text:
KLAJIC v. CASTAIC LAKE WATER AGENCY
Jill KLAJIC et al., Plaintiffs and Respondents, v. CASTAIC LAKE WATER AGENCY et al., Defendants and Appellants.
Nos. B161069, B163110.
Decided: July 29, 2004
Horvitz & Levy, Barry R. Levy, Encino; The Hancock Law Office, William N. Hancock; McCormick, Kidman & Behrens, Russell G. Behrens, David D. Boyer, Costa Mesa; and R. Bruce Tepper, Los Angeles, for Defendants and Appellants. Jennifer Kilpatrick; Kearney Alvarez, Thomas A. Kearney, Los Angeles, and Paul Alvarez for Plaintiffs and Respondents.
We are asked by the Castaic Lake Water Agency (the Agency) to construe section 15.1 of its enabling act, effective January 2002. (Stats. 2001, ch. 929 § 3, 72A Wests Ann. Wat.-Appen. (2004 Supp.) 103-1 et seq., p. 487 et seq., hereinafter the Agency Enabling Act.) The Agency has appealed from the judgment of the trial court ordering the issuance of a writ of mandate that prohibits the Agency from selling drinking water directly to consumers. The court ruled that section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act is not an independent grant of authority, and to sell water directly to the consumer, the Agency must first comply with the requirements of Water Code section 12944.7, subdivision (b).1
On appeal, the Agency contends section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act authorizes it, a water wholesaler, to sell water at retail independent of section 12944.7, subdivision (b). We hold the Agency correctly construes the introductory phrase in section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment and the award of attorney fees.2
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
1. The factual predicate.
Created by the Legislature, the Agency is a special district whose purpose, according to section 15 of the Agency Enabling Act, is to "acquire water and water rights ․ and provide, sell, and deliver that water at wholesale only ․" (Agency Enabling Act, 103-15, p. 500, italics added; Klajic v. Castaic Lake Water Agency (2001) 90 Cal.App.4th 987, 991, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454, hereinafter Klajic I.) The Agency operates in the Santa Clarita Valley in Los Angeles County. It provides water to four local water utilities, including the Santa Clarita Water Company (the Water Company) and the Newhall County Water District.
Beginning in 1999, the Agency commenced efforts to sell water directly to consumers. It did so by relying on section 12944.7, subdivision (b). That statute allows a wholesale water agency to sell water at retail "only pursuant to written contract with ․ a water corporation ․ subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission [PUC] and serving water at retail within the area in which the consumer is located." 3 (12944.7, subd. (b).) Accordingly, the Agency entered into a transaction with the Water Company. (Klajic I, supra, 90 Cal.App.4th at pp. 991-992, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454.)
Before the transaction was closed, however, respondents,4 property owners, residents, and taxpayers located in the area covered by the Agency, sought a peremptory writ of mandate to force the Agency to comply with section 12944.7, subdivision (b). (Klajic I, supra, 90 Cal.App.4th at p. 993, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454.) Respondents argued, inter alia, that section 12944.7, subdivision (b) authorized the retail sale of water only pursuant to a contract with an independent water retailer which is subject to PUC regulation. According to respondents, the net effect of the Agency's transaction with the Water Company would be a merger of those two entities into a single unified company that would not be subject to PUC regulation and hence, would not comply with section 12944.7, subdivision (b). (Klajic I, supra, at p. 994, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454.)
2. The first appeal.
In Klajic I, we held that section 12944.7, subdivision (b) granted a water wholesaler, such as the Agency, the right to sell water at retail but " 'only pursuant to written contract with ' " a separate entity that is subject to PUC regulation. (Klajic I, supra, 90 Cal.App.4th at p. 997, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454.) We explained that section 12944.7, subdivision (b) "clearly manifests the Legislatures intent there be a contract, which a fortiori, must be between two separate parties, each time the Agency sells water at retail." (Id. at p. 998, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454.) That is we explained, the two parties to the contract under section 12944.7, subdivision (b) must maintain their separate existences and must be subject to PUC regulation during the life of the contract, or at any time the Agency seeks to sell water directly to the consumer. (Ibid.) We reversed the judgment and remanded to the trial court to determine whether, as the result of the challenged transaction, the Water Company continued to exist as an entity separate from the Agency, and continued to be subject to regulation by the PUC, so as to satisfy the requirements of section 12944.7, subdivision (b). (Id. at pp. 1000-1001, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454.)
3. Passage of Assembly Bill No. 134.
While Klajic I was pending, the Agency sought a legislative solution. The Agency sponsored Assembly Bill No. 134 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.). Of particular importance to this appeal is section 3 of Assembly Bill No. 134, which added section 15.1 to the Agency Enabling Act. Section 15.1 reads in pertinent part: "Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 12944.7 of the Water Code [analyzed in Klajic I ] and Section 15 of this act [authorizing the Agency to sell water at wholesale only], but subject to paragraph (2), the agency may exercise retail water authority only within the [specified] boundaries․" (Agency Enabling Act, 72A West's Ann. Wat.-Appen. (2004 Supp.) § 103-15.1, subd. (a)(1), p. 4, italics added.) The statute then defines the boundaries by reciting specific metes and bounds.5
Paragraph 2 of section 15.1 then grants the Newhall County Water District authority over geographical areas that were not served by the Water Company on September 2, 1999, and protects all of the Newhall County Water Districts existing water rights within the Water Company's geographic boundaries. (Agency Enabling Act, § 103-15.1, subd. (a)(2)(A), p. 5.) 6 Subdivision (b) precludes the Agency from exercising retail water authority outside the boundaries described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), without statutory authorization. (Agency Enabling Act, § 103-15.1, subd. (b).)
Section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act was enacted in 2001, while Klajic I was pending. The statute became effective on January 1, 2002, not long after the trial court regained jurisdiction upon issuance of the remittitur in Klajic I.
4. Trial.
Returning to the trial court upon our remand, respondents renewed their contention that the events that occurred during and after the Agency's transaction with the Water Company brought about a de facto merger of the two entities. As a result, they argued, no contract existed that complied with section 12944.7, subdivision (b). Respondents noted they have already received rate increases not approved by the PUC or the Water Company's board.
Rather than to dispute the merger issue, the Agency pointed to Assembly Bill No. 134 (2003-2004 Reg. Sess.). The Agency argued that Assembly Bill No. 134 added section 15.1 to the Agency Enabling Act to allow the Agency to sell water at retail within the Water Company's service area without complying with section 12944.7, subdivision (b). Passage of section 15.1, the Agency argued, rendered irrelevant the question of whether it had a contract with a separate entity retailer subject to PUC regulation.
The trial court disagreed. The court ruled that Assembly Bill No. 134 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.) was a further limitation upon the right granted by section 12944.7, subdivision (b). The court construed Assembly Bill No. 134 to mean that the Agency could sell water directly to the ultimate consumer only pursuant to contract with a water company that is subject to PUC regulation pursuant to section 12944.7, subdivision (b), and only within specific territorial boundaries described by the metes and bounds in Assembly Bill No. 134.
Accordingly, the trial court ordered the issuance of a writ of mandate prohibiting the Agency and the Water Company, as an alter ego of the Agency, from selling water at retail, until such time as the Agency entered into a bona fide contract. The trial court awarded respondents attorney fees and costs in the amount of $202,721.80 pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5. The Agencys appeal followed.
The Agency contends the trial court erred in construing section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act.
1. Standard of review.
The Agency does not challenge the trial court's finding that the Agency and the Water Company have merged precluding compliance with section 12944.7, subdivision (b). Instead, the Agency contends on appeal that the passage of Assembly Bill No. 134 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.) renders Klajic I and the subsequent trial court judgment irrelevant. They reason that as of January 2002, section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act authorizes the Agency to sell water at retail regardless of whether it has entered into a contract that conforms with section 12944.7, subdivision (b).
Our task in this second appeal is to interpret section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act and apply it to the facts here. As we explained in Klajic I, "A traditional writ of mandate under Code of Civil Procedure section 1085 is a method for compelling a public entity to perform a legal and usually ministerial duty. [Citation.] The trial court reviews an administrative action pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1085 to determine whether the agencys action was arbitrary, capricious, or entirely lacking in evidentiary support, contrary to established public policy, unlawful, procedurally unfair, or whether the agency failed to follow the procedure and give the notices the law requires. [Citations.] 'Although mandate will not lie to control a public agency's discretion, that is to say, force the exercise of discretion in a particular manner, it will lie to correct abuses of discretion. [Citation.] In determining whether an agency has abused its discretion, the court may not substitute its judgment for that of the agency, and if reasonable minds may disagree as to the wisdom of the agency's action, its determination must be upheld. [Citation.]' [Citation.]" (Klajic I, supra, 90 Cal.App.4th at p. 995, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454, fn. omitted.)
On appeal from a judgment on a petition for writ of ordinary mandate, "we exercise our independent judgment about legal questions. [Citations.]" (Klajic I, supra, 90 Cal.App.4th at p. 996, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454.)
2. Section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act grants the Agency independent authority to sell water at retail without the necessity of a contract pursuant to section 12944.7, subdivision (b).
The trial court construed section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act to limit the retail rights that would otherwise be available to the Agency if it complied with section 12944.7, subdivision (b). That is, the court read Assembly Bill No. 134 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.) to mean that section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act, in conjunction with section 12944.7, subdivision (b), requires the Agency to obtain a contract with a separate entity regulated by the PUC (§ 12944.7, subd. (b)) before it could sell water at retail to the ultimate consumer, and then only within the specified geographical boundaries.
The Agency contends that section 15.1 is an entirely new, independent grant of authority to it to sell water at retail, limited only by geography, and irrespective of section 12944.7, subdivision (b). We agree with the Agency.
a. The rules of statutory interpretation.
In determining under what conditions the Agency is authorized to sell water to the ultimate consumer, " '[i]f the language is clear and unambiguous[,] there is no need for construction, nor is it necessary to resort to indicia of the intent of the Legislature․' [Citation.] If the language permits more than one reasonable interpretation, however, the court looks 'to a variety of extrinsic aids, including the ostensible objects to be achieved, the evils to be remedied, the legislative history, public policy, contemporaneous administrative construction, and the statutory scheme of which the statute is a part.' [Citation.]" (Wilcox v. Birtwhistle (1999) 21 Cal.4th 973, 977, 90 Cal.Rptr.2d 260, 987 P.2d 727; Klajic I, supra, 90 Cal.App.4th at p. 997, 109 Cal.Rptr.2d 454.)
b. Assembly Bill No. 134 amended the Agency Enabling Act by adding an independent authority to sell water at retail without regard to the requirements of section 12944.7, subdivision (b).
