish activity is most prolific in the spring; mud risings tend to subside as the season progresses.


Oh, gosh!I get you on the pressure! I set to read 200 in 2014 like I did in 2013, but had to bump it down to 150 and then to 120 because work was nuts.
Wow I'm still super impressed with 120! It's all relative :) Novellas are a great way of bumping up the list. Good luck to you!


text:
Co-Owning Property With Strangers Can Make Homes In LA Cheaper— But It's Also Displacing Renters
Can California Reduce Homelessness Through Better Prevention?
More Californians Are Moving Out Of State, And Fewer Are Moving In
What the GOP tax bill means for California nonprofits
Senate Majority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and other Republicans speak to the press after the Senate passed tax reform legislation on Capitol Hill December 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. The US Senate narrowly approved a sweeping tax overhaul early Wednesday, putting President Donald Trump on the brink of his first major legislative triumph nearly a year after he took office. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
David Wagner | December 21, 2017
The GOP's tax bill has now made it through both the House and the Senate, and some California nonprofits are starting to worry.
Currently, about a third of California taxpayers itemize their returns, reducing their federal tax bill through a range of specific deductions — including the money they give to charity.
But the GOP tax plan limits the deductions people can take, and economists say that will push a lot more people away from itemizing in the first place.
Does that mean fewer Californians will give to charity? California Association of Nonprofits CEO Jan Masaoka says not necessarily.
"The tax component tends to influence the amount, not whether or not you give," Masaoka says.
She thinks people will still give. She just worries they won't give as much as they used to.
"You might think, 'Well I usually give the Sierra Club $100, but because it's not going to help me out tax-wise, this year I might just give $50,'" she says.
Masaoka also worries that the GOP's plan could eventually lead to cuts in government aid. She says that would put more strain on California charities that provide social services.
Nicolas Duquette, an assistant professor at USC's Sol Price School of Public Policy, says the effect of these changing tax incentives will be felt by different kinds of nonprofits in different ways.
Charities serving the neediest people "may very well have a difficult time," Duquette says. "They tend to solicit donations from a broad array of people. If there is this large share of occasional donors who used to itemize and now don't, it may be that their donor base is more affected."
Duquette says other types of nonprofits that support things like culture, the arts and community service often have different kinds donors. And those donors may still find strong tax incentives for charitable giving under the new rules — for instance, through donations of stock.
"Even with these changes at the federal level, wealthy Californians still receive a lot of tax benefit from making a donation," Duquette says.
Will the GOP's tax plan grow the economy?
Trump signs $1.5 trillion tax overhaul package
Now that the GOP tax bill is approved, the IRS gets busy
KPCC's Business & Economy coverage is a Southern California resource provided by member-supported public radio. We can't do it without you.


Potential siting areas are identified and assessed in a series of steps that began when communities formally expressed interest in learning more. Each step is designed to evaluate the area in greater detail than the step before. An area may be found to be unsuitable at any stage of evaluation, at which point it would no longer be considered.
To be considered in the site selection process, areas in interested communities or their vicinity had to meet a minimum set of criteria. These criteria were applied in an initial screening conducted in Step 2: Initial Screening of the site selection process.
This available land must not contain known groundwater resources at the repository depth that could be used for drinking, agriculture, or industrial uses, so that the repository site is unlikely to be disturbed by future generations.
First, the preferred site will be one that can be demonstrated to be able to safely contain and isolate used nuclear fuel, protecting humans and the environment over the very long term.
Second, the preferred site will be located in an area where the project can be implemented in a way that fosters the well-being, or quality of life, of the local community and region.