"A House of Delegates subcommittee on Monday unceremoniously stomped on one of the Arlington County government's key legislative priorities for 2011, in a showdown over the county government's lawsuit related to HOT lanes on Interstates 95 and 395.
"The bill in question, patroned by Del. Bob Brink (D-48th), would extend by three years the ability of Arlington officials to collect a 0.25-percent surtax on top of the existing hotel and motel (transient occupancy) tax, with the roughly $900,000 a year going toward tourism promotion in the county.
"The measure was one of two main legislative priorities of the county government this year.
"Del. Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax County), the subcommittee chairman, held the measure up for more than a week, and then garnered enough votes to table it indefinitely, effectively killing the measure, on Jan. 31.
Will the county's five panjandrums be willing to prostrate themselves before the General Assembly to get the transit occupancy tax renewed? Time will tell.
A little number-crunching of the "operating indicators" in the county's audited financial statements for FY 2010, officially the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), demonstrates that government bureaucrats can always find a way to spend every last taxpayer dollar given to them. Take a look at the "education" indicators on page 182 of the FY 2010 CAFR, which provides the trend of spending over the period 2001 to 2010.
Enrollment in the Arlington Public Schools (APS) was 18,808 students in 2001 while APS employed 1,737 teachers, or 92.35 teachers per 1,000 students. By 2010, enrollment increased to 20,233 students while teacher staffing increased to 2,096, or 103.59 teachers per 1,000 students. The jump from 92.35 teachers per 1,000 students to 103.59 teachers per 1,000 students is an increase of 12.2%. Looked at another way, it's a 12.2% decrease in operating efficiency.
If the Arlington School Board and the Superintendent had managed to keep the number of teachers at the 2001 rate, APS would have needed 227 fewer teachers in 2010. According to the latest WABE numbers available at the APS website, the FY 2011 annual employer cost for one teacher position in Arlington is $82,158, thus putting the cost of those 227 teachers at just over $18.6 million or roughly the equivalent to a reduction of 3 cents in the real estate tax rate.
By the way, the ratio of teachers was worse in the middle of the decade. For example, in 2005, APS employed 107.66 teachers per 1,000 students. What an efficient system of government schools managed at 1426 North Quincy Street!
"More than two years after the worst of the financial crisis, our economy, as well as communities and families across the country, continues to experience the aftershocks. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and their homes, and the economy is still struggling to rebound. This report is intended to provide a historical accounting of what brought our financial system and economy to a precipice and to help policy makers and the public better understand how this calamity came to be.
"The Commission was established as part of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act (Public Law 111-21) passed by Congress and signed by the President in May. This independent, 10-member panel was composed of private citizens with experience in areas such as housing, economics, finance, market regulation, banking, and consumer protection. Six members of the Commission were appointed by the Democratic leadership of Congress and four members by the Republican leadership.
"The dissenters at least propose answers that might be answers. Peter Wallison focuses on U.S. housing policy, a diagnosis that has the advantage of being actionable.
"There is a telling moment in the commission's report, when some A.I.G. executives are questioning whether they should stop insuring triple-A tranches of C.D.O.'s, which have become increasingly risky. In search of answers, they visit a housing analyst at Bear Stearns. One A.I.G. consultant later recalled that "the analyst was so optimistic about the housing market that they thought he was 'out of his mind' and 'must be on drugs or something.' " But of course he wasn't on drugs. His hallucinogen was the housing bubble.
"In pushing the idea that the crisis was avoidable, Mr. Angelides is also trying to make an additional point: if we just do it better next time, we will avoid the next crisis. I'm all for holding the bad actors accountable, and to the extent the F.C.I.C. has done that, I tip my hat. But mass delusions, alas, are part of the human condition, and no report, no matter how scathing, is going to change that.
"And thus the question really isn't whether it will happen again. It's when."
"While the report is scathing in its review of Wall Street, what's notable is how hard it comes down on federal regulators for missing warning signs, fighting turf wars and being shortsighted overall. "We conclude the government was ill-prepared for the crisis, and its inconsistent response added to the uncertainty and panic in the financial markets," the report says:"
"The report tackles the role of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage finance giants taken over by the government in the fall of 2008, and wades into the debate over whether they were the chief villains or simply co-conspirators. This question is what most divided the Republican and Democratic members of the commission.
"Wall Street greed always makes a good villain, and it no doubt drove the mortgage madness beyond anything previously imaginable. But that factor, even abetted by regulatory ineptitude, is not sufficient to explain the global character of the crisis.
So be sure to read the dissenting opinions in the FCIC report.
Throwing "Gasoline on the Fiscal Fire"
"The CBO report could give momentum to conservatives who want to lower 2011 spending levels to a rate not seen since 2006.
"House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has been charged with setting non-security spending budget ceilings at 2008 levels or lower, but the conservative Republican Study Committee has called for even steeper cuts.
"In the Senate, 21 Republicans led by Sens. Orrin Hatch (Utah) and John Cornyn (Texas) cited the report in introducing a bill to start the process of adding a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution.
"The increase in the deficit would bring it to 9.8 percent of gross domestic product, the CBO said, following deficits of 10 percent and 8.9 percent during the previous two years.
Here is the link to the Congressional Budget Office's "Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2011 Through 2021" (includes links to a summary, the entire document, Director's blog post, and supplemental material).
"The low end is about $200,000 a month. The high end more than a million. One month's electricity bill at the Department of Labor topped a MILLION dollars. That was a bill paid in July of last year. The month before, the department paid a bill of nearly $700,000. And utility costs of that magnitude are not unusual.
Department of Health and Human Services -- paid a bill last August of $799,000 for just one month.
Department of Commerce -- paid a bill last June of $794,000.
Department of Labor -- one month's bill topped $1 million.
HT to Americans for Tax Reform.
Will the Arlington County Board Have the Chutzpah?
"Keeping the tax rate at its 2010 level of 95.8 cents per $100 assessed value would bring in millions in additional revenue compared to a year before, while hitting the owners of commercial properties far harder than those who own homes. Even so, a typical homeowner would pay $67 more this year than last, if there is no change in the tax rate.
"We won't know for some time, but it will be interesting to see if County Board members have the chutzpah to advertise a real estate tax rate for 2011 that is actually higher than last year's rate.
"County staff is already saying that, despite the unexpected increase in assessments, the County Board's budget guidance to the Manager (given late last year) cannot be met without additional revenue. That usually means a real estate tax rate Increase. "
Wonder if County Board's panjandrums know what a pitchfork looks like?
"Usually I am not a big fan of the Dillon Rule or the General Assembly using it to strong-arm localities but Tim Hugo just used it today to send a very loud signal to Arlington County about their lawsuit challenging hot-lanes on 395.
"A couple caveats before I get into this story. I don't support hot-lanes on 395, I think the state needs to meet its responsibility and pay for these projects themselves and not create an obstacle course of toll lanes that run adjacent to traffic snarled lanes- giving the rich an opportunity to fly home and the poor stuck sitting in traffic having to decide between paying a toll and spending time with their family or saving some money for their kids college fund.
"Secondly, I especially don't approve of this project when tolls are being raised very quickly on the Dulles Toll Road to pay for rail to Dulles -- it's very clear that once a toll road is approved and the tolling authority is given to unelected bodies that their right to toll/tax is abused and we don't need any more of that.
"Despite my opposition to this project, I am even more opposed to Arlington County's lawsuit to stop it.
"Why? The main reason is that the Arlington County Board is being abusive in the way they filed the suit. They are suing former government officials in a private capacity, meaning those officials have to hire private attorney's to defend themselves. A stunning tactic (especially in a county with so many government employees) and Arlington is refusing to amend the suit to current officials so the former officials can drop their attorneys.
"Some recent reports have put Arlington's cost on this lawsuit in the 2 million dollar range.
"Enter Tim Hugo, Chairman of the subcommittee that heard HB1513 yesterday. HB1513 would extend Arlington's hotel tax by another five (sic) years, raising money for Arlington tourism promotion. Tim asked in the hearing how much money this would raise for the county- and learned it was about $800,000 a year.
"Well doesn't Arlington have that $800,000 already if they can spend $2,000,000 on a lawsuit like this?", Hugo asked at the hearing. Dagger. Instead of killing the bill outright, Hugo decided to allow Arlington officials the right to show up in a couple weeks to explain their lawsuit before his subcommittee makes their final decision. But this doesn't look good for Arlington's hotel tax- or the numerous other things they will need approval from in the General Assembly in coming years.
"I interviewed Tim about this last night, and he confirmed that while he supports the HOT lane concept that his main concern about this was the way Arlington was approaching this lawsuit and suing former officials. He said that Secretary Sean Connaughton has pleaded with the county to "sue him" instead of the former Secretary Pierce Homer. Tim pointed out this wasn't a partisan issue as he was trying to defend Homer -- a Democrat who served under Kaine -- from this unfair treatment as well as a federal official Arlington was also personally suing.
"Hugo added that "I think Chris Zimmerman [Arlington Board Member] is a thug and that's on the record.
"In street life sometimes a thug meets a bigger thug and needs to back down. Looks like Zimmerman and the rest of the county board are going to have to decide if this lawsuit is worth everything else the county needs from state government. Maybe Hugo finally knocked some sense into them yesterday. We'll see soon . . . ."
That subcommittee meeting to be held in a "couple weeks" could prove to be very interesting. Indeed, it should be worth a front row seat! As we've said many times, the Arlington County Board's problem is not that they don't have sufficient tax revenues, it's that they don't know how to prioritize spending the revenues they do get.
"Membership declined to 11.9 percent of the workforce in 2010, down from 12.3 percent a year earlier. In 2009, the unionized workforce lost 834,000 members, the steepest dip in membership rates ever recorded.
"The drop in union membership this year suggests the ongoing decline of organized labor combined with the impact of the recession that began in 2008 that rattled heavily unionized industries such as construction and telecommunications.
IG Not Needed in Arlington County?
"Arlington analysts discovered that the county was using incorrect figures for the number of Falls Church inmates held in the jail, according to Mark Schwartz, deputy county manager. Officials determined Falls Church was being undercharged as far back as 2007.
"The Arlington Detention Center holds about 600 inmates each day. The daily average has dropped the past two years, according to Schwartz. At the same time, the number of Falls Church inmates at the jail has been increasing.
If asked, County Board panjandrums will likely tell you an IG is just a waste of taxpayer money. In this case, it appears the cost of an IG would be be well-spent.
According to the Heritage Foundation's 2010 Budget Chart Book, "Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid spending will soar as 78 million baby boomers retire and health care costs climb. Medicaid spending will more than double, and Medicare spending will more than triple." The chart below depicts how entitlement spending will grow during the next 40 years.
Take a few minutes to look at all 39 charts from the 2010 Federal Budget Chart Book. Then take more time to study other material in Heritage Foundation's budget and spending issue area.
"The first problem identified in the report is the complexity of the Internal Revenue Code. At 3.8 million words, the tax code is over 11,000 single spaced pages and, reading at 300 words per minute, it would take a person almost 9 complete days to read the entire thing. The Taxpayer Advocate Service estimates that taxpayers spend 6.1 billion hours a year doing their taxes, which equates to over 3 million Americans working full-time — greater than the number of teachers, professors and librarians combined. This time spent on taxes translates to a cost of $163 billion, based on hourly wage rates . . . An estimated 60% of individuals employ tax preparers to do their taxes for them, adding to the cost imposed on taxpayers. The Taxpayer Advocate recommends a vast reduction in tax expenditures — deductions or exemptions built into the tax code — while also lowering the overall tax rates to reduce the burden on most Americans.
"The second serious problem with the IRS is its movement from a collection agency to an agency that also distributes benefits. With the passing of Health Care Reform, the IRS has been tasked with distributing benefits for multiple provisions in the legislation . . . The National Taxpayer Advocate recommends the restructuring of the IRS to create an office dedicated to the distribution of benefits. She also recommends revising the mission statement of the IRS to include its role as a distributor of benefits and highlight its need for additional funding for those actions.
The Taxpayer Advocate also is required to identify "the ten tax issues most litigated in federal courts, classified by the types of taxpayers affected in order to mitigate disputes that result in litigation.
Spend some time with the National Taxpayer Advocate's entire report, and obtain a more indepth understanding of the problems of the Internal Revenue Service. Although the accompanying press release is three pages, it provides a good summary of the report.
Tie Conditions to Raising Debt Limit?
"The current debt ceiling was raised to $14.3 trillion last year, but under a heavily-Democratic Congress, did not spark nearly the same debate. But in 2006, Democrats - including President Obama - fought against raising the debt ceiling to protest the trillions being spent on the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government can't pay its own bills," he said. "It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance the government's reckless fiscal policies."
"The Office of Management and Budget confirmed Friday that it is the administration's position that Congress should not tie any other business to a bill raising the nation's debt ceiling.
"It would be irresponsible and send the absolute wrong signal to the American people were Congress to act on raising the debt ceiling without a concerted effort to rein in out-of-control spending . . . The current path is bankrupting our nation. Any debate regarding the debt limit should begin with how Congress can take bold action to end the spending spree and enact robust cuts in the federal budget. It appears the White House's default position is to avoid those tough decisions at this time . . . Our hope is that the Administration will be a willing partner in that pursuit so that we can provide our children and grandchildren with a stronger economy and brighter future."
"Three potential Republican candidates for president came out against boosting the federal debt limit without substantial spending cuts, raising the temperature in a debate that is quickly becoming a test of Washington's newfound appetite for financial discipline.
"Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich on Monday joined former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in calling for spending cuts and opposing any increase in the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling without them."
"Three County Board members saw no change in their assessments from 2010 to 2011, while one saw an increase and another saw a decline.
"But the homes of all five board members - like the majority of homes in the county - are currently assessed at less than they were at the height of the boom real estate market.
"All County Board members own single-family homes, usually in conjunction with spouses or partners.
If an Arlington County taxpayer believes her or his property is not correct, the DREA website describes a three-step appeal process: 1) appeal to the Department of Real Estate Assessments; 2) appeal to the Board of Equalization; and 3) filing suit in the Circuit Court. For further information, call the DREA at (703) 228-3920.
"Since the accumulation of a substantial estate is one of the motivations that drive people to work hard, a death tax on saving is indirectly a tax on work."
"As the first Northern Virginia jurisdiction to release 2011 assessments, Arlington's data is good news, as it shows a stronger-than-anticipated rally in assessed value after years of decline. But for property owners, rising value also will mean rising tax bills — assuming Arlington doesn't reduce its rate to offset the uptick.
That second paragraph undoubtedly is welcome news to Arlington's panjandrums who will avoid most decisions regarding the reduction of the size or cost of local government.
You can look-up your CY 2011 assessment at the Office of Real Estate Assessments webpage. For more information about real estate assessments, e.g., appealing your assessment, visit the Office of Real Estate Assessments webpage.
Information about the Arlington County FY 2012 budget is available here. And if you are a member of a county civic organization that is a member of the Arlington County Civic Federation, consider joining the ACCF's Revenues & Expenditure Committee in its annual study of the annual county budget. Copies of recent R&E reports are here.
Need help in appealing your property's assessment? Consider "How to Fight Property Taxes" from the National Taxpayers Union.
We're into Part 4 of the Arlington County Board's chairman's New Year's Day speech at the Board's "organization meeting." Previously, we covered his thoughts on global warming (Part 1); lack of discussion of his service on Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA)'s board of director (Part 2); and taking credit for a laundry list of capital projects with no mention the Board has virtually max'ed out the county's credit card (Part 3).
"To realize our goals for our community, we need businesses to succeed. Their success is important for the fiscal vitality of the county, and for its overall economic health, as well as for the availability of goods and services that we want. It is especially important for small businesses and retail to thrive, because they are essential to the vibrancy of our "street life," and they are key to establishing the unique character and identity which makes a place authentically distinct from all others.
"The County should be seen as a facilitator, a partner with small businesses to create a robust local economy to benefit everyone who lives here.
"Of course, local government has an important oversight role to play. The County must always enforce regulations that protect the public's health and safety, and ensure that particular commercial activities do not unduly impose upon others. But good regulation exists for a purpose, not as an end in itself. We don't intend to throw unnecessary obstacles on the path to success. I am convinced that we can do a better job, by modifying practices in a way that will benefit the whole community.
"This year, I will lead an effort aimed at helping small businesses meet local permitting requirements for locating in or expanding their businesses as quickly and efficiently as possible. We will consider streamlining processes, improving quality of and access to information about requirements, providing customer-friendly service to business owners, and offering assistance to businesses to solve problems and overcome obstacles.
It's good the chairman will be leading such an effort, but why has it taken him over a decade to realize the local bureaucracy is an impediment to small business? Besides, government should not a facilitator, but rather should not even be perceived as putting up roadblocks. Although he says he wants to do a "better job" regulating small business, he ignores fact that the areas of concern he cites have largely existed throughout his years on the board.
Most important, though, he mentions nothing about lessening the tax burden on small businesses – ignoring the fact that the commercial real estate tax surcharge for transportation, enacted on his watch, usually falls directly on small businesses, and is the funding source for the Rosslyn Metro entrance project (which adds NO actual passenger capacity) and the Pike Trolley (which many believe many actually worsen overall transportation on Columbia Pike).
As we said earlier in this series, hot air doesn't come cheap.
"Where there is an income tax, the just man will pay more and the unjust less on the same income."
"Once democracy is treated as the premier public value, with individual liberty cast to the side except as far as the citizenry's freedom to take part in democratic decision-making, the scope of government is no longer limited in principle or in practice."
~ Tibor Machan, "Essay on Reexamining Democracy"
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit that seeks to advance science around the world, including publishing the journal Science. Since 1976, its R&D Budget and Policy Program has sponsored studies and public meetings on funding and policy issues affecting federal government support of research and development (R&D). AAAS Report XXXV (entire report here) provides information about research and development in the President's FY 2011 budget, including proposed spending for climate change in Chapter 15 (here).
"National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF would receive $7.4 billion in FY 2011, an increase of 8 percent relative to the FY 2010 appropriation. The request includes $370 million under the USGCRP framework, which is an increase of 16.0 percent. The Geosciences Directorate would receive $955 million (a 7.4 percent increase) in FY 2011 with $480million going to Atmospheric and Earth Sciences.
"NSF's Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability (SEES) program would receive $765.5 million. This is intended to promote discoveries and capability needed to inform societal actions in ways that contribute to environmental and economic sustainability.
Read the report on climate research yourself, and I'm sure you'll be left with the same questions as ClimateQuotes. And then call Sen. Jim Webb, Sen. Mark Warner, or Rep. Jim Moran on Capitol Hill -- (202) 224-3121.
On January 3 and January 5, we growled about the Arlington County Board chairman's New Year's Day speech at the Board's organizational meeting. On January 3, we growled about the chairman's politically correct comments about global warming. Then in Part 2, we growled about the chairman's failure to make any mention in the speech of his 12+ years of service on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA).
"The foregoing list reflects the aggressive program of infrastructure investment that Arlington has sustained over multiple years. We are building assets that serve community needs, aided by the combination of favorable market conditions and the County's strong fiscal position. In the long run, the accumulation of these assets reinforces our fiscal strength, contributing to the tax base.
Debt service on those millions in debt increased faster than the growth in general fund spending. From 2001 to 2010, debt service increased 82.1%, or an annual increase of 9.12%. Mind-rattling considering that inflation increased only 22.8%, or 2.53% annually, from 2001 to 2010, according to data from the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Hot air isn't cheap. In fact, it's quite expensive.
"Trading One Tax for Another: Del. David Englin (D-45th) plans to patron legislation that would eliminate the sales tax on food, and offset those revenues with a higher state income tax on those making more than $300,000 a year.
"Higher Cigarette Tax? Del. Patrick Hope (D-47th) plans to patron legislation increasing the state cigarette tax in order to provide additional funds for Virginia's Medicaid programs.
"The Old Dominion historically has had one of the nation's lowest state taxes on cigarettes. Hope's bill would increase the tax to the national average, he told federation delegates.
"A State Version of the DREAM Act: Whipple plans to patron legislation that would provide in-state tuition rates for public colleges and universities to students who have not yet achieved permanent-residency status in the U.S."
So while the economy is still trying to recover, Sen. Whipple is increasing spending, Del. Englin is at work redistributiing income while Del. Hope is at work taxing-and-spending. Time for a Tea Party in Arlington County!
I'm was surprised at the blase attitude of Arlington School Board Chairman Libby Garvey regarding the errors in history textbook that were first reported by the Washington Post and supported by a review by the Virginia Department of Education ("School Officials Not Stressing Too Much Over Errors in History Texts," January 4, 2011).
According to the Washington Area Boards of Education (WABE) report for FY 2011, the Arlington Public Schools continues to have the highest cost-per-student for fiscal year 2011, which began on July 1, 2010 -- $17,322 per student. Certainly much higher than Fairfax County ($12,597), Loudoun County ($10,833), or Prince William County ($9,577).
Arlington taxpayers should hope the School Board chairman takes a more serious approach to controlling the cost of public education in Arlington County although I'm in no way trying to disparage the importance of accurate and correct history textbooks.
On Monday of this week, we started growling about the Arlington County Board chairman's New Year's Day speech at the Board's traditional organizational meeting. In that Growls, we focused on the chairman's politically correct views on global warming even though the evidence shows that anthropogenic global warming is beginning to be seen as a sham.
Although the chairman served 12 years on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), including serving as its chairman on two separate occasions, his speech was silent about that service. The absence of any mention of that service is especially interesting in that his county bio goes to great length to emphasize that he "has represented Arlington on many regional transportation bodies.
Speaking of his service on the WMATA board, which lasted into December of last year, the Washington Post had an interesting list of the "top 10 D.C. area transportation stories of 2010" posted December 25, 2010. Mr. Zimmerman certainly had a part in at least three of those, i.e., "Metro fare increase;" "leadership turmoil;" and "busted escalators." By the way, with Mr. Zimmerman's departure from the WMATA board, on January 1, the County Board ratified Mary Hynes's selection to serve on the WMATA board, according to the Arlington Sun Gazette.
Just a bit of detail that Arlington taxpayers would like to know.
$14 Trillion and Climbing. Time to Hold the Line?
"The U.S. Treasury website today reported that as of last Friday, the last day of 2010, the National Debt stood at $14,025,215,218,708.52.
In a linked story, CBS Evening News' Katie Couric explains why citizens should care about the national debt. The chart below, which appeared with the CBS News article, shows how the national debt has grown since it exceeded $9 trillion in late 2008.
The Arlington County Board held their annual, organizational meeting on New Year's Day, e.g., adopting the 2011 meeting schedule and making appointments. After those "important actions" were completed during the first few minutes, the real action got underway -- the chairman's speech and the remarks by the other four panjandrums. According to an online story yesterday in the Arlington Sun Gazaette, the chairman's speech lasted 17 minutes.
"There is now an international scientific consensus that this fact, 1) is a manifestation of climate change induced by human activities, especially those related to the burning of fossil fuels; and 2) that, unless arrested in the next few decades, this trend will have catastrophic consequences for our world.
"So where do the 1934/1998/2010 warm years rank in the long-term list of warm years? Of the past 10,500 years, 9,100 were warmer than 1934/1998/2010. Thus, regardless of which year ( 1934, 1998, or 2010) turns out to be the warmest of the past century, that year will rank number 9,099 in the long-term list.
Saying the earth has had it's eight warmest years since he first chaired the Arlington County Board in 1998. it seems Mr. Zimmerman fails to make the analysis of just how much his often expansive, extensive rhetoric over those 13 years has contributed to global warming.
Since we covered less than 20% of the chairman's speech, expect more later this week. In fact, there may even be more on the chairman's views on global warming.
"Economists are the real "party of no." They keep saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch — and politicians keep on getting elected by promising free lunches."
The county retained its Triple-A bond rating, allowing the sale of $73.4 million in general obligation bonds at a true interest cost of 2.7 percent, the lowest rate on record.
Adopted the bi-annual Capital Improvement Program; during the year completed more than 100 capital projects.
Served an increased number of citizens in human services programs; since 2008 the "walk-in" service level at the Department of Human Services grew by 50 percent. To meet the added demand, $9.5 million in safety net funds were appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.
Violent crime rate droped 8.3% in 2009 (the latest available statistics), overall there were fewer homicides, forcible rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults.
Opened the Artisphere—Arlington's new cultural center in Rosslyn, combining the former Newseum space with the neighboring Spectrum Theatre. The facility has four so-called performance venues, a Wi-Fi café, three visual art galleries, and a 4,000 square foot ballroom.
Gained control of Columbia Pike from the Arlington-Fairfax County line to Joyce Street, expediting the conversion of the Pike into a "main street," hopefully making the surrounding neighborhoods more accessible and pedestrian and transit friendlier.
The number of affordable housing rental homes increased to 6,059 units or 14 percent of the County's multi-family rental stock.
Arlington's residential recycling program was redesigned in 2009 with wheeled collection carts, and included an expanded list of acceptable items. These changes led to an increase of 24 percent in the amount of recyclable material collected. The drop in material allowed the County to renegotiate prices with contractual refuse haulers for a 10 percent price drop, and the County expects savings of $700,000 during the next three years.
There are a few highlights we chose to skip such as the "mail back" Census participation rate, the move of the health and welfare offices to Sequoia Plaza, and being named a "certified green government" by the Virginia Municipal League, which gets over $36,000 from Arlington County taxpayers for lobbying the Commonwealth in Richmond. Take some time to review the 2010 annual report. You, too, may be left wondering what happend to 52+ capital projects. The "2010 highlights" shows the county "completed more than 100 capital projects," but page 48 shows only 48 projnects completed.
But don't worry, it takes six pages to list all the awards and recognitions -- both organizational and invidividua.
Perhaps most interesting of all involves a major land acquisition in the Capital Improvement Program, which begins on page 48. The acquisition involves the "Coin Shop" at 3538 Wilson Boulevard. A bit of research shows that Arlington County purchased the property (RPC 19016005) on July 15, 2010 for $1,450,000. The property's assessed value on January 1, 2010, as determined by the Office of Real Estate Assessment, was $841,900 (land - $733,600 + improvements - $108,300). From the Google "street view", Arlington County taxpayers have dumped another $1,450,000 down the proverbial "black hole for the arts" since the property is adjacent to the "non-profit" Arlington Arts Center, although the property is owned by the Arlington County Board and was assessed on January 1, 2010 at $4,328,200 (RPC 19016004).
Take a few minutes to study the entire annual report. The above is just the result of a few minutes' reading. Rest assured, there surely are more tidbits that will get Arlington taxpayers fired-up.