The crucial language before us is that of section 15.1, subdivision (a)(1) of the Agency Enabling Act. It provides, "Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 12944.7 of the Water Code [construed in Klajic I to require a contract and PUC oversight] and Section 15 of this act [granting the Agency right to sell water at wholesale only], but subject to paragraph (2), the agency may exercise retail water authority only within the following boundaries․" (Ibid., italics added.)
"Notwithstanding" means "without prevention or obstruction from or by" or "in spite of " (Webster's 3d New Internat. Dict. (unabridged Dict.1993) p. 1545, italics added) or "despite" (Webster's 10th New Collegiate Dict. (1995) p. 795).
The statutory phrase "notwithstanding any other law" has been called a " 'term of art' " (People v. Franklin (1997) 57 Cal.App.4th 68, 73-74, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 742) that declares the legislative intent to override all contrary law. (People v. Tillman (1999) 73 Cal.App.4th 771, 784-785, 86 Cal.Rptr.2d 715, and cases cited therein.) By use of this term, the Legislature expresses its intent " 'to have the specific statute control despite the existence of other law which might otherwise govern.' [Citation.]" (People v. Franklin, supra; People v. Tillman, supra; Macedo v. Bosio (2001) 86 Cal.App.4th 1044, 1050-1051, fn. 4, 104 Cal.Rptr.2d 1; In re Marriage of Cutler (2000) 79 Cal.App.4th 460, 475, 94 Cal.Rptr.2d 156, ["notwithstanding any other provision of law" "signals a broad application overriding all other code sections"].) The more narrow phrase "notwithstanding subdivision (a)" expresses the legislative intent to "carve out an exception only to subdivision (a)․" (People v. Flannery (1985) 164 Cal.App.3d 1112, 1120, 210 Cal.Rptr. 899.)
Here, section 15.1s "notwithstanding" language is specific, referring to the requirements in section 12944.7, subdivision (b) and the grant only of wholesale water authority to the Agency in section 15 of the Agency Enabling Act. Section 15 of the Agency Enabling Act prevents the Agency from, and section 12944.7, subdivision (b) sets forth specific conditions for, selling water at retail. Newly enacted section 15.1 now authorizes the Agency to sell water to the ultimate consumer within a specified geographic area "notwithstanding" or despite the prerequisites to that authority in section 12944.7, subdivision (b) and the prohibition in section 15 of the Agency Enabling Act. As a later enacted statute that includes the phrase "notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 12944.7," section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act necessarily controls over section 12944.7, subdivision (b). (People v. Franklin, supra, 57 Cal.App.4th at pp. 73-74, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 742.)
The import of section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act is clear and unambiguous. (See In re Marriage of Cutler, supra, 79 Cal.App.4th at p. 475, 94 Cal.Rptr.2d 156.) By using the statutory term of art "notwithstanding," the Legislature intended to have the specific grant of retail water authority to the Agency control, despite the existence of the two statutes which would otherwise govern and limit that right. (People v. Franklin, supra, 57 Cal.App.4th at pp. 73-74, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 742.) The import of the language of section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act is that it is an independent grant of retail water authority. By requiring the Agency first to comply with the contract requirements of section 12944.7, subdivision (b) before selling water at retail under section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act, the trial court ignored the "notwithstanding" clause.
Our holding is bolstered by the next phrase in section 15.1, "but subject to paragraph (2)." Paragraph 2 protects the Newhall County Water Districts existing interests in the same geographical area. In this context, "subject to paragraph 2" means "governed by" or "affected by" paragraph 2. (Black's Law Dict. (6th ed.1990) p. 1425, col. 2.) Read in its entirety, considering the juxtaposition of all of the predicate phrases, section 15.1 subdivision (a)(1) establishes the Agency's retail water authority independent of Water Code section 12944.7, subdivision (b) and section 15 of the Agency Enabling Act, but governed by the requirements of paragraph 2 of section 15.1. Had the Legislature desired to make section 15.1, subdivision (a)(1) merely a geographical limitation to be added to the prerequisites of section 12944.7, subdivision (b), as parsed by the trial court, then it would have stated that section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act was "subject to" section 12944.7, subdivision (b), or omitted the "notwithstanding" clause altogether. Although the Legislature knows how to do that, it did not in this case. Hence, section 15.1, subdivision (a)(1) is a grant of retail water authority within specific geographical boundaries, independent of the prerequisites of section 12944.7, subdivision (b) and the limitation of section 15 of the Agency Enabling Act, but subject to the rights of the Newhall County Water District as set out in paragraph (2).
Having concluded the meaning of section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act is clear and unambiguous, we need not resort to the legislative history.7 (Wilcox v. Birtwhistle, supra, 21 Cal.4th at p. 977, 90 Cal.Rptr.2d 260, 987 P.2d 727.) We note, however, that our reading of the statute comports with the declaration contained in the Legislative Counsel's Digest, that "[t]his bill [Assembly Bill No. 134] would authorize [the Agency] to exercise retail water authority․" (Legis. Counsel's Dig., Sen. Bill No. 134 (2001-02 Reg. Sess.), italics added.) Although Assembly Bill No. 134 underwent upwards of nine permutations, all but the first two versions of the bill reflected the legislative intent that section 15.1, subdivision (a)(1) would "authorize the agency to exercise retail water authority․" (Legis. Counsel's Dig., Assem. Bill No. 134 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.)) Moreover, this specific grant was conferred, not in section 12944.7, subdivision (b), which applies generally to any wholesale water agency, but in the Agency's own enabling act. The location of this portion of Assembly Bill No. 134 indicates the legislative plan to circumvent the hurdle to retail authority caused by the Agency's takeover of the Water Company. Furthermore, the Agency sponsored Assembly Bill No. 134 while it was embroiled in this litigation over the meaning of section 12449.7, subdivision (b)'s prerequisites to obtaining retail water authority. We doubt the Agency would have expended the time and resources to have the bill enacted merely to add another limitation to retail authority on top of section 12944.7, subdivision (b)'s requirements.
To summarize, section 15.1, subdivision (a)(1) is an independent grant of retail water authority to the Agency, despite any prerequisites to such authority contained in subdivision (b) of section 12944.7. The only limitations are those listed in section 15.1. Thus, the trial court erred in ruling the Agency was required first to fulfill the contractual requirements of section 12944.7, subdivision (b) before it could sell water to the ultimate consumer.
3. Assembly Bill No. 134 was intended to apply prospectively only.
Assembly Bill No. 134 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.) also added a declaration of intent to section 12944.7, subdivision (b). Section 5 of Assembly Bill No. 134 states: "The Legislature finds and declares that because Sections 1, 3, and 4 of this act, which amend Section 12944.7 of the Water Code and the Castaic Lake Water Agency Law (Chapter 28 of the Statutes of 1962, First Extraordinary Session), are prospective, the Legislature expresses no opinion with regard to any court actions filed prior to July 1, 2001." (Italics added.) By this declaration, the Legislature gave a nod to the ongoing litigation in Klajic I and sought not to interfere with the outcome of the first appeal. The Legislature nonetheless granted the Agency authority to sell water to the ultimate consumer independent of section 12944.7, subdivision (b), commencing January 1, 2002, when the statute became effective.8
4. The order awarding attorney fees must be reversed.
The Agency asks us to reverse the award of attorney fees, granted pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1021.5. "[W]here an appellate court reverses a judgment ordering issuance of a writ of mandate, '[i]t follows' that the trial courts section 1021.5 attorney fees award must also be reversed. [Citations.]" (National Parks Conservation Assn. v. County of Riverside (2000) 81 Cal.App.4th 234, 238, 96 Cal.Rptr.2d 576.) Respondents obtained a favorable result in the trial court based on the court's conclusion that the Agency's transaction with the Water Company resulted in a merger of the two entities that did not comply with subdivision (b) of section 12944.7's prerequisites to selling water to the consumer.
Based on our construction of section 15.1 of the Agency Enabling Act, we reverse the judgment and direct the trial court to vacate the writ. Consequently, respondents have ultimately been unsuccessful in their efforts to stop the Agency from selling water at retail. It is therefore automatic that the section 1021.5 attorney fee award must be reversed. (Id. at p. 239, 96 Cal.Rptr.2d 576.)
The judgment is reversed. The trial court is directed to vacate its order granting the petition and enter an order denying the petition. The attorney fee award is reversed. Each party to bear its own costs on appeal.
1. Hereinafter, all statutory references are to the Water Code, unless otherwise noted.
2. For purposes of clarity we refer to appellants as the Agency. Along with the Agency, appellants include the Castaic Lake Water Agency Financing Corporation and the Santa Clarita Water Company.
3. Section 12944.7 states in subdivision (b): "Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if the principal act of the public agency restricts the agency to the wholesale distribution of water, the right to sell water directly to consumers may be exercised by the agency only pursuant to written contract with (1) a wholesaler, if any exists, to which the water would otherwise be sold and (2) a public entity water purveyor, if any exists, serving water at retail within the area in which the consumer is located or a water corporation, if any exists, subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commission and serving water at retail within the area in which the consumer is located."
4. Respondents are Jill Klajic, Lynne Plambeck, Joan Dunn, and Jackie Bettencourt, representing taxpayers and voters in the territory of the Agency, and representing retail water customers of the Santa Clarita Water Company.
5. The Agency informs us that the metes and bounds in section 15.1 correspond to the Water Company's service area on September 2, 1999, the day before the Agency acquired the Water Company.
6. Paragraph 2 states: "(A) Any area within the area described in paragraph (1) that is also within the boundaries of the Newhall County Water District, and not served by the Santa Clarita Water Company on September 2, 1999, may not be served by the agency unless the Newhall County Water District has granted approval. [¶] (B) Nothing in this section prohibits the Newhall County Water District from exercising any authority conferred by other law for the purpose of providing retail water service within the area described in paragraph (1)." (Agency Enabling Act, § 103-15.1, subd. (a)(2)(A) & (B).)
7. We granted respondents' motion to take judicial notice of the legislative history of Assembly Bill No. 134. However, because we conclude the language of Assembly Bill No. 134 is clear and unambiguous, we need not consider the legislative history in resolving the issue presented to us. (Wilcox v. Birtwhistle, supra, 21 Cal.4th at p. 977, 90 Cal.Rptr.2d 260, 987 P.2d 727.)
8. See Senate Local Government Committee analysis of Assembly Bill No. 134: "Asking the Legislature to clearly authorize the Agency to be in the retail water business while a challenge is pending in the Second District Court of Appeals [sic ] might be construed as a legislative assent to the Agency's purchase of the private water company. To avoid that inference, the Committee may wish to consider an amendment declaring that in passing the bill, legislators express no view on the pending litigation. [¶] [Moreover,] [a]n accepted rule of statutory construction is that legislation has a prospective effect. The 1990 Kelley bill [adding Water Code section 12944.7, subdivision (b) ] allowed water wholesale agencies to go into the retail water business but only under specific conditions. [Assembly Bill No.] 134 allows the Castaic Lake Water Agency to be the retail water purveyor in the area served by the Santa Clarita Water Company. [Assembly Bill No.] 134 amends both the 1990 law and the Agency's own principal act. The Committee may wish to consider an amendment that clearly declares that the bill is prospective and not retroactive in any way." (Assem. Bill No. 134 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.); Sen. Local Gov. Com., Analysis of Bill No. 134 (2001-2002 Reg. Sess.) as amended June 11, 2001, p. 3, italics added.)
ALDRICH, J.
We concur: KLEIN, P.J., and CROSKEY, J.


