We have an exciting, new Shift coming to you in 2019! There will be a lot of these!
To help you be successful, we've created an FAQ! Let us know if you have any further comments and we'll be sure to add on!
1. So, what's the deal with this shift?
You'll see a lot of these shifts in 2019 and beyond, so we really want you to be great at these. We'll frequently offer promotional campaigns for these shifts to keep things exciting! If things go really well, you will see even more of this work quickly, so pay close attention to the details. Remember, the better the quality, the more Shifts you'll see this year. These are very easy if you follow the directions!
2. What's different about this shift from others?
While its simple (capture all beverages in the entire store), we know there can be room for confusion and we want to make things super clear for you so you can be as efficient as possible. We will be compensating you appropriately for your time, don't worry.
3. What do I need to capture in this Shift?
All non-alcoholic beverage aisles (e.g. soda, juice, etc.) - capture entire category in the aisle!
All non-alcoholic beverage aisle doors (e.g. soda, juice, etc.) - capture all doors in the category!
4. What categories make up "non-alcoholic beverages?"
Any other drink that is not listed in section #6!
5. What categories make up "alcoholic beverages"
...Remember, wine and beer is only displays, not aisles! No hard liquor!
6. What to NOT capture in this shift?
7. Will I always be capturing wine and beer displays?
There will be at least six waves of this collection each year. In two of them, you will be asked to capture wine and beer displays (NOT AISLES) and in the other four you will not. We WILL explicitly call this out in the survey language. March's audit will NOT include wine and beer.
Of course, when you are capturing wine and beer displays, you will be compensated via additional incentives for these displays!
8. So, what exactly is a display?
A display is any secondary location where a product may be stocked, outside of its home aisle location. These come in many shapes and sizes. Importantly, when you capture these displays, we need to see ALL products on them, so don't miss a side!
These can be end-caps, aisle stacks, standalone coolers, side wings, pallets, etc.
The below picture is an end-cap display, for context.
9. What if the beverage cooler (display) has doors?
Many beverage coolers have doors. In this case, you MUST open the doors to photograph the products inside them. We put your photos through image recognition software, and closed doors cause glare (making the product impossible to see). Additionally, there is often marketing material or decals blocking the product facings. So open the doors!
10. Are the cold AISLE doors considered a display?
No! The cold door aisle (usually around the perimeter of the store) is considered a primary location. As such, you are to capture all the beverage doors in ONE single question (unlike the standalone displays which are captured in separate questions) in the Cold Aisle Task. Cold aisle doors are captured same way you'd capture a warm aisle – taking photos of each door in a sequence (left to right, or right to left, all in the same question) until you've reached the end of the aisle.
Don't forget, you need to open these doors too!
11. Can I capture all the beverage displays (or standalone coolers) in one question?
No! All standalone coolers and warm displays should be captured in a separate questions. This is important for a few reasons.
1) Each display has an incentive amount tied to it. The more you find, the more you will make!
2) Our client requires separate reporting of each standalone display.
When capturing standalone coolers and / or warm displays, simply click "confirm" in the app question to then move to the next question, and find the next display.
12. How do I properly capture a warm beverage standalone display?
Remember, the goal is for our Client to see ALL products on each display and these are often multi-sided (as they can be set up in an aisle). As such, you must capture each side of a display in a head on manner.
Side 4: There is no visible side 4, so no need to capture.
If you cannot fit the entire cooler/display into 1 photo, please take several photos – 1 capturing the top half and 1 capturing the bottom half.
Please be sure to show an overlap between the two photos, so we can see that everything has been captured.
13. What if there are multiple displays touching each other?
Treat them as one display. In this category, it is common to see multiple displays directly next to each other.
Below, you'll see an example of two fixtures touching each other. Capture them both in the same question (as the same display)!
Use this general rule: If you cannot walk through it, capture it as one display, in one question!
14. What are the 3 special Coca-Cola Displays mentioned in the Shift?
In these Shifts, there are 3 special displays that you will look for, with ANY of these Coke products on them.
These are displays that have Coke products with water and/or isotonic products (powerade) and signage!
In the photo above, Gold Peak tea is a Coke product, and this is co-merchandised with Powerade.
These are displays with Coke product and specific signs that promote College Basketball and/or new Coke Orange Vanilla products!
15. How do I properly capture an aisle?
Remember, the goal is for our Client to see ALL products in the required category (warm beverages) in the aisle. We know aisles can be long, but it's important you capture the entire category from end to end, and all of the aisles with the category in it! You will want to take a bit of product overlap in your photos. This is required for our images to be stitched.
We recommend two photos per aisle section (top and bottom), but if you can get all products in one single photo, great! Just make sure to be consistent down the entire category with your photos. Below is an example of taking three photos per section, all the way down the entire aisle (for a different category, obviously).
Three photos per section is probably unnecessary, but it illustrates the point (notice the overlap!).
Use the same method for an open air cooler! We stitch these together too.
Remember, the cold door aisle is considered an aisle too! Capture this the same way you'd capture a warm aisle (left to right, while opening doors). This means you're taking all photos in the same question (not separate).
16. What if while capturing the warm beverage category, there is a different category in the middle of the warm beverage sections?
We frequently see other category products in the same aisle sections (e.g. coffee bags may be in the middle of soda). That is OK! CAPTURE THESE TOO! Even if there is a shelf with a different category on it, continue down the aisle until you've captured all of the products in the warm beverage category, from top to bottom of the physical aisle.
The below is an example from the pet category, but the same idea exists for the warm beverage category.
17. When should I start and stop my category capture in an aisle?
We want you to capture an entire CATEGORY, not necessarily an entire Aisle. Remember this! If there is a different category leading the aisle, then the relevant category you are looking for in the middle of the aisle, then another irrelevant category ending the aisle, you ONLY need to capture the relevant category! We don't want you taking unnecessary photos!
18. Can I take angled photos of the sections in the aisle?
No! It is very important that all of your section photos are head on, and not angled.
To take a head on photo, your camera must be directly in front of the section you are capturing. If you are taking a lower section photo, rather than shoot it from the top down, please crouch down for lower level photos to ensure they are head on.
19. What if I take photos in the wrong tasks?
This stinks, we know, but unfortunately, we will have to reject your shift. An example of this is if you take the warm aisle as a warm display, or a standalone cooler as a warm aisle, or a warm display as the warm aisle, etc.
If you read the directions, you will be fine, we promise!
20. How does the pay work for this shift?
In addition to the base pay for the shift, there is an incentive for each cooler display (standalone and open-air) and each warm display found. We build the aisle capture into the base pay.
Note: The incentive and base pay will vary by retailer.
($7.00 base) + (30 displays x $0.25 each = $7.5) = $14.50.
This is just an example, not the actual payout! Larger stores will have many more aisles & displays, so that equates to a higher payout. We expect these shifts to be between $10-25 of payout, per store.
21. What happens if I get asked to leave by store personnel?
Sometimes store employees will ask you to leave if they're uneasy about you taking photos. This is OK. If this happens, please be respectful and polite and leave the store. We will compensate you for your work.
You can click on the three dots in the upper right hand corner of the Shift details, select "Unable to Complete Shift," and select "I was asked to leave by store staff." You will then be paid for the amount of work you have completed unless you have met your "kickout quota" for the month (three per month).
22. How will this Shift be quality assured?
Forgetting about this software for a second, it's also very obvious when a part of a store has been under-collected. As example, if there are only a few displays captured in an entire grocery store or Walmart (especially the front-end beverage coolers), we know that this store has been under-reported, and your data will likely be rejected.
We hate rejecting data as much as you do, so our ask is simple, please collect all the beverages in the store :) Just remember, if you collect everything and the photos are good, you will be paid!
23. What additional support will we offer?
We're here for you! We will be actively monitoring the forums, adding to this page if any topics need more clarity, and also putting out additional training content. We have a basic tutorial video below - give it a watch!
24. Will there be any additional contests for these jobs?
Yes! For the current Beverage Shifts that run in March 2019, We are running a contest that pays the top 10 Shifters! Shifts are tallied at the end of the wave and are based on the number of shifts successfully approved (not including kick outs). Winners get an extra $100 each!
Based on the feedback from the last contest, we are splitting payouts by the top 5 "large format" store performers (grocery stores, Walmarts, Targets etc.) and the top 5 "small format" store performers (convenience stores, drug stores, value stores).
Watch the forums and shift notes closely for contest updates!
We hope these instructions were helpful! You will do great!


text:
Doan promises swift changes
By Rob Thormeyer
Lurita Doan promised one thing in her first public address since taking the reins at the General Services Administration last week'change.
In a speech at the Coalition for Government Procurement's annual spring conference, and in remarks to reporters afterwards, Doan said she will work quickly and undertake several initiatives to improve not only how the agency interacts with its federal customers but with industry as well.
'I know GSA has its challenges', but I believe that if you don't just dive right in, you'll never get anything started,' Doan told the standing-room only audience.
In particular, Doan said she will shorten the amount of time it takes for a business to get on a GSA schedule to 30 days and asked that CGP members provide suggestions on this issue in a month.
'We have all the rules anyone needs, all we have to do is execute,' Doan said after her speech.
Doan also promised a more efficient and responsive workforce so the agency can better respond to national emergencies.
'We at GSA are going to retool our abilities to respond to national emergencies and you can expect some real innovative ideas on this,' she said. 'You can actually expect them in the next few days.'