The Caitbrook Full Captain's Bed with Bookcase Headboard by Signature Design by Ashley at Casa Leaders Inc. in the Wilmington, Long Beach, Torrance, Lakewood, Los Angeles area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
The Caitbrook collection is a great option if you are looking for Casual furniture in the Wilmington, Long Beach, Torrance, Lakewood, Los Angeles area.


text:
23 Ugandan radio stations shut down for 'promoting witchcraft'
by Laila Ijeoma March 29, 2018, 6:22 am
The Ugandan Government has shut down 23 radio stations, for reportedly "promoting witchcraft" and trying to con people out of money.
The directive to shut down 23 stations has sent shockwaves in the broadcast industry, as it was gathered that the licences of radio stations who hosted guests who claimed they could heal diseases like HIV, were taken.
Pamela Ankunda, a spokesperson for the Uganda's communications regulator, UCC, told newsmen that the decision was taken after the stations ignored incessant warnings against advertising and promoting witchcraft.
"The commission makes reference the public notice of 27th March 2014… where all broadcasters were warned against advertising and promoting witchcraft.
"The commission has noted with concern that despite these several warnings your undertaking not to advertise and promote witchcraft… and the public outcry against such misuse of the airwaves, your station has continued to advertise and promote witchcraft in contravention of section 2 of the witchcraft act," states a letter from the commission.
Pamela concluded by saying the radio stations accused of aiding and abetting fraud by allowing fraudsters to use their airwaves to con people through promotion of healing powers, will resume broadcasts if they comply with the broadcasting standards.
Uganda has a vibrant FM radio segment, with more than 270 radio stations on air. The stiff competition for a limited advertising pool has left many broadcasters with little option but to accept advertising from whoever can walk into the studio with some money.
Due to the advancing technology, Uganda radio stations are also found on the internet with all sorts of music ranging from hip hop, reggae and rock. Political debates are also interesting issues on the radio, you get to know what's on people's mind and how the country operates.
Some of these advertisers are herbalists and sellers of lucky charms, the practice the regulator has interpreted as promotion of witchcraft and fraud.
'A man dumped me to marry the daughter of a friend to a Commissioner' -Liz Anjorin
Car wash attendant sells client's car, spends proceeds on wedding