This is a standard Astra h vxr cat back exhaust as I just changed my to cobra just putting it on here to get some space as it big part to store plus someone might need to replace their exhaust and this one be sitting here doing nothing. Feel free to ask any questions plus item be collection only unless u want it posted let me no and I find out some prices. The item "Vauxhall astra h vxr cat back exhaust" is in sale since Thursday, July 5, 2018. This item is in the category "Vehicle Parts & Accessories\Car Tuning & Styling\Performance Exhaust\Other Performance Exhausts". The seller is "10ricky2" and is located in Waltham Cross.


Now think of your team. Are some of your players in a slump? If so, they are not the only ones. Frequently, around the end of Q1 a lot of sales representatives fall into slumps. Your team ran straight into Q1 at full speed and with the winter months coming to an end, many have cabin fever and are easily distracted.
So how do you get your sales athletes out of a slump?
Acknowledge that some of your players are distracted? Bring it to their attention. Many of them will already feel pressure internally. They will not be sure what is wrong, but will know that they are not producing as well as they should. This is not about being unlucky, or being a victim; this is about getting pointed in the right direction to succeed.
Relieve anxiety that will cause additional distraction by addressing the problem and offering support and council. Sales people know when they are not producing. Help them get back on track with aggressive and direct objectives and goals. Focus on driving activity and inspect results.
Mix it up. Keep your environment fresh and change up the daily routine. Encourage your team to run in the morning, drive a different way to work, read a new book, listen to motivational tapes, eat different foods, take different people out to lunch, get to work early, set a goal to close the office twice a week, etc. Break the common routine; steering your team away from burn out. When in a slump it is easy to burn out, but it is your responsibility to help your team push through the downs. It happens to all of us, but it is those who mentally push through these lows that find better days and much success.
Encourage your team to ask for help. Find new ways to do the job. Encourage your team to be nimble, to adapt, change and learn. Learn from management, peers and from the newest members of the team. Knowledge is power and it revitalizes the sole.
Team Unity. Focus on the basics and driving activity. Don't wait for someone else to do it for you? Take action! Encourage your team to find a peer to commit to call blitz together. Create team games internally with small prizes to build unity and drive activity. Have fun with it and create competition. Prospecting together creates synergy and increases energy and belief. Everyone's success is shared and the team will achieve positive reinforcement and success.


Mix the chilli powder, garlic powder, cumin and paprika together in a small bowl and set aside.
Empty the coleslaw mix into a bowl and stir through the mayonnaise, season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Chop the cherry tomatoes, and avocado into small pieces, and place in small bowl with coriander leaves. Squeeze the juice of half lime over the top, stir and set aside.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat with a teaspoon of olive oil, add chicken then stir through taco seasoning until the chicken is coated. Cook for a few minutes until the chicken is warmed through.
Meanwhile, heat the tortillas in the microwave according to the packet directions.
Assemble your tacos, layering coleslaw, chicken, and the avocado and tomato mix and then sprinkle with corn and cheese (if using). Serve with sour cream and lime wedges.


text:
Q: Marginal distributions of a mixture of two Gaussian distributions In the Mathematics for Machine Learning book (Section 6.4), the author introduces a mixture of two Gaussian distributions as
$$0.4 \mathcal{N}\Bigg(\begin{bmatrix}10 \\ 2\end{bmatrix}, \begin{bmatrix}1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1\end{bmatrix}\Bigg) + 0.6 \mathcal{N}\Bigg(\begin{bmatrix}0 \\ 0\end{bmatrix}, \begin{bmatrix}8.4 & 2.0 \\ 2.0 & 1.7\end{bmatrix}\Bigg)$$
In the exercise 6.2.a, we are asked to compute the marginal distributions for each dimension.
How shall I procede?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
import { Component, ComponentResolver, EventEmitter, HostBinding, Injectable, Renderer, ViewChild, ViewContainerRef } from '@angular/core';
import { Title } from '@angular/platform-browser';

import { ClickBlock } from '../../util/click-block';
import { Config } from '../../config/config';
import { NavController } from '../nav/nav-controller';
import { isTabs, isNav } from '../nav/nav-controller-base';
import { NavOptions } from '../nav/nav-interfaces';
import { NavPortal } from '../nav/nav-portal';
import { Platform } from '../../platform/platform';

/**
 * @private
 */
export abstract class UserComponent {}

/**
 * Ionic App utility service.
 */
@Injectable()
export class App {
  private _disTime: number = 0;
  private _scrollTime: number = 0;
  private _title: string = '';
  private _titleSrv: Title = new Title();
  private _rootNav: NavController = null;
  private _portal: NavPortal;

  /**
   * @private
   */
  clickBlock: ClickBlock;

  /**
   * @private
   */
  appRoot: AppRoot;

  viewDidLoad: EventEmitter<any> = new EventEmitter();
  viewWillEnter: EventEmitter<any> = new EventEmitter();
  viewDidEnter: EventEmitter<any> = new EventEmitter();
  viewWillLeave: EventEmitter<any> = new EventEmitter();
  viewDidLeave: EventEmitter<any> = new EventEmitter();
  viewWillUnload: EventEmitter<any> = new EventEmitter();
  viewDidUnload: EventEmitter<any> = new EventEmitter();

  constructor(
    private _config: Config,
    private _platform: Platform
  ) {
    // listen for hardware back button events
    // register this back button action with a default priority
    _platform.registerBackButtonAction(this.navPop.bind(this));
  }

  /**
   * Sets the document title.
   * @param {string} val  Value to set the document title to.
   */
  setTitle(val: string) {
    if (val !== this._title) {
      this._title = val;
      this._titleSrv.setTitle(val);
    }
  }

  /**
   * @private
   * Sets if the app is currently enabled or not, meaning if it's
   * available to accept new user commands. For example, this is set to `false`
   * while views transition, a modal slides up, an action-sheet
   * slides up, etc. After the transition completes it is set back to `true`.
   * @param {boolean} isEnabled
   * @param {number} duration  When `isEnabled` is set to `false`, this argument
   * is used to set the maximum number of milliseconds that app will wait until
   * it will automatically enable the app again. It's basically a fallback incase
   * something goes wrong during a transition and the app wasn't re-enabled correctly.
   */
  setEnabled(isEnabled: boolean, duration: number = 700) {
    this._disTime = (isEnabled ? 0 : Date.now() + duration);

    if (this.clickBlock) {
      if (isEnabled || duration <= 32) {
        // disable the click block if it's enabled, or the duration is tiny
        this.clickBlock.activate(false, 0);

      } else {
        // show the click block for duration + some number
        this.clickBlock.activate(true, duration + CLICK_BLOCK_BUFFER_IN_MILLIS);
      }
    }
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  setScrollDisabled(disabled: boolean) {
    if (!this.appRoot) {
      console.error('appRoot is missing, scrolling can not be enabled/disabled');
      return;
    }
    this.appRoot.disableScroll = disabled;
  }

  /**
   * @private
   * Boolean if the app is actively enabled or not.
   * @return {boolean}
   */
  isEnabled(): boolean {
    return (this._disTime < Date.now());
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  setScrolling() {
    this._scrollTime = Date.now();
  }

  /**
   * Boolean if the app is actively scrolling or not.
   * @return {boolean}
   */
  isScrolling(): boolean {
    return (this._scrollTime + 48 > Date.now());
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  getActiveNav(): NavController {
    var nav = this._rootNav || null;
    var activeChildNav: any;

    while (nav) {
      activeChildNav = nav.getActiveChildNav();
      if (!activeChildNav) {
        break;
      }
      nav = activeChildNav;
    }

    return nav;
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  getRootNav(): NavController {
    return this._rootNav;
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  setRootNav(nav: any) {
    this._rootNav = nav;
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  setPortal(portal: NavPortal) {
    this._portal = portal;
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  present(enteringView: any, opts: NavOptions = {}): Promise<any> {
    enteringView.setNav(this._portal);

    opts.keyboardClose = false;
    opts.direction = 'forward';

    if (!opts.animation) {
      opts.animation = enteringView.getTransitionName('forward');
    }

    enteringView.setLeavingOpts({
      keyboardClose: false,
      direction: 'back',
      animation: enteringView.getTransitionName('back'),
      ev: opts.ev
    });

    return this._portal.insertViews(-1, [enteringView], opts);
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  navPop(): Promise<any> {
    // function used to climb up all parent nav controllers
    function navPop(nav: any): Promise<any> {
      if (nav) {
        if (isTabs(nav)) {
          // FYI, using "nav instanceof Tabs" throws a Promise runtime error for whatever reason, idk
          // this is a Tabs container
          // see if there is a valid previous tab to go to
          let prevTab = nav.previousTab(true);
          if (prevTab) {
            console.debug('app, goBack previous tab');
            nav.select(prevTab);
            return Promise.resolve();
          }