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
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(function () {
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  var base_url = 'http://localhost:' + casper.cli.options.port;

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   * @param filename
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   * @returns {*}
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          offset.top = Math.min(offset.top, childOffset.top);
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  casper
    .start(base_url + "/tests/")
    .viewport(1024, 768)

  /**
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   */
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      this.test.assertTitle('Automated test page', 'Make sure the title is set');

      // Test if the plugin was load
      var type = this.evaluate(function () {
        return typeof jQuery.fn.ariaMenu;
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      this.test.assertEqual(type, 'function', 'Plugin exists');

      // Test if the css-fallback class was removed
      this.test.assertEval(function () {
        return jQuery('.css-fallback').length === 0;
      }, 'CSS-fallback was removed');

    })

  /**
   * Focus the first element with javascript
   */
    .then(function () {
      capture('screenshots/closed.png', '.aria-menu');
      this.evaluate(function () {
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      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'Home', 'Third parties can focus a listElement using jQuery.focus()');
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  /**
   * Press {tab} and assert that the correct element is focused
   */
    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Tab);
      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'About', 'Siblings are accessible by using the TAB key');
      });
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  /**
   * Press {tab} and assert that the correct element is focused
   */
    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Tab);
      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'The Company', 'Children are accessible by using the TAB key');
      });
    })

  /**
   * Press {tab} and assert that the correct element is focused
   */
    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Tab);
      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'The Team', 'Siblings of sub menus are accessible by using the TAB key');
      });
    })

  /**
   * Press {tab} and assert that the correct element is focused
   */
    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Tab);
      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'Services', 'Pressing the TAB key while focusing the last listElement will focus the very next parent list element');
      });
    })

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   * Press {right-arrow} and assert that the correct element is focused
   */
    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Right);
      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'Products', 'The RIGHT ARROW key sets focus to the correct element');
      });
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   * Press {left-arrow} and assert that the correct element is focused
   */
    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Left);
      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'Services', 'The LEFT ARROW key sets focus to the correct element');
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      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Down);
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Down);
      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'Four', 'The DOWN ARROW key sets focus to the correct element');
      });
    })

  /**
   * Press {up-arrow} and assert that the correct element is focused
   */
    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Up);
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Up);
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Up);
      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'One Service', 'The UP ARROW key sets focus to the correct element');
      });
    })

  /**
   * Press {up-arrow} and assert that the correct element is focused
   */
    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Up);
      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'Services', 'A sub menu can be left using the ARROW keys');
      });
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    /**
     * Press {tab} and assert that the correct element is focused
     */
    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Tab);
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    /* Capture screenshot for the readme preview */
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      this.wait(250, function () {
        capture('screenshots/preview.png', '.aria-menu');
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        jQuery('.aria-menu a:visible:first').focus();
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        capture('screenshots/responsive.png', '.aria-menu');
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    /* Test third level navigation */
    .then(function(){
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      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
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    .then(function () {
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Left);
      this.page.sendEvent('keypress', this.page.event.key.Backtab);

      this.wait(150, function () {
        capture('screenshots/focus-test.png', '.aria-menu');
        this.test.assertSelectorHasText('.menuitem-focus', 'Two Service', 'The menu works also with media queries');
      });
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    .run(function () {
      this.test.done();
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}());

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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I have a table for 6 persons booked at Chobham for 8pm on Saturday. Looking at your website just now I notice that it appears to be a set price without a menu. My question is how does this work? Is there a buffet bar where we go along and choose what we want?


Standardized Cheating Scandals In Atlanta And Dougherty School Systems; New Evaluations; Re-districing In Atlanta; Gangsta School Systems; Training For Cobb County's Rambunctious School Board; Treating Motivational Breakdowns As If They Were Technical Breakdowns; Educational Sluts & Pimps; And Other Holiday Potpourri! | Georgia Teachers Speak Out!
← Some Thoughts About Discipline, Bill O'Reilly, Rotten Teeth, And Public Education. Let's Call It A Thanksgiving Potpourri!
Standardized Cheating Scandals In Atlanta And Dougherty School Systems; New Evaluations; Re-districing In Atlanta; Gangsta School Systems; Training For Cobb County's Rambunctious School Board; Treating Motivational Breakdowns As If They Were Technical Breakdowns; Educational Sluts & Pimps; And Other Holiday Potpourri!
Editor's Note: The following comments by Dr. Trotter were written recently, and most of them were written on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Get Schooled blog.
Dr. Trotter recently in photo with boxing legend Roy Jones, Jr.
A Nation at Risk report which was published amid great fanfare in 1983 ushered in nearly 30 years school reform disasters. You cannot mandate school reform nationwide, statewide, or system-wide. No far-reaching school reform has ever worked. Never. Dr. John Goodlad's mega-study of the studies clearly revealed this even in the early 1980s. (Dr. Goodlad's findings were published under the title, A Place Called School.) Dr. Goodlad was associated with UCLA. All the hype of school reform is just that….hype. Improvements can indeed occur at the individual school level, with a secure and confident leader who does not suffocate the teachers but frees them up to teach…and supports them in disciplinary matters with the students. © GTSO, December 21, 2011.
APS. Always Pushing Sh-t, right? Beverly Fraud, you are right on target about the phoniness of the threat to lose accreditation. SACS was NEVER going to take away accreditation. It appears to me that Mark Elgart works in concert with the big shot business leaders. SACS is used as a tool to try to determine who will be the leaders on the various school boards. See Clayton County where SACS and business leaders favored Ericka Davis but were apparently afraid of Norreese Haynes and see Atlanta where SACS and business leaders favored Butler-Burks but were apparently afraid of Khaatim El. Asking too many questions made the business leaders nervous. School systems have become huge money bonanzas for the business community to exploit, and the big mules in the business community need very compliant superintendents and school board members to pull of their "heists" of the public monies. El and Haynes were in their way.
All of this talk about doing everything "in the best interests of the children" is just blather. What is done is done in the best financial interests of the select few. Check out who owns the properties being sold to APS for the new Buckhead high school and other schools.
I can assure you that Inman Middle School and Kennedy Middle School are not in any way the same. I am very familiar with both schools. Let's face it: You have good schools, O. K. schools, and chronically failing schools. Kennedy Middle is a chronically failing school. What parent in his or her right mind wants his or her child to attend a chronically failing school where fighting, bullying, cheating, and drug selling abound? No matter what Brenda Muhammad or Erroll Davis say to try to mollify the parents whose children are going to be shipped to these chronically failing schools will work. Parents will be mad. Pure and simple. Mad. You can't improve these schools by shipping "good students" to them. Like Beverly Fraud has right stated, the first thing that you have to do with these chronically failing schools is to establish order. Order is the first law of the Universe. Without an orderly and disciplined environment established, no academic achievement will occur. Order and Discipline First. Academic Achievement Second. The order cannot be reversed.
Now when some of the more affluent parents' children may be affected by dumb decisions from the school boards or from educrats, our theories make sense. But, as long as their children are ensconced in affluent neighborhoods and their schools are granted inordinate autonomy, their voices were mute when it came to a lack of discipline, bullying, fighting, and systematic cheating in the schools in the rougher areas of town. Hmm.
This tinkering with the evaluative process is a complete joke. It is all based upon the assumption that the problem in the public schooling process is the lack of teacher quality. Ha! The problem? The lack of student quality. Many students come to school with little or no motivation to learn and then these non-learners are allowed to disrupt the learning processes of those students who have a desire to learn.
Our educrats are unfortunately idiots when it comes to what works in the public schooling process. What works? First, discipline. Without it, you will not have ANY academic achievement. None. The educrats want to ignore the 800 pound gorilla in the parlor knocking over all of the nice marble-topped furniture. It's the discipline, stupid. It's not about teacher quality. Sure, there are a few weak teachers, just like there are a few weak lawyers, physicians, dentists, engineers, et al. But, the overwhelming problem is the low quality of today's students. Don't blame the dentists when the patients come to the dental office with rotten teeth, especially when the patients refuse to brush their teeth or to engage in any other preventive treatment. This notion of blaming the teacher is like sending the dentists through many more evaluative processes because his or her patients come to his or her office with rotten teeth and refuse to follow his or her instructions. Stupid!
Our educrats always want to treat a lack of learning as a technical breakdown which can be fixed with more teacher workshops or more stringent evaluative procedures. Oh, how stupid and pitiful is this thinking, but it is self-preserving thinking. It keeps these educrats employed. The best thing that we can do for public education is (1) restore order and discipline in the schools; (2) remove the non-learners from the regular learning environment; and (3) get rid of all of the educrats.
The motivation to learn is a social process or culture phenomenon. You cannot have good learning conditions until you first have good teaching conditions. If a student is not motivated to learn and refuses to learn, not even Arne Duncan, Nathan Deal, Barack Obama, Michelle Rhee, Beverly Hall, Rod Paige, George W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Dwight Howard, John Barge, Tim Tebow, Rod Stewart, George Jones, or Herschel Walker can make this student learn. Motivation to learn is the key. It's not a technical breakdown; it's a motivational breakdown. Pure and simple. Our educrats don't want to know this. They enjoy driving their BMWs. If it were as simple as I am saying, then why do we need these useless educrats? Ha! Get rid of the educrats!
I have written extensively on this for years.
Right on point. This whole public schooling process quit being about the kids long ago. It's about the big fat salaries of the educational sl-ts (superintendents) and their pimps (school board attorneys). It's about money, and the due process procedures get in the way. They want to just heartlessly get rid of anyone who questions anything, despite how good a teacher he or she may be. They want to keep a bunch of non-tenured teachers around and expect them to jump through a zillion hoops and make it look to the naive board members that the superintendent-attorneys are doing something. There has been an unholy alliance established between appointed superintendents and school board attorneys (especially those who also act as "search" firms). A very unholy alliance. The Pimps and their Educational Sl-ts. These Educational Sl-ts jump in and out of school board beds, depending on how much they will be paid. Of course the Pimps get their share of the bounty too.
@ April: Are you sure that you don't work for the educrats — or better yet, for one of the Educational Sl-ts (appointed superintendents) or for one of the Educational Pimps (school board attorneys)? Why such a visceral response? The blog is for anyone who cares to post. It's just digital space. No waste of paper. Very environmental friendly. Maybe you just can't handle the "same" people's arguments. It is plain stupid and non-sensical to blame teachers for students' lack of effort. Plain stupid…but politically convenient for the politicians, policy-makers, and educrats. I am sorry, April, but I will continue to point out the stupidity and hypocrisy…and I am still open for a public debate on these issues from Mark Elgart, Erroll Davis, Edmond Heatley, Glenn Brock, Beverly Hall, or any other superintendent or school board lawyer or educrat in the State. How can I be more accommodating? Ha!
The biggest lawbreakers around? The school systems. They just hire the law firms (pimps) who will, for the right price, apparently tell them that they don't have to follow certain laws. Superintendents (the Educational Sl-ts) love to hide behind school board attorneys (the Educational Pimps).
The grievance law (O. C. G. A. 20-2-989.5 et seq.), the ten day rule for holding a hearing for suspended educators (O. C. G. A. 20-2-940[g]), the duty-free lunch law for elementary teachers (O. C. G. A. 20-2-218), the sick leave law (O. C. G. A. 20-2-850), etc. Heck, the Atlanta Public School System violates all of these laws. All of them.
Other school systems (Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and others) also routinely violate State Statutes and Federal Laws. Routinely. They are, in my opinion, gangsta school systems. Some are worse than others. We at MACE have to continuously hold their feet to the fire when it comes to protecting the rights of MACE members. These school systems are thugs, bullies, gangstas. I am just telling you the unvarnished truth. And they apparently think that it is O. K. to violate laws because their school board attorneys apparently give their imprimatur to do so.
I am amused that the Cobb County Board of Education is now going to have to undergo "training" on statutes on Open Meetings and/or Open Records. The board is not admitting that it has violated these laws (but it has on many, many occasions), but Sam Olens, fellow Cobb Countian and now Attorney General of Georgia, is telling this rambunctious school board that it needs "training"? What about "training" from the Brock Clay law firm, the firm which has apparently made millions and millions of dollars from this school board?
I have been telling you folks for years that it is all a game. A sham and a farce. It's all about the cheddar.
@ HS Public Teacher: It is stupid beyond comprehension. These folk always learn dumber. I have been keenly observing this for nearly 35 years. They don't have a clue but want to impose their clueless mandates on professional educators…simply to realize a few years later that these mandates not only did not improve education but even made it worse.
1 Response to Standardized Cheating Scandals In Atlanta And Dougherty School Systems; New Evaluations; Re-districing In Atlanta; Gangsta School Systems; Training For Cobb County's Rambunctious School Board; Treating Motivational Breakdowns As If They Were Technical Breakdowns; Educational Sluts & Pimps; And Other Holiday Potpourri!
Educ-RATS' craving for cheddar is obsessive.
So long as we teachers cowardly acquiesce in these rodents' compulsively gorging themselves on cheddar better-spent on instruction and instructional-support, GA educ-RATS will continue to chew away to the detriment of our kids and our future.


