Self-care is an important part of anyone's routine. We get so caught up in our daily lives, it's often hard to remember it's okay to take care of ourselves. This is especially true for both survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence, and caretakers of individuals with disabilities.
Some people worry that self-care means you're selfish or indulgent, but in reality we should be as kind to ourselves as we are to other people.
For anyone who has experienced trauma, self-care is an important tool in recovery. If a loved one with a disability has experienced trauma, help them create a list of their favorite things to do to create an emergency self-care plan. These can be anything from reading a book, to going for a walk, doing something artistic, or knowing who you can talk to when you are struggling to cope.
It is just as important for anyone working with people who have experienced trauma to practice self-care. When we take on another person's trauma, it can be overwhelming if we don't know how to cope or who we, ourselves, can turn to for support. So it's important to practice what we preach....come up with goals for what you can do to take care of yourself and when. For example, setting aside 30 minutes every day to do yoga, meditate, get exercise, read, or anything else that helps you stay grounded.
It's important to always know that you are not alone. Everyone responds to trauma differently, but there is no one right or wrong way to cope. Many people find it useful to connect with other people who have similar experiences. As a parent or caregiver, try to find ways to create groups and connections in your community. At Heart, we are working with local agencies to start support groups for people with disabilities who have been abused or assaulted, as well.
For more resources, you can watch Ted Talks on the importance of self-care. For ideas on various self-care activities, check out this Self-Care Wheel. And, as always, please reach out to us if you would like more information or resources!


text:
1877 T$1 MS64 Certification #50189654, PCGS #7044
My Inventory
1877 T$1
CoinFacts Details
Owner's Comments
Full Strike with full mint frost
Q. David Bowers
The following narrative, with minor editing, is from my "Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia" (Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., 1993):
Coinage Context
Status of the trade dollar: By 1877 the Act of July 22, 1876 demonetizing the trade dollar was old business, trade dollars circulated within the United States only at a discount from face value, and coinage was intended solely for export to the Orient. However, generous numbers found their way into domestic commerce.
In June 1877, Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman stated that there was no further export demand for the trade dollar, an opinion that was at sharp odds with that of Mint Director Dr. Henry Linderman (see testimony reprinted under Additional Information below).
In October 1877 Sherman directed that silver deposited for coinage into trade dollars would no longer be paid in trade dollars at the coinage mints or the assay office. The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint for 1878 said that when this order reached the Philadelphia Mint and New York Assay Office in October 1877 "there was due depositors for bullion previously deposited at these institutions 590,795 trade dollars." The superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint was directed to pay for these in bars, or in trade dollars, only "upon satisfactory evidence being given that the same would be exported." Apparently, many depositors provided such evidence, as the report continues: "The bullion was accordingly coined, the settlement made with the depositors; the last coinage for this purpose [13,000 pieces] being executed at Philadelphia in the beginning of December 1877."
It later developed that this "satisfactory evidence" was in some instances fabricated, and that the recipients sold many coins at premiums above bullion value, but below face value, to domestic factory owners, mine owners, et al., who exploited their employees by paying the coins out in wages at $1 each (see details under Additional Information, 1876 above).
In the meantime, demand for trade dollars for export continued (see testimony reprinted below), and the years 1877 and 1878 were to see the largest production figures of the denomination, the majority from San Francisco.
1877 circulation strike mintage: Due to the uncertain market for trade dollars and Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman's negative opinion concerning the denomination, relatively few were struck in the first half of the year. Of the total annual production of 3,039,000 coins, just 654,000, or only about one-fifth of the total was produced from January through June; see monthly figures under Summary of Characteristics below. Many of the remaining 2,584,000 went into domestic circulation. The production quantity was far and away a record for a Philadelphia Mint trade dollar, and was the only issue to exceed the one million mark.
Many were exported, although, as noted, some were illegally sold domestically. Quantities of the latter were distributed in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, among other Eastern states.
Numismatic Information
Circulated grades: The 1877 trade dollar is very common in circulated grades. I estimate that of the levels from VF-20 to AU-58, 20,000 or more exist. Chopmarked pieces are scarcer than the high mintage would suggest. This reflects lessened demand in China, or increased diversion to domestic circulation, or both.
Mint State grades: Despite its record high mintage for a Philadelphia coin of this denomination, the 1877 trade dollar is a major rarity in MS-65 grade. I estimate that just four to eight are known. Until the rarity of circulation strikes of Philadelphia Mint coins began to be studied in the 1970s, emerging almost as a science in the 1980s, the 1877 was dismissed as a common date. Now we all know the MS-65 1877 for the rarity it is.
A tiny difference in grade can make a big difference in rarity (and price). I estimate that 60 to 120 or more are known at the MS-64 level. As grading is not a precise science, once the rarity of the 1877 in MS-65 becomes generally known (see preceding paragraph), I would not be surprised to see many MS-64 coins resubmitted to the certification services in the hope of attaining the pinnacle MS-65 listing. Accordingly, watch for "MS-65" coins to become more common.
In MS-63 there are probably about 150 to 250 or more 1877 trade dollars known. In the MS-60 to 62 range the issue is readily available, and an estimated 450 to 900 or more are known.
Many are weakly struck: Maurice Rosen and Robert Emmer were among the first (after Willem) to study trade dollars from a numismatic viewpoint. They reported that the 1877 is almost always weakly struck around the obverse stars and head. Virtually all Uncirculated pieces show this. Despite the large mintage, this issue is elusive in Mint State, they also noted. This almost certainly reflects the majority going into circulation.
As many die-pairs were used to strike 1877 trade dollars, the pervasive weakness of striking was caused by a general policy this year of spacing the dies too widely apart. This practice (which, among other instances, was also prevalent at the New Orleans Mint during the Morgan dollar era) prolonged die life but produced miserable coins.
Varieties: All trade dollars from 1877 onward are of the Type II obverse and reverse style.
R.W. Julian cites a Mint report of July 7, 1877 mentioning a new hub for 1877. Was one of these a Type II obverse? Did the other replace the 1876 Type II reverse? The latter had chipped at AR and all three periods. Specialists may want to check 1877s of all mints to see if the reverses differ from 1876 Type II in anyway other than serifs.
OBVERSE TYPE II, RIBBON ENDS POINT DOWN, 1876-1885
REVERSE TYPE II: NO BERRY BELOW CLAW, 1875-1885
Circulation strikes:
1. Heavy date, bases of 18 touch: Breen-5807.
Minor positional differences in date. Common. (Do any have broken letters?) Often seen chopmarked.
2. Normal date: Thinner numerals, 1 8 apart:
Breen-.5809. Multiple die varieties exist. Common. (Do any have broken letters?) Often seen chopmarked.
Dies prepared: Obverse: 30; Reverse: 311
Circulation strike mintage: 3,039,000 (3,039,200 according to Mint figures). Delivery figures by month: January: none; February: 200 (these were probably Proofs; it would have been unprecedented in the trade dollar series to set up production facilities within a given month and produce just 200 circulation strikes; likewise, it would have been unusual to have delivered just 200 business. strikes from previously struck quantities); March: 59,000; April: 181,000; May: 291,000; June: 123,000; July: 536,000; August: 440,000; September: 402,000; October: 594,000; November: 400,000; December: 13,000. This averages out to over 116,800 per die-pair.
Characteristics of striking: Typically weakly struck, with light impressions around the obverse stars and Miss Liberty's head. In particular, the stars to the right are often weak. Coins with a weak obverse can have a sharply struck reverse. In general, the 1877 Philadelphia issue is the poorest struck of all circulation strike trade dollars.
Known hoards of Mint State coins: None
Rarity with original Chinese chopmark(s): Somewhat scarce despite its high mintage.
The 1877 is the most common Philadelphia Mint trade dollar in lower grades, although in MS-65 preservation it is extremely rare. Many are weakly struck.
1877 Testimony on Trade Dollars
The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, 1877, noted that the biggest silver producing state was Nevada, which yielded approximately $26 million worth per year, followed by Utah at $5 million, Colorado at $4-1/2 million, California at $1 million, Montana at $750,000, Arizona and New Mexico at $500,000 each, Idaho at $250,000, Oregon at $100,000, Washington at $50,000. In addition, the Lake Superior region generated about $200,000.
Related in the same report were testimonies and comments of leading bankers and others, including Dr. Richard Henry Linderman (director of the Mint), beforethe United States Treasury Commission in relation to trade dollar coinage and other items, with the chairman (name not stated) doing the questioning. The report gives a fascinating insight:
The chairman is now asking questions of M.M. Tompkins, an agent of the Hong-Kong and Shanghai Bank:
"Question. What effect on the bullion market here has the coinage of trade dollars had, in your judgment?
"Answer. It has been of great benefit to the silver producers, in bringing silver up in this market.
"Q. It has been the means of converting a large amount of silver into a convenient form for shipping?
"A. Yes, sir.
"Q. They have, to a great measure, taken the place of the silver circulating in that country?