        } else if (isNav(nav) && nav.length() > 1) {
          // this nav controller has more than one view
          // pop the current view on this nav and we're done here
          console.debug('app, goBack pop nav');
          return nav.pop();
        }

        // try again using the parent nav (if there is one)
        return navPop(nav.parent);
      }

      // nerp, never found nav that could pop off a view
      return null;
    }

    // app must be enabled and there must be a
    // root nav controller for go back to work
    if (this._rootNav && this.isEnabled()) {

      // first check if the root navigation has any overlays
      // opened in it's portal, like alert/actionsheet/popup
      if (this._portal && this._portal.length() > 0) {
        // there is an overlay view in the portal
        // let's pop this one off to go back
        console.debug('app, goBack pop overlay');
        return this._portal.pop();
      }

      // next get the active nav, check itself and climb up all
      // of its parent navs until it finds a nav that can pop
      let navPromise = navPop(this.getActiveNav());
      if (navPromise === null) {
        // no views to go back to
        // let's exit the app
        if (this._config.getBoolean('navExitApp', true)) {
          console.debug('app, goBack exitApp');
          this._platform.exitApp();
        }
      }

      return navPromise;
    }

    return Promise.resolve();
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  private getRegisteredComponent(cls: any): any {
    // deprecated warning: added 2016-04-28, beta7
    console.warn('Using app.getRegisteredComponent() to query components has been deprecated. ' +
                 'Please use Angular\'s ViewChild annotation instead:\n\nhttp://learnangular2.com/viewChild/');
  }

  /**
   * @private
   */
  private getComponent(id: string): any {
    // deprecated warning: added 2016-04-28, beta7
    console.warn('Using app.getComponent() to query components has been deprecated. ' +
                 'Please use Angular\'s ViewChild annotation instead:\n\nhttp://learnangular2.com/viewChild/');
  }

  /**
   * Get an instance of the global app injector that contains references to all of the instantiated providers
   * @returns {Injector}
   */
  private getAppInjector(): any {
    // deprecated warning: added 2016-06-27, beta10
    console.warn('Recent Angular2 versions should no longer require App.getAppInjector()');
  }
}

/**
 * @private
 */
@Component({
  selector: 'ion-app',
  template: `
    <div #anchor nav-portal></div>
    <click-block></click-block>
  `,
  directives: [NavPortal, ClickBlock]
})
export class AppRoot {

  @ViewChild('anchor', {read: ViewContainerRef}) private _viewport: ViewContainerRef;

  constructor(
    private _cmp: UserComponent,
    private _cr: ComponentResolver,
    private _renderer: Renderer,
    app: App
  ) {
    app.appRoot = this;
  }

  ngAfterViewInit() {
    // load the user app's root component
    this._cr.resolveComponent(<any>this._cmp).then(componentFactory => {
      let appEle: HTMLElement = this._renderer.createElement(null, componentFactory.selector || 'div', null);
      appEle.setAttribute('class', 'app-root');

      let componentRef = componentFactory.create(this._viewport.injector, null, appEle);
      this._viewport.insert(componentRef.hostView, 0);
    });
  }

  @HostBinding('class.disable-scroll') disableScroll: boolean = false;

}

const CLICK_BLOCK_BUFFER_IN_MILLIS = 64;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


In 2014 Sandra quit her office job to pursue her passion: la pâtisserie, as we say in France.
I love seasons. The change makes you appreciate the sun, the snow, and even the rain. It's the same for my tartes. There are 5 flavours per season, plus some special ones for unforgettable occasions like Christmas, Easter, my birthday , your birthday.
My team and I deliver freshly-baked tartes to your door. Share them with your colleagues at work, or with your family and friends at home.
Tell them a story and they will turn it into a very unique book, your own one!
The Bookomat concept is made by Irene Fernández Arcas & Marisa Bilham. Build by Marisa Bilham, Johanna Taubenreuther with the little painting help of Irene. Drawing behind the window: Marisa Bilham, Irene Fernández & Xueh Magrini Troll.
The idea is to give people a place to tell stories, to find out what is this thing they always wanted to have as a book , to find special moments in everyday, to be author and writers and creators, to laught, to capture a snapshot of the history or story of some people life.
So it work like that: someone sit in front of the window, insert coin, press the buttom, and start telling a story. And we draw it. At the end you have your illustrated book with your story.
Of course we draw fast and this is not gonna be a reall fantastic elaborated illustrated book. More a bit of art and fun.
But if you want a real illustrated book, the machine also can make it. You can make a bigger appointmet with it, outside festivals and markets.
Crêpes Maman brings the french art of crepe in Berlin, sweet and salty, with original recipe elaborated in Brittany with traditional "crepe master".
Canned biscuits: Or rather: my italian "Cantucci" in a can.
Baked and packed in Berlin; ready to be eaten by you.
Time in Spoons is a diy/home vegan bakery that until recently was based in Milan, and now moved to Berlin. This has always been a work in progress project, so it seemed natural just trying to move in other countries and see what will happen.
Most of what she does are classics of italian and american cuisine, but she is currently trying different kind of european baked goods (mostly swedish and french).
5 CUPS and some sugar is an innovative online tea shop. Each tea blend is mixed at our in-house manufacture, where we attach great importance to the quality and the processing of the ingredients. A first- class taste, a design award-winning packaging and tons of fun constitute our secret of success. Dull tea is so outdated! 5 CUPS provides the tea of the future.
When Rafał and Michał moved from Poland to Berlin, they were horrified to find a gastronomic gap in the shape of pierogi. Stepping up to the plate, their silky, homemade pierogi come in traditional flavours such as speck, potatoes & white cheese but also experimental combinations like Tofu, pea & mint or beetroot greens, Nigella & fresh white cheese – the definition of Berlin/Polish fusion cuisine.
Look out for their cute black-and-white stall, equipped with table, chairs, shots of cold borscht and – even colder – homemade flavoured vodkas!
Kaizoku are Berlin's only Japanese Yōshoku cuisine specialists, most famous for their authentic Japanese Curry. A unique blend of English, French, Indian and Japanese cooking techniques and richer and milder than other curries, Japanese Curry is one of the most popular foods in Japan.
Kaizoku provides real Japanese Chicken Curry and a special Vegan version, once called the best vegetarian dish in Berlin.
For the Voodoo Market, Kaizoku will be making a few special edition recipes as well!
Creative French pastries, healthy and colorful sweet breads, meltingly soft cookies and brownies, with a selection of vegan and glutenfree delights.
Berlin-based Tante Truß and her crew travel through Europe's festivals, markets and other chilled out places giving more color, glam and cheerfulness with stunning hair and make-up art.
Follow us to be up to date on our most recent adventures!
For the VOODOO MARKET they offer you FREE glitter and face painting, for kids and grownups!
Okonomiyaki is a very well loved Japanese street food. It is a savoury pancake made with a lightly seasoned fish stock and flour batter added to shredded cabbage, spring onion and fragrant pickled ginger. It's grilled on a teppanyaki plate then glazed with a sweet soy based sauce and Kewpie mayonnaise then finished with a sprinkle of dried seaweed and bonito flakes. YUMS!
Pete Corrie is a self-taught tattooer with the legs to prove it. He has been tattooing over 5 years, specializing in a folk art, naive hand drawn style. He tattoos electrically as well as manually, upon request.
To get a tattoo directly at the VOODOO market, please email him at stickandpoke@gmail.com and check with him about details.
The Porridge Pot is a newly formed venture and is based on a love and obsession with the humble oat. We create sweet and savoury flavours for you to try, using a selection of soaked slow cooked organic steel-cut oats and creative ingredients.
With the weather so cold at the moment, there is no better way to warm up then with a nice bowl of hot delicious Porridge. Customers will be able to choose from a selection of yummy toppings, such as homemade fruit compotes, custard, roasted nuts, and classic sugar with butter. Knowing that not everyone has a sweet tooth, we will be catering for savoury fans with a scrumptious risotto like porridge.
AKA is an hybrid art space: a galery, a tattoo piercing and body-modification atelier working with guest artists in every discipline. The gallery is meant to welcome exhibitions and performers. The tattoo artists are selected for their specific and strong visual ideas, most of them do not come from a traditional tattoo background: they are visual artists, silkscreen printers, illustrators, painters, street artists in the first place.
AKA wants to present a new vision of tattoo, a fresh and innovative one!
They also have their own jewellery collection that will be presented at the VOODOO.
AKA offers you the chance to get a tattoo directly at the market, instead of waiting for weeks (as most of their appointments are full).
Martin will be tatttoing at the market. you can have a look at his work here.
Send an email to ichliebeaka@googlemail.com for more information.
Ohlàlà is the first french tartes shop in Berlin .
You'll find delicious salted and sugared tartes, and a special selection of new reciepes every week in an idylic place inspired by the early 30ies parisians cabarets.
Special selection served at the VOODOO MARKET.


All the contents of the www.cognac-marancheville.com Website are protected under copyright and other intellectual property right laws. The content may not be reproduced, transcribed, used, adapted, modified, displayed, translated, resold, or redistributed without the prior written consent of SARL GREYLOR.
The information collected through the contact form of www.cognac-marancheville.com is only used by SARL GREYLOR.
The editor of the www.cognac-marancheville.com Website reserves the right to update this legal information at any time depending on the changes in the website content.
SARL GREYLOR is not responsible if a person under 18 years old visit the Website or buy products online in situations where the person gives false information. The abuse of alcohol is dangerous for your health. Alcohol should be consumed in moderation. Alcohol should not be consumed by pregnant women. Selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited.