1. Which bulb do you use in office/household to lit up your sorroundings?
Sustainability involves considering ecology, society and economy. In this quiz there are questions related to each of these aspects of sustainability, but it is when we are working on all three aspects at the same time that a more sustainable society is possible.


In all the big cites in Morocco, signage is dual language - French and Arabic. But in smaller, more rural areas like Beni Mellal, many stores and businesses post only Arabic signage. A bonus for us! Because it's fun to see a the beautiful script done up in lots of different typefaces and such. Some are elegant and some look a little clunky to me, but you can decide for yourself what you like vs. what you don't.
This sign is advertising land for sale, which people would buy as a group and then the property would be sub-divided for houses.
A calendar for the last local election.
Teleboutique (I think you can guess what that is).
Again, I think you can make an educated guess here!
Physical therapy at a medical clinic.
So what's your favorite sign? I love the teleboutique and the yellow street sign.


Tabulated installation drawings show the principal dimensions of the Hydrocone cone crusher, and are sufficiently accurate for preliminary plant layout work. In the smaller sizes (up to 48-in.) the Hydrocone crusher can be discharged vertically downward, or a feed spout can be provided which will convey the crushed product off to one side.
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Cone Crushers Telsmith offers a full range of cone crushers to meet your quarry or mine-site needs, including the all new T-Series™. Ranging in sizes up to 900 HP, the T-Series™ provides the productivity, reliability, and reduction in service time critical in all aggregate and mining operations.
How to install Method of bowl-shaped bearing in the cone crusher? Detail: How to install Method of bowl-shaped bearing in the cone crusher?
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101252 records – page 1 of 10126.
The -1C to T polymorphism in the annexin A5 gene is not associated with the risk of acute myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death in middle-aged Finnish males.
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland.
OBJECTIVE: A common polymorphism (-1C to T) in the translation initiation sequence of annexin A5 (ANV) gene has recently been associated with a decreased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between the ANV genepolymorphism and the risk of AMI and ischemic sudden cardiac death (SCD) in middle-aged Finnish males. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study involving three distinct groups of subjects was carried out: (1) victims of SCD (n=98), (2) survivors of AMI (n=212), and (3) randomly selected control subjects without any history of coronary heart disease (n=243). The ANV polymorphism was genotyped in each study group. RESULTS: Among the control group of healthy Finnish males the prevalence rates of the CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 83.1%, 15.2%, and 1.6%, respectively. Among the survivors of AMI, the prevalence rates of CC, CT, and TT were 79.7%, 20.3%, and 0%, respectively, and among the victims of SCD 83.7%, 16.3%, and 0%, respectively. No significant differences in the genotype or allele distributions were observed between the study groups. CONCLUSION: The -1C to T polymorphism in the ANV gene is not associated with the risk of AMI or SCD in middle-aged Finnish males.
The 1-month prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder according to DSM-IV, DSM-V, and ICD-10 among nondemented 75-year-olds in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
To examine the 1-month prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), and the overlap between these criteria, in a population sample of 75-year-olds. We also aimed to examine comorbidity between GAD and other psychiatric diagnoses, such as depression.
During 2005-2006, a comprehensive semistructured psychiatric interview was conducted by trained nurses in a representative population sample of 75-year-olds without dementia in Gothenburg, Sweden (N = 777; 299 men and 478 women). All psychiatric diagnoses were made according to DSM-IV. GAD was also diagnosed according to ICD-10 and DSM-V.
The 1-month prevalence of GAD was 4.1% (N = 32) according to DSM-IV, 4.5% (N = 35) according to DSM-V, and 3.7% (N = 29) according to ICD-10. Only 46.9% of those with DSM-IV GAD fulfilled ICD-10 criteria, and only 51.7% and 44.8% of those with ICD-10 GAD fulfilled DSM-IV/V criteria. Instead, 84.4% and 74.3% of those with DSM-IV/V GAD and 89.7% of those with ICD-10 GAD had depression. Also other psychiatric diagnoses were common in those with ICD-10 and DSM-IV GAD. Only a small minority with GAD, irrespective of criteria, had no other comorbid psychiatric disorder. ICD-10 GAD was related to an increased mortality rate.
While GAD was common in 75-year-olds, DSM-IV/V and ICD-10 captured different individuals. Current definitions of GAD may comprise two different expressions of the disease. There was greater congruence between GAD in either classification system and depression than between DSM-IV/V GAD and ICD-10 GAD, emphasizing the close link between these entities.


text:
Jim Barry Shiraz The Armagh
The Armagh Shiraz
Clare Valley, South Australia
Named after the Clare Valley settlement founded by Irish settlers in 1848, The Armagh Shiraz comprises opulent and muscular shiraz fruit that explodes with aroma and flavour.
While stylistically different, the original winemaking philosophy of The Armagh Shiraz was in part inspired by neighbouring vineyard Wendouree. The Jim Barry wine sits somewhere between the vigorous, elegantly structured muscular style of Wendouree and the chocolatey richness of Penfolds Grange.
This beautifully concentrated shiraz is sourced from a low-yielding vineyard that was planted in the Clare Valley in 1968, on a north-west-facing sandy gravel slope. Elevated at 400 metres, the position ensures maximum sun exposure, resulting in fully ripe fruit.
The vines are hand harvested with several passes to ensure an optimum flavour profile is reached. Crushing and fermentation in small stainless steel tanks with heading down boards is followed by ageing in French (70%) and American oak hogsheads for 15 months.
THE WINE
The plush fruit and supple richness are hallmarks of The Armagh style. With oak hidden behind curtains of deep, intense fruit and extraordinarily fine, structured tannins, The Armagh Shiraz is highly prized for consistency and ageing potential.
TOP VINTAGES
2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989. Not made in 2011, 2003 and 1986.
Bottled under screwcap since the 2010 vintage.
Last edited on 4/28/2019 by LindsayM
This is the only version of this article. View version history