"A. Yes, sir: they have not thoroughly supplied it, but they are crowding it out of the market, and taking the place of it to some extent.
"Q. Trade dollars are now practically current in Hong Kong, Canton, Foo-Chow, Ah Mow, and Ong Chow?
"Q. And are working their way to as far south as Singapore?
"A. Yes, sir; the largest shipments are made to See Kung for the purchase of rice.
"Q. How much do you think the silver market here has appreciated? How much benefit are the producers of silver deriving today from the mere fact that the government is coining trade dollars?
"A. I should fancy fully the cost of transportation between here and London, 2%."
The chairman questions General O.H. LaGrange, superintendent of the San Francisco Mint:
"Question. You heard what Mr. Tompkins said in regard to the trade dollar. Have you been in the habit of shipping those coins?
"Answer. Not ourselves. I formerly handled many of them, but now not so much, because the business has been concentrated in the hands of larger bankers.
"Q. Would your testimony confirm that of Mr. Tompkins, in regard to the additional value given to silver in the market here?
"A. I think there is no possible question but that the trade dollar has made a very large demand for silver, which would have been a drug here. Formerly, the only means of getting silver to China was in refined silver bars, and those could only be handled by a few persons, by large importers and heavy Shippers. Now the trade dollar forms the means of shipment for small dealers. They are shipped in amounts of $100 and upward, and thousands of them are carried away in the hands of passengers privately.
"Q. Do you recollect about the time of the first shipment of fine bars of silver to China from here?
"A. Yes, sir. I was at that time and had formerly been clerk in a bank here, and conceived the idea of having the bars refined here. It was about the time of the heavy shipments of silver from the Comstock down here, 1859, '60, '61, and silver began to be a drug, because they were crowding it into the mint for half dollars, and they were useless for shipment; and I went to a gentleman here who was a large shipper of Mexican dollars and called his attention to the fact that he could ship refined silver from here to China, thus saving 60 days' time with a large percentage of insurance, and freight, by shipping direct from here to China, instead of shipping from
here to London, and thence by the peninsula to the Orient; and he authorized me to buy a quantity of bullion, cause it to be parted, and he made the shipment to a very great advantage. At that time Mexican dollars were ranging from 12% to 18% premium. He made a shipment of refined silver.
"Dr. LINDERMAN: (Director of the Mint Dr. Henry R. Linderman, a numismatist (who had the rare privilege of being able to coin his own rarities), was a friend of the trade dollar denomination and the Western silver politicians.)
"Question. You are aware that depositors pay the cost of coining those dollars by the government?
"Answer. Yes, sir.
"Q. Is it your opinion that the government ought to afford every possible facility for coining them?
"A. It seems to me so. I don't know what we should do with the bulk of silver if it was not disposed of in some such way. I am very well aware that before the coinage of the trade dollar the rate of exchange with China, owing to the scarcity of Mexican dollars, had caused them to change 7% here within a week.
"Q. Always commanding at that time a premium?
"A. Yes, sir. There was an extra duty on them from Mexico which gave them a premium at once; and an additional premium was created by the demand for them for shipment to China, and for many years the range was from 11% to 16%.
"The CHAIRMAN:
"Question. Then, in your opinion, the fact of the government coining trade dollars at the mint here has added to the value of the silver production of the United States very appreciably?
"Answer. There is no question of that.
"Q. Mr. Tompkins stated that he thought that it had raised the value about the cost of the freight and insurance from here to London, which was about 2%. Is that your opinion?
"A. I should think that it had really made a value for the silver greater than that. If there were no trade dollars coined, bar silver would take a range of certainly 4 or 5 and perhaps 6% below its production rate. You were speaking about the returns of the mint. I have had some experience in the United States Assay Office in New York City, and it is not favorable. I have never had any complaint with the mint here, but in New York we had constant complaints and reclamations.
"FUNG CHUNG sworn, "The CHAIRMAN:
"Question. Your firm has deposited dust in the mint for coinage?
"Q. And have your returns always been good?
"A. Everything Was satisfactory.
"Q. Have you ever put silver in the mint for trade dollars?
"A. No sir, I never did.
"Q. You got your gold returned, and your coin, in good season, and all satisfactory?
"A. Yes, sir; and I never heard complaint from our customers in the country.
"Q. Do your customers in the country, when they send you gold-dust, always want it to go to the mint?
"A. Yes, sir; some.
"Q. But when you do ship bullion, what do you usually ship, trade dollars or fine silver?
"A. Trade dollars, and sometimes Mexican dollars.
"Q. Your business is with Hong-Kong chiefly?
"Dr. LINDERMAN:
"Question. Which do you like best to ship, trade dollars or Mexican dollars?
"Answer. At present trade dollars are better, because we get about 2% more premium on them in China. The premium changes every time. Sometimes Mexican dollars are better and sometimes trade dollars are better.
"Question. The trade dollar in China is growing in favor with the Chinese. Do they like them better?
"Answer. About the same in local use-the trade dollar and
Mexican dollar in Hong-Kong and Canton.
"Q. You buy and ship a good deal of bullion to China?
"A. No, sir; a little.
"Q. Don't you ship trade dollars?
"A. Sometimes; not very large quantities.
"Q. The Chinese do ship large quantities of trade dollars altogether?
DR. LINDERMAN:
"Answer. About the same in local use-the trade dollar and Mexican dollar in Hong-Kong and Canton.
"Q. Do you know anything about Foo-Chow?
"A. No, sir.
"Q. The trade dollar, so far as you know in China, do you find it all correct in weight and everything?
"Q. Do you hear no complaint from your correspondents?
"A. We never heard anything from our house in Hong-Kong; never had any complaint. When the trade dollar comes to Hong-Kong it should be sold to the money-brokers.
"Q. Has anybody at the mint ever asked you to pay them any fee or 'cum chow' [bribe]?
"Q. Is it all done on the square?
"A. Yes, sir."
Then followed a statement from Louis McLane, president of the Nevada Bank of San Francisco, who had held that office since October 1875. Excerpts:
"The benefit of coining trade dollars is that it gives a better market for silver than fine bars would produce. This bank has had coined and sold in, the last 22 months over six millions of trade dollars, and their sale has netted more than the average of our sales of silver to the government. Returns of trade dollars from the mint have uniformly been made with honesty and fairness. I only remember one case in which the loss by melting 'was unusually large; but that was afterward explained.
"Our sales of silver to the government were made direct, through the director of the Mint, mostly by telegraph, except when he was present in person, and were, as specially agreed, free of all commissions or brokerages. In our dealings with the government no commission or brokerage or reward, or any other consideration, has ever been given, in any way, shape, or form, to any officer of the government, or to anyone else.
"It will happen, in seasons of low sterling exchange, that silver will rule lower in New York than the equivalent of the London market; but this is quite exceptional.
"The silver sold the government has been delivered at the mints in San Francisco, Carson, and Philadelphia, in sums as required by the director of the Mint.
"LOUIS McLANE.
"SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., August 31, 1877."
Mint Director Reports on Trade Dollars
In 1877, the Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, p. 12, told of the export of San Francisco Mint trade dollars and of the general acceptance of the coins in China. This must have been confusing to certain readers who believed, per conventional wisdom, that overseas demand was declining:
"The trade dollar continues to grow in favor in China, and the demand at San Francisco for the past fiscal year for export to that empire averaged over $687,000 per month, and in some months more than twice that amount was exported.
"On account of its superior mintage, it is difficult to counterfeit, and its close conformity to standard fineness and weight gives it some advantages over its principal competitor, the Mexican dollar, which it is likely to supplant to a still greater extent, notwithstanding the prestige the latter has long enjoyed as the successor of the Spanish dollar, and also some favoritism in its behalf by local customs authorities at certain Chinese ports.
"On the first of October last [1876] there were several hundred thousand Mexican dollars held by bankers in San Francisco. One of these bankers telegraphed to London asking the price at which Mexican dollars could be sold in that city, and received an answer that there was no demand for that coin for export, and it was being used for melting purposes. At the same time the Chinese residents in San Francisco were paying for trade dollars 2 per cent, above the price of Mexican dollars in London, both coins being very nearly equal in intrinsic value. This shows a decided preference for the trade dollar.
"The testimony of intelligent bankers, thoroughly familiar with the Chinese exchanges, (recently given before the United States Treasury commission in San Francisco), shows conclusively that the coinage of trade dollars has been attended with decided advantages both as respects our commercial and mining interests, and there can be no doubt but that it should be continued on a scale equal to the requirements for export to China. It may be added here, that the Japanese government, desiring to reap the benefits of a coinage manufactured exclusively for trade purposes, have followed the example of the United States, and are now coining a trade dollar of the same weight and fineness as our own, with the evident intention of exporting it to China, where it has been made a legal tender at one or two ports. Its general appearance is similar to the 'yen,' substituting, however, the English inscription '420 trade dollar 900,' instead of '416 one yen 900.'