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Middle East & Africa | Transport in South Africa
The travails of the middle class
Apr 26th 2014 | JOHANNESBURG
TWO decades after the end of apartheid, the struggle for access to public services in South Africa is far from over—at least for middle-class drivers. Millions are waging a campaign of civil disobedience against what many see as unfair and impertinent charges for services they had come to think free.
Late last year Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, mounted gantries above highways to collect tolls. Motorists are meant to install an electronic wallet on their dashboards. The proceeds are supposed to help pay for new roads that are easily the best in Africa.
Yet drivers are refusing to play ball. Unpaid tolls already amount to more than $50m, says the transport ministry. The government has hired professional debt collectors, so far with little success. Only 9% of drivers, according to some reports, are paying the tolls. Buses are exempt and tolls are relatively low, but outrage at having to pay knows few bounds. A civil-society group calling itself the Opposition To Urban Tolling Alliance campaigns for liberation from the levies. It took its case all the way to the supreme court, albeit in vain.
Examples of billing mistakes are prominent in the local media, with headlines such as "Family rejects dead aunt's e-toll bill" and "Man gets e-toll bill for car stolen in 2002". Opposition rallies ahead of next month's elections make frequent reference to the dreaded tolls. "We are improving the riding quality of the roads in the city, thus increasing mobility and reducing accident risk," counters Parks Tau, Johannesburg's mayor.
Officials have already lost one battle with motorists. Three years ago the Johannesburg government tried to levy kerbside parking fees of 8.50 rand ($0.80) an hour in posh shopping areas . The drivers' fury this provoked led the government to phase out most charges earlier this year. In Parkhurst, a smart suburb, a white woman closes the door of her convertible, blocking someone else's garage door. "Why should we give them any more money?" she asks.
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline "Road rage"
Middle East & Africa April 26th 2014
A new depth of horror
Glimpses of unity
Droning on
From the April 26th 2014 edition
More from Middle East & Africa
A white, gay, Zulu-speaking mayor is shaking up South African politics
Chris Pappas is an unlikely but effective trailblazer
Why bicycles are crucial to Congo's cross-border trade
While lorries wait weeks to pay their dues, two-wheelers zip across on the cheap
A populist plan to pay off private debts is another sign of Kuwait's ills
Dysfunctional politics and short-sighted economic policies are holding a rich country back


Mysteriez: Hidden Numbers is a Hidden Object Game, where the hidden items are cleverly hidden numbers. Go on an epic adventure as you search for 70 hidden numbers in over 50 fascinating levels. A challenge for young and old, Mysteriez is great family game and an exciting new way for kids to learn number recognition skills! Launch your expedition to discover hidden wonders and play Mysteriez: Hidden Numbers today.


text:
In Baton Rouge these past weekends, the "Cajun Navy" was out in force cleaning up after the devastating Louisiana floods that killed 17 people and forced thousands of others to leave their homes. Despite the crushing heat and debris-filled neighborhoods, the mood felt oddly cheerful as volunteers hefted water-logged furniture, drywall and insulation out of homes and distributed sandwiches and snacks to neighbors, family, and strangers who were affected by what is described as the worst storm since Hurricane Sandy.
In Louisiana, we have become used to this pattern: rain, flood, cleanup, rebuild.
Unfortunately, floods like this are no longer once-in-a-millennia aberrations. This is the eighth time Louisiana has flooded since May of last year, and this storm rivaled the power of a hurricane, dumping 21 inches of rain in 48 hours.
When President Obama visited Baton Rouge last Tuesday, he praised the recovery efforts. "I know how resilient the people of Louisiana are," he said. "And I know you will rebuild again.
Obama echoed a common refrain we hear after almost every natural disaster: Build back better.
This time, we need to do more than just rebuild. We need to restore the earth.
For too long, human and industrial development has worked against nature, knocking out the ecosystems that create a natural defense against storms. Over the past half-century, we have all but rubbed out the coastal estuaries, wetlands, and forests that protect our communities and economic infrastructure from a changing climate. Today, Louisiana loses wetlands at the rate of one football field every hour. This is significant because wetlands absorb storm surge. For the more than 2 million people living in south Louisiana, the existence of healthy wetlands means the difference between safety and more frequent, severe flooding.
The good news is that we can restore this land, and as the nation focuses on rebuilding after the floods, it is critical that we include landscape-scale restoration as an essential part of this effort.
A relatively unknown concept, landscape-scale restoration is surprisingly simple and incredibly effective: Using a science-based approach, we can rebuild natural hydrology and replant native trees and plants to restore entire ecosystems. My organization, Restore the Earth Foundation, has been using this approach to restore degraded land in Louisiana ever since Hurricane Katrina, which was not only one of the country's most devastating storms, it was also the largest forestry disaster in U.S. history. Working alongside federal and state agencies, as well as private, philanthropic, and community organizations, we reforested 45,000 acres along the Gulf Coast.
When natural ecosystems are restored, they become factories producing abundant benefits: mitigating climate change, recharging groundwater, providing critical habitat, buffering against sea level rise, and, yes, supporting flood control and preventing storm damage.
Restoration is such an important part of climate mitigation that it is codified in Article 5.1 of the international Paris Agreement on climate change. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $1 billion in grants to help communities invest in climate resilience. The largest of those grants are going to Louisiana, including for projects that protect coastal wetlands and restore the land.
Our vision is to restore more of these ecosystems so they can work properly and help provide for and protect our communities and economy.
But in order for this to happen, we need more support. We need public agencies, private industry, and likeminded nonprofit and community organizations to come together to support funding, access to land, science and research, and program implementation.
We all have a stake in this—not just those of us in Louisiana. Climate change is the new normal, and it's affecting us all. In the past 18 months, more than 200 people have been killed by floods in the United States. The third National Climate Assessment, released in 2014, showed that "the amount of rain falling in very heavy precipitation events" has been significantly above average since 1991. In other parts of the country, wildfires are raging—getting worse every year because of record-breaking heat waves such as the one we had in July.
We need to change our trajectory, and one action we can take right now is to invest in landscape-scale restoration. In October, my organization will break ground on a new project to restore 4,000 acres of freshwater-forested wetlands in the Pointe-aux-Chenes Bald Cypress Forest. This essential ecosystem is the largest landmass providing the last line of defense protecting 200,000 people from the open water of the Gulf of Mexico. This project is part of a larger initiative my organization is leading to restore 1 million acres of degraded land in the Mississippi River basin, North America's Amazon.
For me, this project has taken on new meaning—and renewed urgency. It will give me a chance to get my hands dirty and do something tangible and real to help protect my family, friends, and neighbors. Coming together to replant and restore gives people a common purpose and builds relationships that make our communities stronger. It also gives us hope that, even during this time of loss, there is something we can do to create a brighter future.
For the people of Louisiana, restoration can help heal their communities. For the country, restoration can change our path from degradation to resilience. It's time to make landscape-scale restoration part of the effort to build back better.
Follow P.J. Marshall on Twitter: www.twitter.com/REF_PJ
This article was originally published on Huffington Post on 8/31/2016.


text:
Piotr Grzegorz Farfał (born 18 May 1978 in Głogów) is a Polish rightwing politician of the League of Polish Families and former President of the Polish national TV network TVP.

Biography
Farfał studied law at the University of Szczecin and at the College of Banking in Wrocław. He was active in the nationalist All-Polish Youth and the National Revival of Poland. As a student he wrote for the right-wing newspapers "Front" and "Szczerbiec" (The Sword). However, when the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza described him as a "former neo-Nazi", Farfał sued, only to have his lawsuit thrown out by a local court.

In May 2006 Farfał became a supervisory board member and vice-president of the state-run TV network TVP, and was appointed president in December 2008. After assuming office he cancelled a contract financing the biopic The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, on the life of Irena Sendler who had helped save thousands of Jewish children during the Holocaust. In protest the French-German TV network Arte suspended cooperation with TVP, considering Farfał's views "incompatible with Arte's philosophy based on intercultural exchange", and stating that "the party that TVP's chairman is presently connected with does not share European values."

A number of Polish public media figures, including film directors Agnieszka Holland and Andrzej Wajda, subsequently appealed to the public to boycott TVP on Polish Constitution day, 3 May 2009.

Works
 Myśleć po polsku ("Thinking Polish")

References

1978 births
Living people
People from Głogów
University of Szczecin alumni
League of Polish Families politicians

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: (Ubuntu Server 20.04) Connecting Two Servers Together Through Network Switch I am trying to connect two servers together through a network switch. I've tried researching this, but all of the good examples are from the pre-'network manager' era.
So, my setup consists of two nearly identical Ubuntu 20.04 servers with an unmanaged network switch connecting them.
I've assigned them IP addresses, 192.168.4.123/24 and 192.168.2.123/24.
I wasn't entirely sure what to put for the default gateway because this is supposed to be a peer-to-peer connection, but I read that 0.0.0.0 is a catch-all, however, if I use 0.0.0.0 I lose ethernet on all interfaces for some reason. Maybe I am not editing the default gateway correctly.
I try to ping the other server, 192.168.x.123, and receive nothing. I am sure there is something stupid I'm overlooking, but can't seem to find it.
Picture of the network configuration...