The BBC reported on Saturday that French President Nicolas Sarkozy will urge fellow G20 leaders to introduce a special tax to reduce risky behaviour by banks. It is amazing how a few men seem to feel that the world is their plum to do with as they please. The tax is to be applied to every financial transaction; can you imagine the trillions of dollars globalists would have to bring to the world under their control.
This is an old proposition first introduced in the 1970's by US economist James Tobin.
According to a BBC News correspondent, the notion of a Tobin Tax is likely to be referred by the G20 to the Financial Stability Forum – the club of the world's top central bankers and financial regulators – to assess and translate into a workable set of rules to which all countries might be able to agree.
On the same day, President Barack Obama said tougher financial regulations are needed worldwide to protect consumers, provide economic stability and prevent future crises. There is a growing movement toward a one world economic system. It seems to me that this whole movement has passed the point of no return. Leaders have now taken for granted that it is inevitable, the attitude now seems to be, lets' get on with it.
Hall went on to say, "Congress and the Obama administration have lost faith in self regulated markets. Together, they're writing the most sweeping new regulations over finance since the great depression. And in this ever- more-connected global economy, Washington is working with its partners through the G20 group of nations to develop worldwide rules to govern finance.
The stage is being set for a One World financial system. That one world financial system will be the groundwork for the one World Government that the European dictator, Antichrist, will impose at the mid-tribulation point. John gives us an insight into this one world economy, "And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of name." Revelation 13:16-17.
"And when these things begin to come to pass, (not when they are all fulfilled) , then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh," Luke 21:28. Jesus wrote these words to His Own, if you are His, if you are in Christ, Look up! Listen up! The trumpet is soon to sound! Christ is soon to call His own home to heaven! "And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am (heaven) there ye may be also," John 14:3.
We do not know what other beginning signs we may witness, but we do know that His coming is near, even at the doors.


text:
all
rule 'MD013', :tables => false

exclude_rule 'MD033'
exclude_rule 'MD041'
exclude_rule 'MD024'
exclude_rule 'MD026'
exclude_rule 'MD002'

# Some markdown code blocks are not strictly adhering to a language.
# For example, we may add comments to JSON code blocks that are not supported
# in the JSON format.
exclude_rule 'MD040' # Fenced code blocks should have a language specified.


President Trump vowed to build his promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, even if it means first shutting down the government. It was the president's clearest statement to date he would not sign any spending bill to keep federal agencies open past Sept. 30 that does not include wall funding.
The president's tendency to gloss over mistakes by recasting history in terms most favorable to himself was on vivid display in Phoenix last night.


text:
/*
 */
static char Version_ID[] = "m100.c v2.50 STM 9/11/94";
/* revision history:
   2.50	original
*/

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <ctype.h>
#include "vdata.h"

#include "convert.h"
#include "protos.h"
#include "globals.h"
#include "m100.h"
#include "stext.h"			/* stext file definition */

static struct stext_essparms esspar = {
	STEXT_datatype_c1fid,		/* datatype */
	1, 1, 1,			/* dim1, dim2, dim3 */
	4,				/* bytes */
	STEXT_order_mcsparc,		/* order */
	STEXT_acqtyp_simul,		/* acqtyp */
	STEXT_abstyp_absval,		/* abstyp */
	M100_PARNAME,			/* system */
	0,				/* np */
	0, 0,				/* sw, sw1 */
	0, 0				/* sfrq, dfrq */
};

/* prototypes of local functions */
#ifdef __STDC__

long m100_header(long type);
void m100_stext();
char * contract_m100_filename(char * filename, int * namepart);
char * fix_m100_comment(char * comment, int * length);
double mfloat_to_double(mfloat mf);

#else /* __STDC__ */

long m100_header();
void m100_stext();
char * contract_m100_filename();
char * fix_m100_comment();
double mfloat_to_double();

#endif /* __STDC__ */

/* Reads all the parameters out of an M-100 file and fills the datafileheads
   and datablockheads.  File must start out positioned at the beginning.
*/
long m100_file(type)
long type;
{
	type = m100_header(type);

	if (type & OUT_STEXT)
		m100_stext();

	return(type);
}

long m100_header(type)
long type;
{
	struct m100_header * m100h;

	m100h = (struct m100_header *) malloc(sizeof(struct m100_header));
	in_header = (unsigned char *) m100h;
	if (m100h == NULL) {
		errmsg(RC_NOMEMORY, __FILE__, __LINE__, sizeof(struct m100_header));
		cleanup(RC_NOMEMORY);
	}

	/* M100_HEADER_SIZE is <= sizeof(struct m100_header); see m100.h. */
	if (fread(m100h, M100_HEADER_SIZE, 1, fid_in) != 1 ) {
		errmsg(RC_READERR, __FILE__, __LINE__, M100_HEADER_SIZE);
		free(in_header);
		in_header = NULL;
		cleanup(RC_READERR);
	}

	in_fhead.nblocks = 1;
	in_fhead.ntraces = 1;
	in_fhead.ebytes = 4;
	in_fhead.np  = m100h->al;
	in_fhead.tbytes  = in_fhead.ebytes  * in_fhead.np;
	/* no datablockheads */
	in_fhead.bbytes  = in_fhead.tbytes  * in_fhead.ntraces;
	in_fhead.vers_id = 0;
	in_fhead.status = S_DATA | S_COMPLEX;
	in_fhead.nbheaders = 1;

	out_fhead.nblocks = 1;
	out_fhead.ntraces = 1;
	out_fhead.ebytes = 4;
	out_fhead.np = in_fhead.np;
	out_fhead.tbytes = out_fhead.ebytes * out_fhead.np;
	out_fhead.bbytes = out_fhead.tbytes * out_fhead.ntraces + sizeof(struct datablockhead);
	out_fhead.vers_id = 0;
	out_fhead.status = S_DATA | S_32 | S_COMPLEX;
	out_fhead.nbheaders = 1;

	in_bhead.scale = 0;
	in_bhead.status = S_DATA | S_COMPLEX;
	in_bhead.index = 1;
	in_bhead.mode = 0;
	in_bhead.ctcount = m100h->ac;
	in_bhead.lpval = 0;
	in_bhead.rpval = 0;
	in_bhead.lvl = 0;
	in_bhead.tlt = 0;

	out_bhead.scale = 0;
	out_bhead.status = S_DATA | S_32 | S_COMPLEX;
	out_bhead.index = 1;
	out_bhead.mode = 0;
	out_bhead.ctcount = in_bhead.ctcount;
	out_bhead.lpval = 0;
	out_bhead.rpval = 0;
	out_bhead.lvl = 0;
	out_bhead.tlt = 0;
}

/* Fill in essential parameters structure for stext.  Then send the params
   we've found to the stext file.  */
void m100_stext()
{
	int length;
	int i;
	char * string;
	long templ;
	double tempd;
	struct m100_header * m100h = (struct m100_header *) in_header;
	char tmname[8];

	esspar.np = out_fhead.np;
	esspar.sw = 1.0e7 / m100h->dw;
	esspar.sfrq = m100h->fobs / 1.0e6;
	esspar.dfrq = m100h->fdec / 1.0e6;

	stext_essential (&esspar);

	length = sizeof(m100h->comment);
	string = fix_m100_comment(m100h->comment, &length);
	stext_text(string);
	free(string);

	length = sizeof(m100h->pscomment);
	string = fix_m100_comment(m100h->pscomment, &length);
	stext_text_continued(string);
	free(string);

	stext_params_begin();

	stext_params_long_long("fn", &m100h->dl);
	stext_params_long_long("np", &m100h->al);

	string = contract_m100_filename(m100h->seqfil, &length);
	stext_params_chars("seqfil",  string, length);
	stext_params_chars("pslabel", string, length);

	/* Scale pw1 and pw2 to represent microsec rather than sec.  All
	   other times will be left unscaled. */
	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->pw1) * 1.0e6;
	stext_params_double_double("pw1", &tempd);
	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->pw2) * 1.0e6;
	stext_params_double_double("pw2", &tempd);

	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->pd);
	stext_params_double_double("pd", &tempd);
	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->pred);
	stext_params_double_double("pred", &tempd);