"The trade dollar has of late entered to some extent into domestic circulation, and this is for the reason that, from time to time since United States notes have appreciated nearly to par with gold, holders of silver bullion have been able to have the same manufactured into these coins, and exchange them at par for United States notes with a small profit. This fact, on becoming known, was regarded as indicating that the trade dollar coinage was, for the time being (October last) in excess of the export demand, and led to the issuing of an order by the secretary of the Treasury to temporarily [!] intermit the receipt of deposits at the mints for these coins.
"There are weighty reasons why the trade dollar should not be coined for domestic circulation, but it is hardly worthwhile to state them, since the law provides very clearly that they shall be coined only to meet the export demand, and leaves no discretion as to their coinage for any other purpose."
Automatic Weighing Machines
The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, 1877, p. 7, told of new machines introduced into the Mint to eliminate hand-filing and inspection of planchets for trade dollars and other coins:
"Automatic weighing machines were introduced at the mint in fiscal year 1877 and were used to secure correct weights on trade dollars and gold coins. Two in use at Philadelphia were ordered from Seyss & Company, Atzgersdorf, near Vienna, and for San Francisco one was manufactured by Napier & Son, of London. They have been employed mainly on half dollar planchets, the report noted, and their combined capacity is about 160 blanks per minute. The Napier machine was only recently installed in California and had a capacity of about 40 blanks per minute."
William Barber
38.10 millimeters
90% Silver, 10% Copper
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The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
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Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
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Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
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Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better 2500 R-4.5 13 / 18 TIE 13 / 18 TIE
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Put a dozen CDs at your fingertips! The CHA-1214 CD changer connects to Ai-NET-controlling Alpine receivers only, and lets you name 150 of your discs so you can identify them easily. High-speed disc changing keeps the music playing almost non-stop in your mobile disco. This rugged changer mounts at any angle from 0- to 90-degrees.
Please note: The CHA-1214 does not play CD-Rs or CD-RWs.


A: Maybe not. At the very least, it's sensible to reassess your insurance needs at this stage of life, especially if you own a permanent policy -- a combination of a death benefit and a tax-deferred investment.
A) To replace your salary for your dependents when you die.
This is crucial when you're a breadwinner with a young family. If this is your reason to own life insurance, your best purchase is a term policy -- insurance with no investment component -- because it provides the biggest death benefit at the smallest cost. Permanent policies are much more expensive. The cost of term insurance rises as you age, but even in your 50s it's often the cheapest coverage available.
B) To make sure your heirs have cash to pay your estate taxes.
Few people have to worry about how their survivors will pay estate taxes, because most people don't leave taxable estates. There is no estate tax on the assets you leave to your spouse. And under current law, what you leave to everyone else isn't subject to federal estate tax unless its value exceeds $5 million. True, the current law expires in 2013. And some states impose a tax on smaller estates. New York's estate tax law applies to estates worth more than $1 million, for example.
But even if your estate is taxable, buying life insurance to pay the taxes isn't a no-brainer. If the estate includes liquid assets, you might decide to let your heirs pay the taxes out of their inheritance. On the other hand, you may want to consider a life insurance policy if your survivors would be unable to pay the estate taxes without selling your business or taking taxable withdrawals from your IRA.
C) To invest on a tax-deferred basis.
If your kids are grown and your other assets are sufficient to provide for your surviving spouse, this is the main reason for still owning life insurance.
So how good an investment is it?
That depends on your policy, says Richard Freeman, a fee-only financial planner at Round Table Services in Westport, Connecticut.
Your premiums go into an investment box, from which the cost of insurance and expenses is deducted every month.
If things go worse than expected -- if the cost of insurance and expenses rises more than anticipated, for example, or if the investments underperform because, say, the financial markets crashed -- one of three things will happen: You'll have to pay higher premiums, or take a lower death benefit, or you won't be able to pull as much cash out of the policy as you expected.
If things go better than expected, you'll have the option to pay smaller premiums, or to increase your death benefit, or you'll have more cash to tap.
To find out how your policy is performing as an investment, you need an objective appraisal by someone who understands insurance but isn't paid to sell it -- i.e., not an agent. If your policy represents a substantial investment, it's worth paying a fee-only adviser like Richard Freeman or Glenn Daily for an in-depth analysis and assessment of your options. (One choice that sometimes makes sense, for example, is to exchange your life insurance policy for an annuity.) Fee-only advisers typically charge $200 to $300 per hour. If your policy isn't big enough to justify that expense, a much simpler but equally objective assessment from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) will cost you only $85.
Q: My wife and I used the strategy of her taking early Social Security benefits when she turned 64 based on her own earnings record, while I completely deferred my benefit from my own earnings record, which is significantly higher than my wife's benefit. I'm four years older than she is, so I was over 66 when she applied for her benefit and able to apply for 50% of her benefit as her spouse. This strategy has been recommended by several financial planners.
A: Yes. Nevertheless, your wife definitely stands to gain as a result of your strategy -- and not just because it has boosted your household income.
It's true that your bigger benefit won't increase her spousal benefit during your lifetime. Your benefit gains 8% a year for each of the four years you postpone taking it between the time you turn 66 and the time you turn 70 -- but her maximum spousal benefit is 50% of what you would have received at your full retirement age of 66.
However, she will certainly benefit if she survives you: her maximum widow's benefit is 100% of what you were entitled to when you died. That will be a much larger amount as a result of your deferral.
From your viewpoint, perhaps, since you personally will never reap the extra benefit. But it will make a big difference to your surviving spouse. He or she will receive 100% of the amount you were entitled to get at the time you died, regardless of whether you had actually applied for it. An example: Your benefit at 66 is $2,000 a month; but you defer your application. Unhappily, you die at 68. Your survivor will receive $2,320 a month -- 16% more than if you had taken Social Security at age 66.
And of course, annual inflation adjustments in that survivor's benefit will be based on a bigger initial amount. Over time, that too will make a substantial difference in his or her monthly income.
A: Bad news, I'm afraid. Children have no legal right to inherit from their parents.
Your ex-husband's life insurance policy goes the beneficiary he named. This would be true regardless of his beneficiary's gender, or age, or of their relationship. In fact, the named beneficiary of a life insurance policy doesn't even have to be a human being -- it could be a charitable institution, for example.
A life insurance policy is a contract between the insurance company and the person who pays the premium. It's protected by contract law -- and there is no stronger legal protection.
Whether or not your daughter gets anything is going to depend on whether or not her father left a will. If he did, and it doesn't name her, she gets nothing. It often shocks people to learn that the law lets you disinherit your children, but it's true -- and not just in Ohio.
The law doesn't let you disinherit your spouse -- but a former spouse has no inheritance rights.
It's a different story if there is no will. When a person dies without a will and without a surviving spouse, the state's intestacy law determines how his assets are divided. Most state intestacy laws -- including Ohio's -- would divide his assets among his surviving children.
But intestacy law only applies to property that can be left through a will -- and that doesn't include jointly owned property and accounts with named beneficiaries. An asset with a named beneficiary goes directly to that person. A jointly-owned asset automatically goes to the surviving owner.
You won't have trouble finding out if your ex left a will because a will is a public document. Besides, when a will is presented for probate, the decedent's next of kin must be notified. (Probate is the legal procedure in which a court validates a will.) If there's a will, your daughter will have to receive probate notification; and since she is a minor, you will be notified as her guardian.
If there isn't a will, and you have reason to believe that your ex owned assets in his name alone -- i.e., he owned assets that were not jointly owned and didn't have named beneficiaries -- your daughter has a legal claim to those assets. You can pursue that claim by asking the probate court in your county for an intestacy proceeding. That's the legal process in which an estate is distributed when there is no will.
Do I Really Need A Life Insurance Policy?
A: As the single parent of a minor child, you do need life insurance -- not as not an investment for yourself, but as an emergency fund for her. It's the best way to make sure that if you're hit by a bus next week, there will be money to finish raising her and pay for her education.
For a parent who needs a policy to replace his or her income in the event of premature death, it makes sense to buy the biggest possible amount of coverage for the smallest possible premium. That would be term insurance. And I have good news for you: This is the only type of life insurance that's simple and easy to understand!
A term policy is cheap because it has no savings or investment component. It's like fire insurance: You pay the premium every year; and if you die, the policy pays your beneficiary. If you don't die, it pays nothing.
For young people, term insurance has always been much less expensive than cash value life insurance. (With cash value coverage like whole life, variable life, and universal life, your premium must fund an investment account in addition to insuring you.) But even for people in their 50s and 60s, the cost of term insurance has fallen substantially over the past couple of decades, for two reasons. One is that people are living longer. The other is that medical technology makes it easier for insurers to predict life expectancy. The result: Insurers can lower their prices because it's a good bet that you'll outlive your policy.
The standard term policy is level-premium term, on which you pay a fixed annual premium for the duration of coverage, which can be 10, 15, 20, or even 30 years. You should comparison-shop for a policy that lasts until your daughter will be self-supporting -- perhaps a 15-year term policy.