Anyways, this topic seems worthy of a tutorial in a blog or something.
Pardon me if there is any etiquette to these posts, I've never posted on StackExchange before.
Edit:
ip addr show results:

5: eno2np1: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP group default qlen 1000
    link/ether bc:97:e1:bc:df:87 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    inet 192.168.2.3/24 brd 192.168.2.255 scope global eno2np1
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 fe80::be97:e1ff:febc:df87/64 scope link
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

0.0.0.0         10.3.13.253     0.0.0.0         UG        0 0          0

eno1np0
10.3.12.0       0.0.0.0         255.255.254.0   U         0 0          0 eno1np0
10.3.13.253     0.0.0.0         255.255.255.255 UH        0 0          0 eno1np0
10.233.170.0    0.0.0.0         255.255.255.0   U         0 0          0 lxdbr0
10.244.0.0      0.0.0.0         255.255.255.0   U         0 0          0 cni0
172.17.0.0      0.0.0.0         255.255.0.0     U         0 0          0 docker0
192.168.2.0     0.0.0.0         255.255.255.0   U         0 0          0 eno2np1
    netstat -r -n results:
    Destination     Gateway         Genmask         Flags   MSS Window  irtt Iface
    0.0.0.0         10.3.13.253     0.0.0.0         UG        0 0          0 eno1np0
    10.3.12.0       0.0.0.0         255.255.254.0   U         0 0          0 eno1np0
    10.3.13.253     0.0.0.0         255.255.255.255 UH        0 0          0 eno1np0
    192.168.2.0     0.0.0.0         255.255.255.0   U         0 0          0 eno2np1
    192.168.122.0   0.0.0.0         255.255.255.0   U         0 0          0 virbr0

From Server B:

4: eno2np1: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP group default qlen 1000
    link/ether bc:97:e1:bc:9f:67 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    inet 192.168.2.2/24 brd 192.168.2.255 scope global eno2np1
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 fe80::be97:e1ff:febc:9f67/64 scope link
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever

Kernel IP routing table
Destination     Gateway         Genmask         Flags   MSS Window  irtt Iface
0.0.0.0         10.3.13.253     0.0.0.0         UG        0 0          0 eno1np0
10.3.12.0       0.0.0.0         255.255.254.0   U         0 0          0 eno1np0
10.3.13.253     0.0.0.0         255.255.255.255 UH        0 0          0 eno1np0
192.168.2.0     0.0.0.0         255.255.255.0   U         0 0          0 eno2np1
192.168.122.0   0.0.0.0         255.255.255.0   U         0 0          0 virbr0

A: It is absolutely basic networking (not Linux) knowledge.
You wrongly put your servers on different subnets. If they are connected via a switch, it is a layer 2 connection, so they must be in the same subnet. You would be using different subnets if there were a router instead of a switch (layer 3 connection). In that case you would also need appropriate routes on each server.
Change one of the addresses so that they are in the same subnet. For example change the address of first server from 192.168.4.123/24 to 192.168.2.124/24.
Do not put anything as default gateway because you don't have any default gateway on this network. Default gateway is a router that connects your subnet to any external network (ie. other than the networks already specified in explicit routes). This subnet does not connect to any external networks, so it does not have a default gateway.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine recently announced their spring special issue, Cardmaps Today 2, is available now for pre-order here and will be available for purchase in stores on March 23rd. Catherine is so sweet and gracious, and she and her team always create top notch publications. I have Cardmaps 1 and it is one of my very favorite card idea books. If you enjoy making cards and are looking for inspiration, I definitely recommend both volumes. I had the pleasure of contributing some cards to this volume and I can't wait to see what the other designers came up with!
aly, i'm so excited to see what you came up with, i know it's going to be a great issue!
Love the He said, she said!


In december i grabbed the unique opportunity to register last minute for a coffee field trip to Costa Rica! Thus the new year started with preparations for this exciting trip that took place from January 15th till 24th, 2015. During and after the trip i wrote about our tour, the program and impressions from Costa Rica.
Ziemlich genau zu Weihnachten ergab sich unvermittelt und sehr spontan die Möglichkeit, sich für eine professionell organisierte Kaffeereise anzumelden: Nach Costa Rica! Gesagt, getan, und so begann 2015 mit Reisevorbereitungen zum Costa Rica Coffee Field Trip, der vom 15. bis 24. Januar stattfand.


Tags: form for ice, silicone ice cube tray, cube tray, Cheap form for ice, High Quality silicone ice cube tray, China cube tray Suppliers.
Note: buy 3 lots can get a 5% discount automaticly , buy more get more discount. please contact us if you have any question.


A rare opportunity in prestigious Autumn Hills, this exclusive retreat is situated on a nearly 3/4 acre wooded lot, on a cul de sac, backing to Greenwood Village trail system! This Colorado mountain home features a grand lodge room with a stunning 20 foot picture window wall, soaring ceilings, a sunken wet bar and massive stone fire place! The gourmet kitchen is thoughtfully designed with a large center island and breakfast bar and features abundance of rich, custom cabinetry & slab granite counters. The ideal floor plan includes a luxurious master suite plus 3 additional bedrooms on the upper level and a a main floor bedroom or office. The open, finished basement is a great recreation area and features a cozy wood-burning fire place. The beautiful built-in hutch in the formal dining is an elegant touch. Just off the dining room is a fabulous sun room, a perfect place to read, relax or enjoy desert or your favorite wine. This home has excellent flow and is ideal for entertaining.


In continuation of its mission of upskilling thousands of youths with employable skills, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) under its skills acquisition scheme, the Employability Support Project, has presented a batch of 80 trainees with vocational training certifications in building and construction operations, following their successful completion of the skills acquisition programme.
Implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and managed by Arc Skills Nigeria, the beneficiaries all underwent a 5 – 9 weeks of intensive training carried out by experienced facilitators at the Government Technical Centre (GTC) in Lagos, to acquire industry-relevant skills in plumbing, formwork, carpentry, masonry, and electrical works.
At the graduation ceremony of the trainees held at NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos, recently, the graduate trainees were presented with global standard certificates following their successful completion of the construction course on the Employability Support Project.
Commenting on the milestone, the LSETF representative, Ms Abosede Alimi, Director, Strategy, Funding and Stakeholder Management, said the trainees were equipped with skills at no cost to them and were also provided stipends to encourage attendance.
She stated that the purpose of the training was to improve the quality of lives of unemployed youths by equipping them with demand-driven employable skills that would take them off the unemployed or underemployed class.
These trained trainees she posits would be able to take up employment opportunities within the building and construction sector.
"There are six sectors where we train students – manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, construction, garment making and entertainment.
The goal is that after we have trained our applicants, they are well-equipped, better-skilled and most importantly, they are able to fit into the job market with employers getting easy access to quality skilled workers", Ms Mezu said.
Meanwhile, the Project Manager, Arc Skills Nigeria, Mrs Claire Henshaw charged the trainees to be good ambassadors of the LSETF Employability Support project stressing the need for them to improve on the skills they have acquired and also take advantage of social media to advance the visibility of their craft.


A colorful and nasty picture that I bet tasted better going down then it did coming back up and coming back up is what needed to happen after a Weimaraner got into the Easter goods before Easter and ate 4# of various chocolate goodies. The Weimaraner weighed 91# when he first came in and weighed 87# when he left. Even at a weight of 91# all the chocolate he ingested was at a toxic level. Since his owner called us right after she discovered he had eaten the chocolate we were able to get him to vomit all the candy up and he didn't need any further treatment.
Why is chocolate toxic to dogs? Chocolate is toxic to dogs (and cats) because of it's active ingredient Theobromide.
Theobromide is a distant cousin to caffeine.
Unsweetened chocolate is chocolate liquor that is 50% to 60% cocoa butter.
Semisweet chocolate is chocolate that is 35% chocolate liquor (the rest being sugar, vanilla, or lecithin).
Toxic doses of theobromine are 9 mg per pound of dog for mild signs, up to 18 mg per pound of dog for severe signs. Milk chocolate contains 44 mg / ounce of theobromine while semisweet chocolate contains 150 mg per ounce, and baking chocolate contains 390 mg per ounce.
It takes nearly four days for the effects of chocolate to work its way out of a dog's system. If the chocolate was only just eaten, it is possible to induce vomiting; otherwise, hospitalization and support are needed until the chocolate has worked its way out of the system.
Here is a Chocolate Toxicity Chart that is done by the weight of the dog to figure out if your dog has ingested a toxic amount.
This entry was posted in Tasty Tuesday and tagged Candy, Chesapeakes, Chocolate, Chocolate Toxicity, dogs, Sand Spring Chesapeakes, Sick, Toxic. Bookmark the permalink.
I figured Easy was the culprit for sure. That above photo looks like a bizarre new-age art exhibit. Glad everything turned out ok.
WOW, somehow that one just disappeared on me!!!!!????? Anyway, BOL would you mind me sharing this one?
Share away Cathy, thank you!
Aw I am so glad you were able to help that pup! I am so very careful about keeping things like that put up high and out of reach of my huskies and kitties.
OMD! I have never gotten into chocolate and thank goodness. That poor Weimaraner. I am glad you could help.
Delilah eats chocolate. She ate some last night, just licked up little bits that had fallen off a bunny, but she ate it. I decided (after my vet said the chocolate chip cookie she ate wouldn't be enough for a dog her size) to stop worrying about what she eats.
So important! I do not have small children in my home anymore, but when Harley first arrived I stopped with Easter candy for this sole reason. It was so nice my neighbors to tell me they were having an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, but there would be no chocolate in the plastic eggs in case Harley or Jax found them. #sweet Chocolate is a scary food group when it comes to pets. Thanks for posting this – we can always use a reminder!
Wow, that's a lot of chocolate! So glad she discovered it not long after the pup ate it. At first I thought that was a not so attractive collage of new artwork, haha!
Mom loves her chocolate way to much to risk anyone getting some whether it is bad for them or not. It is locked up and hidden like Fort Knox!
Oh wow, that Weimaraner's owner was lucky to have brought her pup to her vet in time!! We keep all our chocolate behind secure, shut pantry doors!
Ohh my. I thought about reiterating a chocolate is toxic article for Easter but didn't want to be a broken record. Always a great reminder for pet owners. I am glad you could help the Weimaraner.
WOW! That is an incredible amount of chocolate for that poor dog to eat. I'm sure like most dogs, he'd do it again! I'm glad that he's okay.
Oh my gosh! How scary! Its such a good reminder. He is lucky to be alive.
I like dark chocolate, but I tend to not have it in the house much, just to be on the safer side. So many people will tell you their dog can eat chocolate, but I think it's probably small amounts of milk chocolate that their large dog probably ate. We let our dogs lick our bowls after chocolate ice cream, but that's about it.
Poor puppy. Glad he was OK.
Wow! Such important info and reminder! Thanks for sharing!
Yikes! Glad you guys were able to administer to that pup and especially glad he's ok. We sometimes forget that things we love (chocolate and gum) can be very deadly to our fur babies.