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CEVA, Inc. (NASDAQ: CEVA), the leading licensor of DSP-based IP platforms for vision, audio, communications and connectivity, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.
Total revenue for the third quarter of 2014 was $14.1 million, an increase of 41% compared to $10.0 million for the third quarter of 2013. Licensing and related revenue for the third quarter of 2014 was $8.7 million, an increase of 121% compared to $3.9 million reported for the third quarter of 2013. Royalty revenue for the third quarter of 2014 was $5.4 million, a decrease of 11% compared to $6.1 million reported for the third quarter of 2013.
Gideon Wertheizer, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Our third quarter results were driven by the strongest licensing quarter in the company's history. We continue to experience a healthy demand for our products from new customers targeting a broad range of end markets. We are encouraged by our customers' progress in LTE and low cost smartphone shipments, both of which delivered quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year unit growth."
U.S. GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2014 was $0.7 million, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million reported for the same period in 2013. U.S. GAAP diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2014 were $0.03 compared to diluted loss per share of $0.01 for the third quarter of 2013.
Non-GAAP net income and diluted net income per share for the third quarter of 2014 were $2.4 million and $0.12, respectively, representing an increase of 87% and 100%, respectively, over the $1.3 million and $0.06 reported for the third quarter of 2013. Non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2014 exclude: (a) equity-based compensation expense, net of taxes, of $1.0 million, (b) the impact of the amortization of acquired intangibles of $0.3 million associated with the acquisition of RiveraWaves, (c) a loss of approximately $0.4 million from the sale of our minority equity holdings in Antcor, which was sold to u-blox during the quarter, (d) $0.1 million of costs associated with the RivieraWaves acquisition, and (e) income tax benefit related to RivieraWaves acquisition of approximately $0.1 million. Non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2013 excluded equity-based compensation expense, net of taxes, of $1.6 million.
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company concluded ten new license agreements. Four of the agreements were for CEVA DSP cores, platforms and software, and six were for CEVA connectivity IPs. Target applications for customer deployment are LTE-Advanced handsets, mobile infrastructure, vision for surveillance equipment and digital cameras, access points and wearables. Geographically, six of the agreements signed were in the APAC, including Japan, three were in the U.S. and one was in Europe.
Yaniv Arieli, Chief Financial Officer, stated, "We continued to demonstrate the strength of our licensing business during the third quarter, which further underpins our strategy to grow and diversify our future royalty streams across multiple new markets. Our overall financial position remains robust with our cash balances, marketable securities and bank deposits totaling $128 million at the end of the quarter, post-acquisition related payments, net of cash acquired, of approximately $12 million for RivieraWaves. In addition, we bought back approximately 300,000 shares of CEVA common stock during the quarter for an aggregate consideration of $4.4 million. From the recent July 2013 plan, we successfully repurchased two million shares of our common stock for an aggregate consideration of $30.6 million. We are pleased to announce that our Board of Directors approved a new repurchase plan for an additional one million shares."
On October 30, 2014, CEVA management will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the company's operating performance for the quarter.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that if they materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of CEVA to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. Forward-looking statements include Mr. Wertheizer's statement that CEVA is experiencing a healthy demand for its products from new customers targeting a broad range of end markets, as well as Mr. Arieli's statements expressing optimism about CEVA's strategy to grow and diversify its future royalty streams across multiple new markets. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions include: the ability of the CEVA DSP cores and other technologies to continue to be strong growth drivers for us; our success in penetrating new markets and maintaining our market position in existing markets; the ability of products incorporating our technologies to achieve market acceptance, the speed and extent of the expansion of the 3G and LTE networks, as well as the IoT space, the effect of intense industry competition and consolidation, global chip market trends, the possibility that markets for CEVA's technologies may not develop as expected or that products incorporating our technologies do not achieve market acceptance; our ability to timely and successfully develop and introduce new technologies; and general market conditions and other risks relating to our business, including, but not limited to, those that are described from time to time in our SEC filings. CEVA assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.
(1) Acquisition and related costs pertain to tax and legal services and adjustment to the contingent consideration associated with the RivieraWaves transaction.


/ Is Google listening to every word you say?
Imagine my surprise when, directly following a conversation about ants on the floor, I Googled the term "content optimisation" Right there at the top of the search was an article about "ant colony optimization" Needless to say I was quite shocked.
There has been a lot of media hype recently about the ability of Google to listen to everything you say via the microphone on your computer. The idea is that you say "OK Google" to start a voice search and Google will then search for your request without you having to type. Hmm sounds useful, but doesn't that mean that Google will have to listen to everything you say? Yes it does.
Google listening can be switched on and off, with access to your microphone denied or granted by changing a setting in Chrome. I knew that I had access denied but thought I would check and sure enough it was set to deny access to my microphone.
May be it is just a coincidence but it has really got me thinking.
Have you checked your settings?


text:
Literacy Learners Speak at Library Event
Melissa McKenzie Posted on POSTED 12:00 AM, April 17, 2013
Rejoyce R. stepped up to the podium at the Mission City Center for the Performing Arts on April 6 and began to speak. Within seconds, she started tearing up. The courage it took for her to speak in front of the crowd sparked an encouraging wave of applause from the audience. What they learned about Rejoyce was something most people take for granted – up until recently, Rejoyce had a difficult time reading.
"I went to clean Mr. Jimmy's and Miss Marie's house," read Rejoyce from her essay, "From Shame to Leadership." "Mr. Jimmy wanted me to mop the floors with a special cleaner that was under the kitchen cabinet. My workers were in other parts of the house, so it left me to find the cleaner myself.
"I knew what the products in my bucket were, but not the ones under his sink. I was under there looking for it so long that he came up to me and asked, 'Baby, do you have trouble reading?' I said, 'Yes, I do.' There were only two people in my life who ever got me to say that. I felt like somebody understood me. Even though Mr. Jimmy knew how to read, it was like a weight was lifted off of me because someone knew and understood."
Once Rejoyce admitted she had problems reading, she was able to find help at the Santa Clara Library's Adult and Family Literacy Program. Each year, students in the program have the option to write short essays on a given topic for a chance to be recognized. The stories are published in a book called "In Our Own Words: A Book of Learner Writings."
"Every year we publish a book and the reason we do that is because when reading is a struggle for adults, writing is terrifying. Imagine how you could carry on in your life if you couldn't write a note or write a letter, or even fill out a form in a doctor's office," said Santa Clara Library Literacy Program Supervisor Shanti Bhaskaran.
"We do a writing contest every year, so we start with that and usually there's a topic for the contest. This time it was What Makes Me Happy. Learners are encouraged to write about that topic and then, throughout the year, if they have a story that they are interested in, they can submit stories through late fall."
The books are put into the library's adult reader collection and the local history collection. Learners need to be at least 16 years old and not in school. "Currently, our youngest is in his 20s and, as you saw, our oldest is 90 years old," said Bhaskaran. Learners set their own goals and the tutors, who are given 12.5 hours of training through the library, help the learners reach them. There is no residency requirement and the program is free. "We don't have a typical learner," said Bhaskaran. "What we do require is that all of our learners are able to converse in English. They may not speak English perfectly but they are able to understand and be understood…For the last 18 years we have served at least 100 learners every year."
Visit http://library.santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=1377 or call (408) 615-2956 for more information.
Week of April 3
Day of the Dead Cookie Decorating Demonstration Held at Macy's
Author Melissa McKenziePosted on November 12, 2018
Sweet Dani B (Dani Fiori), the former resident cookie expert from the Martha Stewart Show, visited Macy's Valley Fair on late October for a...
Santa Clara's Sam Sevian – the youngest-ever American Chess Master – talks chess with Congressman Mike Honda. Sevian was visiting Washington, D.C. on his...
The iGurukul Foundation Gives Back to the Community
Author Cynthia ChengPosted on April 4, 2018
"Since my childhood, I've always wanted to help others; doing something for the community and giving back to the community gives me immense pleasure,"...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Leader profiles
Martin O'Malley
Group Chief Audit Officer
Martin joined Aviva on 4 March 2019 as Audit Director for UKI UK Life. In April 2019, Martin moved into the role of Interim Group Chief Audit Officer which was approved on 25 October 2019. In July 2020 he joined Aviva's Group Executive Committee.
As Group Chief Audit Officer, Martin is responsible for the management of Aviva's global Internal Audit Function in line with the requirements of the Internal Audit Charter. This includes assessing the effectiveness of the control environment and investigating cases of suspected internal and non-customer malpractice or financial crime.
Martin graduated from the University of East Anglia in 1992 with first class honours and joined Ernst & Young with Norwich Union being one of his first clients. After qualifying as a chartered accountant in 1995 Martin moved to the Ernst & Young Sydney office where he lived for four years working on a variety of financial services client accounts.
He then spent twelve years with Standard Bank in a number of internal audit roles in the UK and South Africa and became the Group Chief Audit Officer in 2009.
Following his time at Standard Bank, he became the Inspector General of the Global Fund based in Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society and the private sector to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis financing programmes in 150 countries.
Before joining Aviva, Martin was Group Internal Audit Director at the Old Mutual Group up until the successful completion of the managed separation exercise and the break-up of the group.
Group Executive Committee
Amanda Blanc
Jason Windsor
Nick Amin
Doug Brown
CEO of UK & Ireland Life
Kirstine Cooper
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary
John Cummings
Chief Brand and Corporate Affairs Officer
Danielle Harmer
Andrea Montague
Group Chief Risk Officer
Jason Storah
Chief Executive Officer, Aviva Canada
Cheryl Toner
Chief Customer and Marketing Officer
Mark Versey
CEO of Aviva Investors
Adam Winslow
CEO of Aviva UK & Ireland General Insurance


Click, swivel and go. Getting your Garmin unit ready to ride is easy with this compact dash mount. Adjusts easily, like a rearview mirror, so you can position your GPS for the best viewing angle. Secure mounting base to dash with either permanent or temporary adhesive disks (included). Garmin Auto Dash Mount is one of many Wall & Ceiling Mounting Brackets available through Office Depot. Made by Garmin.