You can easily comparison shop for term insurance online at sites like AccuQuote and Term4Sale. These firms earn a commission if you buy a policy from them; but the quotes are free. You can also get quotes on the telephone directly from highly-rated, low-cost insurers like USAA Life Insurance Co. (800 531 8722), and Ameritas Life Insurance (800 745 6665). In all cases, the preliminary quote won't be final until you've had a medical examination. Any reputable life insurer will make an appointment for you to have the underwriting examination free of charge; if you prefer, this can be done at your home or office.


Indian 3D printer reseller 3DPrinterKart has partnered with MBot3D to promote all series of MBot3D printers in India at discounted price domestically.
3D printing has a wide range of applications in various industries, especially widely used in architectural and educational cases, and developing consumer products such as toys,electronic products, arts, accessories, etc. Nowdays the trend is rapidly shifting towards industrial & manufacturing application owing to growing awareness and declining prices for industrial 3D printers.
It seems that the 3D printer is becoming a common office tool as paper printer, especially the FDM 3D printers at low cost. This breeds a huge market oppotunity in India, a country with big population and commercial potential. In addition, as Indian government initiatives to boost domestic manufacturing sector, many of the hurdles hampering the industry will be removed, and 3D printer market is going to thrive along with the great improvement of Indian manufacturing. Humbly but confidently, MBot3D printer will make a difference during this process.


Eversince, we have stepped into the twenty first century, our existence is increasingly getting uncertain, partly because of increasing number and diminishing resources and partly because of our bloating needs, which, I am afraid, are not very nature friendly.
Education and information are turning us into paranoids. We are getting wary of each other. Common man is reeling under identity crisis. In the name of creativity and originality we are screwing straight lines or skewing upright images. Music has turned into noise and entertainment into pure madness. Research and development is about proving the obvious wrong.
But all is not wrong. There is still a silver lining to the cloud and thread of brilliance with which the vicious spider is hanging. We got to straighten up our twisted and tangled psyches and lives. We have to withdraw ourselves from relativity and enjoy uniqueness of our own frame in this vast universe, respecting other's (x, y) at the same time. Only a sociological and psychological revolution may save this world now. We must work on changing the existing education system and curriculum.
Education today should be about becoming better creature and not better human.


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Kevin Harvick's dominance continues; cruises to Las Vegas victory (VIDEO)
By Dustin LongMar 8, 2015, 6:38 PM EDT
Kevin Harvick's torrid streak continued with his victory in Sunday's Kobalt 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It marks the reigning champion's sixth consecutive top-two finish, dating back to last season.
The last time a driver scored six consecutive top-two finishes was Jeff Gordon in 1996.
"Those guys are on another level as far as speed is concerned," fifth-place finisher Denny Hamlin said about Harvick's car.
Harvick had the dominant car, rallying from his 18th starting spot. He became the seventh different winner in the last seven Sprint Cup races at Las Vegas.
"It's so cool to win here in Las Vegas and to start this West Coast swing off this way is pretty awesome,'' Harvick said after his 29th career Sprint Cup victory.Martin Truex Jr. placed second with Ryan Newman third. Dale Earnhardt Jr. fell back late to fourth.
MORE: Three thoughts on Sunday's race.
For as good as Harvick's car was throughout the race, the finish was not easy.
"It got to be a handful there at the end,'' he said. "For whatever reason we got really, really loose the last run. Tires started vibrating and we were just kind of hanging on.''
He did for his first victory of the season.
How Kevin Harvick won: He had the best car and led the most laps. Had Jimmie Johnson made it to the end, maybe he could have challenged Harvick but Harvick clearly was the dominant car.
Who else had a good day: Martin Truex Jr.'s runner-up finish gives him three consecutive top-10 finishes to open the season, something he didn't do last year with Furniture Row Racing. AJ Allmendinger's sixth-place finish followed his seventh-place result last week at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Who had a bad day: Jimmie Johnson was strong early but had to pit for a loose wheel. Things got worse when he had a tire blow, sending him into the wall with less than 100 laps left. He came back and had another tire go down before hitting the wall. That second incident sent him to the garage. He placed 41st. … Carl Edwards was in top five when contact with Kasey Kahne sent Kahne into the wall. Kahne bounced into Edwards in Turn 1, causing Edwards to spin. Kahne continued, Edwards went to the garage. Edwards took the blame for triggering the incident. Edwards finished 42nd. Kahne was 17th.
Quote of the day: "That was a poorly executed race on my behalf," Joey Logano said after placing 10th. "I didn't do a good job. I did a good job of screwing up anytime I could. The speeding on pit road – I found that. I put us in a hole. Not that we were going to win the race either way because we weren't fast enough but I maybe cost us two or three positions with what I did."
Notables: Tony Stewart again struggled and was never a factor throughout the race, finishing 33rd. … Jeff Gordon fought back from starting in the rear with his backup car but had more bad luck. Gordon damaged the nose of his car when he ran into the back of Jeb Burton's car. Still, Gordon finished a season-high 18th.
Post-race inspection: NASCAR announced that the No. 51 car of Justin Allgaier (finished 31st) came across the scales after the race too light. NASCAR found some weight on the track and will check to see if it came from Allgaier's car.
What's next: The series heads to Phoenix International Raceway next weekend. Kevin Harvick swept both races there last year.
Follow @dustinlong


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We're at the heart of summer here in Barcelona which means twelve straight days of literally NO rain, city-chic farmers tans and bottomless pitchers of fruity sangria. It also equals sizzling Spanish streets, sleeping with fans blaring and endless hours swimming however possible (open sea, public pool, cool bathtub – whatever it takes!). And due to the sweltering temps, a mass exodus in the month of August also occurs. The city practically shuts down with most stores and restaurants locking their doors until early September and many streets eerily quiet.
This is Spain's summer "holiday" month. Which, for the record, I still have a hard time saying. The term "holiday" will always mean one thing to me – and it includes a big fat guy wearing a red suit!
In a few days, our crew will also pack up for summer holiday, taking a nine-hour flight and heading back to the U.S! So it only makes sense, based on my last post sharing the Five Conveniences We've Fallen in Love With Here to give some love to the conveniences from America we miss so dearly.
1. Hours of Operation – As someone that lives and breathes for a productive day and crossing items off the good ole to-do list, the famous Spanish siesta can leave one feeling a bit…unfulfilled? During the week retail stores, restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies, dry cleaners – you name it – will close their doors from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM. That's THREE whole hours of productivity – gone!
Are people really sleeping during this time? Eh, not so much. Rather they take these hours to just chill by relaxing, going for a walk, having a coffee with a friend – ANY-thing but….well, working.
And Sundays? These are designated as national holidays so everything north of Barcelona's touristy Old City is also closed. This took some real getting used to as a family who typically spent Sundays perusing the aisles of Home Depot and Target.
Don't get me wrong, a slower pace of life has been really healthy for us and eliminated a certain degree of stress from the week. It has forced us, literally, to take a pause from constantly running.
But MAN do I long for the days when a Marshalls, Bed Bath & Beyond, Wegmans and HomeGoods run could be achieved all in one day with time to spare in between. These days, I'm thrilled if I can get to the hardware store to buy light bulbs before they close. And if I can achieve this, well it's been a fantastic day!
2. U.S. Measurements – Anyone who knows me can attest to one thing. I am lousy in math! I always say, when God paired my husband and I together He really knew what He was doing. Tony eats, sleeps, breathes numbers while I am busy still trying to memorize my new Spain telephone number. Match made in heaven ha!
So as you can imagine, transitioning to the metric system here was painless for him and well…a bit more challenging for me! Learning the euro currency didn't take too long. "Okay, I can handle this," I remember thinking. But then came the conversions.
3. Super-Sizes – Okay, I realize large portion plates and colossal grocery items are kind of an American thing. Much of the modern world is not typically accustomed to keeping a five pound box of pancake mix in the house or 24-rolls of paper towels at once. But as a family of five, these super sizes are major time savers.
Skinny-mini Spaniards who fancy tapas-style dishes (smaller portions like appetizers) may spend hours a day visiting different local markets shopping for produce, poultry, breads and cheeses in large enough portions to serve around two meals. What a romantic idea of European life….unless you have three little hungry hippos who all seem to have experienced major appetite spurts since moving here! Even the snacks and dried goods come in teenie-tiny sizes at most! One day, we went through an entire box of cereal before 11:00AM.
We attempted to food shop like locals the first few months in Barcelona…but I found myself back at the markets three or fours times a week stocking up yet again. Where's a COSTCO when you need one complete with jars of pickles the size of a human head and cheese wheels as big as a car tire?!
Sometimes over-indulgence really is bliss…..even if it's not ideal for the waistline!
Who else loves how absurd this giant jar of Nutella is?!
Compliments of American wholesale food shopping!