City Clerk report, dated October 17, 2013, relative to the annual report regarding the Council District 9 Public Benefits Trust Fund No. 48X for Fiscal Year 2012-13.
City Clerk report, dated September 20, 2012, relative to the annual report regarding the Council District 9 Public Benefits Trust Fund No. 48X for Fiscal Year 2011-12.
City Clerk reports, both dated October 13, 2011, relative to the annual reports regarding the Council District Nine Public Benefits Trust Fund for Fiscal Years 2009-10 and 2010-11.


text:
The Queen was joined by members of the Royal Family for the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey. The annual service is a celebration of the 54 member states: their differences, their common ground, what they have achieved together and what they hopes to achieve in the future.
The Queen has been Head of the Commonwealth since she acceeded to the throne in 1952, but pledged her life to the service of Commonwealth citizens years before she became Queen.
The organisation has grown far beyond its initial membership of eight nations in 1949.
The service - always held in the splendid surroundings of Westminster Abbey - comprises traditional hymns and readings alongside national song and dance performances and more modern acts. Often performers and speakers hail from Commonwealth countries or have grown up in the UK with Commonwealth heritage.
Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua spoke of the happy mix of cultures which the Commonwealth can represent.
Her Majesty - who attended in her role as Head of the Commonwealth - was joined by other members of the Royal Family.
The Queen is supported in her work by working members of the Royal Family who often travel to the furthest corners of the Commonwealth to see projects in action. Nations are constantly working together on a huge variety of projects, from gender equality to the environment, the shipping trade to avoidable blindness.
The Queen's Commonwealth Day message emphasised the idea of using the Commonwealth nations' many differences as an advantage.
Read The Queen's message in full.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to visit Pakistan
I am humbled and honoured that my mother's work and commitment to demining continues to inspire and that her legacy is being recognised and celebrated today with the naming of the centre in her honour.
A speech by The Duke of Sussex at the visit to The Princess Diana Orthopaedic Centre, Huambo, Angola
Gender equality is a fundamental right but it is not yet the reality for many
A speech by The Countess of Wessex at the Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting, in Nairobi, Kenya
Cities across England and Wales will come alive over the next six weeks as World Cup fever sweeps the nation once more
A speech delivered by The Duke of Sussex at the opening game of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019
The Countess of Wessex will visit India
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge & The Duke and Duchess of Sussex message countries affected by Cyclone Idai
This year, as we mark the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth, and with the theme: 'A Connected Commonwealth', there is a great opportunity to harness the talent, energy and intellect of young people as an overwhelming force for good.
A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a the Commonwealth Youth Roundtable
We established The Queen's Commonwealth Trust to be your platform. The place where your voices can be heard, where your work is seen and taken seriously.
A speech by The Duke of Sussex at Circus Zambia, The Queen's Commonwealth Trust Event, Lusaka
It is clear to me that the Commonwealth remains as vital today, as it has ever been. It brings us together, building bridges between our governments and our people
A speech by The Prince of Wales at the Accra International Convention Centre, Accra, Ghana
The Countess of Wessex in India
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's visit to Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Autumn Tour
Royal Household Caribbean Hospitality Scholarship
We can't wait to see you in action in your home countries and learn about what you're doing to better the Commonwealth, and the world, in 2040 and beyond.
A speech by The Duke of Sussex at a reception to mark the Commonwealth Youth Challenge
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess Cornwall tour of Ghana
Find out more about The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's tour of West Africa
Introducing the 2016 Queen's Young Leaders: Osama Bin Noor
Osama Bin Noor is one of the Queen's Young Leaders Award winners of 2016...
Introducing the 2016 Queen's Young Leaders: Shamelle Rice
2016 Queen's Young Leader Shamelle shares her story about founding Jabez House in Barbados
Queen's Young Leaders stories: Tanyaradzwa Daringo
Read the story of Tanyaradzwa, from Namibia
Opening of The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games
Prince Harry gives a speech at The Queen's Young Leaders Awards
Commonwealth Honours
Prince Harry's visit to Guyana
Prince Harry to visit the Caribbean
Her Majesty is immensely grateful to you, and the people of Canada, for the leadership you have shown in making this contribution
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the launch of Canada's contribution to The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy
We cannot lose a sense of urgency, because despite all the progress we have made, HIV remains among the most pressing and urgent of global challenges
A speech by Prince Harry at the International AIDS Conference in Durban
This is the first time Catherine and I have been to India and we have been incredibly impressed to see just how much this great country is on the move, and how India's dynamism is matched by the warmth and welcome of its diverse people.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the The Queen's Birthday Reception at the British High Commision, India
No-one can come here without being awed and amazed; no-one can come without a sense of excitement about all that India has achieved in the past and the extraordinary promise it holds for the future.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Arrival Reception in Mumbai, India
But the biggest reason for our optimism is the inspiring girls and boys in this room who care so much about changing attitudes towards young women in this country.
A speech by Prince Harry at the Girl Summit, Kathmandu
Further details of The Duke and Duchess's tour to India and Bhutan announced
Prince Harry and Team Rubicon
Details announced of Prince Harry's Tour of Nepal
I am sure Madiba would be pleased to see such great work being carried in his name, giving inspiration to so many.
A speech by Prince Harry at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory
In my view: rangers are heroes.
A speech by Prince Harry at the South African Wildlife College, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Prince Harry releases a selection of personal photographs from Africa
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: Spring 2016 visit announcement
This really is a most beautiful country.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at Independence Day celebrations in Malta
The Duchess of Cambridge will no longer visit Malta this weekend. The Duke of Cambridge will undertake the visit instead.
The Duchess of Cambridge will visit Malta
The Countess of Wessex is undertaking a visit to India and Qatar
We are excited, and delighted to be here.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Istana, Singapore
These are landmark achievements.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Rolls Royce campus, Seletar, Singapore
Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee Tour by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
The Earl and The Countess of Wessex tour the West Indies
Prince William and Prince Harry to visit Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa
To see British and Russian veterans standing together, in memory of the sacrifices of their comrades-in-arms, was a moving experience.
Christmas Broadcast 1994
We have indeed become a global village.
I first came here for Christmas as a grandchild. Nowadays, my grandchildren come here for the same family festival.
I am constantly amazed by the generosity of donors and subscribers, great and small, who give so willingly and often towards the enjoyment of others.
I hope that all of us lucky enough to be able to enjoy such gatherings this Christmas will take time to count our blessings.


So I just added a new show to my weekly lineup. It is called Human Target. The show is in its 2nd season and airs Wednesdays on Fox. It is an action drama about a guy and his team who take on missions to protect people who are being targeted for assassination. It is based on a comic book character from DC and you can definitely noticed this in the writing and suspended belief, but in a good way. Each episode is like a movie. The characters are likable and the story lines are fast paced and action packed. I compare this show to Prison Break in terms of style. Check this one out when you get a chance.