The Morning Kickoff: Roster compliance looms | The Kansas City Star From the Byline to the Back Post.
Omar Bravo "settled" on Sporting Kansas City.
I'm not sure I like the tone of this story, but it's about Bravo.
Down the Byline has its weekly update of former "Wizards" around the world.
A Q with Jimmy Nielsen from the team's website.
for a series of friendlies with Mexican and MLS academies.
wonders if it's time to start worrying about Ryan Smith's injury?
that took place in KC last weekend. The Sporting KC Juniors USA team wont he High School division.
with the new post-season format.
Does this format end (once and for all) the possibility of a single-table structure?
If you've got ESPN3.com, you can catch the Disney Pro Soccer Classic tonight. Orlando City (featuring Full 90 favorite Lance Watson!) takes on FC Dallas at 5 p.m. and Toronto FC and the Houston Dynamo meet at 7 p.m.
, with Chicago breaking out the 3-5-2.
A college football game scheduled for RFK during the MLS season has DC United worried.
He was arrested for trespassing at an Orlando hotel.
UEFA probes Marseille and Man United for fan behavior. Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Plovdiv sacrificed a lamb on its home field to improve its performances.


What you don't want to find in a storm drain!
Water bill sky high? Might be a Leak!
The utility announced temporary assistance for employees affected by the shutdown and not receiving a paycheck. EPWater will assist federal workers who may need additional flexibility in paying their water bill.
El Paso Water's Kyle Eckert and Luis Velasquez have heard all about the giant ball of grease – weighing 130 tons – that recently threatened to flood London's streets with wastewater. The pretreatment inspectors for Environmental Compliance and Industrial Pretreatment want you to know that EPWater is working toward a cleaner city one drain at a time.
El Paso Water staff presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2019-'20 water, wastewater and stormwater budgets to the Public Service Board (PSB) for consideration on December 3. The PSB will study the combined $436.1 million budget, which proposes no increase for stormwater fees and is a downward adjustment from last year's projection of a 6 percent fee increase.
When Juarez and Fleet Maintenance Chief Ivan Ibarra decided to build a float worthy of bearing EPWater's name, both had their eyes on a prize. Once they arrived at the Thanksgiving parade, though, both were confident they had a prizewinner on their hands.
About 25 people received an inside look at the awesome structures designed to handle the localized, intense rain events El Paso receives.
As El Paso Water celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Jonathan Rogers plant, the facility is a shining example of how each plant not only serves the community but also helps to protect other valuable water resources in a synergistic relationship.
It was a night of gratitude at the TecH2O Center, honoring the small army of volunteers who make public outreach possible throughout the year. TecH2O staff members celebrated volunteers' tireless service at its annual awards banquet Nov. 8.
On Nov. 11, the nation unites to honor the sacrifices of those who served in the military on Veterans Day. This year, EPWater joins the city in officially adding Veterans Day as a city-designated holiday Nov. 12.
For more than 30 years, EPWater has been transforming wastewater into fresh drinking water at the Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant, then using it to recharge the aquifer. Guests received an up-close look at the recharge process.
At this year's Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce state convention, El Paso Water was named the 2018 TAMACC Corporate Advocate of the Year.
El Paso Water is always looking for ways to minimize both the logistical and financial impact of these repairs to the community while still providing safe, reliable water to customers.
EPWater recognized 23 businesses with Pretreatment Excellence Awards for full compliance with state and federal discharge standards to reduce the amount of pollutants released into the wastewater systems and the environment.
El Paso Water threw open the doors Sept. 27 at the W.E. Robertson Water Treatment Plant in honor of the plant's 75th anniversary. Chihuahuita neighbors, former employees and water sector professionals streamed inside, eager to tour the historic and pioneering plant, as mariachis and folklorico dancers provided entertainment.
In 75 years, El Paso Water has come full circle. As EPWater observes the 75th anniversary of the Robertson Water Treatment Plant, the city's utility is now at a similar crossroads. Over the next decade, El Paso is expected to grow by 1.4 million people. That growth comes with a responsibility to ensure a sustainable supply of high quality water.
The award winning "Pure Water" advanced water purification trailer, developed by a team from Arizona, will make a one-day stop at TecH2O on Sept. 15 during the free Science Saturday event.
Shattering goal expectations of $30,000, 2018 El Paso Water Charity of Choice Chair Gerardo Gomez presented a check for $47,000 to the Assistance League of El Paso on Sept. 12 at the Public Service Board meeting.
El Paso Water is on the hunt – for leaks. Since 2004, EPWater has purchased and installed thousands of sensors to track down leaks and make repairs before a main break can occur.
August is National Water quality Month. To celebrate, El Paso Water is highlighting the countless processes, tests and continuous monitoring we perform throughout our system to provide our customers with high quality drinking water.
About 100 members of the 2018 Leadership Texas class visited El Paso Water on Aug. 13, eager to expand their knowledge about El Paso's binational community, which collaborates on the management of the U.S. and Mexico's shared water resources. As a result, members left with a more complete picture of the Borderland's water supply strategies.
Statistics show that the Don't Trash EP campaign effectively raised awareness in El Paso about the consequences of illegal dumping. As a result, more El Pasoans know to call 311 to report it.
El Paso Water has taken up residence on Nextdoor social network to boost the utility's direct communication to the city's neighborhoods. As the only public agency in El Paso on Nextdoor, EPWater plans to post emergency notifications as well as updates on construction projects and traffic impacts, which affect communities served by the utility.
On July 16, EPWater's Shubert stood with representatives of the El Paso Fire Department, the National Weather Service, El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1 and the Drowning Prevention Coalition to urge residents to take important safety precautions during summer monsoons and to Turn Around Don't Drown.
El Paso Water is urging local residents to proactively prepare for anticipated flood risks this summer by utilizing EPWater's expanding free sandbag sites and hours.
Only a select few Texas water utilities qualify for the prestigious Partnership for Safe Drinking Water's Directors Award, and El Paso Water is one of them. At the annual conference of the American Water Works Association, EPWater was recognized for receiving the Directors Award for Distribution System Operations in June.
The Shack Wings & Brews Restaurant has always been committed to saving water, but the owners never thought they would be honored for it. Find out more about EPWater's 2018 Conservation Hero.
What do a mounted deer head, a car bumper and barrels of acid have in common? They're all part of the serious problem of illegal dumping across El Paso.
As we celebrate National Infrastructure Week with utilities across the country, EPWater is highlighting some of the many projects that will make El Paso more resilient. In 2018, EPWater is investing $75 million to replace aging water and wastewater lines, rehabilitate wells and reservoirs, and make much needed upgrades to various facilities.
El Paso Water employees covered all the bases on water resources and conservation during the El Paso Chihuahuas' Baseball in Education Day on May 2. EPWater employees helped hundreds of students spin the Water Conservation Wheel to find out more about different topics on water management.
As temperatures climb, many El Pasoans return to their gardens with hoses in hand. But if you're using more water, you can expect an increase in your bill as well. El Pasoans can do their part by following tips to save water…. and money too.
El Paso homeowner Sarah Guemez experienced first-hand how important it can be to identify a leak.
The 2018 Charity of Choice is the Assistance League of El Paso.
Gisela Dagnino presents to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at the Young Women's Leadership Academy.
Engineers make El Paso Water and our community a better place.
Learn more about the Certified Water Partner program!
The Public Service Board (PSB) approved the El Paso Water Budget for fiscal year 2018-19 for its water, wastewater, reclaimed water and stormwater utilities on January 10.
El Paso Water places the highest priority on water quality.
They are worlds apart, but El Paso Water shares common ground with their counterparts in Singapore in water reuse developments. Three representatives of PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency, visited Monday to discuss El Paso Water's advances in water treatment processes and to tour the Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant, 11700 Railroad.
El Paso Water's Customer Service Representatives are working hard to respond to answer your questions.
Contrary to what you might hear in the news from other cities, drinking water is not a significant problem in El Paso.
El Paso Water customers may get sandbags seven days a week from June 26 through the end of September. The seasonal sites will be open in the west, central, east and Mission Valley areas, and hours will be extended at the Stormwater Operations Center, which is open throughout the year.
El Paso Water recognized Martita's Lunch Box (3623 Buckner St.) as its 2017 Conservation Hero on July 21 at the Chihuahuas baseball game. Restaurant owners Martin Rios, Lorenzo Olivas and Maria Olivas accepted the award from EPWater President and CEO John Balliew on the field before the third inning.
El Paso Water has received several inquiries about companies offering programs that cover the cost of emergency repairs to water and sewer service lines. El Paso Water is not affiliated with these companies and does not endorse the companies or their programs.


Area: Kota Damansara PJU5, Selangor.
Tuition Job - Setia Ecopark, Selangor. - BM, Maths, Science. - Form1 & Std6.
Tuition Job - near Ipoh town center, Perak. - Further Maths.
Tuition Job - Bukit Antarabangsa,Ampang KL. - Mandarin.
EXPERIENCE : I HAVE 8 YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE, AND MOST OF MY STUDENTS ARE FROM VARIOUS BACKGROUND. IMPROVEMENTS IN RESULTS ARE GUARANTEED!!!
Tuition Subjects: English Language. Oral Communication. Business English. Grammar.


Description: Play popular game The World's Hardest Game online at Cool Math Games for Kids: Move the red button across the maze of the blue balls to reach the green zone located on the right side. Try to avoid blue balls while collecting yellow balls. Are you ready for the challenge?
Instructions: Arrow key = Move the red button.


Enjoy this sequel! Join the army and try to get rid of the evil aliens that have attacked our planet. Customize your character and their equipment with all kinds of upgrades and accessories in order to become invincible. Obliterate them all!
You're the only human willing to fight the aliens after their invasion. Enjoy the battles, earn big and upgrade your weapons to defeat them all.
The research station Nemesis cannont be reached. Did something go wrong? Send five rookies and combine their skills to determine what happened.