4. Always a Holiday! – I used to complain about American retailers whenever stores stocked Halloween costumes in July, Christmas trees in August and Easter eggs in January. I mean, what is the BIG RUSH, right? Clearly an attempt by business owners to garner as many holiday sales as possible in the weeks and months leading up. I would to roll my eyes and shake my head in disgust – but never before taking a stroll down the aisle and getting a glimpse of the goods ha!
And I'll admit, seeing all the shiny new packaging and festive colors would kind of put me in the spirit, even if I vowed never to make a purchase that early. New season coming, fresh excitement brewing – I realize now looking back that the psychology behind it all wasn't lost on me. Who doesn't love the holidays after all? Americans are hands down some of the biggest fans!
By comparison, the Spanish are a bit more….delayed about it all. No surprise, as this "better late than never!" mentality is clearly cultural. Holiday decor, store sales and that festive feeling usually starts to set in about one to three weeks before a holiday, Christmas being the slight exception. One could argue, it creates more anticipation for what's to come.
But as I am a sucker for the holidays and an American at heart, I say BRING EM ON BABY!
5. Grass – No, not that kind of grass (although I'll be writing soon about how we had to explain the funky smell to our kids when walking around Barcelona). The grass I'm referring to is what grows on the ground usually in the front or back of your home. A yard. Or as Europeans call it, a garden.
Living on the fifth floor of an apartment in the city means two things – your living room becomes your backyard or the public parks do. We are blessed to live in a city where the parks are numerous and gorgeous, shaded and unique. But the ease of opening your back door and letting the kids run like wild animals on your own property sure is nice.
When your living room becomes a backyard!
Previous Post Five Spanish Conveniences We've Fallen in Love With!


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Alex Lyon & Son Auctioneers expand to Canada
Charles Gauthier, will serve as the Canadian vice president of operations for Alex Lyon & Son.
Alex Lyon & Son is now conducting heavy equipment auctions in Canada.
The Bridgeport, New York-based auction company is now an operating business in Québec and has representation in eastern and northeastern Ontario.
Jack Lyon, president and CEO of Alex Lyon & Son Auctioneers, has appointed, Joël Gauthier, as executive vice president for Canada and Charles Gauthier, as vice president operations for Canada.
"I am very pleased and honoured to announce the completion of a partnership with members of the Gauthier family. Canada is an important and mature market for construction and transportation equipment," Lyon said. "By joining the expertise of Alex Lyon & Son with the abilities and network of Mr. Joël and Mr. Charles Gauthier I am convinced that they will offer a credible and reliable alternative to the industry owners and operators who want to sell their surplus or remarket their pieces of equipment."
Joël and Charles Gauthier were formerly part of Gauthier Auctions Inc. and founding members of Forke The Auctioneer Canada Inc.
"They are a very well-respected family who were operating auctions in Quebec and Eastern Ontario for up to 30 years from 1979 to 2008," Lyon said.
Alex Lyon & Son will hold a complete liquidation in Montréal on April 24.
"(The auction) will mark an important milestone into our development in Canada," Lyon said.
He added the company's move into Canada is permanent, and its auctions will focus on construction and transportation equipment.
The plan of the corporation is to expand its operations throughout Ontario and the Maritimes by the end of 2018. The following year, the auctioneer plans to expand into western Canada.
Alex Lyon & Son Auctioneers was established in 1950 in the United States. At the time, the company primarily handled private treaty negotiations of cattle and farm machinery.
Jack Lyon would join his father at the company, after graduating from the University of Cincinnati, with a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1973.
The company then began to diversify the type of auctions they conducted. A major construction company was one of the first to sign an agreement with Jack, allowing Lyon's to manage their upcoming auction. After a successful first construction auction, Alex Lyon & Son began to grow in the heavy equipment segment.
Today, the company is the second largest auctioneer company in North America and is operating auction sales in every state in the United States and Mexico. Last year, Alex Lyon & Son Auctioneers conducted more than 110 auction sales alone.
Alex Lyon & Son
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DRAFT MINUTES
Monday, April 13, 2009, 5:00 P.M.
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall, Room 421
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Commissioners Johanna Wald (Chair), Ruth Gravanis (Vice-Chair), Jane MarieFrancis Martin
1. Call to Order and Roll Call. The Commission on the Environment Policy Committee Meeting convened at 5:05 p.m. Present: Committee Chair Wald, Vice-Chair Gravanis and Commissioner Martin.
2. Approval of Minutes of the February 9, 2009 Policy Committee Regular Meeting. (Discussion and Action) Upon Motion by Vice-Chair Gravanis and second by Commissioner Martin, the February 9, 2009 Meeting Minutes were approved without objection (AYES: Chair Wald, Vice-Chair Gravanis and Commissioner Martin) (Explanatory Document: February 9, 2009 Approved Minutes)
3. Public Comments: Members of the public may address the Commission on matters that are within the Commission's jurisdiction and are not on today's agenda. There was no public comment at this time.
Items 5 and 6 were heard before Item 4.
4. Energy Efficient, Light Emitting Diode (LED) Streetlights Pilot Project. Sponsor: Commissioner Martin; Speaker: Ms. Barbara Hale, Assistant General Manager of Power, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) (Informational Presentation and Discussion)
Ms. Hale reported that San Francisco's streetlights are operated by the SFPUC and are maintained by either PUC or PG&E depending on who owns them. Of the 42,000 streetlights in San Francisco, PUC owns and operates about 23,000, and the balance is owned and operated by PG&E. Regardless of who owns the streetlights, the power that powers them is PUC power, and PUC pays PG&E to maintain lights they own.
Ms. Hale explained that there is a 30 to 50% savings through changing out lights to a more efficient method using new technologies such as LED's. There is a diversity of streetlights in San Francisco, and only some are compatible with an LED retrofit because of the nature of the pole. Some streetlights would not be changed because they are unique and historic, and others can be readily retrofitted with existing technologies. Approximately 17,600 of the 23,000 streetlights that PUC owns are cobra head style streetlights, which is the style that is readily available for retrofit. A small pilot project was started in partnership with PG&E to change out lights by the Main Library and in front of the PG&E Beale Street headquarters. An electronic survey that gathered opinion about what people thought about the light quality and their experience when driving showed that there was a strong improvement in terms of driver and pedestrian visibility, glare, brightness, and overall appearance.
Ms. Hale stated that the benefits of LED streetlights include energy efficiency improvement (30 to 50% is being seen), reduction of maintenance costs, better light quality, and longer life. It was reported that there is a higher upfront cost but the lights last longer. Commissioner Martin inquired whether manufacturers issue a warranty for a specific amount of time. Ms. Hale stated that it would depend on the manufacturer. It was explained that because of PUC's low-cost electricity, pay-back periods may be in twelve to fifteen years for new installations and 20-25 years for retrofits. It was explained that it may be more cost effective for other cities and be a quicker payback because PUC's electricity costs are so low. It is cost effective for PUC and it is a good payback, but because PUC's electricity is so inexpensive it doesn't equate quite as well. It was explained that PUC is getting better at controlling light trespass so not as much light is escaping into the sky and impairing ability to see the night sky. Also, with the broader rebuild of lighting systems, you can space the poles wider apart and thereby lower the overall cost. Commissioner Wald inquired whether that would mean that there would be empty light poles when retrofitting. Ms. Hale explained that when a developer is redoing a block, not as many streetlights would be required, there would be less clutter on the street, and less street furniture, without reducing the light quality and benefits.
Ms. Hale reported that the pilot that was completed recently included installation of an additional 50 streetlights in the Tenderloin District. There was an area in the neighborhood with high cost streetlights that PUC proposed for retrofit from funds in their budget allocated to lighting improvements. This project would take the LED test to the next level. The area was identified as a high-crime area and PUC worked with the Police Department on this effort to improve lighting. Ms. Hale reported that anytime there are crimes, data points analyze the street lighting environment. The Police Department collects this information and reports back to the PUC regularly. The Tenderloin project is also a pilot that will look at lighting control technologies and the light fixture itself. It is hoped that the pilot will show that the LED conversion is a smart conversion to make, and that smart controller technologies would lower PUC's operational and maintenance costs. It was explained that smart controllers allow you to look on a computer and see that a streetlight has diminished performance rather than someone calling in a report to 311.
Committee Chair Wald inquired whether there are plans to move from pilot to operational projects and inquired about future plans with PG&E. Ms. Hale reported that data would be collected to start a capital improvement program request for retrofitting PUC-owned lights. PUC already knows that the LED light fixtures have a higher upfront cost than the older style, and that funds are not available to do large-scale lighting retrofits quickly, so a neighborhood by neighborhood approach to retrofitting that fits PUC's financial capacity will be taken. The PUC's Power Enterprise does not have the ability to borrow funds and are not a credit-rated enterprise, so all projects are expensed and have competing uses from net operating revenues as well as continuing to maintain the Hetch Hetchy hydro-system that allows PUC to produce the revenues. It is anticipated that additional funds would be made available through other programs and not through operating revenues and barring the ability to borrow funds, that it would be a slow-paced retrofit. Since it is a new technology and there are not that many competitors in the market providing this technology at this time, having a slow-paced project in the beginning is not a bad idea from a business perspective.