	/* must rename ct since VNMR already uses that name */
	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->ct);
	stext_params_double_double("contact", &tempd);
	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->psd);
	stext_params_double_double("psd", &tempd);
	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->act);
	stext_params_double_double("act", &tempd);
	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->tau);
	stext_params_double_double("tau", &tempd);

	for (i = 0; i < 20; i++) {
		tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->tm[i]);
		sprintf(tmname, "tm%d", i+1);
		stext_params_double_double(tmname, &tempd);
	}

	stext_params_long_long("nt", &m100h->na);
	stext_params_long_long("ct", &m100h->ac);

	templ = (long) m100h->dp;
	stext_params_long_long("ss", &templ);

	stext_params_double_double("sw", &esspar.sw);
	stext_params_double_double("sfrq", &esspar.sfrq);
	stext_params_double_double("dfrq", &esspar.dfrq);

	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->lb);
	stext_params_double_double("lb", &tempd);

	tempd = mfloat_to_double(m100h->rm);
	stext_params_double_double("rfp", &tempd);
	tempd = esspar.sw / 2.0;
	stext_params_double_double("rfl", &tempd);

	stext_params_end ();
}

/* Removes embedded spaces and nonprintable chars from a filename.  Returns
   the address of a statically declared string containing the new filename,
   which will be null-terminated.  The integer pointed to by namepart will be
   set to the number of characters in the first part of the new name, up to
   but not including the '.'.
*/
char * contract_m100_filename(filename, namepart)
char * filename;
int * namepart;
{
	int i, j;
	static char newname[13];

	for (i = 0, j = 0; i < 8; i++) {
		if (isalnum(filename[i]))
			newname[j++] = filename[i];
	}
	*namepart = j;
	newname[j++] = '.';
	for (i = 9; i < 12; i++) {
		if (isalnum(filename[i]))
			newname[j++] = filename[i];
	}
	newname[j] = '\0';
	return(newname);
}

/* Scan a text comment in the M-100 header and copy it into a new buffer,
   null-terminating it by replacing the first nonprintable character (usually
   a 0xd or 0x4) with 0x0.  The original comment need not be null-terminated,
   so if all "length" chars turn out to be printable, the new buffer will turn
   out to be 1 char long than the original.  The length of the new comment, as
   would be returned by strlen(), overwrites the contents of "length".  The
   return value is the new string, which is stored in memory malloc'ed by this
   function.  Therefore the caller should free() the string after it is no
   longer needed.
*/
char * fix_m100_comment(comment, length)
char * comment;
int * length;
{
	int i;
	char * new;

	new = malloc(*length + 1);
	if (new == NULL) {
		errmsg(RC_NOMEMORY, __FILE__, __LINE__, *length + 1);
		cleanup(RC_NOMEMORY);
	}
	for (i = 0; i < *length; i++) {
		if (isprint(comment[i]))
			new[i] = comment[i];
		else
			break;
	}

	*length = i;
	comment[i] = '\0';
	return(new);
}

double mfloat_to_double(mf)
mfloat mf;
{
	unsigned long exponent;
	union {
		float f;
		unsigned long ul;
	} result;
	/* Union is used for manipulating result as a bit pattern, then
	   returning it as floating point. */

	/* We must redo the exponent by expanding it from 7 to 8 bits and
	   changing the bias from 64 to 127.  The brute-force way is to mask
	   it off (using & 0x7f000000), right-shift it 24 places to put it at
	   the least-significant end of the word, deduct 64 and add 127 in its
	   place, then left-shift the result (now up to 8 bits) by 23 places:
	       exponent = (((*m100 & 0x7f000000) >> 24) - 64 + 127) << 23;
	   All of this can be simplified since the shift operations are
	   distributive.  In the equation below, 0x1f800000 is 63<<23. */

	exponent = ( (mf & 0x7f000000) >> 1 ) + 0x1f800000;

	/* Now substitute the new exponent for bits 30 through 23 of the
	   original.  Note that bit 23 was formerly a mantissa bit, but it was
	   superfluous. */

	result.ul = (mf & 0x807fffff) | exponent;

	return((double) result.f);
}


10th National Conference of KVK's 2018 was concluded here today.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in his address, thanked the Hon'ble Prime Minister for laying the foundation stones of 25 KVKs and conferring Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Krishi Vigyan Protsahan Puraskar to KVKs. He emphasized that integrated farming approach is the most important tool to achieve the goal of doubling farmers' income by 2022. Shri Singh urged to promote conservation agriculture, PMKSY etc. He congratulated the award winning KVKs and urged to come forward for the betterment of farming community by promoting FPOs and linking more farmers to e-NAM, secondary agriculture and off farm income. He said that due to the efforts of KVKs we are now almost self-sufficient in pulses production by producing 23 million tons of pulses in 2016-17.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhwat, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, appreciated the KVKs for their constant technical support towards achieving the goal of Doubling Farmer Income by 2022 through implementing the farmer centric schemes and polices of Government of India in convergence with state departments. He urged the KVKs to encourage farmers to adopt farming of high value crops and new technologies.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) urged to strengthen efforts on post-harvest technologies and develop crop specific value chain to enhance income of farmers.
Shri Chhabilendra Roul, Special Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR) congratulated award winning KVKs and asked the KVKs to work on the points suggested by Hon'ble Prime Minister regarding doubling farmers' income.
Dr. A.K.Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) presented the conference report.
Dignitaries also released various publications on the occasion.
Dr V. P. Chahal, Asstt. Director General (Agricultural Extension) proposed vote of thanks.