This entry was posted on tisdag, maj 21st, 2013 at 20:42	and is filed under Noa. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


text:
Catholics lament Trump's 'regrettable' comments on migrants
President Donald Trump. Credit: Drop of Light/Shutterstock.
By Mary Farrow
Washington D.C., Jan 12, 2018 / 05:07 pm (CNA).- Fr. Martins Emeh is a Nigerian who has been living in the United States for the past 20 years.
As a Catholic and a migrant, he told CNA that U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks disparaging poor countries were "lamentable."
On Thursday, during a meeting with lawmakers about solutions for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, Trump reportedly said he would not want more migrants coming to the United States from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries.
"Why are we having all these people from s---hole countries come here?" Trump said, according to reports from the Washington Post.
On Friday, Trump tweeted that "The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used." Sen. Richard Durbin, who attended the meeting, later told the Washington Post that its initial report was accurate.
Many Catholics, including Catholics who are migrants themselves, or those who have worked with migrants from these countries, said that they found the comments troublesome.
"Reports of recent disparaging remarks about African countries and Haiti have aroused great concern," the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said in a statement.
"All human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, and comments that denigrate nations and peoples violate that fundamental truth and cause real pain to our neighbors...As a vigorous debate continues over the future of immigration, we must always be sure to avoid language that can dehumanize our brothers and sisters," the bishops said.
Fr. Emeh, parochial vicar of Epiphany of the Lord parish in Katy, Texas and a Nigerian who has lived in the U.S. for the past 20 years, called the president's comments "lamentable."
"(T)he President, who should be the moral voice of the country, has turned out to be the divider-in-chief," he told CNA.
Emeh said that the president's comments show a lack of understanding of the continent of Africa, which is comprised of more than 50 countries, as well as a harsh dismissal of the poor.
"Trump isn't Catholic so he probably doesn't understand some of Catholic social justice teaching, but you don't even have to be Catholic to appreciate social justice, the preferential option for the poor," Emeh told CNA.
"The poor need our help," he said, noting that the Statue of Liberty itself welcomes migrants to America with the quote: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
"I believe there's a reason why that was engraved on the Statue of Liberty, that's what this country is about," he said. "A lot of the people who came here, including Trump's (ancestors), to escape what he calls these 's---hole countries.' His ancestors came here fleeing one, and now Trump doesn't think that other people should have the same opportunity."
Trump's comments come amidst intense political debate over the status of various protected groups of migrants in the United States. These include DACA recipients and those with Temporary Protected Status, such as migrants from Haiti and El Salvador who came to the United States legally, fleeing natural disasters and violent political situations in their own countries.
David Quinn is a Catholic missionary from Hastings, Neb. who has lived in Haiti since the spring of 2015. Quinn told CNA that in his experience, Haitians who migrate to the United States come looking for work and want to contribute to society.
He added that the president's reported comments were inhumane, especially in light of Catholic social teaching.
"We're all brothers and sisters, and to say (those things) is to really reject part of our humanity, to reject our brothers and sisters. It's just terrible," he said.
Bill Canny, executive director of Migration and Refugee Services at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, told CNA that the president's comments go against what Pope Francis has asked of Catholics when it comes to the issue of migration.
"The Holy Father has asked us to gaze into every migrant's face and see Christ in their face," he said.
He echoed Quinn's sentiments that on the whole, migrants are hardworking people who want to contribute to society.
"We've seen immigrants and refugees come into this country, and 90 percent of the refugees that we resettle are working within nine months," he said. "There are a variety of types of work in this country available to these people, and the immigrants and refugees that come in start working right away."
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami said in statements posted to his social media accounts that DACA youth, which includes about 700,000 young people, represent the "best and the brightest" of the immigrants to the U.S.
"On Tuesday, the President suggested that he would sign whatever Congress brought him on the issue of DACA and a broader immigration reform. When he met with the bipartisan leaders to discuss their negotiations yesterday he brought with him some of the most hardline of the immigration restrictionists – people from FAIR and Numbers USA. His remarks laid bare the true motivations of those that want to close our nation to immigrants and hopefully these remarks have discredited the restrictionists' position," he said.
"So now is the time for Congress to move ahead – to give a path to residency and citizenship to DACA recipients as well as to TPS beneficiaries, and to bring about comprehensive immigration reform that legalizes those irregular migrants already in the country and addresses border security in a rational way and provides an avenue for work-based visas when the labor market requires workers that cannot be found in the country," he added.
Several other Catholic leaders spoke out against the president's reported sentiments on their social media pages.
Obianuju Ekeocha, an international pro-life speaker and founder of Culture of Life Africa, said that people from the poor countries that the president reportedly disparaged understand the "inestimable worth and dignity" of every human being.
Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago said in a tweet that migrants "made America great. We continue to be enriched by the gifts they bring to our shores," he said.
Fr. Emeh added that while the president's comments are discouraging, Christians and people of goodwill should not lose hope.
"We can't give up. The president gets four or maybe eight years to do what he wants to do, but as preachers of the Gospel, we continue to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ," he said.
"Jesus Christ wasn't hanging out with just the rich, he looked to the poor, to the sick and the dying, those in need of help, and that's where our focus should be. And as long as I live, that's the Gospel I'll continue to preach and live."
Tags: Immigration, Catholic News, Donald Trump, DACA, TPS
Catholics call for Trump to step down after lewd comments on women
The Catholic political advocacy group CatholicVote.org has joined calls for Republican...
In Trump's first 100 days, Catholics find a mixed bag
Catholic leaders have found cause for both praise and concern after the first 100 days of Donald...
Trump names 33 conservative Catholics as new advisers
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has released a list of 33 prominent conservative...


text:
Your Islington Labour Team
2018 Manifesto
Save Islington's buses
Keep our public services in public hands
Stop the Universal Credit cut!
The Government must protect our everyday heroes against Coronavirus
Oppose Islington's rogue landlords
Say #NOcado
Islington Council becomes the UK's first Living Wage landlord
Labour-run Islington Council has become the UK's first Living Wage landlord. It will insist that all new tenants in the commercial properties it lets commit to paying at least the London Living Wage to all their staff working in its buildings.
The new policy, announced during Living Wage Week, is the latest in the Council's efforts to tackle poverty and inequality in Islington by championing the real Living Wage. Its rate is independently set to meet the actual cost of living, unlike the Tory Government's so-called national Living Wage, which does not go far enough.
Islington Council owns approximately 60 commercial properties which are let to a variety of large and small businesses. As a Living Wage landlord, it will require new commercial tenants entering into council leases to pay the Living Wage to all their staff working on the premises. Failure to do so will mean their leases will not be renewed when they expire.
Cllr Andy Hull, Executive Member for Finance, Performance and Community Safety, says: "Everyone deserves to earn enough to live on, not just survive. Unfortunately, too many people across Islington are struggling to make ends meet after a hard day's work. That is why Islington Council has been leading the way on the real Living Wage campaign.
"Islington has 118 accredited Living Wage employers, one of the highest concentrations in the UK. By becoming the UK's first Living Wage landlord, we can drive this number up still higher by requiring more Islington-based organisations to do the right thing by paying their staff at least the real Living Wage.
"Paying the Living Wage can help organisations to save money through better staff retention and increased productivity. For employees, it can make coping with the rising cost of living that little bit easier. Creating a fairer borough is at the heart of what we do, and that includes tackling poverty pay."
Islington Council's decision to lead the way on the Living Wage was driven by its Fairness Commission, the first in the UK. There are now more than 30 others across the country.
Five years ago, the Council became the UK's first accredited Living Wage local authority, securing the Living Wage for all its staff and apprentices. It also has a Living Wage requirement built into its procurement processes, meaning 98 per cent of the Council's contractors are paid at least the Living Wage, including all of its 500 homecare workers.
As well as now becoming the UK's first Living Wage landlord, Islington Council is identifying Living Wage Ambassadors who will encourage other private sector businesses in the borough to become accredited Living Wage employers as well.
A report published by the Living Wage Foundation this week shows that workers in voluntary and community sector are particularly impacted by low pay, despite the vital work they do. Last year, Islington was the first council to become a Living Wage Friendly Funder, requiring its charitable grantees to pay their staff at least the Living Wage. It is now working to increase the number of other grant-giving organisations in Islington who are Living Wage Friendly Funders.
Pictured – Islington Labour councillors holding the Living Wage Week on the Town Hall steps
Email: info@islington-labour.org.uk
Promoted by and on behalf of Islington Labour Party, 65 Barnsbury Street, London, N1 1EJ. By filling in your personal details and providing us with information about your views, you are opting in to allowing the Labour Party and its representatives to use these, as well as other information to which we are entitled, to contact you by email, text, phone, websites and apps even though you may be registered with the Telephone Preference Service. You may opt out of being contacted at any time. Your personal information may be used to help us provide you with information to match your interests and / or to alert you of campaigns or events in which you may be interested. For the Labour Party's full privacy policy and how we use your data please see:www.labour.org.uk/pages/privacy.