Chair Wald stated that at some point it may not be a new technology and recommended thinking about programs that could incentivize retrofitting, such as a street light improvement district. Ms. Hale stated that the SFPUC Commission has been presented with ideas on how to interact with the development community in San Francisco in terms of establishing street lighting policy requirements so there can be an enforcement mechanism. As more LED streetlight fixtures become available in the market, it will be more of a well received response. Because the options at this point are so narrow, it might be too soon to go toward that approach. Ms. Hale reported that a lot of calls that are received are not only about street lighting, but about pedestrian and path lighting, so PUC is holding discussions with the Department of Public Works (DPW) to address community concerns.
Ms. Hale reported that there are competing technologies that include wireless and hardwire. When the communication is hard wired, PUC really needs PG&E as a partner since PUC does not own their own distribution system. PG&E is going to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to request a set fee to establish the type of service for that type of smart controller program, so there will be a set rate throughout California for PG&E service territory. To the extent that becomes available, it will factor into the decision about what technology to use and what the most cost effective method would be as there is an added cost. A dialogue has been started with PG&E and is part of the LED pilot to determine whether PG&E would convert the poles that they own.
Commissioner Martin inquired whether light pollution and bird migration has been captured in light trespass. Ms. Hale stated that would be one of the benefits of the LED conversion. Mr. Cal Broomhead, Department of the Environment Energy Manager, reported that the lights that are being replaced have mercury and LED do not. Commissioner Martin recommended combining utility undergrounding projects with light pole retrofitting at the same time. Ms. Hale stated that would be a natural conversion opportunity for PUC. Commissioner Martin inquired whether post top street lights are considered retrofittable. Ms. Hale reported that there are some manufacturers coming out with post-top compatible LED lighting, but there is not that much on the market now. However, it is expected that new products will become available since manufacturers know there is a demand. Ms. Hale explained that part of the challenge is that the development community likes the more attractive post-style pole and lights. Policy statements are being worked on with the SFPUC Commission and DPW to address these issues, light trespass, and lighting selection.
Commissioner Martin asked if part of the policy language that would be presented to the SFPUC Commission would be dark sky compatible. Commissioner Martin stated that there are new products that are specifically designed to address light pollution. Ms. Hale stated that she would ask staff to make sure that is part of the dialogue with lighting manufacturers and distributors. Commissioner Martin reported that the International Dark Skies Association on their website has a list of manufacturers who have a list of products they are promoting.
Vice-Chair Gravanis asked if a written list of criteria is available for selection of next pilot projects, e.g. selection of blocks where light pollution is an exceptional problem. Ms. Hale explained that she is conscious of light pollution as a significant issue, but the higher priority is neighborhoods where crime is an issue, and indicated that a list of neighborhoods is not yet available. Chair Wald asked whether the Environment Commission might have a list of neighborhoods other than downtown where light pollution is a serious issue. Commissioner Martin stated the lighting around San Francisco's parks. Commissioner Gravanis indicated that the Audubon Society might have a list.
Vice-Chair Gravanis indicated that it is her understanding that DPW selects the actual fixtures, not PUC. Ms. Hale reported that by City Charter PUC chooses the actual fixtures, and DPW brings anything they want in the street to PUC for approval. Vice-Chair Gravanis recommended that an effort be made to revise the lights catalog as it contains bad examples in terms of light pollution and trespass. Vice-Chair Gravanis also recommended retrofitting the pole top with some sort of shield or painting the glass so the light doesn't shoot straight up. Ms. Hale stated that citizens are supportive of street lighting at the highest wattage and have a lot of different views about street lighting in the City, so an effort is being made to work with DPW to go through the street light policy statements to make sure efficiency, light trespass, operation, and maintenance costs are policy priorities. PUC can't practically afford to have a large binder of options and explained that there is a lot of diversity of opinion on what is needed and preferred from one neighborhood to another. It was explained that an approach would not be recommended in advance of neighborhood outreach and rewrite of a policy. The SFPUC Commission was presented with a presentation on street lighting and told that a policy statement would be brought back so the City can have a clearer direction in order to be responsive to community concerns.
Commissioner Martin inquired whether there is an opportunity for educating the public and including environmental benefits so they are making informed decisions. Ms. Hale explained that there would be a community outreach component. Commissioner Martin inquired whether a block would be able to raise funds and have PUC provide the installation. Ms. Hale stated that conceptually, if citizens want to provide the funding to provide services, the PUC would be amenable. Commissioner Martin recommended that the SFPUC Commission create a forum for accommodating that type of request.
Vice-Chair Gravanis inquired as to what extent the PUC has been working with the Better Streets program to integrate all of the lighting issues with issues such as planting, bicycles, and swales. Ms. Hale explained that PUC is holding discussions with Better Streets program staff. Commissioner Gravanis inquired whether there was a timetable set for a pilot pedestrian lighting program. Ms. Hale explained that dialogue has just been started with DPW staff on pedestrian lighting in order to arrive at a City-family solution, so a time schedule is not yet available. Ms. Hale was thanked for her thorough and comprehensive presentation.
5. Urban Environmental Accord Action 8: Urban Design: Treasure Island Redevelopment Project Update. Sponsor: Vice-Chair Gravanis. Speaker: Mr. Michael Tymoff, Project Manager, Office of Economic and Workforce Development (Informational Presentation and Discussion)
Vice-Chair Gravanis reported that the Department of the Environment in 2006 was involved in assisting in the development of a Sustainability Plan for Treasure and Yerba Buena Islands and stated that a status update would be presented at today's meeting. Mr. Tymoff introduced himself as working for the Mayor's Office on behalf of the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) and introduced Mr. Mike Martin, Development Program Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, who has been working in conjunction with TIDA on infrastructure plans for the Island.
Ms. Johanna Partin, Renewable Energy Program Manager, Department of the Environment presented explanatory documents: TI Geothermal Designs, TI Heat Pumps Report, TI Map Conceptual Land Use, URS Treasure Island Heat Pumps Memorandum) and reported that these documents consist of Treasure Island's Water Source Heat Pumps Pre Feasibility Study by URS and Timmons Design Engineers, a brief presentation on the results of the study, as well as a subsequent memo on permitting requirements around the recommendations that were made in the study. Ms. Partin explained that URS and Timmons Design Engineers were asked to look at ground and water source heat pump opportunities at the inhabited portion of Treasure Island to identify opportunities for geothermal heat pump technologies that might be beneficial to the Island in terms of cost, economics, energy use and offsetting carbon as a result of those installations. The four geothermal options that were reviewed include (1) Bay Coupled Open Loop unitary heat pump; (2) Bay Coupled Open Loop Building Level heat pump; (3) Bay Coupled Closed Loop level heat pump; and (4) Ground Coupled Closed Loop Vertical Bore heat pump. It was reported that the closed loop systems (3 and 4) were rejected due to construction and operation infeasibility. The focus was on the first two systems, and the conclusion was that the second was the most cost effective option if the decision is made to go with a bay coupled geothermal heat system; however, there are permitting difficulties. The study, Tables 11-13 and 15, show the estimated annual energy use for the different systems that were reviewed and associated costs. It was explained that while the bay coupled heat pump with a plant at each building was the recommended approach if geothermal is decided upon at Treasure Island, it also would be the hardest system to permit. The other recommendation made by URS and Timmons was to possibly pursue Variable Refrigerant Flow System (VRF systems), described on page 4 of the report, a conventional boiler system that would be a more efficient process, not have the permitting difficulties, and would be cost effective.
Mr. Mike Martin reported that a preliminary study concluded that ground source heat pumps were not a feasible technology, that the scope of work would be expanded, and ARUP would be reengaged in analyzing the overall power supply for the Island. It was explained that the current thinking is that ground source heat pumps would not be feasible from a permitting standpoint and timing for final project approvals and the CEQA document. An analysis would be done on what the impact is in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, identifying other technologies available in order to reduce demand, and methodologies to reach the long-term goal of producing more energy on the Island during peak hours than would actually be used. Commissioner Martin suggested that a cogeneration plant be considered.
Committee Chair Wald inquired about the project schedule. Mr. Martin reported that the Draft EIR would be completed by December 2009, and final project approvals, e.g., Certified EIR, the adoption of the Redevelopment Plan, and the Disposition and Development Agreement would be secured by mid 2010.
Public Comment:
Mr. Alex Lantsberg stated that PG&E reported that at the old Hunters Point Power Plant, between 50 and 75 gallons of chlorine and other chemicals were directly injected into the inflow to keep the pipes clean on a regular basis. It was explained that this process kept the barnacles and all critters from growing in the pipes at that plant. Mr. Lantsberg explained that the City opposed the Mirant permit to use once through cooling at the Potrero Power Plant and questioned whether it would be approved for this project.