text:
Aberdeen Next Bus - live bus times, directions, route maps and countdown
Aberdeen Next Bus - live bus times, directions, route maps and countdown for iOS
By Sitebright Free
By Sitebright
Need to know when buses are arriving, and where they're going? This is the app for you.Key Features: Get real-time (where available) or scheduled bus times for every stop in the Aberdeen area. Each stop has it's own departure countdown board for quick access. See every bus route near you, showing you where they go and which company operates them - plus you can search for bus routes as well. Live directions: search for somewhere, and we'll give you up to five ways to get there quickly by bus - it even takes disruptions and diversions into account. Save your favourite bus stops, and then rename them to something you'll remember: 'Near house' etc. The best location search around: we use a combination of our own search database and Foursquare, so whatever you type in - an address, a postcode, or even local places like pubs and restaurants, we'll show you the nearest bus stops. Only care about the services you use? Customise a bus stop's departure board so you only see the services you want to see. Get home fast: just press on the 'Get me home' button and the app will find the quickest bus routes for you Set a daily update for any bus stop - it'll send you the next three upcoming departures at a specific time of the day even when the app is closed. Your choice of maps: built-in maps or Google Maps - you decide! The best-designed bus app out there - fresh and clean, showing you only the information you care about. Bus stops and services update automatically whenever a service change occurs - so you don't need to worry about having to update stops near you.What they say about us: This is way better than relying on timetables. Great app! I've searched for a decent bus app and having used this one I can say its the best I've used outside London. Very pleased. Very useful app, have never missed the bus with this application. This is a fantastic app. I'm a regular user of buse, and with this app it keeps me up to date - when I got lost this app directed me to a stop so I could get home. Many thanks! If you could take a moment to review our app after each update, we'd be really grateful. Your reviews help us improve and update our apps. We update our apps regularly - so tell us what you want to see at suggestions@busexpert.co.uk The app works best with an active data connection and GPS. Please note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.___________________________________________ Data provided by Traveline South East and Anglia, NextBuses, forecast.io and Foursquare ___________________________________________ Follow @busexpert on Twitter for the latest on updates and new features. Need help, or have a suggestion? Send your feedback to feedback@busexpert.co.uk___________________________________________
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02nd Jan 2016 14:21
is PHI income taxable?
Didn't find your answer?
Latest Any Answers
After many years contributing to a permanent health insurance policy i now find myself in the fortunate (if you can call it that) position of being able to successfully claim the replacement income of the policy.
I have never claimed tax relief for any of the premiums and have always treated them as a personal expense.
The policy pays out 70% of my income for the previous three tax years and will do so until i reach 65, some way off yet...!
My question is do i pay tax on the receipts from the insurance company?
I have always worked on the basis that unless i had treated this as a "benefit" paid by my company as part of my remuneration package, that the income generated would not be taxable.
Is this correct?
It does make a difference because the amount being received would put me into the HR tax category, so not something to get wrong...
Please login or register to join the discussion.
By Paul D Utherone
Depends...
If it's from a policy being paid by your employer, as appears the case, and for which the firm has obtained relief for payment of a premium as employee benefits, then the payments to you will be taxable under PAYE.
If it's a personal policy for which no relief was due, or a policy paid by the firm for you as the self employed owner or a partner and which has been disallowed in the firm's tax computations as a non business expense of an owner of the firm, then it will be tax free as payment of a personal policy.
By carnmores
he paid them
Looks like self employed to me or own company perhaps, clarification?
03rd Jan 2016 12:26
Indeed it depends what is meant by 'my company'?
If it is a limited company then the receipt will be taxable where paid from a policy paid by the company/employer as it would have been allowable as a staff cost to the company, but the premiums would not taxable on the Minion as an exempt benefit - presuming it is covered by Section 202(1)(c) ITEPA 2003 / EIM21820.
I suppose that if the premiums were never claimed for relief in a limited company there might be an argument that it was a personal policy and the company is a red herring, but that could depend a lot on the accounting for it. One might look on it as an exempt benefit that did not need returning on P11D and was allowable for tax, but the company had merely failed to make the claim so that it could still remain taxable - said the devil's advocate
If it is a self employed business and the Minion is the owner, not an employee, then his premiums would not have been allowable when paid and the receipt from the policy will not br taxable now.
By The Minion
08th Jan 2016 16:24
the policy has always been in my name. The only reason for the reference to the company part was that the premiums were eventually paid by my own company but charged to DLA, not added back in comps.
So by the sound of it not taxable because i paid it (or was charged for it).
Sounds fair
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Service members from four branches and seven states swear-in as citizens at the 2010 American Heroes Celebration.
"Patriotism is voluntary," said former Seaman and politician Jesse Ventura. "It is a feeling of loyalty and allegiance that is the result of knowledge and belief."
One could not find greater patriotism than from the servicemembers who valiantly serve a country of which they are not citizens. For 15 such veterans, that changed on Saturday, April 17 when the Honorable Lee Yeakel opened a special session of the US District Court to swear in these incomparable volunteers as US citizens.
The ceremony, held during Camp Mabry's 4th annual American Heroes Celebration, took place in front of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Traveling Wall. The wall, which is a precise replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., offered a somber and reverent setting for this significant occasion.
"I can think of no more appropriate place for this," said Retired Lt. Col. Donald R. Allen, CEO of the AVTT, who also served as the distinguished guest speaker for the event. "Our history has taught us that we were founded on the principle of freedom at any cost."
The newly immunized citizens came from 13 different countries, including Kenya, Mexico, Russia and Kazakhstan. Their services included the US Army, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. The troops, ranging in ages from 19 to 39, included four combat veterans and eight Texas residents.
Army Spc. Victor A. Becerra, who was born in Mexico and raised in California, deployed to Iraq twice before even becoming a citizen. A member of the 36th Infantry Division, he spent his second deployment to Iraq training their police force.
"What we were doing was overseeing the training of 6th Iraqi division," he said, "to make sure that their forces were properly trained so they could stand to protect the region that they were in charge of."
Becerra always felt close to the nation for which he's served for years.
"I've been an American since I first put on this uniform, ever since I started speaking the language," he said. "I feel just as proud to be a part of this country."
Maj. Gen. Jose S. Mayorga, commander of the Texas Military Forces, presented each new citizen with his coin and congratulated them on their achievement.
"It took maybe six to eight months," said Becerra. "That included the studying for the exam for the interview. It's good to know how this country has developed when it was founded back in the 18th century."
"They were defending and protecting and fighting for a country that they weren't even a citizen of," said Allen. "That, my friend, is a true measure of patriotism, these are great patriots. We should be very proud that as a country, there are people that are willing to fight for us to become one of us."
Without a doubt, these brave service members have worked and devoted themselves to the fulfillment of a life of service.
"I've always been an American at heart," said Becerra. "But I could say that today, it's official; I am an American."
Period actors reenact a World War II battle at the 2010 American Heroes Celebration.
The Muster Day reenactment brings to life a time in America's history when the nation was a member of the Allied forces fighting against Germany in World War II. The annual event, put on by the Brig. Gen. John C. L. Scribner Texas Military Forces Museum, took place at Camp Mabry in Austin during The 2010 American Heroes Celebration, held April 17 and 18.
Throughout the two-day reenactment, the period actors camped out in the field in authentic tents.
"I have been inspired by WWII history since I was a child and my father, who is a WWII veteran," said Matt Rayson, portraying a field medic in the 36th Infantry Division.
G Company, 36th Infantry Division, the main body of the reenactment, along with other living history groups and military vehicle collectors, built the battlefield and campgrounds of the American Division and their German counterparts. The battlefield was filled with simulated dragons' teeth, barbed wired, bombed out buildings and military pyrotechnics.
The goal was to remind people of what life was like for Texas Army National Guard's 36th Infantry Division in World War II, honor all veterans. The public was also educated on Texas military history with vehicles such as a Sherman Tank, M3 Halftrack, jeeps, German Hetzer, and Kubelwagens. The re-enactors also had authentic uniforms and weapons.
"Veterans appreciate [the re-enactors] being out there, veterans from the 36th have come by time to time," said John Reed, a 36th ID re-enactor.
The event recreated the attack on the Siegfried Line in March 1945, which was the last line of defense the Germans had before the US entered Germany.
With the Allied troops in the east tree line and Axis troops coming in by convoy, their encounter began the engagement. With shots fired from rifles and machine guns on both sides, the 36th ID slowly moved forward on the German bunkers and buildings. When the 36th's Sherman tank rolled onto the battlefield, the Germans quickly started using mortars and their own armored vehicles against the US troops. After the 40-minute battle, the 36th ID ended the skirmish by destroying the German headquarters. After the re-enactors performed a quick clean up of the battlefield, the spectators joined them on the field to collect and keep parts of the engagement as souvenirs.
"If anything's my favorite, it's the old World War II tanks," said Daryl Reif, a spectator of the event. "I would love to see a tiger tank, but those are very hard to come by."
Daryl, who has attended the event for four years straight, enjoys bringing his six-year-old son each time. "It keeps getting better every year."
Aaron Black, an Austin native and father to Hal R. Black, watches as his son is assisted by living historian Lee R. Chesney in firing a rifle at the Texas Revolution and Civil War weapons demonstration at the 4th Annual American Heroes Celebration at Camp Mabry.
As the sky cleared from the dark and hazy morning to a bright and sunny afternoon, the air filled with the smell of fire and a billowing cloud of smoke. Wind blew away the ominous cloud, revealing a single line of ancient single-shot rifles used in the late 19th century, hoisted in the air by men young and old.
Held during the American Heroes Celebration at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, the Civil War and Texas Revolution weapons demonstration showcased not only weapons of the times, but also post Reconstruction dress, lifestyles and food of the era.
Throughout this event, authenticity was the key message conveyed to all the members of the audience and participants in the demonstrations.
"I feel more or less this is a forgotten time period that is swept over in the history books," said Kevin M. Burke, a native of League City, who wore his grandfather's uniform and shot a rifle used between 1906 and 1917. "This is my way of trying to follow in my grandfather's footsteps and get a better understanding of the family history."
The weapon's demonstration became an educational piece at one point, once the audience started to become involved with the "living history" group. They learned how to make some of the common foods that Confederate Soldiers ate such as hard tack, a hard bread that had a high resistance to spoiling and was used for centuries for land and sea operations by the military.
Another learning point for the on-lookers included how to properly load, aim, and fire the rifles and pistols of their military heritage.
"It was pretty intense, my heart was pounding because I knew that the rifles were loud and I did not realize how heavy they were," said Blake A. Kirk, a sixteen-year-old native of Rockwall. "I almost dropped it after I loaded the rifle."
The exhibits of the Civil War and the Texas Revolution offered families the opportunity to experience history hands-on. Several of the audience members crowded to take pictures of their sons and daughters attempting to hold onto the rifles, while the other adults looked at the living history Soldiers in amazement at how they moved around in the period shoes and uniforms.
"I could never miss this even if I wanted to; my kids look forward to it all year, both days actually." said Austin native Aaron Blake.
Overall, the fun-filled demonstration assisted in boasting the American Heroes Celebration message of remembering and honoring American Soldiers from our past and present. This event educated and bolstered the curiosity for learning about the American past through the audience's hands-on participation.
"This weapons demonstration is amazing, just being able to see all the things people used back in the past is really cool." said Blake. "I'm really appreciative of history to the point I'm thinking of joining a reenactment group."
Hernandez holds on as Miletonde subdues a tricky suspect.
AUSTIN, Texas - "We wouldn't put a dog in a tree in a search event," said Casey E. England of Travis County Search and Rescue. "But we might have a reason for why we would need to put a dog in a harness and raise him up a cliff face."
England and Megan E. Kazda, also of Travis County Search and Rescue, prepared AJ, a Labrador mix, for a rappelling demonstration as part of the search and rescue dog event at the 2010 American Heroes Celebration at Camp Mabry in Austin. The exhibitions, held April 17, showcased the discipline and skills of search and rescue and police dogs.
"We all practice rope safety and rappelling," AJ's handler Sean D. Glynn said about his search team. "You also want to get the dogs used to being rappelled down.
"This is part of the initial training where you're just getting them used to being comfortable suspended and moving in a vertical environment," Glynn continued. "I'm going to give him some pieces of bread, and he's going to associate this happy feeling.
"Some dogs, they might scramble at first," Glynn said, while content AJ dangled in his harness from the tree above. "As soon as they get used to being up there, they're just suspended and hanging out."
"It's cool because he could save me," said Sophie Beilinton, 9, as she reached out to pet the dog after his safe return to the ground.
Despite a light rain earlier that day, dogs from Austin Police Department Search and Rescue and Travis County Sheriff's K-9 Unit also demonstrated their special skills.
Matthew W. McDermott, a volunteer with APD Search and Rescue through K-9 Search, began the demonstrations with a word about safety.
"We get out there and we talk to the kids about what to do if they get lost, how to use their heads," he said. "The main thing you want them to know is to stay in one place. Doesn't matter if they're in the woods or if they're in the mall. ... Grab on to something, like a garbage can."
McDermott performed an evidence demonstration with his 11-year old Australian Shepherd mix, Willa. Sniffing out a glove hidden in a row of boxes, Willa lay down when she caught the scent.
"This is her trained alert," McDermott said as he described techniques Willa uses to let him know she's found her target.
Travis County Sheriff's K-9 Unit showcased their dogs' discipline and focus. Deputy Mike Stanley walked his German Shepherd, Tex, across the parade field. Tex did not hesitate or take his attention off his handler.
German Shepherd Ryker and Deputy Jo A. Carson apprehended "unsavory character," Stanley, in a bite suit. Deputy Gilbert A. Hernandez and Meliton, another German Shepherd, pulled a stubborn suspect from his vehicle in a demonstration new to the celebration.
Though police dogs move fast, they do not move with the intent to injure. Ryker and Meliton followed their training and released their suspects when they stopped resisting.
"We spend about 10 hours a day training new dogs," Hernandez said. "Of course it's not 10 hours straight, but we start with obedience and work up from there."
Hernandez said, though Travis County owns them, "essentially, they are our dogs. We spend 10 hours a day in the car while we're working, and then they go home with us. ... It's a 24-hour-a-day job pretty much."
The amount of time these K-9 handlers spend with their dogs creates an intense bond. McDermott pointed this out when he compared search and rescue dogs to police dogs.
"Ours are friendly, lick-your-face dogs," he said. "Theirs aren't. Theirs are trained for protection. They'll take a bullet for their officer if they have to."
While families love seeing the dogs in action, McDermott said the celebration gives search and rescue teams an opportunity to inform people about the dogs, their training and their jobs.
"We love being out here," he said. "The thing I like about it the most is the recognition we get as a team. I'm often amazed at how many folks don't know that Austin even has a search and rescue team."
Sgt. Corey Lewis, of Plano, and Petty Officer Carl Clary, of Madisonville, conduct a side-by-side search of Lake Houston waters in an effort to recover aircraft debris during a training exercise April 10. Both are members of the Texas State Guard Maritime Regiment (TMAR) 1st Battalion Rescue Dive Team.
With 'go-bags' at the ready all hours of the day and night, and dedicated members prepared to drop their daytime jobs for however long it may take, two hours is all it takes to get the Texas State Guard mobilized in the event of an emergency.
Saturday's drill at Lake Houston's Anderson Park, the site of the Houston Police Department Lake Patrol in Huffman, took six months of planning, but the scenario was all too real as more than 60 men and women in fatigues and police garb swarmed the shore line and waters of Lake Houston in search of the remnants of a downed Air Force drone plane.
While divers conducted a side-by-side search of the 58-degree waters, a 3-acre area flanked by a peninsula and far off from civilian fishermen and jet-skiers, Galveston PD Marine Division officers used a side-scan sonar to map the bottom of the lake and pinpoint objects possibly related to the crash. The aircraft debris hidden on the lake bottom was donated by the Lone Star Flight Museum.
Senior airman Scott Hart has taken up his post on the pier. His public announcement system, a medium-sized loud speaker that generates nearly 40 pre-recorded ultra-loud audio files, can be heard across the lake at homes two miles away.
Also assisting in the search for debris are Charles Ashton and his crew. As a member of the Columbia Center, a regional geospatial service center affiliated with Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Ashton's job is to generate maps of the area utilizing GIS and GPS - onsite.
As Ashton maps the terrain and Courtney monitors the lake bottom, Sgt. Raymond Winkler of the 447th Air Support Group Texas State Guard Security Forces instructs his team to keep onlookers at bay, protect communications equipment and search the ground for aircraft debris during the search and rescue/recovery mission.
The crackle of the radio is constant, and the orders come in quick succession. Actors pose as civilians trying to breach security; two young girls are missing their father. The scenario is interspersed with many variables.
John Hesse, the training and operations officer for the 1st Battalion TMAR, said the planning of the drill involved covering every detail from organizing an incident command system, communicating with the national emergency and military emergency management systems, to ensuring civilian safety and plotting activities.
Cook said some people may think of the Texas State Guard as "weekend warriors," but nothing could be further from the truth.
The cooperation among agencies was inspired by the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy in 2003, when the shuttle disintegrated over Texas shortly before it concluded its 28th mission during re-entry into the earth's atmosphere.
Hogard said Texas State Guard members serve in a volunteer function until, or unless, the governor of Texas gives orders to deploy the force. Beginning in May, TMAR will be called upon to assist the coast guard, beefing up numbers.
The regiment, Cook said, communicates via e-mail and cell phone. Each member is in possession of a primary and secondary cellular phone. Members are also required to keep a 'go-bag' handy at all times, filled with three days worth of supplies, including food, water and clothing.
Cook said monthly meetings and drills are held at the armory in LaPorte off Spencer Highway. Upon signing up for the Texas State Guard, prospective members are given a choice of participating in the Texas Air Guard, the Texas Army, or TMAR (Texas Maritime Regiment).
Cook, who has served as Humble ISD chief of police for about 6 years and worked for the Humble Police Department for 13 years prior, said he had no former experience in the military when he joined TMAR.
"Personally, I got started through friends," he said, "wanting to do more to serve our state." no former military. about 6 years cop, humble 14 years.