Home » How? » How does fear create violence?
The way fear creates violence is quite interesting. One must first analyze: Where does violence come from? to find out that violence is created from fear. You are free to skip the previous post, but become aware by your own analysis of the fact that violence and fear are intimately tied.
The image of self needs a sense of security in order to function. There are different types of security: Physical and Psychological. If there is a threat, then the process of fear begins to be self evident.
Psychological security cannot be found in our exterior, but we are taught that it can be found through money, goals, and power. The only thing that can be gained through these "objects" is physical security. However, one must be aware that physical is never really possible. You can have an accident or have "bad" luck.
The first step in order to gain awareness is to realize that the concept of security as we have been taught is a total lie. We struggle into finding someplace, sometime, and somehow. It is always a tomorrow to be gained, a past to be overcome, but what happens with the present moment? It gets lost in the midst of the concept we call time.
Why have we created a shrine out of time? Why is the concept of time so deeply ingrained in our system of beliefs?
This psychological security will never be found outside of yourself. Psychological security depends solely on your ability to understand yourself and be aware of yourself.
However as one gets deeper into the process of fear, it might be more difficult to become aware of our involvement in it; unless we are constantly informing our consciousness of this process through mindfulness.
Is this true? How Find out by observing your self as you act within violence, fear or sadness. Maybe I am wrong at this, so become an empiricist of your own mind!
I am only a guide, not the rule!
If I ask you, are you afraid of death? Will you take some time to consider this? Or will you instantly say: Naaa… I do not care about dying. Bring it on!
If you instantly answer that you are not afraid, could it be that you are so deep into the process of fear that you cannot recognize it? If you answer again with a simple no, then I ask you: Have you been angry recently?
If you answer no, then stop reading! You might not ready to understand this or you might already be pure peace. Your call. No hard feelings!
Let's move on with those who can actually accept that fear is present in their lives most of the time in a very subtle mode or are not actually living inner peace.
You might be aware of the fact that you do not live a profound inner peace, but maybe you have never experienced a moment of fulfillment that is not directly related to an achievement.
Are you ready so tired of suffering that you cannot bear it anymore? Are you tired of trying to achieve the impossible because there is always more to crawl into? Are you in a state of depression that cannot be ignored any longer?
Well, if you are in that state of complete surrender to the reality that is being presented day by day. You feel there is no way out… I have good news for you!
The greatness of becoming more aware is always waiting for you!
Your suffering is directly proportional to your violence and fear. You might ask: Where does suffering come from? How does suffering relate to fear?
It is all related in a very subtle way. You can become aware of it through direct observation of your thoughts and feelings as they begin to creep in and try to control you.
You CAN do it! Nothing but yourself is stopping you!
Choose inner liberty over goals.
I have given you a simple guide with a hypothesis of the process of fear. My theory might not apply to you, but it is a walked path that can help you understand yourself faster.


Mumbai, September 18, 2014:YES BANK, India's fourth largest private sector Bank was awarded the Bombay Chamber Good Corporate Citizen Award 2013-14 in the 'Banks and Financial Institutions' Category at the 179th Foundation Day of the Chamber. Organized by Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and instituted in 1994, YES BANK is the only winner in this category. Mahindra and Mahindra won in the Large Corporate category whereas Ambit Group won in the Small and Micro Companies category.
Speaking on this recognition, Mr. Rana Kapoor, MD and CEO, YES BANK, said, "YES BANK has since inception endeavored to develop innovative solutions aimed at creating sustained stakeholder value which extend beyond the realms of traditional banking solutions. We take significant institutional pride in our Responsible Banking - community and sustainability focused initiatives, and the Good Corporate Citizen Award from the Bombay Chamber on our 10th Anniversary since commencing operations in 2004, is a strong validation of our institutional efforts".
YES BANK's Responsible Banking ethos has received national as well as international recognition for its best practices in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development. Commenting on this achievement, Ms. Namita Vikas, Senior President and Country Head, Responsible Banking, YES BANK said, "YES BANK is highly committed to economic, environmental and social development, ensuring a healthy environment and a stable society. Through initiatives such as YES COMMUNITY, YES BANK has actively engaged with over 4 lakh people from local communities on pertinent social and environmental issues. Such initiatives have helped us in going beyond transactional and creating positive social and environmental impact.
For its commitment to sustainable development and responsible banking, YES BANK was also awarded the Golden Peacock Award for Environment Management in 2014 and 'Corporate Social Responsibility' in 2013. More recently YES BANK was conferred the 'Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing' at Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Award in Germany and a commendation certificate for significant achievement at CII ITC Sustainability Award 2013.
The Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry instituted the Good Corporate Citizen Award in 1994 to recognize and honor conspicuous achievement by corporate in terms of service to the civic community in addition to outstanding operational performance. The Bombay Chamber believes that, industry has a major role to play in the betterment of society by making a positive contribution to the community. It is a prestigious award to publicly acknowledge and recognize the exemplary endeavors taken up by the corporate for significant contributions towards corporate citizenship.


The United States Postal Service, or USPS, delivers mail to over 150 million homes. The USPS processes 405,000 pieces of mail every minute, resulting in over 584 million transactions every day. Most of these millions of transactions are completed smoothly, but sometimes problems arise, such as mail fraud, stolen mail, vandalized mail boxes and false changes of address. If you run into a problem with your mail, the USPS provides several methods you can use to resolve your complaint.
Gather information. The post office needs certain information to process and resolve your complaint. The specific information required varies based on the complaint, but you will typically need to describe the nature of your problem and provide your contact information, any information you have on the suspect, the addresses the package was mailed from and to for stolen packages and the original and changed address for false changes of address. Visit https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx to find the exact information required for your problem.
Call customer service. For problems with mail service, call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777). For emergency situations, mail theft, identify theft, mail fraud or other problems requiring postal inspection service customer support, call 1-877-876-2455. This number will put you in touch with the correct Postal Service Inspection office if you call between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in your time zone.
File a report online. The USPS provides forms online that you can fill out to report a problem. Go to https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/contactUs/filecomplaint.aspx and click on the link that describes your problem. The more information you provide, the easier it will be for the post office to resolve the issue, so include as much detail as possible in the form. Hit the "Submit Complaint" button when you have completed your form.
Visit your local post office to file a report in person. A postal clerk or your local postmaster may be able to resolve your problem or help you submit a complaint.
Save all original paperwork related to your problem until the USPS has resolved your issue. Sometimes the post office requires further information to solve a complaint. If you have lost or thrown away important information, the USPS might not be able to satisfactorily fix the problem.
Report a problem as soon as you discover it. The sooner you alert the USPS to the problem, the sooner they can fix it.


text:
Research Universities and the Public Good
Discovery for an Uncertain Future
Jason Owen-Smith
SERIES: Innovation and Technology in the World Economy
Business / Innovation and Technology
Economics / Economic Development
Sociology / Education and Society
In a political climate that is skeptical of hard-to-measure outcomes, public funding for research universities is under threat. But if we scale back support for these institutions, we also cut off a key source of value creation in our economy and society. Research Universities and the Public Good offers a unique view of how universities work, what their purpose is, and why they are important.
Countering recent arguments that we should "unbundle" or "disrupt" higher education, Jason Owen-Smith argues that research universities are valuable gems that deserve support. While they are complex and costly, their enduring value is threefold: they simultaneously act as sources of new knowledge, anchors for regional and national communities, and hubs that connect disparate parts of society. These distinctive features allow them, more than any other institution, to innovate in response to new problems and opportunities. Presenting numerous case studies that show how research universities play these three roles and why they matter, this book offers a fresh and stirring defense of the research university.
Jason Owen-Smith is Professor of Sociology, Executive Director for the Institute for Research on Innovation & Science (IRIS), Barger Leadership Institute Professor and Director, and Research Professor in the Institute for Social Research, Survey Research Center at the University of Michigan.
"A well-argued, data-rich defense of the irreplaceable role of American research universities—not only in science, engineering, and education, but in our national life. Now, more than ever, we need this book's deep appreciation of research universities' power to be sources, anchors, and hubs for 'beautiful accidents' in learning and innovation."
—Kei Koizumi, American Association for the Advancement of Science
"In this book, Jason Owen-Smith integrates innovative with previously disarticulated data to measure the outputs of our nation's research universities, institutions that prepare us for an increasingly complex future. In so doing, he compellingly reveals the mechanisms and pathways that produce positive societal results."
—Mary Sue Coleman, President of the Association of American Universities
"Less than 3% of all universities conduct 90% of funded research. This important book offers a careful, empirical account of how these research universities work – and their crucial contributions as anchors for communities, regions, and industries, and hubs for flows of knowledge and social connections. This is important reading not just to understand higher education, but to understand America's future."
—Craig Calhoun, University Professor of Social Sciences, Arizona State University
"Research Universities and the Public Good provides a strong argument for the importance of research universities...Presenting numerous case studies that show...why [research universities] matter, this book offers a fresh and readable defense of the American research university."––Maryann P. Feldman, Academe
"The current discourse on universities, which narrowly conceives of them as mechanism for delivering degrees to students, desperately needs the message that Owen-Smith delivers here....[A] powerfully framed contribution to the literature on U.S. higher education"
—David F. Labaree, American Journal of Sociology
"This book is a timely reinforcement of the importance of research universities based on the public value they generate....[It] should interest researchers and policy makers concerned with innovation, growth, and how we can best address global challenges of the future."
—Anna Valero, Journal of Economic Literature
"In this beautifully crafted book, Owen-Smith explores the critical and central role that research universities play in the modern economy....This book should be of great interest to both policy makers and academic researchers interested in understanding the research university's role in modern innovation ecosystems and in our economy and society more broadly."
—Wesley D. Sine and Xirong (Subrina) Shen, Administrative Science Quarterly
The Fountain of Knowledge
Shiri M. Breznitz
University Expansion in a Changing Global Economy
Martin Carnoy, Prashant Loyalka, Maria Dobryakova, Rafiq Dossani, Isak Froumin, Katherine Kuhns, Jandhyala B.G. Tilak, and Rong Wang
Public Universities and Regional Growth
Edited by Martin Kenney and David C. Mowery
Public No More
Gary C. Fethke and Andrew J. Policano
Remaking College
Edited by Michael W. Kirst and Mitchell L. Stevens
The Schooled Society
David P. Baker


text:
Q: bar attributes at once d3 It's more conceptual issue rather than technical. So, I took relevant part only.
I'm making a bar chart using rect in d3. It works well but I'd like to update the code below so that the last four lines can be simplified into one.
    g.selectAll(".bars")
        .data(data)
        .enter()
        .append("rect")
        .attr("class", "bars")
        .attr("x", function(d, i) { return xScale(d.x); })
        .attr("width", xScale.bandwidth())
        .attr("y", function(d) { return yScale(d.y); })
        .attr("height", function(d) { return height - yScale(d.y); });

I tried by making a var containing bar attributes and getting this when selecting rect.
var barAttrs = {
    x: function(d, i) { return xScale(d.x); },
    width: xScale.bandwidth(),
    y: function(d) {return yScale(d.y); },
    height: function(d) { return height - yScale(d.y); }
}

    g.selectAll(".bars")
        .data(data)
        .enter()
        .append("rect")
        .attr("class", "bars")
        .attr(barAttrs);

It should work in theory, however, it doesn't work. Do you happen to know what is missing?
Thanks,