Mr. Tymoff explained that everything that has been done to date is based on the 2006 Development Plan and Term Sheet endorsed by the Board of Supervisors and TIDA Board and is building off of the exhibits to the Development Plan, Term Sheets and Sustainability Plan. The Sustainability Plan is not being redrafted at this time and key components are being implemented, primarily around transportation and infrastructure planning, the Yerba Buena Island Habitat Management Plan, and testing of the overall Land Use Plan and Development Program. Mr. Tymoff reported on awards received on this project which include the AIA 2009 Urban Design Honor Award to Skidmore Owens and Merrill for the Master Plan and the Governors Environment and Economic Leadership Award for the sustainable communities category.
Mr. Tymoff reported that new planning work involves responding to climate change and sea level rise, and a geotechnical approach is being studied for Treasure Island. TICD has compiled a peer review panel comprised of experts in geotechnical and seismic work from around the country to review the strategy in relation to sea level rise. An approach has been identified which would involve perimeter improvements and raising the development areas three feet above a baseboard elevation to accommodate sea level rise. A funding mechanism that would levy an assessment on the property owner for long-term improvements is being considered.
Mr. Tymoff reported on transportation planning efforts with the Municipal Transportation Authority (MTA) to finalize MUNI service planning issues around the intermodal facility. It was explained that work is in process with MUNI and the MTA bike group in order to reach an agreement about how to accommodate automobiles, MUNI, AC Transit, shuttle bus service, and at the same time creating a safe pedestrian and bike environment through the shared street concept, which is part of the Better Streets Plan. Discussions are being held with the Mayor's Office of Disability and the Department of Public Works on acceptance of this street typology per the subdivision codes and regulations. Additional transportation planning efforts are in process with the Streets Working Group, the San Francisco Bike Coalition, and the Department of Public Health (DPH) who has a Caltrans grant for a community based planning effort surrounding the issues of creating a pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment. Their final plan with high level and detailed policy recommendations were just presented to the TIDA Board last month.
Mr. Tymoff reported that work is in process with the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) and MTA on establishing ferry service. Skidmore, Owens and Merrill were designated as the lead in Master Plan efforts, and Moffatt and Nichol, and C&D Landscaping would combine efforts to do the planning, design, and engineering at the Ferry Terminal. Mr. Tymoff discussed additional efforts in process that include (1) the Habitat Management Plan in which a Draft Plan would be reviewed by Commissioner Gravanis and a stakeholder group and then would be presented to the Commission on the Environment in mid-summer 2009; (2) the Design and Development Standards, which would be brought to CAB and TIDA in June or July; (3) planned discussions with the Department of Environment and Department of Buildings Inspection (DBI) on Green Building Specifications; and (4) commitment to LEED Gold level and possibly Platinum certification.
Vice-Chair Gravanis asked if there was additional thought on whether the system would use ultra violet versus chemicals for final disinfection. Mr. Tymoff explained that a determination has not been made because there are different issues to consider with respect to the Island's interplay with the storm water wetlands and how to most efficiently reuse the storm water as opposed to the treated base water and where those things are going to go. Spatial water shed analysis is being done to try to figure that out because the uses of the water will help with an understanding of what the best treatment train would be. At the same time PUC is moving forward with other recycled water projects in the City and wants to make sure that what is done with Treasure Island makes sense with the recycled water program. Vice-Chair Gravanis stated that she heard that it is not legal to transport chlorine on the bay bridge and asked if chemical disinfectants would be barged over if they were to be used. Mr. Tymoff stated that he is not aware of the different approaches. Vice-Chair Gravanis asked who would be recommending those details on sewage treatment. Ms. Tymoff indicated that work is being done with PUC's engineers and Brown and Caldwell. Vice-Chair Gravanis recommended that a request be made to allow the City's SFPUC Technical Advisory Committee to get involved in Treasure and Yerba Buena Island's storm water and wastewater planning efforts.
Mr. Martin reported that he is working with the Mayors Office, TIDA, the developer and their consultants on design concepts on the Island's different infrastructure systems that include water, wastewater and storm water. After receiving technical design feedback and holding discussions, Letters of Agreement on the Master Plan approach will be prepared for each of these infrastructure systems. Similar discussions are being held on requirements for the power infrastructure on the Island in order to meet renewable energy and sustainability goals. An analysis is being worked on to determine whether SFPUC would be the Island's retail service provider or PG&E. SFPUC design staff from the Wastewater Enterprise group is reviewing a preliminary conceptual approach for a wastewater treatment plant on the Island.
Vice Chair Gravanis asked what type of coordination there is with storm water and habitat management efforts and whether vegetated swales would be incorporated into the Habitat Plan. Mr. Martin stated that he hopes there would be a joint effort between all parties working on these plans, but indicated that PUC's focus on the storm water plan is for Treasure Island, not Yerba Buena Island. Vice-Chair Gravanis stated that the opportunities for Low Impact Development (LID) facilities are there, and explained that untreated storm water continues to flow into the bay off Yerba Buena Island, and in some situations there is erosion created from some of the discharge pipes that go down into Clipper Cove that destroys large parts of the beach when runoff comes flushing down every time there is a major rain. Mr. Martin stated that he hopes that the upcoming Constraints and Opportunities Report would include those recommendations and opportunities for integrating storm water management and habitat creation. Commissioner Martin recommended that efforts to mitigate ongoing problems should be made sooner than later and should be petitioned for.
Ms. Bonnie Jones clarified that currently the treatment plant uses sodium hypochlorite, which is like strong household bleach, and explained that gaseous chlorine is not allowed on the Bay Bridge.
Mr. Tymoff reported that a presentation would be scheduled to the Commission on the Habitat Management Plan in June or July.
6. Urban Environmental Accord Action 21: Water: Update on the Sewer System Master Plan. Sponsor: Commissioner Martin; Speakers: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Representative and Mr. Alex Lantsberg, Co-Chair, SF Sustainable Watersheds Alliance (SWAle). (Explanatory Documents: March 3, 2009 SWAle Letter to SFPUC; SWAle Seven Goals of Sewer System Master Plan and Seven Goals of Sewer System Master Plan Summary) (Informational Report and Discussion)
Ms. Alex Lantsberg, Chair of SFPUC's Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) and Co-Chair SF Sustainable Watersheds Alliance reported that the Commission on the Environment endorsed SWAle's goals and objectives for the Sewer System Master Plan. In February, PUC staff released a draft summary of the Draft pre-Plan prior to its review by the General Manager and final revision by staff, which raised concerns for CAC members as well as independent members of the public. The CAC is going to be discussing in depth on Thursday how the summary that was released conforms to the goals and objectives of SWAle. In the meanwhile SWAle wrote a letter (see explanatory document above) raising alarm to what was seen as significant shortcuts to the plan.
Mr. Lantsberg explained that the Draft Plan is projected to be released and reviewed by the SFPUC Commission in May. Problems that were identified include 1) Low Impact Development –SWAle asked that there be discreet goals for implementation as well as performance that still needs to be done; (2) there are no reductions of combined sewer overflows—reduction of CSO's and pollutant loading to the bay and ocean were major concerns; (3) a lack of parity on other environmental benefits and improvements; (4) Cayuga diversion was no longer being considered. Consideration of long term acquisition of property in the corridor should be back on the table because it has significant environmental benefits; and (5) concerns about the rebuild location of the southeast digesters and operations at the southeast sewage treatment plant. It was explained that comments were issued by the Technical Advisory Committee, which is a peer review panel of professors who are advising the PUC on the mechanics, technology, and the overall thrust of the program. Mr. Lantsberg stated that now is the time for bodies and citizens to weigh in and push things in the right direction.
Mr. Tyrone Jue, SFPUC, thanked Mr. Lantsberg for his and the CAC efforts and many hours working on this Plan. It was explained that a lot of folks are focusing on the Master Plan Summary Document which was presented to the CAC in February. That document is a much larger document than the capital program—it is something that is going to be guiding the wastewater system efforts in San Francisco well past the 15 years that have been identified in the first phase capital project. These capital projects are a vision of being more sustainable and trying to achieve the vision for the Wastewater Master Plan, which is the integrated urban water shed. In order to get there, there are fundamental improvements that need to be made to the system. Some of those projects focus on getting it up to par, where it doesn't have to be repaired on a daily basis, and having a plant that can be counted on in the possibility of an earthquake. The portion of the plan which has not been delineated yet is to make a viable investment in the type of programs that will allow more sustainability.
Mr. Jue reported that Ms. Rosey Jencks is working on a Bayside Basin Report to evaluate Low Impact Design projects on the bayside. The fruition of that report is only now being seen—some of the tangible benefits have now been quantified as well as the benefits it would have on the sewer system. In order to put that plan into, action data and analysis is necessary. It should be added to the Master Plan and is something that PUC would like to accomplish also. Resources (70 million dollars) have been committed to doing projects on the bayside. This is the first phase and environmental review will have to be done for these projects, so it will take time to get the projects up and running. A vision is shared of an integrated urban watershed, moving to a greener place and looking at renewable energy possibilities within the treatment plant, looking at food waste digestion, reusing more of methane digesters for natural gas creation. Mr. Jue explained that the Plan is moving there and a lot of steps have been taken steps in the last couple of years in the right direction. The Master Plan is a 30 year vision of what should be done, and the steps necessary to accomplish the vision.