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The Best of All Possible Worlds
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BUZZFEED • "An engrossing picaresque quest, a love story, and a moving character study . . . [Karen] Lord is on a par with Ursula K. Le Guin."—The Guardian
A proud and reserved alien society finds its homeland destroyed in an unprovoked act of aggression, and the survivors have no choice but to reach out to the indigenous humanoids of their adopted world, to whom they are distantly related. They wish to preserve their cherished way of life, but doing so may mean changing their culture forever. Working together to save this vanishing race, a man and a woman from two clashing societies will uncover ancient mysteries with far-reaching ramifications. And as their mission hangs in the balance, the unlikely team—one cool and cerebral, the other fiery and impulsive—just may find in each other their own destinies . . . and a force that transcends all.
Praise for The Best of All Possible Worlds
"[A] fascinating and thoughtful science fiction novel that examines] adaptation, social change, and human relationships. I've not read anything quite like it, which makes it that rare beast: a true original."—Kate Elliott, author of the Crown of Stars series and The Spiritwalker Trilogy
"Reads like smooth jazz comfort food, deceptively familiar and easy going down, but subtly subversive."—Nalo Hopkinson, Los Angeles Review of Books
"If you want to see science fiction doing something new and fascinating . . . then you shouldn't sleep on The Best of All Possible Worlds."—io9
"Rewarding science fiction for emotional grown-ups."—Mysterious Galaxy
"[A] marvelously formed universe."—The A.V. Club
"A rewarding, touching and often funny exploration of the forms and functions of human culture."—SFX
"The Best of All Possible Worlds . . . poses an interesting question: What parts of you do you fight to preserve when everything you know suddenly changes?"—Associated Press
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY MAY 19, 2014
Mythopoeic Award winner Lord (Redemption in Indigo) dives into SF romance and produces an entertaining, optimistic novel. Only a few of the aloof but psychically gifted Sadiri survive the destruction of their homeworld. A number of their men arrive on the melting pot planet Cygnus Beta, hoping to find homes and wives and start rebuilding their population. When Grace Delarua is assigned to help Sadiri Councillor Dllenahkh survey local populations with relic Sadiri DNA for possible matchmaking, romance develops between the two despite many obstacles thrown their way. The book consciously references Bradbury's Martian Chronicles but feels closer to Star Trek in spirit, with a cheerful polyglot culture welcoming a race of emotionally reserved intellectuals. Delarua is a pleasant narrator, irrepressible in the face of what seems like impossible personal and professional challenges.
Thor Axtmann Garcia , 10/11/2015
Lovely story
A wonderful mix of sci-if, social constructs and o course romance.
More Books by Karen Lord
The Galaxy Game
Redemption in Indigo
Into the Woods (Tremontaine Season 3 Episode 7)
Lightspeed Magazine, Issue 110 (July 2019)
Lightspeed Magazine, Issue 103 (December 2018)