text:
Weighing the impact of Bill-68
Drake Lowthers
GRAND MANAN ISLAND, NB: The Canadian Independent Fish Harvester's Federation (CIFHF) has turned their attention to the Canadian Senate after the successful passage of Bill C-68 through the House of Commons.
Bill C-68 amends the Fisheries Act and has many key provisions, the most significant being amendments to fisheries management and decision-making processes, adding social and economic considerations, and the inclusion of independent owner operator fish harvesters.
CIFHF President Melanie Sonnenberg said the organization was formed in 2014 based on the concept of preserving and protecting owner operators in Canada's fishery.
"That particular portion of the bill is what we've fought hard for, it's why we formed," she said. "To have that very thing included is that recognition that we so longed have needed. This keeps the fishery in the hands of the independent."
The captain, who's in their wheelhouse, fishing their vessel, no longer has to deal with competition with a corporate entity.
Jeffrey Landry, skipper of the Chelsea Noel II, believes it's a good thing Bill C-68 has passed but he still airs his concerns.
"I know the industry very well, and there's people finding ways around that bill also," he chuckled.
The 35-year-old fisherman from Arichat has been fishing with his own license for eight years now under the company Grandpa Vernie Fisheries Ltd.
"It's named after my grandfather who passed away in 2008, before I bought the license," he said. "He was the one who had the drive for me to want to do this, he had faith in me, so, if his name's on my company, I cannot fail."
The fishing boats that we're talking about, are individual small businesses, Sonnenberg said.
"Those small businesses contribute in a far greater way in tax base, and return to the community, involvement in communities and being able to support those communities – that's a proven fact."
Regulatory protections for independent fish harvesters are vital for Canadian coastal communities, she said.
"It helps keep people alive, and being able to live in that community where they've chosen to be. They've probably grown up there and lived there their whole lives and don't want to leave."
The new legislation will seemingly put an end to the illicit trust agreements that partner major corporations who front out their licenses to owner operators. When corporations pay someone to fish their license, the over revenue from the license doesn't flow back, but with a true owner operator, it keeps the money in the community.
"If you have folks pretending to be owner operators under the guidance of a corporate entity, that money goes to the company and the way the money flows out to the community is much different — it isn't as robust," Sonnenberg said.
Instead of someone doing it for the same purposes as you, trying to make an income to support their family, corporations are taking advantages in a small market, Landry said.
"At the end of the day you have people fishing these licenses and they're big corporations, multi-millionaires, and they're taking away from your family's income."
With only 68 licenses in the area, the only way to obtain one is to purchase it from someone who already has one, Landry said.
"There will never be a new one, so whatever's out there is what there is and if somebody wants in, they need to buy it from someone else."
When a fish buyer comes around and hears you're about to retire, they want your license, Landry said.
"Someone like me would definitely say no, because I'm only a young guy. They don't even want to talk to a young guy," he said. "But somebody who is 70-years-old, and they're ready to retire, are trying to get the most for their licenses."
Landry has been asked to be bought out many times by major corporations with offers of more than what he had paid for the license – but his answer always remains the same, NO!
"They say "Hey, do you want a million bucks for your license, we'll buy you,"" he said. "Nobody's getting it from me until I close my two eyes, and hopefully that's going to be my son one day."
There hasn't been a license for sale in the area in a couple of years, but major corporations are still finding ways to infiltrate our waters, Landry said.
"Definitely, there are some in our harbour right now," Landry said. "One license just got sold a couple weeks ago, and a young guy was the one who bought it, but he's backed up by a fish buyer."
This is now in the hands of the Senate and Sonnenberg hopes they realize its significance.
"The importance of this legislation becoming law is critically important to the survival of independent fishers all across Canada."
The Senate will be reviewing Bill C-68 this summer. The CIFHF is the largest fishing organization in Canada with 29 member fishing organizations, representing a combined 10,000 independent harvesters.
Previous articleLiberals and Conservatives spar over cabinet shuffle
Next articleBorderline insanity
We see you and we support you, says Richmond Rainbow Alliance
Galloping Cows receives grant from Women Entrepreneurship Strategy
Public transportation groups receive accessibility funding
Provincial Seamen's Memorial Service to take place in Canso
Grant's Pond-Hemlock Trail officially opens
Partnerships drive Canal Landing project


text:
Q: Eclipse, Java: Generate class field from static string or vice versa I am working on a JAVA web service with mongo, In order to implement mongo java driver POJO api (like Morphia), I establish my POJO like the following:
    public class User {
        public static final String USER_NAME = "userName";
        private String userName;
        public User() {
        }
        // getter && setter //
    }

USER_NAME = "userName" is a reference for future use as a filed name. What I'm trying to achieve is that I could use a simple if to check if received data equals to the field name. For example :
    User user = new User();
    String receivedData = httpRequest.getParameter(User.USER_NAME);
    if (receivedData == null) {
        return null;
    } else {
        user.setUserName(receivedData);
        userCollection.insertOne(user);
            // userCollection is MongoCollection<User>
        return Gson().toJson(user);
    }

I am looking for a eclipse function or plug in that could auto generate one of the declaration (USER_NAME = "userName" and private String userName) by the other and make sure the consistency of the code.
Of course, that would be appreciated if there's any suggestion for a better practice.
EDIT
Stephan's reflection approach gives a great flexibility for the code. However, compare to my original simplified example, the real situation might be more complex. For example, one httpRequest has many different parameters which are stored in different(n) POJO and each POJO has many different(n) fields. In that case, we will do n*n loop for just getting the field value.

A: If you want to do the same for all fields of the POJO, consider iterating the result of User.class.getFields(). For each Field get the name (f.getName()), use the name to retrieve the value and set it to the field (f.set(object,value)). With this approach there's no need for a constant like USER_NAME.
EDIT 1: If performance is an issue you may of course collect all those fields into some collection up-front once and for all, but then the bottleneck will remain at having to try httpRequest.getParameter() for each possible field. Nothing specific to the reflective approach.
EDIT 2: In a "nicer" language there could be type checked syntax for retrieving a Field instance, e.g., imagine (not Java):
Field f = User::userName;

This answer basically demonstrates that generating redundant constants is not strictly necessary, since the thing that consistently connects the name to the field already exists, it's a Field.


text:
National NewsNews Feed
Fresh Setback For APC Peace Moves In Zamfara, Ogun, Imo
Information Nigeriahttp://www.informationnigeria.org
Information Nigeria is Nigeria's No.1 Information Portal.
The moves by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to reconcile its members suffered fresh setbacks even as the deadline for the substitution of governorship and House of Assembly candidates as contained in the election timetable ends tomorrow.
According to the schedule of the 2019 elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), December 1 is the last day for the withdrawal/replacement of candidates which some politicians are trying hard to join other parties. December 1 is also the day for the commencement of campaign for governorship and state assembly seats.
Loyalists of Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun dumped the APC, while those loyal to his Imo State counterpart Rochas Okorocha get set to announce their new party today.
Amosun's preferred candidate for the Ogun governorship seat Rep. Adekunle Akinlade (Yewa South/Ipokia) dumped the APC for the Allied People's Movement (APM) and has since obtained the party's ticket to vie for the governorship seat. His defection was read on the floor of the House by Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday.
Akinlade had lost the APC ticket to Dapo Abiodun whose name was submitted to INEC by the national leadership of the APC under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Back in Ogun, four members of the State House of Assembly also dumped APC for the APM. They include the Majority Leader, Adeyinka Mafe; Chief Whip, Idowu Olowofuja (Abeokuta South 2); Tunde Sanusi (Obafemi-Owode); and Ganiyu Oyedeji (Ifo 2).
The APC chairman in Ogun State, Derin Adebiyi, described the defection Akinlade and the state legislators as shocking.
We've gone beyond reconciliation – Okorocha
In Imo State, Okorocha said the current situation in the state chapter of the party makes reconciliation impossible.
Speaking when the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje led Reconciliation Committee visited the state yesterday, Okorocha said he made every effort to get justice for his people but was snubbed, adding that they have decided to move on and nothing would stop them.
Okorocha had on Tuesday said that his son-in-law and preferred gubernatorial candidate, Uche Nwosu, would be contesting the governorship election in another party.
Nwosu had lost the APC ticket to Senator Hope Uzodinma.
At yesterday's meeting, he said, "We moved from APGA to APC because of the name of President Muhammadu Buhari which is synonymous with integrity. I am a foundation member of the APC; I suggested the name APC."
Both Nwosu and Uzodinma did not attend the meeting.
Okorocha said Imo people were short-changed, stressing that it was too late in the day for the party to repair the wrong.
Okorocha, however, said he honoured the meeting because of his respect for Governor Ganduje and Senator Goodwill Akpabio.
He said he would remain a loyal and committed member of the party and would also go ahead and contest the Imo West senatorial seat under APC but will not compel any of his aggrieved loyalists to do same.
Ganduje said the first task of the committee had been achieved as they had secured the commitment of Okorocha to work for the reelection of President Buhari in 2019.
He said, "He (Okorocha) has done it before and he will do it again." Ganduje said that the second leg of the meeting will be a closed door talk with stakeholders of the party.
Judge withdraws from suit in Zamfara
Justice Muktar Yusha'u of the High Court in Gusau has declined jurisdiction in the case seeking to accept the results of the party's primaries conducted on October 7.
The Governor Abdulaziz Yari faction of the party had chosen Alhaji Mukhtar Idris as its preferred gubernatorial candidate; while the other faction led by Deputy Governor Ibrahim Wakkala and Senator Kabiru Marafa among others kicked.
Justice Yusha'u said the circumstances surrounding the case would not allow the court to deliver transparent justice.
He, therefore, returned the case file to the chief judge of the state to be reassigned to another judge for determination.
Sanusi Liman Dan Alhaji and 37 other members of the APC had filed the suit asking the court to compel the party and INEC to accept the results of the party's primaries in the state conducted on October 7, 2018.
The APC primaries in the state were allegedly marred by controversy resulting in INEC barring the party in the state from fielding candidates in the 2019 general elections.
INEC said the APC in the state could not meet the October 7, 2018, deadline to resolve all disputes arising from the primaries.
The national headquarters of the APC had also sued INEC at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Source: Daily Trust
Stay updated with the latest Nigerian news from Information Nigeria
nigerian celebrities
nigerian newspapers
Previous article80 INEC Staff Fail Promotion Exam
Next articleRevealed: The Secret To Banky W And Adesua Etomi's Unfaltering Love And Successful Marriage
In The U.S., Can Men Sue For Gender Discrimination?
Lifestyle Victor - January 17, 2020 0
In the workplace of the 21st-century, most people believe gender discrimination is a thing of the past. While this would be a nice scenario,...
Important Information About Ridesharing Accidents
When you go to hop in an Uber, you never expect that you will get into an accident. Unfortunately, things happen and even despite...
"Bintu – The Musical" Brings The Crisis In Nigeria's Northeast To The Stage
Entertainment Victor - January 14, 2020 0
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday, 19 December premiered Bintu - The Musical, at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. The...
Sell Bitcoins In Nigeria Using Cardtonic Mobile App
Business News Victor - January 14, 2020 0
Have you ever been defrauded of your hard-earned bitcoin? If yes, how would you like to avoid such ever occurring again? And if no,...


text:
Kurtka – rodzaj krótkiego płaszcza okrywającego górną część ciała i sięgającego swą długością zwykle tylko do pasa osoby ją noszącej. Czasami wyraz kurtka może oznaczać także krótki płaszcz. Kurtka jest na ogół krótsza niż płaszcz i kończy się tuż poniżej pasa. Kurtki są także zwykle od nich lżejsze. Można rozróżnić kurtki stanowiące część zwykłego ubioru, uniformu lub służące jako odzież ochronna.