Mr. Jue explained that the LID work on the bayside would help with CSO reduction, and Ms. Jencks has quantified what she thinks the storm water diversion to the sewer system could be during a rain storm and some of these projects are being done. Those are some of the things that will be looked at to achieve CSO reductions in addition to a project at the Southeast Plant to repair the outfall. Mr. Jue discussed plans for the southeast plant, alternatives being considered, e.g., moving the plant, keeping it there, maintaining it as a wet weather facility, and what was realized was that the liquid portion of the plant was recently updated in 1980 versus the solid portion dating back to 1940's and 1950's. A decision was made to hold off on what to do about the liquid portion of the southeast plant and to upgrade the solid portion which was in desperate need of repair. In the meantime, programs to address issues such as odor and visual issues caused by the southeast plant's location directly adjacent to neighbors and businesses would be implemented. Ms. Jones described several of the programs being considered to achieve this effort.
Mr. Lantsberg stated that on the western edge of the sewage treatment facility are the Caltrans tracks which are going to be widened for high speed rail, and privately held property is on the other side. It was explained that no one at the PUC had thought about the expansion of these tracks. Mr. Lantsberg indicated that he had contacted the California High Speed Rail Authority and talked to a project manager of the San Jose to San Francisco segment who also did not think about the interface of the two projects. He did mention that the High Speed Rail Authority was looking at property at Bayview Hunters Point near the track right of way (between 10 to 15 acres) for a maintenance facility for the trains. The same land that PUC was looking at, the PUC backlands and other rights of way were also being looked at by the California High Speed Rail Authority. Mr. Lantsberg encouraged them to contact the Assistant General Manager of the Wastewater Enterprise to interface and discuss ideas. Mr. Lantsberg stated that from a land use perspective, that the Bayview Hunters Point community would benefit if the obnoxious infrastructure were to be removed and design changes would be done to help integrate the western portion back into the fabric of the rest of the city.
Mr. Jue reported that next steps would be to bring the Master Plan to the PUC Commission in late May or early June in order to allow for enough time to resolve issues before it is brought to the Commission. Mr. Lantsberg stated that he hopes that a presentation would be given to the CAC in May before it is presented to the PUC Commission.
Vice-Chair Gravanis asked for suggestions on how the Commission and the Department can help to guide this effort in the right direction. It was explained that the full Commission meets every other month so the preferred action would be to bring all recommendations to the Committee first and then to the full Commission. Mr. Jue stated that a presentation would be made to the Commission on the Environment's Policy Committee after it is presented to the PUC Commission, potentially in June, and copies of the report would be provided to the Committee for review. Mr. Lantsberg and SWAle were invited to attend the meeting to provide feedback.
7. Announcements. (Discussion) There were no announcements made at this time.
8. New Business/Future Agenda Items. (Discussion) Chair Wald reported that the next agenda would tentatively include an update on the Hunters Point Shipyard Candlestick Point Plan. Additional ideas presented for future agenda items include (1) an update on the citywide Bike plan; (2) campaign to end junk mail (Mr. Westlund, Department of the Environment Program Outreach Manager reported on Supervisor Mirkarimi's Resolution for a Do Not Mail List); (3) update on pharmaceutical disposal; (4) AB 32 discussion; (5) framework or guiding documents to guide the Department's and Commission's work efforts in addition to the Urban Environmental Accords; (6) status of the City's Sustainability Plan and effort to update; (7) mechanism for guiding Policy Committee agenda items. Vice-Chair Gravanis recommended review of the Commission's Bylaws as a guiding document. (8) Outreach for public participation at meetings; (9) San Francisco Giants Celebratory Balloons Releases. Mr. Westlund reported that he would review the Resolution previously approved by the Commission on this issue; (10) Event searchlights and light pollution; and (11) educational presentation on energy and fuel use as it pertains to outdoor heat lamps in public spaces such as restaurants.
9. Public Comments: Members of the public may address the Committee on matters that are within the Committee's jurisdiction and are not on today's agenda. There was no public comment at this time.
10. Adjournment. The Policy Committee meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Monica Fish, Commission Secretary
*Approved: May 11, 2009
SWAleSevenGoalsSFSewageSystemMasterPlan2007-1-23.pdf
Apr 29, 2010, 4:50 PM
SWAleSevenGoalsSummarySewerSystemMasterPlan.pdf
SewerSystemMasterPlanLetter030309SWaletoSFPUC.pdf
TIGeothermalDesigns.pdf
TIHeatPumpsReport.pdf
TIMapConceptualLandUse.pdf
URSTIHeatPumpsMemo.pdf


Bout of heavy rain early in night, but then dry. Slept much better. Clocks went back so extra hour:-) spotting with rain 8.30. Started to clear so went to Palestrina, not too far, about half hour.
Couldn't find composer's museum, didn't seem to exist in the place shown on website. Walked up towards archeological museum. Took a wrong turning and ended up going way above town, on footpath that did tour of various rural monuments. Very cold wind, so turned back and descended to find museum. Palace (15C) built on site of Roman temple, only properly excavated after WW2.
Very interesting, some excellent mosaics. Our time was limited but managed to pretty well see it all. Most signs only in Italian, staff didn't speak English though one did speak some French. Seemed strange for an attraction likely to bring foreigners. English translations on main descriptions in rooms, but some words I had never heard of, eg inhumation (for burial).
Back to car for lunch, then ATM to get cash – worked OK this times, wouldn't when I tried in Arezzo. Seems some banks don't handle foreign cards.
Back to Lela's. Alessandro picking few remaining olives. We looked round her garden, extensive on a slope, but she grows a lot of salad stuff. Vey shaded by olive trees, but this probably good due to hot sun in summer.
Not able to add photos due to very poor 3G Internet connection, to transfer pics from iPhone to iPad. Too far from exchange to get ADSL I think.


as deemed pertinent between the title and the distributor. Components for artwork cited from a book: 1) Name of artist. Keep Spreading the Word. Remember to essay on blacks in wax museum check with your instructor if you are unsure which style to use. New York: Schocken, 2002. Canadian Facts and Dates.
An analytical or critical annotation not only summarizes the material, it analyzes what is being said. 3) Title of recording (underlined). Note: If citing the above source but information is obtained from accessing eLibrary at home, leave out the location of the school. An annotation is more than just a brief summary of an article, book, Web great master thesis site or other type of publication. Ledbetter, Huddie, and John Lomax. Pound, Richard., Richard Dionne, Jay Myers, and James Musson, eds. Internet citation for an advertisement: IBM. Christine Vachon, Pam Koffler, and Stan Wlodkowski. Bolman, Lee., and Terrence.


text:
LADLN (Ladbrokes): A Losing Bet
08 May 2015 by lberuti
The results of the UK general election were eventually out this morning. They gave the Tory a comfortable win and an outright majority in the House of Commons. This came as a surprise for anyone who has followed the most recent polls released by YouGov et al, which predicted a very close outcome. Apparently gamblers fared much better, and Mr Cameron has been the gamblers' favourite to win as far back as February according to a Bloomberg article. They also did better than investors, who seemed to have been taken by surprise by Mr Cameron's victory and had positioned themselves defensively on a number of companies that would have suffered from a Labour government. For instance, LADLN ( Ladbrokes Plc ), despite having to pay out £2mln on bets placed on a positive outcome for the Conservatives, saw its share climb 9% and its 5-year-risk premium collapse 42.5bps to 286.5bps as short risk positions were trimmed. The company has a large exposure to fixed-odds betting terminals, and Labour's pledge to crack down on them would have been a serious blow.


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Another commission was instituted to probe the accident and the findings have just been given to the State Government.
Few people connected with the school were arrested (and released?) but no one has been charged yet. In other words, justice has NOT been yet and there is no closure for the affected families.
We visited the school last December, on a rainy night. That place was enveloped in an eerie silence. We said our silent prayers and returned with a heavy heart. Except for a huge billboard with the pictures of the perished children, there was no sign of any memorial. I hope the city builds a fitting memorial for the perished children by this time next year.
Sad...! I wish Justice is done.! I wish the culprits are caught...But that is too much of an expectation ...is it.? Let's see.
Memorial - Umm...we only build memorials for our leaders..near the beaches.? I hope our people wake up.!
I am glad you visited the place to prayed for the departed souls. God bless.
This school had just one narrow entrance which several hundred kids have to use. Worse, the gate remains locked during the school hours to prevent avoid the kids from running out in to the streets.
I wonder how the permission was given in the first place to run a school from this place..
This kumbakonam fire incident has created a scare to my daughter.
After this incident she went to the school and asked the teacher what kind of fire exit her school has?
I think every school should teach the fire drill to the students.