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SpaceX fires up Starship and Super Heavy Booster 7 ahead of test flight
SpaceX fired up a Super Heavy booster on the launch pad today (Aug. 9) for the first time ever, notching a big milestone in the development of its Starship deep-space transportation system.
The Super Heavy in question, a prototype known as Booster 7, is scheduled to launch on the Starship program's first orbital test flight in the coming months. SpaceX is gearing up for that mission, as today's engine test shows.
The test, which took place this afternoon at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas, involved just one of Super Heavy's 33 Raptors engines, company representatives said via Twitter (opens in new tab). The engine lit up while Booster 7 remained anchored to the orbital launch mount, in a test known as a static fire.
Pictures: SpaceX lifts huge Super Heavy rocket onto launch stand
The Starship system consists of Super Heavy and a 165-foot-tall (50 meters) upper-stage spacecraft called Starship. Both elements are designed to be fully reusable, and both will be powered by the next-generation Raptor, which is much more powerful than the Merlin engine that SpaceX uses with its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.
Starship upper-stage prototypes have launched before, on test flights that reached a maximum altitude of just 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) or so. Those jaunts involved vehicles with three engines, half of what the final Starship spacecraft will sport.
No Super Heavy vehicle has yet left the ground, though the upcoming orbital test flight will change that, if all goes according to plan. On that mission, which will lift off from Starbase, Booster 7 will launch a six-engine Starship prototype called Ship 24 to orbit. Booster 7 will splash down in the Gulf of Mexico shortly after liftoff, and Ship 24 will circle Earth once before coming down in the Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
And Ship 24 got a workout today, too: A few hours after the Booster 7 activity, SpaceX conducted a static fire with two of Ship 24's six Raptors, the company announced via Twitter (opens in new tab).
Static fire test of two Raptor engines on Starship 24 pic.twitter.com/NNpViztphIAugust 10, 2022
SpaceX likely will perform a lot more testing before clearing Booster 7 and Ship 24 for that landmark launch. But some of those prelaunch trials will be big events in themselves. The first time that Booster 7 fires up all 33 of its Raptors, for example, will be a sight — and a sound — to behold. (For perspective: The Falcon 9 has just nine engines in its first stage, as the rocket's name suggests.)
Though today marked Booster 7's first static fire on the launch mount, it has breathed fire at Starbase before. On July 11, flames shot from the vehicle's base after something went wrong during an "engine spin start test."
Tuesday was a very busy day for SpaceX. On Tuesday night, the company launched 52 of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit with a Falcon 9, which lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rocket's first stage came down for a vertical landing at sea on one of SpaceX's autonomous drone ships a little less than nine minutes after launch.
Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:12 pm EDT on Aug. 9 with news of Ship 24's static fire, then again at 10:57 pm EDT with details and video from SpaceX and news of the Starlink launch.
Mike Wall is the author of "out there (opens in new tab)" (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate), a book about the search for alien life. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall (opens in new tab). Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab) gold we Facebook (opens in new tab).
Categories Science
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Granite is a very hard igneous or metamorphic rock with a crystalline appearance. It is formed within the earth when magma cools down gradually under intense pressure. Though it has a dense grain and is the hardest stone, it is found in a variety of colors and textures.
It is used as a building material in flooring and pavements. Black granite is considered the best for counter tops and kitchen slabs. Granite can be ground in various shapes though very intricate carving is not possible. Its luxurious texture and fine polish give it the grace. Various landscaping figurines of birds and animals, fountains and bird bath etc can be carved out of the stone.
There are three basic varieties of granite based on their composition namely Biotite-granite, Hornblende-granite, Tourmaline-granite. The shade can be hundreds ranging from deep black to green, blue, crème, yellow and hordes of other granite shades.
Granite quarries exist in Rajasthan, Bangalore, Chickmaglur, Hassan, Kolar, Mysore, , Bellary Raichur and at many other locations. Granite is obtained by cutting, digging or blasting the rocks. Granite has to be dressed, cut and polished appropriately before use.


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Give Your Kids A Front-Row Seat To American History With The Only Streaming Service That Makes It Fun To Learn Our History!
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Plus Dozens Of Other Lessons!
"Getting a subscription to Learn Our History was one of the best decisions I ever made for my daughter. She never showed any interest in American history before, but now she's in love! Not only is she captivated by the stories, but she remembers everything that she's learned and she's acing her 5th-grade history classes, too. Thank you, Learn Our History!!"
-C.M., Canton, GA
© Learn Our History, LLC. All Rights Reserved


Daylight savings time... it's not just for smoke alarm batteries anymore!
MotorsportReg.com captures a lot of information when you register for an event. For attendees, it allows you to only have to enter that information once and then register for as many events as you like. For organizers, it helps you run a smooth event with all of your attendee data stored in one place.
As you set your clocks back and check those smoke alarm batteries, take a minute to review and update your MotorsportReg information.
Now, more than ever, your login passwords should be unique and secure. If you have a hard time remembering login names and passwords, look into one of the many online password vault programs. We personally use LastPass which is FREE and easy to use. Or you can use tools built into products and services you already use like Apple or Google.
Your address, emergency contact, and vehicles are used across the organizations your are a member of within MotorsportReg. These things can change with time and it's important to keep it current. Periodically, organization-specific information also needs to be updated. Here's a quick refresher on how and what to update.
Some of us get complacent about our event history. Organizers love MSR because they can see your registration history from MSR based events. But what about the events you attend that are not in MSR (and tell us who they are so we can convince them to switch)? Update your history in MSR for these events so that organizers can take all of your participation into consideration. This is especially important for drivers schools (HPDEs).
Event organizers, this one's for you! We allow MSR "eventmasters" to create and manage their own list of members who have administrative access to their data. But personnel come and go, especially around this time of year with club elections taking place. Here's how to make sure the right people have the right access.


Our Plumbers in Crestwood are there whenever you need them. Give us a call today. Let our licensed plumbers install or repair your garbage disposal. Read our blog posts to show you how to maintain a garbage disposal.
Our Plumbers in Crestwood IL are ready to help you day or night. You need to have a working Garbage Disposal in your home. Don't wait any longer, give us a call or email us today, to make an appointment with one of our plumbers.


After Joy Lawson's grandfather was badly injured and temporarily deafened in an explosion at Blackley's factory, Joy accidentally smashed his precious records of songs written by his late wife and sung by a choir she had trained. Joy formed her own girls' choir to record the songs again, but Miss Frith, music teacher at the Grammar School, had vowed to get rid of any choir that rivalled her own. By a trick, Miss Frith got the choir into trouble, and the Juvenile Court ordered the girls not — to associate with Joy any more. Joy went to Mr Blackley for help, and he organised a newspaper campaign to investigate.


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Video: When Saints Go Machine f. Killer Mike, "Love and Respect"
By Duncan Cooper
Copenhagen's artful pop four-piece When Saints Go Machine, whose 2011 LP Konkylie deserved far more praise, have taken an unexpected route with their followup, Infinity Pool, wrangling Atlanta rapper and onetime FADER cover star Killer Mike to jump on the album's opening track and first single, "Love and Respect." I've been going back and forth whether this is a brilliant or terrible idea, but after a number of listens I'm enjoying the hell out of the juxtaposition. Watch the dramatic video, directed by Frederik Hviid and Sebastian Birk, then see the album's zany trailer. Infinity Pool comes out May 28th on !K7.
Killer Mike When Saints Go Machine Duncan Cooper
Duncan Cooper, Electronic, Hip-Hop, Killer Mike, When Saints Go Machine


In this extract from the Loft Conversion Project Guide, by the Construction Products Association, we look at good practice techniques and information on the need to provide ventilation to the converted roof.
When carrying out a loft conversion, ventilation is a very important issue. Depending on the planned use of the converted loft, you will need to consider ventilation to either two or three locations. The first and most obvious location is ventilation to the converted roof itself; second, a habitable room; and third, the ventilation requirements if a bath/ shower or WC is to be installed.
To provide adequate ventilation to a roof space you first need to be aware of the roofing felt/ underlay that is currently in place, if at all, and its type and condition.
There are normally two types of underlay used: high resistance (HR) (which has a vapour resistance greater than 0.25 MN.s/g), or low resistance (LR) (which has a vapour resistance less than or equal to 0.25 MN.s/g).
To minimize the risk of interstitial condensation occurring, it is necessary to provide a well-sealed ceiling and to ensure that 50mm deep vented voids (at least 25mm deep at the centre of the drape) are maintained between the insulation and the underlay. It is important that these air paths remain unobstructed during the life of the building.
a. Low-level openings should be equivalent in area to a continuous opening of not less than 25mm x length at eaves.
b. High-level openings should be equivalent in area to a continuous opening of not less than 5mm x length at the ridge or hips.
Note: Where there is no cross communication between each roof slope, 5mm should be provided on both sides of the ridge.
b. Immediately above the obstruction equivalent to 25mm x length of obstruction.
It is not necessary to provide a void beneath the underlay in roofs of this type, but a vapour control layer (VCL) should be provided below the insulation. Where joints are present in the VCL, they should have at least 100mm laps and be well sealed. A VCL is generally 500 gauge (120 micron) polyethylene sheet.
ii. 10mm x length at eaves for pitches of more than 15 degrees.
iii. Lean-to and mono-pitch roofs.
Note: Most traditional unsealed slating and tiling methods are sufficiently air-open.
There are many forms of roof where, for constructional reasons, there is a small void above the insulation. To minimize the risk of interstitial condensation occurring, it is necessary to provide a well-sealed ceiling and ensure that there is sufficient air movement between the underlay and the roof covering to allow moist air to migrate to the atmosphere. For air-open outer coverings no specific provision for batten-space ventilation is required, but for tight outer coverings batten-space ventilation should be provided (as outlined above for Type LR underlay fully supported on insulation with no void).
If the integrity of the roof and wall vapour control layer can be maintained, there is no need to provide ventilation in the void between the insulation and the LR membrane. If there is any doubt about the ability to provide and maintain an effectively sealed vapour control layer, ventilation openings should be provided to each void, at both high and low level, to allow free air movement through the gap between the insulation and the underlay.
b. High-level openings should be equivalent in area to a continuous opening of not less than 5mm x length at the ridge or hips. Where there is no cross communication between each roof slope, 5mm should be provided on both sides of the ridge.
The Loft Conversion Project Guide is an easy-to-use guide to loft conversions and provides architects, building control, builders and DIY enthusiasts with up-to-date and reliable guidance on achieving compliance with the Building Regulations.
Download The Loft Conversion Project Guide from the Construction Products Association website.
The Construction Products Association represents the UK's manufacturers and distributors of construction products and materials.