Etymologia
Słowo "kurtka" wywodzi się od łacińskiego słowa curtus oznaczającego "krótki". Za pośrednictwem łaciny trafiła do języka polskiego "kurtka" oraz węgierskiego "kurta". Nowsze badania wywodzą ów termin z sarmackiego wyrazu kurta, który przeszedł do języków słowiańskich.

Historia

Historia kurtek rozpoczęła się w Polsce w XVII wieku. Swoje korzenie kurtka ma w staropolskim żupanie i kontuszu. Ich skrócone formy zaczęto nazywać kurtą. Jeden z pisarzy z czasów Zygmunta III zanotował:

"Nastały w Polszcze stroje tak podkasałe, iż się zdało, jakoby w wodzie miarę brano i od krótkości te sukienki nazwano kurtkami".

Noszenie kurtek rozpowszechniło się w drugiej połowie XVIII wieku i ma związek ze zmianą krojów mundurów Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodów. Kurtki uszyte według "kroju polskiego" po raz pierwszy weszły w użycie rozkazem Departamentu Wojskowego z dnia 3 lutego 1777 roku zwalczającym zbytek i wprowadzającym jednolite umundurowanie w Wojsku Polskim. Rozkaz ten nakazywał polskim żołnierzom podczas służby umiar i powściągliwość w stroju, a także nie uleganie modom francuskim, niemieckim, węgierskim i szwedzkim.

... (Niech) głowę polskim zwyczajem ogolą i przebiorą się po polsku, tj. w służbie kurtki i szarawarów używać będą"

Zgodnie z rozkazem kurtki całkowicie wymieniły tradycyjne długie kontusze w kawalerii narodowego autoramentu oraz ujednoliciły ich wygląd. Regulamin wojskowy datowany na marzec 1791 szczegółowo opisuje krój kurtek przeznaczonych dla Kawalerii Narodowej oraz pułków straży przedniej:

"Kurtka krojem dawniej przepisanym, z naramiennikami sukiennymi (dla szeregowych), dla kawaleryi narodowej i przedniej straży Byszewskiego, Lubomirskiego i Karwickiego w kolorze granatowym, a dla pułków obu buław w kolorze zielonym robiona być ma z wyłogami w kolorach, z guzikami i na nich będącymi numerami takowymi, jakich dotąd brygady i pułki używały. Klapy tak mają być dogodnie robione, iżby, zapinając kurtkę latem na haftki tylko, gdy się ją zimą zapina na guziki, jedna na drugą zachodząc, całe piersi osłaniały a pod gardłem u góry tak były wycięte, iżby zapięte na guziki i nieco brzucha dołem zajmując, gładko jedna na drugiej leżały".

Kurtka zwana popularnie "ułanką" stała się później obok czapki charakterystycznym elementem ubioru polskich kawalerzystów z jednostek ułańskich. Po rozbiorach polscy ułani walczyli w wielu armiach ówczesnej Europy i rozpowszechnili noszenie kurtek i czapek na zachodzie Europy do tego stopnia, że w wielu językach europejskich funkcjonują polskie nazwy "kurtka" i "czapka" na określenie tych części ubioru.

Teraźniejszość
Kurtki to współczesna krótka odzież wierzchnia szyta z różnych materiałów, często z materiałów trudno lub w ogóle nie przepuszczających wody.

Współczesne kurtki mają często po kilka kieszeni z czego co najmniej dwie kieszenie w okolicach pasa służące m.in. do schowania rąk w czasie chłodu.

Pierwsze kurtki (typu alaska) były szyte przez Eskimosów.

Rodzaje kurtek
Możemy wyróżnić m.in.:

 Kurtki pikowane – lekkie i proste, ze specyficznym pikowaniem w kształcie kwadratów.
 Kurtki militarne – stanowiła element wojskowy. Jej najpopularniejszy model to M-65
 Kurtki woskowane – kurtka wykorzystywana na polowaniach i spacerach; posiada woskową powłokę, zapewniającą nieprzemakalność
 Parka – kurtka zimowa, lub wiosenna. Posiada duży kaptur. Sięga poniżej linii pośladków.
 Krótka kurtka ze ściągaczami – krótka, posiadająca ściągacze przy rękawach i na dole. Ma dwie skośne kieszenie.
 Kurtka dżinsowa – model kultowy i ponadczasowy, wykonana z dżinsu.
 Kamizelka ocieplana – kurtka pozbawiona rękawów

Przypisy

Zobacz też

 anorak
 fufajka
 ramoneska
 Kasak
 kurta

Okrycia wierzchnie


1.4 million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which typically starts during their teenage years and lasts a lifetime. A groundswell of research on the immune system and the gut microbiome is yielding a deeper understanding of why the finely tuned balance between the immune system and intestinal microbes breaks down.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to autoimmune conditions that affect the intestinal tract, primarily Crohn's disease, which targets any segment of the gastrointestinal tract, and ulcerative colitis (UC), which mostly affects the large intestine or colon. Both conditions are caused by a misplaced and overly aggressive response of the immune system to bacteria in the digestive tract. Typically, the body lives peacefully with and even benefits from intestinal bacteria, but immune attack of normal intestinal flora in IBD causes diarrhea or constipation, bleeding, abdominal cramps, and ultimately tissue destruction.
There is no cure for either condition, and both severely impact a patient's quality of life. Among their many complications, Crohn's can cause stunted growth in children, and ulcerative colitis greatly increases the lifetime risk of contracting colon cancer. In both diseases, surgery is often required to remove or repair injured portions of the intestine.
Mitchell Kronenberg, Ph.D., LJI's President and Chief Scientific Officer, employs animal models to study molecular signals used by inflammatory cells in IBD. Those analyses show that a membrane protein called HVEM, which resides on the surface of intestine (and lung) cells, can bind two very different proteins, an inhibitory factor called BTLA and a pro-inflammatory cytokine called LIGHT. When HVEM binds LIGHT, the immune response increases and inflammation ramps up, but when it binds BTLA, the immune response decreases. His group is now seeking ways to flip the switch to favor signaling through BTLA to antagonize inflammation in the intestine.
The work of LJI scientist Hilde Cheroutre, Ph.D., addresses diseases of the gastrointestinal tract by studying T lymphocyte activity at the body's "interfaces" with the outside world, such as skin, mouth and the largest surface of all, the intestines. She is asking why T cells sometimes respond in such an inflammatory fashion in intestinal mucosa in the context of IBD.
Scientists knew that T cells can mature into either CD4-positive helper T cells, which modulate immune responses by other cells, or into CD8-positive cytotoxic T cells that, as their name implies, actively kill infected cells or tumor cells. Cheroutre and other investigators had, in fact, identified a small group of DNA-binding proteins that determine that T cell fate by regulating gene expression. But she recently discovered that a previously unknown hybrid CD4 plus CD8-positive T cell exists in the gut that kills other cells, and thus is "cytotoxic".
Moreover, she found that its parental CD4-positive cell had become reprogrammed to become a killer cell only after it lost one of the DNA-binding factors that govern T cell fate. This work shows that T fate cell is plastic rather than fixed, and defines on a molecular level how a benign T cell can morph into a "cytotoxic" one, as might occur in IBD. Whether the gut microenvironment drives this identity change is an exciting question that remains unanswered.


I want a man that wants to actually date, get to know each other, and build a relationship if we connect. RE: I still want matching Tattoos m4w hahahahaha, i know for a fact you don't want matching tattoos. Waiting to message, maybe exchange numbers see what happens.
The feeling is even more distracting, but you see know reason for me to stop.
Sorry not into Black woman just my preference and I know this sound stupid but I'm black myself. I like you.


An Express Airport shuttle service to Sydney airport and cruise ship wharves.
Service is express with a limited number of pick-ups to maintain short transfer times.
• mansfield.com.au • palmisland.com.au • castlehill.com.au • northrocks.com.au • schofields.com.au • merinda.com.au • pennanthills.com.au • roseberry.com.au • enfield.com.au • ermington.com.au • lancaster.com.au • warwickfarm.com.au • pymble.com.au • revesby.com.au • bardenridge.com.au • megan.com.au • carlingford.com.au • more suburbs..


text:
Raising Jake
Carillo, Charles
"Sammy Sullivan is working his way down the ladder success. Divorced and pushing fifty, his relationships have the longevity of a fruit fly. But how many men can get themselves fired and have their only son expelled from prep school all in one day? Now, after almost eighteen years, he and Jake may finally get to know each other. (That's if his ex-wife - the super-achiever Sammy can only dream of being - doesn't find out.) Jake knows virtually nothing about his roots. So, Sammy shows him the old neighborhood in the far reaches of Queens. But it's been thirty years. The older woman Sammy lost his virginity to now uses a walker to get around. Most of his old hangouts are long gone. It's dreary, born-to-lose stuff. But Jake is on a mission. Wise beyond his (and his Dad's) years, he doesn't want his father to miss out the second time around on all the good things be blew the first time. And they've got a whole weekend together - a journey where Sammy will confront his dysfunctional childhood, and Jake will face a past he never knew he had."--Back cover.
Publisher: New York : Kensington Books, c2009.
Characteristics: 341 p. ;,21 cm.
Read more reviews of Raising Jake at iDreamBooks.com
Fathers and Sons — Fiction.
Divorced Men — Fiction.
Queens (New York, N.Y.) — Fiction
Psychological Fiction.